Our First RV Road Trip: Crossing Utah's Mighty 5
Our First RV Road Trip: Crossing Utah's Mighty 5 A narrative of our inaugural RV trip across Utah's stunning national parks, outlining campgrounds and tips. Topics: Trips, Road Trips, National Parks, Campgrounds.
The Great Red Rock Adventure
Taking an RV out for the first time is both thrilling and slightly terrifying. For our maiden voyage, we decided to jump straight into the deep end by tackling Utah’s “Mighty 5” National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Moab (Arches and Canyonlands).
Our home on wheels for this 10-day trip was a 24-foot Class C motorhome, which turned out to be the perfect size—compact enough to fit into most standard national park campsites, yet spacious enough to not feel claustrophobic.
Stop 1: Zion National Park
We began our journey at Zion. Driving through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel in an RV is a rite of passage. The towering sandstone walls make you feel incredibly small.
- Campground: Watchman Campground (right inside the park, booking 6 months ahead is essential).
- Tip: Take the park shuttle early in the morning to beat the crowds for hikes like Angels Landing and the Narrows.
Stop 2: Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef
Bryce Canyon offered a complete contrast with its strange hoodoos and cool pine forests. From Bryce, we drove the legendary Scenic Byway 12 over Boulder Mountain down to Capitol Reef. This stretch of highway is spectacular but has steep grades—make sure your RV brakes are in good condition!
- Campground: Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef (surrounded by historic orchards).
Stop 3: Moab and Arches
Moab is the ultimate playground for outdoor enthusiasts. We spent three days here exploring the arches and hiking canyon trails.
Our first trip taught us a lot about gray water management, slide-outs, and the value of planning our stops in advance. We can’t wait for the next road trip!
