Southern Utah
- shimonsolof
- Apr 23, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: May 7, 2025
Day 1- Tuesday
We arrived in Las Vegas and, after collecting our luggage and rental car, set off toward Utah. Along the way, we stopped at Valley of Fire State Park, which is absolutely stunning, with dramatic red rock formations all around.
We chose to hike to The Wave because it’s short and kid-friendly. The trailhead is toward the end of the park, which gave us a chance to drive through some incredible landscapes first. We also made a quick stop to check out Elephant Rock, a short and easy 10-minute loop.
The actual hike is fairly simple, alternating between rock and sand. Because of the sandy terrain, I wouldn’t recommend bringing a stroller—it would be way too hard to push. After a short incline, the trail levels out or slopes gently downhill, offering sweeping views of the colorful mountains. Our three-year-old was able to do the hike on her own, and both kids had a blast discovering little caves in the rocks.
The Wave itself is gorgeous—the shape, the colors, everything! We spent a while running around and soaking in the vibrant hues in the stone. There's an option to continue on the Seven Wonders Loop, an additional 1/4 mile, but since the sun was setting, we opted to head back.
After a delicious BBQ supper, we loaded up and drove the rest of the way to Utah, marveling at the night sky lit up with millions of stars.
Day 2- Wednesday
We woke up early and hit the road for Bryce Canyon National Park. After packing up a bunch of Pesach snacks, we set out on the 2-hour drive, which was absolutely beautiful—mountains, colorful rocks, and scenic views the whole way.
Halfway there, we stopped at Bear Valley Campground for a quick stretch and to let the kids burn off some energy at the playground. After that, it was back on the road. Along the way, we passed through Red Canyon—the views were so striking, we kept pulling over just to take it all in.
Before entering Bryce Canyon, we stopped at Mossy Cave. It’s an easy hike with views of the hoodoos from below. We decided to skip the climb up to the actual cave since we'd heard the view wasn't particularly impressive. Instead, we walked along the river to check out the waterfall. Right before the second bridge, we climbed down to the rocks and followed the stream to the falls. The river and waterfall were a deep brown, surrounded by rainbow-colored stones—really unique and beautiful, unlike anything we’d seen before.
After the short hike, we entered Bryce Canyon National Park. The park is filled with incredible viewpoints, and we stopped at pretty much all of them. For the most breathtaking sights, we recommend Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Bryce Point, and Inspiration Point. The scenery here truly left us speechless—layers of hoodoos in stunning shades of yellow, orange and red.
There’s a paved trail along the rim between Sunrise and Sunset Points, and it’s definitely worth walking for some of the best views. We also did the Navajo Loop Trail, which takes you down into the canyon for a closer look at the hoodoos. The trail is wide and packed dirt, making it easy enough for our three-year-old to hike most of it on her own. We hiked down a good portion before turning around and climbing back up.
Other viewpoints we stopped at included Sheep Creek Swamp Canyon, Fairview Point, Natural Bridge (a must-see right off the parking lot), Agua Canyon, Ponderosa Point, Black Birch Canyon Lookout, Rainbow Point, and Yovimpa Point—the last two share a parking lot. Most of these viewpoints are either right next to the parking lot or just a short walk away.
Parking varies by spot, with the largest lots at the more popular viewpoints like Bryce, Inspiration, and Sunset Points. If you’re visiting during peak season, we highly recommend using the park shuttle—it’s even required during the busiest times.
Day 3- Thursday
We began our day with excitement as we headed out to explore the stunning Zion National Park. After passing through the charming town of Springdale, we entered the park. A tip for visitors: there are several parking lots in Springdale where you can park your car for the day and take the Springdale Shuttle to the Zion Visitor Center. The shuttle is free, and from there, you can transfer to the Zion Shuttle to navigate around the park. We highly recommend this, especially during peak seasons, as parking in Zion is very limited.
Our first stop inside the park was the Canyon Overlook Trail. To get there, we drove along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, which offers breathtaking views and frequent lookout points. As we neared the top of the mountain, we encountered the famous one-way tunnel. Be prepared—it can sometimes cause a long wait, but the views from the tunnel itself are pretty impressive.
The trailhead for Canyon Overlook is just outside the tunnel exit. Unfortunately, the tiny parking lot there was full, so we continued down the road a bit farther. Eventually, we found a spot in a pullout along the side of the road and walked a short distance to the trailhead. The trail itself is relatively easy to navigate, though there are sections where you’re walking right along the cliff edge. Our three-year-old had no trouble with it, either walking on her own or holding my hand for balance.
The hike took us about an hour and a half, and the viewpoint at the end was absolutely spectacular. We were treated to sweeping views of the canyon and the surrounding mountains—honestly, the scenery left us speechless. We also had fun climbing around the rocks at the viewpoint to get different perspectives on the view.
After retracing our steps back to the car, we headed back through the tunnel and down the mountain. The Canyon Scenic Drive is closed to vehicles from March to September, so we returned to Springdale to rent some e-bikes. We chose Zion Peddlers for the rental, and we couldn’t have been happier with their service. They hooked us up with trailers for the kids, gave us a map of the park, and recommended family-friendly hiking spots along the way. After a brief lesson on how to use the bikes, we were off!
We had so much fun cruising through the canyon, taking in the views of the majestic red rock formations all around us. Our first stop on the Scenic Drive was the Court of the Patriarchs. After a quick uphill climb, we were rewarded with stunning views of the mountains named Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We lingered for a few moments to admire the scenery before continuing on our ride.
Next, we headed toward the end of the drive to reach the Riverside Walk. As we pedaled through the park, the landscape was truly magical. At the trailhead for the Riverside Walk, we parked our bikes and set off on the flat, stroller-friendly path. It’s one of the most popular hikes in the park, so it can get crowded, but the views of the canyon and the Virgin River flowing through it are well worth it.
The kids had a great time running ahead and exploring the rocks along the side of the path. We veered off the main trail and made our way to the riverbank, where the kids enjoyed throwing rocks into the water and dipping their fingers and toes into the cool, refreshing stream. It was the perfect way to relax and take in the natural beauty of Zion.
After completing the Riverside Walk, we planned to continue on to the Emerald Pools Trail. However, as we were riding toward the trailhead, a fierce wind and hailstorm rolled in. With the weather turning quickly, we decided to scrap our plans and head back to the bike rental in the rain and wind. Despite the storm, the ride back was still breathtaking, and we tried to soak in as much of the stunning landscape as we could as we hurried back.
Day 4- Friday
We started our day at Snow Canyon State Park, a hidden gem filled with colorful landscapes and kid-friendly hikes. Our first stop inside the park was Jenny’s Canyon, a short and super-easy walk with almost no elevation gain. The kids had a great time climbing inside the narrow canyon walls and giggling as their voices echoed off the rocks—it was such a fun and interactive little adventure.
Right across the parking lot, we made our way over to the sand dunes—a soft, sandy area perfect for climbing and playing. The kids ran up and down the dunes, loving every second of it.
Next, we drove over to the Petrified Dunes, which are essentially giant rock waves with cool patterns and colors. The rock formations are smooth and wide, almost like natural playgrounds. The kids had so much fun running across them and jumping from one section to the next. The scenery surrounding the dunes was absolutely stunning—rolling red rock hills and colorful cliffs in every direction.
After soaking in the beauty of Snow Canyon, we headed to Pioneer Park, another awesome spot nearby. We began at the Desert Gardens, located right at the entrance. The gardens feature a variety of desert flora, including blooming flowers, palm plants, and unique cactus species. The cacti were especially beautiful—unlike anything we’d seen before.
From there, we drove deeper into the park to explore the red rock formations. We found a narrow slot cave called The Narrows—a fun, short passage similar to a canyon. Toward the end, it gets super tight—only small children or very thin adults can squeeze through. The kids thought it was hilarious!
We then climbed up the nearby rock hills and spent some time jumping from rock to rock, enjoying the natural playground. Just a quick tip: be mindful of your path as you climb—once you’re at the top, it can be tricky to figure out the best way down.
We had also planned to visit Sand Hollow State Park to rent ATVs and ride the dunes, but unfortunately, severe winds rolled in and forced us to change plans. On warmer days, there’s also a rock ledge there where you can jump into the water—a fun option we’ll definitely keep in mind for another visit.
Day 5- Pesach
We enjoyed walking around the resort, taking in the beautiful mountain views all around us. The kids also enjoyed watching the horses on the ranch right next door.
Day 6- Pesach
We enjoyed walking around the resort, taking in the beautiful mountain views all around us. The kids also enjoyed watching the horses on the ranch right next door
Day 7- Monday
The drive out of Utah was absolutely stunning—winding roads through towering rock mountains and dramatic desert landscapes.
We then took a detour and headed to Willow Beach, just over the Nevada border into Arizona. Though it was a bit out of the way en route to the airport, it was so worth the extra time.
We rented a boat from Willow Beach Marina, and we were pleasantly surprised by how affordable the rates were for the amount of time we got on the water. The rental process was smooth and hassle-free. After a quick and helpful lesson on how to operate the boat, we were ready to go!
We spent the afternoon cruising across the beautiful Colorado River into Lake Mohave, exploring private beaches, discovering hidden caves carved into the canyon walls, and—of course—visiting the famous Emerald Cave. The water here glows a vibrant green in the right lighting, and it's easy to see why it's become such a bucket-list destination.
The scenery all around us was breathtaking. Towering rock formations framed the blue-green water, creating the perfect blend of peaceful and epic. The kids loved spotting caves along the shore, and we all enjoyed the feeling of having our own little slice of the river to ourselves.
On our way back to Las Vegas, we passed right by the iconic Hoover Dam. We didn’t have time to stop and explore, but even driving by, it was impressive to see such a massive structure nestled between the canyon walls. Definitely something we’d love to come back and experience up close.
While our itinerary was packed, there were a couple of amazing spots in Kanab that we had really hoped to explore but didn’t have time for—both of which are still high on our bucket list for next time:
Peekaboo Canyon – Not to be confused with the one in Escalante, this lesser-known slot canyon is located just outside Kanab and is accessible via a short hike or guided 4x4 tour through soft sand. It offers beautifully sculpted red rock walls and that classic narrow slot canyon feel—perfect for adventure without the heavy crowds.
The Great Chamber – Also known as Cutler Point, this spot is a surreal sand dune tucked inside a massive alcove, with sweeping views over the desert landscape. It looks like something otherworldly, and reaching it typically requires a high-clearance vehicle or a guided tour. It’s a true hidden gem.
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