This post is sponsored by Backcountry and Shopstyle
Dear Utah, please never change. We love your four seasons and everything from your tall, snow-capped mountains to your sand-crusted red rocks! And you get more beautiful every day!
YETI COOLER | ORANGE PUFFER | ANISTEN’S SANDALS | BRAUN’S PULLOVER | JETT’S JACKET
That’s the love letter I’d write Utah
It’s such a beautiful state. Since purchasing our vacation home in St. George, we’ve been able to explore everything Southern Utah has to offer (and the weather isn’t bad either!).
It’s the place where climbers, cyclists, runners, and adventurers flock to year-round. And I have to admit, living down here has made more of an adventurer of me and I’ve gained confidence in being outdoors. Braun and I even took up mountain biking! I know you’ve been asking and I plan to do a blog post about the trails we love down here and all of our gear. Stay tuned!
But Braun travels a ton and it’s this new confidence that I have that has me tackling hikes and mountain trails with the kids on the weekends!
TARA’S JACKET | JEANS (similar) | SANDALS
BRAUN’S PULLOVER | BRAUN’S JEANS
So with this guy home this past week and the kid’s fall break falling at the same time, we decided to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and take a picnic and scout some of our favorite lower trails for good family picture locations.
We had originally planned to be up north at Silver Lake but due to state closures, we decided southbound was best and Zions was the obvious backup plan.
Getting To Know Our New Backcountry
The amazing thing about Southern Utah is that there are so many things to do! From Zions National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park to Cedar Breaks National Monument and the Grand Staircase, you aren’t going to get bored down here. It’s territory that begs to be explored in all 4 seasons!
smart planning guarantees a good time
One thing to do before you do any of the activities down here is to make sure you plan accordingly and are dressed and equipped for the weather and season. We’re well into fall now which means warm days with very cold evenings. Once that sun goes behind the rocks, temperatures drop!
Make sure you’ve chosen the proper footwear (we love sandals AND sneakers because quite a lot of the trails down here still have water). And we layer so that we can be cool during the day and can add layers as the sun goes down.
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FIT TIP
If you’re shopping for kid’s jackets, make sure you buy a bit big. This allows them to wear them longer and for layering.
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One place that has quickly become my favorite as I’ve been cultivating outdoor hobbies is Backcountry. I’ve quickly learned that if I am planning anything outdoors, that Backcountry is going to have everything I need and more. When Braun brought our new mountain bikes home, he also look like he had robbed them of all the biking gear they carry! If you know Braun, you know he never does anything halfway. He not only dresses the part, but he’s got all the right safety and survival gear!
If you need gear, head over to Backcountry.com. With free 2-day shipping + the best variety of products, you’re sure to find everything you need whether you’re looking to do some mountain biking or make the most of the oncoming winter by getting all of your ski gear ordered and on its way!
If you are looking for winter gear, do it now! Backcountry.com’s Epic Brand Sale is going on right now and you can save up to 40% on past season styles on these 5 epic brands:
- Patagonia
- The North Face
- Outdoor Research
- Columbia
- Arc’teryx
Head to Backcountry.com to shop! Sale ends the 26th! For any full-priced items, use code TARA15 for 15% off your first purchase (exclusions apply).
YETI COOLER | PULLOVER | JEANS
PS: if you have any questions, take advantage of the Gearheads chat option on their site to answer questions or troubleshoot. They helped me add a discount after the order was done and helped me pick the best padded shorts for biking. These guys are Olympians, athletes, and guides who are your personal gurus when it comes to anything active!
TARA’S JACKET | JEANS (similar) | SANDALS
Our Favorite Family-Friendly Hikes
While there are so many beautiful places to hike in and around St. George and Zions National Park, here are some that are great to start with:
- White Rocks Trail in Snow Canyon.
- Johnson Canyon Trail.
- Temple Quarry Trail.
- Anasazi Valley Trail.
- Elephant Arch Trail.
YETI COOLER | PULLOVER | JETT’S JACKET
You should also check out AllTrails.com – great user-based recommendations and great tips for what to wear and what provisions you need year-round!
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If you are headed for an outdoor adventure, make sure you check out Backcountry.com. Or you can get a jump-start and shop our favorites below:
SHOP OUR BACKCOUNTRY FAVORITES
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