First Time Road Trip Adventure in a Campervan

Our trip itinerary - a loop around the state!

Guest Author: Raichlee Kelly

Have you ever thought you knew a place just by scrolling through pictures online? That was me with Utah—until I experienced its vast, wild beauty firsthand.

After seeing countless social media posts of its iconic red rocks, van life stories, and epic sunsets, I felt that I had explored the state vicariously through Instagram influencers. But this year, I decided to finally find out for myself why so many people keep raving about this state. So, I rented a campervan, packed my suitcase and jumped on a plane to fly into Salt Lake City!

From the moment we flew over Utah, the view of endless snow-capped mountains intertwined with pristine lakes was breathtaking. I could barely contain my excitement about stepping into the otherworldly landscapes that I had spent weeks researching. I wondered to myself, “How best to explore this incredible landscape” and after much pondering we decided to make the journey in a mid sized campervan. The campervan is the perfect size for a S. Utah adventure, since many parks have size restrictions, and parking limitations. Plus, the campervan was just more economical, fuel efficient, and super easy to drive.

Upon landing, my partner from Germany joined me, and together, we picked up our camper van from Wandervans. Thanks to their efficient service, we hit the road immediately, eager to begin our trip! We planned our itinerary to drive in a big loop around the state, beginning and ending in SLC (see below).

What Adventures You Will Find Here:

1st Stop: One Day Globin Valley State Park

2nd Stop: Three Days Moab, Utah

3rd Stop: Two Days Zion National Park

1st Stop: Goblin Valley State Park

Located just 3 hours away from SLC, Goblin Valley State Park quite literally took my breath away. You can spend hours wandering through a quirky, otherworldly landscape that feels like being surrounded by thousands of fossilized mushrooms from Super Mario Bros. Whether you’re looking to hike, wander, or simply photograph the landscape, this place has something for everyone.

We camped 10 minutes outside the park entrance with a plan to wake up early and explore the area at sunrise. Note: there is plenty of free camping in Utah on BLM land. You can find a free map here: BLM Recreation Map. This is a great option if you want to wake up early and drive to a nearby location to watch the sunrise illuminate all of the surrounding rock formations.

Another side trip from Goblin Valley State Park is Bell Canyon and Little Wild Horse Canyon. This is an 8.1-mile loop, round trip, through both canyons, connected by a vast desert landscape in the middle!

If you’ve never been inside a slot canyon, prepare to be amazed. You can find quite a few of these across the state, but Little Wild Horse was definitely one of my favorites. (Note: Always make sure to check the weather before you go! Slot canyons are prone to flash floods, even if it’s raining miles away.)

2nd Stop: Moab, Utah

As a photographer, I’ve come across many incredible photos of Moab, but nothing quite compares to the feeling of seeing this desert oasis for the first time. Driving into valleys lined with towering red mountains and sloping hills while the sun sets in the rearview mirror was a feeling like I’ve never experienced. Moab is a vibrant hub for outdoor enthusiasts, a town synonymous with rugged beauty and thrilling activities.

*Caption: Sand Dune Arch, Arches National Park, Moab, Utah*

We decided to head somewhere familiar first, which was Arches National Park. Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, this park showcases nature's impressive artistry. Each arch is distinctly unique and the entire park is full of hills, valleys, viewpoints and easy to moderate trails to explore.

Our Moab Day 1 itinerary: Exploring Arches National Park

Woke up at 7am and drove 15 min from our BLM campsite to the park.
Drove through the park to Devils Garden Loop Trail, admiring how the early morning light illuminated the sprawling landscape (I recommend starting here to beat the crowds as it is incredibly popular!) This hike is 7.8 miles roundtrip and takes you past 4 arches, up rock faces, and down into a desert canyon.
Next we visited the sand dune arch. Such a unique and beautiful place with bright yellow sand concentrated in a cave-like formation of orange rocks.
Then we visited the Garden of Eden Lookout and Balancing Rock, and tried to find some shade to hang out in and have lunch.
Finally, we hiked up to Delicate Arch for sunset, which is the best time to go if you want to capture photos and beat the heat on the open rock face. This was one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever seen in my life. (Fun fact: This is one of the most famous geologic features in the world.)
Note: I would recommend hiking for sunrise or sunset before the midday heat comes out. Remember to drink lots of water and bring snacks. Some of the trails are long and if you get caught in the midday heat it’s easy to become dangerously dehydrated!

Moab Day 2 Itinerary: Exploring Moab Townsite

The second day in Moab we headed into the colorful townsite to restock on groceries, and check out the food scene. We were definitely not disappointed! We found the absolute coolest spot to hang out and escape the heat for the afternoon - The Moab Food Truck Park. There’s also tons of gift shops to pick up a souvenir or grab a coffee to go before an afternoon of exploring. My favorite was Wicked Brew, or Love Muffin Cafe.

Moab Day 3 Itinerary: Canyonlands National Park

*Sunset At green River Lookout, Canyonlands National Park*

Divided into four districts by the Green and Colorado Rivers, Canyonlands is a labyrinth of, well, canyons, mesas, and buttes.

We spent all of our time here in the Island in the Sky district, the most easily accessible without a 4x4 vehicle. We were blown away by the sprawling, intricate landscapes that made us feel so small and insignificant. I was pleasantly surprised that the park was rather remote and we had these incredible views to ourselves at some points!

My favorite lookout was Green River Lookout. Even though it’s an iconic photo spot, no picture will ever do this place justice. Watching the sun go down behind the peaks and valleys, and the entire sky turning shades of pastel blue, pink, and yellow was an experience like no other.

We drove a loop through the park and were able to see most of the area in one day.

The stops we made in order:

Shafer Trail overlook
Grand View Point
White Rim Overlook
Green River Overlook

You can also view the Mesa Arch, but this is most spectacular at sunrise when the light shines directly through the arch!

Stop 3: Zion National Park

Famous for its towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons, Zion offers a variety of hiking trails for all skill levels. Before arriving, we decided to try our luck at applying for Angel’s Landing permits, one of the most dangerous but incredible hikes in the U.S.

(Note: You can apply here for a permit. You can choose up to 6 time slots per person for a higher chance of winning the lottery! These permits are in place to keep the trails less crowded and protect the natural landscapes from excessive foot traffic.)

Coming from Canyonlands and Arches, Zion’s landscape was a dramatic contrast. Unlike the sparse red rock landscapes of the former parks, Zion was a mix of dense vegetation and flowing water, feeling like we just stepped into a scene from Jurassic Park.

We were there for two days total, which looked like this:

Day 1: Navigating Zion National Park: Tips for Parking, Hiking, and Camping

OH BOY, we did not anticipate how limited the parking would be. We were extremely glad that we chose to rent a manageable sized campervan, which made parking much easier. We recommend arriving before 8 AM to secure a spot in the lot for the main shuttle, which is necessary to access most of the famous hikes. (Note: You must take the shuttle to reach most of the well-known trails.)

We started with Emerald pools - three stunning pools - a moderate 2.5 miles roundtrip to view all three. In the late afternoon we walked around the Lower Zion Canyon and took in the views as the sun set behind the mountains illuminating the peaks shades of pink and orange.

Where to camp: We found free camping at Sheep Bridge Road Dispersed Camping, which was only 15 minutes away from the South park entrance on the other side of Springdale, and crossed our fingers that we would wake up to a Permit for Angel’s landing. The campervan was just perfect, and the setup provided by Wandervans had everything we needed. The simplicity of the design and layout inside of the van really made things easy and as a result I had much less anxiety compared to past trips when renting more complex rigs.

Day 2: A Day of Highs at Watchman’s Tower and Angels Landing

Sure enough, we did! We dedicated this entire day to hiking, starting with waking up early and hiking the Watchman’s Tower, which was also a moderate hike, almost 3 miles round trip, offering incredible views of Zion Canyon.

Finally, it was time for Angels Landing. I was nervous leading up to the hike because I knew it was short and steep and definitely had its risks. (Note: Unless you are not afraid of heights, have good hiking footwear, and balance, I would not recommend this as an intermediate/beginner hike).

We trekked along the cliffs and gullies and up the steepest ridge, holding onto the chains on either side of the narrow footpaths. Once we reached the top, however, we had a perfect view of the entire Zion Canyon, and an aerial view of the ethereal landscapes below. My only regret as a photographer was not hiking this later in the day to catch the stunning glow of the peaks during sunset.

We Are Hooked

Since returning home from my trip, all I can say when friends and family ask how it went, is “Utah far exceeded my expectations and completely blew my mind!” Between the hiking, sightseeing, wandering and photo opportunities, this is an incredibly unique landscape that I swear every person should experience at least once in their life. This was also my first time experiencing the van life and first time ever renting a campervan. I must say I am hooked on this method of travel and already trying to strategize on how I can take another campervan adventure, or how I can put together the funds to purchase my own campervan. The ease of traveling, camping, driving, and sleeping in the campervan was such a wonderful experience, and it really allowed us to focus on our adventures and experiences throughout the trip. We are hooked!

So, if Utah isn't on your bucket list yet, it's time to add it. If you’re never experienced the WANDER-ful ways of vanlife, I highly suggest you give it a shot. Trust me, you’ll come back from your trip with more than just spectacular photos—you’ll return with stories and memories that last a lifetime.

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First Time in Utah: An Unforgettable Road Trip Adventure in a Campervan