If you’re a nature lover like me, then you need to make sure Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks are on your bucket list. 

I just came back from a two-week road trip, hitting all five national parks in Utah – Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion.

The trip was full of stunning red rocks and awe-inspiring canyons where I felt as if I was on another planet.

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I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves hiking, nature and adventures. But before you plan your trip, you might want to think about the weather. 

When you should go

When thinking about when to go, the weather should be a top consideration.

You don’t want to go in the dead of winter when it is cold and covered in snow, but you also don’t want to go in the middle of the summer when there is brutal heat and crowds. 

You also want to avoid going during the monsoon season, which lasts from late June through September.

Many of these parks have stunning slot canyons, but when it rains, fast-moving, life-threatening flash flooding can happen, even well downstream from where the rain fell.

No matter what time of year you go, regularly keep an eye on the forecast, because even the smallest amount of rain can trigger flooding fast. 

My family planned our trip around the weather, as best we could with our schedules. We went right when school got out here in Georgia, in late May.

We lucked out with no rain, but even in May, the heat felt brutal. 

Get an early start to your day

If you are going to visit in the summer, my best advice to you is to avoid the midday heat.

Hike before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., when it’s a bit cooler out and the sun isn’t beating down as much. 

If you can, start your hikes as early as possible. I woke up at 5 a.m. nearly every day on this trip, and it was worth it.

It allowed us to get to the parks early enough to find parking spots, avoid the crowds on the popular trails and beat the heat. 

Even by the late morning when we were finishing our hikes, the heat was already starting to feel unbearable. 

When visiting Zion National Park, you definitely want to wake up as early as you can to get a parking spot and get on the first shuttle of the morning.

The lines for the shuttles can get pretty long. When we arrived at 6:30 a.m., there were already people lined up.

Be prepared for the high altitude

Coming from Georgia, the change in altitude and the dry air definitely had an effect on me. 

If you aren’t used to the high altitudes, be prepared to be more out of breath, especially during strenuous hikes.

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You should also wear hats, more sunscreen than normal and maybe even a sun shirt. The sun is more intense at higher elevations, so you will burn more easily. 

If you’re coming from a more humid climate, I would bring more lip balm and lotion than you think you’ll need, it's pretty dry there.

Where to avoid the sunset crowds

What’s a trip out West without a good sunset viewing? But there can be big crowds at places like Arches and Canyonlands national parks. 

Instead, head just miles down the road to Dead Horse Point State Park.

This park will give you stunning panoramic views of the canyon and Colorado River below while you say goodbye to the sun. Bring a blanket, some snacks and cards, and make a whole evening of it. 

Now you are ready for a worry free adventure, so get out there and go exploring! 

Miriam Guthrie is an associate meteorologist with weather.com who graduated from Georgia Tech with her undergrad and graduate degree in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences.