The Best Summer Family Adventures and Day Trips from Cache Valley
One of my favorite things about living in Cache Valley is that we are surrounded by adventure.
Within a few hours of home, our family can float a river, ride an Alpine Slide through the trees, watch a baseball game with the Wasatch Mountains in the background, spend the day on a ropes course or settle into our seats for a Broadway-style musical beneath the stars.
Some of our favorite summer memories have come from bigger road trips, but just as many have happened close to home: burgers after floating the Oneida Narrows, a raspberry shake at Bear Lake, a free concert at the Logan Tabernacle, or an evening climbing Dixie Rock while the lights of St. George come on below us.
Whether your family loves outdoor adventure, live theatre, swimming, history, or simply finding a really good burger and shake, here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of summer in and around Cache Valley.
Editor’s note: Our family was hosted by several of the destinations featured in this guide. We only share experiences we genuinely enjoyed and believe other families will enjoy too.
Stay Close to Home in Cache Valley
It can be tempting to think family adventure requires a hotel reservation and a full tank of gas, but some of our best options are right here at home.
Pack a picnic and head into Logan Canyon. Hike the Wind Caves, paddle at First Dam, explore the Limber Pine Trail, or spend a day at Tony Grove Lake. Even a simple evening drive through the canyon with a picnic and a stop near the river can feel like a mini vacation.
Families with younger children should visit Zootah at Willow Park and the American West Heritage Center.
When my children were little, the Heritage Center’s summer Historic Adventures were one of our favorite activities. We loved the quiet shadow of the Wellsville Mountains, the open space, and the opportunity for our children to run, play and learn about the history of the valley we call home.
Spend a Summer Afternoon in Downtown Logan
Downtown Logan is especially fun during the summer, and it is easy to build an entire day around simple local traditions.
Start at the Cache Valley Gardeners’ Market, browse the shops along Center Street and Main Street and stop at Bluebird Candy. Our children have always loved peeking through the window to watch the candy makers work — and, of course, getting a free sample.
You can also head to the Utah State University campus for Aggie Ice Cream or attend one of the free noon concerts at the Logan Tabernacle.
The summer concert series features local musicians, Broadway performers, visiting artists and community groups in one of Logan’s most beautiful historic buildings. Admission is free, and no ticket is required.
For a bigger night out, check the summer schedule for Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre. A professional musical or opera performed in downtown Logan is a pretty incredible resource to have in our own backyard.
Do not forget the Cache County Fair and Rodeo in early August. We love walking through the 4-H displays, seeing the animals and admiring the art and projects created by local children.
Buy rodeo tickets early. We have made the mistake more than once of assuming we could grab last-minute seats, only to discover the performance was sold out.
Float the Oneida Narrows
Floating the Oneida Narrows section of the Bear River is one of our family’s favorite summer traditions.
You can bring your own tubes and coordinate vehicles at both ends, which makes this a fairly inexpensive activity. We have done it that way, but we have also learned that sometimes paying a little more makes the entire day considerably more enjoyable.
Family Fun Tubing provides tube rentals, life jackets, and transportation, so you do not have to leave a car at each end or figure out how to retrieve everyone afterward.
For our family, the convenience is worth it. Instead of beginning and ending the day with car logistics, we can simply show up and enjoy the river.
Always check current water conditions before heading out, make sure everyone has a properly fitted life jacket and bring plenty of sunscreen and drinking water.
Afterward, we stop at the renovated Polar Bear drive-in in Preston for burgers and ice cream. After a warm afternoon on the river, it is the perfect ending.
Swim at Bear River Hot Springs
Bear River Hot Springs, formerly known as Riverdale Resort, is an easy family outing near Preston.
Unlike a quiet, adults-only soaking destination, Bear River Hot Springs is designed for families. It includes naturally heated pools, a larger outdoor swimming pool, children’s areas, and water features.
There are also lodging and camping options for families who want to turn the outing into a quick overnight trip.
It is especially nice on a day when you want to swim and relax without committing to a large water park.
Spend the Day at Lava Hot Springs
Lava Hot Springs can be as relaxing or adventurous as your family wants it to be.
You can soak in the mineral hot pools, swim at the Olympic Swimming Complex, tackle the water slides, jump from the diving platforms or rent tubes and float the Portneuf River.
Families with a range of ages can divide and conquer. Some may want to relax in the hot pools while others spend the day on the slides or in the river.
Because attraction hours, water levels and tubing conditions change, check the current schedule before making the drive.
Step Into History at Golden Spike — and Keep Driving to the Spiral Jetty
Golden Spike National Historical Park is a worthwhile day trip for families who enjoy trains, history or places that help children understand how national events connect to our region.
Visitors can see the replica Jupiter and No. 119 locomotives and learn about the meeting of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Promontory Summit in 1869.
Depending on the day and season, the park may offer locomotive demonstrations, ranger programs and opportunities to explore the historic railroad grades.
Since you are already headed west, continue to the Spiral Jetty.
Created by artist Robert Smithson in 1970, the enormous spiral extends into the Great Salt Lake shoreline and looks completely different depending on the lake level. Sometimes it sits within pink or reddish water; other times, it is surrounded by dry salt flats.
The road to the Spiral Jetty is remote and can be rough, so check current conditions, bring water and download directions before losing cell service. It feels like an adventure just getting there.
Plan the Perfect Bear Lake Day
Bear Lake is an obvious day trip from Cache Valley and always lands on our family’s summer must-do list.
Our perfect Bear Lake day has a familiar rhythm: burgers and raspberry shakes, plenty of time at the beach and a laugh-out-loud performance at Pickleville Playhouse.
We usually begin — or refuel midway through the day — at LaBeau’s. There are plenty of newer places to eat around the lake, but we remain loyal to the original.
Tradition means a lot to me, and a Bear Lake day simply does not feel complete without a LaBeau’s burger and raspberry shake.
Then we head to the water. You do not need a boat to enjoy Bear Lake. Our children are happy playing in the sand, swimming, and paddleboarding along the shoreline.
Bring shade, life jackets, sunscreen, and more snacks than you think you will need.
We end the day at Pickleville Playhouse, a family-owned theatre with deep Cache Valley ties and a long tradition of producing shows the entire family can genuinely enjoy.
Pickleville’s original melodramas always make us laugh, but this summer’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers — my favorite musical — completely stole my heart.
The dancing, music and familiar story felt perfectly suited to a summer evening at Bear Lake.
This year’s original melodrama, The Ballad of Butch and Sundance, was written by Derek Davis and incorporates musical numbers, audience interaction, and live improvisation. Because portions of the performance change each night, even returning audience members may see something new each night!
Our family was hosted for this experience. As always, the experiences and opinions shared are our own.
Cheer for the Salt Lake Bees
Few things feel more like summer than a night at the ballpark.
The Salt Lake Bees’ new home at The Ballpark at America First Square in Daybreak is beautiful, welcoming and surprisingly easy to enjoy as a family.
The stadium has a polished, Major League feel, but it still offers the affordability and fun atmosphere families love about Minor League Baseball.
The lawn seats have a great view and give younger children a little extra room. There are also restaurants, a Megaplex Theatre, arcade-style entertainment and other activities nearby, so families can easily turn the game into a full afternoon or evening.
The nearby TRAX station makes the stadium accessible from downtown Salt Lake City and adds another element of adventure for children who enjoy riding the train.
Our family was hosted for this experience. As always, the experiences and opinions shared are our own.
Find Mountain Adventure in Park City
When we want cooler air, mountain scenery and activities that work for both children and teenagers, Park City is one of our favorite choices.
At Park City Mountain, families can ride the Alpine Slide through the aspen trees, race down the Mountain Coaster, try the zip lines or challenge themselves on the Legacy Launcher and climbing wall.
Nearby, Utah Olympic Park offers an entirely different kind of adventure.
The Gold Pass can include ziplines, ropes courses, extreme tubing, an alpine slide, activity towers and other challenges.
The two destinations are close enough to combine in one getaway, but each can easily fill most of a day on its own.
Our family was hosted for this experience. As always, the experiences and opinions shared are our own.
See a Show at the New Playmill Theatre
The Playmill Theatre opened its new Island Park location on July 1, 2026, beginning a new chapter for a theatre that has been a family tradition for decades.
We saw Disney’s Frozen and loved it.
The new theatre gives performers room for larger choreography and production elements while retaining the personal, welcoming atmosphere Playmill audiences have always loved.
The Mack’s Inn location makes it easy to build an entire Island Park day around the show.
After our matinee, we took a peaceful scenic float down the North Fork of the Snake River.
We also love stopping at Café Sabor, a Cache Valley favorite that spread its wings to Island Park.
Our family was hosted for this experience. As always, the experiences and opinions shared are our own.
Make Jackson Hole an Annual Tradition
Jackson Hole is on our family bucket list almost every year.
A full day at Snow King Mountain can include the Cowboy Coaster, Alpine Slide, Amaze’n Maze, mini golf, scenic gondola, zipline, and Treetop Adventure.
The mountaintop Snow King Observatory & Planetarium adds a completely different kind of experience, with astronomy programs, planetarium shows, interactive science and nighttime stargazing.
Away from the mountain, we love shopping around Town Square, watching the free Town Square Shootout, and seeing a show at the historic Jackson Hole Playhouse.
This summer, the Playhouse is presenting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with a Western twist.
Families can also choose between a relaxing scenic float and a more adventurous whitewater trip on the Snake River.
Jackson lodging has become expensive, so we often stay over Teton Pass in Victor.
We have fallen in love with Teton Valley Resort, where the cabins are clean, stylish, more affordable and large enough for our family. It is a convenient base camp for exploring Jackson, Island Park, and the surrounding Teton area.
Take a St. George Road Trip
St. George is too far for a simple day trip from Cache Valley, but it is absolutely worth planning as a weekend or extended road trip.
One of our most memorable St. George experiences was renting e-bikes from Snow Canyon E-Bike Rentals and riding through Snow Canyon State Park.
The rental location is only about a two-minute ride from the park entrance, so we did not need to transport bikes or worry about loading them onto our vehicle.
The family-owned company provided clean, safe bikes and wonderful service. We were even able to have a younger, smaller child ride as a passenger, which allowed our whole family to participate.
The e-bikes let us cover more ground without rushing past the scenery. We could enjoy the towering red cliffs, lava flows and desert landscape without everyone being exhausted by the end.
We also love climbing Dixie Rock at Pioneer Park. The climb is short, the sandstone is fun to explore and the view over St. George is beautiful during the day and at night.
The highlight of our recent trip was seeing Grease at Tuacahn Amphitheatre.
With classic cars on stage, fantastic dancing, powerful vocals and the red cliffs rising behind the set, it was absolutely “swell.”
Our family was hosted for this experience. As always, the experiences and opinions shared are our own.
Make Summer Memories Together
The best family adventures are not always the biggest or most expensive.
Sometimes the memory is a burger after floating the river, the thrill of catching, or almost catching, a baseball tossed into the stands, a raspberry shake you have ordered every summer for years or the moment the lights come up on a musical beneath the red cliffs.
Choose a few outings that fit your family, leave room for traditions and spontaneity and enjoy the long summer days together.
