iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Some people buy a fancy new sports car for their midlife crisis. I decided to become an outdoor travel blogger and content creator at 41 after leaving my decade+ long career as a professor. I’m not sure which of us is more delusional. 😂

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Today is the first day since I was 3 that I haven’t been a student, a teacher, a homeschool mom (or on maternity leave). The first day of school hits differently when I’m on this side of things!

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

After years of resisting all things video, I've started a YouTube channel! My goal is to create complementary videos for my blog posts, so if you're not into reading long itineraries, you can now watch them instead. :) Give me at follow at www.youtube.com/@campingkiddos

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Camping Kiddos

Let's get you out there! Find easy, accessible guides on kid-friendly hiking trails, family campgrounds, and national parks itineraries, as well as road trip routes, camping and hiking tips, and outdo...

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

There are 8 weekends left between now and Labor Day. And that means 8 more opportunities to go camping with your kids before the season ends. #familytravel #camping

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Summer camp? Nah. Summer camping? Definitely.

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Looking for an easier trail in Yellowstone that still packs plenty of interest? Add the Artists Paintpots Trail to your itinerary. You’ll see milky blue hot springs, iron red steam vents, vats of mud pots + long range views of the mountains. www.campingkiddos.com/blog/artists... #nationalpark

campingkiddos.com

Artists Paint Pots Trail Guide in Yellowstone National Park

This comprehensive trail guide breaks down the Artists Paint Pot trail, one of the best easy hikes in Yellowstone, with tips and suggestions for a great visit.

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Looking for a road trip idea for your next family adventure? Head to New England! Suggested route: Boston, MA > Portland, ME > Boothbay, ME > Bar Harbor, ME > Woodstock, NH > Woodstock, VT > Boston #roadtrip #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Thinking about visiting Glacier NP with your kids this summer? Here's a quick overview of what's changed recently and the kid-friendly must-dos while you're there. #familytravel #nationalparks

open.substack.com

Visiting Glacier in 2026: What's Changed and What's Staying the Same

Or, why Glacier absolutely needs to be on your family's radar

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Did you know that you're standing on top of a super volcano when you visit Yellowstone National Park? That's the reason that Yellowstone is home to about half of the entire world's active geysers! #nationalpark #parkchat #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Sequoia National Park perfect for kids who want to see BIG trees, and go hiking and camping. You can visit the 2 largest trees on Earth, explore underground on the Crystal Cave tour, walk through house-sized trees, get your Junior Ranger badge, and learn at the Giant Forest Museum. #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Whether you're a biological dad, stepdad, grandpa, uncle, foster parent, or guardian, Happy Father's Day to all of those outdoorsy guys who are helping instill a love of nature in the next generation! #familytravel #happyfathersday

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

We've camped all over the U.S., but one of our favorite places to camp is at Oconee State Park near Walhalla, South Carolina. There are over a hundred sites for RV/tent camping. The property has a lake, trails, paddleboats, swimming area, a playground & even line dancing in the summer! #camping

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

This week's kid-friendly trail takes us to Victor, CO, where you can go on a troll hunt for the Rita the Rock Planter sculpture. The easy 0.5 mile trail leads to the recycled art piece by Thomas Dambo. Have you seen any of the Dambo trolls? If so, which one? #familytravel #hiking

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Summer feels like adventure to me. Where you are heading out to explore soon? #familytravel #outdoors

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

I’m currently in that post-adventure state where I’m reeling from the beauty of the places we saw + the incredible family time we had, but also sad that it’s all over and itching to start planning another trip. It’s a complicated emotion. (Picture at Pinnacles NP, CA) #parkchat #nationalparks

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Thanks for a great #parkchat tonight, everyone! Mark your calendars for next week’s chat at 9 PM.

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q12: Finally, if you were convincing a friend or your family members to try a spring national park trip instead of a traditional beach retreat, what would your pitch be? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q11: Have you ever visited the same national park in spring and another season? What felt completely different between the two visits? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q10: What are some unique opportunities (hikes, programs, experiences, etc.) that you can ONLY have in the national parks in the spring time? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q9: Many of us visit the national parks with the express purpose of wildlife spotting. In spring, that pursuit can be extra special if you happen to see a newborn animal, too. What wildlife have you spotted or encountered this time of the year? Where were you? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q8: Which national park do you think has the best showing of wildflowers and greenery in the spring? Share a photo if you have one! #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q7: Are you a fan of spring camping? Why or why not? What’s been your best spring camping experience in or near the national parks? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q6: Spring shows up in various parts of the country at different times. Between March and June, would you prefer to visit NPS sites that see warmer weather sooner or do you like to extend the cool weather by focusing on areas that don’t see spring-like temperatures until later on? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q5: What national park do you think really shines in the springtime more so than any other time of the year? Why? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q4: Spring drives hordes of students and families to traditional spring break retreats like the Florida coast and theme parks. Do you think that the national parks are a good spring break option, or are there parks that suffer from spring break crowds? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q3: Spring hiking has its distinct ups (wildflowers! Baby wildlife!!) and downs (spring showers! Snow showers!). What specific preparations do you make to ensure a great hike during this time of the year? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q2: If work and school schedules were not a consideration, what season of the year would you choose for a national parks road trip? Why? Where would you go? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Q1: What national park(s) have you visited in the springtime? What made you choose to visit then? #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Hi, everyone! I’m Natalie, a travel writer obsessed with the national parks. My kids and I have visited 28 U.S. national parks & 34 states in the last 3 years, and have driven more than 25,000 miles in our pursuit. Tonight, we’re chatting all things spring in the NPS, so join me at 9 PM. #parkchat

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Come join me TONIGHT at 9 PM as I host this week's #parkchat! We're chatting all things spring in the national parks, and I can't wait to hear everyone's tips for springtime adventures. Photo: my kids at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

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Reposted by Natalie

59nationalparks @59nationalparks.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Wednesday we welcome @campingkiddos.bsky.social to #ParkChat as Natalie presents “Spring into the National Parks”. Sounds fun right? Please join us Wednesday night at 9 PM ET

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Rediscovered a love for my old travel blog (CosmosMariners.com) this month, and I've been hyper-fixating on updating the hundreds of posts there. I'm sad that I let it alone for as long as I did while building up Camping Kiddos. I get too easily distracted on all of my projects!

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

No family trip to New Mexico is complete with a visit to the vast dune fields of White Sands! Read the full kid-friendly guide here: www.campingkiddos.com/blog/white-s... #nationalparks #newmexico #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Did you know that Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America? Some dunes reach up to 750 feet high, and you can even try sandboarding or sledding down them! #nationalparks #parkchat #colorado

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Booked flights to our summer visit to CA! We’re exploring Redwoods NP, Yosemite NP, Lassen Volcanic NP (if the road is clear of snow at that point), Lake Tahoe, and San Francisco. It’s been years since I’ve gone to CA & it will be my kids’ first trip. Send suggestions! #parkchat #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

Overheard at Meteor Crater in Arizona from an elderly lady to what looked like her daughter or daughter-in-law: "I don't want to go in. I don't know why you keep bringing me to holes in the ground!" I'm assuming they'd also been to Grand Canyon recently. 🤣

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59nationalparks @59nationalparks.bsky.social · 01/02/2026

This Wednesday at 9:00 PM #ParkChat is proud to present @beckyjlomax.bsky.social as our special guest host. She’ll be presenting “Cool, Crazy, and Captivating Canyons." and suggests that everyone needs to dig out their pics of canyons! What are you waiting for? @naturetechfam.bsky.social

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

Mountains and rainbows. The perfect combo. (Not pictured: me trying to jump out of our rental car so that I could get this photo of the Grand Tetons.) #nationalpark #grandteton #familytravel

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

This week's kid-friendly trail takes us to Shenandoah National Park and the Limberlost Trail at MM 43. The short loop trail is beautiful in the spring when mountain laurels bloom. There's a free booklet for kids at the trailhead to learn about their 5 senses as they hike! #familytravel #hiking

campingkiddos.com

Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park: A Hiking Guide

Explore the short and kid-friendly Limberlost Trail in Shenandoah National Park with this complete hiking guide and photos.

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

There are 4-6" of snow forecasted for my area of coastal SC, and, if you've ever been to the South in a snowstorm, you know it's going to be wild. We have fully prepared and have: ✔️ a generator ✔️ salty snacks ✔️ sweet snacks ✔️ bottled water ✔️ more snacks I think we're ready.

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Travel fails happen. At best, you get a good story. At worst, you end up thinking you booked a campground in the Catskills, only to start driving and realized you actually booked a campground with a near identical name in Buffalo, NY, 6 hours away. 😂 #travel #roadtrips

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Black Hills Parks & Forests Association @blackhillsparks.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Since the Winter Solstice, we've gained about 50 minutes of daylight. Research shows 20-30 min outside lowers cortisol and improves mood. The world feels heavy. Getting outside helps. Learn more about the science: blackhillsparks.org/science-of-g... #parkchat #NationalParks #ParkRx

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Natalie @campingkiddos.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Want to visit the national parks with your family but don't know where to start? Compare parks, get kid-friendly guides, and see what to bring in my planning resources (organized by park). www.campingkiddos.com/by-park #nationalparks #familytravel

campingkiddos.com

Family National Park Itineraries and Adventures

Take your kids to the national parks with these family itineraries, camping and hiking guides, and road trips!

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