BUCKET LIST UTAH ROAD TRIP
If you’re dreaming of a road trip filled with red rock canyons, national parks, desert landscapes, otherworldly viewpoints, and some of the best stargazing in the country, Utah needs to be at the top of your list. This road trip is packed with bucket list stops, from Monument Valley to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Moab, and the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Here’s what to add to your Utah road trip itinerary.
1. Forrest Gump Point in Monument Valley
Start your Utah road trip at the famous stretch of road where Forrest Gump stops running in the movie. It’s one of the most iconic photo spots in the Southwest, and yes, you can recreate the running scene with Monument Valley in the background.
Here are the coordinates for this exact spot: 37.101445, -109.990812
2. Moqui Sand Caves
These man-made sand caves are a super cool stop near Kanab with soft orange walls and desert views. There is a specific parking area, and while the hike is not too long, it does require climbing up slick rock, so wear good shoes.
Here is a link to the location of the parking lot.
3. Belly of the Dragon
Located very close to the Moqui Sand Caves, this short tunnel walk feels like stepping inside a carved-out dragon belly. It’s an insanely quick walk from the parking lot and a fun, easy stop to add while you’re already in the area.
Here are the coordinates for the parking lot: 37.2406° N, 112.6864° W
4. Zion National Park
Angels Landing: This is one of the most famous hikes in Zion National Park and one of the most dangerous in the country, so you need to come prepared. The full hike to the peak is about 5.2 miles round trip with roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain, and it can take about 4-6 hours depending on stops and I’d highly recommend starting the hike before sunrise when the trail opens. To reach Angels Landing, you first hike from The Grotto up to Scout Lookout, which is about 2 miles and includes brutal switchbacks. Once you reach Scout Lookout, use the restroom because it’s your last chance before starting the permitted chain section. You MUST have a permit to hike the chain section, and you can apply through the Recreation.gov lottery system a few months out or through the day-before lottery. This hike has steep drop-offs, narrow sections, and chains to hold onto, so good hiking shoes and plenty of water are non-negotiable.
Canyon Coffee: Stop at Canyon Coffee for coffee and a snack with a mountain view. It’s the perfect little break between hikes or before heading out for the day.
Zion Canyon Overlook Trail: If you want a shorter hike with a big payoff, add Canyon Overlook Trail to your list. The view at the end is incredible and gives you one of the best perspectives of Zion Canyon.
Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel views: Don’t rush this drive. The views when exiting the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel are epic and make the drive feel like part of the experience.
5. Outpost X
This unique Star Wars-inspired desert experience in Beryl, Utah is perfect if you want something totally different from the national park circuit. You can book a day pass or stay overnight, and the property has sand cruisers, trampolines, swings, hot tubs, and other fun photo-worthy experiences.
6. Bryce Canyon National Park
Inspiration Point: This is one of the best places to watch the sunrise over Bryce Canyon’s hoodoo-filled landscape. The colors are unreal in the morning light, and it’s a must for photographers. Here are the coordinates: 37.615112083, -112.170667914
Sunset Point: Despite the name, Sunset Point is also beautiful earlier in the day and is a continuation of the Inspiration Point trail by connecting them with the Rim Trail.
Navajo Loop Trail: This trail is about 1.3 miles long and includes famous hoodoos like Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, and Two Bridges. It can be a bit strenuous because of the switchbacks, but overall it is a manageable hike. Start as early as possible and consider hiking clockwise to avoid having the sun in your eyes on the uphill sections.
Sky Nova Cafe: If you have extra time near Bryce, stop by Sky Nova Cafe for breakfast or lunch. It has a futuristic, fun vibe that makes it a cool little add-on to your Bryce Canyon day.
7. Hanksville
Moonscape Overlook: This canyon rim viewpoint truly looks like you landed on the moon. There is no real hike involved because the photo spot is close to the road, but a 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended because the drive can be bumpy and rough. Coordinates here: 38°27’05.8″N 110°50’16.6″W
Factory Butte: This flat-top sandstone monolith near Hanksville is another otherworldly Utah landscape that looks like it belongs on another planet. It’s a great stop between Moonscape Overlook & MDRS.
Stan’s Burger Shack: If you’re hungry in Hanksville, stop by Stan’s Burger Shack for a classic road trip meal. It’s a great spot to refuel before heading deeper into the desert.
Mars Desert Research Station & Bentonite Hills: The Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) is a research facility run by The Mars Society where scientists and researchers simulate living and working on Mars. Crews stay in a habitat, wear spacesuits for “EVAs” (extravehicular activities), and conduct experiments to better understand what future Mars missions might look like. While it’s not open to the public, it’s still really cool to see from the road and adds to the surreal, off-planet feel of this area. If you keep driving past it, the surrounding Bentonite Hills look completely unreal, especially at blue hour. If you have a drone, this is a great area to capture the landscape from above. Here are the coordinates: 38.41467° N, 110.78553° W
9. Arches National Park
Make sure to get a timed-entry reservation through Recreation.gov or take a tour.
Sand Dune Arch Trail: This is a short and easy .2 mile hike that feels tucked away between sandstone fins. We went right at sunrise and were the only people there, which made it feel extra special.
Windows Loop Trail: This loop lets you see North Window Arch, South Window Arch, and Turret Arch in one easy route. If you do the full loop, it’s about 1.5 miles and not too difficult.
Double Arch: You can easily combine Double Arch with the Windows area. It’s one of the most impressive arches in the park and worth adding while you’re nearby.
Balanced Rock: This is a quick, easy stop or drive-by in Arches and one of the park’s most recognizable formations.
Delicate Arch: Delicate Arch is a pretty intense 3.2-mile round trip hike, so bring plenty of water and a headlamp. Watching sunset here is beautiful, but staying for astrophotography is next-level. If you time it right, you can see the Milky Way through Delicate Arch, and it is absolutely worth the late hike back in the dark.
10. Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arch: This is one of the most famous sunrise spots in Utah, so arrive early and bring a headlamp because you may be hiking in the dark. Everyone gathers to watch the sun glow through the arch, but once sunrise is over, most people leave and you can get photos in the arch itself.
Green River Overlook: This stop requires no hiking and is right next to the parking lot. The view looks out over layers of canyons and the Green River below, making it an easy but impressive stop in Canyonlands.
11. Potash
Potash Road: If you’re based in Moab, make time to drive Potash Road. It is one of the most scenic roads I’ve ever seen, with canyon walls, Colorado River views, petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, and the rock formation known as Elvis Rock.
Potash Ponds: These bright blue evaporation ponds are part of an active potash mining operation, where minerals are extracted from the ground and processed using evaporation. The vivid electric-blue color comes from dyes added to speed up the evaporation process, which makes them look almost unreal against the surrounding red rock desert. The ponds are located off Potash Road and can be reached via rough dirt roads, so a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended. Conditions can change depending on weather, and the area can get muddy after rain. While you can view the ponds from nearby viewpoints or pull-offs, be respectful of private property and posted signs since this is an active industrial site. For photography, the best views are often from slightly elevated areas or with a drone (launched from outside restricted zones). The contrast between the bright blue water, white mineral edges, and deep red desert makes this one of the most unique photo spots near Moab. Sunrise and sunset both offer beautiful lighting, but midday can really make the colors pop.
13. Bonneville Salt Flats
If your Utah road trip takes you near Salt Lake City, make the detour to the Bonneville Salt Flats. Sunrise is the best time for soft light and empty views, and if you can visit after rain, the thin layer of water creates a beautiful mirror reflection across the salt flats. It’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen, it feels unreal.
If you’re in Salt Lake City, don’t miss checking out the REAL school where they filmed High School Musical.
Tips for Your Utah Road Trip
Rent the right vehicle: A 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle is highly recommended for Moonscape Overlook, Potash Ponds, and some of the rougher desert roads.
Start early: Sunrise is your best friend in Utah. You’ll get better light, fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures for hiking.
Bring more water than you think: The desert is dry, hikes can be exposed, and summer heat is no joke.
Pack a headlamp: You’ll need it for sunrise hikes, sunset hikes, and any nighttime astrophotography.
Check permits and park rules: Angels Landing requires a permit, and national park rules can change, so verify everything before your trip.
Nearby Road Trip Stops Outside of Utah
Utah is incredible on its own, but if you’re turning this into a longer Southwest road trip, there are a few nearby stops in surrounding states that are absolutely worth adding. We road tripped from Texas to Utah, so these are perfect add-ons if you’re coming from the south or want to extend the adventure.
Roswell, New Mexico: If you love quirky roadside stops, add Roswell to your route. This is the town famous for the alleged 1947 UFO crash, and it fully leans into the alien theme. Stop by the Roswell welcome sign, visit the International UFO Museum, and don’t miss the McDonald’s McSpaceship, which is literally a McDonald’s shaped like an alien spaceship.
White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico: White Sands is one of the most unique national parks in the country, with miles of bright white gypsum dunes that look like another planet. Stop by the visitor center or park gift shop to rent or purchase a sled, then go sandboarding down the dunes.
Big Lake Sand Cave in Page, Arizona: Also known as the Shell Gas Station Cave, this hidden sand cave is a quick and easy stop in Page. The walk is short, but the sandstone walls make it feel like a mini slot canyon moment without needing a guided tour.
Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona: This iconic overlook gives you a stunning view of the Colorado River curving through the canyon below. Horseshoe Bend is an easy stop near Page, and while the walk from the parking lot is short, the view is massive.
Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona: Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous slot canyons in the Southwest, known for its swirling sandstone walls and dreamy light beams. You’ll need to book a guided tour in advance, and reservations can fill quickly, especially during peak travel months.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: If you have extra time, add the Grand Canyon to your Southwest road trip. Whether you visit the South Rim for classic viewpoints or build in more time for hiking, it’s one of those places that truly lives up to the hype.
This Utah road trip is the perfect mix of national parks, desert adventures, movie moments, strange landscapes, and bucket list photo spots. From running at Forrest Gump Point to seeing the Milky Way through Delicate Arch, this is one road trip you will never forget.
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