We are planning a trip to Utah and would like to see the five National Parks there (Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Zion and Capitol Reef).Is there a way to stay in one location and have relatively easy access to all of the parks ? Any recommendations on RV parks/resorts ?

For Canyonlands and Arches, you can stay in Moab. The rest are pretty far apart. We stayed on the east side of Zion at a lodge/RV resort (it wasn't very elegant, but was fine), because our friends were staying in the lodge. Bryce is pretty isolated and the main option is Ruby's, which operates a little village with inns/lodges/rv park and shops on the entrance road. There's a nice private rv park in Torrey, UT, which is west of Capital Reef. The drive from Bryce to Capital Reef is beautiful on Rte. 12 (I think) and totally doable in a big rig. From Capital Reef to Moab is kind of dreary in my opinion, but still interesting, and Moab is a fun town.

While it seems like a wonderful holiday, if I was planning it I would just do two of them, and stay for four to six days in each place. We found we started to get "rocked out" and just wanted a break from the crowds and hiking.Zion is the lowest in elevation, and is very popular. Try booking there in the serviced site campground first. From there, you will have many daily chances to go on different hikes by the bus/shuttle into the Zion Valley.Another spot for sure is Bryce. There is a large well serviced private campground just outside the park gates, and again, during the summer season there is a shuttle bus to take you from just outside this RV Park to many of the hiking trails in Bryce. When we stayed there we asked the RV Park host if they could give us a car ride to the first hiking trail that starts outside of the park and they did. This gave us a spectacular one way hike for about five miles through the canyons, and we were able to catch the free shuttle bus back to the RV Park.

Moab! We stayed at the Moab Rim Campark 1900 South Hwy. 191 Phone 435-259-5002 very nice park and it don't cost you a lot! Eat at the Brewery in town very good food! We stayed a week and from Moab we visited we visited Arches, Canyonland, went into Colorado and visited National Monument, then back into Utah and we visited Valley of the Gods and Navajo Twin Rocks and Mexican Hat and Monument Valley.

Are you driving a Class A. There are many roads that are off the beaten path that will show you amazing sites that you might want to think about. Are you hiking or driving to see the sights? Moab is great and I can give you some suggestions for some hiking.

Don't forget Dead Horse Point State Park, which you pass on the way to CanyonLands. Dead Horse Point also has a campground that is a great place to stay and right in the middle of everything. There are also plenty of places to just pull off and park your RV and stay right next to the Colorado River in North Moab. We have been back to the area several times and each time we see different and spectacular sights. If you have a toad, you will want to take the 30+ mile loop drive around Moab. The road winds up through the mountains and valleys and some great locations to see wildlife.You will find out that no matter how long you stay, you will want to go back to see more. Down by Mexican Hat, UT, you will want to take your toad through The Valley of the Gods and drive the Moki Dugway. You can also get a great steak dinner at the Swinging Steak restaurant in Mexican Hat. Right next door to the restaurant is a basic RV park. Nothing fancy but fine for a day or two to explore the area.

Recommendations for National Parks in Utah | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but the arch that impressed me the most was Mesa Arch in the Canyonlands.
bumpy
Canadian_Rainbi
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
J-Rooster wrote:
Moab! We stayed at the Moab Rim Campark 1900 South Hwy. 191 Phone 435-259-5002 very nice park and it don't cost you a lot! Eat at the Brewery in town very good food! We stayed a week and from Moab we visited we visited Arches, Canyonland, went into Colorado and visited National Monument, then back into Utah and we visited Valley of the Gods and Navajo Twin Rocks and Mexican Hat and Monument Valley.

For Valley of the Gods, Navajo Twin Rocks, Mexican Hat and Monument Valley spend a few days in Bluff. The restaurant in town is very good, nice Craft Beer (Yes, in Utah!) and located right below the Twin Rocks. The Trading Post next door has some very nice stuff too. There is also reconstructed Bluff Fort. for the history buffs.

We have stayed at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park several times and quite enjoyed it.

The Hovenweep ruins are also doable from here.

We love this part of Utah. Probably our overall favourite part of the USA.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2014
Freebird1958 wrote:
Is there a map or website that would show, what everyone is talking about like roadway parks or even park to stay overnight?

Well, you could go to WalMart and by the front registers would be a road atlas to purchase. The go to RV Park Reviews site and plug in a small town near the park you want to visit for a list of RV parks/campgrounds in that area.
RodLyle
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Went to Bryce,Zion and Arches stayed at three different places had a great time.
Freebird1958
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Is there a map or website that would show, what everyone is talking about like roadway parks or even park to stay overnight?
J-Rooster
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
J-Rooster wrote:
Moab! We stayed at the Moab Rim Campark 1900 South Hwy. 191 Phone 435-259-5002 very nice park and it don't cost you a lot! Eat at the Brewery in town very good food! We stayed a week and from Moab we visited we visited Arches, Canyonland, went into Colorado and visited National Monument, then back into Utah and we visited Valley of the Gods and Navajo Twin Rocks and Mexican Hat and Monument Valley.
I left out we also traveled West up this dead end road on the Colorado River, just out of Moab and there's paintings on the canyon walls from Indians thousands of years ago, and we also went to 4 Corners from Moab (where all 4 States come together) everything we did was in out toad!
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2014
Having been to those parks many times, we would highly recommend you stay near each one for the best experience. However, Arches and Canyonlands can be done from one location. Stay at Ruby's for Bryce, in Torrey for Capitol Reef and in Springdale for Zion. If you condider Mt. Carmel for Zion you will have to contend with a lot of slow traffic daily into Zion. I think you would be exhausted if you're doing day trips from one stop.

From Moab (Arches/Canyonlands), take I-70 west to 24 to Torrey.
From Capitol Reef, take Hwy 12 to Bryce and Ruby's

From Bryce to Zion there are options since you have a MH.
1) Take 89 south to Hwy 9 at Mt. Carmel and disconnect the car for your drive through the tunnels and into Zion.
2) Take 89 north to Hwy 20 to I-15 south to Hwy 9 east to Zion
3) Take 89 south to Kanab and into Fredonia, AZ. Then take 389 east to Colorado City which becomes UT59 and on to Hwy 9
It's recommended that you not take Hwy 14 from 89 into Cedar City. It's very steep and winding.

Of course, all of this can be reversed depending on where you're starting.

Have a good trip!
ncrowley
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2014
There is a really good RV park in Hurricane, Utah about 25 miles west of Zion. It is called WillowWind. We stayed there for a few months this year while we were waiting for our house to be built. The other good part is the area around Hurricane is beautiful in itself with lots of great state parks. There are two large reservoirs, Snow Canyon State Park and lots of places to hike and bike.
jtfcons
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
We've stayed at Moab for access to CanyonLands and Arches. Stayed at Cedar City for easy day trips to Bryce and Zion. Not been to Capitol reef.
Donna_and_Rob
Explorer
Apr 24, 2014
We were in Moab last year about this time, very nice.
I never knew that Utah was on Mars. Cool rock formations. Don't forget the devils playground.:E:B