Of course, it’s tough to resist that delectable dressing and gravy, as well as the pecan pie. So, instead of depriving yourself, work it off by hiking during your holiday break. After all, you can burn hundreds of calories per hour while hiking, and it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with your family and friends.

In Alabama, you’ll find plenty of great hikes that not only burn calories, but also take you to high-mountain views, quiet streams and beautiful waterfalls. When you’re ready to work off your Thanksgiving feast, consider one of the following invigorating hikes.

Pinhoti Trail/Cave Creek Loop

Cool, crisp mountain air and one of the best views of the Talladega Mountains await you when you hike the 6.8-mile Pinhoti Trail/Cave Creek Loop.

This moderate hike begins just northeast of Cheaha State Park at the stone portal of the Cheaha Trailhead on Highway 281. Half of this loop uses Alabama’s famous long path, the Pinhoti Trail, which is appropriate since Pinhoti is an Indian word for “turkey.” Along the Pinhoti section you’ll pass the bronze marker that’s embedded in a granite boulder commemorating the connection of the Pinhoti Trail to the Appalachian Trail. Further along, you’ll reach McDill Point, which offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. To return, you’ll use a connector trail to reach the Cave Creek Trail. In one section you’ll do a little rock scramble, but you’re rewarded with more great views.

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

If you’re looking for quiet solitude in the woods and a fun place to work off the mashed potatoes, take a ramble along the 5.3-miles of trails at the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson.

The preserve is closed on Thanksgiving Day, but it reopens the following day.

The paths range in difficulty from easy to moderate as they wind through a thick forest of pines and hardwoods. During your hike you’ll encounter babbling streams, a boulder field, and the rushing waters of Turkey Creek. Normally, in the summer months the creek is filled with locals and visitors splashing in its icy waters, but in late fall this is a tranquil place where you can rest beside a garden of small waterfalls and let the sound take you away.

Martha’s Falls

How about a water”fall” hike to Martha’s Falls in Little River Canyon. Starting at the Little River Canyon Center, this one is an easy 3.2-mile roundtrip walk. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the deepest canyon east of the Mississippi and visit Martha’s Falls, where tumbling rapids spill into a broad pool. This is also a popular spot in the summertime for a dip in the swimming hole.

Land Trust of North Alabama

Maybe you’d like to get in your exercise before you gobble down all that great food. If that’s the case, join the staff and volunteers of the Land Trust of North Alabama for their annual Thanksgiving Day hike at the Monte Sano Preserve in Huntsville. The preserve has an amazing array of trails with towering bluff lines, old quarry caves, springs, waterfalls, and interesting history.

The organization has been hosting this event for the past 28 years, and the 4-mile out and back trek begins at 9 a.m. at the Bankhead Trailhead and goes to the Three Caves Trailhead. You can also choose to leave a car at the Three Caves Trailhead for a 2-mile one way option.

Written by Joe Cuhaj for RootsRated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

Sitting at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountain chain, Alabama is home to an array of crags and boulder fields that offer climbers many options for bouldering and sport climbing. Because many of Alabama’s best climbing areas are concentrated in the eastern and northeastern parts of the state, it’s possible to hit several of them without driving great distances. Really, it’s an ideal place for an epic climbing road trip, and fall will be here soon, bringing lower humidity and prime conditions for spending time outdoors. So, if you need to escape for a week, alert your friends, gather your gear, and check out our itinerary for an excellent Alabama climbing road trip.

Day 1: Moss Rock Preserve

Moss Rock Preserve

Start your trip just south of Birmingham at a site that was nearly overtaken by development almost 20 years ago.

Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover has become one of the most popular and well-climbed boulder fields in the state. Close to 50 bouldering problems dot the preserve, and you’ll find everything from highballs to sloping mantles. There may be some light graffiti to break up the natural beauty, but the preserve is home to some of the best bouldering in Alabama.

Cap off a great day of climbing with a trip to one of the may area brew pubs, including local favorites Avondale, Good People, Cahaba, and Trim Tab breweries. You can stay the night at Oak Mountain State Park, which has 60 primitive tent camping sites, and six tent sites with electricity.

Day 2: Horse Pens 40

Horse Pens 40 draws climbers from around the world. Curtis Palmer

From Moss Rock Preserve, drive approximately 60 miles to reach your next destination, Horse Pens 40, a mecca of bouldering. It’s privately owned by the Schultz family, who live on the property and make HP40 one of the most hospitable bouldering destinations in the world. Everything you need for this stop on your road trip can be found on-site, including camping, cabin rentals, a bath house, a convenience store, and restaurant. You can even rent crash pads here. The boulder field has been meticulously detailed in a guidebook compiled by Alabama climber Adam Henry.

There are nearly 300 climbs at HP40, and many of the problems are in the V5 range, making this one of the best moderate bouldering sites in America. It’s also known as a great place for fall and winter climbing and hosts a few bouldering competitions each year.

Day 3: Hospital Boulders

From Horse Pens 40, head back to I-59 and travel north toward Gadsden. After you go about 25 miles you’ll reach Hospital Boulders, which is owned and managed by the Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC). For SCC-owned climbing areas you will need a gate code to enter. You can get the code by request on the SCC webpage for each respective area. The 39 acres that make up Hospital Boulders consist of high-quality bouldering, plus some short trad, sport, and top-rope climbs. From the area parking lot, you’ll take an easy hike to reach the boulder field, which sports more than 200 problems.

Camping isn’t allowed at Hospital Boulders, but there are good campsites at Noccalula Falls, less than five miles away. Plus, Gadsden has several chain hotels. During your stay, check out the Back Forty Beer Company, Blackstone Pub and Eatery, or Merrill’s BBQ. Blackstone is a popular late-night pizza kitchen with occasional live music, more than a dozen unique pies, and 42 beers on tap. For quintessential Alabama barbeque, Merrill’s is where it’s at. It’s usually busy, and you might have to wait a while, but they serve some of the best barbeque you’ll ever taste.

Day 4: Cherokee Rock Village (Sandrock)

Cherokee Rock Village (or Sand Rock) offers trad and sport climbing, as well as bouldering. Alan Cressler

Now that you’ve had your fill of bouldering, it’s time for the trad and sport climbing leg of the road trip. From Hospital Boulders you’ll drive about 24 miles northeast to reach Cherokee Rock Village (climbers call it Sand Rock) in Centre.

Climbers have flocked to Sand Rock for decades, but for years they had to share the area with local partiers, and it wasn’t known as the most comfortable spot to climb due to litter and graffiti. Fortunately, site ownership now resides in the hands of Cherokee County, and the park has managers on-site, along with bathrooms, a playground, and camping sites.

You can trad or sport climb here, and also tackle solid boulder problems. It’s known as a spot where beginners can gain experience and veterans can find a new challenge. There is enough room here to spread out to avoid crowding, and the first climb you approach is a mere 100 feet from the car.

Day 5: Little River Canyon

Little River Canyon boasts the toughest sport climbing routes in Alabama. Alan Cressler

Now that you’re warmed up, it’s time for a bigger challenge, so leave Sand Rock and head about 20 miles northeast to Little River Canyon. Not for beginners, Little River Canyon is home to steep sandstone walls that offer the toughest sport climbing in the state. (For more beta, visit mountainproject.com, and get a copy of the “Little River Canyon Climbing Guide.”) Most routes are rated at least 5.11, making this crag a challenge for even the most seasoned climbers.

Little River Canyon is one of the most pristine and scenic areas of the country, but camping isn’t permitted in the canyon itself. Nearby DeSoto State Park has primitive campsites, and you can use the showers in the Improved Campground. If you’re not in the mood for campground cooking, head to Fort Payne and get a belly full of Alabama barbecue at Sally’s Smokin Butt BBQ, or Bar-B-Q Place.

Day 6: Jamestown

On the other side of Little River Canyon, about 15 miles away, is Jamestown, another SCC-owned site. If you’re into trad climbing, this is your go-to destination in Alabama. Bolting is only allowed with SCC approval, and there is a tight concentration of two- and three-star routes across more than 1,500 linear feet of sandstone rising 80 to 100 feet. While no camping is allowed in the climbing area, you can camp at DeSoto State Park or Cherokee Rock Village. Your best bet may be to head to Yellow Bluff, the final stop on your ultimate Alabama climbing road trip.

Day 7: Yellow Bluff

From Jamestown you’ll drive 85 miles to reach Yellow Bluff, a sandstone cliff that stretches nearly 1,500 feet. Formerly private property, Yellow Bluff became so popular that the former owners closed it to climbing, but the SCC purchased the land in 2009. Fortunately, climbers once again have access to over 70 climbs, more than half of which are sport climbs rated above 5.7. You can also find trad and boulder climbing here—just make sure you stay within the SCC boundary.

Yellow Bluff is located 20 miles east of Huntsville and is one of the most popular crags in Alabama for good reason. Since the SCC took over maintenance of Yellow Bluff you will find fresh quickdraws, anchors, and bolts, all less than a five-minute walk from the parking lot. Camping and fires are not allowed at Yellow Bluff, meaning that Huntsville will be your best bet for accommodations (try Monte Sano State Park). When you’re in Huntsville, take advantage of the thriving craft beer scene.

Find your favorite Fall gear at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our free shipping on orders over $29.99 or free in-store pickup! #BeOutdoors

Some of the best things about fall camping are the smell of the fresh fallen leaves; the crisp, cool breeze; a notable absence of mosquitos; a warm fire at night; and s’mores. Thankfully, Birmingham is surrounded with great places to enjoy them all. Whether you are a backpacker, tent camper, or RV’er, you are guaranteed to find a place to camp within two hours of Birmingham that suits your taste. Here are 10 of our favorites.

1. Sipsey Wilderness

For the camper that is more interested in hiking than sitting for hours around a campfire, you’ve got to try the Sipsey Wilderness . It is a popular backpacking trail that will give you the all-nature experience you’re looking for. Forget the campground-provided wifi and water hookups. At the Sipsey Wilderness, you’re on your own. And that’s how backpackers like it.

2. Desoto State Park

With incredible views from the top of Lookout Mountain, DeSoto State Park is one of our favorite places for camping. Choices include both improved campsites as well as primitive camping and two backcountry campsites with shelters. There are more than 25 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as kayaking, bouldering and rappelling opportunities.

3. Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park

Tannehill is a great place to visit in the fall whether you’re camping or not. With interesting things such as Trade Days, where “shoppers and swappers” peruse booths of knives, jewelry, clothing, tools and many other hand-made and unique items you can’t find anywhere else. With woodcarver shows, festivals and programs, you’ll never run out of things to do at Tannehill. Bike, walk or hike Tannehill’s gorgeous trails and check out the blast furnaces, cabins and old mill from the 1800s.

4. Pinhoti Trail

For the more ambitious and primitive camper, the Pinhoti is perfect for you. It is a paradise for backpackers. With a whopping 339 miles of trails from Cheaha State Park to Talladega National Forest, you’ll have to pack carefully and plan meticulously. With creeks, wildlife, beautiful views and unparalleled solitude, the Pinhoti won’t let you down if you’re looking for adventure.

5. Buck’s Pocket State Park

Buck’s Pocket State Park features a campground for the campers that need amenities such as water and electricity, as well as a primitive camping area for the tent campers that like roughing it a little more. Along with over 20 miles of hiking trails, there is also a playground, an old drying kiln, and a picnic shelter.

6. Cheaha State Park

You won’t believe the views at Cheaha. The state park is host to the highest mountains in the state, and offers several types of camping options: primitive, semi-primitive, improved, and group primitive campgrounds. With trails, overlooks and waterfalls galore, you’ll run out of memory in your camera before you run out of energy. You can enjoy rappelling and rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and checking out the buildings such as the Indian Relics Museum, Gem Mine, and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.

7. Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain State Park is great for tent campers, RV’ers and backpackers. It is, without a doubt, a state park that has something for everyone. It is the largest park in the state with 51 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore and many waterfalls to discover. Also available are boat rentals, an archery park, an educational Interpretive Center, and wildlife rehabilitation center.

8. Brushy Lake Campground

For backcountry campsites that are as primitive as they come, Brushy Lake Campground wins the award. Nestled along the shore of a 33-acre freshwater lagoon, you’ll find yourself getting lost in the beauty of the blue-green, smooth-as-glass water. It is the best base camp for hiking the Sipsey Wilderness and Bankhead National Forest, and in itself, is a paradise waiting to be explored. With only 13 campsites available, it is a smaller campground, but well-worth the visit with incredible waterfalls and endless nearby hiking trails.

9. Wind Creek State Park

Wind Creek State Park  features one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the U.S., so this place is huge. It hugs the shores of beautiful Lake Martin and makes for some beautiful sunrises and sunsets. There are just under 29 miles of hiking trails, so you’ll have plenty of time to relax by the fire after a little exploring in the woods. If you’re a fan of birding trails, Wind Creek is also a stop on Alabama’s Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail .

10. Lake Guntersville State Park

For the tent campers that like camping lakeside, Lake Guntersville would make a great choice. The serenity of the placid, beautiful waters of the lake will make your stay more peaceful. There are 36 miles of trails to stretch your legs and explore a little, and can be customized for a short .5 mile hike, a moderate 3.5 mile hike, or a combination of trails for a hike that is as long as you like. Everywhere you go in this park beautiful, so bring a camera and have fun.

Written by Natalie Cone for RootsRated and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

In scenic northwest Alabama, the Elk River weaves through a diverse ecosystem.

Kayaking is a perfect way to see nature from a different perspective, things look a lot different from atop the water rather than standing along the shores. Alabama’s 130,000 miles of rivers and streams give beginner paddlers plenty of opportunity to get their feet wet (or hopefully not!) with a new sport and fresh way of looking at things. Whether you’re on a mission to finally get that elusive photo of the Cahaba Lily in bloom or are just looking for a warming paddle with friends along the Flint during a sunny fall day, paddling can open up a new way to get outside solo or socially. If you are new to kayaking, don’t worry, it is an easy and rewarding sport to pursue, and the multiple outfitters along the waterways will help ensure you have the gear and knowledge you need to get started.

Here, six spots that offer easy kayaking day trips perfect for beginners to experience Alabama from the water.

1. Flint River

Flowing south through Madison County before emptying into the Tennessee River, the Flint is the perfect river for a beginner day trip in Alabama’s wilderness. The current runs less than two miles per hour and it’s shallow enough for you to stand for the majority of it. There are also plenty of bridges and roads to break up the paddle into manageable floats.

Most paddlers work their way south from the Highway 72 bridge put-in. Along this route you’ll find several islands, creeks, and even a few caves to be explored. The Flint is also known for the diverse array of fish that call it home, including different species of bass, and you can even find a few smallmouth in the bends. For inside info on the Flint, contact the experts at North Alabama Canoe and Kayak (NACK), where you can rent your gear and plan a trip.

2. Elk River-Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail

In scenic northwest Alabama, the Elk River weaves through a diverse ecosystem with untamed forest, lush fields, and sandstone bluffs. Part of the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail, the Elk is nearly 22 miles long, and has five easy access points along its length. Depth is controlled by the TVA, making it navigable even during a dry summer season. If you don’t feel like packing a lunch, there are restaurants at the Maples Bridge and Mills Park sections of the river.

3. Cahaba River

The Cahaba River is a draw to photographers trying to grab a photo of the Cahaba Lily. Alan Cressler

Starting in Trussville and ending 194 miles south in Selma, the Cahaba River is known for being one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the country and is home to more than 60 rare species of plants, including the Cahaba Lily. Photographers from across the country load up their watercraft for a chance to catch a photo of the lily, which is only found in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina, in bloom every spring.

The Cahaba offers a variety of paddles, from a light float, where you can stop and use one of the rope swings, to slightly more technical areas where you will need to navigate shallow shoals.

There are many public access points a short distance from downtown Birmingham. Check out the Cahaba River Society for more information.

4. Tallapoosa River

Part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail, the Tallapoosa River stretches 265 miles from the southern Appalachians in Georgia, through eastern Alabama, until it joins the Coosa River in Wetumpka. There are four dams along its path.

For your day trip, explore floating the Lloyd Owens section of the Tallapoosa. This 40-mile stretch, about an hour east of Birmingham near Helfin, is mostly flatwater and has five access points, making it a perfect spot for your first foray into kayaking. Check out the Tallapoosa River Outfitters or Southern Canoe Outfitters if you need to rent or plan a float.

5. Escatawpa River

Get away from the crowds and into Alabama’s backwoods on a paddle down the Escatawpa River. Stephanie Pluscht

If you are looking to get extremely adventurous and deep into backwoods Alabama away from the crowds, the Escatawpa River, one of few blackwater rivers, is your spot. Located in beautiful, yet remote west Mobile County, close to the Mississippi border, the Escatawpa’s contrast of the blackwater with white-sand banks makes this a memorable and unique float.

6. Terrapin Creek

Located east of Gadsden in Piedmont, Terrapin Creek is one of the most popular summertime floats in the state. At 8 miles, the creek is split into two sections, both of which can be done in one day. It’s an easy, quick paddle, where you can pull up on the bank of the creek and soak in the sun, relax, cool off with a swim, or refuel with a picnic in Alabama’s wilderness. There are outfitters nearby, like Terrapin Outdoor and the Redneck Yacht Club, that you can rent from, and they will also drop off and pick up at the put-ins, leaving you to enjoy a relaxing float.

Written by Hap Pruitt for Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

We have the Summer outdoor gear you need to get you back outdoors! Where will you go? We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or in-store pickup! #BeOutdoors

A view from inside the massive Kinlock Shelter in the Bankhead National Forest.

In Alabama, history is all around you—especially in the wilderness. That trail you are walking may have been an old Indian path hundreds of years ago. Hidden just off the trail may be a cemetery dating back to the 1700s. That small, unassuming stone retaining wall nearby? It may have been built by hand by the Civilian Conservation Corps decades ago.

Here are five fun hikes in Alabama that each have a little hidden history along the way. The next time you hike one, perhaps bring along a friend, so you can wow them with your knowledge.

1. Cave Mountain

On the southern banks of Lake Guntersville near the dam that forms the lake is a small 34-acre piece of property protected by the Tennessee Valley Authority: the Cave Mountain Small Wild Area.

Cave Mountain has a fun little 1.4-mile lollipop loop hike that is filled with natural beauty: rocky climbs, tall bluffs, views of the lake, and a turtle filled tupelo swamp. It also has a backstory, in the form of the mountain’s namesake cave.

The trail is rocky and moderate in difficulty as it loops around then over the mountain just below 764-foot summit. At one point, the trail is wedged between a weeping rock bluff and a tupelo swamp teeming with birds and box turtles sunning themselves on logs. Before long, it winds up at the cave of Cave Mountain.

It is a quintessential cave opening — a neat, round hole in the rock wall that centuries ago was a small water channel. Widened by rain over the years, the cave at one time housed a huge population of bats, which disappeared in the mid-1850s. Their guano became a key ingredient of salt peter, which, when processed, was used during the Civil War to make black powder (the original gunpowder). During the war the Long Hollow Nitre Works Company began mining the guano driving the bats out. The workers would dig and carry out up to 1,000 pounds of the material a day by hand.

Hikers can peek into the cave, but unless you’re an experienced spelunker you shouldn’t venture in. The entrance tunnel goes back about 250 feet before the landscape turns pitch black, and then there is a dangerous vertical drop.

2. Kinlock Shelter

The trail leading to the Kinlock Shelter in the Bankhead National Forest is only one mile total out-and-back. But the steep climb down into a valley is well worth it for what’s at the bottom: the shelter itself.

Kinlock is part of the Kinlock Historic District, an area in which a plantation was established here near a spring in the 1800s. The shelter itself is a massive rock wall and cave that was used by Native Americans for centuries as a place of spiritual worship and ceremony. The cave itself is fascinating—but the walls really steal the show. Petroglyphs carved thousands of years ago adorn the sandstone surfaces. One depicts a turkey foot, a common bird found in the forest. You’ll also see a series of scratch marks where weapons and tools were sharpened.

Just a friendly reminder that Kinlock Shelter is a protected historic site. Due to its ceremonial significance, it should be treated with reverence.

3. Indian Tomb Hollow

Another fascinating historic site in the Bankhead National Forest is Indian Tomb Hollow. You’ll have to really work to get there, though: The 4-mile out-and-back trail is not blazed and requires intrepid hikers to cross several streams and scamper up a bluff line. For first-time visitors, the recommended way to get there is to join one of the many guided hikes scheduled through Wild South.

Along the way, you’ll see amazing geology and two significant historic features. The first are “marker trees”. Native Americans took young trees and bent them in such a way that when they grew they would point in a specific direction to indicate how to get to food, water, or a safe way out of the hollow.

The other highlight is Gillespie Cemetery. There are only three marked graves here, the oldest that of James Gillespie, a War of 1812 vet who was born in 1770 and died in 1849.

4. Ruffner Mountain Mines

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve in Birmingham is well known among outdoor enthusiasts. But it’s surprising how many people never get off the preserve’s wide, main trail and explore the hidden treasures reflecting the area’s rich mining history. Travel about a half mile down the preserve’s backbone trail, the Quarry Trail, and turn off onto paths less travelled, the Crusher and Mine Ruins trails, for a trip back in time.

Depending on the route, the hike can be from 2.1 to 3 miles long and is moderately difficult. On these lesser traveled trails, you will find an abandoned mine that was opened by the Sloss Furnace Company in the late 1800s, stone foundations and retaining walls from the same period, and the real highlight of the trail: a huge steel iron ore crusher from around 1880. Workers would push carts carrying iron ore out of the mine on a tram to this crusher, which appears out of the forest like an ancient Mayan temple. Records show that in one year the workers here made 60 cents per car load.

5. Monte Sano Nature Preserve

The Land Trust of North Alabama has done an amazing job at protecting green spaces throughout the Huntsville area, and one of the best and the one with the most hidden historic treasures is the Monte Sano Nature Preserve.

More than 18 miles of trail with varying degrees of difficulty will take you to several historic sites that most people overlook when hiking the preserve. An easy walker is the 1.5-mile Old Railroad Bed Trail. Back in the 1800s, trains would chug along this route from the Huntsville Train Depot to the Monte Sano Hotel. You can still see remnants of trestle supports along the route.

There is also the 0.75-mile Waterline Trail, where the main waterline for the city ran from the 1950s; part of the waterline are still visible along the route. Other highlights include the Spring House, where settlers in the region built this stone building over a spring to store their perishable food items in sort of an early refrigerator, and the impressive Three Caves, a quarry that was mined for limestone from 1945 to 1955.

Written by Joe Cuhaj for RootsRated in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

We can all agree that tradition is one of the best parts of the holiday season. Sharing a tradition builds family bonds and provides the comfort of familiarity, but after a while the years can start to blur together until no one can remember what year Uncle Johnny lit the neighbor’s yard on fire deep frying a turkey, or when Grandma’s pecan pie won first prize in the county fair.

And while carrying out the traditions themselves can be more cherished than the secret family recipe they are built around, every once in awhile, change can be a welcome breath of fresh air. We believe in the invigorating power of that fresh air, which is why we are proposing something a little different for this holiday season. Below is a guide to creating a holiday feast al fresco with a few recipes to cook over a campfire. So be bold and savor the new experience. The food will taste better as the cool crisp air heightens your senses. And who knows, you might just be creating a new tradition.

To make the most of your meal, take time to plan the menu. We’ve offered some great recipes here, but feel free to make modifications that cater to your taste. Most of the recipes will require at least a few of these key ingredients:

Staple Ingredients: Fire-proof gloves, aluminum foil, camp skillet, olive oil, sharp knife, salt and pepper, 1-2 heads fresh garlic

Specific ingredients for each dish are listed below. Of course a campfire is going to be the most important element in your rustic repast, so be sure to know the basics of building a good cooking fire. A level, U-shaped fire ring with one prominent “chimney” stone at the back is ideal, but any flat fire ring will eventually produce the desired bed of smoldering coals. This smoldering bed of coals is going to be crucial to ensure even cooking of your food. Bringing along a fire grate is optional but encouraged if you intend to use camp cookware. However, several of the recipes below call for no more from the kitchen then a simple roll of aluminum foil, which is great if you plan on packing light.

Hobo Packs

These recipes embody the simplistic yet delicious flavors that can be achieved by cooking over an open fire with nothing more than aluminum foil and your favorite seasonal produce or cured meats. Quick pro tip: once you have your fire blazing and are waiting for it to turn to coal, place your fresh garlic on a nearby stone to roast while you prepare the rest of your ingredients. Be sure the garlic does not catch fire, but is close enough to roast in the husk. This will make an amazingly smoky, savory addition to your meal. Now you’re ready to begin.

• olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 3-4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1-2 large beets, peeled and chopped
• a few sprigs of fresh thyme, sage or rosemary
• a couple cloves of roasted garlic
• handful dried cranberries, toasted pumpkin seeds, or pecans
• salt and pepper to taste

Start by chopping an assortment of the fall veggies listed above. It is important to chop them fairly small so that you’re not waiting all night for them to cook. Tear a 12-inch sheet of aluminum foil (one per person) and mold around your fist in the shape of a “pocket”. Depending on how full you’re filling your pocket, you may want to double up the foil. Drizzle some olive oil into the bottom of the pocket to prevent sticking and fill with veggies. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, add a sprig of thyme, sage, or rosemary and stuff in a couple cloves of roasted garlic if you made some earlier. Add about ¼ cup of water, fold pocket closed and set to cook on the coals for 20-40 minutes. Bringing along some pre-cooked bacon, or honey ham to throw in with your veggies is also a great way to add a savory umami kick.

Chorizo Hobo Packs

• 8 oz. dried Spanish chorizo, casings removed and chopped
• 1 ½ pounds fingerling potatoes, chopped (skin on is OK)
• 3- 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2-3 stalks celery
• a few sprigs of fresh thyme, sage or rosemary
• olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

The great thing about using dried chorizo here is that you don’t have to worry about refrigeration and can spend the day on the trail worry-free. Chop all of your ingredients and wrap per the same method as the Veggie Hobo Packs. Cook over the coals for 25-35 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.

Campfire Panini and Turkey Cream Cheese Sammy

If low maintenance cooking is your M.O., we’ve got you covered. Sandwiches, especially hot sandwiches with beautiful golden-buttered toast, and melted cheese oozing through the crumb (let the salivation begin) are perhaps one of the most underrated comfort foods around. And with the holidays being about comfort food, we thought we’d share some of our suggestions for making the best holiday sandwich you’ve ever had. The amounts here yield about 4 sandwiches.

Panini

• 8-10 oz. carved roasted turkey or honey ham
• 1 jar fig preserves, apple butter or cranberry chutney (you pick your jam)
• 8 oz. sliced gruyere, gouda, brie, provolone or swiss (you want a creamy, melting cheese)
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 granny smith apple, thinly sliced
• A loaf of sliced bread (honey wheat or sourdough are great options)

Assemble your sandwiches with the ingredients listed. Heat a camp skillet over the hot coals and add 1 tbl. butter to melt. Once butter is melted, toast your sandwich in the pan, grilled-cheese style.

Turkey Cream Cheese

• 8-10 oz. Carved roasted turkey
• 8 -10 slices crispy bacon
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• handful chives, chopped or fresh rosemary, chopped
• A loaf of sliced bread (try rye or pumpernickel)

Toast your bread slices in a pan with a small amount of butter. Meanwhile, mix cream cheese with chives or rosemary (or both!). Once toasted, spread the herb cream cheese on your bread slices and go to town adding the turkey and bacon slices. It’s that easy.

Holiday Hash

This dish is a mash-up of the sweet and savory holiday flavors that make a dish satisfying. This is a one pan meal which makes it ideal for camp cooking.

Camp skillet

• 1 lb. ground turkey or pork sausage (if hiking at all before setting up camp, use frozen sausage so that it will be cold but thawed by the time you’re ready to cook)
• 1 onion, diced
• 2-3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 apples, peeled and diced
• 2 Tbl. maple syrup
• 2-3 cloves roasted garlic, minced
• A few dashes of the following spices: cinnamon, cayenne, and sage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Coat the bottom of skillet with olive oil, cook sausage with maple syrup until browned, then remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside. Add onions and sweet potatoes to the pan and cook until sweet potatoes begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Add apples and spice mixture, cooking 8-10 minutes, or until sweet potatoes and apples are completely tender. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and toss together with a handful of dried cranberries, pecans or toasted pumpkin seeds!

Baked Apples

Is anything more reminiscent of the holidays then the aroma of baking apples and cinnamon? This perfect combination is truly a hallmark of any holiday meal, and should be included in yours too.

For our rustic rendition of baked apples you will need an apple per person, aluminum foil, pairing knife and a 50/50 cinnamon-sugar mix. Leaving the skin on, cut a hole in the top and bottom of the apples to pop out the core and create a hole that cuts through the apple. Set the apple upright on a piece of foil. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of cinnamon sugar mixture into the hole (which should be closed off by the foil) and wrap the foil closed around the apple. Place on the coals to cook for 10-15 minutes and enjoy a piping hot-baked apple.

It’s true that most of us do not eat the same way year-round as we do around the holidays. We expect the same to be true for how we eat on the trail—usually we throw in a few packs of instant oatmeal, trail mix, some ramen and call it good. But for this special season, we hope you feel inspired to pack in a little extra weight (to keep a little extra off) and indulge in some holiday feasting and festivities chez-mother nature. Being gathered around the warmth of a fire inspires storytelling and memory sharing much the same way as being gathered around the family table.

Written by Hailey Moore for RootsRated and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

Visit the ghostly grounds of haunted Old Cahawba.

If you’re fascinated by ghosts, shadow people, and things that rustle in the night, you should plan a haunted hike to add a new twist to your Halloween celebration. Whether you’d like to trek through a eerie pocket of the backcountry, or simply stroll through a creepy cemetery, you’ll find that Alabama has plenty of destinations that will send a chill up your spine. Here are a few of our favorite haunts:

Blue Mountain Shelter on the Pinhoti Trail

Each year, hundreds of people hike Alabama’s veritable long trail, the Pinhoti, and spend their nights in the many trail shelters that dot the path. In Section 7 of the trail, at mile 2.1, you’ll encounter the Blue Mountain Shelter, which has developed a bit of spooky reputation.

Built in 1983 the shelter is an unassuming, 3-sided, typical trail shelter. But, inside, you’ll see where someone has written, “There are shadow people here!”

Those who spend the night in the shelter have reported seeing strange shadows and hearing weird noises like scratching sounds on the walls. After hearing the noises, hikers have investigated the area and claimed that there were no signs of animals, and there are no trees located close to the shelter.

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park

Old Cahawba in the 1860s was a major prison for Union soldiers during the Civil War. Joe Cuhaj

Old Cahawba has had quite a history. Beginning in the early 1800s, it was a bustling cotton distribution hub along the Alabama River. In 1820, it became the first state capital, and in the 1860s it was a major prison for Union soldiers during the Civil War. Today, you can roam those same streets—more than 5 miles of them—and you might come face to face with some of the town’s past residents, like the spirit of a key-stealing slave.

Not long ago, the site director for the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park and paranormal investigators made an audio recording in the “New Cemetery” where the white people of town were buried. On the recording they heard a voice say, “Don…key”.

The following day, Don, the park’s maintenance supervisor, came in and told the director he couldn’t find his keys. They found them in the slave cemetery on the other side of the park next to the grave of the key-stealing slave.

If space is available, you should try to join the park’s annual Haunted History Tour.

Old Cahawba Prairie Tract

Are there ghosts haunting the Forever Wild’s Old Cahawba Prairie Tract in Selma? Could be.

The site was once owned by Jesse Beene, whose uncle was William Lowndes Yancey, and Yancey is credited with helping Alabama enter the Civil War. Legend has it that all of Yancey’s slaves were poisoned at a well somewhere on the property. When Yancey died, he was buried in a family plot on the Old Cahawba Prairie Tract, but at some point the tombstones were removed, and the family graves were most likely plowed under by farmers. However, the bodies of those dead and gone are still somewhere on this tract, and their spirits are waiting to tell you their tale.

Fort Morgan Historic Site

Witnesses say that if you are near the fort in the evening you can hear screams. Bradley Huchteman

Only a short drive west from Gulf Shores is the Fort Morgan Historic Site. Visitors can take a 2.4-mile ramble around the grounds to visit many historic sites and the fort itself.

Built in 1834, this massive stone fortress was built to defend the nation against foreign invaders. In 1864, it played an important role in the Civil War’s “Battle of Mobile Bay” that killed 322 Union troops and 1,500 Confederates.

Witnesses say that if you are near the fort in the evening, or are afforded a rare opportunity to enter it after hours, you can hear the screams of those who died. You might even see the ghostly figure of a woman who was killed during the battle and whose spirit continues to roam the grounds.

If you plan a visit, be aware that the fort hosts a haunted tour one night only in October.

Tuskegee National Forest

The smallest national forest in the state, Tuskegee near Auburn features the 8.5-mile Bartram Trail, which closely follows the footsteps of 18th Century botanist William Bartram. While walking the trail, hikers have heard some strange noises.

According to accounts, devil worshippers used to use an old house in the forest for bizarre meetings and ceremonies. In the early 1990s, the local sheriff’s office raided the house and discovered bodies. It’s said that the group feared the sheriff would find a secret burial ground they had established nearby and burned the house down. Ever since then, hikers have reported hearing weird sounds…perhaps the victims?

Sloss Furnace

Sloss Furnace is one of the most haunted sites in Alabama. Shannon McGee

Known as the most haunted site in Alabama, the old Sloss Furnace in Birmingham has been featured on the television series “Ghost Hunters.”

The furnace was a major foundry in the region from 1882 to 1971, when it supplied steel to the entire country. In the early 1900s, the foreman for the night shift was James “Slag” Wormwood, a hard-driving manager who often made his workers do very dangerous jobs. While Wormwood was in charge, 47 workers died.

Slag died when he accidentally fell into the molten iron. After the accident, workers reported hearing a disembodied voice say, “Get back to work.” Years later, three supervisors went missing and were eventually found unconscious and locked in a small boiler room. The last thing they remembered was that a man with badly burned skin came up and told them to “Push some steel!”

Nancy’s Mountain

Hike Nancy’s Mountain and you might catch a glimpse of Nancy herself. Joe Cuhaj

OK, a little personal experience about a nondescript hiking trail called Nancy’s Mountain.

The trail itself is not spectacular, just a wonderful walk in the woods, especially in the fall when the trees are vibrant with color. The trail is located in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Haines Island Park on the banks of the Alabama River in Franklin. The trailhead parking area also serves as the landing for the Davis Ferry.

As the story goes, Nancy and her family lived on top of the mountain,and Nancy’s only son went off to fight for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Months passed without word from her boy, and Nancy became distraught. Every day she would walk to the river to see if her son had returned home on one of the passing boats, but he never did. Her husband decided he would set off to look for him.

More time passed when word finally arrived that her husband was found frozen to death next to the grave of an unknown soldier in Tennessee. Soon after, Nancy disappeared, never to be seen again.

Race ahead to the present and Nancy has been seen on the trail. Former park superintendent Ike Lyons says that on several occasions campers on the mountain were seen running for their lives because they had seen a woman dressed in period clothing “floating” down the trail with a lantern in her hand.

Not long ago I walked Nancy’s Mountain with my big rescue Labrador, Archer. It was a cool morning with fog from the river shrouding the mountain. Archer loves to lead the way on hikes, but this time he wouldn’t budge. He would not hike the trail. He just sat down and whimpered.

Was it coincidence or was it Nancy? Hike the trail in the early morning or evening and see for yourself.

Written by Joe Cuhaj for Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

The sun peaks out over the trees onto a wetland at the University of South Alabama’s Glen Sebastian Nature Trail -Joe Cuhaj

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Thank you and enjoy your adventure!

No doubt, college is often stressful, so schools do all they can to help students get some exercise, relax and take a break from their studies. While many universities and colleges in Alabama provide rec centers, several schools also have hiking trails on or near campus, so students can escape the confines of the gym and enjoy some fresh air.

In many cases, the trails are open to the public, so the entire community can use them to reduce stress and stay healthy. Whether you live near a campus, or you’re planning to visit a university or college during your travels, keep the following trail systems on your radar.

Glen Sebastian Nature Trails

Winding through the campus of the University of South Alabama in Mobile, the Glen Sebastian Nature Trail is actually a collection of hiking trails named in honor of a former National Park Service ranger who also served as chair of the university’s Earth Sciences department for almost 40 years.

Four blazed trails totaling 8 miles meander through pine forest, traverse seasonal streams, and follow the banks of a beautiful wetland where turtles leap between lily pads. Each trail is named for the color of its paint blaze—Orange, Yellow, White, and Red—and they’re all interconnected, so you can make loops of varying lengths.

University of West Alabama Nature Trails

Lace up the hiking boots, and maybe even bring along a fishing rod, and hit the Nature Trails of the University of West Alabama in Livingston.

There are 4 miles of hiking paths, including the Forest Trail, which explores an area thick with pines and hardwoods. If you take the Prairie Trail, you’ll traverse the Blackland Prairie where an ongoing restoration project is reviving native plants and animals, including Bobwhite Quail, Grasshopper Sparrows, and bobcat. If you follow the Lake Trail, you’ll circle the beautiful 54-acre Lake LU (pronounced Lake “El-Yoo”), where you can fish for largemouth bass. (Don’t forget to bring your freshwater fishing license.)

Each well-marked trail trail includes informative signs designed to educate you about the plants and wildlife you’ll encounter and encourage you to help protect the rapidly disappearing prairie.

University of Alabama Arboretum

Two and a half miles of walking trails and paths guide you through the 60-acre University of Alabama Arboretum, which was designed some 50 years ago to showcase Alabama’s rich biodiversity. As you hike, you’ll encounter a staggering number of maples, magnolias, and pines, and pass exotic trees like Chinese Pistache and Japanese Snowbell. Before you visit the trails, check out the Arboretum’s catalog to learn more about the plants you’ll see.

Donald E. Davis Arboretum

Auburn University’s Donald E. Davis Arboretum has been ranked as one of the top 30 most beautiful college arboretums in the country. A walking path winds through the 13.5-acre tract that is described as a “plant museum” designed to preserve, protect, and display living plant collections and southeastern plant communities. If you plan to visit, check out the arboretum website to see a calendar of special events like the annual Bat Walk, which is held every October.

Troy University Biking and Walking Trails

You’ll learn about 110 different species of trees as you walk the Troy University Biking & Walking Trails. There are three hiking trails that weave around the 130-acre forest and visit a stream and the banks of a tranquil 2-acre pond.

Don’t forget to bring your bike. When you’re done walking, saddle up for a ride on the adjacent 5.4-mile bike trail.

Northeast Alabama Community College

It might be small in size, but the NACC Walking Trail is still a beautiful and peaceful walk through pines and rolling hills on the campus in Rainsville. The 0.7-mile loop follows the banks of a shimmering pond.

Little River Canyon Center

The Jacksonville State University Little River Canyon Center is a remarkable facility located in Fort Payne, with the roaring Little River Falls as a backdrop.

The facility has several trails such as the Path to Learning and the Bridge Trail that teach you about the canyon and give you a spectacular view of the falls. The center features a gift shop, HD movie theater, and natural history library.

JSU has an extensive program that focuses on nature, and the JSU Field School uses “immersion based learning” to teach about the environment and nature. Fortunately, the program is available to the public and includes hikes in Little River Canyon and the Talladega mountains, paddling excursions across the region, and star-watching sessions. For event dates and times, visit the Field School’s online schedule.

Find your favorite back-to-school apparel and gear at Alabama Outdoors. We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit one of our stores or take advantage of our shipping or curbside pickup! #BeOutdoors

Written by Joe Cuhaj for Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Enjoy your next Alabama family backpacking adventure!

Adventure awaits in the great outdoors for grownups and kids alike. Children love the chance to explore someplace new, and the woods are the perfect place to do so. It takes a little extra planning to go backpacking with the kids in tow, but it will be worth it to see their eyes glitter at the sight of a waterfall, their cheeks flushed with excitement, and their imaginations running wild.

The options are limitless. Play hide and seek among boulders. Climb trees that grow wild and untamed. Take a dip in a cool pool at the base of a waterfall. Wake up on a crisp morning and watch the sunrise while the children sleep warmly in their tents. All of this—and more—is possible at the following Birmingham-area destinations. Choose one of these locations and make your next family backpacking trip nothing short of memorable.

1. Oak Mountain State Park

For a place that is frequented by families of all sizes and ages, Oak Mountain State Park is one of the best places for family backpacking that you can find anywhere. Covering 9,940 acres, it’s no surprise that this is the largest state park in Alabama. There is much to see, particularly Peavine Falls, named for its twisting nature resembling a “peavine”. There are a number of hiking trails that lead to this little treasure, many of which are navigated easily by children of all ages. And there are plenty of backcountry campsites ($6 a night), primitive campsites ($18 a night) and designated RV and car camping sites ($30 a night).

Directions to Oak Mountain State Park.

2. DeSoto State Park

For the ultimate family backpacking trip, try DeSoto State Park. Walking trails varying in difficulty, hidden waterfalls, and boulders scattered throughout the park will keep the whole family busy, sunup to sundown. Take a peaceful riverside nap at DeSoto Falls and allow the sound of rushing water to lull little ones to sleep in the warm sun. This park is also a two-in-one win, because it is only a few miles from picturesque Little River Canyon. Pick your way around trails that parallel Little River Falls to view it from various different angles, and let the little ones (and big ones, for that matter) play around on the unique, rocky terrain.

Directions to DeSoto Falls State Park.

3. Noccalula Falls Park

You won’t be disappointed going to a park that is built around a giant waterfall. Noccalula Falls is a 90-foot cascade, with a cavern behind it, just begging to be explored. Although this park has popular features such as a petting zoo and mini-golf course, it also has its fair share of secluded places perfect for backpacking with a family. Pet-friendly with a pool and playground, Noccalula Park offers primitive campsites with water and electrical hookups, perfect for beginner campers. And though it’s about an hour and half from Birmingham’s city center, it’s worth the drive.

Directions to Noccalula Falls Park.

4. Brushy Lake Campground

The Brushy Lake Campground is perhaps the most primitive backpacking/camping destination on this list. Lacking the polished shine of a state park, Brushy Lake gives backpackers a more organic experience, while at the same time not being too remote for any discomfort. Brushy Lake Campground is considered a base camp for the Sipsey Wildnerness —a gorgeous area within the Bankhead National Forest. With a pristine lake, rushing waterfall, and miles of trails to explore, Brushy Lake’s raw beauty is the perfect choice for a backpacking family that isn’t afraid to venture off the beaten path.

Directions to Brushy Lake Campground.

5. Cheaha State Park

Take your family backpacking to Cheaha State Park, and you’ll be able to see some of the state’s highest mountains, most picturesque scenery, and popular hiking trails. Rock outcroppings, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails galore will keep the family wide-eyed with awe. This park provides easy access to the Pinhoti Trail, popular for hiking and backpacking (as well as mountain biking), as well as to the Chinnabee Silent Trail and the Skyway Trail. Cheaha is pet-friendly and has a gem mine for the kids to try their hand at mining. It also offers a lake with beach access that’s great for lounging and swimming, and it includes a nice playground and picnic area as well. This park is a great place to scale boulders, traverse ridgelines, and find photo ops that you won’t get anywhere else. It will leave the whole family begging to return.

Directions to Cheaha State Park.

Written by Natalie Cone for RootsRated and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.

After a few evenings in your backyard campground, kids will be ready and excited to camp.

Please note: due to local and state guidelines surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, some information below may not be accurate. Before you travel and plan your next adventure, make sure to check each business/park/campsite for any closures or guidelines and for the most up to date information. Enjoy your next Alabama Fall camping adventure!

For many of us, some of our fondest memories of growing up come from camping with our families. You just have to smile when you recall the fun of jumping into a cool lake on a hot summer day, chasing fireflies under a starry night sky, or making S’mores around an open campfire.

Even if you’re not a hardcore outdoors person, you can make those same memories for your family. The key is to put some effort into planning your camping trip so that it will be memorable, fun for everyone, as stress-free as possible, and safe. Here are 10 tips for taking a successful family camping trip.

1. Make a Dry Run…or Two

It can be a little frightening for children to sleep outside of the cozy confines of their bedroom, especially if they’re really young. If your kids have never been camping, it’s not a good idea to suddenly pack them up, grab a tent, and head out for an overnighter. Instead, do a dry run first.

Pitch a tent in your backyard and spend a night there. Teach your children about the sounds of the night and point out stars and planets in the night sky. After the kids spend a few evenings in your backyard campground, they’ll be excited and ready for the next step—a real car campout.

That’s right, a car campout where you drive your car to a campground and set up your tent and gear. Before you involve the kids in a rugged backwoods experience you should allow them to get accustomed to camping in a more controlled setting where there’s a bit of civilization and some facilities. Remember, small steps.

2. Planning is Key for a Successful Outing

Plan carefully to ensure your camping trip is fun and safe for the entire family. Michael Guite

Planning is one of the key ingredients to ensure that your family will enjoy a fun and successful camping trip. Before your first campout, consider the following things:

• When you choose a campground for car camping, determine what activities are available there. You want to ensure that the kids will be entertained, and not just the adults.
• Check the campground rules and regulations. You’ll have fewer headaches if you know important details, such as whether pets are allowed.
• Put together a gear list (see Packing for Success below), and give yourself ample time to acquire things. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll be stressed and forget things.
• Plan every meal you’ll prepare during the campout.
• Determine whether water will be available at the campsite, or whether you’ll need to bring your own.
• Review emergency and safety concerns (see Keep Them Safe below).

When you’re researching campgrounds, check to see if the campground offers ranger talks about nature, or if there are special events going on during your planned visit that would interest your family. For example, it’s great to camp at Moundville Archaeological Park in Moundville, Ala., during the weekend of the Native American Festival in early October.

When it comes to food, you should plan each meal well in advance. Keep the meals simple but delicious. It’s best to prepare something you can make quickly that everyone will like. Also, opt for meals that require minimal cleanup. Wherever possible, pack the ingredients for each meal into separate containers or zip lock bags to keep them organized. And don’t forget plenty of the family’s favorite snacks!

As you gather your gear, carefully consider the type of tent you’ll use. With a small family, you may be fine with a three- or four-person dome tent. Larger families, or those that might want a little more space, might be better off with a seven- or eight-person cabin tent. If you have older kids who would prefer to have their own sleeping space, you could take separate small tents for them.

3. Packing for Success

What should you pack on a family camping trip? Well, that is a very subjective topic that depends on you and your family’s needs. A good list is available from the Boy Scouts of America.

As you’re prepping for your trip, you’ll probably pick up some new gear. Before you depart for the campground, become familiar with new things and test them to ensure they function properly. It’s especially helpful to pitch the tent in your backyard a few times. There is nothing more frustrating—and embarrassing—than flailing around with aluminum poles and canvas in the middle of the night.

4. Packing for Fun

Bring toys, games, and equipment such as a telescope to entertain the kids. The Digital Marketing Collaboration

Don’t forget to bring along the fun! Pack fun games and toys based on the ages of your children to help them pass the time. A few examples include:

• Glow in the dark or lighted flying discs
• Paddleball
• Marshmallow shooters
• Ice Cream Maker Ball (toss it around and make homemade ice cream)
• Water Pistols and Super-Shooters
• Playing Cards
• Bicycles
• Telescope and star chart

5. Little Helpers

No matter how old or young your children are, make sure they have a job to do around camp. Whether it’s gathering firewood or helping erect the tent, any job big or small will make kids feel like they’re an important part of the adventure.

6. Shut Off the Tech

You’re doing your family and yourself a disservice if you let electronics distract you from the natural surroundings of your campsite. Because adults and kids spend so much time connected to devices, a campout will seem much more special when everyone powers down and devotes time to each other. Plus, the outing will be more interesting if you pay more attention to the surrounding animals and bugs, the trees, the water, the sky—everything that makes the outdoors unique and different. While you should leave most of your electronic devices at home, keep at least one cell phone handy in your car in case of an emergency. Just keep it turned off so that you and your family will have each other’s full attention.

7. Try A Geocaching Treasure Hunt

Geocaching is becoming more popular because it challenges you mentally and gets you out and about in nature. Geocaching is a treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to find hidden caches, which can be large or small containers that hold trinkets as well as a log book where you record that you found the cache. When you’re planning your campout, make sure to look for campgrounds that have geocaches either in the campground or nearby, and don’t forget the GPS. (You can also use a geocaching.com mobile app.) At CacheGeek.Com you’ll find a list of online websites that identify geocaches throughout the country.

9. Keep Them Safe

It’s crucial to teach children campfire safety and other important aspects of staying safe outdoors. Daiga Ellaby?

Needless to say, safety is your prime concern when camping with your family. The adults in your family should all know the basics of outdoor safety, and you should pass along the knowledge to children. Keep in mind the following:

• When children aren’t with an adult they should keep away from lakes, rivers, ponds, and streams.
• Learn how to spot poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, and stay away from them.
• Don’t eat anything you find in the woods. The berries might look good, but they can make you sick.
• Never touch or feed any animals, big or small.
• Have children carry a loud whistle, and teach them how to use it if they become lost or in trouble.
• Teach children campfire safety.

10. Begin and End With a Positive Attitude

Your camping trip will be more fun and memorable if you keep a positive attitude. If you’ve been camping before, you know that even the best-laid plans can go awry. People can get frustrated by something as simple as failing to start a campfire. Or, the weather could take a turn and force you to deal with rain all day. A million things that can go wrong on a campout, but if you always keep a positive attitude and brush it off, your family will pick up on your vibe and it will still be a fun trip.

Written by Joe Cuhaj for Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.