Hwy 62 - Pitstops for Kids

Two days in Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Cove Campground with Kids

July 3, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

Joshua Tree National Park is a gem! With a higher elevation than our other favorite desert camping location, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree offers a desert experience with more vegetation, wildflowers, and of course, Joshua Tree’s fabled rock climbing boulders. You don’t have to be rock climbers to enjoy it, though you’ll see plenty of that ilk. Our kids absolutely loved the freedom of scrambling and bouldering to their heart’s content directly from trails and campgrounds. Here’s how to do Joshua Tree National Park with kids!

Joshua Tree is definitely worthy of a day trip from Palm Springs, but we highly recommend making two days of it (either driving in or camping). Hiking in the park is not strenuous (almost all hikes are 3 miles or less), and for the non-hikers, there’s plenty of wildflower and cacti viewing, birding, and rock climber-watching (yes, I just made that a word). Here’s what not to miss with a few days in the park:

Split Rock nature trail:

Located a few miles past the North Entrance to the park, Split Rock is often overlooked by visitors, making it almost empty during our peak season visit. (If you’re unsure where to go, ask a ranger at the Oasis Visitor Center, which should be your first stop, anyway. Split Rock is a two mile loop that takes you through yucca, Joshua Trees, and most importantly, amid towering boulders. We stopped often to let the kids climb, but whether you want to keep it a traditional hike it up to you, of course. Hikers often spot mountain goats here, though our wildlife spotting was limited to lizards, ravens, and rock climbers.

Hidden Valley:

Hidden Valley is a mecca for rock climbers (and it’s fun to watch them here), but is also a great place for kids to scramble and explore. There’s a 1 mile nature trail loop that shows the natural bowl where cattle wrestlers brought stolen cattle to hide them, but kids will be more interested in jumping from rock to rock. This area gets crowded, but there’s room to spread out and most visitors don’t go further than the first quarter mile (in our experience).

49 Palms Oasis:

When you’re ready for a trail that doesn’t involve scrambling and bouldering, try the strenuous 49 Palm Oasis loop. It takes hikers up and down canyon ridges to a very welcome palm tree oasis deep in the canyon. The actual oasis area is off-limits due to restoration, but it’s fun to count the palms (we counted 46, so there probably are 49 in actuality), sit in the shade, and check out the green vegetation around the spring. Hike this one in the morning, as there’s little shade.

Where to stay:

Joshua Tree has no fewer than nine campgrounds, as well as motel-style lodging in the towns of 29 Palms and Joshua Tree. We highly recommend camping in Joshua Tree to get the full experience of this spectacular park. There are few things to note about the campgrounds: of all nine, only Black Rock and Cottonwood offer running water and flush toilets. The remainder offer no services except pit toilets. The only reservable campgrounds are Blackrock and Indian Cove.

We stayed two nights in Indian Cove Campground, and loved the experience. Every campsite is adjacent to Joshua Tree’s famous boulders, and the entire campground is located in a beautiful rock canyon. We stayed in site 90 which is located at the very end of the campground, and considered it as ideal as it gets for a car camping experience. We had no immediate neighbors, and had wilderness surrounding us. We had room for two tents—one quite large—which is not the case with every site.

Tip: If you have a large tent or want to set up two tents, call the ranger station and ask about the particular site you reserved. Pack accordingly! For family groups wanting two adjacent sites, we recommend 63-64 or 99-100. And if you really want some isolation from other campers, consider reserving two sites even for a small group. They’re only $15/night!

When to go:

Due to its higher elevation, Joshua Tree is bearable further into the warm weather months than other desert parks (such as Death Valley), but you’ll still want to visit between March and May for the best weather. At the time of our March visit, temperatures reached the 80s in the day, and the 40s at night.

Tip: for more information about Joshua Tree, check out this guide from Live Once Live Wild.

Directions:

Joshua Tree National Park lies 140 miles east of Los Angeles, 175 miles northeast of San Diego, and 215 miles southwest of Las Vegas. You can approach it from Interstate 10 and Hwy 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway).

Fall pit stop: Upper Rogue River Trail

November 18, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

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 for rockier vistas and steeper grades, or the trail upstream for a more moderate hike through dense forest. We went this way, and in several places, the river was accessible (which the dog loved!). Watch the current; its best to let kids enjoy the river from the sandy banks. Both trails continue for 3+ miles, so you may want to turn around prior to the end or take two cars to avoid back-tracking (the upper trail ends at the River Bridge Campground on Forest Road #6210). On the lower trail, we turned at about the 2 mile mark, and the kids had no problem with the moderate terrain.

Date last visited: October 2009

Distance off the interstate: A few miles off Highway 62.

Hours and Admission Prices: None.

Bathrooms: None. The nearby River Bridge Campground is your best option when it’s accessible in the summer months.

Food Services: Hands down your best option: Beckie’s, known for their fresh berry pies. Located just a bit further down the road at 56484 Highway 62. Call for hours: 541-560-3563.

Website: This one gives a fairly good overview of the upper hike and general driving directions.

Directions: From Prospect, travel north on Highway 62 and turn off at the sign for the Woodruff Bridge Picnic Area (Forest Service Road 68). Proceed under 2 miles to the picnic area. The actual address is 47201 Highway 62, Prospect, Oregon.

Bonus Pit Stop! Six miles south of the Upper Rogue Trail, also directly off Highway 62, is Mill Creek Falls and the Avenue of the Boulders. Only a half mile walk, this is a good option if you have less time (and affords stunning views!).

Bouldering with kids: Mill Creek and Avenue of the Boulders OR

November 25, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

When I say ‘bouldering’ I don’t exactly mean the sport catching on among the outdoorsy type from Colorado to New Mexico. I mean ‘clambering’ or maybe ‘scrambling’, as we really weren’t climbing high enough to need mats or helmets. However, I have learned that if you tell kids they’re going bouldering, they hike much faster! Any way I can add some excitement to a nature walk or hike, I do so! Tip: another great way to get kids to enjoy the outdoors is geo-caching.

Bouldering with kids is easy in Southern Oregon, where many volcanic rock formations await. Tobias (age 8) spent the day bouldering and hiking with his grandpa in Prospect, Oregon, which is located on Highway 62 en route to Crater Lake National Park. This part of the drive to the lake is a great place to stop and stretch legs with a moderate hiking/climbing experience.

Mill Creek Falls and Avenue of the Boulders

These falls are a short hike from the parking lot, but from the falls you can hike further to the Avenue of Boulders at the base. This veritable ‘city’ of boulders fall in a neat row, then in a group, looking like a skyline from afar. Between the boulders are calm pools of water, sandy beaches, and lots of opportunities to climb around, up, and over. If you plan to do serious bouldering here, definitely bring mats and helmets, but kids can get pretty adventurous and still be safely close to the ground.

Natural Bridge

Next, head over to Union Creek, Oregon, just up the road along Highway 62. This area offers a trailhead at Natural Bridge Trail to a series of lava tubes that wind under and through the often fast-flowing Rogue River. Not only are the tubes beautiful, but they’re fascinating for kids. Challenge kids to find hollow lava rocks and see if they’ll float in the calmer water at the end of the hike. Families can take a 2.4 mile loop, or just walk across two bridges to observe the lava tubes and the rapids. There’s a primitive campground adjacent, and bathrooms with pit toilets. In the summer months, you’ll want to picnic. Tip: grab a piece of pie or a berry smoothie after your hike at Beckie’s, world famous for their food (or at least world famous in Southern Oregon!).

Travel Gear We Use: Stonz Wear Rain Bootz and Linerz:
Stonz is a children’s outerwear and boot company homegrown in Vancouver, BC. Our Pit Stops’ kids wore Stonz rain boots on our Mill Creek adventure. Stonz rain boots are made of natural rubber, and parents can buy them with optional soft, fuzzy liners that kids love. They slide on easily, but stay put while exploring creeks, muddy river banks, and other outdoor destinations. Best of all, they can be sprayed down with water after you get home, and the liners are machine washable. Buy Stonz Rain Bootz on Amazon or Zappos, or find more Travel Gear We Use.

Directions: Once on Highway 62 (grab this from I-5 in Medford, Oregon), follow marked signs to all the above destinations.

Also nearby: Take a hike along the Upper Rogue River.

The above post was written in partnership with Stonzwear.com. Photo credit: flickr.com/AlaskanDude

Family travels in my own backyard: Crater Lake to the Rogue River

June 21, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

If gas or airline prices are keeping you closer to home this summer, you’re not alone. Soaring prices and family commitments necessitate staying in our home region of Southern Oregon this July, too, but we’re not letting it stop us from getting away from it all…sort of. We picked a weekend, circled it on the calendar, and created an outdoor family adventure itinerary that won’t take us more than 70 miles from home. Here’s what we’ll be doing:

Day 1: Medford, Oregon to Crater Lake National Park

We’ll drive Highway 62 from Medford to Crater Lake National Park, a two-hour drive through some of the most scenic country Oregon has to offer. The kids will want to stop at the Upper Rogue Trail in Prospect (45 minutes into the drive) for a quick hike to toss rocks in the water and play along the shore. Afterward, we’ll drive a few miles further down the road for an ice cream stop at Becky’s, next to the Union Creek Resort. (Psst: come back here in the winter for the challenging sledding hill, bonfires, and hot chocolate.)

After entering Crater Lake National Park, we’ll check into the Crater Lake Lodge, then read up on the ecology of the lake and its first residents at the interactive rim-side displays. Afterward, we’ll hike Watchman Peak, where kids can enter an unused fire tower for fabulous views. Dinner will be either at the lodge dining room (upscale) or the family-friendly cafeteria at nearby Mazama Village.

Day 2: Crater Lake to the Upper Rogue River

After waking up in one of the cozy, wood-paneled and flannel-blanketed rooms of the Crater Lake Lodge, we’ll eat a decadent breakfast in the dining room before descending from the rim back to Highway 62. Backtracking from the previous day, we’ll return past Union Creek to Lost Creek Lake, a many-fingered body of blue water featuring water sports, fishing, and lakeside hiking. At the marina, we’ll grab lunch then take a swim at the public swimming beach before continuing on to Shady Cove, Oregon, a tiny town fifteen minutes away hugged by the Rogue River.

Once there, we’ll check in with Raft the Rogue, a favorite regional outdoor outfitter. Rafting the Upper Rogue is a great first rafting experience for families, as the rapids are gentle and professional guides are unnecessary. The staff at Rafting the Rogue will pair us with a raft (one is enough for our family of five, but tahitis are also available), oars, life jackets, and an ice cooler if we need one, then will drive us the ten minutes back upriver to the put-in location. From there, we’ll float at a leisurely pace, stopping on the banks of the river for snacks, swimming, or resting at will.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive at the Shady Cove boat launch, where Raft the Rogue staff will be waiting for us. Once back to our car, we’ll drive a few blocks to the end of town to Miguel’s, a local favorite Mexican restaurant with a back patio overlooking the river. We’ll order nachos, lemonades, and maybe something stronger while watching the sun set.

We’ll spend the night at the Edgewater Inn: cozy, homey, and with lawns stretching to the river banks. Day 3 will find us returning home to Medford, where we’ll be back in time to unpack and do the laundry before lunch (the only downside).

If you planned a weekend getaway in your hometown, where would you go? Let me know in the comments!

Thimbleberry Cabin: winter escape in Southern Oregon Cascades

March 10, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

For a year-round mountain getaway in the Northwest, families can’t beat the Southern Oregon Cascades. Easy to access from I-5 (to Highway 140), this region south of Crater Lake National Park and west of Klamath Falls is rich with national forest land, lakes, and recreation. We love the area’s ‘off-the-beaten-path’ feel (and the fact that it’s only a few short hours from several Oregon cities)! Situated in the midst of this wilderness is Thimbleberry Cabin.

Pit Stops for Kids reader Cristie Fairbanks of Southern Oregon recommends Thimbleberry, located seven miles from beautiful Lake of the Woods on Highway 140, for its family-friendly location and features. A HomeAway rental property set apart from any other resort or facility, Thimbleberry sleeps five comfortably with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. “With a short walk from the house, you can backcountry ski or snowshoe in any direction through national forest and BLM lands, and the cabin is only one mile from Pacific Crest Trail access. The cabin rental also comes with a variety of snowshoes and sleds (as well as other seasonal equipment) that you can use right on the one acre property or take with you on an adventure.”

What to do: In winter, you won’t need to stray far from the cabin. Sled or enjoy snow play right outside your door, or connect with the Pacific Crest Trail for a longer trek. Visit Summit Snow Park for snowmobile or cross-country fun, and Fish Lake (adjacent to Lake of the Woods, Highway 140) offers even more snowshoe and cross-country ski trails. Extra Tip: In summer, swim, fish, and boat on Lake of the Woods or Fish Lake, or explore the Sky Lakes Wilderness, (access to trail head on Highway 140 across from Fish Lake), our family’s favorite place for a day hike or backpacking overnight.

Day trips in the area: Within easy driving distance is Crater Lake National Park (check road conditions and closings in winter) and Shakespearean Ashland, Oregon.

Where to eat: If staying in a rental cabin such as Thimbleberry, be prepared to bring all of the food you will need. The closest store and restaurant is located at Lake of the Woods Resort and is not always open. With a kitchen and BBQ at Thimbleberry, however, you won’t want to bother with eating out!

How to get there: From I-5 in Medford, Oregon, follow signs to Highway 140. Follow 140 east toward Klamath Falls.

Ashland on Dwellable

Crater Lake National Park and Lodge

January 12, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Crater Lake National Park: perfect for kids!

Kid tested and approved: Crater Lake is perfect for families!

One of the Pit Stops crew’s favorite national parks is in our backyard: Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon. Open year round, Crater Lake is a true natural wonder that’s (surprisingly) never swarmed with crowds. It’s not too large a park as to be overwhelming for families, and with hiking trails, nature programs, boat tours, and a beautifully maintained historic lodge on-site, its an ideal vacation spot to bring kids.

And if you’re looking for a place to spend an upcoming getaway, Crater Lake is included in the long list of national parks offering free entrance this Veteran’s Day Weekend and every fee-free day in 2011!

When to go: Crater Lake has something to offer in all seasons. Though some roads in the park are closed in winter due to snow, Hwy 62 (into and out of Crater Lake NP) and the Rim Road around the lake are almost always plowed and open. For updates, always check the Current Conditions page for road closures. Our favorite aspect of Crater Lake in winter is the snowshoeing. Every Saturday and Sunday at 1 pm, join park rangers for a free snowshoe trek! (Thanksgiving through May.) Check the Ranger Led Activities page for programs in other seasons as well!

Crater Lake Lodge is iconic of the northwest!

In the summer season (July through September), book a boat tour to Wizard Island. Only two boats depart per day (more without a Wizard Island stop) so be sure to book in advance through Xanterra Parks and Resorts. Watchman Peak hiking tours are also offered all summer, as are evening campfire programs.

Where to stay: Crater Lake Lodge sits right on the rim of the lake. In summer, take in the view from an adirondack chair on the deck, and in winter, curl up by the huge fireplace with a good book in the grand lobby. The lodge dining room is fantastic, and while elegant, it’s not stuffy. Kids are encouraged guests! If staying in the lodge is not for you, the Crater Lake Cabins are situated below the rim at Mazama Village, but the only lake view accommodation is the lodge. Bear in mind; both the lodge and cabins are rustic: you won’t find TV, air conditioning or land lines. (A campground is also available.) No matter which lodging you prefer, reservations are a must in summer!

Date last visited: August 2010.

Distance from the interstate: Hwy 62 takes visitors right up to the Rim Road. The park is approximately 2 hours from I-5.

Admission Fee: One of the most affordable national parks in the country, seven day passes are only $10 per car.

Room Rates: Nightly rates at the lodge start at $157 ($129 for a cabin) at the time of this publication.

Dining: In addition to the lodge dining room, Mazama Village offers a nice family-style buffet at Annie Creek Restaurant. We’ve been pleased with the healthy yet kid-friendly selection there. And best of all, picnic meals are welcomed on the lodge’s expansive veranda. We usually pack a lunch and eat overlooking the fabulous view!

Directions: The easiest way to approach the park in all seasons is from the South entrance, which is always open (Hwy 62 from Medford, Oregon). The North entrance is closed winter and spring. To approach Crater Lake from the north in summer, take take Route 138 from Roseburg or Hwy 97 from Bend.

Regional Snow Parks: Winter’s Best Pit Stops!

December 2, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Pit Stops’ kids enjoying winter recreation while on the road!

If you’re traveling by car this holiday season, or have a family vacation road trip planned for this winter, don’t forget that snow parks can offer a cheap, fun, and festive alternative to traditional play spaces or restaurant pit stops. Often free (or requiring only a parking permit available locally), snow parks are almost always located directly off regional highways and usually include such luxuries as groomed snow trails, ready-made sledding hills, warming huts, and bathrooms. Not a bad way to spend that hour or so out of the car on a winter afternoon!

Our family’s favorite snow park is located at Union Creek Oregon, right off Highway 62 en route to Crater Lake National Park. (By the way, if you haven’t seen this natural wonder in winter, what the heck are you waiting for?!) Adjacent to the cozy Union Creek Resort, this full-service snow park offers the best sledding around. A rope tow is operational most days, but you’ll still work up enough of an appetite for a bite at Becky’s, serving up the best pie and hot cocoa around. If you’re crossing from coastal Oregon to central Oregon, be sure to circle this spot on the map! (50 miles from Medford on Hwy 62.)

Will you be traveling across Washington State this holiday? A Pit Stops for Kids reader favorite is Lake Wenatchee State Park, north of Leavenworth on Highway 2. In addition to sledding hills, you’ll find miles of cross-country, snow-shoeing, and even dog sledding trails. And the quaint Bavarian village of Leavenworth is only 25 minutes away!

Need to find a snow park along your winter driving route? The best place to start is with the National Parks Service. Look up state parks by state or region to find parks offering winter recreation. Toss gloves, coats, and a sled or two into the car, and you’re ready to go!

Happy (and safe) winter driving!