DURATION:
5 Days/4 Nights
AVAILABILITY:
Mar-Oct
GROUP SIZE:
Max 8-10
STARTS IN:
Salt Lake City
ENDS IN:
Salt Lake City
TRIP STYLE:
Lodging
March through the end of October is the perfect chance to explore Utah’s world renowned landscapes while resting at the day’s end in rustic luxury accommodations. Experience what southern Utah is all about as we travel through “Canyon Country” and work our way up the Colorado Plateau to some of the most incredible sights in the American Southwest. One iconic site after another, this tour will provide an unforgettable experience to see all 5 of Utah’s National Parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Click here to learn more about our relaxed booking and travel options.
Today, we’ll depart from Salt Lake City and drive through the beautiful Wasatch mountains en route to the incredible canyons of southern Utah. First up for the five National Parks is Canyonlands, known for being rough, rugged, and desolate…but with much beauty to behold! We will explore the district called Island In The Sky where we’ll hike to some outstanding viewpoints and see an iconic natural arch.
Additionally, we will stop at Dead Horse Point State Park for one of the most awe-inspiring views of the mighty Colorado River. This amazing place has been featured in many movies and television shows ranging from “Thelma & Louise” to HBO’s recent series “Westworld”.
This evening we’ll arrive to our rustic lodge and have a nice dinner.
Driving time: 4 Hours
Hiking: 3+ miles – Minimal elevation gain
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Inn, Hilton Moab, or similar in Moab, Utah
Wake up to breakfast included at your lodge and get ready to explore one of the greatest collections of natural arches on the planet at Arches National Park! We will depart early to view the Windows, Double Arch, and hike 3-miles round-trip to one of the most famous features in the entire southwest, Delicate Arch.
“A weird, lovely, fantastic object out of nature like Delicate Arch has the curious ability to remind us—like rock and sunlight and wind and wilderness—that out there is a different world, older and greater and deeper by far than ours” – Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
After some additional active options in Arches National Park, we make a trip to their visitor center before returning to Moab for a couple hours of down time at our campsite. Depending on group preference, some additional options this afternoon may include a visit to Castle Creek Winery and/or a visit to Castle Valley just outside of Moab. This evening, you will be dropped off in the town of Moab for an opportunity to shop and dine on your own. We’ll then pick you up and take back to your rustic lodge and allow you to relax for the rest of the night.
Driving time: Local
Hiking: 3-5 miles – 700+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Red Cliffs Inn, Hilton Moab, or similar in Moab, Utah
Departing from Moab, we drive 2 hours to our first adventure for the day at Goblin Valley State Park. This place is out of this world! It is hard to envision a more “alien-like” landscape than what you’ll see here. Small hoodoos, locally known as goblins, fill a former tidal plain and make for one of the most unique destinations in the American Southwest.
After Goblin Valley, we’ll enjoy one of America’s most scenic drives as we explore Capital Reef National Park for a possible hike to view a famous Natural Bridge. Capitol Reef National Park includes 241,904 acres of amazing red rock formations, cliffs, canyons and natural bridges. It is Utah’s wilderness at its best. Capitol Reef is also the least visited of Utah’s National Parks, so it’s definitely worth checking out! This evening we’ll arrive to our rustic lodge near Bryce Canyon National Park.
Driving time: 5 Hours
Hiking: 2-3 miles – 400+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Ruby’s Hotel or similar near Bryce Canyon City, Utah
This morning we will enter Bryce Canyon National Park just in time to capture the sun rising over a collection of sandstone spires called “hoodoos”. Explore several viewpoints before we descend into the Bryce Amphitheatre on “The world’s best 3-mile hike”. This trail is rated as moderate and is a wonderful way to view a variety of geology, flora, & fauna.
Later in the day we’ll head to our lodge just outside of Zion National Park! You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the property before we have an incredible dinner.
Driving time: 2 Hours
Hiking: 3-4 miles – 600+ feet elevation gain
Accommodation: Lodging at Majestic View Lodge or similar
Today we explore our 5th National Park in 5 days at Zion National Park! Marvel at the giant red cliffs that rise over 2,000 feet above the blue-green waters of the Virgin River. We’ll spend the day exploring much of what this park has to offer before making our return trip to Salt Lake City.
*Due to many natural variables in the outdoors, we take what mother nature provides for us when deciding on which hike we will do. Depending on the weather options include: Upper Emerald Pools, Observation Point, The Narrows or similar.
After several hours of optional hiking and exploring, we depart from Zion National Park and begin our return 4.5-hour drive to Salt Lake City.
Driving time: 5 Hours
Hiking: 3-6 miles – minimal elevation gain
Return to Salt Lake City: We plan to return to SLC by approximately 7:00pm. If you plan to depart from Salt Lake International Airport after the trip, be sure you do not book a flight prior to 10:00pm or 22:00 due to various circumstances out of our control.
I have done over 100 tours and this was one of the best I've ever done! Everything was incredibly organized and professional. The guides made the trip (Eric and Jared).... read more They are super knowledgeable, experienced, friendly, and not to mention amazing photographers. I usually travel...More
We just got back from the Mighty Five Camping trip - we will never forget it! The @Mountainbased guides were phenomenal, funny, skilled and paid attention to every detail! This... read more is the only way to do the Mighty Five! They have carefully selected which hikes to do; where to camp; prepare all the food and drive you where you need to go!
We are definitely going to sign up for a trip next summer. By the way - these guys did a great job keeping everyone safe and "distanced" during these crazy CoVid days. Huge kudos to our favorite guides: Justin and Nick 🙂
I did the 5 day "Southern Utah" trip covering Bryce, Zion and Grand Escalantes with 2 of my friends in a group of 12 people. The trip organization was amazing... read more with great camping locations, georgeous hikes, yummy food and perfectly planned itinerary. Nick 1 and Nick 2 were knowledgeable and friendly guides and went to great lengths to make our trip most enjoyable and kept the whole group engaged with their efforts and planning. Our fellow campers were also hugely cooperative and great folks to be around. I had a blast during the trip. Will be looking forward to do the Yellowstone a d Teton soon with MoutainBased.
My friends and I went on the Mighty Five Lodging trip and had an amazing experience! We didn’t quite know what to expect but it far exceeded our expectations... read more and would not hesitate to recommend MountainBased. Everything from registering with James, email communication leading up...More
This trip was by far the coolest I've ever experienced. Justin and Jared were both very informative guides that are truly passionate about exploring and sharing the breath taking beauty... read more Utah has to offer. They catered the trip to us and met all of our...More
My wife and I travel frequently and I must say this was one of the best trips we have ever made. The guides Jared and James, whom are brothers... read more were exceptional in all aspects. Both parks were exceptional in regards to their beauty. That said, they are both extremely busy. The last thing that I wanted to do was worry about was the logistics involved. Mountain Based took the worry out of everything. They were able to meet the needs of all, from experienced hikers to the less traveled hikers. I'm also very happy that I chose the camping versus lodging. The camaraderie within the group was truly amazing in short time. We can't wait to do another tour with these guys. Mario More
I can't say enough good things about this trip! Nick, Nick, Justin, and Steve were fun, organized, relaxed, knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and great cooks! Before going on this trip... read more I was trying to convince my sister that we could organize a trip for the two...More
Some friends and I did the 5-day camping trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon. We had the most amazing time! We honestly had so much fun and thought the trip... read more was so well organized that we booked a second trip for next summer before our first trip was even over. Our guides, Nick and Eric, were extremely professional, knowledgeable, and supportive. The hikes were perfect lengths/ difficulty level for our group. Food was excellent. Campsites were huge with clean bathrooms. They provide all the gear, which was a big plus, as we were all driving in from different parts of the West Coast. Can’t wait for our next trip! Thanks so much, MountainBased!
Check out a more in-depth list of what to bring here.
Witness the astounding geology of ancient rock shaped by the rushing force of water as you hike through our favorite places in the desert of Southern Utah: Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Experience all five of Utah’s National Parks in just five days from March through October! This lodging and hiking trip will allow you to see Utah’s greatest gems.
Spend three unforgettable days in the Moab area as we explore two of Utah’s most spectacular National Parks – Arches & Canyonlands National Park, while staying at the stunning Red Cliff’s Lodge!