Which Utah National Park is the Best?

Over 237 million people visited America’s National Parks last year.  237 MILLION!!!  And of those millions, Utah snatches a big portion of them, with FIVE of the country’s most epic parks, including the third most-popular: Zion National Park.  But there’s also Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, & the often-overlooked Capitol Reef National Park.  With all these choices, the question is: which Utah National Park is the best for you & your family, or whoever you’re traveling with?  I’ll answer that question by illuminating the highlights of each park, showing plenty of photos of each, & also by discussing some of the downfalls of each park.

Though Canyonlands is one of the least-visited National Parks in Utah ~ it’s one of my favorite. This shot was taken at the Needles Overlook, off of Hwy 191 (can you spot my shadow??!)

What’s the Most Popular Utah National Park?

Zion is by far the most popular, with over 4 million visitors per year.  The interesting thing: it’s also one of the most compact parks in terms of how long its road is: there’s only 12 miles of highway running through Zion.  It lacks the expansive feeling you get from parks like Canyonlands & Capitol Reef, as well as the Arches & Moab area.

1. Zion National Park  = 4.5 million visitors per year
2. Bryce Canyon National Park = 2.6 million
3. Arches National Park = 1.5 million
4. Capitol Reef National Park = 1.1 million
5. Canyonlands National Park = 733,000 visitors per year

Map of Utah National Parks

As you can see from the map below, Utah’s biggest airport, Salt Lake City International (SLC) ~ isn’t really close to any of the state’s “Mighty Five” National Parks!  Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport is closer to Zion & Bryce, while Grand Junction’s small airport is closer to the other three.  You may still want to fly into Salt Lake if you plan to visit Park City or the great Salt Lake.

1) Zion National Park

Best For: Avid Hikers & Families with Older Kids

Zion is the “big name” park in Utah, with good reason: its soaring red rocks, stunning vistas, & epic hikes make it an amazing destination for outdoor lovers.  Angel’s Landing, Canyon Overlook Trail, & the water-logged trek through the “Narrows” are ALL classic hikes ~ not just in Utah, but in the United States.  Which makes Zion a perfect destination for avid hikers, & families with older children who can handle the at-times scary heights of trails like Angel’s Landing.  You can, of course, simply drive through Zion.  But at the end of the short, 12-mile highway, you may feel like I did: left wanting more. 

Closest Airport to Zion National Park: As mentioned, Salt Lake City (SLC) is NOT the closest airport ~ ironically, Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport is the closest major airport, at 170 miles away.  SLC is 311 miles from Zion.  And the small town of Cedar City has a regional airport with a few flights per day, which is 60 miles from Zion’s entrance.

Closest City with Good Hotels: Springdale, Utah is located right at the entrance to Zion ~ & the closest hotel to the entrance is the Cable Mountain Lodge.  There are plenty of great hotels in Springdale & many cute cafes & restaurants to fill up at post-hiking.  For cheaper hotels, try staying in La Verkin, which is about 20 minutes from Zion.

If you don’t hike at Zion National Park: you’re missing some of the BEST VIEWS in the park, like this one from the Canyon Overlook Trail.

Read More on Zion: Watch this video of some of my favorite scenery in Zion, or read this post to find out where the park’s best sunset spots are…..

The “Narrows” hike, which has you wading through water in a narrow, slot canyon is an ICONIC & much-loved Zion experience.

View from Angel’s Landing, one of the most popular (& death-defying!) hikes in Zion.

Worst Things About Zion: How busy it is, & the fact that the parking lot usually fills up by 8AM ~ leaving pretty much anyone who wants to hike required to use the park’s shuttle service.  There are maddeningly few parking spots for such a heavily-trafficked park.  If you’re more of an independent traveler who doesn’t like crowds or relying on public transport: this can get annoying.

Even if you’re just driving through Zion’s spectacular 12-mile stretch of highway, you’ll still be rewarded with amazing 360 degree views.

Most ICONIC Hotel Stay by Zion National Park: Under Canvas at Zion National Park is “glamping” on steroids ~ you’ll feel like Meryl Streep & Robert Redford in “Out of Africa,” lounging in your upscale tent after a hard day of hiking, looking out at the park’s soaring red rocks.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Stay in a luxury tent with views of Zion’s soaring red rocks at Under the Canvas Zion. This place gives off MAJOR glamping inspo!!

2) Bryce Canyon National Park

Best For: Winter Travel

Bryce Canyon is the second-most popular National Park in Utah, & I suspect the reason for that is its proximity to Zion.  Not that it’s not impressive on its own ~ but Bryce is a little further from the highway than Zion, & there are less stellar lodging options here (which is one of my least favorite things about the park).  BUT!!  The good news is: there’s a LOT to do at Bryce Canyon National Park.  Options include: taking a scenic drive with stops at out-of-this-world view points like Inspiration or Sunrise Points, renting an ATV, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, or hiking on trails like the popular Navajo Loop or breathtaking Fairyland Loop. 

Where I think Bryce really shines is during winter travel: this other-worldly orange landscape softens & really comes alive in wintertime.

Closest Airport to Bryce Canyon National Park: Salt Lake City (SLC) & McCarran International Airport are almost exactly the same distance from Bryce, at 260 miles.  A closer airport is Cedar City Regional Airport, which is 76 miles from Bryce Canyon.

Closest City with Good Hotels: Bryce Canyon City is a tiny little town (of 200 people!) located right next to the Bryce Canyon Entrance ~ & you’ll feel as though you’re stepping back in time with its old-time saloons & small-town feel.

Bryce Canyon’s famous “hoodoos” look especially gorgeous against the backdrop of snow in wintertime.

Don’t Miss: Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, & Sunrise Point (all along the Scenic Drive).

One prominent hoodoo!

Great Alternative to Bryce Canyon (& Closer to Zion): Cedar Breaks National Monument. This little gem of a park looks virtually identical to Bryce (minus the hoodoos) & costs 1/4 the price: read more about it here.

Winter at Bryce Canyon.

3) Arches National Park

Best For: Families with Small Children, Rock Climbers, Mountain Bikers, & Avid (Night-time) Photographers

Ohhh…..how I love Arches National Park!!  Whereas Bryce Canyon can get a little monotonous at times (as so much of the landscape looks orange-ily similar), Arches offers unique vistas at every turn: balancing rocks, towering rocks, massive arches, delicate arches ~ arches of every kind!  Another thing to love about Arches is that most of its hiking & walking trails are flat ~ so this is a great option for families with small children.  But don’t worry if you’re a fitness buff: the fantastically western-frontier town of Moab is an outdoor lover’s MECCA ~ & offers ALL manner of outdoor adventures….from great trail runs to mountain biking & rock climbing.

The fact that Moab is located directly next to Arches National Park is a HUGE bonus, making it a great option for both people who like to camp ~ AND for people who like a little luxury (as there are plenty of luxury hotel & glamping options here).  And because the arches absolutely light up at night, Arches is also a great spot for those looking to practice their night-time photography skills.

Closest Airport to Arches National Park: Grand Junction Regional Airport is technically the closest, at 90 miles away (Arches is close to the Colorado border).  But Salt Lake City (SLC) is the closest major airport, at about 225 miles away.

Closest City with Good Hotels: Moab.  Aside from Springdale by Zion, this is the biggest town near Utah’s National Parks.  You’ve got everything from high-end hotels to glamping to budget motels here, & lots of great food options.

One of my favorite arches at Arches is right near the beginning, on your righthand side (after passing the “Balancing Rock”); I’m in this photo, but look super tiny compared to the arch!

Courthouse Towers at sunset. Of all the parks in Utah, I found that Arches has the reddest dirt ~ which comes out most at sunrise & sunset.

Make sure to get a photo “in” an arch! If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll enjoy climbing up the (accessible) arches.

Arches gets my vote for BOTH the best place to camp & as well for epic night-time photography, as the arches frame the night sky perfectly, & can be well-lit with a good camera.

Most ICONIC Hotel Stay by Arches National Park: There’s another incredible glamping opportunity just outside of Arches, at Under Canvas at Moab.  Similar to the location by Zion, this is another absolute “WOW” experience.

Helllooooo….glamping perfection!! From the leather couch to the southwestern rug, everything about Under Canvas at Moab speaks my language…

4) Capitol Reef National Park

Best For: Van-Lifer’s, RV’ers, & Off-the-Beaten Path’ers

Capitol Reef is the one Utah National Park I haven’t been to, & it’s also the most difficult to access: being over 200 miles from the nearest major airport (SLC).  It’s off-the-beaten path location makes it a great spot for those really looking to get away from it all ~ & it’s my top choice for people who’ve got their own ride: RV’ers, van-lifer’s, off-roaders, & the like.  There are plenty of great campgrounds here, including Fruita, Wonderland RV Park, & Pleasant Creek Campground, & hikers should test out the Hickman Bridge Trail or gorgeous Cassidy Arch (pictured below). 

If the crowds of Zion & Bryce just aren’t for you: then Capitol Reef is your spot.

Closest Airport to Capitol Reef National Park: Same as above; Grand Junction Regional Airport is the closest, at 195 miles away, but Salt Lake City (SLC) is the closest major airport, at about 225 miles away.

Closest City with Good Hotels: Torrey, Utah is the closest at about 10 miles away.  Similar to Bryce Canyon City, this is a tiny little town of about 300 people!  Note: Torrey sits at about 6,800 feet in elevation, so it may not be a great option if you get altitude sickness.

A storm coming in over Capitol Reef National Park.

Pro Tip: The best time to visit Capitol Reef National Park is during summer, as the park is prone to flooding throughout the rest of the year.  Just bring plenty of water!!

Arches isn’t the only Utah National Park with arches ~ you’ll find them at Capitol Reef too. Cassidy Arch is pictured here.

Don’t miss the towering rock formations you’ll find in Cathedral Valley, in the northern section of Capitol Reef ~ though it’s best to take an ATV or off-road vehicle up here.

Worst Thing about Capitol Reef National Park: If you’re into luxury, Capitol Reef isn’t really your spot ~ as there aren’t many luxury options here.  Hence, why it’s best to come with your own camping gear or recreational vehicle.

5) Canyonlands National Park

Best For: People Who Don’t Like Crowds!

Canyonlands may be the least visited National Park in Utah, but frankly, it’s one of my favorites!  Something about it reminds me of the Grand Canyon, with its long, lonnggg views & crazy vista points.  Another thing to love: it’s close to both Arches National Park AND Moab.  Ironically, the most famous arch is actually at Canyonlands ~ not Arches National Park, & that is the incredibly gorgeous Mesa Arch.  The most challenging thing about Canyonlands is the long driving distances involved.  The park is split into two sections: Island in the Sky & the Needles area, & the distances between the two can be very long, depending how deep into the park you travel. 

Also Note: If you’re visiting the Needles area & really want to explore, you’ll most likely need an off-road vehicle.

Closest Airport to Canyonlands National Park: Grand Junction Regional Airport & Salt Lake City (SLC).

Closest City with Good Hotels: Moab or the charming little town of Monticello, where you’ll find the quirky Grist Mill Inn.  The family who runs this place is AMAZING!!  They took me & my friend off-roading….just for fun!  Rooms are BIG; the hotel is actually an old, Victorian-style house with a lot of history, so if vintage is your thing: this is a great spot to stay!

Mesa Arch at Canyonlands is one of the most popular photography spots in ALL of Utah’s National Parks: the view it frames is absolutely iconic, & is extremely popular at sunrise & sunset.

If You’re Looking for Easy, Family-Friendly Hikes at Canyonlands: Read this article.

More sunrise shots, at Needles Overlook, on the eastern side of Canyonlands National Park, close to the cute town of Monticello.

One of my favorite photos! I love the way this arch (also at Needles Overlook) frames the view beyond it so beautifully.

Most EPIC Hotel Stays by Canyonlands: Under Canvas Moab ($149+/night) will have you camping in luxury tents under the stars, just outside of Arches National Park.  Or if you’re looking for true luxury after hiking all day: try the adorable Sunflower Hill, a Luxury Inn ($200+/night), in Moab.

***For a complete run-down of great hotel stays by both Canyonlands & Arches, read this article.

Which Utah National Park is the Best?

 So…what’s the bottom line here??  If you’re looking for solitude: head to Capitol Reef or Canyonlands National Park.  If you’re traveling with small children, Arches is my top pick ~ but it’s also my top pick for outdoor fitness buffs, due to its proximity to Moab.  Zion gets my vote for sheer “wow” factor & for epic hikes, while Bryce Canyon wins out in the winter travel category. 

And for insane glamping opportunities: head to Zion or Moab!!

xoxo Noelia 

Read Next: The Perfect Itinerary for Zion & Bryce Canyon

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