“Know before you go” is a simple summary for safely enjoying camping and hiking, suggests Franklin Pemberton, Public Affairs Officer on the Colville National Forest. First, know yourself. How rugged of an experience are you, your vehicle, and companions prepared to have? Maintained campgrounds offer easier road access, water, fire rings, vault toilets; they are …
With adaptable, customized vans made to order, VanDOit is simplifying the way people purchase adventure rigs. “In short, we are a full-service vehicle and adventure van build-out company,” says Erik Chapin, the Bend, Oregon-based west coast rep for VanDOit. A highlight of the design of VanDOit’s vehicles—the base model is the Ford Transit—is how they …
Whether it’s building a tiny home or repurposing a used van, thinking outside the norm is enabling Inland Northwesterners to live the lives they want and have the adventures they crave. Several of them share their stories of how adventure rigs and scaled-back living situations have changed their lives for the better. Maddie Seipp—2003 Volkswagen …
Adventure Homes on Wheels: Tiny Homes, Custom Vans, and More Read More »
Beaver fever, iodine tablets, “Cathole” digging, bear-proof containers—these are just a few aspects of backcountry adventuring, where you can enjoy exceptional landscape beauty and natural serenity with your children. To better understand how to start planning, here are some ideas and recommendations. Begin with a “backcountry lite” experience, or seeking out enough primitive wilderness without …
A quintessential summer activity, camping allows kids all-day, hands-on adventure. Use this alphabetical list of recommended public campgrounds around the Inland Northwest to plan your summer camping excursions. Albeni Cove: A small rustic campground located near Oldtown, Idaho, along the Pend Oreille River, near Albeni Falls Dam (overseen by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Enjoy …
What happens when four families—including eight adults and 10 children ages 1-11—go camping together over Memorial Day weekend? Fun, adventure, and lessons learned. Here are fundamental ideas that helped our trip succeed. Plan a trip with like-minded families. My three girlfriends and I are all like-minded women—outdoorsy, non-makeup wearing women in the 38-42 …
Lessons Learned Camping with Friends and Their Kids Read More »
Perhaps it was during a relentless rainstorm at Mount Rainier National Park while sitting in the backseat of my Subaru Outback with my son, when he was 4 months old, when I first realized my grateful attachment. Or maybe it started years before, when that same car carried my husband and me over snowy mountain …
Camping days stretch long for children to immerse themselves in nature and enjoy time free of schedules and technology. Camping is as transformative as it is fun. Make one of these Inland Northwest campgrounds the new happiest place on earth for your kids this summer. Sam Owen Campground Located near Hope, Idaho, this semi-rustic campground …
Family-Friendly Campgrounds in North Idaho & Eastern Washington Read More »
Rustic beauty abounds along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River and the surrounding Panhandle National Forest. This rural swath of Idaho provides a simple and relaxing escape from the more popular and crowded Inland Northwest camping and recreation hubs and makes a great day-trip or multi-night stay. Also known as the Upper Coeur …
Family Camping and Floating on the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River Read More »
Although Lake Pend Oreille (“Pond Oray”) is Idaho’s largest and deepest lake, with 200 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 1,200 feet, it doesn’t seem to get the attention it deserves. Lake Coeur d’Alene and Priest Lake are both more accessible, while Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded mostly by national forest land, with …
Family Fun at Lake Pend Oreille – Farragut State Park Read More »
