OARS - Pitstops for Kids

The way to see Grand Teton National Park with kids: OARS Jackson Lake 2-Day Trip

June 28, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

When I knew my family and I would be spending time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park, I immediately looked for an OARS trip to take in the area. After our five-day Rogue River rafting trip with OARS, it was the easy choice. OARS is just that good at what they do.

I’ve already talked about what sets OARS apart. In a nutshell, the guides are professionals but also become friends, the service and food is phenomenal, and the overall experience ensures a stress-free, family-bonding time for everyone. Check it out:

OARS’ 2-day Jackson Lake kayak trip departs and returns to and from Signal Mountain boat dock on Jackson Lake, in the heart of Grand Teton National Park (you’ll need to pay the $20 park fee to get there).

Day 1:

Day 1 takes families across open water to lunch at Marie Island, then approximately five more miles across to Grassy Island, in the shadow of Mount Moran. OARS is the only concessionaire with a permit to camp on Jackson Lake, ensuring we were all alone, within a hairsbreath of the Teton range. We arrived and set up camp around 4:30 pm, leaving plenty of time to splash in the water, read a book, or play a card game before appetizers. Yes, appetizers.

Dinner consisted of hearty burritos with fresh, homemade salsa (the veggies and herbs chopped up in front of us). For dessert…birthday brownie: one of the two six-year-olds on our trip was celebrating his big day. We camped under the stars (in OARS’ supplied tents), and a campfire with our fellow kayakers.

Day 2:

On Day 2, it’s all about exploring the Tetons from the vantage point of the water and trails. We broke camp after a leisurely breakfast of French toast and bacon, and hit the water around 10 am. We paddled to Bearpaw Bay, where we caught the trail to Bearpaw Lake and Leigh Lake. This two-mile hike doesn’t include much elevation gain, which meant even the youngest in our group could navigate it, while the rest of us still found it to be a decent length.

After a swim in Leigh with a picnic lunch, we paddled on to Spalding camp, on the mainland overlooking the Tetons. Once again, our campsite was our own, thanks to OARS’ exclusivity. We BBQed burgers for dinner (and when I say ‘we’, I mean our amazing OARS crew) and settled in for riddles and games of Uno around the campfire.

Day 3:

We broke camp on Day 3 around 9 am, and paddled at a leisurely pace back to the boat dock, none of us anxious to arrive! I asked my kids: how does the kayak trip compare with an OARS whitewater rafting trip? Calvin (age 13) said the two simply couldn’t be compared, but loved both. Before our kayak adventure, he feared the trip would be too tame, with perhaps too much downtime. We found this to be untrue. While a whitewater trip packs more adrenaline-inducing excitement, the kayak trip requires more muscle and includes just as much sightseeing. On both trips, we had stellar guides (shout out to Nate, Marcus, and Max this time around!).

Things to know before you go:

On any OARS trip, it’s very important to have the right clothing and gear. The weather is all over the map in the Tetons, so bring layers. If you follow the packing list, you’ll be fine. We were especially glad to have long underwear for night, and light gloves and hats for brisk mornings. OARS supplied us with splash jackets (like rain jackets) for use in the kayaks, and tents. When you book a trip, you have the option of bringing your own sleep kit, or renting one of theirs. Our recommendation: bring your own sleeping bag if you have one rated to 20 degrees, but opt to rent their sleeping pads. They’re thick and puffy, and you’ll be glad you did!

On our previous OARS trip, beer, wine, and soda were included. On this trip, soda was available, but beer and wine was BYO. If you hand over your wine and beer to the crew, they’ll keep it chilled for you! We all shared during the trip, which was a nice touch.

Bring a few small games or other entertainment for camp time. We like to bring a deck of cards and books or Kindles. Leave iPods or gaming devices at home or in the car. We had cell service for most of the trip, but without anywhere to charge phones, it was easier to leave those in the car as well.

In short, OARS is able to access a part of Jackson Lake and Grand Teton you otherwise wouldn’t be able to see, and show it to you in a way that allows for family togetherness, relaxation, and carefree fun. Pair it with 2-3 additional nights in the park or adjacent Yellowstone National Park, and know you’ll be in good hands!

As I disclose whenever applicable, we experienced this OARS trip as guests of the company, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Multi-night river rafting on the Tuolumne River

August 31, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

The Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park is one of the most pristine and exciting rivers I’ve experienced. But is river rafting safe during COVID-19? My fifteen-year-old son and I rafted the Tuolumne River for three days with OARS, and not only did we have the usual amazing time on the river I’ve come to expect from an OARS trip, but we felt safe and responsible, too.

All of our OARS trips include the same basic formula: clean mountain air + clean river water + starry skies and lots of adventure. Our three day, two night trip on the Tuolumne included all of the above, plus some additional safety measures that had been put into place.

Instead of flying, we drove to the meeting place from Southern Oregon (about a 7 hour drive) and stayed overnight in charming Groveland, California near the entrance of Yosemite National Park at the Groveland Hotel, which I highly recommend for their friendly hospitality, ample outdoor deck space with in-house dining, and whiskey bar (yes, really!).

The next morning, we met with our group of 12 additional rafters and trip leader, Rebecca, then boarded an OARS bus for the 45 minute drive to the put-in on the Tuolumne. We began experiencing the COVID-19 safety measures immediately.

How OARS makes river rafting safe during COVID-19

Before arrival, every guest filled out a health check-list and survey.
At the pre-trip meeting, everyone’s temperature was checked.
Everyone’s temp was checked every day of the trip thereafter.
Face coverings were worn by all on the bus and any other enclosed space, plus the kitchen area of camp every day.
Face coverings were also worn any time guests from separate families/parties interacted at a distance of less than six feet, such as in rafts, while setting up camp, etc.
Individuals were assigned all gear, including tents, pads, chairs, and sleeping bags…no swapping.
The OARS crew always wore face coverings while preparing food and setting up camp, and hand washing was mandatory for ALL multiple times per day.
Hugs were banned, but hand waves and air kisses sufficed!
Hand sanitizer, soap, and water for hand washing were available at all times.

Face coverings like Buffs double as eye masks during raft naps!

What you can ALWAYS expect from OARS on the Tuolumne

Whitewater, whitewater, whitewater! This river is technical and fast-moving, and offers a lot of Class IV and Class V rapids. As such, guests spend their time in paddle boats instead of individual IKs (inflatable kayaks, a.k.a ‘duckies’). At first my teen was bummed to not be able to man his own IK, but we agreed that the thrill of the whitewater made paddle-boating more fun than usual.

The river’s water level is controlled by daily releases from Hetch-Hetchy dam, which adds a particular challenge: your start time on the river might change daily based on how much water is flowing. For instance, on day 1, the water was released at 10 am, and we were off and floating. The last day, it wasn’t flowing until 3 pm, which meant we hiked and swam first.

Each day, we camped at another iconic location along the river, with views of foothills, eagles and hawks, and whitewater. The banks of this river are exposed and the sun beats down hot, but the river water is cold, so you’ll be refreshed often!

Our guides took us on side hikes up canyons and creek beds every day, where we were delighted by swimming holes and jumping rocks. Each hike was more ‘canyoneering’ than walking, so river shoes with good traction are a must. The hikes are short in length, however, and definitely worth the effort.

Each meal was carefully prepared for us by our OARS crew, and we dined on salmon, steak, eggs, bacon, French toast, fresh fruit, salad wraps, and more. Two beers or soft drinks per person, per night are included, as well as wine at dinner. Guests are free to bring their own additional beverages as desired, to be consumed in camp (not on the river).

If you have more generalized questions, or need camping, packing, or ‘grover’ (portable camp toilet) advice, please see our post on what to expect on every OARS trip.

Perhaps best of all about a Tuolumne River trip, you’re in close proximity to Yosemite! I highly recommend pairing your OARS adventure with some time exploring Yosemite National Park.

Main Salmon River rafting trip with O.A.R.S.

August 3, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

The best—and nearly only—way to experience the 2.3 million acre Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness of Central Idaho is by whitewater raft down the Main Salmon River. The route along the Wild and Scenic section of the Salmon runs 80 miles and requires extensive whitewater experience and permits…or can be booked with an adventure outfitter like O.A.R.S.

Why choose the Main Salmon with O.A.R.S.?

The O.A.R.S. Main Salmon River trip takes five nights, six days and delivers families through pristine high desert and forested wilderness. Multiple outfitters take this course, but we recommend O.A.R.S for many reasons, including stellar guest service, the comfort of good food and camps, and river expertise.

The Salmon River remains undammed for over 400 miles, and the Frank Church Wilderness is alive with prehistoric, native, and pioneering history, as well as wildlife. O.A.R.S. guides are knowledgeable about both, able to educate guests along the way with nature talks, history lessons, and wildlife spotting. If that’s not enough for you, this O.A.R.S. itinerary employs no fewer than five modes of transportation down the river: guests can ride in an oar boat, dory, paddleboat, inflatable kayak (called a ducky), or stand-up paddle board (SUP).

What to expect on the Main Salmon:

All five nights along the Main Salmon with O.A.R.S. are spent on sandy beach campsites along the river, with tents and sleeping bags and pads provided. Guests start the trip in McCall, Idaho, where a pre-trip meeting takes place the night before departure. This is the time to ask last-minute questions, get your dry bags to pack belongings in, and meet your trip leader. During our meeting, we met Trip Leader Diego, as well as the other guests on the trip. Diego gave us a weather report—our trip would be hot and dry—and final tips on packing—we’d need two water bottles each, plus lots of sun protection. Our trip included 11 guests total: my multigenerational family of two teens, myself, and my father, plus one more father and son, one mother with two sons, and one couple. In total, we had five kids ages 12-16 and six adults.

The next morning, our trip started at 7 am with an amazing chartered flight from McCall to Salmon, Idaho in 2-8 passenger planes. We watched out the windows as the rugged peaks and mountain meadows passed below us, knowing we were essentially being deposited into our wilderness area. From Salmon, a rather brutally long bus ride took us to the put-in point along the river, where we were set to depart at the start of the Wild and Scenic section at Corn Creek. We stopped along the way of this two-hour ride at a small store where we could purchase any extra drinks we’d like on the trip. O.A.R.S. provides enough soda, wine, and beer for guests to have approximately two drinks per evening; extra is allowed in moderation. We could also grab any extra items we’d forgotten at this point, such as batteries, sunscreen, sunglasses, or water bottles. All extra drink purchases become communal unless requested otherwise.

Once we arrived at Corn Creek, we met the rest of our guides who’d be joining us for our week on the Salmon. We had a great crew, as I always have with O.A.R.S.: guides Amber, Morris, and Prester, as well as college-aged gear guides (rowing only gear, not guests) Rose and Dakota. All are essential to the trip and all interact with the guests. We got dialed in on rafting safety (Day 1 of any trip includes multiple talks on protocol and safety) and were on the river before lunch.

We rafted only an hour or so before stopping to eat on a sandy bank, during which we learned about dining protocol—hand washing, water bottle filling, and trash clean up—and were introduced to the inflatable kayak ‘duckies’. These solo-passenger rafts are popular but require just a bit of skill. Anyone wanting to raft the river in duckies needed to take a ‘swim test’ before we left the lunch spot. This test involves paddling the ducky in an eddy, purposely flipping it over, and getting oneself back in in deep water. This sounds intimidating, but with tips from the guides, everyone in our group who took the test, from the teens to the grandfather, passed.

We rafted another three hours or so, navigating through our first rapids, Killum, Gunbarrel, and Rainer, before landing at our first night’s camp. Here, we learned all about camping protocol, including how to create a ‘fire line’ to off-load the boats of gear (everyone helps) to how to set up our tents and where to find our sleep kits (which included sleeping bags, tarps, and pillows). We also became acquainted with the ‘Unit’ at this point, sometimes called the ‘Groover’. This portable toilet system is required by all rafting parties on the river as part of the Leave No Trace principles followed. It takes some getting used to if you don’t spend a lot of time in the outdoors, but embrace the Unit: after all, it’s the only option.

After setting up camp, we found ample time to play, swim, and get to know one another better through conversation over cold beers and sodas. Our guides surprised us with several beach toys brought out from the depths of the boats, including frisbee games and a fun washer game similar to horseshoes. A salmon dinner was followed by more community time around the ‘circle’ (of chairs), where adults conversed and kids brought out card games. Around 8 pm, the summer heat was broken by a spectacular thunderstorm and hail storm: we all dug out rain jackets and scurried to the sanctuary of our tents to wait it out. For most of us, this was the only night on the trip we didn’t sleep out under the stars and bright moon.

The next morning, the coffee call came around 7 am, followed by breakfast of huckleberry pancakes, sausage, and fruit at 8 am. We packed up camp around 8:30, filled up our water bottles with filtered river water, and were back on the boats before 9 am. The next five days followed the same general routine: coffee call, breakfast, camp breakdown, rowing on the water interspersed with challenging rapids, hikes to historic points, or wildlife, lunch, more river time, arrival at camp, playtime both in the water and on the sand, appetizers and drinks, dinner, and community time. As guests, we set up our own tents and helped on and offload boats, but never cooked or planned any of the itinerary.

Each day on the river brought something new: on Day 2, we floated past a hot springs (and would have stopped had the temperature not been nudging 100 degrees) and stopped to look at Native American petroglyphs, on Day 3, we toured a historic cabin and ranch once owned by river legend Jim Moore, on Day 4, we stopped at hermit Buckskin Bill’s homestead and store, and on Day 5, we hiked a short distance to an old-growth yew tree grove and the foundation of a Chinese mining claim.

Each morning and at each lunch break, guests can decide which type of raft to ride in or paddle: I liked to alternate between the paddle raft, where guests help paddle, the dory, which sits higher on the water and cuts through rapids with precision and grace, and the duckies, which takes more concentration with bigger rewards. When we needed a break, we could sit back and relax on a gear boat, rowed by guide Morris, who regaled his passengers with stories and tales. The kids gravitated to Morris’ boat as well, but mostly clamored for time in the duckies and on the SUP (allowed in small rapids and riffles, after kids have proven themselves).

Evening entertainment took on varied forms as well: we played games of ultimate frisbee and card games, played in the water during kayak wars and SUP practice, and even made a ‘raft slide’ of an overturned paddle raft. During two magical evenings, we were treated to talks by the campfire circle on local history and conservation by geology teacher turned river guide Morris. Meals were excellent and varied from Day 1 to Day 6, and to a person, our six guides were hard working, fun-loving, and responsible.

By Day 3, we’d hit a stride of river life that truly fell into pace with the current. Without screens or smart phones, we slowly felt the tethers of day-to-day demands fall away, to be replaced by a quiet rhythm of sunshine, river water, and fun companionship. By Day 6, we felt so acclimated to river life it felt odd to return to civilization: trucks on the road overlooking the river on the last day felt jarring after so many days without the sound of them and day trippers felt like intruders. While we were ready for a shower and to call loved ones with news of our trip, we never felt uncomfortable on the river: with some much time in the water, we didn’t feel as dirty or grimy as we might backpacking.

Tips for a successful O.A.R.S. trip:

Remember you’re in a communal environment. This means helping out with gear, respecting rules and people, being considerate (please don’t cut in line at lunch or take the best tent site every night), and acting to keep rafts and camp clean and safe. O.A.R.S. makes sure a hand-washing station (a rather ingenious bucket and hose contraption) is available before every meal and at every ‘bathroom’ location, and everyone is expected to use it to keep germs at a minimum in such an intimate environment. Parents, don’t just do all the above yourself; teach kids to follow rules and be considerate as well.
Expect to follow Leave No Trace guidelines. This means all trash, even ‘micro-trash’ such as table scraps, must be disposed of in the designated containers, because everything packed in will be packed out. It also means you’ll be expected to follow Unit protocol, which does have some rules involved. For instance, liquid waste goes in a different place than solid waste, as does toilet paper and feminine products. Yes, this is gross to think about, but the sooner you leave your inhibitions behind, the better. The Unit is always set up in a discrete place at camp, and while it’s odd to go to the restroom in a place without walls or a door, it affords a beautiful view, and there’s a system to ensure some privacy. Wondering what the ‘Unit’ is, exactly? It’s a metal bucket with a toilet seat attached, which can be seated shut between camps. Does it smell? Not as badly as a pit toilet or port-a-potty. Is plumbing preferable? Sure, but it’s better than being the cause of waste left in camps that will be used by numerous rafters all summer.
Follow the packing list. Our trip was a hot one, with days over 100 degrees, but I was still glad to have my rain gear when we encountered that thunderstorm. And you never know when the weather will change, so you can bet I had my fleece and base layers at the bottom of my bag, albeit untouched.
Don’t expect showers, cell service, or cold water in your water bottle, though you can expect excellent, fresh food and cold drinks at the end of each day. It’s amazing what can be packed into the O.A.R.S. coolers: we had steak on our last night, and fresh nectarines our last morning.
Bring two sun hats and two pairs of sunglasses each. Sunglasses get lost or broken easily, and sun hats are just to precious to be without. Sunscreen is crucial as well, of course.
Don’t expect O.A.R.S. to control the weather or the river (though you can expect them to navigate it with expertise). The natural elements of any river trip must be respected.
Expect rules. There’s an inherent danger in any whitewater rafting trip, and while many freedoms are afforded on the water and in camp, rules are in place for a reason. We found that when we proved to our guides that our teens would listen to and respect rules right from Day 1, more privileges were granted. We love rafting with O.A.R.S. because we feel safe, but not coddled. Our boys were able to push themselves on the water, rafting every rapid in duckies if they wished, and some on the SUP. They were able to explore around camp and even sleep solo on a beach around the corner from us. They loved the freedoms they’d earned.

A comparison of O.A.R.S. Salmon River to O.A.R.S. Rogue River:

Both river trips are excellent family trips, though the Salmon requires kids be age 12 and up in high water (spring and early summer). Both offer 5-6 day trips filled with incredible scenery, though the Salmon is largely high desert and canyon while the Rogue is more heavily forested with more dramatic canyon walls. We found the same level of guide service on both rivers.

On the Salmon, the trip begins with the scenic flight from McCall, a bonus treat, and includes rafting on dories in addition to rafts. Duckies and SUPs can be found on both rivers.

Ready to book? Get more generalized O.A.R.S. booking tips and read our Rogue River report.

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced the Salmon River as guests of O.A.R.S., for the purpose of review.

Outdoor adventure road trip: 30 days on an outdoor adventure itinerary

June 22, 2020 By Amy Hagstrom

Our absolute favorite type of travel involves an outdoor adventure itinerary, the longer the better! However, even we don’t cherish the idea of roughing it continuously for weeks on-end. While we will be spending a full week (or more) on the PCT with kids soon, we opted to plan the rest of our summer outdoor adventures with a little more comfort in mind. Here’s how we’ll be spending 30 days on an outdoor adventure itinerary in the Northwest US this summer, without channeling our inner Bear Grylls.

Day 1-5: Out on the water at the edge of Washington State

We’ll be starting our month of outdoor adventure on scenic San Juan Island, Washington. The San Juan islands are one of our favorite outdoor playgrounds for families, because they offer unparalleled beauty and nature as well as comfort and relaxation, should you want it. It’s easy to get around the island, exploring beaches, forts, and harbors. We’ll spend a night enjoying in San Juan Island hospitality, then set out for two days and two nights with Crystal Seas, kayaking around the side of the island and in the sound. I won’t lie: on this kayaking camping trip, I am very much hoping to see orcas…wildlife that has eluded me so far during multiple trips in the Pacific Northwest. Fingers crossed!

Day 6-8: Mt. Rainer National Park

After one more night of R&R after our outdoor kayaking days at Snug Harbor Resort, we’ll say goodbye to the San Juans and drive back onto the mainland for a few days in Mt. Rainer National Park. Since we just camped out a few days on the island, we’ve reserved a cozy cabin outside the park instead (we got ours through HomeAway). While in the park, we have long day hikes planned; while it will be too early in the season for us to tackle the famous Wonderland Trail (we won’t have time, anyway), we’ll be trying a few of these day hikes. The teens and I will be wearing our Oboz hiking shoes, of course. (Curious about this? Check out why I’m an Oboz ambassador.) As the last Pacific Northwest national park we have yet to visit, I can’t wait to explore Rainer!

Day 9-11: Playtime at Suncadia

Our next set of stops on the itinerary will take us east across Washington, then up to British Columbia, but we don’t want to be in a rush, so we’re planning a relaxing stop at Suncadia. Located in Cle Elum, Washington, Suncadia is one of those one-stop outdoor resorts the Pacific NW is so good at creating. We’ll be able to spread out for a few days in a vacation rental, swim in the pools, ride rental bikes along the Suncadia paths (and perhaps embark on a little mountain biking). While at Suncadia, I’m looking forward to a well-deserved bottle of wine, some nice meals, and maybe even a round of golf.

Day 12-13: Rest(ful) stop in Spokane

After leaving Suncadia, we’ll have a long drive ahead of us as we travel to Cranbrook, BC. Spokane Washington is a natural stopping point, with a lively and revitalized downtown and plenty of outdoor pursuits. We lived in Spokane for many years (in fact, two of the Pit Stops kids were born here), and I can’t wait to show them beautiful Riverfront Park and the Spokane River. We’ll be staying the night at the Red Lion Hotel at Riverfront Park, where the kids will get an evening of waterslides and pool fun. We’ll actually be returning to this hotel later, to watch Spokane’s well-known Hoopfest basketball tournament.

Day 14-20: Cowboy (and girl) living at Three Bars Ranch

After leaving Spokane, we’ll arrive in Cranbrook, BC, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Located between two of our favorite outdoor playgrounds–Glacier National Park and Banff, Alberta–the Three Bars Ranch is an all-inclusive dude ranch perfect for families. After trying our first dude ranch last year at Triangle X Ranch, Wyoming, we’re really excited to repeat a week on horseback. Every dude ranch is different, and we’re looking forward to reporting on how Three Bars differs from our Triangle X experience. Already, I know the boys are looking forward to using the tennis courts and pool at Three Bars! While I know our days will be filled with outdoor adventure, we’ll be sleeping in comfortable lodging every night, and able to soak sore muscles in the hot tub.

Day 21-27: Tackling the Main Salmon with O.A.R.S. Rafting

It’s no secret that we absolutely love O.A.R.S., so we’re very excited to announce we’ll be back on the river with this amazing company, this time on the Main Salmon in Idaho. After leaving Three Bars Ranch, we’ll return to Spokane, then head east to lovely McCall, Idaho. After our pre-rafting trip team meeting, we’ll be flying to our put-in spot on the Main Salmon, in the heart of the Frank Church ‘River of No Return’ Wilderness. For six days, we’ll be out in the elements, sleeping in tents and paddling the river, but with the O.A.R.S. team, families still feel pampered, even when on multi-day trips. I know there will be good food, comfy tents, and lots of fun and games.

If you’d love to spend the majority of your summer out-of-doors, but the thought of roughing it for days on end have you hesitating, consider one of the trips listed above…or be crazy like us and do them all! Look for detailed reviews of our experiences with Crystal Seas, Three Bars Ranch, Suncadia, and O.A.R.S. in the months to come!

Five outdoor travel experiences any family can try

August 23, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

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. Spend a night in a fire tower lookout.

Un-used or seasonally manned fire tower lookouts dot US Forest Service lands, especially in the Western states. Many of these lookouts are available for seasonal rental. Our fire lookout stay at Pickett Butte, Oregon included two nights in an isolated three-story high tower, with plenty of room to play, hike, and let our dog roam. We enjoyed downtime, plenty of paperbacks, roaring campfires, and the excitement of sleeping above the treetops while the wind blew. Fire lookouts are available to reserve via Recreation.gov, just like state campground sites.

2. Book an overnight river rafting trip.

Untried on the river? Don’t try to plan an overnight float trip by yourself. We’ve seen the results first-hand (and they usually involve stuck rafts and miserable families). When we wanted to explore Oregon’s backcountry via the Rogue River, we entrusted our vacation to OARS, who took care of everything from experienced rafting guides to three-course meals. Rafting tours are available in most states, with the most popular overnight trips for families in California, Oregon, Utah, and Idaho.

3. Go dog sledding.

A day trip that involves speed, snow, and happy, barking canines? Sign us up! The best dog-sledding tours will include educational opportunities for kids to learn about the history and practice of dog sledding, as well as time to greet the dogs, learn about their care, and see where they eat and sleep. We loved our dog sledding tour in Big White, British Columbia, as well as our summer tour of a dog sledding training facility in Juneau, Alaska.

4. Rent a state park yurt.

Want to camp in the Pacific Northwest in the off-season, but don’t have an RV or camper to keep warm? No problem: rent a state park yurt. Reservable via Recreation.gov, state park yurts in Washington and Oregon (as well as other states across the US) provide families with just enough comfort to still be considered a camping trip. Yurts along the Pacific coast provide heat, electricity, and beds… perfect for a weekend of whale watching or winter storm viewing. Reserve early: yurts are very popular!

5. Take a hut-to-hut ski or hike tour.

Perhaps you grew up taking overnight backpacking trips, but your children aren’t quite old enough to carry full packs of gear (yet). Or maybe you’d like to get into the sport, but are first-timers. Enter hut-to-hut hiking or skiing, where families can enjoy the backpacking experience combined with the comfort and security of a winterized (and sometimes stocked) hut at the end of each day’s journey. Our favorite hut-to-hut trips are located in the heart of the White Mountains, run by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Families can opt to trek on their own, or base in one of AMC’s family-friendly lodges such as the Highland Center Lodge for a guided day trip. Just in time for summer, AMC has extended their guided family vacations.

Photo credit: Amy Whitley, Flickr Creative Commons

What to expect on an O.A.R.S. river rafting trip

August 11, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Earlier this month, we enjoyed our fourth multi-night rafting trip with O.A.R.S. If you do something four times, it’s because you love it, and there are very few vacations we’ve loved as much as O.A.R.S. trips. This unique family vacation combines some of our favorite things: outdoor exploration, adventure, isolation and off-the-grid family time, and conservation. And it packages all these elements into a vacation where my husband and I don’t have to worry about directions, dining, or any other major decisions.

If you’ve read our previous reports from O.A.R.S. trips, which include our two times on the Rogue River, our trip on the Salmon, and our trip in the Tetons, and you still haven’t booked a river rafting trip with your family, maybe it’s because you’re not quite sure what to expect, are not quite convinced such an outdoor trip will be in your family’s comfort zone, or maybe just fear the unknown. I understand. I’m here to help, and I’m going to get really nitty-gritty with you, because knowledge is power, right?

What to expect on an O.A.R.S. river rafting trip:

What to expect from your guides: The night before your trip begins, you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow rafting companions at a nearby hotel or resort. I’ll go into more detail about those fellow rafting companions in a bit, but first: the trip leader. This is an individual, male or female, who has the most authority during your trip. Trip leaders rotate throughout the season, so keep in mind that some of your additional guides on your trip may also have trip leadership experience and be every bit as competent. In my experience, O.A.R.S. trip leaders are ruggedly outdoorsy types between age 30-45, who have often made the outdoor recreation industry their career choice. Your trip leader will go over logistics for the launch the next day, issue your dry bags (more on that soon, too), and tell you any updates on weather, packing, or water conditions.

You’ll meet your additional guides the following day, at the put-in location. Sometimes, the put-in is nearby, just a short van ride away, and sometimes, as is the case on the Salmon River in Idaho, it’s a charter plane flight away. On our trips, which ranged from as few as 10 guests total to 18 guests, we always had 3-4 additional guides. These guides are generally younger (with the exception of any guides who are also trip leaders). Some are college students, but most are in their 20s. We’ve had some great guides and some just ok guides, but never a bad guide.

What to expect from your fellow guests: Well, you can expect just about anything and everything, which is one of the ‘unknown variables’ of commercial river rafting. In a small group, in a fairly intimate setting of camping together, it is frankly a big bummer to get saddled with people you don’t get along with or don’t like for whatever reason. It’s a risk, no way around that. However, while we have been on O.A.R.S. trips with guests who occasionally annoy us, we have never experienced a downright ‘bad’ guest. I believe this is because in general, the individuals and families who book multi-night river rafting trips have something essential in common: we all value the outdoors and the opportunity to explore the scenic river.

If you do encounter a guest who is, shall we say, difficult, there are a few things you can do to help the situation. First, trust the guides. If a guest is difficult, they are aware of it, and are the best authority to curb any unwanted behavior. Best to allow the guides to be the ones to tell guests where to place their trash, not to hog the kayaks, or to stop diving headfirst into the water. Second, if both you and the other guests have kids, it can help to set some basic shared rules in place right away. That way, kids don’t feel frustrated when rules are different for others. Most of the time, this happens naturally, because O.A.R.S. sets the rules for rafting, swimming, use of PFDs and helmets, and even how many sodas and snacks are consumed (by kids). There’s very limited ability to be on screens on an O.A.R.S. trip, so likely, you won’t have to contend with varying electronics rules. A few times, we’ve encountered families with vastly different parenting styles from us, but all it took was a brief family meeting to remind our kids that our rules would remain in place for our kids, and that was that.

What to expect from meals and drinks: Aside from group dynamics, people worry most about food on trips, don’t you think? On each of our O.A.R.S. trips, we ate better on the river than we do at home. Every meal was made from scratch with whole food ingredients, and all were cooked and prepared swiftly and efficiently by our guides. Between meals, GORP (trail mix) was available, and before each meal, ‘appetizers’ were set out, even at breakfast and lunch. For example, at breakfast, coffee came out first, along with dry cereal (usually Cheerios and granola), yogurt, and orange juice. When ‘real’ breakfast followed, it might be French toast, eggs Benedict, or pancakes. At lunch, while our guides prepared the meal, snacks were set out such as cut veggies and dip, chips, fruit, and cookies. A typical lunch would include sandwich fixings and/or a hearty salad. Before dinner, a cooler with sodas, beer, and wine was available (with a ration of approximately one soda per day for kids and 2 drinks for adults), along with appetizers such as chips and salsa, bruschetta and toast points, or veggies, followed by salmon and cous cous, steak and potatoes, or enchiladas, always followed by dessert.

If you want to bring additional drinks, families are free to do so, with the general understanding that they’ll be willing to share. Guides store your additional drinks for you, keeping them cooled.

What to expect from the camping experience: On our last O.A.R.S. trip on the Rogue River, we rafted with a family who had never camped outside before, and they rocked it! You get tents from O.A.R.S., which you set up yourself after a demo, at each campsite. You can also rent a sleep kit, which includes a sleeping bag and paco pad (big thick rafting pad) and liner. Or, you can bring your own sleeping bag and pad (though if you do, I still recommend using a paco pad for comfort…you can rent this solo). Most nights on the Rogue and Salmon, we didn’t even bother sleeping in our tent, the weather was so nice. We slept under the stars, setting up a tent only for changing clothes and storing belongings.

Within each campsite, it’s easy to find a little corner for your family, but you’ll want to remember that you won’t have total isolation or much privacy. Expect to still see the other tents, the guides’ sleep pads, and the camp kitchen area. I promise this is no big deal: you get to know fellow guests very quickly on an O.A.R.S. trip, and you can always set up your tent for some privacy.

What to expect from the bathroom experience: Okay. Let’s get real: this is the issue people are afraid of most. How do you take care of your bathroom needs when you’re in complete wilderness, away from any plumbing whatsoever? Two ways: first, you pee in the river, as mandated by Leave No Trace (dilution is the solution to pollution). This is easy to do during the day…after all, you’re in the river most of the time. It’s harder during the evenings and mornings at camp, especially for women. Men tend to just walk a few paces downriver and stand to pee into the current from the shore…no biggie, no one even notices. Women, here’s what you do…and sorry for going here, but I’m in the outdoors a lot, and very comfortable with this stuff: if you need to pee and you’re out of the water for the day, you go behind one of the rafts, which will be ‘parked’ at the shoreline for the night. Behind their protective wall, you squat by the water, facing the camp. This ensures you moon the river, not the camp. After a few tries, I promise you’ll get good at this and no one will see a thing. When you’re getting used to this technique, it helps to wear a skirt or sarong, so you can eliminate even the mooning part.

For #2, O.A.R.S. sets up what they call the Groover (so named because it used to be a simple bucket or square metal box that would leave grooves on your backside). Now, it has a toilet seat (luxury!). The guides always set up the Groover at camp, in a discreet (but rarely discreet as you’d like) location from the hub of camp activity. You’ll know where the Groover is because there will be a hand wash station (two buckets of water with a foot pump and soap)…and the Groover will be a short walk from this station, hidden as best as possible behind trees, willows, or other natural barriers. It is by no means completely private, with doors that lock, etc, and I know that’s hard to handle at first. But I promise you’ll get used to it. And the thing is, everyone is in the same boat. You’ll know you won’t be interrupted because if you have the TP, others know someone is using the Groover, and when you’re done, you bring the TP back to the hand wash station. The Groover is for solid waste only, as everything in it is packed back out (per Leave No Trace rules), so no peeing in the Groover. However, if you would rather not pee in the river, there is a pee bucket next to the Groover, for that use. I know, this is so gross, but this is the nitty-gritty part, and I bet it helps to know what to expect ahead of time.

What to expect on the river: The actual river is probably what people worry least about, but I’ll cover a few things anyway. Depending on your destination, most O.A.R.S. trips include paddle rafts (where lots of people can paddle together, with a guide), oar rafts (with a guide rowing only), and IKs or duckies (inflatable kayaks), paddled by guests individually. Sometimes, there are also stand-up paddle boards. IKs and paddle boards provide the most adventurous way to experience the river, but all the methods of river transportation are fun. Guides do a good job of making sure popular boats are shared evenly, but you can help by not ‘hogging’ certain things, like IKs. Often, rafters using IKs will need to take a ‘ducky test’ or ‘ducky practice’, where they’re required to purposely flip it over, flip it back upright, and get back in, in water over their head. This is not as hard as it sounds, and most people can do it with some practice and instruction. Kids usually need to be 12 to ‘ducky’ on their own, but tandems to be shared with parents are also available. Most of the time, you paddle the river for a few hours in the morning and a few hours in the afternoon, with the remainder of the time used for lunch, short side trip hikes, and swimming time.

Have additional questions about what to expect on an O.A.R.S. river rafting trip? Ask me in the comments!

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Earth Day-friendly bucket list experiences and destinations

April 21, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

In celebration of Earth Day, we’ve rounded up our favorite experiences, tours, and travel operations that promote a spirit of ‘Earth Day every day’. These travel experiences, through their passion for their destinations, help create the next generation of environmentalists.

Earth Day-friendly bucket list experiences:

Uncruise in Panama and Costa Rica:

We just returned from Uncruise’s newest itinerary in Central America, which takes guests through the historic Panama Canal before heading up the Pacific coastline along Panama and Costa Rica. Naturalists onboard the ship, in tandem with local guides and experts, teach guests about the local wildlife in the rainforests, mangroves, and beaches visited. The 62-passenger Safari Voyager allows for a cruise ship experience without the environmental problems large cruise ships pose.

Lindblad Expeditions in the Galapagos:

This Galapagos trip, on the NatGeo Endeavor II, allows families to experience the Galápagos Islands through Lindblad’s ‘360º approach’, guaranteeing an in-depth encounter with its flora and fauna. The 96-guest National Geographic Endeavour II is fully equipped with tools for exploration that will enable travelers to see more of the archipelago’s varied islands and habitat, have up close encounters with wildlife, and experience the Galápagos undersea.

Need more inspiration? We have activities you can add to just about any family trip in the spirit of Earth Day!

Vantage Adventures in Peru:

Vantage Adventures’ Machu Picchu itinerary excels in teaching guests about the storied history of Peru, from the high peaks above Cusco to the fertile plains of the Sacred Valley. Their local guides are unrivaled experts whose love and passion for the country is contagious. We learned so much about Peruvian culture, we could fully appreciate the UNESCO sites we visited, and their conservation. Read more about our time in Peru.

Alaskan Dream Cruises in SE Alaska:

I’ve been singing the praises of Alaskan Dream Cruises’ Alaska itinerary for a long time, and I’m not likely to stop anytime soon. This Alaskan-native-owned company shines when it comes to unique ports of call and intimate, local experiences. We got up close to nature from bears to bald eagles, and our experience was always interwoven with native Alaskan culture and hospitality. After our Alaskan experience, my kids vowed to become stewards of our environment all over again. Read more about our Alaskan Dream experience.

O.A.R.S. river rafting in Idaho:

If you don’t have the know-how or desire to plan your own multi-day backpacking or river rafting trip to experience a week or so in the wilderness with your family, do the next best thing (or if I’m being honest, maybe the first-best thing) and head into the backcountry with O.A.R.S. Their Salmon River itineraries in remote Idaho do more to teach kids (and grown-ups) about the importance of preserving our natural lands than any class or Earth Day festival will do. Immersed in the wilderness, families truly understand why forest service and BLM lands deserve their attention and protection. Read more about our Main Salmon rafting trip.

Tip: Want to embark on your own outdoor adventure bucket list trip? Of course you can! We suggest REI’s new GPS-based apps, which make the outdoors accessible for users of all levels. The REI apps put GPS route info, elevation profiles, interactive maps, photos and more at your fingertips. Try the Hiking Project App, or the bike trail MTB Project App. REI even has a National Parks App!

Best of 2014: Best destinations for families you can book now!

December 22, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Every December, we take time to reflect upon the past year of travel, and select five experiences—yes, just five!—that we crown the best of the year. Last year, our top travel experiences of 2013 took us from Alaska to the Caribbean. This year, we’re focusing on the American West and MidAtlantic, showcasing everything from five-star city hotels to cabins. We stand behind these picks as the best destinations for families, 2014.

Best Destinations for Families: our picks from 2014

Experience Grand Teton National Park ‘behind the scenes’:

You’ve heard it from us before: no outdoor tour operation does family adventure better than O.A.R.S. We loved their Rogue River itinerary, so we embarked on their OARS Jackson Lake 2 night adventure confident we’d have an amazing time. What makes it so great? Beyond the near perfect guest service we’ve found consistently with O.A.R.S., the Jackson Lake kayaking adventure allows families to see a new side of Grand Teton National Park. We slept literally in the shadow of the peaks of Grand Teton, hiked to lakes less traversed by car camping families, and swam on the far banks of the lake, inaccessible to anyone without a boat. Check out our full review of the O.A.R.S. Jackson Lake 2 night kayak tour.

Play cowboy or cowgirl for a week:

Also located within the boundary of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, Triangle X Ranch is has been around for generations as a working ranch and guest ranch. For many, it’s become an annual summer tradition; when we visited, we were surprised to learn that almost 80% of guests are on a return visit. That’s your true review, right there! While at Triangle X dude ranch, we got to ride our personal horses for the week two times per day, hike, relax at the ranch, go on Snake River float trips, and enjoy plenty of family bonding time around the campfires, in the kitchen and dining rooms, and while on the trail. Want to take your whole family to summer camp? This is it. Read our full review of Triangle X Ranch.

Learn US government and history in our nation’s capital:

School-aged kids get so much out of Washington DC! Truth be told, so do parents. I didn’t expect to love our time in the nation’s capital as much as I did; Washington DC is safe, walkable, and family-friendly. Best of all, almost all the attractions you’ll want to visit are free to the public. Many tours do require advanced planning, however, so best get started for your spring or summer visit! We recommend a Club-level stay at Grand Hyatt Washington: it’s a spurge, but also makes good travel sense. You’ll be close enough to the action to walk everywhere, and can eat most meals in the relaxed atmosphere of the club. Read our full review of Grand Hyatt DC.

Step back in time in Gettysburg:

What a sobering, awe-inspiring, and important historical landmark to visit with kids! Gettysburg, PA is a must-do with kids old enough to learn about Civil War battles in the context of US history. We recommend this trip for kids ages 8 and up, and suggest families stay 2-3 days before or after a trip to study more American history in Williamsburg or Philadelphia. The Gettysburg historic battlefield is best toured with a licensed battlefield guide; book one to ride with you in your car for the absolute best experience. Be sure to leave time to explore the town, too. Read our full review of our time in Gettysburg.

Play in the snow in the Colorado Rockies:

Keystone Colorado is arguably the most family-friendly ski resort in the Rockies. It certainly goes out of its way to cater to kids. However, this doesn’t mean Keystone isn’t up to the challenge of serious skiers and snowboarders: behind kid-centric Dercum Mountain, two more peaks await, with steeps and deeps, cat-accessed terrain, and plenty of bumps. After each ski day, Keystone pulls out all the stops, with daily Kidtopia activities geared just for kids 12 and under, weekly parades, and even fireworks displays. No wonder Keystone has been compared to Disney…on ice. Check out our long weekend at Keystone.

Where did your family’s 2014 travel take you? What are your top picks?