Utah is home to five of the most incredible national parks in the U.S. Appropriately referred to as “The Mighty Five,” these red rock masterpieces are a global destination for adventure travelers, amateur photographers, all-American road trippers and everyone in between. To show Utah’s park diversity, these Go. Get. Rewarded. recommendations offer information for three different levels of traveler – Extreme, Adventurer and Casual. Check out our ideas and tell us some of your own! There are many Best Western Hotels & Resorts locations nearby Utah’s national parks to make your stay comfortable and rewarding.
GO.
With so many options, knowing where to GO for a unique southern Utah outdoors experience can be difficult. Each of these three experiences will give you a stunning glimpse into this unmatched red rock wilderness.
- Extreme: Go mountain bike Moab’s classic Whole Enchilada one-way trail. The city of Moab is located conveniently in between Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. The Whole Enchilada is one of the area’s signature trails and is consistently ranked the #1 trail in North America. Start with a van shuttle to the top of the La Salle Mountains, then cruise through diverse and technical landscapes as the trails descend nearly 8,000 feet and 30+ miles into the city.
- Adventurer: Go for a hike among the famous “hoodoo” rock formations. Bryce Canyon is famous for these brightly-colored, prominent tower formations. Hoodoo towers are a beautiful byproduct of millions of years of erosion. Walk the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail at sunset and sunrise to see this one-of-a-kind landscape light up.
- Casual: Go see the ancient Fremont petroglyphs. Capitol Reef National Park has long been the home to many fascinating Native American groups, including the Fremont group carved art into the sandstone walls. Today, the depictions are located just off of HWY 24, a short walk up a level path.
GET.
There are so many ways to GET the most out of your trip to southern Utah. The parks are full of amazing views and opportunities for fun. Try out any of these recommendations and share a photo using #BWsmiles on social media.
- Extreme: Get a selfie from the top of Angel’s Landing. Zion National Park’s “Angel’s Landing” is one the most remarkable hikes in the world. Although the one-way trip to the peak is just two miles, the terrain is increasingly technical and extremely steep. Over the 1,600+ feet of elevation gain, hikers will encounter sheer drop-offs and chain-assisted segments of trail. It is a physical and mental challenge that rewards those who summit what is undoubtedly the most spectacular view in this extraordinary park.
- Adventurer: Get your feet wet in the Zion Narrow Riverside Walk. “The Narrows” make up a network of skinny canyons found at the northern end of Zion National Park. The Virgin River flows through the narrow passages, carving out immense sandstone walls. Visitors who start on the southern end of the Narrows can walk the relatively flat trail which crosses the water multiple times and offers visitors awesome views and a refreshing way to cool down in the summer.
- Casual: Get a nighttime time-lapse in Arches. Arches is a collection of world famous free-standing, natural rock bridges that dot the red landscape. The formations, which were formed by wind, underground activity and ancient waterways, boggle visitors and make for a surreal nighttime photograph.
REWARDED.
Today’s Best Western is found near the world’s most incredible destinations. Members of Best Western Rewards earn and redeem points at more than 4,200 locations around the world. There are 11 unique hotel types designed for every type of traveler. So, whether you’re an extreme traveler, adventurer or a casual sight-seer, you’re sure to find something just right for every trip. Learn all the ways you can Go. Get. Rewarded. at bestwesternrewards.com.
