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Tina T.
I need a vacation and have always wanted to go to Alaska. After a little research I decided on Brooks Camp in Katmai National Park to observe brown bears. I'm debating on whether my daughter might be too young for this kind of experience (she'll be almost 5 then). I plan on tent camping for at least 4-5 days. I was just curious to see if anyone has had a similar experience or any tips on camping/backpacking/travel with kids. Thanks!
Answer
We went there with our 5-month old, 9 years ago and I have a number of thoughts.
The reservation agent seemed to think we were crazy, as if we were going leave him on the beach by himself. But made the reservation.
The only problem we had was when our luggage didn't arrive on the jet. We continued on from King Salmon to Brook's Camp and borrowed tents and sleeping bags from the park. Everyone in the campground was very helpful to a fmaily with a infant and no gear. Somehow we stretched the 3 diapers we had until out gear arrived the next day.
The campgrounds themselves have spots for tents and 3-sided, roofed shelters over picnic tables for eating. There is a food cache surrounded by an eletric fence (really) for all your food.
There is a snack bar, a cafeteria for lodging guests, piped water, etc in the central area. Trails lead to the bear viewing areas and groups rotate on to and off of the bear viewing platforms. You're with 10-20 other people when you're watching bears and having a baby along is no risk to any one or any critter. Sure, it sounds exciting, but the riskiest part of the trip will be driving to the airport.
Our 9-year old doesn't remember that trip, of course. But he does remember other trips we took when he was 4 and 5. The first family vacation I remember well from my childhood was when I was 5.
Tricks or traveling with kids? Mmy 4 year old has been to 20 states and 6 countries, my 9 year old to 45 and 13, so I've got a few. Airplane time should have new books and new small games along. A favorite stuffed animal and blanket. Overnight flights are really tough unless they are very experienced and easy travellers.
For us, hotels with breakfast on site are so much easier than mobilizing to a restaurant. Pools are a big hit and good way to burn off some energy. Let them make some of the decisions, like where to eat in the airport.
Aim to do things in 2 hour chunks at that age. It will limit what you do, but keep everyone happy. Accept that part of your "Alaskan" vacation will be playgrounds, swimming pools, and even museums, etc that aren't much different than at home. But when your child says, "we live in a beautiful place" at age 6, maybe going to the trouble to show them around is worth it.
Editted to add: Someone posted about guns, guns, guns. There's a lot of that perspective up here. But if you base your decisions on the numbers: Brook's Camp has never had a fatality or serious injury. You can't say the same for black bears in Yosemite, bison in Yellowstone or even elk in Banff.
And while Alaska has more bear attacks than any other state, it is still only one fatality every other year, compared to 43 drunk driving deaths each year. You're at 86 greater risk from drunk drivers than bears. So skip the guns and bring a breath-a-lyzer! And you've got a 5-year-old! We vastly far more kids to guns around the house than all people in all critter interactions.
The rangers are law enforcement. As such, they have sidearms at all times. If there's a possibility of interacting with a bear (one sleeping along the trail, etc), they come "loaded for bear" with shotguns with rifled slugs. Which, unlike you or I, they know how to use.
Oh, and when academics compare survival rates without an agenda? Pepper spray has a better outcome (for the humans and very much for the bears) on average than firearms.
Come up, enjoy the scenery and the wildlife. Be careful but not fearful. If you want to avoid bears on typical trails, make a lot of noise. If you want to see bears behaving naturally and ignoring humans, go to Brooks Camp or McNeil River State Park.
We went there with our 5-month old, 9 years ago and I have a number of thoughts.
The reservation agent seemed to think we were crazy, as if we were going leave him on the beach by himself. But made the reservation.
The only problem we had was when our luggage didn't arrive on the jet. We continued on from King Salmon to Brook's Camp and borrowed tents and sleeping bags from the park. Everyone in the campground was very helpful to a fmaily with a infant and no gear. Somehow we stretched the 3 diapers we had until out gear arrived the next day.
The campgrounds themselves have spots for tents and 3-sided, roofed shelters over picnic tables for eating. There is a food cache surrounded by an eletric fence (really) for all your food.
There is a snack bar, a cafeteria for lodging guests, piped water, etc in the central area. Trails lead to the bear viewing areas and groups rotate on to and off of the bear viewing platforms. You're with 10-20 other people when you're watching bears and having a baby along is no risk to any one or any critter. Sure, it sounds exciting, but the riskiest part of the trip will be driving to the airport.
Our 9-year old doesn't remember that trip, of course. But he does remember other trips we took when he was 4 and 5. The first family vacation I remember well from my childhood was when I was 5.
Tricks or traveling with kids? Mmy 4 year old has been to 20 states and 6 countries, my 9 year old to 45 and 13, so I've got a few. Airplane time should have new books and new small games along. A favorite stuffed animal and blanket. Overnight flights are really tough unless they are very experienced and easy travellers.
For us, hotels with breakfast on site are so much easier than mobilizing to a restaurant. Pools are a big hit and good way to burn off some energy. Let them make some of the decisions, like where to eat in the airport.
Aim to do things in 2 hour chunks at that age. It will limit what you do, but keep everyone happy. Accept that part of your "Alaskan" vacation will be playgrounds, swimming pools, and even museums, etc that aren't much different than at home. But when your child says, "we live in a beautiful place" at age 6, maybe going to the trouble to show them around is worth it.
Editted to add: Someone posted about guns, guns, guns. There's a lot of that perspective up here. But if you base your decisions on the numbers: Brook's Camp has never had a fatality or serious injury. You can't say the same for black bears in Yosemite, bison in Yellowstone or even elk in Banff.
And while Alaska has more bear attacks than any other state, it is still only one fatality every other year, compared to 43 drunk driving deaths each year. You're at 86 greater risk from drunk drivers than bears. So skip the guns and bring a breath-a-lyzer! And you've got a 5-year-old! We vastly far more kids to guns around the house than all people in all critter interactions.
The rangers are law enforcement. As such, they have sidearms at all times. If there's a possibility of interacting with a bear (one sleeping along the trail, etc), they come "loaded for bear" with shotguns with rifled slugs. Which, unlike you or I, they know how to use.
Oh, and when academics compare survival rates without an agenda? Pepper spray has a better outcome (for the humans and very much for the bears) on average than firearms.
Come up, enjoy the scenery and the wildlife. Be careful but not fearful. If you want to avoid bears on typical trails, make a lot of noise. If you want to see bears behaving naturally and ignoring humans, go to Brooks Camp or McNeil River State Park.
Vancouver to the rockies, 2 week road trip ideas?
Statto
Anyone got any itinerary/accomodation/campground suggestions? Late June; camping/b&b mix, start and finish in Vancouver and want to see Banff, Jasper naturally. Thanks.
Answer
A nice place to sight see & possibly stay is around Valemount BC & Mount Robson (largest peak in the Canadian Rockies). Robson Shadows Campground is a nice base to see the Mtn. You can rent cabins if you prefer that to a tent, also good to go whitewater rafting or even on a gentle float tour from here. Helicopter tours & heli-hiking are also available if that is in your budget. Awesome views! It can be a little cheaper staying in the Valemount area & is about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs drive to Jasper from there depending on how fast you like to drive ;-) . A pretty campground pretty much right in Valemount is called Swift Creek campground. There are also many hotel/motels & B & Bs available in that area too. Rear Guard Falls is a pretty walk. Between Jasper & Banff some nice little rest stop areas to check out are Honeymoon Lake, the water seems to be a little warmer than all the other glacier fed lakes & is even nice to swim in. You can camp here too. Bubbling Springs is a good place to stretch your legs & take a bathroom break. It is right beside the roadway - the water bubbles up from the ground & the sand is kind of pink - just a small spring. Horseshoe Lake is worth the little walk to find it. Very pretty & the water is so clear that from up on the rocky cliffside you can see the fish. The Columbia Ice Fields are worth a look & you can tour in an ice buggy if you want - there are some pretty campsites close by too. Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on Bow Lake is beautiful. I often stop there but have yet to spend a night. You can hike up on the glacier but may need to go with a group.
A nice place to sight see & possibly stay is around Valemount BC & Mount Robson (largest peak in the Canadian Rockies). Robson Shadows Campground is a nice base to see the Mtn. You can rent cabins if you prefer that to a tent, also good to go whitewater rafting or even on a gentle float tour from here. Helicopter tours & heli-hiking are also available if that is in your budget. Awesome views! It can be a little cheaper staying in the Valemount area & is about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs drive to Jasper from there depending on how fast you like to drive ;-) . A pretty campground pretty much right in Valemount is called Swift Creek campground. There are also many hotel/motels & B & Bs available in that area too. Rear Guard Falls is a pretty walk. Between Jasper & Banff some nice little rest stop areas to check out are Honeymoon Lake, the water seems to be a little warmer than all the other glacier fed lakes & is even nice to swim in. You can camp here too. Bubbling Springs is a good place to stretch your legs & take a bathroom break. It is right beside the roadway - the water bubbles up from the ground & the sand is kind of pink - just a small spring. Horseshoe Lake is worth the little walk to find it. Very pretty & the water is so clear that from up on the rocky cliffside you can see the fish. The Columbia Ice Fields are worth a look & you can tour in an ice buggy if you want - there are some pretty campsites close by too. Num-Ti-Jah Lodge on Bow Lake is beautiful. I often stop there but have yet to spend a night. You can hike up on the glacier but may need to go with a group.
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Title Post: Any thoughts on taking an almost 5-year old to Alaska (Brooks Camp)?
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Rating: 100% based on 9998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
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