How Many National Parks are in Utah: Complete List

Utah is well-known and loved because of its natural beauty. This western United States has everything from red-rock formations and sandstone cliffs to beautiful canyon walls and desert landscapes. Among these breathtaking depictions of nature, the state is also home to a remarkable collection of national parks. These projects are imperative for beauty as well as their sustainability. National parks are a great way to preserve natural and cultural resources while promoting conservation.

If you are intrigued as to how many national parks there are in Utah, keep reading this comprehensive guide to find out the answers!

What is the History of National Parks in Utah

Utah has a total of five national parks, each more breathtaking and unique than the other. The mighty five are located throughout the state with other national monuments and landmarks situated in between them. The national park “culture” essentially began in the twentieth century when the state government took the initiative. President Taft set aside Zion and natural bridges in 1908. However, the first-ever national park was officially established until the creation of national park services in 1916. From then on forward, the creation of national parks and World War II ran somewhat parallel. It was only after the war that these national monuments and national parks gained the attention of the locals and visitors. We can say that the recreation aspect of life properly started post-World War for Americans! Now, these parks make for great tourist attractions and promote sustainability for future generations.

Some examples that were established before world war include the following:

  • Rainbow Bridge, 1910
  • Dinosaur National Monument, 1915
  • Hovenweep and Timpanogos Cave, 1923
  • Bryce Canyon, 1928 
  • Arches, 1929
  • Cedar Breaks, 1933
  • and Capitol Reef, 1937

As the United States started gaining more and more popularity, Utah’s national parks became somewhat of a tourist attraction as well. By 1960, the state catered to 1.4 million people who visited the national parks and monuments. Once the national government saw this interest, they responded to demand by creating two new recreational areas, one new park, and one historic site. They were Flaming Gorge, 1958; Glen Canyon and Canyonlands, 1964; and Golden Spike, 1965. One of the other prominent developments was Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The area’s main feature is Lake Powell, created by the construction of Glen Canyon Dam. 

List of Utah’s National Parks

National parks are natural habitats reserved by the government to protect them from pollution and exploitation of any sort. They play a crucial role in protecting the ecosystem, preserving endangered species that are close to extinction, and preserving natural resources. They are also good for improving natural beauty. 

Utah has five national parks as of now. Take a look below to learn about them.

Arches national park

Located in Grand County, Utah, the Arches National Park is an epitome of ambiguous beauty in the heart of eastern Utah. This park edges north of Moab and covers around 76,000 acres. With stone bridges, beautifully curated monoliths, mountains, and city-sized sandstones, this park is one of a kind. The elevation rate is estimated to be 4,085 ft at the Visitor’s Center and around 5,653 ft at Elephant Butte. 

This state park is known for many reasons but its balanced rocks, natural arches, and red sandstone formations are the main attractions. You can go here to engage in various activities including but not limited to hiking, rock climbing, and camping. If you do end up visiting here, make sure to explore all the popular destinations such as Devil’s Garden and Fiery Furnace.

However, note that the national park imposes a temporary timed entry system during April and October. This means that you are required to book your ticket in advance and make proper reservations beforehand. This is a way for national park services to control traffic congestion and huge crowds, especially during peak seasons.

You can use some passes to access various facilities at any of the U.S. recreational parks.

  • Annual Pass: $80
  • Military Annual Pass: free
  • Lifetime Senior Pass (62 and older): $80
  • Annual Senior Pass (62 and older): $20
  • 4th Grade Annual Pass: free
  • Lifetime Access Pass (available for those with a permanent disability): free
  • Southeast Utah Annual Pass (access to Arches, Canyonlands, and Natural Bridges National Monument): $55

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is another one of Utah’s mighty five located in Garfield County and Kane County, southern Utah, United States. This park is located near the Tropic, Panguitch, and covers around 35.835 acres of area. This park was previously known as the Utah National Park until 1928 when legislation increased the park’s size and changed the name. 

This rugged and almost ethereal-looking national park is a concoction of red rock hoodoos,  red-orange-pink hues, stunning landscapes, and unreal sandstone cliffs. Not only that but this site also houses fantastic geological wonders, all ready to transport you into a viking atmosphere. 

This park is known for many things. One that stands out is that it has the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos with high elevations. Other than that, the natural amphitheater aspect of it invites people from all over the world to come and see it.

Some activities to try a Bryce National Park: 

  • See the Bryce Amphitheater
  • Walk the Rim Trail
  • Go Horseback Riding 
  • Drive the Southern Scenic Drive
  • See the Night Sky
  • Explore the Visitor Center Museum 

Canyonlands national park

This national park is situated in southeast Utah, pretty close to the city of Moab. Best known for its wilderness, Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking combination of red rocks, rivers, and stunning scenery. This park covers around 337,598 acres in area and is further divided into districts by the Colorado River; Island in the Sky District, Needles District, Maze District, and the Green River and Colorado River corridors. 

Canyonlands National Park is located around 30 minutes away from the Arches National Park, meaning that you can explore both parks by traveling a short distance. This park has amazing features such as red rock cliffs, arches, rock alcoves, mesas, buttes, and spires. You can engage in sightseeing and adventures while enjoying the colorful canyons!

If you visit Canyonlands National Park, make sure to check out popular spots such as the Grand View Point, White Rim Overlook, and Chesler Park. 

Iconic hikes in Canyonlands National Park:

  • Chesler Park Loop Trail
  • Mesa arch
  • Peekaboo trail
  • The needles district

Capitol Reef National Park 

Capitol Reef National Park is located in the heart of Red Rock Country in south-central Utah. Despite being located in a relatively remote area of the state, this is one of the best places to connect with nature while you are in Utah. Capitol Reef is situated near Torrey and expands over 243,921 acres of space.

Some of Capitol Reef’s best features include the fantastic cliffs, scenic canyons, sweeping views, and majestic domes. To top it all off, the bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline extending almost 100 miles, are a geological attraction that intrigues a lot of people.

Popular attractions like Hickman Bridge, Capitol Gorge, and the Cathedral Valley can offer a great experience to visitors. If you visit this park, make sure to engage in outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and scenic byway driving.

Best hiking trails in Capitol Reef National Park

  • Hickman Bridge
  • Cassidy Arch trail
  • Frying pan trail
  • Halls creek narrow
  • Brimhall natural bridge

Zion national park

Zion National Park, Utah’s first national park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the state and the object of true awe. This park is located in southwestern Utah, in the region of Washington, Kane, and Iron counties. To be more precise with the location, there is Springdale to the south, Orderville to the east, and Cedar City near Kolob Canyons. Zion National Park stretches over 146,592 acres and is a brilliant combination of red, pink, and cream landscape.

Some of the park’s best features include the Springs, waterfalls, Navajo Sandstone cliffs, and hanging gardens. Other than that, the 15-mile (24 km) long Zion Canyon, carved out by the Virgin River is a famous tourist attraction. Kolob Canyons, a section of the park with more canyons and rock formations, is also pretty popular. At Zion National Park, you are sure to be enthralled by the narrow and deep sandstone canyons.

Activities to enjoy at the zion national park for the best time

  • Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
  • Backpacking
  • Wildlife viewing 
  • Bicycling
  • Camping
  • Canyoneering
  • Climbing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Tours

Final Thoughts

National parks are government-specified areas that are distinguished and set aside by the state government or union of a country. It is for the conservation of the natural environment and habitats. As discussed above, Utah takes a serious interest in this matter and is dedicated to promoting progressive development. Whether you are planning on visiting Utah and exploring the national parks or are intrigued because of the history, they are a great preservation of nature!

We hope this article helped you see how many national parks there are in Utah. If you have any further questions or queries, feel free to contact us and we’d be happy to help. 

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