Destination
Utah, Family-Friendly Adventures
Utah's national parks get most of the attention, but there is a whole other state north of them. The Wasatch Front is a string of communities with mountains at the end of every street, and past that you get lakes, canyons, scenic drives and small towns that are perfect for a family road trip.
From Salt Lake City and the towns along the Front to Bear Lake up in Garden City, this page is where I am collecting our favorite Utah stops as we go.
Destinations
The Map
Tap a pin to jump to that stop. The Wasatch Front towns sit close together, so those pins step out to either side of their true spots.
Best Time to Visit
Northern Utah has four real seasons, and each one gives you a different trip.
Summer is Bear Lake season — the water is the whole point in Garden City, and the drive up Logan Canyon is beautiful. Down in the valley, expect heat: July and August regularly run into the high 90s, so plan city days early and save afternoons for a canyon, where it is markedly cooler.
Late spring and early fall are the sweet spot for everything else. September and October bring color to the Cottonwood canyons above Sandy, and the valley cools off without shutting anything down.
Winter turns the canyons into ski country, with resorts twenty minutes from Sandy and Salt Lake. Two things worth knowing: canyon roads can require snow tires or chains after a storm, and the valley gets temperature inversions in December and January that trap haze for days — if the air looks bad from the freeway, the fix is to drive up out of it.
What to Expect
Getting there: Salt Lake City International sits about ten minutes from downtown, and the TRAX light rail runs straight from the terminal into the city — you can land and start without a rental car.
Getting around: FrontRunner commuter rail links Ogden, Farmington, Salt Lake City and Lehi along the Front, which covers most of this page without driving. For Bear Lake and the canyons, you will want a car.
Distances: everything on the Wasatch Front is close — Ogden is about forty minutes from Salt Lake, Lehi about thirty. Garden City is the outlier at roughly two and a half hours through Logan Canyon.
Altitude: the valley floor sits around 4,300 feet and the canyons climb fast. Drink more water than feels necessary the first day, especially with kids.
Budget: moderate most of the year. Ski season is when lodging near the canyons jumps.
Things to Do in Utah With Kids
City attractions, mountain scenery, outdoor adventures and lake days — often in the same trip. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.
Lehi
Between Salt Lake and ProvoBetween Salt Lake City and Provo, Lehi is a growing community with plenty of family-friendly attractions and activities.
Its location also makes it an easy home base for the rest of the Wasatch Front — whether you are after things to do with kids, family entertainment, restaurants, or a starting point for a Northern Utah road trip. In my guide, we're diving into Thanksgiving Point and all the fun activities to explore here.
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Lehi, where to stop, and what makes it worth a visit.
Draper
South end of the valleyDraper sits along the Wasatch Front between Salt Lake County and Utah County, which makes it a convenient stop when you are exploring the greater Salt Lake area.
Parks, outdoor recreation, shopping, restaurants and mountain scenery close by give families plenty of ways to get outside. We loved exploring the aquarium... more to come on that soon!
Coming soon: more Draper family travel tips.
Sandy
Base of the WasatchAt the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Sandy has easy access to both the Salt Lake Valley and Utah's outdoor scenery.
It is a practical place to stay or explore when you are visiting the area with kids, especially if you want city attractions and mountain adventures in the same day. Stay tuned for the guide if you have active kids who enjoy ninja warrior parks!
Coming soon: family-friendly things to do in Sandy and tips for adding it to your itinerary.
Salt Lake City
The hubSalt Lake City is the easiest place to start a Northern Utah family adventure.
Museums, parks, shopping, zoo, restaurants and family attractions, with the Wasatch Mountains right there — and because it sits in the middle of everything, it works as a destination or as a base for the whole valley.
Coming soon: our favorite Salt Lake City experiences, family-friendly attractions, photo spots, and tips for visiting with kids.
Farmington
North of the cityFarmington is a good family stop just north of Salt Lake City. It's also home to Lagoon Amusement Park.
It is well placed for exploring the northern Wasatch Front while staying close enough to the city for a bigger itinerary — shopping, entertainment, outdoor recreation, or simply a convenient break on a Utah road trip.
Coming soon: more Farmington adventures.
Ogden
Northern Wasatch FrontOgden mixes history, outdoor recreation, mountain scenery and family activities in a way the bigger Wasatch Front cities do not.
North of Salt Lake City, it is a fun addition to a Northern Utah road trip and puts the surrounding mountains within easy reach. Plus there's a bunch of adorable healthy food options nearby.
Coming soon: things to do in Ogden with kids, family-friendly stops, and tips for exploring the area.
Honeyville
Northern UtahSmall-town stops are sometimes the most memorable part of a road trip, and Honeyville is a good example.
Up in northern Utah, it is quieter than the cities down the Front and makes an interesting stop when you are heading toward Bear Lake. A reminder that exploring Utah is not only about checking the big attractions off a list — sometimes the best adventures happen in the places you find along the way. We can't wait to show you our absolute favorite Utah hidden gem in the guide!
Coming soon: more Honeyville adventures.
Garden City
On Bear LakeOn the shore of Bear Lake, Garden City is made for families who want to be near the water.
Lake access and the outdoor recreation around it make it a great summer getaway, and the drive in is part of the experience — mountain scenery the whole way, with plenty of reasons to stop. Our first trip to Bear Lake for Labor Day 2026 already has us wanting to go back.
Coming soon: Garden City and Bear Lake, family-friendly activities, where to explore, and tips for planning your visit.
Utah Family Travel Guide — Coming Soon
