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Utah is filled with family-friendly options, including ski resorts and national parks the kids won’t soon forget. Check out these five ideas for a family-friendly Utah getaway.

Moab

Active families will find plenty to enjoy in Moab, from climbing through rock arches at the aptly named Arches National Park to mountain biking through desert and paved trails with views of the Colorado River and Mill Creek. River rafting, kayaking and kid-friendly rock climbing are just a few of the other outdoor adventures your family can enjoy in Moab.

Deer Valley Ski Resort

As one of the country’s top ski resorts, Deer Valley offers a family-friendly way for you and the kids to hit the slopes come winter. A ski school helps kids and teens learn how to ski or snowboard, while a children’s center offers supervised activities for little ones as young as two months. Sleigh rides and hot air balloon rides are also available.

Bryce Canyon

The stunning red cliffs and canyons at this national park are the makings of a family vacation the kids won’t forget for years to come. Easy nature walks like the Mossy Cave Trail will take your family through the desert along a stream to a picturesque waterfall, while park rangers offer everything from guided tours to crafting hours. Spend the night at nearby Ruby’s Inn RV Park and Campground, where you can rent a cabin or an authentic Native American teepee and enjoy some of the best stargazing in the country.

Dinosaurland

Take the kids on an adventure back in time with a visit to Dinosaurland in eastern Utah. This region is home to three state parks where you can camp, hike, fish and picnic to your heart’s content. The kids will enjoy touching actual fossilized dinosaur bones and checking out preserved petroglyphs at Dinosaur National Monument, and the scenic drives through Utah’s deserts and forests will have the kids ooh-ing and ahh-ing for hours.

Zion National Park

If you’ve got a family of hiking enthusiasts, you can’t beat the trails of Zion National Park. Trails are lined with stunning sandstone cliffs and refreshing rivers and pools, some of which the kids can jump into for a refreshing reward. The family can also explore Zion National Park with a jeep tour or through the Junior Ranger Program, sponsored by the National Park System during the summer months.

 

(Main image: snowpeak)

About the author

Marissa WillmanMarissa Willman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before downsizing her life into two suitcases for a teaching gig in South Korea. Seoul was her home base for two years of wanderlusting throughout six countries in Asia. In 2011, Marissa swapped teaching for travel writing and now calls Southern California home.

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