Petrified Forest State Park with Kids: Escalante, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 28, 2021 | Desert, Hiking, Southern Utah, Utah, Water

Petrified Forest State Park with Kids: Escalante, Utah

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park with Kids is a must-see stop when exploring Grand Staircase Escalante Monument in Utah with your family. Walk through geological history as you explore colorful, 150 million year old petrified wood on the Petrified Forest Nature Trail or escape the southern Utah heat in the cool waters of Wide Hollow Reservoir.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard (Ranges from Very Easy to Moderate depending on what you are doing)

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: 0.1 to 3 miles
Hiking Elevation Gain: Flat to steep, depending on the hike
Terrain: Sand, rocks, petrified wood, reservoir
Time Needed: An hour to few days
When to Go: spring, summer, fall

COST

$6 Day use fee

$20 – $28/Night if camping

AMENITIES

Flush toilets
Showers
Camping
Water
Reservoir for swimming/boating/kayaking/fishing
Picnic tables
Paddle boards/kayaks for rent
Town of Escalante minutes away with gas stations and small grocery stores.

THINGS TO BRING

Camping gear if camping
Water/sand toys
Paddle boards/kayaks if you own them
Life jackets
Good hiking shoes/gear
Dogs allowed

DETAILS

Visiting Petrified Forest State Park with kids is a great way to learn about geology and have some fun at the same time. It is also a perfect base camp for visiting Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. You can stop here for a few hours to explore the petrified wood or cool off in the reservoir or stay several days. We stayed three nights and wished we had a few more days to spend.

The town of Escalante is located just a few miles from Petrified Forest State Park. Within the town of Escalante there are visitor’s centers and historical sites as well as access to gas stations and small grocery stores. It was nice to be near some civilization, we were able to grab some eggs for breakfast we had forgotten and slushies to help us cool off.

Petrified wood at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

Petrified Forest State Park is definitely somewhere we will stay again. We loved that we were near the many outdoor adventures of Grand Staircase Escalante Monument. There are endless outdoor adventures in this 1 million acre protected area. We were able to explore the Spooky and Peak-a-boo slot canyons within the monument during our stay. These slot canyons were absolutely incredible and such a surreal experience.

Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (1 hour away)

Things to Do

Petrified Wood Viewing

Petrified wood can be found in a viewing area near the nature trail trailhead. An entire tree is displayed as well as several pieces. This area is great for any age and is ADA accessible. There is also a large petrified tree near the main bathrooms. You can also hike the Nature Trail and the Trail of Sleeping Rainbows to see more.

Water Recreation

Wide Hollow Reservoir is located within Petrified Forest and is a refreshing place to escape the southern Utah heat. It is nestled along the layers of red and white rock providing a one of a kind scenic backdrop.

The beach area of the reservoir is located across the reservoir from the entrance and the campground. We drove to the beach from the campground because it is probably about a half mile walk.

We had so much fun playing in the sand, swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding. We own paddle boards and kayaks, but there are also rentals if you don’t have your own at Float Werks Rental located just outside the park. The views while paddle boarding and kayaking were absolutely stunning. I definitely recommend doing this if you have time.

There is a dock and boat launch located right next to the camping area near the entrance of the park. We had fun dock jumping for the first time. There were several boaters while we were there water skiing.

Hiking

Petrified Forest Nature Trail is a 2 mile trail that leads to several deposits of petrified wood. The trailhead is located next the main parking lot just after the park entrance. This trail is a steep upward climb for the first quarter mile.

It levels out for a loop on a plateau where you can view a few deposits of petrified wood and then descends a quarter mile on the same trail back to the beginning. There are points of interest numbered and marked along the way. We enjoyed following along with a handout from the trailhead to learn about each point of interest.

Off the Nature Trail there is an additional ¾ mile loop called Trail of Sleeping Rainbows. This trail descends into a steep ravine and then back up to connect into the Petrified Forest Trail. The ravine area has the best and most petrified wood deposits in the park. Definitely worth the steep decline and ascent.

Camping

There is a small 20 site campground located within Petrified Forest State Park. We stayed three nights and had plenty to do within the park as well as in the surrounding Escalante National Monument. This is a place we will stay in again. We loved the beautiful red rock backdrop and lake scenery.

Most of the camping spots have shade provided by a nearby tree or a built in shade structure. We stayed in campsite number W108. The scenery was beautiful at this site but the tent area wasn’t big enough for our tent so we had to set up our tent on part of the parking spot. The restrooms were well kept and warm showers were available.

The campground at Petrified Forest State Park books on a 4 month rolling basis. I recommend planning ahead and booking 4 months in advance if you are able. The campground fills up quickly in the late spring and early summer.

Grand Staircase Escalante Monument

There are endless adventures in this more than one million acre national monument. While staying at the Petrified Forest State Park we explored the Peak-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. These were absolutely incredible. There are dinosaur tracks, waterfalls, and other hikes and slot canyons nearby.

Hisotrical Sites

There are several historical sites and points of interest within the city of Esclante including the Escalante Heritage Center and the Escalante Interagency Vistor’s Center.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Water activities nearby to help escape summer heat
Central location to explore Grand Staircase Escalante Monument
Shade structures available
Water rentals available
Beautiful scenery
Petrified wood viewing

CONS

Hot in summer for hiking – start early morning or go in evening
Campground is small and fills quickly

DIRECTIONS

Utah’s Petrified Forest State Park is located off of scenic highway 12 just a couple miles northwest of the town of Esclante, UT. Put Petrified Forest State Park, UT in your GPS device to get to the right location.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Petrified Forest State Park official page

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURE

Upper Calf Creek Falls (30 mins)

Devils Garden (30 mins)

Kodachrome State Park (50 mins)

Twenty Mile Dinosaur Trackway (50 mins)

Peek-a-boo and Spooky Slot Canyons (1 hour)

Bryce Canyon National Park (1 hour)

Willis Creek Slot Canyon (1 hour)

Anasazi State Park Museum (1 hour)

Capital Reef National Park (90 minutes)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.

Hiking the Narrows with Kids: Zion National Park, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 28, 2021 | Featured Posts, Hiking, National Parks, Southern Utah, Utah, Water

Hiking the Narrows with Kids: Zion National Park, Utah

Hiking the Narrows with kids may seem intimidating but it is an amazing adventure that can be tailored to fit almost any family and skill level. The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah is world famous for its river scenery between tall red rock walls. It is a must-see when visiting southern Utah and Zions National Park. And yes, The Narrows are just as amazing as the pictures you see on Instagram.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard (Ranges from Easy to Very Hard depending on how far you hike)

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 2 to 10 miles, out-and-back
Elevation Gain: Flat to 300 ft
Terrain: Water hiking, paved trail for first mile, rocks, shade,
Time Needed: 1 hour to all day, depending on how far you hike
When to Go: Late spring, summer, early fall

COST

$35 for seven day Zion National Park Pass. Check current entrance fee on Zion National Park page.

Free if you have a 4th grader: Get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass.

AMENITIES

Bathrooms and water available at trailhead
Restaurants at base of the park in Springdale, Utah
Camping within the park near the Narrows at South and Watchman Campground
Hotels, Airbnb’s and bed & breakfasts in Springdale and

Note on Lodging and Campgrounds: Campgrounds and hotels fill quickly around Zion National Park. I recommend booking your stay 6 months in advance. Other cities where lodging is available within one hour of Zion National Park: Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, St. George, Washington, Orderville, Glendale and Kanab.

THINGS TO BRING

Sturdy shoes that can get wet
Clothing that can get wet
Snacks and/or lunch
Water
Waterproof bag to carry valuable items, if desired
Waterproof phone case, if desired
Walking stick if desired for stability in water, if desired

DETAILS

Our hike with kids in The Narrows at Zion National Park was an unplanned adventure. I say this only to build your confidence that hiking The Narrows with kids can be done. If we did this unplanned, you can certainly hike The Narrows with your kids with a little planning.

Earlier in the day we had checked out the visitor’s center, hiked the Archeology Trail and gone to the museum. We decided to take the shuttle to the Temple of Sinawava which is the trailhead of the Narrows just to see what it looked like. A portion of the narrows can be viewed along a one mile paved trail via the Riverside Walk or you can venture further in by getting a little (or a lot) wet in the Virgin River.

Riverside Walk

The two mile round trip Riverside Walk is paved, ADA accessible and has educational signs alongside the trail. It provides beautiful views of the Virgin River and surrounding red rock walls. The Riverside Walk alone is worth it. We were in immediate awe when we first arrived, so we decided to walk along the Riverside Walk to continue enjoying the scenery.

Hiking The Narrows with Kids

As we came to the Virgin River at the end of the Riverside Walk, we considered our options–turn around and go back to our campsite or check out one of the most famous hikes in the world–we opted for the second choice.

So, yes with a 9, 8, 5 and 9 month old we hiked The Narrows in our tennis shoes and a few snacks. The kids loved walking in the clear river. It re-energized our tired legs.

I recommend hiking the narrows in sturdy water shoes or hiking shoes/tennis shoes that you can get wet. We all just hiked in our tennis shoes that we were already in from hiking earlier. Some people rent gear like water proof socks/and or shoes and walking sticks, but I do not think it is necessary to make this a good family hike. Those supplies might be more beneficial if making this a long all day hike. Like I said before this was a total unplanned hike for us and we did not have any difficulty.

Crossing the virgin river in the narrows

Our 9 month old was in a baby hiking carrier and I held my 5 year old’s hand. The older two kids did well hiking without assistance. The water wasn’t flowing fast so I wasn’t ever worried about anyone getting washed away in the river. Most of the time the water was just high enough for wading. There were some deeper pockets here and there but the water never got past my lower thigh. Water speed and depth will vary season to season and year to year.

The hike up the river takes a lot longer than the hike downward because you are going against the current. We hiked a lot along the rock walls because it provided a little stability for us. Some people were hiking with walking sticks due to all the uneven surfaces in the water.

Zion National Park will shut down the narrows if the river is too high or fast or if there is a flash flood warning. However, if you ever feel uncomfortable with the water level or speed of the river you can always turn around. There are areas along the way to get out of the river to rest and dry off a bit. You can check the current conditions of the Virgin River.

Around each bend of the river there would be a new beautiful scene. Each area was unique but equally incredible. The pictures you see online of the Narrows are really just as amazing in person.

We walked in the Virgin River for just over a mile before turning around making our round trip between 4 and 5 miles. You can hike up the Narrows starting from the Temple of Sinawava for up you nearly 5 miles (10 miles round-trip) until you hit Big Springs. To hike past Big Springs, you will need to obtain a permit months in advance.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need a permit to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not need a permit to hike up to 10 miles from the bottom trailhead at the Temple of Sinawava to Big Springs. This is plenty of miles for kids. If you would like to hike past Big Springs or take the 16 mile hike from the top down, you do need a permit. My guess is that most families with kids won’t need a permit.

Do I need specialized equipment to hike The Narrows?

No. You do not have to have specialized equipment to hike The Narrows. However, it can be helpful if you are hiking several miles up The Narrows. We did not hike with any specialized equipment because it was an unplanned hike for us.

When we hike The Narrows again, we will bring our waterproof backpack and waterproof phone case. We won’t get the specialized equipment from the local outfitter companies.

Waterproof socks, shoes, and walking sticks can be rented from several places in Springdale. Here are a few.

Zion Narrows Outfitting

Zion Adventures

Zion Outfitter

Do I need to ride the shuttle to hike The Narrows?

Most likely yes. Between mid February and late November, you will need to ride the shuttle from the visitors center to reach Temple of Sinawava, which is the starting point for The Narrows hike. I don’t recommend hiking The Narrows with kids in the winter time due to cold temperatures.

You may also need to ride the Springdale shuttle just to get to the Visitor’s Center depending on where you are able to find a parking lot.

On weekends and holidays and other peak times there can be long shuttle waits (sometimes a couple hours). Plan accordingly. Avoid trying to catch the shuttle from the Visitor’s Center between 8am and noon. Get up early or hike in the afternoon.

Check out the National Park Service Shuttle page for shuttle schedules.

Is there toxic bacteria in the Virgin River?

Sometimes yes. Zion National Park monitors Cyanobacteria in the Virgin river and other streams within the park. Even if there is a Cyanobacteria bloom during your visit, most of the time it is only toxic if ingested. Check the National Park Service Current Conditions site to see if if this is an issue before you visit.

PROS & CONS

PROS

World famous scenery
Cool in the summer months because of the shade and water
Can adjust to your family’s wants – short or long

CONS

Zion National Park is a heavily visited park – need shuttle tickets and book lodging well in advance.
Rocks can get slippery, easy to fall into the water
Not recommended in winter with kids because of the cool water temperatures

DIRECTIONS

Zion National Park is located in southeastern Utah. The Narrows hike begins 8 miles from the park entrance along Zion Canyon Scenic Dr. During the spring, summer and fall you will need to take the park shuttle at the base of Zion National Park to access the Narrows.

During the winter months you can drive right to the trailhead in your own vehicle, however I do not recommend getting in the water at this time of year with kids due to the temperature of the water. During winter-time stay on the paved Riverwalk Trail.

MAPS

The official Narrows hike begins at the end of the Riverside Walk. Start your Narrows hike at the Riverside Walk Trailhead, after 1 mile you will reach the Virgin River.

MORE INFO

Zion National Park official site

The Narrows official page by ZNP

Fresh of the Grid: How to Hike the Narrows with Gear you Already Own

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Other hikes within Zion National Park (minutes away)

Sand Hollow State Park (1 hour)

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (1 hour 10 min)

Snow Canyon State Park (1 hour 20 min)

Bryce Canyon National Park (1 hour 20 min)

North Rim of the Grand Canyon (2 hour 20 min)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

How to Find Sunstones in Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 27, 2021 | Desert, Utah

How to Find Sunstones in Utah

Finding Sunstones in Utah is not hard if you know where to go and what to look for. Watch the ground glitter in the sun from sunstones left by an ancient volcanic eruption at Sunstone Knoll. This unique site, located just outside Delta, Utah contains a vast ground sprinkled with tiny yellow-colored sunstones, just waiting for you and your family to collect.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: VERY EASY Easy Moderate Hard Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: Short walk
Elevation Gain: 100 feet or so to the top of knoll or flat if you stay below knoll
Terrain: Dirt and rocks, broken glass
Time Needed: 15 minutes to 1 hour
When to Go: Anytime of the year when its sunny. Make sure to go when its sunny so it is easier to see the sunstones.

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No bathrooms or water at Sunstone Knoll but Delta is only about 20 minutes away and has gas stations and grocery stores.

THINGS TO BRING

Sunscreen, trail exposed
Bucket for gathering
Shovel, if desired
Pick-axe or hammers, if desired
Water, especially in summer months
Snacks
Sunscreen (no shade
Dogs allowed

DETAILS

We love hunting for rocks and minerals! After hunting for fossils during social distancing of COVID-19 we went searching for Sunstones at Sunstone Knoll, near Delta Utah.

Sunstone Knoll was a volcanic vent formed around 1 million years ago and is only about 20 minutes south of Delta, Utah. The susnstones are yellowish in color and range in size from 1/8 to 1 inch. The best place to find sunstones is on the east side of the knoll.

We spent 30 minutes gathering the small sunstones all over the ground. You can also break rocks open to find more, but there were plenty of small stones on the ground for us to gather easily with kids. Make sure to go on a clear sunny day so you can see the sunstones glitter the ground. You cant see the glittering from the picture but they were glittering for us.

We took a short walk to the top of the knoll where you get a 360 degree view of the Great Basin area. Even our 2-year-old could climb to the top.

There is a lot of broken glass in the area which look a lot like the sunstones, so make sure your little kiddos (or adults) aren’t picking up broken glass, unless you are helping clean up to throw it away.

The knoll can be visited any time of the year, however the area is very hot in the summer with highs averaging in the 90s. We visited in March. The area might be covered in snow at times during the winter. Check weather forecasts before you go.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Easy and fun for kids
Does not take a lot of time

CONS

Glass can be mistaken as sun-stones
No amenities on site
Not worth the long drive just for sun-stones, do other things in Delta in conjunction to make the trip worth it. This is why we rated this as 2 stars for fun.

DIRECTIONS

Sunstone knoll is a small hill in the middle of a flat desert 20 minutes south of Delta, Utah. It is located directly east of highway 257. You will need to drive across the train tracks off of highway 257 to access it.

The road from the highway to the knoll is dirt, but it should be accessible with most vehicles. Our van handled the dirt road just fine. You can either park your vehicle after you cross the tracks, where you will have to walk to the east side of the knoll, or simply drive around on the dirt road to the east side

MAPS

MORE INFO

Utah Geologic Survery

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

U-dig Fossils or Fossil Finding on BLM land (1 hour)

Paul Bunyan’s Woodpile hike (1 hour)

Fort Deseret (10 minutes)

Fort Deseret is also right off highway 257, about 10 miles outside of Delta. If you are traveling to Sunstone Knoll from the Delta area it will be off Highway 257 on the right side. Fort Deseret was built in 1965 during the Utah Black Hawk War to protect settlers against attacks of the local Ute Tribe. It is made of mud and straw and is still standing over 150 years later.

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Fossil Hunting: Delta, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 26, 2021 | Desert, Utah

Fossil Hunting: Delta, Utah

Fossil Hunting in Utah is a great way to dig into Utah’s rich geological history with your kids. You can find and keep your own fossils in fossil beds near Delta, Utah. This is where the classroom meets real-life and your kids can discover a love of geology and paleontology.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy MODERATE Hard Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Dirt, rocks, shale. Bumpy dirt road to access fossil area.
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
When to Go: Spring, Summer (morning or evening), Fall

COST

Free on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land.

U-Dig Fossil Quarry

There is a paid option up the road about a mile from the BLM land called U-dig Fossils. This private, 40 acre quarry provides tools and instructions on fossil hunting. We went fossil hunting when U-dig wasn’t open so I can’t speak to the success of fossil finding there. However, other blogs have mentioned that the overall fossil quality is better there than on the BLM land.

Prices at U-dig Fossils (as of April 2021):

2 Hours – Ages 7 to 16: $19 Age 17 and older: $33

4 hours – Ages 7 to 16: $33 Age 17 and older: $49

8 hours – Ages 7 to 16: $58 Age 17 and older: $90

Ages 6 and under are free with a paying adult

Personally, I think 2 hours is plenty of time to fossil hunt. Especially when you are in a paid quarry where there are more fossils.

AMENITIES

There are no bathrooms or water on BLM land. The closest amenities are about an hour away in Delta, UT. However, the U-dig quarry does have toilet facilities if you pay to find fossils.

THINGS TO BRING

Bucket
Shovel
Pickaxe or hammers
Lots of water, especially in the summer months
Snacks
Sunscreen, no shade in the area
Spare tire, just in case
If going to U-dig Fossils they will provide all the tools you need to find fossils.

DETAILS

During the social distancing of COVID-19 our family found out about a place to hunt for trilobites and fossils in Utah for free! So much fun!

This area is on BLM land, about 1-hour outside of Delta Utah. It is literally in the middle of nowhere, but don’t worry, I have directions, maps and GPS coordinates below. The last 45 minutes of the drive is on a dirt road. We take our mini-van everywhere and it did just fine on the dirt and gravel. Keep your eyes out for wild horses. We saw a few on the drive!

How to Find Fossils

The location for fossil hunting is in a ravine where the side of a hill has been visibly cut out by a tractor. There are mounds of rock where the side of the hill has been removed, exposing layers of shale.

There are a few different methods to find fossils

1) Simply pick up pieces of shale that is already broken and inspect to see if you find a fossil. This is how we found the majority of ours.

2) Break apart the shale with your hands to find fossils in between the layers of hardened mud.

3) Using a shovel, hammer or pickaxe you can chip away at shale that is either still attached to the hill or larger pieces that are on the ground.

We spent only an hour looking and found many plant fossils, one full trilobite and several imprints of trilobite fossils. A couple of my kids spent most of the time just climbing up the shale hill, only spending a few minutes looking, and they still found a few fossils.

A bit of patience is required to find quality fossils. Our 10 year old had this patience and was able to find a whole trilobite.

This is a great family adventure because it is fun and easy for the entire family. My kids love learning about rocks, minerals and fossils so it was so fun to be our own paleontologists and geologists for the day instead of just seeing fossils in a museum.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Fairly easy to find fossils
Fun place to explore
Free!!
Paid quarry near-by

CONS

Long drive on a mildly bumpy dirt road
No amenities nearby unless going to private quarry

DIRECTIONS

We went fossil hunting about 60 minutes west of Delta, Utah. The GPS coordinates are 39.345756,-113.275586. You can also follow my map below.

From Delta, head west on Highway 6 (also called Highway 50). You will turn north on a dirt road called Death Canyon Road. You will then follow this for about 45 minutes. Off Death Canyon Road you will see a fork in the road to the right, head to this fork and then take a left at this fork. The area we searched for fossils is about 0.1 miles off of this fork.

MAPS

To BLM Land

U-Dig Fossils

To get to the U-Dig Fossils private quarry, stay on Death Canyon Road for another mile after the BLM quarry. There will be signage to direct you when to turn for the quarry.

MORE INFO

As I was looking at other blogs about trilobite hunting afterward, I found that there is another BLM quarry about 1 to 2 miles from where we were hunting that looks awesome. I wish I would have known about it before we went. Follow this link for info and directions to the additional location. Also, here is the approximate GPS coordinates: Lat: 39 Deg 21′ 29″ N and Long: 113 Deg 15′ 58″ W.

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Rock hounding for sunstones at Sunstone Knoll (1 hour)

Great Basin National Park (1.5 hours)

Fort Deseret State Park (1 hour)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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Alien Tower Hike: Draper, Utah

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 21, 2021 | Hiking, Mountains, Utah

Alien Tower Hike: Draper, Utah

The Alien Tower Hike leads to the top of a small peak with an old a-frame, metal structure and amazing 360 degree views of the Wasatch Mountains and valleys below. It is a dog and family-friendly, out-and-back hike, that gains 538 feet over 2.5 miles, and is well worth the trek.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy MODERATE Hard Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Hiking Distance: 2.5 miles round trip
Hiking Elevation Gain: 540 ft
Terrain: Dirt trail, rocks, exposed trail,
Time Needed: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
When to Go: Spring, Summer (morning or evening), Fall

COST

Free

AMENITIES

There is a single port-a-pottie at the trail-head. The closest gas station is a Chevron, 4.5 miles from the trail-head on Highland Drive in Draper, UT.
There is a water fountain at Maple Trailhead Park just north of the Alien Tower Hike. It is only on during the summer months.

THINGS TO BRING

Sunscreen, trail exposed
Water
Snacks
Dogs allowed. There is an off leash area on the trail.

DETAILS

The Alien Tower hike is a fun, free adventure in Draper, Utah. We hiked to the Alien Tower in early spring with an 11, 9, 7 and 2 year old. We had fun making up stories about aliens and how the tower got to the top of the mountain.

Trailhead

The Alien Tower hike begins from a small parking area at the end of Deer Ridge Drive in Draper, Utah. If there is not enough parking near the trail head, Maple Trailhead Park is directly adjacent on the north side and has a few parking stalls. There is a trail that connects Maple Trailhead Park to the Alien Tower Trailhead if you park there or you can just walk from the park to the Alien Tower Trail via the sidewalk.

There is a chain blocking the large trail to restrict motorized vehicles from entering. This is where the hike begins.

The Hike

There are two main route options to get to the alien tower but they begin from the same place. After a few minutes on the main trail there is a trail to the left that heads south. We followed this route. However, you can continue on the main trail where the off leash dog area is. Each route leads to the alien tower.

There are a few different trails that emerge from the trail that we followed but they do all end up coming back to the trail that takes you to the Alien Tower. The off leash dog area and the most direct route merge together before the final ascent to Alien Tower.

We enjoyed coming up with stories about aliens and what the alien tower might be used for. There is a twin alien tower on the top of Lake Mountain, near Saratoga Springs and maybe aliens use the two towers for communication. 😉

The Alien Tower

The alien tower is a-frame metal structure and marks the turn-around point at the top for the hike. We took a break here for a snack, enjoyed the views and pointed out landmarks that we know.

The views at the top are breathtaking of Utah and Salt Lake Counties, as well as the Great Salt Lake and Utah Lake. The views of Mount Timpanogos and several other mountain tops create a beautiful back-drop. This would be an amazing sunset hike.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on this trail and there is a specific area where dogs are allowed off leash that is well marked. There was a lot of dog waste along the path. Please clean up after your dog if you bring one.

The distance and climb make it a great hike for families. It is not too short and not too steep, but there was still enough climbing to get couple minor complaints from our youngest daughter. According to my GPS, the hike was closer to 2.8 miles. There are not any trail markers along the way so you can follow the All Trails route.

PROS & CONS

PROS

Beautiful views of Salt Lake and Utah County Valleys
Fun destination to Alien Tower
Family friendly: Not too steep or long for kids

CONS

Can become crowded with hikers, mountain bikers and dogs
Lots of dog poo on the trail

DIRECTIONS

The trailhead is officially called Deer Ridge Offleash Dog Trailhead on google maps, but there is not a sign that calls the trailhead this. The address is 1455 Deer Ridge Dr, Draper, UT 84020. Type Deer Ridge Offleash Dog Trailhead in google maps or the exact address to get you to the starting point.

We pulled up the map from All Trails to get directions to the trail head and follow the actual trail to make sure we were going the most direct route.

There are a few different ways to get to the alien tower, we took the most direct route taking a left at the first fork in the road. You can make this hike slightly longer by adding in a loop.

MAPS

MORE INFO

All Trails

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Rocky Mouth Waterfall Hike (10 minutes)

Draper Suspension Bridge (15 minutes)

Horsetail Falls Hike (30 minutes)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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How to Hike Delicate Arch with Kids

by Outdoor Fam Fun | Apr 16, 2021 | Desert, Featured Posts, Hiking, National Parks, Southern Utah, Utah

How to Hike Delicate Arch with Kids

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park is an iconic Utah symbol and is a must-see when living in or visiting Utah. Visiting Delicate Arch with kids is very doable with a little preparation and determination. To see Delicate Arch up-close you will need to hike 3 miles on Utah red rock. This guide will help your plan your hike to Delicate Arch with kids.

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty: Very Easy Easy Moderate HARD Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 3.1 miles round trip
Elevation Stats: Trailhead: around 4000 ft above sea level, Elevation gain: 680 ft
Terrain: Sand and slickrock, steep areas, some drop-offs, exposed trail
Time Needed: 1.5 to 3 hours
When to Go: Spring, Fall, Winter (weather permitting). Before 9 am or after 3pm during peak season (spring and fall) and on weekends. Park closes entrance when it reaches capacity. Check if park is at capacity before you go on the Arches National Park page.

COST

$30 for seven day Arches National Park Pass. Check current entrance prices on Arches National Park page.

Free if you have a 4th grader: Get your Every Kid Outdoors Pass.

AMENITIES

Vault bathrooms at trail head, but NO water
Water and restrooms available at park entrance visitors center
Restaurants located in Moab, just 5 miles south of the park entrance
Campgrounds in Arches National Park or in the Moab area.
Hotels in Moab, UT

Note on Hotels and Campgrounds: Moab campgrounds and hotels fill quickly, especially in spring and fall. I recommend booking your stay 6 months in advance.

THINGS TO BRING

Sunscreen
Water (1 to 2L per person)
Snacks
Hiking shoes

DETAILS

This world-famous, majestic sandstone arch is 46 feet high, 32 feet wide and is the largest free standing arch within Arches National Park. It is worth the three mile hike with kids to see. Delicate Arch was on my 4th-grade daughter’s bucket list. She learned about it in school and begged to visit since.

We visited Arches National Park over Memorial Day weekend. This is a very busy weekend, but we were still glad we went. Be prepared for crowds and a 30 to 60 minute wait to get into the Park if going on a holiday or peak season weekend in spring or fall. Arches will turn away people if it reaches capacity. If you are visiting during these times, I recommend entering Arches by 9am or after 3pm so you are not turned away and minimize the wait time to enter.

Trailhead

Grab a map at the entrance to the park or follow my map in the MAPS section to get to the trailhead. The trailhead is located at the Wolf Ranch Parking lot which is 13 miles from the park entrance. Finding a parking spot can be difficult if visiting at a peak time. Try to hike in the morning, later afternoon or evening. The trailhead is located on the east side of the parking lot near the bathrooms.

The Delicate Arch hike begins with a flat sandy path that then leads to an upward climb on hardened sandstone slickrock. Before the slickrock begins there is a historical cabin and petroglyphs. After walking 0.2 miles from the trailhead you will see signs for the Petroglyph Interpretive Trail. Follow this trail for petroglyph viewing. It will loop around and hook back into the main Delicate Arch Trail.

The Hike

There are usually a large amount of people hiking Delicate Arch so don’t worry about getting lost. Just follow the masses up the slickrock. The slickrock area contains most of your elevation gain. We hiked with our kids and cousins with ages ranging from 1 to 10. Kids 3 and under were in hiking carriers. The one 4 year old did really well over all and just needed a piggy back ride for about a half mile on the slick rock. Make sure to take snack and water breaks with your kids.

The trail is completely exposed and many people who hike this aren’t use to the high elevation and elevation gain. Delicate arch sits around 4600 feet above sea level.

There are some drop-offs as you get closer to the Arch. When there are drop-offs on any trail, I have my kids keep one hand on the wall at all times to keep them far away from the edge. My husband and I also split up during hikes, one in the front and one in the back, so that the kids are in-between both of us at all times.

Delicate Arch

Once you come to the Delicate Arch you can view the Arch from a distance or get up close by walking along the top of the “bowl” formation. There is quite a bit of wind at the top as you can tell from some of the pictures with all our hair in our faces.

The “bowl” is a large, circular drop directly in front of the Arch. This is something you don’t want to fall into so keep your kids near the top. You can stand under the arch if you want however, there is usually a line of people trying to take a picture underneath.

After you are finished at the arch, you simply turn around and re-trace your steps back to the trailhead. The way back is easy because you are going down the same 600 foot elevation change that you just climbed up.

Hiking Delicate Arch at Night

My husband and I actually left the kids with grandma that same night and snuck away to see the arch again with no moon and a sky full of bright stars. We were able to sit directly under the arch for as long as we wanted without having to quickly move for someone else to get a picture. One of the most surreal hikes I have been on. The pictures below don’t do this experience any justice.

If you would like to Hike Delicate Arch at night, I recommend hiking it earlier in the day so you get a feel for where you are going. I was glad we did the hike just a few hours before so that we knew where to go in the dark. My husband and I hiked solo without kids. If you choose to bring your kids to Delicate Arch at night, I would probably only bring older kids and teens.

PROS & CONS

PROS

World famous arch
Close to countless other amazing hikes, scenery and outdoor adventures
Difficult, but not too difficult of a hike for kids
Petroglyph viewing near trailhead

CONS

Can become crowded at the top of the hike around Delicate Arch
Hot in summer (100 degree weather) and there isn’t any shade
Some steep drop offs around near and around Delicate Arch
Park reaches capacity frequently and you may need to come back at a later time to enter Arches National Park

DIRECTIONS

Delicate Arch hike is located 13 miles inside Arches National Park. The entrance to Arches National Park is located just 5 miles north of Moab, UT on Highway 191. Once in the park, follow the main road to the second fork, turn right at this turn. There is plenty of signage on the road to direct you to the Delicate Arch hike. The trailhead is located on the east side of the Wolfe Ranch/Delicate Arch parking lot. You can also follow my map below.

MAPS

MORE INFO

Arches National Park Official Page

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Arches National Park Hikes
Canyonlands National Park (30 minutes from park entrance, 1 hour from trailhead)
Dead Horse Point State Park (35 minutes from park entrance, 1 hour from trailhead)

ABOUT

Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.

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