I’m slightly embarrassed to admit it took me 54 years to visit a national park in the United States. What finally inspired me to change my ways? My daughter.
You know how it goes—sometimes you learn just as much from your kids as you hope to teach them. Last year, my daughter interned with Ski Utah. After spending a summer editing endless streams of Utah travel content, she asked a very good question: “Why have we never been to any of the ‘Mighty Five’ national parks?”
Here’s a quick refresher on Utah’s Mighty Five:
- Arches National Park – Home to over 2,000 natural stone arch formations.
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Known for its colorful hoodoo rock spires.
- Canyonlands National Park – A sprawling desert wilderness divided into districts.
- Capitol Reef National Park – A lesser-known gem featuring cliffs, canyons, and the Waterpocket Fold.
- Zion National Park – Utah’s first national park, famed for its towering sandstone cliffs and dramatic hikes like Angels Landing.
While I’m certainly not a national park expert, I’m happy to share our itinerary in hopes of inspiring your own adventure. Our goal was four days of hiking—two in Zion, two in Bryce. In total, we logged 24.4 miles and over 5,500 feet of elevation gain.
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Getting There
We started with flights. Both Las Vegas and Salt Lake City offer good options from NYC, but SLC won out for its efficiency (and Delta miles availability). With flights secured, I booked our stays via Under Canvas—more on that in a separate review.
Watchman Trail Zion National Park
Day 1: Arrival + Zion Warm-Up
We caught an early flight from Newark (EWR) to Salt Lake City (SLC) and were on the road by 10:30 a.m., thanks to carry-ons and the smooth layout of the SLC airport. The drive to Zion took about five hours with a few stops.
At the park entrance, we purchased the $80 annual America the Beautiful pass and found convenient parking near the Visitor Center. To ease into hiking, we chose Watchman Trail—an easy 3-mile out-and-back with a gentle 400’ elevation gain. Sneakers are fine for this one, and it’s kid-friendly.
Planning Tip: The two most famous Zion hikes—Angels Landing (permit via lottery) and The Narrows—are wildly popular. We entered the Angels Landing permit lottery en route and got lucky: my daughter won. You’ll get a notification by 6 p.m. the day before your hike.
Learn more: Angels Landing Permits
That evening, we scoped out the shuttle system (most Zion trailheads are only accessible via shuttle) and drove 30 minutes to our Under Canvas Zion site to rest up.
Zion National Park Angels Landing Momtrends Media
Day 2: Conquering Angels Landing
Jet lag worked in our favor—we were up with the sun. After loading packs with snacks and water (temps would hit 90+), we parked before 7:30 a.m. and caught the first shuttle.
The first two miles on the West Rim Trail to Scout Lookout were manageable, even enjoyable. I pulled out my hiking poles for the switchbacks and followed my daughter up like a determined mountain goat.
At Scout Lookout, we arrived a bit early for our Angels Landing permit window, so we continued another 1.5 miles on the West Rim Trail. Fewer crowds, amazing views—highly recommended even if you don’t score the permit.
By 10 a.m., it was time. We scanned our permits and began the final ascent. It’s steep and narrow (as little as 28” across in spots), with scrambling and one-at-a-time sections. Poles aren’t helpful here—you’ll need hands free for gripping chains and balancing.
The summit? Worth every step. Flat ledges for photos and panoramic views capped off this 7-mile day with 2,000’ of gain.
We rewarded ourselves with coffee at Canyon Coffee (358 Zion Park Blvd) and lunch at Porter’s (897 Zion Park Blvd), then hit the road for Bryce—an unforgettable scenic drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. After about 90 minutes, we arrived at Under Canvas Bryce around 6 p.m.
8-mile hike at Bryce National Park
Day 3: Fairyland at Bryce
We hit the Fairyland Loop trail by 7 a.m., jackets zipped in the high-elevation chill. Unlike Zion, Bryce was blissfully uncrowded. The 8-mile loop, with 1,550’ elevation gain, took us around and through the hoodoos—those surreal rock spires shaped by wind and water.
This was my favorite hike. Challenging but not intimidating, it gave us quiet time to talk, move, and just take in the beauty.
After our PB&Js halfway through, we made our way back up and grabbed lunch at Valhalla Café at the Bryce Lodge. That afternoon was for relaxing at camp and getting to bed early.
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Day 4: Figure 8 Finale
Thanks to trail tips from some friendly Dutch hikers, we tackled the Figure 8 Loop, combining Queen’s Garden, Peekaboo, and Navajo trails for a dynamic 6.4-mile hike.
Queen’s Garden offers up-close views of arches and formations, while Peekaboo adds both elevation and equine traffic—yes, there’s horse poop, but it’s dry and easy to dodge.
Peekaboo was the hardest stretch, but also the most rewarding. We wrapped up with a dramatic switchback ascent on the Navajo Trail and a flat, paved rim stroll back to the car.
Final verdict: Bryce wins. At Zion, you start at the bottom and hike up. At Bryce, you descend into the canyon and climb out—more visual payoff from the start. Plus, everyone can enjoy the amphitheater views from the rim, regardless of hiking ability.
After our hike, we snacked in the sun, then began our return to Salt Lake City.
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Day 5: A Soft Landing in SLC
On the drive back, my daughter remembered our Lifetime Fitness membership and found a location outside SLC. We soaked in the hot tub, swam, and showered off the red dust (sorry, Lifetime drains).
We’d each packed one dressy outfit for a final hurrah and dined at Bambara (202 S Main St), a chic spot in downtown SLC. Then we checked in to the evo Hotel, a minimalist, outdoorsy-friendly base. After catching up on emails—and the Knicks’ Game 5 win—we collapsed into bed.
The next morning, we hit The Bouldering Project gym for stretching and mobility work before heading to the airport.
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Final Thoughts
Growing up, we weren’t a national parks family. Summer road trips meant beach motels, not campsites. And though I’ve traveled the world—skiing in the Alps, hiking in the Dolomites, marveling at UNESCO sites—I somehow missed what was right in front of me.
Now, I get it. These wild American places are stunning, humbling, and surprisingly accessible. And there’s something extra special about sharing them with your kid.
So if you’re thinking about it—don’t wait. Whether you’re 14 or 54, it’s never too late to fall in love with our national parks.
More Summer Fun in Utah
Planning a longer stay? Discover the family-friendly side of Salt Lake City with our guide to the Winter Olympic venues, or check into the evo Hotel—an affordable adventure hub perfect for outdoor-loving families. And if you’re looking to extend the active fun for your kids, don’t miss our feature on Woodward’s summer camps, where sports, creativity, and community come together in an unforgettable experience.
