10 Things to do Good for Kids in Utah That You Shouldn't Miss

May 1, 2022 Venice Greaves

Welcome to “The Greatest Snow on Earth” – Utah’s paradise for all outdoor enthusiasts! As host of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City knows how to entertain winter fun seekers. Snowboarders and skiers head for miles of spectacular slopes with deep fluffy powder and breathtaking mountain views. The Olympic Park provides family-friendly ski programs, rides and shows. Alta, Sundance, Snowbird and Brighton are other popular destinations for cross country and Alpine skiers. Those alluring snowy slopes turn to rolling wildflower fields in the summer. Golfing, fishing, horseback riding and water sports replace chilly outdoor sports adventures. Corral the family, pack a picnic and catch one of the ski lifts for an afternoon of hiking or mountain biking along scenic trails. Head to Salt Lake City, where Temple Square hosts millions of visitors a year. Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park are famous for surreal landscapes from horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters to unusual rock formations and hundreds of natural sandstone arches. Closer to home, wander along the quaint main streets of mountain villages to browse, shop and enjoy lunch at an outdoor café. At the end of the day, head home for an outdoor barbecue and an evening of games. Home rentals blend privacy, space and comfort with the cost-saving advantage of eating some meals at home.
Restaurants in Utah

1. Mesa Arch

Canyonlands National Park, UT +1 435-719-2313 https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/cany-mesa-arch.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 731 reviews

Mesa Arch

Visit this mesa at sunrise for the best scencic views.

Reviewed By TravelingJohnB80 - Martinsburg, United States

Relatively easy hike to see one of the most iconic arches. One downside is with the ease of the hike it also brings crowds so you will have to wait your turn to get a picture.

2. Scenic Byway of Highway 128

UT
Excellent
83%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 198 reviews

Scenic Byway of Highway 128

Popular 'road drive', along the Colorado River.

Reviewed By TravelingJohnB80 - Martinsburg, United States

Beautiful drive along the Colorado river. This road winds along the canyon walls along the Colorado river with stunning views.

3. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

735 W Main, UT 84726 +1 435-826-5499 http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/grand_staircase.htm
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 387 reviews

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

This massive national monument holds endless sights within thousands of acres.

Reviewed By gwenh465

All I can say is WOW. Jaw dropping views. Beautiful sunset views. Watch for road conditions in winter.

4. Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Zion National Park, UT +1 435-772-3256 http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/shuttle-system.htm
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,626 reviews

Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

A popular drive within Zion National Park.

Reviewed By jesseo582 - Jackson, United States

Most of the year, this is a road you can’t drive your own vehicle on unless you’re staying at the Zion National Park Lodge! The road winds along the Virgin River beneath towering cliffs and buttresses of stupendous sweep and colour. The free shuttle bus from the park main visitor centre just north of Springdale Utah goes to the end of the canyon and back all day affording convenient access to each of the trailheads. Helpful taped interpretation/narration aids visitor’s appreciation of this amazing park and the road you’re on.

5. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741-5000 +1 435-644-2001 [email protected] http://www.bestfriends.org/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,463 reviews

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

Best Friends Animal Society is the only national animal welfare organization focused exclusively on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, Best Friends has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters nationwide from 17 million per year to about 4 million. That means there are still over 9,000 dogs and cats killed in shelters each day. And we will not be done until that number is zero. Best Friends has the knowledge, technical expertise and on-the-ground network to end the killing and Save Them All(R).

Reviewed By SDubs24 - Boulder, United States

This was our second visit to the sanctuary. We've done the grand sanctuary tour and the Dog Town tour - both were really great (and free!) On the grand sanctuary tour we visited with a bunch of cats and met a very sweet old dog in the senior area. They do amazing work here and the land is absolutely stunning. They have dogs, cats, birds, horses, wild animals, you name it! It's worth an hour or two of your time, and if you're able, you should definitely donate to this fabulous organization. They truly care about animals and are doing great work nationwide. I'd recommend booking your tour online in advance, they fill up fast.

6. Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Salt Lake City, UT 84121 https://www.visitsaltlake.com/listing/big-cottonwood-canyon/55175/
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,149 reviews

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Located in the Wasactch Mountains, this wilderness region offers a limitless range of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.

Reviewed By Francophile84108 - Salt Lake City, United States

When the temp hits triple digits in the city, that's when I head for the canyons. I love Big Cottonwood. It's a great place to hike, has beautiful scenery and if you have little kids or elderly friends and family, there's a nice gentle walk at the top, by Brighton Ski resort, around Silver Lake. If you go at dusk, you're likely to see Moose as you stroll the boardwalk around the lake. There are interpretive signs along the way, restrooms and a small information center. If you're hungry, stop at Silver Fork Lodge for a bite to eat, just minutes from the lake as you descend the canyon.

7. Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area

Utah Highway 12 15.5 miles east of Escalante, Escalante, UT http://www.recreation.gov/recreationalAreaDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&facilityId=202204&agencyCode=70901
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 635 reviews

Calf Creek Falls Recreation Area

It takes time to get to, but Calf Creek falls are a recommended site to visit.

Reviewed By Global_Traveller11 - Salt Lake City, United States

Great 6 mile hike that was mostly easy with a couple of moderate spots. Fantastic views, some good shady spots and the waterfall at the end was really worth the effort to make it to the end!

8. Moki Dugway

Hwy 261, UT +1 800-574-4386 http://www.utahscanyoncountry.com
Excellent
81%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 350 reviews

Moki Dugway

Reviewed By F3150RGsharons

We did as part of a day tour from the North 261, including Muley Point, Moki Dugway & Goosenecks SP. We read many reviews of the Moki here, so no surprises. We were in a 1 ton Dodge Dually, 8' wide. So, the road is narrow in places for wide vehicles. If you pay attention to oncoming traffic, you can pull over in spots & turnoffs. There are several pullouts /wide spots to take pics. We passed maybe 6 cars/suvs. As a driver, it is best to just focus straight ahead and pay attention to where you are going (Duh!). My wife is a white knuckler and had no problem. We talked to a guy coming down and was only vaguely aware this was here. So, read about 30 reviews, be prepared for the road, drive slow & carefully, take you time, take pics, pull over. The best free ride in America!!

9. Hell's Revenge

Sand Flats Road, Moab, UT
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 833 reviews

Hell's Revenge

Challenging 9-mile Jeep trail.

Reviewed By analizaq - Chicago, United States

Moab Adventure Center offered a sunset safari hummer tour and this was fun and had a great experience watching all the colors of the sunset.

10. Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT +1 435-834-5322 http://www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
Excellent
92%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8,778 reviews

Bryce Canyon National Park

Reviewed By HeidiGrebeinTC - Traverse City, United States

We 3 (mom, dad, and tween son) ventured to Bryce after a 3 day experience in Zion and were just as amazed! Praise God they are different! We drove the scenic drive upon arrival one afternoon after studying the park brochure and map from the ranger's station. We got out at every stop on the map! Took pix and did some hikes which were wonderful! Highly recommend hiking the Bristlecone Trail at the last stop out on the point as well as hiking down either Sunrise or Sunset Points to the valley and also checking out Inspiration Point hike, all easy to moderate. Remember water, sun hat, sunglasses, and good shoes with traction when hiking in southern Utah! So the special things about Bryce include the hoodoos, the pine trees, the light colored stone, and the free shuttles (Zion has them too). You gotta go!

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