gnomemom

Okay, I'm still pre-planning a Grand Circle trip for 2012. I have wanted to see the Grand Canyon my whole life, and I'm anxious to see so much of the amazing Utah landscape! That said, my husband and I have concerns about the best age to take children on a trip like this. My kids would potentially be 8 & 9 years old. Is this a good age? Would it be better (for hiking purposes) to take teenagers? Then again, our kids still like us and want to go places with us

Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?

Older or younger better?

We've done Disney World twice, we're looking for something "different" for our next big family trip.

Thank you!

sassy_cat

8 and 9 sounds perfect. Some teenagers enjoy hiking but if you end up with teens that hate it then believe me you'll wish you took your kids sooner!

We took our kids to Utah about 6 years ago (they would have been 13 and 7 at the time). The longest hike we did was Calf Creek Falls which I think is a 5/6 mile round trip but is quite sandy in parts.

bachslunch

Agreed that this would be a good age for kids on this trip. Just make sure everyone wears sunscreen, a cap, and sunglasses to prevent sunburns -- and make sure all of you drink a lot of water. Drink consistently during the course of the day, even when you don't feel thirsty, to prevent dehydration and such.

Definitely include the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Zion if nothing else -- they're all truly amazing. There are lots of other possibilities too: Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and more. A board search will yield good options.

spirobulldog

My opinion is that is a mistake to hit the entire state all at once unless you have 3 weeks to do so, and then the rocks all start looking alike. I like spending 3-4 days in each place instead of just 1 day. We did our first National Park trip when our daughter was 10. We have enjoyed them more than Disney. For the area you have listed here would be our aboslute favorite things and in order.

#1 Canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com(even at young age)
#2 Angels Landing in Zion
#3 The Narrows in Zion
#4 Delicate Arch in Arches
#5 Landscape Arch in Arches
#6 Goblin Valley/and Little Wildhorse Canyon
#7 Rafting the Grand Canyon
#8 Fruita Orchard/Gifford House fresh pies
#9 4 wheel drive tour with Moab Adventure Center(scary)
#10 Hiking in Capitol Reef
#11 View from Deadhorse Point
#12 Sipapu Bridge at Natural Bridges NM

We are planning a Bryce, Calf Creek Falls, Page/Lake Powell trip for 2011.

I think your kids wil be old enough in 2012. I would go as early in May(have been twice on Memorial Day weekend and crowds didn't bother us at all) as possible to avoid the heat. I would see the Grand Canyon first. It has the biggest wow factor, but really has the least to do. Views from other places are just about as stunning. I plan on returning to GC and doing a rim to rim hike sometime, but I really like the other areas in Utah even more. We really like to stay at the lodges, and it is good that you are planning this far in advance. Get your ideas all in order and be ready to book your lodging in advance. If you do have a ton of time, even consider seeing the GC from both the North and South sides. How adventurous are you and your kids? I mentioned the canyoneering, because it is that good. I haven't done it in Zion, but it is available there as well. I have done the canyoneering twice with desert highlights. My daughter did it first at age 10 and she even has severe scoliosis. You need to have your kids watch a lot of the travel channel stuff on the area and get them excited about it in advance.

spirobulldog

One more thing. I think everyone should see the area's you mentioned. It is probably our favorite. Yellowstone and Yosemite rank right up there as well. We are absolutely hooked on the National Parks and have now been to 24 of them in the past 6 years. Can't wait to go to another one. You won't spend nearly as much as Disney either.

Myer

I found most of the trails in Arches and Bryce and relatively flat and wide. So the kids shouldn't be a problem.

I would be a bit more careful in Zion as some of the trails are narrower and rockier. Maybe I'd be a bit too careful. You'll only fall from Angel's Landing once.

Aduchamp1

The best age to hit Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, Bryce, etc

Paleozoic

gnomemom

Wow, Thanks everyone for the replies! Myer, your reply made me LOL - Yours, too Aduchamp1.

Thanks for all the detail, Spiro! We were planning on spending 10-12 days. My itinerary is very, very basic at this point. I imagine we'll spend less on food and lodging, but more on airfare on this trip. Oh, and we'll need to rent a truck/minivan (which we didn't need for Disney) - but no theme park tickets (National Park entrance fees are very reasonable after Disney ).

I have two years to save and plan - I want to be ready to go with my itinerary when they open the 2012 dates My kids will get out of school mid-May - so we plan to leave then. Hoping to beat most of the summer crowds by getting out early.

Thanks, everyone!

Myer

I hope you didn't think my post was funny.

Kids that are that age sometimes lose their concentration. Even the Canyon Overlook has it's spots.

I realize that their are more accidents on the roads, etc.

Just something to watch out for.

sassy_cat

Yes, I agree with Myer. I think my DD might be ready for Angel's Landing now she's 13 but my son wasn't at 13.

You know your kids but do bear in mind about 2 people per year fall to their death on this hike.

gnomemom

Oh, I'm sorry, Myer - I did think you were kidding - but of course safety is my #1 concern. I don't think we'll be doing Angel's Landing when they are 8 & 9 - I'm very cautious.

Thanks again for all of your replies. Sassy Cat, you're right - it is about knowing your kids. I do intend to be very cautious with our choices for this trip.

peterboy

Did you know that no child has ever fallen into Grand Canyon of their on accord...only adults. It seems common sense becomes less common the older we get.

What is the most dangerous activity at Grand Canyon?
Photography.

Take some time to read the book 'Death in Grand Canyon' for some insight into what gets folks in trouble in canyon country.
A great read with interesting statistics.

gnomemom

Thanks, Peterboy, I'll find it at the library! Anyone have any other good book suggestions?

spirobulldog

More people die in The Narrows than on AL. I think only 12 have died on AL in the past 25 years. That is about the same number for deaths of Disney Roller Coasters. Certainly, be cautious. Even hikes like Delicate Arch have some drops that would kill you. If your kids are the type that has to run and act silly all the time then you would want to avoid certain places. If they are the type that can turn it off and recognize situations then they would probably do fine. You will see people of all ages on every trail in National Parks. You will see infants in the infant backpacks going through the narrows. i wouldn't do it, but I don't see anything wrong with those that do take them.

gnomemom

Thanks, Spiro. I followed that link and canyoneering with Desert Highlights looks INCREDIBLE! And they do tours with kids as young as my kids! Thanks for sharing it - I've bookmarked it for our trip!

ElendilPickle

Be sure to get a National Parks pass - around $80 and it will cover all your park entrance fees for a year.

Lee Ann

CathyF

I have sons ages 9 & 11 and we are going to Zion-Bryce-South Rim-Page this summer. I think 9 years old is a PERFECT age! My son is so enthusiastic. The hiking and adventures we have planned will be perfect for his high energy level.

The National Parks website has a "store" with a good variety of childrens books. I ordered a few for my kids to read on the plane.

Regarding older kids...

I also have a 15 y/o and she is the least enthusiastic of my kids. Part of it is her age but a lot of it is personality - she would rather be in a big city than trekking around a national park. That's okay. I believe in exposing my kids to as many different experiences as possible. Next year my 9 & 11 year old will be suffering thru Paris...

Enjoy planning your trip - that's half the fun!

christy1

I know kids that age that are terrific hikers. My only concern would be weather and crowds--if you aren't willing to have them miss any school, go the very day they get out in June. These places get VERY crowded and extremely hot in the summer, but will be slightly better in early June than in late June/July/August.

utahtea

We took our boys to the Grand Canyon and Utah parks starting as young as 6 months and as old as 17. Oldest went with us when he was 20, but it was to Canada. Oldest was just 3 1/2 when he hiked the Queen's Garden trial in Bryce...and I'm an over protective mother!

With only 10 - 12 days, please don't try to see to many parks. If the Grand Canyon is your most important stop, then I'd only plan on Lake Powell, Bryce and Zion parks. If you try to do more you will spend most of the time driving instead of hiking.

You will be the best judge of how your children will be able to hike down into the Grand Canyon, just be aware that for every hour going down, plan on 3 hours coming back up! There are miles and miles of pretty easy hiking along the rim. Great thing about the rim is you can pick up the free shuttles and not have to hike back.

Bryce has several great hikes that would be great for your children. I'd recommend the Queen's Garden - Navajo loop if the Navajo loop is open. They have to keep closing it for rock slides.

Zion has the best hiking and it doesn't have to be up to Angles Landing. The 2 mile Riverside Walk is my favorite, followed by the Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock and Canyon Overlook Trail.

I listed Lake Powell, because it's on the way, but there are a lot of fun things to do here. The all day boat tour to Rainbow Bridge, the half day float trip on the Colorado River, the Upper Antelope Slot Canyons. I'd be cautious to take children as young as yours on the Horseshoe Bend Overlook hike because there are NO barriers to protect them from falling off the steep edge here.

Utahtea