UTAH
Utah is considered one of the greatest outdoor states in the nation
MOAB-ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Closest Airport
Grand Junction [GJT]
We visited the Parks across Utah as part of a cross-country move, driving from Denver to California. We spent a few days in Moab and stayed at the Hyatt Place, which had a separate kids’ room and living space, perfect for decompressing after we put them to bed. The whole area is stunning with the red rocks jutting up from the landscape.
We went on a Thursday in December, so the line to enter was very short, but you should plan to go early to beat crowds during peak times. Once inside, it’s a two-lane road (like most National Parks), so it can be slow if there are lots of cars. The views are stunning though, and it’s well worth a leisurely drive. Amenities are limited, so bring what you need. The stops along the way are clearly marked so you can see all the landmarks. We used the BabyBjorn baby wearer to do the small hikes to the arches. The terrain is pretty easy to navigate for adults, but littles just learning to walk would be safer being carried. Only a couple of the trails are ADA-friendly, meaning the stroller won’t work on much of the rocky terrain. I used a hiking stick for balance and thought everything was very easy to navigate with the baby.
Closest Airport:
Grand Junction [GJT]
TROPIC-SOUTHERN
Closest Airport
Las Vegas [LAS]
One of the most epic and staggeringly massive parks I’ve ever seen. The rocks shoot up from the earth, leaving you craning your neck back to see. The red rock, green plants, and blue sky are literally an artist’s dream. Many of the hikes are not suited for young kids (Angel’s Landing is very steep and has an extremely narrow walkway at one point, the Narrows has you treading through the Virgin River water with very narrow (hence the name) passage points that would be scary and potentially dangerous for kids, etc.). Emerald Pools is manageable with littles, as are the nature walk paths. One things to note, to get into the park, you need to ride the shuttle; there is no parking for visitors, so even if you don’t stop and hike, just riding the shuttle and looking at the amazing natural beauty is worth it. There is also a visitor’s center with cool exhibits for kids to enjoy. You can also drive one section through the long tunnel, which is fun for kids (and an engineering marvel, as it is a mile long).
Closest Airport
Las Vegas [LAS]