Canyon Country

Every year, the Southwest draws millions of travelers to its stunning canyon landscapes. Grand Canyon National Park, of course, is its piece de resistance, but within a 250-mile radius lie more than a dozen national parks and monuments and a constellation of breathtaking wilderness areas. So, okay, you say, there's obviously no shortage of cool scenery. But is it the right vacation for my family? To help answer this question, we turned to FamilyFun readers. On the following pages, you'll find their stories and strategies for visiting three of the Southwest's most popular destinations: Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park. Hopefully, they'll help point your compass toward the vacation that's right for your family.

 
WHAT DOES THE AREA HAVE TO OFFER FAMILIES?
In addition to taking in the mind-boggling scenery, FamilyFun readers are big on:

Hiking in canyons:  The diversity of easy walks, stroller-accessible trails, and short hikes at all three parks really impressed readers, including Stephanie Swensen of Mapleton, Utah. "We took nine kids (ages four to thirteen) on so many beautiful and amazing hikes at Bryce Canyon, and I was thrilled by how family-friendly most were."

Earning a Junior Ranger badge:  Readers couldn't say enough about the parks' Junior Ranger program, which rewards children with a badge or decal (for kids under age six at Zion) for completing activities such as attending ranger talks and filling in a booklet. As Holly Hall of Powell, Ohio, put it with a laugh, "It's a great way to make a pile of rocks more interesting for kids." (For information, go to nps.gov/learn/juniorranger.htm.)

Hiking in canyons:  Taking a guided tour: This was a highlight for a number of families, who saw the canyons from helicopters and rafts, on horseback and mules, and even on ATVs. "We're a large family with a broad range of ages, so I booked a guided van tour with Canyon Dave," writes Michelle Krumm of Enid, Oklahoma. "We saw stunning lookouts, checked out petrified wood, fossils, and an extinct volcano, then picnicked by the Little Colorado River and stopped at a Native American market. It was a big chunk of our budget, but it was worth every penny." (For information, go to canyondave.com.)

Checking out the wildlife:  California condors, bighorn sheep, Kaibab squirrels, and wild turkeys were just a few of the creatures that stole the show for visiting kids.