Utah has five national parks, roads that encircle mountains, and miles of slopes for skiing and hiking.

It is one of the best places for families to explore Utah natural wonders that are sure to impress visitors of all ages. The top Utah experiences are perfect for families.

Ready to start planning? Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get 20% off your next guidebook.

Is Utah good for kids?

Utah has more kids per family than any other state. Local communities are proud to accommodate children at nearly every turn.

One of the most remote and road-free areas in the Lower 48 is the Maze, which is too rugged for younglings.

You will need a car to get around. Renting an all-wheel-drive or 4x4 will allow you to see more of the southeastern and southwestern parts of the state. You can have a good time with some of the friendliest locals in the nation, with plenty of comfort-food options to keep you company.

Mother helping son climb down rocks
With tons of outdoor activities, kids of all ages will love Utah © Mike Tauber / Getty Images

The best things to do in Utah with kids

Canyons, skiing, national landmarks, water sports and sacred lands are some of the highlights of Utah.

Play in world-class canyons

Although not as famous as the big one in Arizona, Southern Utah's "grand canyons" are more geographically diverse and come in more shapes and sizes. It is possible to enjoy them on foot, by bike or off-road.

Utah has a lot of national parks. National monuments and state parks should also be included. Little Wild Horse Canyon is a great starting point as it is easy to access and great for kids of all ages.

The Lower Calf Creek Falls are a bit more strenuous for capable kids. It's important to get there early to beat the heat.

An adult walks through a slot canyon with two kids
Utah's canyons are perfect for all-day exploring © Blake Snow / Lonely Planet

Take them skiing

Utah is world- renowned for its skiing. One reason and another reason. The state is blanketed by over 500 inches of fluffiest and driest snow every year. It feels like skiing on snow. The best terrain is less than an hour from Salt Lake Airport, which is ideal for skiiers traveling with children.

Which Utah resort is best for your family? BRIGHTON RESORT is the best value with great terrain and fun for all skiers.

If you want the best nightlife and amenities, you should go to Park City Mountain Resort or Deer Valley, both of which have some of the best-groomed runs and nicest hotels in the nation. You can't go wrong with any of the central resorts.

Parent and child skiing
With some of the fluffiest snow on Earth, Utah is great for skiers of every ability © Erik Isakson / Getty Images

Road-trip the “Mighty 5”

While Utah is known for its off-roading, the state is equally well known for its paved roads. It is possible to combine several or even all of Utah's national parks in one fell swoop.

Is it the best place to begin? You can see the formations from the road or from a turnoff. It's highly recommended that you connect Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef on the scenic Byway.

If you go to Capitol Reef in the summer, make sure to pick fruit with the kids because the descendants of the trees originally planted are near Fruita. If you don't have a 4x4 vehicle to take you to the innermost parts of Canyonlands, consider the Green River Overlook, which is easily accessed by most cars.

Do you mean Zion or the canyon? There are two Utah's top national parks.

A family jumps on the banks of a canyon river
Although it’s an arid state, there are plenty of ways to get in the water in Utah © Blake Snow / Lonely Planet

Get in the water

Despite being a desert, Utah has a large amount of water that runs off the mountains and into beautifully set basins. There are many ways to enjoy a dip in the high desert.

The world's highest naturally occurring bridge can be reached by boat from Lake Powell, which in addition to water sports, also allows you to "boat hike" to it. In this dry state, you can raft and fish in the state's many rivers, or canyon through the world-famous Narrows, two of the most spectacularly refreshing hikes in the area.

There are also kid-friendly cliff-jumping at Dinosaur Trackway, as well as Lagoon and Splash Summit, if you need to cool off in the area.

Visit sacred lands

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons, has 17 million members around the world. There are neo-Gothic landmarks in Salt Lake City.

The Anasazi cliff dwellings of Cedar Mesa and Monument Valley are important sites for the history of the Native American people.

The article was first published in June of 2021.