Driving South Rim Drive Road is one of the best things to do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Along its short distance, you can take your pick between 12 overlooks. This is the easiest and fastest way to get panoramic views of the canyon, see the unique, striated cliffs, and peer down to […]
Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. This park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years old. Short hikes, scenic drives, and viewpoints make the to-do list, but the best way to experience this park […]
North Cascades National Park is not a place that easily reveals itself. Sure, the drive along Highway 20 is lovely. And the viewpoints over the lakes and mountain passes are gorgeous. But to really see this park, you are going to have to invest some time on the hiking trails. We spent three weeks hiking […]
The Twin Sisters Peak trail, which crosses between Rocky Mountain National Park and the Roosevelt National Forest, offers 360° views from the top of the Twin Sisters Peaks. Since this hike is on the far eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, you get a panoramic view of the national park, with Longs Peak and […]
The Skyline Trail Loop is the most iconic hike in Mount Rainier National Park, and we’ve hiked it twice in both directions to figure out exactly which way is better. Here’s everything you need to know, from snow crossings and trail conditions to the best direction for views of Mount Rainier. For jaw-dropping alpine scenery, […]
We’ve hiked in more than 50 national parks across the United States, and the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike is one that still stands out. We did this hike as part of a six-week road trip through the national parks of Colorado and Washington, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. […]
Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. Fortunately, there are hikes for all ages and ability levels. From short, easy strolls around lakes, to ridgeline trails with panoramic views, to challenging but epic climbs to the tallest mountain peaks, there truly is something here for everyone. Here are 15 of the […]
Deer Mountain is one of the easier hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park that offers high mountain views. To get to the peak, it’s an almost constant uphill walk through an evergreen forest. You will get occasional glimpses of Longs Peak early on during the hike, but for the most part, you will have to […]
The Gunnison Route takes hikers from the south rim of the Black Canyon to the Gunnison River. It’s the most popular inner canyon experience on the south rim, but don’t let that fool you. This is a hard, strenuous hike where you will descend (and later hike back up) a massive amount of elevation in […]
Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. Sure, there is hiking and amazing sunsets and ranger programs, but this park has a much different feel to it. It’s a small park and the list of things to do is very short. A few hours are […]
Gem Lake is a short but strenuous hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. Not only do you get to visit a pretty lake but you also get sweeping views of Estes Park with Longs Peak in the distance. If you are looking for a short, family-friendly hike, and don’t mind a bit of a stair […]
The Enchantments are a slice of hiking paradise. Located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Washington state, this is a wonderland of alpine lakes, jagged mountains, and waterfalls. If you’ve done any research on the Enchantments, you already know it’s one of the best day hikes in the United States. What you might not know yet is […]
Over 19.25 miles, climb Aasgard Pass, wander through a surreal landscape of turquoise alpine lakes and jagged peaks, then descend nearly 7,000 feet to the Snow Lakes trailhead. Hiking the Enchantments in one day is a long, hard challenge, but one you’ll never forget. If you are a hiker, the Enchantments are a destination that […]
One of the best views of Mount Rainier isn’t from Paradise or Sunrise, it’s from a small historic fire lookout high above Eunice Lake. The Tolmie Peak Lookout hike delivers one of the most spectacular perspectives of the mountain, from one of the quietest corners of the park. Tolmie Peak Lookout is one of our […]
Mount Storm King earns its dramatic name. This short but relentlessly steep trail in Olympic National Park climbs over 2,000 feet in just over two miles, ending with a rope-assisted scramble to a rocky outcropping with sweeping views over the impossibly blue waters of Lake Crescent. We hiked this in July on a clear summer […]
The hike to Odessa Lake and onward to Fern Lake is a relatively low-traffic trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its nearby neighbors of Bear Lake, Emerald Lake, and Dream Lake get a lot more visitors, so if you are looking for a relatively uncrowded trail with the chance to visit multiple alpine lakes, this […]
Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. This hike has a little bit of everything…waterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. To get to Sky Pond, you will rock scramble up a waterfall, which can be refreshing when the weather is […]
With one week in Europe, you have an infinite number of possibilities for coming up with your “perfect” itinerary. Do you dream of visiting world-class cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Venice? Or would you rather hike the Alps, go on a scenic train ride, explore the beautiful beaches and coastal towns in southern Europe, visit […]