The Red Rock Road Trip: How to See Utah by RV

There is a moment when you cross the border into southern Utah where the landscape stops looking like Earth and starts looking like a Mars colony. The dirt turns a fiery orange, the rock formations defy gravity, and the cell service completely drops off. It is a playground built specifically for a motorhome.

But let’s be honest about the lifecycle of a great road trip. You spend two weeks exploring canyons, you drive home exhausted, and then you stare at your driveway, wondering where you are going to park a 30-foot rig without infuriating your neighbors. Before you even start mapping out your route, it pays to figure out your post-trip logistics, like finding secure, local RV storage so your homeowner’s association doesn’t send you a fine.

Once the parking reality is handled, you can focus on the actual fun part: the itinerary. Utah is arguably the most RV-friendly state in the country, but the sheer size of it can be overwhelming. You cannot see it all in one trip.

If you are loading up the camper, here are the distinct zones you need to hit, and what you need to know about driving them.

1. The Heavy Hitters: Zion and Bryce Canyon

Most first-time visitors start in the southwest corner of the state. Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon are only about two hours apart, but they feel like different planets.

Zion is a deep, narrow canyon cut by the Virgin River. You are looking up at the massive sandstone walls. Bryce is a series of natural amphitheaters filled with hoodoos (spire-shaped rock formations). You stand on the rim and look down into it.

• The RV Reality in Zion: Zion is incredibly crowded. If you want to camp inside the park at the Watchman Campground, you need to book it six months in advance, the exact minute the reservation window opens. Also, be aware of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. If your rig is larger than a standard van, you have to pay a fee to have the rangers stop oncoming traffic so you can drive right down the middle of the tunnel.
• The RV Reality in Bryce: Bryce Canyon sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet. This is a massive advantage in the summer. While Zion might be baking at 105 degrees, Bryce stays comfortable, meaning your roof AC unit won’t have to run 24/7. Sunset Campground offers great spots right near the rim, though there are no hookups.

2. The White-Knuckle Scenic Route: Highway 12

If you are driving from Bryce Canyon toward Capitol Reef National Park, you will take Scenic Byway 12.

Do not let your GPS convince you to take a faster highway. Highway 12 is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful stretches of pavement in North America. It winds through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, taking you through slickrock canyons, alpine forests, and tiny desert towns.

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• The Hogsback: There is a section of this road known as the Hogsback. It is a narrow ridge where the road drops off steeply on both sides. Driving a Class A motorhome or towing a massive fifth-wheel across this strip will definitely raise your heart rate. Take it slow, use your engine brake on the steep grades, and pull over at the turnouts to let faster traffic pass.
• Where to Stop: Plan a night at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. They have pull-through sites with water and power, and it sits right on a reservoir, which is perfect for cooling off after a dusty hike.

3. The Boondocking Capital: Moab

On the eastern side of the state sits Moab. This small town is the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Getting an RV campsite inside Arches is nearly impossible (the Devils Garden campground is highly competitive), but Moab has plenty of opportunities. Utah has millions of acres of public land where you can “boondock” or “dry camp” for free, or for a very small fee.

• The Setup: You pull your rig off the highway, drive down a graded dirt road, and park facing a massive red rock mesa with absolutely no one else around.
• The Catch: You have no hookups. You need to rely on your generator or solar panels, and you must bring in all your own fresh water. In the desert environment of Moab, water is your most precious resource.

4. The Alpine Contrast: Northern Utah

Everyone associates Utah with red rocks, but the northern half of the state is dominated by the massive, green Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges.

If you are taking an RV trip in the dead of August, the southern desert can be miserable. Savvy travelers head north to escape the heat.

• Bear Lake: Often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” because of its intense turquoise water, Bear Lake sits on the Utah/Idaho border. There are dozens of RV parks surrounding the lake with full hookups. It is the perfect place to drop the leveling jacks, deploy the awning, and spend three days doing nothing but swimming and eating the local raspberry shakes.
• Logan Canyon: The drive through Logan Canyon is heavily shaded by pine trees and runs parallel to a freezing, crystal-clear river. There are several Forest Service campgrounds tucked right off the highway that easily accommodate trailers and motorhomes.

See Utah From an Exciting Perspective

An RV is the ultimate hack for seeing Utah. It allows you to wake up inside the national parks, make a cup of coffee in your own kitchen, and hit the trails before the tour buses arrive from Vegas.

Whether you want the white-knuckle driving of Highway 12, the off-grid isolation of Moab’s public lands, or the cool mountain air of the north, the state is built for life on the road. Just make sure your water tanks are full, your brakes are checked, and you know exactly where you are storing the rig when the adventure is over.