A Southern Utah Adventure: The Best Spring Break Ever

Southern Utah, a giant playground from Brian Head to Zion, offers epic outdoor adventures perfect for teens. This road trip lets families reconnect, swapping screens for snow skis and paddleboards.

Keeping teenagers entertained, engaged and eager to spend spring break with their parents can feel impossible. But what if you could find an adventure that felt less like a family obligation and more like a land-based cruise ship? Southern Utah is exactly that — a giant playground where a variety of epic activities are all within an hour's drive of one another.

For families with teenagers, the road from Brian Head to Zion National Park offers a rare and thrilling chance to experience two different seasons in a single trip. This itinerary is for the family that has outgrown traditional playgrounds and is looking for a meaningful way to reconnect through a shared love of the outdoors.
Pack your entire quiver of toys — from snow skis to paddleboards — and set off on a journey that will provide not only an escape from screens but a family celebration. Follow along to discover how this unique road trip from snow-capped mountains to sun-baked canyons became "The Best Spring Break Ever."

**Great Salt Lake State Park** | Charles Uibel

Day 1

Arrival and Exploration in Salt Lake City

48 Miles

Your adventure begins in Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, a hub of culture and outdoor fun. This first day is all about easing into vacation mode and getting a taste of the city’s unique offerings before heading south. After arriving at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), pick up your rental vehicle and head downtown. A great first stop is The Gateway, a lively outdoor mall with plenty of shops, restaurants and entertainment options to keep teenagers happy. For a more educational yet still engaging activity, visit the Clark Planetarium to catch a show or explore the interactive exhibits.

Alternatively, for a truly memorable and relaxing afternoon, visit the world-renowned Great Salt Lake. You can take a short drive to the shoreline to see the unique ecosystem and the surreal, vast landscape. To get the wiggles out, head to the Tracy Aviary and Botanical Garden in Liberty Park, where you can stroll through beautiful gardens and see over 135 species of birds. End your day with a delicious dinner at one of the city's many family-friendly restaurants before getting a good night's rest. You'll be well-prepared for your drive south to Brian Head in the morning.

Activities

Afternoon: Arrive at SLC Airport, pick up your rental car and head to The Gateway or Tracy Aviary.
Evening: Family-friendly dinner in Salt Lake City.
Overnight: Stay at a hotel in Salt Lake City.

Day 2

Brian Head Ski Resort

51 Miles

On the second day, head to Brian Head Resort, the perfect starting point for an end-of-season ski trip. Located just a few hours south of Salt Lake City, the resort’s high base elevation gives you a great chance of finding late-season snow. The resort's stunning red rock views and delicious french fries are an added bonus that are sure to please even the pickiest teenagers. The day is all about pure, unadulterated fun. Spend the morning "woohooing" down the slopes, daring each other to hit terrain park features, and chasing each other through the trees. The laughter and playful banter of a family connecting on the mountain is a soundtrack that parents can cherish.

After a day of tired legs and exhilarated spirits, you'll grab dinner in nearby Cedar City before heading deeper into Southern Utah's giant playground. A less than two-hour drive takes you from the wide-open ski runs to the Open Sky glamping resort near Zion National Park, where you'll settle in for the night at a unique glamping experience to get a well-deserved rest.

Activities:

Morning: Skiing and snowboarding at Brian Head Resort.
Afternoon: End-of-day ski runs.
Evening: Drive to Under Canvas Zion and check in for the night.

**Yankee Doodle Canyon** | Tommy Chandler

Day 3

Hiking and Canyoneering Near Zion

132 Miles

Wake up at Under Canvas Zion, immersed in the beauty of the park and surrounded by the dormant stone giants of Kolob Canyon. With your ski gear stashed away, it's time to trade snow for sun. The goal of the day is to find a perfect balance of adventure and accessibility for everyone in the family. Begin the day with a warm-weather hike, such as the trails within the Zion National Park boundaries or a hidden gem like Lambs Knoll. These trails offer opportunities for playful exploration, like hide-and-seek among sandstone alcoves and letting your fingers trace the wind-shaped walls.

The thrill of a different kind of challenge awaits as you head to Yankee Doodle Canyon. While hiking is fun, canyoneering is what the teenagers really crave. With a local guide company like Red Desert Adventures, you’ll safely navigate the slot canyons and even rappel down a 75-foot drop. The cheers and squeals of your teenagers playing together in the desert will be a highlight, a reminder of the simple joy that comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and into the wild.

Activities:

Morning: Short, uncrowded hike in Zion or a nearby trail.
Afternoon: Canyoneering at Yankee Doodle Canyon.
Evening: Relax and unwind around the campfire at Under Canvas Zion.

Day 4

Biking and Paddleboarding

42 Miles

Day four is all about experiencing Zion from a completely different perspective. After three days of challenging your legs with skiing, hiking and rappelling, it’s time to hit the slickrock trails along the mesa for a new kind of fun. The Wire Mesa trail offers a fantastic mountain biking experience with completely new views of Zion's towering cliffs. This is a chance for a playful role reversal, with Mom and Dad chasing the kids through the single track, shouting "Weeee!" as you snake back and forth, taking in views of the blue sky against the red ember cliffs. The final stop of the trip is a perfect cooldown. Head to Quail Creek Reservoir, just a 45-minute drive away. This is where you can slow the pace, hop on a paddleboard and lazily paddle around the warm water. It's a sweet, quiet moment of reflection and a chance to dip your toes into the idea of summer being just around the corner. The perfect end to an epic spring break trip.

Activities:

Morning/Afternoon: Mountain biking the Wire Mesa trail.
Late Afternoon: Paddleboarding at Quail Creek Reservoir.
Evening: The drive home, with a car full of tired, happy and screen-free teenagers.