The weather is warming up, and that means summer vacation is right around the corner. This past month was Great Outdoors Month®, but the aspects of the campaign should be at the forefront of our minds all year long. It is a great way to experience healthy, active outdoor family fun in the great outdoors! Last month, we wanted you to bring your outdoor fun into the workplace by wearing your life jacket at work; this summer, we want you to #EscapetheIndoors and experience some of these activities.

Boating

Throughout the nation, Guest Services has outdoor recreational properties that offer a variety of boating options – kayaking canoeing, paddle boating, pedal boats, swan boats, houseboats, and more. Here’s a quick rundown of a few:

Lake Roosevelt Adventures:

• Triple decker houseboats
• Accommodate up to 14 people
• Includes staterooms, bathrooms, central air conditioning, hot tubs, laundry dryer, waterslide, gas BBQ, and other amenities

Boating in Boston and Boating in DC:

• Get life jackets, paddles, cushions, and some basic safety lessons
• Options include swan boats, sailboats, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, row boating, pedal boats, windsurfing, etc.
• Camps and classes also provided

Flamingo Adventures:

• 42-foot houseboat
• Accommodates a maximum of four adults and two children
• Includes two bedrooms, living area, bathroom, kitchen with gas oven/range, refrigerator/freezer, A/C at the dock, screened windows, and more

Cottonwood Cove:

• Six houseboat models ranging from 50’-70’ long
• Accommodates six to twelve people
• Includes living room, dinette seating, fully-equipped kitchen, private bedrooms, queen sofa sleeper, full bath
• Personal watercraft, fishing boat, deck boat, and pontoon boat rentals available

Black Canyon River Adventures:

• Three-hour raft tours of Black Canyon
• Box lunch provided with wrap, chips, apple, cookie, and water

Rainbow Springs:

• Tubing on Rainbow River
• Canoeing or kayaking
  • Launch privately-owned canoes/kayaks
  • Rentals also available

Weeki Wachee:

• Self-guided kayak tour adventures
  • Single and tandem kayak as well as paddleboard rentals available
  • First launch at 8 am and last pick up at Rogers Park at 5 pm
• Private launch
  • Reservations also required

Hiking/Biking

Hiking and biking in nature bring a different perspective on life. You may have a certain route planned, but sometimes, the best views are off the beaten path. Whether you want to be guided on your hiking trip or plan your own adventure on a mountain bike, the following properties provide the best experience for all:

Giants Ridge:

• Two unique purpose-built gravity mountain bike trails
  • Mountain bike trails considered intermediate to advance
• Six hiking trails available
  • Include ones that enter woods, tops of mountains, passes golf courses, and water
  • Ranges from .81 mile loop to almost 4 miles
• Mesabi Trail offers “Lodge to Lodge” shuttles for your return trip back to your lodging when your bike trip is finished.

Big Sur Lodge:

• Multiple easily-accessible trails from lodging
• Surrounded by beautiful redwoods
• Paths include Nature Trail, River Trail, Valley View, and Redwood Deck
  • Varying strolling difficulties from easy to moderate
• Great for those who want to interact with nature without strenuous hiking hills.

Bear Mountain Inn:

• Tuesday – Thursday weekly 4.5-hour fairly-moderate hikes
  • Guided by an NYS-licensed hiking guide
• Explores Doodletown, its reservoir, and historic Bear Mountain
• Hiking boots or sturdy walking shoes strongly recommended
• Suitable for children ages 10 and older

Mount Rainier:

• Trails range in distance
  • 5 to 100 miles round trip
  • See Nisqually Glacier, Carbon Glacier, and Emmons Glacier on trails
• Self-guided nature walks
  • Range from .3 to 1.5 miles
  • Pass mountains, rivers, streams, and foliage

Camping/Lodging

Life’s better when you add fresh air, a warm campfire, bright stars, and s’ mores. No matter what type of lodging you choose – camping, glamping, Rv-ing, cabins – you are sure to find your perfect fit with one of the following:

Echo Bluff State Park:

• Timbuktu Campground
  • 60 full-service sites
  • 12 walk-in sites
• Water, electric, pump-out services provided
• Restrooms strategically placed throughout
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

Willow Beach Marina:

• 45 minutes from Las Vegas, Nevada
• Campground and RV sites available
  • 28 full-service RV sites
  • Nine tent camping sites
• Includes 24-hour shower facility and laundry, restaurant, gift shop, and convenience store
• Pets welcomed (two maximum)
• Wi-Fi

Lodge at Breckenridge:

• Rustic, yet modern accommodations
• Views of the mountains from an elevation of 10,000 feet
• Complimentary sunrise breakfast
• Canine-friendly and ADA-accessible

DoubleTree Naples:

• Delicious warm chocolate-chip cookies straight from the oven upon arrival
• Riverfront pool, modern suites, and private balconies
• Two miles away from Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
• Dolphin-spotting destination
• High-end shopping and golf courses

According to Great Outdoors Month®, a generation ago, kids spent more than four hours a day outside — now, it’s less than 40 minutes per week. Be sure to get outside this summer with the kids because the closer we feel to nature, the greater our concern for it becomes.

Don’t forget to use your 50% employee discount on all Guest Services’ properties!