Category: Destinations

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is rugged and remote, often referred to as the American Alps because of its jagged mountain peaks and bright green slopes. While there are plenty of scenic drives and overlooks that put the park’s wild beauty on display, you’ll want to hit the hiking trails to get a true sense of what the park has to offer. With over 300 glaciers and 300 lakes, the North Cascades Range has the largest glacial system in the United States outside of Alaska. Black bears are fairly active in…

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Yosemite National Park

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, lodging, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery,…

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St. Croix State Park

St. Croix State Park is a state park in Pine County, Minnesota, USA. The park follows the shore of the St. Croix River for 21 miles and contains the last 7 miles of the Kettle River. At 33,895 acres it is the largest Minnesota state park. Park Information Plan an extended visit to St. Croix. With over 34,000 acres and two great rivers—the Saint Croix River, which is a National Scenic Riverway, and the Kettle River, a State Wild and Scenic River—there’s so much to do. Explore the rivers by canoe…

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Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park was originally designated Mount Olympus National Monument in 1922. It’s easy to see why it was named after the home of the ancient Greek gods. Olympic is the most diverse national park in America, with terrain ranging from lowland forests to glacier-capped mountains, alpine lakes, temperate rainforests, and over 70 miles of rugged coastline. The Hoh Rain Forest is the largest temperate rainforest in North America and gets over 12 feet of rain per year! Though the park does get heavy traffic in peak season, it is…

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Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows found in the montane life zone to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. Top tip Plan Your Trip. There is something for everyone to enjoy during the fall season in Rocky Mountain National Park. Timed Entry Permit Reservations are in effect from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.…

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Things to do in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is a one of a kind natural wonder, full of diversity both in terms of nature and wildlife! In this article, we go over some of the things to do in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions in the United States. Home to almost 500 geysers, some of the most beautiful natural springs in the world, and a slew of majestic wildlife, the park is a must-visit if you’re in the area. Here are some of the best things to do in Yellowstone. Old…

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Heather – Maple Pass Loop

If ever there was a hike to satisfy all a hiker’s desires, this one comes as close as any. A loop hike with many fabulous changing faces throughout the seasons, Heather-Maple Pass features ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, lakes ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows. The trail heading counter-clockwise leaves immediately from the parking lot, heading uphill moderately through second-growth forest and dappled sunlight. After about 1.25 miles, a trail branches left to…

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Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde was the first national park intended to “preserve the works of man,” in the words of Theodore Roosevelt. To this day, it’s the only park designated as a cultural park. Established in 1906, Mesa Verde offers visitors a rare chance to step inside some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in the United States. These mesas were home to the Ancestral Pueblo people for over 700 years. For the first six centuries, people lived on top of the mesas. In the last 100 years, they built and lived in the…

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The 25 Best Places to Camp in the U.S.

The Northeast 1. Acadia National Park, Maine After a day spent wandering wooded paths, admiring breathtaking views, and dipping your toes into a crystal clear creek, you huddle around a campfire to look up at the glowing stars, crack a beer, and enjoy a some s’mores—ahh, peace and quiet. Then you zip up into your tent, van or RV for a few (mosquito-free) hours and wake to the faint hint of early morning sunlight and the sweet sound of birds chirping in the distance. This is what camping is all…

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Grand Prismatic Spring

First discovered in the early 1800’s amidst the geysers and sulfurous bubblings of Yellowstone National Park, the record setting natural wonder has been stunning visitors for over a century. The pool is a piercing blue surrounded by rings of color ranging from red to green. The otherworldly effect is caused by varieties of pigmented bacteria and microbes that thrive in the warm, mineral abundant waters surrounding the hot spring. Changing along with the seasons the colors fade and grow more deep depending on what type of bacteria is thriving in…

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