We recently went camping in St. George and decided to check out Toquerville Falls. It was freakin’ sweet. It’s the perfect day trip for the adventurous soul. But there’s a few tips and tricks that you’ll need to make your trip a success. Check it out.

The wonderful thing about living in Utah is there is always something new to visit and explore. I have lived here my whole life and have never visited the falls before. It was totally worth it and I definitely want to come again. So, here’s some tips to make your trip to this desert oasis a good one.

#1: Do not visit Toquerville Falls without truck, SUV or ATV

In order to get to Toquerville Falls, you’ll have to take very rough a 5-mile dirt road to end directly at the falls. There are lots of large rocks and dips in the road. It took us 40 minutes to drive 5 miles. So plan ahead for at least a 3-hour excursion.

My husband let a little air pressure out of his tires on his truck before we started. Drive super slow and make sure you have a spare tire in your vehicle before you start. If you’re driving an ATV or side-by-side, there’s plenty of parking at the beginning of the dirt road to leave your vehicle and trailer.

#2: How to get there

While traveling along I-15, take Exit 27 (Toquerville exit) and head east. Turn left onto Spring Drive and continue driving until you reach Toquerville Falls. It’s fairly easy to find. Of course, if you don’t have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you could always walk the 10-mile out and back trail if you are highly motivated. The nice part about these falls is that the parking lot is directly next to the falls so you don’t have to hike at all if you don’t want to.

#3: Bring a swimming suit

We visited the falls towards the end of March and it wasn’t quite warm enough to jump into the freezing cold water. However, anytime between May and September, a dip in the water would be a welcome reprieve from the scorching temps in Southern Utah. There’s a perfect deep pool of water you can jump into from the lower falls.

#4: Pack a lunch and lots of water

There’s something magical about eating your lunch next to a gorgeous waterfall in the middle of the desert. Plus, there’s plenty of room for everyone around the falls. My kids had a blast climbing around all the nooks and crannies. Plus, you might as well bring a lunch and stay for a while. It’s super fun to watch all the swimmers jumping from the top of the lower falls. And don’t forget that you are still in the desert, so pack lots of water to stay hydrated the whole time.

#5: Miscellaneous need-to-knows

Here’s a few housekeeping tips that you might not already be aware of:

• Don’t forget that there’s no bathroom facilities at the falls
• Dogs and equestrian welcome
• Bicycles not allowed
• Dispersed dry camping around the falls is available
• No permit required
• No group limit or fees
• Full sun exposure, so bring your sunscreen
• Bring a roadside emergency essential kit just in case

So what did you think of the Toquerville Falls? Any other suggestions of fun places to visit in St. George, Utah? Leave your comments below. Here’s a fun video about our visit to the falls for your viewing pleasure.

Related link: Bonneville Salt Flats: everything you need to know

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The new Butterfly Biosphere venue at Thanksgiving Point was even better than I expected. From huge beetles to interactive playgrounds, this place has it all. We’ll definitely be going back.

So, this is NOT a sponsored post. We just enjoyed this museum so much that we wanted to share it with everyone. The Butterfly Biosphere is 40,000 square foot venue located in Lehi, Utah that houses more than 1,000 friendly butterflies. But that’s only part of it, there’s tons of creepy, crawly friends to look at and larger-than-life playgrounds for all ages.

Butterfly Biosphere pricing

As an annual pass holder at Thanksgiving Point, we got into the Butterfly Biosphere completely FREE! However, if you don’t have a pass, the regular admission prices are as follows:

• Adult Admission: $20
  
• Child Admission (ages 3-12): $15
  
• Seniors: $15
  
• Children ages 2 and under and Thanksgiving Point Members: Free

Although, I consider the admission prices a bit steep, you can make the most of your visit to Thanksgiving Point by purchasing an Explorer Pass. That way you can see multiple venues. Also, because of the limited capacity at the biosphere, you do have to reserve your tickets ahead of time.

Bugs and more bugs

One thing I didn’t expect, was to see so many living bugs. Apparently, it’s called an insectarium.  They have 20 species of tarantulas, lots of beetles and many other insects from around the world. All of them are encased in their own happy cages. However, if you’re daring, you can hold and feel a hissing cockroach!!

I think my kids (and myself) got a little nervous when we realized that there are huge bugs out there in the world that actually exist.

Life-size bug world

You feel like you’re walking around the world of bugs. There’s a life-size lady bugs and caterpillars that you can climb right on top of. It’s the perfect setting for kids to run around, play and learn.

Costa Rica Climber

This was the highlight for most of my kids. It’s a 7,500 square foot nature-themed playground. It’s a big tree house that teaches kids all about the rain forest. It has a toddler area and a huge, twirly slide right in the middle. My two-year-old went down it a million times.

Butterfly Conservatory

After all that, we hadn’t even seen the butterflies yet! As you enter the conservatory, you have a waiting area in a separate room to ensure the butterflies don’t escape as you enter. The first thing you’ll notice as you enter, is that it’s hot inside. According to Thanksgiving Point’s website, this nearly 10,000 square foot glasshouse features dozens of tropical and flowering plant species to keep over 1,000 butterflies happy.

The cool thing about the conservatory is that it is a USDA containment facility so it can display insects from all over the world. It’s incredible so such beautiful creatures right in your backyard.

The butterflies are very friendly. If you’re lucky, one of them might even land on your should or finger. One of the workers even gave us a friendly tip. He recommended rubbing an orange peel on your index finger before you come and the butterflies will sit on your finger longer.

You can easily spend an hour or two walking around the conservatory just enjoying the unique plant life and gorgeous butterflies. If you can, try to visit the Butterfly Biosphere in the evening. Apparently the butterflies are trying to go to bed and they are much more docile.

Our family is so excited to visit the biosphere on a regular basis. I am sure it’s going to be a favorite for years to come. Plus, it’s completely indoors, making it the perfect place to visit all year round.

Here’s some other awesome things to see during your visit to Thanksgiving Point:

• Tulip Festival
• Museum of Natural Curiosity
• Thanksgiving Point Gardens

Related link: The best Lagoon rides according to height

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I’ve been going to Lagoon since I was a kid and now I’m taking my own kids. So, if you’re planning on bringing your little squirts, here’s a quick guide on the best rides for every kid–no matter how short or tall.

If you live in Utah or a neighboring state, Lagoon is the amusement park of choice. This 132-year-old attraction is a crowd-pleaser and yes,  I do like it better than Disneyland. I know, blasphemy. But it’s closer, shorter lines and cheaper. So, if you’re like me and you have big and little kids, not to worry, there’s something for everyone here.

Two years old and under (below 36″)

Believe it or not, there’s a ton of rides at Lagoon with no minimum height requirement. Sweet.  But I like the rides that everyone can enjoy and you don’t have to be stuck in crowded kiddie land. Here’s the best ones:

• Jumping Dragon: This is a dragon that chases its tail, going in circles giving you lots of butterflies and lots of spinning. It’s way fun.
  
• Wild Kindgdom Train: If you want a break during your day to sit down, this is it. You get to see Lagoon’s mini zoo along the way.
• Sky Scraper Ferris Wheel: This 150-foot high beast is fun for the whole family. Plus, it’s engineered to withstand hurricane-force winds (just in case the weather changes drastically during your ride)

Three to five years old (36″ – 45″)

So, kids this age don’t want to ride the kiddie rides anymore but they are just not quite big enough to play with the big kids.  Not to worry, there’s still options to choose from.  Here’s my top three:

• Bat: This is Lagoon’s only suspended roller coaster and it is awesome. Your feet are dangling the whole time but it’s not too scary either. Minimum height is 42″.
• BomBora: This is a non-scary way to introduce a roller coaster.  It’s super fun and any kid 36″ or taller can ride it. Plus, I have never had to wait more than five minutes for this ride.
• Rattlesnake Rapids: You WILL get wet on this one but it’s a great way to cool off and everyone in the family will enjoy it. Minimum height is 36″.

Six to eight years old (46″ – 47″)

One you reach 46 inches in height, a whole new variety of ride options open up. This is when it starts to get really fun.  Here’s my top five:

• Colossus: The Fire Dragon: This FAST coaster takes you through two loops and you can’t stop laughing it’s so fun. 
• Roller Coaster: This 80-year-old wooden roller coaster is a classic and one of the most popular in the park.
• The Spider: This coaster holds four riders and spins horizontally while going through the ride. Not for those with weak stomachs but it is one of my favorites.
• Wicked: Appropriately named, this coaster gets up to 55 MPH and gives you the illusion of falling. Crazy stuff. My 6-year-old handled it like a champ.
• Wild Mouse: I have to close my eyes during the 180-degree turns it makes.  You feel like you’re going to fall off the edge.

Nine and older (48″ and up)

There’s only a handful of rides in this group but they are good ones. I’ll give you my faves although they are all really fun.

• Cannibal: This is Lagoon’s most thrilling ride by far. Speeds up to 70 MPH and inverted free-falls makes this notable world-wide. 
• Samurai: This ride has six arms that spin as the entire ride rotates through an oval arc in either direction.
• Cliffhanger: This one is very high and very wet.  You’ll just have to try it to understand.

Lagoon tips and tricks

• Arrive EARLY if you can: We got to the parking lot at 10:15 a.m. even though it didn’t open until 11 a.m. We got front-row parking, which meant I didn’t need to rent a locker because I was so close.
• Find discount coupons: Deseret Book gives you a $10-off coupon to Lagoon if you make a purchase. Costco offers them too. Or just purchase season tickets at Lagoon.com for a great price.
• Hide your lunch bag: No one at the park will encourage this, but we bring our lunch and hide it behind a tree. We save money on expensive park food and lockers.
• Single rider lines: Most of the big rides like Wicked and Cannibal offer single rider lines and they are a lot quicker.
• Parent swap: If you wait in line, they will let your significant other tag team after you ride so you can both go even if you have little kids.
• Frightmares: Haunted houses are expensive but Deseret Book offers buy one get one coupons after 5 p.m. during Halloween. So it’s a win-win!
• Run to the rides: If you get there right when it opens, you can run to the section of choice. We rode four major coasters in less than 30 minutes. Normally that would have taken hours.
• Don’t spend all day at Lagoon-a-beach: Better yet, save it for another day. It’s not the best part about Lagoon although it is fun.

What other rides do you love at Lagoon?  Leave your comments below. Here’s some other helpful articles:

• 11 tips for making the most of your day at Lagoon
• 12 Amusement Park must haves
• Lagoon Coupons and Deals

Related link: 30 Ingenious Camping Products for Kids

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