Utah National Parks Trip

[legolas]

Hi Folks, we are planning a trip to Utah in September 2022 to do all 5 parks. Im looking for any tips as to must sees in the parks and the surrounding areas.

[SeeTheUSA]

You’ll have a difficult time determining which is your favorite!

If possible, also spend a couple of days in Monument Valley, too. You’ll be stunned. Cedar Breaks is awesome, although not a full-fledged National Park (sure could be!). Also go to Dead Horse Point State Park, it’s between Arches and Canyonlands … easy little side trip.

For us ….. hmmm ….. probably Capitol Reef is our favorite based on the experience we enjoyed. We stayed in the campground in the park, learned we could pick fruit from the old orchards (in season, off course) and enjoyed fresh baked pies from Gifford House (get there early, they sell out quickly every day).

Also, Utah State Route 12 is about 122 miles of total eye candy, so plan it in your trip if you can. Be sure your rig is up to snuff … tires, brakes, etc. … the highway isn’t scary but deserves respect. We did it in a diesel pusher with a toad once … a couple of years before that in a little Winnebago View with a toad.

Utah is a gift! You’ll see

[creativepart]

You probably already know this, but it's never too early to make reservations for any of these areas in Utah.

To say they are super popular in the fall is an understatement.

[Fanrgs]

I'll second visiting Dead Horse Poiint SP. IMHO, it has the most spectacular views from any state park campground in the nation, including Alaska. And it has electric hookups (but no water)!

UT 12 is a great drive from Capital Reef to Bryce Canyon. We towed our fifth over it without difficulty (the truck had a diesel exhaust brake). And we also spent that night at Kodachrome SP, which has some very Utah-like topography and short, fun hikes, as well as W/E/S hookups.

Mid- to late September or even October is the perfect time of year to visit and when we prefer to travel. However, watch the long-range weather forecasts carefully in spring and fall. We once endured a white-out in our RV at Cedar Breaks on Memorial Day weekend!

[AJMike]

Perhaps you already know this, but both Arches and Zion National Parks have instituted a Time Entry program for the summer and you can no longer just drive up and enter. You must have an entry permit for the specified time period of 1 hour, and you have to get those in advance.

As for the Utah National Parks, we have been to all of them, as well as many of the National Monuments in Utah, and I would recommend Bryce Canyon as the most beautiful. I second the recommendation of Cedar Breaks, although it is very high and we ran into snow in August. Also Natural Bridges. Moab is an interesting city to visit and if you are going in the Summer you might want to stop in Cedar City and get some tickets to the Shakespeare Festival plays. And I also highly recommend Monument Valley, although that is on Indian land and I am not sure if it is open since it was closed for COVID.

[johnmedman]

When going into Arch's NP GO early. There is only one way in and out a late morning it is a wait so wake up early and get to the entrance ASAP. It is beautiful as are all the Utah NP.

[AJMike]

Originally Posted by johnmedman

When going into Arch's NP GO early. There is only one way in and out a late morning it is a wait so wake up early and get to the entrance ASAP. It is beautiful as are all the Utah NP.

Good advice if you go before the Timed Entry system starts. It doesn’t make any difference once the Timed Entry system is in place. You can only enter at the time on your entry permit. Getting there early only means you have to wait until the time on your ticket.

If you have campground reservations in the park you can ignore the Timed Entry restrictions.

[wyocamper]

We visited Arches NP last year in late March/early April. We stayed in Fruita, CO about an hour and a half away and left the CG early and drove into the park about 7 am. We were able to park in all of the major arch parking lots and the trails weren't too busy. When we left about 9:30 or 10 the line of cars extended from the entry station back to 191 and then some.

We went to Canyonlands after that but the line was over a mile long, so we bailed on that and went to Dead Horse instead. This year we're going to do the same but plan on getting to Canyonlands early instead. Weather permitting we'll drive out Shafer road on our way back. We've visited Dead Horse a few times now, and I've always wanted to drive through the road you can see from up there.

Colorado National Monument is well worth spending a day, and this year we're going to do some hiking in McInnis NM just south of Fruita to view some of the arches there.

[rx4fishing]

We did that trip a few years ago, incredible. Second Dead Horse Point SP. if you camp there you will have easy access to Canyonlands and Arches NPs and Moab. There is plenty of things to do and see in/around Moab. If you like to mountain bike, we’ll you are in the Mecca. Also visit Goblin Valley SP, well worth it. We also stayed at Snow Valley SP near Zion. An amazing park

[AJMike]

Getting there early is not going to help. You are not going to be able to get in when you want unless you (a) have a reserved campground space inside the park, (b) visit outside the Timed Entry dates or (c) have already entered during your specified 1 hour entry period during that day.

Your proposed travel date falls within the Timed Entry period for Arches and also for Zion.

https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvis...eservation.htm

These are the National Parks requiring a Timed Entry permit:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/national-p...s-2022-5215453

[David_Laura]

If you have an interest in dinosaurs, or have kids with you, try the Dinosaur National Monument. The main building is an actual excavation of a hill side with fossils still in place. Viewing is from an elevated walkway (ADA) inside a covered building. Good stop if bad weather. We were allowed (off season, few visitors) to drive to the building rather than longish walk or shuttle due to disability.

[Olive]

See this on the IRV2 forum from when I asked for suggestions on what to see and do last year. There is a lot of good info. Enjoy!

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f38/grea...ml#post5593839