White Rock/White Sands

This is where you pull into park.

Everyone calls this hike something different but on the sign it says White Rock Hike.  This is right off the road just past the entrance of Snow Canyon Park by the volcano.  You don't have to go in the park but it is still part of the park so you do need to go pay a fee before you start.  This is so easy for kids and fun once you get up to the bowl part.  They can run around and there is the white sands hill that they can play on.  Juddy and I went by ourselves and we hiked to the top.  I would not do that with kids.  I was nervous doing it without kids.  But once you get to the top the view is amazing and my legs were shaking so it was a good leg workout.

Juddy would not even know if I was sliding down the rocks.  He has to be first to the top.  :)

This is the bowl area off the left is the sand hill.   You are able to sit and watch the kids explore and it not be dangerous.

Petroglyphs Hike

This hike is so fun and easy for kids.  It's about 2 miles from Dutchman's gas station headed towards Kayenta.  You drive pass the road that turns to the automotive building and its the very next left. There is no street name and is paved for a couple of feet then turns into a dirt road. Stay to the right and you will come to a parking area.  Start there and stay to the right as it forks off.  There will be a small hill and it comes out to an amazing view of the Santa Clara River Valley. Stay to the right of the trail and from there keep a look out for petroglyphs. If you have kids I would turn around once you get to the end of the big rocks.  Head back the same way you came.  The trail goes on for a couple miles but you would want to park a car at the other end if you want to do the whole thing. This little section is about .5 miles and a lot more enjoyable with kids.  

OHH Babylon

 I am in love with this place.  Historic Babylon is a hidden swimming hole.  Best time to go is in the spring and early summer.  There is no shade what so ever so make sure you pack a umbrella or some kind of shade.
The turnoff is on the north side of Leeds.  There is a sign that says Historic Babylon. There are a couple of hikes and cool places out that way but Babylon is at the very end of the rocky and sandy road.  I would take a 4 wheel drive to be on the safe side.

THE VORTEX

The Vortex is amazing, I felt like I was in a different world.  This hike took my breath away. There was  a bit of hiking in sand and I didn't take my kids all the way to the top where the Vortex is. I went twice,with kids and without.  This is right out of Gunlock.  How many times have you been to Gunlock and probably had no idea this gem of a hike was hidden behind it. You take the first right as you come into Gunlock.  It's a dirt road but a good road for any cars.  The road goes past a little lake called Lower Sand Cove, then in about a half mile the dirt road crosses over a stream and take that right turn.  There is a parking area but it is not marked so I parked anywhere.  It really is easy to find.

Start of The Vortex

Nancy and Baxter  almost to The Vortex

The actual Vortex.  It was so cool, it's deeper than it looks but I couldn't get
a good picture with the lighting.

Pine Creek

 HOLY.AMAZING
Pine Creek was so awesome.  (I may rename it "gangsters paradise" Luke and Abe felt the need to throw gang signs in every pic)  Again another place that my husband had never been after living here for 38 years.   FOR REALS!!!! This is the last pool of Pine Creek hike that starts up past the tunnel and you have to do some rappelling, so it's not so kid friendly.  To start this way is easier with kids and the hike is only about a 1/4 of a mile.  If you drive into Zion and drive past the junction like you are going up the toward the tunnel it's the first pull off for cars on the first switchback.  That is where you start, this hike is not marked so don't be looking for a sign.  There is  one section you come to that you go through a little pool and rocks you need to climb over that you need to be careful with the kiddos. It's not bad and my kids were able to climb over all the obstacles.

The kids were so excited as we walked around the corner to this perfect view.   Hudson couldn't hold in his excitement.  The kids couldn't get enough of it and loved the waterfall slide.  I will spare you the pictures of Juddy and I going down the slide but we did love it as much as the kids.  Abe said he wants to build a house there,  me too Abe me too.   It was a perfect heavenly Sunday.

Beaver Mountain

We were melting in the St. George summer so Beaver Mountain was the perfect weekend getaway.

 Fishing, camping, ATV trails is every little kids heaven.  This year we went up to Big Flat to camp, gorgeous view and big open fields.  10 mins away was Puffer Lake to fish and Beaver River close by to fly fish in.

Little Jamaica

I think yes, Little Jamaica is another rad spot I had never been to or seen.  The water is from a natural spring and pools up to make this swimming area.  The pool is made of sandbags that people have put up.  The muddy water behind it is the Virgin River not the water you would be swimming in.  The small hike down to the waterfall was covered in wild grapes and so green.  The hike is easy from the dirt parking lot but once you get to the waterfall that goes into the pool is a little slick so just be careful with the little kids.  I wouldn't go alone with my kids either, it is just safer with more than one adult.  It was so pretty to see the hill covered in green vines with grapes and then this crystal clear water flowing into this pool.  We didn't get to spend a lot of time but next time we will make a afternoon of the trip.

Directions:
We drove from Santa Clara and took old Highway 91 over Utah hill.  Drove through Beaver Dam and got on I-15 North.  Took the next exit which was Exit 9 Desert Spring.  Take the first right and then a quick next right.   Straight down that road for about 1/4 mile and you drive into a dirt parking lot.  The hike starts from there.  The hike was maybe 10 minutes till we got to the waterfall down to the pool.