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.

Alabama summers are hot, but the season still holds a warm spot in our hearts. Maybe it’s because we have ingrained in our brains childhood memories of running around with friends, free from school, for weeks or months at a time. Whatever, the reason, the summer inspires us to plan all sorts of outdoor excursions where we can soak up the sunshine.

Of course, summer always seems to fly by. With only 14 weekends between Memorial and Labor Day, there’s no time to waste. So, consult the calendar, pull out the maps and begin plotting the next few months of fun. In case you’re looking for ideas and inspiration, we put together a list of adventures that should be on your list of things to experience in Alabama this summer.

Zipline Over Lake Guntersville on the Screaming Eagle

Known for trophy bass and bald eagle nests, Lake Guntersville is also home to one of the most exciting ziplines in Alabama. Catch a unique view of the lake on the Screaming Eagle Zip Line as you soar through the sky in a heart-pounding aerial adventure. Level 1 features 10 ziplines up to 400 feet long and 75 feet high. And, if that wasn’t enough to get the heart racing, Level 2 certainly will, with seven runs ranging from 1,400 to 2,100 feet long and up to 190 feet high.

Hop in Little River Canyon’s Hippie Hole

Recognized as one of the best swimming holes in America, the Hippie Hole in Little River Canyon near Fort Payne is the perfect place to cool off this summer. There are rock slides, waterfalls, and even a few small cliffs to leap from.

Tuesday Evening Float with NACK

Kayaking is just more fun at night. Moonbeams bounce off tiny ripples, and familiar terrain takes on new life once the sun sets. North Alabama Canoe and Kayak (NACK) offers an easy way to take advantage of a summer evening paddle with its Tuesday night float. Join the group from 6-10:30 p.m. on Tuesdays for an unforgettable summer adventure.

Weekend Getaway at a State Park

Alabama has 21 beautiful state parks, all with unique adventures, making it impossible for us to pick just one for a summer weekend getaway. Whether you rent a cabin at Monte Sano, explore the waterfall while camping at DeSoto, or run the Double Oak trail after a night of primitive camping on Oak Mountain, you can’t go wrong at an Alabama State Park.

Hike to the Highest Point in Alabama

Cheaha State Park in the Talladega National Forest is home to the highest point in Alabama at 2,407 feet. Cheaha Mountain was named by the Creek Indians that called this land home, and the name means “high place.” An observation tower marks the highest point, with 360-degree views that are unlike any other in Alabama.

Start Climbing

For newbies, bouldering might seem intimidating, but if you watch someone navigate the problems at Moss Creek or Horse Pens 40, you’ll realize it’s extremely fun. To get the hang of climbing, take a class at Birmingham Boulders or High Point Climbing and Fitness in Birmingham. A class is the best way to get a feel for the sport and learn how to enjoy climbing safely. Plus, indoor climbing allows you to get some exercise without suffering in the summer heat.

Experience Dismals Canyon

One of most well-preserved nature sites in the world, Dismals Canyon in northwest Alabama has been designated as a National Natural Landmark for good reason. Home to a wide variety of rare vegetation, it is also one of the few places in the world where you can find Dismalites. To thrive, these bioluminescent beings need specific conditions that happen to come together in this pocket of Alabama. A hike on the 1.5-mile trail on the canyon floor takes you through the heart of a primeval landscape that formed millions of years ago.

SUP the Gulf

Summer isn’t complete without a trip to the beach, and one of the best ways to enjoy the Gulf and Alabama’s coast is with a Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP) trip. The Gulf of Mexico and nearby lakes and streams often offer calm, clear water and light winds, which create perfect conditions to try out a paddleboard. There is no shortage of rental shops along the coast, and you just have to make sure your beach allows outside watercraft prior to renting.

Go Whitewater Rafting in Phenix City

On the Chattahoochee River, wedged between Alabama and Georgia, you can take the longest urban whitewater rafting trip in the world. It’s a quintessential summertime experience that you would usually have to travel thousands of miles to experience. Gather a group of friends and family, load up the raft and get ready for two hours of excitement through rapids as high as Class IV. You can also book a more challenging trip with Alabama Whitewater if your group wants to test its rafting prowess.

Beat the Summer Heat in a Cave

While you have to take a guided tour to explore Cathedral Caverns, the formations and cool temperatures during the summer months make it well worth a trip. The cave hovers around 60 degrees all year, and the entertaining tour guides share a wealth of knowledge as you cover 1.5 miles during a tour that lasts about an hour and a half. You can also make a weekend out of it, as the 500-acre park has numerous hiking trails and campsites.

Paddle the Sipsey

Northwest Alabama is full of hidden gems, including the lush and rugged Sipsey Wilderness. Known as the “Land of 1000 Waterfalls,” a paddle through the Sipsey is a journey into wild Alabama, featuring towering cliffs, clear water, and raw nature.

Written by Hap Pruitt 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.

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. Ready to get back outdoors this Spring but do not know where to start? Below we have the beginner’s guide to car camping which will set you up easily for a season of adventures!

If you don’t have much camping experience, you’re not alone. Over the past 20 years, fewer kids have been introduced to the outdoors, so a declining number of people have grown up camping with family and friends. It’s no surprise, then, that many adults these days have never pitched a tent or cooked over a camp stove.

If you’d like to start camping, but aren’t sure where to begin, car camping in a state park is a great first step. When you camp in a park close to your vehicle, you can enjoy the outdoors without having to rough it too much.

At most state parks, you’ll have access to toilets and hot showers, so you’ll feel a little more comfortable about being in a primitive environment. With a vehicle, you’re not limited by weight, and you can pack in roomy tents, tasty food, and other creature comforts that help people ease into camping.

With your vehicle serving as a safety net, you can also learn the ropes and make mistakes without dire consequences. If you forget to pack something, or a piece of gear breaks, you can just drive back to town for more supplies.

If car camping sounds like your kind of adventure, this quick start guide includes more info on the benefits of car camping, and offers tips on picking a destination, preparing for the trip and packing the necessary gear.

The Case for Car Camping

If you aren’t even sure if car camping is for you in the first place, here are four reasons that might convince you otherwise:

1. There’s more room for error.

If you hike deep into the backcountry and something goes awry, you often have to just deal with it. But, car camping allows you to deal with mistakes in the outdoors more easily. If you forget to pack something or completely scorch dinner, you can usually drive down the road a few miles and find more provisions. Also, car camping is a good opportunity to become familiar with gear and perfect your systems. If you discover one night in camp that your sleeping bag isn’t warm enough, you can grab an extra blanket that you’ve packed in the car.

2. “Roughing it” doesn’t have to be so rough.

Some people like the outdoors, but cringe at the idea of going without a shower or indoor plumbing. At most state park campsites, you can camp near a bathhouse (aka “comfort station”) with toilets and hot showers. Because your car allows you to haul more weight, you can also bring large inflatable mattresses and cots, so you don’t have to sleep on a thinner sleeping pad. Also, some tent-camping sites include electric outlets, so you can plug in a fan to cool down a tent on a hot summer night.

3. You can relax.

Some people relieve stress by strapping 40 pounds to their back and hiking for miles in remote wilderness. To others, that sounds like a lot of work. With car camping, your retreat won’t tax you physically, unless you tack on a long side hike or bike ride on a park trail. Because car camping requires minimal physical exertion, you don’t have to be super fit or strong to enjoy it, and small children can have fun, too.

4. You can mix in extra activities

Your campsite can serve as a home base for all sorts of day trips. In most state parks, you’ll have easy access to hiking and biking trails or lakes and streams. For daytime entertainment, you can walk in the woods, hop on a mountain bike, or go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding.

Where to Go

Ranging from north Alabama to the Gulf Coast, Alabama’s state parks include a wide variety of car camping sites, whether you’re looking for a mountain retreat, or a spot near a lake, a stream, or even the ocean.

Many parks offer a variety of campsites, including full hookup sites that provide water, electricity, and sewer for RVs and other types of campers. At some parks, you can pitch a tent in a full hookup site, or choose a less expensive tent-only site (which often has electricity and water). Plus, more parks now have primitive campgrounds with sites that have a picnic table and fire ring, but few other amenities. Typically, tent-only sites and primitive campgrounds will offer more privacy and peace and quiet.

To research parks and book reservations, visit alapark.com. With some parks, you can see what’s available and reserve a campsite online, but others require you to book by phone. Just remember that it’s best to book several months in advance, as campsites go quickly, especially for the summer, weekends, and holidays.

Any of these parks would be a great choice for a car camping experience:

DeSoto State Park

Located on Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, DeSoto State Park has 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, an abundance of waterfalls, and opportunities for canoeing and kayaking on Little River. The park’s Improved Campground includes 94 full hookup sites and two nearby comfort stations with restrooms, showers, and a coin laundry. Tents are allowed at these sites, which also have picnic tables and grills.

Monte Sano State Park

Situated atop 1,600-foot Monte Sano Mountain in Huntsville, this 2,400-acre state park has scenic overlooks, 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus quick access to more trails on adjacent land trust property. Also, the vast picnic area includes a large playground. In the park’s main campground you’ll find 89 campsites, including 15 full hookup sites and dozens of others with water and electricity.

Cheaha State Park

Located at an elevation of 2,407 feet on Cheaha Mountain, Cheaha State Park has four miles of trails that lead to amazing views, waterfalls, and rock climbing areas. Plus, you can swim in a six-acre lake that includes a beach with a playground. Adjacent to the park you’ll have access to longer hikes on the Pinhoti Trail, Odum Scout Trail, and Chinnabee Silent Trail. At the Improved Campground, all 72 sites have water, sewer and electrical hook-ups, plus picnic tables, grills and access to bathhouses. In the Semi-Primitive campground, sites have picnic tables, a fire ring, communal water spigots and access to bathhouses. Plus, you’re within walking distance to hiking trails and the pool. At the Primitive Campground, there’s no electricity or picnic table, but there is a fire ring, community water faucet and bathroom.

Gulf State Park

Rather than rent an expensive condo, you can car camp just 1.5 miles from the beaches at Gulf Shores. At Gulf State Park there are 496 improved campsites with water, sewer, electricity, a picnic table, grill, and access to 11 bathhouses and two playgrounds. Tucked into the trees there are also 11 primitive campsites that include stone campfire rings, grill tops, picnic tables and access to bathhouses, playgrounds and laundry facilities. Just be aware that summertime is probably not ideal for tent camping here, as it’s very hot, and conditions are more favorable in the late fall, winter and early spring.

Lake Guntersville State Park

A beautiful 69,000-acre lake is your backdrop when you camp at Lake Guntersville State Park or the neighboring Town Creek Fishing Center. In the park, you can fish, go kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, or hike 36 miles of trails. In the park’s main campground there are 295 improved campsites with electrical hookups, picnic table, grill and fire ring. Plus, there are bathhouses and a playground. You’ll find more campsites along the water at the Town Creek Fishing Center, which also offers bathhouses and boat rentals.

What to Take

While prepping for your first trip, keep in mind that you don’t have to break the bank to be sufficiently outfitted (and you can rent some things, too). While you should invest in a few key items, you can also incorporate things you already have around the house.

Tent: Opt for a tent that provides good elbow room, rather than a shelter that’s small and cramped. This will give people room to store clothing and a few extras, plus you’ll be more comfortable if you have to stay in the tent for a long time during a storm. Cabin-style tents are great for families with small kids, but if you have older kids, consider providing them their own modest-sized tents for space and privacy.

Sleeping systems: Ensure that sleeping bags are rated to handle the coolest temperatures that you’ll encounter. If you’re not ready to invest in bags, consider renting them. Also, pack foam or inflatable sleeping pads to protect you from the cold, hard ground. For ultimate comfort, bring an inflatable air mattress, and pack extra blankets in case someone gets cold. Since you’ll have room in the car, pack your own pillow.

First-Aid Kit: You can build your own kit from store-bought items, but pre-assembled kits can actually be less expensive, and some include helpful guides that explain how to use the contents. To choose the right kit, you need to consider the length of your outing, how many people the kit will serve, and the particular needs of people in the group. At most outdoor stores, you’ll find a wide range of kits from super-lightweight pouches for solo travelers, to beefy family kits.

Camp Kitchen: Save money by using your own kitchen supplies for your first trip. When you’ve planned your menu, fill a plastic storage container with necessary items, like a skillet, cook pots, pasta strainer, plastic bowls, plates and cutlery, a kitchen knife (with sheath) for food prep, a spatula, measuring cup, and insulated mugs for hot drinks. Because kitchen items get dinged up while camping, you’ll eventually want to buy extra skillets, pots, etc., so you don’t wreck things you need for your home.

Headlamps & Lanterns: Invest in a headlamp for each camper, so people can keep their hands free as they move around in the dark. For general use around camp, most headlamps on the market will perform just fine. For car camping, it’s helpful to have a battery powered lantern for common eating areas and the interior of your tent. With the soft glow from a lantern, you can eat, play games, or locate items without draining headlamp batteries or blinding your tent-mates.

Toiletries & Extras : For the bathhouse, pack a washcloth, towels, shower shoes, personal hygiene items, plus extra toilet paper.

Toolbox: Pack a toolbox or plastic container with utility items, such as a rubber hammer to drive in tent stakes, extra tent stakes, a mattress pump, and repair kits for tents and sleeping pads.

Day packs: Bring along small packs for hikes and other day trips.

Etiquette Tips

Just because you’re new to this camping thing, doesn’t mean you want everyone else to know it. Here are a few tips that will make you seem like a seasoned camper.

Quiet hours: Most campgrounds have quiet hours, so be a good neighbor and honor these rules. In some campgrounds, people play music and watch TVs, but you should avoid flooding the campground with unwanted noise.

Keep your campsite clean: Put trash in appropriate containers and avoid leaving food out in your campsite. Otherwise, you’ll ants and unwanted animals, such as raccoons and mice.

Pet etiquette: Check to make sure that pets are allowed in the campground. In most cases, a dog must be on a leash.

Written by Marcus Woolf 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.

As devices become more integrated into a child’s development, it is more important than ever to make outdoor activity a regular part of life from an early age.

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.

It’s Alabama, so we know the weather can be all over the place; or, as we call it “deceptive Spring”. So, here are 7 tips for introducing your kids to outdoor activities this Spring. See you outside!

The health benefits of getting outdoors are well documented. Even a simple 30-minute walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for your overall well-being. And making time to get outdoors is more important now than ever, as people of all ages spend an increasing amount of time on smartphones and tablets.

As devices become more integrated into a child’s development, it is more important than ever to make outdoor activity a regular part of life from an early age. When people aren’t exposed to outdoor activities at a young age, they often struggle to pick them up later in life. In the same way that kids grow up using and learning on devices, participation in outdoor activities should be an integral part of childhood.

Once kids get older it isn’t always easy to get them outdoors. Sometimes a hike or bike ride doesn’t seem as exciting as winning a battle on their favorite video game or watching a new YouTube video. Below are seven tips that will make it easier to pull your kids away from the tube and put down the controller.

1. Be Prepared and Consider the Weather

When you take kids outdoors, the adventure will quickly come to a halt if they get extremely hungry or thirsty. Bring a backpack with snacks and drinks, or for extended trips make a picnic lunch. It’s also a good idea to have some first-aid supplies just in case. Everyone will be much happier if you’re able to treat minor scrapes.

When kids have a positive first experience in nature, they’re much more likely to be interested in further adventures. To help ensure it’s a good time, avoid going out in bad weather. If kids wind up cold, wet, and miserable, you’ll struggle to coax them out again.

2. Start Small

If a kid has never been camping, the idea of a weekend campout under the stars may be overwhelming. Start with an overnight trip or just an evening camping in the backyard. This will help ease fears about sleeping outside, and it will give kids confidence that they can sleep with the sounds of nature.

Take this conservative approach with any outdoor activity, whether it’s hiking, mountain biking, or canoeing. Don’t ask kids to tackle difficult terrain at first. Instead, keep it simple with a trip to an interesting feature or overlook, and work your way up to the more challenging trails.

3. Turn a Hike into a Scavenger Hunt

Before you set out on a hike with kids, get them to help you research the different types of plants and animals you could come across. Make a checklist and hit the trail. This is also a good way to introduce a Leave-No-Trace approach to nature since they don’t collect the items. Having a checklist will keep them engaged during the hike and develop a greater appreciation for nature. Award bonus points or a special prize for spotting that rare salamander along the creek, a red fox creeping through the trees, or any other unique feature or creature.

4. Make a Game of It

Kids are competitive, and outdoor games are a perfect way to eliminate some screen time. Many state parks have frisbee golf courses, or you can find an open field for a game of football or soccer. You can even create a game that incorporates nature—that flowing creek is perfect for a pine cone race.

You can even play a game of hiking hide-and-seek. Someone hides behind a rock, tree, or another object about 15 to 20 feet ahead on the trail, while the rest of the group seeks while hiking. Rotate hiders as you move down the trail. It’s a twist on the traditional playground game that keeps the hike fun and exciting.

5. Use Helpful Apps

There are plenty of apps that can enhance the outdoors for your kids. When you download the free app from Geocaching.com, you can turn a walk in the woods into a hi-tech outdoor treasure hunt. With geocaching, you use a GPS or smartphone to locate a hidden object or container, known as a cache.

While part of getting outdoors is to help reduce screen time, apps that enhance the outdoors for your kids are readily available. It’s possible that a trail or astronomy app could kickstart a lifelong love of nature.

6. Teach Kids New Skills

When you introduce kids to bouldering, mountain biking, or any other outdoor activity, remember to start with the basics. Also, make sure it’s something that they’re genuinely interested in. Talk to them to find out what activity they would like to try.

If they suddenly want to start bouldering after that birthday party at the indoor climbing gym, take them to the closest boulder field, and just watch other boulderers. Join the rock-climbing gym and talk to some experts so they can hone their skills indoors before their first climb.

Take a similar path when introducing kids to mountain biking. Keep them engaged in the process of buying a bike and equipment; don’t just do it for them. This will create a sense of ownership with the sport and make it their own. Don’t push too hard on the trails at first. Instead, make sure they’re having fun and learning. It won’t be too long before you and the kids are making downhill runs together.

7. Be Patient

Every kid is different. Some will take to the outdoors right away, while others might need to be coaxed to expand their boundaries. When people try something the first time, whether it’s putting a tent together, starting a campfire, outfitting a backpack, or paddling a kayak, there will be bumps along the way. Encourage kids to overcome difficulties, but also allow them to walk away if they’re overly frustrated, tired, and truly not having a good time.

As kids learn to overcome fears and negotiate obstacles, they become more resilient mentally and build confidence. As they explore trails and paddle rivers, their time outdoors will also help them stay fit and it will put them on the path to a healthy lifestyle. And, when you help kids develop a love for the outdoors, it’s something you can share with them for a lifetime.

Written by Hap Pruitt for Matcha 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.

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 cozy winter retreat and holiday adventures in Alabama!

When the first blast of cold air descends on Alabama, it makes us dream of cozying up to a warm fire in a rustic cabin. And for outdoor lovers in Alabama, there are three state parks where you can rent old stone cabins, many with handcrafted fireplaces and other amenities for a comfortable getaway.

While the cabins are rustic, they include creature comforts you won’t get while camping—think TVs, kitchen appliances, and showers. Plus, the great advantage of these cabins is that they lie within state parks, so you also have quick access to trails for hiking and biking. And after a day of adventure, you can relax around the fire with firewood purchased in the state park.

The cabins come with some impressive history, too: In the 1930s, members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the cabins as part of the work program that brought relief to unemployed Americans during the Great Depression.

To help you plan your retreat, we’ve detailed the features of cabins in each park, plus suggestions for outdoor activities during your stay.

Monte Sano State Park

Monte Sano State Park features 14 cabins, including 11 CCC cabins built in the Arts and Crafts style. All of the cabins, except #7 and # 8, have stone fireplaces, and some come with a screened-in porch that’s perfect for relaxing in warmer weather.

Measuring 500 square feet, the CCC cabins have a studio layout, with full and twin beds, a love seat, dining table, full bath, heat and air conditioning and cable TV. In the kitchenette there’s a microwave, oven, fridge, toaster and coffee maker.

Best picks: For more privacy, try to snag cabin #10 or #11, as these are nestled in the woods and more secluded. For a bluff view, choose #6, which also has a screened-in porch. If you bring a pet, you can stay in #7 or #8, but keep in mind that these don’t have fireplaces.

Outdoor Fun

Covering more than 2,000 acres, Monte Sano State Park has 22 miles of hiking, biking and running trails, and the adjacent Land Trust Monte Sano Preserve covers about 1,100 acres, with more than 20 miles of trails.

You’ll enjoy nice bluff views and easy, flat ground if you hike the South Plateau Loop in the park. For a short hiking or biking loop in the park (about 4 miles), begin at the biker’s parking lot and take the Sinks Trail to the Stone Cuts Trail and pass through a lengthy hallway of stone. From the Stone Cuts, you can retrace your steps or loop back on the Sinks Trail or Mountain Mist Trail.

For a loop hike or bike ride over diverse terrain, begin at the Land Trust Bankhead Trailhead and take the Bluff Line trail through a hardwood forest with small streams and falls. Then, turn onto the Waterline Trail to descend a singletrack path, or scramble down boulders in a creek basin to reach Three Caves, a limestone quarry dating to the 1930s. From Three Caves. The Alms House Trail weaves through remote woods to deliver you back to the trailhead.

Chewacla State Park

Six rustic cabins at Chewacla State Park make for cozy retreats. Outdoor Alabama

On the banks of Chewacla Lake in this resplendent state park, there are six rustic cabins, including five built by the CCC in the 1930s. All the cabins were renovated in 2003 (with the exception of No. 4, which is new construction) and include a kitchen with an oven and range, refrigerator, toaster, microwave, and coffee maker.

Small cabins accommodate up to four people, while the larger ones hold up to six people. The small cabins have a studio layout with a main bedroom/living area with a fireplace, a queen size bed, and a couch with a pullout full-size bed. Off the main room there’s a bathroom with a shower. Large cabins have the same layout, but with an extra bedroom.

Best Picks: All cabins have lake views, except #1 and #3.** **For the best lake views, choose #4, #5 or #6.

Outdoor Fun

Bring your mountain bike, because Chewacla State Park is one of the best places to ride in Alabama. To experience some of the finest terrain, link together the Kick Six, Rocky Bottom, and Tiger Woods trails in Upper Chewacla. For the biggest thrill ride in the park, take Dell’s Trail and head for the Great Wall of Chewacla. After a steep and swift descent, you’ll speed across a wooden wall at a height of 10 or 15 feet above the ground. After you negotiate the wall, you’ll cross a series of serpentine bridges, skinnies, and a few pumps and jumps.

Chewacla also has several hiking trails that lead to natural and man-made waterfalls. To reach one of the most popular natural falls, you only have to hike about a mile from the parking area near the Creek View Trail. To see the most impressive flow of water in the park, take the Mountain Laurel Trail to Chewacla Falls. Formed by a dam spillway, the falls form a 30-foot curtain of water.

DeSoto State Park

Cabins at DeSoto State Park come with beds, cable TV, and other creature comforts. Outdoor Alabama

DeSoto State Park’s four CCC cabins are surrounded by mountainous terrain and beautiful hardwood forest. Each cabin has a bedroom with a full-size bed, plus a living room with a fireplace, cable TV, two twin beds and one sleeper sofa. There’s also a full kitchen, one bathroom and a shower.

Best Picks: Cabin #9 is most popular due its good bluff view. Also, all cabins are pet-friendly.

Outdoor Fun

DeSoto State Park has 25 miles of hiking trails, including numerous paths that lead to waterfalls. While Laurel Falls drops only about six feet, it’s still beautiful, and you can reach it by hiking less than a mile on the Orange Trail, a rugged path with moderate climbs.

Just behind the DeSoto Lodge you can see Lodge Falls, which drops about 25 feet. But, you can get a better look at it by hiking into a ravine and walking on the Yellow Trail.

If you’d rather bike, the park also has 11 miles of trails to ride, including the easy Family Loop near the Lost Falls trailhead. While the Family Loop traverses rugged terrain, it’s generally flat. For a more ambitious ride, challenge yourself on the steep inclines of the CCC Quarry Bike Loop, or try the 3.8-mile Never-Never Land Loop, rated moderate to strenuous. If you’re feeling particularly ambitious, take the DeSoto Scout Trail Exits, where bike racks and benches are located.

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