Discover activities for the whole family
Huntington Reservoir in the mountains above Huntington offers boating, fishing for rainbow trout, and a family campground at 9,000 feet elevation. The cool mountain air and pine forest provide a welcome escape from summer heat in Carbon County. A boat launch ramp and swim beach make it a complete family destination.
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs 100 miles along the ancient shoreline of Lake Bonneville at the base of the Wasatch Mountains above Salt Lake City. The trail is accessible from dozens of trailheads and provides panoramic views of the valley below. Deer, red-tailed hawks, and California quail are regularly spotted. Great for short family walks or longer outings.
The town of Helper has transformed its historic brick downtown buildings into an outdoor gallery with over 30 large-scale murals celebrating Carbon County's mining heritage, diverse immigrant history, and Utah landscape. The self-guided walking tour through downtown is free and takes about an hour. Helper's quirky independent shops and cafes add to the charm.
Millcreek Canyon east of Salt Lake City is one of Utah's finest fall foliage destinations. The canyon road flanked by maples, oaks, and aspens peaks in color from late September through mid-October. The Pipeline Trail and Rattlesnake Gulch offer easy walks under blazing autumn color. Free and accessible by city transit.
The upper end of Provo Canyon beyond Sundance opens into broad mountain meadows along the Provo River bursting with wildflowers in July and August. Several roadside pullouts provide access to the river for wade fishing and picnicking. Moose regularly wade in the river willows and are frequently spotted by slow-driving families.
Scofield Reservoir at 7,600 feet is one of Utah's premier ice fishing destinations from December through February. Families drill holes and fish for tiger muskellunge, rainbow trout, and cutthroat in a beautiful high plateau setting. Ice shanty rentals and guide services are available from outfitters in Helper and Price.
Utah's Territorial Statehouse in Fillmore is the oldest existing government building in Utah begun in 1851. A state park museum inside the sandstone building tells the story of Utah's earliest territorial government and pioneer life. The surrounding gardens and mature trees make for a shaded summer stop on road trips.
Green River is the cantaloupe and watermelon capital of Utah and the annual Melon Days festival in September celebrates the harvest with fresh melons, a carnival, and live music. The state park along the Green River has a swim beach and boat launch. Crystals and fossils occasionally wash from the surrounding cliffs.
The Four Corners Monument is the only place in the United States where four states meet at a single point—Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Families take photos straddling four states simultaneously. The Navajo Nation operates the monument and vendors sell authentic Native American jewelry and traditional food.
Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway near Heber City is Utah's largest state park with a premier golf course, miles of hiking trails through mountain meadows, and camping in a stunning valley setting. The Cascade Springs area features a boardwalk through calcite-terraced natural springs. Wildlife includes moose, deer, and eagles.
Canyons Village at Park City Mountain Resort operates summer activities including an alpine coaster—a gravity-driven roller coaster on rails down the mountain—mini golf, a climbing wall, and a free scenic gondola to 9,000 feet. Kids love the combination of alpine air and adrenaline activities in the mountain setting.
The Hurricane Cliffs Trail near Hurricane provides access to one of southern Utah's most dramatic geological features—the Hurricane Fault scarp, a 150-mile-long cliff marking a major earthquake fault. Mesa-top views encompass Zion Canyon, Bryce Canyon, and the Arizona Strip. Short and moderate trail options are available.
The Living Planet Aquarium in Draper houses over 4,000 animals across ocean, river, and reef habitats. A 30-foot shark tank, a seahorse nursery, a stingray touch pool, and a penguin exhibit are highlights. The Discover Utah exhibit features local native fish and amphibians with an exceptional naturalist education component.
The Ogden River Parkway is a 3-mile paved trail along the Ogden River from downtown to the mouth of Ogden Canyon connecting the Eccles Dinosaur Park to the Ogden Nature Center. The trail passes ponds with ducks and geese, a skate park, a disc golf course, and multiple playgrounds. Bikes and strollers are welcome.
The Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park is one of the best family hikes in Utah—a 2-mile loop to a 133-foot natural arch that frames views of the Capitol Reef cliffs. Interpretive signs explain the 270-million-year geology. The Fremont River petroglyph panel is visible from the trailhead.
Horseback rides in Bryce Canyon National Park descend among the hoodoos on guided 2-hour trail rides through the canyon floor. The perspective from horseback among 200-foot spires is extraordinary. Rides depart from the park concession stables. Minimum age 7 and minimum 48 inches tall required.
Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon near Kanab is a beautiful pink Navajo sandstone slot canyon accessible via a moderately strenuous scramble. The narrow canyon requires passing through three squeeze points and a short rope climb making it a fun adventure for ages 8 and up. The colors inside shift from cream to coral to magenta.
Strawberry Reservoir southeast of Heber City is the crown jewel of Utah's fisheries famous for trophy cutthroat and rainbow trout. Developed campgrounds with boat launches serve families. Non-anglers can hike the lakeshore trail and observe osprey and white pelicans hunting the emerald waters from the shore.
The Western Mining and Railroad Museum in Helper has a remarkably intact 1920s main street of brick storefronts. Kids can explore a simulated coal mine tunnel, an actual steam locomotive, and exhibits on the immigrant miners who built Utah's carbon country. Admission is free and the building itself is a piece of history.
North Fork County Park above Huntsville provides forest camping, fishing in North Fork Creek, and easy hiking under a canopy of maple and oak. The fall color display in October draws leaf-peepers from the entire Wasatch Front. Horse corrals, a playground, and picnic pavilions serve families throughout the season.
The Provo Rooftop Concert Series on summer Friday evenings takes over a parking structure rooftop in downtown Provo with free local and regional bands. Food trucks, arts vendors, and a festive crowd make it a lively family evening. The concert series runs May through September and draws thousands of families each night.
Spanish Fork's Fiesta Days Rodeo held each July is one of the largest amateur rodeos in the American West. The week-long festival includes a parade, carnival, and street fair alongside traditional rodeo events. Mutton busting for young children is a crowd favorite. The event celebrates Spanish Fork's pioneer and Hispanic heritage.
Scera Pool in Orem is a beloved community outdoor pool complex with a large waterslide, diving board, lazy river, and zero-entry wading pool. Afternoon performances at the adjacent SCERA Shell outdoor amphitheater bring family-friendly musicals and concerts to the park setting throughout the summer season.
Dark Ranger star parties at Arches National Park on new moon weekends bring powerful telescopes for free public viewing. Rangers share Ute and Navajo constellation stories alongside scientific explanations. Arches is designated as an International Dark Sky Park with extraordinarily clear viewing conditions.
The Pa'rus Trail in Zion National Park is a 1.7-mile paved trail along the Virgin River from the visitor center to Canyon Junction accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and leashed dogs. The trail crosses multiple river bridges and offers excellent views of the towering canyon walls. Deer often feed near the river.