Utah’s Mighty 5 in a week

‘Labor Week’ off from work led to exploring the major Utah parks — Zion to Bryce to Capitol Reef to Arches and Canyonlands. We did hiking and 4×4 and left a lot untouched.

If you go

The ‘Mighty 5’ loop is one of the great American road trips, but the distances between parks are real and the experiences vary wildly — from Zion’s slot canyons to Bryce’s cool, high hoodoos to the red-rock desert of Arches and Canyonlands. Several now run timed-entry or shuttle reservation systems in peak season, so check each park before you arrive. Spring and fall beat the summer heat at the low-desert ones.