Meet The Mighty 5

Adventures in Utahs Mighty 5 Parks

03.10.2015

The Fab 4 has some serious competition. Meet The Mighty 5: Arches; Canyonlands; Capitol Reef; Bryce Canyon; Zion. Utah's five iconic national parks are so close in proximity you can explore them all in one unforgettable trip. And spring is a prime time to go! Days are longer, temperatures are cooler, wildflowers are blooming, and seasonal creeks are freshly flowing. Check out the Most Inspiring Springtime Adventures in The Mighty 5 and get the full beta on each park. Take advantage of spring's cooler temperatures and hike the Fiery Furnace, a brilliant, twisting redrock labyrinth in Arches. Famous for its hugely photogenic Mesa Arch, Canyonlands is home to a remote, adventurous canyon trail that includes rock scrambles, spring water flow, and climbing a fixed ladder! Capitol Reef has a hidden gem of a backpacking trip through the Waterpocket Fold, past arches and petrified sand dunes. Take a memorable hike or mix things up with a trail run in Bryce Canyon (pictured); the Fairyland Loop is magical terrain as you move past redrock hoodoo formations and whirling spires, inhaling the fragrance of juniper and Ponderosa pine forests. And Zion brings it all together with a towering red stone canyon and iconic hikes, like Angel's Landing with its 360-degree view and spectacular drop-offs. And The Narrows is always an adventure, hiking in a colossal canyon and going upstream—literally—through the Virgin River. High five for The Mighty 5!

BONUS: Plan your trip to meet The Mighty 5. Check out a variety of itineraries from easy day hikes to multi-day adventures.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Woman with her arms outstretched to the rolling hills scenery while on a rock outcrop at Barnabe Peak in Samuel P Taylor Sate Park in Marin

    Barnabe Bonanza

    Sure, there are higher mountains in Marin (Mount Tam) and easier ascents (Mount Burdell), but is there a more expansive North Bay view? Barnabe Peak in Samuel P. Taylor State Park offers a glorious panorama including Mount Tam, Mount Diablo, and Mount St. Helena.

    View

  2. Tamtastic Sunset

    Sure, the East Peak of Mount Tam is absolutely spectacular at sunset, but some magic-hour enthusiasts head to a nearby spot, Trojan Point, for a little more personal space in their panoramic viewings.

    View
  3. Hiker on the SCA trail in Marin Headlands with view of the Golden Gate Bridge

    Headlands Over Heels

    People come from all over the world to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Get a dramatic and novel view of the bridge without all the people on this moderate 6-mile hike in the Marin Headlands.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Lagoon Swoon

    We all love an underdog story, especially in the shadow of the greats. Enter a truly SoCal coastal version: Malibu Lagoon State Beach. Though situated next to Surfrider Beach, a fa

    View
  2. Woman hiking the San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail to San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County

    Bluffing Good!

    Lovely coastline, beautiful beaches, unique geological history, and picturesque sandstone cliffs with limited foot traffic in San Diego County? Head to San Onofre State Beach and the 5-mile San Onofre Bluffs Loop Trail.

    View

  3. Can We Get a Whoop Whoop!

    City, mountain, and ocean views all in one hike? Whoop whoop! It’s no surprise the the Kenter Fire Road and Whoop-de-Doos Trail (a combo of fire road and singletrack) is a favorite among local mountain bikers and hikers alike.

    View