Town: The approximate halfway point is the town of Price—if you need a break to stretch your legs, consider visiting the Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum to see some dinosaur bones.

Eat & Drink: If you can hold out for lunch, drive another hour down the road to historic Ray’s Tavern in Green River for burgers, beer, and homemade pie.

Do: The park has hikes for all levels, but some of our favorites include Delicate Arch (the park’s most famous arch), Double Arch (featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), and Landscape Arch (one of the longest arches on the planet).

Eat & Drink: There’s no food to be found in the park, so you’ll have to carry in any snacks or meals. If you’re looking for a sit-down dinner, our recommendation is Desert Bistro in Moab, just five miles outside the park, for exquisite fine dining.

Stay: You can either camp in the park itself, or you can stay in a hotel in Moab. If you go the latter route, consider the ultra-luxe resort Sorrel River Ranch; the boutique Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton; or the B&B Sunflower Hill, a Luxury Inn.

Breakfast: Fuel up for your day with a quintessential diner breakfast at the old-school Moab Diner.

Eat & Drink: You won’t pass any restaurants between Moab and Canyonlands, so pack your lunch today!

Photo Op: On your way back to Moab, drive past the Potash Evaporation Ponds. They might not sound all too interesting, but they’re an incredible photo op—they have brilliant turquoise waters that pop against the orange-red rocks of the landscape.

Nature: Along the scenic route, you’ll pass the Corona Arch Trail, a three-mile out-and-back hike that passes Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch. You can also tack on a 1.9-mile out-and-back diversion to Pinto Arch, if you’re feeling ambitious.

Do: Canyonlands National Park is split into four sections, of which Islands in the Sky is the closest to Moab and the most popular area overall. A few highlights include hiking Mesa Arch, hiking or simply taking in the vistas of Grand View Point, and the panoramic views from Buck Canyon Overlook.

Eat & Drink: There’s no food in Canyonlands, either, so bring your food with you, otherwise you’ll have to head back to Moab for a meal. For dinner, check out Moab Brewery, one of the most popular spots in town. If beer’s not your thing, don’t worry—they’ve also opened an adjacent distillery.

Stay: Again, if you’re not camping within the national park, you’ll be staying in Moab. Make it easy on yourself and stay put at last night’s accommodation!

Breakfast: Don’t miss the eggs benedict at the breakfast-only Jail House Café, housed in a late 19th-century home that was at one time the county courthouse.

Town: Moab is the only civilization between these two sections of the park—since you’ve likely been spending your evenings in town, feel free to pass it by and maximize your time in Canyonlands. Outside of Moab, there aren’t any restaurants along the route. Eat a hearty breakfast and pack a to-go lunch!

Roadside Attraction: As its name implies, Hole n’ the Rock is a home carved right into the rock. Former owners Albert and Gladys Christensen began construction in 1940 and moved in in 1952, operating a café and gift shop on site. Today, visitors can pay for a tour, shop for trinkets at the trading post, pick up an ice cream at the general store, or even pet some animals at the petting zoo.

Nature: If you’re stopping for a picnic lunch, do so at Wilson Arch, just a five-minute hike off the highway. You can also see it from the road if you don’t want to keep trucking.

Roadside Attraction: If you’re fascinated by apocalyptic cults, don’t miss the Home of Truth, a ghost town that was once a religious colony founded by Marie Ogden in the 1930s. The ruins are on private property, but you can see them from the road.

Photo Op: See more than 600 petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument, many of which are on a massive 200-foot rock face; yes, it’s almost like it’s a printed newspaper!

Do: The Needles region includes quite a bit of backcountry terrain, meaning you should be an experienced hiker and driver (with a 4×4 vehicle) if you decide to tackle some of the more advanced trails and drives. But there are plenty of options for beginner- and intermediate-level visitors, too. Some of our favorites include the Roadside Ruin loop, which takes you past an 800-year-old structure; the half-mile Cave Spring loop, which includes a stop at a 19th-century cowboy camp; and the much more advanced Elephant Hill, which offers vistas of the park’s famous sandstone needles.

Eat & Drink: As you might have guessed, there are no restaurants in the park. Carry your food in! The closest spot for a dine-in meal is the town of Monticello, we recommend Asian fusion at Ja-RoenThai Sushi.

Stay: If you’re not camping in Canyonlands, book a stay at the quaint Grist Mill Inn, a B&B housed in a former flour mill built in 1933.

Breakfast: The Grist Mill Inn also runs a restaurant, the Granary Bar and Grill, where they serve breakfast to both guests and the public. It’s also the spot to go at night for drinks.

Roadside Attraction: As you approach the village of Mexican Hat, you’ll spot its namesake to the northeast: a sombrero-like rock that towers over the landscape.

Photo Op: You know that scene in Forrest Gump when Forrest stops running? Well, you’ll drive right past it on US-163. Stop at the sign for Forrest Gump Hill around mile 13, and make sure there are no cars coming before you run out into the middle of the road to snap a photo or record a video.

Nature: The big showstopper today is Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, famous for its mitten-shaped buttes. The park is on Navajo land, and if you want to explore beyond the 17-mile Tribal Park Loop, also known as the Valley Drive, you’ll have to secure a permit, hire a guide, or join a tour. The one exception is the self-guided Wildcat Trail, a four-mile loop around the Mitten Buttes and Merrick Butte.

Town: About 40 minutes past Monument Valley, across the Arizona border, is the town of Kayenta, where you should pause to learn about the area’s Navajo history and culture at the Navajo Cultural Center of Kayenta. Then head to the local Burger King to see an exhibit about the Navajo Code Talkers of World War II, organized by the fast-food joint’s owner, the son of a Navajo Code Talker.

Eat & Drink: If you’re not up to dining at Burger King, Kayenta’s Amigo Cafe serves up Mexican, Navajo, and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Do: Page is a basecamp for a number of outdoor activities nearby, the most popular of which is touring Antelope Canyon. You’re required to have a guide, and tours book up months in advance—don’t expect to have the famous slot canyon all to yourself when you visit. Other Page attractions include Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, and the Navajo Village Heritage Center.

Eat & Drink: For dinner, chow down at Big John’s Texas BBQ, then head to State 48 Tavern for drinks.

Stay: Most hotels in Page are generic chains, but just outside of town is the renowned luxury resort Amangiri. For something a little more friendly on the wallet, book a stay at Grandview Inn Bed and Breakfast or the Bears Den B&B.

Breakfast: If your accommodation doesn’t serve breakfast in the morning, head to Hot N Sweet Coffee and Donut Shop for a grab-and-go option.

Roadside Attraction: You’ll want to hurry to Zion in order to maximize your time there, but take a brief stop at Pahreah and the Old Pariah Townsite. Pahreah is an old ghost town, though all that remains is a graveyard. The Old Pariah Townsite, however, was a filming location food a number of Westerns. While the set no longer exists, the striated landscape is a sight to behold.

Town: Kanab is just past the halfway point, and while most people are here to get out into nature, there are some quirky stops in town that are worth a visit, namely the Little Hollywood Museum.

Eat & Drink: Pop by the Kanab Creek Bakery for baked goods, soups, and sandwiches—and coffee, of course.

Do: There’s no way you could fit in all the highlights in a single-day visit, but definitely don’t miss the Narrows, the Emerald Pools, and the Canyon Overlook. Remember that the park is one of the most visited in the country, meaning it’s got the crowds—and the lines—to match.

Eat & Drink: Unlike the two other parks you’ve visited on this trip, there actually are food options inside Zion itself. There’s the more upscale Red Rocks Grill Dining Room and the casual (and seasonal) Castle Dome Café, both of which are located at Zion Lodge.

Stay: Stay inside the park if you can—the historic Zion Lodge is the only accommodation within the park itself other than the campgrounds. But if you can’t score a reservation, there are dozens of hotels in the region (and especially in the town of Springdale, right outside the gates to the park). There’s everything from sprawling resorts like Zion Mountain Ranch to cozy, romantic B&Bs like Under the Eaves Inn.

Breakfast: There’s no shortage of breakfast cafés in Springdale, but for the best coffee, go to Deep Creek Coffee Co.

Eat & Drink: Grab a bite at Thunderbird Restaurant, a stalwart in Mt. Carmel Junction, serving classic American dishes and homemade pie.

Shops: Take a quick stop in Orderville to visit one of the several rock shops in town: you can buy rocks, jewelry, and refreshments before you hit the road again.

Nature: Stop in Red Canyon to hike the Pink Ledges Trail—it’s just 0.7 miles long but has plenty of captivating scenery.

Town: It’s an ever so slight detour from the main route, but the town of Panguitch is a time capsule with a quintessential American main street lined with old buildings and vintage signs.

Do: The easiest way to see some of Bryce Canyon’s highlights is to traverse the 38-mile scenic drive, which stops at 13 viewpoints, including the popular Sunrise, Sunset, Inspiration and Bryce points. If you have time for a hike, try the Navajo Loop Trail, a 1.5-mile loop into a slot canyon called Wall Street. You can also tack on the Queen’s Garden Trail, which is 1.8 miles out and back.

Eat & Drink: There are several in-park restaurants including the dining room at the Lodge at Bryce Canyon and the Valhalla Pizzeria & Coffee Shop, though they’re all seasonal. For year-round dining, head to Idk BBQ in Tropic, just outside the park.

Stay: Pitch a tent at one of the park’s campsites or sleep under a roof at Lodge at Bryce Canyon. All booked up? You can stay in one of the many hotels, B&Bs, or rentals in the villages of Bryce and Tropic: our top pick is Stone Canyon Inn, a collection of guesthouses and bungalows.

Breakfast: Pick up a coffee and a pastry Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. for a to-go breakfast.

Eat & Drink: There are no restaurants along your route between Tropic and Escalante, so be sure to pack a lunch today.

Detour: If you have the time, drive south on Kodachrome Road at Cannonville to head to Kodachrome Basin State Park, home to 67 monolithic spires. The park was named after the popular color film by the National Geographic Society during a 1948 survey.

Nature: Just to the northwest of Escalante is Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, where you can hike through the petrified forest and see dinosaur bones and marine fossils.

Do: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers more than 1,500 square miles—it’s larger than the five Utah national parks combined—so there’s no way you can see it all in one go. But along this road trip, you can explore a number of slot canyons (Zebra Slot, Peek-a-Boo Slot, and Spooky Slot, to name three), plus hike a number of trails, like Devil’s Garden and  Lower Calf Creek Falls.

Eat & Drink: For dinner, visit the Esca-Latte Internet Cafe & Pizza Parlor inside Escalante Outfitters for pizza and local beer.

Stay: It’s primarily independent hotels in Escalante, each with its own personality. We love the Escalante Yurts for a more atypical stay and Escalante Escapes for its luxurious tiny homes.

Breakfast: Kiva Koffeehouse is a must-do when in Escalante—it has the best coffee for miles.

Town: Along the way, you’ll drive through the town of Boulder. Make a stop at the Anasazi State Park Museum to visit an Ancestral Puebloan site and learn about the historic regional culture.

Eat & Drink: Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm has earned a number of James Beard nominations for its farm-to-table cuisine—it’s by far one of the most popular restaurants along Scenic Byway 12.

Detour: One of the most scenic drives off of Scenic Byway 12 is Burr Trail Road, a scenic backway that travels through the picturesque Long Canyon. Note that a portion of the road isn’t paved, so you should only traverse it in dry conditions with a 4×4 vehicle.

Do: Travel along the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive for incredible vistas in practically every direction, then stop in the town of Fruita to pick fruit from orchards planted by pioneers in the 1800s. Along the drive, you might also want to hike the Grand Wash Trail, a 4.5-mile out-and-back journey that passes Cassidy Arch, named for Butch Cassidy, who likely spent time hiding in the area.

Eat & Drink: There’s no food inside Capitol Reef, so bring your own lunch or head to the Capitol Burger food truck in nearby Torrey for very filling fare.

Stay: As with the other parks, you can camp in Capitol Reef, or you can stay in a hotel in Torrey. Our pick is Capitol Reef Resort, where accommodations range from standard guest rooms to private cabins to Conestoga wagons.

Breakfast: The family-run Wild Rabbit Cafe is a Torrey staple. While it’s a great spot for breakfast, it also makes packed lunches for you to take into the park.

Detour: If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, take a detour to Goblin Valley State Park, an hour in the opposite direction from Salt Lake City, to see a landscape full of hoodoos that looks like it’s from another planet (iIt explains why the Mars Desert Research Station is located nearby.) The park is a one hour drive east from Capitol Reef.

Eat & Drink: After your detour, backtrack toward Capitol Reef, then stop at the Sunglow Restaurant and Motel in Bicknell, where you can get a slice of its legendary pickle pie, among other unusual flavors like oatmeal and pinto bean.

Town: Stop in the town of Salina for a little break. Grab a bite at the famous Mom’s Café, then stroll through the displays at Miss Mary’s Historical Museum or the Robinson Truck Museum. For a more sobering history lesson, you can visit the CCC & POW Camp, where a U.S. soldier infamously massacred German prisoners of war—the site now houses a museum remembering the event.

Nature: As you make your way along the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, stop at the Devil’s Kitchen for a quick hike to a scenic overlook.