Let's Go Outside | Adventurous Moms, Hiking, Camping, Travelling with Kids, Parenting Outside

In this episode of Let’s Go Outside, we’re taking a family climbing and camping trip to California’s desert with our three kids (9 months, 3 year old, and 6 year old) We spent two weeks exploring Alabama Hills and Joshua Tree National Park, combining minimalist van camping with an Airbnb stay. I’m sharing what it’s really like to go desert camping with kids, what we packed, how we kept the kids entertained, and what to know about camping in the desert, from wind and dust to water, toilets, and stargazing.We’ll explore Alabama Hills camping and rock climbing, including free dispersed camping, family-friendly scrambling, and our favorite spots near Mount Whitney. Then we’ll head to Joshua Tree National Park, where I share our favorite climbing area, camping options at Hidden Valley and Indian Cove, and a hidden scramble through the Secret Chasm of Doom. I’ll also share a few of our favorite local stops, including places to eat and shop near Joshua Tree. Plus, we’ll talk about Leave No Trace in the desert, why human waste needs special consideration in arid environments, and my somewhat embarrassing story…Finally, we’re talking about rock climbing with kids and babies at different ages: how we manage naps at the crag, keep toddlers entertained, choose climbing areas that work for families, and balance adult climbing goals with the kids’ needs. If you love outdoor adventures with your children but wonder how to keep climbing through pregnancy, postpartum, and the busy years of motherhood, this episode is full of practical tips, honest stories, and encouragement to keep bringing your kids along.Places & Resources mentioned: Alabama HillsAlabama Hills Free Camping Permit: https://sierraforever.org/alabama-hills-camping-permit/ Tuttle Creek Campground - Alabama Hills, California Creek Spot on Tuttle Creek Road - https://maps.app.goo.gl/hf1ALcKYSzdXTEYC8 Vibras Juice BarJoshua Tree BLM Land Camping Hidden Valley Campground Indian Cove CampgroundThe Climb I always do: The Eye - Cyclops RockCave: The Secret Chasm Of Doom - in the Real Hidden Valley Area Yucca Valley: Kasa Market - Tacos and Horchata Angel View Resale Store - Thrift Store Yucca Valley016: Wildlife Safety for Moms: Bear Spray, Cougars, Ticks & Confidence on the Trail - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCKuUZQ3shs&t=327s 046: How to Poop Outside with Kids - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M02PGh7Pgho&t=417s Gear mentioned:Wild Bird Carrier - https://link.amazon/B09n9jD3D Ted & Phil Playpen - https://link.amazon/B0dVzNIZ8 Travel Stroller - https://link.amazon/B0g6zShO8 Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] (some of these are affiliate links*)Codes & Discounts:Family Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharing  Travel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

What happens when your partner heads into one of the world’s hardest mountains while you stay home with the kids? Shannon from Restless Crusade shares an honest look at family adventure, parenting through risk, and supporting a spouse’s big goals. From her husband going to climb Denali’s demanding glacier, to her leaving the kids to go climb Mount Rainier climb, this conversation explores outdoor adventure, marriage, and family life. Shannon talks about the emotional weight of staying home while a partner climbs, keeping kids connected with a satellite communicator, and what conversations her and her husband had before going to reach the summit.You’ll hear about:Supporting a partner’s solo adventure after having kidsManaging worry and communication when your partner goes to climb a high-risk mountain climbBuilding a family culture around hiking, backpacking, and outdoor adventureMaking room for independent goals and family timeThe importance of teamwork, safety, and knowing when to turn backIf you’re an adventure mom, an outdoorsy parent, or part of a couple navigating different needs for adventure and family time, this episode will be helpful and insightful. Places mentioned:Denali, Alaska, USAMount Rainier Washington state, USABisaro Anima Cave, Fernie BCGear mentioned:Garmin inReach3 Mini: https://alnk.to/7MeDZGtTrail Magik: https://alnk.to/90DX1se Connect with Shannon:@restlesscrusade restlesscrusade.com https://www.youtube.com/@restlesscrusade1426 Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Family Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharing  Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Travel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

Meagan shares how she got into riding as an adult, how she built confidence in the sport, and why riding with other women has been such a meaningful part of the journey. We discuss biking as a family, choosing the right kids’ bikes. Then she shares about riding through pregnancy and postpartum, and we chat about outdoor movement and mental health in motherhood. I asked her about bike styles, including all-mountain, cross country, and downhill setups. We talk about biking with kids, including shotgun seats, strider bikes, tow ropes, and keeping rides fun and flexible. Meagan explains what to look for in kids’ bikes, especially fit, handbrakes, and when gears start to make sense. We discuss the value of making time for solo rides and women’s trips, even in a busy household. Gear mentioned:Strider bike/balance bike Shotgun bike seat - https://alnk.to/1Y1xDBy Tow rope/bungee tow strap for helping kids up hills - https://alnk.to/2FGzyPT  Connect with Meagan: [email protected] Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Family Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharing  Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% offTravel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

How to Poop Outside with Kids — because eventually, every outdoor family has to figure out what to do when someone says, “I have to poop!” and there’s no bathroom anywhere nearby. In this episode, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about taking kids to the bathroom in the woods, including some of the funniest (and most ridiculous) poop situations we experienced.We’ll talk through how to dig and cover a cat hole, where to go, what to pack, what to do with toilet paper and wipes, when you need to pack human waste out, and how things change when you’re camping in one place for several nights. I also share practical tips for periods in the backcountry, potty training while camping, and what to do when you’re caught without the right supplies. Plus, we’ll talk about being proactive with kids before heading above treeline or into places where finding a bathroom—or even a good place to dig—isn't an option.Most importantly, we’re getting into how to actually help kids poop outside without making it a huge, stressful ordeal. From different ways to hold a squatting toddler to helping embarrassed kids, finding a system that works for your family, and teaching older kids to eventually do it themselves, this episode is all about making one of the less glamorous parts of outdoor adventures feel a whole lot more manageable. If you’ve ever wondered how to poop outside with kids, this is the practical, honest conversation you need before your next camping, hiking, backpacking, or family adventure.Resources mentioned: Backpacking with Babies and Small Children Book, Goldie Sliverman - https://amzn.to/4hu7I3jLeave No Trace - Pooping Outside Leave No Trace - Dispose of waste Gear mentioned:Ultralight backpacking trovel - https://amzn.to/4xnzkMt Lightweight plastic trovel - https://alnk.to/gKV5Kq0 Midsized Shovel (for the vehicle) - https://amzn.to/4xvfBKS Mycelium Tabs to breakdown poop - ⁠https://amzn.to/4cKzWnP⁠ Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Family Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharing Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro Ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% offTravel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing 

Have you wondered how to do diapers while travelling, camping, hiking, or backpacking with a baby? And when does it make more sense to use disposable or cloth diapers?In this episode, I’m sharing everything we’ve learned from using cloth diapers with all three of our kids, from the newborn stage through potty training, as well as our experience using cloth diapers while travelling internationally, camping, and spending extended backpacking trips.I’m sharing some real-life examples of cloth diapering while travelling and camping, including trips to Vancouver Island, Cuba and Belize, where we washed diapers by hand or used washing machines when available.We’ll also get into diapering on a 24-day backpacking trip with our 6-month-old baby. Since we were hiking every day and couldn't reliably wash and dry cloth diapers, we chose eco-friendly disposable diapers instead. I’ll share what we looked for when choosing diapers, how many diapers our baby used each day, and what we did with used diapers in the backcountry. I also share best practices according to Leave No Trace and how we did the very best we could while still actually going! We’ll also talk about other options for outdoor diapering, including compostable diaper liners, elimination communication, and bringing a small potty for babies and toddlers.If you're wondering how to manage diapers while travelling with a baby, cloth diapering while camping, using cloth diapers on a road trip, hiking with a baby, or backpacking with a baby, this episode is full of the practical things I wish I had known before doing it myself.Nora's Nursery — cloth diapering basics, covers, inserts, and information for getting started https://norasnursery.com/Green Mountain Diapers — excellent resource for learning about cloth diapers, natural fibers, washing, absorbency, and different diaper systems https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/Let's Go Outside – Episode 21: Elimination Communication with Joanna Romano — using elimination communication while getting outside with babies and kids https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nHkvgmkEQxR63K4P2poK1?si=mpdJbw1iS8W1Ah3KiIALEALeave No Trace Canada — responsible outdoor practiceshttps://leavenotrace.ca/services/3-dispose-of-waste-properly/ Our cloth diaper setup for travelling2-3 Nora's Nursery covers20-25 Bamboo/hemp/organic cotton insertsCloth wipesDisposable wipesWet bags: 1 big, 1 small - https://amzn.to/4iE5nDY Laundry detergent sheets for travel - https://amzn.to/4gsxhBs Disposable diapers for overnight/travel daysOur 24-day backpacking trip setupNaty diapers - https://amzn.to/4gBrwjK Compostable wipes -  https://amzn.to/4xyffE0 Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% offTravel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

In this episode of Let’s Go Outside, we sit down with Samantha Foote to explore the challenges and benefits of taking neurodivergent children into nature. Adventuring, camping, and exploring the outdoors offer massive developmental and regulatory benefits for kids with ADHD and Autism, but the transition can also introduce unfamiliar sensory triggers. Samantha breaks down how to anticipate common pain points beforehand, offering practical advice on preparing your child for the new sights, sounds, and sleeping arrangements that come with spending a night outside. Beyond supporting the kids, Samantha shares wisdom for parents on managing their own expectations and staying calm when a highly anticipated family adventure doesn't go exactly as planned. This is a helpful episode if you want to go camping with your kids but want to figure out how to prepare them ahead of time for a new experience! Connect with Samantha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybrainisdifferent/ Website: https://www.everybrainisdifferent.com/ Podcast: https://everybrainisdifferent.com/podcast Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other parents in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/ Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountain Email me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts: Download my FREE high-protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebook Snack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/ Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

What is it actually like to thru-hike the Great Divide Trail (GDT) with kids? In this episode, I’m sharing our experience hiking about Section B, 198 km of the GDT with our three kids, including our 6-month-old baby. I’m talking about GDT preparation, hiking with kids, backpacking gear, food and meal planning, keeping kids motivated on long hiking days, baby gear, clothing, sleep, diapers, and some stories from our time on the trails. This is a very honest look at what worked, what didn't, and what it was like to do a long-distance backpacking trip as a family.In this episode:What the Great Divide Trail is and where it goesWhy we decided to take on such a big family backpacking tripHow we prepared physically with only a few weeks to get readyHow we planned our 24-day GDT itineraryWhat it was actually like hiking 8–12 km days with kidsHow we planned backpacking meals for 24 daysOur breakfasts, hot lunches and dehydrated dinnersFreeze-drying vs. dehydrating food for backpackingWhat was in our daily backpacking snack bagsOur sleeping setup with three kids and a babyBackpacking with a 6-month-old babyDiapers on a long-distance backpacking trip Clothing systems for the kids, baby, Daniel and meWhat the kids actually needed for entertainment—and what they didn'tResources mentioned: Favorite Backpacking Gear Guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pUSPRn2aFl_eFRcn90IMG5qf1vsW8atk/view?usp=sharingOur Complete Packing List: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AKb_DjegF9p406bjUQaHo8zN611jTapM/view?usp=sharingConnect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Join my FREE email list where I share healthy snack recipes I’m creating, and what’s happening for adventures in my life and other fun things. It’s a weekly email and I’d love to have you a part of the community. https://besidethemountain.com/subscribe/ Codes & Discounts:Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

In this solo episode of the Let’s Go Outside Podcast, we are breaking down a massive family update—we are officially committing to thru-hiking a section of the Great Divide Trail (GDT) this summer with our three kids, including our 6-month-old baby! (so a three-week backpacking trip as a family!)  Stepping away from the daily grind means swapping endless housework and domestic chaos for the beautiful simplicity of mountain life, but it also comes with real fears. I share honestly about the logistics we are sorting through, from managing backcountry food drops to solving the ultimate "diaper dilemma" on a long-distance trail. In addition to our GDT planning and gear testing, the second half of this episode is packed with practical, field-tested tips to get your kids to actually enjoy hiking. You’ll hear me share about transforming the trail into an imaginative adventure and eliminating complaining and other tips I’ve learned from legendary outdoor parents so your kids look forward to hiking. Whether you are an experienced backpacker looking to transition into adventure parenting or a mom trying to navigate a weekend day hike with a toddler, this episode will give you the practical tools and inspiration you need to confidently head into the wild.Resources mentioned: How to Tell Stories to Children: https://amzn.to/4vWXahOOsprey Poco Premium Child Carrier  https://amzn.to/4uFNdUUThe Nugget Podcast Episode 171: https://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/leo-houlding Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookTravel gear guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IEqVfpGk-5uJ29uoiScoZXLPnTY4r311/view?usp=sharing

What happens when life suddenly pauses everything you thought your family’s future would look like? In this emotional and inspiring episode of the Let’s Go Outside Podcast, adventurous outdoor mom Frieda Draxlir shares her family’s difficult NICU journey with her daughter Ivy, who was born at 32 weeks with a perforated bowel and required intensive medical care, including a PICC line for 3 years. Frieda shares the reality of spending time in the NICU over 2020, the uncertainty that came with caring for a critically sick baby, and the practices that helped her stay grounded during one of the hardest seasons of motherhood. She also opens up about how her faith became an anchor when everything felt completely out of control.Frieda also talks about what it looked like to return to “normal life” after the NICU, and what came with travelling and exploring again. How their family figured out how to go outdoors with the PICC line and did things like caving, road tripping, and taking flights with their daughter. This conversation goes beyond parenting and outdoor adventure. Whether you are healing from trauma, or simply a parent trying to rebuild confidence after a hard season, Frieda’s story is full of hope, honesty, and resilience.Frieda’s NICU journey with her daughter IvyIvy being born with a perforated bowel and requiring a PICC lineCoping with fear, uncertainty, and medical trauma in motherhoodFinding peace and grounding during long hospital staysChristian faith through difficult seasonsReturning to outdoor adventure after traumaNavigating anxiety and building confidence as a parentAdventuring, travelling, and exploring with kids after the NICUEncouragement for moms walking through hard seasonsWisdom in how to support moms that are in the NICUConnect with Frieda Draxlir: https://www.instagram.com/friedadrax/ https://www.instagram.com/thedailydraxlirshow/ Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Wildelore: https://wildelore.com/ Use code LETSGOOUTSIDE15 for 15% off

Ever look at photos of families hiking beautiful trails or camping under the stars and think, “I want that so badly, but I am just too exhausted to make it happen”?If you are trapped in a cycle of survival mode, drowning in laundry, and feeling like your physical body just can’t match the adventures you want to do, this episode is for you. Staci is a functional nutrition coach and metabolism specialist, Staci goes beyond surface-level solutions to uncover the root causes driving weight, gut, hormone, and energy issues. Her Whole Health Method equips clients with the tools — food, movement, habits, mindset, and lab data — to finally understand what their body needs and build health that actually lasts.Today, we dive into mom fatigue and the goal of being healthy to do the adventures we want with our kids. Hint: It’s not just "part of having kids." We talk about the hidden root causes like gut health and inflammation that quietly drain our energy and steal our capacity for big family adventures. We aren't here to give you a massive, overwhelming life overhaul. Instead, we’re sharing simple, realistic health habits and everyday nutrition shifts that will help you rebuild your trail energy one manageable step at a time.Tune in to hear how you can go from surviving park days to thriving on dream family hikes!The "Just a Parent" Myth: Why deep exhaustion isn't just a baseline requirement of motherhood, and how hidden root causes like gut health and inflammation might be holding you back.The Internal Struggle: Honest reflections on wanting to be an adventurous mom while feeling physically limited.Where to Start When You're Overwhelmed: Practical, low-barrier first steps to rebuild your energy without adding stress to a chaotic schedule.From Parks to National Parks: A full-circle story of Staci travelling to Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier, and realizing that your body can finally match your adventurous spirit.Resources mentioned: Oura Ring https://amzn.to/4dL6JIX Connect with Staci: https://www.instagram.com/buildingtothrivenutrition/ https://www.buildingtothrivenutrition.com/Join the FREE Facebook community: Connect with other women in your area to go exploring with, ask your gear and trip questions, search in FB groups Let’s Go Outside Podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/1984734118616209/ Connect with Danika on IG: @besidethemountain Try Danika’s healthy snack recipes: https://besidethemountain.com/Watch on podcasts YouTube: @besidethemountainEmail me: [email protected] Codes & Discounts:Download my FREE high protein snacks ebook: besidethemountain.com/protein-ebookSnack Prep Pro ebook: https://besidethemountain.com/snack-prep-pro/