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...]

Summer in Big Bear with kids

The town of Big Bear Lake may be Southern California’s favorite snow destination in winter, but this small community has a lot going on in summer, too. An easy drive from San Bernardino, CA, Big Bear is at a respectable 6752 feet in elevation, making it a legit mountain destination for families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking. Here’s what to do and where to stay in … [Read more...]

Dinosaur National Monument with Kids

Spanning both Utah and Colorado, Dinosaur National Monument is a national park destination too massive to tackle in a day, or even a few days. During our visit, we opted to check out only one section of the park, on the Utah side, but we tasted just enough of this park to know we’ll be back. Here’s how to plan a trip to Dinosaur National Monument with kids: Know the lay of the land: There are two … [Read more...]

Hiking to AMC huts: how to plan your Appalachian Mountain Club adventure

After our East Coast Pit Stops for Kids family tried out Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)'s Highland Center Lodge during a winter break, they knew they had to come back for a summer stay, hiking to AMC huts! What are AMC huts? They're a network of hike-in lodges operated by Appalachian Mountain Club. Hikers can depart for huts from trailheads, or from the Highland Center Lodge. We sent our … [Read more...]

Five things to do with kids in Moran State Park, Orcas Island WA

Orcas Island is a great destination for families in the San Juan Island network. Kids will enjoy kayaking or exploring the numerous farmer's markets and two public beaches, but the highlight for us was Moran State Park. Located on the Doe Bay section of the island, Moran includes two lakes, numerous hikes, beautiful cascade waterfalls, a wonderful nature center, and swimming beaches. What … [Read more...]

Summer activities at Utah ski resorts: What’s open right now

We love visiting ski resorts in the summer. We've visited Northstar California for mountain biking, played on ropes courses at Jiminy Peak and Big Sky, and have returned to Park City Mountain Resort several times to bike, zip line, hike, and enjoy Park City without the snowy backdrop. Ski resorts are the perfect road trip pit stop in summer, as their lodging is often 'on sale'. Utah's ski resorts … [Read more...]

Exploring Garden of the Gods, Illinois

One of the prime attractions in the Shawnee National Forest, which covers 280,000 acres in Southern Illinois, is Garden of the Gods, a collection of fantastic rock formations that towers above a vast expanse of wilderness. The short hiking trail there makes this a great place to let the kids get up close and personal with nature. The most famous rock formation is called the camel, but there … [Read more...]

Exploring Shasta Cascade: Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Northern California hosts wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities for families, from Lassen National Park to Mount Shasta hiking trails and ski areas. If you only have a day, and want a taste of the area's lakes, trails, and mining history, head to Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, just outside Redding, CA. Whiskeytown is located just 20 minutes from I-5, and I'm ashamed to say I … [Read more...]

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Just 20 minutes from the bright and bustling Las Vegas strip, Red Rock Canyon can be a welcome respite from the crowds, especially in the spring or fall. (If visiting in summer, try to make it a morning expedition.) Start at the visitor's center, located at the start of the scenic loop drive. The Canyon Interpretive Association puts on occasional classes and programs, so check when you … [Read more...]

Exploring Custer State Park with kids

Haven't been to Custer State Park? Get ready to be impressed! This state park encompasses 71,000 acres, making it larger than some national parks. In fact, some argue that Custer should be a national park, and after visiting, I agree! Plan to stay at least two nights to see the majority of what this park has to offer, or at least one full day to see some highlights. Here's how to tackle Custer … [Read more...]