Capitol Reef National Park

The size of this park — some 240,000 acres — is misleading, because it's fairly narrow and there are not as many day hiking trails as, say, in Zion or Bryce (there are more backcountry options). There are also no great hotel options nearby and inside the park, only campsites are offered. But if you are driving between Moab and Bryce Canyon, this park is a lovely place for a picnic lunch.

The drive through the red rock canyons along Route 24 is very scenic, and the picnic area near the Visitor Center is located near a small river beneath tall trees. The park is also home to the Fruita Historic District and orchards. The Mormon Fruita settlement dates from the late 1800s and its heirloom orchards are still blooming and harvested today, including apple, peach, cherry, pear and apricot trees. The Gifford House Store in the park includes a country store that sells jams, fruit pies and dried fruit, as well as a wide selection of books about this unique area.