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North America Vacations for Families and Small Groups

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North America Vacation Packages

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Why Choose Active Adventures

Do It Yourself
With Active Adventures
Hours of research to plan
Expertly planned by professional adventurers
Which accommodations to book?
Premium accommodation booked for you
Which trails to explore? How to book?
Iconic & lesser-known trails booked for you
Which restaurants to suit all?
All meals included: delicious & to suit all
Unguided; reliance on impersonal travel books
Caring guides; passionate about what they do
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Set off on a good old-fashioned North America vacation full of awe-inspiring beauty, off-the-beaten-path wonders, and unforgettable moments.

From our home base in Billings, Montana, many of North America’s beloved destinations and national parks are our weekend playgrounds. With decades of experience guiding adventures across North America, we’re experts at evading the crowds and know how to reveal the best of a destination.

Hike, bike, kayak, raft, and more as you venture off the beaten path on our all-inclusive North America vacations. All you need to do is pick your destination and show up ready to experience an immersive, fun-filled vacation where you’ll make memories to last a lifetime.

What our guests say about their North America Adventure Vacations

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Mighty Five Adventure - September 2023

Hiking the Mighty 5 National Parks from St George to Moab, Utah

"My wife Robin and I just finished a 9 day adventure of the Mighty 5… read more

"My wife Robin and I just finished a 9 day adventure of the Mighty 5 National parks in Utah with Austin Adventures. We had a fantastic time.
Our Guides (Steve and Bryson) were the best!! They took us on wonderful hikes in all the parks averaging 6-8 miles/day. The hotels and food were great. The trip was exciting and something I will remember the rest of my life. "Kudos" Austin Adventures for a job well done. Thank you for the experience of a lifetime. We plan to book another trip in the future. read less

5 Stars (63 reviews)

John,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2023

The Amazing Mighty Five Adventure!!

"WOW! Every aspect of this trip was amazing! It far exceeded my expectations. … read more

"WOW! Every aspect of this trip was amazing! It far exceeded my expectations. The National Parks were absolutely gorgeous; the guides were knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, and FUN! Their personalized touch for each and every one of the travelers was spot on! The hotels, restaurants and food were also perfect for each location. Every aspect of this tour was well planned and thought out. Each hike or activity (canyoning) was well done! Steve and Bryson are wonderful guides! I hope to book another trip soon. read less

5 Stars (63 reviews)

Nadine,

San Juan Islands Adventure - September 2023

Beautiful destination, great guides, and new friends

"San Juan Islands offered amazing vistas, enjoyable itinerary, and the chance to meet new friends.… read more

"San Juan Islands offered amazing vistas, enjoyable itinerary, and the chance to meet new friends. Our friendly guides, Jayson and Steve, were very organized and did an excellent job planning our meals and activities. read less

4 Stars (92 reviews)

Stuart,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2023

The Hut to Hut hike is amazing.

"The Hut to Hut hike is amazing. The scenery is some of the best… read more

"The Hut to Hut hike is amazing. The scenery is some of the best I've ever seen! I was impressed with the guides. Will, Sydney, and Keenan were very knowledgeable regarding the structure of the mountains, the rocks and rock formations, and the foliage in the area. The watched us carefully to make sure we stayed hydrated and ate appropriately. They were fun to be around, and made the hike even more enjoyable. read less

5 Stars (15 reviews)

Deborah,

Yellowstone Adventure - September 2023

Yellowstone awe

"Our Yellowstone Adventure exceeded our expectations and ranks at the top of travel experiences. Our… read more

"Our Yellowstone Adventure exceeded our expectations and ranks at the top of travel experiences. Our guides, Jamie and Zach, treated us like royalty and were very responsive to our needs. The meals they prepared and served were excellent. Having a room with a view of Old Faithful was so unexpected and very cool. The hikes were very manageable, even for seniors like us. Our guides provided lots of encouragement for activities that might have been out of our comfort zones. read less

5 Stars (136 reviews)

Kathleen,

Yellowstone Adventure - September 2023

Yellowstone Adventure

"This was a beyond amazing adventure. I was looking forward to hiking in Yellowstone,… read more

"This was a beyond amazing adventure. I was looking forward to hiking in Yellowstone, but had reservations about zip lining, whitewater rafting and horseback riding. I did them all despite them being outside my comfort zone!!
Staying at the historic Old Faithful Inn and having a room that looked out on Old Faithful was a fantastic beginning to the trip. The meals Zach and Jamie fixed while on the trip were delicious and their knowledge of the area added to the enjoyment. Our last night in Chico was sad because our adventure was over, but also a celebration of the time we’d had together and the memories we made read less

5 Stars (136 reviews)

Louise,

San Juan Islands Adventure - September 2023

Suzanne M Kujat

"The trip was wonderful & the guides excellent & so much fun to be around.… read more

"The trip was wonderful & the guides excellent & so much fun to be around. They were organized (& had Plan B's when needed), helpful, friendly, fun, knowledgeable & very interested in each person on the tour. read less

4 Stars (92 reviews)

Suzanne,

San Juan Islands Adventure - September 2023

Island hopping

"I had a great time in a place I knew nothing about. Jayson and Steve… read more

"I had a great time in a place I knew nothing about. Jayson and Steve did a great job educating us on the history of the SJI and taking us out to do an abundance of activities and keeping us well fed. My husband and I came on this trip because it worked out with another activity scheduled nearby so we had no prior knowledge of the area. We came to find out our group was mostly repeat guests who had taken the Mighty 5 trip during a different week then us; but had the same former guides. We had some fast bonding and we had a great time with this group of people and I hope our guides also enjoyed their week. read less

5 Stars (92 reviews)

katelyn,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - September 2023

Hiking at it's best

"I have to say we were not prepared for the wonders of the Canadian Rockies.… read more

"I have to say we were not prepared for the wonders of the Canadian Rockies. Simply put, we were blown away by the landscape and our guides who were totally devoted to making our trip one we will always remember. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and open, making us feel like part of their family as they showed us their back yard. And what a back yard it is. Living in a city, the isolation in this vast wide open world of the Rockies was a welcome relief from the rush and crush of urban living. And the skies at night, unfettered by city lights, were out of this world. This trip ranks right up there with our trip to Everest Base Camp a few years ago. If you go, be prepared not only to be wowed, but also be fit. This is not a walk in the park. It will test you, but at the end of each day, you will feel like Hillary on top of the world. read less

5 Stars (15 reviews)

Ronald,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - September 2023

Banff/Jaspar Adult Hiking Trip

"To say I was emotionally overwhelmed is an understatement. I have been to a lot… read more

"To say I was emotionally overwhelmed is an understatement. I have been to a lot of beautiful places but this place brought tears. Even with three -maybe four - days of rain, this still was an amazing trip. The glory of the Rockies, the colors of the waters, the simple calmness of the place was a welcome respite from my concrete city life. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

Allison,

Banff & Jasper Adventure - September 2023

Banff and Jasper

"It was an excellent trip. Our two guides, Sydney and Santana were fantastic. We had… read more

"It was an excellent trip. Our two guides, Sydney and Santana were fantastic. We had some rain on two of the days and they were flexible in finding alternatives to our plans so that we could still hike but not be out in the elements too much. The accommodations were fine. The lunches that were prepared were great. The hikes were stunning. read less

5 Stars (117 reviews)

Zell,

Yellowstone, Big Sky & Paradise Valley Adventure - September 2023

Yellowstone Big Sky & Paradise Valley trip

"Our adventure was FABULOUS. We had an absolutely wonderful time. I’ve never finished… read more

"Our adventure was FABULOUS. We had an absolutely wonderful time. I’ve never finished a vacation when I wouldn’t have changed a thing, until this one. Our group ranged from my 20 yo daughter to a 75 yo grandfather. We all clicked from the start and the entire trip was full of laughter and camaraderie. Our guides, Bryson and Zack, took great care of us and gave us the red carpet treatment the entire trip. I felt very spoiled. They showed us things we never would have experienced on our own and cooked us delicious lunches. Every day was different and we kept saying they couldn’t top it the next day, but somehow they kept exceeding expectations. Zack and Bryson made a memorable trip completely unforgettable. read less

5 Stars (118 reviews)

Nancy,

Yellowstone & Grand Teton Adventure - August 2023

Worth every penny

"Trip was extremely well organized from start to finish. All accommodation were above my expectations.… read more

"Trip was extremely well organized from start to finish. All accommodation were above my expectations. Most food options were very good, had a fantastic meal at the Jackson Lake Lodge. The planned activities were amazing and we all had a lot of fun. We had enough time after our planned activities to relax before the meal. 100% would recommend for anyone who wants to see the best of Yellowstone. read less

5 Stars (112 reviews)

Jarred,

Yellowstone & Grand Teton Adventure - August 2023

Yellowstone Grand Teton

"The was a wonderful first experience into this area of the Rocky Mountains. So grateful… read more

"The was a wonderful first experience into this area of the Rocky Mountains. So grateful for the knowledgeable guides and well planned activities that highlighted the grandeur of these volcanic mountains and waterways. read less

4 Stars (112 reviews)

Ellen,

British Columbia Hut to Hut Adventure - August 2023

splendid experience

"This is a wonderful experience. It was challenging, beautiful, and a new part of… read more

"This is a wonderful experience. It was challenging, beautiful, and a new part of BC for myself and the group. Do not underestimate boulder field hiking. The ridge hiking is splendid, with glaciers, mountain ranges and late season wildflowers. read less

5 Stars (15 reviews)

Ted,

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

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Meet Your North America Adventure Guides

North America Adventure FAQs

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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North America Adventure Blogs & Related Stories

Why Travel With Us

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Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.

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Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

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You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!

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Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.

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Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

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"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.