Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes Tour in Katmai National Park

Julie United States 8 Comments

The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes is the site of one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions. Located in Katmai National Park, a visit to this area makes a great day trip from Brooks Lodge. I know that it can be hard to pull yourself away from the awesome bear viewing of the Brooks Falls viewing platforms, but if you …

New River Gorge Itinerary

New River Gorge National Park Itinerary for 1 to 3 Days

Julie United States 13 Comments

If you are planning your New River Gorge National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. There are many different ways to plan the “perfect New River Gorge itinerary,” depending on your interests and how much time you have. The things to do in New River Gorge National Park are scattered along the New River. To get from …

Congaree National Park Guide

Top 10 Things to Do in Congaree National Park

Julie United States 11 Comments

Congaree National Park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. This small park is quick and easy to visit. Walk the boardwalk trail through the forest, go kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek, go birdwatching and fishing, and, if you like, venture farther into the park on a number of other woodland trails. In this …

North Unit Theodore Roosevelt Park

Complete Guide to the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Julie United States 7 Comments

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made of up three separate units: the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The North Unit is our favorite part of the park. The views of the badlands and the Little Missouri River are spectacular, the Caprock Coulee Trail is tons of fun to hike, and this unit tends to be …

Kilauea Iki Photo

How to Hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Julie United States Leave a Comment

The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a great experience to add to your Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to-do list. On this relatively short hike, walk through a rainforest, cross a solidified lava lake, and gaze out at the crater from the rim. You also have the option to add on the Thurston Lava Tube. This hike was one of our favorite …

Wrangell St Elias Travel Guide photo

10 Best Things to Do in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Julie United States 5 Comments

Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve is one of our favorite US National Parks. Its remote location, countless mountains and glaciers, and sheer beauty is simply astounding. It feels like an adventure to drive in on McCarthy Road, pull your belongings across the footbridge, and get shuttled to your lodge or campground. From Kennecott and McCarthy, you can …

Root Glacier Hike

Root Glacier Trail: Step-By-Step Guide (Map, Stats & Photos)

Julie United States 2 Comments

Hiking the Root Glacier Trail is one of the best things to do in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This national park is covered with a huge amount of glacial ice and the Root Glacier is the most accessible glacier in the park. Whether or not you have been glacier hiking before, this is an awesome experience. …

Yellowstone to Mount Rushmore

How to Drive between Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone

Julie United States 10 Comments

At first you might be wondering, why write a post about how to drive from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone? Sounds easy, right? Just connect the two points on a map and pick the quickest route. But what if I told you that you had several options and each of these included a different but very scenic drive. Two scenic drives …

New River Gorge National Park

20 Amazing Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park

Julie United States 12 Comments

For millions of years, the New River has been carving out a 73,000 acre gorge in West Virginia. The sandstone cliffs and whitewater rapids create world-class rock climbing and whitewater rafting destinations. Hiking and mountain biking trails wind through the forests, leading to overlooks and historic settlements. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in New River …

Caprock Coulee Trail Hike TRNP

How to Hike the Caprock Coulee Trail | Theodore Roosevelt National Park

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The Caprock Coulee Trail is often described as one of the best hikes in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. From this trail, you get some of the best views over the Little Missouri River and wildlife sightings are common from the trail. If you have plans to visit the North Unit and are looking for a great hike to do, put …

Savage Alpine Trail Denali

How to Hike the Savage Alpine Trail in Denali National Park

Julie United States 4 Comments

If you want sweeping views of Denali National Park, and a great view of Denali without venturing too far into the park, put the Savage Alpine Trail on your to-do list. This is one of our favorite hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve. On a clear day, you can see Denali from the high points of this hiking trail. …

South Unit TRNP

Complete Guide to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Julie United States 9 Comments

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made up of three separate units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The South Unit is the most commonly visited area of the national park, mainly due to its convenient location on Interstate 94. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in the South Unit of Theodore …

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: Maps, Best Photo Spots & Tips

Julie United States 11 Comments

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of Yellowstone National Park’s top attractions. With two rims to visit, multiple viewpoints, and several hiking trails, there is a lot to do here. In this guide, we share the best things to do at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with tips to help you plan your time.   Interesting Facts …

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop: The Complete Hiking Guide

Julie United States 3 Comments

The Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop is one of the best hikes to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Along this hike, you have numerous chances to spot wildlife, gaze out across the grasslands and colorful badlands, and get up close to the Little Missouri River. When we did this, we saw mule deer, two coyotes, a feral horse, …

Beartooth Highway Photo

Beartooth Highway: Things to Do, Map, Photos & Travel Tips

Julie United States 12 Comments

Beartooth Highway is a 68-mile road that runs along the border of Montana and Wyoming, connecting the towns of Red Lodge and Cooke City. It is one of the most scenic drives in the USA. This drive is absolutely spectacular. Along Beartooth Highway, you will travel through several national forests, view the tallest peaks in Montana, see numerous alpine lakes, …

Denali Park Road

Denali Park Road Travel Guide: Things to Do, Map, Photos, Itineraries

Julie United States 2 Comments

There is only one road that leads into Denali National Park and that would be Denali Park Road. Stretching 92 miles, this road leads to stunning viewpoints, scenic lakes, and numerous hiking trails and campsites. Along the drive, you have the chance to spot all of Alaska’s Big 5, not to mention big views of Denali. If you plan to …

Kauai Hike

How to Hike the Nu’alolo Trail and Awa’awapuhi Trail Loop | Kauai, Hawaii

Julie United States 4 Comments

Located in Kokee State Park in Kauai, the Nu’alolo Trail and the Awa’awapuhi Trail are two separate trails that head out along the ridgelines of the Na Pali Coast. From the endpoint of each of these trails, you get spectacular views of the coastline. You can hike each trail separately or combine them into one big day hike, by connecting …

Acadia Itinerary Photo

The Perfect Acadia National Park Itinerary for 2024

Julie United States 29 Comments

With its beaches, coastal views, short hiking trails, and scenic drives, Acadia National Park is a joy to visit. Just outside of the park is Bar Harbor, a charming town filled with hotels and inns, restaurants and shops. Acadia National Park makes an excellent weekend getaway or a quick visit while road tripping through New England. In this Acadia National …

Kauai

20 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii

Julie United States 12 Comments

Kauai, also called the “Garden Isle,” is our favorite of the Hawaiian Islands. With its waterfalls, beautiful beaches, tropical resorts, and stunning coastlines, Kauai is pure paradise. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in Kauai with tips to have the best experience. Overview of Kauai Kauai is the second oldest of the Hawaiian Islands (Ni’ihau is …