7 Great Adventures for Big Family Getaways
7 Great Adventures for Big Family Getaways
What makes the best Big Family Getaways?
Family can be…
With landscapes of river-carved canyons, towering hoodoos, multicolored mesas, natural amphitheaters, and sparkling waterfalls, Utah is an incredible vacation destination for families, friends, groups, and adventure seekers. Adventure activities like hiking, biking, white water rafting, kayaking, and more await you on a vacation of a lifetime! Our guided Utah vacations offer you the opportunity to be active, outdoors, make new friends, a create lasting memories. With small group sizes, endless personal touches from start to finish, and expertly trained guides our all-inclusive departures will surprise and inspire any age!
Read about North America's National Parks, and learn from the experts!
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
Activity Level 1
Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.
You'll typically experience two half day activities per day, done at an easygoing pace.
Activity Level 2
Hikes on our Level 2 adventures are considered easy to moderate in difficulty.
Those who enjoy half-day hikes with enough elevation gain to elevate their heart rate will enjoy these adventures.
Activity Level 3
Those who take on our Level 3 tours are looking for more challenging hikes that will raise their heart rate.
While not our most strenuous trips, you'll definitely feel accomplished after a day on the trails. A solid base of fitness is advised.
Activity Level 4
Be prepared for some serious physical activity on our Level 4 trips. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it, as most hikes will be challenging.
Hikes may include rock scrambling, river crossings, and off trail adventures.
Activity Level 5
On our Level 5 trips get ready to conquer back-to-back days of long hikes or summitting peaks at altitude.
We require a high level of fitness as adventurers will be met with plenty of challenges and sometimes extreme conditions.
Utah has some of the most varied terrain in the United States. The same can be said for Utah’s weather. Snowfall can top over 500 inches in the winter in certain mountain areas, while in the summer, parts of the state can top 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and fall bring every type of weather imaginable. For us, our pick for the best time to visit Utah is the fall, when you can expect comfortable daytime temperatures and cool evenings.
This time of year tends to be the most unpredictable. Wet and windy one day, sunny and calm the next day. The desert areas will be the greenest during the spring. May is a great time to visit the national parks in the state as the average day time temperate is 82-86 degrees!
Summer you will find the need for the most sunscreen! Temperatures range from daytime of upward 100 F in July/August and a low of 66 F in July/August in the evening so you will still need to plan to bring a light jacket.
Ah, the cooler temperatures start to return. Daytime highs are a comfortable 75-80 degrees during the day in September and October, but you should pack a jacket, hat, and gloves for the evening temperatures of 45-55 degrees. You can encounter light snowfall in the higher parks like Bryce Canyon National Park in late September during this time of year.
Winter snowfall provides excellent skiing and adds a new beauty to the already gorgeous landscape. The average daily temperature will range around 34 degrees if you’re in the mountains or 55 degrees if you are hanging out in St George, Utah.
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When it comes to planning for your Utah vacation, it helps to prepare for the desert climate and a land of extremes. Here are a few of our tried-and-true tips of what to have on hand and how to plan for your Utah vacation:
In a desert environment, the summer months can be hot and dry with temperatures in July and August around 100 degrees F, so it is essential to drink plenty of water. Be sure to keep your water bottle handy and drink from it often. There are several filling stations located throughout the parks to ensure that your bottle stays full and of course, your adventure guide always has extra water on hand to ensure everyone is hydrated.
When you’re in Utah, plan to dress in layers. The elevation can change from 2,860 feet in St. George to 9,115 feet at Rainbow Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, which is only about a 2-hour drive north. We recommend conversion pants (pants that zip off into shorts when you need), and long sleeve outer layer with a short sleeve layer underneath. A hat with a brim is also an essential item to bring along or bandanna to cover your neck/head from the sun.
Sunscreen is very important whenever you are enjoying the outdoors. Utah boasts upwards of 300 days of sunshine each year, and the ultraviolet rays from the sun will burn you easier at higher elevations, so you’ll want to stay extra protected. SPF 30 “broad-spectrum” sunscreen will provide protection from both ultraviolet A and B rays. Reapply approximately every two hours or as indicated on the label.
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Having traveled to Utah for years, we’ve learned a few things along the way. We’re happy to share a few fun facts and interesting features of Utah with you:
Utah is called The Beehive State. The nickname comes from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or Mormons, who first settled in the territory. “Deseret,” in The Book of Mormon is a honeybee. Early Mormon settlers have been described as having carried “swarms of bees” with them. This nickname commemorates the industry of the people of Utah.
Utah’s annual rainfall varies greatly from less than five inches in Utah’s arid Great Salt Lake Desert to more than 60 inches in the northern mountain ranges.
Utah is a landscape photographer’s paradise. You have sandstone arches, tall pillar hoodoos, spires, towers, slot canyons, river gorges, canyon walls and shadows, silky water moving through carved and rusted canyons, weeping rocks, green forest, etc. It truly is a photographer’s dream!
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Limited Time Offer — Book by June 15
Make 2025 your year to experience an unforgettable national park adventure vacation. Save 20% on all 2025 North America trips* and wander the lesser-known corners of Yellowstone and beyond, explore the wild beauty of the sundrenched Southwest, or venture north to Alaska or Banff for epic adventure moments.
Where will you roam next? Explore all 2025 North America adventures and family vacations and find your perfect trip saving a huge 20%. Be quick before spots fill up!
*T&Cs apply – see here for details.
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.