Family Adventure Travel in The USA

Alaska is a wildlife and natural wonderland, Hawaii offers volcanoes, snorkeling, and amazing beaches while the National Parks are some of the greatest outdoor playgrounds in the world.

Destination Highlights

Active Adventures

Glacier kayaking and ice trekking in Alaska.

Exploring volcanoes and snorkeling amongst schools of tropical fish in Hawaii.

Hiking the canyons and biking the slickrock of the South-West.

Nature

Gaze in wonder at the Grand Canyon and marvel at the rocky spires of Bryce Canyon.

View herds of wild bison roaming the ranges of Yellowstone and search for wolves in Grand Teton.

Fly past Denali in its full glory.

Culture

Explore Civil War Battle Sites, ancient Anasazi dwellings in the South West, and the totem poles of the Pacific North.

Highlights

  • Ocean kayaking in Alaska
  • Exploring the wilderness of the National Parks and Forests – hiking, rafting and on horseback.
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Pearl Harbor Memorial
  • Angels Landing in Zion National Park and Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
  • Old Faithful in Yellowstone.

USA Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Bozeman, Montana. Check into your accommodations in this Western mountain town.

Day 2
Fishing excursion. Today your guide will fetch you for a full day of fishing in pristine local waters. Your guide will select a river where the fish are sure to be found and it will be secluded and far away from anyone else.

Days 3
Early morning departure for Gardiner, Montana. On arrival you will be suited up for your 18 mile white water rafting adventure. A plentiful picnic lunch is included. Gardiner is a gateway town for Yellowstone National Park and tomorrow you will enter the park!

Day 4 – Lamar Valley Safari
Early this morning your guide will fetch you for your private safari to the Lamar Valley. The Valley offers some of the best opportunities to see wildlife in the entire Yellowstone region. You may be lucky enough to see wolves, bison, pronghorn deer, grizzly bears and bald eagles.

Day 5 – Gardiner to West Yellowstone through the park!
On your journey today you’ll be making stops at iconic places of interest such as Mammoth Hot Springs, Boiling River and Yellowstone Canyon and Falls and Artists Paintpots. A gentle horseback ride at Roosevelt is a classic Yellowstone experience! If you are up for it, there are some excellent hikes along the way.

Day 6
Today you will explore the incredible western section of the park, stopping at outstanding sights such as Grand Prismatic Spring, Morning Glory Pool, Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful and more.

Day 7
Enjoy a last morning in the park with a visit to the lake area for an easy hike before turning south toward Grant Village and the southern entrance. You will travel through the strikingly beautiful Grand Teton National Park, stopping at Menors Ferry with its historical buildings, before arriving in busy Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Day 8
Today you are up bright and early for a safari in Grand Teton. Grand Teton can be a great place to spot moose, elk, pronghorn, bison and bears.

Later, options include a hike (whether challenging to Amphitheater and Surprise Lake ) or easy (to Phelps Lake), or a classic boat ride on Jenny Lake. Or, return to Jackson Hole, with its cowboy vibe and plentiful shopping.

Day 9
Travel to Jackson airport and depart for home.

Trip Tips & FAQ's

What time of year is best for family travel to the National Parks, Hawaii & Alaska?

Summer is high season in the National Parks and Alaska. The parks of the South West can get incredibly hot during summer, but if you get an early start it is very possible to visit them in comfort. Yellowstone is actually open in winter as well and it’s a snowy wonderland. The Alaska season is very short, lasting at most four months, from mid May to end August. Hawaii is great all year round, though it’s busiest in winter. We suggest you go in summer – you will love it!

Are the National Parks, Hawaii & Alaska good destinations for family travel?

Definitely. The USA has outstanding National Parks, and they very geared up to family travel. Hawaii is a family travel paradise, while Alaska is an adventure wonderland suitable for all ages.

What can a family do in the National Parks, Hawaii & Alaska?

The parks offer fabulous hiking trails, vistas of the most iconic natural places in North America and plenty of culture too. Visitor Centers are very well run with plenty of information at hand. Hawaii is amazing for hiking, beaches and snorkeling, while Alaska is packed with adventure – hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, glacier walking and more.

What are accommodations like in the National Parks, Hawaii & Alaska?

Most national park accommodation is comfortable but can be rustic. There are some upper range hotels as well. Sometimes the best accommodation is found just outside the parks rather than within the park boundaries. In Alaska, accommodation is functional and quite often is quite isolated. The best accommodation in Alaska is offered by very high end off the grid lodges, where being away from it all is the prime reason to go. Hawaii has a full range of accommodation covering all budgets.

Are the National Parks, Hawaii & Alaska expensive travel destinations?

Generally yes. Private guides offer an excellent service but are expensive, though the Parks Service does offer some well priced guided excursions as well. Accommodations outside the parks offer better value than within the parks. Hawaii is generally expensive for all accommodations and services, and Alaska is generally very expensive for all accommodation and services.

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