It's not easy traveling with kids, but let me tell you, it's worth it every time. In just three days, our family of six (my husband and me, the twins, their little bro and Lola) flew in to Las Vegas, watched the sun set over red rock, saw the stars at a certified dark-sky park, hiked into Zion National Park and rode our first UTV across the dunes.

This is the exact itinerary we followed, with the parking tips, timing and kid-friendly stops we wish we'd known before we went. Use it as-is or swap stops to fit your crew.

This post includes a partnership with Mad Moose Rentals. Every opinion is my own. Use code TPO10 for 10% off your rental.

Day 1: St. George, Sunset Scrambles and a Sky Full of Stars

We flew into Las Vegas, picked up a rental car and drove straight to St. George, our home base for the trip. After an early wake-up, we checked in, rested and planned a low-key evening.

**Pioneer Park at sunset.**

I almost skipped this one because it's right off the main road. I'm so glad we didn't. Pioneer Park sits on the red hills above the city and is home to the Dixie Sugarloaf, a pioneer-era landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The kids crawled, climbed and scrambled over the red rock until the sun went down over the city.
375 E Red Hills Pkwy, St. George, UT 84770
Open daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., free, with parking, restrooms and a covered pavilion

**Stargazing at Snow Canyon State Park**

After sunset, we drove about 20 minutes to Snow Canyon, a certified dark-sky park, turned off our headlights and looked up. I captured the Milky Way on my iPhone with no tripod, just the phone braced against the car door and Night Mode slid all the way to Max.
398 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738
Open daily 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., so plan to stargaze before closing. A day-use fee per vehicle is paid at the entrance.

Day 2: Zion National Park with Kids

Zion is about an hour from St. George, and the views are breathtaking before you even get out of the car.

**Parking.** We arrived around 8:30 a.m. on a regular, non-holiday Thursday, and the lots inside the park were already full. After circling for about 30 minutes, we parked in a paid lot in Springdale right outside the gate and walked in. Go earlier, or just plan to park in Springdale from the start.
**The shuttle.** The park shuttle is the only way to get around the main canyon, and the lines at the visitor center get long. Pick up the free Junior Ranger activity booklet at the visitor center first. Our kids worked on it the whole time we waited.
**Riverside Walk to the Narrows.** This was our one hike, and it was perfect for kids: about 2 miles round trip, paved and mostly shaded, ending at the start of the Narrows. We stopped there for snacks, let the kids explore and filled in more Junior Ranger pages. The distance wasn't the hard part; the heat was. Bring more water and snacks than you think you need.
**Junior Ranger badges.** Check the ranger-led program times when you arrive. We changed our whole afternoon to catch one of the last programs at the museum, where our kids took the Junior Ranger oath and earned their first badges. It was the proudest moment of the trip, and it was theirs.

More short hikes to try. We only had time for one trail, but these are great for families if you have more time (check the NPS Zion conditions page for closures before you go):

Pa'rus Trail: 3.5 miles round trip, paved and wheelchair accessible, with leashed dogs and bikes allowed. An easy, flat walk along the Virgin River that starts near the visitor center.
Lower Emerald Pool Trail: about 1.2 miles round trip to a pool and seasonal waterfall, with the option to continue to the Middle and Upper pools if little legs are up for it.
Canyon Overlook Trail: about 1 mile round trip to a sweeping view of lower Zion Canyon. It starts near the east entrance of the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, so you'll drive there instead of taking the shuttle, and parking is limited.
Watchman Trail: about 2.7 miles round trip and rated moderate, with views of rock layers and the Watchman peak. Best for older kids.

Evening: pool time. After a hot day in Zion, we headed back to St. George and let the kids cool off in the hotel pool while the grown-ups, Lola included, put their feet up.

Day 3: A Family UTV Adventure at Sand Hollow

We saved the biggest thrill for last: our first time ever in a UTV. We rented from Mad Moose Rentals in Hurricane, about 20 minutes east of St. George, and drove the Sand Mountain OHV area at Sand Hollow State Park ourselves.
Check-in was easy. Waivers came by email before we arrived, then we watched a short safety video, got fitted for helmets and goggles, and took a quick crash course on our UTV. They pointed us toward Sand Hollow, told us to have fun, and off we went.
We went in the morning to beat the heat, and it still got toasty by the end. There are lots of points on the map, but we picked one: a high point with a 360-degree view. From there we spotted a smooth dune, drove down to it, sand sledded with the optional sled rental and found shady rock formations to rest in. My kids yelled "faster!" the whole way, and the views left me in happy tears.

**Good to know before you book:**
Passengers must be at least 42 inches tall
Drivers must be 18+ (25+ if any passengers are under 18)
Mad Moose asks you to arrive 30 minutes early
Helmets and goggles are provided
Self-guided rentals and guided group tours are both available
Use code **TPO10** for 10% off your Mad Moose rental
Want the full story? Read A Family UTV Adventure in Sand Hollow, Utah on the blog.
After returning the UTV, we drove back to Las Vegas to end our trip.

Where We Stayed

We made St. George our home base, and it worked perfectly. Pioneer Park, Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow are all 20 minutes or less away, and Zion is about an hour's drive. We stayed at Hyatt Place St. George and loved it: easy to get to after long days, and comfortable for a family of six, with a pool the kids loved after a day of hiking.

Tips for Southern Utah with Kids

Start early. Zion's lots fill fast, and mornings are cooler for hiking and UTVing.
Pack more water and snacks than you think. The heat wore our kids out faster than the miles did.
Grab the Junior Ranger booklet first thing. It turns shuttle lines into learning time and gives kids a goal for the day.
Check the forecast. Southern Utah can stay hot into fall. We skipped a detour to Valley of Fire on a 90-degree day and saved it for next time.
Leave room in the schedule. We didn't check everything off our list, and that's okay. Following what our kids loved made the trip.
Turn it into a lesson. Red rock layers, canyon-carving rivers, dark skies and dinosaur tracks make Southern Utah a natural classroom. The world is our classroom.

What We'd Add Next Time

Valley of Fire State Park on a cooler day, as a detour on the drive from Las Vegas
St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site for real dinosaur tracks
More of Zion, now that our kids are Junior Rangers and ready for the next trail

Where should our family go next? Tell me in the comments.

The Perfect Family-Friendly 3-Day Itinerary for Southern Utah