Like most travelers, we like experiences more than things. We don’t like to own a bunch of things. But… here are some THINGS that we own that really enhance our travel ❤️. Hope this list gives you some inspiration.
If you are visiting Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Rocky Mountain, or the Grand Canyon (watch the condors!), a good pair of binoculars can be a real game-changer. The Vortex Diamondback are wonderful. Although higher quality models are available for purchase, these are the best value for your dollar. We also like the Carson RD Series 10x42mm.
INIU Portable Cell Phone Charger. A portable cell phone charger can really save the day, especially if you are camping and don’t get much opportunity to charge your phone besides driving around in your car. We always end up battling over who gets to charge their phone. This charger is thin enough to fit in your pocket, can charge most phones batteries 3/4ths full in less than an hour, and can charge about 4 phones.
This Walking Cane with Seat is Matt’s parent’s favorite! If standing for a long time keeps you from traveling, this will really help you out. It folds small, is lightweight, and enables people to do things on vacation they normally can’t do. Bonus: it’s under $50!
BAGSMART Toiletry Bag Travel Bag with Hanging Hook. This bag is so handy for when you are staying in a hotel and don’t have counter space for all your toiletries. Just hang this on the back of the bathroom door and you are set!
I received this Yeti Tumbler as a Christmas gift from my wonderful in-laws. To be honest, I wasn’t too impressed until I used it. Now, I never leave home without it! My water stays icy for hours. It’s perfect for long drives or just sitting on your desk while working. There’s a lot of variety in water bottles from Yeti. Choose the best water bottle/tumbler for you. It will be a high-quality product that will last for years.
A good pair of sunglasses is a must. I love Goodr sunglasses because they look good, are lightweight, and only cost around $25.
Jason Aldeen Georgia Boy Hat. This straw cowboy hat keeps the sun away, keeps you cool, and looks good. I bought it for Matt for Father’s Day, and it’s the perfect hat for exploring the West. A wide-brimmed hat is a must for exploring sunny parks like Zion and the Grand Canyon.
Camelbak. I LOVE my Camelbak M.U.L.E Hydration Backpack. It has great pockets, carries 3 L of water, and evenly distributes the weight. I also love that I can fit in a back-up pair of shoes (if hiking the Narrows) and a light jacket.
Trekking poles make hiking easier! They are especially valuable when hiking on rocks, in water, or through the snow. Many people use them on paved or dirt trails as well, just because of the added stability they offer. Matt loves that he can shorten them for climbing up hills and lengthen them for going down. He rarely hikes without his trekking poles.
Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Pants. I can’t believe it has taken me this long to try hiking pants! I bought these right before we left for Europe. The fabric is light, soft, flexible, and wrinkle and stain-resistant. Just perfect for walking around town or hiking a trail. (Confession- I now own 3 pairs of these in different colors and even bought a pair for my mom).
I love the snaps, so I can roll them up on a hot day, and the pockets are great for carrying a few things.
For Christmas, I gave Matt this 9 pocket SCOTTeVEST to carry around his maps, phone, camera equipment, ChapStick, wallet, chargers, and whatever else he feels he needs. It has a variety of pocket sizes including one that is big enough to hold an iPad. Made of soft yet durable material, the SCOTTeVEST is cool and comfortable to wear, even on hot days.
This is my favorite way to track the parks we’ve been to. With Wander Club Tokens, 1 token = 1 adventure! They are small enough to fit several on your keychain and I love how they have them for national parks, landmarks, countries, states, cities, and even baseball parks. Save 10% when you use our link Wander Club Tokens
Tile Lock Scrabble. Matt and I play this often; it makes me so mad that he beats me all the time… while he’s driving!
I’ve tried a few of the cheaper brands but I LOVE my Apple AirPods Gen 3. Great sound, great battery life, and I can go on a long run and they never fall out.
Memories of trips with my family are what keep me warm on cold nights. But, I hate souvenir shopping while visiting a national park. I want to enjoy nature! I finally found a way to preserve my memories of a special vacation, without shopping while traveling. I buy a Minky Blanket.
I can always find one that reminds me of the trip I took. For example, I bought the blanket above after our trip to Banff, Canada, because the red reminded me of the Canadian flag and the red Adirondack chairs that are strategically placed in Canada’s most scenic spots so guests can sit and enjoy!
Visit Minky Couture and use our code: WEREINTHEROCKIES45 to get 45% off!
For a guaranteed party starter, get the Portable Bluetooth Karaoke Speaker with Disco Projection. It’s perfect for dance parties, Halloween, New Year’s karaoke, or even camping. We’ve taken it on trips where the kids love dancing to the tunes under the disco ball, and once, Matt led eight kids on a 15-mile bike ride with zero complaints—all thanks to this speaker. Trust me, it’ll be an instant hit!
A travel guide says so much. It communicates “I love spending time with you” and “you are in my future plans.” You and your loved one can dream about the upcoming trip for months.
One special benefit of giving one of our travel guides is the peace of mind that the vacation will go great. All the details are included. You can spend time watching our YouTube videos together and seeing all the cool things you are going to do.
Our travel guides and accompanying audio essays are our pride and joy. Matt spends months creating each one, thinking through every detail of your travel experience, and providing the information you didn’t even know you needed.
We are adding new guides all the time and currently have guides to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, the Black Hills, Banff, Jasper, Glacier, the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado’s Mountain towns, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands.
Here are some gift ideas for National Park Lovers.
If you’re looking for more general ideas, visit our Recommended Gear page. Have a great trip!
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