Picture Above: Arches National Park

Drive 10 hours Northeast of L.A. to Moab the first day. Then start with Arches National Park the next morning. Work your way back down to all 5 major National Parks in Southern Utah. Depending on how many days you have, try to visit Escalante or Lake Powell.


I took this route with 4 friends in July of 1998. We hiked in 100 degree temperatures, went off-roading on a rented jeep with no doors in Canyonlands N.P. (see picture. absolutely beautiful!), and swam in Lake Powell (though I really would have liked to take a speed boat and visit the slot canyons... too bad we didn't have enough time). Perhpas summer is not the best time to go because it was SUPER HOT. Nevertheless we had a wonderful time, and this is a great route to go through if you have about 10 days for your vacation time. I totally recommend it!!