Top Mountain Festivals with Adventure Sports for All Ages

• Activities for Everyone: From hiking and zip-lining to mountain biking and rock climbing, these festivals offer fun for all ages and skill levels.
• Convenient Services: On-site gear rentals and guided tours make participation easy and stress-free.
• Top U.S. Festivals:
  • GoPro Mountain Games (Vail, CO): June. Features zip-lining, bouldering, and family-friendly biking.
  • Adventure Sports Week Tahoe (Lake Tahoe, CA/NV): August. Includes paddleboarding, zip-lining, and scenic bike trails.
  • Cave of the Winds (Colorado Springs, CO): Year-round. Explore caves and enjoy aerial thrills like the Terror-dactyl.
  • Dominion Energy Riverrock (Richmond, VA): May. Urban adventure with kayaking, climbing, and zip-lining.
  • Sedona Mountain Bike Festival (Sedona, AZ): March. Red-rock trails for all levels with on-site rentals.
  • Pocono Mountains Events (PA): July. Rafting, biking, and treetop adventures.

Planning Tips:

• Book Early: Lodging and activities fill up fast.
• Pack Smart: Bring weather-appropriate clothing, helmets, and sunscreen.
• Safety First: Start with beginner-friendly activities and follow all guidelines.

Whether you're hiking in Sedona or zip-lining in Vail, these festivals offer unforgettable family adventures.

Armchair Adventure Festival 2021

Key Features of Family Mountain Festivals

Activities for All Ages and Skill Levels

Festivals offer activities tailored to different abilities, ensuring everyone can join in. Whether it’s a gentle trail walk, beginner-friendly climbs, or advanced mountain biking, there’s something for every family member.

Variety of Outdoor Adventures

Here’s a glimpse at the typical options:

• Hiking
• Zip-lining
• Rock climbing
• Mountain biking
• Obstacle courses

Convenient Support Services

Forget lugging heavy gear - most festivals provide on-site equipment rentals and guided tours, making it easy for families to dive into the fun.

Up next, check out five of the best U.S. mountain festivals that pack all these features into unforgettable experiences for families.

1. GoPro Mountain Games (Vail, Colorado)

Every second weekend in June, Vail, Colorado, hosts the GoPro Mountain Games - a four-day event packed with activities for the whole family. Kids can enjoy mountain-bike skill clinics, try out youth bouldering walls, and watch slackline demonstrations. Guided family zip-lining tours are also available for those seeking a bit more adventure. Be sure to book your lodging 4–6 months in advance and bring waterproof layers to handle sudden weather changes. Ready for more outdoor fun? Check out Adventure Sports Week Tahoe next!

2. Adventure Sports Week Tahoe (Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada)

Every August, Lake Tahoe becomes a hub for outdoor adventure, offering activities for all ages and skill levels across its California and Nevada shores. Families can enjoy guided nature hikes, try stand-up paddleboarding, or zip across 800-foot lines with breathtaking views of the lake's clear waters. For cyclists, there are beginner-friendly mountain bike clinics on gentle lakeside paths, while experienced riders can take on challenging single-track trails.

If you're planning to attend, book your accommodations 3-4 months in advance to snag a lakeside cabin. Be sure to pack swimwear and light hiking gear to be ready for Tahoe's shifting summer weather.

Up next: explore spelunking and more at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park.

3. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Explore the wonders beneath Colorado Springs at Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, a destination offering both underground adventures and heart-pounding above-ground activities.

For those curious about the underground world, the Discovery Tour is a 45-minute walk through the caves, perfect for all ages. If you're up for a challenge, the Lantern Tour takes participants (ages 6 and up) through darker, tighter spaces. Both tours highlight breathtaking limestone formations, with guides explaining the basics of cave geology along the way.

Above ground, adrenaline junkies will love the Terror-dactyl, an aerial dive that sends you plummeting 150 feet into Williams Canyon at speeds of up to 100 mph (minimum height: 48 inches). For a different kind of challenge, the Wind Walker Challenge Course offers zip-lines and rope bridges with three difficulty levels, suitable for adventurers as young as 5. Want the full experience? Opt for the Pioneer Package, which includes gear rental and locker storage.

Tips for Your Visit:

• Book your cave tours 2-3 weeks in advance if visiting during the busy summer months (June-August).
• The cave stays at a cool 54°F year-round, so pack a light jacket.
• While above-ground activities may close during bad weather, cave tours operate rain or shine.

Next, get ready for riverside excitement at Dominion Energy Riverrock.

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4. Dominion Energy Riverrock (Richmond, Virginia)

Dominion Energy Riverrock turns Richmond’s James River waterfront into an urban adventure hub every May. This three-day event is perfect for families seeking outdoor fun in a city setting.

The festival makes use of the area’s natural features, like steep riverside trails and granite outcrops, to create a mountain-sport vibe. Families can dive into activities like guided river kayaking, beginner-friendly climbing walls, and youth mountain biking clinics. The highlight? A 300-foot zip line that flies over Brown’s Island. For a slower pace, the hiking trails along the riverbank cater to all skill levels.

Planning Tips:

• Buy tickets early (2-3 weeks in advance) to save money and skip the lines.
• Parking tip: Use the American Civil War Museum deck for the easiest access.
• Be prepared: Pack water shoes and quick-dry clothing for water-based activities.

Next, check out how Sedona’s iconic red rocks create the perfect backdrop for family mountain biking adventures.

5. Sedona Mountain Bike Festival (Sedona, Arizona)

The Sedona Mountain Bike Festival offers something for everyone. Kids aged 6-12 can join skills clinics on the Bell Rock Loop, while beginners can enjoy guided rides on Sedona's famous red-rock trails with professional instructors. For seasoned riders, the festival showcases an extensive trail network through stunning red-rock landscapes. On-site bike rentals and expert guides make it easy to jump right into the action.

Planning Tips:

• Book your lodging and trail permits at least 2-3 months ahead of time.
• Bring essentials like a helmet, hydration pack, and layers to handle the desert's temperature swings.
• Reserve rental bikes on-site to ensure you get the right size and gear.

Next, dive into riverside fun at Pocono Mountains Outdoor Adventure Events.

6. Pocono Mountains Outdoor Adventure Events (Pennsylvania)

Head over to Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains for an exciting mix of riverside activities and forest trails.

Every July, the Pocono Mountains come alive with a weeklong festival featuring outdoor sports for the whole family at various locations in northeastern Pennsylvania. You can enjoy guided rafting on Class II whitewater (ages 8 and up), beginner-friendly mountain bike clinics on 5–15-mile forest trails, and treetop canopy tours with zip lines soaring over the Delaware Water Gap. Need gear? On-site vendors have you covered with bike, kayak, and helmet rentals, while certified guides ensure every adventure is safe and fun.

Planning Tips:

• Book early: Reserve lakefront cabins on Lake Wallenpaupack at least two months in advance.
• Pack smart: Bring river shoes and quick-dry clothing - summer temperatures usually range from 80–85°F.
• Reserve rafting spots: Sign up early, as water levels can vary after heavy rain.

Festival Quick Reference Guide

Use our Planning Guide to sort out all the details for your family’s mountain festival trip.

Planning Guide for Family Festival Visits

Once you've chosen a festival using our Quick Reference Guide, here’s how to organize a fun and safe family outing.

Book Early and Choose Activities Wisely

• Check the age, weight, height, and skill requirements for each activity. Reach out to the organizers ahead of time for clarification.
• Pick activities that suit the abilities of everyone in the family to ensure a fun experience for all.

Must-Have Gear

• Bring a helmet and closed-toe shoes for safety.
• Pack high-SPF sunscreen to protect your skin during outdoor activities.

Build Skills and Stay Safe

• Start with beginner-friendly activities to help everyone gain confidence before moving on to more challenging ones.
• Keep an eye on kids at all times and make sure everyone follows the safety guidelines provided.

Conclusion

Make the most of your next family mountain festival with our Quick Reference Guide and Planning Guide. Whether it’s watching your child tackle Sedona’s beginner mountain bike trail or soaring on a zip line at Cave of the Winds, these activities bring families closer, ignite new interests, and leave you with unforgettable shared experiences.