Adventure Tykes

I was a guest on Go Explore Nature a few months back and I was asked to write about activities in and around Moab, UT.  I decided to feature that post today.  With Spring arriving soon, Jeep Safari not too far away and Car Show right after that, you just never know if any of my readers will be visiting Moab and are in need of some family activities.

So, here it is!

Moab, isolated in the southeast corner of Utah, is a mountain bike mecca and rock climbing haven.  With two National Parks 20 minutes away, Arches and Canyonlands, it is a tourist hot spot.  The winters are mild and the summers are toasty with a high some times reaching 109.

We moved to Moab 4 years ago from Denver and what a change it was.  We went from green mountainous terrain to the dry high desert.  Even though Moab is small with a population of 4,500 there is still plenty of outdoor activities to do and especially with a tyke.

Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve

This preserve is located on the west side of town and it is a great location to allow your tykes to run loose.  Great educational material is posted at the entrance of the preserve.

There are a handful of trails and boardwalks that lead you to different viewing areas of the preserve and J-Man had a blast exploring the maze of trails.

There is a trail that leads you to the Colorado River and another that leads you to a wildlife blind.  In the evenings and mornings deer can be spotted grazing or resting in the area.  On this day they were playing hide –n- seek.

Other animals such as beavers, raccoons, bunnies and many different species of birds can be spotted at the preserve.  All we saw were footprints.

Hidden Valley Trail Hike

Hidden Valley trail is a hiking trail that provides a wonderful view of the Moab Valley.  It is 4 miles round trip (if you go to the pass) but you can make the length however long you want.  There is a climb to the top with switchbacks and once on top it flattens out into a valley nestled between cliffs of redrock.  It is beautiful up in the valley and at the pass you can find petroglyphs on some of the rocks.

Along the trail you will come across tiny lizards scurrying in front of you from one side of the trail to the other.  Sometimes if you are lucky, you will see bigger lizards sunning themselves on a rock.

Depending on the season you might see cactus blooming.

Devils Garden in Arches National Park Hike

This hike is one of the most popular trails in Arches National Park and with little elevation gain it is perfect for younger tykes.  You can make the length of the hike as long as you desire.  Devils Garden area contains the largest concentration of natural arches in the world and is a great place for the whole family.

Two of the most popular arches are Landscape Arch and Double O Arch.

Along the trail you will see soil that is called Crypto Biotic Crust. Cryptobiotic soil crusts, consisting of soil cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses, play an important ecological role in the arid Southwest.  It increase the stability of otherwise easily eroded soils.

There are many places to stop, take a break or have lunch and allow your tyke to explore.

Ken’s Lake

During the hot summer days Ken’s Lake just south of town is a great place to cool off.  The lake fills from the snow melt in the La Sal mountains, which are 30 minutes southeast of town. You will find many locals and tourists enjoying there summer days there.

Located close to Ken’s Lake is Faux Falls.  A man-made waterfall with easy access to the top and your canines can come along, too.

Hole N’  The Rock

15 mintues south of Moab there is a world renown destination called Hole N’ The Rock.  Here you will find a home built inside a HUGE sandstone rock.  Across the parking lot is a petting zoo that is fun for all ages.

They recently revamped the zoo added additional animals and it looks great.   You can buy a bucket of food for $5.00 that you can hand feed to the animals.  J-Man had a blast passing out carrots and peanuts to all the animals.

You will find pigs, billy goats, Watusi’s, an aviary pen, donkey’s, emu’s, an ostrich and many many other animals.

J-Man’s favorite animals to feed were the pygmy goats and camel.

Although we have been here for 4 years and have found some great activities we are always searching for other exciting and fun things to do.

If you are ever traveling to Moab and need ideas feel free to contact me.