NEW YORK, July 24, 2000 - The great outdoors has proven to be a formidable alternative to the typical family vacation. There is nothing like discovering the beauty of the United States and bonding as a family, while watching children develop an appreciation and respect for Mother Nature. And what better way to see Mother Nature's splendors than by letting her lead the way down one of ten "kid-tested, mother approved" rivers that America has to offer.

GORP.com, the most visited Internet site dedicated to outdoor recreation and adventure travel, has identified ten kid-friendly rivers to help parents choose the best ones to paddle while introducing their children to America's waters. So whether you plan to travel for a few days or just several hours, these prime water routes, located at http://www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/paddling/top10_kidrivers.htm, make for big adventure fun for the whole family:

	Paddle down the Green River (Utah) and let the side canyons and Anasazi ruins entice you to explore more on foot. The white sandbank is also a prime location to catch some sun. The Suwannee River (Georgia, Florida) is filled with sand spits that offer lots of room for kids to run around, as well as numerous fine camping sites to choose from. The best time to travel is early November, when humidity levels are low and bug swarms have thinned. You and your family can follow the 1805 route of Lewis and Clark as you canoe down the Upper Missouri River (Montana). And as you pass bottoms thick with cottonwoods (sandstone cliffs), keep an eye out for natural rock sculptures as well as coyotes and elk. If you've ever pondered why anyone would want to go to Nebraska, than a trip down the Niobrara River is in order. The Niobrara, which runs through a valley carved by the water, is near the meeting of three vast forests: Rocky Mountain, Eastern and Great Northern. It is also a few miles from the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, where you and the kids can search for bison and Texas longhorn cattle. Ranked as one of the most pristine waterways left in America, the Buffalo River (Arkansas) is also protected as our first national river. You and the kids can enjoy short side trips to caves, ghost towns, and historic sites. For the more seasoned paddlers, the Namekagon River (Wisconsin) is an ideal choice. Filled with several Class I rapids and few narrow chutes, the Namekagon is perfect for families experienced in easy rapids. If you and your family would like to take it easy, we have a suggestion for you as well. Slow moving without rapids or obstacles, the Neches River (Texas) guides you through parts of the Lone Star State. Let the waters ease you down bayou corridors and beneath mixed cypress as you glide under the Texan sun. As you make your way down the Saco River in Maine (one of New England's cleanest waterways), the river's typically sandy bottom is an invitation to swim. After your family swim, take shade at one of the numerous campsites alongside the river. And with an abundance of put-ins and take-outs, you can plan a trip as long or short as you like. Travelling back west, the Yampa River (Colorado) should definitely be on the list of places to visit and things to do. Surrounded by lovely campsites shaded by cottonwoods, the Saco River gives you and the kids a chance to stretch your legs and explore. Last, but certainly not least, is the Colorado River, which makes its way through California and Arizona. Famous for some of the most breathtaking scenery and whitewater in the world, allow the Colorado capture your imagination as it steals your heart.

GORP (a.k.a. Great Outdoor Recreation Pages) is the largest and most trafficked Web site dedicated to outdoor recreation and adventure travel. With more than 100,000 pages of content, GORP offers a complete package of authoritative, award-winning content; a large, active community of outdoor enthusiasts; and a full-range of e-commerce offerings drawing nearly 14 million page views per month. Started in 1995, GORP offers a full-service adventure travel booking feature with more than 4,000 trips, accessible via the Web or telephone, in addition to a gear store with 180 brands of clothing, footwear and equipment. GORP has been cited by Yahoo!, US News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many others, as the leader in this category and a"Best of the Web" site.

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