I have lived in Utah for most of my life, but it wasn't until I was about to move across the world that I finally got around to visiting all 5 of its national parks. Now, that doesn't mean that I haven't been to ANY of them. One of my earliest memories is getting lost in Arches with my family and accidentally stomping through a field of cryptobiotic soil (unforgivable, I know). I've also hiked Angels Landing in Zion like 15 times (yeah, that's a flex). BUT I had never been to Capitol Reef or Canyonlands and had only glanced into Bryce Canyon (so it doesn't count).
So, after purchasing a National Parks Pass in August 2021, I set a goal with my husband, Jake, and best adventure buddy, Nat, to visit every park in Utah by the time it expired.
Here's what we ended up doing:
January 29-31: Capitol Reef
March 5-6: Bryce Canyon
May 14-15: Arches and Canyonlands
July 23: Zion
Fair warning before we proceed: This is a documentation of a grand adventure and NOT a guide on how you, dear reader, should proceed if you also wish to see the Mighty Five. In fact, it may even be a guide on what not to do. Snow storms and heat waves and getting home at 2 a.m. with work at 9 definitely add to the memorableness of it all, but they aren't for the faint of heart.
Okay. Without further ado, welcome to my journey conquering the Mighty Five!!!
I have written them as separate posts so you can click here to read about each park:
Bryce Canyon *COMING SOON*
Arches and Canyonlands *COMING SOON*
Zion *COMING SOON*
