10 Rediscovered Family Getaways

by Ron Chepesiuk

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Ariz.
Majestic vistas and sheer cliffs provide the backdrop to a lesson in Southwest Indian history, from the earliest Anasazi basketmakers to the Navajos who still live in northeast Arizona near Chinle. The ruins of villages dating back 1,500 years and an abundance of rock drawings are still visible at the base of the canyon’s cliffs.

Visitors can learn more through interpretive exhibits and talks, or simply enjoy the park by horseback, auto tours, or hiking. (Note: Hiking within most of the canyon requires a U.S. Park Service permit and an authorized Navajo guide.)

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, P.O. Box 588, Chinle, AZ 86503; (520) 674-5500.

Great Camp Sagamore, Raquette Lake, N.Y.
"Great Camps" are grand, rustic, vacation estates built by wealthy entrepreneurs in the Adirondack Mountains around the turn of the 20th century. One of them – the former Vanderbilt family summer retreat – is now a National Historic Site open to the public for residential programs and tours. The camp features 27 of the original buildings and 20 miles of pristine hiking trails, among other treats.

Check out talented folk artists demonstrating the local arts and craft tradition, take a cruise on Raquette Lake, or sign up for workshops in chair caning, boat building, fly fishing, outdoor weekends, or Adirondack history, among other things.

Great Camp Sagamore, P.O. Box 146, Raquette Lake, NY, 13436; (315) 354-5311.

New River Gorge, W.Va.
Thousands once trekked here for what they hoped would be the natural healing power of the local mineral springs. Water remains the attraction but now it’s for the thrill of riding the New River. The Lower New is known for world-class whitewater rafting and kayaking, while the Upper New is gaining a reputation for gentle family float trips, with rapids exciting enough to whoop about but not too frightening for youngsters or active senior citizens.

Canoeing, boat cruises, jet boat excursions, interpretive history walks, nature hikes, and smallmouth bass fishing also are popular along the Upper New.

New River Convention Bureau, 310 Oyler Ave., Oak Hill, WV 25901; (304) 465-5617.

Voyageurs National Park, Minn.
Recreate the birch-bark canoe journeys of the rugged French Canadians 300 years ago for an adventurous family vacation just a stone’s throw from the Canadian border. Voyageurs provides free canoes and rowboats for several interior lakes. Guided canoe and kayak trips are available, from day trips to longer journeys, including Kabetogama Peninsula, which can be circumnavigated in about a week.

Park naturalists offer interpretive walks, evening programs, children’s activities, and a junior ranger program.

Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53, International Falls, MN 56649; (218) 283-9821.

Texas State Railroad State Historical Park, Rusk, Texas
Many state parks are described as the "biggest." But the "skinniest?" This park, 25.5 miles long and 50 to 200 feet wide along the Neches River, includes two trains that deliver a nostalgic, scenic look at turn-of-the-century rail travel through the piney woods of East Texas. Visitors also can fish, camp, and hike in nearby Rusk/Palestine State Park or shop for antiques, tour historic downtowns, or visit the Museum of East Texas and a zoo in neighboring towns.

Texas State Railroad State Historical Park, P.O. Box 39, Rusk, TX, 75785; (903) 683-2561.

Oconee County, S.C.
This northwest South Carolina county lying in the shade of the Blue Ridge Mountains offers the serenity of the mountains along with an abundance of activities and attractions – golf at five choice courses, water sports on three large lakes, whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River, and the country’s largest trout hatcheries which restock local mountain streams to make this a top fishing destination.

Sightseers can also travel the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, visit historic districts, and visit Issaqueena Falls, a 200-foot cascade named after a legendary Indian maiden.

Seneca Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 855, Seneca, SC 29679; (864) 882-2097.

Buffalo Bill Historic Center, Cody, Wyo.
One of our nation’s finest exhibits of life in the Old West is named in honor William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody – prairie scout, Wild West Show entertainer and one of the world’s most recognizable men at the turn of the 20th century. The center, about 50 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east gate, features a library and four internationally acclaimed museums: the Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum, and the Whitney Gallery of Western Art. Memorabilia and interactive exhibits bring to life such legends as Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull, Wild Bill Hickock, Wyatt Earp, and the other icons from one of our nation’s most captivating and romantic periods.

Buffalo Bill Historic Center, 720 Sheridan Ave., Cody, WY 82414; (307) 587-4771.

Tishomingo County, Miss.
This northeast Mississippi county bills itself as the best kept secret in the South, understandable given its 25,000 acres, six marinas, and two state parks open to the outdoor enthusiast for boating, fishing, camping, biking, hiking, golf, canoeing, horseback riding, or simply lounging on a Tennessee River beach. Stay in a cabin or at any of 250 campsites. The locals boast that if you love boating and fishing, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Tishomingo County Development Foundation, 203 E. Quitman, Iuka, MS 38852; (800) FUN-HERE.

Baker County, Ore.
The Gold Rush is history, but this county offers a real feel for the period at Cracker Creek Mining Camp, where modern day Forty-niners can keep any gold they find. If that sounds like too much sweat visit Baker City, which has more than 110 buildings and homes on the National Register of Historic Places. Here you may ride a narrow gauge railroad or experience frontier life at the unique Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, which uses exhibits, sound effects, and video presentations to tell the story of westward migration.

For a little more action you can raft or jet ski in Hell’s Canyon, North America’s deepest river-carved canyon (7,800 feet, top to bottom).

Baker County Visitor and Convention Bureau, 490 Campbell St., Baker City, OR 97814; (800) 523-1235.

Spirit Lake, Iowa
Grab a thrill a minute at Arnold’s Park, the oldest amusement park west of the Mississippi River, which boasts one of the world’s Top 10 wooden roller coasters and more than 30 other rides – or simply enjoy the beauty of spring-fed Lake West Okoboji, whose clear depths have become a Mecca for Midwest scuba divers. This Iowa Great Lakes Region is known for its scenic splendor and recreational activities such as sailing, fishing, golf, riding stables, collegiate summer theater, and art galleries. Kids will find plenty to do at an18-hole mini-golf course and go-kart track next to Arnold’s Park.

Spirit Lake City Hall, 1803 Hill Ave., Spirit Lake, IA 51360; (712) 336-1871. Arnold’s Park Amusement Park, P.O. Box 609, Arnold’s Park, IA 51331; (800) 599-6995.

Ron Chepesiuk is a Rock Hill, S.C., writer who has written travel articles while on assignment in 30 countries.

first appeared: 5/7/2000