The famous baseball movie, The Sandlot, was filmed primarily in the Salt Lake City area. We were considering Antelope Island for wading and kayaking but after reading about the smell (youngest a little sensitive to smells) and the bugs and the heat wondering if we would really want to spend enough time there to justify the time it would take to drive there and back and considering we only have a day, especially considering how much time we will be spending in the car already. I am flying into Las Vegas on June 10th and fly out on July 1st. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Our 10-day American Southwest itinerary starts in Phoenix, which gives you some time in Sedona. The Utah national parks cover almost 2% of the state's total land. Our favorite time to visit the American Southwest is in October, with great weather and lower crowds than you typically see in the summer months. And I think Cedar Hills is a good part way spot to stay and do a day trip to SLC from there, especially if you spend time at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This comes in around 6 days. Sundance Mountain Resort. Also, the Disney hit Up left its mark here in Utah. Turn right onto UT-12 East (110 miles), 3. If you want to add on a remote, scenic drive and leave the crowds behind, this is something to consider. PLAY. We have hiked to Delicate Arch four times, driven the White Rim Road in Canyonlands, Looped the Fold and explored Cathedral Valley in Capitol Reef, seen Bryce Canyon at sunrise, and stood on top of Angels Landing and hiked the entire length of the Narrows in Zion National Park. Day 1- Arrive in Las Vegas, drive to the south rim of the Grand Canyon, evening in Grand Canyon Day 2 Grand Canyon Day 3- drive to Page early in the morning, tours of Antelope Canyon and sunset at Horseshoe Bend, sleep in Page Day 4- drive to Monument Valley, afternoon in Monument Valley, sleep in Monument Valley Day 5 Morning tour of Monument Valley, afternoon drive to Zion (Springdale) Day 6 Zion (sleep in Springdale) Day 7 Zion in the morning, drive to Las Vegas in the evening That itinerary will get you to everything you listed. For suggestions on where to stay in Moab, click here. If you want to see everything we have written about Utah, click here to visit our Utah Travel Guide. If you cant bring your bike (or your horse, for that matter) dont fret, as there are rental options within the park. 7-Day Mighty 5 Itinerary from Salt Lake City, 7-Day Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip from Las Vegas, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, 10 Day Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef National Parks Itinerary, 10 Day Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks Itinerary, Best Time to Visit the Utah National Parks. Red Canyon: Get out, stretch your legs and explore the pre-Bryce hoodoos. The event is open to the public and quite the spectacle. Butyou will be moving extremely fast. Bird watchers probably go bananas on the island- loads of different varieties use this area as a migration stop. We just came back from a wonderful 5- day trip to all 5 parks. On this itinerary you have enough time to visit The Needles district of Canyonlands. The Salt Lake covers nearly 21,000 square miles, so there is plenty to see! Enjoy the views from the rim, hike a short trail, and then drive north to Torrey (2 hours, 105 miles) and get settled into your hotel. 231. from $158/night. Cheers, Julie. Las Vegas is more convenient that Salt Lake City for flying home. However, they are most famous for their mole. This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (advertiser listing); and general information about credit card products (editorial content). These hot springs may seem less natural but they are just as relaxing! Turn left onto US-89 North (43.1 miles), 3. NATIONAL PARKS: Learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. Lindon Marina rents a variety of boats, including sailboats. But I honestly don"t think it's worth all the extra driving and time to visit just because you don't know if you"ll ever get put this way again. Here are the links to each national park website. NATIONAL PARKS: In our Guide to the US National Parks, get the full list of national parks with important travel planning information, such as things to do in the parks and sample itineraries. In June or July, the Friends of Antelope Island host a Moonlight Bike Ride that often attracts upwards of 1,500 riders. 4. Your email address will not be published. This Utah national parks itinerary post is meant to be used in conjunction with our other articles about Utah. They will open in a new browser window so you can easily refer back to this article. So Ill give a few recommendations that are more shorts and tank top friendly. Could be longer depending on what you do there. With so much to see and experience at the Great Salt Lake, it is deserving of a spot on your must-see list. First thing to do is visit the information center - it's a quick stop - great bathrooms! Looking for hotels near Bryce Canyon? Hike Cassidy Arch and walk through the first section of Grand Wash. Grand Wash is very similar to the Narrows in Zion, only without the river, so your feet stay dry but you still get to hike through a wide slot canyon. For more information, please see How we make money. Temple square and thereabouts would also be fun. It would require several additional hours of driving. It is hidden inside a 55 foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock it is a must see! Just an hour from downtown Salt Lake City is a vast wilderness where bison, antelope, and bighorn sheep roam. And just in case you missed it, here is the link to our Utah Travel Guide, where you can read all of our articles about Utah. Scenic Drive in Capitol Reef National Park. Antelope Island State Park | Utah.com The loop continues on Burr Trail Road. You can also horseback ride here too! And when you get hungry I recommend stopping by one of my 2 favorite restaurants,Billy Blancos and tupelo. Salt Lake City Travel Guide | U.S. News Travel Kids will be ages 8-17 Any other suggestions? DMCA | Privacy Policy | Fair Housing, Salt Lake Boating: Top 7 Lakes and Reservoirs Along the Wasatch Front. On this itinerary, you have enough time to add on a drive down Shafer Canyon and take Potash Road back to Moab. Discover the best things to see and do with our list of top tourist attractions in Salt Lake City. However, it sounds more daunting than it is. At 6,586 it is the tallest in the park and provides spectacular views of the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Mountains to the east. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City, drive to Moab Day 2: Arches National Park Day 3: Canyonlands National Park Day 4: Little Wild Horse and Goblin Valley State Park Day 5: Capitol Reef National Park Day 6: Grand Staircase-Escalante or more time in Capitol Reef Day 7: Bryce Canyon National Park Day 8: Zion National Park Day 9: Zion National Park Day 10: Fly home from Las Vegas or Salt Lake City. (Or are we?!) Located an hour southeast of Salt Lake City is the largest and most unique hot spring in the state, the Homestead Crater. Our Mighty 5 Itinerary eBook includes this full 10-day itinerary, with detailed daily schedules, insider tips, and travel planning resources. UcityJuls, Thank you so much for reporting on your trip and what worked out for you. If you're hoping to visit this amazing spot, be sure to stop by Antelope Island State Park! The Closest Alaskan Mountain Range To The Arctic (& How To Get There). Buffalo Point is a very short hike, probably less than 1/2 a mile. So breaking news, Utah is landlocked. Honestly, the kids had the most fun at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Canyonlands is the least visited but also the largest of Utahs national parks. Because of its essential role in the areas ecosystem, the lake is an important stop for several species of migratory birds and is a great place for bird-watchers to break out those binoculars. How Can I Get in to the Water in the Great Salt Lake? Zion - Canyon Overlook Must-stops along the way On this loop, you will drive down Notom-Bullfrog Road. Contact us if you are interested in buying or selling a home. If you have 2-3 extra days then go for it, but an overnighter doesn't make a lot of sense. The Red Iguana Restaurant is by far the BEST meal in Salt Lake City. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Spend day 2 at Capitol Reef and that evening drive to Moab. Time of year will greatly influence the smell and bugs, but if you want to dip your feet in the lake and just see what the hype is (or is not) all about this is a good place for a short visit. Your visit to the Great Salt Lake matters, especially when you enter a state park. You need a high-clearance SUV to do this, although a 4WD vehicle is ideal. There is a home that is identical to the main characters home in the movie! So like, this place is a worth the trip to Salt Lake City. The Bonneville Salt Flats are home to many speed records. Thats 5 days. Birdwatchers will also enjoy the bear River Bird Refuge and the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, so be sure to check out these other locations to spot some unique birds. Get settled in your hotel. Legends also abound at this lovely lake. Short but sweet, with a view. Take US-191 north to Crescent Junction (26.9 miles), 3. This is what a 5-day Utahs Mighty 5 itinerary looks like: Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City, drive to Moab Day 2: Arches + Island in the Sky (Canyonlands) Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon, spend a few hours in Capitol Reef on the way Day 4: Bryce Canyon in the morning, Zion in the evening Day 5: Drive to Las Vegas and fly home. The Tips You Need on Your First Visit to the Great Salt Lake Winter Solstice. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93225649', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Salt Lake City. Would like to take the kids to at least see the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 8 Places You Need to See When Visiting Salt Lake City Before we get started, here is one final word of advice.