Our Top 10 "Sticks & Stones" Adventure Destinations for Families

Check out these adventure travel destinations for families. Awaken your child's awareness and appreciation for nature. Let them play in the sand or skip pebbles in the creek. Adventure trips like these may revive your kids interest in "playing."

Your kids will thank you. Eventually. If you're brave, leave all the devices, car games and board games at home (or hide them in the trunk & only use them in case of emergency) Let your kids discover how to play with sticks, stones, plastic spoons, napkins, sunglasses, matches, rope and their hands. The amount of moaning and groaning will vary from kid to kid, but eventually you'll observe your little pirates running around "playing." You must be strong! Don't let them know about the secret stash in the trunk of the car!

Each destination below includes recommendations for ages. But that will vary depending on maturity level. And previous experience. If your family has never camped before, you are "beginners." We provide resources for families of all skill levels and beginngers should not let your limited skills influence your choices or stop you from pursuing your deam adventures. If you don't have your own camping equipment, rent it. Local outfitters will help you choose the best tent and even show you how to set it up. Tell them I told you they would do it.

I started with "domestic" trips, and worked up to international travel at the end.

Ocracoke Island: on the Atlantic coast of North Carolina. If you don't enjoy having sand in every crevice of your body, skip this one. Small towns, lots of rental homes on the beach, campgrounds and hotels. No big attractions. Except for the ocean. And the sand. Perfect for beginners who enjoy road trips. Things to do: explore a lighthouse, build sand castles, swim, track the ponies, snorkel, surf and bogeyboard. And go for long walks on the beach. Camp on the beach or rent a McMansion.
Ages: all
Hocking Hills State Park: located in southeastern Ohio, this small, forrested park has surprises for families willing to check it out. Rent a cabin or stay in the fancy lodge if you're not ready to go totally wild. After all we don't want to traumatize the kids. Or Mom. Things to do: drive over to Ash Cave. It's a short walk from the parking lot to the cave. Hike the trails around the lodge. Check out the firetower. Play in the creeks.
Ages: all
Sharando Lake Recreation Area: located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Activities include day hikes on Appalachian Trail and Crabtree Falls, or playing in the creek that runs through the campground. Things to do: hike, play with fire, play with water, have each member of your family pick their favorite ingredient and make "Mulligan Stew" for dinner.
Ages: all
Estes Park: drive from Boulder, Colorado about an hour to Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes. You could stay in a chain hotel in Boulder or camp nearby. Altitude ranges from 8000 ft in the lower grassy valleys to 14,259 at the summit of Long's Peak. If you're going for a day trip, make sure your vehicle is road worthy and take provisions including water, blankets, flashlights and food in case you break down. Things to do: hike, take lots of pictures, have picnic lunch
Ages: 10 and up
Arches National Park: located in eastern Utah about 4 miles from the town of Moab. You could stay in a hotel in Moab or camp. If this place doesn't blow their little minds, then it's time to throw in the towel. Arch formations are bigger than buildings and have special names. Open for New Year's Eve! (hint hint) Take a short detour down Potash - Lower Colorado River Scenic byway to check out the Petroglyphs. Bring paper and pencils in case the kids want to sketch what they see. (also popular place for rock climbing because you can literally park right next to the rock faces) And you might as well do day trip to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park. Things to do: hike, sketch, visit petroglyphs, climb some rocks man! (safely)
Ages: 10 and up Skill level: intermediate
Zion National Park: located in Utah, about 2 hours drive from Las Vegas. We found cheap flights to Vegas, where we got a good deal on a car rental and skipped the strip as fast as we could. Made it to dinner in the main lodge at Zion just before they closed. Travel during the winter months if you want to enjoy snowy embiance and fewer crowds. Cabins are heated. Definitely, hitch up your britches and hike to the top of Angel's Landing. You'll find out why it's called that when you get there. Far be it from me to spoil that surprise!
Ages: 10 and up. (Angel's Landing best suited for older kids)
Grand Canyon National Park: located in northern Arizona, there are 2 sides to the canyon. You can choose between the "north" rim and the "south" rim. The south rim campgrounds, lodges and restaurants are open year round. But you cannot drive into the south rim park in spring, summer or fall. You must use free shuttle buses. The north rim is open May 15-Oct 15. (the drive between the 2 rims is 215 mi, about 5 hours.) DO NOT hike to the bottom of the canyon unless you are prepared. People have died from lack of water and exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Ages: 10 and up
Ecuador Amazon Riverboat Adventure: located in South America on the equator. About 5 hour flight from Miami to Quito (airport code UIO). From Quito, you fly to the airport in the Amazon, then take motorized canoe to the riverboat. Spend 4-8 days traveling up the Napo River, stopping along the way to explore the culture and the wildlife of the Amazon.
Ages: 12 and up. This trip is guided, so once you arrive in Quito, you can relax.
El Camino de Santiago: also known as "The Way of St. James" in English. Located in northern Spain. 100 km "pilgramage" over easy terrain but long days. Sleep in "pilgrim's hostels" or our preference is the local lodges and hotels along the way. Plan 20 km per day and pre book your lodging each night so you have a guaranteed place to sleep. The hostels are first come. April is rainy. August is hot. If your kids enjoy hiking, this is great trip. Not much to see, except sometimes you hike through small villages. And certainly you meet interesting people from around the world. Collect each unique "pilgram" stamps from the villages as you go. Fly to Madrid and spend few days there. The cost of flying from Madrid to Santiago is not much more than taking the train.
Ages: 12-14 and up (this is not guided, but you can send your backpacks by private shuttle to the next lodge to reduce your load)
4 Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: about 7 hour flight from US to Lima, Peru. Then fly 1.5 hrs to Cusco where the adventure begins. Spend the first couple of days in Cusco adjusting to the 11,000 ft altitude while you explore the history and culture of the ancient Incas. Begin the 4 day 26 mile hike that goes up to 14,000 ft then descends to 8000 ft as you cross the Sun Gate to enter the mysterious Machu Picchu ruins.
Ages: 14 & up (or younger if ready) Skill level: advanced (or well prepared beginners) This trip is guided, so once you get to Cusco, you can relax.

Don't be afraid to travel year round. Spring and winter breaks can be ideal times to travel. Always review the local holidays when planning international trips.

Keep your passports updated. In the US, Kids passports are valid for 5 years and adults for 10. It's impossible to make reservations for flights or hotels in South America without a valid passport in hand.

If you're up for some real adventure travel, take Grandma and Grandpa! All trips can be modified to accommodate various needs. And it helps to have more people along to share expenses. (and chores!)

Happy Hiking!