Longs Peak

Complete Guide to the Twin Sisters Peak Trail, RMNP

Tim United States 4 Comments

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 Mount Meeker in the foreground. …

Skyline Trail Loop Hike

Skyline Trail Loop & Panorama Point, Mount Rainier National Park

Julie United States 15 Comments

For jaw-dropping views of Mount Rainier National Park, it’s hard to beat the Skyline Trail Loop. The entire hike is a beauty. Starting in Paradise, you will hike past lovely Myrtle Falls, through pine forests, and then ascend the slopes to the base of Mount Rainier. From Panorama Point, enjoy spectacular views over the park, and on a clear day …

Best Hike in North Cascades

Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm Hike: North Cascades National Park

Julie United States 22 Comments

For outstanding views of the North Cascades, put the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike on your list. Often labeled as the best day hike in North Cascades National Park, the Sahale Arm hike is gorgeous every step of the way. You’ll hike through evergreen forests, through fields of heather and wildflowers, past marmots, mountain goats, and maybe even bear. …

Best Hikes Rocky Mountain National Park

15 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Julie United States 15 Comments

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 best hikes in Rocky Mountain …

Deer Mountain Hike Colorado

How to Hike Deer Mountain, RMNP | Helpful Tips, Trail Stats, Photos

Julie United States 2 Comments

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 wait until you reach the …

How to Hike the Gunnison Route

How to Hike the Gunnison Route | Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Julie United States 8 Comments

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 a short period of time. …

Gem Lake

How to Hike to Gem Lake, RMNP (Trail Stats, Photos & Helpful Tips)

Julie United States 4 Comments

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 climb at times, this is …

Enchantments Hike

The Enchantments Thru Hike: The Complete Guide

Julie United States 35 Comments

The Enchantments is 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. The only way to visit the Enchantments is by hiking and it is no easy task. There are two trailheads and from both of these starting points it is a long, difficult, …

How to Hike the Enchantments

How to Hike the Enchantments in One Day: A Step-By-Step Trail Guide

Julie United States 35 Comments

If you are a hiker, the Enchantments is a destination that belongs at the top of your list. Turquoise, emerald, and aquamarine alpine lakes are scattered through the jagged, snow-capped mountain peaks. Wildflowers bloom along the edges of the trail, mountain goats graze on the grasses, and the larches turn brilliantly yellow in the fall months. On this hike, the …

Tolmie Peak View

Tolmie Peak Lookout Hike | Mount Rainier National Park

Julie United States 8 Comments

This fun hike takes you through dense forests and past several alpine lakes before delivering you to the Tolmie Peak Lookout, for a spectacular view of Mt. Rainier. This hike is located in the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, and due to its more remote location, gets less visitors than many other places in the park. You’ll love …

Mt Storm King Hike Olympic

Hiking Mount Storm King in Olympic National Park

Julie United States 8 Comments

The hike to Mount Storm King is a short but grueling hike in Olympic National Park. From the peak, you get a spectacular view of Lake Crescent. On this hike, it is a steep, relentless climb up to Mount Storm King. Just before reaching the summit, where the trail somehow gets even steeper, you’ll pull yourself up using a series …

Hike Fern Lake Colorado

How to Hike Bear Lake to Odessa Lake and Fern Lake, RMNP

Tim United States Leave a Comment

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 is a nice hike to …

Sky Pond Hike RMNP

Ultimate Guide to Sky Pond: Trail Stats, Photos & Helpful Tips

Julie United States 26 Comments

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 warm and downright cold in …

Glacier National Park Itinerary Ideas

The Ultimate Glacier National Park Itinerary for 1 to 5 Days

Julie United States 50 Comments

How many days do you need in Glacier National Park? How do you plan the perfect Glacier National Park itinerary? The answer to these questions depends on several factors. How much time do you have? Do you want to get out and hike the trails or simply visit a few viewpoints and highlights? What time of year will you be …

Zion National Park Itinerary

Zion National Park Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 6 Days in Zion

Julie United States 81 Comments

If you are planning your Zion National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. This relatively small park is packed with some of the most thrilling hikes in the United States. From the awe-inspiring hike up Angels Landing to the bucket list-worthy Zion Narrows to the family friendly Riverside Walk, there …

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park: Things to Do with Limited Time

Julie United States 5 Comments

Big Bend Ranch State Park is an overlooked gem in west Texas. Visitors come to this area to explore Big Bend National Park, but what many don’t know is that there is an amazing state park located right around the corner. Big Bend Ranch State Park is awesome. It has all of the ingredients of a perfect outdoor destination: easy …

Things to do in Big Bend

Best of Big Bend: 10 Great Things to Do in Big Bend National Park

Julie United States 22 Comments

Isolated, remote, wild, rugged…this is Big Bend National Park. Located on the southwestern corner of Texas, within the Chihuahuan Desert, is an extraordinary mountain range that is a haven for hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts. In this post, learn about the best things to do in Big Bend National Park with tips to help you have the best experience.   …

Best Glacier Hikes

10 Great Hikes in Glacier NP | Easy Strolls to Jaw-Dropping Day Hikes

Julie United States 18 Comments

Glacier National Park is home to some of the most exciting hiking trails in the United States. The scenery in this national park is jaw-dropping and there is no better way to experience it than on your own two feet. Take your pick from easy strolls to spectacular alpine trails. Here are 10 of the best hikes in Glacier National …

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock Hike: A Short but Sweet Hike in Big Bend National Park

Julie United States 2 Comments

The Balanced Rock hike is one of our favorites in Big Bend National Park. It’s short, it’s relatively easy, and there is a brief section of rock scrambling that is fun for kids and adults. But the real reason for doing this hike is to see Balanced Rock, one of the most unique rock formations in the park. Here’s how …

Carlsbad Caverns

Best Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Julie United States 27 Comments

Located in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico sits an underground fantasy land of limestone chambers, stalactites and stalagmites, and long, twisting tunnels. Carlsbad Caverns is breathtaking in its beauty. I’m not a big fan of caves and caverns but I found this place to be unexpectedly amazing. It feels massive like Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, but with its astounding …