But about 100 million years ago, this part of Utah looked very different. A shallow sea covered the region, creating coastal environments where oysters thrived. Today, their fossilized shells reveal a fascinating chapter in Utah’s ancient history.

Arches National Park isn’t just a place to look at rocks, it’s a giant outdoor science classroom. Every arch, canyon, and balanced rock tells a story about erosion, weather, time, and the incredible forces that have shaped the Colorado Plateau. If you’re exploring Arches with kids, these are ten places and experiences I would put on your family adventure list.

The scent of summer, coconutty sweet sunscreen and deep-fried corn dogs fondly known as Pronto Pups, wafts through the air in the desert oasis of Veyo, a small resort town in Southern Utah. In the lush, green Crawdad Canyon, aptly named for the non-native species found in the warm waters of the Santa Clara River, temperatures are generally 10-15 degrees cooler than in nearby St. George, 17 miles to the south.