Utah road trip: Delicate Arch to Capitol Reef, 7,104 km

This 7,104 km route across Utah connects five national parks and iconic landmarks including Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Capitol Reef, alongside natural wonders like Delicate Arch, Monument Valley, and the Bonneville Salt Flats. The journey spans from Salt Lake City to remote desert formations, showcasing Utah's geological diversity across mountains, canyons, and volcanic fields.

Distance
7104.2 km
Mode
route
Start
Welcome to Utah
End
Dead Horse Point State Park
Stops
34
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Welcome to Utah — Utah's diverse landscape spans red rock deserts, alpine mountains, and unique geological formations attracting outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers worldwide.
  2. Delicate Arch — The most recognizable arch in Arches National Park; iconic symbol of southern Utah
  3. Amethyst Lake — High alpine lake in the Uinta Mountains with vivid blue water
  4. Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple — Temple built at the base of Mount Timpanogos; Mount Timpanogos is the second highest peak in Utah's Wasatch Range
  5. Santa Clara Volcano — Volcanic formation in southwestern Utah
  6. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — Immense landscape preserve in south-central Utah
  7. Capitol Reef National Park — South-central Utah desert landscape with cliffs, canyons and wind-carved walls; formerly known as Wayne Wonderland
  8. Mount Timpanogos — Second-highest peak in the Wasatch Range at 11,949 feet, offering alpine trails and stunning views across Utah's central valleys.
  9. Downtown Moab — Small town with main street filled with shops and cafes; gateway to canyon and arch formations
  10. Corona Arch — Impressive arch on three-mile roundtrip hike near Moab; also known as Little Rainbow Arch
  11. Bryce Canyon National Park — Fantasy landscape of colored stone formations and hoodoos in southwestern Utah
  12. Monument Valley — Iconic desert landscape on Utah-Arizona border
  13. Zion National Park — Fantasy landscape of colored stone and canyons in southwestern Utah
  14. Arches National Park — The most recognizable arch in Arches National Park; iconic symbol of southern Utah
  15. Salt Lake City — State capital of Utah; Wasatch Mountains region
  16. The Utah State Capitol Building — Neoclassical government building completed in 1915, featuring Utah marble and Art Deco interiors that reflect the state's architectural heritage.
  17. Bonneville Salt Flats — Expansive white salt pan in northwestern Utah
  18. Canyonlands National Park — Colorado River canyon formations and landscape
  19. Bentonite Hills
  20. Factory Butte — Striking desert plateau rising 6,000 feet above surrounding terrain, named for its distinctive industrial-like appearance in central Utah.
  21. Wasatch Mountains
  22. Lake Powell — Reservoir on the Colorado River forming border between Utah and Arizona
  23. Antelope Island — Island in the Great Salt Lake
  24. The Great Salt Lake — Large salt lake in northern Utah
  25. Park City — Historic silver mining town transformed into a premier mountain resort destination, hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics and year-round outdoor recreation.
  26. Mars Desert Research Station — Experimental habitat in Utah's remote red desert simulating Mars environments for NASA-affiliated research on human space exploration missions.
  27. Angels Landing — Iconic 5,790-foot sandstone peak in Zion National Park offering panoramic views after a dramatic ridge hike with cable handholds.
  28. The Narrows — Spectacular slot canyon in Zion National Park where towering walls narrow to 20 feet while the Virgin River winds through.
  29. Potash Evaporation Ponds — Large-scale mineral extraction evaporation pools in southeast Utah displaying striking turquoise and orange hues visible from space.
  30. Kodachrome Basin State Park — Colorful badlands landscape featuring vibrant red and white rock formations with scenic trail systems near Henrieville.
  31. Mexican Hat Rock Formation — Distinctive mushroom-shaped balanced rock formation near the San Juan River, resembling a traditional Mexican sombrero hat.
  32. Little Grand Canyon — Slot canyon carved by Goblin Creek displaying intricate erosion patterns and colorful layered rock formations in the Goblin Valley region.
  33. Colorado River — River originating in Rocky Mountains; passes through Utah carving canyons and formations
  34. Dead Horse Point State Park — State park with panoramic views of the Colorado River and canyon landscape

Useful for your trip

Tip
Delicate Arch is the most popular destination in Arches National Park and the most recognizable arch in the world. It's located along one of the most dynamic hiking trails within the park.
Tip
Amethyst Lake is a camping and hiking endpoint tucked in the high Uentas, featuring vivid blue water reflecting turquoise and deep indigo hues.
Avoid
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is among the most remote and rugged land in Utah. Due to its remote nature, expect fewer services than in national parks.
Tip
Capitol Reef National Park is a 100-mile pinch in the earth's crust in the geographical middle of nowhere, less visited than Bryce and Zion but overloaded with geological and cultural significance.
Timing
Mount Timpanogos experiences heavy winter snowfall and avalanche activity is common in winter and spring, so plan accordingly for the season.
Tip
The Colorado River provides nearly 30% of water usage in Utah and hosts some of the best whitewater rapids and rafting in the country.
Tip
Dead Horse Point State Park is 32 miles from Moab and rises 2,000 ft above the Colorado River. The overlook is one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.
Where to stay
Dead Horse Point State Park opened to the public in 1959 and covers 5,362 acres at an altitude of 5,900 ft.
Tip
Moab is known as the adventure capital of Utah, attracting mountain bikers, off-roaders, climbers, river runners, and photographers to its Mars-like red rock landscape.
Tip
Utah is a landlocked state in the mountain west, sharing borders with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, featuring towering mountains, vast deserts, and shimmering salt flats.

Video on this route

UTAH: The Otherworld Hidden in America’s West | Travel Video 4K

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