Parks - Pitstops for Kids

Day in the Ozarks with kids: Dogwood Canyon

April 26, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

A day in Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a great way to get an introduction to the beauty of the Ozarks with kids. Privately owned and operated as a non-profit by Johnny Morris, the owner and founder of Bass Pro Shops, my first impression of Dogwood Canyon was that 1. it’s beautiful enough to be a state park or otherwise preserved by the US government, and 2. that Morris is doing a pretty good job of preserving it himself.

The park is managed by the Johnny Morris Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the canyon’s natural plant and wildlife environment. Because private ownership comes with an entry fee, I was prepared to dislike it based on the principle that lands such as this should remain accessible to all. However, the cost to enjoy the area is minimal (or can be, anyway…see pricing information below), and the benefit of private ownership is evident in the pristine nature of the park.

The paved and unpaved paths, signage, and structures of Dogwood Canyon are distinctly ‘Disney-like’ in my opinion. What I mean by this: everything is polished, pretty, and accessible. For an ‘enjoy right out of the box’ nature destination, it works very well. The 10,000 acres can be used for hiking, biking, and fishing, with optional tram and even Segway tours adding a bit of ‘theme park’ ambiance.

There are several ways for families to enjoy a day here, and yes, I do recommend reserving a whole day to the experience. The more affordable way to tour the park is by hiking or bringing your own bikes. There are 6.5 miles of paved paths for biking (or hiking), plus additional dirt trails for hiking. The canyon winds slowly upward on a very gentle slope along Dogwood Creek, and every quarter mile or so, there’s another beautiful vista, waterfall, or pool to stop and admire. Truly, it’s very lovely. There are picnic areas, fishing pools, and quaint stone bridges…even a wedding chapel. The mowed lawns on either side of the main paved path, as well as benches and sign posts give the canyon more of a ’manicured’ feel than I typically like in a nature setting, but once I acclimated, I was able to enjoy the area on its own terms.

The tram tour, which families will certainly see winding its way through the park, takes visitors the length of the 6.5 paved trail by guide, then continues past the point cyclists and hikers must turn around and ascends out of the canyon to an upper area of the park. Here, Morris’ herds of American buffalo (bison), elk, white-tailed deer, and long-horn cattle roam. This wildlife park aspect of Dogwood Canyon is worth the price of the tram tour if seeing these animals up close is important to you. I really enjoyed it, even though I’ve been through wildlife ‘safari’ parks in the past. The animals come right up to the sides of the tram (a feeding lends to their cooperation) and our guide was very personable and knowledgable. The whole tram tour takes a few hours, so plan accordingly…after we were done, I wished I had saved some time to walk along the unpaved trails, too.

With a whole day, a family could certainly hike or bike most of the day, stopping whenever and wherever to picnic or play, then take the tram tour before departure. This map of the hiking and biking trails can help in the planning process.

New at Dogwood Canyon:

Dogwood has undergone an extensive expansion, which is now complete. In addition to all of the above, families will find new activities in the park, such as horseback riding and organized wilderness walks, as well as the following attractions:

Working Mill – featuring live demonstrations with head miller Blake Adams
Canyon Grill Restaurant – a rustic-elegant destination restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking Indian Creek and stunning rock formations with a 120 foot waterfall
Education Center – educates guests about the importance of protecting, conserving and preserving the great outdoors through offerings including Kids Adventure Clubs, interactive displays, and live wildlife demonstrations
Treehouse – this majestic two-story treehouse was built for the “Treehouse Masters” TV show on Animal Planet and offers a hands-on approach to conservation and wildlife education for kids and kids-at-heart.
Little Indian Stables – the beautiful new barn features 24 stalls that allow riders to walk through and visit horses as part of their experience.
General Store & Outfitters – one-stop shop for everything you need before heading out into the park, including segways, bikes, fly fishing gear and more. Also offering a variety of logo’d apparel and goods such as ground cornmeal from the Dogwood Mill.

For the best overview of the park each month, to help you plan your day, check their Adventure Guides. Here’s an example for May 2017.

Distance from the interstate:

Dogwood Canyon is located about 45 minutes from Branson, spanning Missouri and Arkansas.

Admission:

Admission to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park provides access to the Mill, Canyon Grill Restaurant, Nature & Conservation Center and Treehouse for $10 per adult and $5 per child. If you live nearby, a season pass may be a better deal.

Families can get hiking and biking admission (if bringing own bikes) for $14.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids. Admission with bike rentals included is $22 for adults and $15.95 for kids. From my day in the park, I believe this is a good value.

The wildlife tram tour is $25 for adults, and about $12 for kids. As mentioned, Segway tours are also offered, as well as fly fishing classes and horseback rides. Fishing is permitted in the park for another fee, based on whether you need to rent gear and plan to catch-and-release or keep your catch.

Check the admission page for current pricing.

Dining:

There is dining at the entrance of the park, in a smaller building that was a one-time military post. Families can get sandwiches, wraps, and other casual fare here, but I recommend bringing a nice picnic.

Directions:

Dogwood Canyon is located outside Branson at 2038 West State Hwy 86 in Lampe, Missouri.

As we disclose whenever applicable, Pit Stops for Kid experienced Dogwood Canyon as a guest of the nature park, for the purpose of review. All opinions are our own.

Where to stop in Medicine Hat, Alberta

July 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Driving along the Trans Canada Highway 1 through Medicine Hat? Stop for lunch or dinner at Tino’s and stretch your legs at the Tallest Teepee in the World!

Tino’s Drive In is located at 860 14 St. SW (right off the highway). You’ll spot it by the castle exterior. Why stop? We’ll give you over 100 reasons…we counted 120 milk shake flavors on offer! This old-school drive-in has every kind of creamy ice cream treat imaginable, and their burgers, hot dogs, and fries are great, too.

Be ready for a wait during weekends and nice weather! We were told the locals would line up for Tino’s, and during a Saturday afternoon visit, we found out this was no exaggeration! Tino’s is worth the wait, and you can eat at picnic tables outside on-site or take your food to one of the many parks and nature areas along the South Saskatchewan River.

After eating at Tino’s pause for a stop on the Trans Canada Highway at the Medicine Hat teepee…don’t worry, you can’t miss the Saamis Teepee from the road! This huge teepee was bought by a local after the Calgary Olympic Games and brought back to the city. When standing inside, families can see the true scope of the structure, and on the trails beside it, kids can venture along the coulees (hills) and see the place where aboriginal residents of the area once drove bison off the hillsides to their deaths.

Have more time? Check out our review of where to stay in Medicine Hat, and what to do with kids indoors.

We toured Medicine Hat as part of our Great Coast Road Trip with Coast Hotels. Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!

5 Laguna Beach parks to visit while waiting for the fog to clear

February 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Laguna Beach California is a mecca for sun, surf, and sand. It’s casual while still offering luxurious hotels and fine dining, relaxed while still upscale. The only downside? Families can find themselves with time to kill during spring and summer Laguna Beach mornings, waiting for the fog to clear. Where to play while you wait? Our top five park picks for Laguna Beach:

Bluebird Park:

A hidden gem used by the locals, Bluebird Park is located on the hillside, where it’s almost always sunnier. From Hwy 1, take Cress Street up the hill (directions). Through the Bluebird gate, kids will find new play structures (big and little), bike and scooter paths, a three-story rocket ship with slides, more slides built right into the hillside, and fun concrete tunnels and bridges. The local Boys and Girls Club is located adjacent, and the kids often use the park space, but are always supervised. There are no food services, so bring a snack! Parking is on the street.

Main Beach:

Main Beach park is easy to located–you guessed it–right on Main Beach. You’ll see it as you stroll the boardwalk, down by Greeter’s Corner. The small play area features swings and a play structure, but there’s always sand play as well. In the mornings, keep your eyes peeled for dolphin pods swimming off the shore, especially in summer. The toy store across the street is a great place to pick up fun beach gear for later in the day. Parking is on the street (and metered). You may need to walk a few blocks.

Aliso Creek:

This public beach features the nicest beach-side playground in the area. Parking is ample (and overflow parking is available across the street. Located a short distance south of Laguna Beach, directly on the PCH, Aliso Creek is easy to spot with plenty of signage. You’ll see a large play structure next to Aliso Creek. Grab a spot early on the beach and play at the park until the weather clears. The Montage Laguna Beach is located at the other end of Aliso Creek beach, and families can walk through its grounds to see the beautiful gardens and views.

Laguna Terrace area park:

We don’t even know the name for this park! (If you do, please let us know in the comments!) It’s another great one for the younger set, and it’s located directly off the PCH across the street from the Montage Laguna Beach and next to a shopping center with Albertsons, Starbucks, and more. Take the street south of the Albertson’s entrance and go up the hill one block. Turn into the parking lot for the park (a primary school will be on your left). You’ll find lots of play structures with a rubber padded ground covering, swings, basketball courts, and fun hills to roll down. You can see the ocean from the park, so you’ll be ready to hit the beach when the fog clears.

Heisler Park:

These walking trails and open spaces above Main Beach are often overlooked, but are a great place for kids to burn off energy in the mornings, or in the evenings after dinner with an ice cream to watch the sunset. The paths are not terribly steep, and the views are magnificent. Look for whales migrating in the spring and fall! You’ll encounter lots of wedding parties and other people taking portraits here, so it can get crowded (though rarely in the mornings.

What parks do you love in Laguna Beach? Let us know! Photo credit.

Great Basin National Park

February 17, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

View from the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, Great Basin.

Near the Utah-Nevada border, at the end of the ‘Loneliest Highway in America’ (Hwy 50), in the midst of the stark Nevada high desert, lies Great Basin National Park. Arguably one of the furthest destinations off the beaten path featured on Pit Stops for Kids, Great Basin is remote enough that the greater national park area only boasts one tiny town, a scattering of motels and RV parks, and a few restaurants, never mind a large grocery store. Oh, and those ‘Last services for however many miles’ signs? You’ll want to pay attention to those.

Is Great Basin worth the drive? Definitely. Especially if you pair it up with a road trip to or from other Utah or Nevada destinations, such as Arches National Park or Reno. The geography of the park is quite amazing: you’ll climb from the basin floor to 10,000 feet up Mt. Wheeler in a matter of minutes as you drive through the park, and the terrain alters from desert to high alpine and back again.

What to do: Great Basin is best known for Lehman Caves, the entrance of which is adjacent to the park’s main visitor center (another center with additional exhibits for kids is below the park near Baker). Visitors must sign up for a guided tour to see the caves, and it’s recommended that you reserve tickets prior to arrival in the busy summer months (we saw people being turned away). Ticket prices are $8 for visitors 16 and up, $4 for visitors 5-15, and free for anyone under age five. We chose a 60 minute tour, which was just long enough to hold our four-year-old’s attention. Guides make it fun by offering geology lessons, historical anecdotes, and spooky stories throughout the tour, and the cave interior really is amazing. After your tour, be sure to take the short hike around the side of the visitor’s center to see the site of the originally discovered entrance to the cave. (Extra tip: bring a jacket for the cave, no matter how warm it may be outside!)

Toby is ready to hike on Mt. Wheeler.

Mt. Wheeler towers about the Great Basin, and due to access on the paved scenic drive, visitors can tour past the 10,000 foot mark of this 13,000 foot mountain. Stop at the Bristlecone Parking Area near Wheeler Peak Campground to hike the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail (2.7 miles), a fairly strenuous climb past two pristine lakes and through high alpine forests. If that’s not for you and your family, other hikes are available. Take care as you climb in altitude: drink lots of water and take it easy until you get used to it!

Stargazing is a major facet of Great Basin National Park’s junior ranger and campground programs, so be sure to attend one of their nighttime presentations or night walks. As (bad) luck would have it, our arrival brought overcast skies, so we missed out on this wonder during our visit!

Where to stay: There are few choices in Baker, NV, so plan ahead! If you’re camping, consider staying in the alpine area of the national park; it’s beautiful, but gets unexpectedly cold at night! If you’re looking for a motel or cabin, your options are limited. We stayed at the Border Inn, which was comfortable enough for a 1-2 night stay (although the rooms are very small). The grounds are nothing to look at (a service station/restaurant/motel complex right on Hwy 50), but the full-service restaurant was friendly and offered a good breakfast, and the stars at night made up for any lack of landscaping or decor. A few other motels/cabins exist in Baker, but after driving past them several times to and from the national park, we felt they were all more or less cut of the same (serviceable) cloth.

Inside the Lehman Caves.

Where to eat: A great dinner spot can be found at T&D’s, a friendly Mexican/Italian/American restaurant. Yes, all three! We had Mexican food, and found it quite good. If I recall, the kids ate pizza. There’s a small grocery store attached, but if you’re only in Baker a few days, it’s better to eat out or bring your own food in; grocery prices are high and the selection is limited.

Directions: From U.S. Highway 6 & 50, turn south on Nevada State Highway 487 and travel 5 miles to Baker, NV. In Baker turn west on Highway 488 and travel 5 miles to the park.

Junior Rangers: One of the Best Kept Secrets of National Parks!

August 14, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Nate and Calvin get sworn in as new rangers at Death Valley National Park.

In honor of this weekend’s free admission to National Parks, Pit Stops for Kids would like to remind readers about one of the best programs the National Park system offers: Junior Rangers! It’s easy to sign up, it’s (usually) free, and it’s an excellent way to learn about aspects of the park you might otherwise miss.

Signing up is simple: you can find Junior Ranger booklets at nearly any park’s visitor center. Depending on the child’s age, they’re required to complete a certain number of pages in the booklet, then turn it in to a ranger. The tasks range from simple mazes and puzzles relating to the park to more difficult trivia questions (which your grade schooler may have to research to find the answers to). Most parks require that kids attend at least one ranger-led activity, campfire program, or guided tour while visiting in order to earn their ranger badge, but if you don’t have time or ability to get to one of these, a simple chat with any ranger is usually sufficient. Some parks even offer specially-designed Junior Ranger hikes and games, which your kids can attend (with an adult).

Our favorite Junior Ranger programs:

Zion National Park (where there was an extensive list of kid-oriented programs and times).

Mesa Verde National Park (where kids had to search through the Mesa Top museum scavenger-hunt style to find answers to questions).

The most extensive Junior Ranger program:

Yellowstone National Park, where earning that badge involves serious time and investment for older kids!

The friendliest Junior Ranger program:

Great Basin National Park, where the rangers presented the badges in full ceremony!

Be sure to take advantage of this great opportunity next time you’re visiting a national park! It adds much to the experience (and adults learn a lot more than they otherwise would as well). And if you’re taking advantage of this weekend’s free admission (August 14-15), enjoy!