What Overlanding with Young Kids Has Really Taught Me
Our favorite kind of morning — coffee by the river, kids exploring, and nowhere we need to be.
When I first started taking my kids overlanding, I thought I had to go big — the deep backcountry, the gnarly trails, the total isolation. But a few years (and plenty of lessons) later, I’ve realized something completely different:
Overlanding with young kids isn’t about how far you go — it’s about how deeply you experience it together.
Now it’s usually just me and the kids. And while that means extra planning, extra gear, and extra patience, it’s also given us the best memories of our lives.
Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned about family overlanding — and how to make it safe, simple, and meaningful.
1. You Don’t Have to Go Remote to Have an Adventure
Don’t get me wrong — I still crave those super remote campsites and fun off-grid trails. There’s nothing like waking up miles from anyone, surrounded by nothing but trees, silence, and the smell of coffee on the fire.
But sometimes, a campground is the right call. Maybe there’s a great lake for fishing, some easy hiking trails, or just the simple joy of a wood-burning campfire.
I still get off-grid whenever I can, but I’ve learned that comfort and connection can coexist. What matters most isn’t how remote you are — it’s that your family is together, outdoors, and making memories.
Pro Tip: Start small. Ease into more remote locations as you and your kids gain confidence on the trail.
Some nights it’s not about being remote — it’s about being together around the fire.
2. Preparation Beats Perfection
If there’s one truth about overlanding with kids, it’s this: you can’t wing it.
Before every trip, I do a full hands-on check — tires, suspension bolts, lug nuts, fluids. The middle of nowhere is not the place to discover you missed an oil leak.
I also carry the essentials:
A well-stocked first aid kit (including a tourniquet)
A jump starter and extra food and water
Bear spray in bear country
And yes — a firearm, securely stored and out of reach of the kids
It’s not paranoia; it’s peace of mind. When you’re hours from help, being prepared is freedom.
3. Communication Is Everything
When it’s just me and the kids out there, having a reliable way to stay connected has completely changed how we travel.
I run a Starlink Mini setup in the truck, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. Not just because it gives us internet in places where cell service doesn’t exist, but because it keeps us connected to Mom while we’re exploring.
Being able to hop on a quick video call from a remote desert or mountain pass so the kids can say goodnight or show her where we’re camped — that’s priceless. It keeps us grounded and brings a little piece of home wherever we go.
And as a dad, that kind of connection adds a huge layer of safety and confidence. Knowing I can reach someone in an emergency (or just check the weather ahead) makes a big difference when you’re hours from the nearest town.
If you overland with kids — or even solo — I can’t recommend the Starlink Mini enough. It’s one of those tools that turns worry into confidence and makes real adventure possible.
👉 Get a free month of Starlink here: https://www.starlink.com/residential?referral=RC-DF-8329447-87114-56&app_source=share
4. The Right Gear Simplifies Everything
You don’t need every fancy gadget on Instagram. But some gear truly makes a difference.
I rely on my Garmin InReach Mini (affiliate link) for GPS navigation and emergency communication. It’s simple, reliable, and works when cell service doesn’t.
Pair that with solid recovery gear, a good cooler or fridge, and a reliable power setup — and you’ll spend more time enjoying the journey and less time fixing problems.
The right gear doesn’t just make the trip easier — it helps you relax and be present.
Dirt, laughter, and endless imagination — the best parts of every trip.
5. Capture the Moments — and Learn How to Do It Well
If there’s one skill I’m grateful I took the time to learn, it’s photography.
Your iPhone will take good pictures. But a real camera — and knowing how to use it — will give you images that become treasures. When your kids grow up, those photos will tell the story of their childhood better than words ever could.
I use the Sony A6700 with the Tamron 17–70mm f/2.8 lens (affiliate link). It’s rugged, compact, and produces amazing results even when I’m juggling marshmallows and muddy boots.
Learn the basics — aperture, light, composition — and you’ll thank yourself every time you look back through your memories.
Because one day, you’ll realize those moments were the best of your life.
Capture those precious moments, This is Henry’s first fish!
6. Teach Them to Protect What We Love
Every trip is a chance to pass on one of the most important lessons of all: how to take care of the places we explore.
We talk about Leave No Trace every time we camp — pack it in, pack it out, respect wildlife, and stick to established sites. My kids know to leave things better than we found them.
It’s not about rules — it’s about respect.
And it hits me every time: one day, I hope my kids bring their kids to the same trails, mountains, and lakes. That thought alone keeps me mindful of how we travel.
If we want these places to still exist when they grow up, it’s on us to protect them now.
Final Thoughts: Adventure Together
The moments that make all the planning worth it.
Overlanding with kids isn’t easy — but it’s worth every ounce of effort. You’ll laugh, you’ll get muddy, you’ll lose a shoe in the creek, and you’ll make memories that stick for life.
It’s changed the way I see adventure. Slower. More patient. More meaningful.
If you’re thinking about starting your own family overlanding journey, I put together a free 10-Step Guide to Overlanding with Young Kids — packed with everything I wish I’d known before our first trip.
And if you want to see what this lifestyle actually looks like — the fun, the chaos, and everything in between — come hang out on my YouTube Channel.
Because the best adventures aren’t about being hardcore.
They’re about being out there, together.
👉 Watch Henry and me take on our epic adventure through the Eastern Sierra — one of our favorite trips yet.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.