Why Your Next road-trip Getaway should be Utah

Road Trip: Ultimate route to explore the southern loop of Utah for first timers.

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Utah is a wonderland for the outdoorsy. It's a mecca for adventure and thrill seeking sports like climbing, base jumping and the more calmer, hiking. The possibilities for activities, experiences and epic views are endless. Utah’s magical destinations make it one of the best states for adventure travel. With its major city hub Salt Lake City, the state has something to offer every traveler.

My new go-to road-trip destination has been Utah and here's why.

Utah is easily accessible from Southern California, Arizona and Nevada. A 6hr drive on the 15 freeway straight from Southern California gets you to the entrance of the state's most epic adventure areas. Zion National Park is the closest and has the most famous and daring hike, Angels Landing.

Fun fact, I recently discovered the 15 fwy starts in San Diego just south of downtown and goes all the way up to the Canada border. It crosses through California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho and finally Montana. This route goes through some of the most beautiful parts of the west coast. I hope to make this drive sometime soon! Utah being only a 5-6 hour drive consistently is my new favorite weekend getaway destination and I will tell you why you need to explore it for yourself.

Utah contains the Mighty 5 National Parks all within an 8hr drive.

Here is the ultimate road trip route to explore the southern loop of Utah for first timers. This route has multiple options stopping at national parks and must visit destinations along the way.

Here is a list of the top National & State Parks along this route

1. Zion National Park

2. Bryce Canyon National Park

3. Capital Reef State Park

4. Goblin Valley State Park

5. Arches National Park

6. Canyon Lands National Park

7. Valley of Fire State Park

Driving and starting in the south western counter of Utah your first town will be St George Utah. St George is the gateway to the western national parks. Zion National Park is 1 hour to the east, passing through the town of Hurricane. If you choose to continue north you’ll hit Bryce Canyon in 2 hours.

Recommendation: Your first stop should be Zion National Park, then Bryce Canyon. You will need permits during peak season for Zion but Bryce is fully open.

Here are some other amazing sites to visit near Zion National Park

1. Zion National Park

2. Kanab- Moqui Caves

3. Coral pink sand dunes

4. Fort Zion Saloon Town

5. Bryce Canyon

After Bryce Canyon you have a couple choices, Head east to Capitol Reef National Park

Or head north and check out these other hidden gems that are not National Parks.

1. Bullion Falls

2. Mystic Hot Springs

3. Red Hill Hot Springs

There are 2 National Parks in between the west and eastern National Park hub, Moab.

1. Capitol Reef National Park

2. Goblin Valley State Park

Capitol Reef is filled with a mix of all the other parks, domes, canyons and cliffs.

But my favorite and the park that looks like another planet most, is Goblin Valley State Park. Goblin Valley sounds most like its name, the sandstone landscape is covered in mini mushroom shaped stumps called hoodoos. Goblin valley can be a quicker stop as the drive off the main highway is only 40 minutes.

Then make your way to Moab for the famous

1. Arches National Park

2. CanyonLands National Park

Finally finish the trip heading south through the Valley of Fire and take in the epic postcard views of monument valley.

Other sites to stop along the way

1. Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs

2. Horseshoe Bend

Before 2020, I had spent the last 4 years living in Northern California, where I had access to amazing destinations like national parks, forests and mountain ranges. But now living in Southern California I am constantly reminded I live in a desert. I’ve been having a hard time lately contemplating where I can get away for the weekend, so I wanted to share my favorite weekend getaway destination.

Always be traveling,

ExplorerBae