Planning a Zion National Park Family Vacation

Thanks to family-friendly activities galore, stargazing in the unpolluted night sky, and supreme wildlife spotting, Zion National Park is an ideal spot for a family vacation. Because there are easy hikes for young children in Zion National Park, it's one of the best parks to use as the anchor to a family vacation full of outdoor activities, fresh air, and wonderful memories to last a lifetime. It’s your starting guide to planning a Zion National Park family vacation!

Easy Hikes for Young Children in Zion National Park

One of the best things to do in Zion is lace up a pair of hiking boots, grab a walking stick, lather up with sunscreen, fill a reusable water bottle, and head out for a day of vibrant orange sandstone, colorful wildflowers, condors soaring overhead, and more on a hike. There are many alternative hikes for families to make positive outdoor memories and avoid the crowds. You may also opt to book family-friendly guided tours for exploring Zion National Park with an experienced local who knows where to go for wildlife spotting and even where to enjoy stargazing together as a family deep into the night. Here are four essential Zion hikes perfect for all-ages and abilities.

The Narrows

This is one of the most famous and photogenic hikes in America and will be crowded unless you get an early start but The Narrows cannot be missed! Make it a bottom-up day hike beginning at the Temple of Sinawava, after a short ride on the Zion Canyon Shuttle, and you won’t need a permit!

Emerald Pools Trails

The Lower Emerald Pool Trail is a shady escape from the sunshine. It provides the chance to hike behind a waterfall and when it comes to alternative hikes, nothing beats walking through the mist of a waterfall on a hot day. Kids of all ages will love it!

Watchman Trail

Leaving from the visitor center, this trail takes you and your kids to a plateau to see impressive California condors, the largest flying land bird in North America.

The Pa’rus Trail

This super easy Zion hike lets you skip the line for a shuttle bus and instead, simply start walking from the Zion National Park Visitor Center along the canyon floor. There are great views of the canyon and possible wildlife spotting as you watch condors soar from a distance which is one of the safe wildlife viewing practices for families in Zion National Park.

Best Time of Year to Visit Zion National Park with Kids

With a bevy of family-friendly activities like hiking, wildlife spotting, and photography opportunities, plus educational activities for kids at the Zion Human History Museum, there's never a bad time to visit Zion and the other parks of Southern Utah. But when is the best time of year to visit Zion National Park with kids?

Because keeping kids entertained during a Zion National Park family trip is easier when they aren't overheating, sweaty, and complaining about being tired, you may want to avoid visiting in the summer, however, while you will miss the crowds you'll also miss out on seeing Zion at her most beautiful. Summertime in Zion is hot and hectic, but from May to September, the National Park is stunning to see. Beat the crowds and lines for the shuttle buses by being up and at 'em early, and enjoy cool dry mornings, too, even while hiking during the summer.

For vibrant color, fewer crowds, and cooler weather, the best time of year to visit Zion National Park with kids is in the autumn. In October and November, the fall colors look gorgeous against Zion's sandstone cliffs, and when tiny yellow flowers are blooming everywhere in the park. Check out the other best National Parks to visit in the fall.

Packing List Essentials for a Zion National Park Family Vacation In addition to games, books, PJs, and toothbrushes, there are some packing essentials that you must have on hand for your kids while out exploring Zion National Park, on a hike or simply while stargazing at night.

Water

The first and most important consideration when visiting Zion or before doing any outdoor family-friendly activities is water. Every member of your family should have their own reusable bottle filled to start each day and available to refill throughout the day to avoid dehydration as you change elevation.

Sun Protection

Pack sun hats, sunglasses, breathable UPF 50+ sun-protective shirts, and of course, sunscreen that should be reapplied throughout the day, even cloudy ones.

Hiking Gear

If you plan to embark on The Narrows trek or any of the easy hikes for young children in Zion National Park, you need to have the appropriate hiking gear on and with you and your kids. Consider wearing comfortable, quick-dry hiking pants or shorts, moisture-wicking socks made for hiking, and waterproof hiking shoes or boots. Walking sticks or hiking poles can also be helpful as you and your kids navigate the often uneven ground, especially in The Narrows. Plus, they are fun and one simple way of keeping kids entertained during a Zion National Park family trip.

Clothing

The temperature and the weather can change dramatically throughout a day in Zion, because of altitude and rain sweeping in quickly during the summer monsoon season. Think about layers and pack a fleece top and a lightweight, waterproof rain jacket that can easily roll up and stashed in a daypack.

Other Packing List Essentials for a Zion National Park Family Vacation

Always have protein-rich snacks like granola bars and trail mix when planning on spending time outdoors on a family vacation. Additionally, have a first-aid kit with you to clean up and treat minor scraps and bruises, and flashlights or headlamps if you plan on hiking at golden hour, stargazing in Zion, or camping overnight in the National Park. Finally, don't forget the bug spray to keep pests away and your kids happy!

It's nothing you can pack but because cell service will be patchy at best inside the park, be sure to download everything you need, from music and movies for the kids to offline stargazing apps and resources for Zion National Park before departing for your Zion National Park family vacation!

 

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