Where Your Kids Will Take Theirs

May 03, 2016

Your Stories

White Pine, Little Cottonwood Canyon

WHITE PINE TRAIL | Mark Marzolf, 1974 | Gnarly Gnature Photo Comptetition Winner

Horseback Riding & Scout Mastering

Harry Barber & his dad, Conrad, riding in Utah's Bookcliffs.

Harry Barber, Scout Master. Kanab scout summer camp at Barker Reservoir.

Bryce Canyon National Park

The late Janice Dickler & her daughter | Bryce Canyon National Park, 1963

Capitol Reef National Park

"These are both from a trip with my parents to Capitol Reef in May 73', when I was 3 1/2. We got a flat tire on the way down but still had an awesome time and then made our way to Mesa Verde. This was the first of many camping trips throughout my childhood." -Kristen Kenley

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK | Kristen Kenley, 1973

The Narrows, Zion National Park

THE NARROWS | Zion National Park, Debbie Erickson, 1997

The Narrows, Zion National Park

"Our first time and it was spectacular. We are planning a return trip in the Fall to do the Tunnel and Bryce. This place is awesome - wish I had gone during my younger years, Subway looks incredible but don't believe I have the indurance - we'll see." -Robert Merrrigan

THE NARROWS | Zion National Park, Robert Merrigan

Orange Cliffs, Canyonlands National Park

Siblings Piper & Fisher Kennedy taking in the view of the Green River at Orange Cliffs Overlook in Canyonlands National Park – June 19, 2016

Capitol Reef National Park

Angela Dunn - Capitol Reef National Park, Sulphur Creek

This photo captures the pure joy that can be found in a national park. My husband, Alejandro Mendoza, and our son, Pierce, tempting fate at Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef National Park.

Canyonlands National Park

Kris Ciancia - Canyonlands National Park, Spring Break 2015

Amazing hike at Grand View Point. A few days earlier we had taken ATVs from Moab and explored the area--Kane's Pass and Hurrah Pass. So it was fun to see where we had been! The boys felt like they were on top of the world!

Bryce Canyon National Park

Trine Wilson - Bryce Canyon National Park

On a national park adventure in April with my son. I've been hiking with this boy since he was a very young one. We have gone from encouraging him through the last stretch of the summit to him encouraging me!

Zion National Park

Chuck Hungerford - Zion National Park, 1984

Pictures were taken in 1984. My wife and I were on a camping trip.

Dead Horse Point

Cory Jensen - Dead Horse Point State Park

Enjoying a quick trip to Moab.

Arches National Park

Wayne Baker: "My kids being sworn in as Jr. Rangers" - Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Taylor Family - Bryce Canyon National Park

"My parents never took us anywhere when we were kids. Trying to reverse that bit of history with my tribe. This was the first trip to Bryce Canyon for my wife and kids. Stayed at Ruby's Inn, ate delicious homemade pie at Bryce Canyon Pines, and went on some kid-friendly hikes." - Chad Taylor

Kolob Canyon

Dillon Kix & Dawn Sledge hiking Kolob Canyon, November, 2015. Photo by Junie

Dinosaur National Monument

Russell Daley - "My grandchildren, Gracie & Jude" - Dinosaur National Monument, July 2015

Bryce Canyon National Park

Molly Johnson & Family - Bryce Canyon National Park, 2008

Marriage

Submitted by Sharon Northrop

My daughter and her husband love this place...this is her forever love.

Capitol Reef National Park

"Capitol Reef is the most underrated National Park in Utah! Whenever we go we enjoy hiking the Grand Wash trail. We have a baby due this month and hope to take her there often."

Blake McClary - Capitol Reef

Arches National Park

Nick Jones - Delicate Arch

"We took a late Mother's Day weekend due to my wife having a pretty rough chemotherapy treatment right before the holiday. It was a challenge for the boys, especially Cutler (pictured with the cheeky grin), who skinned up his knees a few times on the slickrock on the way up. When we finally got to Delicate Arch, the destination endorphins kicked in and he was excited to see the amazing view."

Moab

Moab - Jaime Oldham - Boulder buddies, dad & daughter, over spring break

Cecret Lake - Albion Basin

Pitcher Family - Cecret Lake

Here is a photo of our family from 2012 celebrating the 4th of July at Cecret Lake up Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Albion Basin. Pictured are myself (Taylor), my wife (Shasta), and our daughters (oldest to youngest) Kylee, Avery, and Makell.

Zion National Park Biking

Riding Bikes Through Zion - Mike Sipple & Family, May 2016

Arches National Park - Delicate Arch

Wolf family vacation October 2014: Cara, Chrissy, Steve, Mom, Dad

Dinosaur Tracks, Moab

Jerry Williams Family near Moab, UT

"My son and grandkids at Dinosaur tracks by Poison Spider trailhead, Moab."

Bryce Canyon National Park

Cosgrove Family does Bryce Canyon National Park

"Here are some of my favorite pitctures from my family's trip to Bryce Canyon last February. We loved it!" - Diane Cosgrove

Zion National Park

Zion National Park - D Loomis - 40th Wedding Anniversary

Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation

Jr. Park Ranger, Matthew Lasley, at Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation

Kay BrownThis is a photo of "my grandson, Matthew Lasley, being sworn in as Jr. Park Ranger as he has done at many of Utah's parks and elsewhere. The Jr. Ranger program is a must for every kid. We love and support our parks and park rangers."

Calf Creek Falls

Millet R & crew jumping for joy at Calf Creek Falls in Grand Staircase- Escalante

Millet R"We jumped for joy after a 6-mile hike. This is so amazing. We love Utah!"

Dead Horse State Park

Kristi Pye and her son, Clayton, at Dead Horse State Park in 2015

Kristi Pye with her son, Clayton

Arches National Park

Thomas Family - Whale Arch - Arches National Park 2016

Ajit, Nisha & Michaela Thomas from Bangalore, India

Zion National Park

Scott & Marlene Cauley, Williamsport, PA - Zion National Park - Trail to Angels Landing

Scott & Marlene CauleyOn the way trail to Angels Landing. Two weeks after my husband finished chemo treatments, and having a laugh with fellow hikers.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Tim AuerThe attached photo is one of my favorites we have ever taken on a family vacation. Most people think it is photoshopped, but I swear it is not. This is from our family vacation back in 2007. I remember us heading out from the hotel for our trip to Bryce Canyon. The weather was warm and sunny. I remember pulling into a gas station right outside of Bryce to ask for directions and it looked like it was snowing. I thought there is no way, it was just warm and sunny. Anyway, the lady at the gas station informed me we were now at about 9000 ft elevation and yes that was snow. So we dug into the suitcases and put on pants and coats and did a couple short hikes thru the park. It was a fun experience and has become one we talk about all the time still. By far one of our favorite places we have ever vacationed to. The beauty is unmatched! We are already looking forward to another trip out West and believe me, Utah is on our must do (again) list!

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Arches National Park

Jessie Gilbert - Delicate Arch - June 2015

Jessie & Bill GilbertAttached is our epic money shot of Delicate Arch--only later did I realize how unusual it was to get this pic with no other humans in it but us! We loved RV-ing to the Mighty Five last June and can't wait to return to explore more of Utah!

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Road Trip Ecstasy

Nick Mustoe - Kannaraville Canyon

Nick MustoeThe red rock, the lighting, and the beauty of Utah all came together to convince me to not just visit the state but to move here full-time. We went to Zion, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Bryce Canyon all in one day. We took a photo the next day driving down the Burr Trail Road on our way to see the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef National Park. We couldn't pass up getting out of the car and expressing our wonderment of the landscape around us.

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Wayne Baker

Wayne Baker - Dry Gulch

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park, 1961

Dianne PeckI would like to mention that I wonder why the girls had swimming caps, as no one had enough nerve to actually swim in the lake, let alone get our hair wet. But it was always fun to wade in water and play in sand. Grandma is sitting on the sand.Taking road trips was always so much fun to leave everyday life and watch mile after mile of open space--sometimes nothing in particular, but I always loved to see the cows, horses, sheep--any farm animals. Either mom or dad would say, “look at the cows!" (or whatever the animal was, and we would be excited to see them). It was the day of no air conditioning, so we would get hot air blown in our faces to keep the air moving; put our arms outside the window and move them up and down as if we were flying. No seat belts. The funnest place for us was laying on the floor of the car—it was a strange feeling.The youngest child always got to sit up front. One time when Grandma was driving, she drove into the “burrow pit.” Not sure if that was a common name, but it was when you drove too far off the pavement and got stuck in the soft dirt. Grandpa always advised Grandma against doing that.Related Areas & Stories

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Brighton Lakes

Megan PrattI grew up hiking these trails: Lake Catherine, Lake Mary and Lake Martha. Now it's my turn to experience it with my son. This was his first time up Brighton Lakes. The water was freezing but you wouldn’t know it from the huge smile on his face.

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Canyonlands National Park

Jake WilhelmsenI grew up going to Arches but we never made it over to Canyonlands, which is silly. So, last year I took my kids there. They were huge whiners and slow-pokes on the Grand View Point Overlook trail, but they were 2 and 3, so to be expected? But hey, they loved the hotel pool and sunning themselves on the red rock like lizards. I’ve convinced myself they’ll look back on it fondly.

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Bryce Canyon National Park

Justin SchroepferThis was my kids' first trip to Bryce Canyon National Park. My son's not a huge fan of hiking (despite the huge smile on his face), so we stuck him in the pool at Ruby's Inn after the hike and he was a happy camper.

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Sundance

Ann WhittakerSummer time has always been filled with trips to our family cabin near Sundance. Grandpa built the cabin with his brothers in the 1960s, pre-Robert Redford. I have fond memories of hiking to Stewart Falls, getting rashes from stinging nettle, building forts around the cabin, eating out on the deck on warm evenings and walking down to Sundance to get a sucker on a wooden stick. We still gather there every summer.

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