Family-Outdoors

Hiking is more than just a recreational activity; it’s a gateway to improved health and well-being. Whether you're navigating a bustling city, wandering through suburban trails, or trekking across rural landscapes, hiking offers numerous physical and mental health benefits. In this blog post, we'll delve into why hiking is beneficial and provide tips on personal safety to ensure your adventures are both enjoyable and secure. MISSOURI HIKING The Health Benefits of Hiking Physical Health Cardiovascular Fitness : Hiking is an excellent cardiovascular workout. It elevates your heart rate, which helps improve circulation, reduce blood pressure, and lower the risk of heart disease. Muscle Strength : Trails often have varied terrain, which can challenge different muscle groups. Your legs, core, and even upper body get a workout, especially if you’re using trekking poles. Bone Density : Weight-bearing activities like hiking help build and maintain bone density, reducing the risk of ost...

Family hiking offers great mental and physical  health benefits....keep it fun and safe! Summer is the perfect time for families to embrace the great outdoors and enjoy some quality time together. One of the best ways to experience nature is through hiking. Family hikes not only promote physical fitness but also provide opportunities to bond, explore, and create lasting memories. However, ensuring that your family hikes are safe and enjoyable requires some planning and preparation. Here are some tips and recommendations for making your summer family hikes both fun and safe. St. Louis Hiking  Choosing the Right Trail 1. Research Family-Friendly Trails: When planning a family hike, especially with younger children, choose trails that are known to be family-friendly. Look for trails that are relatively short, have gentle inclines, and offer plenty of shade. National parks and local nature reserves often have designated family hiking trails with clear signage and facilities. 2. C...

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit near Hartford Wisconsin.  MADISON -- Anyone looking to start their New Year's resolution for better health can start the year off on the right foot by participating in any of 10 First Day Hikes that will be held at Wisconsin State Park properties on January 1. On a First Day Hike, visitors can enjoy walks through diverse, beautiful natural areas, led by park rangers or volunteers. Most hikes include additional activities such as campfires, naturalist guides, wildlife tracking, and hot beverages after the hike. Hikers gather for a group photo at a 2014 First Day Hike at the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Photo Credit: WDNR All 50 states are participating in the fifth annual event that invites families and friends to celebrate the New Year amid the sights, sounds and wonder of our natural world with fun, guided hikes. On Jan. 1, 2015, 507 participants hiked 1,191 miles at 10 different Wisconsin state park ...

East Twin Lake in mid-October. Photo by Walt Ford/USFWS. In the 1930s, the Midwest was hit hard by drought and the economic free fall of the Great Depression. In the midst of all of this human hardship and uncertainty, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge was born. Established on October 31,1935, during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, this 18,000 area refuge was established to preserve valuable habitat for waterfowl. Today, Roosevelt’s vision of habitat conservation is still alive and well. For more than a thousand years, the Rice Lake area has been home to Native Americans, due to the bountiful wild rice and abundant wild game. Today, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge continues to provide habitat for migrating and resident waterfowl. The American Bird Conservancy designated Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge as a Globally Important Bird Area because of the importance of the lake and its wild rice as a food source to migrating waterfowl, especially ri...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) PIERRE, S.D.  – Visitors to the Oahe Downstream Recreation Area near Fort Pierre will have the opportunity to learn about the park's winter residents and enjoy a snack on the 13th Annual Eagles and Bagels Walk in the Park on Saturday, Feb. 7. “This is a good opportunity for participants to get out and enjoy our South Dakota winter and view our nation’s bird – the Bald Eagle,” said Pat Buscher, Oahe Downstream district supervisor. Program attendees will learn about eagles from a program presentation and then have the opportunity to view and ask questions about the bald eagles on a guided walk. The program will begin at 9 a.m. CST at the Oahe Downstream group lodge. Information will be presented highlighting eagles, their habitat, and tips and proper conduct for viewing and photographing these magnificent birds. The group will travel into the park for a 2-mile guided walk (weather permitting) to observe the birds in their natu...

Oregon Trail South of Three Island Crossing (Photo credit: gharness ) PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota State Parks Director Doug Hofer announced today that applications are being accepted for grants from the Recreation Trails Program (RTP). The grants will be available for trail projects sponsored by municipalities, counties, state parks, federal land management agencies or tribal governments. “When it comes to promoting healthy communities, recreational trails are key,” Hofer said. “As safe corridors for exercise and recreation, trails give families the opportunity to spend quality time together and enjoy the natural beauty of our state.” The Recreational Trails Program provides partial reimbursement for approved trail projects. Eligible projects include construction of new public trails, rehabilitation of existing public trails, development of trail-related facilities and educational programs that relate to recreational trails. The application deadline is  Friday, April 11,...

The Iowa Trails Summit is June 15, 16, and 17 in Cedar Falls-Waterloo with activities and discussion revolving around this year’s theme of Connecting Children with the Outdoors, Healthy Communities, and Trails Visioning.  The event is hosted by the Friends of Iowa Trails, a non-profit group whose mission is to connect people with outdoor recreation; and with support from Iowa DOT.   Information on attending the summit is available at  www.friendsofiowatrails.org .

Image via Wikipedia SPEARFISH, S.D. – On Feb. 25, visitors to  Roughlock Falls  near Spearfish will have the opportunity to experience the winter sights and sounds of the Black Hills by donning a pair of snowshoes on a special Game, Fish and Parks Department hike. “This snowshoe walk is a great way to try something new and to experience the Hills from a whole different perspective,” said Dana Garry, Mickelson Trail manager. “We encourage folks of all skill levels to join us. No previous experience needed. If you can walk, you can snowshoe!” Staff will teach basic snowshoeing skills while leading a two-mile, round-trip nature walk along the trail. Snowshoes are provided, but reservations are required to borrow snowshoes by calling 605-584-3896 . There is no cost for the hike, which departs from the Latchstring Restaurant at 1 p.m. MST on Saturday, Feb. 25. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather because temperatures in the Black Hills can be unpred...

Image via Wikipedia PIERRE, S.D. - Visitors at   Oahe Downstream Recreation Area   near Fort Pierre will learn all about the park's winter residents and enjoy a snack on the Eagles and Bagels Walk in the Park event Feb. 4. “This is a good opportunity for families and participants to get out and enjoy our South Dakota winter and view the migrating eagles at Oahe Downstream," said Pat Buscher, Oahe Downstream district supervisor. “Participants have a great opportunity to view, learn, and ask questions about the bald eagles on the guided walk." January and February offer park visitors a great chance of seeing many birds, he said. “The cold weather, abundant cottonwood trees, and waterfowl keep the eagles located close to the downstream area," Buscher said. Participants will also learn more about eagles from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Charlene Bessken, author of the 1991 children’s book, Eagles for Kids. Bessken also wrote the Wisconsin Bald Eagle Reco...

Image via Wikipedia CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. – On Feb. 11, visitors to  Custer State Park  will have the opportunity to experience the winter sights and sounds of the popular park, by way of a pair of snowshoes. The Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike will guide participants through a dense pine forest, meandering near Grace Coolidge Creek. The three-mile hike is geared toward beginners, allowing participants the opportunity to try the recreational event and explore some of the park’s most beautiful winter scenery. Two hikes will depart that day, leaving at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. from the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center. Snowshoes are provided, but reservations are required to borrow snowshoes by calling  605-255-4464 . There is no cost for the hikes; however, a park entrance license is required. If the amount of snow does not allow for snowshoeing, a guided hike will be held. Participants should dress appropriately for the weather, as temperatures in the Black Hills can be u...

Image via Wikipedia Cheboygan State Park, located at 4490 Beach Road in Cheboygan County, will sponsor a Go Get Outdoors evening of Lantern-Lit Cross-Country Skiing and Hiking from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28. The event will begin at the park trailhead off Seffern Road where skiers will find approximately 1.8 miles of groomed and track-set trails lit every 50 feet by lanterns. Participants can warm up to a bonfire at the trailhead before starting out. Another bonfire, snacks and hot chocolate will be provided at 14 Foot Shoals Cabin located near the halfway point on the trail. Snowshoers and hikers are welcome to participate but are requested to keep to the opposite side of the groomed ski tracks. The event will take place weather permitting, and interested participants should call ahead to confirm there is adequate snowfall at the park. The telephone number for Cheboygan State Park is 231-627-2811. Cheboygan State Park, located two miles southeast of Cheboygan...