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A BASECAMP PLANFree

Utah's five parks by car, Zion to Arches in seven days

Southern Utah7 days990.4 miBest Sep – Oct

Las Vegas to Salt Lake through Zion, Bryce, Escalante, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches: 1,050 miles of driving, six campgrounds, and a serious hike most days, from Angels Landing to Delicate Arch at dusk. Built around the Burr Trail, with the paved fallback over Boulder Mountain wired in for the day it rains on the Waterpocket Fold.

MMMalcolm McSwainPublished Sep 2, 2026 · version 1
DAYS
7, dateless
PERMITS
3
DIVISIONS
1
KIT SPEC
8 lines

The route

D1D2D3D4D5D6D7division

ROUTE MAP · CACHED LEGS ONLY, NO PROVIDER CALL

WHY THIS ISN’T A PDF
Day 4 · Rain on the forecast for the Waterpocket Fold, or the switchbacks reported closed
Kit diverges — 58 lb

Both branches pack 3 requirements the same; the rest belongs to one side only. Adopt the plan and this diff re-prices against your party and your forecast.

Both branches
the kit that holds
  • Sleep system6 nights out
  • Rain shelltaped seams, hooded
  • Headlampper person
Burr Trail and the Notom road
Plan A — the main line · 58 lb
  • Traction boards10 lb
  • Tyre plug kit and 12 V compressor3 lb
  • 5 gal water jug, extra45 lb
Highway 12 over Boulder Mountain
Plan B — the alternate
  • Nothing only on this side.

Permits & bookings

America the Beautiful annual pass
Day 1 · Watchman Campground, Zion · National Park Service · $80 · book
DATES SET ON ADOPTION
Angels Landing pilot permit
Day 2 · Scout Lookout · Zion National Park (NPS) · $6 · book
DATES SET ON ADOPTION
Arches timed-entry ticket
Day 6 · Arches, Devils Garden trailhead · Arches National Park (NPS) · $2 · book
DATES SET ON ADOPTION

Agencies, costs and booking links carry across seasons; the application windows don’t, so they arrive blank and fill in the moment you give the plan dates.

The derived kit spec

8 lines, derived from the route rather than typed by hand. 2 read unknown until the plan has your dates — that is honest, not missing.

Sleep system
6 nights out
Unknown
Rain shell
taped seams, hooded
Unknown
Headlamp
per person
Specified
Water capacity
carry from The Grotto, back at the shuttle
Specified
Water capacity
carry from Calf Creek trailhead, back at the car
Specified
Water capacity
carry from Canyonlands, Island in the Sky visitor center
Specified
Water capacity
carry from Arches, Devils Garden trailhead
Specified
Footwear class
stiff midsole
Specified
SAFETY

Divide is a planning platform, not a guide service — even when guides publish here. Conditions change, and the decision on the day is yours. Read the safety disclaimer.

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Utah's five parks by car, Zion to Arches in seven days
Free · 7 days · dateless until you adopt
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