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I'm so excited to have Megan from the Wild Blue Family here today to share all the fun we had hiking Yant Flat in Southern Utah. Read on for all the details and make sure to add Yant Flat to your Southern Utah bucket list. Hi, adventure friends! I’m Megan from the Wild Blue Family. We had the pleasure of going on an epic adventure in June with Arika to the fabled Candy Cliffs. Also called Yant Flat, these are located in Southern Utah just a stone’s throw away from Zion National Park. We were lucky to meet Arika through Instagram and plan our outing via email with our first actual meeting being on the trail. The trail certainly is a great way to get to know someone, isn’t it? We met up a couple of hours before sunset to begin our hike. It’s a little over a mile trek to the cliffs, and from there the exploring opportunities are limitless. You could go on for miles and miles. Shoes with good traction help a lot with navigating your way around the cliffs. If you’re looking to take your Candy Cliffs experience to the next level, consider exploring at sunrise or sunset. The sunset amplifies the oranges and reds on the cliffs and makes it truly breathtaking. I’m not sure how Arika planned such an epic sunset for our trip, but we’re so grateful! The kids were so inspired they even “tasted” the cliffs to see if they were as sweet as they appeared. The verdict? They taste as sweet as they look. Thank you, Arika, for a magical evening! LENGTH 2-7 miles round trip DIFFICULTY The trail to get to the candy cliffs is easy and family friendly with very little elevation gain. Exploring and navigating the rocks along the cliffs is a little more difficult. There are steep dropoffs in the area so it's important to keep a close eye on children. LOCATION Yant Flat is located in the Dixie National Forest near Hurricane and St George, Utah. Getting to Yant Flat is an adventure in and of itself. You follow a windy dirt road for miles and miles, going up and over foothills that quickly turn into mountains. It’s super scenic, and we didn’t see a single car the entire time. To get there use the Yant Flat Parking on google. Click here for map and directions. TRAIL DETAILS The mostly flat trail starts with soft sand along the lower forest at the base of Pine Valley Mountain. A mile in it the trail transitions to steep up/down slick rock when you get to the cliffs. There are two main sections to explore at the cliffs. The swirly rocks stretch for miles making it easy to spend as much or as little time as you would like hiking and exploring. Scroll down for tips and additional info. CHECK OUT THIS GREAT ITINERARY THAT INCLUDES YANT FLAT | THREE DAY IN SOUTHERN UTAH - WINTER RETREAT ITINERARY GOOD TO KNOW There are no bathrooms or water fill stations at the trailhead. TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO The ideal time to hike Yant Flat is September thru May. If planning to hike Yant Flats in the summer months make sure to go very early in the morning or later in the evening and bring plenty of water. There is no shade on this trail. A four-wheel drive vehicle is not needed for the bumpy dirt road to get to Yant Flat unless is has rained recently. Pack headlamps if you are going in the evening also bring plenty of snacks, water, and a can-do attitude. I’d recommend shoes with good traction, and have hands ready for holding as you navigate the cliffs with kids. HIRE AN OUTDOOR LOVING PHOTOGRAPHER TO FOLLOW ALONG ON YOUR ADVENTURE! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO MEET THE WILD BLUE FAMILY Our family is made up of Bryan, Megan, Stella, Kai and Aria. We love to explore wild places and are lucky to call Bozeman, Montana our basecamp. We’ve learned that our family is the strongest when we are exploring the great outdoors, together. Right beyond the edge of our comfort zone is where we prefer to be. After all, living within your comfort zone doesn’t keep your life safe – it keeps it small. We’ve seen firsthand how this has completely transformed our little family. Our goal with this website is to equip and inspire others (you!) to get outside and explore wild places, together. Follow their adventures and their popular INSTAGRAM or their WEBSITE.

I'm so excited to share with you my sweet friend Andrea from the family foodie blog Small You Can Eat. When it comes to finding the best spots to eat and ordering the best food on the menu, this girl knows her stuff. If you are planning a trip to Southern Utah and you want to know where to eat and what to order in St. George well, this girl has got you covered. Recently, my family and I took a long weekend getaway down to St. George. In addition to hiking, swimming, and splash pads, we ate our way around the St. George family dining scene. As a foodie family, it's what we do best and we wanted to share some of our favorite finds. We think there is a little bit for everyone -- from casual to downright adventurous! VIVA CHICKEN ST. GEORGE FAMILY DINING SCALE: CASUAL If you've ever frequented and loved Cafe Rio, Zupas, Noodles, or the like, Viva Chicken is for you! They serve family-style or individual portions of Peruvian style fare. The dipping sauces are not to be missed. The Aji Amarillo, the yellow sauce, is the mildest and referred to as a "crowd favorite." Next up is the green Huacatay sauce that "packs some heat." It is a delicious combo of mint, cilantro, and jalapenos. And last up is the Roasted Rocoto sauce that they lovingly label the "gringo killer" with its red Peruvian hot pepper base. Seriously, you will want to pour them over everything. Yes, they are great on the roasted chicken, but that cilantro lime rice is the perfect vehicle for these three sauces. If you need to keep trying all of them to decide which is best, we won't tell. We ordered the whole rotisserie chicken, which also comes with three sides for $23.95. We had heard on good authority that the plantains, rice, and green beans were tops. The green beans surprised me the most. Our son, Jude, loved them as did the rest of us! The whole chicken serves 3-4 adults and a toddler. You can see their menu here. ANGELICA'S MEXICAN GRILL ST. GEORGE FAMILY DINING SCALE : CASUAL AUTHENTIC Previously, Irmita's, this Mexican stop is one I could eat at daily. So tasty! If you go on Mondays, this 4 small taco special is $7.95. Definitely add a side of avocado and it will come like so... And then, you can add toppings from their salsa bar. If you want to try something besides the tacos, go for the mulitas! I mean, it's practically a taco quesadilla with the meat sandwiched between tortillas. And, try not to drink the salsa it's that good! See menu and visit their website here. PAINTED PONY ST. GEORGE FAMILY DINING SCALE: CASUAL FINE DINING This has long been a favorite restaurant in St. George. I was sold on the heirloom tomato BLT lunch special that came highly recommended. This is one restaurant where the lunch feels very different from dinner. They are both lovely, though the lunch is much more on the casual fine dining side and dinner sways toward true fine dining in both pricing and ambiance. Lunch entrees are around $10-$12 while dinner entrees are closer to $30. You can see their entire menu here. So, give it a go for lunch and see if you are ready to step it up for dinner later. We love the patio seating! The beet salad is a wonderful shareable to whet your palate and uses heirloom beets in this fun "gateau" presentation. Whether you select an appetizer or not, be sure to take a good look at their drink menu. Noteworthy are their Italian cream sodas and the raspberry iced tea that comes with fresh raspberries. These were both way too tasty! As for your lunch entree, I would highly recommend going with any special. There are also some tried and true sandwiches like this grilled tenderloin burger or the Spanish Dip sandwich. You get a choice of fries or side salad. I love fries as much as anyone, but this is one time you should go with the side salad. It is delicious! See menu and visit website here. XETAVA ST. GEORGE FAMILY DINING SCALE: ADVENTUROUS Let me preface this one by saying that if you are dining with infants in car seats or kids that are older and can sit in a regular chair, you can immediately proceed to go and bypass the adventurous label. The food at Xetava is incredible and should absolutely be a stop if you can swing it. There are NO high chairs or booster chairs, which is the sole reason this gets the adventurous rating from me. Our son is accustomed to a high chair and does fab in them. When it comes to lap sitting on a patio, he instinctually wants to get up and wander. Have I mentioned yet that the food is amazing? Everything we ordered was top-notch. This lemon dill salmon made a believer out of my stepdad and that is saying a lot from someone who doesn't usually love capers. The green curry mahi was also mwaaaah. The gyro and bread pudding also come highly recommended, though we haven't yet tried those ourselves. For the quality of food, the entree price range of $15-$20 is a steal! You can see everything they offer here. I feel a little guilty showing you this next entree as it was a special, but these fish tacos are the best I have ever tasted. My guess is that if there is a special, you should go for it! It worked out great to order a meal that was a little more interactive sans a highchair. Between lime squeezing and picking up the tacos, Jude sat through a lovely dinner on the patio. About Andrea I’m Andrea and this is my cute family that loves food as much as me. That is saying a lot! My hubby, Jared, has been my dinner date since 2001 (almost 17 years now!). And, our son, Jude, has been a gourmand-in-training for more than a year and a half. We started Small You Can Eat to detail our adventures in raising a foodie. Check out Andrea's foodie adventures in Salt Lake City on her blog Small You Can Eat and her Instagram. HIRE AN OUTDOOR LOVING PHOTOGRAPHER TO FOLLOW ALONG ON YOUR ADVENTURE! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Canyon Overlook in Zion National Park is a family-friendly trail on the east side of Zion that features big horn sheep sightings, caves (kinda) and one of the most breathtaking views in the park. It almost feels like cheating to get views like this with such an easy hike. LENGTH 1.25 miles round trip. DIFFICULTY This is an easy family friendly hike with very little elevation gain. Beware, there are steep drop-offs on this trail, so it is very important to keep an eye on your children at all times. HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER IN ZION + SOUTHERN UTAH - CLICK TO LEARN MORE TRAIL DETAILS The trail is mostly level, but in the very beginning there are some very short uphill switchbacks that the younger kiddos may need a bit of help with. It is important to note that even though this is a very kid friendly hike, there are plenty of spots along the trail and especially at the overlook that can be dangerous. Make sure your children stick to the trail and away from the edges. Plan to spend some time at the overlook enjoying the amazing views. LOCATION This trail is located on the east side of Zion, just east of the Carmel Tunnel. Click Here for exact location and directions. PARKING TIPS COMING FROM THE WEST SIDE When you come out of the Carmel Tunnel, there will be a small parking lot immediately to your right. I recommend pulling into that parking lot even if you don’t see any spaces available. There is a spot at the back of the lot where you can wait and see if something will become available soon. If it’s not looking good, you can pull out and go a little farther up the road, and there is a very small parking area to your left. Pull in there even if you don’t see anything and wait for something to oven up. If you go any further up the road you will have a decent walk to get to the trailhead. Scroll through for tips and additional info. TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO Keep an eye out for big horn sheep. They love to hang out in this area! Do this hike in the evening if possible. This is the perfect spot to watch the sun set behind the mountains! Have your kiddos use the restroom at the small parking lot before you head up the trail If you have some extra time, there is a short but very steep rocky dirt trail that starts at the small parking lot. Follow it down to explore a small slot canyon. Kinda fun! Wear good hiking shoes, bring water, and enjoy the views! If you have done the Canyon Overlook hike and have any tips or info we would love to hear from you in the comment section below. Happy Hiking, Arika CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS

Angeles Landing is a bucket list hike that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. Whether you brave the steep dropoffs and make it to the end, or you just go as far as you are comfortable with, this is a hike that will live on in your memory forever. NEW PERMIT INFO Because Angel's Landing is such an awesome hike it has become very popular and very crowded. When it get's too busy on the chains it makes hiking unsafe.....and not fun. So the park implemented a permit system starting April 1st 2022. The permits are issued quarterly or the day before. A FEW GOOD TIPS You do not need a permit to hike to Scout's Lookout (right before the chains). You only need a permit for the chain section. You can apply for permit from 12am - 3pm the day before. Visit the National Park website for more info and to get a tip CLICK HERE HIRE A PHOTOGRAPHER IN ZION + SOUTHERN UTAH - CLICK TO LEARN MORE LENGTH 4.8 miles round trip DIFFICULTY If you are looking for a good workout this is the hike for you. 1488 feet of elevation gain will leave your legs feeling like jello, but the views are more than worth it. I do not recommend this hike with young kids. With that being said, hiking to Scouts Lookout (the area before the chains) with kids is doable and totally worth it. Even halfway up the views are amazing!!! LOCATION This trail starts at The Grotto, shuttle stop #5. Cross the road, go over the bridge, go to the right and you are on your way. If you go to the left you will be on the Kayenta Trail. In the winter when shuttles are not going, there is a parking lot. Parking in the winter during the day will be hard to find. TRAIL DETAILS The start of the trail will take you along the Virgin River. As you veer away from the river, you will begin the switchbacks and intense elevation gain. Before you reach the first top section called Scout’s Lookout, you will get the joy (haha) of climbing 21 steep switchbacks known as Walter’s Wiggles. Scout’s Lookout offers some crazy beautiful views of the canyon from above. From here you will start on the real fun stuff.....the chains and steep dropoffs. As long as you hold on to the chains, go slow and are careful with your footing, there is nothing to be scared of. Getting to the end of the trail is exhilarating! The views are just so freaking amazing, and there is such a huge sense of accomplishment. I think this is one of the reasons that this trail is one that will stick in your head forever. Scroll through for tips and additional information. TIPS AND ADITIONAL INFO My tip for hiking Angels Landing in the summer without the crowds.....go for sunset!!! You will miss the last shuttle out of the park this way but if you take a bike into the park you will only have a 3 mile ride to get out of the park and back to your car. Start the hike about two hours before sunset and come down the chains when it is still light and pull out headlamps for the last leg of the hike. You can also ride your bike into the park super early in the morning and hike the first section of Angels Landing in the dark with head lamps and then hike up the chains when you get some sunlight light coming up but I like the sunset option a lot better. Use the bathrooms at the Grotto before you go up! I can not stress this enough. There are bathrooms at Scouts Lookout but believe me, you do not want to use these, and the park does not want you to either. Take plenty of water and snacks. There is a water fill station at the Grotto stop. If you are in good shape and keep a moderate pace you can complete this hike in 2.5 to 3.5 hrs. Good comfy hiking shoes with lots of traction will be your friend. A hiking stick might be a good option too for the downhill. ***Walter's Wiggles!!! I hope you have an amazing time hiking Angels Landing on your trip to Zion! Happy Hiking, Arika CHECK OUT THESE RELATED POSTS

Zion National Park has enough to see and do to keep travelers busy for days, even weeks but not everyone has that much time to spend so I invited a recent new friend Jen to share her 24 hour itinerary in Zion. If you are planning a quick trip to Zion with your family, this itinerary is sure to help you pack in the perfect amount of adventure, fun, and relaxation......next to a crackling fire. Read below for Jen's tips and itinerary for spending 24 hours in Zion. Zion is breathtaking! Living on the east coast, the landscape in Zion is unique and unfamiliar. It was an incredible opportunity for our family to explore and connect with nature. We loved climbing, playing in the Virgin River, and hiking to the Emerald Pools. For the kids, Zion was almost unexpected! From the moment we arrived the kids were in awe of the red rocks towering above them! They loved the opportunity to scale rocks, spotting squirrels and bighorn sheep in the park, going to the ranger talks, and earning park badges as part of the junior ranger program. WHERE WE STAYED March 29-30th we stayed at the Springhill Suites in Springdale for our 2-day visit in Zion National Park. The hotel is new and beautifully decorated in earth tones. It is also conveniently located 5 minutes from the entrance to Zion. It was the perfect spot for our family of six. The room we stayed in had 2 queen size beds and a pullout sofa and spectacular mountain views. The hotel has a pool, hot tub and fire pit for guests to enjoy. The stay also includes breakfast with lots of choices. The staff at the hotel were both friendly and helpful. We loved this hotel and would not hesitate to stay here again. The only negative (if any) is that it is not in the national park which would offer a unique and different experience. DAY ONE When we arrived in Zion, the first thing we did was visit the visitors center. The kids wanted to get their National Park Passport books stamped and purchase a park sticker for their books. We then spoke to a park ranger about possible hikes for our visit. We were using the travel book, Adventuring with Kids: Utah's Big Five National Parks. This book was an awesome resource. Our plan was to hike the Watchman, Emerald Pools, Riverside Walk, and Canyon Overlook during our 2-day visit. After talking with the ranger, we set out on the Watchman. Unfortunately, we had not allocated enough time and were unable to complete the entire hike as we were meeting Arika with Zion Adventure Photog that night at 6:00 for pictures. However, it was a great hike to begin our visit to Zion. We started the hike around 4:30 which was a great time of day because much of the hike was unshaded. The kids loved seeing a lizard, lots of wildflowers, a rock in the shape of a recliner, mule deer, and beautiful vistas with every turn. RELATED - Hiking Watchman Trail - Zion National Park After this hike, we met Arika and hopped on the park shuttle to the Court of the Patriarchs shuttle stop. This was a gorgeous setting for pictures just before sunset. Arika was amazing to work with and allowed all of us to be ourselves. She captured so many great pictures of all of us. It was a fun addition to our trip and definitely one of the best decisions we made. After pictures, we headed to the little town of Springdale for dinner. We decided on Oscars. It was a great decision as the food and service were top notch! The restaurant had a cool vibe, the prices were very reasonable, and the food was delicious! We enjoyed chips and salsa, ribs, and burritos. After dinner, we headed back to our hotel and decided to head over to the fire pit. Sitting around the fire pit while enjoying a glass of wine was the perfect end to the day. It gave us an opportunity to interact with other travelers and share park experiences. We really enjoyed chatting with other travelers about their adventures and what they had planned while visiting Zion and for the rest of their journey. DAY two For breakfast, we ate at the hotel. There were so many great choices - eggs, waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, cereal, and pastries. There was definitely something for everyone at this breakfast. It was a good choice because it was convenient and allowed us to quickly get our day started. We got to the park early and started our day with the Emerald Pools hike. On this hike we encountered misting waterfalls, lower and upper pools, and views of Zion Canyon. The kids really enjoyed getting wet hiking under the waterfalls, the narrow sections of the trail, entering the box canyon, and scaling rocks at the upper emerald pool. This hike was lots of fun for the whole family. After we finished this hike we stopped at the Zion Lodge and ate a picnic lunch on the lawn. It was a beautiful day and gave the kids an opportunity to rest before our next hike. After lunch we took the shuttle to the Riverside Walk. This trail winded along the Virgin River. This hike was very crowded and mostly a flat, paved walkway that was much less exciting for the kids. We did see some hanging gardens and rock squirrels, but it felt almost commercialized. At the trail end, is the widening of the Virgin River and beginning of the Narrows hike. We would have loved to explore the Narrows, but due to the ages of our children decided this was probably not the best idea. There were several families river hiking with young children, but this hike was listed as strenuous and not recommended for children. In hindsight, we would not have gone on the Riverside hike as it was crowded, less interesting walking on pavement, and not worth tiring out the kids. RELATED - Hiking Riverside Walk Trail - Zion National Park After this hike, we planned to hike Overlook Canyon which we had heard had some awesome views. Unfortunately, our 12-year-old daughter got the stomach virus and forced us to skip this hike. This ended our 2nd day in Zion. We decided to have an early dinner at Cafe Soleil in Springdale before getting on the road. Cafe Soleil had delicious wraps, paninis and outdoor seating. This was another great spot! After dinner we got on our way to Bryce Canyon, the next stop on our 12 day adventure. WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY Zion is a beautiful park with so much to see and do. In hindsight, I wish we had stayed 2 nights and planned a 3rd day in Zion National Park. It would have been nice to have more time to explore Springdale and take more hikes in Zion National park. I was disappointed we did not have time to complete the Watchman or explore the Canyon Overlook Trail. Zion is definitely a place I would love to come back to someday. GEAR recommendations e shopped at I think a fleece, a good pair of hiking shoes, a day pack with lunch, water bottle, comfortable clothes, bathing suit, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a good pair of moisture-wicking hiking socks, and dressing in layers are all important. We shopped REI, Columbia, and North Face before our trip. One thing we didn't have on this trip were hydration backpacks. Looking back I would have invested in a couple if we were to do a trip like this again. We traveled during spring break in early April and the weather was absolutely perfect. I am so glad we were not hiking with 4 kids in the summer heat. PLANNING AND TRAVEL TIPS We read two different travel books to help us plan our trip to the Utah National Parks and the Grand Canyon. It was really helpful to be familiar with the parks, the trails, and all of the available park programs before we arrived. Also, the National Park websites were helpful with up to date information. We rented a minivan which was the perfect choice for travel with kids. I ordered lots of travel activities to keep the kids entertained on the long drives. The kids played the game, Rubberneckers, AutoBingo, the License Plate game, the Rubiks cube, and of course, had their electronics packed. I had prizes from the dollar bins in Target to keep them interested in the road trip games we played. This was absolutely one of our all-time favorite family trips! Exploring and playing in the outdoors with our kids was an incredible experience and brought us closer together as a family. Honestly, I can't wait to do it again! MEET THE SMITH FAMILY My husband, Andrew and I have four kids - two girls and two boys. Our children are 13, 12, 9 and 6 years old. Andy and I love to travel and made a loop around Utah hitting many of the national parks 23 years ago. We camped, hiked, and spent a lot of time interacting with nature. This was one of our favorite trips, one we knew we would someday repeat with our children. With the ages of our children, we felt now was the time for our family to adventure out west.

Kanarra Falls was once considered a hidden secret but not anymore. The stunning slot canyons and waterfalls make this hike about as photogenic as it comes and with all those amazing pictures posted all over social media, this hike has become a destination spot for many travelers. Even if you aren't the only one on the trail, this really is a hike you don't want to miss. Bring the family and make a day of it. You will be making memories that will last a lifetime. FEE + Permit $12 permit per person is required. Starting March 1st 2019 you will need a permit. You can get one online here or get one the day of at the beginning of the trailhead. 150 people a day will be able to get a permit so best to get one ahead of time online to make sure you get the permit needed to access the hike. LENGTH 4.4 miles round trip DIFFICULTY This trail has a little elevation gain in the beginning as you walk up the dirt road but it levels out quickly. There are ups and downs, some rock scrambling and lots of walking in water, but for the most part, this is a family-friendly hike. The ladders in the slot canyons will be the most difficult and intimidating for kids and even adults. Kids will need a lot of help with the slippery ladder. The water at Kanarra Falls is also very cold for little feet. Depending on your pace this trail could take anywhere between 2-4 hours to hike. LOCATION This hike is located in the small town of Kanarraville, UT, just 15 minutes south of Cedar City and 1-hour north-west of Zion. Click here for map and directions from your location. TRAIL DETAILS This trail starts out on a dirt road for about 1/2 mile as you head towards Kanarra Canyon. Once the dirt road ends, you will follow a dirt path going back and forth along a small stream. Eventually, you will be required to hike in the stream. A little over a mile in you will come to a waterfall. Just about 10 to 15 minutes past the waterfall is the famous and beautiful slot canyon....it is amazing you guys!!! Just a short hike through the slot canyon and you will come to a waterfall with a ladder to climb up. This ladder is slick and pretty intimidating. Kids will need help climbing up this ladder. Once at the top, you will soon come to a large boulder with ropes to help you climb it. Kids will require assistance here as well. Past this section, you will follow the stream up for much more beauty and fun.....or so that is what I hear. Go as far as you want and then turn around and go back the way you came. I have only hiked to the 2nd ladder. I don't think the end of the trail is too far past the 2nd ladder. Scroll down for tips and additional information. WOULD YOU LOVE A FUN OUTDOOR LOVING PHOTOGRAPHER TO FOLLOW ALONG ON YOUR KANARRA FALLS ADVENTURE? CLICK HERE FOR INFO! TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO This hike is very busy in the summer, and due to how cold the water is, it is also the best time to go. Spring and fall are also great times to go but wear neoprene socks. I recently hiked Kanarra Falls at the end of April. Just adults, no kids (see pics above). The water was so cold. Our feet were very numb by the time we made it to the 2nd ladder. I would recommend anyone going at the end of April to wear neoprene socks. We went on a weekday morning, and there were no crowds.....yay! It took us a little over 2 hours from start to finish to get to the 2nd ladder. At the end of August, I did this hike by myself. The water was very cold, but it was manageable. I went on a weekday morning and beat the crowds (if there are crowds on a weekday at the end of August?). I made it about 15 minutes past the 1st ladder. This took me about 1 1/2 hours going at a fast pace. We did this trail with the kids (2, 5,8) and some friends, with a 4 and ten yr old, at the end of October. We should have brought jackets for the kids because it got very cold once we were in the shaded slot canyon. Hiking in the cold water was hard for the younger kids. The 10-year-old seemed to do great. If we try something like this again, I will look into neoprene socks or even rain boots to keep the kid's feet dry. We made it up past the ladder and then turned around. The hike took us about 3 hours. For adults wear hiking boots with good traction that can get wet, hiking sandals work too. Bring plenty of snacks and water. This trail gets very hot in the summer so make sure you have enough water for everyone you are hiking with. I always recommend going first thing in the morning or later in the day to beat the crowds. This will definitely be the best way to go in the summer when there are lots of people. If you are doing this hike In the summer with kids, I would go early in the morning and take sack lunches to eat at the waterfall . Go slow and bring suits for the kids so they can play in the water. Make it an all-day activity. If you have hiked this trail and you have any tips or additional info we would love to hear from you in the comment section below.

I am in constant awe of all the amazing hidden gems in and around Southern Utah. For a while now my siblings have been telling me about a small natural spring pool located just 20 minutes south of Saint George. It has been on my bucket list to check out but not until just recently did I make it happen and man I am so glad that I did. Imagine waterfalls surrounded by ferns and lush vegetation, a pool of green-blue sparkling water, streams filled with small fish.....all in the middle of the desert. Seriously what more could you ask for?!? But don't get too excited just quite yet, there is a catch. Read on for all the juicy details. ATTENTION I AM SO SORRY FRIENDS BUT THIS BEAUTIFUL SPOT IS NO MORE. THE SPRING WAS MOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE FREEWAY TO BE WIDEND. I KNOW, I AM Absolutely HEARTBROKEN ABOUT IT. FEE None! This is private property, and the owner is kind (or crazy) enough to let people enjoy for free. All the more reason to take extra good care of this place.....right! LOCATION Don't be fooled by Google Maps. Little Jamaica is much easier and quicker to get to than it says. Take Desert Spring exit on highway 15. If you are coming from the north take a right on a small road running parallel to I15. It will quickly turn into a bumpy dirt road. Don't worry, the road is short, and it opens into a dirt parking lot. You have arrived! If you are coming from the south take Desert Springs exit on I15 and you will follow the road running parallel to the 15 until you come to an underpass. Go under the underpass and take a right. It will quickly turn into a bumpy dirt road. Don't worry, the road is short, and it opens into a dirt parking lot. You have arrived! Click here to see location on a map but ignore the directions. TRAIL DETAILS If you haven't gathered by now from reading the directions, Little Jamaica is located right next to/below the I15 freeway. I understand this will be a huge turn off for some and I completely understand, but trust me, you will totally forget about the noise when you are swimming in the cool water surrounded by waterfalls. There are a few different ways to get to the swimming hole. You can take a dirt trail to the left of the parking lot. You can also go through the entrance gate and go to your right or the left. If you go to the right, it will take you along a short steep trail to the top of the waterfalls and pool. There is a rope that you can use to climb down to the pool. This is a hard way to go with kids, so I recommend taking one of the trails to the left. The trails to the left converge and take you down a steep and slick .15 mile dirt path to the river. Wear good shoes and go slow so that you don't slip. You will walk up the river to the waterfalls and climb up to the pool. There is a rope to help you climb up. The rocks have really good grip so wear good water shoes, and you will be able to climb easily around the waterfalls. Besides the freeway overhead, there are a few more things to be aware of when visiting Little Jamaica. Read below for tips and additional information. CLICK HERE TO GET MY FREE FAMILY GUIDE TO ZION!!! TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO I do not recommend visiting this area in the evening. This spot has been known to attract partiers and sketchy people. Both times we went it was early in the morning, and we didn't come across anyone questionable, but we did see plenty of evidence of partying. Unfortunately, on both of my visits, there was a lot of trash in the parking lot, along the river, and at the waterfalls and pool. It made me so sad. I brought a trash bag with me on my second visit and picked up all the trash I could fit into my bag. If you visit Little Jamaica, I recommend always bringing a trash bag with you. It is hard to enjoy the beauty when you are looking at trash. For the lush green vegetation visit in the spring/early summer. I have heard that in the heat of the summer and the winter the area is much more yellow and dormant. When we visited Little Jamaica in late April, the water was a bit cold. My girls didn't mind too much, but my two-year-old didn't last long. After swimming in the pool, we spent a couple of hours playing in the stream next to the Virgin River. There is a waterfall, fun rocks to climb, and small fish swimming in the water. We loved playing by the river just as much as swimming in the pool which is so great because if you do end up going on a day where there are crowds at the pool, you can still have great fun playing in and around the river. PLAYING BY THE VIRGIN RIVER Have you visited Little Jamaica? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

When Christoph contacted me in January with hopes of surprising his girlfriend of five years, Madi, with an epic proposal in Zion National Park, I knew that this proposal was going to be good. Besides planning the best proposal ever on one of the most jaw-dropping hikes in Zion, Angels Landing, Christoph had a few more tricks up his sleeve. Read on for Madi's account of all the fantastic details. "Chris and I met during my sophomore year of college in Los Angeles, CA about five years ago. At the time, I was involved in a female volunteer group where I was assigned a Big Sis, Morgan. Her boyfriend Brian was Christoph's roommate. Growing up, I was a competitive surfer and had agreed to give surf lessons to a bunch of friends including Brian and Morgan. Brian brought Chris to the lesson, and we became quick friends. So quick that I invited myself on his spring break trip to Hawaii two weeks later. This began our relationship, and we have not stopped taking spontaneous trips ever since. "In 2015 when Chris and I moved in together, we started an annual tradition to go to Zion each year in February. I was excited to go this year for the third year of our tradition. "That morning, Chris woke me up early saying that he had a special hike planned for us. We had tried to go up to Angel's Landing the year prior but were deterred by bad weather. The weather this time looked good! However, I am not my best self before 9 a.m., and I have to admit I was a bit grumpy on our way to the trailhead. Once we started hiking though, I quickly woke up and was enjoying the views. We walked and took pictures and laughed at how out of shape we were. When we got to the proposal location, it was like any other photo opp stop. Chris asked a "stranger" (Arika) to take our photo. I turned towards the camera, smiled, and turned around to see Chris on his knee. Mid-ask I blurted out, "Are you doing what I think you are doing?!" and when he asked me to marry him I said "HELL YA!" I was shaking and repeatedly asked him if he was sure. The ring was perfect! "We spent the rest of the morning hiking with Arika and taking in all the views of Angel's Landing as an engaged couple. I did not think the day could get any better, but Christoph had one more surprise up his sleeve. He had told me he booked a romantic dinner for two at a nearby family-run restaurant. We HAD to be on time though he insisted as he raced up the curving roads of Zion. "When we got to the top of the road, we parked, and I walked into the most beautiful Airbnb filled with all of our closest friends and family. I was shocked! My family and friends mean the world to me and it was so special and overwhelming to have them all there to celebrate. Arika was also there to capture it all. She was in on the surprise too after having said goodbye to us at the end of our morning hike. My mom and grandma had been cooking our favorite foods all day long, and we got to spend the evening eating, sharing stories, dancing, and playing games. I was so surprised the whole way along and the love I felt that day was absolutely amazing. I cannot wait to get married and celebrate our love again! "Working with Arika with zion adventure Photog was a pleasure and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants beautiful photos of their adventures in and around Zion." - Christoph

Hands down my favorite hike on our recent spring break adventure to Capitol Reef National Park was Cassidy Arch Trail. This hike is rated as strenuous, and my girls did a fair amount of complaining about the steep climb, but the incredible views, the rock formations, the colors and the amazing arch at the end are absolutely worth the climb. LENGTH 3.5 miles round trip. DIFFICULTY This hike is rated as strenuous because of the 1000ft elevation gain over a 1-mile span. Before and after the elevation gain the hike is fairly level. LOCATION From from Capitol Reef Visitor Center drive 3.5 miles southward along the Scenic Drive. Turn left on to Grand Wash Road and drive to the trailhead. It will dead end into the parking area. Click Here for exact location and directions. TRAIL DETAILS You will begin this trail by hiking .25 mile through a wash. Keep your eyes posted for a sign to your left letting you know where to start heading up. At this point, you will have 1.5 miles to go. The elevation gain starts right after the sign and gets intense very quickly. The strenuous part only last for about a mile, so it goes pretty quickly. The great part about the climb is that once you have reached the top, you feel very accomplished because the views are stunning for the rest of the hike. You will also quickly see the arch across the way which gives you a good idea of where you are going and how much distance you have left. Once you get to the slick rock towards the arch, you will follow the cairns to help you know where to go. As you cross the slick rock to the arch, there are plenty of areas to explore and take photos. Take time to rest and enjoy the views. So freaking beautiful!!!! Scroll through for tips and additional information. GOOD TO KNOW There are bathrooms at the trailhead but no water fill stations. TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO This trail has very little shade in the middle of the day so not a great hike in the heat of the summer. If you are hiking this in the summer try to go first thing in the morning or later in the day and take plenty of water. With a 5 yr old 8 yr old and baby on back we completed this hike in 2.5 hrs with about 30 minutes for rest and play at the arch. We did this hike later in the afternoon in March, and the weather was perfect. Bring plenty of water, good hiking shoes, sunscreen, and lots of snacks. We ate a picnic dinner by the arch, and it was perfection. There are sheer drop-offs along the trail so make sure to keep your kiddos close. The trail is a bit rocky with a small amount of rock scrambling, but overall the tail is well maintained. Happy hiking, Arika

The whole family, including the little ones, can blaze this trail without any trouble at all. Lush trees, ferns, moss, hanging gardens, and other greenery line the whole thing, not to mention the Virgin River alongside. Bring water shoes and swimsuits in the summer because this is a great place to play in the river. If you are feeling ambitious, you can even walk up The Narrows for a bit. LENGTH 2 miles round trip. DIFFICULTY This is an easy family friendly hike with very little elevation gain. Strollers and wheelchairs can come along on this hike with no problems. LOCATION This trail is located at the last shuttle stop in the canyon called Temple of Sinawava. You can drive to the trail head in the winter when the shuttles are not running. Click Here for exact location. TRAIL DETAILS This trail is mostly level and paved. Shear red rock mountains line the path as you walk along the Virgin River. You can find mule deer along the trail, and if you are visiting in the summer, you will be sure to come across some very friendly squirrels. You might be tempted to feed and pet them, but please don't. They bite and feeding them is not good for their diet. The end of this hike is where The Narrows begins. For a change of scenery and less crowds take the dirt trail that goes right along the Virgin River on your way back. Scroll through to get tips and additional information. GOOD TO KNOW There are bathrooms and water fill stations at the trailhead.....yay! TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFO This trail is extremely popular, so it is best to go first thing in the morning. I recommend taking the shuttle right around sunrise if you want to beat the crowds. If you are hiking this trail in the middle of the summer with the intentions of letting the kiddos play in the Virgin River then make a day of it. Plan to spend 3-4 hours exploring along the trail, playing in the river and even walking a little way up The Narrows. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, snacks and maybe even a change of clothes for the kids in the summer. They will get wet. There is a dirt trail that runs along the river. I recommend taking this trail on the way to or from. It is less crowded and gives you different scenery. Wear good hiking shoes or hiking sandals. For the kiddos bring water shoes for playing in the river. Happy hiking, Arika

The Watchman Trail in Zion National Park is often overlooked for more popular trails like Angels Landing or The Narrows, but it shouldn't. This trail is absolutely stunning with epic Zion views and a prime view of the iconic Watchman Mountain. With with a mild 456 ft elevation gain this family-friendly trail is a must for Zion enthusiasts and new visitors alike. Length 3.3 miles round trip. This is an out and back trail. Difficulty This is a moderate, family friendly hike with a mild 456 ft elevation gain. Beware though; this trail is exceptionally hot in the heat of the summer. Location The trail begins at the Zion Visitor Center. Walk on the road toward Route 9 until you see the trailhead signage which is on the north side, on the Virgin River’s east bank. Click Here For Map Trail Details The Watchman Trail starts at the Visitor Center. The beginning of the trail hugs the river then takes you into the hills. For a mile or so, the trail is moderately strenuous, looping and heading uphill around the valley. Soon you can look down on the canyon from atop a layer of cliffs. Desert greenery surrounds you. Trees and a few hardy shrubs provide a small bit of shade along the way. Prickly pear cactus is everywhere. Be careful! Don’t touch them. Heading west again, you reach a delightful view of the canyon with the Visitor Center below, Springdale off in the distance, and Watchman Peak in the south. This is a terrific place to stop and have lunch if it isn’t too hot. You can always take the short loop trail with even more views off to the south. After taking in the sights on the loop, you head down back to the main canyon. Scroll through for tips and additional information. Good to Know Use the restroom and water bottle fill station at the visitor center. There is no bathroom on the trail. Tips and Additional Info This is a great hike to do in the winter, spring, and fall. In the summer you want to make sure that you go first thing in the morning or later in the day since there is very little shade on this trail. Originally, the trail was intended to go to the peak of the Watchman spire, but because of difficulties, it has never been completed beyond the viewpoint loop. This is a great trail to take if lines for the shuttle are too long in the spring and fall (not in the summer because of the heat), and you are ready to do some hiking. If you are camping at either of the campgrounds in Zion, you should definitely wake up early and hike this trail. It is very easy to get to from the campgrounds, and this is a great hike early morning hike. This is not a paved trail, but it is well maintained. Bring good hiking shoes, water, snacks, and sunscreen. Happy Hiking, Arika

The weather in Southern Utah is pretty mild in the winter compared to other parts of the country. Even so, I tend to stay cuddled up inside and let winter pass me by. This year, in an effort to enjoy winter to its fullest, I planned a family staycation at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. Take a cozy cabin, an abundance of outdoor family activities and a beautiful, serene setting, and what you get is the perfect winter getaway for the whole family. THE PROPERTY Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is located in a secluded and remote area just 20 minutes east of Zion National Park. Not only is the property beautiful but it has a great onsite restaurant called Ray's, it is packed with more activities than any other property in the area and with its assortment of lodging options it caters to any and all budgets. ACTIVITIES In the summer there are endless actives available like ATV rides, canyoneering, swimming, horseback riding, jeep tours, miniature golf, paintball, zip line, climbing wall, kids camp, rafting, and wagon ride/dutch oven dinner. In the winter the activities available are much more limited so if you book a stay make sure to ask about what activities are available during your stay. During our stay, my kiddos loved playing on the playground and playing pool and ping pong in the activity barn. We even got to play some miniature golf.......thank you beautiful weather!!! Another perk of the beautiful weather was that we were able to go horseback riding and do the zip line. The zip line was such a highlight (even though my eight year old chickened out), and my kiddos haven't stopped taking about Persilla (our horseback guide) and the sweet horses. If the weather had been a bit colder, we could have done some ice-skating on the new ice-skating rink, but it was total mush. We were hoping to hike the East Mesa Trail during our stay. It is a short 15-minute drive from the property and is a kid-friendly option to get to Observation Point. Unfortunately, we were advised that the road to get to the trailhead was too muddy at this time of year. We will definitely be back in the spring to do this one. LODGING At Zion Ponderosa you have a wide range of lodging options. From camping to glamping, to small cabin to full-on luxury home there is something for everyone. We stayed in a two bedroom cabin with a private jacuzzi. The cabin was so cozy with a fireplace and traditional cabin decor. Relaxing in the jacuzzi in the evening surrounded by the crisp mountain air while stargazing was a highlight of our stay. The kitchen was stocked with everything needed to cook meals for the family. The restaurant services were limited due to the slow winter season, so we did bring groceries with us and do a little bit of cooking. For one of the mornings, we ordered a breakfast basket at the front desk that was delivered to our door. It was delish, and the kiddos gobbled up every last bite. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY POST | CAMPING AT ZION PONDEROSA IN THE SUMMER TIPS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The new guided jeep tours look amazing! With all the activities available on the property, a one night stay just won't cut it. You could spend a week here in the summer and not get bored. The onsite activities are limited in the winter so make sure to ask the front desk what is available and get your activity booked and on the schedule. If you are planning a family reunion in Zion, I can't think of a more perfect spot to get the family all together. Women's retreats are held in the spring and fall for women who are looking for a little extra adventure in their lives. Best Sunset Ever!!! If you are looking for somewhere to stay when visiting Zion National Park and you want your stay to be memorable, action-packed and fun for the whole family then look no further than Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. To book your stay click here. *Please note: I was not compensated financially for this post, but we did receive our stay free of charge. All opinions are strictly my own.