The sun rises at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Top Five National Parks in Utah for Your Bucket List

You might have already seen several pictures of Utah online, and now, you’re planning to make a trip to this beautiful state. The rugged landscape, vast desert, canyons, and picturesque sunrise and sunset will make any nature lover stand in awe.

The state has many stunning national parks that will fill your itinerary. To make your job easier, here are bucket-list worthy places to consider.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is a beautiful park characterized by different-colored hoodoos, stone pillars, and rock formations that dot its landscape. Various lookout points provide visitors with stunning views of the unique environment.

Make your way through the Rim Trail to reach the best spots for taking photos, which are Sunset and Sunrise Points. Enjoy the serpentine trails that lead to the high and low points of the canyon. The ideal time to visit is autumn, which means smaller crowds and cooler temperatures.

Arches National Park

Located near Moab, the Arches National Park is a wonder with hundreds of natural arches. The most recognizable feature in the park is the Delicate Arch. However, there are many other formations scattered all over the park’s landscape.

You’ll find dunes, towering stone fins and spires, to name a few. You can go for a leisurely walk or a more challenging hike by following the various trails in the park. Some sections are child and elderly-friendly for visitors who are taking their family with them.

Zion National Park

East Entrance Zion National Park Sign Utah

If you don’t have much time and only have one place to include in your itinerary, it’s Zion National Park. The park is one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the country. This is the reason it’s also the most popular.

The towering cliffs and mountains create a “vertical park,” which is often the term people use to characterize Zion. The extensive network of trails caters to both beginner and advanced hikers. The trails will take you to lookout points that offer spectacular views of the surroundings.

During spring to fall, the park has shuttles that take tourists through the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. For convenience and more choice of activities, look for good-value tours around the Zion National Park.

Canyonlands National Park

This park is often recognized as the state’s Grand Canyon because of its similar landscape. The most famous viewpoint in the park is the Island in the Sky, which provides visitors with stunning bird’s eye views of the canyons and plateaus.

Another popular spot in the park is the trail leading to Mesa Arch. Take plenty of photos, but also put your phone and camera down to enjoy nature’s spectacular display.

Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point has a stunning viewpoint of the Colorado River and the rugged but beautiful rock formations surrounding it. Follow the trails to get different angles of one of the most famous landscapes in Utah. You can hike for up to seven miles if you’re up for the challenge.

Utah has more parks to discover and explore for outdoorsy travelers and nature lovers. Visit the state to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States.

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