Utah Mighty Five National Parks Custom Adventure Tour
Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks
- Available: May, June, July, August, September
- Activity: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, Level 4, Level 5
- Accommodations: Luxury Hotels, Comfortable Hotels, Rustic Lodging, Deluxe Camping
Highlights
- Explore Utah's Mighty Five: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
- Hike amid Zion's hoodoos, float down the Colorado River, and stargaze under Bryce Canyon skies
- Customize this itinerary to create your own immersive adventure in Utah's iconic national parks
Itinerary
Drive to Moab & Indulge in a Canyon Dinner Experience
Day 1
Start your Utah National Parks road trip with a scenic drive to Moab, gateway to Arches and Canyonlands. Upon arrival in Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, pick up your rental car and begin your journey through the stunning landscapes of the American Southwest. The drive to Moab takes approximately 3.5 hours from Salt Lake City or 1.5 hours from Grand Junction, offering picturesque views along the way. This evening, enjoy a one-of-a-kind Moab experience with a jet boat tour and canyon light show. Begin with a hearty Dutch Oven dinner overlooking the Colorado River, then board a flat-bottomed jet boat for a scenic ride upstream. As night falls, the canyon walls come alive with 40,000 watts of light, synchronized music, and storytelling that blends geology, history, and local legends. This enchanting experience is a must-do for anyone visiting Moab and exploring Arches or Canyonlands National Parks.
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge
Accommodation: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Accommodation: Moab Springs RanchActivity: Canyonlands by Night Shared Dinner and Light Show
Transportation: Canyonlands by Night Shared Dinner and Light Show
Meals: Dinner
Explore Spectacular Arches & Canyonlands National Parks by 4x4
Day 2
Begin your day with a private guided 4x4 tour of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, led by your expert guide. Departing from your Moab hotel, you'll explore iconic landmarks like Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and the dramatic canyons of Island in the Sky—all from the comfort of a rugged off-road vehicle. This thrilling full-day adventure goes beyond the pavement, offering access to remote viewpoints and hidden trails. Along the way, enjoy short scenic walks and learn about the region’s fascinating geology, ancient cultures, and rich history. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, filled with unforgettable memories of Utah’s red rock wilderness.
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Lodge
Accommodation: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton
Accommodation: Moab Springs RanchActivity: Full day private vehicle touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Float the Spellbinding Colorado River & Drive to Capitol Reef
Day 3
Begin your day with a scenic Colorado River float trip through Moab’s stunning red rock canyons. Led by an expert guide, this peaceful stretch of river offers breathtaking views and a relaxing way to experience the geology and beauty of the Southwest. After your float, continue your Utah road trip with a drive to your overnight accommodations near Capitol Reef National Park, where more adventure awaits.
Accommodation: Capitol Reef Resort
Accommodation: Cougar RidgeActivity: Colorado River Half Day Shared Float
Transportation: Self Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Experience the Splendor of Capitol Reef National Park
Day 4
Explore the remote beauty of Capitol Reef National Park on a private half-day morning tour with your MT Sobek guide. Known for its dramatic desert landscapes and peaceful solitude, Capitol Reef offers a quieter, more intimate national park experience. Spend the morning discovering the stunning Cathedral Valley, home to sculpted sandstone monoliths like the Temples of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, and the Walls of Jericho. Your expert guide will uncover the park’s layered geology and share stories of pioneer history and ancient cultures. After the tour, enjoy a relaxing afternoon at your leisure or continue exploring the scenic surroundings on your own.
Accommodation: Capitol Reef Resort
Accommodation: Cougar RidgeActivity: Half Day Private Vehicle Touring
Meals: Breakfast
Hike in Grand Staircase-Escalante & Stargaze at Bryce Canyon
Day 5
Embark on a full-day private guided tour of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with your MT Sobek guide. This vast and remote landscape—one of the last places mapped in the continental US—features dramatic plateaus, hidden slot canyons, natural arches, and sculpted cliffs. Your expert guide will captivate you with natural history, archaeology, and lore as you explore the solitude of Cathedral Valley and other scenic areas. Short walks or a guided hike will be seamlessly woven into your day, offering a deeper connection to this wild and unspoiled terrain. In the late afternoon, continue to Bryce Canyon National Park. This evening, enjoy a private stargazing experience with a professional astronomer under Utah’s famously dark desert skies. Using high-powered telescopes, you'll observe the Milky Way Galaxy, countless stars, recognizable constellations, and even distant galaxies millions of light-years away.
Accommodation: Best Western Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel Bryce Canyon
Accommodation: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon
Accommodation: Clear Sky Resort Bryce CanyonActivity: Private half day hiking, private telescope night sky tour
Transportation: Self Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hike Among the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park
Day 6
Start your day with a private half-day guided tour and hike in Bryce Canyon National Park, led by your local guide. Famous for having the largest concentration of hoodoos on Earth, Bryce Canyon is a surreal landscape of natural amphitheaters carved into a high plateau. Your guide will lead you on a scenic hike among the towering spires and colorful rock formations, pointing out ancient Bristlecone Pines—some of the oldest living organisms on the planet. Along the way, you'll learn about the powerful forces of wind and water that shaped this unique terrain. After soaking in the views from Bryce Canyon’s iconic overlooks, continue your journey this afternoon to your overnight accommodations near Zion National Park.
Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge
Accommodation: Driftwood Lodge
Accommodation: Zion Mountain RanchActivity: Private half day hiking
Transportation: Self drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Traverse the Legendary Narrows in Zion National Park
Day 7
This morning, meet your private MT Sobek guide for a full-day bottom-up hike through the Narrows of Zion National Park, one of the most iconic slot canyon hikes in the world. You'll trek along—and through—the Virgin River to reach the narrowest section of Zion Canyon, surrounded by towering sandstone walls. Your adventure begins with a proper outfitting session, including special footwear, neoprene socks, hiking poles, and a dry day pack. In cooler months, dry suits are also available for added comfort. The hike will be tailored to your ability level, current trail conditions, and personal goals. A trailside picnic lunch is included on this exhilarating adventure.
Accommodation: Cliffrose Lodge
Accommodation: Driftwood Lodge
Accommodation: Zion Mountain RanchActivity: Private full day guided hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Spend the Morning Canyoneering & Drive to Las Vegas
Day 8
This morning, meet your private MT Sobek guide for a half-day customized canyoneering adventure in southern Utah. Designed specifically for your interests and ability level, this experience begins with a scenic hike followed by active exploration of narrow slot canyons. Your guide will select routes based on current conditions, ensuring a safe and exciting journey that may include hiking, rappelling, scrambling, and wading through canyon pools. Canyoneering is a perfect bonding activity, combining natural obstacle-solving with breathtaking scenery. Most routes offer stunning beauty with moderate physical challenge, making for a fun, rewarding, and meaningful adventure. This afternoon, drive to Las Vegas, where you will spend your final night before departing.
Accommodation: Four Seasons Las Vegas
Accommodation: Bellagio Hotel & Casino
Accommodation: Wynn Las Vegas and EncoreActivity: Private Half-Day Guided Canyoneering
Transportation: Self Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Depart from Las Vegas
Day 9
After breakfast and checking out of your hotel this morning, drive to the Las Vegas Airport, return your rental car and board your homebound flight.
Transportation: Self drive
Meals: Breakfast
Why Travel With Us?
- With decades of experience in immersive travel, MT Sobek ensures every journey is seamless, personalized, and unforgettable.
Experience all of Utah’s Mighty Five national parks on this expertly crafted, adventure-rich, customizable itinerary.
- Our seasoned guides will bring the parks to life, from their outstanding geology to their remarkable history, and fascinating flora and fauna.
Know Before You Book
Itinerary: Please review your personalized itinerary carefully, as activities, accommodations, and included meals may vary from the sample itinerary shown online. Depending on your program, some experiences may be self-drive, with expert guides available along the way, while others are fully escorted and have the same driver/guide throughout.
Custom journeys are thoughtfully designed for a personalized experience, and adjustments may occur due to availability, logistics, seasonal considerations, or other factors. If you have any questions at any point, please don't hesitate to reach out—we're always happy to help.
Dates & Prices
Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Local Tour Guide .
We work with only the most experienced and knowledgeable local guides on our trips. You will be in excellent hands with a fully licensed and accredited local guide who will share their expertise in everything from history and architecture, to culture and traditions, the best local cuisine, activities and crafts, or even shopping. Local guides live, breathe, and love their trips because as locals they are an integral part of their communities. Their connections run deep and pride in their piece of the world is contagious.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Expect to be moderately active on guided hikes, scenic drives, and a variety of outdoor adventures, such as 4x4 tours and a river float. Utah's desert terrain includes red rock trails, slot canyons, and flowing rivers. This adventure can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
Canyonlands by Night Shared Dinner and Light Show
Day 2
Full day private vehicle touring
Day 3
Colorado River Half Day Shared Float
Day 4
Half Day Private Vehicle Touring
Day 5
Private half day hiking, private telescope night sky tour
Day 6
Private half day hiking
Day 7
Private full day guided hiking
Day 8
Private Half-Day Guided Canyoneering
*Mileage and elevation change information is approximate and may vary slightly depending on trail conditions, weather, and route adjustments, and the guide’s discretion.
Accommodations
Stay in beautiful lodgings in prime locations, each hand selected for you with your expert planner.
Weather
Utah's national parks showcase four distinct seasons: snowy, cold winters; hot, dry summers; mild, lush springs; vibrant, crisp autumns. Sunshine dominates and humidity remains low year-round in the desert.
FAQs
After picking up your self-secured rental car in Salt Lake City, Utah or Grand Junction, Colorado, you'll be provided with everything you need to set off on your road trip through Utah's Mighty Five. Prefer to leave the driving to someone else? Ask us about designing a trip with a through guide.
MT Sobek provides footwear, neoprene socks, hiking poles, and a dry day pack. Depending on water levels, some or most of the hiking will be through water. Your guides will let you know what current conditions are expected to be and whether shorts are a good choice.










