10 Inspiring Adventurer Mums and Their Family Travels

You’ll be amazed by these adventurous moms who refuse to let parenthood limit their wanderlust. From Brook Murray’s Pacific Crest Trail expedition with a pregnant mare to Megan Puhl’s body-positive surf retreats, these mothers are redefining family travel. Melody Forsyth explored 36 national parks with her wheelchair-bound daughter, while Natalee Anderson traced ancestral roots across 22 countries with four homeschooled kids. Their stories prove that 75% of travel goals remain achievable with children through creative planning and determination.

Brook Murray: Backcountry Adventures From Pregnancy to Pacific Crest Trail

When most expectant families worry about preparing a nursery, Brook Murray’s family was planning something extraordinary: a Pacific Crest Trail journey with their pregnant mare, Crazy Daisy Mae. You’d think this sounds impossible, but the Murrays proved adventure doesn’t stop during pregnancy.

Living in Utah, they bonded with Crazy Daisy Mae throughout her pregnancy months, carefully planning their trail expedition. They successfully traversed the entire Pacific Crest Trail as a family unit, with their pregnant mare handling the challenging terrain beautifully.

The adventure reached its peak when Crazy Daisy Mae gave birth to filly Tagalong near Indian Heaven during their ongoing hike. The Murrays seamlessly shifted to traveling with a newborn foal, demonstrating that family adventures can adapt to life’s surprises. Their journey began at Campo, California and covered over 1,300 miles before winter conditions forced them to conclude their remarkable expedition.

Megan Puhl: Surfing Giant Waves and Body Positivity in the Outdoors

Megan’s journey from water polo champion at Johns Hopkins to body positivity advocate shows how outdoor adventures can transform self-acceptance. She shares unfiltered images of family surf sessions, emphasizing that waves welcome all sizes.

Through her travel blog and social media, you’ll discover budget-friendly tips for adventurous families and witness how she integrates self-love lessons into every beach destination. Like the ongoing four-year archaeological exploration of Timucua settlements at Big Talbot Island, her adventures reveal layers of discovery that unfold over time.

Her mom surf retreats combine giant wave sessions with wellness workshops, creating communities where confidence grows alongside surfing skills.

Natalee Anderson: Tracing Ancestry Across 16 Countries With Four Kids

What if a simple DNA test could reveal a two-year family adventure across 22 countries? That’s exactly what happened to Natalee Anderson when three ancestry kits showed her family’s heritage spanning 32 nations. Instead of wondering “what if,” she and husband Ike sold their belongings and set out on an incredible journey with their four children: Manni (13), Jasmine (12), Kaylee (10), and Layton (7).

You’d think homeschooling four kids while constantly traveling would be impossible, but the Andersons proved otherwise. They traced their roots through West Africa, Egypt, England, Ireland, Scotland, and India, turning ancestry into firsthand education. The family shares their experiences through their Instagram handle @exploringlegacy, offering followers cultural and historical insights from their remarkable journey. Their adventure didn’t end there—they launched Your Healing Experience, sharing their West African insights with others seeking similar connections.

Melody Forsyth: Exploring 36 National Parks With a Special Needs Child

After receiving her fourth child’s Down syndrome diagnosis, Melody Forsyth thought her hiking dreams were over. But seeing a wheelchair-using family at Zion National Park during her pregnancy changed everything.

When Ruby was cleared for a backpack carrier at eight months old, their adventure began.

You’d be amazed at what this family’s accomplished—they’ve hiked close to 36 parks and monuments across the United States. One parent carries Ruby while the whole family explores together. What started as uncertainty became their greatest unifying force.

Through her Instagram feed “Down with Adventure,” Melody’s encouraging families with disabled children to get outdoors. She receives daily messages from grateful parents who now see outdoor adventures as possible. The child backpacks have been essential gear that makes these hiking adventures accessible for Ruby and other children with special needs.

Ruby’s excitement when the backpack appears proves that trails truly are for everyone.

Jenny Lynn: Globe-Trotting Adventures From Sahara to Tanzania With Toddlers

While some families find their courage through overcoming unexpected challenges, others like Jenny Lynn prove that wanderlust doesn’t have to wait until kids grow up. Jenny’s tackled the Sahara Desert and Tanzania with toddlers aged 2-5, proving adventure travel’s absolutely doable with little ones.

Her Moroccan desert camp experience included luxury tents with electricity and hot water, while activities like camel trekking and sandboarding kept everyone entertained. At €200 per adult nightly with kids under 6 free, it’s surprisingly accessible.

Tanzania brought bigger challenges during their three-week self-drive adventure. Muddy rainy-season roads tested their 4WD skills, but camping under stars while listening to wildlife made every difficulty worthwhile.

Jenny’s secret? Thorough preparation, flexible expectations, and remembering that kids often adapt better than adults to new experiences. These adventures created opportunities for meaningful connections between family members while exploring diverse cultures together.

Justine Nobbe: Building Community Through Adventure Mamas Nonprofit

When childhood best friends Justine Nobbe and Stephanie Feller became mothers, they discovered something many women face: the outdoors suddenly felt less accessible, and mom guilt made adventure seem selfish.

Their solution? Create Adventure Mamas Initiative in 2016—the first nonprofit exclusively dedicated to maternal wellness through nature and adventure.

What started as a single Utah event has grown into a national community where you’ll find compassionate support for learning outdoor skills during motherhood. The organization operates with all-volunteer team management, demonstrating the dedication of mothers supporting other mothers in their outdoor pursuits.

You can join hikes, climbs, bikes, and camps while connecting with like-minded women who understand your journey.

Operating entirely through volunteers, Justine’s vision as Executive Director focuses on making outdoor experiences accessible to thousands of diverse mothers.

You’re not just finding adventure—you’re redefining motherhood through empowerment and authentic connection.

Breaking Barriers: How These Mums Redefine Family Travel

Despite facing an average of 187 distinct barriers ranging from financial constraints to accessibility challenges, adventurous mothers across the globe are revolutionizing what family travel looks like.

You’re witnessing mums who refuse to let £24,000 household income limits or neurodivergent children’s needs stop their wanderlust. They’re proving that 75.3% of big travel goals remain achievable with kids—you just need modifications.

These barrier-breakers aren’t waiting for perfect circumstances. While 46% plan meticulously for accessibility needs and others navigate anxiety about leaving comfort zones, they’re creating new travel paradigms.

You’ll find them choosing adventure holidays over conventional trips, advocating for family-friendly accommodations, and building communities that support inclusive exploration. Most find their inspiration through online research, planning carefully curated experiences that balance family needs with wanderlust ambitions.

They’re transforming constraints into creative solutions, proving family travel isn’t about perfection—it’s about persistence.

Essential Gear and Safety Tips for Adventuring With Children

Packing for family adventures means thinking beyond entertainment and snacks—you’re fundamentally creating a mobile safety net for your children. Your first aid kit should include children’s thermometer, bandages, disinfectants, and age-appropriate medications for fever, allergies, and motion sickness.

Don’t forget sun protection essentials like hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Water activities require properly fitted life jackets—drowning remains the leading cause of death for children aged one to four.

Pack childproofing items including outlet covers and corner guards for unfamiliar accommodations, since hotel safety standards vary widely. Always inspect your accommodations for safety hazards like exposed wiring, unsafe railings, or pest poisons upon arrival.

Helmets become non-negotiable for bikes and scooters, while hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes help prevent illness in new environments.

Remember: proper gear transforms potentially dangerous situations into manageable adventures.

Overcoming Challenges: From Logistics to Mom Guilt on the Trail

Having the right gear sets you up for success, but even the most prepared adventurer moms face a mountain of challenges that can make family travel feel overwhelming.

You’re juggling timing constraints around school breaks (37.1% of families cite this), plus financial pressures that’ve pushed average family travel spending to $8,000 in 2024—a 20% increase from last year.

Don’t let mom guilt derail your adventures. While 59.9% of parents see traveling with kids as simply different, not worse, 34.8% view it positively with smart modifications.

Yes, you’ll deal with extra gear, sibling squabbles, and health concerns—especially with vulnerable ages 0-3 and teens. Remember that difficult moments like tantrums and sibling conflicts often become humorous memories and unexpected bonding opportunities. But here’s the encouraging truth: 81% of families continue traveling despite obstacles because the rewards outweigh the challenges.

Creating Lasting Memories Through Outdoor Family Bonding

When your family steps into nature together, something magical happens that goes far beyond just getting exercise or fresh air. You’re creating memories that’ll shape your children’s relationship with the outdoors for life.

Those early childhood adventures—camping trips, hiking trails, fishing expeditions—become the foundation for lifelong outdoor preferences.

Research shows that recollecting these shared outdoor memories actually boosts your family’s well-being long after you’ve returned home. Your kids develop stronger communication skills and deeper family bonds through unmediated time together.

When they spend just one hour daily in nature, they show 50% lower risk of mental health issues.

The frequency might decline as they grow, but those foundational experiences stick. These outdoor adventures can even lead to role restructuring between you and your child, creating more balanced relationships that last well beyond the activity itself. You’re not just making memories—you’re building resilient, nature-connected humans who’ll carry these values forward.

The Sum Up

You’ve seen how these incredible mums prove that parenthood doesn’t mean your adventurous spirit has to hibernate. Whether you’re dreaming of hiking trails with a baby carrier or planning that epic family road trip, remember that every journey starts with a single step. Don’t let fear or logistics hold you back—start small, plan smart, and trust yourself. Your kids will thank you for showing them the world’s endless possibilities.