Whether you're camping it or hoteling it, here are some Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park tips for families
There's no better time to head out to our great national and state parks than summer. They make for memorable summer family vacations. Where else can you and the kids become "one" with nature again? Hike miles of trails, see wildlife, and explore where few others have ventured...it's priceless. U.S. National parks each offer not only thousands of acres of vast wilderness for families to explore, but also the creature comforts of city destinations complete with campgrounds or hotels, kids activities and programs (like the ever popular Junior Ranger Program), general stores, visitor centers to help you find your way and guide you to the most popular spots, and more.
Like any other trip, what you get out of your vacation is related to what you put in to your preparation. Take some time to do a little planning before leaving home and you'll be rewarded in the end. It will save you quite a bit of trouble when the unexpected pops up. Worst case, you'll be half way prepared, but in most cases you'll be able to tackle issues as they arise. The typical problesm such as scrapes and cut and cold or hot weather are no match to the prepared parent. Consider these tips for your family trip:
1. Make a list and consider the number of people in your party and the number of days you'll be staying (and traveling there and back.)
2. Don't just pack. Pack the right gear. Consider your destination: does it tend to rain or get cold during evening hours? Even summer months can be cold and damp so don't be afraid to bring a few extra blankets, sweaters and rain gear. Be sure to pack hats, backpacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, boots, and yes, toilet paper.
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3. And then there was light...and first aid kits. You need light--you will be out in the wilderness after all, so bring a few flashlights and extra batteries. And you need healing powers for scrapes and cuts, so don't forget to pack the first aid kit and don't forget to check to be sure all items needed (Band-Aids, antiseptic spray, etc) are not only contained in the kit but also within their expiration date. Even if you intend on staying in a hotel, being prepared for a long hike that may extend into the dark hours is just plain smart.
4. If you're camping on campgrounds you'll need food and drinks which means you'll need a cooler or two in order to keep your food fresh and out of reach of small critters. Pack your perishables with dry ice if possible as this will preserve them longer. Also, store your food and drinks (dry, canned and perishable) in your automobile to keep them away from the sensitive noses of animals. The last thing you want is to wake up in the morning and find that your food was feasted on by park animals, not to mention that attracting them to your camp site is dangerous.
5. Pack trash bags and lots of them. Keep parks clean by cleaning after yourself.
6. Consider staying in a hotel near the park. If you're visiting with young children it's often safer and makes more sense to stay at a hotel. It saves you the headache of backing food and drinks and often times, it's better for the park as staying there creates too much waste. If you insist on sleeping in camp grounds, bringing a bit more that you will need can save you headaches. It can make the difference between and enjoyable and bad time. Consider your individual family needs and then add a bit of margin to what you think you'll need. That is, if you think you need two days worth of food for your outing, bring three days worth. In other words: Be safe, not sorry.
Fun for kids
The outdoors isn't just about hiking and roughing it, they're also about fun! Many parks offer have Junior Ranger programs allowing young ones to learn the history and geology of their surroundings. They provide insight and allow kids to explore the park with a ranger--no one better, really. Through learning, children acquire an appreciation of nature, the park inhabitants and conservation.
Check at the bottom of this page to see if the National or State Park you're intending on visiting offers any downloadable materials to give kids a head start on their journey.
While one of the more entertaining parts of visiting a park is the hiking, there are a few things to remember while on the trails:
1. Stay on trails: taking shortcuts causes trail erosion not to mention that it's both dangerous and illegal.
2. Carry a backpack and fill it with plenty of water and healthful, high energy snacks like granola and trail mix. Drink plenty of water at pre-determined water breaks. The most common hiking injury is dehydration
3. Keep your children with you at all times. Getting lost is easy when you're in the middle of no where with your children and the last thing that you want is to have to call a search for a lost kid, beside the fact that it's clearly not desirable, you may end up footing the bill for the search and rescue.
While in the area why no visit some of the surrounding venues and attractions. You'll find that often there are so many other "must sees" near your destination. If you're there, why not plan on seeing something a little different? We've provided a list at the upper-right side of the page to help you find other attractions in the area--if we know about them that is.
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Hotels in Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
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Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park Kids Activities
Junior Ranger program
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Attractions near
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park
Telluride Ski Resort
Historic Resort Town Of Ouray
Ute Indian Museum
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