Labor Day Red Cliffs Camping

Labor Day 2026 was a riot. Like maybe a bit too crazy, but everyone survived so we'll just smile and call it a win.

We started off the long weekend by picking up Brooklyn and her bestie Lily from Provo on Saturday morning. After all piling into a crowded car, we headed south to Red Cliffs campground, 20 minutes north of St. George. So many thanks to the Wilhoits for bringing the camp chef, propane, and all of our camp chairs.  I have no idea how we would have fit otherwise!

Naturally we had to stop in Beaver for ice cream. Jason even wore his Creamery T-shirt for the occasion.

As we pulled up to Red Cliffs campground, it was hot.  Also, our campsites were less than ideal. While we knew they weren't adjacent, I totally didn't anticipate one of the sites having absolutely no tent pad. Yikes!

In the end, we crammed three tents onto one site and called it cozy. The Wilhoit's tent fit on the tent pad, while our two tents hung out on the tarmac. We tried setting up our tents in the dirt, but the goatheads were outrageous. Gotta love St. George! I'd forgotten about the weekly popped tires...

The campsites may not have been perfect, but the Wilhoit snacks certainly were! Now I'm craving Nerds Gummy Clusters.

After unloading our gear, we headed for a hike to the pools to cool off. Naturally Annika found a tree to climb on the way.

Unfortunately, when we got to where the pools usually start, the riverbed was completely dry. Given how hot the weather, I was highly unpopular at this point. After all, most of the group was wearing swimsuits!

On the positive side, the puddles were still pretty.

Helping each other up the mochi steps.

Cameos from the ladies: Eila

Brooklyn and Lily

And purple-haired Annika. Kind of clashes with the red rock, but still fun.

Before long, the trail became too muddy for walking and too shallow/dirty for swimming. So, we took a fun picture and made this our turn around point.

Going down is always harder than going up.

Back near the campsite, we decided that it was time to practice rapelling.  I'm so grateful for Jason's skills in pushing us over steep cliffs!

Eli's learning the ropes too--literally. Anders was likewise intrigued.

I just can't. These boys are too cute.

The photos may not be that interesting, but I wanted to document the setup with the webbing. Sometimes the blog comes in super handy as a reference.

For example, the blog reminded us of our rapelling mantra from years ago: step, step, rope. It was fun to see Annika progress so much. The last time we rapelled she was terrified, but this year she had no problem at all.

Eli is a pro as well. In fact, we usually send him down first so that he can belay the rest of us.

Eila did so well with her first big rappell! She and Callie went down side by side as an adorable mother-daughter duo. 

In case you're wondering, it's quite a long ways down.

Brooklyn and Lily were the other adorable pair. Lily is the cutest because she sings to keep herself grounded. Or perhaps I should say, cliffed.

I forgot to take photos of Anders, but he was super courageous and got all geared up and practiced putting his weight on the rope. This rappel was a little too intense for starting, but we'll find some better places around Salt Lake for practice. Most of all, we're just glad everyone in our group was safe and no one needed rescue! (Good news--the hikers that these rescuers were searching for made it out safely.)

Sunset on the beautiful Red Cliffs.

For dinner that night we drove into town for some air conditioning and Peruvian chicken. Plus, we all enjoyed cleaning up--rappelling turns. your hands black! I forgot to take photos, but Viva Chicken needs no explanation--it's tradition. :)

Sleepy Sunday Morning: 

Looks like Annika spent all night in the hammock.

Apparently she'll wake up for beetles.

Taking a hike to the outhouse. We also got to see some nearby dinosaur tracks.

French toast for breakfast! I bought the Dolly Parton syrup before she passed--it must have been a premonition.

We even made our way to church in Hurricane. The ward was so enormous that I thought it was stake conference! Funny story: the Wilhoits ran into their Salt Lake bishop there as well.

The rest of the afternoon was super chill: hammock time, pleasure reading, card games--all the things that make camping great. The sky was overcast with cooler temps, making the weather ideal for hanging around.

The cliffs were so pretty that I just might forgive all the goatheads.

Three's Company.

The only problem was that Annika kept disappearing to go climb the cliffs on her own. She'd generally ask permission, but then be gone for a really long time so we'd start to worry, wondering if she was the tiny dot on the rock we saw in the distance. (Sometimes she brought Eila as her accomplice.) 

Here are Jason, Adam and Anders on a rescue mission. Annika, you definitely made Adam scramble!

Annika was fine, although she did jump off a giant rock and severely bruise (break?) her tailbone. 

For the rest of the trip, we all got to hear, repeatedly, about how much her butt hurt. Frankly, she complained way more about her bottom than she ever did after they surgically broke her sternum.

Perhaps this was the rock she jumped from? Not sure. After all, there were lots.

Adam and Anders flying back down the mountain.

Adam, you have an adorable little duckling mimicking everything you do.

Back at camp, we broke out UNO No Mercy.

Brutal!

Looks like Jason peeked at Eli's hand. Notice the bruised thumb, courtesy of a robotics mishap. I think Eli would tell you robotics is worth the pain.

Eli and Anders also dug this super cool moat while I napped in the hammock nearby. If naps were food, mine was Jason's cheesecake--absolutely delicious.

Not too much nor too heavy, the rain was welcome.

I went for a solo hike and enjoyed the glistening rock.

Meanwhile, the rest huddled together to watch The Incredibles 2.

What was on the menu for dinner? Chicken pot pie, of course.

We even brought the Calderon's roaster to make some mini pies as well.

Annika, the baby lizard is NOT dinner. Now go wash your hands! (I'm trying not to think about how often Annika breaks transplant rules in these posts... It doesn't happen nearly as often as it seems; just when we get outdoors.)

More photos from around camp as night fell. The evening was perfect!

As for the sunset, it was flaming spectacular. 

Like I said, all was fire.

That night I followed Annika's lead and slept in a hammock under the stars. I know it's inconvenient and dirty and exhausting, but gosh, I love camping.

Now stay tuned to see how our mellow campout turned into a riot!