Utah’s Mighty 5 Ranked From Best to Worst (2024)

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A journey through Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks is an experience that many want to experience at least once in their life, and if we may add, that one should definitely experience. It’s an adventure through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States. 

As avid travelers, my husband Eric and I have had the privilege of exploring these national parks by car. We explored Utah’s Mighty 5 while on a road trip through the USA from Nashville to Hawaii and more specifically when road tripping around Arizona and Utah. It’s an adventure that left us with a profound appreciation for the diverse beauty of the American Southwest. 

Each park in the Mighty 5 – Bryce Canyon, Arches, Zion, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands – showcases unique geological formations. Ranging from towering hoodoos and natural arches to deep canyons and high plateaus, it’s actually quite interesting to see so many different rock formations in parks that aren’t that far form each other after all.

In this post, I’ll share our personal ranking of the Mighty 5. For each national park, we will cover their landscapes, discuss their accessibility, and describe the types of experiences they offer.

Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, a casual nature lover, or someone in between, Utah’s Mighty 5 promises an unforgettable journey through some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. Here’s our comprehensive ranking, starting with our favorite.

1. Bryce Canyon National Park

Breathtaking Landscapes: Bryce Canyon is a surreal dreamscape. We’ve seen many national parks including outside of Utah (Yosemite, Sequoia) and we’ve never seen anything like Bryce Canyon, which is why we rank it first. You can see our comparison of Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon here too.

The park’s most iconic feature is its collection of ocher-colored hoodoos which are spire-shaped rock formations that create an otherworldly terrain. 

The vibrant color palette of red, orange, and white hues is striking at sunrise and sunset, casting a magical glow over the entire landscape. The natural amphitheaters and rugged terrain here are unparalleled.

Accessibility: Bryce Canyon is remarkably accessible. The park’s main road leads to several viewpoints, each offering a distinct perspective of the hoodoos. For a closer look, the Navajo Loop (which begins and ends at Sunset Point) and Queen’s Garden trails are fantastic options that are moderately challenging but extremely rewarding.

Types of Experiences: Hiking is probably the most popular activity in Bryce Canyon. Hiking in Bryce Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Trails like the Fairyland Loop and Peek-A-Boo Loop are longer and more strenuous but offer stunning, less crowded vistas. The park’s Dark Sky status also makes stargazing here an absolute must-do.

But there are other experiences in Bryce Canyon as well.For example, you can go on an ATV Tour, do an e-bike tour or even take a scenic wagon ride on the rim.

Any regrets?: Yes, we actually wish we could have spent longer at Bryce Canyon. We visited the main viewpoints and spent some time on the trails. But the park offers so much and is so unique, we would have liked to experience more of it and immerse ourselves more. That gives us another reason to visit Utah again!

2. Arches National Park

Breathtaking Landscapes: Arches National Park is famous for its over 2,000 natural stone arches. The Delicate Arch, standing alone against the backdrop of striking red-rock desert, is a sight that visitors should not miss when visiting. The park’s landscape of contrasting colors, landforms, and textures is both unique and mesmerizing. It’s well worth the second place! To be frank, our hearts always balance between Arches and Bryce!

Accessibility: The park’s scenic drive provides easy access to many major viewpoints and trailheads. While some arches require a bit of a hike, others, like the Landscape Arch, are just a short walk from the parking area. There are also beautiful sights to be seen from the road.

Types of Experiences: Hiking to see the arches up close is one of the highlights. The Fiery Furnace hike offers a more challenging and guided adventure through narrow passages and along sandstone walls. Photography, especially during golden hour, is spectacular here. We highly recommend visiting Arches at sunrise for an unforgettable experience with less crowds!

3. Zion National Park

Breathtaking Landscapes: For the third place, we decided on Zion. Zion National Park is one of the Mighty 5 but from our experience, it’s not quite as majestic as the first two. Of course, this is only our personal opinion.

Zion’s majestic canyons and towering sandstone cliffs are still impressive. The Virgin River, winding through the canyon, is one of the main differences Zion offers compared to the other Utah National Parks. The views from Angel’s Landing and the emerald pools in the lower canyon are simply breathtaking.

Accessibility: The park operates a shuttle service, making it easy to access key locations without the hassle of parking. Actually, Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is only accessible by shuttle when the shuttles are operating. Trails range from easy riverside walks to more strenuous adventures like The Narrows, where you wade through a river between towering canyon walls.

Types of Experiences: Hiking in Zion ranges from family-friendly trails to challenging treks. Canyoneering and rock climbing are popular for adventure seekers. The park’s diverse ecosystem also makes it great for wildlife viewing and bird watching.

4. Canyonlands National Park

Breathtaking Landscapes: Canyonlands is vast and varied. It’s divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. Each offers unique and dramatic landscapes, from towering mesa tops to deep river canyons. It’s also home to some arches, the most famous being Mesa Arch. We like to think of Canyonlands as a mix between Capitol Reef and Arches National Parks which is why we wanted to rank it 4th. It’s a good one to sort of hit two birds with one stone.

Accessibility: Island in the Sky is the most accessible district, with many viewpoints and short hikes. The Needles offers more backcountry experiences and requires more effort to explore.

Types of Experiences: Canyonlands is perfect for those who seek a rugged and remote experience. The park offers fantastic opportunities for hiking, canyoneering, mountain biking, and 4WD adventures. Stargazing here is also phenomenal due to the minimal light pollution.

5. Capitol Reef National Park

Breathtaking Landscapes: Capitol Reef is a hidden gem with its cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline. The contrasting colors and layers in the rock formations are visually stunning, particularly at sunset.

Accessibility: The park is a bit less popular meaning it’s also less crowded. The scenic drive and several short trails are easily accessible, providing good viewpoints and enjoyable short hikes.

Types of Experiences: The park is ideal for those who love hiking and history. You can explore the orchards in Fruita, the petroglyphs, and the pioneer register. Backcountry hiking and camping here offer solitude and connection with nature.

Utah’s Mighty 5 are a wonder of natural beauty and diversity. Each park offers its unique features and experiences, making them each a good option no matter what. They’re so beautiful it can be so hard to choose that it will make you not want to visit Utah anymore to avoid the headache and heartbreak of choosing!

Our adventure through these parks was not just a travel experience; it was a journey of immersion and of communion with nature that left us with lifelong memories and a deep appreciation for the natural world. It’s truly incredible what nature can do!