Spring Break: Moab with Kids
I’ve lived 3 hours from Moab, Utah for the majority of my life. And I’m embarrassed to say that before this weekend, I had never been! So not only was it my kids’ first Moab visit, but it was also mine! And let me tell you - it did NOT disappoint. And if you’ve ever considered taking young kids for an Arches National Park adventure - you 1000% should!
Thanks to lots of recommendations from friends and some research of my own, we planned a day of simple, age-appropriate adventures that were perfect for our little family! So here’s a snapshot of our trip and everything we covered in a quick weekend in Moab. I will say - we didn’t have the most intense itinerary in terms of high adventure. But if you’re looking for easy hikes perfect for younger kids, you’ve come to the right place!
Getting Started -
Before we get too far in, it’s important to note that Arches National Park is a national park that requires a pass upon entrance. Check out the National Park website to figure out which entrance pass is the right option for you and your family!
Tip - If you have a child in fourth grade, they might qualify for a FREE National Park Pass through the “Every Kid Outdoors” program.
Also, depending on the time of year, many national parks have a timed-entry reservation system. (As of right now, Arches requires a reservation if you’re visiting between April and October, although this could change at any time). Be sure to check the current requirements and get a reservation if necessary before you begin your adventure!
Just for Fun -
We all know I’m a sucker for a simple at-home activity. Sooo get your children excited about their upcoming adventure with some free coloring pages and other at-home activities! You can find lots of Jr. Ranger activities that are specific to each of the different National Parks online. Simply go to the National Park Website, search for the park you plan on visiting, and where it says “Learn about the Park” select “Kids & Youth” from the dropdown. If you’re looking for activities specifically for Arches, simply click here! (If you’re wanting coloring pages specifically, click here.)
Once you get to the actual park, be sure to stop at an information booth and ask for a Jr. Ranger Adventure Guide. They’re FREE and fun for the kids to start flipping through as you’re driving to and from each stop. If they complete five or more exercises and three adventures, they’ll earn a junior ranger badge and signed certificate!
And lastly, my kids loovvee collecting smashed pennies, so keep your eyes peeled for those! The information center we stopped at didn’t actually have one at that location but they told us where we could find the machines and they even had some available for purchase so that my kids could add their penny to the collection.
The Agenda -
Okay okay.. enough housekeeping! Let’s jump into the hikes we did with our little crew. Keep in mind, all of these are considered easy in terms of difficulty:
1. Balanced Rock - (0.3 mi roundtrip)
This was our first stop and it was a good one! Nothing too crazy! Mostly paved path. You get right up next to the GIANT rock! I will say, this is one of the first big stops after getting into the park, so first thing in the morning it tends to be a little busier. Consider stopping on your way out if it seems too busy on your way in.
2. Double Arch - (0.6 mi roundtrip)
This was unanimously our group’s absolute favorite stop! It was also the only time I was nervous with my littles, but that’s only because we chose to hike up into the arch as high as we could go. It didn’t seem steep as we were going up, but once I realized how high we were and how much I had to fight my kids from trying to run back down, my momma stress was definitely heightened! (Pun kind of intended ;))
That being said, the view from the tip-top was stunning. Highly highly recommend it! And you can for sure still enjoy the magnitude of the arch without climbing all the way to the top. This was where my kids started realizing how fun it is to climb on each boulder and feel like they’re on top of the world.
3. Windows - (1 mi roundtrip)
The trailhead to windows is just up a stair path and across a couple of parking lots from the Double Arch trailhead. We parked in one spot and did both trails!
Tip: There is a bathroom at both of these parking lots. In fact, there are bathrooms and garbage cans at each of the trails we visited, except for the Balanced Rock.
We spent quite a bit of time at this site. There are so many trails to explore and cool views from different perspectives! When first entering, the path splits into two sides, just know that they do connect. So regardless of which path you choose, you’ll be able to see both sides and views. This one does have a lot of stairs too, so although it’s paved and fairly easy to walk, be prepared for lots of stepping!
It was after this hike, my kids started getting hungry so we paused for bathroom breaks and lunch. We brought stuff to make sandwiches and picnicked in the back of our car! There are plenty of garbage cans near the bathrooms so we didn’t need to haul any of our garbage back out.
Tip: If we had continued on to the Delicate Arch for lunch rather than picnicking in the car, there would have been picnic tables. I didn’t see any at the previous stops we had made but there were a few right at the entrance to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail.
4. Delicate Arch Upper Viewpoint (0.5 mi roundtrip)
Delicate Arch is the most famous and recognizable arch in Moab. There is a hike that allows you to go directly to the arch - it’s just over 3 miles and is considered a moderately challenging hike. We chose not to do this one because of the age of my kids, their tendency to run unexpectedly, and their refusal to hold my hand. From what I’ve been told, there are a few points in the hike that have steep drop-offs that could be scary for really young kids like mine. If they’re willing to hold your hand and follow directions, you might consider doing the entire hike.
That being said, there are a couple of shorter viewpoint hikes that still allow you to see the arch from about a mile away. Not quite the same effect, but still fun! We chose the upper viewpoint. The trail was somewhat steep, but nothing too bad! It provided the best viewpoint without requiring the 3-mile hike. Out of every stop, this ended up being the least favorite. (For sure because of our own decision to just do the viewpoint rather than the entire hike. But felt like the right one for our family! We can’t wait to go back and do the actual hike when my kids are a bit older.)
Tip - Sunset is the most busy time to visit the Delicate Arch. If you want to avoid the most crowds, go earlier in the day!
5. Sand Dune Arch (0.5 mi roundtrip)
My kids called this the giant sandbox! This one was a close second favorite for everyone! And if we just polled the kids, it’d probably come in first place. Bring your sand toys, buckets, and shovels for this one because there is so much sand. And it just might be the softest sand I’ve ever felt!
We would have spent hours at this stop, but by the time we made it there the sun was just low enough that the entire area was shaded and it was really cold in the shade. So if you want to enjoy the sand in the sunshine, plan this stop as close to noon as possible! Regardless, bring some sand toys and let your kids play for a while. They will love it!!
It was for sure a lot to pack in one day but my kids did great! They’re 2 and 4 and they held their own really well. They were in their element looking for lizards and other creatures, running, climbing on rocks, and just exploring!** Bring plenty of snacks and water, plus sunscreen and other hiking essentials. But don’t put off going just because your kids are little. Just plan your schedule around their ages and let them have fun adventuring and making memories.
I know you won’t regret it! We already can’t wait to go back!
Cheers,
Meg
**It is important to note that they do ask you to stay on the trails to protect and preserve the natural sites. And although you can’t climb on any named arches, there are plenty of areas to run and climb that make a perfect playground for kids!
