Skip to main content
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. While clicking these links won't cost you any extra money, they will help us keep this site up and running! Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.

Elf the Musical at Tuacahn Amphitheatre

We were in Southern Utah for Thanksgiving Break, and was able to kick-off Christmas by viewing of Elf the Musical at Tuacahn Amphitheatre! Elf The Musical is now playing at the newly renovated Hafen Theatre (their indoor theatre) at Tuacahn! You know The Salt Project loves Tuacahn! We were super excited to hear that they had Christmas shows! All the kids (and cousins) had just watched Elf the movie a few days ago. I'll admit, I was a little hesitant. Don't hate me, but I've only seen Elf the movie once and didn't care for it much. But I LOVE

Zion Adventure Photog Family Photos | 12 Utah Staycations

When I realized that we would be close to Arika (from Zion Adventure Photog) when visiting Cable Mountain Lodge, I knew that family photos needed to happen! Arika is my favorite Southern Utah Photographer (dare I say favorite in general?) I was super excited to have Stephanie meet Arika in person too. Stephanie and I planned to have Arika take pretty casual photos. I wanted to have some photos that shows us pretty much how we are, dressed as we are, stains and all. I loved how they turned out. I admire Arika's love for adventure families too! She's got

Hiking the Narrows | 12 Utah Staycations

Hiking The Narrows has been a life long goal of mine. I always pictured a big trip down to Zion with a group of people, taking a guided tour for an all-day hiking experience. Well our schedule got switched around and our Sunday morning was wide open, so when I saw people riding the shuttle in full gear I knew they were hiking The Narrows. I tracked down some gear to rent at a local spot just outside the gate of the park and then reached out to our amazing followers online for some tips. They encouraged me to go

Things to do near Zion National Park | 12 Utah Staycations

Today is the last day to enter our Cable Mountain Staycation Giveaway! We're giving away 2 nights and giving you ALL the details about what to do! Here's our full itinerary, complete with details and tips. Read why Cable Mountain Lodge is hands down the best place to stay if you plan to do hang out in Zion National Park! Hike Angel's Landing Hike Overlook Canyon Trail Hike the Narrows Hike Pine Creek Gorge Slot Canyon Here's some ways to explore Zion with Younger Kids. Head on down to St. George! Oscar's Cafe We had SO much fun visiting Cable

St. George | 12 Utah Staycations

We had a spare minute and found ourselves about 20 minutes away from St. George and 20 minutes away from sunset. So we headed straight to The Crack! This is our favorite fast adventure and it just isn't a visit to St. George without conquering The Crack. We've never hiked it in the dark before. It was dusk, but the crack its self was super dark. It is definitely harder in the dark, so I don't recommend it if you are hiking for the first time. This is looking down from the top. We just love that red rock. And

Oscar's Cafe | 12 Utah Staycations

Oscar's Cafe is a popular place to eat right in Springdale Utah. We were able to visit on our 11th Staycation and it was DELICIOUS! Many of the places in Springdale were showing off their Christmas decorations and we didn't mind a bit. You can choose to eat inside or outside. Even though it was the middle of November, it was a beautiful night to eat on the patio. The chips and salsa were spot on. Tiny Vesper was eating hers with a spoon she loved it so much. The kids had happy meals with some homemade corndogs and fries

Things to do in Zion with Kids | 12 Utah Staycations

Zion National Park has so many epic hikes. I mean, Angel's Landing, The Subway, The Narrows. The whole world knows about these hikes. While they are epic, they are too epic for some young kids, like mine. I've been to Zion National Park so many times I feel like I've hiked everything there is to hike with kids. This last visit to Zion National Park was a little tougher because SOOOO many of the kid-friendly trails were closed! Weeping Rock (closed indefinitely) & The Emerald Pool Trails were closed for maintenance. We made the best out of the situation and

Pine Creek Gorge Slot Canyon | 12 Utah Staycations

If you find yourself at the Overlook Hike, then you are right where you need to be to find the Pine Creek trail. This trail is NOT clearly marked in any way. The trail head is located in the parking lot right as you exit the tunnel. There is a sign to follow the path under the road/bridge. You will be able to see somewhat of a trail. Follow that down into the slot canyon. Small children will need help down but I think they would have fun exploring the canyon. Once you are down, head to the right. The

Cable Mountain Lodge | 12 Utah Staycations

.We were able to stay at Cable Mountain Lodge right at the mouth of Zion National Park! It. was. amazing. Just image waking up to these views every morning. Seriously, you can’t get a much better view. We got in around 9:30 pm and all the Christmas Lights were up. There’s something kind of magical about getting in late and not really knowing where you are staying. It’s the best feeling to wake up the next day and take it all in. Here are some of our favorite features about Cable Mountain Lodge! The Views! From any point, at Cable

Win a Salt Project Family Staycation to Cable Mountain Lodge!

We JUST finished our 11th Staycation to Cable Mountain Resort! Cable Mountain Lodge is LITERALLY the last place before you enter Zion National Park. We are SO excited to partner up with Cable Mountain Lodge to giveaway a Staycation to one of you! We'll be writing all about our experience throughout the week but you can enter the Cable Mountain Lodge Staycation Giveaway NOW! Be sure to check back every day, because you can always enter again!
Subscribe to Washington County