Camping can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring a lot of hassle. We have been camping for decades, and our experience in the outdoors has helped us learn some pretty great camping hacks along the way to help us spend less time on the hassle and more time enjoying the outdoors. Glossy magazine covers and campground brochures highlight fun-filled days at the lake or river, restful afternoons … [Read more...]
Two days in Joshua Tree National Park and Indian Cove Campground with Kids
July 3, 2021 By
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 … [Read more...]
Camping recipe ideas and tips for fall
November 5, 2020 By
We enjoyed one of our last summer weekends on the Oregon Coast at Eel Creek Campground. It was cool and foggy, which meant fall camping conditions for us! We came to this part of the Oregon dunes to go sand boarding with a big group of tweens and teens, so we needed to really think through our meal lists. For all your year-round camping adventures, here are a few camping recipe ideas and … [Read more...]
How to pack for a camping trip and organize your campsite
September 28, 2020 By
Camping with the family is supposed to be relaxing, but it can feel stressful if you don’t know how to pack for a camping trip, and set up your campsite efficiently. After all, no one wants to spend all their time unpacking gear, looking for things, and hauling stuff around their campsite! Read on to learn how to efficiently pack and set up all your gear! How to Pack for a Camping Trip: Easy Set … [Read more...]
Road Trip Travel Hack: Stay nights at KOA Kampgrounds!
July 24, 2020 By
We love to review destination hotels and resorts, but let's face it: roadside motels booked solely for the purpose of an overnight pit stop en route on a road trip are usually nothing to write home about. Plus, an average motel stay is now over $100 per night. In the last year or so, we've been thinking outside the box (or motel room) and booking cabin, yurt, or campground stays instead. I … [Read more...]
Iceland camper van road trip tips
July 7, 2020 By
Iceland has become a popular family vacation destination for many reasons: it is every bit as breathtakingly beautiful as it looks in photographs, there’s essentially no language barrier, it’s extremely family-friendly, and the outdoor recreation and sightseeing is almost endless. What Iceland is not: cheap. Standard hotels can cost families as much as $400 per night on top of expensive rental … [Read more...]
Things to do on Channel Islands with kids
August 19, 2019 By
Channel Islands National Park is located right off the coast of Ventura, CA, but feels a million miles away from the rest of Southern California. The park has a different vibe than most: the main visitor's center is located not in the park, but in the Ventura Harbor, where visitors depart for the islands, and the islands themselves remain remote, isolated, and almost completely … [Read more...]
Three great family campsites in France
July 26, 2019 By
France is known for its romantic getaways filled with twinkling lights, iconic landmarks, and plenty of wine and cheese. But there are also plenty of family-friendly activities to be found as well. In fact, one timeless outing that is hugely popular for families in France is camping. Many European parents take their children to spend some quality time outdoors in the summer sun in France. This … [Read more...]
Glamping trips to book this summer
May 9, 2019 By
Have you ever enjoyed turn-down service…in a tent? How about foot warmers, breakfast in your camp bed or nightly s’mores service? Even if you’re a hardcore camper, happy to rough it, c’mon…this sounds pretty great, right? Get your glamp on at the following glamping resorts in the western U.S. Over the top: The Resort at Paws Up, Montana Located on Montana’s Blackfoot River, Paws … [Read more...]
Five outdoor travel experiences any family can try
August 23, 2018 By
Good news parents: Most kids' favorite vacations involve sleeping bags and campfires instead of five-star luxury and turn-down service. Traditional camping trips are a crowd favorite, but if you're looking for something a bit further off the beaten path of family travel, check out one of the following outdoor travel experiences any family can enjoy, no prior wilderness knowledge necessary. 1. … [Read more...]
