Discover activities for the whole family
Nine Mile Canyon northeast of Price contains the world's longest art gallery—50 miles of canyon walls covered in ancient Fremont Culture petroglyphs and pictographs some more than 1,000 years old. Interpretive signs identify key panels and self-guided tour maps are available. A true hidden gem of Utah archaeology.
The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park features several moderate family trails through brilliant red and white spires of Cedar Mesa sandstone. The Joint Trail passes through a narrow crevice wide enough for adults to squeeze through. The dramatic geology and vivid colors make it one of Utah's most distinctive landscapes.
The Ogden Botanical Gardens features demonstration gardens, a children's garden with sensory plantings and a water feature, and seasonal displays from spring tulips to fall chrysanthemums. Free public programs on Saturday mornings include guided walks and kid-friendly gardening workshops.
Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon east of Salt Lake City is a natural waterfall that drops through a donut-shaped hole in the rock forming a circular pool below. A short easy 0.8-mile trail through evergreen forest reaches the falls. The approach is shaded and cool even on hot summer days.
Springdale at Zion's entrance is a hub for family outdoor adventure. Several guide services offer beginner rock climbing instruction on the sandstone walls just outside the park. Half-day family lessons appropriate for ages 7 and up include all gear. The vivid red Navajo Sandstone provides an unforgettable climbing backdrop.
The trail to Stewart Falls near Sundance Resort is one of Utah's most accessible waterfall hikes—a 3.5-mile round-trip through aspen and maple forest ending at a 200-foot cascade with a natural splash pool. The trail enters from the Aspen Grove area and Mount Timpanogos looms overhead throughout the route.
Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding houses the finest collection of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts in the Four Corners region. Visitors can descend into an actual partially excavated kiva from a 950-year-old village behind the museum. The pottery collection is extraordinary and views of the Abajo Mountains are beautiful.
Natural Bridges National Monument in San Juan County contains three impressive natural stone bridges—the largest assemblage in North America. The 8-mile scenic drive reaches overlooks of Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo Bridges. The park is also a designated International Dark Sky Park with outstanding star viewing.
The Delicate Arch hike in Arches National Park is one of America's iconic trails—a 3-mile round-trip up sandstone slickrock to the most famous arch in the world. The moderate hike with some scrambling rewards with a 65-foot span framing the La Sal Mountains. Ages 6 and up with good footwear.
The College of Eastern Utah Prehistoric Museum in Price is a premier dinosaur museum covering the unique paleontology of the Wasatch Plateau region. Full-size mounted skeletons of Allosaurus, Camarasaurus, and Stegosaurus anchor a collection that includes Utah's state fossil. Admission is free.
The Weber River between Morgan and Ogden offers a fun family float trip through high mountain valley scenery. The river is generally class I-II suitable for beginning kayakers and tubers. Local outfitters in Morgan provide tube rentals and shuttle service. Bald eagles are frequently spotted along the river corridor.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument features three caverns filled with rare helictite formations—twisting crystal growths that defy gravity. The 1.5-mile mountain trail to the cave entrance gains 1,065 feet and the guided cave tour lasts about an hour. Ages 5 and up recommended for the steep hike and cool cave interior.
Wading into the lower section of the Zion Narrows from the Temple of Sinawava is one of Utah's most iconic outdoor experiences. Families wade up the Virgin River between walls rising 1,000 feet overhead in a slot canyon just feet wide. No permit required for the lower mile. Water shoes are essential for the rocky riverbed.
Brigham Young's Winter Home in St. George is a beautifully restored Victorian residence furnished with period antiques. Guided tours provide insight into Utah pioneer history and the life of Brigham Young's extended family. The adjacent St. George Tabernacle is one of Utah's finest pioneer-era buildings and also free to tour.
Logan Canyon Byway follows the turquoise Logan River from Logan through a dramatic limestone canyon to Bear Lake at the top. The drive passes swimming holes, picnic areas, hiking trails, and stunning views. The China Row campground has easy access to the river for wade fishing and fall foliage in October is spectacular.
The Stokes Nature Center near Logan operates family nature programs in the spectacular limestone canyon of the Logan River. Guided walks explore the riparian ecosystem and interpretive programs introduce kids to canyon birds, bats, and butterflies. The hands-on exhibits include live insects, animal skulls, and wildlife tracks.
American Fork Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains east of American Fork provides accessible mountain recreation close to the Salt Lake Valley. Timpanogos Cave National Monument sits at the top of a 1.5-mile steep trail with guided cave tours featuring stunning helictite formations. The surrounding canyon has multiple picnic areas.
Crystal Hot Springs near Honeyville north of Ogden is one of Utah's most beloved family hot spring resorts with pools ranging from 98 to 104 degrees and a large cold spring for contrast soaking. Waterslides in the main pool area and a diving pool add summer excitement. Open year-round including holidays.
Bear Lake on the Utah-Idaho border is nicknamed the Caribbean of the Rockies for its turquoise water coloring. Rendezvous Beach on the Utah shore has a wide sandy beach, gentle swim area, and boat rentals. Raspberry shakes from Bear Lake Raspberry Shakes in Garden City are legendary and not to be missed.
The High Uintas Wilderness contains the highest peaks in Utah and dozens of accessible family-friendly trails to alpine lakes. Wildflower meadows, beaver ponds, and abundant wildlife make this one of Utah's finest summer hiking destinations. Trails from the Mirror Lake trailhead access pristine backcountry for day visitors.
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway climbs from Kamas to 10,687 feet through the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest past alpine lakes, meadows, and rocky peaks. Several easy family trails branch from the road including the loop around Mirror Lake itself—a 3-mile route through spruce and fir forest. Wildflowers peak in late July.
Red Fleet State Park near Vernal features a striking reservoir surrounded by Entrada sandstone formations. A 1.5-mile trail leads to actual dinosaur trackways preserved in the sandstone—a rare chance to walk alongside 200-million-year-old footprints. Swimming and boating are popular summer activities.
Flaming Gorge Reservoir stretches 91 miles through brilliant red canyon country on the Utah-Wyoming border. Houseboating, trophy lake trout fishing, kayaking, and swimming from rocky beaches are all popular. The town of Dutch John has a full marina with boat and kayak rentals and dam viewpoint tours are free.
The Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal features 17 full-size dinosaur reconstructions on an outdoor prehistoric trail plus excellent fossil displays from Dinosaur National Monument excavations. The attached garden hosts dinosaur sculptures among desert plantings.
Dinosaur National Monument's Quarry Exhibit Hall protects 1,500 dinosaur bones still embedded in the rock wall exactly as paleontologists found them. Visitors can touch actual dinosaur bones through openings in the glass barrier. A 4-mile scenic drive from the visitor center reaches canyon overlooks with sweeping views.