Point two:  Most Baby Boomers have kids, and most of those kids are approaching or in their teens.

Point three:  Most Baby Boomers are reluctant to leave their teenagers behind when they head for the high seas, and prefer to vacation as a family.

The cruise industry is fully cognizant of all of these points, and they are doing their best to make sure that every member of their Baby Boomer families are provided with exactly the sort of cruise experience which will be entertaining, relaxing, and most of all, FUN.  Most cruise lines now offer planned and supervised activities geared for teenagers throughout the day, because they know that the happy teen customer of today will be the paying adult customer of tomorrow.

Teen centers and video arcades are standard on all ships offering family cruises, and many cruise lines have age-based programs which will tempt your reluctant teen from spending his or her time moping about in the cabin dreaming of the friends or love interest left behind.  Ships with good teen activities will schedule nighttime dances or pool parties where the teens can escape from Mom, Dad, and their annoying younger siblings.  Many of the best cruise lines also have Internet cafes so your teen’s email lifeline is never far away. 

Some cruise lines, including Carnival and Disney, go out of their way to make their cruises fun for family members of all ages. For teens in particular, Carnival Cruise Lines offers Camp Carnival for kids up to age 15, and a Fountain Fun card, which will let you tens drinks as many soft drinks as they like at any hour of the day or night.  They also have 24-hour pizzerias. 

Carnival’s Destiny-class ships have high-tech video game arcades, and its Fun Ships have 2,400 square foot Fun House activity centers.  When it comes to catering to the kids and teens, however, few cruise lines have as much to offer as Disney.

The cruise ships Disney magic and Disney Wonder each have almost an entire deck (1500 square feet) set aside for kid and teen activities, including a teen club with its own coffee bar and video arcade.  Disney debuts its latest theatrical releases aboard ship on the same day that they are released into theaters, so if there’s a teen offering from Disney studios while you’re on your cruise, your teenagers won’t have to wait to see it!

Royal Caribbean will keep your teens busy in their own nightclubs and huge video arcades, and keep them happily fed with burgers and shakes at their Johnny Rocket’s restaurants.  Their latest ships also have a teen pool complete with water slide and (for a small fee) the use of a rock climbing wall to provide a crow’s nest view of the surrounding sea.  Organized activities for teens are held throughout the day beginning at 10:00 AM.  Karaoke contests are open to passengers of all ages, and the teens are often the most enthusiastic performers!

Royal Caribbean is also among the handful of cruise lines which has onboard skating rinks of some of its ships, where your teens can either skate or enjoy a replica of the Ice Capades.  They will love the contrast between ice skating and the surfing experience they’ll get on Royal Caribbean’s Flowrider, where the surf’s always up!

Cruise vacations are no longer the domain of honeymooners and retirees.  They are genuinely family-friendly experiences, with entertainment and social activities to appeal to even the most sophisticated teens!

Cheap Vacation 1: A week of camping with the Family

You can take the whole family to a State or National park for a full week for under $1000! This includes traveling by car, supplies and food. Invest in some basic outdoor cookware and pack some coolers full of food and drink to grill in the great outdoors.

Cheap Vacation 2: Disney World!

Believe it or not, Disney World is one of the greatest values when it comes to family vacations. If you are flying, the Orlando airport usually has many choices for cheap flights from most major cities. The park offers "value resorts" which are specially discounted for family stays. Also look into the off-season rates at these resorts and the savings will add up quick! Check on staying at near by Kissimmee for even deeper discounts.

Cheap Vacation 3: An Igloo up North!

In Cochran, located in Ontario, Canada, you and your family can stay in an actual igloo mad of snow and ice. Now, I know what you're thinking..."cold!" Actually, the igloos are cozy and supplied with modern amenities. They are designed to keep warm on the inside when it's cold outside. What an adventure! Check the major discount airlines for the best deals in airfare such as AirTran, Southwest, and JetBlue.

Cheap Vacation 4: Boston

Believe it or not, Boston can make for a truly affordable vacation since so many of the historical attractions are free and in walking distance of downtown. Airfare, if applicable, and lodging will be your primary expense. Check out the Freedom Trail while there and give your family a history lesson they will not forget!

Cheap Vacation 5: Hot Springs!

Visit one of Americas Hot Springs and camp under the stars while soaking in the warm soothing water during the day. Hot Springs Arkansas is a great example. This is somewhere in between true "roughing it" camping and the comforts of a hotel w/ hot bath!

Cheap Vacation 6: Europe on a budget!

Two things come to mind when making a Cheap Vacation to Europe: Hostels and Eurorail. Hostels can be found in most major European cities and offer a warm nights stay for little to no money. With a Eurorail pass, you can travel around to many different cities for a very affordable price.

Cheap Vacation 7: Cruise Vacation

If you choose an interior cabin on a 4-day cruise from most major ports you can find deals as low as a few hundred buck including all meals! Check the various travel agencies and shop around, these deals are hard to miss and can be a great way to vacation in the sun on a tight budget.

Cheap Vacation 8: Bus Across America

Greyhound bus lines offers cheap travel alternatives clear across the United States. You can plan out your trip and choose some cities to stay overnight in, book a cheap motel and see the country on a tight budget!

Cheap Vacation 9: Cancun on a Budget?

Cancun is easily one of the most beautiful places on earth. Believe it or not there are a tremendous amount of package deals that can be found on the cheap for a Cancun vacation. One to look at is Dreams resort. You and your loved one can have a three night/four day getaway on the pristine white sand beaches of Cancun for less than $1000!

Cheap Vacation 10: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the most affordable island getaways in the Caribbean sea. Hotel rates are extremely reasonable compared to it's neighboring islands. Most of your food and other expenses are relatively cheap. Punta Cana is one of the most beautiful vacation destinations and believe it or not, it can be a cheap vacation as well!

1. Family Dude Ranches - If dude ranches haven't been on your list of fun family vacations it's time that you gave them serious consideration as they are growing in popularity. Many dude ranches are specifically geared toward accommodating family members of all ages with programs that everyone can enjoy. Some of the activities include horseback riding, fishing, rafting, hiking, swimming and lots more. There are even luxury dude ranches that can also offer golf packages for the older family members and plenty of special amenities that make your stay more comfortable. Just because it has ranch in the name doesn't mean that you have to rough it. Often these family dude ranches have evening activities like campfires, marshmallow roasts, sing alongs and so on that can keep your family entertained right up to bedtime.

If this sounds like a family vacation getaway that could appeal to your family just check online for dude ranch websites where you can look up ranches by state and find out all about their activities, amenities, and prices. If you use these resources to find out more about family dude ranches you will probably find the ranch that will make the perfect family vacation for you.

2. National Parks. If you really want to get away from the ordinary and experience the wonder and beauty that our country has to offer, consider taking your family camping at one of the national forests in the US. If you like adventure and the outdoors this is a great way to do something completely different, and have lots of swimming, hiking, boating, and other activities right at hand for very little out of pocket money.

3. If you want to choose a location that offers a wide range of activities and has gorgeous scenery at the same time, consider taking the family to Hawaii. There is an abundance of resorts that cater to families in Hawaii. Much of their travel economy is geared toward family fun adventures. Your kids can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, surfing, para-sailing, crafts, and lots more, while the adults can play on some of the best golf courses in the world. In the evening there is no shortage of dining opportunities including dinner cruises that sail up and down the coastline while you enjoy fabulous local cuisine.

Either of these three family vacation spots would make a great choice as a family vacation getaway. So why not start doing some homework to see if they could turn out to be the perfect family vacation for your next trip?

Depending on the size of your family or number of friends you will be traveling with, there is an RV out there to fit your crew. They are available for purchase from RV-specific dealers or you can just consider renting one. Don't forget about the after-market for a great deal on a used RV.

When it comes to children, a cheap vacation can quickly become difficult if you're cooped up in a car or in a small hotel room. With an RV, you can basically bring all the amenities from home since you essentially have a living room, kitchen, and sleeping quarters. If it time for a nap, they can go off in a bedroom and not be bothered by other things going on in the RV. Television? Not a problem on an RV as the generator will keep you plugged in during your trip. Go ahead and hook up a DVD player to entertain the little rug rats with Sponge Bob or even a video game system so the kids will forget they even left home. I mean hey, lets face it, it's really your vacation and you just need to make sure the kids are happy and don't get bored!

Back to the cheap vacation issue, just think of your RV as a traveling hotel room. All the money you are saving by staying in your RV can be used for other things. Bring your RV to the beach, the mountains, or a country getaway. The sky (or I should say road) is the limit. Most typical vacation spots have special areas for RVs. You are not limited to campgrounds. Beaches are a particularly popular place for RV vacations. You can even rent a beach-front parking space complete with electrical and water hookups to to create your own little water front paradise.

Keep in mind that as you travel along the roadways in your RV the options are limitless for stopping at your leisure. You can have many different "mini vacations" along the way and between your major stops. Just research your route and choose some select "hot spots" that are great for site seeing or whatever.

If your RV does not have a shower and the thought of staying in a shower-less campground scares the marbles out of you, consider staying at one of America's hot springs. You can sleep in your tent outside of your RV site at night and jump in the soothing, cleansing warm spring water each morning. It's a great compromise to those not willing to do the all-out nitty-gritty camping experience that may leave them wallowing in their own funk by the end of the trip.

Simply put, there are countless places to park your RV and enjoy a cheap vacation like no other. If you consider the several hundred dollars PER NIGHT it may cost you to stay in a comfortable hotel, along with the hassles of checking in and checking out, the RV starts to make a lot of sense for a great cheap vacation.

Oklahoma is the 20th largest state in US that presents pristine ecosystems. Many of its lakes and state parks have campgrounds for peaceful lodging options. Camping spots can be found from the rugged Wichita Mountains in the west to the southeast of Quachita Mountains.

Below is the list of Oklahoma campgrounds.

Beavers Bend Resort Park

Beavers Bend State Park is a scenic attraction with RV camping. It is located along Broken Vow Lake and Fork River Mountain. It has 47 cabins, 8 camping areas, 393 campsites with 2 group camps. Beavers Bend also offers primitive tent camping facilities with hot showers, picnic tables and pit toilets.

Lakeview Lodge provides 40 rooms with private decks that overlook the lake. It is an alternative to cabin lodging and campgrounds. All rooms have a balcony for lake viewing. Amenities include outdoor grill, fire pits and fully equipped kitchens. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating and canoeing at the swimming area. There are minitrain rides, horse back riding and a golf course. Kids can experience recreational opportunities such as hayrides, boat ramping, biking and hiking.

Nearby attractions are the Talimena Skyline Drive, Beavers Bend Wildlife Museum, Museum of the Red River and the Little River National Wildlife Refuge. Park highlights include Eagle Watches from November to February, Owachito Festival of the Forest in June and the Year-round Trout Fishing at Trophy Brown Trout Area

Big Cedar RV Park

Big Cedar is located between Winding Stair and Kiamichi mountains surrounding the Ouachita National Forest. It lies on the shadow of Talimena Scenic Drive. The park offers cabins, tent sites and RV hookups in the Kiamichi River valley.

This park has three new and fully furnished cabins for rent. It can sleep six and four persons. Two larger cabins have full kitchens and another three have private baths. Cabin amenities include a picnic table and a barbeque grill. It also provides modern amenities like coin-operated laundry, cable and Wi-fi. Cabin rates cost about $65 to $75 per night with tax.

RV camp sites have full services of water and electricity. Reserved spaces have full access to bathhouse with shower and coin operated laundry. RV rates cost $24 per night.

Honey Creek State Park

Honey Creek is a campground with beautiful lake views. The 30 acre park sits on a hill with 150 primitive sites, 30/50 amp RV sites, picnic areas, 206 campsites and two covered group shelters. It provides access to Grand Lake for boating and fishing. The state park offers complimentary boat ramp, fishing dock, outdoor grills, swimming pool and comfort stations.
Honey Creek State Park features lake and river view as well as outdoor sports like basketball and water skiing. Families can enjoy the nearby areas like the Ledonwood gardens, Cherokee Queen Paddle Boats, Grove Har-ber Village and Cayuga Splitlog Mission Church.

Horse Heaven Ranch

Horse Heaven Ranch is located at Horse Heaven Ranch Road in Talihina. It has 6 fully equipped luxury cabins with covered barns, 32 RV sites and RV motor homes. The ranch can accommodate big groups for birthdays, weddings, club functions and special events.

The ranch offers breath taking views of forest and mountains with shady trees. The RV sites include 2 equines, 2 adults and maximum of three children per site. Each site has services of water and electricity. Amenities include a picnic table, grill and a fire pit. There are also 30 to 46 foot concrete slabs for parking, 2 separate piped pens and a hitching post. Horse Heaven also provides state-of-the-art bathhouse and a free dump station.

Fort Gibson Lake

Fort Gibson Lake is nestled at the eastern hills of Oklahoma. The lake offers 225 miles of shoreline and 19,990 surface acres. It offers sightseeing of redbud, dogwood, sand plum and haws blossoms. There were colorful shrubbery of oak, blackgum, redwood, hickory and woodbine glowing on the hills.

The fort's hunting area covers 21,798 acres with 3,500 acres of water flow sanctuary. Fish species to look for are the white bass, black bass, pan fish, catfish and the crappie.

Fort facilities include six Class A campgrounds for RV, tent camping, boat ramps, swimming beaches and picnic areas. Other amenities include showers, electric hookups, group shelters, drinking water, 6 marinas and concession services.

Look for a reputable dealer that offers a variety of choices. Models range in both amenities and price. Your RV dealer can help you with every aspect of your purchase. Imagine going to visit family, and not having to worry about someone being put out of their bed so that you will have a place to sleep. Simply find an RV park in the area, and make a reservation.

Traveling through the mountains in a recreational vehicle is a great experience. Most of the best vacation and camping spots are aware that many of their visitors are traveling in RVs. Finding a park to stay in will be an easy task. When you vacation in an RV, you don't have to worry about eating out. This is particularly important for anyone that is health conscious, or has special dietary needs, and is watching what they eat. Simply stock your RV's fridge and pantry with the items that you want, and they will all be right there, available to you no matter where you go. Camping in the mountains could not be easier.

These quality RVs give you all of the comforts of home while you are vacationing and traveling. They are equipped with beds, kitchens, bathrooms, and showers. Some of them come with built in televisions and radios depending on the bells and whistles that you are looking for. Again, consult your RV dealer to make sure your model is tailored to your needs. Your family vacations and camping trips will never be the same again.

Get the family involved and make sure that you are all getting exactly what you want in an RV. Also be sure that you take special consideration with respect to the size of vehicle that you are thinking about buying. RVs come in many shapes and styles as well as sizes. Keep in mind that you and your family need a recreational vehicle that you all will be comfortable in, without feeling cramped.

RVs can be as simple or as extravagant as you desire. You will find that they can be ordered with all of the frills or just the bare necessities. Your RV dealer will help you customize your new Tiffin RV to meet your particular specifications. You will enjoy traveling in your new vehicle, and taking vacations will be something that you will look forward to more than ever. When you and your family roam the country in your home on wheels, you will have unexpected adventures, make new friends, and enjoy experiences that will never be forgotten.

With a Large Number of RV Parks, Oregon Provides Statewide Camping Network

Oregon is home to an impressive number of RV parks and campgrounds with RV hookups located across the state. With nearly a dozen RV parks in the greater Portland area alone, more than 60 Oregon coast RV parks, and dozens more across the state, Oregon is a motorhome traveler’s jackpot. A statewide list of RV parks in Oregon is available at rv clubs us.

Many RV parks in Oregon have gone to great lengths to add to the fun and comfort of your camping experience. Backed by a desire to preserve the lush beauty of the state, most have created campsites specifically designed to provide enough space and pull-through parking for your rig while still maintaining privacy in a natural setting.

The Many Different Types of RV Parks Oregon Has to Offer

Some Oregon RV parks are geared specifically toward families with young children and offer playgrounds, game rooms, organized kids’ activities and other services to help keep youngsters happy and entertained. Other parks and campgrounds cater to the senior crowd with activities such as golf, bingo, and dances. Some are located on a lake or river and offer boating, rafting, fishing and other water activities. Others feature horseback riding, birding or off-highway vehicle excursions. There’s something for everyone.

Camping in an Oregon RV Park – the Best of All Worlds

Those who have joined the motorhome community know that RV camping gives travelers the best of all worlds. You have access to the full range of attractions in the area, all from a home base furnished with electricity, running water and other comforts of home. You can go out to eat at one of Oregon’s many notable restaurants, or you can catch your dinner in one of the lakes or rivers and cook it up in your own kitchen.

After a long fun-filled day of exploring, you can return home to a warm shower, an evening around the campfire, and a good night’s rest in your own soft bed. If it rains the next morning, you can stay snug and warm curled up with a book or a good movie, rather than worrying about leaky tents or soggy sleeping bags.

Once you have explored an area fully, you can simply fire up the engine and move on to the next location on your itinerary. Each region of Oregon offers something different so you can create a vacation that fits your needs and interests.

With RV Parks, Oregon Regions Are Easy to Explore

If you’re looking for wide-open spaces, the eastern part of Oregon has just what you need. Central Oregon is sunny and desert like with scenic mountain views. In northern Oregon, you’ll find the Columbia River Gorge and nearby Mount Hood. Here you can rock climb, ski and snowboard year round, and visit beautiful waterfalls.

Portland Oregon RV Parks

In Portland itself, the state’s most populated city, you can enjoy art and cultural events, a wide range of food and shopping choices, organized or self-guided history and architecture tours, sporting events and a host of other entertainment options. For exploring Portland Oregon RV parks are often a convenient and economical choice.

Wine, Dine, and Relive History

History enthusiasts can follow the Oregon Trail through the Willamette Valley, located at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range, where agriculture and wine growing also are thriving. The southern part of the state is also rich in historical attractions as well as an abundance of wildlife sanctuaries and other natural areas.

Oregon Coast RV Parks

For those who love ocean shorelines, deep-sea fishing, sand dunes, whale watching and other marine activities, the Oregon coast is not to be missed. The area is filled with state parks and private campgrounds designed for RV travelers. Driving the 400-mile coastal highway is a vacation adventure in and of itself, and the plentiful offering of scenic and welcoming Oregon coast RV parks in the towns and parks along the drive make this trip fun and easy.

Whether you have a weekend, a couple weeks, or an entire season, traveling in an RV and staying at campgrounds RV parks in Oregon can help you and your family get the most out of your vacation and see all that this diverse state has to offer.

Watch For Travel Club Discounts and Off Season Specials

RV clubs such as Happy Camper, Good Sam, and Passport America offer up to 50% discounts at participating RV parks in Oregon. If you’re a member of an RV club, be sure to check out their list of approved Oregon RV parks and campgrounds. And planning your trip for the cooler months when things slow down could result in substantial savings as well.

Rent an RV From One of Many Locations in Portland and Across the State

Yearning for an RV vacation but don’t own a rig? Numerous businesses geared specifically toward renting RVs to vacationers. Renting provides an opportunity to enjoy the benefits of RV life without the price tag or storage issues. An Internet search for Oregon RV rentals turns up thousands of results.

So with RV travel in Oregon so fun, easy, and affordable, there’s nothing stopping you from planning the vacation of a lifetime to this diverse and beautiful state.

Those residing in urban environments often forget why decided to hike. They probably came to get away from the busy city life to enjoy some peace and quiet in beautiful scenery. To allow others to enjoy that, and enjoy it themselves, hikers should heed to a few general, common sense rules.

First, a long-standing rule among hikers is the "pack it in, pack it out" expression. Basically, the goal is to leave the area like you found it. Do you leave items you brought, including trash, water bottles or other items you may have with you. This is important to keep the area clean for other hikers as well as yourself in the future.

Fragile toilet paper can even take weeks to deteriorate, and possibly months. It is recommended that you bring a roll, but if you use it and are not able to find a container in which to dispose it, you should bury it. To "pack it out," a small plastic bag can retain the odors until you are able to dispose of it in a container.

If you must urinate in the wilderness area, be sure to do so away from water sources and trails, at least at a distance of 100 meters. You should eliminate feces into a small hole far off the trail and cover it with dirt.

The peace and quiet of a hike is a significant part of the pleasure. Hiking trails are not purposed for the exciting things in a city that often bring about loud noises. When hiking, you should keep you voice and music low. Fortunately, with portable music devices today, loud music is not as much of a problem unless you insist on singing out your favorite song for all to hear.

If you are planning to set up a camp, use a Coleman or other portable stove to cook your food and set up in an open area. But, when you are finished, do not leave anything behind that won't day within at least a day. You should do the same when you are fishing or partaking of other activities.

Of course, avoid wildlife as much as they seek to avoid you. Some, though, should be avoided with no question, including bears, skunks and mountain lions among others. Bears are not always gentle creatures. Though they typically avoid humans, this is not always the case as some have killed and eaten them. Take the same safe approach to large cats. They are predators, and you do not want to be their prey.

Generally, use common sense and be considerate of other hikers. This can ensure a pleasant hike for both you and other hikers enjoying the experience!

Carry-all bag

While traveling, you may need a larger bag that allows you to reach for items quickly without fumbling around. An over the shoulder sling bag would be a great choice for a travel organizer.  It is designed specifically for somebody constantly on the go:  it has pockets and compartments for keys, CDs, cell phones, mp3 players, cosmetics, cards and cash, and a GPS device as well. Your over-the-shoulder sling back has zippered pockets to ensure that your items do not get tossed around needlessly. Any carry-all bag that is made of leather or a comprable substance should be very durable.

Weigh it before it is confiscated!

Weighing your luggage can help prevent problems that may occur at the airport. This can also make sure that your pieces of luggage are not be rejected by airline personnel. Why pay exorbitant fees for excess luggage?  Not only that, but a portable scale helps save you the trouble of unpacking and re-packing, which is an unnecessary, time-wasting task to do when you barely have an hour to catch your flight. A portable scale can weigh luggage to a maximum of 75 pounds so you no longer have to worry if your luggage passes the test or not.

Vacation shopping totes

If you enjoy shopping while on vacation, or if you need to shop for groceries everyday for your trailer camp, you may want reusable shopping bags that are environmentally friendly. This five-in-one shopping bag is available in three colors that easily fit into the trunk of your car or SUV. They should last a long time because they are stored in a durable cube for easy handling.  You can also use them at home. They are versatile enough for any purpose.

Quickly identify items in your suitcase - mesh travel bags

If you tend to throw clothes and other items into your luggage at the last minute, you may find a mesh travel bag to be very helpful. You should not have to undo your suitcase to look for one tiny item. If you travel frequently, these mesh bags are great for storing your toiletries, socks, stockings, underwear and important gifts. You get three mesh bags made of solid nylon.

Too many suitcases bad for your back?

Back pain or a swollen arm is the last thing you need while on vacation. If you have several pieces of luggage, a bag bungee is the ideal product. This device is excellent for the traveler who has to bring more than one suitcase. Attach the bungee to a one wheeled suitcase and use the stretchable cord to wrap the other bags like your laptop or briefcase.  They all stay still, allowing you to avoid losing or forgetting a piece of luggage.

Don’t forget your medication

A convenient medication travel case is a great solution both to store pills and easily find them when needed. A 10-day pill case can help you locate your medicine quickly. The clear view facilitates numbering of your pills for quick reference and clear reading of the warnings for each medication.  It comes with a pill reference card in case you have an emergency. This case also comes with a bottle holder that complies with airline regulations.

Cookouts during your vacation?

If you are traveling in a group and you expect to be taking turns cooking for the gang, you want handy party platters that can guarantee no spills and no breaking. Whether you are celebrating inside a huge tent, over a barbecue grill in the park, or at the beach, these party platters can be the envy of your friends. There are five platters in one and each platter is designed to carry a variety of foods: snacks, cup cakes, salads, rolls and cut-up vegetables. There is even a platter for a cake and a container for dips.

Allergic to bugs?

One downside to vacations is the possibility of being bitten by bugs. This problem can be addressed with insect repellent bands that you can wear as bracelets. They are the absolute protection whether you are at home, on the road, or at a camp site.  These bands repel mosquitoes and many other types of bugs.

The bands have a scent that is more effective than citronella; they are 100% safe and natural.  The bands also fit snugly around your wrist and provide up to 120 hours of protection.

Worried about your jewelry while on vacation?

A travel jewelry case not only organizes your precious stones and pendants, but it also protects them from the prying eyes of strangers.  This case has six well-padded compartments; each compartment has a zipper to ensure that small pieces of jewelry do not fall off.

Defining Archaeological Hiking

An archaeological hiking trip is one that visits outdoor venues which bear some archaeological significance. These venues may feature paintings, carvings, or etchings in the walls of caves or other stone, showing off the artistic accomplishments of an ancient people. Other archeology hikes may visit famous locations throughout history, letting hikers walk through the footsteps of history and walk the same paths that indigenous people once walked. Some hikers on archeology hikes may choose to use the minimal amount of hiking gear that could still be considered safe in order to better recreate the feeling of being there when the history of the location was first created.

Popular Archaeological Destinations

In the United States, there are a number of popular destinations of archaeological hiking that show off the history of the country and its Native American inhabitants. Sites such as Range Creek Canyon in Utah let visitors see the paintings and etchings of these Native Americans, showing off the hunting practices and early beliefs of these early people. Crow Canyon, Nevada is also a popular destination for archeology hikes, allowing visitors to see the remnants of the Navajo civilization and the culture that they had created in what many would consider to be inhospitable lands. Other destinations that are frequented by hikers with an interest in archeology include sections of Oregon and Washington that were inhabited by the Native Americans of the northwest as well as sections of the Trail of Tears, the Oregon Trail, and the route taken by Louis and Clark when exploring the United States.

Archaeological Hiking Tips

There are a number of tips that you should keep in mind when going on an archeology hike. Make sure that you take the proper hiking equipment for the terrain that you will be traversing, including the appropriate clothing for the weather that you will be expecting. Include LED lights in with your hiking gear so that you will be able to see while setting up camp or visiting certain archaeological sites at night. Another important tip is to make sure that you don't disturb any of the sites that you visit, as they have immense importance both to archaeologists and other hikers; make sure that you don't take anything from the site and that you don't use hiking gear that might damage the artifacts contained there. By avoiding making any sort of an impact on the site you will help to ensure that other hikers will be able to enjoy the same sort of hikes for years to come.

~Ben Anton, 2008