Books, Bites, and Sights

February 28th – March 10th, 2026

Initially our plans for the 63 in 365 journey was to visit Utah’s Might 5 in April, so when we checked our calendars and realized we were nearly a month ahead of schedule, we were nervous. How cold is Utah in March? What are the trail conditions like? What parts of the parks would still be closed for the season?

With a bit of research, I quickly found that visiting Utah in March can be favorable and is recommended if you want to avoid crowds. On top of that, the Western United States is currently experiencing historic, record-breaking snowpack lows – meaning trail conditions were ideal, weather was mild, and closures were minimal.

Eagerly we began to tackle “The Beehive State” and finished in only 11 days, less than 2 weeks, and if you’d like to do the same, read on beloved.

Zion National Park

3 days, 3 nights at Watchman Campground

• Day 1: Drive into Zion, quick stop at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center for stamps and stickers, check into the Watchman Campground, hike the Watchman Trail (3.3 mile out-and-back) for a sunset over the canyon
• Day 2: Rise early, drive to the Kolob Canyons district, hike the Left Fork “Subway” Trail (9 mile round trip, Wilderness permits needed), explore the neighboring town Springdale
• Day 3: Rent dry gear from Zion Outfitter, hike The Narrows (~8 mile out-and-back)

Books, Bites, Insights? The Watchman Campground was my favorite campground we stayed at in Utah. Practical, conveniently located, and beautifully placed. While exploring Springdale, we picked up a few post-hike organic, healthy snacks at Sol Foods Supermarket and did laundry at Zion Canyon Campground and RV Resort. For The Narrows, check weather and conditions beforehand – and as always, do your research on the do’s and don’ts. Mine? Do rent the gear and start early. Don’t bring anything but your phone and water – fuel up before and after.

Bryce Canyon National Park

2 days, 1 night at North Campground

• Day 4: Wake up early for a sunrise over Zion Canyon via the Zion Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile round trip), drive 2 hours to Bryce Canyon National Park, make an obligatory stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center for water refills, restrooms, stamps, and stickers, trek the Fairyland Loop Trail (8 mile loop), check into North Campground
• Day 5: Watch the iconic hoodoos glow with a sunrise at Sunrise Point, start the Figure 8 Combination hike after sunrise (6.5 mile loop with the Queen’s Garden, Navajo Loop, and the Peekaboo Loop all-in-one), shower at the general store nearby, drive 2 hours to Capitol Reef National Park

Books, Bites, Insights? Bryce Canyon is still at the top of my list of national parks that exceeded my expectations. The beauty. The uniqueness. The simplicity. The Fairyland Loop was my overall favorite hike of the Mighty 5 stint.

Capitol Reef National Park

2 days, 3 nights at Fruita Campground

• Day 6: Check emails and stamp passports at the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, hike the Chimney Rock Trail (3 mile loop), pull-off Highway 24 for a quick stop at the Petroglyphs Trail (0.3 mile boardwalk), check out the Hickman Bridge Trail (2 mile loop), check into Fruita Campground, watch the sunset at Sunset Point via the Sunset Point Trail (1 mile out-and-back)
• Day 7: Hike the Frying Pan and Grand Wash Trail (7.1 mile loop) and walk across Cassidy Arch

Books, Bites, Insights? If you were going to skip something, skip the Frying Pan portion of day seven’s hike, but do not, I repeat do not, skip the Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch. These were my two favorite sights in Capitol Reef.

Arches National Park

2 days, 2 nights at Sun Outdoors North Moab Campground

• Day 8: Drive 2 hours to Arches National Park, pull into the visitor center to collect stamps and stickers, hike the Devil’s Garden Trail with all the arch offshoots (8.1 mile loop), swing by Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab for organic, local groceries and snacks
• Day 9: Sightsee all the popular arches including the Windows, Turret Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock, and Cove of Caves (all can be seen from the parking lot/road, but walking up to them shifts your perspective, and I would recommended), hike to Delicate Arch (3 mile out-and-back), swing by Desert Tropics Health Bar for a vegan smoothie bowl or hand-pressed juice

Books, Bites, Insights? Moonflower’s deli’s options are great after hiking all day. I had their gluten-free pastrami sandwich with sweet pickles and their coconut milk rice pudding with figs post hike. To die for.

Canyonlands National Park

2 days, 2 nights at The Needles Outpost

• Day 10: Treat yourself to a coffee at Moab Coffee Roasters in Downtown Moab, drive 40 minutes from Moab into the northern portion of Canyonlands – coined the Island in the Sky District, stop by the visitor center for your passport stamp, traverse the short and sweet Mesa Arch Trail (1 mile loop), pull off at the Shafer Canyon Overlook, hike the Grand View Point Trail for those vast, iconic canyon views (1.9 mile out-and-back), drive two hours to The Needles District pulling off on your way to check out the petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock, check into The Needles Outpost
• Day 11: Start early and hike the Chesler Park Loop Trail (11 mile loop) and squeeze through the narrow slot canyons known as The Joints

Books, Bites, Insights? Stock up on food and gas in Moab before heading to The Needles District (Southern portion of Canyonlands National Parks). There is no paved road to connect the Northern portion of the park to the Southern portion. Once you leave Moab, grocery stores and gas stations quickly become far and few.

If you’re looking for a sign to roadtrip around Utah knocking out all of the Mighty 5, look no further – this is it babe. It is doable, even on a budget with limited time. And well worth it; maximizing that bang for your buck/time mentality. Anyway – What are you waiting for? Three, two, one. Break. See you next, Monday? Tuesday? I’m not sure; sometime next week reader. Xoxox, with love.