U.S. National Parks
The Summerland Trail on Washington state’s Mount Rainier is one of the most spectacular hikes in the national park, offering fields of wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and jaw-dropping views of the eponymous mountain. If you’re looking to escape the mass crowds of the neighboring Sunrise portion of the park, look no further- here’s everything you need to know about the Summerland Trail.
Olympic National Park has tons of stunning beaches, but Shi Shi Beach, with its dramatic sea stacks and otherworldly sunsets, is in a league of its own. And even better? You can actually call Shi Shi your home for a night, by pitching a tent along its shores! But camping at Shi Shi Beach isn’t exactly straightforward- so here’s everything you need to know to make your trip as epic as possible.
October is one of the most beautiful months of the year, kicking off the start of crisp temperatures and Mother Nature’s annual finale of fall colors. With less crowds, more active wildlife, and the start of sweater weather, it’s also the perfect time to explore the great outdoors. Here are 11 of the best national parks to visit in October for the most epic outdoor adventures this fall.
The Enchanted Valley trail offers lush rainforests, towering mountains, and an iconic chalet, nestled in a stunning valley. While the Enchanted Valley is no doubt gorgeous, there is a LOT you need to know before you hit the trail, from backpacking permits to black bears. So here’s everything you need to know about the Enchanted Valley, Olympic National Park’s best backpacking trip.
Mount Rainier National Park is a Pacific Northwest wonderland, full of wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and some of the most incredible hiking trails in the United States. So if you’re headed to the park and want to hit some of the most jaw-dropping trails, here’s 11 of the best Mt. Rainier hikes.
Arches is one of the most popular national parks- and with its towering red sandstone rock formations and epic desert landscape, it’s no surprise why more than one million visitors flock to this park each year. So if you're looking for the very best trails to explore during your time in the park, look no further- here are the 10 best hikes in Arches National Park you don't want to miss!
The Olympic Peninsula Loop, which winds around Olympic National Park, is the most iconic road trip in Washington, passing rugged mountains, dramatic beaches, and lush rainforests. But with countless sites to explore, it can be challenging to know what’s worth exploring in this little slice of heaven. So here's 15 stops make along the Olympic Peninsula Loop, the ultimate Washington road trip.
Between its technicolor wildflowers and massive glaciers, if you’re going to hike just one trail in Mt. Rainier National Park, the Skyline Trail may be the perfect choice. If wildflower fields and views for 300 miles in every direction sounds like your idea of a good time, lace up those hiking boots- here’s everything you need to know about the Skyline Trail, Mt. Rainier’s most spectacular hike.
With spectacular views of wildflowers, turquoise alpine lakes, and a sea of mountain peaks encircling the trail, Heather Maple Pass Loop in the North Cascades is the perfect introduction to Washington’s rugged and impossibly colorful beauty. If you’re ready for your next Pacific Northwest adventure, lace up those hiking boots- here's everything you need to know about Heather Maple Pass Loop.
If you’re headed to Maui, it’s inevitable that someone will ask whether you’re seeing sunrise at Haleakalā. But, while the famed sunrise here is inarguably spectacular, sunset at Haleakalā may actually be the better choice for visitors. Here’s 4 reasons why you should choose sunset at Haleakalā and skip setting that early alarm- plus tips for making your Haleakalā sunset as epic as possible!
There’s something so magical about the enormous redwood trees of northern California- with their prehistoric-looking bark and eye-popping height, walking underneath their impossibly high branches makes you feel like you’ve just stepped into Jurassic Park. If you’re visiting the tallest trees on earth, lace up your hiking boots- here’s ten of the best hikes in the redwoods of Northern California.
If you want to visit Washington’s U.S. National Parks in the wintertime, Olympic is going to be your best bet. While the state’s other two parks are covered with feet of snow, Olympic offers accessible and gorgeous beaches and rainforests (plus snow-covered mountains!)- so if you’re looking for adventures when the temperature drops, here’s 6 things to do Olympic National Park in the winter.
Black jagged rock. Dunes of vibrantly colored sands. Craggy mountains peering through the clouds. Sound like a Martian landscape? Well, you can experience all of this otherworldly beauty at Sliding Sands Trail at Haleakalā National Park. So if looking to experience some of Maui's most mind-blowing scenery, buckle up- here’s everything you need to know about the Sliding Sands Trail.
Olympic National Park is a magical place, packing in snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, and breathtaking beaches- all in one park. So if you want to explore any of its 600 miles of trails, here’s 8 of the best hikes in Olympic National Park, taking you from the top of the Olympic Mountains to the shores of the Pacific Ocean- and providing so many incredible views along the way.
One of the magical things about Olympic National Park in is its diverse landscapes- soaring mountains, lush rainforests, and craggy beaches. In fact, the park is stuffed with amazing beaches along the Pacific coast- each with its own unique sea stacks and tidepools. So if you’re planning a Washington road trip, here’s 10 epic Olympic National Park beaches you need to add to your bucket list.
Cascading waterfalls, Stunning glacier-capped mountains. Robin egg blue alpine lakes. Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park offers all these things- and so much more- on a moderately challenging trail that can be enjoyed by hikers of all abilities. So lace up those hiking boots- here’s everything you need to know about Avalanche Lake, Glacier National Park's most bang-for-your buck hike!
Glacier-capped peaks. A rustic fire lookout. Layers of mountains reaching to the horizon. Fremont Lookout provides all this- plus one of the best views of Mount Rainier that you can find in its national park. So if you’re planning a stop at Mount Rainier National Park, lace up those hiking boots and let’s hit the trail- here’s everything you need to know to hike to the Fremont Lookout.
No trip to Olympic National Park is complete without a stop at the Tree of Life, a mysterious tree suspended in air over a parted cliff along the Pacific coast, clinging to the earth by just a few roots. So if you’re creating a bucket list for your trip to Olympic National Park, here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Tree of Life, Washington’s most unique tree.
Want to hike to a historic fire lookout that offers incredible views of a turquoise lake, evergreen forests, and Mount Rainier towering 14,411 feet above? Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout offers all this- and so much more. So if you’re headed to Mount Rainier National Park, let’s put your hiking boots to good use- here’s everything you need to know to hike to the Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout.
Death Valley National Park offers some of the most diverse landscapes on the planet and is a not-to-be-missed stop during any trip to California. But with the park’s footprint spanning 3,000 square miles, it can be challenging to figure out the best things to see and do in the park. So if you’re planning a visit to this underrated gem, here’s 11 incredible things to do in Death Valley.
If you’re looking for diverse scenery and amazing hiking, a road trip to the Utah National Parks may be the perfect vacation for you. Utah has five spectacular National Parks for you to explore (frequently called the Mighty 5) and this post covers everything you need to know about planning an epic Utah road trip, from where to start, when to go, and everything you need to see along the way.
If you only have one day in Canyonlands National Park, it can be challenging to know exactly how to spend it. If you’re trying to plan an awesome day in the park, but aren’t sure where to start, here’s everything you need to know, from the best hikes in Canyonlands National Park, where to stay in Moab, what to pack, and what to see.
With such a magnificent landscape, it can be a challenge to narrow down what to see if you’ve only got one day in Arches National Park. If you’re trying to plan the perfect day, keep on reading below for my tips on where to stay in Moab, what to pack, and of course, the very best hikes in Arches National Park.
Petrified Forest National Park is an absolute hidden gem, located along historic Route 66 in the desert of northeastern Arizona. While it may have less dramatic landscapes than its national park siblings like Zion or Grand Teton, the scenery here is absolutely stunning, with vibrant badlands and rolling hills. If you plan on making a pitstop at the Petrified Forest National Park, here’s everything you need to know about having an awesome day.
Capitol Reef National Park is one of the least visited of the Mighty Five parks located in Utah- given its otherworldly beauty, it’s a shame so many visitors decide to skip this magnificent stop. If you’ve carved out a day to see this awesome hidden gem, it can be challenging to figure out how to best make use of your time in the park,. Keep on reading below to see a complete guide on how to spend a day in Capitol Reef National Park…
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southwest Utah, is home to some of the most interesting landscapes in the United States. The park is known for its unique hoodoos, these tall skinny shafts of pink and orange rock protruding from the desert floor, sometimes reaching the height of a ten-story building! With its towering hoodoos and cascading desert hills, visiting Bryce feels a bit like visiting a completely different planet…
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is the third most visited park in the beloved national park system and it’s easy to see why. Home to towering canyons, the turquoise water of the Virgin River snaking its way through the park, and a bevy of adorable big-horned sheep friends, Zion is the perfect place for outdoor adventure lovers and photographers…
Planning a trip to the gorgeous Glacier National Park? Then you’re surely planning to cruise along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, an iconic 50-mile path, which takes drivers up and through the Rockies, with absolutely spectacular views around every bend. This epic scenic drive is on the bucket list of pretty much every traveler at Glacier, so planning ahead will make your visit that much better. Here are some tips on how to have the best experience driving on the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Yellowstone National Park is the epitome of the Western United States- sweeping mountain landscapes, fields of free roaming bison, and epic adventure waiting for you around every turn. But with a footprint of almost 3,500 square miles, it can be challenging to know where to start- especially if you only have two days to explore all the park has to offer…
Bryce Canyon National Park’s aptly-named Fairyland Loop Trail will take you below the rim of the canyon, while the park’s iconic pink and orange hoodoos tower overhead. And better yet? This trail is a hidden gem- you may just have it all to yourself! So if you’re looking for one the best hikes in Bryce Canyon, look no further- here’s everything you need to know about the Fairyland Loop Trail.