When it comes to unforgettable family adventures, there’s no better way to connect with nature and each other than a journey into America’s most stunning landscapes. Whether hiking among towering red rock formations, paddling across pristine lakes, or sharing stories by a crackling fire under the stars, these adventurous family vacations are sure to create memories that last a lifetime.
Explore these incredible destinations with Under Canvas, where luxury and the outdoors come together. Here’s your guide to the top family adventures across the U.S. —your next adventure starts here!
Acadia National Park
Along Maine’s rugged coastline, Acadia National Park is a dream destination for adventurous families. Stroll the flat, three-mile Jordan Pond loop, then head to Jordan Pond House to try their famous popovers—reservations are recommended. Bike the car-free carriage roads, spend the day at Sand Beach, soaking up the sun and exploring tidepools, or set sail on a pirate adventure cruise. Be sure to catch the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain. For more tips, check out our Acadia travel guide.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Acadia offers a seaside escape with easy access to the park and a cozy retreat after a day of exploring.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is a family favorite, known for its otherworldly hoodoos and incredible stargazing. Hike family-friendly trails like the Toadstool Hoodoos or Navajo Loop, wander through narrow slot canyons, and enjoy sweeping views from Sunset Point. Don’t forget to stop by the visitor center, where your kids can become junior rangers!
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Bryce Canyon places your family in the heart of Utah’s red rock country, offering luxury tents with epic canyon views.
Columbia River Gorge
Situated between Washington and Oregon, the Columbia River Gorge is packed with adventures for families from toddlers to teens. Hike to breathtaking waterfalls like Multnomah Falls, wander through fragrant lavender farms, and take a scenic drive along the Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway, surrounded by lush landscapes. Don’t miss the local coffee shop scene for a taste of cafe culture!
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge offers a tranquil base camp for your Pacific Northwest adventures, with Mount Hood’s snow-capped peaks as your backdrop.
Grand Canyon National Park
Explore one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World with your family. Stroll the paved South Rim Trail for awe-inspiring views, explore the Trail of Time with its fascinating geological markers, or hike partway into the canyon on the Bright Angel Trail. For an extra thrill, book a family rafting trip on the Colorado River. Be sure to visit Grand Canyon Village and the Yavapai Museum for panoramic vistas and a glimpse into the park’s history. Check out our complete guide to the Grand Canyon with kids for more ways to explore.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Grand Canyon offers luxury tents just a short drive from the park, complete with nightly campfires and unparalleled stargazing at a certified DarkSky Resort.
Glacier National Park
Take your family to the “Crown of the Continent,” where you can drive the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, kayak on crystal-clear lakes, and spot wildlife like mountain goats and grizzlies. Explore displays at the Apgar Visitor Center, learn about local habitats, and grab a wildflower checklist. Borrow a Family Pack from the St. Mary Visitor Center with binoculars, a compass, and guidebooks. Don’t miss family-friendly hikes like the Trail of the Cedars or Logan Pass to find snow in the middle of summer along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Glacier puts your family at the doorstep of adventure with safari-inspired tents and mountain vistas in Big Sky Country.
Great Smoky Mountains
America’s most-visited national park offers an abundance of activities for adventurous families. Go hiking along forest trails, explore historic homesteads, or chase waterfalls like Laurel Falls. There are countless things for families with kids to enjoy in The Smokies gateway cities, including Ripley’s Aquarium, Dollywood, and Outdoor Gravity Park. Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains offers luxury glamping on 182 wooded acres in the Land of Blue Smoke.
Lake Powell–Grand Staircase
The dramatic landscapes of Lake Powell and Grand Staircase-Escalante are perfect for nature-loving families. Spend your days boating on azure waters, relaxing at Lone Rock Beach, taking a guided hike, visiting iconic Horseshoe Bend, exploring slot canyons, and uncovering dinosaur tracks.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Lake Powell–Grand Staircase offers comfort and adventure, with an onsite slot canyon and easy access to the best of Lake Powell—just 10 minutes from Lone Rock Beach and 14 miles from Lake Powell Marina.
Moab
Moab is the ultimate desert playground. Explore Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, bike world-class slick rock trails, or embark on an exciting 4×4 tour through Canyonlands. With two incredible national parks nearby, the adventures are endless. Top it off with stunning sunrises, fiery sunsets, and twinkling stars in the night sky.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Moab offers unparalleled access to two national parks, with family-friendly accommodations under some of the clearest night skies—perfect for stargazing and discovering the cosmos.
Mount Rushmore
Combine history and adventure at Mount Rushmore. Hike the Presidential Trail, snap a selfie with the presidents, explore the scenic Black Hills, or venture into nearby Wind Cave National Park. Check out our Mount Rushmore travel guide for the best things to see, do, and eat near the national monument.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Mount Rushmore offers luxury tents on an original gold mining settlement surrounded by ponderosa pines, with views of the monument and the Black Hills.
North Yellowstone–Paradise Valley
Start your family adventure with a scenic drive through Lamar Valley, often called America’s Serengeti, to spot bison and other wildlife. Explore the unique geothermal features at Mammoth Hot Springs, or saddle up for a horseback ride with the stunning Paradise Valley as your backdrop. Explore on foot with family-friendly hiking trails in North Yellowstone. For a relaxing experience, enjoy a float down the Yellowstone River.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas North Yellowstone–Paradise Valley offers stunning mountain views, easy access to the national park, and over a mile of pristine Yellowstone River frontage for on-site fly fishing and river floats. Conveniently located near Livingston and Bozeman, it’s the perfect base for adventure.
West Yellowstone
Discover geyser country with a visit to Old Faithful, explore the colorful beauty of the Grand Prismatic Overlook, and stop by the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center to learn about Yellowstone’s wildlife up close. Don’t forget to participate in the Junior Ranger Program, where kids can earn their ranger badge while uncovering the park’s natural and cultural treasures.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas West Yellowstone offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor glamping experience just minutes from America’s oldest national park.
Yosemite National Park
Explore the grandeur of Yosemite with your family. Visit Tunnel View for kid-friendly panoramic views, enjoy a scenic drive through the park, wander through Mariposa Grove, filled with Giant Sequoias, and hike the Mirror Lake Trail for reflective views of Half Dome. Older kids and teens will love learning the ropes at the Yosemite Mountaineering School, with half-day and longer lessons available. For more details, check out our guide to visiting Yosemite with kids.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Yosemite offers an idyllic setting near the park’s main entrance, Big Oak Flat, and is conveniently located across from a YART stop, making car-free park visits a breeze.
Zion National Park
Zion offers active family adventures, from hiking the family-friendly Riverside Walk, Pa’rus Trail, and Lower Emerald Pools Trail to exploring the watery Narrows for older kids. Float down the Virgin River, try canyoneering, or embark on a guided stargazing tour with Dark Sky Astronomers, complete with state-of-the-art telescopes.
Stay Nearby: Under Canvas Zion offers an unforgettable experience with safari-inspired glamping tents in the high desert with cooler temperatures and views of towering red sandstone cliffs.
Grand Circle Road Trip: A Road Trip for the Ages
For the ultimate adventurous family vacation, set out on a Grand Circle Road Trip through the American Southwest. Start in Moab and explore Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Head to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Lake Powell before capping off your journey at the Grand Canyon. It’s a family road trip you’ll cherish forever!
Stay Nearby: Whether you want to see rock arches at Arches National Park, hoodoos at Bryce, Zion’s slot canyons, rugged Grand Staircase-Escalante, and the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, there’s an Under Canvas camp for every stop along the way!
Ready to Plan Your Family Adventure?
Reconnect with nature and each other on an adventurous family vacation. Under Canvas blends the comforts of home with the beauty of the outdoors, offering stargazing, daily yoga, guided hikes, live music, arts and crafts, and nightly s’mores by the campfire. With activities for all ages, your family adventure will be as memorable as the breathtaking landscapes around you.