Family Vacation Ideas in the Southwest
For me, family vacations in the Southwest aren’t just about the sights. They’re about the unique experiences, the favorite traditions, and the underrated gems that bring families closer together.
Something about the Southwest always brings our family closer. Maybe it’s watching the stars at night or the deep quiet of the desert. We went on scenic drives, admired colorful sunsets, and discovered new places. I remember thinking, “This is the kind of trip they’ll tell their own kids about someday.” Whether you’re hiking on red rock trails, floating on a lake, or exploring a historic town, these family getaways offer memories that stick.
What makes the Southwest so special is its variety. You can explore national parks filled with red rock landscapes, discover unique Native American history and culture, or relax in underrated small towns that showcase the region’s authentic charm. Each trip feels different, giving families endless favorite memories to make together.
From the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and the outdoor adventures of Moab to the colorful art scene in Santa Fe and the underrated desert beauty of Tucson, the Southwest blends nature, culture, and activities for every traveler. Add in stargazing, local food, and scenic drives, and it’s no wonder these family trips are some of the best in the country.
Family vacations in the Southwest are some of the most unique and adventurous trips in the United States. They’re easily among my favorite ways to combine natural beauty, cultural experiences, and fun for all ages. With deserts, canyons, vibrant cities, and historic sites, the Southwest offers some of the best family destinations anywhere.
Best Family Vacation Ideas in the Southwest
The Inn at Entrada, Utah
My husband, son and I drove northeast from Las Vegas to St. George, Utah, about 120 miles, just under 2 hours on I-15. St. George is the largest city in southern Utah, with nearly 100,000 residents, yet it still feels tucked into red rock country.
The drive itself is worth the trip, winding through the Virgin River Gorge with dramatic canyon walls on both sides. Alternatively, Greyhound and shuttle buses link Las Vegas to St. George for around $30–40.
The Inn at Entrada provided us with a family trip that was equal parts relaxing and luxurious.
Surrounded by red rock cliffs and desert silence, we found time to reconnect between morning hikes and evening swims. I remember thinking, “This isn’t just a vacation, it’s a total reset.”
What We Loved Most: Every evening, I looked forward to stargazing from our private patio. We were wrapped in blankets, chatting, while the desert sky lit up above us.
Our highlights? A quiet family dinner at The Grille. I had the herb-roasted chicken and a sweet prickly pear lemonade, while my son devoured gourmet mac and cheese.
Plan your stay at The Inn at Entrada :
- Location: St. George, Utah
- Vibe: Peaceful, upscale, nature-centric
- Highlights: Pool, golf, spa, proximity to Snow Canyon
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for cooler hikes
- Cost: Mid-to-luxury
- Address: 2588 W Sinagua Trail, St. George, UT 84770
Strater Hotel, Colorado
We drove about 215 miles (roughly 4 hours) north from Santa Fe to Durango, a mountain town of around 20,000 people tucked into southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. At 6,500 feet in elevation, the air here is crisp and clear, with snowy winters and cool alpine summers.
Public transit options are limited, though Durango–La Plata County Airport connects to Denver and Phoenix, making the town a regional hub.
Walking into The Strater had lots of old west charm. There was live piano music floating through the lobby when we first arrived. My son was wide-eyed with curiosity. I remember thinking, “This is exactly the kind of history lesson a child won't easily forget.”
What We Loved Most: I loved curling up by the fireplace at night with board games and cocoa. I got us tickets to ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. If you have a day to spare, I recommend it.
Our highlights? Breakfast at Mahogany Grille. The cinnamon roll French toast was a favorite for all of us.
Plan your family vacation at The Strater:
- Location: Durango, Colorado
- Vibe: Historic, charming, adventurous
- Highlights: Train rides, ghost tours, walkable downtown
- Best Time to Visit: Summer or holiday season
- Cost: Moderate
- Address: 699 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Hotel Parq Central, New Mexico
We drove about 65 miles north from Socorro (just under an hour on I-25) to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city with a population of over 560,000. Set at an elevation of 5,300 feet along the Rio Grande, Albuquerque blends desert landscapes with a dramatic mountain backdrop.
Public transit includes city buses and the Rail Runner commuter train linking Albuquerque to Santa Fe (tickets run about $10). We found it more convenient to rent a car with our kid.
Hotel Parq Central was our stylish home base in Albuquerque. We found it close enough to the action, but quiet enough for true downtime. It had a boutique feel, yet felt totally family-friendly. I remember thinking, “This is how you do city trips with kids.”
Our highlights? Green chile breakfast burritos from Apothecary Lounge. We found the desert view unbeatable.
Hotel Parq Central Travel Tips:
- Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Vibe: Sleek, quiet, convenient
- Highlights: Rooftop views, nearby Old Town, hot air balloon sightings
- Best Time to Visit: Fall during the Balloon Fiesta
- Cost: Moderate
- Address: 806 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Lake Powell Resort, Arizona
We drove about 130 miles northeast from Flagstaff (just over 2 hours on US-89) to Page, a small desert town of around 7,500 people perched on the edge of Lake Powell. The drive itself cuts through painted desert mesas and open high desert at about 4,300 feet elevation.
Public transit is almost nonexistent here...there’s a small regional airport with flights to Phoenix, but a car is essential to reach the area’s sights.
Lake Powell Resort was all about wide open water and adventure. We swam during the day and watched spectacular sunsets at the end of the day. I remember thinking, “This is what family vacation memories are made of.”
A tour through Antelope Canyon was the highlight of our trip in the Southwest.
Favorite Meal Grilled fish tacos and cold lemonades at the Rainbow Room. We ate outside near the lake.
Plan your vacation at Lake Powell Resort:
- Location: Page, Arizona
- Vibe: Scenic, active, adventurous
- Highlights: Boating, swimming, scenic tours
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or early fall
- Cost: Moderate
- Address: 100 Lakeshore Dr, Page, AZ 86040
Sundance Resort, Utah
We drove about an hour southeast from Salt Lake City (roughly 50 miles) into Provo Canyon to reach Sundance, a tiny mountain community of just a few hundred residents tucked at the base of Mount Timpanogos. The road climbs to about 6,500 feet, where the air feels cool and pine-scented, even in summer. Public transportation doesn’t reach here, so driving is the only real option.
Sundance Resort had this peaceful creativity to it, mountain trails in the morning, art classes in the afternoon. Everything felt slow and meaningful. I remember thinking, “We’re not just having fun... we’re making memories with intention.”
What We Loved Most: Riding the scenic chairlift up the mountain, then hiking down together with mountain air in our lungs and wildflowers all around us.
Our highlights? Flatbread and tomato soup at the Foundry Grill, warm, comforting, and exactly what we needed after a long hike.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Sundance, Utah
- Vibe: Artistic, peaceful, rustic-lux
- Highlights: Nature hikes, outdoor art, family workshops
- Best Time to Visit: Summer and fall
- Cost: Mid-to-high
- Address: 8841 N Alpine Loop Rd, Sundance, UT 84604
Slot Canyons Inn: Red Cliffs, Quiet Stars & Dinner with a View
We drove about 2 hours (110 miles) northeast from Kanab, Utah, along Highway 12—one of the most scenic roads in America—to reach Slot Canyons Inn, just outside the tiny town of Escalante (population about 800).
At 5,800 feet in elevation, this stretch of Utah feels remote and wide open, surrounded by cliffs, canyons, and endless sky. The inn itself sits on a 160-acre property bordered by Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, which spans nearly 1.9 million acres of protected wilderness.
With no real public transit in the region, a car is essential to reach the trailheads and overlooks nearby.
“This place feels carved out of peace,” I thought as we pulled up to Slot Canyons Inn, the stone walls of the lodge echoing the cliffs behind them. Tucked outside Escalante, this was the kind of stay that didn’t need signs or schedules, it just offered stillness, desert air, and space to let the days unfold. I stood for a moment longer, watching how the light hit the sandstone and changed everything.
What I Loved Most: Waking up to silence so complete I could hear the soft shuffle of mule deer just beyond the brush. And later, watching the stars stretch out like they’d been waiting just for us.
My highlights? Dinner at North Creek Grill, right on the property. We ate outdoors, surrounded by the scent of juniper and grill smoke, the cliffs glowing pink in the evening light. I had the house-smoked trout, delicate and seasoned with herbs, paired with roasted vegetables and a side of couscous. The fish flaked easily, buttery and fresh, while the vegetables still held warmth from the fire. My son devoured his wood-fired pizza and asked if we could move there forever. We ended the meal with warm bread pudding, sweet and spiced, with a vanilla sauce that tasted like home.
Plan your day trip:
- Drive Time from Bryce Canyon: ~1.5 hours east
- Vibe: Secluded, scenic, family-friendly calm
- Highlights: Slot Canyons Inn, North Creek Grill, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, hikes into Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for clear skies and comfortable hiking weather
- Cost: Rooms ~$180–$250/night; dinner entrées ~$18–$30
- Hours: Inn open year-round; restaurant open seasonally for dinner (check ahead for hours)
Grand Lodge at Brian Head, Utah
We drove about 3 hours northeast from Las Vegas (200 miles on I-15 and Highway 143) to Brian Head, a small ski town of fewer than 1,500 residents set high in the mountains at 9,800 feet—the highest town in Utah. The drive climbs steadily into alpine country, trading desert heat for crisp mountain air.
Brian Head felt like a snow globe come to life, ski slopes, cozy fireplaces, and giggles echoing down snowy trails. At Grand Lodge at Brian Head, we played hard all day and snuggled up at night. I remember thinking, “I want every winter to feel like this.”
What We Loved Most: Tubing together on the powdery slopes, then warming up with cocoa while snowflakes collected on the windowpane.
Our highlights? Cheeseburgers and hot pretzels at Lift Bar and Patio, simple, delicious, and exactly what everyone wanted.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Brian Head, Utah
- Vibe: Cozy, snowy, activity-packed
- Highlights: Skiing, snow tubing, hot tubs
- Best Time to Visit: Winter
- Cost: Moderate
- Address: 314 Hunter Ridge Dr, Brian Head, UT 84719
Capitol Reef Resort, UT
We drove about 3 hours east from Cedar City (155 miles along Highway 12) to Torrey, a tiny gateway town of just 250 people sitting at 6,800 feet in the heart of red rock country.
The town is best known as the doorstep to Capitol Reef National Park, which covers 378 square miles of cliffs, canyons, and orchards first planted by pioneer settlers. There’s no public transportation into this corner of Utah, so driving is essential
Capitol Reef Resort put us right on the edge of the wild, red cliffs in every direction, starry skies, and peaceful evenings. We stayed in a family cabin, and I remember thinking, “It feels like the edge of the earth, in the best way.”
What We Loved Most: The view from the porch, we watched the sunrise paint the cliffs and spotted a jackrabbit hopping by just as we sat down to breakfast.
Our highlights? House-made granola and fresh fruit parfaits from the Pioneer Kitchen, healthy, tasty, and perfect before a day of hiking.
Travel Tips:
- Location: Torrey, Utah
- Vibe: Remote, scenic, restful
- Highlights: Views, glamping options, access to Capitol Reef National Park
- Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
- Cost: Moderate
- Address: 2600 UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
Why We’d Go Back
Each of these spots had its own rhythm, some slow and soothing, others filled with adventure. But they all shared that easy sense of connection that makes traveling with family feel effortless. And when you find places like that, you don’t just remember the trip, you remember how it felt to be together.
My personal highlights:
Some of my favorite family vacation spots in the Southwest include the Grand Canyon for its jaw-dropping views and family-friendly hikes, Santa Fe for its unique culture and art, and the underrated town of Moab for outdoor adventures and red rock landscapes. Each one offers the best blend of scenery, fun, and discovery.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
