Moab with Kids

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Our little family recently returned from Moab, Utah. We were craving warmer weather, sun on our skin, and a 3 hour drive with a toddler (yeah....not so much the latter). We hit Arches National Park , Dead Horse Point State Park , and Canyonlands National Park. It was a fun family filled vacation, I am sure we will be visiting again where we may have to try out some jeeping or white water rafting.

Here are a few tips that I learned on our trip:

We went in March the weather was right on point before the desert climate starts to heat up on those lovely red rocks usually reaching the 100+ degrees.

We have the National Parks Pass which got us into Arches National Park and Canyon Lands National Park.....not essential but we didn't have to wait in the 30 minute line to get into the park.

We didn't bring a pack for our toddler (which I don't know how much she would have ridden in it...she loved walking along the trails) but I wish we would have had the option for it especially on the long hikes and especially especially for when she conked out on dad's shoulder half way onto the trail.

We had so many comments from people telling us that they wish they would have started traveling with their littles when they were small....so get out there! Don't let your kids keep you from traveling!!

You have very limited options of dining in Moab, it is your typical outfitter town so instead of hitting the select few chain restaurants hit the local restaurants. We went to Paradox Pizza....big thumbs up!! Thank you Yelp.

We always try to get a souvenir on our trips (usually it is a Christmas tree ornament....if I can find one that matches my tree) and lets be honest it's always fun to do the touristy things like walk main and check out all the neat shops.

Make it an easy trip by packing light, especially when it was only a two day trip this will make you want to travel more often if it wasn't a pain in the butt to get ready for. We took 1 suitcase for all 3 of us (you can probably tell with all my wardrobe changes).

Take enough photos, whether that be on your phone or camera, looking back on my pictures I wish we would have brought our tripod...we have 1 family shot. You can get some breathtaking images along the red rocks with the snow crested La Sal Mountain range in the backdrop.

The drive wasn't that bad, we made sure to load up the iPod, had 1 or 2 new toys for the toddler which easily held her attention for awhile, and packed our cooler with drinks and snacks.

Of course remember all the essentials, sunblock, hats, hiking shoes, snacks, packs, jackets, cameras, sunglasses, long sleeves for babies/toddlers for sun protection, plenty of water. It's not the end of the world if you forget these, there are markets along main.

When we got back to the hotel we crashed but I wish we would have headed back out to the Arches to catch the sunset on the red rocks and stars coming out.

Hit up the Moab Information Center on main street, where you can load up on maps and ask questions.