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Southern Utah - Top 3 Must See - Let’s be real…summer is the BEST…especially when you are a kid or have kids. This is a time when we can sleep in a bit and have a more chilled schedule. I can still remember the feelings of excitement, anticipation, and pure wonder of what would and could happen as I walked out of school on that last day. As I became a teen, the emotions flooding my body on the last day of school shifted a bit to include some bittersweetness…feeling a bit of a loss knowing that I would not be seeing my friends or my crush every day. My daughter is now a teen…yeah…right…and she has made it very clear that the first week of summer break is for sleeping in and hanging with friends, specifically mentioning this time is not for adventuring with mom. OK got it. Does that mean that the rest of summer break IS for adventuring with MOM? This comment inspired her best grumpy…UGH...you are kidding…right…lol. I must admit, the shift to teenage daughter vibe can be FUN, and planning some summer adventures that will check the boxes for both of us is TOP on my TO DO list. Circling back to the bittersweetness I felt as a teen as summer break approached, I find my current emotional state to be very similar. I love summer, BUT having to plan and coordinate all the nuances of life minus the school schedule is always bit overwhelming.

You Have the Power to Protect the Past Archaeological sites — places where past people lived — are all around us here in Utah. Maybe you have even visited a few like McConkie Ranch or Nine Mile Canyon. Did you know that many of the ruins and artifacts here in Utah are more than 1,000 years old? And some are even older than that! These cool places are still here because people like you protected them! Archaeological sites are important to people in a lot of different ways. Some people like to visit them because they are fun and interesting, while others come to some sites for religious or traditional reasons. Ruins and artifacts can connect people to the past in deep ways, and we can be a force for good by keeping them safe as we visit.

When you think of a family winter retreat, what are the first images that come to mind? Is it the classic Norman Rockwell scenes with vintage sleds, ice skating, sipping hot chocolate, and the sounds of sleigh bells ringing on a horse drawn carriage? Or, is it swooshing down a nicely groomed slope or whooping it up in the deep powder at your favorite mountain resort, followed by fireside après ski treats? Thankfully, living in Utah means all of these are definite possibilities, and would create some epic family memories. But, for a uniquely UTAH winter retreat, consider a visit to red rock country. Here, the vibrantly colorful landscapes are magically covered with a white blanket of snow creating epic landscapes for exploring. Because this is the off season in red rock country, the opportunity for solitude and serenity abound.

Summer Road Trippin’ in Southeastern Utah By Monique Beeley Leaving the Wasatch Front in the rearview and heading south feels like taking a step away from the fast-paced action of the epicenter of our state and stepping into the soothing sights, the quieter sounds, and the surreal landscapes of the central and southern part of our state. One of the many things I love about Utah is the diversity of our landscapes and the recreational opportunities that each provide throughout the seasons. Fall is the time to heed the call to the red rock country that is primed and ready for adventure.

Leaving the Wasatch Front in the rearview and heading south on 1-15 feels like taking a step away from the fast-paced action of the epicenter of our state and stepping into the soothing sights, the quieter sounds, and the surreal landscapes of the central and southern part of our state. One of the many things I love about Utah is the diversity of our landscapes and the recreational opportunities that each provide throughout the seasons. Summer is the time to heed the call to the red rock country that is primed and ready for adventure.

Have you been wanting to introduce your family to camping, but not sure where to start? And every time you start the “shopping list” for camping gear, and then do a research on the cost and options, you get quickly overwhelmed with everything that might be needed to personally enjoy those cozy campfire marshmallow roasting and epic starry night images that are plaguing your social media feed. And, to that add the thoughts of the time/money investment in something new that may not even be a fit for your family (chances of this are pretty slim). Yes, all of these thoughts are probably running rampant in your head.

If you are heading south for some two-wheeled adventuring, be sure to check out these family-friendly beginner/intermediate trails. Many of these locations offer a “staked-loop” system, which is great for families who may not all ride at the same level. These new and popular trail systems offer multiple shorter loops, each at a different level, so everyone can ride at their own ability and then meet up back at the trailhead.

Arches… out of the PARK (Arches National Park that is…) Utah is blessed with some of the best and most iconic landscapes in the United States, if not the whole world. Every year, millions of people travel from around the globe to capture a glimpse and just a few insta worthy images of these iconic natural wonders. Last year the visitation to Arches National Park hit an all-time high with 1.7 million visitors flocking to experience first-hand, the extraordinary and massive natural arches that are abundant within the boundaries of this bucket list destination. This park has the largest concentration of natural arches in the world at over 2,000.

“Bluff…huh…where is Bluff?” was the reaction I got from my sister when I called to invite them on an adventure with us. My reply: “It’s two hours south of Moab, north of Monument Valley, and Bears Ears National Monument.” She replied, “Oh…Bears Ears…yes, I have heard of that area.” The small town of Bluff is located 330 miles south of Salt Lake City, 50 miles north-east of Monument Valley and has a population of about 300. If you haven’t been to this outdoor adventure-hub then you need to put it on your list ASAP. This small town really packs a punch for the outdoor enthusiast.

Backcountry Basics What does backcountry mean to you? Is it the areas that are only accessible by hiking or backpacking for several miles? Or, must you venture out on remote, super gnarly, high-clearance-only dirt roads? By definition, a backcountry area is a geographical region that is isolated, remote, undeveloped, and difficult to access. So the answers to the above questions are yes… but… there are plenty of backcountry areas in Utah that are fairly easy to access. And, thanks to the influence of social media, they are heavily visited by people who may not necessarily have the knowledge, skills, understanding, gear, etc. to be safe.

A Red Rock New Year’s Eve Celebration Moab in the winter is nothing short of spectacular. The blanket of white snow covering the red rock landscapes is an epic sight that every Utahan needs to witness at least a few times. The weather in red rock country this time of year can be temperamental, like your two-year-old, so be sure to pack your sense of adventure along with a few extra layers of clothing for the family. Depending on the year, the winter temps in Moab can range from below zero at night to the 40-50s during the day and can change at the drop of a hat, so be sure to plan and pack accordingly.

When most people hear the phrase “mountain biking Southern Utah,” their mind’s eye probably envisions the incredible slickrock and desert mesa riding of Moab or the St. George/Hurricane area (or both). And rightly so; both areas are true mountain biking Meccas and have certainly earned that reputation. What many of those same folks probably don’t realize, however, is that world class singletrack in Southern Utah isn’t just limited to Moab & St. George – there’s a whole other Southern Utah that they’ve been driving right on by for years – and it has some of the most beautiful and diverse riding experiences in the state.

Mountain Biking in Moab with your kids. Story and Photos by Bret Edge The Whole Enchilada. Captain Ahab. Portal. Say “Moab” in the company of mountain bikers and they’ll drift off into thoughts of gnarly trails with massive exposure and technical moves that require precision, strength and a dose of finesse. But what if you’re a parent, and your budding young mountain biker isn’t quite ready to shred the gnar? Here’s a little secret – Moab’s got plenty of great trails with outstanding scenery for even the smallest riders!

By Alyssa Erikson The smell of moist soil soaked in snowmelt and the white landscape slowly disappears as we drive south on I-15 towards St. George, Utah. I watch the outside temperature, broadcasting on my dashboard, slowly rise, and once the rock turns from grey to orange, I finally risk rolling down my window. My hand oscillates up and down, riding the vehicular thermals like a raptor riding the warmer air from down south.

Road trips are about the most All-American vacation there is. You, your family, the highway, and some favorite tunes – where time isn’t measured by mile markers, but by moments. Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, is the best road-trip highway on the planet, passing through Red Canyon, Bryce Canyon National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Boulder Mountain, and Capitol Reef National Park. Few highways in the world offer as much jaw-dropping scenery and adventure in 120 miles, so we packed up the car, the kids, the bikes, and hit the open road for an adventure.

7 EPIC Spring Destinations Spring has sprung…and with that comes the desire to migrate south to warmer destinations. If you are looking for some new places to explore this spring here is our to-do list

Moab is the ultimate outdoor playground, offering something for everyone. From high-adventure mountain biking on the infamous Portal Trail to an afternoon stroll in the Park, Moab is the epicenter for “all things adventure.” Some of the best mountain bike trails, national parks, hikes, climbs, OHV trails, photography, landscapes…and the list just keeps going…are all found here.

A Southern Utah Family Escape Influencer Tips from - Arika Bauer aka ZionAdventurePhotog Growing up in Hurricane Utah, just 20 minutes from Saint George, I have fond memories of jumping out of bed, running barefoot to the window and peeking out in wonder at the blanket of snow covering my backyard; but that was a very rare occurrence. The majority of my winter days were spent running around outside rarely ever needing a coat.

Winter in Utah is filled with many, many awesome and cool adventure options. North to south, there are endless places to explore. Here is our list to inspire some new family adventures this winter-