5 Fun Utah Summer Family Activities

by Janet Thaeler on June 24th, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Utah is one of my favorite states. The thrilling variety of landscapes is unlike anything you will find anywhere else. We have the most beautiful mountains to the gorgeous desert and redrock all in one state. There’s so much to do with families here, so if you live in Utah don’t stay in your own backyard, get out and explore Utah’s treasures. And if you don't live in Utah, come visit! Here are some ideas to get you started.

5 Summer Family Activities in Utah

1. Visit ‘Utah’s Little Hollywood’ in Kanab

If you’re headed to Lake Powell or Zion’s National Park in Southern Utah, why not stop on a side adventure to Kanab? The city features some offbeat choices like the Little Hollywood Movie Set Museum, and it’s free. If you love Westerns or the feel of the old West, go during September where they have a 3-day “celebration of all things cowboy-related”.

While you’re there, you can sign up to volunteer at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for a half day. It’s the largest in the country and has over 10,000 animals that would appreciate some extra love.

2. Take Pictures at the Bonneville Salt Flats

For years my family has driven by the salt flats, but we rarely stop. Today we regularly see photographers pulled off the side of the road taking pictures. It’s a new take on taking pictures at the beach (since we don’t have many beaches in Utah that would look this amazing as a backdrop). The Bonneville Salt Flats are a huge stretch of mostly table salt that you can walk and drive on, in a beautiful but desolate landscape about 1.5 hours west of Salt Lake.

While you’re there, be sure to stop at the Tree of Life art installation. When you leave, just make sure to wash all the salt off the undercarriage of your car! In September there are races on the flats, where many land-speed records are set and broken each year. Check Saltflats.com for more information. Any time of the year, you can bring bicycles and ride on the Flats.

3. Have a Farm Experience in Midway

Recently, some Utah bloggers got a tour of Heber Valley Artisan Cheese in Midway (on your way to Park City). The best part was the cheese cave where they have all of their flavors aging. They get pretty experimental with their cheese and have some to sample. The cows are foodies there too, being fed some of the most nutritious and expensive feed anywhere (they are happy cows and the cheese made from their milk is so good it has won awards).

4. Feed the Animals and Eat Fruit Near Willard

summer family activities

Grab your favorite birding app, some binoculars, and a camera for a day in Willard, Utah. Take the kids to the bird refuge in Willard. If they’re good, you can promise them french fries with fry sauce from the Dixie Grill after. Go the weekend after Labor Day and hit Brigham City’s Peach Days, or any time during the summer, there are local fruit stands along Highway 89. Willard also has a zoo where the kids can feed the ducks, geese, and trout. Instead of lions, tigers or bears, the zoo features lemurs, red fox, coyotes, elk, bald eagles, deer, bobcats, and more.

5. Pick Some Berries in Logan

Maybe you didn’t realize that Utah has blueberries. We do! Weeks Berry farm in Cache Valley also has raspberries, currants, blackberries, and strawberries. And in mid-July there are u-pick raspberries for $3/lb. in Paradise, Utah. Call to see what is available: (435) 245-3377.

Now it’s your turn. If you have any secret adventures to share, please comment and enlighten us all! Where do you like to go with your family for a fun summer adventure?

Janet Thaeler is a full time mom and part time online PR consultant. Her two kids are affectionately known as Little Bear and Little Miss (LM for short). Her amazing husband not only takes their toddler to dance class, but also joins in. She blogs at Newspapergrl (about online marketing) and Fruit Heights Friends (all things Utah) and does u-turns at roadside fruit stands.