Did you know that the average working adult in America gets only two weeks of paid time off per year? If you get the average amount of time off (or worse – less), you have to make the most out of when you take it.
It can be difficult to choose what to do with what little time off you have. However, if your household is on the adventurous side, nothing beats family adventure vacations. You and your loved ones will have non-stop fun soaking up the great outdoors and, best of all, you’ll have memories to share forever.
Not sure where the best family adventure vacations lie? Well, we’re here to help! Listed below are 6 adventure vacation ideas that will make you never want to go home.
1. Yosemite National Park, California
If you and your family are interested in camping and hiking, there’s no place better to do it than Yosemite National Park. Located in Northern California, Yosemite is guaranteed to be one of, if not the most beautiful place you’ll ever see.
From the iconic Half Dome to the Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, there’s no shortage of sites and thrills within the bounds of this spectacular National Park.
In addition to camping and hiking, you can enjoy guided horseback rides, ranger-led programs, and breathtaking stargazing. Thanks to Yosemite’s size and distance from city lights, the night sky lights up with constellations and celestial bodies.
2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Although Great Smoky Mountains National Park isn’t quite as large as Yosemite, it’s just as worth the visit. After you stop by one of the gateway communities, Cherokee, North Carolina, or Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, step into adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains.
This national park offers gorgeous waterfalls, many species of wildlife, tubing down the Oconaluftee River, and of course, some of the country’s best camping and hiking.
If you need a break from nature, you can venture back out to Pigeon Forge. There, you can spend a day at Dollywood and Splash Country Waterpark, one of the best outdoor waterparks in the United States.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Enjoy a little city life with your adventure vacations? Chicago, Illinois is the place for you. Just be sure to visit in the summer months if you’re looking for outdoor activities, as the Windy City is quite frigid in the winter.
During the warmer months, however, there’s plenty to entertain outside. You can start by exploring Chicago’s many bike paths, including the 18-mile-long Lakefront Trail and The 606, an elevated rail line that was transformed into a recreational trail.
Once you’ve conquered these, you can move on to the climbing walls at Maggie Daley Park and rent roller blades or scooters to get around. There’s also Lake Michigan, where you can zoom across the water on the Seadog Extreme or one of the area’s speedboat tours.
4. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Grand Canyon National Park holds the history of the Earth within its bounds. At 277 miles long, 10 miles wide, and 1 mile deep, the Grand Canyon is one of the most visited attractions in the United States.
If the history and wondrous beauty of the Grand Canyon aren’t enough to convince you, there are also guided hiking and kayaking trips through the canyon for the whole family. You can hike to a waterfall and take a helicopter ride for the ultimate view. And if you’re brave at heart, you can walk the glass-bottom Skywalk, 4,000 feet above the canyon.
Those with whitewater experience can break away from the group for an exhilarating day trip down the more treacherous patches of the Colorado River.
5. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Although Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado holds forest, wetlands, and tundra, it’s best known for its sand dunes. This is because it’s home to the highest dunes in North America. The tallest, Star Dune, is 750 feet high!
Between the months of April and October, you can rent adventure equipment to explore the dunes, including sandboards and sleds. It’s best to visit this park in the spring or fall months, however, as the sand temperatures reach 150 degrees in the summer.
After a day of sledding down the dunes, take a full moon hike and see more stars than you ever thought existed. On a moonless night, you’ll also have a clear view of the Milky Way.
6. Bar W Guest Ranch, Montana
One of America’s hidden gems, Montana offers a wealth of adventure, not to mention awe-inspiring views everywhere you look. Known as Big Sky Country, Montana is home to a variety of ranch vacations, but one of the best is Bar W Guest Ranch, located in Whitefish.
After you’ve bonded with the horses on a trail ride, gone on a wagon ride dinner, and signed your little ones up for the Junior Wrangler program, you still have a long list of activities to explore.
There’s hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and canoeing, just to name a few, all available within the ranch. If you’re going on an extended vacation, you can also explore the nearby Aerial Adventure Park and Glacier National Park on your trip.
Start Planning for One of These Family Adventure Vacations Today
Life is short and time is precious. Before you know it, your children will be grown up and moving out of the house – it’s important to enjoy every moment of family time while you can!
By going on one of these family adventure vacations, you and those you love most will create amazing memories that will last a lifetime. Every place on this list is just as magical as the next, you can’t go wrong.
For more tips on travel and recreation for the whole family, take a look at our blog!
