Families who love adventure will love what is offered in this picturesque area. From paved scenic drives among stunning sandstone structures to rock climbing and shimmying through narrow slot canyons, the National Parks of southern Utah offer many options for active families.
The following suggested itinerary, starting in Moab and ending in Las Vegas, visits four national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, and Zion. (For general information on national parks with kids, see Visiting America’s National Parks with Kids.)
Rock Climbing and Canyoneering in Arches National Park
Families with children who have spent time in rock climbing gyms might want to try the real thing in Utah. Although well-known for its superb mountain biking terrain, Moab has a number of adventure companies that will take a family out for a day or half day of safe and expert instruction in rock climbing and canyoneering (exploring canyons using ropes and climbing skills; also known as canyoning).
Desert Highlights is the only company authorized to conduct tours inside Arches National Park. Children as young as six can enjoy the climbing, swimming, and rappelling that are part of the company’s half day Upper Dragonfly hike. Families with older children who want more challenge might prefer the Krill Canyon trip which visits the Fiery Furnace area of Arches.
Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River
There are a number of companies that offer whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River. Adrift Adventures (378 North Main Street, Moab,435/259-8594), for example, offers a full day or half day Fisher Towers trip that includes time on a large raft rowed by a guide as well as a large buffet picnic lunch. They also offer horseback riding and river raft combinations as well as a guided, four wheel drive jeep tour of Canyonlands National Park.
Horseback Riding and Hiking in Bryce National Park
Four and a half hours southwest from Moab, visitors will reach the stunning spires and pinnacles of Bryce National Park. These amazing limestone, sandstone, and mudstone structures, called “hoodoos”, are the result of the erosion of 60 million year old sedimentary rock.
One way to experience amazing Bryce Canyon is via the two-hour horseback ride offered through Bryce Lodge (reservations: 435-679-8665). Another is to take the 8 mile, 3 ½ hour hike through the canyon on the well-marked Fairyland Trail.
Hiking and Canyoneering in Zion National Park
Less than two hours southwest, the topography changes dramatically to the towering, sandstone cliffs of majestic Zion National Park. On the west side of the park, the town of Springdale is a good base of operations as it offers accommodations, restaurants, and touring companies.
Zion is a great place for canyoneering and Zion Adventure Company has been leading family-oriented canyoneering adventures for many years. Their half and full day family canyoneering trips are for families with children aged five and up and includes hiking, rappelling, down climbing over obstacles and squeezing through canyon narrows. Zion Adventures provides helmets, harnesses, ropes and expert instruction and families bring water, food, snacks, sunscreen, and a ready and willing attitude.
Zion Adventure Company also offers more challenging canyoneering trips as well as mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and a guided river hike of the famous Zion Narrows.
Booking.com
For families that prefer self-guided hikes, Zion National Park offers many suggestions. One of the more popular ones (unsuitable for young children due to its steep and narrow ridges) is the 2 to 3 hour hike to the summit of Angels Landing.
A trip to southern Utah can be the perfect vacation for the active family. Less than 2 hours west of Springdale, a totally different kind of adventure awaits in Las Vegas.
The following suggested itinerary, starting in Moab and ending in Las Vegas, visits four national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce, and Zion. (For general information on national parks with kids, see Visiting America’s National Parks with Kids.)
Rock Climbing and Canyoneering in Arches National Park
Families with children who have spent time in rock climbing gyms might want to try the real thing in Utah. Although well-known for its superb mountain biking terrain, Moab has a number of adventure companies that will take a family out for a day or half day of safe and expert instruction in rock climbing and canyoneering (exploring canyons using ropes and climbing skills; also known as canyoning).
Desert Highlights is the only company authorized to conduct tours inside Arches National Park. Children as young as six can enjoy the climbing, swimming, and rappelling that are part of the company’s half day Upper Dragonfly hike. Families with older children who want more challenge might prefer the Krill Canyon trip which visits the Fiery Furnace area of Arches.
Whitewater Rafting on the Colorado River
There are a number of companies that offer whitewater rafting trips on the Colorado River. Adrift Adventures (378 North Main Street, Moab,435/259-8594), for example, offers a full day or half day Fisher Towers trip that includes time on a large raft rowed by a guide as well as a large buffet picnic lunch. They also offer horseback riding and river raft combinations as well as a guided, four wheel drive jeep tour of Canyonlands National Park.
Horseback Riding and Hiking in Bryce National Park
Four and a half hours southwest from Moab, visitors will reach the stunning spires and pinnacles of Bryce National Park. These amazing limestone, sandstone, and mudstone structures, called “hoodoos”, are the result of the erosion of 60 million year old sedimentary rock.
One way to experience amazing Bryce Canyon is via the two-hour horseback ride offered through Bryce Lodge (reservations: 435-679-8665). Another is to take the 8 mile, 3 ½ hour hike through the canyon on the well-marked Fairyland Trail.
Hiking and Canyoneering in Zion National Park
Less than two hours southwest, the topography changes dramatically to the towering, sandstone cliffs of majestic Zion National Park. On the west side of the park, the town of Springdale is a good base of operations as it offers accommodations, restaurants, and touring companies.
Zion is a great place for canyoneering and Zion Adventure Company has been leading family-oriented canyoneering adventures for many years. Their half and full day family canyoneering trips are for families with children aged five and up and includes hiking, rappelling, down climbing over obstacles and squeezing through canyon narrows. Zion Adventures provides helmets, harnesses, ropes and expert instruction and families bring water, food, snacks, sunscreen, and a ready and willing attitude.
Zion Adventure Company also offers more challenging canyoneering trips as well as mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing and a guided river hike of the famous Zion Narrows.
Booking.com
For families that prefer self-guided hikes, Zion National Park offers many suggestions. One of the more popular ones (unsuitable for young children due to its steep and narrow ridges) is the 2 to 3 hour hike to the summit of Angels Landing.
A trip to southern Utah can be the perfect vacation for the active family. Less than 2 hours west of Springdale, a totally different kind of adventure awaits in Las Vegas.
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