Fun facts and tips about road tripping through Nevada, Utah and Arizona, focusing on national parks and natural attractions.
The “Mighty Five” are the five national parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands.
An entrance fee or annual pass is required to enter the parks, though most cars can get in for free early in the morning/late at night.
The America the Beautiful pass is worth the money if you plan to visit more than 2 parks in the year.
Just a small percentage of visitors opt for a winter trip. This means better deals, fewer crowds and more flexibility. Check out my eight reasons why visiting in the winter is better!
Not all road signs are created equal. Some state border or national parks signs can be small and understated.
Weather is significantly different in the higher elevations – Monument Valley may be desert like, while Bryce and Moab are snow covered.
Even if the forecast says cloudy for the following morning, a picturesque sunrise destination may still be worth it. Bryce Point in Bryce Canyon, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands and Horseshoe Bend in Page were some favorites, despite less than ideal forecasts.
Red rock fatigue can set in if you’re just going to look at the views. Check out this post on how to combat it!
Check the national park twitter or website before planning your day – some roads or trails may be closed.
The food scene is lackluster. Stick to burgers and sandwiches in the small towns.
People fall or get hurt at the parks. Though it often it’s made public, it’s not unusual to see ambulances or firetrucks at attractions. Be careful when climbing or attempting anything near an edge.
Know what to pack! Check my guidefor must-have items here.
One downfall of winter is the shorter day span. Plan drives during the day – both for scenic purposes but also because nocturnal animals cross the road at night.
Hotels, restaurants and attractions may be shut down during the winter or have earlier closing times. Moab will be the most lively of all the towns on this agenda.
Chat with locals! They often have the best advice and interesting points of view.
Check the full moon schedule. Parks like Bryce Canyon offer full moon walks or stargazing tours.
Zion, Canyonlands and Arches are really big parks. Plan your hikes or viewpoints ahead of time, otherwise it’s easy to get overwhelmed or lost.
Don’t let cold temperatures detour your bucket list items or activities. Where there’s a will there’s a way. And when in doubt, add an extra layer.
When renting a car, opt for the 4 wheel drive vehicle!
The roads are well maintained and nicely paved driving to the parks.
Make sure your windshield washer fluid is full. One of the best parts of the road trip is the landscape and you’ll want to take photos.
Keep an eye out for animals: deer, buffalo, cows and bulls, alpacas, horses and bighorn sheep.
Don’t go out of your way for a roadside attraction but some of them can be really interesting. We were big fans of the petroglyphs.
Download google map locations beforehand. You’ll lose service between the main sites and attractions.
Some drives can be long. Have a good road trip playlist, podcast or audio book ready to go. Radio stations are limited, though country always seems to be available!
