Must-See National Parks in the Southwest for Your Winter Family Vacation

Zion National Park

Zion National Park brings slightly warmer temperatures to those looking to vacation in the southwest. This mountainous area doesn’t see the extreme cold temperatures that other national parks do during the winter months. Despite being warm at this park, you will notice that there is a lot of precipitation. All the snow, and subsequent ice, can close trails for days at a time.

Therefore, it is best to have a couple different backup plans in place if you do decide to visit Zion National Park during the winter months. You won’t regret your choice of destination though, because the views are even more dramatic when snow is settling on the red rocks and the surrounding area.

Love the mountains?? Check out these other family friendly mountain vacation destinations! 

Bryce Canyon 

Bryce Canyon National Park can be found in the state of Utah. It may be cold inside this southwest national park during the winter, but you won’t notice it. Instead, you will notice all the fluffy white snow in stark contrast to the red rocks. Time inside this national park during the winter will have you experiencing one extreme to the next, whether with the weather or the activities you do.

I recommend packing clothing for the cold and making sure it is all waterproof. These items will ensure you can head out on the trails for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and so much more. As we are planning your family vacation in Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary, there is one thing we cannot leave off. That is the full-moon snowshoe hikes. Yes, you will need to plan your visit according to the full moon to squeeze them in. However, it will be worth it for the beauty you see under the stars.

Looking for more winter fun for your family vacation?? Check out these winter family activities in Grand Teton! 

Grand Canyon

The southwest national park can be busy year-round. The winter months do bring slightly fewer people to Grand Canyon National Park. However, all those people are at the South Rim since the North Rim closes during the winter. The weather at this park can change in seconds, so it is always wise to pack for the cold, warmth, and the elements.

You can easily hike the trails within Grand Canyon National Park. But if you don’t feel like being outside for that long, you can always take a bus tour instead.

Check out these amazing family friendly activities at the Grand Canyon! 

These must-see national parks in the southwest must be on your list for a winter family vacation! Only you know which one will be at the top of your list. And if you can’t figure it out, let me know. As a travel advisor, I can help you make a decision that your entire family will love!

So, are you ready to plan a family vacation to see the national parks in the southwest?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not quite ready to start planning your next family vacation, make sure you sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you receive all the travel information I share.

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Best Things to Do in the Southwest in the Fall

Visit the Grand Canyon

Yes, you can visit the Grand Canyon at any time of the year. But the month of October brings incredible weather and fewer people. It’s a win-win for your family because you won’t be dying from the heat or trying to escape the crowds. There are plenty of things you can do while on vacation at the Grand Canyon. Hiking will be the first thing on your list. But make sure you take the time to check out the sunrise at Mathers Point. I also recommend tackling Desert View Drive.

Take a Drive Up Mount Lemmon in Arizona

You may not think the leaves change colors in Arizona, but they actually do during the fall months. A drive up Mount Lemmon via the Sky Island Scenic Byway will have you falling in love with the gorgeous scenery. While there are lots of places to stop, you should make sure you have Marshall Gulch and Bear Wallow on your list.

Take a Hike Up Camelback Mountain

It is way too hot to hike up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix during the summer, but you can give it a try if you want! I prefer to tackle the 2,704 feet of elevation during the fall. There are two trails to choose from. Cholla Trail is one and a half miles in and back, while the Echo Canyon Trail is slightly more than a mile in and out.

Take an Off-Roading Trip on the Sand Dunes

Your teenagers will love you forever if you manage to add a little off-roading on sand dunes to your next family vacation. There are more than forty miles of dunes down by Yuma, so there is plenty of space for everyone. If you are not a fan of OHVs, you can always choose to ride via horseback along these same dunes.

Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride

There is no better place than Arizona to take a hot air balloon ride, so I suggest adding it to your itinerary when in this part of the country. You can choose to take one early in the morning as the sun comes up. Or you can do a sunset or moonlit ride. This can even be a romantic option with the love of your life when the kids are still asleep back at the hotel!

Go on a Spectacular Ghost Hunt

If your family loves a good ghost tour or ghost hunt, you must spend at least one day over in the town of Jerome. This city is one of the most haunted areas of the southwest. There are multiple ghost tour options available. Therefore, you can take as many as you want to during your visit.

Drive Along the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

The drive along this scenic byway is not short, and it will take you an entire day if you make a lot of stops. However, the scenery and experiences will make the sixteen-mile journey each way worthwhile. I recommend stopping for a hike or two along the way, as they are the best way to experience true New Mexico.

Check Out Palisades Sill

Palisades Sill can be found in the Cimarron Canyon State Park. This massive attraction is forty million years old. It stands at three hundred feet high and looks quite dramatic both in the distance and up close.

Take a Ride on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad

This scenic railroad offers the best train ride in the entire country. This railroad was constructed back in 1880. It currently has one of the last steam engines in operation. If you choose to add this train ride to your itinerary, you can see the views between Chama and Antonito. During your train journey, you will reach elevations of more than ten thousand feet.

Are you ready to experience all these things to do in the Southwest in the fall with your family?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. When you click on this link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not quite ready to have a family vacation in the southwest this fall, you can sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you continue to receive all the travel information I share.

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6 Must-See Sights of the Grand Canyon

The North and South Rim

The South Rim is the end of the Grand Canyon that most people choose to spend the most time at. The main reason for that is there is so much more to do at that end. However, if you have the time, I recommend seeing the North Rim, too, so you can make some comparisons.

Grand Canyon Village

This village is the most popular entryway of the Grand Canyon, so expect crowds when you arrive. When you are here, you can spend time at the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, shop at the Hopi House for souvenirs, and take in the views from Yavapai Point.

Bright Angel Trail

If you love to hike, then the Bright Angel Trail is going to be one of your best options. This trail is six miles each way, and you should spend the night at Phantom Ranch if you tackle this journey. This will ensure you do not need to rush and do the twelve-mile round trip in one day. If you do not want to hike this trail, you can always choose to ride a mule for a unique experience.

Rim Trail

Not everyone wants to spend hours hiking, and this is where the Rim Trail can come in handy. This is an easy walking trail, although it does stretch for twelve miles if you want to keep on going. The good news is you can always climb onto the shuttle bus that passes by the trail numerous times throughout the day.

Havasu Falls

You may not think that the southwest and waterfalls go together, but there are waterfalls within the Grand Canyon. Havasu Falls is one of the best and you will find it at the Havasupai Indian Reservation. You must hike approximately ten miles to reach this waterfall. So be prepared to spend a couple of days hiking to and from while also camping out overnight.

Grand Canyon Skywalk

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is a bridge that has glass floors. This skywalk is seventy feet out over the canyon. When you get out there, you will be four thousand feet above the canyon floor. The location of this skywalk is quite far from the rest of the popular attractions, so you must take that into account as you are planning your Grand Canyon vacation.

These are six of the must-see sights at the Grand Canyon, but there are others that you may love even more. If you are unsure of how you can fit all these incredible views into your visit, I recommend taking one of the many different helicopter tours. This will allow you to see so much more, including sights that you may have never seen from the ground.

Are you ready to start planning your Grand Canyon family vacation?

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to schedule a planning session with me by clicking here. This will take you directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.

And if you are not ready to plan your next family vacation, you can always sign up for my newsletter here. This will ensure you always receive all the travel information I share throughout the year.

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