kids playing under an national stone arch in Arches National Park

On a mission to make family travel suck less

Explore the Night Sky with Nomadic Star Tours

Join Kieghan on a private star tour right at your campsite! Using his telescopes, he’ll guide you through the wonders of the night sky, from constellations to distant galaxies.

It’s a unique and fun experience for the whole family. Ready to learn more?

Click the button below to get all the details and book your tour!

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Exploring National Parks with Kids?

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The Ultimate Family Guide for Your National Park Adventure

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Welcome, Wild One!

Welcome to Where Wild Ones Roam, your ultimate destination for family travel made easy! We are the Murphy family. With over six years of full-time travel under our belts and a brood ranging from newborns to teenagers, we've mastered the art of making travel suck less.

From insider tips and tricks to comprehensive guides and product recommendations, we're here to empower families like yours to embark on unforgettable adventures without the stress and overwhelm.

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I spent most of the evening reading the stories of park rangers across the National Park Service. I read every post, every shared experience. I swiped through carousels of photos—images capturing the best parts of their jobs. Smiling faces doing the work they once dreamed of, the work they spent years striving for, the work that helps protect our national parks. The same parks we’ve spent nearly seven years exploring.

And those faces? They’re the same rangers who have cheerfully welcomed us at entrance gates, shared their favorite trails at visitor centers, led incredible programs that taught us about park history and wildlife, and sworn our kids in as Junior Rangers at 34 national parks and over 70 other NPS sites. Park rangers matter.

As a family who builds our adventures around these incredible places, we are heartbroken by the uncertain future of America’s parks and forests. With the busy travel season ahead, many families—ours included—are wondering what this means. We don’t have all the answers, but we can help by sharing ways to recreate responsibly, ensuring these lands remain protected and accessible for generations to come. Now, more than ever, we must do our part.

Here’s how you can recreate responsibly:

🌲 Follow Leave No Trace. Not sure how? Check the link in our bio.

🗑️ Pack out your trash. Services may be limited— take everything with you.

🥾Stick to marked trails and designated parking.

🎒Come prepared. Bring water, food, gear, and a first aid kit.

🦌 Respect wildlife. Observe from a distance—no feeding or touching.

🤎 Be patient and kind. Park staff and volunteers are doing their best.

We stand with park rangers. Together, we can make a difference. 💚🤎

#NationalParks #PublicLands #FindYourPark #KeepItPublic #RecreateResponsibly #LeaveNoTrace #ProtectPublicLands #PackItOut #ExploreResponsibly #StandWithRangers #ProtectOurParks #ParkRangersMatter #SaveOurPublicLands #SupportParkRangers #FamilyTravel #OutdoorFamilies #AdventureTogether #KidsWhoExplore #PlanAhead #TravelWithKids

✨ “Go dance, get up off our feet, We could dance all night” 💃🕺
Dancing our way through life, love, and epic adventures—because nothing says true love like road trips and red rock backdrops. ❤️🏜️

Happy Valentine’s Day from Page, AZ! Wherever you are, may your adventures always be wild and your love stories unforgettable. 💫

#ValentinesDayVibes #AdventureTogether #LoveInTheWild #PageArizona #TravelCoupleGoals #WhereWildOnesRoam #EpicLoveStory #RedRockRomance #DancingThroughLife #FamilyTravelAdventures

Here’s what nobody is talking about when it comes to Black Canyon of the Gunnison: East Portal is magical. ✨

Although technically outside of the national park, we found East Portal to be a magical place away from the hustle & bustle of the canyon’s South Rim. We drove our truck down East Portal Road (steep, windy but totally worth it) to a sort of tranquility that we weren’t expecting.

History:
East Portal was created during the construction of the Gunnison Tunnel and the town was built to support the construction. Built between 1905 and 1909, the Gunnison Tunnel was built to move water from the Gunnison River to the Uncompahgre Valley to provide vital resources to the communities within the valley. Today, there isn’t much remaining of the town or the tunnel, but you can still explore this area below the rim without a permit.

Things to Do:
✨East Portal Trail: Hike an easy trail along the Gunnison River that begins at the East Portal Campground and follows the riverbank. Great for littles! Did you know river otters call the Gunnison River home, too?

✨Crystal Dam: Crystal Dam is one of three dams that help regulate the flow of the Gunnison River through Black Canyon. We found the information boards helpful to understand why the dam was built and the role it plays in the Black Canyon ecosystem.

✨ Picnic by the River: We packed a picnic, sat by the river and simply soaked in the sights and sounds. It was truly one of my favorite activities. So simple, yet so powerful to be present in the moment. We enjoyed watching the anglers and kayakers in the river.

When you visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, it is well worth your time to head down to East Portal and experience the true magic of life at the bottom of the canyon.

📍East Portal | Access from the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, entrance fee required

Did you know that you could explore this park from the canyon’s edge AND at the bottom along the Gunnison River?

Follow us @wherewildonesroam for exploring national parks with kids, family-focused guides and going on epic adventures together as a family!

If you ask me, this was a no brainer. I mean, it was literally in the name!
—-
Did you know?
Black Canyon of the Gunnison gets its name from the lack of sunlight that is available within the canyon and not by the apparent color of the walls. In fact, some places within the canyon receive as little as 33 minutes of daylight EACH DAY. 😳

And as for the colors of the canyon…you can thank rock layers of gneiss, schist and pegmatite. They make up the craggy cliffs and streaking patterns across the cliff side. I should add, Painted Wall is the tallest cliff in Colorado at 2,250 feet. The Empire State Building is just over half the height of this cliff!

Come follow us @wherewildonesroam for more insider tips, tricks and recommendations for exploring US national parks with kids!

📸: Painted Wall from Painted Wall View at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

#nationalparkswithkids #blackcanyonofthegunnison #nationalparksusa #bcgnp #blackcanyonofthegunnisonnationalpark #paintedwallview #didyouknow #familytravel #geologyrocks

If you’re like me and struggle with heights, then this is for you. 🤍

When we started traveling across the U.S., I quickly realized one thing: I’m scared of heights. Like, really scared. Walking near the edge of canyons or getting close to steep mountain drop-offs gives me that “nope” feeling in the pit of my stomach.

It’s tough to balance wanderlust with a fear of heights, especially when so many epic hikes involve steep cliffs or towering peaks. My heart wants to climb those mountains and stand at the edge for the view, but my brain can’t stop shouting, “This is dangerous!” I know it can be a mind game. I’ve tried to tell myself I’m safe, that I can do hard things, but sometimes I just have to respect my own boundaries and say, “This is far enough.”

The steep overlooks at Black Canyon of the Gunnison were no different. I pushed myself as far as I felt comfortable, but I also didn’t want to hold back my family. I wanted to show the kids what bravery looks like, but also teach them it’s okay to respect your own limits. Pushing your comfort zone just a little is great, but knowing when to stop is important, too.

So if you’re like me—afraid of heights but still craving adventure—I’m here to tell you, do it anyway. Visit the places, take in the views, push yourself that extra 1% each time. But also know, it’s perfectly okay to admire the beauty from a distance, away from the edge. You don’t have to conquer every fear to enjoy the journey. ❤️

🎥: This video was from Andy “previewing” the Pulpit Rock Overlook for me.

Do you also struggle with this? If not, what are some of the personal fears & obstacles you face when exploring? How do you overcome or manage those fears so that you get the most out of your adventure? Let’s help each other out in the comments!

#travelwithkids #nationalparkswithkids #blackcanyonofthegunnison #familyroadtrip #familytravel #fearofheights #nationalparksusa #overcomingfears

Our Favorite Kid-Friendly Activities at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park 🏞️✨

While visiting Black Canyon, we found some amazing spots that were perfect for exploring with the kids! These are the activities that we enjoyed the most:

📍South Rim Visitor Center: The kids had a blast with the interactive exhibits, and we all learned so much about the park’s geology and wildlife. Small, but mighty!
📍Gunnison Point: This overlook was a family favorite with safe railings, stunning views, and plenty of space to explore. Even our littlest one loved it! This is easy to access right from the South Rim Visitor Center.
📍Painted Wall View: We kept our distance from the edge, but the view of Colorado’s tallest cliff was breathtaking even from afar. There are railings if you want a closer look, but small children should be well supervised!
📍Rim Rock Trail: This easy hike along the canyon rim gave us incredible views without pushing any limits—perfect for our crew! Spanning between the South Rim Visitor Center and the campground, this trail is easy to trek. Be sure to pack a hat and good walking shoes!
📍East Portal: If I had to pick my favorite activity, it would be visiting East Portal. We loved taking a break by the river for a picnic. The kids had a great time exploring the water’s edge and spotting wildlife. This is truly a hidden gem that you should definitely make time for when you visit. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the river’s edge!
📍Junior Ranger Program: Always a hit! Our kids loved completing the activities and earning their Junior Ranger badge. Be sure to also check out the Night Explorer program to earn a Night Explorer patch - a special option for this INternational Dark Sky Park!

Visiting Black Canyon with kids might seem intimidating, but it’s so doable—and so worth it! Head to our latest blog post for all the details on how we made the most of our time here (link in bio).

Have you checked Black Canyon of the Gunnison off your national park bucket list yet?

Want the full guide? Get started planning the perfect trip for your family to this amazing national park with the link in our bio!

#nationalparkswithkids #blackcanyonofthegunnison

m i s s i o n | Ready to turn family travel into unforgettable adventures? 🤍

Hi, we’re Kris and Andy! After six years on the road, visiting the Lower 48 (some more than once!) and over 70 national park sites, we’re here to help your family grow closer through adventure. Exploring with kids doesn’t have to be complicated—we’ll show you how!

We’ve just launched our ✨12 Parks in 12 Weeks Expedition✨, visiting amazing parks like Zion, Arches, Grand Canyon, and more. Our goal? To make national park trips with kids easier, more fun, and full of lasting memories. Plus, we’ll share travel tips, gear recommendations, and family-friendly destinations!

Follow Along to Join the Journey:
🪡 Threads: Behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks, and “real-time” updates.
📸 Instagram: Family travel tips, tricks, and advice.
✉️ Email List: Be the first to know when new park guides drop!

What’s the next adventure your family is dreaming of? Drop it in the comments and share our journey with friends or family who would love to come along too! 🌍✨

🤍 Kris + Andy

Looking for a unique family adventure in Ouray, Colorado? The Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour is a must-do! We explored a real 1800s mine, learned about the region’s rich mining history, and even got to pan for gold! ⛰️⛏️

Here’s why this family-friendly tour is a hit with kids and adults alike:

🪖 1-hour guided tour with engaging + enthusiastic guides (John was the best!)

🪖 Explore 1500 feet into a well-lit, straight path mine tunnel

🪖 Interactive demonstrations, including identifying mineral veins

🪖 Gold panning experience included with every ticket

🪖 Fun and educational for all ages (even toddlers!)

📍 Ouray, CO

Want to learn more? Read our full review on the blog to get all the details and tips for your visit! Get there with our link in bio. 🔗

Save this post for your next Colorado family adventure and don’t forget to add this to your bucket list! 💛✨

Follow us @wherewildonesroam for more tips, tricks and guides on making your next family adventure one to remember!

#familyadventure #ouraycolorado #goldpanning #minerours #travelwithkids #coloradoadventures #familyroadtrip #ouraywithkids

i n t r o | Hi friends! 👋🏻 I think it’s time for an updated introduction.

We’re the Murphys! We’ve been a full-time traveling family since 2018 on a mission to help inspire and encourage other families to adventure together. We’re excited to meet you!

✨How It Started:
We began our full-time travels as a family of 4 in 2018. We launched in our Class C after selling our home in Dallas, TX. We left with our home on wheels and our car on the hitch with open hearts and open minds and a plan to “test the waters” for 6 months. We planned a trip from Dallas to Maine then down to Florida, traveling along the east coast. After those first 6 months of traveling, exploring and learning to live in an ever-changing nomadic lifestyle, we were hooked and decided to continue. That 6 months has turned into over 6 years of full-time family travel, 48/50 states, 2 more littles, and no end in sight!

✨Favorite Places We’ve Traveled To:
🥾 U.S. National Parks - 30/63
🦞 Maine
🏔️ Colorado + Montana
🏜️ Utah + Arizona
🐚 Olympic Peninsula
🌲 Northern California

✨Challenges We’ve Endured:
• Job losses + career change while traveling
• Financial struggles
• Finding community on the road
• A broken leg
• Bear break-in in the truck
• Kris’s diminishing eyesight (Stargardt’s)
• RV maintenance Issues

✨Why We Continue to Travel:
• To stay immersed in nature
• To feel small in a big world
• To prioritize experiences over things
• To live, learn + explore as a family
• To raise kids with real-life perspectives

✨Our Future Goals:
• Visit Alaska + Hawaii before Kieghan graduates
• Travel the world - we want to visit all 7 continents
• Write a book
• Sailing

It hasn’t always been an easy journey, but without life’s valleys, our mountain peaks would seem more like mole hills. Take it from us, traveling as a family doesn’t have to suck! It can be enjoyable, meaningful and dare we even say… ife-changing.

So what are you waiting for? Take a chance, get out there and explore this world together!

Come say hi to us in the comments and let us know if we have anything in common!

🤍 Kris + Andy

Dino 🤍 | Got a budding paleontologist or a dino-obsessed kid? 🦕 Dinosaur National Monument is a must-visit! We were blown away by the dino-mite fossils throughout the park—my aspiring paleontologist was in complete dino heaven. From the jaw-dropping fossil wall at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, featuring over 1,500 fossils, to the outcrops along the Fossil Discovery Trail, this place is a prehistoric playground!

Perfect for curious minds and little explorers! 🦴 Imagine your kids exploring the very ground where Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and other giants once roamed. 🦖 It’s an adventure they’ll never forget! Learn more about these kid-friendly activities in our “Top 5 Things To Do with Kids at Dinosaur National Monument” blog post linked in our bio.

Be sure to SAVE this post for your next family trip and SHARE it with fellow dino lovers. Which dinosaur would your kids be most excited to find? Let us know in the comments below!👇

#dinoadventures #familytravel #nationalparkswithkids #dinosaurnationalmonument #familyroadtrip

—

Ready to make your family’s national park adventures unforgettable? Follow @wherewildonesroam for expert tips, must-have gear, and insider tricks to ensure your next trip is packed with fun and lasting memories! 🤍

Best decision ever… #travel #newamericandream #travelwithkids #rvlife

Our favorite time to go to a National Park locations. #nps #tipsandtricks #travel

p o s t p a r t u m | 5 things I’ve learned about postpartum recovery with multiple kids at home (from a mom of 4 ): #sponsored

1️⃣ Recovery can be hard, but asking for help can be harder | You can’t do it all (even if you want to), so lean on your village to support you and your family while you prioritize your recovery.
2️⃣ Your other kids still need your time and attention | Set aside time throughout the day to help the older siblings feel seen and heard by giving them your time, too.
3️⃣ Expect your normal routine to be turned upside down | Remain flexible and lower your expectations until you can get back on your feet with (a little) less brain fog. Allow your routine to ebb and flow as needed those first several weeks.
4️⃣ It will feel a bit chaotic until your family finds their new groove | Remember to breathe and keep communication open with your partner. It’s an adjustment for everyone - not just you and baby.
5️⃣ Ease back into daily life at a pace that feels right for you and your family | Keep baby cuddly close (where they want to be anyway) while keeping your hands free and available for when they’re needed, especially around the house and when you venture out and about.

I can’t tell you how much I loved my @sollybaby wrap when we had our second kiddo, but it’s been a game changer now having our fourth. It has really been a lifesaver and my ultimate sanity-saver while adjusting back to daily life and keeping baby close and fuss-free, especially as a busy mom of 4.

Want to grab your own wrap? Use the link in our bio to get 15% off your next purchase. The wraps are great, but be sure to check out their other products, too (like their super sweet sleepers that pair well with your wrap).

#newmomlife #newbornessentials #postpartumwithkids #adjustingtobaby #momof4 #travelingfamily #travelwithkids

s i x 🤍 y e a r s | And here we are. Six years since beginning this journey and, now, a family of six. It seems like six might just be our lucky number this year or perhaps a good omen of things to come. I like even numbers, how about you? But I would be amiss to not recognize how far we have come over the past six years of living, learning and exploring together as a full-time traveling family.

When we closed the doors on our home in 2018 and moved into our first RV, we had no idea what was in store for us. All we knew is that we had an opportunity to make a drastic change to our suburban lifestyle. We started this account to document our travels to share with family and friends. Now, we have grown our channels through creative renovations, national news features and a supportive, thriving community (thank you to all of you)!

It has been six years full of adventure - full of wonder - full of growth - full of learning - and full of life’s ups and downs. But most of all, it has been the best six years of our lives by making memories through experiencing life with our kids. We have had an amazing opportunity to learn with our kids, explore with our kids, grow with our kids. We are a different family today than we were six years ago - yes, now physically with two additional explorers in tow - but also, as a closer family. Our time traveling together has taught us what it means to be a family - how to live in close quarters, how to communicate with one another, how to learn from each other and how to honor the very moments we spend exploring and adventuring together.

If I could take away one thing that we have learned over the past six years it would be this: traveling together as a family creates this unique and special bond between us and our kids that cannot be gained through any other experience. We thought leaving the suburban lifestyle meant leaving it all behind, but really, it just meant we were leaving new doors open to new life, new experiences and new versions of the people we have become - together.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you! Let us know by leaving a 💛 below.

#familytravel #travelwithkids #fulltimetravelfamily #roadlifewithkids

Want to know our secret to keeping our sanity with (now) four kids in an RV? Keep things simple when it comes to the essentials. #ad

Enter capsule wardrobes for everyone in the family - including our tiniest member. With @cadenlane, putting together a comfy cozy capsule of newborn essentials for Kipley was so easy. From swaddle blankets to (double) zippered footies to knotted gowns, we were able to piece together the perfect little essentials for the newest member to our camping crew! I mean, LOOK AT THAT CAMPING FOOTIE! How could we resist?! And anyone else getting National Park vibes from this adorable personalized bison blanket? It’s the perfect mix of Saguaro NP and Yellowstone NP wrapped into one sweet little blanket.

Quality over quantity is our motto to keeping things simple in our limited living space, and these beautiful heirloom-worthy pieces have merged style with comfort without compromising quality. Perfect for taking the guesswork out of dressing baby cute AND cozy throughout the day - a must-have for us tired parents of a newborn.

If you’re looking to create the perfect newborn essentials capsule for you or someone you love, be sure to check out the latest at Caden Lane! They have a great selection to match any style. Don’t forget to use our discount code ✨WILDONES20✨ for 20% off your order when you check out using the link in our bio!

Steal our newborn essentials capsule picks:
🌵 Eucalyptus Waffle Bamboo Zipper Footie
⛺️ Oatmeal Waffle Bamboo Zipper Footie
🦬 Big Check Waffle Bamboo Newborn Baby Knot Gown & Hat Set | Sand
🌵 Eucalyptus Waffle Bamboo Oversized Swaddle Blanket
⛺️ Cozy Camper Zipper Footie
🦬 Blake’s Bison Personalized Baby Name Swaddle Blanket

#newbornessentials #cadenlane #campingwithbaby #newbornmusthaves #rvlife #capsulewardrobe

This photo encapsulates a moment that is truly one-of-a-kind. It's the moment all mothers eagerly anticipate: a mix of relief, happiness, excitement, accomplishment, thrill, and exhaustion—holding their baby for the first time.

@dentonbirth_services Awesome job getting this moment. It will be a photo we cherish forever.

Unfortunately, a photo I can't show due to IG guidelines 😉 is when Kris caught Kipley all by herself. It was the most pro-move I have ever seen. I will be impressed for the rest of my life from that.

#homebirthmama #homebirthmidwife #originsbirthdallas #newbornphotography #birthphotography

@dentonbirth_services
@originsbirthdallas
@ashlyn_marie_midwifery

We are just hitting two weeks with baby #4 now home. Crazy how fast it has been! We had over 300 photos taken durning the birth by Mandy with @dentonbirth_services. They are all amazing, but Ill share our top favs in the next few posts.

We got the birth center at 1am, got setup, and was focused on making sure Kris was supported. Baby was in our arms at 2:40am. It was super fast!

If you have any questions about our birth story, let us know!

#originsbirthdallas #laboring #wearehavingababy #birth #baby4

Welcome to the camping crew, Kipley. Cant wait to show you the world. 🌎 🤍
-
@originsbirthdallas
@dentonbirth_services
#bringinghomebaby #babyannouncement #dayinthelife #rvlife #babyonboard #baby4 #originsbirthdallas

2024 Solar Eclipse was magical! So much to share about this day... Totality unworldly and is like nothing else.

Did you see the eclipse? Where were you?

#solareclipse #RVlife #familytravel #diamondring #corememory #roadschool #homeschoollife

Anyone see the k4 sneak peak? ;)

SURPRISE! We are thrilled to announce that Baby #4 will be joining us oh so VERY soon. We have been busy in the background creating space for baby and making changes to accommodate our new family of SIX.

While we wait, we’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below letting us know what questions you have for us or what you’d like us to share more about.

Stay tuned to meet the newest member of our camping crew any day now!

#babyannouncement #baby4 #travelingfamily #rvlife #rvlifewithkids

2023 Recap! #2023recap #2023 #welcome2024

Getting ready for Winter Solstice! What is your favorite tradition for the longest night of the year?
#wintersolstice #solsticespiral #longestnightoftheyear #bringbackthesun #nightofthelight

Happy Thanksgiving! So grateful for our family and connections we have made this year.
#rvlife #thanksgiving #family #keystonervcompany #thorindustries

We had a great time in Plymouth! It was awesome to see the Mayflower II and a key location of history in the USA.
#plymouth #mayflowerii #livinghistory #travelfamily #adventureadvocates

Mystic Seaport. Exploring history IRL. Sang sea shanties the whole time!
#mysticseaport #seashanty #oldboats #ships #pirates #history

Did you know these things are like 150 years old?! Saguaro National Park is an amazing place to be in the spring. Cool temperatures, sun out, and flowers blooming, and animal life is abundant.
Remember to slow down, get outside, and take care of your mental health. The kids will benefit from it too.
#saguaronationalpark #cactus #nps #nationalparkgeek #adventureadvocates #travelingfamily

White Sands National Park! It’s a big sand playground! We greatly enjoyed learning how this land was formed but had an even better time playing in it!
#whitesandsnationalpark #np #nationalparkservice #rvlife #travelingfamily #adventureadvocates

This crew is back on the road! We are so excited to be back to the nomadic life style and exploring the outdoors. It is definitely different traveling with a baby but after a few travel days we are getting into the new swing of things.
#rvlife #adventureadvocates #rvfamily #travelfamily #whitesandsnationalpark

We have loved our @keystonervcompany Toy Hauler. We have had this garage space configured in so many ways. Each configuration has been a reflection of our current priorities, ideas and it’s been great to have an area we can change up when things need a fresh feeling.
This is our master bedroom and nursery room, also with my desk. The space feels nice and open, but still warm and cozy. The upgraded bed frame is great for a small JollyJumper!
@thorindustries #thorambassador #keystonervbrandambassador #keystonefuzion #toyhaulerrenovation #toyhaulerlife #rvlife #babynook #nursery #nurserynook #tinylife #thorambassador #thorfamily #newrvers

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