Jon & Melissa Smith

We've lived in Utah most of our life, and with a family of five kids, we’re always on the lookout for inexpensive, beautiful outdoor adventures that everyone can enjoy. From mountain trails to the red rock canyons and desert landscapes, this collection features the outdoor destinations our family has explored and loved. These spots highlight just how diverse, accessible, and breathtaking Utah’s outdoors can be—perfect for creating unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.

I’ve been mowing my own yard since before my teenage years, and I even spent time working full-time as a professional lawn mower. Today, my teenage son has been mowing lawns professionally for over six years. We take a lot of pride in our yards, and this collection features the tools we personally use, trust, and recommend to get the job done right.

My wife and I lived in DC for over a decade and we had lots of visitors that we showed around. Here are some of our favorite places that are a bit off the beaten path in addition to a first-time visitor list.

Our big family loves camping. I first fell in love with camping as a young kid in Washington state and then got better at camping as a cub scout, boy scout, and Eagle scout. We're always adding to our camping gear. Here are some of our favorite essentials, there are a ton of other camping items you'll need but this list represents the bigger must haves. We like to be prepared and have as little complaining as possible. When we're camping our kids are so excited and happy!