Are you looking for a unique destination for your next family vacation? Do you want your kids to experience the great outdoors, learn some Western history and take part in unique festivals? I recently heard about Tooele County, Utah and did some digging. I think it will be the perfect destination for our next trip across the U.S. Tooele County offers outdoor activities, history, events, and more as well as must-see sights such as the Salt Flats & wild horses! As part of my research into this diverse area, I’ve put together ideas to help plan your Tooele, Utah travel adventure with kids.
Tooele County is conveniently located along Interstate-80 in the western part of Utah, between Wendover, Nevada and Salt Lake City. Easily accessible from the interstate, Tooele County can be your main destination or a stop for a couple of days as part of a longer family road trip. It’s located less than 30 minutes from Salt Lake City making a day trip possible, if you’re crunched for time.
Tooele, Utah Travel with Kids:
Situated on the Bonneville Salt Flats, Tooele County is the venue for the fastest land-speed records on earth. Additionally, the Bonneville Salt Flats and Great Salt Lake are some of the most photographed landscapes in America. And if that’s not cool enough to appeal to even the most disinterested teen, Tooele County is home to the largest herd of free-roaming wild horses in Utah and one of the largest in the country! It’s said the watering holes in the Cedar Mountains are the greatest places to observe the horses, sometimes from only a few hundred yards away! Just these 2 activities alone would be enough to impress my kids, but there is so much more to Tooele County than Salt Flats and wild horses.
Some of the other activities in Tooele County include: Deseret Peak Facility, Scuba diving – Salt Water underground diving, Pony Express Trail, Wendover Air Museum, Donner-Reed Trail, ATV & OHV trails, Sailing on the Great Salt Lake, Benson Grist Mill and Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum.
What better place to hike than a location where you can experience mountain, canyon and desert landscapes in close proximity? There are countless hiking opportunities in Tooele County, but the Donner-Reed Trail grabbed my attention immediately. If traveling with older kids, consider hiking this 8.4 mile trail for stunning views and beautiful wild flowers. The trail is rated as moderate, so ensure your kids can handle the hike and come prepared for a day dedicated to family fitness.
When you need a break but want to continue enjoying the outdoor beauty of Tooele County, take the kids fishing. There are reservoirs that are regularly stocked throughout the summer. Children under 14 don’t require a license, but are limited to two fish. Bird watching is another quiet activity. The arid climate leads to a concentration of birds at watering holes, so you can relax by the marsh and encourage kids to spot different bird species. Keep a notebook and pencil, so younger kids can draw their favorites. The activity might not last long, but could be a nice break from the physical exertions of the day.
Then cool off at the Aquatic Center of the Deseret Peak Facility. Great for all age groups, the water level starts at zero and goes to 12 ft deep. The facility also has three playgrounds, a Pitch n’ Putt Golf Course, BMX Track, Archery Range and more.
Take a step back in time at the Benson Grist Mill. The gristmill ground wheat and other grains from 1854 to the 1940s! The facility is open for tours giving visitors a glimpse at how early pioneers made flour and also includes pioneer-themed activities.
Or visit the Wendover Air Museum to see interactive exhibits and displays while learning personal WWII experiences told through multimedia exhibits.
Race fans will enjoy seeing 20 vintage racing cars at the Miller Motorsports Museum including a new Ford Mustang FR500S. There is no set admission price for the museum, but a $5 donation is requested. I’m not sure I’d get my boys out of this museum!
Mark Your Calendar:
When planning your visit, keep these 2017 Tooele events in mind:
- May 20th – Lantern Festival
- Apr-Jun – Salt Flats Racing Association Test & Tune
- July 27th-30th – Country Fan Fest
- July 4th Weekend – Bit N Spur Rodeo
While all of the festivals look great for kids, as an adult, I would love to see the Tooele Lantern Festival. In addition to thousands gathering together with lanterns, visitors enjoy food, live music, princesses, face painters, balloon artists and more.
I know Derrick and K would be beside themselves to see Salt Flats Racing. There are no grandstands, but I’m sure my boys will catch “Salt Fever.” The sights and sounds of the races will have them begging to return year after year.
A bit of interesting history – The origins of the name Tooele are often debated. Some claim it was based on a small town in Spain named Tuilla from the early explorer Father Francisco Dominguez. Others have suggested it is a native Goshute Tribe word for bear. The Mormon Pioneers referred to it as Tuilla until 1870 when the name was changed to the current spelling of Tooele.
If you also find it difficult to discover new destinations the entire family will enjoy, consider Tooele County for your next vacation. We want unique experiences and places that will not only keep the kids happy, but parents as well. At the same time, it’s important for kids to have the opportunity to explore nature and see a variety of landscapes within the U.S. We want our kids outside, exploring and learning about our diverse country.
Tooele County offers countless opportunities for families to explore nature & experience the rich history of the American West. Get the entire family outdoors to hike, bike, ride horses, cruise around on ATV’s or camp in the mountains. Kids won’t want to miss seeing the famous Salt Flats, searching for wild horses & diving deep at the Aquatic center. Experience some of the most dramatic and diverse landforms on earth during your next holiday in Tooele County, Utah.
See more information and ideas for Tooele, Utah travel on their website.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored article. As always, opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.
Photo Credit: Explore Tooele
Great suggestions for travelling in Utah with kids! I would love to visit Salt flats. Seems like such a bizarre and interesting place to go!
Definitely!
I have visited Utah once to see some national parks. These photos make me want to go back again! That automobile looks cool!
I love the Salt Lake area. Do you have a favorite activity that you and your family have enjoyed while visiting?
Seems so ideal for growing kids. Great opportunity to get close to nature.
I have never seen so many wild horses together.
What an intriguing and beautiful place. I’d love to catch that ‘salt fever’ one day myself!
While I’ve only visited Utah in the winter, I loved it. There is so much to do in Utah in summer that I can’t wait to return. The Bonneville Salt Flats and Great Salt Lake and stop in Toele would be high on our list!
I’d never heard of Tooley but I only had a quick peak at Utah during a stopover and it made me want to see more of it. I love these mountains!!
It’s always nice to be able to get a glimpse of places during a stopover. You never know if you’ll find a place to go back to.
I had no idea there was so much to do in Utah! I usually just think of the national parks when I think of Utah, but it sounds like there is so much more than that. The landscape looks gorgeous, and I would love to see the Lantern Festival!
Never realized how much variety there is to do in Utah! I lived in Chiang Mai where they celebrate the lantern festival and if its anything similar to that, a visit is highly recommended. It’s so beautiful.
I would LOVE to see the lantern festival in Chiang Mai!
Being from California, I’ve held off on so much US travel because I figure I can get to it when I’m older. However, I’ve been hearing so many great things about Utah- especially the salt flats and the mountains! I wasn’t aware you could see wild horses there, either. Thanks for this informative article; I’d love to see the Tooele Lantern Festival!
We do the same. I always think that I’ll visit later, but there are so many gorgeous places in the States to discover.
Well, Utah has already stolen my heart, and I’m always looking for new places to explore. I have never heard of or been to Tooele, but it has everything I look for in a destination – hiking, beautiful scenery, and wildlife.
Yes, it seems to have everything an outdoor lover could want.
I want to go to Utah! Wild horses and salt flats are such a great combination. I would absolutely love to see the lantern festival.
I applied for a job in Utah once and the main reason was for scenery such as this. That’s the only area of the U.S. left unexplored by me and I can’t wait to get out there! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Hope you and your kids had a blast.
Best of luck with your new job!
My wife’s family lives in Salt Lake, and in all of our visits to see family there, we have never made it out to Tooele even though it so close. We will certainly have to add this to our intinerary on one of next visits. I would love to see the salt flats, not just for the racing but also for the natural wonder.
Next time you visit her family you can make a stop in Tooele.
Salt Water underground diving – you can go diving there? Awesome! I don’t know much about Utah at all, other than the Salt Flats, thanks to the movie The World’s Fastest Indian! Looks like there’s plenty to do, good to know.
The Salt Flats sound really cool! Also, the lantern festival is on my list! I’d love to attend one of those.
They would both be fantastic to see.
I love this place for a family vacation! I can’t get enough of the outdoors and there’s lots to keep kids busy too. It’s my dream to see wild horses one day:)
My dream too! It’s so hard to keep kids off their electronics so I love places that can keep them busy outdoors.
Wow! Utah looks like the perfect place to go camping. I bet the trails are absolutely stunning. I’d love to see wild horses too!
Yes, it would be great place to camp and hike.