ML Interest Tag: milky-way

Thinking About a 2021 National Parks RV Trip? You Need to Book NOW

by Kate Loweth

RV vacations have been blowing up the travel scene this summer with more and more families using this once-novel form of transportation as a way to get out and see the country in a safe way. If you’ve been interested in planning an RV trip to Yellowstone, Zion, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountains, Lake Powell or other national parks but the logistics leave you overwhelmed, we’ve got just the program for you.

Tracks & Trails will do all the booking and planning for you—all you have to do is show up and enjoy the national parks with your family. With limited space in many national parks for the foreseeable future, booking by October 15 will get you the best availability. If you want to to lock in a trip for next summer—with the RV booked, itinerary planned and all reservation made—you should read on for the full scoop!

Mention RED TRICYCLE when booking to get $100 off an excursion. 

The Logistics

Tracks & Trails

What's the most overwhelming part of an RV vacation? All of the logistics. Booking an RV, reserving the campsites, picking your route and knowing what to pack is a lot to take on when you've never done it before. That's where Tracks & Trails comes in. You let them know the size of your group, your budget and where you want to go and they take it from there. They book you a motorhome from a high-quality supplier so you know what you'll be getting will sleep all your people and won't break down on the road.

Tracks & Trails has itineraries to take you to 17 gorgeous national parks in the U.S. and Canada. Once your route is selected, they'll use their experience to get you spots in the best campsites along the way and excursions with the best local outfitters in town. Whether you have them book activities or simply make suggestions for stops, your Tracks & Trails RV trip is completely personalized to your family's preferences. Mention RED TRICYCLE when booking to get $100 off an excursion. 

SAMPLE ITINERARIES

Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef & Grand Canyon

Tracks & Trails

Visit all five of Utah's national parks to tick "The Mighty Five" off your national parks list (and swing by the Grand Canyon while you're at it). Suggested activities include rafting the Colorado River, hiking part way into the Grand Canyon, traveling through Butch Cassidy country on a 4-wheel ATV and hiking to Angel’s Landing for a breathtaking view of Zion Canyon. One thing's guaranteed, you'll see the Milky Way like never before in this gorgeous area of the country. 

Number of Nights: 8-13+
Travel Start Dates: April 1-Oct. 23, 2021
Price Range (for up to 4 guests): $4,990-9,840

Book here: tracks-trails.com/rv-trips/zion-bryce-lake-powell-grand-canyon/

Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier

12019 via pixabay

Tracks & Trails offers a number of customizable trips throughout the Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier region. Your RV adventure will take you through Beartooth Highway, known as "The Most Beautiful Drive in America." Spend a day with your own naturalist guide and learn about the geology and history of Yellowstone from a local. Canoe beautiful Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park where calm waters reflect the mountains towering above you. Other trip highlights can include watching bison graze in the rolling hills, hiking in search of the Grand Prismatic Spring and ending the day relaxing in natural pools beside a rushing river, heated by a boiling spring.

Number of Nights: 8-13+
Travel Start Dates: June 20-August 24, 2021
Price Range (for up to 4 guests): $6,130-11,360

Book here: tracks-trails.com/rv-trips/glacier-yellowstone-grand-teton/

Banff & Jasper (Canada)

Tracks & Trails

Spend a week or more exploring these spectacular national parks in Western Canada. Travel along the incredible Icefields Parkway which connects the parks and towns of Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. Book a ride in a giant snocoach onto Athabasca Glacier, get a little wet and have a lot of fun on a mild whitewater raft trip and take a flightseeing tour over the huge icefields that cover this area of the Rocky Mountains. 

Number of Nights: 8 to 13+
Travel Start Dates: June 15 to Sept.15, 2021
Price Range (for up to 4 guests): $5,260-6,080

Book here: tracks-trails.com/rv-trips/banff-jasper-canada/

Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon

Kate Loweth

This is the perfect time to add Yosemite to your national parks list. You'll start your journey in the Bay Area and then head east to Yosemite with its impressive waterfalls, towering cliffs, rounded domes and massive monoliths. Splash in an off-the-beaten-path swimming hole, accessible by a short hike in the southern part of Yosemite. Combine your visit to Yosemite with stops at Sequoia National Park to see the five largest Sequoia trees in the world, and Kings Canyon. 

Number of Nights: 8 to 13+
Travel Start Dates: May 19 to Oct. 8, 2021
Price Range (for up to 4 guests): $5,224-9,540

Book here: tracks-trails.com/rv-trips/yosemite-sequoia-kings-canyon/

Mount Rushmore & Colorado

Josh Grenier via Flickr

This trip is perfect for anyone interested in America’s history, from forts to huge rock carvings of historical figures. Starting in Denver, your journey will take you through Colorado and into Wyoming, just in time to see the nightly lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore. Go underground into the vast caves systems at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Go way back in time as you check out the remains of mammoths from the Ice Age, and try your hand at a simulated paleontology dig.

Number of Nights: 8 to 13+
Travel Start Dates: Various, some starting as early as March 1, 2021
Price Range (for up to 4 guests): $5,124-7,880

Book here: tracks-trails.com/rv-trips/mount-rushmore-black-hills-devils-tower/

Get ready for your next adventure.

Tracks & Trails

With RV travel surging in popularity, you'll want to start planning your 2021 trip soon. Tracks & Trails offers trips spring through summer and the earlier you book, the better chance you have at getting the preferred campsites and RVs. Start by checking out their planned trips and get in touch with an expert trip planner to get the ball rolling.

Still need more outdoor inspiration? Read more about the trips above or explore other the trips on the Tracks & Trails webpage.

Lake Tahoe & Yosemite

Big Sur, Sequoia and Yosemite

Canyonlands, Arches & Central Colorado

Grand Canyon & Sedona

Tracks & Trails
Online: tracks-trails.com

Mention RED TRICYCLE when booking to get $100 off an excursion. 

—Kate Loweth

RELATED STORIES

Camping Gear That Does Everything (Except Pitch the Tent)

The Most Awe-Inspiring National Parks to Visit with Kids

The Best Under-the-Radar National Parks in Every State (& D.C.)

This National Parks Road Trip Is Scientifically Proven to Be the Greatest Family Vacation of All Time

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Restaurants Where Families Play Hard & Eat Well

by Annette Benedetti

Sitting through a meal at a restaurant is hard for little ones. They get the wiggles, even when they are hungry. Forget pushing lessons about manners when you’re out having family time. Take your kids to a restaurant that lets them stay active between bites of yummy food. We’ve put together a list of our favorite place with active eats for families. Read on to find out more.

Photo: via Grand Central Bowling Yelp

Grand Central Bowl

Get ready to eat well and make pins fly a this hip spot. Considered a boutique bowling alley, Grand Central is a family-friendly stop for the family who loves great food and comfortable digs and lots of options for play. The bowling alley offers 12 lanes with four large screen projectors and great lounge seating. There is also an epic arcade area that keep little and big kids busy. Lane reservation inquiries can be done by phone or at their website and are highly recommended in order to get a bowling lane when you come in. Come hungry! The Grand Central menu is more like a restaurant menu than a bowling alley menu. Get everything from sushi to artisan pizza. There is even a weekend brunch menu.

Looking for other bowling alleys? Check our list of favs out.

808 SE Morrison St.
Portland, OR
503-236-2695
Online: thegrandcentralbowl.com

Evergreen Wings and Waves Water Park 

Swim and eat? Yep! This indoor water park is an all season experience! It has ten water slides—each designed for adventurers of varying age, ability, and courage. Daredevils might enjoy the Nose Dive that spits you into a pool and shoots you out backwards! When you’re over sliding and gliding explore the wave pool, whirlpool, or revolver pool! For an extra perk the whole park is ADA accessible. And when your family gets hungry, there’s plenty to eat. The attached Milky Way Cafe offers burgers, hot dogs, mac & cheese and more! You can make a whole afternoon of it.

500 NE Captain Michael King Smith Way
McMinnville
503-434-4180
Online: wingsandwaveswaterpark.com

photo: Theory via yelp

Oaks Amusement Park

One of America’s oldest operating amusement parts is right here in Portland. Boasting an old-school charm, The Oaks Park Amusement Park & Roller Rink showcases all kinds of fun and games for your little ones. Hop on mini-thrill seeking rides, enjoy a tranquil round of mini golf, or hold hands with your kids as you circle the Northwest’s largest roller-skating rink. And when you get hungry, there’s no shortage of yummy food at a reasonable price. Their concessions consist of options like crispy chicken sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza and an array of sweet treats. Forget Disney Land!

Oaks Park
7805 SE Oaks Park Way
Portland, Or 97202
503-233-5777
Online: oakspark.com

OMSI

Fill your bellies and get science-y at one of Portland’s most iconic spots. At OMSI everyone gets to be a scientist! With over 200 interactive exhibits there are activities for all age groups. Concoct chemical creations, shoot off rockets, control robots, crawl through the roots of a giant tree, or watch butterflies hatch from cocoons. Future astronauts might appreciate a visit to the planetarium while the 6 and under crew head to the Science Playground for waterworks, puppets, building blocks, sand exploration, and puzzles. The littlest of learners may enjoy exploring in the infant area where the soft carpet and engaging toys encourage both fine and gross motor skills. There is so much to do at OMSI, you’ll need fuel to keep you and the little ones going. OMSI offers families two onsite  restaurant options. The Theater Café which serves sandwiches, coffee and your favorite theater snacks like popcorn and candy. If you want something more substantial, head to Theory where you will find everything from wood-fired pizzas to locally-sourced salads. This eatery for the curious is open to museum guests and the public alike.

1945 SE Water Ave.
503-797-4634
Online: omsi.edu

photo: via Punch Bowl Social

Portland Children’s Museum

Weather your little wiggle worms like to climb, build, dig, or explore, there’s something for everyone–including healthy food–at the Children’s Museum!  With rotating monthly exhibits, a full art studio, and outdoor adventure zone the Children’s Museum will quickly become a family favorite. Let your child’s imagination run wild in the  water room, theater, grocery store, dig pit, train room, tree house, or clay studio. When you get hungry, feed your little ones healthy food off their kid’s menu! They have healthy sandwiches and bowls that will keep you and your kiddos going for hours and hours and hours on end.

4015 SW Canyon Road
503-223-6500
Online: portlandcm.org

Punch Bowl Social

Located downtown by the Waterfront, Punch Bowl Social Portland is the 3rd floor of the Pioneer Place mall. The perfect spot for a lunch and play date with the family. At Punch Bowl Social, all ages are entertained with bowling, karaoke, arcade games and more. Games include bowling, billiards and darts. And they offer table games like giant scrabble, giant Jenga, billiards and Foosball. Paired with scratch-to-craft foods, their menu has something delightful for everyone. There is even a kids menu. Choose from bites like tacos, burgers and mac & cheese for adults and the kids can join you with their version of the same, crafted kid-style.

340 SW Morrison St. (Pioneer Place, 3rd level)
503-334-0360
Online: punchbowlsocial.com/location/portland

–Annette Benedetti

Related Stories

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Portland

The Best BBQ Joints for Kids in Portland 

Best Sustainable Restaurants in Portland

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Get Your Fall Fix in with Milk Way’s Caramel Apple Chocolate Minis

by Erica Loop

Even though the holiday decor at your local mall and the faux fir display at the big box outlets may make it seem like Christmas is here, it’s still autumn. With that in mind, Milky Way has a tasty treat that will remind you of a fall fave—caramel apples!

Milky Way Caramel Apple Minis combine the chocolate-y malt nougat and caramel you know and love with a red delicious apple flavor. Think of these miniature chocolate bars as a candy-coated fruit-packed version of the original.

Whether you’re still in full-on sweater weather mode or you’re already planning for the winter season, these pint-sized picks are the perfect way to treat yourself (or your kiddos) to a different sort of tasty sweet.

So where can you buy Milky Way Caramel Apple Minis? Snag an 11.5-ounce bag on Amazon for just under $14 or get a two-pack on Walmart.com for under $8. If you’re even considering trying this fall flavor, pick up a bag/pack quickly. This seasonal chocolate is a limited-time treat!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Amazon

 

RELATED STORIES

Walmart’s Great Value Holiday Sugar Cookie Popcorn Is Christmas in a Bowl

Coffee-Mate Is Rolling Out New Funfetti and Cinnamon Toast Crunch Flavors

The New Vanilla Yoo-hoo Tastes Just Like a Milkshake

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

9 Destinations That Leave Us Starstruck

by Gabby Cullen

Sir Richard Branson can step aside, because sending your mini-Galileo to the Milky Way has never been easier. From world-renowned institutions to intimate space settings, budding stargazers can reach the outer limits of the galaxy without leaving Planet Earth. Flip through the gallery below for nine spots worthy of your cosmos-crazed kiddo.

Adler Planetarium – Chicago, Il

Tiny stargazers will enjoy the space shows (Destination Solar System, Earth, Moon & Sun, and One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventures are favorites) showing daily in the world-class Grainger Sky Theater, but there’s edutainment everywhere at Adler Planetarium. Kids ages 3-8 can check out a Space Station and explore caves in Planet Explorers; Our Solar System invites everyone to walk through space, and the Community Design Lab will bring out the maker in every guest.

Insider Tip: Check out our insider’s guide the newest Adler exhibit: What is a Planet?

Online: adlerplanetarium.org

photo: courtesy Adler Planetarium

Did we miss your favorite planetarium? Share with us in a Comment below!

—Gabby Cullen

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

See Stars (and More!) at Free Columbia U. Astronomy Nights

by Cheryl de Jong-Lambert

You might think that New York City is one of the last places for quality star-gazing, and to some extent you’d be right; views of the Milky Way in all its glory aren’t happening here. However, the Big Apple is home to both some high-powered and historic observatories, as well as the big brains (read: academics) who come to New York to study the science of sky and beyond. Here’s the best news: you and the kids can take advantage of all of this for free, through Columbia University’s Astronomy Public Outreach program. Outta sight!

photo: Cheryl and William de Jong-Lambert

Stargazing, City-style
It’s true! The public is invited to come learn about astronomy and make use of Columbia’s high-powered telescopes to gaze into the night sky at no charge. Held every other Friday during the school year and monthly in the summer, Columbia University’s Astronomy Public Outreach program evenings are held every other Friday during the school year and monthly in the summer. Events are free of charge of no reservations are required. Just show up!

The events are geared towards families with children of all ages, as well as scientifically-curious adults, and start around 7 p.m. in winter when the days are shorter, and at 8 p.m. or after in summer when night falls later. (We suggest packing a picnic and enjoying Columbia’s resplendent lawns as you wait for show time in summer months.)

photo: InSapphoWeTrust via Flickr

Program of Events
The evening kicks off with a mind-opening 30-minute lecture that includes big-screen visuals that bring a complicated astronomical topic down to earth for laypeople. Next is a Q&A during which the presenters—many of whom are renowned in their field—answer questions from fellow researchers and children alike. (To be honest, they seem to have a bias toward calling on the children in the crowd.)

Finally, everyone is invited up to the historic Rutherfurd Observatory, located on the roof of Columbia University’s Pupin Physics Laboratory, which also happens to be a National Historic Landmark. In these hallowed halls, the atom was first split in 1939 and the Manhattan Project—the secret project to develop the first nuclear weapon during World War II—was launched.

Visiting the roof is weather-dependent (call or check the website), but the talks are held rain or shine. On a clear night—even in winter—the program can attract some 300 visitors, but even on a recent cloudy night with no roof access, the 275-seat lecture hall was near capacity.

The talk we heard, “New Horizons: The Pluto Encounter,” featured stunning new, up-close photography of Pluto’s surface and five moons, two of which were discovered during the space telescope New Horizon’s recent voyage. The speaker, graduate student Lauren Corlies, explained how images captured by the telescope are sent from space to earth. She also unpacked current thinking on Pluto’s surprisingly varied topography, which we now know includes massive craters and ice volcanoes. The next event, featuring the talk  “The Explosive Origins of Our Elements” is Friday, April 29, at 8 p.m.

During the summer summer the events are held monthly, and the lectures are replaced by sci-fi flicks, followed by curated discussions that help the audience distill fact from fiction. Then the astronomers bring powerful, portable telescopes out onto campus to provide views of the cosmos to attendees and passersby.

photo: hjhausman via Flickr

Up On the Roof
The 90-minute roof scene is run by graduate students in Columbia’s astronomy program, all of whom clearly love this volunteer gig. (Who wouldn’t enjoy talking about their passion and life’s work to a rapt audience?) The Laboratory is home to two antique observatory domes: one large, that is accessed via a steep, narrow staircase, and a small one that stargazers crawl into.

Both are exciting to enter, but the large wooden dome is particularly awesome as an artifact in astronomic history. Built in 1927, it has been continuously maintained, but because of its landmark status, it has not been renovated or upgraded. The dome is opened and later rotated throughout the night (to keep up with the earth’s rotation) by way of hand cranks that creek and roll the roof into action with a tremendous rush.

Visitors take turns stepping up to a dais where a roof volunteer helps people zero in on particular stars, planets, and constellations. Smaller children stand on a stool or step ladder and must be held by an adult. If there are enough small children on line, the volunteers might treat everyone to a slow but exciting ride as they raise the old mechanical floor to effectively shrink the dome and give children easier access to the telescope. (When this happens, adults have to kneel.)

photo: Christopher Michel via Flickr

Constellations on View
Depending on the earth’s location, any number of planets—Saturn, Jupiter, Venus, and Mars—might be on view, along with Betelgeuse, a big red star that (relatively) is about to explode, and close-ups of major constellations such as Cassiopeia, the big and little dippers, Orion’s belt, and much more.

The dome’s light blue interior is also decorated with various constellations, including Orion, Deneb, Vega, Albireo. As you chat with graduate students along the way, you also learn about various subspecialties in field with far-out names such as galactic and extragalactic astronomy, asteroseismology, exoplanet research, and compact objects—an area that includes black holes and neutron stars.

Astronomy Outreach Program
Pupin Physics Lab (enter campus at 116th St. and Broadway)
Columbia University
Morningside Heights
212-851-7420
Online: outreach.astro.columbia.edu

Have you attended a Columbia Astronomy Public Outreach Program event as a family? Tell us what the kids (and you) learned in the comments!

—Cheryl de Jong-Lambert

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Just Opened: The Broad Museum’s Broad Appeal to Kids

by Jennifer O'Brien

The most anticipated addition to LA’s vibrant art scene in years, The Broad contemporary art museum finally opened its doors to the public on September 20. And boy, is it worth a trip downtown with your budding artistic babes! With so much to explore (over 2,000 works), we’ve got the skinny on what to check out first, as well as exhibition highlights small-pints should not miss.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

Upon entering the lobby, glorious natural daylight streams in through The Broad’s honeycomb-like exterior structure. Nearby, a gift shop offers a groovy selection of items celebrating the work of Broad collection artists.  Your kids will want to make this their first stop, but we suggest swinging by there on your way out. Your absolute first priority when you’re with small fry is to check out Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room–The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. This must-see installation only accommodates one visitor at a time for 45 seconds each. (However, if you’re bringing kiddos, one parent may accompany each child.) Once inside, visitors are treated to a mirror-lined chamber filled with a mind-blowing LED light display that makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to the Milky Way. It is by far the museum’s most popular stop at the moment, so we highly suggest putting your phone number into the kiosk located outside the exhibit to reserve a space. You will receive a text 10 minutes before you need to come back for your turn.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

Next, take the escalator to the main exhibition galleries on the third floor. (The steep 105-ft. escalator ride feels as if you’re ascending into a heavenly tunnel and will be a treat in and of itself for tikes.) Once you arrive at the top, be sure to download The Broad’s free mobile app which offers enhanced content about The Broad collection, as well as self-guided audio tours, including a family tour for kids called “Looking with Levar,” which is narrated by award-winning actor LeVar Burton.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

The third floor galleries feature prominent works from the 1950s through 1990s by some of the most inventive artists of our time, including Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, Cy Twombly, Cindy Sherman and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Kids will especially dig the playful artworks of Jeff Koons and the over-sized Robert Therrien piece, Under the Table, that lends a definite “Alice in Wonderland” vibe.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

Once you’ve finished exploring the third floor, take the cylindrical glass elevator back down to the first level where you’ll find the collection’s most recent artwork, almost all dating from 2000 to present day. These include The Visitors by Ragnar Kjartansso—a 360 degree, nine-screen video projection that surrounds the viewer with images of the artist and his musician pals performing in different rooms of a historic mansion; a good opportunity (ahem, painless way) to expose your kids to performance art. Also on this floor, little ones will love Takashi Murakami’s colorful works including his pieces, ln the Land of the Dead, Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow and DOB in the Strange Forest (Blue DOB).

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

All in all, The Broad is a fairly easy outing with antsy tots in tow, taking only about an hour to an hour and a half to get a good look at pretty much everything. Plus, the size, scale, interactive and toy-like nature of much of the art will have kids re-thinking what art is, and how much fun an art museum can be.

If all this culture has worked up an appetite, the museum’s Otium restaurant, helmed by chef Timothy Hollingsworth (of Napa’s French Laundry fame), is scheduled to open in October on The Broad’s public plaza.  In the meantime, since you’ve paid for parking, we recommend you take the short walk over to Grand Central Market, where you can all sample from the amazing offerings and every member of the family can get exactly what they like.  Parents won’t want to miss Wexler’s Deli and kids (ok, and parents) adore McConnell’s Ice Cream.

photo: Jennifer O’Brien

About: The museum was founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad and houses the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide with over 2,000 works of art from the world’s top contemporary masters.

Hours: Open Tues. & Wed. from 11a.m.-5 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri. from 11 a.m.-8p.m.; Sat. from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  The museum is closed Mon.

Tickets: General admission is always free. Advanced online reservations are encouraged (especially during busy opening months), but are not required. Advanced timed tickets have entry times every half hour.

Parking: Parking is available in The Broad parking garage, which you enter on 2nd St. between Hope St. and Grand Ave. Parking for visitors with validation runs $12 for 3 hours on weekdays, weeknights after 5 p.m. and all day on weekends. Alternative parking is available at the California Plaza garage (entrance off Olive St.) for $8 with validation from The Broad.

Strollers: Single-wide, standard baby strollers are permitted at all times, except on escalators. Double-wide and jogging strollers are not allowed.

The Broad
221 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles 90012
213-232-6200
Online: thebroad.org

What was your family’s favorite part of visiting The Broad? We’d love to know in the comment section below!

—Jennifer O’Brien

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

From Caving to Canoeing: These Adventures Will Rock Your Summer

by Helen Walker Green

From spelunking, canyoneering and canoeing to stargazing, fossil hunting and fly-fishing, America’s national parks offer up a ton of exhilarating activities for your tiny explorers. Whether it’s a program led by park rangers or by national parks-approved concessionaires, each one is a spine-tingling good time. Read on to see our 12 picks for coolest national park adventures. Bonus: Find out how to help them become Junior Civil War Historians!

photo: Zion Rock & Mountain Guides via Facebook

Canyoneering in Zion National Park, Utah
Climb, hike, swim and rappel through one of the most stunning landscapes in North America. Zion Rock & Mountain Guides will take the family on a canyoneering adventure—no experience necessary. You’ll rappel in amazing slot canyons, down-climb over rock chimneys, swim in pools and explore places very few people see. The guides tailor the trip to your comfort level, so little canyoneers can enjoy the challenge without being in over their heads!

Cost: Full Day (6-8 hrs) $150-$110/person depending on number of climbers. Short Day (4-5 hrs) $130-$115/person depending on number of climbers.
Ages: 4 & up Open: Year-round Zion Rock & Mountain Guides Family Canyoneering Adventure

1458 Zion Park Blvd.
Springdale, Ut 84767
435-772-3303
Online: zionrockguides.com

Photo: National Park Service

Meet Sled-Dogs in Denali National Park, Alaska
Skeeter has a silly side, Annie is a social butterfly, Red Top likes to snuggle—who are these guys? They’re the sled dogs of Alaska’s Denali National Park. These Alaskan huskies are the only sled dogs in the USA that help protect a national park and the wildlife that lives there. In winter they’re working dogs, but in summer they like to play and love being petted by visitors. Take a ranger-led tour of the kennels, and learn how a dog sled works. Who knows, this visit may inspire a future Iditarod contender in your family!

Cost: Free All ages Ranger-led tours in summer only (mid-May – mid-Sept.) Kennels open to visitors year-round. Accessible via courtesy shuttle bus from Denali Visitor Center bus stop. Be at bus stop 40 mins before your tour starts.

Sled Dog Demonstration & Kennel Visit
Denali National Park George Parks Hwy.
Denali Park, Ak 99755
907-683-9532
Online: nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/sled-dog-demonstrations

photo: Diver Ed’s Dive-In Theater via Facebook

Dive-In to Acadia National Park, Maine
Diver Ed will take you and your crew ‘o landlubbers out on his ship, The Starfish Enterprise, to boldly go where only a few kids have gone before. Ed and his Playmobil sidekick “Mini Ed” dive down with special video and sound gear that lets you see and hear the ocean floor in real time from the comfort of the deck. When Ed and Mini Ed come back up, they bring the creatures with them! You’ll have a chance to get up-close-and-personal with sea cucumbers, toad crabs, scale worms, lobsters, scallops and more from the underwater world of Acadia National Park. Don’t worry, all the creatures are safely returned to their homes.

Open: Year-round

Good to know: You can also catch a tour with a park ranger/naturalist on board. These are extended tours geared towards grownups but children are always welcome too. Cool bonus: Diver Ed’s Newfoundland Water Rescue Dogs go along on the trips.
Cost: $15/4 & under, $30/5-11, $40/12+, $35/senior, Reservations recommended. All ages

Dive-In Theater with Diver Ed
105 Eden St.
Bar Harbor, Me 04609
207-288-3483
Online: divered.com

photo: Grand Canyon Railway

Take a Train to Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
“This is a stick up!” Watch out for wild west villains on the Grand Canyon Railway. Make your young cowgirl or cowboy’s first trip to the Grand Canyon extra special by throwing in a vintage locomotive ride (train robbery, shoot out and cowboy songs included) from Williams, Az to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. You’ll ride in your choice of classic train car: Coach Class, First Class or Observation Dome, all stellar spots for taking in the stunning views.

Cost: 2 & under are free. Coach Class Round Trip $45/ages 2-15, $75/ages 16+; First Class Round Trip $110/ages 2-15, $140/ages 16+; Observation Dome Round Trip $140/ages 2-15, $170/ages 16+
Age: All ages

Grand Canyon Railway Williams Depot
233 N. Grand Canyon Blvd.
Williams, Az 86046
928-635-4253
Online: thetrain.com

photo: Amy Moore via Everything Everywhere Travel

Hike IN a Volcano at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
A ranger-led hike of the Kīlauea Iki (little Kīlauea) trail will take you and your mini-volcanologists deep into the heart of Kilauea—a living volcano. You’ll see warm lava, hot steaming vents, cinder cones and spatter cones as you trek across the cracked floor of Kīlauea Iki Crater lava lake.  Peer into the vent that erupted in 1959, shooting lava 1900 feet into the air to form the crater – it’s below the Pu‘u Pua‘i cinder cone (Pu‘u Pua‘i means Gushing Hill in Hawaiian). Head over to the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park web site for upcoming tours. If there’s no ranger-led hike when you’re visiting, your family can enjoy the hike anyways.  Check out Amy Moore’s adventures on the trail with her 4 and 6 year-old kiddos on Everything Everywhere Travel.

Good to know: Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and a hat. Bring rain gear and layer clothing (you may need warm clothes when you’re up high). Take along lots of water to stay hydrated. Healthy snacks are a must too! Kīlauea Iki Trail Round Trip: 4 miles Elevation 3,874 feet, see Trail Guide.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
1 Crater Rim Dr.
Hawaii National Park, Hi 96718
808-985-6000
Online: nps.gov/havo

photo: Leon Reed via Flickr circa 1956

Fossil Hunting at Badlands National Park, South Dakota
If you’ve got a fossil nut in the family, Badlands National Park is the place for you. Prehistoric rhinos, three-toed horses, saber-toothed cats and more roamed here—and left behind one of the richest fossil beds in the world. Rangers will tell you all you need to know about the kind of fossils that can be find in the park, and what they reveal about the ancient life of the area. Visit the Paleontology Lab and watch paleontologists working with fossils. Then don a hat, sunscreen and closed-toed shoes (don’t forget the water bottle) and dig for fossils along the White River Badlands Trail.  Maybe your little diggers will come across an undiscovered ancient species!

Good to know: Ranger-Led Programs run Memorial Day Weekend to just after Labor Day Weekend.

Cost: Free
Age: All ages

Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Rd.
Interior, Sd 57750
605-433-5361
Online: nps.gov/badl

photo: James Marvin Phelps via Flickr

Stargazing in Death Valley National Park, California
“The sky begins at your feet!” says an old advertisement for Death Valley National Park. Death Valley has some of the darkest night skies in North America, which make it perfect for watching shooting stars, viewing the Milky Way, and even the distant Andromeda Galaxy. For your visit to the hottest place on Earth, check in at the aptly-named Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Park rangers offer night sky programs and hold stargazing events with astronomy organizations – kids can peer through a high-powered telescope for a stellar experience!

Open: Winter and Spring

Good to know: Death Valley is certified by the International Dark-Sky Association. This means the night skies are very dark there and minimally impacted by city lights.

Program Cost: Free
Ages: All ages

Death Valley National Park
Death Valley, Ca 92328
760-786-3200
Online: nps.gov/deva/index.htm

photo: Austria01 via TripAdvisor

Watch Bats Fly at Carlsbard Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Things are going batty in New Mexico! – Every summer evening, a swarm of Brazilian Free-tailed bats take to the skies in search of food. Your family can watch the bats’ exodus from the outdoor amphitheater at Carlsbad Caverns. Rangers tell you all about them and unlock the secrets of a bat’s life. Early risers can watch the pre-dawn return of the bats, and see their spectacular dives back into the cavern – reaching speeds of 25 mph!

Open: Summer

Good to know: The best bat flights are in July and August when baby bats join the flight.

Bat Flight Program Cost: Free, Reservations not required.
Ages: All ages

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Hwy.
Carlsbad, Nm 88220
575-785-3012
Online: nps.gov/cave

photo: National Park Service

Canoeing in Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Known as “the redwoods of the east,” Conagree National Park is home to rare old-growth bottomland trees – most of the old-growth forests in the eastern US were lost to logging but Conagree’s trees have been preserved. The 6 and up set can explore the wilderness on a ranger-led canoe trip down Cedar Creek. Look out for the towering Loblolly Pine, a huge Sweetgum, and Persimmons.  Watch out for swamps too!

Good to know:  Check out the just-opened “Kids in Parks” TRACK Trail – a 2.1 mile loop through some amazing forest in Congaree. Head over to Kids in Parks web site for bug spotting, scavenger hunts and more.

Guided Canoe Tours Cost: Free
Ages: At least one adult (18 or older) must be in each canoe. PFD’s are provided but participants must also know how to swim without the aid of one.

Congaree National Park
100 National Park Rd.
Hopkins, Sc 29061
803-776-4396
Online: nps.gov/cong

photo: Becky Gregory via Flickr  

Become a Young Scientist at Yellowstone National Park, Montana & Wyoming
Kids 5 and up can earn a Young Scientist patch (14 and over get a key ring) in a program that’s just at Yellowstone. Purchase a self-guiding booklet for $5 – then solve science mysteries in the park. Discover the science behind bubbling mud pots, spurting geysers and amazing hot springs – and the history of the fascinating animals that call Yellowstone home (including the return of the grey wolf).

Good to know: Let them test their animal instincts. Kids can take part in Wildlife Olympics—comparing their skills to animals’! Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at various locations. See schedule for details. Self-guiding booklets available at the Canyon and Old Faithful Visitor Centers.

Cost: $5 Ages 5-9: Self-guiding booklet available at the Old Faithful Visitor Center (where you’ll also need to borrow a Young Scientist Toolkit to help with investigations).
Ages: 10-13 and 14 & up (including grownups).

Yellowstone National Park
Wy 82190
307-344-7381
Online: nps.gov/yell

photo: National Park Service

Spelunking in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
No parents allowed! Kids 8-12 can take the Trog Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park; they’ll explore the subterranean life of the world’s longest known cave on this off-trail adventure. Young cavers will hike, crawl and belly-slide through secret passages and learn all about the animals of Mammoth Cave and how they survive in the darkness. The Trog Tour is cool (in both senses of the word) but they’ll be snug in provided coveralls (just bring shorts and t-shirt to wear underneath). The 10 and up set can even try a Beginning Caving class! All equipment (coveralls, helmets, knee pads and head lamps) is provided by the park. Visitors must provide their own boots. No personal caving equipment allowed. Parents, guardians and/or chaperones must attend the first 30 mins of the tour to assist when children “suit up” with their equipment.

Trog Tour Cost: $16; 2 p.m. daily Reservations strongly recommended.
Ages: 8 – 12

Mammoth Cave National Park
1 Mammoth Cave Pkwy.
Mammoth Cave, Ky 42259
270-758-2180 Online: nps.gov/maca

photo: Fly Fishing the Smokies

Fly Fishing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina
“It was this big!” Little fishermen and women will be telling you tall tales of the one that got away after this awesome fly-fishing experience in the Smokies. Your family can explore the mountains and streams on a private fly-fishing trip – kiddos are supplied with kid-sized rods and waders. The patient guides will teach the kids to fly-fish (if they’re not already experts) – it’s easy to learn, and fun, especially when they catch the big one!

Cost: $87.50/person
Ages: No minimum age (5 & up recommended)

Good to know: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of several national parks and battlefields where kids can become a Junior Civil War Historian. Read on for more.

Fly Fishing the Smokies
Bryson City, Nc
828-488-7665
Online: flyfishingthesmokies.net
Become a Civil War Historian
History buffs can learn all about the Civil War at national parks and battlefields and earn a special badge too. Parks include: Natchez National Historical Park, where your family can see what life was like in the American South just before the Civil War; and Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield where the first major battle west of the Mississippi was fought.

Online: www.nps.gov

photo: Helen Walker Green

Passport to Your National Parks
Do you and the fam like to visit as many National Parks as you can? Keep a record of the parks you’ve visited with the Passport to Your National Parks. Buy a Passport at most Ranger Stations and Vistor Centers and online at eParks.com and don’t forget to let your Junior Ranger ask a Park Ranger for a park passport stamp. The passport has tons of info and maps, and there’s even a Kid’s Passport Companion. Passport To Your National Parks $8.95 Kids’ Passport To Your National Parks Companion $6.95 Passport To Your National Parks and Kids’ Passport Companion Set $14.95 Check out other ways kids can enjoy national parks on the National Parks web site.

What are your favorite national parks adventures for kids? Do you plan on trying any of the activities featured here? Tell us in the Comments below.

— Helen Walker Green

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement

Get Packing! Tips & Tricks for Backpacking with Kids

by laure latham

In real life, backpacking with kids isn’t Troop Beverly Hills, but it isn’t quite White Water Summer, either. For some, a successful trip includes a secret stash of toys and for others it’s about turning hills into roller coasters to keep little motors running. Whatever your strategy, here are a few pointers to get you sleeping under the stars. Bonus: these tips might even get the kids carrying their own pack!

Photo: Brittney Fort

What Age?

The earlier the better. Get em’ used to being outside and familiar with nature. In fact, you can plan a backpacking trip as soon as you are ready to hike and wear the baby! Lots of parents backpack with tiny tots. Since they aren’t mobile they make the perfect trail companion. Toddler years bring different perspectives and curiosity (read: slower hiking paces) about every single leaf, rock and butterfly. As they get older, the hikes can get longer and more challenging for the whole family.

Trail Tip: If you’re nursing, you don’t even have to pack food for the wee one!

Photo: Laure Latham

Where?

You can be one with nature as close as a mile from a trailhead or five miles up a mountain. The goal of backpacking is to finding a spot where nature is all yours, so go as far as little legs can strut. Depending on the area, you can find your lake, creek, forest clearing, boulder to climb, beach or even your own personal waterfall!

Trail Tip: Be sure to check the map for distance before heading out. You don’t want to be carrying your pack and your kid down the mountain.

Photo: Darya Mead

How?

Set the Pace
There’s always the option of backpacking like a maniac, setting an Olympic-daily pace with 100-pound packs or, there’s a more relaxed backpacking with a mid-weight pack and a mellow pace. May we suggest finding a camp that’s only a mile or two away on your first trip? You’ll be able to  double-back to the car if needed.

Photo: Gabby Cullen

Do it with a Stroller
Consider pushing a jogging stroller if it’s an option; lugging part of the weight on the stroller gives your back a break. Once your budding trail guides can walk with ease (age 2 or 3), get them backpack of their own! They’ll be able to carry their “share of the load” with a water bottle and a snack—maybe even a kid camera to grab album-worthy shots along the way.

Trail Tip: If you like company in the great outdoors, throw together a trip with friends or join group trips organized by your local Sierra Club, REI Family Adventures, Children & Nature Network or other outdoors club.

Photo: Laure Latham

What to Pack?

Think Lightweight
You’ll be toting most of the gear for yourself and your littles in the early years: extra sleeping bags and mats, a slightly roomier tent, kid-friendly campfire food. It all add ups in the end!

Get Good Gear
Plan ahead and watch the end-of-season sales at REI, Campmor, Sports Basement. You’ll be able to save up to 60% to 70% on great equipment that’ll last you a decade. For an example of a light-weight backpacking checklist, see here.

Trail Tip: If you’re going to tackle steep terrain, buy hiking poles! They really help shift weight off your joints and your body will thank you at the end of the day.

Don’t Forget Diapers
Until children are potty-trained, remember that you’ll need to pack and carry back all dirty diapers (how could you forget?).  Wipes should be scent-free so unwanted wildlife doesn’t roam around your camp at night: resealable plastic bags will help keep odors contained! For hybrid diaper systems such as gDiapers or FlipDiapers, there’s no consensus on whether or not you can bury the inserts in nature. If you can’t burn them, pack them out.

Photo: J Brew via flickr

What to Eat?

Manage your Menu
All that fresh air will make your little cubs hungry! For the ultimate backcountry experience, freeze-dried food packs a punch without taking up much space. A godsend…unless you have a picky eater. For an easier and cheaper alternative, grab a stash of instant foods from your local TJ’s or Target. Think: Asian noodles, pouches of Indian food or TexMex beans served with quick-cook rice or couscous. In the morning, oatmeal is the breakfast of the champions in the outdoors and you can make it “deluxe” with a few spoonfuls of your child’s favorite nuts or dried fruits.

To keep your kids energized during your walks pack easy grab-and-go snacks. Make your own trail mix before your trip or opt for a organic whole grain bar that’ll keep them fueled all day long. We’re digging CLIF Kid’s Protein zBar that packs in the fiber and protein without any preservatives or corn syrup.

Trail Tip: Check out our picks for tasty kid-friendly campfire meals here.

Stay Well Watered
Staying well hydrated will keep everybody happy! Overnight backpacking means quick ways to purify water you find along the way. Whether you choose an old-fashioned water pump (kids love to pump) or a gravity system that you hang from a tree, make sure you know how to operate your system before the trip. Thirsty kids don’t wait!

Trail Tip: If you thought you’d have to wait until the next saloon for a collapsible cup of Merlot, relax. Carry your favorite vino in air-tight wine pouches called PlatyPreserve. Merlot on the trail—what more could you ask under the Milky Way?

Photo: Laure Latham

Other Ideas?

This handy checklist will help make your trip successful!

  • Sunblock of course, even in the colder/shadier areas.
  • Two small favorite toys, a deck of cards or a book to read – useful when you set up camp.
  • Bug repellant and wipes.
  • Two extra pairs of kid socks for each day of the trip – creeks happen.
  • On a NPS or state park designated trail, geocaching keeps children going. Leading the way from one cache to the next and ultimately to the next campsite make the hike more exciting.
  • Waterproof shoes to splash around.
  • Collapsible buckets or sinks to fetch water in the lake or in the river.
  • Headlamps for everyone—two hands are better than one.
  • For little ones who like to crawl around, a mini-tent that you can set up when you arrive at the camp.

Have you tried backpacking with kids? Share with us in the Comments below!

—Laure Latham & Gabby Cullen

Advertisement

Related reads

Advertisement