Family Vacations through Utah's Colorful National Parks

Jan. 24, 2013 - PRLog -- Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau (http://www.scenicsouthernutah.com/)
CONTACT:  Bonnie Char
TEL:  435-586-5124, ext. 15
E-MAIL: bchar@ironcounty.net
WEB:  www.scenicsouthernutah.com

Computers and smartphones can make connecting with parents and children nearly impossible. The Cedar City- Brian Head (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/index.php) area is surrounded by national parks that are perfect for a tech-free family getaway that is just a couple of hours drive from larger cities like Las Vegas and Salt Lake City.

Southern Utah’s canyon lands have some of the most beautiful natural formations in the west. Bryce Canyon National Park (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/national_parks/bryce_canyon.php) has year-round access to red rock amphitheaters, nature tours and interesting limestone and sandstone formations known as hoodoos. A hike or horseback ride into the canyon lets everyone see the wide spectrum of colored rocks and plants.

The Navajo sandstone Kolob Canyons (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/national_parks/kolob_canyon...) at Zion National Park (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/national_parks/zion.php) are perfect for camping, hikes and picnics. If a group hike is too much hassle, everyone can view the canyon on a 12-mile scenic drive. The rest of Zion has opportunities to snap photos of diverse plant and wildlife that are all over the park and splash through the Emerald Pools.

The natural areas are part of a geological marvel known as the Grand Staircase (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/national_parks/grand_stairc...) that extend from Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon, with layers of rock that contain ancient petroglyphs and hikes to desert waterfalls.

Natural beauty continues at Cedar Breaks National Monument (http://scenicsouthernutah.com/national_parks/cedar_breaks.php), a giant amphitheater high atop the Markagunt Plateau, over 2,500 feet deep and more than three miles across. Cedar Breaks is also one of the only parks to allow snow mobile access, and allows cross country skiing and snow shoeing in the winter for active families who want to cross the terrain in style.

Rangers offer education on all of the parks with guided hikes and walks that will give everyone a better appreciation of nature before they return home.

Limited light pollution in the region opens up the sky for star gazing. The area was voted by USA Today (http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2012/10/11/international-dark-sky-association-stargazing/1627639/) as one of the “10 great places to stargaze” and holds gazing parties from July to September.

Cedar City offers a wide range of lodging options that are more affordable than staying right in the park. A stay in the city gives families a chance to plan on seeing more parks and have a place to come back to and get some shopping done.

For more information on the national parks, as well as lodging and events, call the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau at 800-354-4849.