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Utah Mighty Five Itinerary: Feedback requested

My husband and I are planning an 11-night trip to Utah for October 31-November 11. Flying in and out of Las Vegas. A few years ago, we explored Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon. Focus of this trip is Moab (Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point), Capitol Reef and a brief stop in Zion on the return to Las Vegas. We are fit and active at 74 and 88, but the days of long hikes are in the past! Looking for a relaxed itinerary with short, gentle walks.

October 31-Fly to Las Vegas and drive directly to St. George

October 31-November 1 St. George 2 nights

November 2-5 Moab 4 nights (no timed entry required)

November 6-7 Torrey 2 nights

November 8-9 Springdale 2 nights

November 10 Las Vegas return car and spend night prior to flying home

I'd appreciate feedback on this tentative itinerary. Are there specific hikes you would recommend for slow walkers? Are there Utah State Parks or other sights you would include in addition to the four national parks? Are there hotels you really like in any of these locations? Thanks!!

Posted by
1416 posts

Inn on the Cliff at St George. More budget minded? The Courtyard St George. Ivins is nice to explore. There’s an art center, a magnificent outdoor theater and a new golf resort. Explore Snow Canyon.

We’ve stayed at Cable Mountain Lodge in Springdale but it’s been many years.

Posted by
3141 posts

On your drive from St. George over to Moab consider going via Utah Rte. 12 - particularly the section between Bryce and Capitol Reef. It's one of America's great scenic drives and one of the better-kept secrets in the state. An overnight in Escalante would allow a detour into Kodachrome Basin State Park - another little hidden gem.
On your return consider staying in St. George and visiting Snow Canyon State Park - another one of Utah's terrific state parks that by rights deserves NP status but which exists in relative obscurity thanks to all the attention given to the "Mighty Five".

Posted by
2229 posts

The Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada) is really a nice stop on the way to St. George.

Posted by
17337 posts

On your drive from St. George over to Moab consider going via Utah
Rte. 12 - particularly the section between Bryce and Capitol Reef.
It's one of America's great scenic drives and one of the better-kept
secrets in the state.

Amen to that; it's a real honey. Just keep your eyes open for free-range livestock on the Boulder Mountain stretch.
https://www.visitutah.com/articles/the-all-american-road-scenic-byway-12

We've done Kodachrome State Park too but combined it with Bryce (stayed in Tropic).

Fave hotel in Torrey: Chuck Wagon Lodge (formerly Austin's Chuckwagon Motel before Randy Austin passed away).
https://chuckwagonlodge.com

Capitol Reef: the scenic drive should be open again by the time of your trip, and try easy hikes of Grand Wash, Capitol Gorge, and Sunset Point (at sunset, obviously!). As well, explore the Fruita Historic District + the boardwalk along the Petroglyph Panel. Hopefully in late fall they'll still be making/selling the famous little pies at Gifford House/Store made with fruit from the pioneer orchards. Yum.
https://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/trailguide.htm
https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/fruita.htm

En route to Moab from Torrey on 24, make a 'lil detour north of Hanksville (we've stayed in Hanksville) to Goblin Valley State Park for a wander, long or short, amongst the hoodoos. A weirdly wonderful place! Skip the ramble in the valley if there's been rain the day before or so; it would be a muddy mess.

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/
https://www.utah.com/destinations/state-parks/goblin-valley-state-park/

Stans Burger Shak in Hanksville makes killer malts and shakes, and we had a dandy breakfast at Duck's Slickrock Grill.

Canyonlands: You'll be doing the Island in the Sky unit as it's closest to Moab. I'm sure you can manage any of the 4 trails on the parks "easy" hike list as they are generally more flat than not. There is a great viewpoint of Shafer Trail near the Visitor Center; makes for a terrific shot!
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/hiking.htm#CP_JUMP_5114116

Do Dead Horse on your way to Canyonlands; I seem to remember that my best shots were taken there in the earlier morning. Do all or some of the 4 "easy" walks, including the overlook, for sure.
https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse/hiking-at-dead-horse-point/

Arches:
Your easiest treks will be the 12 listed under "Short and Moderate Hikes" listed on the park's website.
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

I wouldn't bother with Balanced Rock; the drive-by is enough. Some trails don't have to be done in entirety, for instance you could do just the Courthouse Towers and Park Avenue Viewpoints without continuing on the trails. For sure, you will want to include the Delicate Arch lower viewpoint for a look at Utah's state icon. Note that some trails involve some walking in deep sand.

There is no food available at Canyonlands, Arches, Dead Horse or Capitol Reef (outside of some snacks at Gifford House/Store) so bring a cooler and plan to picnic; there are some good spots in the parks for lunch al fresco.

Moab: we've rented apartments, such as units at Purple Sage and Moab Flats for all of our stays; worth it for stays as long as yours or longer. Browse the many listings on booking.com, and I'll advise one IN TOWN, walking distance to restaurants, shops, etc versus further afield. Fave restaurants: Jailhouse Cafe (for breakfast); Moab Diner (good-food budget option); Moab Brewery; The Spoke on Center, to name a few. Gotta make a plug for Milt's Stop and Eat Drive-in; a Moab classic since 1954, and where we went when long days on the trails left us (and other of our ilk) too tired and filthy for civilized dining. HA! Good food; good prices; outdoor patio; take-out; what's not to like? :O)
https://miltsstopandeat.com

Hope this helps!

Posted by
1032 posts

Several years ago we had an enjoyable stay at Zion Canyon B&B in Springdale.

You will need to pack a lunch for Arches and Canyonlands. We took a small, collapsible soft cooler and the hotel kept an ice block in their freezer for us. “Sweet Cravings Bakery & Bistro” in Moab has great sandwiches. You order online the night before, and pick up your items in the morning before heading out. https://www.cravemoab.com/ Highly recommend!

“Quesadilla Mobilla” is a fabulous food truck in Moab. Honesty, the best quesadillas we have ever eaten. They are big enough to share. Check the hours that they are open. “Thai Bella” is also really good; make a reservation, unless you want to wait in line for a table. “Desert Bistro” is also excellent, and reservations are recommended.

Depending on your route, there is a great little state park in Nevada called the “Valley of Fire” The “Mouse’s Tank Trail” there has really cool petroglyphs.

Posted by
15826 posts

I did a shorter trip last year. We had a choice of restaurants in Moab at the end of October. Then we spent 2 nights in a small town outside Bryce. Luckily we found an open restaurant on Oct. 31, it was their last night of the season and the only place in Cannonville that hadn't shut down yet. There wasn't much open on the road during the day, either. we drove from Moab, stopped in Capitol Reef for a few hours and spent the night in Cannonville. One day we ended up getting sandwiches at a minimarket at a gas station for lunch. Just giving you a heads-up on what to expect.

We spent one full day in Moab. We had rain off and on and nixed hiking to Delicate Arch for sunset because the slickrock was likely to be wet and we didn't have proper hiking shoes.

Posted by
17337 posts

We've done the Delicate Arch upper viewpoint a couple of times - hiked down once all alone under a full moon!- and wouldn't advise it for our OP given their preference for "gentle walks." They shouldn't have any issue reaching with the Lower Viewpoint tho; the view from there is shown in this photo:
https://www.nps.gov/places/delicate-arch-viewpoints.htm

Plenty of drama, especially the drop-off on the canyon side of the arch!

Posted by
2068 posts

As long as you realize the temperature will be in the 20's and there's a good chance of snow, and adjust your hiking expectations to that, you should be fine.

Posted by
17337 posts

As long as you realize the temperature will be in the 20's

Average early Nov. daytime temps in Moab, Capitol Reef and Island in the Sky should be low to mid 50's: great for hiking! Dead Horse and Island in the Sky could be higher 40's but I wouldn't expect 20's during the day.

https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/weather.htm
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/weather.htm
https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/weather.htm

St George daytime averages should be slightly higher.
All that said, Mother Nature is a fickle lady so temps she throws at you could swing a bit depending on wind, rain, etc. Just pack layers you can add or shed as the day progresses. :O)