Fall foliage is one of nature's spectaculars, and it happens every year.
If you're an East coaster you can confidently plan a memorable weekend foliage viewing trip as far South as the Carolinas.
Flatlanders in the coastal areas may have to travel to the mountains but even the farthest car trip will only be a few hours.
Well within reach of one weekend's travel plans.
West coasters get Mount Ranier, Yosemite and Yellowstone as the premier destinations but just about every State has a National Park or a National Forest that makes it easy to step outside and just enjoy the view.
State Parks are a good bet too.
North Dakota itself has 17 state parks.
Chances are your own state has a dozen or more state parks too.
Search on the internet for "national parks California" or "state parks California" substituting your own or a nearby state.
You will find tons of information about directions, accommodations, and activities that you can use to plan your trip.
If your family is ready for the hiking trails then plan for one or two day trips.
Your internet search should provide you with sufficient information about the difficulty of any of the several hiking trails that can be found in almost every National or state park so you can be sure to keep things comfortable for everybody in your group.
If there is enough planning time before your next trip you can ask for trail maps from your preferred destinations.
Trail maps will give you the information you need about difficulty, elevations, comfort stations, and viewing sites.
Needless to say you can't plan the weather but you can plan for it.
Peak foliage is mid-September to early November depending on the region of the country you're travelling to.
If you are not familiar with local weather during that time of year for destination then contact a local tourism bureau to get the local knowledge you need to stay safe and comfortable.
You may want to consider renting ATVs when you arrive at your foliage destination.
Rentals are available on location in many areas.
Regulations on ATV use can be widely different at each park within the park system so you do want to check ahead.
There are two-seater ATVs so it's doable even with children too young to go it alone.
Helmets are a must and are usually available with the rental but if you can borrow as many as you need from friends and neighbors ahead of time you should - just in case.
Hotel type accommodations are available at most National parks and in the immediate vicinity of most state parks.
Here again, early booking may save you some extra money.
Camping is always a possibility too.
If you've never taken the family on a camping trip the fall foliage excursion may be a good place to start.
The mosquitoes will likely be gone by then and the cool weather is a joy after the long, hot summer.
Your kids will complain the whole time but I'll bet they will talk about their experience with their friends, and even ask to do it again.
If you're an East coaster you can confidently plan a memorable weekend foliage viewing trip as far South as the Carolinas.
Flatlanders in the coastal areas may have to travel to the mountains but even the farthest car trip will only be a few hours.
Well within reach of one weekend's travel plans.
West coasters get Mount Ranier, Yosemite and Yellowstone as the premier destinations but just about every State has a National Park or a National Forest that makes it easy to step outside and just enjoy the view.
State Parks are a good bet too.
North Dakota itself has 17 state parks.
Chances are your own state has a dozen or more state parks too.
Search on the internet for "national parks California" or "state parks California" substituting your own or a nearby state.
You will find tons of information about directions, accommodations, and activities that you can use to plan your trip.
If your family is ready for the hiking trails then plan for one or two day trips.
Your internet search should provide you with sufficient information about the difficulty of any of the several hiking trails that can be found in almost every National or state park so you can be sure to keep things comfortable for everybody in your group.
If there is enough planning time before your next trip you can ask for trail maps from your preferred destinations.
Trail maps will give you the information you need about difficulty, elevations, comfort stations, and viewing sites.
Needless to say you can't plan the weather but you can plan for it.
Peak foliage is mid-September to early November depending on the region of the country you're travelling to.
If you are not familiar with local weather during that time of year for destination then contact a local tourism bureau to get the local knowledge you need to stay safe and comfortable.
You may want to consider renting ATVs when you arrive at your foliage destination.
Rentals are available on location in many areas.
Regulations on ATV use can be widely different at each park within the park system so you do want to check ahead.
There are two-seater ATVs so it's doable even with children too young to go it alone.
Helmets are a must and are usually available with the rental but if you can borrow as many as you need from friends and neighbors ahead of time you should - just in case.
Hotel type accommodations are available at most National parks and in the immediate vicinity of most state parks.
Here again, early booking may save you some extra money.
Camping is always a possibility too.
If you've never taken the family on a camping trip the fall foliage excursion may be a good place to start.
The mosquitoes will likely be gone by then and the cool weather is a joy after the long, hot summer.
Your kids will complain the whole time but I'll bet they will talk about their experience with their friends, and even ask to do it again.