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...]
Fall pit stop: Upper Rogue River Trail
November 18, 2015 By
The Upper Rogue Trail outside of Prospect, Oregon offers several starting points for beautiful hiking in Southern Oregon. In the perfect location if you're traveling to or from Crater Lake National Park or Bend, Oregon, this 'off the beaten track' pit stop takes you through scenic woodlands and stunning river views. Best of all, the weather is ideal in late fall. Take the trail downstream … [Read more...]
Weekend Guide to the CA Redwoods
June 15, 2015 By
We’re a family who loves spending our vacation days in the wilderness, and few places are as wild and beautiful as the Northern California and Southern Oregon Redwoods. However, we prefer hiking into isolated backcountry sites to campgrounds, and while the Redwoods feature some of the most stunning scenery I’ve seen, the trails are short in length, without ample backpacking options. Because … [Read more...]
Hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast (with teens to toddlers)
May 11, 2015 By
You don’t have to be a through-hiker with a backcountry permit and backpacking equipment to experience Kauai’s Na Pali Coast.Yes, the further you hike, the more you’ll see, but it’s entirely possible to hike just half a day and see enough to be wowed. The Kalalau Trail runs 11 miles one-way along the stunning and steep Na Pali Coast, and provides the only means of traveling this section of … [Read more...]
How to make a 5 item outdoor survival kit for $5
April 15, 2014 By
We love getting kids into the outdoors! At Pit Stops for Kids, we're fans of backpacking, camping, climbing, mountain biking, geo-caching...you get the idea. But as a one-time Search and Rescue volunteer who has spent countless hours teaching school kids how to stay safe in the woods, I want families to be prepared. Kids can occasionally get lost in the wilderness, but by heeding the following … [Read more...]
Lake Louise Alberta hiking: Lake Agnes Tea House
October 30, 2013 By
The wilderness surrounding Lake Louise, Alberta may be the most stunningly beautiful in the greater Banff-Lake Louise area. And if you've been to Banff, you know that's saying something. Plenty of backcountry treks depart from Lake Louise and its next-door neighbor, Lake Moraine, making Lake Louise Alberta hiking some of the best in the Canadian Rockies. Our favorite--to the Lake Agnes Tea … [Read more...]
Juneau Alaska with kids: lesser known Mt. Roberts Tramway hiking
September 2, 2013 By
If you're experiencing Juneau Alaska with kids, you're most likely arriving by cruise ship. If you're very lucky, you're cruising via a small-ship cruise, disembarking ahead of the masses, but even if you're onboard a large cruise ship, families can escape the crowds of downtown Juneau. The trick is getting kids to pass up the Juneau souvenir shops lining the dock in favor of harder-to-reach but … [Read more...]
What to do in Park City in the summer with kids
June 20, 2013 By
Park City, Utah is truly a year-round resort town. It's one of our Best Ski Town picks, but that doesn't mean families shouldn't visit during summer months: on our visit in June 2013, Main Street was bustling, and parking was challenging to find. Restaurants and bars were hopping, and some shops were open late. Summer in Park City offers much more than just town life, however. Read on to learn … [Read more...]
Seeking ohana in Kauai’s quiet spaces
January 26, 2012 By
This post is sponsored by The Hawaiian Islands, where you could be Living in the Moment on the Island of Kauai. Miles past the smattering of resorts, tourist destinations, and restaurants dotting Kauai's scenic coastline, a rusted pick-up truck sits at the end of a dirt drive, waiting to be loaded with the week's mango crop. My three-year-old nephew, barefooted and shirtless, hefts one in, … [Read more...]
Hidden
February 11, 2011 By
(Inspired by our travels to Death Valley National Park.) The first thing anyone notices (or at least the first thing I always notice) about Death Valley is its unapologetic inhospitality. You drive over the rise of the highway from Beatty, Nevada and a vast, cracked valley of barren land stretches out before you, and you cannot help but think of empty hands extended. Of cupped palms dry … [Read more...]
