14 Stops You Can’t Miss Between Arches And Zion
Planning a journey through southern Utah’s red rock country? The drive between Arches and Zion National Parks offers some of America’s most breathtaking landscapes. This scenic route winds through colorful canyons, ancient ruins, and charming small towns that deserve your attention.
Pack your camera and hiking boots as we explore the must-see spots that make this road trip unforgettable!
1. Dead Horse Point State Park
Just a short detour from Moab, this dramatic overlook provides a view that will leave you speechless. The Colorado River winds 2,000 feet below, carving a horseshoe bend that photographers dream about. Morning visits offer golden light washing over the red rock formations.
I recommend bringing breakfast to enjoy at the rim while watching the shadows retreat across the canyon floor. Unlike nearby Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point rarely feels crowded, giving you space to soak in one of Utah’s most spectacular vistas without the tourist crush.
2. Goblin Valley State Park
Walking among the mushroom-shaped hoodoos feels like stepping onto another planet. Kids absolutely love scrambling over these strange rock formations nicknamed ‘goblins’ for their otherworldly appearance.
The valley floor invites exploration with no designated trails – just wander freely among thousands of rock creatures frozen in time. I visited during a full moon once, and the shadows cast by the goblins created an unforgettable alien landscape.
Stargazers will appreciate the International Dark Sky Park designation that makes this valley perfect for night photography and constellation hunting.
3. Capitol Reef National Park
Hidden orchards with pick-your-own fruit make this park uniquely delicious! The historic Fruita district offers cherry, apple, and pear trees depending on the season – a sweet reward after hiking. Don’t miss the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile wrinkle in the earth’s crust creating a spectacular ridge of colorful rock layers.
My favorite trail here is Capitol Gorge, where pioneer signatures from the 1800s are etched into the canyon walls. For a quick but rewarding stop, check out Hickman Bridge – an easy 2-mile round trip hike leads to a massive 133-foot natural stone arch.
4. Factory Butte
Rising dramatically from the desert floor, this lonely monolith stands like a giant sandcastle against the sky. The stark landscape surrounding Factory Butte offers photographers an incredible playground of textures and shadows.
Getting here requires driving unpaved roads, but the effort rewards you with solitude rarely found at more popular destinations. I recommend visiting at sunset when the fading light turns the butte’s gray slopes into a canvas of orange and purple.
While not a formal park, this area showcases the raw beauty of Utah’s badlands without crowds or entrance fees – true wilderness at its finest.
5. Anasazi State Park Museum
Step back 1,000 years into the lives of ancient Puebloan people at this fascinating archaeological site. The partially excavated village reveals stone foundations where families once lived, cooked, and created pottery. Inside the museum, remarkably preserved artifacts tell stories of daily life long before European contact.
My favorite displays include the colorful pottery shards and delicate yucca fiber sandals that survived centuries in Utah’s dry climate. The outdoor replicas of traditional dwellings help visualize how these resourceful people thrived in such a challenging landscape – a humbling reminder of human ingenuity.
6. Calf Creek Falls
After miles of desert driving, this emerald oasis appears like a mirage between towering sandstone walls. The moderate 6-mile round trip hike follows a crystal-clear stream before revealing a 126-foot waterfall plunging into a perfect swimming hole.
Along the trail, watch for beaver dams, pictographs, and desert wildflowers depending on the season. I once spotted a family of mule deer drinking from the creek just yards away from the path.
During summer heat, nothing beats dipping your tired feet in the cool pool beneath the falls – an experience worth every step of the journey.
7. Hell’s Backbone Grill
Tucked away in tiny Boulder, Utah, this farm-to-table restaurant serves cuisine so memorable you’ll dream about it long after your trip ends. The chefs create magic using ingredients grown in their own gardens and local farms.
Their signature dishes blend Southwestern flavors with Buddhist principles of mindfulness – reflecting the owners’ unique philosophy. I still remember my first bite of their blue corn trout with pumpkin seed sauce years after visiting.
Make reservations well in advance, especially during peak season. This culinary oasis in the desert has earned multiple James Beard nominations and devoted fans who plan entire trips around dining here.
8. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
Scattered across this high-desert landscape lie ancient trees turned to stone, their cells replaced by colorful minerals over millions of years. The main trail loops through concentrations of these rainbow-hued logs, where you can clearly see bark patterns and growth rings preserved in stone.
Wide Hollow Reservoir within the park offers a refreshing swimming spot after your petrified wood hunt. I brought a small inflatable kayak and spent a peaceful afternoon paddling while watching osprey fish. Local legend warns against taking petrified wood pieces home – supposedly they bring bad luck!
The visitor center displays letters from guilt-ridden tourists returning their ‘cursed’ souvenirs.
9. Kodachrome Basin State Park
Named by National Geographic photographers for its vibrant colors, this hidden gem features 67 towering stone spires called sedimentary pipes. These unusual formations rise dramatically against brilliant blue skies, creating a photographer’s paradise.
The Shakespeare Arch trail leads to the park’s only natural arch – a relatively easy hike with spectacular rewards. During my visit, we had this stunning feature completely to ourselves for over an hour. Camping here offers some of Utah’s clearest night skies, with the Milky Way stretching horizon to horizon.
Even a quick drive-through provides views you won’t find elsewhere along this route.
10. Willis Creek Slot Canyon
Unlike its famous cousins Antelope Canyon and The Narrows, this beautiful slot canyon rarely sees crowds despite being just as photogenic. The gentle creek creates a natural path through increasingly narrow sandstone walls that tower overhead.
No technical skills or special equipment needed here – just follow the streambed and enjoy the play of light on curved canyon walls. My favorite section narrows to just a few feet wide with walls reaching nearly 100 feet high.
The drive to the trailhead requires a high-clearance vehicle on dirt roads, which helps keep this treasure under the radar for most tourists passing through.
11. Bryce Canyon National Park
Sure, Bryce isn’t technically between Arches and Zion, but skipping this otherworldly landscape would be a travel crime! The famous hoodoo formations create a natural amphitheater that seems designed for maximum visual impact.
Hiking down among these stone spires gives a completely different perspective than the rim viewpoints. I recommend the Navajo Loop combined with Queen’s Garden for the full experience – descending through slot canyons into forests of orange pinnacles.
Winter visitors might catch these formations dusted with snow, creating a magical contrast between white powder and orange rock that few summer tourists ever witness.
12. Red Canyon
Just minutes before reaching Bryce Canyon lies this free alternative with similarly stunning orange hoodoos and far fewer visitors. The brilliant vermilion formations here inspired the name of the entire region – Color Country.
Biking the paved trail through Red Canyon offers a unique perspective as you pass through two natural rock tunnels carved for the highway. During wildflower season, the contrast between purple lupine, yellow sunflowers, and red rock creates a natural color explosion.
Thunder Mountain Trail provides panoramic views across the entire formation – perfect for stretching your legs without committing to a full-day hike.
13. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Imagine walking on mountains of fine, salmon-colored sand that shifts and changes with each passing storm. These stunning dunes formed from eroding Navajo sandstone create a playground for both photographers and adventure seekers.
Renting a sand board or sled at the visitor center lets you surf down the steep faces – an absolute blast for kids and adults alike! I watched the sunset transform the dunes from pink to deep orange while families continued playing until the last light faded.
For a quieter experience, hike to the more remote dunes where your footprints might be the only ones marking the rippled surface.
14. Moqui Cave
This quirky roadside attraction houses an impressive collection of Native American artifacts inside a natural sandstone cave. The museum’s glowing display of fluorescent minerals creates an otherworldly atmosphere that captivates visitors of all ages.
Beyond the collections, the cave itself has a fascinating history as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Later it became a popular dance hall before transforming into today’s museum and gift shop.
While not as famous as the national parks, this family-owned attraction provides a welcome break from driving and offers genuine insight into both geological and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau.