Bryce/Zion with children
 

Next week we are going to be in Bryce for 2 nights and Zion for 4 nights. It will be 2 families with a total of 4 children: 4, 6, 6, 10. I know at Bryce Queen's Garden and at Zion Weeping Rock, Emerald Pools & Pa'rus trail have been highly recommended but wondered if anything else would be a good choice. The adults are all experienced hikers and the kids are pretty good but still kids. Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

the 10 year olds and 6 year olds will have a blast and will be able to do all the hikes. If your 4 year old can do the Queen's Garden at Bryce, he/she will be able to do the easy, short hikes at Zion no problem!

If you watch the kids carefully, they will be fine on the Canyon Overlook trail at Zion too.

Have you considered a kid backpack?

Don't know what the water temp and level is this time of year on the Virgin River through Zion, but you might consider tubing down the river w/ the kids. You rent the tubes in Springdale, and it was a great way to spend a few hrs, but we were there in July and the H2O was very low. Enjoy!

The two mile round trip Riverside Walk in Zion is very easy. The 4 year old should have no problem doing that if they can do the Queen's Garden.

BTW, my son did the Queens Garden at 3 1/2.

Utahtea

Thank you for the ideas. We do have a child backpack Dayle but my daughter (4) is very intent that she has "outgrown" it. Based on the weather websites, I think tubing is out of the question next week but I know the weather can change so we've packed swimsuits just in case. We know we won't be able to hike the narrows this trip but are hoping to at least hike the 1st part down to the water (I've heard it's about a mile to that point).

I have taken kids 2-5 up to weeping rock and the narrows. But most of the time they wanted to ride in ht ekid backpack. It all can get a little tiring for them. Emerald Pools was a little long for them and they did not think it was worth it and complained. We love to go to Zion and go all teh time.