MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Economic Benefits of Travel & Tourism, National Parks, Responsible Travel

National Parks Visitor Spending Contributed $40 Billion to US Economy

May 30, 2019 MoralCompass

*Yosemite National Park, California. Visitors to the national parks generated a record $40 billion to the US economy in 2018 and supported 329,000 jobs* © *Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

Report Finds 2018 Spending Supported 329,000 jobs in Hotels, Restaurants, Transportation, Recreation

WASHINGTON – It is so easy just to enjoy our national parks – our national heritage – and not realize that they are also a serious engine of economic activity, indeed a lifeline, for localities and the nation as a whole. As the summer vacation and travel seasons opens, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced today that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2018 resulted in a $40.1 billion benefit to the nation’s economy and supported 329,000 jobs.

According to the annual National Park Service report, 2018 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, more than 318 million visitors spent $20.2 billion in communities within 60 miles of a park in the National Park System. Of the 329,000 jobs supported by visitor spending, more than 268,000 jobs exist in the park gateway communities.

“This report emphasizes the tremendous impact the national parks have on our nation’s economy and underscores the need to fulfill President Trump’s plan to rebuild park infrastructure,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “With 419 sites, and at least one in every state, our national parks continue to provide visitors, both local and destination, with innumerous recreational, inspirational, and world-class experiences.”

“National parks with their iconic natural, cultural and historic landscapes represent the heart and soul of America,” said National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith. “They are also a vital part of our nation’s economy, especially for park gateway communities where millions of visitors each year find a place to sleep and eat, hire outfitters and guides and make use of other local services that help drive a vibrant tourism and outdoor recreation industry.”

Economic benefits from visitor spending increased by $2 billion and total output increased by $4.3 billion in comparison to 2017.

As a part of the report, visitor surveys were conducted at 19 parks with the results indicating that people spent more time in the parks, stayed longer in gateway communities and spent more money during their visits.

Visitation varies across the National Park System, from big parks like Blue Ridge Parkway to Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in Montana. Blue Ridge attracted 14.6 million people who spent more than $1 billion and supported more than 15,900 jobs. Grant Kohrs Ranch drew more than 26,000 visitors who spent more than $1.5 million in the area and supported 25 local jobs.

Lodging expenses account for the largest share of visitor spending totaling nearly $6.8 billion in 2018. Food expenses are the second largest spending area with visitors spending $4 billion in restaurants and bars and another $1.4 billion at grocery and convenience stores.

The peer-reviewed economics report was prepared by economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Egan Cornachione of the U.S. Geological Survey and Lynne Koontz of the National Park Service. It includes information by parks and by states on visitor spending, the number of jobs supported by visitor spending and other statistics.

Report authors also produce an interactive tool that enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view annual, trend data.

For more state-by-state information about national parks and how the National Park Service is working with communities, go to http://www.nps.gov/[statename], for example: http://www.nps.gov/virginia.

National Park Visitor Spending Contributions to the U.S. Economy 2012-18

	Visitation:	Visitor Spending:	Jobs Supported:	Local Jobs:	Total Output:
2012:	282,765,682	$14.7 billion	242,712	201,040	$26.8 billion
2013:	273,630,895	$14.6 billion	237,599	197,343	$26.5 billion
2014:	292,800,082	$15.7 billion	276,960	235,600	$29.7 billion
2015:	307,247,252	$16.9 billion	295,339	252,030	$32 billion
2016:	330,971,689	$18.4 billion	318,000	271,544	$34.9 billion
2017:	330,882,751	$18.2 billion	306,000	255,900	$35.8 billion
2018:	318,211,833	$20.2 billion	329,000	268,195	$40.1 billion

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National Parks, US Travel

Veteran Tour Operator Advises that Government Shutdown Should Not Halt Vacation Plans

January 17, 2019 MoralCompass

Yosemite National Park. The National Park Service is struggling to keep parks open during the government shutdown. Austin Adventures is advising vacationers to make their bookings (spaces fill up) because an experienced tour operator can adapt the itinerary © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com

BILLINGS, MT – Jan. 17, 2019 – An experienced tour operator expects and prepares for the unexpected. A nimble tour company embraces the unexpected and sees opportunity in alternative planning.

As America’s government shutdown continues to set a record for longevity, Austin Adventures has seen a rise in consumer anxiety during a time many travelers are usually looking to book their spring and summer vacations. Since national parks are a primary focus for the company it is understandable that people are nervous and even holding off on making their vacation plans.

“First and foremost, this latest government shutdown should NOT shut down your vacation plans,” says Dan Austin, founder and director of Montana-based Austin Adventures. “Talking with both alumni travelers and prospective clients on the phone my first advice is to not panic and worry. We’ve seen this before and all will be OK.”

Austin points to a previous 17-day government shutdown in the fall of 2013. “Our itinerary had us visiting Bryce Canyon National Park but it was closed. Unknown to the guests, we had a contingency plan in place to instead visit and explore nearby Kodachrome Basin State Park, an equally awesome geological wonder 20 miles to the east. Many guests said that it was the unexpected highlight of their trip,” explains Austin.

Many of the company’s adventures in and around National Parks of the West take place during the spring, summer and fall. While these trips—other than nervousness in the marketplace—have not been directly impacted by the shutdown, Austin believes that the likelihood of the political impasse dragging on into their spring season is unlikely. However, if need be, they are ready to react should the situation warrant it.

This government shutdown has been a bit different than those in the past. According to the National Parks Conservation Association, “The Department of the Interior directed its staff, including National Park Service staff, to keep national parks as accessible as possible while still obeying the law. This means that approximately a third of our national park sites are completely closed, including places like presidential homes, museums and cultural sites with buildings that can be locked. Gates at many other park sites remain open, but few if any staff are on hand to protect visitors and park resources, and many visitor centers and restrooms remained locked and roads are closed due to weather.”

Austin points out that many parks remain partially open. While this may be good for the public and the gateway communities that rely on park visitors for their livelihood, it also poses certain risks such as the unlawful use of park resources like off-limits camping, harassment of wildlife, off-road driving, trash and vandalism.

“This is where national park travel with a professional tour company can be the best alternative,” points out Austin. “Our veteran guides are naturalists who don’t pass a chewing gum wrapper without picking it up. If a trailhead is closed due to fire damage or aggressive wildlife sightings, we have another option in place. I feel confident that if we are faced with such partial park closures in the future, our groups will adhere to the highest code of back country ethics with our guides sharing and setting positive examples for all.”

“We remain confident the shutdown will end soon, and the parks will get back to their mission established with our first National Park back in 1872: ‘For the enjoyment and betterment of the people’,” Austin said. “Without getting political, the current situation is unfortunate and unnecessary. The only people it is hurting right now are the government employees furloughed and the small businesses in and around our National Parks. But it has also got the public worried about how it might affect their vacation plans.”

The fact remains, suggests Austin, that booking a National Park vacation now may be a great way to put the unrest of our country out of mind. It is more positive to anticipate breathtaking views, stronger family bonds, and invigorating adventure instead.

Lemons really can be made into lemonade. An enthusiastic travel partner of the positive lifestyle brand, Life is Good, Austin Adventures is committed to living out their 10 Super Powers. In the case of dealing with a government shutdown, creativity, openness, humor and optimism have come in handy.

For the sake of the communities, businesses and furloughed National Park Service employees that contribute greatly to the ethos of national parks in the West, Austin Adventures hopes for a swift resolution to this most recent government shutdown.

But in the meantime, the company is open for business and ready to help travelers explore some of America’s most precious parcels of public land.

For more information, questions and trip availability, call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected]. For a full roster of Austin Adventures’ 2019 trips, cruises and distinctive accommodations on seven continents visit www.austinadventures.com.

To access the 2019 digital catalog or order a print copy, go to www.austinadventures.com/request-catalog/.

Austin Adventures is a Travel + Leisure Magazine World’s Best Award Winner and a Virtuoso Preferred Tour Operator.

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, hiking, National Parks

Austin Adventures Expands Grand Canyon Offerings, Special Perks to Honor National Park Service Centennial

November 28, 2018 MoralCompass

*Austin Adventures is inviting guests to “Go Grand” with them, offering perks and special surprises on all of their Grand Canyon tour departures in 2019 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com*

BILLINGS, MT – After six million years the Grand Canyon and its liquid heartbeat, the Colorado River, have more than a few stories to tell. But it was the National Park Service one century ago that began registering and interpreting these stories for some six million domestic and international visitors annually.

The official Grand Canyon National Park centennial takes place on Feb. 26, 2019. And Austin Adventures, a leading active travel company that frequents the cream of America’s iconic parks of the West, is inviting guests to “Go Grand” with them, offering perks and special surprises on all of their Grand Canyon tour departures in 2019.

To mark and help celebrate the Grand Canyon’s Centennial:

Each trip will feature an educational element – the most exciting and interesting places to explore and it cultural and natural history – introduced by expert guides knowledgeable in the geology of the Grand Canyon. Local walk-on experts will interact with groups as situations allow. Specific attention will be paid to the amazing geography but also to the significant history of the people, including the 21 traditional associated tribes calling the Grand Canyon their home.

Austin Adventures’ logo day packs will be gifted to kids ages 12 and under who are guests on a tour. Each pack is full of Grand Canyon memorabilia, keepsakes and educational material such as a field guide, map and activity book.

Adults will have $100 donated in their name by Austin Adventures to the Grand Canyon Conservancy that is the official, nonprofit partner of the park (https://www.grandcanyon.org/)

Extra educational elements will be woven into a visit to the South Rim in conjunction with Grand Canyon Conservancy.

“There is no question as to why the Grand Canyon is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the natural world. A must-see on everyone’s bucket list, we at Austin Adventures have been sharing the “big ditch” with adventure seekers for over two decades,” adds Dan Austin, company founder and president. “You really need to do more than just view it from an overlook, you must journey inside and experience it to really understand its magnitude and magnificence!”

In 2019 there will be nine departures of Austin Adventures’ Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park Vacation (up from seven in 2018). Of these, seven trip dates are family-focused and two are for adults-only. Six-day family departures are March 17, 24; June 30; July 7, 14, 21, 28. The rates are $2,998 for adults and $2,398 to $2,698 for children in shared accommodations. See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/arizona-family-grand-canyon/.

Six-day adult-only departures are in the fall when kids are back in school, Sept. 22 and 29. The rate is $2,998 ($580 single supplement). See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/grand-canyon-vacation-tour/.

And in the spirit of celebration, Austin Adventures is also introducing a new-for-2019 program; Arizona/Utah: Grand Canyon to Bryce & Zion. This expertly crafted 8-day journey wraps together three national parks using Las Vegas as the gateway. Guests journey into the mysterious depths of the Grand Canyon, hike through the stone forest hoodoos and spires of Bryce and navigate the world-renowned Narrows of Zion Park. The per person rate is $3,598 ($680 single supplement). Departures in 2019 are May 5-12, May 15-22 and May 25-June 1. See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/grand-canyon-bryce-zion-2/

For more information, questions and trip availability, call 1.800.575.1540 or email [email protected]. For a full roster of Austin Adventures’ 2019 trips, cruises and distinctive accommodations on seven continents please visit http://www.austinadventures.com.

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent over 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. They have been acknowledged twice by Travel + Leisure Magazine with the prestigious World’s Best Awards along with other national media accolades and distinctions. Austin Adventures has perfected the art of creating itineraries featuring exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, incredible guides and exhilarating activities, all while keeping all-inclusive rates and services the norm. In addition to scheduled group departures on all seven continents, Austin Adventures has developed a reputation as the leader in customized trip planning and execution, all backed by the industry’s best money-back satisfaction guarantee. Austin Adventures is a Virtuoso Preferred Tour Operator.

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Yosemite National Park: Best Valley Hikes for First Timers

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family-friendly adventures, National Parks, Resorts

Yosemite National Park Adventures Abound in Spring (with Discounts) at Tenaya Lodge

March 9, 2018 MoralCompass

*Hiking the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Park in spring. Tenaya Lodge is located a short drives away from the entrance gate. © Karen Rubin/ goingplacesfarandnear.com*

FISH CAMP, Calif.— Springtime at Tenaya Lodge at the doorstep to Yosemite National Park features the long-awaited re-opening of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, fun new open-air adventure tours by jeep, luxury buses and motorcycles and the opportunity to savor the flavors of the High Sierra at a special craft beer event. What’s more, guests can take advantage of a family-friendly spring package, plus seasonal spa treatments and the return of popular warm weather activities like mountain biking, swimming and guided hikes to create the perfect getaway.

Here are four great reasons to take a spring break at Tenaya Lodge in 2018:

Be the First to Rediscover the Giant Sequoias at Mariposa Grove

Just a short 10-minute drive from Tenaya Lodge, the popular Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is slated to reopen to the public June 15 after an extensive four-year restoration. Guests will once again be able to walk among the splendor of the big trees, some of which are thousands of years old. Intended to restore the grove’s ecology and increase its resilience, the restoration project also has resulted in an enhanced visitor experience that includes a new parking area and information station, new hiking trails, an accessible boardwalk and modernized restrooms. In celebration of the grove’s reopening, Tenaya Lodge is offering a Big Trees Package that includes overnight accommodations and a giant sequoia sapling for guests to take home and plant as a reminder of their vacation. The package also includes other discounted keepsake souvenirs such as Living Among Giants, a book written and illustrated by local watercolor artist and naturalist Shirley Spencer.

For more information and updates on the official Mariposa Grove opening date, visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/mariposagrove.htm.

Yosemite Luxury Bus + High Sierra Jeep + Eagle Rider Tours

Just two miles from the south gate to Yosemite National Park, Tenaya Lodge is giving guests one-of-a-kind access to the area’s breathtaking waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers and awe-inspiring views with a trio of new open-air tour options.

For those who want to go luxe, Tenaya’s Mercedes-Benz Open-Air Tour Bus offers the ideal, stress-free option for exploring Yosemite Valley. The only of its kind in Yosemite National Park, the 19-person buses feature panoramic retractable roofs for unique access to the fresh mountain air and stunning views. Offered seven days a week, guests depart from the resort with a local guide and spend the day touring Yosemite Valley with stops at scenic landmarks such as Wawona, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, El Capitan Meadow and Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Tours can be booked through the resort concierge. Rates for the spring season start March 16 at $145 for adults, $135 for active military or seniors and $80 for children under 12.

Adventure-seekers in the mood to kick up some dust can opt for the resort’s new Sierra Jeep Tours. Thanks to a recent partnership with Tenaya Lodge, Sierra Jeep Tours provide resort guests with a thrilling exploration of the great outdoors. The tours wind up secluded forest service roads to reach the historic Devil’s Peak fire lookout with expansive views of Sierra National Forest. Jeep tours start at $249 and can be booked online or through the resort concierge.

And, just to satisfy all tastes and desires, coming soon to the property are EagleRider Motorcycle and Slingshot adventures. Visitors can ride the beauty of the Yosemite-High Sierra Region and let the fresh air envelope them from head to toe. EagleRider Rentals, exclusively from Tenaya Lodge, will include Harley Davidson/Indian motorcycles, as well as sleek and sporty three-wheel Slingshots which don’t require a motorcycle license to enjoy.

Discover New Flavors During Tenaya’s Inaugural Craft Beer Weekend

While the resort offers local craft beer all year round, including the signature Tenaya Red IPA by South Gate Brewing company, this spring Tenaya is pulling out all the stops and throwing its inaugural “High Sierra Hops” craft beer event. Beer aficionados can indulge their taste buds in some of the best craft beer the High Sierra has to offer at the weekend event, June 1-3, 2018. A joint venture between Tenaya Lodge and South Gate Brewing Company in Oakhurst, Calif., festivities will include an exclusive beer pairing dinner, live entertainment, games, delicious eats, souvenir keepsakes and, of course, brews. Visitors can come for the day or purchase a weekend package that includes accommodations and VIP to access to the beer dinner.

Special Spring Rates

From now through June 21, 2018, visitors can save 10 percent on rooms when staying two nights or more. Guests can book online at www.tenayalodge.com using promo code SPRING10. Or, families will enjoy Tenaya’s Spring Break Family Package that’s equipped with both indoor and outdoor adventure options. The two-night package includes a seven-day Yosemite National Park Pass, guided hike or ice skating session (dependent on weather) and a complimentary in-room movie experience with all the goods including assorted candies and popcorn. The package is available March 15 through April 15, 2018 and starts at $325 per night.

Kids wearing neon-glowing necklaces (as much to keep track of them, along with periodic coyote yells) examine a small seed by flashlight on the nightly walking tour in the forest around Tenaya Lodge © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is an all-season resort framed by noble evergreen forest and a rich range of Sierra recreation. The lodge, set adjacent to Yosemite National Park’s South Gate at an elevation of 5,288 feet, offers 302 rooms, suites and mountain cottage accommodations. Tenaya Lodge offers easy access to Yosemite’s iconic attractions and many guests savor the alpine serenity of Ascent Spa at Tenaya Lodge. Resort dining options run the table from casual to candlelit at Sierra, Jackalope’s, Timberloft and Embers restaurants.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, 1122 Highway 41 Fish Camp, CA 93623, 888-514-2167. For more information and reservations, visit www.tenayalodge.com.

Yosemite National Park: Surprising Diversity, Dramatic Scenes Hiking Chilnualna Falls Trail, Wawona

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, Multisport adventures, National Parks

Austin Adventures’ New MultiSport Vacation Encompasses 3 Rocky Mountain National Parks

March 9, 2018 MoralCompass

*Austin Adventures has just launched a multisport vacation encompassing Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.*

BILLINGS, MT–Austin Adventures, a specialist in multisport vacations in national parks, has just launched a new way to experience three iconic Rocky Mountain destinations in one immersive journey. Over eight active days this summer, guests will go hiking, rafting and horseback riding through Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks while recharging each night at distinctive lodges.

Austin Adventures’ new-for-2018 Montana & Wyoming Rockies Adventure collects guests in Jackson, WY, where the week-long expedition begins. There’s time to explore this Wild West town before settling into the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa located on seven lush acres adjacent to the National Elk Refuge and just a few blocks from Jackson’s lively town square. Welcome to the heart of the Rockies.

These mountains, constituting the spine of North America, rise thousands of feet out of the prairie, dividing the continent and providing some of the most dramatic and geologically diverse landscapes in the world. Those who have chosen to make their lives here are, among others, the guides, wait staff and innkeepers who interact with guests, sharing their understanding of this landscape while passing on love and lore.

“Our mantra is to engage as many senses as possible on an Austin Adventure,” says Dan Austin, founder and visionary director (https://www.austinadventures.com/).

Guests will…

hike up to seven miles on easy to moderately strenuous terrain, ever alert for grizzly bears, bison, wolves, coyotes, elk, pronghorns – and wildflowers;
horseback ride into the Bridger Teton National Forest, climbing 2,000 vertical feet to overlook Snake River Canyon;
whitewater raft on class II-III rapids through Wyoming’s Snake River Canyon;
glide down zip lines under towering limestone cliffs, and come face-to-face with mountain goats grazing on mountainsides of wildflowers;
swim and soak in an oversized Olympic pool fed by a virtually unlimited supply of 155-degree natural hot spring water;
gaze 1,000 feet down into the V-shaped gorge of the color-splashed walls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
learn the geological differences between three magnificently dissimilar national parks all within a geographically small area;
investigate Yellowstone’s four geothermal features: spouting geysers, steaming hot springs, hissing fumaroles and bubbling mud pots.

Excursions from Jackson Hole will first introduce guests to the wonders of the Grand Tetons. Then moving into Yellowstone territory, guests are guided to views of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone on a backcountry hike that favors moose and elk sightings over the distant din of summer crowds. Arriving at Canyon Lodge there’s the opportunity to step back from technology and embrace lodging in the country’s oldest national park while chatting fireside with new-round friends. Departing the park at the West Gate, a 110-year-old Montana homestead, 320 Guest Ranch, offers cowboy comfort along the Gallatin River that winds through sage and towering pines. The movie A River Runs Through It was filmed nearby.

The scenic drive north to Glacier National Park is interspersed by a stop at the famous pools of Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Guests spend a night here before heading to Whitefish, Montana, and two nights at the Grouse Mountain Lodge, one of the region’s finest. A day is spent exploring Glacier Park with a hike along the Highline Trail (also known as the Garden Wall) to Haystack Butte and back. A drive along the famed Going to the Sun Road reveals an alpine environment that wows with its wildflowers, precipitous peaks and an occasional mountain goat or bighorn sheep. A final gondola ride up Whitefish Mountain to soak in the breathtaking views precedes a transfer back to the Kalispell airport for the inevitable return home.

The per person double rate is $3,998 ($80 single supplement). Departures in 2018 are July 15 and July 25. The rate includes accommodations; all meals (except one on-own dinner); fully trained, first-aid-certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners; all necessary equipment for scheduled activities; vehicle support and land transportation during the trip; Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service; pre-departure and packing information; and incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.

For details see https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-wyoming-rockies-adventure/. A recent blog about the sights seen on this adventure can be found at https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/best-of-the-west/
Contact Austin Adventures at 800-575-1540, email [email protected] or visit www.austinadventures.com.
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Adventure Travel, family-friendly adventures, National Parks

Austin Adventures Weaves In and Out of Yellowstone on Montana Multisport Vacation Journey

March 9, 2018 MoralCompass

*Austin Adventures is offering a carefully crafted, six-day Montana Vacation Package that focuses on adventures inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.*

BILLINGS, MT– A vast Yellowstone eco-system spanning Wyoming, Idaho and Montana is a world of wonder lost to most visitors whose eyes are only on one prize — Yellowstone National Park. Austin Adventures, a pioneer in active, multisport travel for adults and families, is offering a carefully crafted, six-day Montana Vacation Package from $2,698 per adult that focuses on adventures outside of Yellowstone National Park while dipping inside park boundaries for such must-sees as Old Faithful. Adult-only trip departures in 2018 are July 1 and 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 2 and 9. A version designed just for families (with youth pricing) is offered June 10, 17 and 24, July 8, 15 and 29, Aug. 5, 12 and 19. The host city is Bozeman, MT.

An extra advantage to guests on this itinerary is that they will be touring with the leading provider of best-in-class travel in this region, stretching from river-carved Gallatin Canyon and mountainous Paradise Valley to Old Faithful and beyond. This is the wild, wild West where Austin Adventures’ staff live, work and play. The company’s in-depth knowledge of the surprises buried in this home turf equate to unparalleled opportunities for active travelers to open their senses in this still untamed world.

Guests on this active itinerary will…

Hike two to six miles on easy to difficult terrain including a trek to a U-shaped glacial cirque in Big Sky’s secluded backcountry and a hike full of surprises to the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Horseback Ride with a bona fide, fourth generation Montana cowboy into the Absaroka Mountains with viewpoints overlooking all of Paradise Valley and the Gallatin Mountain Range (no experience necessary).
Raft Class II-III rapids through postcard-perfect canyons and ranchlands on the Yellowstone River (no experience required).
Tour Hayden Valley in search of elk, bison, wolf and bear, utilizing scopes and binoculars when necessary to view these animals from a safe distance.
Soak in the soothing natural waters of historic Chico Hot Springs Resort after a day spent wandering through the wilds of Montana.
Zip line across the Gallatin River in the land where the movie A River Runs Through It was filmed.

At 22 million acres, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is 10 times the size of Yellowstone Park. Austin Adventures’ Montana Vacation explores the northern portion of this spectacular region in detail while also hitting many of the iconic highlights of Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin, home to the largest collection of geysers in the world, Grand Canyon and the Lower Falls of Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springs and much more.

The rate includes five nights accommodation; all meals (except one on-own dinner); services of fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners; use of activity-related equipment; vehicle support and land transportation; Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle and luggage tags; luggage service; pre-departure and packing information and incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.

Accommodations include Chico Hot Springs Resort, home to one of Montana’s best restaurants, tucked into the foothills of the Absaroka Mountains. Here guests can luxuriate in Chico’s hot spring-fed pools in the midst of one of the most “Montana” landscapes imaginable. Guests also experience a 110-year-old homestead, 320 Ranch, reshaped with cowboy comforts as a Montana guest ranch. And near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Canyon Lodge and Cabins provide rustic accommodations that allow guests to step back from technology and embrace togetherness in the country’s first national park.

For details see https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-big-sky-yellowstone-paradise-valley (adult-focused itinerary) and https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-family-vacation/ (family-focused).

Austin Adventures also offers these other northern Rockies trips.
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/wyoming-family-yellowstoneteton/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/yellowstone-family-vacations/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-wyoming-western-adventure/
https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/glacier-park-vacations-tour/

Contact Austin Adventures at 800-575-1540, email [email protected] or visit www.austinadventures.com.

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family-friendly adventures, hiking, National Parks, US Travel

Austin Adventures Facilitates Vacations in America’s Over-Popular National Parks

May 15, 2017 MoralCompass

Hiking up the Mist Trail alongside Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park. National parks are ideal for summer family vacations, so much so, they are overrun. Tour operator like Austin Adventures not only has hotel space, but can facilitate the visit to minimize crowds © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Last year, a record setting 331 million people visited a national park in the U.S. 2015 had earlier set the record at 307 million visitors. Over the last two years there has been a 13 percent visitor increase overall. This is a trend that experts say is here to stay.

The good news is that more and more people are enjoying America’s “best idea.” The downside is that roads, pull-overs and entrance stations are more crowded than ever, parking is hard to find, campgrounds are booked full by noon, restaurant reservations are difficult to secure and for those waiting too long to book lodging, there’s no room left at the inn.

Because vacation time is too precious for such factors as frustration and anxiety, advance vacation planning that includes putting a professional tour operator in charge of the logistics can help buy peace of mind and a better overall experience.

“When a national park is in the equation, a good tour company can give you the kind of quality park vacation that just might not be possible on your own,” said Dan Austin, President of Austin Adventures, a leader in family-focused, multisport vacations here and abroad.

Austin’s company offers a good reason of why one should consider a tour operator for a national park vacation. “We have stayed ahead of the growth curve by adding capacity and trip departures. We also work hard to block the best rooms inside a park, a year or more in advance.” This is an investment (and risk) to the tour operator, having to secure everything so far into the future. But in Austin Adventures’ case, it has been a winning strategy.

Where an individual or family may find frustration going it on their own, booking through an operator can make the process pain-free. A tour operator has the rooms, the restaurant reservations and sightseeing logistics all worked out. They alleviate parking woes by dropping guests off at a trailhead and picking them up at a different spot later. They can also avoid the masses because they know where the crowds aren’t as well as the best times to be there (on Austin’s Yellowstone Park trips they often avoid the crowds at Old Faithful by visiting at sunrise – a short walk from their lodge).

“Guests benefit from our expertise, ‘insider’s knowledge and long-standing park connections,” Austin said.

Tour operators know the area, inside and outside the park, as well as the best places to stay, eat, view wildlife, etc. They have highly trained guides who are focused on customer service, safety and security, as well as having fun, said Rick Hoeninghausen, Director of Sales & Marketing for Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Quality tour operators often build in special touches that enhance the experience for their guests. For example, Austin Adventures will surprise their guests with fresh made ice cream and fruit parfaits served along the hiking trail.

Some of Austin Adventures’ most popular National Park family itineraries include Yellowstone Family Adventure, Yosemite National Park Multisport, Grand Canyon Family Vacation & Tour, and the Bryce and Zion National Park Tour in Utah. For information on all of the company’s National Park adventures, see: http://www.austinadventures.com/national-park-vacations/

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, pre-set and custom-designed small group tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

For information on Austin Adventures, www.austinadventures.com, call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected].

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Moab Adventure Center Gears Up for Families During National Parks Centennial Celebration

July 20, 2016 MoralCompass

Moab Adventure Center just 4.5 miles from Arches National Park and 30 miles from Canyonlands National Park, is gearing up for a rush of families who have marked 2016, the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, as the “it” year for visiting “America’s Best Idea.”

MOAB, UT– Moab Adventure Center, just 4.5 miles from Arches National Park and 30 miles from Canyonlands National Park, is gearing up for a rush of families who have marked 2016, the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service, as the “it” year for visiting “America’s Best Idea.”

Creating a family vacation in Moab is easy enough once the family has decided how many days they can be in the region. Then it’s a matter of getting everyone up and out early so that at least two activities can be scheduled each day.

Families with children ages 5 and up can discover some of the most scenic canyons in the Southwest from the unique perspective – and excitement – of rafting through rushing but playful whitewater. Half and full-day as well as two day programs inclusive of overnight camping and meals can be arranged. Half-day rates start at $60 for adults and $40 for youth. See: http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/rafting/

A Two-Day Raft & Camp package at $265 for adults and $195 for youth places families on an overnight adventure along the Colorado River. Come dinner the first evening the food miraculously surfaces from a dutch oven before bedding down in tents under the stars. All food, gear, guide fees and equipment are provided. http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/rafting/twoday.php

Off-road 4×4 excursions make a wonderful family experience for all ages. Professional guides operate custom Hummer® vehicles with raised seating in the rear for optimum passenger viewing while climbing to the top of seldom-seen, awe-inspiring Moab overlooks. Scenic outings are for two or four hours and at sunset. Rates are from $83 for adults and $51 for youth ages 3-15. http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/hummer/

Families can extend their budget by purchasing a pre-set activities and lodging package such as the Rock & River Package that includes a two-hour Hummer Safari in the morning and a five-hour river rafting trip in the afternoon. The rate is $149 per adult and $107 per youth for this guide-enhanced immersion in Nature. http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/packages/

Older youth may want to do some slick-rock mountain biking and zip lining; everyone can partake of hiking, guided or not; and just possibly Mom and Dad can get away for a romantic hot air balloon ride over the mysteries this landscape holds.

Families may also opt to hire a private tour guide for a day or longer. The guide can also take over much of the decision-making and provide that other-person-buffer families sometimes appreciate to keep things running smoothly. The best hiking trails, views, discoveries of petroglyphs and Indian lore, and hidden places for stand up paddle boarding all play into the many activities and experiences that a guide can arrange. http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/trips/private-tours/

To make it easier to get to Moab there’s a new air service from Salt Lake City and Denver into the region. San Francisco-based Boutique Air provides passenger airline service to Canyonlands Field Airport. It provides two flights daily to Salt Lake City at $59 per flight and one flight daily to Denver at $79. The airline will provide five flights per day during Moab’s busy tourist season.

Moab Adventure Center is at the epicenter of nature-themed rather than theme park-style adventure, promising activities that include rafting, jet boating, stand up paddle boarding, hiking, mountain biking and hot air ballooning. Hummer safaris, rock climbing, canyoneering and horseback riding are also popular. Many of these activities are conducted with guides, an arrangement that helps preclude the kind of impact to the land that can happen when uneducated visitors venture into areas where they perhaps shouldn’t be. Guides help people understand how and where they can move through back country areas with the least trace possible.

Year-round occupancy for the area’s 3,500 beds runs between 74 and 80 percent, primarily from March through November. While availability on Moab Adventure Center’s rafting, hot air balloon and other activities can usually be accommodated, lodging may be an issue and people should book accommodations well in advance.

For pre-trip-planning and reservations,visit the Moab Adventure Center website where a catalogs, trip guides and the Moab Insider’s Guide can be ordered. See http://secure.moabadventurecenter.com/express/inquiry/ or call 866-904-1163.

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Family Adventure Tour Operator Invites Kids to Join April 16 Webinar on National Parks

April 13, 2016 MoralCompass

Austin Adventures will engage youngsters and parents in a 45-minute webinar on Saturday, April 16, on the wonders of our National Parks and why they are so important to our national spirit and identity.

Billings, MT– In honor of National Parks Week April 16-24, award-winning tour operator Austin Adventures will engage youngsters and parents in a 45-minute webinar on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Noon EDT. The wonders of our National Parks will be discussed along with why they are so important to our national spirit and identity.

Kasey Austin, Outside Magazine’s Family Guide of the Year (2014) and V.P. of Operations, will be leading this informative, interactive webinar. Kids can whet their adventure appetites learning about incredible park wildlife, ecosystems, and some unusual history of some of our most iconic National Parks.

The purpose of the webinar is, said Dan Austin, Austin Adventures’ founding director, “to make visiting our National Parks a fun and enticing learning experience. We’ll share our insights on how families can make the most of a park vacation allowing plenty of time for questions and comments.”

Austin Adventures, an active travel company offering family adventure vacations on seven continents, is inviting both kids and parents to join this free webinar on Saturday, April 16 at Noon EST. The first 25 attendees to sign up will be awarded with an Austin Adventures’ goody bag plus their family will also receive a $250 trip voucher good for any 2016 Austin Adventure.

In addition, for families with a 4th grade student aboard, as advocates of the National Park Foundation’s Every Kid in the Park initiative, Austin Adventures is waiving trip fees for all 4th graders traveling on any National Park adventure with them in 2016. (See www.austinadventures.com/find-your-park/, offer subject to certain conditions)

To register for the online webinar, go to: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3197329609788822273.

Nearly a dozen National Park trips are on Austin Adventures’ current 2016 schedule. All adult rates are per person, double occupancy.

Grand Canyon National Park: 6-days/5-nights from $2,798; children from $2,238.
Kenai Fiords National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,498; children from $2,798.
Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.
Yellowstone National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.
Grand Teton National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,998; children from $2,398.
Yosemite National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,638.
Glacier National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,898.
Arches & Canyonlands National Parks: 6 days /5 nights from $2,698; children from $2,158.
South Dakota – Black Hills (Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments / Wind Cave NP): 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.
California – Death Valley National Park: 5 days/4 nights from $2,598.
Oregon – Crater Lake National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798.

To receive print and or digital copies of the 2016 Family Adventures and Adult Adventures catalogs, please go to: www/austinadventures.com/request-catalog/ . For more information about Austin Adventures programs in National Parks please see: http://www.austinadventures.com/national-park-vacations/. To inquire about destinations and trips or to make reservations please call (800) 575-1540 or email [email protected].

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. Austin Adventures is a proud member of the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

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