Wake up in the mountains. Go to sleep under the stars. And do it all in comfort. If you think driving an RV is like driving an 18-wheeler, think again. Modern, luxury RVs are as easy to drive as a large SUV. Luxury RV travel has really evolved that much! There’s a reason 74 million…
Yes, you can. You don’t have to go to Disney to have an immersive Star Wars experience. I never thought one of my son’s favorite YouTubers would inspire an amazing national park trip, but it did. Did anyone else’s kids get into Ryan Trahan’s 50 States in 50 Days series last summer as much as…
Yellowstone is massive. It’s 2.2 million acres with things you want to see and do spread across two distinct loops. Where you stay really matters because even “inside the park” can mean you’re an hour away from what you want to see. There are nine lodges inside Yellowstone, but not all locations are created equal….
Yosemite is enormous. Things that seem close on a map can mean hours of driving, so where you stay in Yosemite is really important. There are fairly limited options for staying inside the park, but plenty of options for staying outside the park. And those options vary considerably in terms of distance from the park,…
How many days do I need in Yosemite? It’s a great question, and the answer depends on what kind of Yosemite itinerary you want. Casual or rushed? Hit the highlights and move on, or enjoy long hikes? I absolutely love Yosemite, but you need a plan. This park is huge, so it’s tough to just…
Especially when you hear the word “resort.” So, what’s the best family-friendly resort for a national park vacation? Drumroll please. It is the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are like me and grew up on the East Coast, YMCA and resort do not belong in…
Taking your kids to the Grand Canyon is a bucket-list family vacation. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It is huge, it’s deep, and it’s something they will never forget. But as a parent, you worry about the heat, safety at the rim of the Canyon, and whether or not…
There is a hotel for every type of traveler in and around Zion National Park. From value to upscale. From inside the park to an hour outside. Value is harder to find in peak season (summer and spring break to a lesser extent). But if you know where to look and when to book, you…
Planning a trip to one National Park is exciting. Planning a road trip to visit five of them? That can feel overwhelming. There is so much to do in Utah and nearby Arizona that it can be really hard to choose what to do. The Mighty 5 in Utah get a lot of attention, but…
You open your laptop, expecting to plan a fun family vacation. Three hours later, you have 20 tabs open, a headache, and more questions than when you started. It should be easy. Go to the website, book a hotel, and pick a trail. But the reality of modern National Park travel is a maze of…