Zion National Park with Littles: Healthy Snacks, Big Views & Family Adventure

Road-tripping to Zion with a 3- and 6-year-old?

Yep—we did that. And guess what? It was amazing.

Recently, my sister and packed up the car, loaded in my sister’s 3- and 6-year-old granddaughters, and set out on a family road trip to Zion National Park—and let me just say, it was magical. The towering sandstone cliffs, the breathtaking trails, and even the dirt under our feet reminded us that wellness isn’t just about what you eat—it’s also about where you wander and how you connect.

But let’s be honest—traveling with little ones can get wild fast if you’re not prepared. And I wasn’t…but thankfully my sister was! So I’m sharing what worked for us: from healthy car snacks to simple hikes and one very worthwhile hotel splurge.

Road-Ready Fuel: Snacks & Meals for the Drive

One of the best things we did before this trip? Prep ahead for the road. Pack your favorite healthy snacks, lots of tea (my sister and I both live off green tea), and plenty of patience.
We brought:

Pre-packed bento-style boxes for the kids with fruit, cheese, crackers, and veggie sticks. This keeps everything in its compartment and makes it easy for kids to eat out of while travelling.

My sister also made up some hummus and sliced turkey wraps for the drive (see recipe in my recipe section). Super easy to munch on while driving for us and the kiddos.
Easy, mess-free PB&J sandwiches – which were perfect for our day at Zion since they don’t need to be refrigerated.
Lots of water (hydration is key in the sun!) – we packed several gallons of water to make sure we were hydrated and not having to spend a lot on bottled water. Make sure to bring your own water flask so you can easily refill.
Trail mix, granola bars, and some fun snacks to keep the kids entertained, along with sticker books, tablets pre-loaded with games and videos, and toys. My sister packed the girl’s little backpacks with snacks each day that they kept in the back seat with them. This way if they wanted a snack they could choose what snacks they wanted. Brilliant idea!

Having everything portioned and reachable made all the difference – whether it was a 3-year old or 40–something year old wanting munchies every 30 minutes.

Shop while you tripping

If prepping isn’t your jam the night before, there are plenty of grab-and-go options that still support your health goals. We kept a small insulated cold bag in the car that we could fill with ice and keep items that needed to be kept cold. It was the perfect size to keep in the back seat and we had that thing packed!

Items like string cheese, mini hummus cups, applesauce pouches, and veggies are great options. So many gas stations have these items now and if not you can always stop at a grocery store while travelling.

We stopped at one point and purchased hard-boiled eggs (without shells), spindrift drinks, fruit, and ready to eat veggies and had that for dinner one night. We were able to keep the leftovers in our ice bag and had it for lunch the next day. Things like this helped to keep the cost down as we weren’t having to stop at restaurants or fast food – so we also were able to stay on track with our health goals!

Another great idea for breakfast is to make up packs of oatmeal with oats, chia seeds, nuts, and seeds. Add a mini packet of almond butter and all you have to do in the morning is add hot water. This is so easy and can save a lot of money while travelling. Speaking of money…

Our Stay: Red Cliffs Lodge

Yes, it was a bit of a splurge... but Red Cliffs Lodge was absolutely worth it. Nestled in the shadow of the sandstone cliffs, the views from our room were breathtaking. The kids were thrilled to swim in the pool and relax in the spa the night before our hike, and it was a great start to our road trip.

The rooms were really nice and had huge closets! We ate dinner at the restaurant and sat outside so we could gaze at the mountains right before our eyes…it’s like you could just reach out and practically touch them they were so close.

For breakfast we had breakfast sandwiches my sister made and packed and we ate outside in the grass, taking in all the glory of the colored cliffs. The hotel had free coffee but no hot water, but we were able to get hot water for our tea from the restaurant and they filled up our ziplock with ice for our cold bag (we couldn’t find an ice machine anywhere). Everyone was super nice and I would definitely stay here again for the close proximity to the park and the amazing views.

Another win for this hotel: we could leave our car at the lodge all day and just hop on the Zion shuttle bus, which picked us up nearby and dropped us at the Visitor Center. From there, it was seamless to get to the trails.

Getting Around Zion: Easy & Organized

I was so impressed by how well-organized the Zion system is. Everyone at the Visitor Center was incredibly helpful, offering maps and hike suggestions categorized by difficulty (which is great when you’ve got little legs in tow).

From the Visitor Center, we boarded the shuttle that takes you through the park. Our stop? Number 9—The Riverside Walk.

The Riverside Walk: Perfect for Little Explorers

This trail was exactly what we hoped for: flat, scenic, and accessible (people of all ages were enjoying the path and beauty). It’s the trail that leads to The Narrows, but we didn’t go that far this time.

What made it special:

We were walking among people from all over the world (reminding me that God’s nature calls to all of us)
The kids used scavenger hunt booklets to look for wildlife, plants, and fun landmarks
They played in the dirt, skipped rocks, and ran ahead with huge smiles
The colors of the rock formations—reds, oranges, browns—felt like walking through a living painting
The incredible majesty of the cliffs jutting high above our heads and causing us to look up in awe

By the end, our youngest was fading, but made it the entire walk.

We definitely want to go back to explore more. You could spend days here but this was a great first trip for us.

Tips to Make It Work With Kids:

Wear hats—the sun is stronger than you think
Pack simple food like sandwiches and fruit
Let the kids lead and explore at their own pace
Be ready to talk to strangers—you’ll meet so many kind people
Stay flexible and patient, even if plans change (and they will!)
Check the Junior Ranger programs—we missed it this time but it’s on our list for next trip

Final Thoughts

This trip reminded me of something so simple, yet easy to forget: kids don’t need fancy entertainment—they just need freedom to explore. Nature offers the perfect playground for discovery, connection, and wellness for the whole family.

Nature is God’s creation so of course we would be drawn to it and would find peace and wellness in His creation. Nature calls to us – answer the call!