The Best Utah State Parks for Families
Goblins, baby dinosaurs, and mythological teddy bear ears are some of Utah state parks' draws for children. Here's where to find the state's most family-friendly parkland:
Utah State Parks: Recommended rentals
Utah State Parks: find your perfect rental from just $80 per night!
Utah's State Parks Are All-American Grandeur
Defined by Zion and its otherworldly Canyonlands National Park, Utah's parkland is so diverse and special that it's become world famous. The spirit of cowboy life is still breathing in Utah's state parks. Home to some of the world's most eccentric geology, Utah's state parks are photogenic to the extreme. Vast sandstone canyons, strange creatures, and secluded Edens teeming with wildlife await intrepid travelers at Utah's state parks. Ready your camera for scenes of ultimate sublimity.
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1. Goblin Valley State Park
Geological marvels abound throughout Utah, though some of the best are at Goblin State Park, where millions of years of weather have carved out mushroomy gremlins in the sandstone. They hide out in a sequestered valley, making them all the more intriguing for little ones to find. Marked trails guide you, and the visitor center offers an orientation tool, allowing you to lose yourselves among the formations.
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2. Kodachrome Basin State Park
Named by a National Geographic expedition in the 1940s, Kodachrome necessitates Instagram coverage. Ancient hot springs percolate beneath the desert-like surface of its vast mountains. Geysers have been petrified into strange-looking sand pipes. Your family will be speechless.
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3. Edge of the Cedars State Park
The Pueblo, Hopi, Ute, and Navajo people have long inhabited these lands, evidenced by petroglyphs and other relics tattooed on the landscape. Come see a ruinous Puebloan village on the fringes of Manti-La Sal National Forest. Kids will love the Bears Ears, two similarly shaped rocks that have inspired numerous local legends. Close by, the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding wows with fossilized eggs and baby dinosaurs.
Best Places to Stay for State Parks in Utah
The Best Utah State Parks for Hiking
Vast spaces and resounding stillness await hikers in Utah's grand state parks. Take in boundless vistas of wild rock formations, and you'll be bowled over by the sheer grandeur of Earth. A hike in Utah is a life-changing experience. Some of the most rewarding walks include the following:
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1. Dead Horse Point State Park
In the 19th century, cowboys herded mustangs over the breathtaking pinnacle of this park. The legend goes that an unlucky bunch died of thirst when one cowboy forgot to open the gate to their enclosure. At 2,000 feet, Dead Horse Point overlooks spectacular Canyonlands National Park. Hike to the summit, and you'll be richly rewarded.
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2. Goosenecks State Park
Margaret Atwood wrote, "Water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it." Nowhere illustrates these words more robustly than Goosenecks. Close to Mexican Hat, this spectacular overlook preserves the idiosyncratic motion of the mighty San Juan River. Nearby, the Valley of the Gods is clustered with dramatic mesas and buttes.
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3. Antelope Island
At the center of Great Salt Lake is an Eden grazed by 500 bison and aflutter with birds. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, and watersports such as sailing and kayaking are among the recreational options here, along with walking through sublime scenery to swimming holes where the salt concentration lifts you to the surface and lets you float away your worries.
The Best Utah State Parks for Adventure Sports
Cowboy adventures are plentiful in Utah's state parks. Saddle up and head into mind-bendingly huge wildernesses via ATV, bike, or canoe. Here are some parks to sweep sports fans off their feet:
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1. Sand Hollow State Park
Sapphire waters warmed by the sunshine contrast with red rock formations weathered by time into smooth gradients. Boating, fishing, and diving at Sand Hollow Reservoir are popular activities at Utah's newest state park. Explore 20,000 acres by foot or bike, ATV, or horseback for stunning views at an elevation of 3,000 feet.
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2. Snow Canyon State Park
Embrace your inner cowboy at one of Utah's most rugged state parks. Horseback riding is practically mandatory in this red-rock-littered landscape. Lava flows jostle with red Navajo sandstone across almost 8,000 acres. Snow Canyon's basalt basins and sandstone canyons support diverse wildlife. Look out for coyotes, roadrunners, tortoises, and Gila monsters. Come in spring to see a show of blooming wildflowers.
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3. Green River State Park
Beneath a cottonwood tree canopy, a nine-hole golf course showcases dramatic vistas. Take a boat out and explore Labyrinth and Stillwater Canyons. For nearly 300 miles, the Green River moseys between flat and whitewater, and at the park, you can catch it at its most peaceful. Fish for carp, catfish, and chub in its sparkling waters, or hike its surrounding trails for stunning views.
Top Offers for State Parks in Utah
Information about Utah State Parks
| 💳 Highest rates | in March |
|---|---|
| 🥳 Busiest month | May |
| 🛏️ Popular home types | House rental and Condo |
| 🌡️ Hottest months | 91 °F in August and July |
| ❄️ Coldest months | 18 °F in January and December |
| 🌧️ Rainiest months | January and May |
Utah State Parks: frequently asked questions
Utah State Parks: What is the cost per night?
The average rate for a vacation rental in Utah is between $384 and $418 per night.
Utah State Parks: is there a good selection of vacation rentals for large groups?
House rentals in Utah should be considered for large groups, since they usually fit 12 guests.
Utah State Parks: what types of vacation homes can I book in Utah?
We would suggest checking out our selection of House rentals and Condos in Utah.
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