page contents
Colorado
Tanya Raedeke
Aspen with Kids in Summer: The Ultimate 2026 ...

Aspen isn't just for the rich and famous. Road trip with kids to Aspen Colorado in the summer. Here are the best things to do in Aspen in summer with your family. Hike to Maroon Bells and find all kinds of fantastic outdoor adventures. Learn the best Aspen area hikes, where to put in your SUP, whitewater raft, ride bikes, find campsites, and the inside scoop on Aspen vacation rentals for families.

Aspen with Kids in Summer: The Ultimate 2026 Family Travel Guide
popular post
Tanya Raedeke
Big Cedar Lodge Review (2026): Our Return ...

Big Cedar Lodge: a gorgeous, rustic family resort in the Ozark Mountains on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri.  Outdoor fun and indoor luxury at its best.  When we lived near Kansas City, this was our absolute favorite family get-away on repeat.  This resort aims to please in spring, summer, fall, and winter.   You'll soon see why this resort has won a slew of awards and why families from all over the United States travel here for vacation again and again.

Big Cedar Lodge Review (2026): Our Return Visit, Paradise Point & Why Families Love It
national park
Tanya Raedeke
Best U.S. National Parks to Visit with Kids ...

National parks are some of the best outdoor adventure travel destinations, especially for families with kids and teens. Here are 21 national park family vacation ideas for 2026, plus where to stay, from top family travelers. Sled down sand dunes in Colorado, hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite, jump into alpine lakes in Glacier, experience canyoneering at Zion's door, stand toe-to-toe with giant Sequoias, and more. Which one is at the top of your list>

Best U.S. National Parks to Visit with Kids (2026 Guide)
Colorado
Tanya Raedeke
Colorado Springs with Kids in 2026

Explore the best things to do in Colorado Springs for all ages, from Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak to Olympians, an awesome zoo, ziplines, hiking, and many more family adventures.

Colorado Springs with Kids in 2026
beaches
Tanya Raedeke
Best Lake Michigan Beach Towns

Five of the best Lake Michigan beaches and towns for families who like to explore. Fantastic things to do along Lake Michigan; discover beaches, playgrounds, shopping, eating and more! A guest post written by Lindsay Parker Williams. Lindsay writes about family travel at LetMeGiveYouSomeAdvice.com.

Best Lake Michigan Beach Towns

10 Cheapest Colorado Ski Resorts for Families

10 Cheapest Colorado Ski Resorts for Families

Affordable ski resorts in Colorado for family winter vacations on a budget. Ten ski mountains in the Colorado Rockies that offer superb skiing and snowboarding with lift tickets for much less than the bigger resorts.

27 Best Outdoorsy Gifts Heading Into 2024

27 Best Outdoorsy Gifts Heading Into 2024

Wondering what to give your outdoorsy friend or family member who loves camping vacations, hiking, adventure travel, and road trips? We’ve got you covered with tour updated 2023 - 2024 gift guide. Here are 27 of the best presents to wrap up for your favorite camper or hiker— the coolest, innovative gadgets and gear your outdoor loving dad, mom, sister, brother, or friend are sure to love.

Best 2024 Winter Vacations for Adventure Seeking Families

Best 2024 Winter Vacations for Adventure Seeking Families

Life with teens fills the calendar with sports, jobs, summer camps, and all kinds of extracurricular activities once they hit high school and the college years. But many of those things take a hiatus over Christmas break. That being said, we’ve rounded up all-time favorite North America destinations for Christmas break vacations to help families think outside the box when planning a family vacation in December or January.

Foldable Oru Kayak Review

Foldable Oru Kayak Review

We took the Oru Kayak Haven TT up for a spin above 9,000 feet O’Haver Lake here in Colorado and we’re here to tell you all about it. This origami tandem kayak is one of a kind, one of the most stable two person kayaks out there. From box to kayak in under 15 minutes, you can store this kayak in your closet and tote it around in your car’s trunk. See why you need to add Oru Kayaks to your outdoor recreation stash of toys.

Your Key To 2023 Colorado Gold Rush

Your Key To 2023 Colorado Gold Rush

When is the best time for Rocky Mountain scenic drives? To see Colorado Aspens in Fall! Witnessing aspen groves turning gold in late September through early October is one of the best ways to enjoy fall colors in Colorado. Even better? Get out of the car and head out on one of these hikes with family or friends. Immerse yourself in a Colorado gold rush with these 20 fantastic fall hikes and drive.

Best Solo Stove Yukon Accessories in 2023

Best Solo Stove Yukon Accessories in 2023

Looking to add on to your fire pit for to complete the look and add more function to your flame? Here are the best Solo Stove Yukon Accessories to take your backyard patio hangouts to the next level. We often have friends and plenty of teenagers hanging out in our backyard here in Colorado Springs. And we love to fire up our Yukon Fire Pit. We’ve found these five accessories to be most helpful.

Hiking in Yosemite: Mist Trail with Kids

Hiking in Yosemite: Mist Trail with Kids

Hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite with kids! A stunning experience with family in one of the best national parks. Soak in Vernal and Nevada Falls and take the John Muir trail on the way back down to the valley. Plan well, be smart, and make unforgettable memories with your family.

Squeeze through a slot canyon to Kanarraville Falls

Squeeze through a slot canyon to Kanarraville Falls

Hike the Kanarra Creek Canyon Trail in a half day with your tweens and teens. Squeeze through a Utah slot canyon to the gorgeous Kanarraville Falls. Not far from Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. With careful planning, this UTah waterfall hike should be on your list when road tripping through this area.

Summer in Crested Butte Pumps Out Adventure in 2023

Summer in Crested Butte Pumps Out Adventure in 2023

Looking for high altitude outdoor adventures, heart pumping action, and adrenaline rushes in the midst of colorful Colorado wildflowers? Hiking and camping are some of the best things to do in Crested Butte. Immerse yourself in Colorado’s wildflower capital, where the outdoor adventure opportunities are non-stop. Widely known as a mountain biking and skiing capital, Crested Butte offers all kinds of opportunities for outdoor recreation in both summer and winter. Don’t forget your stand-up paddleboard for one of the many picturesque alpine lakes in Crested Butte, where the Fall Gold Rush is tough to beat.

10 Things to Do in Steamboat Springs This Summer

10 Things to Do in Steamboat Springs This Summer

Here are fun things to do in Steamboat Springs with kids and teens. Soaking in hot springs, hiking, fishing, paddling, camping, floating down the Yampa, going to the rodeo, celebrating July 4th with a parade and so much more, this Colorado Rocky Mountain town is tough to beat. This internationally known Colorado ski town teeming with Olympians also makes for one heckuva family summer vacation.

7 Easy Camping Meals for Families in 2023

7 Easy Camping Meals for Families in 2023

These 7 delicious easy camping meals will save you money and have your family loving camp food. Get our recipes for Greek Chicken Kabobs, Food Truck Style Tacos, Flank Steak Fajitas, Easy Mini Pizzas, and Sausage Pasta Skillet. And your crew can help with meal prepping. We've taken the guesswork out of what to cook while camping and unpack our essentials for meals around the campfire. Let's eat! So good, you’ll want to make these dinners at home too.

Hiking to Hanging Lake in Colorado 2023: What to Know Before You Go

Hiking to Hanging Lake in Colorado 2023: What to Know Before You Go

One of our favorite hiking trails, Hanging Lake is a top destination during a family road trip through Colorado’s spectacular Glenwood Canyon. Read these tips before you take the hike with kids. (Pssst… hiking permits required!)

Head to East Glacier National Park for Wild Hikes and More

Head to East Glacier National Park for Wild Hikes and More

Glacier National Park, a famed crown jewel of America’s parks, spreads out far and wide in Montana. Paddleboard and take some of the best day hikes in Glacier National Park, while sleeping somewhere new nearly every night. Pssst.. check out the campervan we rented. Glacier’s east side offers more remote serenity for SUP paddling on lakes and the best wilderness hikes to see glaciers and alpine lakes. On the east side of Glacier National Park there is a good chance you will see grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, deer, bald or golden eagles, elk, pika, and more. Follow our itinerary and you’ll never look back.

Family Guide to Visiting Glacier National Park on the West Side

Family Guide to Visiting Glacier National Park on the West Side

Glacier National Park in NE Montana is known for its many glaciers and alpine views. With towering, jagged mountains, superb wildflowers, and rivers and lakes at pretty much every every turn, enjoy hiking, paddling, rafting, kayaking, fishing and more in America’s Alps.

,

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with Kids

,
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with Kids

One of the best national parks in Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is a huge hit for families seeking outdoor adventure. Here's how to go sledding on sand dunes, float down Medano Creek, find a box canyon waterfall on the Zapata Falls hike, explore pine forests, and camp under a star studded sky in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range by the tallest dunes in North America.

Buena Vista Colorado: A Sweet Adventure Spot in the Rockies

Buena Vista Colorado: A Sweet Adventure Spot in the Rockies

Buena Vista, Colorado rocks for family vacations! Adventurous things to do in this lively, rejuvenated mountain town. Play, eat, drink, shop and stay along the Arkansas River.  Whitewater thrills, hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, and more await you in this sweet area of the Rocky Mountains.

The BEST way to store all of your precious memories for life!

The BEST way to store all of your precious memories for life!

Tanya Raedeke participates in the Amazon Service LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

More Info:

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Tanya Raedeke and Rad Family Travel, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

All personal trip photos are property of Tanya Raedeke and Rad Family Travel, unless otherwise noted or tagged. If you would like to link to my images, please email me at tanya@radfamilytravel.com.

Featured
Aspen with Kids in Summer: The Ultimate 2026 Family Travel Guide
Aspen with Kids in Summer: The Ultimate 2026 Family Travel Guide

Aspen isn't just for the rich and famous. Road trip with kids to Aspen Colorado in the summer. Here are the best things to do in Aspen in summer with your family. Hike to Maroon Bells and find all kinds of fantastic outdoor adventures. Learn the best Aspen area hikes, where to put in your SUP, whitewater raft, ride bikes, find campsites, and the inside scoop on Aspen vacation rentals for families.

Read more →
Why Marathon, Florida Is the Best Family Destination in the Florida Keys (2026 Guide)
Why Marathon, Florida Is the Best Family Destination in the Florida Keys (2026 Guide)

Exploring the Florida Keys with kids. Tips for beaches, snorkeling, boating, fishing, swimming, and fresh seafood - a great family beach destination! From hopping around by boat to visiting a turtle hospital, Marathon, Florida has something for every member of the family. Discover the top 10 activities to do on your next family vacation.

Read more →
Big Cedar Lodge Review (2026): Our Return Visit, Paradise Point & Why Families Love It
Big Cedar Lodge Review (2026): Our Return Visit, Paradise Point & Why Families Love It

Big Cedar Lodge: a gorgeous, rustic family resort in the Ozark Mountains on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri.  Outdoor fun and indoor luxury at its best.  When we lived near Kansas City, this was our absolute favorite family get-away on repeat.  This resort aims to please in spring, summer, fall, and winter.   You'll soon see why this resort has won a slew of awards and why families from all over the United States travel here for vacation again and again.

Read more →
Best U.S. National Parks to Visit with Kids (2026 Guide)
Best U.S. National Parks to Visit with Kids (2026 Guide)

National parks are some of the best outdoor adventure travel destinations, especially for families with kids and teens. Here are 21 national park family vacation ideas for 2026, plus where to stay, from top family travelers. Sled down sand dunes in Colorado, hike the Mist Trail in Yosemite, jump into alpine lakes in Glacier, experience canyoneering at Zion's door, stand toe-to-toe with giant Sequoias, and more. Which one is at the top of your list>

Read more →
Colorado Springs with Kids in 2026
Colorado Springs with Kids in 2026

Explore the best things to do in Colorado Springs for all ages, from Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak to Olympians, an awesome zoo, ziplines, hiking, and many more family adventures.

Read more →
Best Lake Michigan Beach Towns
Best Lake Michigan Beach Towns

Five of the best Lake Michigan beaches and towns for families who like to explore. Fantastic things to do along Lake Michigan; discover beaches, playgrounds, shopping, eating and more! A guest post written by Lindsay Parker Williams. Lindsay writes about family travel at LetMeGiveYouSomeAdvice.com.

Read more →
9 Best International Family Vacations for Adventure Seekers in 2026
9 Best International Family Vacations for Adventure Seekers in 2026

Looking for an adventure-packed family vacation? Check out our list of the 10 best international destinations that offer fun for the whole family!

Read more →
Best Family Camping Equipment Your Money Can Buy in 2024
Best Family Camping Equipment Your Money Can Buy in 2024

Family tent camping. We love it! From camping in national parks to all over Colorado, and even down in the Grand Canyon, we’ve been pitching tents with our kids for over 20 years. Are you sure you have everything you need for camping in 2024? Here’s the Ultimate Family Camping List of Gear Essentials as you prepare for your next outdoor adventure with kids and teens. Access a free downloadable packing list that covers everything from sleeping gear to camp kitchen and campsite essentials, clothing and shoes for outdoor recreation, and more.

Read more →
Best Sleeping Bags for Kids, Moms, and Dads in 2024
Best Sleeping Bags for Kids, Moms, and Dads in 2024

Camping with kids in 2024 is much more fun when you have the right camping gear. When your family slips inside your tent, you want to stay warm, dry, and comfy. This family of six will show you the best family camping gear, from different sized tents to kids and adult sleeping bags and essential sleeping pads. Don't break the bank while investing in good quality gear that will last over the years.

Read more →
Solo Stove Yukon Review 2024: The Only Fire Pit Your Family Needs
Solo Stove Yukon Review 2024: The Only Fire Pit Your Family Needs

Solo Stove Fire Pits and Camp Stoves have revolutionized family backyards, camping, and backpacking with friends. This review of Solo Stove highlights why we’re sold on the backyard best - the Yukon Fire Pit - but shows off the Bonfire and Ranger fire pits too. Plus, learn about the lightweight, portable Titan, Campfire, and Lite versions of their camping stoves.

Read more →