Utah Mighty 5 — The 10-Day RV Trip From Las Vegas
Typical rate: $3,500-$4,500 all-in for two people, 10 days
The Utah Mighty 5 — Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — is the bucket-list American national park trip. This guide covers the 10-day version starting from Las Vegas (the practical launch). For variations from Salt Lake City or longer 14-day versions, adjustments are at the end.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 10 days
- Launch: Las Vegas (LAS airport)
- Distance: ~1,400 miles
- Recommended class: Class C under 27 ft (fits Zion tunnel without escort, plus every NP campground)
- All-in budget: $3,500-$4,500 for two people
- Best months: April-May, September-October (avoid summer heat at low elevations, avoid winter snow at Bryce/Capitol Reef)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Las Vegas pickup → Zion National Park
- Morning: Pick up RV at Las Vegas rental (most around LAS area, see Las Vegas guide)
- Drive: Las Vegas to Zion’s Watchman Campground — 160 miles, 2h 45min via I-15 and UT-9
- Afternoon: Arrive at Zion, set up at Watchman Campground (book 6 months out)
- Evening: Zion Canyon shuttle ride; Pa’rus Trail walk
- Camp: Watchman Campground inside Zion ($30/night)
Day 2: Zion full day
- Morning: Angels Landing hike (requires permit lottery 2-7 days out) OR Observation Point alternate
- Afternoon: The Narrows hike (water shoes; check flash flood forecast)
- Evening: Springdale dinner; return to campground
- Camp: Watchman ($30/night)
Day 3: Zion → Bryce Canyon
- Morning: Final Zion morning — Emerald Pools or Riverside Walk
- Drive: Zion to Bryce Canyon — 85 miles, 1h 30min via UT-9 and US-89
- Afternoon: Arrive at Bryce, check into North Campground or Sunset Campground (book 6 months out)
- Evening: Sunset Point sunset; first hoodoo views
- Camp: North Campground at Bryce ($30/night)
Day 4: Bryce full day
- Morning: Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden combo hike
- Afternoon: Rim drive to Rainbow Point (highest at 9,100 ft)
- Evening: Mossy Cave hike (less-crowded alternative)
- Camp: Bryce North ($30/night)
Day 5: Bryce → Capitol Reef
- Morning: Bryce Sunrise Point one more time
- Drive: Bryce to Capitol Reef Fruita Campground — 120 miles, 2h via UT-12 (Scenic Byway) and UT-24
- Afternoon: Arrive at Capitol Reef, set up at Fruita Campground
- Evening: Scenic Drive to Capitol Gorge; orchard exploration
- Camp: Fruita Campground ($25/night)
Day 6: Capitol Reef → Arches (long driving day)
- Morning: Hickman Bridge hike; Petroglyphs viewpoint
- Drive: Capitol Reef to Moab — 145 miles, 2h 45min via UT-24 and I-70 East to US-191
- Afternoon: Arrive at Moab; set up at Devils Garden in Arches OR Moab-area private RV park
- Evening: Delicate Arch sunset hike (1.5 mi each way, no shade — bring water)
- Camp: Devils Garden Campground or OK RV Park ($25-$50/night)
Day 7: Arches full day
- Morning: Park Avenue + Balanced Rock drive
- Afternoon: Devils Garden trail (Landscape Arch, Double O Arch — 4 mi loop)
- Evening: Sunset at Delicate Arch viewpoint
- Camp: Same as Day 6
Day 8: Canyonlands Island in the Sky day trip
- Morning: Drive 30 mi from Moab to Island in the Sky
- Afternoon: Mesa Arch (best sunrise spot but works mid-day), Grand View Point, Upheaval Dome
- Evening: Return to Moab base
- Camp: Same as Day 6/7
Day 9: Moab to Las Vegas (long driving day)
- Morning: Final Moab activity (mountain bike rental, jeep tour, or relax)
- Drive: Moab to Las Vegas — 460 miles, 7h via I-70 and I-15 (don’t try to do this in one day if you can avoid)
- Alternative: Split the drive — stop overnight at St. George, UT campground
- Camp: Las Vegas RV Resort if returning Day 9, OR St. George campground if splitting drive
Day 10: Las Vegas return
- Morning: Final drive into Las Vegas (if split Day 9)
- Late morning: Empty tanks at dump station, refuel, return rental
- Afternoon: Departure flight from LAS
All-in budget breakdown
For two people, 10 days, Class C at 25-28 ft:
| Line item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Class C rental: $185/night × 10 nights | $1,850 |
| Booking fees + insurance + cleaning | $550-$750 |
| Fuel (1,400 miles @ 8 mpg @ $3.75/gal) | $656 |
| NPS America the Beautiful annual pass | $80 |
| Campground fees (NPS $25-$30/night × 9 nights) | $225-$270 |
| Tunnel escort fee (Zion, if Class C over 11’4”) | $15 |
| Las Vegas RV park first/last night | $80-$100 |
| Food, propane, activities, dining out (2 people) | $600-$1,000 |
| Total all-in for 10 days | $4,056-$4,721 |
Reservation timing
Critical: book NPS campgrounds at 8:00 AM Pacific on the day they release (6 months ahead of your stay). Sites disappear within minutes for peak summer dates.
- Watchman (Zion): opens day-6-months-ahead at 8 AM PT
- North Campground (Bryce): opens day-6-months-ahead at 8 AM PT
- Fruita (Capitol Reef): opens day-6-months-ahead at 8 AM PT
- Devils Garden (Arches): opens day-6-months-ahead; timed-entry reservation also required for park entry April-October
- Squaw Flat (Canyonlands Needles): opens day-6-months-ahead — not visited in this itinerary
What can go wrong (and what to do)
- Angels Landing permit: if you don’t get one in advance lottery, try 1-2 days out (lottery release window). Don’t drive to the trailhead without a permit — rangers turn people back.
- Arches timed entry: required 7 AM - 4 PM April-October. Book at recreation.gov when reservations release.
- Bryce snow: Bryce sits at 8,000-9,100 ft. Snow possible through May and starting October. Check NPS site week of trip.
- Capitol Reef Cathedral Valley road: unpaved washboard, 4WD-only after rain. Don’t take any rental rig there if it’s been raining.
- Moab heat: May-September daytimes can hit 100°F+. Most rental AC can’t keep up. Plan summer trips around the heat or shift to shoulder season.
Variations
From Salt Lake City (saves Vegas-to-Zion drive)
- Start at Salt Lake City; reverse the order (start at Arches/Moab, finish at Zion, drop back at SLC or Vegas)
- One-way Vegas drop-off via Cruise America costs $400-$1,000 surcharge but saves a 460-mile return drive
- SLC adds Bonneville Salt Flats and Antelope Island options
14-day extended version
- Add 2 days at Canyonlands Needles (Squaw Flat campground)
- Add 1 day in Moab for mountain biking or rafting
- Add 1 day in Cedar City UT for Cedar Breaks National Monument
Off-season (October-November or March-April)
- Lower rental rates (20-30% off summer)
- Cold nights at Bryce (sub-freezing possible)
- Reduced services at some Capitol Reef and Arches facilities
- Less crowded, more pleasant photography
Class choice math
| RV Class | Mighty 5 Fit |
|---|---|
| Class B under 22 ft | Fits everything, no tunnel escort, but cramped for 10 days |
| Class C under 27 ft | Sweet spot — fits all campgrounds, no tunnel escort if under 11’4” tall |
| Class C 28-30 ft | Most campgrounds, $15 tunnel escort at Zion |
| Class A 30-35 ft | Devils Garden and Watchman work; tight at Bryce/Capitol Reef |
| Class A 35+ ft | Skip the Mighty 5 — pick a different trip |
For most renters, Class C at 25-27 ft is the right choice. Plenty of space for two people across 10 days, fits every campground, no tunnel escort at Zion.
Bottom line
The 10-day Utah Mighty 5 from Las Vegas is the most iconic American NP RV trip. Book 6 months ahead. Budget $4,000-$4,500 for two. Class C under 27 ft. Avoid summer heat at low elevations. The trip works.
See individual park guides: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands.