Family-Friendly Places to Stay Near St. George, Utah
If you're a Bay Area family looking for an easy adventure that feels like a real getaway, put Southern Utah on your list.
My family and I recently made the trip from the Bay Area to St. George, Utah, and it ended up being such a fun destination for our family. The scenery is completely different from what we have at home, there are so many things to do with kids, and — my favorite part — you can have an amazing family vacation without needing to plan every minute of the day.
We stayed at two very different family-friendly properties during our trip: Zion Utah Jellystone Park and Arcadia Resort. Both were a hit with our family, but for completely different reasons.
If you're trying to decide where to stay in the St. George/Zion area with kids, here's what we loved about each one.
🌲 Zion Utah Jellystone Park
A Family Camping Experience Without Actually Having to Rough It
Our first stop was Jellystone Park Zion, and this place immediately felt like somewhere the kids were going to love.
If your family likes camping but you're not quite ready to sleep in a tent with three kids, Jellystone is the perfect middle ground. You get the fun, outdoorsy feeling of camping with the comfort of cabins and tons of activities right on the property.
The Kids Were Never Bored
One of the biggest things I loved about Jellystone was that we didn't have to entertain the kids ourselves.
There is so much to do around the property, including the Water Zone with pools, water slides, a lazy river and splash areas. There are also activities like a jumping pillow, playgrounds, sports and seasonal activities.
And, of course, there's Yogi Bear!
For a family vacation, this is such a nice change of pace. Instead of spending the day driving from one activity to another, we could stay put and let the kids play.
It Felt Like a Vacation Within the Vacation
This is something I would definitely recommend to other Bay Area families: don't make Jellystone just a place to sleep while you're visiting Zion.
Give yourself a day to enjoy the property.
We found that the kids were just as excited about the water activities and everything happening at Jellystone as they were about getting out and exploring Southern Utah.
It's also a fun option if you're traveling with another family because the kids can run around and play together while the adults get some downtime.
The Accommodations
Jellystone offers several different ways to stay, including cabins, glamping accommodations, RV sites and tent camping.
We loved having the cabin experience because it gave us that camping atmosphere without requiring us to pack all of our camping gear and sleep in a tent.
For Bay Area families who want to try something a little different, I think this is such a fun option.
I'd especially recommend Jellystone for: families with younger kids, families who love activities, and anyone who wants a vacation where the kids are going to be entertained from morning until night.
The Place to Stay When You Want a Resort Vacation
After Jellystone, we headed to Arcadia Resort in Santa Clara, and it was a completely different experience.
If Jellystone is the fun family camping adventure, Arcadia is the "let's have a relaxing vacation but still keep the kids busy" option.
And honestly, I loved having both experiences on the same trip.
The Pool Was a Huge Hit
The resort pool was one of the biggest highlights for our family.
There is a lazy river, water slide, multiple pools, hot tubs and plenty of space to hang out. The kids could spend hours in the water, which meant we could actually relax instead of constantly looking for the next thing to do.
And that's exactly what I want from a family vacation.
Fun for the kids + a little downtime for Mom and Dad = a win.
We Loved Having So Much Space
One of the biggest differences between staying at Arcadia and staying in a traditional hotel is the amount of space you get.
The vacation homes have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, living spaces and full kitchens, depending on the property.
That makes Arcadia especially appealing for larger families or traveling with grandparents, cousins or another family.
Anyone who has ever tried squeezing a family of five into one hotel room knows that having actual bedrooms and a living room can make a huge difference.
And having a kitchen is another bonus. We could have breakfast at the house before heading out for the day and keep snacks and drinks on hand for the kids.
You Don't Have to Leave the Resort
Arcadia has so many amenities that you could easily spend an entire day there.
In addition to the pools, there are pickleball courts, a game room, golf simulator, gym, clubhouse, fire pits and more.
The kids loved having so many options, and I loved that we could have a slower day after a busy day of sightseeing.
👉 See Arcadia Resort vacation rentals and check availability
❤️ Why St. George Is Such a Great Trip From the Bay Area
One of the things that surprised me most about our trip was how much there is to do around St. George.
Coming from the Bay Area, we're lucky to have so many amazing destinations nearby, but Southern Utah gives you a completely different landscape and experience.
The red rocks are incredible, the weather is often beautiful, and there are so many outdoor activities that kids can enjoy.
And while Zion National Park is an obvious must-see, you don't have to spend your entire trip hiking.
We loved being able to mix adventure days with pool days.
That's my ideal family vacation.
One day we're out exploring the red rocks, and the next we're sitting by the pool while the kids go down the water slide for the 47th time.
🏜️ Things to Do With Kids Around St. George
If you're planning a trip, here are a few things to add to your list:
Zion National Park
Of course, Zion is the big one! The scenery is incredible, and there are hikes and activities for different ages and abilities. If you're visiting with kids, I'd recommend choosing a few family-friendly trails rather than trying to see the entire park in one day.
Snow Canyon State Park
Don't overlook Snow Canyon! This beautiful state park is surrounded by red sandstone cliffs and lava flows and has hiking trails, a paved walking and biking trail, wildlife viewing, and even Junior Ranger activities. It's a great option when you want the Utah scenery without committing to a full day at Zion.
Tuacahn Amphitheatre
Check the schedule before your trip! Seeing a Broadway-style show at Tuacahn, surrounded by towering red rock cliffs, is such a fun family experience. Kids ages 3 and up are welcome in the outdoor amphitheatre, and the 2026–27 season includes shows like Finding Nemo, Les Misérables and Grease.
Sand Hollow State Park
If your family loves being on the water, add Sand Hollow to your list. The combination of turquoise water and red sand is gorgeous, and families can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, paddleboarding and more. It's located about 15 miles east of St. George.
St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
This is a fun stop if you have dinosaur lovers in your family. Kids can see real dinosaur tracks and learn about the creatures that lived in Southern Utah millions of years ago.
Mom tip: If you're driving all the way from the Bay Area, I'd build in a mix of adventure days and slower pool days. That's one of the things we loved most about our trip — we could spend a morning exploring the red rocks and then head back to our resort for swimming and relaxing. Jellystone or Arcadia? Here's What I'd Choose.
🌵 Jellystone or Arcadia? Here's What I'd Choose
After staying at both, I honestly think you can't go wrong — but I'd choose based on the type of trip you're looking for.
Choose Jellystone if...
✔️ Your kids love water parks and activities
✔️ You want a fun camping experience without tent camping
✔️ You have younger kids
✔️ You want lots of activities right outside your door
✔️ You're traveling with another family
Choose Arcadia if...
✔️ You want more space
✔️ You're traveling with a large family or group
✔️ You want a vacation-home setup instead of a hotel
✔️ You want a resort-style pool
✔️ You want to mix sightseeing with relaxing pool days
✔️ You're traveling with grandparents or extended family
🚗 Is St. George Worth the Drive From the Bay Area?
For our family, absolutely.