On July 14 we will be staying at Zion Ponderosa for 4 days and then heading to Lake Powell for 3 days. At Lake Powell we are staying at the Lake Powell Resrot. Do you have any suggestions of things to do, places to see - things that are a must. We will be travelling with children ages 7 and 8. Thank you!

There are a lot of great hiking trails in Zion. Riverside Walk, Weeking Rock, Emerald Pools, Canyon overlook to name a few that my children did at those ages.

In Springdale you can rent intertubes and float down the Virgin River just outside of Zion. The banned tubing in the park when my boys were your children's ages, but outside the park is still a lot of fun and very scenic. You still get views of the park.

I would consider a day trip to Bryce National Park. Many great hiking trails there too.

At Lake Powell I would suggest the all day boat tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument and on another day the 1/2 day Float trip on the Colorado River from Page. When we did this tour, there was a 5 year old and he was having a blast!

The Upper Antelope Slots Canyon tour is an easy hike. So is the 3/4 mile Horseshoe Bend hike, but just watch the children once you reach the overlook...there are no guard rails and it's a long way down!

There are also beaches to swim in Lake Powell and you can take a tour of the Glen Canyon Dam.

Utahtea

I am planning a trip to Zion in June and as of yesterday Zion Tubing states you must be 14 or older to tube..

Great that you are taking your youngsters on a vacation! We have good memories of many camping/sightseeing trips with our three now in their 40s. utahtea knows the area and has good ideas, some connected to water. I would think that in the summer you will want to mostly keep cool, even if that means much time in the pool. I remember one summer when we suffered under the hot sun at The Arches (much better this March on our return visit).

Grandfatherly advice: remember that while you may want to hike and view rocks those kids aren't going to want to do much, and may want to watch TV, video games, read, in airconditioned rooms. And of course snack. So why not strike a bargain: let's do this and then do that. You already know when your two are likely to get tired and cranky! Don't try too much per day.

ozarksbill

travelina,

Did you call to find out about the age and tubing? The website doesn't mention age. My boys were doing it a LOT younger than that! I wonder if they are allowed to ride with a parent on the same tube?

http://www.ziontubing.com/rivertube%20rentals.htm

If nothing else, you can always go for a dip in the Virgin River to cool off.

Ozarkbill,

I guess DH and I were lucky with our boys. They usually liked doing what we liked. Occassionally we stayed at a campground with a pool and they did enjoy that too, but we hardly ever had TV...they could get that at home.

Utahtea

We took our Upper Antelope Slots Canyon tour last year with Antelope Slot Canyon Tours. Here is their web site: antelopeslotcanyontours.com

I recommend them. You might want to email Chief Ray Tsosie and ask if he can make arrangements for you to have dinner at his home on the reservation. We went with three kids who ranged from 9 to 11 and they really enjoyed that.

I called to ask about any restrictions as I had heard the river level was high. They told me they are not allowing anyone under 14 due to the high water level. This was on May 27th. I will still check it out when we get there...

Actually, utahtea, our own three were real troopers at ages 7 & 8. I shouldn't have been negative. Our family took many a camping trip and enjoyed exploring rivers and history sites. and such. My response was in the direction of avoiding long drives and sightseeing. Pretty soon you will hear from the back seat "I'm bored." Our 3 kids were I think better travelers than our 3 grandkids.

ozarksbill

Will be in Lake Powell for three days in July with a total of four adults and four children rangeing from ages 6 to 9. We are staying at Lake Powell Resort. Do you have any suggestions/tips for Power Boat & Personal Watercraft Rentals? Any suggestion on what to do?

You can rent boats etc from the marina there but it is very expensive and may already be sold out.