Like so many families this summer, we were ITCHING to get out of dodge. And that we did. We knew we wanted the outdoors. We knew we wanted mountains, a body of water and fresh air. After much discussion and research we decided on Zion National Park with a side of Bryce Canyon. With three kids (twins, age 9 and a 3.5 year old) and a long drive on both ends, this trip required some planning. And by some, I mean a CRAP ton. Perhaps there was more for us because we are not hikers and had never been to Utah. Please keep this in mind when reading. This post will not likely be featured in Backpacker Magazine. If there was a magazine called ‘Suburban Helicopter Mom Takes Three Kids to Zion’, this might be a lead story. That said, once the planning, prepping and research was done, it was, hands down the best family vacation we have been on. It was only two weeks ago and I still have the post vacation blues. I’m hoping that what I share gives you some ideas for your next family trip to one of the most beautiful parts of our country.

The Itinerary & Agenda

Day One: Travel Day: San Diego, CA- Springdale, Utah. 7.5 hours

Day Two: Hike the Narrows, Zion National Park, Float the River

Day Three: Boys Fishing, Girls Discover Springdale, Float the River/Pool time

Day Four: Horseback Riding in Zion National Park, Explore the Lodge, Evening Hike to the Emerald Pools

Day Five: Travel day: Zion to Bryce: 2.5 hours, Evening Rodeo

Day Six: ATV Rides, Horseback riding (toddler style)

Day Seven: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park (Hike Sunset Point, Bike to Inspiration Point)

Day Eight: Travel Day: Bryce Canyon, UT to Las Vegas NV: 3.5 hours, Half day explore Vegas kid style.

Day Nine: Travel Day: Las Vegas, NV to San Diego, CA: 5.5 hours

Day Ten: Do 500 loads of laundry and hide from my email inbox.

Zion National Park, Springdale Utah

We stayed at the Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale, Utah, just outside the park. It was fantastic. We lucked out on a riverside first floor room. We floated the river just steps from our room which overlooked the mountains. There was a large grassy area where the kids played, deers roamed and made for the perfect evening cocktail setting. The rooms were clean, spacious and were perfect for a family. We had two double beds with a pullout sofa. There was a kitchenette that was so convenient for a traveling family.

Hiking

The Narrows: Our first major activity was to hike the Narrows in Zion National Park. And oh boy did I flip flop on doing this one. For a couple reasons: First reason was Meatball, our three year old. Would he be able to handle it? Would we be able to handle him should he not. Would it be too strenuous in the heat? Would it be worth it, if we could only go a little ways have to turn back? Flash flood anyone? Mom-brain OVERDRIVE. Anyways, we ended up giving it a go and we are SO happy we did. I would say it was a major, if not, THE highlight of our trip. Food for thought on the Narrows: Its a journey hike, not a destination hike. Meaning, you can hike as little or as much as you like and you will be still experience some amazing views and terrain. This took pressure off immediately.

Gear and Transportation for the Narrows:

The trail to the Narrows is paved and about a mile. The Narrows itself is a water hike with a very rocky bottom, so Meatball went up in the child hiking carrier the minute we hit the water portion of the hike. We borrowed this one from a friend and it was perfect. He is 3.5 years old, tall, weighs about 35 pound and it worked great. I mean, it worked great for my husband. We would not have been able to get far with him without this pack. The other kids in our group were ages 7-9 and they navigated the hike just fine with hiking sticks and shoes. We all agreed we needed the sticks and water friendly hiking shoes with covered toes. We rented ours (except Meatball) as part of our shuttle ticket from Zion Adventure Company. They also offer dry bags (we had our own) and other equipment if needed. This cost per person was $55. This was pricey. But with the rentals and the guaranteed round-trip transportation for our group of 9, it was worth it. There is a public shuttle that cost $1 per person, but we were not able to get spots (they must be reserved at 9 am the day before, first come-first serve). We needed the gear anyway. We were there in July and the heat was a major player at 104 degrees. The great thing about the Narrows is that it’s mostly in water and shaded between the tall mountains, hence the name. We hiked it at around 10 am and the temperature was about 90 degrees in the shade. With the water, it was very comfortable. We chose late morning so we would not be freezing in the early morning water, but so that we could also return before the afternoon. The afternoon is when flash floods have a higher chance of happening if there are thunder showers. The adventure company we used tracked the weather for us which made me feel better. We hiked for about 3 hours. That is when our kids had had enough. If you go all the way, I believe it’s about 5 hours round trip. We wore shorts and quick dry clothes. The kids wore bathing suits with shorts and tees. We packed snacks, dry towel, water and an extra thin, long sleeve rash guard for each child. The water went waist high for our kids in some parts and we had to lift up our back packs. We had one water back pack and these light weight travel back packs which pack up very small for travel and came in very handy throughout the trip. Water levels, trail conditions and temperatures change dramatically throughout the year so research before you go. In summary, It was unlike anything we had done or seen and was a bucket list moment for all of us. I can’t say enough about it.

The Upper Emerald Pools Hike: This might even be called more of “stroll”: 2 miles round trip depending on which loop you take. We did this hike in the evening before dinner and it was such a treat. In the evenings the crowds are smaller and the temperatures are a little cooler. This hike was paved the whole way and lots of tree shade along the way with spectacular views that lead to the Upper Pools. Even though the waterfall in the summer doesn’t flow as much or as strong as it does in the fall/spring, it was still a very pleasant and beautiful hike (A great evening option). No special gear or shoes are required here unless you actually go in the pools/falls. At the time, there was not enough water and many areas were roped off for safety so water shoes were not needed.

Biking: We brought our own bikes but there plenty of places to rent them should you not be able to. We rode them around town a bit to get ice cream and pick up dinner a couple nights. Our plan was to access the park just behind the Zion Brewery and explore the park on bike one evening or morning. We ran out of time but this was one activity I wish we been able to do. I’ve had other friends who got dropped off at the top of the Park and biked down. This would be a fun and scenic option as well. Next time.

Park Pass- A park pass is needed to enter the park. It cost $35 for entry or you can buy a National Park Pass for a year that costs $80. Since we were headed to Bryce Canyon National Park which also required a pass, we figured the extra $10 investment was a worthy spend to have access for a year.

Horseback Riding: We reserved horseback riding canyon rides with a Zion Canyon Trail Rides. We chose the 9:30 slot which was the first of the day. We did the 1-hour option which was plenty for a group of newbies. It was such a great way to see the park and get a guided tour from locals who pointed out the various peaks and shared the history. And oh boy does Zion have some HISTORY. This company is located in the Park across the street from the Zion Lodge. We are not horse people. Point in case, I actually rode a mule the whole time and didn’t even know it after the ride. Leave it to me to ride a half-donkey through Zion National Park without realizing it. My vision of a being a badass cowgirl was quickly shattered. After the ride, we walked across the street to the Lodge for ice cream, explore a bit and see all the deer that hang out right on property. The 1-hour ride was for ages 7 and up and cost $45 per rider. The 3-hour rides were for age 10 and up and cost $90. Offered March through October.

Fishing- The boys woke up early one morning and went fly fishing. This was a bit of a bust for them. It was about two hours away and the location they were taken to was not what they had envisioned. It cost $225 a head for a half day trip. That said, they had still had a great time but would pass on this next time around.

Tubing- There is a tubing company called Virgin River Tubing in Zion for ages 12 and older where you can rent tubes/vests $20 . We were with a younger crew so we couldn’t do that. We knew this ahead of time so we brought our own river tubes. And I am SO glad we did because we tubed every single day right outside our hotel room. We brought an electrical air pump and water shoes and we were off to the races errrrrr, the river. The river was only knee deep so there was a lot of ‘get out and move’ around the rocks happening. Even though you never get to fully relax for too long it’s still a great activity, incredibly scenic and fun way to cool down. You definitely need close toe’d shoes. I bought these water sneakers for $24 for myself and the kid versions for Gracie, my 9 year old. Our boys had Keens which are way more legit and could also be worn hiking. I also wore this water tight phone case for hiking/tubing so I could take pictures and capture some of our favorite favorite memories on the water. It has oddly come in handy for several other occasions like the beach, pool, or COVID runs to the grocery store.

SHOP THESE ITEMS HERE:

Eating in Springdale: We actually ate very WELL in Springdale. Our favorite was Oscars, WhipTail Grill and Zion Brew Pub. Bit & Spur also came recommended was closed for while we were there. For breakfast we loved Deep Creek Coffee Company for smoothies, acai and breakfast burritos. We also did Meme’s Cafe for crepes one morning that were amazing! I recommend getting reservations for dinner. The town of Springdale is adorable and worth a little time exploring which we did while the boys went fishing one morning. There are several candy and ice cream stops for the kiddoes. And adult kiddoes.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Accommodations: I apologize ahead of time for the overshare here. But this little place now holds a piece of my heart. Everywhere we looked was a post card worthy view. We stayed at the Cottonwood Meadow Lodge and it was absolutely magical. It’s family owned property with several barn-cottage-farm-house styled cabins that are each quaintly loaded with character. Each cabin has its own charm and located in the most picturesque setting. Staying here alone was worth the trip. There are chickens, cows, horses, a pond, a swing set and fire pits on property. And we used it ALL. For this crew, this was such a refreshing change of pace and scenery. The cabins are located about 15 minutes from the “downtown” area of Bryce and the park entrance. We packed up each day to go adventuring and it was such a treat to come back to our little cabin each afternoon to have dinner on the porch with sprawling country side and mountains for miles. This property is owned by the sweetest couple and their white lab, Jessie who quickly became our favorite daily visitor.

The Rodeo: There is a local rodeo each evening (Wed-Sat) at 7 pm. If you haven’t been to one, OMG. It literally was our “first rodeo”. And it did NOT disappoint. Our eyes and mouths were WIDE OPEN. It was the perfect way to kick off our Bryce Canyon experience. We all loved it. We got popcorn and beers. Bryce Canyon is about 2000 feet higher in elevation than Zion, so the weather is notably cooler- which was really nice. That said, wear a hat but bring a sweater. It definitely got chilly as the sun went down.

ATV ride: Another major highlight for us! We rented ATVs through Robert and his wife at Bryce Wildlife Adventure. Other places offer guided ATV tours but we chose the self-guided option. Cory got to live out his ATV dreams while we had to gently remind him he had his family with him. We rented a 6-seater ATV, but they offered a large range. The 6-seater was great for a family as it was covered, had a roll bar and had a storage area on the back for bag/cooler. We took a 3-hour trail ride and it was such a fun way to see the country side/trees. We took an offshoot trail that led to a killer vantage point. Next, we rode to the Tropic Reservoir where we made a picnic lunch. This is a dirty but FUN ride. We each wore face masks and needed jackets in the morning. They kids and I even wrapped in towels for the first hour, which Cory (and even Robert) thought was ridiculous. To each their own. The rental place shares a property with the Bryce Wildlife Museum. You need to access the museum BEFORE you ride the ATVs because of all the dirt, so plan accordingly. We did not, so we missed our window. But it looked like it would have been a treat. The ATV rentals were about $200-$400 depending on what size Polaris you rent and for how long. Hot tip- pay attention when Robert gives you the directions on the map. It’s not obvious once your on the trail. Thanks to my KEEN sense of direction we did alright (blog brag). But if it were left to my hubby, God knows where we would have ended up. At the end of the trip Robert takes a air blower to help get with the dirt on your clothes and belongings. Apparently, we are easily amused because this was just as exciting for our group as the ride was.

Hikes: Bryce Canyon National Park has some of the most INSANE views and hikes I’ve ever seen. Okay, we aren’t hikers, but you get the point. In Bryce, you can drive to many of the famous vantage points throughout the park and see the spectacular views just steps from your car. From there, you can hike down into the Canyons. This is a nice option, if you have small children (like us) or elderly/handicapped because you can still access the amazing views and then decide if you’d like to venture down into the trails. Our favorite was Sunset Point. Amazing. Transportation and gear: There are shuttles from town, but we just drove ourselves with our park pass. Although it was pretty busy, we always found parking. Per usual, hats, water, sunscreen and good hiking shoes are needed. Our kids were “hiked out” at this point, so we didn’t get too crazy into the trails here like we would have with just adults or older children. But damn, the views.

Biking: As mentioned we brought our bikes, and because the kids were tired from all the “walking/hiking” at this point, this was a great change of pace. They have paved trails throughout the park and even outside the park. We took the trail to Inspiration Point which was yet another, amazing site to see.

Inspiration Point

Horseback riding: Since we rode horses in Zion, we did not in Bryce. But the horse rides/trails into the Park look spectacular. Meatball was jonesing to get on a horse after seeing our pictures in Zion so we stopped at a place in town and he was able to walk around their stable. Yeehaw. From there we checked out the downtown area where we got ice cream and shopped a couple local shops.

We caught onsite ride for Meatball in the little town of Bryce.

Eating: There are a couple spots to eat in town, but aside from one lunch, we ate all of our meals on the porch of our magical little house on the ranch or packed them to go. We stopped at Joe’s Main Street Market in the town of Panguitch before we got to the cabin and loaded up for our stay. We picked up some great meats/veggies and grilled out each out night. On our hiking day, we ate at the Bryce Canyon Lodge for lunch, located in the Park which was a great pit stop.

We were all dirty, tired but hearts were full. Lifetime memories, in the book.

Road Trip Essentials

For us, a major part of the trip was the road portion of the program. It’s the journey, not the destination right? Without proper planning, traveling long distances with three small children can be hellish cage from which there is no escape. WITH some planning, it can actually be an added adventure. I put together some things that have helped us immensely in trips past and a few new ones that made their debut here on Utah-palooza.

Sun Shades: My kids moan and act like they are being tortured if sun hits them directly in the face. So, driving 8 hours in the 100 degree plus desert sun required some reinforcements (even with tinted windows). These stick on sun shades were our first MVPs on the road. They stick and unstick super easy to move with the sun. I also think these will be great for sitting in the carpool line when not road trippin’. All four collapse up into a small bag when not in use. $15

Car iPad holder & Car Seat Organizers- Child entertainment is one of the most critical components of road trip survival. We do a lot of non-screen time activities in the car as well. One reason is car sickness. The other reason is that we do try to add a little human “interaction” into the family trip every once in a while. I know, GASP. That said, electronics are a BIG part of their road entertainment and I’m not sorry about it. Two of our kids have these car organizers which have a slot for a tablet, drinks, snacks, and many other crap holding pockets. Getting things OFF the ground is critical and alleviates a lot of demands on the adult riding in the ‘snack bitch’ position (aka the non-driving adult). Last minute, we bought Meatball (our 3-year old) this iPAD holder. The tablet can be viewed straight on or detached and added to the side to be viewed centrally in the car for multiple viewers. Since my kids each demand their own shows, we have yet to use this feature, but I can see why the option might be nice.

Car Diffuser- This is definitely not a necessity by any means, but a nice to have if you are an oil person. I am. I use it for a couple things. First, to help keep the car air clean. Second, I like to diffuse peppermint oil when my kids start to feel barfy. And three, I like to diffuse calming oils when my kids are losing their minds and I’m about to lose mine. I also like to keep the air clean for carpooling during flu season.

Car Sickness: Speaking of barfy, we have a couple of those types in this family. Since actually barfing IN the car is not an option, I bring every precaution I can. First: barf bags in every seat. Two: peppermint essential oil in the diffuser and a roller blend on the tummy. Three: there is a wives tale that suggests holding a russet potato on your body helps prevent the barfs. I can’t explain it but we have done it several times and have been barf free ever since. Cory thinks I’m crazy for believing this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I’d do a lot weirder things than this to prevent barf. And last but not least, if we are taking a long WINDY drive, kids dramamine works very well. It puts ours to sleep, but a sleeping child is also a non-barfing child. And I’ll take that 8 days a week, I’ve since learned that chewable Bonine is a less drowsy option that works well too. I’ll be trying that next.

Car Pillow- I got a bit made fun of for this purchase and it turns out the joke wasn’t so funny when the jokester found himself snoring comfortably with this pillow nestled behind his neck. Seriously, this is a good one. It’s memory foam and conforms like a snake to whatever awkward position you or your kiddoes find themselves in.

Travel John: My kids are pretty good in the bathroom department, but this device came recommended and although we did not use it, I find it very intriguing. I also think it could be great for any lady campers?

Activities: My son loves to Lego. Lasagne trays work amazing for the car. We also use the art trays for just about everything else. We use them as food trays, drawing/activity pads. Some other non-electronic car activities that were winners were Podcasts, Guess Who board game, Car Bingo, Mad Mattr and Magic Clay. These were all car friendly and are easy clean up.

Car Trash Bin. Having a designated spot for trash keeps things civilized in a very uncivilized environment. I also think this will be an MVP for everyday kid schlepping. Oh, and lots of wipes, cause duh.

Accessible food- Snacks are right up there with entertainment. In fact, eating appears to be our kids primary form OF entertainment. This collapsible cooler is great for access while on the road. It slides perfectly between the seats. Then you can use it as a cooler when you are on the trip and it collapses for easy storage when not in use. We also love their collapsible totes which we love. It’s nice to pack things away when not in use.

SHOP THESE ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS HERE:

Other Nifty Travel Gadgets:

Folding Laundry Bin- We use this wherever we travel. For some reason having something that stands up seems more convenient. It rolls up small and flat for easy packing.

Shrunk Blow Up Bed Rail- We have a three year old that sleeps in a big boy bed but still rolls and needs some barriers. This blow up bed rail is great for travel. It has a flat-gripper bottom and slides right under any fitted sheet. Then it packs up into a small bag.

Collapsible Bucket- This bucket stores flat and we use it for traveling (and camping) to wash clothes and dishes. It also doubled as a wash off bin while we stayed on the river and then an ice bucket for drinks while we were in Bryce. At home we use it as a packable beach bucket. You never knew you needed a collapsible bucket until you own one. True story. $14

Packing Cubes-These things are travel game changers. Every man, woman and child gets their own color and things stay organized. These are especially clutch when traveling with a large family bag or making multi-stop trips. They also allow you to roll your clothes and pack a lot more. It ‘s packing magic. We put them in drawer style bags for easy access on road trips.

Multi Sunglass Case - Boujee Alert! I like different sunglasses for different occasions. Sorry not sorry. I also don’t want to carry multiple sunglass cases. This one holds five pairs and somehow is only a little bit bigger than a single case. huh? Bonus- you can hook it, so no counter space needed. Boom.

Multi Cord Charging Cable- This was a new one for us. Charging electronics for 5 people is a full time job. We had iPads, speakers, phones, a computer and battery packs. This cord is a single cord with multiple “head types” to charge any device you need with one cord. These are also 10-feet long so you can run it to the back of the car from the front OR from a poorly placed outlet to your hotel bed. Less cords. Less tangles. Less annoyance. We liked them so much we bought the 1-foot option for our home charging station.

Sun Hats: We wore sun hats every day as you can see in the pictures. My hiking hat is linked here. My 9-year old loved this one and offered great coverage. It also comes in another color which may be more boy friendly and our little guy wore this hat which will not put him in child Vogue but it was easy to wear, pack and keep clean.

Thermacell Mosquito Repeller - We are SoCal soft and don’t do bugs. It’s so hard to a prove a negative, but we used this and remained bite free the entire trip. All five of us, which is a Christmas miracle in July.

SHOP THESE NIFTY GADGETS HERE:

Thanks for following along. For even more details, I have this this trip heavily detailed with videos and bloopers in my instagram stories, so please check them out!

xo,

Kim