Zions National Park with children

With over three million visitors a year Zions National Park it is the perfect adventure for any kid. 

Entrance to the park is around $25 per vehicle, unless you have an Eagle Gate Pass.  If you want to walk, bike or motorcycle into the park the fee is $12 per person, children 15 and under are free.  Vehicles must park at the entrance, or at the history museum.  Most of the hikes in the park are fairly easy, with only one or two that are too extreme or long for kids.  Many of the trails are at least partially paved, making hikes easy hike for even little children.

For Park Information and Maps:  http://www.nps.gov/zion/parknews/upload/ZionSpringMG2012.pdf

Best Hikes for Kids:

• Zions Lodge: Emerald pools Trail is a fully paved trail to the first waterfall.  From there the trail has stone steps and sand.  The Hike to the first waterfall is moderately easy, most children will enjoy this hike.  The second pool is on top of the cliff, and is a small pool of water.  Very beautiful, but be warned if your kids have difficulty staying on the trail, you will want to hold their hands as you pass this area.  There isn't any restraining ropes, or barricades to keep kids away from the cliff.   If you continue on to the upper pools, it is a moderate hike with sand the rest of the way.  The upper pool is beautiful and kids will love to dig in the sand and throw rocks. 
• Weeping Rock: Weeping rock hike is a very easy, short hike.  Kids will enjoy that water is flowing over the rock and falling down onto them!  Be aware that the trail and rocks can be slippery.
• Temple of Sinawava: The gateway to the Narrows is an easy, fully paved trail.  Perfect for kids, babies in packs, and strollers.  The kids will love this hike, it is easy and the views are amazing.  Take a jacket, the wind can really blow through this canyon.

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS:


• On the way to Zions there is a cute little shop called "Fort Zions."  It has a nice picnic area for eating, and a petting zoo.  This could be a 1/2 spot to stop and stretch, and let the kids play for a few minutes.  The petting zoo is $2 a person, but is worth it to have the kids have someplace to run around and play. 
• Consider riding down the canyon on bikes!  You can load bikes, and a tag-a-long on the bus, and take them up the canyon. The best areas to ride down the canyon from is The Grotto, or Zions Lodge. The views from a bike are amazing!  You are free to stop and spend time at any spot you like.  Plan to take your time and enjoy the view.  If you ride hard, you can even BEAT the bus down the canyon.
• Take hiking and sandals/water shoes.  You can hike up the Narrows a little higher than the trail if you have sandals.
• Take a snack and treat.  Don't forget water!
• If your kids get easily motion sick, DO NOT RIDE in the second section of the bus.  It sways and bumps and can cause motion sickness in young kids. 
• There are certain hikes, such as Angles Landing, that are not for kids.  Several hikes have huge drop offs, or long hikes.   Consider the skill level of each hiker before you go.
• Make a reward for kids good behavior, or good efforts by visiting the rock shops in town.  They have many items that are around a dollar, and it makes a fun ending to the day.