The best outdoor vacations leave room for both movement and wonder: a trail that opens onto a mountain vista, a quiet stretch of water, or a wildlife sighting that stops everyone in their tracks. For travelers who like their days outdoors but would rather leave the route planning to someone else, a guided small-group trip can make it easier to explore.
Austin Adventures’ current collection of new trips spans national parks, coastlines, and family escapes. These four itineraries show how different an active vacation can feel, from a short Montana getaway to a week on Mexico’s Sea of Cortez. Austin Adventures
Glacier National Park: Mountains at an Easier Pace
Glacier’s dramatic peaks might suggest a vacation of strenuous hikes and early starts. The four-day Glacier National Park Getaway takes a gentler approach, starting and ending in Whitefish. Guests walk the Trail of the Cedars, cruise Lake McDonald, ride a historic Red Jammer bus along Going-to-the-Sun Road, and float the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.
It’s a way to experience the park by trail, lake, road, and river without making every day a demanding hike. A chairlift ride on Whitefish Mountain adds one last broad view before the trip ends. Austin Adventures
Acadia and Coastal Maine: Trails with a Saltwater View
For an active trip where the landscape shifts between forest and sea, the six-day Acadia National Park Adventurecombines Maine’s rocky coastline with its harbor towns. The route includes hiking in Camden Hills State Park and Acadia, guided kayaking in the Muscle Ridge archipelago, and a sail from Camden Harbor.
In Acadia, travelers visit places such as Jordan Pond, Otter Point, Cadillac Mountain, and Bass Harbor Head Light. Overnight stays in Camden and Bar Harbor give the trip a different rhythm from a park-only vacation, with time to return to town after a day outdoors. Austin Adventures
Baja California Sur: A Family Vacation on the Water
Austin Adventures’ seven-day Ultimate Baja Family Vacation heads to Baja California Sur and Isla Espíritu Santo. The itinerary moves among hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, and marine-life experiences, with time near Todos Santos and La Paz and nights at an island beach camp.
For families, the appeal is the variety. One day might bring a walk above the Pacific near Punta Lobos; another might mean paddling from camp or snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez. The itinerary also includes opportunities to encounter sea lions and whale sharks. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, so check the activities planned for your departure before booking. Austin Adventures
Yellowstone in Winter: Geothermal Landscapes and Wildlife
Yellowstone is often imagined as a summer road trip, but winter changes both its pace and its appearance. On the six-day Yellowstone Winter Family Vacation, families travel by snowcoach toward Old Faithful, visit Mammoth Hot Springs, look for wildlife in Lamar Valley, and try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
Steam rising through cold air gives the geyser basins a striking backdrop, while snow transforms familiar park views. The itinerary also includes a stop at Chico Hot Springs. It suits families prepared for winter conditions who want to experience another side of Yellowstone; wildlife sightings and access depend on conditions. Austin Adventures
Choosing the Right Trip
Glacier offers a shorter, relaxed introduction to Montana. Acadia mixes coastal hiking with kayaking and sailing. Baja puts the water at the center of a family vacation, while Yellowstone makes winter part of the adventure. Austin Adventures lists the activity level and full itinerary for each trip, so travelers can compare the physical demands as well as the destinations.
The company’s sister brand, Active Adventures, offers guided trips farther afield, including New Zealand, South America, Europe, the Himalayas, and Africa. Before making plans, confirm departure availability, inclusions, and the latest itinerary with the operator. Austin Adventures
