Guide to Activites

RIVER RAFTING
There are at least hundreds, perhaps even thousands of different river rafting trips available. Trips vary from fun, easy cruises down mild rivers with a few whitecaps, to hair raising, adrenaline-triggering whitewater runs and everything in between. Many river outfitters offer rafting in combination with other activities, such as bicycling or inflatable kayaking, hot-air ballooning, fly-fishing, team building, and almost always with natural history education. All the required equipment: paddles, helmets, life jackets, first aid kits, etc. are provided by the outfitter. If it is more than a half-day trip, meals are included; overnight trips have most camping gear provided with the exception of sleeping bags and tents which are usually available for rent, if they are not included in the price of the trip.

OPTIONS: 1/2 day to 2-week trips
Everyone paddles, guide rows
Motorized camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 4 to adult

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HORSEBACK AND PACK TRIPS
Summer horseback trips into the alpine meadows of mountainous wilderness areas and the high deserts of the west are an increasingly popular family activity. Outfitters provide all the equipment and horses for days of fun and learning. Activities include exploratory rides, lessons, hiking, fishing, swimming, and big-game hunting in season. Some trips are guided and guests are catered to. Others are drop-camp style where folks are brought to a camp and picked up after a pre-arranged set of days. Still, others are week-long range-riding adventures where guests ride from point A to point B and set up camp in a new location each night. Many options are available. Call outfitters offering horseback and horse pack trips for further information.

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RANCH VACATIONS
These vary from luxurious private cabins to rustic bunkhouses and range-riding adventures. Generally, these are all-inclusive packages that cover meals, lodging, and all activities available. Typical offerings include introductory riding lessons, trail rides, hiking, poolside lounging, multi-day cattle drives and outstanding scenery! Some offer guided hunting and fishing trips along with an emphasis on low-impact wilderness horse travel.

OPTIONS: 1 day to 10 days
Assistance is always available
Camping and lodging
All ages

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

BICYCLING
Mountain and road touring bike excursions are offered in nearly every scenic part of the continent. Outfitted bike trips are a wonderful way to get a change of pace in your life, exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Trips vary in the degree of difficulty, and there are trips for every level of fitness. Many outfitters use lodges or bed and breakfast inns for their overnight accommodations, but some bike from campsite to campsite. A support vehicle is common to carry personal belongings, first aid and repair equipment as well as the occasional tired bicyclist who just wants to ride for a while.

OPTIONS: day rentals and guided overnight trips
1/2-day to 15-day trips
Camping, lodging, resorts
Suggested ages: 3 years to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

CANOEING
From one day to two weeks, canoe trips are available in every part of the country. The services provided by outfitters range from guided trips in wilderness areas to day trips where you rent canoes or inflatable kayaks from an outfitter or livery service. Shuttles may also be provided. A wide range of stunning natural resources are available by canoe. The canyon country of the southwest, wilderness areas of the north country, black water rivers and swamps of the southeast, and the beautiful spring-fed rivers of the Midwest are some of the areas that offer great settings for multi-day adventures. But don't forget that river in your own backyard. Many local streams provide families with a superb get-away for a day or weekend. The streamside environment makes great wildlife habitat so you may be surprised at the wildlife you'll encounter, even near cities and towns. Hint: take a bird book and binoculars along to introduce your family to the lives of these wonderful creatures.

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

FISHING
Guided fishing trips are your best bet to catch the "big one." The guides know the secret spots where the fish are biting. There are guided fishing trips available through outfitters in all of North America's hottest fishing spots. From bass to steelhead, from live bait to delicate flies, it's all available by boat or by foot. Many rafting companies provide special drift boats and guides on their regular whitewater excursions.

OPTIONS: 1/2-day to multi-day
Rafts, dories, motorized
Camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 8 to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

INFLATABLE KAYAKING - "DUCKIES"
In the spirit of creating further opportunities for intimate involvement with our rivers the inflatable kayak was born. These one- and two-man boats are so user-friendly, they've been nicknamed "duckies" by the river world. Shaped like a stubby kayak, inflatable kayaks are far more stable than conventional river kayaks. If you turn over or fall out, you can scramble back in with ease and paddle on. Most outfitters provide guides in either accompanying rafts or kayaks who teach you the strokes and strategies you need. Being in control of your own boat and choosing your own route only adds to the thrill of the adventure. Inflatable kayak trips are primarily available through river outfitters who offer these boats as options on their regularly offered trips.

OPTIONS: day rentals and guided trips
1/2 day to 2 weeks
Camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 8 to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

KAYAK TOURING OR SEA KAYAKING
Unlike river kayaks, designed to paddle through challenging whitewater, touring kayaks (sea kayaks) were born to navigate in straight lines while touring inland bays, flat rivers, lakes, estuaries and the open ocean. Extremely easy to hop in and paddle right away, touring kayaks are great for allowing everyone to travel at their own pace. These stable boats make it possible to glide right up to dolphins (and sometimes whales).

OPTIONS: rentals, guided trips, instruction
1/2 day to 10 days
Camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 5 to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

RIVER KAYAKING
Today's sleek river kayak is a far cry from its 2000-year-old Eskimo origination. The modern-day adaptation, designed for fast turns, "Eskimo rolls," and catching "eddies," enable the skilled paddler to challenge the world's largest whitewater and visit one of its more remote river locations. Group kayak trips and classes are offered for all skill levels on a variety of rivers. Some rafting outfitters provide river kayaks for their guests to "try out.

OPTIONS: 1/2 day to 2 weeks
Instruction, clinics, guided trips
Camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 15 to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

ROCK CLIMBING
Some people call it vertical dance. Others see it as the ultimate way to test themselves. Most just want to try it to experience being in the outdoors in another fun way. Classes and expeditions are offered for every skill level. Some "discovery" classes include in-depth orientation to the geology and natural environment, as well as instruction in the technical skills required.

OPTIONS: 1/2 day to 5 days
Classes, camps, private lessons, expeditions
Camping and lodges
Suggested ages: 14 to adult

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TOURING
Great scenery awaits land lovers! Go all-terrain with an outfitter to experience the outdoors on four wheels. This is an exciting new activity for those who love speed and excitement. Check with your outfitter for special restrictions.

OPTIONS: 1 day trips
Trips do have special restrictions and required a drivers license
Check with the outfitter for special restrictions
Suggested ages: 19 and up

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Enjoy a snow adventure by cross-country skiing in some of the most beautiful scenic areas in North America. Cross-country skiing has been touted as one of the best cardiovascular activities around. It is a perfect activity for the backcountry.

OPTIONS: 1 day to 1 week
Guided and unguided trips available
Rentals are usually available
Camping, lodges, wilderness huts, and other arrangements
Suggested ages: 16 and up

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

DOG SLEDDING
Trek through the snow with a team of Alaskan or Siberian huskies or glide over the magical landscape in a powerful snowmobile. Both activities provide an unforgettable winter experience in the great outdoors. Be sure to check with the outfitter for special restrictions with these activities.

OPTIONS: 1 day to 1 week
Most trips are guided
Check with the outfitter for special restrictions
Suggested ages: 16 and up

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.

FOREIGN ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Most any outdoor experience listed previously is also offered outside the United States. Although it may get a bit more complicated, the rewards are worth it. Foreign adventure travel comes in many shapes and sizes: from the physically challenging to nonchalant meandering, from the vine-covered hills of Burgundy to the snow-covered ice-fields of Everest and the lush greenery of tropical rain forests. The rewards are the opportunities, not just for scenic vistas, but also to personally experience indigenous populations and exotic cultures that often create whole new perspectives on our western way of life. Generally, the outfitter provides the equipment necessary for the activity, meals, guides and all necessary logistics while on location.

OPTIONS: 6 days to 1+ months
All trips are guided and participatory
Camping, lodges, sailing, and other unique arrangements
Suggested ages: 16 and up

To learn more visit www.adventurevacation.com.