Five Iconic National Parks In Utah ... And Why We Love Going There!
- The Exhausted Trekker
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 17
It started innocently enough; just a road trip from Denver to L.A., with a polite pit stop at the Grand Canyon. I thought I would be wowed by the “big hole.” I wasn’t. Instead, I fell hopelessly in love with Utah and its National Parks. Sorry, Grand Canyon! What was supposed to be a casual fling turned into a full-blown situationship with the Beehive State. That is when I started going to explore Utah over and over again. I don't even know how many times I went there!
After so many trips to Utah, these parks started to feel less like destinations and more like people I know really well. I mean, I know which one shows off at golden hour, which one requires a lot of emotional energy (looking at you, Zion), who’s low-maintenance and easy to hang with, and who’s secretly high drama despite their “I’m so remote and mysterious” vibe. I’ve figured out which park I want to spend full days with, which one’s more of a brunch-and-bounce situation, and which one keeps showing up in my dreams.
And so, instead of giving you a standard play-by-play of my Utah adventures, I’m doing what feels most natural at this point: introducing the parks as my longtime friends.
Spoiler: Arches is vain. Bryce is dramatic. Zion’s a fitness freak. Capitol Reef brought snacks. And Canyonlands is typing something profound. Let’s meet the crew.
🌄 Arches – The Dramatic Instagram Model
💬 “Yes, I’m naturally shaped like this; I do curves and epic sunsets."
Always showing off her curves (Delicate Arch has entered the room).
Obsessed with golden hour lighting.
Complains about having to walk more than 15 minutes to a viewpoint.
Uses the phrase “serving landscape realness".
Favorite hobby: making people pose awkwardly on rocks.
Why We Love Going There?
🥾 Activity Level: Moderate hiking with high dramatic visual effects. The hikes range from “I could do this in sandals” to “who convinced me I needed a sunrise photo of Delicate Arch?”. Bring snacks and a backup battery for your phone; you’ll need both.
📸 Most Instagrammable Spot: Delicate Arch at Sunset. Yes, you and 700 other people. But still!! Bonus points if you can frame it without someone doing a yoga pose in front of it.
🧚♀️ Bryce Canyon – The Fashionably Weird One
💬 “I am giving you ✨hoodoo chic✨ and I’m not sorry.”
Wears orange, pink, and red at the same time. Somehow pulls it off.
Says things like “this trail is SO whimsical” without irony.
Delicate but powerful. A little high-maintenance (those elevation changes!) but worth every step.
"How is this even real?” energy.
Weirdly photogenic with always has great lighting.
Why We Love Going There?
🥾 Activity Level: Begin at the rim trail feeling super confident. Then descend into the hoodoos and reconsider that decision because at some point, you will have to go back all the way up! It’s a workout disguised as a fairytale.
📸 Most Instagrammable Spot: Honestly, there isn't a single viewpoint that will disappoint you. Every angle looks absolutely gorgeous. Even the clouds are posing for selfies! It's all about hoodoos, lighting, and dramatic orange colors.
🎨 Capitol Reef – The Underrated One
💬 “Yes, I have layers. Yes, I’m complicated."
No one remembers to invite them, and then everyone’s like, “Wait… this is amazing???”
Always calm. Always chill. Probably journaling in the desert.
Has never once demanded a sunrise hike.
Will quietly change your life with the views.
Deserves more love. Justice for Capitol Reef.
Why We Love Going There?
🥾 Activity Level: Light cardio and expect some uphill trails, but you can balance it out with scenic drives and breaks along the main road. Every stop offers a great view.
📸 Most Instagrammable Spot: The Big Arch on Hickman Bridge Trail. Let’s be honest; we all came here for that iconic shot under Hickman Bridge. After a short-but-sweaty hike that felt longer than advertised (classic), you’ll arrive at this sandstone stunner.
🧱 Canyonlands – The Quiet One with a Dark Past
💬 “I'm not remote, I'm just emotionally unavailable with stunning views.”
Has big “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had coffee and contemplated erosion” energy.
Low-key majestic but doesn’t brag.
Probably listens to moody indie playlists while you hike.
Obsessed with shadows and silence.
Will emotionally wreck you with the views from above.
Why We Love Going There?
🥾 Activity Level:Mostly scenic pullouts for the win, unless you decide to be a hero and go full-hike mode into the canyon. Canyonlands sounds peaceful, but don’t be fooled!
📸 Most Instagrammable Moment: Mesa Arch Trail. This is the shot. The arch frames a jaw-dropping canyon vista, especially at sunrise when the light hits just right and makes photographers cry tears of joy (and exhaustion). The best part? The trail is short and relatively easy.
🧗 Zion – The Main Character™
💬 “I didn’t ask to be iconic. It just happened.”
You know they’re the favorite and they know you know.
That friend who hikes Angels Landing before breakfast “for fun.”
Constantly making shirtless selfies in The Narrows and gets 300,000 likes.
Suggests group hikes at 6:00 am “for fun.”
Kind of exhausting, but unforgettable. Probably a Leo.
Why We Love Going There?
🥾 Activity Level: Let’s get the logistics out of the way: you’ll need to park outside and take the shuttle to get around Zion — slightly annoying, sure, but each stop serves up jaw-dropping views that’ll make you forget you’re on public transportation. The hikes? Let’s call them moderate-ish… unless you decide to wade into The Narrows like a brave little salmon (no thanks), or attempt the infamous Angels Landing, which involves chains, cliffs, and a strong desire to turn back. Hard pass for me, but you do you!
📸 Most Instagrammable Spot: Nearly every viewpoint in Zion is camera-ready. But if I had to play favorites, I’d pick the stunning vista from the Canyon Overlook Trail near the east entrance. It gives you that whole valley moment where you dramatically whisper “wow”. And don’t miss Checkerboard Mesa; that giant white rock with a checkerboard pattern.