Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon
Fun for Kids

Bryce Canyon's "just for kids" program is offered from June to August. Parents can sign kids up for the program at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center, prior to the 3 pm program. Kids will spend an hour learning about the Bryce Canyon environment, folklore, geology, plants and animals by playing games and having fun. Parents are required to stay with their kids during the hour long program.  When the family goes hiking, look for shorter trails that lack significant elevation change.  Keep in mind that kids often enjoy looking at the the smaller things seen along a hike, like a lizard or interesting leaves.  Healthy, yet enjoyable snacks can make hiking more fun for kids.  After doing some of the trails like Weeping Rock, kids can take the rock steps down to the stream beneath the bridge and get their feet wet.  There are frogs, tadpoles, tiny fish and an array of insects to keep busy bodies happy.

Bryce Canyon Junior Ranger Program

Bryce Canyon does not offer a classroom program like Zion 's explorer program but they do offer an educational, booklet style, Junior Ranger program. At Bryce the Junior Ranger's attend a presentation or hike given by a park ranger, complete a workbook and pick up litter around the park while hiking. Kids completing all three of these task will receive an official certificate and badge. Allow at least 3 hours for kids to participate in this program.

Choosing the Right Trails for Kids

Since Bryce appears to be a magical wonderland full of castles and mythical stone creatures it would not seem to be hard to choose trails that are kid friendly, but in Bryce many of the trails head downhill quickly making the return steep, which for most younger kids, is miserable. Although this can be trying for kids it can be more difficult for parents that end up carrying kids. One of the most kid friendly trails in Bryce Canyon is the Mossy Cave Trail with its fun windows, cave, waterfall and hoodoos galore. There are few steep edges along the path but most of it is wide and easy to travel. The hike is an ideal family adventure.  The Bristlecone Pine Trail is another trail that the entire family should enjoy.

Nature Notes

Hiking with babies can be a great experience. Purchase a quality baby backpack rather than trying to get a stroller up and down the sandy trails.  Toddlers can be an absolute joy to take hiking if you spend time to view the world with them from their point of view. Toddlers love the the tiny world and every child enjoys laughing and having fun.  If you are visually having fun so will your children. 

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