Carlsbad can be done anytime because it's underground. The 2 wild cave tours there are easily the best thing going, but you have to be 12 years old. The bats are something to see and they are best seen in July. I don't like to hike Guadalupe in July though. I like Guadalupe best around Nov 1. Guadalupe, strangely enough has what I think is probably the best fall colors in Texas.

Bryce Canyon will be covered in snow for Spring Break. Even parts of Zion will have quite a bit of snow.

For Big Bend, you are better off driving from Dallas than flying to El Paso. It's an 8-9 hour drive. El Paso is 4.5 - 5.5 hour drive. Add in the time you spend at the airport and in flight and it's basically the same amount of travel time.

Even if you go to Guadalupe and Carlsbad, I think you'll still find that driving from home is about the same amount of travel time as flying to El Paso and driving from there.

I haven't been to Guadalupe but I don't think there a lot of easy trails. I think it's mostly trails going up into the mountains and leading to backcountry areas. There are some easier trails so if you're only there for a day or two it should be fine.

For spring break, many of these suggestions would have you hiking with snow or mud. I am surprised no one mentioned the Grand Canyon--kind of upside dwn mountains. We hiked the canyon in March. Several in our group hiked down to Phantom Ranch but you can also hike along the rim and walk partway down the trails. Nice shuttle system for hiking and viewing the canyon. The kids would also have fun hiking the trails in Sedona.

We love hiking in the fall and like to plan a hiking trip in September. If you are planning on hiking the mountains during school breaks, like Columbus Day weekend, you will run into snow sometimes in the mountains. We have had it snow in September.

If you like mountains and hiking, you do have to add Banff/ Lake Louise/ Jasper to your list.

There were lots of Texans in Telluride when we were there--really beautiful area and hikes. Lots of mountain trails, waterfalls(one intown), jeep trips. Your kids would love riding the free in town tram from Telluride to Mountain Village.

I was going to suggest Crested Butte but there's no direct from Dallas to gunnison in the summer just winter. Crested butte is a kids paradise. My little two year old has already been hiking up the mountains with me.

Where exactly is buffalo river in Arkansas?

"There were lots of Texans in Telluride . . ."

Colorado mountains are lousy with Texans - we invade it constantly. This is especially true for DFW area residents because there's legitimate air competition from DFW to Colorado (Frontier, American, United, SW) so the usual American flight (near-)monopoly doesn't harm us non-Platinum Card holders.

Considering locations, though, we'd probably put it lower on our list because the drive from Denver is long and the kids have the patience of small children, even if we fire up the DVD player and iPads. Same for Big Bend/Carlsbad, especially since only one cave tour allows a sub-6 hobbit. In a few years . . .

I like the N. Arizona suggestions too.

Moab or Zion would be the perfect spring break trip for your kids! From SLC to Moab, it's 4 hours. I have been doing that drive with my kiddos since the youngest was one and the older 4. Stop off at Price, which is the half way point, let them run around the dinosaur museum, and back on the road.

Arches is the perfect place for hiking with kids--short, simple trails with lots of cool stuff to see!!! Fisher Towers outside of Moab is amazing. The dinosaur trail north of town is so cool. If you search my user name, you will see trip reports on visiting Moab/Arches with kids.

You can't do Bryce for spring break unless you want to go in snow. Zion you can do but it's 5-6 hours from SLC --don't know how far from Las Vegas. I would pick Arches over Zion for variety of lodging, dining, etc with kids your age. Rent a house in Moab--google Desert Gardens--great bungalows. I also have trip reports on Zion and Bryce with kids if you want to look at those.

The only issue is that you don't want to be in Moab over Easter weekend--jeep fest. Crowded, loud, lots of motorized vehicles making lots of noise that can be heard for miles.

For spring break go to Southwest. Sedona area or Moab would be good IMO. California could be good too. Santa Barbara for example.

Moab/Arches is always in my daughters Top 3 National Parks(we've done 40 of them). www.deserthighlights.com is awesome. it's very safe, IMOP.

I've always wanted to go there at spring break. I would not go during the jeep event though.

Cali is a possibility, but wondering if someplace north of SF would be interesting. The kids would probably like to see the seals.

So there are easy trails for hobbits in Moab, spiro?

StantonHyde: thanks - that's a rec to seriously consider.

Most of the trails in Arches (just outside of Moab) are easy for kids. Fisher Towers in easy. Negro Bill Canyon is easy. If you google those trails, you would get trail reviews. 0r pick up a copy of whatever version of "Best EAsy DAyhikes" they have for the area. It is a kid wonderland!

If you do Moab/Arches it would be a shame to have a kid with you and not drive to Goblin Valley--Now that is Kid Wonderland and then some.

Goblin Valley sounds dangerous - hobbits and goblins are natural enemies. ;-)

That looks really neat, Spiro, kind of like the US answer on a smaller scale to the Bungle Bungles.

I agree with spiro.

It's about a 2 hour drive from Moab to Goblin Valley. But if you're on the way to or from Capitol Reef or western Utah or on the way to or from Salt Lake it's a lot shorter.

The rock structure aren't really high. Kids should be fine. Of course, you always have to watch out with kids.

A fun place. Even for adults.