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Just because the year is winding down doesn’t mean your travels need to peter out – particularly when October dazzles with an abundance of epic adventures. Whether you want to get active in Montenegro or wander a medina in Morocco, here are some ideas for where to go in October.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for relaxation?

Menorca, Spain

Why now? Swim, cycle and stroll in “winter’s spring.”

After the heat of high summer abates, hardcore beach-loungers depart but the sun hasn’t quite finished with the easternmost Balearic. In the first weeks of autumn – sometimes dubbed primavera l’hivern, describing the bright, warm days of “winter’s spring” – tourist facilities are yet to close up shop and the Mediterranean lapping Menorca’s glorious beaches remain delightfully balmy, yet you’ll have many places to yourself. Despite the odd shower as October wears on, conditions are fine for discovering the Anglo-Spanish heritage of charismatic capital Maó (Mahón) and former chief settlement, Ciutadella, marveling at four-millennia-old megalithic monuments, and hiking or biking the undulating 185km (115=mile) Camí de Cavalls coastal circuit. Menorca as a whole is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, centered on the bird-bustling wetlands of Parc Natural S’Albufera des Grau. Pack binoculars, load up with famed Menorcan pastries and explore in glorious peace.

Seychelles

Why now? Calm seas in paradise.

Seychelles is probably how Pixar would draw paradise: swaying palms, supernaturally blue seas, bling-white sand, artfully smoothed and scattered boulders, plus a few cute turtles wriggling ashore. Fantasy made real. Given these high levels of loveliness and the balmy 25–30°C (77–86°F) year-round temperatures, there’s no awful time to visit this Indian Ocean archipelago. However, October – the period between the brisker southeasterly trade winds switching to the lighter northwesterlies – brings especially calm conditions, so is an excellent month for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The water can be 29°C (84°F), visibility is around 30m (100ft) and migrating whale sharks have arrived. It’s also cheaper than the peak of June to August.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for wildlife and nature?

New Mexico, USA

Why now? For cool weather and hot air.

New Mexico, officially the “Land of Enchantment,” is especially enchanting in sunny, mild October – the 20°C (68°F) days are ideal for discovering the historical riches and extraordinary outdoors. Sites such as 1000-year-old Taos Pueblo nod to the region’s Native American roots, while the capital Santa Fe (founded by Spanish missionaries in 1610) combines old adobe houses, Romanesque architecture and a slew of modern-art galleries. Then there’s the plentiful wilderness, from the Sangre de Cristos mountains of the north to the blinding-white dunes of the south. Scenic drives cut through these badlands, while there are opportunities for activities and ranch stays aplenty.

New South Wales, Australia

Why now? Drive between quiet national parks.

Sun, sand, surf, scuba, schooners – standard-issue fun awaits along the Pacific Highway, the justifiably well-trodden trail between Sydney and Brisbane. But a world of natural and cultural wonders awaits just a little inland, some well known – the cliffs, cascades, caves and trails of the Blue Mountains – others much less visited. Spring shoulder season brings warm sunshine, wildflowers and a furry of animal activity, but without the crowds and costs of high summer – even the trails around Katoomba are quieter. Take the road less traveled to discover canyons and caves, historic mines and glow-worm tunnels, Aboriginal rock art and dizzying rainforest biodiversity.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for culture?

Fez, Morocco

Why now? October is the area’s weather sweet spot.

Stepping through blue-tiled Bab Bou Jeloud is as close as most of us will get to time travel: a journey back 1200 years to a city without motorized traffic, into the most mesmerizing and extensive medieval city in the Islamic world. Visit in October, between sweltering summer and chilly, damp winter, to explore (or, more likely, get hopelessly lost in) the tangled skein of 9400 alleys in Fes el-Bali. This oldest section of the walled Medina is romantic and relentless in equal measure. You can admire glorious Moorish zellij tilework and ornately carved wood and alabaster adorning medersas (Islamic colleges); feast on pastilla (pigeon pie), tagines and a traditional glass of mint tea; and bed down in an Arabian Nights–worthy palace, riad or dar (courtyard mansion). But you’ll also be deafened by the hubbub of the souks (bazaars) and hit by the stench of the colorful but pungent tanneries.
Editor’s note: On September 8, 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck central Morocco, centering around the Atlas Mountains and southwest of Marrakesh. Travel to other parts of the country, including Fez, is largely unaffected, but we encourage travelers to check bulletins and monitor reliable local news sources for the latest information.

Southwest England

Why now? Roam historic marvels and glorious countryside in serene autumn.

England’s shapely left leg is crowded with grand mansions and stately homes, castles and abbeys, megalithic henges and barrows. In summer they’re jammed with tourists; many then close, at least partly, from the end of October. This month’s ideal, then, for a road trip immersing yourself in centuries of history: playing lord or lady of the manor at Montacute or Cotehele, communing with ancestors among Avebury’s standing stones, or jousting with King Arthur at Tintagel. Now, too, the hiking routes – not least England’s longest, the South West Coast Path – are wonderfully quiet, and cozy country pubs more enticing than ever.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for food and drink?

Le Marche, Italy

Why now? Hunt truffles, wines and other tasty treats.

“It’s the next Tuscany!” declare the cognoscenti, vaunting their new favorite “hidden” corner of Italy with culinary and cultural cachet. Well, Le Marche, sandwiched between the Adriatic and the Apennines, has no pretensions to be the next anywhere. As yet largely uncrowded, its low-key historic gems, Verdicchio and Conero wines, fungi and other local flavors speak for themselves – and do so most persuasively in harvest season. Autumn brings pleasant temperatures for hopping between medieval hilltop towns and hiking in Monti Sibillini National Park, watching for chamois, wolves and bears. True, some aspects evoke a whiff of Tuscany: the walled historic centers of Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, packed with medieval and Renaissance architecture, and the vine-striped hillsides. But Le Marche has favors all its own, evident in beautiful villages such as Gradara and Offda, renowned for their wines, and Acqualagna and Apecchio, both hosting white-truffle fairs in autumn – toast your trip with fine Apecchio beers.

Tohoku, Japan

Why now? Make a gastronomic pilgrimage in a season of harvests and fall finery.

Most visitors to Japan head west from Tokyo towards Kyoto and Fuji, or bypass northern Honshū to reach Hokkaidō. Too bad for them: the six prefectures comprising Tōhoku encompass steaming onsens (try Nyuto), gleaming castles (Hirosaki), golden-halled temples (Chūson-ji in Hiraizumi), peaceful farming valleys and forest-clad mountains, now flaming red and gold. The clear days of harvest season are perfect for exploring the region’s culinary highlights: fabulous seafood and fish, of course – squid and mackerel are particular specialties – plus local takes on ramen, soba and udon noodles, apples and excellent sake. Fuel up for hikes among the cedars on Mt Haguro, through the virgin beech forests of mountainous Shirakami-Sanchi or along the 1000km-plus (621-mile) Michinoku Coastal Trail.

Where are the best places to travel to in October for adventure?

Montenegro

Why now? Hit the heights.

Don’t pack away the hiking boots just yet – thanks to their southerly latitude, the mountains of Montenegro remain open and awesome for ambling until November. And what mountains: the highest are within Unesco-listed Durmitor National Park, a cluster of dark, serrated summits (of which 48 soar to over 2000m/6065ft) scattered with pine forest, lush meadows and glittering glacial lakes, and home to all manner of wildlife, from birds to bears. There’s also good walking amid the peaks and primeval forests of Biogradska Gora National Park. Coastal high points such as Mts Orjen and Lovćen offer sweeping views of the Adriatic – mix hikes here with dips in the azure sea, which remains beautifully inviting throughout October, and is wonderfully crowd-free. A week’s walking could include an ascent of Rumija, on the south coast; hiking in the Kučka Krajina range near capital Podgorica; admiring the autumn colors around Mt Bjelasica in Biogradska Gora; and varied trekking in Durmitor, with the chance to stand atop Bobotov Kuk (2523m/8277ft), the country’s highest peak.

Cusco Region, Peru

Why now? Traverse alternative Inca trails.

“The” Inca Trail winds for around 42km (26 miles) over breath-snatching passes and past ancient remains to end with the big reveal framed by the Sun Gate: Machu Picchu. But it’s far from the only Inca trail. Those ingenious ancient Peruvians constructed a vast network of highways – the Qhapaq Ñan, spidering some 30,000km (18,641 miles) throughout the Andes – much of which remains more or less intact today, beckoning hikers keen to explore past glories and meet modern Quechua people. Visit in October, after peak season but before the rains set in, to roam these historic paths in peace. The Salkantay Trek traverses thrilling Andean wilderness: snow-clad peaks, glaciers and mesmerizing lakes. The Lares Trek, north of the Sacred Valley, boasts fewer Incan sites but ample interaction with local communities. And Choquequirao rewards with another ridge-top citadel – a mini-Machu Picchu, with tiny crowds to match.

A paradise for anyone who loves wildlife and raw nature, the Galápagos Islands contain wonders you’ll find nowhere else on earth.

Plying the islands’ shores and coastal waters are Galápagos giant tortoises that weigh more than 500 pounds. Marine iguanas that swim and eat seaweed and algae.

Blue-footed boobies (seabirds), Galápagos penguins and many other incredible creatures. Such unique biodiversity has earned the archipelago a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Many visitors see the islands on a multi-day small-boat cruise, while others explore on land, hopping on ferries to get between islands. Either way, you will need to be with a certified guide at visitor sites in the national park, which composes 97% of the islands’ landmass.

As you plan your first trip to this wondrous place, read on for more tips to keep in mind.

When should I go to the Galápagos Islands?

The most popular time to visit the Galápagos Islands is during the warm season, from December to May. This time of year sees only intermittent rainfall, while air temperatures stay in the high 80s to low 90s F (30–34°C) – making the water lovely for swimming and snorkeling.

The June-through-November cooler season brings stronger winds and cooler air temperatures, but it’s still a nice time to visit. Since the islands are located near the equator, you can expect around 12 hours of sunlight each day year-round.

How much time should I spend in the Galápagos?

If you come all the way to the Galápagos, you’ll probably want to spend at least a week here – with four or five nights a bare minimum. Two weeks is a good length of time for more in-depth exploration. Many cruise companies split the islands into eastern and western itineraries. 

Since the islands are both remote and fairly spread out, you should research in advance which ones you want to call at.

Keep in mind you will need to get between islands, which can take some time when traveling independently. If you join a multi-day cruise, you’ll likely be in transit between islands at night, allowing you to fully enjoy activities during the day.

Is it easy to get in and around the Galápagos Islands? 

It takes some effort to get to the Galápagos Islands, which are 600 miles (956km) off the coast of mainland Ecuador. Most visitors fly from Quito or Guayaquil into one of the islands’ two main airports.

Keep in mind there are strict agricultural regulations in place, including a declaration and inspection. You’ll need to pay a park entrance fee of $200 for adult international visitors (this must be paid in cash upon arrival), as well as a $20 Transit Control Card.

Multi-day cruises are very popular, with vessels and amenities that range from budget to luxury; just about all cruise operators offer activities like snorkeling, hiking, kayaking or scuba diving. 

Independent travelers can find accommodations on a few islands, including Santa Cruz, San Cristóbal and Isabela. To get between some islands, take an inter-island ferry (tickets are available at shops and ticket booths); there are also a few propeller-plane flights between select islands.

To see the sites, book half- or full-day excursions – but keep in mind you need a certified Galápagos National Park guide with you to visit most sites. To get around, take a taxi, rent a bike or just walk.

Top things to do in the Galápagos Islands 

Spot blue-footed boobies on a hike

Join a guide to hike and explore the terrain on foot. North Seymour Island is just one of many locations with great places to walk, including a popular trail where a stroll among prickly pear cactus and palo santo trees will let you see species like like blue-footed boobies, great frigate birds, Galápagos sea lions and marine iguanas.

Snorkel with penguins off Bartolomé Island

While many species stick to land, many more are in the sea, and snorkeling provides an excellent vantage point for encountering them. (If you have your own mask, consider bringing it from home to ensure just the right fit).

Join a tour to go for a snorkel in locations like Bartolomé Island – a great place to see penguins.

Set out on bucket-list SCUBA opportunities 

Experienced scuba divers place the Galápagos Islands on their bucket lists for good reason, for the Galápagos Marine Reserve teems with underwater wonders.

On a scuba trip, you’ll see spotted eagle rays, manta rays, Galápagos garden eels, bonitos, hammerhead sharks, Galápagos sharks, Pacific seahorses, Galápagos giant sea turtles and much more.

Keep in mind that the area’s strong currents and swells make it a challenging environment, one best suited to experienced divers.

Get a scientific take at the Charles Darwin Research Station

In Puerto Ayora, stop by the Charles Darwin Exhibition Hall at the Charles Darwin Research Station to take in exhibits about scientific research on the islands and see natural-history specimens, including whale skeletons.

Be sure to spend some time strolling around the native gardens, and grab a ticket for a tour of Ruta de la Tortuga (“Tortoise Route”), along which you’ll spot Galápagos giant tortoises.

My favorite thing to do in the Galapagos

Some places have their “Big 5.” The Galápagos are so wildlife-rich that they have a Big 15.

Every time I visit, I love to check off as many species as possible – penguins, iguanas, tortoises and blue-footed boobies, of course, as well as such other species as flightless cormorants, red-footed boobies, Galápagos hawks, Santa Fe iguanas, Nazca boobies, Galápagos flamingos, Galápagos albatrosses, Galápagos fur seals, land iguanas…have we gotten to 15 yet?

How much money do I need for the Galápagos Islands? 

Ecuador uses the US dollar, but since there are a limited number of ATMs on the Galápagos, you should bring cash with you, especially smaller denominations. Tipping is customary for guides and boat staff.

The cost of a visit to the Galápagos Islands can vary widely, with a wide variety of multiday cruise ships and accommodations available, from basic rooms to luxurious ecolodges. If you book a cruise, be sure to find out what is and isn’t included – think meals, guides and activities.

Every visitor will need to budget for the park entrance fee and Transit Control Card, which may be included in the cost of some cruises.

• Transit Control Card: $20

• Park entrance fee: $200 (for adults from outside Ecuador, payable in cash)

• Basic accommodations: $40–100+ per night

• Luxury accommodations: $500–1000+ per night

• Meals: $20-40 per day

• Inter-island ferry: $30–60 one way

• Liveaboard boat, basic to luxury: $2000–20,000

• Tours: $60–250

Do your part to protect Galápagos National Park

Be sure to follow all the rules in Galápagos National Park, including sticking to trails and permitted areas, and giving wildlife plenty of distance. Never disturb, touch or feed any animals, and be sure not to use a flash when taking pictures.

Respect plants by leaving them be, and be sure not to transport anything – even sand –between the islands. Before you leave, read up on all the biosecurity rules of this unique ecosystem, and be sure not to bring any agricultural products to the islands.

You’ll need to complete a declaration and are subject to inspection.

Packing tips for the Galápagos Islands

Since the equatorial sun is always strong, be sure to bring sunglasses, reef-friendly sunscreen, SPF lip balm, a wide-brimmed hat and UPF clothing. Insect repellent and a water bottle to stay hydrated are also musts.

For clothing, you’ll want to bring a water-resistant day pack, rain jacket  and rain pants, swimsuits and rash guards along with a dry bag or plastic bags to keep out the moisture.

You won’t need to dress up, but you’ll want comfortable walking shoes and sport sandals for water landings in the boat.

Pack sturdy sandals rather than flip-flops for this, since you don’t want to risk walking barefoot on sharp corals.

Most importantly, bring binoculars and camera gear to see and photograph the incredible scenery and wildlife you can count on spotting.

Looking to get closer to nature and linger longer at a US national park? RV camping is the perfect way to experience the majestic wide-open spaces of the US national parks.

Camping in an RV within a national park provides a comfortable base to immerse yourself in a park’s beauty from sunrise to sunset (and beyond for great stargazing). National park campsites also create a fun sense of community between RV campers, who share everything from vehicle advice to travel tips, BBQ recipes and s’mores around the campfire.

The national parks listed below are top destinations not only for the quantity and quality of RV campsites within the parks but for the access that RVs have to tour the parks on wide, paved roadways with key park attractions within roadside viewing distance.

1. Acadia National Park, Maine

Number of RV campsites: 3 campsites with 160 total RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Acadia’s Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: The 27 miles of Park Loop Road unveils a spectacular vista of mountains, ocean, lakes and forests, with plenty of nearby trailheads for hiking. Acadia National Park does become quite crowded in summer, so consider a fall visit to avoid the heaviest traffic and also do some prime Maine leaf-peeping.

2. Arches National Park, Utah

Number of RV campsites: 1 campground with 51 sites
Reserve your RV spot here: Arches’ Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Arches National Park’s Main Park Road traces 18 miles from the entrance to Devils Garden Campground on a nicely paved roadway, with multiple pull-out stops with views of the park’s epic rock arches. After your visit here, you can add stops to southern Utah’s Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion for an epic Utah national parks RV roadtrip.

3. Denali National Park, Alaska

Number of RV campsites: 3 campsites with 207 total spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Reserve Denali (NOT Recreation.gov)
The most scenic RV route through the park: The only RV route in Denali National Park is the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road, although RV campers at the Teklanika River Campground can continue another 14 miles to the campsite on a gravel road. Both segments of the road provide spectacular sweeping views of Denali’s mountainous landscape.

4. Everglades National Park, Florida

Number of RV campsites: 173 spots in 2 campgrounds
Reserve your RV spot here: Flamingo Adventures (Not Recreation.gov)
The most scenic RV route through the park: Take your time with plenty of pull-offs to appreciate the rich biodiversity inside Everglades National Park. The well-maintained 40-mile road from the Eastern Homestead Entrance to the Flamingo Visitor Center has vibrant birdlife (and lurking gators) in the lush green wetlands of the Everglades.

5. Glacier National Park, Montana

Number of RV campsites: 5 campsites with 631 RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Glacier’s Recreation.gov page
The most scenic RV route through the park: Although Glacier National Park’s famed Going-to-the-Sun Road is closed to vehicles more than 20 feet long, RVers can still enjoy a great sightseeing route along Highway 2 at the edge of the park. Head to the park’s eastern side along Many Glacier Road to see (as you might guess) many glaciers.

6. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Number of RV campsites: 4 campsites with 519 spots available for RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Grand Canyon’s Recreation.gov page and the Trailer Village concessionaire website
The most scenic RV route through the park: The 23 miles of Desert View Drive east of Grand Canyon Village offers stunning views of the canyon, multiple pull-out points for photos and short trails through Grand Canyon National Park itself. There’s even RV parking at the Desert View Services area at the East Entrance of the park.

7. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Number of RV campsites: 9 campsites with 924 RV spots
Reserve your RV spot here: Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Recreation.gov page
The most scenic RV route through the park: Newfound Gap Road traverses across 31 miles of hilly terrain between Tennessee and North Carolina inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The thick forests change from southern hardwoods to northern pines so dramatically along the road, the park service says it’s “like a drive from Georgia to Maine.”

8. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Number of RV Campsites: 8 campsites with 495 spots open to RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Joshua Tree’s Recreation.gov webpage
The most scenic RV route through the park: Driving the park north to south on Park Boulevard from the West Entrance Station of Joshua Tree National Park will give you roadside views not only of plenty of the park’s eponymous trees but notable landmarks like Skull Rock and the Jumbo Rock formations. As you continue south on Pinto Basin Road watch as the landscape and flora transform from the Mojave to the Colorado desert ecosystems.

9. Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming

Number of RV campsites: 12 campsites with 2147 spots (and yes, they all regularly get booked up)
Reserve your RV spot here: Yellowstone’s Recreation.gov page and Yellowstone National Parks Lodges website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Grand Loop Road is Yellowstone National Park’s classic route passing key attractions like Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. The 140-mile route can easily take a full day to drive, so its best to tackle in bite-size chunks, like the Lower Loop past Old Faithful and otherworldly hydrothermal highlights.

10. Yosemite National Park, California

Number of RV campsites: 9 campsites with 1231 spaces welcome RVs
Reserve your RV spot here: Yosemite’s Recreation.gov website
The most scenic RV route through the park: Escape the traffic of Yosemite Valley to drive Tioga Road, which bisects Yosemite National Park from west to east. It offers 46 miles of Yosemite’s greatest hits, including mountains, streams, forests, lakes, meadows, and a view overlooking Half Dome, with plenty of turnoffs to stop for photos.

Top tips to consider when seeking out RV camping at US national parks

• Most national parks use Recreation.gov as the website to make reservations for campsites. Each park has its own quirks regarding the timing and process for making reservations, so check out each park’s rules and regulations prior to booking.

• Make reservations as far in advance as possible. National park RV campsites can become fully booked within minutes of dates being offered, particularly for the summer high season and holiday weekends.

• For your RV campsite, research the length restrictions and available hookups for water, electricity, and sewage dumps. You don’t want an unpleasant surprise after a late-night arrival at a remote campground.

• If you’re not able to secure an RV campsite within a national park, be aware that many commercial RV campsites operate just outside the boundaries of most National Parks. Reservations at commercial campgrounds will be easier to make, and these campgrounds often provide many more services than those within park limits.

• Bringing bicycles or a towed car with your RV can greatly expand your options for exploration in a national park, particularly in areas with limited RV access. Also, consider leaving your RV in the campground and using park shuttle services when available.

Picture Utah and images of red-rock arches and deep canyons will spring to mind. However, the Beehive State adds up to much more than its landmark national parks. Taking a road trip across this ruggedly handsome US state will immerse you in the heart of America, taking in stunning landscapes, famous national parks, friendly small towns and roads that were made for driving.

Since you’ll be passing through one of America’s most beautiful states, you can expect an abundance of jaw-dropping views. There are plenty of places to visit and plenty to do wherever you park up. Thankfully, many of the best vistas can be accessed via paved highways and scenic byways with plentiful roadside viewpoints, with Salt Lake City as a convenient hub. 

While most of Utah’s best road trips are accessible in a conventional car, some more rugged routes require an all-wheel-drive crossover or a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. To really get to know this state, fuel up, roll down the windows and hit the road – here are the best road trips in Utah.

1. Scenic Byway 12

Best for tight itineraries

Panguitch–Torrey; 122 miles; one day

If you take only one road trip in Utah, make it this one. Along this route, linking the towns of Panguitch and Torrey in the national park-filled south of the state, you can experience much of what Utah is famous for in a single afternoon.

Highlights include red-rock tunnels, desert landscapes, nearly two million acres of pinyon pine woodland in Dixie National Forest, a summit overlook from 9000ft, and access to four of Utah’s greatest natural treasures: Zion National Park, Bryce National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Capitol Reef National Park.

With plenty of shops and stops along the way, you can easily make a day of it – or even a couple weeks of it, if you stop off to thoroughly explore the parks.

Planning Tip: Most road-trippers begin the route at Panguitch, just north of Bryce Canyon. The nearest air hub is Cedar City Airport, served by Delta Connections flights from Salt Lake City, with car hire firms at the terminal.

2. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy

Best for dinosaur fans

Starting and ending in Vernal; 512 miles; 1–3 days

Utah is covered by deserts today, but millions of years ago, this was part of a coastal floodplain rich in flora and fauna. Evidence of this abundance of life comes in the form of dino footprints and fossils buried in the state’s desert cliffs and rocky outcrops – things visitors can easily seek out today.

For a trip back to prehistory, there’s no better route than Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Hwy. Starting and ending in the beautiful town of Vernal, this epic route travels in a diamond shape through Utah and parts of Colorado, following I-70, US 6, US 40, and US 191, among other roads.

The highlight is the legendary fossil quarry at Dinosaur National Monument – where dozens of dinosaur skeletons lie in situ – but the route also takes in Flaming Gorge, Jones Hole, Fantasy Canyon, and Canyonlands and Arches National Parks near Moab.

Planning Tip: It’s best to come in spring or autumn to explore the dinosaur sites along the route, as temperatures soar in summer. Vernal is around 175 miles east of Salt Lake City – an easy drive along US 40 and US 191.

3. Monument Valley Hwy 163

Best for cinematic views

Mexican Hat–Monument Valley; 45 miles; half a day

Dozens of movies, including one Academy Award winner, have been shot in Monument Valley in the far south of Utah. With arguably the greatest backdrop in American movie history, this road trip will leave you feeling like a character in Stagecoach or The Searchers.

For the most impressive views, travel southwest from Mexican Hat, taking pictures of the sombrero-shaped rock and “Forrest Gump Point,” then drop into Monument Valley itself for even more surreal photography. Spilling across the state boundary into Arizona, this dramatic collection of towering sandstone buttes is administered by the Navajo Nation.

While you can easily complete the route in under two hours, you’ll want to allow extra time for side trips and scenic detours along connecting byways such as Hwy 276.

Planning Tip: To immerse yourself in movie lore, visit John Ford’s Point near The View Hotel – used as a filming location in The Searchers and several other John Ford westerns.

4. Mirror Lake Scenic Hwy

Best for an adventure from Salt Lake City

Kamas–Wyoming border; 42 miles; half a day
Starting an hour from Salt Lake City, the Mirror Lake Hwy is one of the most popular mountain driving routes in the state. Heading east from Kamas, about 45 miles east of Salt Lake, the paved highway takes you through the High Uinta Wilderness, one of the state’s best-kept secrets.

Highlights of this easy adventure include Upper Provo Falls, photogenic Mirror Lake, Bald Mountain Pass and the Christmas Meadows trailhead, as well as numerous overlooks, picnic areas and campsites along the way. It’s also an ideal way to experience the state’s fall foliage.

Planning Tip: This is a great route for independent adventurers – camping is permitted in many parts of the High Uinta Wilderness, but be sure to follow Forest Service rules.

5. Utah’s “Mighty 5”

Best for bucket-list landscapes

Arches National Park–Zion National Park; 1040 miles; 10 days
Few places in the country – if not the world – offer such a high concentration of national parks and national monuments as Southern Utah. And this ultimate route will get you to them all – and then some! To explore, give yourself at least a week to 10 days.

Starting in Moab at Arches National Park, the route works its way east through Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. As there’s no single highway linking the parks, it makes sense to tack on other parks and reserves along the way, such as Monument Valley, Goblin Valley State Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park. However you make the trip, you can look forward to admiring the full scope of Utah’s natural wonders.

Planning Tip: Southern Utah’s big-name national parks can be very busy from March to October. Come just outside this window in February or November and you’ll have a quieter experience; just bring gear for chilly mornings, evenings and nights.

6. Potash to White Rim Rd

Best for dirt-road thrills

Moab–Island in the Sky Visitor Center; 32 miles; half a day

A thrilling dirt road trip from Moab, this is one for adventurers. Check your vehicle’s roadworthiness, then drive north from Moab on Hwy 191, turning south on Hwy 279 to snake around the Colorado River – perhaps pausing to hike at Corona Arch or visit nearby rock-climbing cliffs and ancient petroglyph sites.

Next, turn west onto Potash Rd to make your way through Dead Horse Point and into Canyonlands National Park before finally ascending the towering switchbacks of the Shafer Trail to finish up at the Island in the Sky Visitor’s Center. After admiring the views, head back the way you came to return to Moab.

Planning Tip: Although many conventional cars will be capable of handling this dirt drive, a 4×4 or an all-wheel-drive vehicle with higher-than-normal clearance will give you peace of mind when crossing rougher sections of the route. 

7. Moki Dugway

Best for exceptional views

Mexican Hat–Natural Bridges National Monument; 34 miles; half a day

This might be one of America’s most famed white-knuckle car rides, but the views are life-affirming. With hairpin turns and an elevation gain of over 1000ft, this graded dirt road is best driven north from Mexican Hat (on the north side of Monument Valley) toward Natural Bridges National Monument.

You can look forward to truly exceptional vistas. While at the top, take a detour west to see stunning Muley Point, which overlooks the deep canyons of the San Juan River. Other highlights include the overlook above the Valley of the Gods, with its stunning buttes and stone pinnacles. If you don’t plan on exploring further than Natural Bridges, this is also a wonderful out-and-back drive from the Monument Valley area by car.

Planning Tip: The Moki Dugway can be safely driven in a conventional car, but you may feel more comfortable in an all-wheel-drive vehicle or 4×4 if weather conditions are poor.

8. Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway

Best for seclusion

Cathedral Road–Hartnet Road; 72 miles (with detours); half a day

To see the half of Capitol Reef National Park that few people ever visit – and we promise it’s the better half! – you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance. The rewards for leaving the asphalt are significant. Expect castle-like sandstone formations, panoramic desert views and rarely another person in sight.

The region’s unique sandstone formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving behind sculpted monoliths striated with the scars of eons of desert winds. For the full experience, camp out under starry skies blissfully free of light pollution. The Earthtrekkers website has a useful route description.

Planning Tip: If you decide to stay in Capitol Reef National Park, you can reserve a space at the Fruita Campground (from March to October) or camp at the park’s two free primitive campgrounds, where you’ll need to bring everything you need, including food and water.