Moab Trip Overview
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime in Utah’s famous Mighty Five national parks! This bundle of self-guided tours includes everything you need for the best Utah experience. Witness gravity-defying bridges at Arches, strange and alien pillars of stone in Bryce Canyon, dramatic fissures in the earth at Canyonlands, petroglyphs and pioneer settlements at Capitol Reef, and the sheer majesty of Mother Nature at Zion. Experience the must-see attractions of this incredible state and learn about their history along the way!
Within 30 min, we’ll send you two things: a unique password and the app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the designated starting point to start the tour. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
No expiration — the tour is available from the minute you book until forever!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
Starts: Moab, United States
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Moab Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Moab, Utah, United States
Get ready for the trip of a lifetime in Utah’s famous Mighty Five national parks! This bundle of self-guided tours includes everything you need for the best Utah experience. Witness gravity-defying bridges at Arches, strange and alien pillars of stone in Bryce Canyon, dramatic fissures in the earth at Canyonlands, petroglyphs and pioneer settlements at Capitol Reef, and the sheer majesty of Mother Nature at Zion. Experience the must-see attractions of this incredible state and learn about their history along the way!
Within 30 min, we’ll send you two things: a unique password and the app. Download the app onto your phone and enter the password. Then download the tour inside. When you arrive, go to the designated starting point to start the tour. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
No expiration — the tour is available from the minute you book until forever!
This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check pandemic rules and opening hours before your visit.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Arches National Park Scenic Drive, Arches National Park, UT
Our adventure into the astounding Arches begins just before the park’s entrance and visitor center. We’re about to see stunning natural monuments, unlikely rock formations, and alien, ancient landscapes.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Three Penguins, Utah 84532, USA
As soon as we begin our scenic drive through Arches, we’ll see our first formation: the Three Penguins. The ancient Ute and Paiute peoples who once called these lands home didn’t see penguins though- they saw ancient spirits watching over the land. As we drive, we leave about the formations and their significance to the tribes.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Moab, Moab, Utah
Moab’s Fault is a six million-year-old crack in the earth’s crust. As we continue driving, we’ll see this fault and learn about the geologic pressures that have formed the landscape of Arches.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: La Sal Mountain Loop Rd, Moab, UT 84532
The La Sal Mountains are the second-highest mountain range in Utah. Their highest peak, which you can see toward the center of the range, is almost 13,000 feet tall. We’ll pause our drive through Arches to admire the mountains and learn about the Spanish settlers who pushed out the Ute and Paiute tribes.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Three Gossips, Utah 84532, USA
As we continue driving through Arches, we’ll pass the iconic Three Gossips formation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Courthouse Towers, Arches Scenic Dr, Arches National Park, UT 84532
This brings us to another vista point, where we’ll see the Organ, Courthouse, Sheep Rock, and more.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: petrified dunes, Arches National Park, Moab, UT 84532, USA
We’ll also pass the Petrified Dunes and Great Wall. As we drive, we’ll learn more about the Ute and Paiute mythologies of this harsh and alien landscape.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Garden of Eden, Utah 84532, USA
The “garden” is the expanse of small rocky structures visible to one side as we continue our drive. The tiny arches that dot the landscape almost look like they’re growing!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Windows Road, The Windows Rd, Utah 84532, USA
This brings us to another popular Arches spot: the Windows! These striking examples of erosion are a must-see while in Arches.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cove of Caves, Utah 84532, USA
Look down the trail and you’ll see one of the park’s most striking sights. That collection of arches and almost-arches is the Cove of Caves.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Panorama Point, Utah 84532, USA
We’ll pass Panorama Point — keep this in mind if you plan to return at dark for stargazing. Since there’s very little light pollution obscuring the night sky here, you’ll see an astonishing number of stars once the sun sets. Depending on the time of year, you may even get to see the entire Milky Way! As we continue our drive, we’ll learn about how to stargaze like the Paiute.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Delicate Arch, Near Moab, Arches National Park, UT 84532
Now we’re at THE most famous spot in Arches: Delicate Arch. A quick hike brings us right up to this gorgeous – and improbable – formation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Salt Valley Road, Arches National Park, UT 84532
This is one of the park’s quieter attractions. Like Cache Valley, Salt Valley was formed by the collapse of many sandstone domes. The broken pieces of rock littering the ground are leftovers from that collapse.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fiery Furnace, Near Moab, Arches National Park, UT 84532
Our drive continues past the Fiery Furnace: a network of narrow canyons & passages amid towering red cliffs at Arches National Park.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Sand Dune Arch, Moab, UT 84532, USA
As we drive, exploring more arches, we’ll learn more about the Paiute myths behind them, the Spanish and Mormon settlers who tried to survive in this land, and the people who were able to preserve this stunning landscape as a national park.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Devil’s Garden Trailhead, Arches National Park, Devils Garden Rd, Moab, UT 84532, USA
Our drive through Arches ends at the Devil’s Garden, where a final hiking trail leads to Landscape Arch and beyond. Our tour through the mythology and geology of this epic land is now over.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Monitor and Merriamac Rock Formations, Canyonlands National Park, UT 84532
Look to the right. All you can see at the moment are tall rock walls. That’s because we’re near the floor of Sevenmile Canyon. As we continue to drive, we’ll emerge from the canyon and be able to see two very distinct features in the distance to the right — the Merrimac and the Monitor.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Big Mesa Viewpoint, Utah, USA
Coming up on your right is Big Mesa Viewpoint. Pause for a quick look at some stunning scenery. The enormous mesa looks like it was plonked down here by accident, and then forgotten.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park, UT
In such a beautiful landscape, you can’t escape the lure of exploring off the beaten path. But watch out! If you do go off the path, you might be trampling on soil that’s alive. You might think I’m joking, but throughout Canyonlands, Arches, and Moab is something called a biological soil crust.
Duration: 5 minutes
Stop At: Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, UT
Dead Horse Point — it’s a creepy name, isn’t it? According to local legend, wild mustangs used to be corralled here to be broken in the early 1800s. Once all the desirable horses had been broken and claimed by the cowboys, the undesirables were left to go free.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Island In The Sky Visitor Center, Canyonlands National Park, UT
Stop by the Visitor Center coming up ahead. It’s a great place to grab supplies, use the bathroom, and fill up your water bottles. As you’ve already seen, this park doesn’t have much infrastructure, and being dehydrated out here is no joke.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Shafer Canyon Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT
This overlook offers views from three sides. It may be a bit daunting if you’re afraid of heights since there’s nothing between you and the Canyon. However, the incredible view is worth it.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Neck, Utah 84532, USA
The area we’re traveling over is known as the Neck. Why? Well, remember that this Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands is a huge mesa surrounded by lowlands. Well, there’s a strip of land that connects this mesa to other mesas — just like a natural bridge!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Lathrop Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, UT
A lot of natural landmarks and trails in Canyonlands are named by or after cowboys and ranchers. In fact, Ned Chaffin’s father and one of his brothers had a spring named after them.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, UT
“Ahead, pull over for Mesa Arch. This is a must-do at Canyonlands.
Once you’ve parked, walk along the short trail to the arch.
As you walk, notice the juniper and pinyon trees around you. These are popular in Canyonlands so keep an eye out for them elsewhere too.”
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT 84532
The Green River Overlook offers some of the most unique views of Canyonland’s Island in the Sky District. You’re able to see the Green River continuing its work on the canyon walls. The river is the largest stream in Utah at 730 miles. The name probably comes from the green soapstone that can be found along its banks.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Aztec Butte Trail, Island in the Sky, Canyonlands National Park, UT
What makes this trail special? Simple: the granaries left here by Native peoples. They’re visible from the base of the last hill if you just keep your eyes open. These granaries are hundreds of years old, so be careful when approaching.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Whale Rock, Canyonlands National Park, UT
“In front of you is perhaps the world’s largest whale. Don’t see it? The whale’s head is on the left side of the rock.
There’s an easy one-mile hike that takes you up along the whale’s back. When you get on top of this cetacean, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Upheaval Dome.”
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park, UT 84532
Remember how the park’s rocks have been formed in layers? In most of the park, these layers haven’t been disrupted since their formation. What you see is what was deposited, all those hundreds of millions of years ago.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Candlestick Tower Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT
In the distance, do you see three giant candles sticking out of the landscape? That’s Candlestick Tower! Doesn’t this sandstone formation look like a layered birthday cake, topped with candles? * The bottom layer is white, the middle a reddish-brown, and the top is red.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Murphy Point Trail, Grand View Point Road, Canyonlands National Park, UT
The trail that leads to Murphy Point Overlook is quite easy, adding up to 3.5 miles roundtrip. While the hike itself doesn’t offer much in the way of scenery, the overlook provides a stunning view of Stillwater Canyon and the Green River.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Buck Canyon Overlook, Grand View Point Road, Canyonlands National Park, UT
Here you’ll see spectacular views of Buck Canyon and the La Sal mountains. The short trail is paved, making it one of the most accessible places in the park. There’s also a rail that stands between you and the canyon, so if you are scared of heights, this overlook is perfect for you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: White Rim Overlook Trail, Canyonlands National Park, UT
This is a great place to rest and enjoy a quick meal! There are only eight tables, so be sure to claim one if there are any available.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Orange Cliffs Overlook, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Canyonlands National Park, UT 84532
We’re now at the end of the Canyonlands National Park tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey! If you enjoyed the tour, check out our other tours of nearby Arches, Bryce, Zion, and more!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand View Point Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT
We’re now at the end of the Canyonlands National Park tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey! If you enjoyed the tour, check out our other tours of nearby Arches, Bryce, Zion, and more!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Capitol Reef National Park, UT 84775
Get ready to explore one of Utah’s hidden gems: Capitol Reef National Park. This fabulously colorful, awe-inspiring landscape is packed full of perfect photo ops and fascinating history, and you driving tour will introduce you to all of it!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Twin Rocks, Utah, USA
The first major landmark you’ll encounter are the Twin Rocks, a funky rock formation that people swear looks exactly like a pair of human molars. Take a look and decide for yourself!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Chimney Rock Trail, Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Next comes Chimney Rock, a bright red pillar of rock that looks like a chimney. Here, you’ll also find a great, 3-mile hiking trail to start your trip.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Goosenecks Overlook, Capitol Reef National Park, UT
If Panorama Point left you wanting more, you’ll find it up next at Goosenecks Overlook.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Fluted Wall, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
You’ll arrive next at the Fluted Wall, a cool cliff face which actually offers a look back in time… up to 240 million years!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Castle, Utah, USA
As you drive, you’ll also notice The Castle looming over you. This imposing rocky fortress is sure to inspire awe in any traveler!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Capitol Reef National Park Visitor Center, 16 Scenic Drive, Capitol Reef National Park, UT 84775
The visitor center is up next, a great place to stop if you need snacks, a restroom, or just a quick break to get your bearings.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ripple Rock Nature Center, Torrey, UT
Continuing on, you’ll also pass the Ripple Rock Nature Center, which offers some great educational opportunities for younger visitors.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gifford Homestead, Capitol Reef National Park, UT
Continuing on, you’ll also pass the Ripple Rock Nature Center, which offers some great educational opportunities for younger visitors.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Utah 24, UT-24, Torrey, UT, USA
Beyond that is the Fruita Barn, offering a similar glimpse back in time.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Cohab Canyon Trailhead, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
Then you’ll arrive at the Cohab Canyon Trailhead, which leads to some stunning canyons with a seriously strange history.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Danish Hill, Utah 84773, USA
Continuing on, you’ll reach the top of Danish Hill, which boasts some of the best views of the entire park.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ferns Nipple, Utah 84775, USA
Next, you’ll pass Oyler Mine, where workers once mined uranium before the Reef became a national park… and tried to continue even after that!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Teasdale, UT 84773, USA
Beyond that is the Slickrock Divide, a sort of miniature continental divide which helps ensure flora in the Reef is able to flourish.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Capitol Gorge trailhead, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
As you continue, you’ll come to the Capitol Gorge Trailhead. This is one of the most popular trails in the park for a reason. It doesn’t just lead down into a gorgeous canyon, but also boasts some ancient petroglyphs along the way!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fruita Schoolhouse, UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
Returning to the north side of the park, you’ll get another look at life for the residents of Fruita at the Fruita Schoolhouse, where children of all ages were taught by a 12 year-old!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Torrey Petroglyphs, Utah Highway 24, Torrey, UT 84775
Next, you’ll have the chance to see some ancient petroglyphs for yourself. Some of these ancient drawings are pretty clear, but others have meanings that are yet to be deciphered!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Hickman Bridge Trail, Capitol Reef National Park, UT
The next trail, the Hickman Bridge Trail, leads to a truly astonishing part of the landscape–a natural bridge. Much like a natural stone archway, the bridge at the end of this trail seems to defy gravity itself!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Grand Wash Trailhead, UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
Beyond that is the Grand Wash Trailhead, which leads into the narrow slot canyons beneath the park’s surface. If you’ve never seen a slot canyon up close before, this is a must-do!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Behunin Cabin, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
If you thought Fruita was remote, you’re in for a surprise at the next stop: Behunin Cabin. This was once the home of a family who thought even the tiny town of Fruita had too many people for them!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Pioneer Register, Capitol Gorge Rd, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
Another optional stop is the Pioneer Register, a fascinating historical relic bearing the names of the first European-Americans to arrive in Capitol Reef centuries ago.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Bryce Canyon National Park Visitor Center, UT-63, Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764, USA
Embark on this epic adventure through Bryce Canyon National Park just before the Visitor Center. As we begin the drive, we’ll learn about how the canyon got its namesake and about the original Paitue people who called this land home.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Fairyland Point, Utah 84764, USA
Our first detour is at the breathtaking Fairyland Point. This overlook offers a great sneak peek at everything Bryce Canyon contains: sweeping vistas, sheer cliffs, and, of course, the world-famous hoodoos!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Sunrise Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Our next stop is one of the most famous in the entire park: Sunrise Point. From this vantage point, we’ll see unique, picturesque rock formations spread out in front of us and a plethora of natural trails leading into the vast, alient landscape.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Our self-guided driving tour continues around the famous Bryce Amphitheatre! The canyon curves around in the shape of a giant semicircle and dips far below our feet.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Our drive brings us to another striking vista point overlooking the Bryce Amphitheatre: Sunset Point. Here, as we gaze out over the implausible shapes below us, we’ll learn about the science behind their formations and understand what, exactly, makes a hoodoo. We’ll explore the impact of geology and erosion over a monumental time scale, hoping to understand how such a incredible landscape came into existence.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Inspiration Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
We continue our self-guided tour deeper into Bryce Canyon, towards Inspiration Point. As we drive, we learn about the Paiute people and their mythologies. They had their own explanation for the uniqueness of this landscape and the origins of Bryce’s famous hoodoos.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
This brings us to Bryce Point, which offers one of the most scenic vistas of the full amphitheater. Bryce Point is also famous for its extraordinary sunrises. From here you can watch the tops of hoodoos set alight as if by fire from the first rays of the rising sun. Like fire, the orange light quickly spreads driving shadows from all but the deepest recesses of the amphitheater. As we drive here, we’ll learn about the Mormon settlers who followed the Paitue and tried to eke out a living in this unforgiving climate.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Paria View, Bryce Point Road, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 84764
Our self-guided tour continues to Paria View, where we see the effects of a centuries-old glacier. As the earth warmed about 12,000 years ago, the last ice age came to an end. As the enormous glaciers which covered the American continent melted, all that new water had to go somewhere. Answer: down the canyon!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Swamp Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Now our drive takes us into the lesser-trafficked part of the park. As we drive to Swamp Canyon Overlook, we’ll learn about a famous local: Butch Cassidy! We’ll learn all about Butch, Sundance, and the difference between fact and fiction as we continue the self-guided tour.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Farview Point, Ut 63, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Our next stop is at Farview Point. It’s not just the elevation that allows for such incredible views here — the land here also offers something becoming increasingly rare in today’s world. Can you guess what it is? Clean air! That’s helped along by the abundance of bristlecone pines here, which are the Earth’s oldest trees.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, UT
The self-guided tour passes by Natural Bridge next, which features unusual arches and formations — in case we weren’t already amazed by the hoodoos of the amphitheatre!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Agua Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park Bryce Canyon, Bryce, UT
At Agua Canyon two prominent hoodoos command attention. On the left, is the taller of the two towers, “The Hunter.” To the right, the “Rabbit”. Neither look anything like a hunter or rabbit though! As we drive on, we’ll learn about rabbits, deer, and other wildlife of Bryce. We’ll also understand what tricks they use to survive the scorching hot summers and deeply freezing winters.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ponderosa Canyon, Route 63 Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce, UT
This brings us to Ponderosa Point, from which you can see the park’s iconic junipers sprawling out into the distance. We’re now driving into the deepest recesses of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Black Birch Canyon, Utah 84741, USA
Our self-guided drive continues towards Black Birch Canyon Overlook. As we drive, we’ll learn all about the night sky and opportunities for amateaur astronomy while you’re here. The stargazing at Bryce is unparalleled.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Rainbow Point, Southern End of Highway 63, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
Finally, we reach the farthest overlooks inside Bryce Canyon: Rainbow and Yovimpa. From here, you can see nearly everything in Bryce Canyon — the quintessential hoodoos, the verdant basin, the sheer cliffs. You can even see that you’re on the top step of the incredibly massive “Grand Staircase” — a geologic structure “stepping down” all the way to the Grand Canyon in Arizona.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Springdale Visitor Center, 1101 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
Welcome to Zion National Park! This raw landscape has it all: staggering mountain peaks, stunning natural pools, and gorgeous vistas. We’ll explore it all today.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: 118 Lion Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
Continue straight. Just before the bridge, you’ll see a path on the left. That’s the start of the Pa’rus Trail. And just after the bridge is another path — the Watchman Trail. Both are popular hikes with great views at the end.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Zion Human History Museum, Zion National Park Rd, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
While we don’t know too much about those Ice Age hunters, newer residents left their stories behind. Around 300 BCE, people started settling down here and farming. They grew squash and corn, and gradually learned how to better cultivate the land and survive the unforgiving climate. One group, the Fremont, cultivated a drought- and cold-resistant species of corn which could thrive even at high altitudes.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Canyon Junction Bridge, Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy Hurricane, Hurricane, UT 84737, USA
“We’re almost at Canyon Junction Bridge. There’s a lot going on there:
First, it’s a great sunset spot. Be sure to come back here later.
Second, there are great views of the Watchman and other mountains. If you find parking, take it and listen to the Learn More stories about the peaks.
Third, this is where the road splits:
Turn left if you want to drive along the Scenic Road and visit the Narrows, Angel’s Landing, or the Emerald Pools.”
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Court of the Patriarchs, Zion Canyon Scenic Dr., Zion National Park, UT 84767
“Whew, what a view! Those three mountains are the iconic Court of the Patriarchs. And who are these patriarchs?
Well, a local Christian minister named them after three figures from the Bible: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from left to right. “
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: 1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
The park service works hard to keep this place as natural and untouched as possible… while simultaneously handling over 4 million visitors each year. But that wasn’t the case in the early 1900s. No one knew about this place and that meant no revenue… and that meant… development.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Emerald Pools, Zion National Park, UT
“First, bring lots of water! You may think you’ve got enough… but you probably don’t. This might seem obvious, but Utah’s heat is unforgiving, and heat-stroke or sun-stroke can easily ruin a fun vacation.
Second, make sure you don’t overtax yourself! Hiking around here is going to be more difficult than you might be used to, thanks to the elevation. Be sure you don’t embark on journeys you’re not certain you’ll be able to finish.”
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: West Rim Trail, W Rim Trail, Utah 84737, USA
This park has a ton of great trails, but Angel’s Landing stands in a league of its own. Those who complete the hike describe it as a breathtaking experience like no other, offering impossible views and a major adrenaline rush.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Grotto Picnic area, Utah 84767, USA
This spot offers picnic tables, restrooms, and fire grates. But the surrounding trails are the main attraction!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Weeping Rock Trail, 1 Zion Park Blvd., Zion National Park, UT
A continuous stream of water trickles down its face from a stream far above
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Big Bend, Utah 84737, USA
As we round the Big Bend of the Virgin River, we’ll approach the last viewpoint on this drive. Stop there for magnificent views of the Great White Throne and the towering peak of Angel’s Landing.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Temple of Sinawava, Zion Canyon Scenic Dr, Springdale, UT 84779, USA
To see the Narrows, you’ll want to follow the paved Riverwalk all the way to the end. It’s a flat, easy walk, full of beautiful greenery and towering natural skyscrapers. But before you set off, let’s talk about the Temple of Sinawava.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: East Temple, Zion National Park, UT
That towering summit ahead is the East Temple, standing at 1,700 feet. Notice how the cliff isn’t all one color? You’ve probably seen this on the other rock faces as well. That’s because these cliffs are actually made of rock from a bunch of different eras in the earth’s history.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Zion scenic drive viewpoint 2, Apple Valley, UT 84737, USA
At the next hairpin turn, you’ll see a pull off. If there’s room, stop there for some incredible views. While stopped, click on Learn More to hear why the Mormons called this place Zion.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: The Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, Zion – Mount Carmel Hwy, Hurricane, UT 84737, USA
Make sure to turn on those headlights — because the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel is just ahead! Once inside, you might be tempted to stop and take photos, but you’ll have to resist the urge: stopping is strictly prohibited.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Canyon Overlook Trail, Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel East Entrance, Zion National Park, UT
The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of East Zion’s finest — even though it’s short and easy. Why? Simple — the spectacular views from the top.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Altar of Sacrifice, Utah 84737, USA
If you look closely at the Altar of Sacrifice, you’ll notice that it’s got streaks of rusty red running down the sides. Early Mormon pioneers saw this and thought it looked like blood spilling from a sacrificial altar. Of course, there’s a much less gruesome explanation.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Checkerboard Mesa, Zion-Mount Carmel Hwy. 1 mi west of the East Entrance, Zion National Park, UT
Look at that mesa rising into the sky. Notice anything peculiar? As you get closer, you should be able to make out a strange grid of criss-crossed lines all over it. It looks a bit like a checkerboard, which is how it gets the name Checkerboard Mesa!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: East Entrance Ranger Station, Orderville, UT 84758, USA
We’re at the East Ranger Station, which means we’ve reached the end of our tour. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the formation of this majestic place and all the people who’ve lived here over the millennia. If you’re planning to visit other parks in the southwest, such as Bryce, Arches, or Monument Valley, be sure to check out my other tours.
Duration: 10 minutes
