After months of coordinating schedules, packing lists, and debating which snacks absolutely had to make the cut, we finally headed west for one of our favorite trips — a week of red-rock exploring, pool time, and nonstop family laughter in Utah!
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Day 1: Travel Day to utah + A Much-Needed Pool Reset
We flew Allegiant into Vegas, grabbed our Turo, and made the scenic two-hour drive to Hurricane, Utah — our home for the week.
Once we unloaded, Walmart grocery delivery came in clutch (10/10 recommend on travel days). We grilled dinner, floated around in the pool, and basically melted into bed after being up since… way too early.
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Day 2: Zion Views, UTV Thrills & Bryce Canyon Magic
We kicked off the morning with breakfast in the big Airbnb kitchen before heading out around 8 a.m. for Orderville — a gorgeous 1.5-hour drive that takes you straight through Zion. One of those drives where you just keep saying “WOW” every five minutes.
Then it was time for our East Zion UTV canyon adventure… and oh my goodness, this was a CHECK-THE-BOX-OF-LIFE experience. We split into three Can-Ams, each with a guide, which meant they handled the wild off-roading and we just got to sit back, scream-laugh, and enjoy the ride.
The views were unreal — red-rock cliffs, rugged terrain, huge open desert stretches — and once we reached the slot canyons, we hopped out to explore on foot. The narrow sandstone walls with the light shining through? Actual postcard material.
After our two-hour adventure, we ate at Archie’s Food Truck nearby (recommended by our guide and he did not steer us wrong). Everything was delicious — exactly what we needed after bouncing around the desert all morning.
Next up: Bryce Canyon’s Mossy Cave Trail. It’s an easy, family-friendly .9-mile hike with beautiful views and a fun waterfall area. We wrapped up the day with tacos, card games, and more swimming at the house.
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Day 3: Hiking, Views & Real Dinosaur Footprints
We had a slow morning (aka: coffee + pool + no one rushing out the door), then the adults snuck away for a little hiking adventure.
We headed to the Red Reef Trail in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area — a 2.2-mile trail rated “hard,” but honestly it was more “workout with incredible scenery.” We made it about three-quarters in, climbing, finding water holes, and just enjoying the whole thing.
Right near it is Silver Reef Trail, where we spotted actual dinosaur footprints. So cool! The trail is short but steep, and the view from the top is worth every step. Entry was only $5, and these two trails ended up being unexpected favorites.
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Day 4: E-Biking Through Zion — A Trip Highlight
After a slow morning at the pool (theme of the week), we drove to Springdale for what might’ve been our favorite activity of the whole trip — a small-group e-bike tour through Zion.
The tour was three hours of pure magic. We rode through the most stunning sandstone landscapes, stopping at iconic spots like the Court of the Patriarchs and the Temple of Sinawava. The pace was super relaxed — perfect for all ages and skill levels — and our guide shared stories and fun facts about the park along the way.
Everything was provided: bikes, helmets, snacks… easy peasy. Kids ages 5–12 could ride as passengers, which made it such a fun, inclusive experience for our whole group.
We loved that we could stop, explore, and even circle back to favorite spots. After the ride, we grabbed gelato at Le Macaron (so good!) before heading back for more pool time, football on TV, and a very competitive cribbage showdown.
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Day 5: Coffee, Topgolf & Homeward Bound
We spent our last morning packing up and grabbing coffee from a local spot near the Airbnb. Since our flight wasn’t until later, we squeezed in one more stop: Topgolf Las Vegas, where Mondays are half-price. We snagged two bays side-by-side for some friendly family competition before turning in the Turo and heading to the airport.
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Final Thoughts
This trip checked every single box — adventure, relaxation, and so many moments that made us stop and say, “This is why we travel.”
From exploring national parks to hanging by the pool and cooking meals together, it was the perfect balance of doing things and doing nothing at all.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly destination with jaw-dropping scenery, kid-approved activities, and an easy travel experience, Southern Utah deserves a spot at the very top of your list.
