What to pack for your National Parks road trip [Arches, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon]

If you are planning on visiting any of these parks, here are the necessities.... no fluff! Just the things you need. Plus we show you our favorite brands and why we chose to purchase each of these items.
Download a FREE Resource: 👇
⚡️Not sure which area of the Grand Canyon to visit? Download our FREE Quick and Easy Guide to the Grand Canyon's 4 areas! rockies.ck.page/2108839d59
⚡️Confused about how to Ride the Zion Shuttles? Download our FREE pdf. Guide includes the Springdale Shuttle, Zion Canyon Shuttle, what to do at each stop, handy tips + Maps.
rockies.ck.page/a6f825dd23
None of these items are sponsored. We researched and purchased each of these items ourselves. If you choose to purchase any of these items, we would appreciate you using the links below. The small commission we receive, at no cost to you, enables us to continue to produce content and give unbiased reviews. Thanks for watching.
Recommended Gear wereintherockies.com/gear/
Camelbak M.U.L.E Hydration Pack- amzn.to/3dRhpaO.
Camelbak Mini M.U.L.E Hydration Pack- amzn.to/36eXTRB.
Goodr Polarized Sunglasses- amzn.to/3yq94Tq.
Hoka Arahi Running Shoe-amzn.to/3xgUi1b
Asic's Gel Venture- amzn.to/3Ax6Vao
Jason Aldeen Georgia Boy Hat- amzn.to/3e7mJr1.
Sursip 1 Gallon ,Vacuum Sealed Insulated, Travel Water bottle- amzn.to/3e7mJr1.
Lifetime 77 Quart Cooler- amzn.to/2V53pnm.
Minky Couture Blanket- minkycouture-com.myshopify.co.... Use code: ROCKIES45 for 45% off
CelerSport Athletic Socks- amzn.to/2UNVWcu
Yeti Tumbler- amzn.to/2UCDHqI
Minky Blanket- www.softminkyblankets.com/col...
Trekking Poles: amzn.to/3zL1zHB
Ultrathon insect repellant: amzn.to/3BwAp8Z
Time Stamps:
1:30 shoes
2:45 socks
3:10 pants
4:08 shirts
4:40 jacket
5:18 hat
6:00 hydration pack
7:20 trekking poles
8:08 Mio water enhancer
10:25 cooler
12:04 water jug
12:55 Yeti tumbler
13:36 World's most amazing blanket.... Minky

[@scottphillipy9831]

More great information guys. Thanks again. Three weeks and I'll be there, can not wait. Thanks for sharing.

[@AlwaysBeVacationing]

Hi! - from Utah too and you nailed it! We love visiting southern Utah.

[@reynam.1303]

All your videos are so informative! Love it! Please keep them coming!♥️

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you for the feedback. Really appreciate it

[@cathythielen3182]

Your advice is GOLD!!! Yes!!! Was in Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce just this summer! Also Yellowstone & Grand Teton for 8 days. Used your advice & had the trip of a lifetime! Agree with this advice except shirts - " cotton kills". Please use a wicking fabric. Absolutely agree with hydration pack... Water is essential especially at those altitudes! Yes to electrolytes!!!

[@anthonyb2334]

Excellent videos. We just found your channel, live in Arizona, and have been traveling the west for 15 years but have been RV’ing for 40 years. We enjoy your videos. Very well done and informative. Thank you.

[@WereintheRockies]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@luisreviews6412]

Great advice! I have found the lightweight long sleeve shirts to be helpful as they keep the sun off but let the wind through for the hot sunny days.

[@WereintheRockies]

Yes, good idea!

[@heresapril576]

Thank you so much for all of your videos. My family and I are going to the Grand Canyon for my birthday in April. All of your videos have helped me prepare for a stress free trip. I really appreciate you. New subbie! :)

[@WereintheRockies]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@wncjan]

Great advice here. 😎 As a foreigner who cannot bring a cooler on the pla ne , so I always buy a reasonably cheap cooler when I arrive and just leave it, when I go back. I'll nomally have to buy ice every or every other day, but it's worth it. Getting back to my car and cold water after a 1.5 hour hike in 120 degrees in Gilbert, Arizona, was great as the water I brought in my backpack was also about 120 F.

[@WereintheRockies]

Great idea with the cooler!

[@janicegriffith9810]

Got my hiking poles for Christmas. Need to order those socks. Thanks!

[@lifeskillswithcheryl715]

Great to hear from you Janice!! Glad you got your trekking poles for your adventures

[@natosuperman1]

Wanted to thank you. We just got back to charleston SC, from 2 days in GT and 4 days in Yellowstone. I watched hours of you videos and was well prepared for both parks. We planned it to get to the tourists spots like Jenny lake before 7am. We took scenic detours like Fire Hole falls road, water falls and some others roads, avoiding the geyser basins at peak hours. Even asked a ranger about best wildlife and found out there was a dead Buffalo at slough creek rd (lamar valley,)were we saw a grey and black wolf. Will be watching your other videos for our next cross country trip to either arches/moab or grand canyon. Your videos saved me from countless hours of stress from long lines and missed wildlife/landscape opportunities Thanks again

[@WereintheRockies]

I just noticed this comment!!! I apologize I didn't respond sooner, but I want to tell you thank you so much for the feedback and the kind words. I'm happy your trip was a success and hope we can help you out on your next trip out West!

[@DonJoeBob]

Ton of great advice! We love mild hiking and once we got our trekking poles, we feel lost without them. Just great support all around, not just for leverage while climbing I discovered. Never heard of Minky, as a family with a lot of blankets and throws, I'll definitely have to try that offer out for sure, thanks!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thanks Don Joe! Ya, I’m thinking I might need to get some trekking poles soon. Haha

[@DonJoeBob]

@@WereintheRockies I surprised my wife and got her a minky and it came in the mail yesterday. As blanket lovers, this is the best one we own now. I picked out a Taffy Pink Hugs Grande. Thanks for the recommendation and the code. No doubt I'll have to order my daughter one for Christmas.

[@WereintheRockies]

So cool!! I’m going to look that blanket up right now. :)

[@reynam.1303]

I kept insisting in the hiking boots for my husband, now that we watched your videos, he said….see! I don’t need hiking boots! A good tennis shoes will do it! 🤣🤣🤣 he didn’t listen to me, but he did listen to you guys🤣🤣🥰🥰🥰

[@WereintheRockies]

Hahaha. Glad we can help (?) 😂

[@reynam.1303]

@@WereintheRockies sure did!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@Bettyp08]

A s’mores blanket!

[@sallyhansen5869]

You guys are awesome, but recommending Cotton is a no no, once your sweat dries, you can chill bad. have you tried wicking shirts to pull sweat away from body? Keep bringing these amazing videos! Happy Trails!

[@WereintheRockies]

Thank you!!!

[@mca4688]

Great advice thank you! We are flying the Vegas this summer then driving this route. Do you have recommendations where to fill up good drinking water without buying plastic water bottles? We are staying at Bumbleberry Inn, Rubys Inn and then Moab RV Park (cabin). Thanks so much!

[@WereintheRockies]

Not sure on the specifics outside of the parks but Arches, Bryce, and Zion have water filling stations inside the park.

[@Steven-qi4gm]

Thank you for the video. It’s extremely useful as I plan to do a solo trip of the grand circle in June. May I ask a few questions please? Being from the uk I’m not completely familiar with how the parks work. Do they have water fountains at the park for refilling water bottles? Is there any areas of the parks that has loose sand in dangerous areas where tennis/running shoes might be a bad idea? Is the tap water drinkable at most hotels in those areas so that i could fill water bottles before leaving? And lastly, what is the situation with needing the toilet in these parks while on a hike? I imagine with drinking all that water loo breaks are frequent 😆 Thanks so much Steve

[@WereintheRockies]

1. Most parks have water fountains, but not all. I would go to each parks official page to get the most accurate information. 2. Yes, often there is loos sand on walking trails but we always hike in tennis/running shoes and never have a problem. 3. the tap water in hotels is drinkable. 4. Many trails have outhouses at the trailhead, but once again, not all of them. I would check the official park page for this info too. Have a great time and good luck.

[@tarajogreen8617]

Hi! We're planning a trip late March early April with our four kids. We'll be going to all 5 plus Hoover Dam, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon! I'm kind of confused on what to pack for them. Do you think they'll be hiking in shorts and tank tops at all? Or mostly pants? We definitely plan on early morning hikes.. do you think they need a fleece jacket or just a windbreaker would be warm enough? Trying to cut out what we don't need and maximize space while packing for six people! We're flying in from the East Coast so definitely used to cooler temps. Thanks again for your videos and all your help!!

[@WereintheRockies]

Late March/Early April can definitely be cool. I would plan to mostly be wearing long pants. I would pack tank tops, fleece jackets, and even windbreakers. In the mornings and evenings, you will want more layers on (and will probably wear all three) and then as the day warms up, you can shed the fleece and windbreaker. There may be times (mid-day) you might want shorts but my guess is that the majority of the time you will be most comfortable in pants.

[@mischaakita]

Hello! We are heading to Arches and Canyonlands at end of June. Are there a lot of bugs at those two parks? Wondering if I should pack bug spray. Thanks!

[@WereintheRockies]

In late spring and early summer you may see swarms of tiny biting gnats. I always pack bug spray whenever I plan to be in the outdoors. You never know when you're going to need it. Have a great trip!

[@daveheyboer6251]

What is the place that you show at 15:02 on this video. I’m hoping it’s in Zion or Bryce. It is so beautiful!

[@WereintheRockies]

This waterfall is found on the Mossy Cave Trail at Bryce Canyon. You need to go here! The Mossy Cave Trail is not inside Bryce Canyon, but about 5 min drive outside. It should pull up on your phone map. Have fun!

[@daveheyboer6251]

We just bought all your guides for Zion, Bryce and North Rim.. very excited! Appreciate your videos. God Bless

[@christinemette7054]

Which route did you take to Fruita. We would be driving a class c with a jeep from kanab Utah.

[@WereintheRockies]

We came from the north, you would be coming from the south.

[@gepenner]

I’m not sure its good to imply that a “tennis shoe-like” shoe is adequate. You need something with a beefy, rough sole to grip slick rock in many of these parks, especially when you hit primitive trails like Devil’s Garden in Arches.

[@WereintheRockies]

Good point. As I trekked around the parks this summer, I noticed a good amount of people wearing hiking boots. Slick rock isn't actually slick and trail runners have plenty of grip. But hiking boots are a great choice if you need ankle support : ) Thanks for your insight

[@gepenner]

@@WereintheRockies Your content is great. My wife and I are watching to plan a mid-October trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion. Thanks for your work!

[@christyrogers6914]

What do you recumbent for a phone tripod?

[@WereintheRockies]

This is the one we use now: amzn.to/44Bc0fv

[@rheajones5522]

We are planning for a raod trip soon.. to antelope canyon zion Bryce and arch... what is the best place to stay?

[@WereintheRockies]

Here's our article about Zion lodging: wereintherockies.com/zion-lodging/ and one on Bryce lodging: wereintherockies.com/bryce-lodging/