timmychicken

We're traveling to Bryce (2 nights) and then Zion (4 nights) next April with a 6 and an almost 4 y.o. We're staying at the lodge in both parks. Any suggestions on things not to miss (activities, hikes, etc.)?

brookwood

I can suggest some you should miss! In Zion with small children, I suggest staying off the Hidden Canyon trail. It is a shelf type of trail at points and it can be scary, even to adults.

By shelf trail, I mean it is on the face of the cliff and it is about 4 feet wide with a sheer drop.

Several others are like that, too. Lady Mountain for one.

At Bryce, I don't recall any that would be exposed like that. I would be more concerned about the physical fitness of the adults particularly when hiking out of the "canyon." The Queens Garden trail is a good one to start with.

Depending on your own fitness level, I would suggest that you not go rushing pellmell down a trail in the first hour.

Some of the trails leading down from the rim have a starting (ending) elevation of 8,500 feet which is high enough to cause an unfit person some problems breathing.

utahtea

In Zion the Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pool, Weeping Rock & Pa'rus trails are trails my boys did at that age. Infact, the youngest was 3 and did those hikes. There is a BIG lawn area just outside the Zion Lodge. Great for letting the kids run around while you soak in the beautiful scenery!

If the weather is warm enought you can go down and play in the Virgin River. Find a calm spot...there are some if you walk along the river south from the visitor center.

The shuttle buses will be running so you can ride those. My little grandson loves riding on them.

There are evening ranger campfire talks at the lodge and campgrounds. Check the visitor center for times & locations.

In Bryce my oldest did the Queen's Garden loop on his own at the age of 3 1/2. You can walk along the rim path. My favorite is between Sunrise and Sunset Point.

Both parks usually have ranger led hikes too.

Utahtea

Again Bryce has shuttles and evening ranger programs. They might not be as many in April...I can't remember. Pack warm clothes for Bryce for this time of the year.

Both these parks are GREAT for kids!

Utahtea

Dayle

Timmy,

Be sure to check out the Junior Ranger programs at the parks too. Kids usually just love those and it really gets them involved.

There are "soft serve" ice cream cones at the snack shop at the Zion lodge too. Don't miss those!

Have a great time!

travelina

We just returned from both locations. At the Zion South Camnpground at 9AM every morning they have a ranger program which my kids thoroughly enjoyed. They end it with a hike to explore the surrounding areas. You can easily jump in the river from the south campground. There are many areas in which to enter and take a swim in the 60 degree water. I would not take children that young on the pools hike as we saw a few who wandered away form their parents and nearly fell of the endge! At the beginning of the narrows is a nice area to swim and explore. Zion is our favorite national park!

Dohlice

Ruby's just outside of Bryce has a lot of kid things. Chuckwagon Dinners and Rodeos.

timmychicken

Thank you for all the suggestions. I didn't think the jr. ranger programs start until the end of May but I'm hoping some of the evening talks will still happen. Both children love to hike so we're looking forward to the trip (except the drive from San Diego - they've flown numerous times but never a long car trip).

timmychicken

I forgot to ask about dining. I'm guessing we'll just eat at the lodge in Bryce since we'll just be there those 1st 2 nights but in Zion is it worth it to eat at the lodge or are we better off driving into Springdale (or somewhere else) for dinners? I read on another thread about a Mexican restaurant called Oscar's that is supposed to be good.

I wish we could camp instead of the motel rooms but we didn't want to haul all of our stuff this trip. Another time.....

Dayle

Timmy,

I always eat at Zion Pizza & Noodle. Great casual atmosphere, yummy pizza with fun names (like Cholestrol Hiker or Tree Hugger), nice bar area with beer & wine and wonderful, very generous size pastas too.

timmychicken

Thanks, Dayle. I was showing the kids photos of the area and all my 5 y.o.could say was "beautiful" (and wanting to know if we get to climb any of the rocks). Gotta love the pizza names!

utahtea

You can take the shuttle buses from the Zion Lodge to the Visitor Center, cross over on the bridge over the Virgin River and pick up the Shuttle free shuttle buses in Springdale to take you to any of the dining places...you don't have to drive.

Utahtea

timmychicken

good to know, thanks!