7-Day Utah Itinerary

Start your adventure by flying into Salt Lake City, the ideal starting point for a Utah road trip. I recommend booking a four-wheel-drive rental car with good clearance to handle some gravel and dirt roads you'll encounter on this itinerary. Make a pit stop in Salt Lake City to provision picnic supplies before starting the four-hour drive to Moab, UT. This trip involves some remote areas in national parks, so picnic lunches and hiking snacks are a must.

Moab, nestled amid red rock landscapes, will be your base for the next four nights. Its central location makes it the perfect hub for exploring two iconic national parks: Arches and Canyonlands. Settle into Moab for the night and rest up for an early morning. A few Moab restaurants I recommend include Singha Thai Cuisine, Antica Forma and Sultan Mediterranean Grill.

Dedicate day two of your trip to exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Arches National Park. If you visit Arches between April - October, you'll need to pre-book a timed entry for access to the park. If you're unable to secure a timed entry to the park, the other option is to enter the park before 7am or after 4pm.

The top two activities in the park I recommend are taking a ranger-guided tour of the Fiery Furnace, a maze-like area of sandstone rocks and to hike the three-mile roundtrip trail to Delicate Arch.

Other trails I recommend include:

• Devil's Garden Trail - Hike the 0.9-mile trail to Landscape Arch, the largest arch in the world. Continue towards Devil's Garden and turn around either art Devil's Arch (four miles roundtrip) or complete the full route, which is 7.9 miles. This hike is rated as moderate to strenuous.

• Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail - View the tallest arch in the park, a 0.6-mile easy hike.

• Balanced Rock Viewpoint and Trail - This is an easy loop trail and is 0.3 miles roundtrip.

• Link to the full arches trail options.

Immerse yourself in the unique beauty of Canyonlands National Park, focusing on the Needles section. Start the day off early with an hour and twenty-minute scenic drive to the Needles area of Canyonlands National Park from Moab. This outing is a full-day trip, but it's worth your time as this area of the park is typically much less crowded. Traverse through towering sandstone spires and discover the mesmerizing landscapes that define this part of the park.

I recommend the trails below for your day in the Needles:

• Cave Spring: Easy 0.6-mile loop trail with up-close access to view prehistoric rock paintings and a historic cowboy camp. This is one of my favorite prehistoric rock paintings I've seen in the US.

Reminder - NEVER touch prehistoric art as it causes it to deteriorate.

• Chesler Park Viewpoint: Get up-close views of the sandstone spires Needles is famous for on this 5.8-mile roundtrip trail. Depart from Elephant Hill trailhead. You may need a four-wheel drive for a portion of the gravel road to this trailhead.

• Add on longer trail loop options to the Chesler Park Viewpoint trail for various hikes that are around 10-11 miles roundtrip. I recommend stopping at the visitor center to chat with a park ranger to ensure you're clear on which trail route you plan to take.

• Link to the full Canyonlands trail options.

Continue your exploration of Canyonlands National Park, this time venturing into the Islands of the Sky section. There is a forty-minute drive each way from Moab. Stand at vantage points and marvel at the vastness of the canyons below from this large mesa-top area.

Insider tip: Consider staying into the late afternoon to experience the changing hues of the landscape as the sun begins to set, casting a magical glow over the canyons.

I recommend the following activities for Islands in the Sky:

• Grand Point View - This is a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail with stunning views of the canyons below. This is my favorite hike in the area and is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

• Mesa Arch - Hike 0.6 miles over easy terrain to this famous small arch on the canyon's edge. This is a classic sunrise spot and may be crowded at any time of day.

• Take in various viewpoints such as Green River Overlook, Candlestick Tower Overlook and White Rim Overlook.

• Link to the Islands in the Sky Map.

If you have extra time, stop by Dead Horse State Park overlook. There is an entry fee to this state park that is not covered by the US National Parks Pass. This is another excellent spot for sunsets.

Bid farewell to Moab and embark on a scenic two-hour drive to Capitol Reef National Park. Today's highlight includes an off-road adventure within the park, offering a unique perspective on its rugged beauty. This is an off-the-beaten-path day, and you'll encounter very few people, most likely.

Insider tip: Check local weather conditions before venturing off-road for a safe and enjoyable experience. If there is rain predicted, you'll need to pivot your plan for the day to stay on paved areas instead.

Today is the day your four-wheel drive rental car becomes a must-have!

Spend the day off-roading in the Cathedral Valley section of Capitol Reef National Park. This section of unpaved road is a loop trail, but I recommend doing it as an out-and-back via the Highway 24 and Cathedral Road intersection in a counterclockwise direction to avoid a river crossing. Take this road slow as it's bumpy and you'll need to traverse washes at times. Points of interest include Temple of the Moon and Sun at 17.1 miles, Gypsum Sinkhole at 25.6 miles and Cathedral Trail at 27.4 miles. The Cathedral Trail provides an excellent opportunity to stretch your legs on a 2.4-mile roundtrip out-and-back hike. While the mileage does not seem far, it's slow going and this is a full-day adventure.

Check into your hotel in Torrey, UT for the next two nights. Restaurants are few and far between in sleepy Torrey. I recommend Chak Balam Mexican Restaurant and Hunt & Gather Restaurant. Some places close seasonally in Torrey, so your best bet is to visit Spring through Fall.

Dedicate day six of your trip to exploring the wonders of Capitol Reef National Park. Insider tip: Take advantage of ranger-led programs or guided tours to gain deeper insights into the park's geology and history. Information on available ranger talks is posted at the park's visitor center.

I recommend the following activities for your second day in Capitol Reef:

• Cassidy Arch Trail - 3.4 miles roundtrip, strenuous

• Hickman Bridge - 2 miles there and back; natural bridge and canyon views

• Sunset point - 1-mile roundtrip, great sunset spot with panorama views

• Scenic Drive - 7.9-mile dirt road with access to Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge.

• Stop in Fruita for pie from the historic orchards in the area.

• Link to Capitol Reef hiking guide

On your final day, depart Torrey and embark on a scenic 3.5-hour drive north to Salt Lake City. Use this time to reflect on the natural wonders you've encountered during your Utah road trip. Arrive in Salt Lake City with ample time to catch your flight home, carrying with you the memories of an adventure-filled week amidst Utah's captivating landscapes. You'll be exhausted by the epic amount of hiking, so plan for a rest day when you get home!