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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Family trips can be some of life's most fun and memory-filled chapters. Recalling a family visit to one of Utah's world famous outdoor wonderlands can bring smiles and laughter to family get-togethers for many years to come.
But with all that needs to be done during the holiday season, why is now the time to start planning family trips that are perhaps six or more months away? Here are five reasons to consider.
Tis the season for gatherings
With the holiday season soon coming to its peak and when family gatherings are commonplace, now is the very best time to get the trip-planning ball rolling. Deciding on times and trip options that will work for everyone can take some time and a fair bit of discussion, especially when families are separated into different households and circumstances.
Expect a healthy amount of back and forth when trying to decide where to go and what to do on your adventure. It's a natural part of the planning process and it takes time to come to a decision that will work for everyone. The sooner the planning begins the more options are available and the better the chance of success. It's amazing what can be accomplished through quality planning.
Scheduling and reservations
Finding a time that works for all family members is perhaps the hardest part of planning any activity, but it gets exponentially more difficult as the year marches along. The summer months in particular can suffer from schedule gridlock. Settling on a time while still enjoying the holiday season can all but guarantee that come May, August or whenever, the time will be there for that special family trip.
Fodor Travel recently named Utah as its No. 1 travel destination in the world for 2016. It's no secret that the demand for Utah's world-famous outdoors is very high. This can create serious last-minute hiccups in family trip planning when there are limits to campsite, hotel room or permit supplies. Many of Utah's top destinations get scheduled out months in advance. Having a plan three to four months before traveling can greatly decrease those pre-vacation planning headaches.
It's still possible to get lucky. And by all means give it a last-minute try if you want. But it's usually best to make your own luck by planning and making reservations early.
Preparation
There's more to getting ready for an outdoor family adventure than schedules and reservations. The holiday season is a great time to do a little research (funner than it sounds) while the family is gathered together. When one lives in an outdoor mecca like Utah, there are so many unique and thrilling adventures awaiting travelers and families with a little foresight. It can be a ton of fun just looking at the possibilities.
Here are some resources to check out when you are looking for ideas for your next outdoor adventure:
Now's the time to make a whole new type of Christmas list, full of those dreams which may or may not be reachable this year. But by planning early and getting prepared, you'll likely be surprised by which dreams are within your grasp.
Bonuses
There are so many amazing things to do in Utah. Fitting them all into one trip, well, just isn't going to happen. While many top picks may have to wait until next year, the year after, and so on, it's surprisingly easy to fit in a quick weekend adventure when the planning and logistics are mostly done. By planning now, it's more than a little likely that smaller weekend options will present themselves as well.
And here's a little secret — now (as in winter) is a fantastic time for some spontaneous outdoor recreation. Utah is simply gorgeous during the winter months and especially when traveling to the many parts of the state which don't suffer from the extreme seasonal inversions of the Cache, Weber, Salt Lake and Utah Valleys.
The Wilderness Society recently ranked the 20 prettiest national parks in winter, and Utah parks took first, third and 10th place. With smaller crowds, off-season prices, as well as Utah's own unique take on "A Winter Wonderland" visiting Utah's outdoors during winter may be one of the best ideas many Utahns have never had.
Enjoyment
Much like the holidays, family trips can be a ton of fun, but there is work that needs to be done so that things are enjoyable and run smoothly. By getting the ball moving before the coming year even begins and seeing your plan through during the early months of 2016, you'll greatly diminish all too frequent last-minute planning and preparation stresses.
The best Utah adventures are composed of family, fun, preparation, safety, love and respect. Have respect for one another, the elements, the landscape and for the unique wild spaces that help make Utah, Utah.
Mike Godfrey is a graduate of BYU and along with his wife Michelle, the owner/manager of At Home in Wild Spaces an outdoor recreation website, blog and community, dedicated to sharing National Parks, Wilderness Areas, Hiking/Biking Trails, and more.
