Searching for some new family adventure vacation ideas for summer but you've already done the beach to death? Want to camp under the stars with everything included, like backcountry gourmet meals, yet still seek challenge and adventure?

This summer, try a camping-based mountain bike adventure in the Rocky Mountains, on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or near Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. Fill your vacation with singletrack trails like nothing you've seen before.

You can do it on your own. Usually, that means doing a lot of research to find a multi-day route that will challenge but not break you (or your bike,) buying gear and supplies, having a vehicle that can haul it all cross-country (and possibly over some very rough terrain.) Some people love the challenge of planning, outfitting, rigging, cooking, and wrenching bikes.

Some don't. For those that prefer to relax during their summer vacation, they can go with one of several available backcountry outfitters who specialize in family mountain bike adventure vacations. One of the first, and still the best in the business, is Rim Tours, based in Moab, Utah.

Moab is situated in the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. During spring and fall, Rim conducts tours close to home, in the canyons and on the mesas of Western Colorado and Southeastern Utah. But during the summer, in order to escape the heat, Rim shifts its operations to higher elevations. In June July, August and early September, Rim operates tours at 8,000 feet and higher, based out of the Colorado mountain towns of Durango and Crested Butte. And, based out of St. George, Utah they also operate high altitude summer tours on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and on the Markagunt Plateau between Zion and Bryce National Parks.

On these tours, during the day riders enjoy some of the best singletrack riding in the United States, with expert coaching from some of the most experienced guides in the business. At night, guests relax in comfort while the expert guides prepare amazing back country gourmet meals and tune each bike for the next day's adventure. During the day, gear is hauled on specially outfitted vehicles designed for the punishing terrain.

If you're hunting for good family adventure vacation ideas and you want an alternative to the beach, this may be just what you're looking for.