We leave in a week for our trip, and I'm looking for suggestions of things to do. We're an active family who loves hiking and all things scenic and adventurous. Kids are 5,9 and 11. First stop is Zion NP and we are camping 4 nights. Then to GC for 2 nights and to Moab for 5 nights. Wondering what you suggest?Also, is Angels Landing in Zion doable for a 5 year old? I've heard it's a tough hike but one of best hikes in the US. Obviously we'll need tons of water, but wondering your opinions.

We just got back from Bryce, Zion and Moab.... It's HOT!!Angels Landing maybe too much for a kid that young. You could not take your hands off them in the narrowest section. In Moab go to Arches and hike Devils Garden and the short hike to Delicate Arch. There are also many great hikes outside of Arches like the hike to Corona arch, just Google it.Have fun, but if it doesn't cool off you will be pretty miserable. You can also do the Narrows hike in the water in Zion to cool off, just be prepared for a million people.

How much time do you have? Your location says Detroit, are you flying out to Vegas first and renting a camper, or something else?From Zion to Moab there are so many sights to see. Bryce, Kodachrome, the Hogback, Capitol Reef, Valley of the Gods / Natural Bridges, etc etc.

If you want to go up to Angel's Landing, the five year old could stay back at Scout's Lookout with one of the adults. Depending upon their experience, maybe even have the 9 year old stay back. That last portion is very, very steep. Still a great hike through the Walter's Wiggles portion of the hike even without going the last bit to the Landing.One of our favorite hikes at Zion is the one that starts at the east end of the tunnel called Canyon Overlook. Finding parking is harder than the hike. Very doable for the five year old with a lot of cool (literally) places along the way. Short hike but with an outstanding view of the Canyon from a different angle.Just be aware that there are steep drop off throughout the park that are not fenced and may be unstable. Also if you are coming from the flat land of the midwest be sure to watch out for signs that the elevation is bothering the kids or the adults while at the North Rim of the Canyon. It can feel like flu or stomach aches. Bring and drink plenty of water.

Zion NP:One of our favorite hikes at Zion is the one that starts at the east end of the tunnel called Canyon Overlook. Finding parking is harder than the hike. Very doable for the five year old with a lot of cool (literally) places along the way. Short hike but with an outstanding view of the Canyon from a different angle.Yes, the hike is very interesting and very easy with grand reward at the end. Since it will be HOT, walk up the slot in the river as far as you like if the water level is down enough which shouldn't be a problem this late.Another nice hike with a cool reward at the end is the Emerald Pools Trail. Can be a bit busy since it is right across from the Lodge.If you have bikes, take them on the shuttle to the end of the loop road. From there, it is mostly a down hill coast. There is one short steep hill that is easy to walk back up and then down hill again to the main road. Last 1/2 mile back to the campground is flat. The shuttles carry only two bikes so send an adult and the youngest on the first, the two older kids on the next, and the last adult on the third. The driver will watch out for two oldest and they will get a kick out of being trusted to ride the bus alone. When we did the bike ride, there was only my two daughters aged 14 and 12 so I sent them up first and came up second. For Moab check out the jet boat ride on the river.

There is lots of hiking at all of these parks.Zion, maybe take a horseback ride through the park. I think you can book them inside the park.Moab is large enough that you can do pretty much any activity you want to. I recommend, Renting a jeep and taking a 4WD tour.Rent some mountain bikes, this is, after all one of the most popular mountain biking areas in the country.Take a raft trip.Take a plane ride.Jump out of a plane, with parachute of course:)Take a dinner cruise on the river.

Zion Np/ Moab / Grand Canyon North Rim | Good Sam Community

26 Replies

TooTall2
Explorer
Jun 30, 2016
Horseshoe Bend, Page, Az
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2016
Awesome photos everyone. . . brings back good memories of our favorite places!
GREGORYJ
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
Great pictures Busskipper. We have done 3 one week trips to Zion and we know we
will return. Last time one hike was in showers of freezing sleet and very cool. Two days later temps were back into the 80's. That was April/May 2015.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
GREGORYJ wrote:
As many have suggested, also hike the Narrows in Zion. This hike shouldn't be to hot, but then we did in April. As mentioned by Busskipper, Zion is also one of our favorite National Parks in the US for hiking.

Love these - feels like I'm there.

Zion During a snow storm;

North Rim can be pretty good too;

Lot's of reason to be in the Area;

Just had to add a few,

BOL,
IDoMyOwnStunts
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
...
GREGORYJ
Explorer
Jun 29, 2016
As many have suggested, also hike the Narrows in Zion. This hike shouldn't be to hot, but then we did in April. As mentioned by Busskipper, Zion is also one of our favorite National Parks in the US for hiking.
alesis
Explorer
Jun 28, 2016
Thanks for all the ideas guys! If you think of anything else, please post. We're leaving Thursday!
crosscheck
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2016
A couple of hikes not mentioned so far in Zion starting from the same place (Weeping Rock bus stop),is the Weeping Wall(short), Hidden Canyon(longer) and passing through Echo Canyon(water to cool off in), Observation Point(longest) which is opposite to Angels Landing. Leave early to beat the heat. Of course if you really want to make a day of it but the hike is very long, is Cable Mountain and Deer Trap Mountain.

Most people, in my observation, who hike up to the outhouse at Angels Landing, do not climb the rest of the way to the "Landing" because of exposure. You can continue however, leaving most of the people behind, and follow the west rim trail up as far as you want to go up a rock cliff similar to Walters Wiggle, the trail blasted out of the cliff from the same men who did the work in the park in the 30's.

Don't miss the Narrows even though there will be lots of others doing the same thing.

Another hike in the area 25 miles east of Kanab on #89 towards Page,is from Wire Pass, down to the Buckskin Gulch(longest slot in the world). Fairly flat hiking and spectacular canyon walls. Lots of shade. Do not hike if rains are expected.

Of course, as others have already mentioned, Moab has a huge amount of trails in the surrounding areas, but mind the heat.

Dave
Opie431
Explorer
Jun 24, 2016
If you do the Narrows at Zion you should have hiking sticks or broom handles.
There are often sticks left laying at the start.
Old sturdy shoes to wear in the water, something that can get wet.

Go to the websites of all of the parks and monuments. They will have the length and if they are easy or hard.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 23, 2016
Let me just say - I LOVE THE PICTURES - No matter how many times you go or see it, it leaves a Photo In My Mind.

IMHO to go into the Canyon Back to the end - after dark and just stare at the stars and the Milky Way - really Hard to Beat.

One of my Favorite National Parks!!!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy it,