Grown-up Getaway: What to do in Breckenridge in fall

Why would you go to Breckenridge in fall? As one local resident, mountain bike pro, and chef put it, "Why wouldn't you?" Autumn is a special time in this Colorado mountain town. When I arrived in mid-September, I half-expected a ghost town: after all, Breck is known for skiing. Instead, I found a town alive with a quiet, happy hum of activity: tourists and locals alike were enjoying the fall … [Read more...]

DeLorme inReach or SPOT Gen3: Which GPS messenger to buy for outdoor adventure

Do your teens hike without you? Do you venture into the backcountry as a family? In winter, do you like to snowshoe, camp, or ski off-piste? If you answered 'yes' to any of the above, you've probably considered outfitting yourself or your kids with a GPS device for the field. In our opinion, these two devices are the best on the market for hikers, backpackers, and backcountry skiers. Here's our … [Read more...]

Day hikes in Joshua Tree National Park: Hiking off-trail

During a time when many vacations are not possible, outdoor activities in road trip-accessible locations offer the ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring the outdoors near Joshua Tree, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation. I love a guiding company that doesn’t ‘dumb down’ experiences for guests. Joshua Tree … [Read more...]

Best Mountain Towns: Jackson Hole Wyoming

Ready for a Western vacation in a breathtaking setting? Jackson, Wyoming is one of the best vacation towns for families, in any season. We love to visit in summer, where we can base ourselves in Jackson to explore Grand Teton National Park, the Snake River, and area lakes and hikes. Here's what you can expect in Jackson Hole, what to do, where to stay, and where to eat. Read on for our Jackson … [Read more...]

Summer in Idaho: Schweitzer Mountain Resort with kids

In the panhandle of Idaho, high above Lake Pend Oreille and the picturesque town of Sandpoint sits Schweitzer Mountain Resort. While many people know Schweitzer as a ski destination, summer on the mountain has much to offer the active outdoor family from late June until early September. Find miles of trails to explore, ripe huckleberries to pick, free lawn games to play, sprawling vistas to gaze … [Read more...]

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Maine with kids: Baxter State Park backcountry itinerary for families

Baxter State Park is Maine's largest expanse of untamed public wilderness. With almost 210,000 acres to explore, where do you start? Our Baxter State Park backcountry itinerary for families includes days in the frontcountry enjoying Baxter's car camping options, several days in Baxter's backcountry, then a rest day to play and explore before departure. Baxter's scope and size is on a national … [Read more...]

Three northwest backpacking routes for families

Parents with young children: you absolutely can backpack with kids! Our family has found success by choosing backpacking routes that are short on distance but big on rewards, whether that be in the form of a fun lake or river to swim in, dramatic scenery, or both. The following three northwest backpacking routes for families deliver. Before you read on, check out our tips for backpacking with … [Read more...]

Travel Gear We Use: best hiking boots for the family

We're continuing our Travel Gear We Use series with a category I'm asked about a lot: hiking boots. Need guidance on buying the best hiking boots for the family? The following picks for kids hiking boots (as well as adults) come from brands we use and trust to be sturdy, highly-functional, and affordable. All have been worn by us on our own backpacking and hiking trips. Best hiking boots for … [Read more...]

Travel Gear We Use: Best first aid kits for family travel

Several years ago, I became certified as a wilderness EMT and decided to create my own first aid kit for family travel. I created the ultimate kit: I left nothing out, and when I was done, there was no medical emergency I was not prepared for. The only trouble: my kit was the size of a pillowcase and had cost me almost $60 to put together. I'm often asked how to make a homemade first aid … [Read more...]

What to do on Mt. Hood in summer: a three day itinerary

Mt. Hood Oregon is a winter playground, but it's an amazing outdoor destination in the summer months as well. Located just an hour from Portland, Mt. Hood National Forest offers stunning mountain vistas for hikers, backpackers, campers, and kayakers. The central 'town' is Government Camp, which is a smaller community of outdoor-focused shops and dining, but the actual towns of Welches and … [Read more...]