Southern Utah is the kind of place that turns a simple family trip into a lifelong memory. From easy hikes and splash-worthy slot canyons to dinosaur tracks, dark-sky stargazing, and kid-friendly national parks, this region offers adventure at every age and energy level.
Our total family guide to Southern Utah is your go-to resource for planning a trip that keeps toddlers, teens, parents, and grandparents equally excited.
What to do in Southern Utah
Canyoneering in Grand Staircase-Escalante
If you have adventurous kids, they’ll likely adore canyoneering, where you squeeze yourself through and up narrow canyons, before abseiling down.
I was a very nervous child and likely would have bawled my eyes out, but the guides are fantastic, meticulous about safety and very encouraging – as a 39 year old, I didn’t cry once. For kids aged 5 and up. escalantetours.co
Go rafting with Navtec
Whether you want a calm water cruise on Meander Canyon or a high-octane rafting on the rapids, Navtec has the excursion to fit the bill.
Be sure to check your travel insurance covers rafting. navtec.com
Take a hummer tour
Thrill seekers of (almost) any age will love a hummer tour in Moab, where you’ll be driven up the side of boulders and down narrow ravines, all but dangling upside down as you navigate the peaks.
For kids aged 5 and up. moabadventurecenter.com
Utahraptor
Utah is dinosaur country, with fossils and footprints scattered everywhere.
The just-launched Utahraptor State Park has one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in the US, where you can see the million-year-old remnants up close. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/Utahraptor
Go sand boarding
At Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, you can surf those land-locked dunes like they’re the ocean.
Rent stand-up or sit-down boards and zoom over the dunes – just remember, whatever you surf down, you have to climb back up. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink
Stargaze in Zion
There are plenty of excellent spots for stargazing in Utah (the state has the highest concentration of Dark Sky Parks & Places in the world) but Zion is particularly special. Book a tour so you can tell your Milky Way from Uranus. stargazingzion.com
Top Tip: Alternatively, you can sleep in glass-roofed Stargazer Cabin in the swish East Zion Resort.
eastzionresort.com
Fly over Canyonlands
Want all the views with none of the hiking? Take a scenic flight over Canyonlands to take in its vast, mesmerising beauty from the sky, with 337,570 acres of gargantuan canyons split by two sinuous, snaking rivers. flyredtail.com
Walk the Goblin Valley
This state park is filled with spindly rock formations known as hoodoos.
It’s an easy hike for kids, but that doesn’t mean the landscape is any less impressive. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/
Take an indigenous tour in Bears Ears
This is ethical tourism done right – the 100% Indigenous-owned company Ancient Wayves leads tours of ancestral sites.
All tour incorporate easy hiking and studying petroglyphs. tourancientwayves.com
The Mighty Five
Think of Utah, and it’s probably images of the Mighty Five that spring to mind. These national parks – Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches – are mind-boggling in their beauty, with giant red cliffs, soaring natural arches and rock formations that defy gravity.
You can hike, drive or cycle around them, but really, you’ll just want to stare, slack-jawed, at the scenery before you. Gorgeous as they are, don’t skip over the state parks, forests and monuments – they’re every bit as stunning, and often less crowded to boot.
Top Tip: However much water you think you need for a hike, double it – the heat in desert climes is no joke. Add a pinch of salt or electrolytes, too.
Where to stay in Southern Utah
Broken Spur Inn, Capitol Reef: For a kip fit for a cowboy, book a stay in one of these authentic Conestoga wagons. There are bunk beds, a private bathroom and an indoor/outdoor pool, as well as a cracking steakhouse. brokenspurinn.com
Red Cliffs Lodge, Moab: taste of the wild west just outside Moab, Red Cliffs Lodge is the ultimate family spot – you can stay in standalone cabins right on the banks of the Colorado River, or ample suites with space for up to six. redcliffslodge.com
Zion National Park Lodge: The only hotel within Zion itself, this lodge has rustic log cabins right under the massive rusty cliffs, for proper American summer camp vibes. Plus, you’ll be first onto the trails come morning. zionlodge.com
Ofland, Escalante: Set in a former drive-in movie theatre (where there are still nightly screenings you can watch from a vintage American car), this place is an absolute dreamboat – there are gleaming converted Airstreams, an outdoor pool and campfires for s’mores. ofland.com
Under Canvas, four locations: Under Canvas is the pinnacle of Americana-style glamping – and they have four locations in Utah, with safari-style tents set among the bulbous red rocks on the edge of national parks. There are family tents that sleep up to four, or you can book a Stargazer with a cute kids’ tent right next door.
undercanvas.com
Quirky attractions in Southern Utah
Hike the Narrows, Zion National Park
If you’re not quite up for the proper canyoneering experience, a hike through the Narrows in Zion is just the ticket.
You’ll don waders and splash through shallow water as the canyons get (spoiler alert) narrower, with giant cliff walls either side.
Outpost X, Beryl Junction
Built as a “post-apocalyptic sanctuary”, this set-up in the desert is pure bonkers – you can zip around on sci-fi sand cruisers, soak in the pools hidden under stone arches or dress up in their costumes.
Book a day pass or stay the night in one of their caves, bubble domes or Viking tents. outpost-x.com
Jackass Joe’s, Thompson Springs
Yes, this is a gas station, but trust me, it’s well worth a visit.
The walls are plastered with stickers, there’s an alien in the Futurama car outside and they sell UFO jerky alongside manatee-poo candies. Oh, and don’t miss the toilets…
Mystic Hot Springs, Monroe
Utah is at its best when it gets a little weird, and that’s exactly the case at these hot springs.
wned by a guy who used to follow the Grateful Dead on tour, Mystic has outdoor pools and cast-iron bathtubs that look like they’re growing out of the rock – you can also stay in their converted hippy buses. mystichotsprings.com
Goat Yoga, Hurricane
This may not be the most relaxing yoga class you’ve ever taken, but it’ll definitely be the quirkiest.
At Inner Peas (geddit?) in Zion, you’ll practice yoga outside as baby goats bleat, hop and clamber all over you – you’ll then learn why there’s no pose called Downward Facing Goat. innerpeasfarm.com
Where to eat in Southern Utah
The Wild Rabbit Café, Torrey: Set on the side of a dusty road, this place serves a BLT so good I still think about it at least once a week. It’s the ideal lunch spot after a morning in Capitol Reef. IG: @thewildrabbitcafe
Wild Thyme Café, Kanab: The best dishes here are made with the produce they grow right in their own gardens, like hearty salads and black bean sliders. wildthymekanab.com
Doughbird, Moab: Maple glazed doughnuts in the morning, crispy fried chicken after 11am. What’s not to love? doughbirdmoab.com
Milt’s Stop & Eat, Moab: A classic, all-American diner with fat burgers, thick-cut fries and root-beer floats – exactly what you want after a day’s hiking. miltsstopandeat.com
Tamarisk, Green River: With great water views, this is the place for huge portions of Najavo fry bread and chicken fried chicken (don’t tell your cardiologist). tamarisk.restaurant
Ideal southern Utah itinerary
Day 1: Road trip to red rock country
Pick up your rental in Salt Lake City and head out to Moab (about 3½ hours). Check into your hotel, stretch your legs and maybe grab dinner with a view of the cliffs. You’ve got three nights to explore one of Utah’s coolest adventure hubs.
Day 2: All-day arches
Spend the day exploring Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is the headline act, but there are loads of family-friendly hikes to weird and wonderful rock formations. Pack snacks, plenty of water and don’t forget the camera – this place is photogenic from every angle.
Day 3: Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point
Today it’s Canyonlands and the dramatic overlooks at Dead Horse Point State Park. Bring a picnic and watch the shadows shift across the canyons. There are shorter trails for kids and big views that require zero effort.
Day 4: Raft the Colorado
Time to cool off with a rafting trip on the Colorado River. Choose calm water floats or mild rapids depending on your crew’s comfort level. Finish up with one last stroll through Moab before heading out tomorrow.
Day 5: Capitol Reef calling
Drive to Torrey to explore Capitol Reef National Park. Hike through orchards, spot petroglyphs and grab a fresh pie at the Gifford Homestead. It’s Utah’s most underrated park – and often the quietest.
Day 6: Scenic Byway 12 & canyoneering
One of the best drives in the state! Follow Scenic Byway 12 toward Bryce Canyon, stopping in Escalante for a family-friendly canyoneering tour. Squeeze, scramble and abseil your way through the rock.
Day 7: Bryce at sunrise
Wake up early for sunrise over Bryce Canyon’s spire-filled amphitheatre – it’s worth the bleary eyes. Afterwards, stretch your legs on one of the easy-to-moderate trails before lunch and a rest.
Day 8: Pedal then park-hop
Cycle the scenic Red Canyon Trail in the morning, then head to Zion National Park. Check into your hotel and unwind – you’ve earned a quiet evening before tomorrow’s big day out.
Day 9: Zion adventures
Explore Zion! Ride the park shuttle, wade through the Narrows if conditions are right, or take the scenic route to Canyon Overlook. There’s something here for every age and ability.
Day 10: Time to leave
Hit the road – alas, you’re headed home.
Recommended Tours by America As You Like It
Utah’s Dark Skies & Red Rocks by RV: 12 nights from £1,712 per person
Camp in remote parks beneath the Milky Way, explore red‑rock canyons, join ranger astronomy tours, kayak, hike and stargaze nightly in this adventure through Utah’s wild landscapes.
Stunning Utah National Parks: 14 nights from £1,467 per person
Tour Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Monument Valley and more in this all-encompassing National Parks itinerary.
Visit americaasyoulikeit.com or call their travel experts on 0208 742 8299 to book your trip around Utah. Prices include flights, accommodation and car hire.
Need to know
Getting there: There are direct flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City with Delta. Alternatively, fly via major US hubs like Denver, Dallas or Atlanta. Las Vegas is another option, especially if you’re exploring southern Utah.
Getting around: You’ll need a car or motorhome. Public transport is limited outside city centres, and many of Utah’s top sights are spread out. Hire a vehicle at the airport or book a self-drive tour. For winter travel, check weather and road conditions daily.
Best time to go: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is ideal for family trips, with quieter National Parks and star-filled skies for stargazing thanks to Utah’s 26 Dark Sky Parks. Winter is best for winter sports.
Further information: visitutah.com
