Join MT Sobek experts Josh Kloepping and Ashley Kasper as they share about what makes Utah’s legendary “Mighty Five” – Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce, and Zion – some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the American Southwest. Josh will share insider stories and expert tips from MT Sobek’s 8-day trip and our other exceptional Utah itineraries, including our winter Utah Zion & Bryce Winter Hiking Tour, where dusty hoodoos and rock spires, welcoming lodges, and unforgettable trails await you.

Utah Adventure Travel Webinar Overview

Welcome, everyone. I’m excited to share some time with you and talk about the experiences Mountain Travel Sobek offers across Utah’s iconic national parks. Today, I’m joined by award-winning guide Ashley Casper, who has dedicated her career to the desert Southwest. I’m thrilled to share her insights and bring you into the heart of the Mighty 5 through a first-person lens.

Ashley’s Beginnings as a Guide

I asked Ashley to tell me a little about her background, and her story instantly shows why she’s such a natural fit for this landscape. She’s been guiding professionally for 13 years, and the desert Southwest has been her main playground for the last 11.

Guiding is truly a family affair for her—her husband and father-in-law were guides long before she stepped into the role. Her first trip into the sandstone country changed everything. She told me she was immediately “smitten,” and that feeling still fuels her passion today.

What Makes Utah So Special?

When I asked Ashley what she loves most, she talked about the colors, textures, and human history that define this region. Utah’s geology isn’t just scenery—it’s a story you walk through.

One fact she shared really stuck with me: the Henry Mountains near Capitol Reef were the last mountain range in the U.S. to be placed on a map. They remained terra incognita until surprisingly late, which is such a powerful reminder of how rugged and untouched this landscape once was—and still feels.

She also said something I haven’t stopped thinking about: the red dirt here doesn’t just stain your socks—it stains your soul.

What Are Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks?

If you’ve heard the term “Mighty 5,” you’re not alone—it’s practically a household phrase now. This was originally a Utah tourism campaign highlighting the state’s five stunning national parks:

• Arches
• Canyonlands
• Capitol Reef
• Zion
• Bryce Canyon

Together, they create a spectacular sweep across southern Utah, from the southwest corner to the southeast.

What Are the Best Airports for Visiting the Mighty 5?

I often get asked where people should fly into when visiting these parks. Our trips typically begin in Grand Junction or Las Vegas:

Why Grand Junction?

• Smaller, easy airport
• Much closer to Arches and Canyonlands
• Less time in the car, more time exploring
• Charming downtown, great restaurants, and the Colorado River flowing right through town

Why Las Vegas?

• World-class dining, entertainment, and hotels
• Surprisingly great outdoor access
• Easy add-ons like Hoover Dam or Red Rock Conservation Area
• Fascinating museums like the Neon Museum and Mob Museum

Las Vegas gets a mixed reputation, but as a starting and ending point for outdoor adventures, it’s genuinely fantastic.

Why People Love Utah’s National Parks?

Ashley believes people are attracted to this region for the same reasons humans have been coming here for thousands of years. The Fremont and ancestral Puebloan people lived and thrived in this landscape long before us. Spanish explorers, fur trappers, and early settlers followed.

The draw?
Striking beauty, otherworldly colors, dramatic textures, and a landscape that refuses to be ignored.

Why Choose to Explore Utah with Mountain Travel Sobek?

With so many ways to see Utah, why choose Mountain Travel Sobek?

For Ashley, the answer is simple: quality.
We hold our guides to exceptionally high standards. We build itineraries around deep knowledge, local restaurants, memorable accommodations, and smart logistics. Our travelers don’t have to worry about what to see or how to see it—we take care of it all so they can soak up the experience with like-minded adventurers.

A Guide’s First-Person Perspective on Each of the Mighty 5

Now let’s dive deeper into each park.

What Makes Arches National Park So Iconic?

Arches is a place where my imagination feels like it’s on fire. Everywhere you look, the landscape serves up new shapes, new textures, and new surprises. From improbable balanced rocks to delicate sandstone windows, water and time have carved thousands of features here.

A few highlights:

• Over 2,000 named arches
• Highest concentration of natural arches on Earth
• Spectacular spring wildflowers
• Golden cottonwoods in fall
• The famous Delicate Arch framed by the La Sal Mountains

Walking through Devil’s Garden—those towering sandstone fins—is like navigating a maze built by nature herself.

Why Is Bryce Canyon So Unforgettable?

Bryce Canyon may be the smallest park of the five, but it is absolutely mighty.

When you first approach Bryce, you’d never guess what’s coming. You drive across plains, pass pronghorn grazing in the distance, and then—suddenly—you’re standing at the rim of an ancient amphitheater carved from coral-colored limestone.

Key features:

• Highest concentration of hoodoos in the world
• Bristlecone pine forests at 8,000+ feet
• Over 200 freeze-thaw cycles each year, shaping the formations
• Sunrise here is pure magic

My favorite hike is the Fairyland Loop Trail. It offers some of the most breathtaking, immersive hoodoo scenery anywhere in the park—360° views that stay with you forever.

What Makes Canyonlands the Most Expansive Park in Utah?

Canyonlands is vast—truly vast. It’s divided into three districts, each separated by the Colorado and Green Rivers:

• Island in the Sky
• The Needles
• The Maze

Each district feels like its own world.
My personal favorite moment is cresting the ridge on the Lathrop Trail and seeing the Colorado River carved into the canyons below—layered like puzzle pieces stretching into the horizon.

What also makes Canyonlands special is the solitude. Compared with nearby Arches, the trails here are quieter, more remote, and deeply rewarding.

Plus, cultural sites like Newspaper Rock give a powerful glimpse into the people who were here long before us.

Why Is Capitol Reef the Most Underrated of the Mighty 5?

Capitol Reef is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most memorable places to visit. The drive along Highway 24 into the park is one of my favorites—towering sandstone walls, rugged cliffs, and a landscape that feels both ancient and alive.

Why the name “reef”?
Early settlers looked at this massive sandstone monocline—the Waterpocket Fold—and saw an impenetrable barrier, like an ocean reef.

One of my favorite pieces of local legend is that the Fremont people called this place “The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow.” The rock colors truly look like a rainbow turned to stone.

What Is the Historic Fruita District?

Fruita is a charming, living piece of history. Settlers established orchards here, and the National Park Service still maintains them today. In the fall, you can pick apples right from the trees. The Gifford House also serves fresh pies year-round, and they’re absolutely worth the stop.

Why Is Zion National Park So Loved?

Zion is the most visited national park in Utah—and the moment you arrive, you understand why. The canyon walls are cathedral-like: towering, vertical, and humbling.

Two of Ashley’s favorite trails are:

Canyon Overlook Trail

• Short but spectacular
• Great chance of spotting bighorn sheep
• Sweeping views toward Zion Canyon

The Narrows

• A bucket-list experience
• Hike in the river, not next to it
• 1,000-foot sandstone walls rising on both sides

Some say the Narrows might be the largest slot canyon in the world, and while difficult to verify, it absolutely feels like it.

If you’re up for a challenge, there’s also Walter’s Wiggles on the way to Scout Lookout—a legendary set of switchbacks named after the park’s first superintendent.

How Do I Choose the Right Mountain Travel Sobek Trip for Me?

When people ask me how to choose the right Mountain Travel Sobek trip, I always start by thinking about the way I personally like to travel. Do I want to see as much as possible in one go? Or do I want to slow down and get deeply immersed in one place? That’s usually the key to choosing the perfect adventure.

If you’re someone who wants to visit a destination once and see all the highlights, the Utah Mighty Five Parks trip is ideal. You won’t go as deep into any single park, but you’ll get a full sweep of the region and an amazing sense of what Southern Utah has to offer.

If you’re someone who prefers sinking into a place—learning its texture, its rhythm, its hidden corners—or if you do the Mighty Five and walk away thinking I have to go back, that’s when our more focused trips come into play.
Our Arches & Canyonlands itinerary is a guest favorite, especially with longtime Moab local Jeff Gutierrez guiding. Our Bryce & Zion hiking trips offer a deeper dive into each park’s unique terrain and energy. And if you want a quieter, more reflective experience, the Zion & Bryce Winter Hiking trip is one of my personal favorites—especially the special New Year’s departure. Ringing in the year on trail feels like the perfect reset.

And if none of the scheduled dates fit your calendar, we can custom-build an adventure just for you, your friends, or your family. No matter what you’re looking for, we can make it happen.

What Makes a New Year’s Hiking Trip So Special?

I’ve always felt the pressure around New Year’s Eve—finding plans, making it “count,” deciding where to be and who to be with. Being outside in a national park, doing something I love, has become my favorite antidote. There’s something grounding and hopeful about starting the year in nature.

What If My Dates or Preferences Don’t Match the Scheduled Trips?

If you’re browsing the schedule and nothing lines up—don’t give up. We create custom itineraries all the time. Lou, our in-house expert, knows the region inside out and loves crafting tailor-made adventures, whether it’s a multi-generational family vacation or an intimate getaway for two.

If you see a perfect itinerary but it doesn’t have the right dates, reach out. With enough advance notice, we can often open up custom departures or create a private trip.

What Can I Expect on a Typical Day in Utah?

Most days average 4–8 miles of hiking, usually landing around 6 miles. Because of the landscape—canyons, mesas, ridgelines—there’s usually a bit of scenic driving involved. Elevations range from 3,900 to 8,000 feet, with elevation gain between 500 and 1,200 feet on a typical hike.

Training beforehand absolutely pays off. The stronger and more prepared you are, the more you’ll enjoy the trip.

What Are Utah’s Seasonal Temperatures Like?

Utah truly gives you all four seasons:

• Spring/Fall: 60s–70s, extremely pleasant
• Summer & Late Fall: Can feel warmer depending on the trail
• Winter: Highly variable—sometimes in the 30s, often perfect for cool-weather hiking

If you don’t love the heat, winter can be a wonderful time to explore. And no matter the season, packing layers is essential.

What Books Should I Read to Get Excited for Southern Utah?

If you’re dreaming about Utah or preparing for one of our trips, here are the books I always recommend:

• Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
The unofficial bible of Southern Utah. This book is responsible for countless people—including many of my friends—moving to Moab and never leaving.

• The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey
If Desert Solitaire makes you love the desert, this one will make you want to protect it.

• Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams
Poetic, atmospheric, and full of heart—she brings Utah to life in a vivid, emotional way.

• Down the Great Unknown by Edward Dolnick
A gripping look at John Wesley Powell’s first expedition down the Colorado River in 1869.

These books will deepen your connection to the landscape long before you arrive.

What Are the Meals Like on a Mountain Travel Sobek Utah Trip?

I love the food on these trips because we focus on local restaurants and locally inspired dishes. Breakfasts and dinners are usually at the lodge or a local spot, and our guides prepare delicious lunches every day.

We can accommodate all dietary needs—vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian—you name it.

What Unexpected Challenges Should I Be Ready For?

Two challenges catch guests off guard more than anything else:

1. The Driving

Southern Utah is big, wild, and spread out. Driving is simply part of the rhythm of the landscape. The good news? The roads are stunning. I always recommend bringing an audiobook or podcast for the scenic stretches.

2. The Elevation

People often assume “desert” means low elevation, but Bryce sits above 8,000 feet. Elevation affects everyone differently, which is why training beforehand is so important. Hydration, pacing, and layers make a huge difference.

Why Does Elevation and Weather Change So Fast in Utah?

Between Zion and Bryce, you only drive about 90 minutes—but you climb 4,000 feet in elevation. With that change comes dramatic shifts in temperature and weather. Following the packing list your guides provide ensures you’re ready for sun, wind, or even a surprise chill.

What Is My Most Memorable Moment in Utah?

It’s hard to choose just one. But I always think back to the first time I drove Highway 70 and entered the sandstone country. You crest the hill and suddenly you’re in these vast, raw red landscapes. The rock feels alive—like the earth’s own bloodstream exposed to the sky.

It’s a moment that stays with you.

What Little Moments Make Utah Feel Magical?

One of my favorites is stopping at Kiva Coffee House on Scenic Byway 12. It sits above the Escalante River, with cottonwoods glowing gold in late October. You’re surrounded by slickrock and open sky. It’s a simple thing—a cup of coffee on a quiet patio—but it feels unforgettable.

Those little moments are what make Southern Utah feel so enchanting.

Final Thoughts: Why Utah’s Mighty 5 Should Be on Every Traveler’s List

If any of this has inspired you—or if the books do—we’d love to host you in Utah. Our 2026 dates are already open, and you can book online or call us directly. If you want a private departure, a custom itinerary, or a date that doesn’t exist yet, just let us know. We’re incredibly flexible, especially with advance notice.

We’re always happy to help you choose the perfect trip.

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