Trip Itinerary from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas through Utah's Nature Parks

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

The heart of this route is a visit to the magnificent national parks of southern Utah. This is an area of wild and magical nature, where the erosion of red rocks by natural forces created hundreds of amazing canyons, arches, bridges, spires, hoodoos, and massive natural sculptures scattered over vast areas. To top it off, and in total contrast to the nature you've seen, the route ends in the most glitzy city in the USA, Las Vegas, which is a man-made wonder.

Route Map: Nature Parks and the Wild West (4)

Travel itinerary from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas through Utah's nature parks

♦ Link to Google Map with the route

Destinations along the route

Destination		Days of stay
Salt Lake City		1
Arches National Park		1
Canyonlands		1
Mesa Verde National Park		1
Nature reserves in Southeast Utah		1
Lake Powell		2
Bryce Canyon		1
Zion National Park		1
Las Vegas		3-4

Total travel days: 12-13 days.

Route length: 1630 km. Total driving time without stops: about 19 hours.

Recommended destinations, accommodations, and articles for each destination on the route:

Each destination has a link to my detailed article about it with photos, attractions, and important tourist information.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the capital of the state of Utah and its economic and cultural center. It is an excellent starting point for a trip to Yellowstone National Park. The city serves as the spiritual center of the Mormon faith, which is its main uniqueness. Most of the tourist attractions in the city are related to the Mormons. The main attraction of the city is Temple Square.

♥ Recommended hotels in Salt Lake City

Article: ◄ Touring the city of Salt Lake City

The city of Salt Lake City

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks - (in the Moab area)

Southeast Utah is an area of wild and magical nature, where phenomena of red rock erosion by natural forces created hundreds of amazing canyons, arches, bridges, spires, columns, and massive natural sculptures scattered over the area. Arches National Park is one of the most unique and interesting parks in the region. The park contains the largest number of natural arches in the world. Not far from Arches lies Canyonlands National Park, which is much larger than Arches. This park is divided into three parts that are completely separate from each other, each with its own separate entrance.

Article: ◄ Touring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Southeast Utah

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Mesa Verde National Park - (Cortez and surroundings)

"Mesa Verde" is a national park that wonderfully preserves a rich and prosperous 1,000-year-old culture of the ancient Indian tribes who lived in the area. The archaeological sites in the park are among the best-preserved and most impressive in the entire USA. There are about 4,000 archaeological sites in the reserve, including about 600 "cliff dwellings," some well-preserved and some destroyed over the generations.

Article: ◄ Traveler's guide to Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Lake Powell and Antelope Canyon (Page)

A trip to Lake Powell (on the Arizona-Utah border) and its surroundings is one of the highlights of a trip to the Western USA. The starting point for tours in this area is the town of Page, located in northern Arizona, which is why it is recommended to stay there. It is recommended to sail a boat or kayak in Lake Powell, tour the amazing Antelope Canyon, see the Horseshoe Bend of the Colorado River, and visit the Glen Canyon Dam.

♥ Recommended hotels in Page

Article: ◄ Trip to Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Native Americans, and active leisure

Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is one of the most beautiful and impressive parks in the USA. Its area is relatively small compared to other national parks, and its main attractions can be visited in one day. In the park, you can find the most colorful rocks in the world in unique shapes designed by nature due to erosion: thousands of hoodoos, cones, spires, and mazes made of colorful sandstone and limestone.

♥ Recommended hotels in Bryce Canyon

Article: ◄ Trip to Bryce Canyon in southern Utah

Bryce Canyon

Zion National Park - Zion (Springdale - at the park entrance)

"Zion" Park is located in southwest Utah and has impressive cliffs and canyons in height and beauty, very rich vegetation including hanging gardens and forests on the sides of the canyon, and many wild animals. It is recommended to stay in the town of Springdale, located at the entrance to this park.

Article: ◄ Trip to Zion National Park

Zion National Park Zion

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a resort and entertainment city for the whole family and not just a destination for gamblers. There is no other city in the USA, besides Orlando, where you will find so many special entertainment and amusement options. The city is also known for its shows. The city is a world tourism center. Before the COVID period, more than 40 million tourists visited it annually! The city also serves as a convenient starting point for trips to national parks: Zion, Bryce, Antelope Canyon, and the Grand Canyon.

♥ Recommended hotels in Las Vegas

Articles: ◄ Traveler's Guide to Las Vegas ◄ Touring Las Vegas Attractions and Surroundings ◄ Attractions inside the Las Vegas "Strip" Hotels

Las Vegas at night