In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
Six national parks in ten days: from the neon lights of Las Vegas via Zion, Bryce and Moab to the rim of the Grand Canyon.
The spirit of the route
Six in the morning, sliding door open: the walls of Zion glow orange before the sun clears the canyon rim, and the only sound on the campground is coffee cups clinking. This loop is a journey through Earth’s history. You follow the Virgin River through red sandstone gorges, stand at 2,700 metres among the orange hoodoos of Bryce, and drive Scenic Byway 12 along a narrow ridge with drop-offs on both sides. In Moab stone arches span the sky, and in Monument Valley the buttes rise straight out of the plain. In between lie long straights, piñon pines, juniper and the smell of warm rock after a thunderstorm. At night it is so dark that the Milky Way casts shadows. This is desert camping with conditions attached: get up early, find shade at noon, count your water, and in 2026 also keep an eye on vehicle dimensions, national park fees and reservation windows.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Las Vegas to Zion / Springdale (approx. 270 km)
- The drive
- From Las Vegas take I-15 northeast: first through the Mojave Desert to Mesquite, then about 30 km through the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona, a narrow canyon with curves, bridges and recurring roadworks (speed limit there usually 65 mph, about 105 km/h; check traffic on Arizona 511 before you leave). From St. George (Utah) take UT-9 via Hurricane and La Verkin to Springdale, finishing in the green Virgin River valley. Driving time is about 2.5 to 3 hours. The clock jumps forward one hour when you enter Utah (Mountain Time); Nevada is on Pacific Time. Fill up and shop in St. George or Hurricane – in Springdale both carry local-town prices.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Valley of Fire State Park (exit 75 on I-15, about a 1.5-hour detour): red sandstone, petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and the Mouse’s Tank Road; the entry fee for vehicles without Nevada plates was last 15 US dollars. According to the park, the popular Fire Wave trail is closed every year from 15 May to 30 September, so take heat warnings seriously.
- Kolob Canyons (I-15 exit 40, about 40 miles north of the main Zion canyon): a 5-mile (8 km) scenic road to the red finger canyons in the quieter northern section, about 45 minutes for the drive and viewpoints; Zion admission applies, and the road can close in winter when it snows.
- Zion Canyon Scenic Drive from Zion Canyon Village: 9 km to the Temple of Sinawava, then the flat Riverside Walk (about 3.5 km round trip) toward the Narrows. During shuttle season private vehicles may not use this road; the free shuttle runs every few minutes. Allow half a day to a full day for stops.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Zion National Park has two campgrounds at the south entrance: Watchman Campground (open year-round, reservations up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov, electric sites in Loops A and B, mostly 30 amp and only a few 50 amp, no full hookups, no generators, dump station with potable water at the campground entrance) and South Campground (reopened on 29 May 2026 after renovation, bookable only up to 14 days ahead, no hookups, generators only 8–10 a.m. and 6–8 p.m.). Larger vehicles must reach the campground via the Springdale south entrance. If both are full, the options are the private campgrounds in Springdale, such as Zion Canyon Campground (Ferber Resorts), or the small, high-elevation Lava Point Campground on Kolob Terrace Road (about an hour from the main canyon, bookable only 14 days ahead, hardly suitable for large vehicles). Staying in Nevada? Valley of Fire has two campgrounds (72 sites, dump station, showers, hookups for an extra fee, all by reservation only).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Sleeping outside campgrounds is prohibited in Zion National Park, including parking lots and roadsides. Around Hurricane and Virgin there is BLM land with designated dispersed camping, for example at the Hurricane Cliffs (Sheep Bridge Road): only on the marked sites, 14 days at most, fires only in the existing steel rings, no services, pack out your trash; ask the BLM St. George Field Office beforehand whether a fee or pass currently applies there. The access is gravel and not suitable for large motorhomes.
- Insider tip for campers
- Zion costs 35 US dollars per vehicle, plus, since 1 January 2026, 100 US dollars per person aged 16 and over for visitors without US residency unless they hold an annual pass – the Non-Resident Annual Pass (250 US dollars) pays for itself at once with Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon (see the practice section). Over 40 °C is normal in summer: drive the desert leg early, check tyre pressure and coolant, and carry at least 20 litres of spare water. Parking for vehicles over 24 ft is tight in town; a free oversize lot is at the south entrance, and Springdale runs its own shuttle with nine stops to the park entrance. Fire restrictions (Stage 1 or 2) are common in summer, for example when South Campground reopened in 2026 – check utahfireinfo.gov before any campfire.
2Stage 2: Zion to Bryce Canyon (approx. 120 km)
- The drive
- The classic route is the Zion–Mount Carmel Highway (UT-9): switchbacks, the roughly 1.8 km tunnel from the 1930s and, beyond the east entrance, the slickrock landscape of Checkerboard Mesa, then US-89 north and UT-12 through Red Canyon to Bryce. About 2 hours. For motorhomes this is a key question in 2026: since 7 June 2026 there are no more tunnel escorts, and the road between Canyon Junction and the east entrance is closed to large vehicles. All dimensions include mirrors, rooftop air conditioning, bike racks, spare tyres and satellite dishes. If you cannot pass, take I-15 north, UT-20 and US-89, which according to the NPS takes about 42 minutes longer; to Kanab via UT-59, AZ-389 and US-89 it is only about 10 minutes more.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Canyon Overlook Trail just beyond the east portal of the tunnel: about 1.6 km round trip over steps and rock slabs, ending with a view of Pine Creek Canyon and the Zion walls; the roadside lot is small and full from late morning, so come early or toward evening.
- Red Canyon on UT-12, 15 minutes before the Bryce entrance: the road passes through two short rock tunnels, and a short walk from the visitor center takes you among the first orange hoodoos; a detour takes 30 to 60 minutes.
- Bryce Canyon Amphitheater: the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Point is flat, paved and 0.8 km long, while the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden Trail drop roughly 100 to 150 m of elevation among the hoodoos. Starting early in the morning light, you can walk the loop in about 2 hours.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: North Campground in Bryce Canyon National Park (Loop A year-round; 30 US dollars per night, reservations up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov, no hookups) and Sunset Campground (open from 15 April to October in 2026; bookable only 14 days ahead; group sites from 18 May to 17 October). During shuttle hours, in 2026 from 9 May to 20 September from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and then until 18 October from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., parking restrictions apply to vehicles of 23 ft (7 m) and longer at Sunrise, Sunset, Bryce and Inspiration Point; the shuttle is free. Before the park: Red Canyon Campground (Dixie National Forest, 37 sites, first come, first served, last listed at 30 US dollars per night in 2025, potable water, dump station and shower for a fee, season roughly late April to early October).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Dixie National Forest west of the park, dispersed camping is allowed on most forest roads, for example on the tracks around Tom Best Road, for 14 days at most, fires only when no fire restrictions apply. After rain the clay turns slippery, especially for motorhomes; Forest Service maps (Motor Vehicle Use Map) show which roads are open.
- Insider tip for campers
- The elevation of 2,400 to 2,700 metres brings night frost even in June: protect the water lines and hoses on your vehicle and run the heater if needed. Measure your vehicle carefully in Springdale before setting out and compare it with 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m) height, 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) width, 35 ft 9 in (10.9 m) length and 50,000 lbs (22.7 t); combinations may not exceed 50 ft (15.24 m) overall, with the trailer no more than 26 ft from hitch to axle. Bryce charges 35 US dollars per vehicle and, for non-US residents without an annual pass, an extra 100 US dollars per person aged 16 and over; US-89 between Panguitch and Bryce has hardly any fuel stations, so fill up in Panguitch.
3Stage 3: Bryce Canyon to Capitol Reef (approx. 200 km)
- The drive
- Back onto UT-12 (Scenic Byway 12, an All-American Road) through Tropic and Cannonville to Escalante, then on to Boulder over “The Hogback”, a narrow ridge with no shoulder and drop-offs on both sides, and across Boulder Mountain at about 2,900 m to Torrey. Two lanes, many long climbs and descents, speeds often only 45 to 55 mph; 3.5 to 4 hours of driving time, a full day with stops. In winter Boulder Mountain can close for periods, and snow is possible from mid-October in autumn.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kodachrome Basin State Park: a 7-mile (11 km) paved spur from Cannonville to 67 sandstone pillars (sedimentary pipes) with short loop trails; admission through the Utah State Parks system, about 1 to 2 hours.
- Lower Calf Creek Falls: 6.0 miles (9.6 km) round trip through a sandy canyon to a 126 ft (38 m) waterfall, almost 4 hours in the summer heat with no shade; bring water and sun protection, and do not leave the trail in swimwear after a dip in the pool (thorns, calcareous ground).
- Capitol Reef with Fruita: orchards with about 2,000 trees, Fremont-culture petroglyphs along UT-24 and the Gifford Homestead with its pies (check season and opening hours beforehand); admission 20 US dollars per vehicle.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park: 71 sites on lawn under cottonwoods, 25 US dollars per night, reservations up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov, no hookups at the sites, potable water fill station at the entrance to Loops A and B, dump station between the loops (free with a reservation, otherwise 5 US dollars), generators only in certain loops at set times, maximum stay 14 days between March and November. Calf Creek Campground (BLM, 13 sites, first come, first served, 15 US dollars) is expressly not meant for large vehicles. More comfortable: Kodachrome Basin State Park with electric hookups, showers, laundry and a dump station (reservations via ReserveAmerica).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): National Forest land lies around Torrey: Boulder Mountain belongs to the Dixie National Forest, and the Fishlake National Forest begins north of the Fremont River. Dispersed camping is allowed there away from campgrounds, usually 14 days at most in one spot, fires only when no fire restrictions apply. The gravel roads above Torrey are steep and slick when wet. After the reduction of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in July 2026, responsibilities and rules around Escalante may change – ask at the BLM Escalante Interagency Visitor Center for the current status.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fuel up in Tropic, Escalante, Boulder (limited hours) or Torrey – fill the tank wherever you can. Do not drive the Hogback in crosswinds or darkness; stay in the middle of your lane. For trailers and long vehicles the stretch between Escalante and Boulder is the most demanding of this route; allow generous time. There is hardly any mobile coverage between towns, so download offline maps. In Fruita pick fruit only where it is released for self-picking.
4Stage 4: Capitol Reef to Moab (approx. 230 km)
- The drive
- Follow UT-24 through the lunar landscape near Caineville to Hanksville, then north to I-70 (Green River) and along US-191 to Moab. Many straights, hot asphalt, hardly any shade; driving time about 3 hours. Hanksville is the last reliable fuel stop for a long stretch, after which the next stations are on I-70 and in Green River. In summer drive in the morning: at midday gusts and thunderstorm cells often build over the straights (monsoon July to September), and washes on UT-24 can flood in heavy rain.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Goblin Valley State Park: thousands of mushroom-shaped sandstone figures you may wander among freely; 1 to 2 hours. The park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m.; bring water (at least 1 litre per person per hour in the heat).
- Arches National Park: in 2026 no timed-entry reservation is required, and admission is 30 US dollars per vehicle (7 days). Allow about 3 hours for Delicate Arch at sunset (around 5 km round trip) and 1 to 2 hours for the Windows section; when it gets very busy, rangers close areas temporarily, and Fiery Furnace needs a separate permit.
- Dead Horse Point State Park and Island in the Sky (Canyonlands): a view of the Colorado River bend 600 m below the rim, plus Mesa Arch at sunrise (short walk, get there early). Both areas are reached from the north via UT-313, about 35 minutes from Moab.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park among rock fins: 25 US dollars per night, reservations for 1 March to 31 October up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov (usually booked out in summer), first come, first served in winter with Scan & Pay via the Recreation.gov app; water is available at the visitor center and at Devils Garden. Kayenta Campground in Dead Horse Point State Park (21 sites with electric hookups 20/30/50 amp, recently about 50 US dollars per night, no water fill-up for RV tanks, season roughly mid-February to 1 December) suits shorter vehicles. Along the Colorado River on UT-128 are BLM campgrounds such as Goose Island (20 sites, first come, first served, 20 US dollars cash or cheque only, no water or hookups, 14 nights in 30 days) or Sand Flats (15 US dollars), and Ken’s Lake as the only reservable BLM campground. For full services: the private RV parks in Moab itself.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Around Moab, dispersed camping is restricted in many places: only on previously used sites, in many areas only at designated spots, and sleeping in vehicles is prohibited in the town itself. The BLM Moab Field Office requires your own toilet in many areas; fires only in a ring and not during fire restrictions. If you want to stay cheaply, the “Behind the Butte” area near Goblin Valley (according to the park about 15 US dollars per night, check the current status) is an option. National park parking lots are off limits.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fuel up in Hanksville and Green River, and fill fresh water and empty your tanks in Moab before you enter the Navajo Nation. For Arches, come early in the day or after 4 p.m., when parking spots are free; motorhomes find limited space at Windows and Delicate Arch. In monsoon weather never drive through flooded crossings or washes – “Turn around, don’t drown”.
5Stage 5: Moab to Monument Valley (approx. 250 km)
- The drive
- South on US-191 via Monticello and Blanding to Bluff, then on US-163 via Mexican Hat into Monument Valley. Wide high plateaus, later red buttes; driving time about 3 hours. The road is well built, but wind and thunderstorms can come up quickly on the plain. There are fuel stations in Monticello, Blanding, Bluff, Mexican Hat and in Monument Valley itself, some with limited hours. The Navajo Nation begins shortly before Mexican Hat; its own rules apply there (alcohol, camping, drones).
- Highlights & must-sees
- Wilson Arch right on US-191, about 40 km south of Moab: a rock arch reached in 5 minutes on foot from the road.
- Goosenecks State Park (UT-316 from US-163 at Mexican Hat): the San Juan River has cut meanders more than 300 m deep into the rock; viewing platform right by the parking area, open around the clock, 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Forrest Gump Point on US-163 (around mile marker 13, south of Mexican Hat): the classic road view of the buttes. Stop only in the pull-off, not on the roadway; traffic is heavy and sight lines are limited on the crest.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: The View Campground in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (operated by The View Hotel): view of the Mittens, gravel RV pads with a table, no hookups, potable water at the far end of the campground, showers with a code, fee depending on site and season, plus the park admission (NPS passes are not valid here); reservations recommended in high season, phone (435) 727-5555. Alternatively Goulding’s Lodge about 8 km from the park entrance with a campground. Goosenecks State Park offers basic sites right on the rim with fire pits, tables and toilets, no water; fee and reservations via ReserveAmerica.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Valley of the Gods (BLM, roughly 27 km gravel loop north of Mexican Hat): camping there is common and allowed, and according to press reports it lies outside the new boundaries after the reduction of Bears Ears National Monument in July 2026; the legal situation and rules may change, so ask the BLM Monticello Field Office on site. The track is impassable after rain and not recommended for large motorhomes. On Navajo land, wild camping without a permit is prohibited, as are drones.
- Insider tip for campers
- The Navajo Nation observes daylight saving time (March to November) while the rest of Arizona does not; in Monument Valley, Kayenta and Navajo National Monument the clock matches Utah, while in Hopi territory and the rest of Arizona it is one hour earlier. The 17-mile (27 km) Valley Drive in the park is unpaved, deeply sandy and not permitted for motorhomes, camper vans or large SUVs; dogs are prohibited throughout the park. Backcountry such as Mystery Valley only with a licensed Navajo guide. Summer opening hours are roughly 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., last entry around 4:30 p.m., and in the monsoon (July to September) the park closes without warning when flash floods threaten.
6Stage 6: Monument Valley to Grand Canyon South Rim (approx. 290 km)
- The drive
- Via Kayenta on US-160 to Tuba City, then on US-89 south and at the junction near Cameron onto AZ-64 to the Desert View east entrance. Wide Navajo highland, then pine forest; driving time about 3.5 hours. AZ-64 descends gradually toward the canyon, with many left-hand bends and wildlife crossing, especially at dusk. Admission is collected at the Desert View Entrance.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Navajo National Monument: the paved Sandal Trail is 1.3 miles (2.1 km) round trip and leads in about 30 minutes to the overlook of the Betatakin cliff dwelling; admission is free, and the visitor center is open year-round except on holidays. Guided tours to the Betatakin and Keet Seel settlements are booked separately.
- Little Colorado River Gorge (Navajo Tribal Park) on AZ-64, a narrow, deep gorge with vendor stalls at the rim; a stop of 20 to 30 minutes, park carefully at the roadside.
- Desert View Watchtower and Desert View Drive with viewpoints such as Navajo Point and Grandview Point along the East Rim; the tower is a 1932 building with murals and a view of the Colorado River. With all stops to Grand Canyon Village, about 3 hours.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Mather Campground in Grand Canyon National Park: 327 sites in pine forest, no hookups, vehicles up to 30 ft (9 m), reservations up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov, generators only 7–9 a.m. and 6–8 p.m. The national park sometimes imposes Stage 3 water restrictions: taps turned off, showers and laundry possibly closed, water only at the dump station – check the status on nps.gov/grca before you arrive. Full hookups are available at Trailer Village RV Park (Xanterra, about 65 to 85 US dollars per night). Quieter: Desert View Campground (50 sites, 11 April to 18 October in 2026, reservations required, no hookups). With room for long vehicles: campgrounds in Tusayan at the south entrance.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the Kaibab National Forest south of Tusayan, dispersed camping is allowed on the open forest roads (Forest Road 688 is often named), usually 14 days in one spot, with distance from water and roads and fire restrictions in summer; check current maps of the Tusayan Ranger District on site. Inside the national park, sleeping is allowed only in campgrounds.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fuel up in Tuba City, Cameron or Tusayan; there are only a few pumps in the park itself. Admission is 35 US dollars per vehicle, plus for non-US residents 100 US dollars per person aged 16 and over without an annual pass. Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles in season (March to November), with free shuttles running there; motorhomes park at the visitor center and switch to the shuttle. Plan sunset at Mather Point or Hopi Point – shuttle parking lots fill early.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In Utah, Arizona and Nevada, dispersed camping on BLM and National Forest land is largely allowed, usually with a 14-day limit within 28 to 30 days. In popular areas such as around Moab or near Zion it applies only at designated spots or on previously used sites; fires only in existing rings and only when no fire restrictions apply (current stages on utahfireinfo.gov and from the respective forest or BLM office).
- In the national parks, sleeping outside campgrounds is prohibited, including parking lots and viewpoints; rangers patrol at night and issue fines. In Moab and many towns, sleeping in vehicles on public ground is forbidden.
- The Navajo Nation allows wild camping only with a permit; camping outside designated sites, drones, rock climbing and alcohol are prohibited. Dogs are completely banned in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. Backcountry areas such as Mystery Valley are accessible only with a licensed Navajo guide. The Navajo Nation manages its parks itself: NPS annual passes are not valid there.
- After the reduction of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante monuments in July 2026, responsibilities and rules are changing (BLM instead of monument management); court disputes are likely. Ask the BLM Field Offices in Monticello and Escalante for the current status before the trip.
- Water and toilet rules: never drain grey water onto the desert ground, bury human waste or pack it out in WAG bags, and around Moab your own toilet is mandatory in many areas. Never step on cryptobiotic soil crust (dark, bumpy surface) – it takes decades to recover.
- Wildlife and weather: watch for rattlesnakes and scorpions when stepping out at night, and never reach under rocks. In the monsoon (July to September) flash floods in canyons and washes are life-threatening even when it is not raining where you are. You reach emergency services in the US on 911; park rangers are available at the visitor centers.
- Useful: iOverlander, Campendium, Recreation.gov, ReserveAmerica for the Utah State Parks, and the NPS app with offline maps.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations: Zion (Watchman, at the campground entrance with potable water), Bryce (check beforehand, Red Canyon for 10 US dollars), Capitol Reef (Fruita, between Loop A and B), Goblin Valley State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Grand Canyon Village (Camper Services), as well as in Moab, St. George and at many fuel stations and private RV parks.
- Water is the main issue: sources are rare and water in the tank gets warm. Fill up in every town, plan at least 5 litres per person per day and carry a spare 20-litre canister. On the Grand Canyon South Rim, water restrictions apply in dry years (at times Stage 3) and taps at Mather can be turned off; check notices on nps.gov/grca.
- Never drain grey water onto the desert; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations. Propane is available at fuel stations and RV dealers in Las Vegas, St. George, Cedar City, Moab, Blanding and Flagstaff; European gas bottles are not refilled, and rental motorhomes have permanently installed US tanks (ask the rental station).
- Fuel: between Tropic and Torrey, after Hanksville and between Bluff and Kayenta, stations can lie more than 100 kilometres apart, and opening hours in small towns are limited. Top up at half a tank. Mobile coverage is often absent in canyons, on Scenic Byway 12 and in the Navajo Nation.
- Shopping: large supermarkets are in Las Vegas, St. George, Cedar City, Moab, Flagstaff and Page; Tropic, Escalante, Torrey and Blanding have small shops with a limited range. Stock up ahead of Capitol Reef and Monument Valley.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Zion–Mount Carmel Highway with tunnel: since 7 June 2026 no more escorts. Closed to vehicles over 11 ft 4 in (3.45 m) height, 7 ft 10 in (2.39 m) width, 35 ft 9 in (10.9 m) length or 50,000 lbs (22.7 t); combinations 50 ft (15.24 m) overall and trailers no more than 26 ft from hitch to rear axle. Dimensions include mirrors and attachments; detour via I-15, UT-20 and US-89 (about 42 minutes more) or via Hurricane, UT-59 and AZ-389 to Kanab (about 10 minutes more).
- Speed: Utah allows up to 80 mph (129 km/h) on rural interstate sections, Arizona mostly 65 to 75 mph on I-15 and freeways, Nevada up to 75 mph on I-15, roads mostly 55 to 65 mph, and on scenic byways and in parks 25 to 45 mph. These states have no separate limit for motorhomes; the signs apply, and on gravel drive to sight distance.
- Park admission: since 1 January 2026, visitors without US residency aged 16 and over pay 100 US dollars per person in addition to admission in eleven heavily visited parks, including Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon, unless they hold an annual pass. The America the Beautiful Non-Resident Annual Pass costs 250 US dollars (80 US dollars for US residents) and covers admission and the surcharge; on this route it usually pays off. Check current prices on nps.gov. Admission last listed without a pass: Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon 35 US dollars per vehicle each, Arches 30, Capitol Reef 20.
- Navajo parks (Monument Valley, Little Colorado River Gorge, Antelope Canyon) charge their own fees, and NPS passes are not valid there. Utah State Parks (Dead Horse Point, Goblin Valley, Kodachrome, Goosenecks) charge day-use fees through the Utah parks system; Valley of Fire in Nevada about 15 US dollars for vehicles without Nevada plates.
- Wildlife and heat: keep at least 25 yards (23 m) from deer and bighorn sheep, 100 yards (91 m) from coyotes and mountain lions; never feed them. Above 38 °C no long hikes after 10 a.m., one litre of water per person per hour. The Fire Wave trail in Valley of Fire is closed from 15 May to 30 September according to the park.
- No tolls on this route, no low-emission zones, driving on the right. Emergency number 911.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Extra water canister (20 to 40 litres) and an electrolyte reserve – often 150 km between towns without a source, and in Grand Canyon Village the water can at times be rationed.
- Reflective sun shades for the windscreen and a 12 V fan: at midday in August the interior exceeds 45 °C, and the fridge and the chocolate will thank you.
- Tyre compressor and pressure gauge for gravel tracks (Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks, forest roads), plus a puncture repair kit and a spare-tyre check before departure.
- Headlamp with a red light for stargazing and sunrise hikes (Delicate Arch, Mesa Arch), so you do not ruin your night vision or dazzle other campers.
- Portable toilet or WAG bags: required at many dispersed sites around Moab and at many sites along the Colorado River, plus rubbish bags for everything you take in.
- Printed reservations, NPS annual pass and vehicle dimensions (height, width, length): coverage is often missing in the canyons, and the tunnel rules at Zion are exact to the centimetre.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
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