15 Vacation Destinations For Families Who Love The Mountains

Big Bear is an easy couple-hour drive from Los Angeles, and once you get there, you won’t even feel like you’re anywhere near LA. In the winter months, Big Bear is popular for skiers and snowboarders; however, in the warmer months, there are plenty of other activities for families! From the farmers market and a chili cook-off to mountain biking, hiking, and boating on the lake, mountain-obsessed families surely won’t want to miss this low-key California vacation destination!

Deadwood, South Dakota, is the perfect place for an adventurous, mountain-loving family to visit! Check out historic museums, gold mines, riding trails, and more while you’re there. There’s literally something for everyone in the family to do!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is located in the heart of the Ozark Mountains and boasts that it is “your extraordinary escape,” so how could you not want to visit this quaint mountain town? From visiting the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and going on paranormal tours (spooky!) to canoeing and checking out the North Arkansas Railway, there will never be a dull moment for your family in Eureka Springs!

When a town has the phrase “the Smoky Mountains are calling” plastered all over it, how could you not want to visit this place if you and your family are mountain enthusiasts? There are tons of hiking and trail options available all around the area, plus the town has a rich history and artsy culture that only adds to its mountain charm.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is the quintessential mountain getaway for families who are obsessed with the mountains. In the summer, enjoy activities like mountain biking, fly fishing, paragliding, yoga, disc golf, and more! There are also camps for kids during the summer, as well as an aerial tram that takes you over 4,000 feet in the air; talk about breathtaking views!

Don’t let the 1999 horror film of the same name fool you — Lake Placid, New York, is an incredible place to vacation during the summer! The town itself is pretty small and has a very cozy feel, but there are plenty of outdoor activities for everyone to do. Take a tour of the Olympic Training Center, hit up one of the many trails in the area, or leisurely stroll down Main Street and do some shopping. If you’re brave enough, you can even try white water rafting!

Lake Tahoe is located in Northern California, straddling the Nevada and California border. Enjoy outdoor activities like kayaking, boating, paddle boarding, hiking, and even rock climbing during the warmer months! There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs to choose from, but if your family is more of the camping type, there are plenty of campsites and spots for RVs around the lake.

There is so much to do in Park City, Utah, you’ll need to book at LEAST a weeklong vacay with your family there! Enjoy everything from beautiful scenic drives, art galleries, and hot air ballooning in the summer to snow sports, tubing, and zip lining in the winter! There are lots of restaurants and shops to visit, too, and plenty of beautiful resorts to stay at!

The mountain town of Stowe, Vermont is the perfect place for you and your family to enjoy some quality togetherness! From fishing, bike tours, and the Ben & Jerry’s factory tour (!!!) to museums, farms, and water activities, there’s surely something that everyone in your pack will enjoy.

Taos is a small, charming town located in New Mexico that has plenty to offer mountain-loving families from all around the country! With “300+ days of sunshine per year,” there are plenty of outdoor activities to participate in, like rafting, kayaking, zip lining, hot air ballooning, and so much more! The city also offers plenty of gorgeous landmarks, museums, and culturally rich tours and activities that everyone will enjoy.

Telluride, Colorado, has that cozy, rustic, small-town feel everyone dreams of! Enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities during the summer months, like horseback riding, camping, golfing, paddle boarding, and even paragliding! What better way to see the gorgeous mountains?

You can’t go wrong booking a vacation in Whitefish, Montana! This quaint mountain town boasts a plethora of summertime activities for your family to enjoy, including hot air ballooning, hiking, coffee roasting tours, and glacier adventure guides. Enjoy fresh, award-winning cuisine that uses the best of Whitefish’s local ingredients, and be sure to hit up the local coffee shops and bakeries!

Located in the heart of New England’s Green Mountains, Woodstock, Vermont, is the perfect place for a quiet yet charming family mountain getaway. From visiting farms and museums to hiking the gorgeous Woodstock trails and grabbing local goodies from the farmers market, this low-key vacation town is just what you and your family need for a relaxing getaway!

Bend is one of the most beautiful cities in the Pacific Northwest! In the summer, enjoy outdoor activities like rafting, hiking, paddle boarding, and fly-fishing (just to name a few). There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and other forms of entertainment that’ll keep your family busy all vacation long.

Located 200 miles south of Anchorage, Homer, Alaska, is one of the most beautiful mountain cities in the United States! There’s no shortage of mountain activities to do here, like hiking, bear watching, fishing, and more. Homer is also known as a “haven for artists of all kinds,” so there are plenty of unique restaurants and museums to visit, too.

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