The Ultimate Southwest Family Road Trip: Las Vegas, Zion & Moab with Kids
LA → Las Vegas → Zion → Moab → Vegas → Home. Seven days, four kids, endless red rock, and a few hard-earned lessons.
We just got back from our spring break road trip through the Southwest and I’m still thinking about those iconic, I’ve seen this in a movie before, red rock views. If you’ve been debating this route with your family — do it. Here’s everything you need to know, from where to stay and eat to what to pack and which hikes are actually doable with little kids in tow.
Stop 01: Las Vegas
Vegas with kids is a completely different trip than Vegas in your 20s — and honestly? It can be really, really good. The key is choosing your hotel wisely, because it becomes your home base for everything.
We stayed at the Palazzo (a slightly slower vibe than the Venetian if you’re deciding between the two) and it was the right call. As an all-suite hotel, the rooms are genuinely spacious — we fit our whole crew without feeling on top of each other, which is saying something with four kids. You’re also right next door to the Wynn and the Sphere, and can easily walk to Caesars and the Bellagio. We caught a matinee viewing of The Wizard Of Oz a the Sphere and I’d 100% recommend. When our little one is a touch older we’ll definitely add a Cirque show to the calendar.
Pro tip: Grab breakfast at the Palazzo pool in the morning. If you have a Platinum Amex, there’s often a breakfast credit that can be applied here— and the kids can jump straight into the pool while you catch some sun with a mimosa. It’s one of those simple moments that makes the whole trip. And since we’re in Vegas with kids, we’re going to need good coffee. There’s a Bouchon Bakery near the guest elevators at the Venetian – they have the best coffee on property.
If you’re looking to elevate the stay even further, here are two other options worth knowing about — both genuinely great for families:
Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay
The Four Seasons is inside Mandalay Bay — which means your kids get access to one of the best pool complexes on the Strip, including a lazy river and wave pool. The hotel itself is refined and calm, but the pool situation is pure kid paradise. Best of both worlds.
Wynn
Always a gorgeous choice — beautifully designed rooms, a stunning pool, and a level of polish that makes it feel like a true splurge. Right next door to the Palazzo if you want to be in that part of the Strip.
Where to Eat in Vegas with Kids
Tao gave us that quintessential Vegas energy while still being completely family-friendly — something for everyone on the menu, and the atmosphere felt like a real night out. If your kids are sushi lovers, Nobu or Sushi Samba are the moves.
Zion is breathtaking in a way that photos simply don’t prepare you for. The canyon walls, the light, the scale of it — it stops you in your tracks. Where you stay matters a lot for how the experience feels, though.
What to Do in the Park
We did the Watchman Trail and it was the sweet spot for our family – challenging enough to feel like a real hike, but completely doable with kids. It’s a 3.3-mile round trip starting right at the Visitor Center, so there’s no shuttle required, which is a huge win when you’re wrangling little ones. The trail climbs steadily through rocky switchbacks with the towering Watchman spire and Bridge Mountain above you the whole way, then opens up at the top to a flat plateau with sweeping panoramic views of Zion Canyon and Springdale below. It is not shaded, so go early – especially in warmer months – bring plenty of water (they’re not lying when they say you need one large bottle per person), and pack a snack for the top. The views up there are worth every step. A note for families with toddlers: there are a few drop-offs to watch, and we wouldn’t push this one on kids under 5 or 6, but for older kids it’s a genuinely rewarding hike that won’t leave anyone completely wrecked for the rest of the day. Bless my husband’s heart for wearing our giant baby the entire way up and down.
Heads up: The Watchman Trail doesn’t require a park shuttle – the trailhead is right at the Visitor Center. During peak season, arrive early as parking fills up fast. The trail faces east, so morning light is beautiful and you’ll have more shade on the way up.
⚠️ Skip it: We stayed at Zion Mountain Ranch and wouldn’t send you there without mentioning a few caveats. It’s off the beaten path in a way that works against you as a family — limited amenities, no real kitchen to speak of, and it just needs some upgrades and a bit too far from Zion (which can be good if you’re looking for something remote but bad if you’re trying to limit car time getting to and from Zion and need more restaurant options). However, being away from it all was quite lovely and if you’d ask my kids, they’d say that they loved it. The bison, chickens and pups on the property along with the horseback riding was a huge plus. The concept is there, the execution isn’t quite.
Where We’d Stay Instead
Cable Mountain Lodge — Best Location
Literally steps from the park entrance with canyon views, an outdoor pool, and easy access to Springdale’s restaurants and shops. Hard to beat for convenience with kids and no need to worry about parking.
Zion National Park Lodge — Most Magical
The only hotel inside the park — staying here means you can drive into the canyon before the crowds arrive. Book 6–8 months out; it goes fast. No pool, but the location more than makes up for it.
Under Canvas Zion — Glamping Option
Luxe safari tents with private bathrooms, wood-burning stoves, and nightly campfires. A genuinely memorable experience — just go in knowing creature comforts are minimal.
Stop 03: Moab
Moab was the highlight of the whole trip. There’s something about the red rock landscape up against the Colorado River — the scale, the silence, the color — that gets etched into your mind forever. It’s absolutely stunning, I can’t explain it.
✅ Stay here:Red Cliffs Lodge completely won us over. The rooms have all been upgraded, the lounge, bar, and restaurant overlooking the Colorado River are genuinely beautiful, and it has a warmth and polish that makes it feel like a true destination. Bronco off-roading is also located on the property (perfect for older kids and adults) and horseback riding — activities that feel native to the landscape rather than tacked on.
⚠️ Skip it:Sorrel River Ranch has gone noticeably downhill over the past few years. We’d steer you away from it these days.
Lunch tip — Moab Garage Co.: Definitely a must after a day in the park. Order online to bypass the notoriously long lines. They also do breakfast orders ahead — which is genuinely elite when you want something in hand before heading into the park. Their espresso rivals anything you’d find in LA.
Two more Moab stops worth knowing about:
Moab Made is a wonderful little shop downtown showcasing locally made goods — a great spot to browse while the kids stretch their legs and the perfect place to pick up something that actually feels like it’s from Moab rather than a generic souvenir.
And if you have any book lovers in the family, don’t skip Back of Beyond Books. It’s an independent bookstore that specializes in the American West — natural history, adventure, indigenous culture, regional fiction — and it has the kind of curated, thoughtful collection that makes you want to stay for an hour. A beautiful little discovery in the middle of the desert.
Arches National Park: The Two Highlights You Actually Need
If you’re short on time, working around nap schedules, or keeping things manageable for little legs — don’t try to do it all. These two stops give you maximum wow with minimum effort.
1. The Windows Section
1-mile loop · mostly flat · stroller-friendly · all ages
This is your first stop and the one that will make even your youngest kids’ jaws drop. The Windows Section puts you face-to-face with four stunning arches — North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch — all connected by short, easy trails from the same parking lot. Double Arch is right across the lot and only a half-mile round trip; the trail leads you right underneath two connected arches where kids can scramble on the rocks and find shade at midday. The North and South Windows loop is just one mile and almost entirely flat — even a two-year-old can handle it. Arrive early or late afternoon for the best light and easier parking. Bonus: from inside North Window, you can frame Turret Arch perfectly — the classic Arches photo.
2. Delicate Arch
3 miles round trip · moderate · or viewpoint option for little ones
The icon. The one on the Utah license plate. Even from a distance it’s something else entirely. If your kids are up for it, the 3-mile round trip hike over slickrock is doable — go first thing in the morning before it gets hot; there’s very little shade on the trail. If you’re working around naps or have toddlers who aren’t up for the climb, the Delicate Arch Viewpoint is your move — the lower viewpoint is flat and paved (stroller-accessible) and gives you a clear view of the arch without any strenuous hiking. It’s farther away, but you’ll still feel the magic of it.
If you have more time and older kids or adults in tow, cross over into Canyonlands. The remoteness of it, the zen stillness — it’s a different kind of beauty and absolutely worth it.
The Road Trip Packing List
Packing for a trip that spans Vegas dinners, national park hikes, and long car hours requires some intention. Here’s what we’d pack again — and a few things we’d leave at home.
A note on dressing for Vegas with kids: The Posse pencil skirt with a fun top was the perfect formula — felt elevated and put-together but completely appropriate for a family dinner. The silk pants, on the other hand, were a lesson learned. Save the silk for somewhere with humidity.
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