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The Zion *Winter* Itinerary: How to Make the Most of 2 Days

Carved by time, water, and gravity, Zion National Park has a way of making even a short visit feel unforgettable. This 148,016 acre park has range, with an array of truly memorable vistas, with the Virgin River winding below. Whether it’s wandering scenic drives or tackling a handful of hikes, you’ll find yourself often pausing just to look up and out. In every season, Zion strikes a balance between awe and accessibility, boasting dramatic landscapes and diverse topography. A Zion *winter* itinerary differs slightly compared to a summer visit, and we have it all detailed below.

There’s not many guarantees in life, but Zion Canyon is almost assuredly guaranteed to knock your socks off and leave you saying “WOAH“. How long do you need to take it all in? It depends on how full you want your days! Two days is enough to explore the park and leave feeling like you have an appreciation for the diverse wonders of Zion. Those will be two full days though!!!

Fast Facts About Zion National Park

Size:  232 square miles

Visitors: 5,039,835 visitors annually (data from 2021)

Highest elevation: 8,726 feet — Horse Ranch Mountain peak

Distance from St. George Airport: 45 miles — 1 hour drive 

Distance from Las Vegas Airport: 170 miles — 3 hour drive

National Park Initiation: November 19th, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson 

Zion is truly one of our favorite national parks. You can see pictures and have some appreciation for the magnitude, but there’s nothing quite like going and experiencing it for yourself. While all land protected by the National Park Service is important and beautiful in its own way, some parks are just more engaging to visit than others. Sometimes spending just an afternoon wandering around is enough to wet your beak and feel as though you saw the gist. That will not be enough at Zion!!!

Below we have detailed all of our favorite winter hikes, where to grab a bite, how-to’s for navigating transportation, where to bunk down, and beautiful drives— as well as all the tips and tricks that will ensure you have the best winter adventure.

A Winter Visit….. Really?

Zion is gorgeous year-round, so you can’t really go wrong, but we do have a couple pockets of the year we prefer. The weather gets so hot in July and August, it becomes hard to maximize your outside time. If you visit too early into the spring, you might not be able to do one of the most amazing hikes, the Narrows, as melting snow increases the flow rate through the canyon making it unsafe for visitors.

Now this might be an unpopular opinion, but Zion is amazing in late November and early December. The weather tends to be cold in the evenings and early mornings but warms up to be perfect hiking weather during the day. The park is significantly less crowded (like WAY less), and accommodations are much cheaper as well.

Late May into early June is also awesome because weather is warm during the day but cools off at night! You’ll definitely run into more people, but it won’t be as crowded as peak summer weeks.

Catching Some Zzzzzzs

There are loads of accommodation options when you’re visiting Zion because Springdale is close enough that it makes for a convenient base camp. The only thing more convenient? Staying in the park! In-park accommodations tend to either be very economical (camping) or a little on the spendier side (lodge living). Either way you have a few options to choose from— you can explore them below.

In the summer months, staying in the park is huge, but it’s much less important in the winter months as you overall access to the park is far more open and less competitive. When we visited in May, we stayed at the Zion Lodge, BUT for a December visit, we stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Springdale/Zion National Park for an ‘all-in’ cost of only ~$100/night (in nearly December) and would definitely stay here again!

Campgrounds

The Watchman & South Campgrounds are both less than a ½ mile away from the South Entrance of the park. While tent and electric campsites are available year-round, group campsites are only available from March to November. Due to Zion’s illustrious draw, campsites fill up quickly and the Watchman Campground requires reservations year-round. The South Campground is available March through October. Tent, dry RV, and group campsites are available by by reservation as well.

Camping in winter is not for the faint of heart! If this is your journey, you’ll want to pack your coziest sleeping bag!

Both of these campgrounds are alongside the Virgin River. Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center upon arrival to check the water quality as bacteria blooms can be toxic.

Zion Lodge 

The Zion Lodge is located in the middle of the park, placing you in the heart of the excitement. The longstanding lodge can be found on the National Register of Historic Places as it was built in the 1920s and has withstood the test of time… and fire! Abounding in historical character, the Zion Lodge offers 76 rooms, six suites, and 40 cabins for visitors to choose from. We loved the historic character of our little cabin abode.

A huge perk of staying at the Zion Lodge is that you are permitted to drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive up to the Lodge (a restricted area to all other park visitors late spring through fall). Now, if you are visiting in the high season, this is a HUGE perk, but for winter visitors, this doesn’t matter at all since this road is open late fall through early spring.

The Shuttle Scuttle 

To minimize traffic through the park in busy months a free shuttle services run from March to November both in the park itself and in the adjacent town of Springdale. However, the overall traffic in the park is significantly lower in the winter months, so visitors can drive on Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, eliminating the need for a shuttle to run!

Let’s Get Started

Visiting in winter makes for a vastly different experience than a summer trip— in so many different ways. While summer usually means a very early start to the day, a winter visit will allow you to enjoy a bit more sleep. Not only do you not have to fret nearly as much about parking but a later start gives any overnight or morning icy-ness the chance to melt away.

DAY 1
Canyon Coffee

There’s nothing like a nice cup of coffee to start the day. Best perk of winter park visits? There’s no insane panic to ‘beat the rush’, so you can actually enjoy a cup of coffee as the day starts to warm up.

Temple of Sinawava

Temple of Sinawava is the entrance to the illustrious Narrows hiking trail. In the winter months, this can be more of a chilly endeavor. Equipment rentals, such as Zion Outfitter, will provide canyoneering boots, neoprene socks, a wooden walking stick, and dry pants. If you are considering doing any substantial portion of the water-trek, we highly recommend either packing or renting this gear as it will make or break your experience. 

Even if you don’t plan to hike a large potion of the Narrows, the Temple of Sinawava is a beautiful natural amphitheater and certainly worth going to see. The paved Riverside Walk through the amphitheater is so serene, and you can walk the first part of the Narrows without getting wet. It’s an absolutely amazing way to start the day.

Emerald Pools Trail

The Emerald Pools Trail is an awesome, easily accessible hike. It showcases a rewarding mix of scenery without being too demanding. The trail winds along Zion’s towering sandstone cliffs and past seasonal waterfalls that feed a series of shallow pools. They tend to be a bit more dry in the winter, but if you’re lucky you might still catch a glimpse of the sparkling turquoise-green water.

Many PoolS Trail

The Many Pools Trail is an unmaintained route that stretches across smooth sandstone domes, where rainwater collects in natural basins. Cairns loosely guide the way, but part of the appeal lies in the exploratory feel of this desert landscape hike. This beautiful trail has a more off-the-beaten-path feel. There’s a simple pleasure in being up close to the different textures and almost-flakey stone.

Petroglyph Pools to Slot Canyon Trail

Depending on how much of the Narrows you hiked, there may be nothing left in the tank! The Petroglyph Pools to Slot Canyon Trail isn’t necessarily a MUST-do, but for anyone that’s keen to see some petroglyphs, it’s a relatively easy hike. You don’t need to be Indigenous to have an appreciation for the grounding cultural depth!

Zion Canyon Brewery

Just outside the entrance to the park, you will find the Zion Canyon Village. The Zion Canyon Brewery has both a restaurant as well as a beer garden area for weary hikers to rest their bones. This makes for a perfect spot to go grab a beer and rest a bit after a day full of hiking!

Cowboys and angels Speakeasy

If you’re looking to end the night with a fun cocktail, we’ve got a fun spot in store. Head to Feel Love Coffee, and open the secret door to get into the speakeasy. It’s a little spendy, but the drinks are very cute and rather tasty. 

DAY 2
Watchman Trail 

After a little rest and recovery, day two starts with another awesome hike! And the Watchman Trail is an excellent way to start the day. The overlook at the top boasts 360 degree views, including Temples and Towers, the lower Zion Canyon, and Watchman Peak. This trail has zero shade, which makes it a perfect choice for a morning hike in the winter as it’s less likely to be icy.

angels landing

While views abound throughout the park, there are a couple hikes Zion is renowned for. None are so iconic as Angel’s Landing. This steep hike was once thought to be inaccessible to humans, hence its name. In the time since, it has become a well worn path, with chains for anxious hikers to hold onto as they make their accent. 

The last half mile of the Angel’s Landing hike is a steep chain-section. Even in the winter, a permit is required to hike this final leg. You have until 3pm the day prior to snag your permit. This is done online— click here to take you to the recreation.gov site.

If you somehow miss your window or forget, hiking to the Scout Lookout via West Rim Trail provides a different but comparable-and-still-stunning view.

Canyon Overlook Trail

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a perfect hike to end the day. Clocking in at right at 1 mile, it’s a short but rather rewarding hike. Due to the sheer magnitude of the canyon, there’s no spot in Zion that makes for a perfect sunset spot. However, this perch is a fabulous spot to take in the cotton candy sky and the sweeping panorama of Zion Canyon.

Zion in winter is so underrated! It almost feels like you have the park to yourself, and the weather really does tend to be perfect for an abundance of hiking. Nearby Bryce Canyon is up at elevation and much more likely to get snow, but Zion’s desert-scape makes for a perfect adventure.

Our itinerary differs a little for anyone visiting in the summer months— you can check it out here. Happy travels!

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

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lifestyle

How to See the Best Highlights of Yosemite in Just One Day

Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking natural wonderland nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its dramatic granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient, towering sequoias, it’s no surprise Yosemite is California’s most-visited national park. From the moment you enter Yosemite Valley, you’re greeted by a majestic, almost surreal panorama— most notably, the sheer face of El Capitan rising nearly 3,000 feet above the valley floor and Half Dome’s iconic silhouette etched against the sky. One day goes fast, but it’s possible to see the best highlights of Yosemite, even if you just have a single day in the park!

It would be easy to spend a few days, if not a week, exploring Yosemite at a leisurely pace; however, that’s not always in the cards. We are big on the something-is-better-than-nothing philosophy, so if you only have one day in Yosemite, we can help maximize your time! It is more than worth the trek to see all the unforgettable sights, go on a couple adventurous hikes, and catch a breathtaking sunset.

Fast Facts About Yosemite National Park

Size:  747,956 acres

Visitors: 3,897,070 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 13,114 feet at Mount Lyell

Closest Airports: Fresno-Yosemite (FAT) and Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) airports are both ~2.5 hour drive to Yosemite Valley; Sacramento Airport (SMF) is ~3.5 hour drive to Yosemite Valley

National Park Initiation: October 1st, 1890 by an Act of Congress (3rd national park in the USA)

Fun Fact: Yosemite is home to three groves of sequoias, and the oldest one— Grizzly Giant— is estimated to be about 3,000 years old

More Yosemite fun facts! While Yellowstone is heralded as the first national park, much of the nomenclature used to protect Yellowstone land was modeled after the Yosemite Grant. The big difference? Yosemite is housed entirely in California, whereas Yellowstone occupies regions of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Due to its multi-state occupancy Yellowstone became the first park protected nationally. Not long after, Yosemite was officially designated as a national park, making it the third in the U.S. National Park System.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 

The most popular time of year to visit is summer into early fall, with the highest visitation in July and August. This time of year, you can expect temperatures to get up into the 80s and 90s, but it will cool off into the 50s in the evening. 

Having visited a couple different time in early and mid-October, I am a staunch supporter of the slightly-off-season visit! With highs in the 70s, it’s perfect for hiking… but not too cold to camp through the evening! No real chance of snow and likelihood of rain is still pretty minimal. The only downside is that the park has dried out some. Mirror Lake becomes more of an enchanting puddle and the Mist Trail is much less likely to soak you, compared to early summer. None of this takes a way from the beauty of the park— just a slightly different experience. Worth it, in my opinion, to deal with almost HALF as many fellow visitors!!

girl taking selfie with tunnel view in yosemite national park as a backdrop — a must visit spot when you only have 48 hours in Yosemite
Thou Shall Not Pass

Due to issues with congestion and traffic in the park, a timed reservation system has been implemented at Yosemite. This only is in place during the busy season! In 2024, this was as follows: 

4/13 – 6/30Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 4 pm
7/1 – 8/16Reservations required daily from 5 am to 4 pm
8/17 – 10/ 13Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 3 pm

This was modified in 2025, as reservations were not necessary after September 1st! Be sure to check out reservation requirements before you arrive.

The timed entry reservation differs from the $35/vehicle entrance fee everyone pays for admission into the park. This entry fee is enforced year-round as it’s important for preserving and maintaining the park. The timed entry reservation system is completely different! Its sole purpose being to control the influx of people into the park. This is an online reservation system, so there is a $2 fee. You can make your ticketed entry reservations here. 

If you have camping or lodging reservations in the park or are on a park-authorized commercial tour, you do not need to worry about securing a timed entry reservation. 

Yosemite Valley Shuttle

Yosemite Valley is a popular area of the park, so to facilitate traffic and parking concerns, there are two shuttle systems within the valley. They both run from 7am to 10pm, hitting the key points of interest, as noted below. Since the East Valley shuttle runs a smaller loop, buses tend to arrive a little more frequently. Even at that, the longest wait time is estimated to be about 22 minutes. 

When you’re just visiting for the day, the shuttle system may have less utility, but it’s certainly helpful to know about— especially if you visit during the busy summer months.

The One-Very-Full-Day Itinerary

One day in the park goes fast! It’s impossible to see everything, but this itinerary will allow you to hit the highlights.

Depending on what brings you through the Yosemite area, you may find yourself wanting to camp in the park. We have a complete list of all accommodation options in the park, in our two-day Yosemite itinerary, found here.

What’s not on here? Hiking Half Dome. This 14-16 miles hike is iconic in the park, but WILL take up your whole day. Plus it requires the acquisition of a permit as only 300 hikers are permitted to make the trek each day. You can learn more about that here.

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 

This is the largest visitor center in the park and the main hub for park information. It’s a must-stop for any park-goers looking to secure their park stamp! More importantly, the visitor center is a buffet of resources like maps, exhibits, and interactive displays that cover the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. This is also a great area to go to the bathroom, grab a snack, and get ready to hit the ground running! 

Vernal & Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

The Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail is an awesome hike because it combines breathtaking waterfalls, diverse terrain, and unforgettable views into one memorable hike. This trail takes you up close to the powerful cascades of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. A rather immersive experience, the waterfall mist cools off hikers as they ascend, hence the trail’s name. Climbing the granite stair-master-come-to-life alongside Vernal Fall is rather unforgettable, but so worth it as you’re rewarded with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley and the Merced River atop Nevada Falls. 

The hike is around 6.5 miles from the trailhead. A heads up/FYI, I ended up parking in Curry Village, which made it more of an 8ish mile hike– just so you’re mentally prepared. It’s certainly not an impossible endeavor, but the 2,208 ft of elevation is definitely not easy peasy. 

lunch in Yosemite Village

After you finish your hike, grab an early lunch in Yosemite Village. There’s a handful of different options to chose from. You can’t go wrong with a sandwich from Degnan’s Deli, but just be sure to grab something. There’s more hiking in store!

Glacier Point 

Home to one of the most spectacular, panoramic views in the park, Glacier Point features sweeping vistas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra peaks. Sitting at over 7,200 feet, this viewpoint provides a breathtaking perspective of the valley and its renown, granite landmarks.

Depending on how much time you have or perhaps how your legs are feeling, you have two options for taking in the view. You can either take a short walk to a viewpoint or hike the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trail. The latter is about 5 miles round trip and a little over 1,000 feet of elevation. This is what I opted for (and loved it), but either way you’re going to have a beautiful view. 

Tunnel View

Finish the day out by taking in the sunset at Tunnel View. It’s hard not to feel like a photographer, with the sun painting El Capitan and Half Dome with rays of golden light. This spot is easily accessible, making it a popular choice for capturing postcard-worthy photos. Even if you don’t take a single picture, simply soaking in the magic of Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes is an unbeatable way to round out the day. The sweeping views from Tunnel View at sunset encapsulate both the grandeur and tranquility of Yosemite in an unforgettable scene.

Catching the sunset at Tunnel View does mean backtracking back towards Yosemite Valley a little bit. This totally works if you plan to camp or stay in the Yosemite Valley region of the park. However, if you’re just driving through, definitely hit Tunnel View on your way to Glacier Point.

One of the Best Highlights of Yosemite: sunset at Tunnel View

After living in California for a few years, I can confidently say there’s never enough time for all the adventures to be had. Having been to Yosemite a couple times now, I promise the park is amazing, regardless of how long you’re there. Even if you only have a single day, take the time to go check out the best highlights of Yosemite. Happy travels!

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

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lifestyle

Haleakalā Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to Maui’s Volcano Park

Rising over 10,000 feet above sea level, visiting Haleakalā National Park feels like stepping onto another planet — one sculpted by ancient lava flows, swirling clouds, and sunrise colors that defy description. Located on the island of Maui, this dramatic volcanic landscape is unlike anywhere else in Hawaiʻi. Whether you’re arriving early to witness the legendary sunrise from the summit or hiking off to explore the crater floor, Haleakalā offers a rather surreal experience. We have created a perfect first-time visitor’s guide to Maui’s illustrious volcano park. It’s a place where cinder cones rise like moonscapes and native silversword plants thrive in the thin alpine air, making it a truly unique ecosystem on Maui.

Spending even just a half day here allows you to take in some of the park’s most iconic sights — including scenic overlooks, high-elevation trails, and panoramic views stretching all the way to the Big Island on a clear day. For those with a bit more time, a full-day visit opens up opportunities to catch the sunrise and hike into the crater. The volcanic beauty and quiet power of Haleakalā make it a must-visit for anyone exploring Maui.

Fast Facts About Haleakalā National Park

Size: 30,183 acres

Visitors: 732,477 visitors annually (data from 2024)

Distance from OGG Airport: 40 miles or a 1 hour & 15 min drive (to the summit)

National Park Initiation: Hawaiʻi National Park was established by Congress in 1916, and at the time, this included what is now Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (on Big Island) AND Haleakalā on Maui. In 1961, the Hawaiʻi National Park was separated and re-designated as Haleakalā National Park and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 

Fun Fact: Haleakala means “house of the sun” and is said to be where the demigod Maui lassoed the sun, delaying its passage so people had more time to dry kapa (cloth) and grow food

Summit District & Kīpahulu District

Haleakalā National Park is divided into two separate areas: the Summit District and the Kīpahulu District, each offering its own unique volcanic Maui experience. The Summit District, located in upcountry Maui, is the more accessible of the two and home to the park’s famous volcanic crater, sunrise vistas, and high-elevation hikes like Sliding Sands and Pa Ka‘oao. It’s all about expansive views, barren beauty, and feeling like you’re on top of the world. 

In contrast, the Kīpahulu District lies on the lush, more-remote southeastern side of the island— past Hāna, and showcases a completely different side of the park. Dense rainforests, flowing waterfalls, and trails, like the Pīpīwai Trail, wind through bamboo groves and lead to towering waterfalls. 

Together, these two districts highlight the dramatic range of Maui’s ecosystems — from alpine desert to tropical jungle — making Haleakalā a truly ecologically diverse and fascinating national park. While both districts are in the same park, there are no intra-park roads connecting the two. The safest way to get from one area to the other is actually an approximately 3.5 hour drive around the east side of the island. 

It’s totally possible to visit both districts of the park in one day; however, the road to (and through) Hana is its own day trip adventure, and is best suited for another day. This itinerary focuses predominantly on enjoying the Summit District. 

Where to Stay

Watching the sunrise in Haleakalā is quite the Maui bucket list item. Even if you stay just outside the park, in Kula, it’s still about a 45-50 minute drive to the summit. If you plan to bring your camping gear on your Maui vacation, you can stay at Hosmer Grove Campground; however, this campground is located near the entrance gate to the park, meaning it will still be a 25-30 min drive up to the summit. 

Other cities nearby? The drive from Wailea takes about an hour and a half. Coming from Kahului or Paia takes around an hour and 15 minutes. 

We stayed at an Airbnb in Kula, and loved it. Super spacious and an awesome host. The space was big enough that we could spread out a bit, with an awesome view from the terrace and relaxing hot tub to look up at the stars. It was cloudy the night we were there, but apparently the Milky Way is visible on clear nights.

What to Bring

Spending a half to full day up on Haleakalā doesn’t warrant an overly extensive packing list, but there are a handful of things to be aware of. 

  • Jacket — first on the list because it’s, perhaps, the item most likely to be left behind. Haleakalā is up at elevation, and it’s about 20 degrees cooler up at the summit than it was at the base of the volcano. It’s also pretty windy up there as well! Be sure to check the weather before you go… it’s never fun to be cold. Even during the warm summer months, it can be surprisingly cool!
  • Snacks — there’s no lodge or restaurant to purchase food, so be sure to pack all the snacks and meals you’re going to need, before you head up 
  • Water — hiking at elevation can be a bit more taxing than one might expect, so it’s always better to bring more water than you think you might need. You can refill water bottles, so at the very least ensure you have enough containers for the amount of water you’ll need 
  • Backpack — even a small hiking backpack can be nice to have. It makes for an easy place to throw everything you need together before you go for a hike (even if you don’t plan to go on a long hike) 
  • Headlamp — if you plan to arrive for the sunrise or after sunset, a headlamp is soooo much more convenient than using your phone flashlight 
  • Sunscreen — just because it’s cool doesn’t mean you won’t get burned (once the sun’s up, that it)
  • Hat — protecting your scalp and face is a must! it can get pretty breezy, so you’re best off with a baseball cap or a hat that straps to your head… nothing’s worse than losing a good hat
A Native Note

Haleakalā is sacred to Native Hawaiians, so please treat this park with the respect it deserves. Stay on marked paths, throw your trash away, and if you see people practicing cultural traditions, please be courteous and do not disturb them. 

The Itinerary

Haleakalā paints a landscape different from any other US national park. Peering out across the cinder-scape of a dormant volcano really does fill one with a sense of awe. For anyone that has visited Hawaiʻi Volcano National Park, it’s a beautiful park but also very different from Haleakalā. The volcanic landscapes are uniquely beautiful and memorable. 

It’s very easy to spend a half day in the park, and this is the least amount of time that should be allotted. Depending on your time and fitness-level, one could spend the better part of the day exploring Haleakalā! Below we have detailed the must-do activities, when you’re in the park.

Sunrise

Catching the sunrise from the Haleakalā summit is a truly outstanding way to start the day. Despite it being QUITE the early start to the day (especially in the summer), this has become a rather popular endeavor, so the park has implemented a reservation system for the park— but only effective from 3am-7am. 

Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance, released at 7:00am HST. There is a second, smaller portion of reservations that become available 2 days prior. Reservations can be made here. 

If you’d rather not navigate the roads up to the summer, there are four NPS-approved tour companies that offer sunrise experiences: Haleakalā Ecotours, Valley Isle Excursions, Skyline Eco-Adventures, and Polynesian Adventure Tours. 

You can check the sunrise time here. 

photo via nps.gov — Asa Ellison
The Summit 

We visited Haleakalā in June, with our charming toddler in tow. There was about a 0% chance of us making it to watch the sun rise with our sleepy little friend; however, even in early to mid-morning, the park is beautiful— there’s still lots to see and do!

A visit to the summit of Haleakalā is well worth it for the sweeping views. This isn’t simply the Summit District, but the highest elevation of the park i.e. the summit of the Summit District. At over 10,000 feet, the summit area feels worlds away from Maui’s beaches— taking in the ocean waves below from your perch high in the clouds. Here, you’ll find a cluster of high-tech telescopes used for astronomical research, a testament to the area’s clear skies and minimal light pollution.

Just steps away, a small visitor building offers educational displays and a horizon map that points out distant landmarks — including other Hawaiian islands you can spot on clear days. It’s an awe-inspiring reminder of how vast the view truly is.

Volcano Hikes

Hiking at Haleakalā offers a chance to truly immerse yourself in the park’s surreal volcanic landscape. For a short but rewarding option, the Pa Ka’oao Trail (White Hill Trail) — also known as the White Hill Trail — is a quick climb, beginning right by the Visitor Center, that leads to a stunning panoramic overlook of the crater, with sweeping views that stretch all the way to the ocean on clear days.

For a more immersive adventure, the Sliding Sands Trail descends dramatically into the crater, and hiking even part of the way gives you a sense of the vast scale and quiet beauty of Haleakalā’s interior. Depending how far you trek, you might just pass some windswept cinder cones, shifting colors in the volcanic soil, and the endangered ʻāhinahina (silversword) plant that grows only here.

Visitor Center 

No national park trip is complete without a brief stop by the visitor center! You are unlikely to have much service at the summit, so a park ranger is the best person to answer all your questions. I always love to snag a couple postcards… plus you can’t forget to stamp your NPS passport!

the visitor center at the summit of haleakala is a perfect guide to maui's only volcano park
Kīpahulu District

Driving the Road to Hana is another popular day trip adventure. If you leave early in the day or if you stay overnight in Hana, hiking the Pipiwai Trail is a well-rounded way to experience the southeastern pocket of the park. The bamboo forests and waterfalls are in sharp contrast to the volcanic landscape— each impressive in their own way. 

Due to the time it takes to travel from one district to the other, it would not be the most ideal to visit both parts of the park in one day, but it is certainly possible. 

Haleakalā is a unique park with amazing opportunities to experience Maui from a different perspective. Being able to look out at surrounding islands, watch the sunrise from above the clouds, and climb into a crater are memories you certainly won’t forget anytime soon. 

Haleakalā is one of two national parks in Hawaii. If your Hawai’i adventures bring you to Big Island, be sure to go visit the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

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lifestyle

3 Perfect Days in the Redwoods: The Ultimate Itinerary for A First Time Visitor

The Northern California coast is home to some of the tallest trees in the world, making it a truly enchanting forest. There’s something humbling about standing beneath the towering redwoods. A place where centuries-old giants stretch into the sky and sunlight filters through an abundance of leaves. Walking among these ancient trees, the redwoods aren’t just a beautiful backdrop — they’re living witnesses to history, endurance, and the quiet power of nature. Whether you’re a first time visitor to the famous groves of Northern California or coming back to stumble upon new, hidden gems, being among them feels like stepping into a world far older and wiser than our own.

As you wander deeper into the ancient redwood forests, the sense of wonder only grows. The sheer size and silence of the redwoods create a feeling of both awe, like nature’s own sacred sanctuary. Every winding trail reveals something new: a massive scorched trunk, a fallen giant, or an unexpectedly beautiful stretch of soft ferns. In the redwoods, you don’t just see nature — you feel it, powerful and alive, woven into every breath and footstep. There’s something almost ethereal about being in a forest of tower trees— only nature can make you feel small in a way that’s so humbling yet inspiring. 

Fast Facts About Redwood National & State Park

Size: 131,983 acres — 60,268 acres state park land + 71,715 acres federal land

Visitors: 622,883 visitors annually (data from 2024)

Distance from SFO Airport: 6-7 hour drive (there are smaller, regional airports that are closer)

National Park Initiation: became a national park in 1968, but in 1994, the National Park Service & the California Department of Parks and Recreation formed a cooperative agreement to maximize resource protection for the four parks (more info below)

Fun Fact: after extensive logging in the mid-to-late 1800s, only 5% of old-growth redwoods remain

National Park or State Park(s)?

Differing from most of the other national parks the national park land is interspersed with California state park land. Rather than operating separately, Redwoods National and State Parks work together under a cooperative management plan, blending federal and state resources to preserve these ancient forests as one unified whole. As a visitor, it makes for pretty seamless exploration between the four park areas: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and the broader Redwood National Park. 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Sleeps 

Ensuring you’re well rested is the easiest way to make the most of your hiking and sight-seeing days. Depending on how outdoorsy you’re feeling, you can either go camping or stay in Crescent City. Since we were visiting with a one year old, we did a mixture of both— two nights camping, with our final night at an Airbnb. 

Jedediah Smith Campground

If you’re camping, Jedediah Smith Campground is hard to beat. It’s located about 20 minutes from arguably some of the most iconic views in the park, not to mention the campsite itself is in a beautiful spot along the Smith River. Without even leaving the campground, ancient redwoods tower right over picnic tables, just leaving enough room for a tent pad and fire pit. With clean restrooms, flat tent pads, reasonably-priced hot showers (you’ll need quarters!), and the peaceful sound of the river nearby, it offers just enough comfort to make nature feel welcoming.

We had a friend join us, visiting from south Florida, who had never been camping before, and this was a fantastic first camping experience for him. You can’t beat the combination of easy access to little “amenities”, while still being amidst the immersive beauty camping affords. 

Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

One could easily spend two or three nights at the Jedediah Smith Campground. In addition to the top notch locale, there’s something nice about not picking up your campsite and completely relocating it…. which is actually what we did. There’s only 25 campsites available at the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, which, in and of itself, is an awesome campsite, but it also provides easy access to the illustrious Fern Canyon (more on this later).

The campground itself is just off the beach, which makes for a very easy walk to watch the sun set on the beach. There’s ample space to spread out, free/included showers, a fire ring, and picnic table– everything you need! The bathroom and shower to campsite ratio felt perfect as we never had to wait to use the bathroom or shower. 

This is also a great spot to stargaze. We were there right at the new moon, and were optimistic to potentially see the milky way; however, heavy cloud coverage ruined our fun. I’d read that this campground can get pretty windy, due to the beach location; however, we didn’t really encounter any excessive breeze or windiness. 

Airbnb

Crescent City is the closest city to the Redwoods, and if you’re not much for camping, this is likely the spot to base your adventures out of. As this was our first trip camping with our kiddo, we wanted to hedge our bets a little, so we snagged an Airbnb for our final night. We stayed here and could not recommend it highly enough! The location was amazing, but it was also an easy place to share with friends as each of the three rooms had its own attached bathroom— plus a couple awesome communal areas to hang out. 

photo from Airbnb listing (found here)
DAY 1
Howland Hill Road

Driving Howland Hill Road feels like stepping into a fairytale — only you’re behind the wheel. This narrow, unpaved road winds through the heart of the Redwoods forest, placing you right in the midst of the tallest trees on Earth. Unlike highways that keep nature at a distance, Howland Hill immerses you in it: massive redwoods rise just inches from your window, ferns brush the edges of your car, and dappled light flickers across the windshield. It’s the kind of slow, winding journey that encourages you to roll down the windows, turn off the music, and just listen — to birdsong, the rustle of leaves, and the soft hush of the forest. 

As a convenient two-for-one, all of the hikes on the to-do list for day one are located off Howland Hill Road. 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Boy Scout Tree Trail (optional) 

The Boy Scout Tree Trail is a bit of a hidden gem for those willing to venture a bit deeper into the redwoods. This out-and-back trail winds through a pristine, old-growth forest where massive redwoods rise like ancient pillars, ferns carpet the forest floor, and sunlight filters down in soft rays. What makes this trail stand out is its sense of quiet solitude; it’s less traveled than some of the more popular routes, giving you the chance to really experience the redwoods. The trail culminates at the enormous Boy Scout Tree — a double-trunked giant that feels like something out of a storybook — and a nearby waterfall that adds a peaceful finale. 

Depending on when you roll into town, you may or may not have time for this hike. It’s the farthest down Howland Hill Road, and it’s also the longest hike, so while it’s a worthy investment of time, it would be the first to get trimmed from the itinerary. 

Grove of Titans Trail 

The Grove of Titans isn’t just a hike — it’s an encounter with giants hidden in plain sight. This trail leads you to some of the largest known redwoods on Earth, including trees so massive and ancient they almost seem unreal. As this trail has grown in popularity, there’s an elevated boardwalk in some areas to help protect the forest floor and root system. It’s also a good reminder as to the importance of staying on the path. 

Each trail in the redwoods has something about it that’s a little unique, and Grove of Titans has some of the most physically massive trees. Large trees are littered throughout the park, but these are the wide-based trees that will really have your jaw on the ground. 

Stout Grove 

Stout Grove is easily one of the crown jewels of the Redwoods. Don’t let the sub-1 mile distance fool you— Stout Grove is a short, easily accessible loop that delivers an timeless sense of wonder. What makes it truly serene is the way light filters through the open canopy, creating a soft, golden glow that shifts throughout the day and highlights the sheer scale and texture of the surrounding trees. The grove has an almost cathedral-like stillness, where fallen trees, thick ferns, and towering trunks create a scene that feels both wild and artfully composed. Without the distraction of road noise or heavy foot traffic, it’s a place where even a brief visit feels immersive and peaceful. 

For the Campers

If you’re staying at the Jedediah Smith Campground, it’s not a bad idea to bring cash in small bills. Showers cost 50¢ for 2 minutes and 25¢ for each additional minute. Additionally the campground host was selling firewood bundles for $8/each (cash only). 

Crescent city isn’t too far away, but if you can swing by the grocery store before you get to camp for the evening, it will make things much smoother for your evening plans. There’s a store just down the road, but options are limited, so you’re best off packing everything you need. 

With so many amazing trees around, you can almost forget the Smith River is steps away. I highly recommend heading down to the river for a moment of peace, either at the end of the day or as you get ready for day two. 

DAY 2 
Hiouchi Visitor Center

Just minutes from Jedediah Smith Campground, the Hiouchi Visitor Center is the ideal place to start your day. Whether you’re looking for passport stamps, park ~swag~, or tracking down a ranger to answer all your park-related inquiries, this small but informative center is a great spot to orient yourself before heading out.

Newton Drury Scenic Parkway

The Newton Drury Scenic Parkway is part of the drive for today’s adventures, but it’s a treat in and of itself. This ten-mile stretch through Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is a paved, two-lane road that winds gracefully through some stunning old-growth redwoods. Towering trees line both sides of the road— their canopies creating a living tunnel of green overhead. The journey, in some cases, is just as magical as the destination. 

Cathedral Trees Trail

The Cathedral Trees Trail lives up to its name, offering a peaceful, grounding walk through a grove of towering redwoods that feel like nature’s own sanctuary. While the first part of the trail is a little busy, due to its proximity to the Prairie Creek Visitor Center, it quickly thins out, and you’re left with a delightfully quiet immersion into the forest. The trees’ magnitude never ceases to be amazing, but there’s a certain reverence about this slice of the forest that felt above-averagely calming and serene. 

Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail

Perched at a higher elevation than many other redwood trails, the Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail offers a unique perspective — both literally and figuratively. This peaceful loop trail winds through a misty, upland redwood forest where the trees are often shrouded in fog, adding a rather ethereal quality to the landscape. 

Numbered trail posts are found along the trail. If you have the NPS app, there’s a virtual ‘Lady Bird Johnson Grove Walking Tour’ you can read along at each of the 13 stops. It’s not quite as smooth as a guided ranger tour, but it certainly provides some interesting information. 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Fern Canyon

After wandering around in a towering redwood forest all day, Fern Canyon feels like stepping into another world. This unforgettable trail winds through a narrow canyon where 50-foot-high walls are completely draped in lush, prehistoric ferns, dripping with moisture and alive with vibrant green. Fern Canyon is actually so surreal in appearance that parts of Jurassic Park 2 were filmed here!

With a shallow creek running through the canyon floor, you’ll find yourself hopping across stones and fallen logs, fully immersed in a landscape that feels untouched by time. And I do mean fully immersed! Bring shoes you don’t mind getting wet! You can hop around to a certain extent, but you’ll be hard–pressed to make it through the canyon with dry toes. 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)

This part of the park is permitted, so it’s a good idea to snag permits as soon as you can. That can be done here. If you happen to be camping at the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, that will also grant you access to this part of the park as well. 

Even with the permits, this canyon can feel a little over-run with fellow visitors/tourists. If you are staying at the near-by campground, I’d recommend setting up camp and then going over to check out the canyon about an hour and a half before sunset. The even better option would be waking up and getting to the canyon earlier in the morning, before the masses are awake and moving. I promise it will be worth going out of your way to enjoy a bit more solitude! 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Gold Bluffs Beach Campground

The Gold Bluffs Beach Campground is also the public access point to the Gold Bluffs Beach. If the timing works out and you’re wrapping up at Fern Canyon or camping at the campground itself, the beach makes for a lovely sunset to end the day. 

While night number one was spent under the trees, night two will be steps away from the beach. The campsites are a generous size, the showers are included in the cost of the campsite, and someone will drive by in the evening selling firewood… what more could you ask for? 

Stars perhaps? This part of the park is known to be excellent for stargazing, due to the lack of nearby light pollution. Check the moon cycle… if it’s a new moon and the weather is clear, you might just be able to see the milky way! 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
DAY 3
Klamath River Overlook

Perched above the Klamath River and Pacific Ocean confluence, the Klamath River Overlook offers a breathtaking panorama, unique to the forest, fern, and beach views observed thus far. It’s a dramatic, ever-changing scene where fog rolls over the cliffs and waves crash below. It’s another uniquely peaceful place— allowing you to start the day by  appreciating the sheer diversity of landscapes that make up Redwood National and State Parks. 

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Damnation Creek Trail

For those looking to experience the full drama of the Redwood Coast, the Damnation Creek Trail delivers an unforgettable blend of towering forest and rugged shoreline. Beginning beneath a dense canopy of old-growth redwoods, the trail descends steeply—over 1,000 feet—through layers of lush ferns, mossy trunks, and misty understory until it reaches the wild, wave-battered cliffs of the Pacific.

It’s one of the few hikes in the region that truly bridges the forest and the sea, offering a rare chance to walk from ancient inland groves all the way to a coastal bluff. The elevation change is no joke, especially on the way back up, but the reward is a deeply immersive journey through the diverse ecosystems that define the magic of Northern California.

photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Crescent Beach Overlook & Enderts Beach

For an up-close taste of the wild Northern California coast, Crescent Beach Overlook and the short hike to Enderts Beach offer the perfect coast experience, while actually still being part of the national park land. Just minutes from Crescent City, the overlook provides a stunning, easily accessible view of the coastline — a sweeping panorama of rugged cliffs and crashing waves. It’s more than worth it to take the short trail down to Enderts Beach. A peaceful stretch of shoreline awaits, a scenic contrast to the towering redwoods and a reminder of just how richly varied this landscape really is.

first time visitor to redwoods stands along the pacific coast
photo taken by our friend Zachary (IG: master_splint3r)
Pebble Beach

Depending on where you plan to rest your weary bones tonight, catching the sunset at Pebble Beach in Crescent City just might be the perfect end to your beachy redwood day. This rugged stretch of coastline is known for its dramatic sea stacks and ever-changing skies — and as the sun sinks low over the Pacific, the entire sky is bathed in golden light. The perfect way to reflect on a lovely trip!

The national and state parks in California have such a huge range, and are beautiful in so many unique ways. The Redwoods are tall, historic trees and the forest they compose is a humbling reminder of nature’s magnitude. Three days in the park flies by… in the best possible way— happy travels!

Looking for your next great national park adventure? Crater Lake National Park is less than 4 hours away!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

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lifestyle

Death Valley in a Day: The Perfect No-4WD-Needed Itinerary!

The moment you step into Death Valley National Park, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. As you peer out, towering sand dunes ripple like golden waves under a scorching sun. In the distance, jagged mountains rise and the salt flats stretch endlessly, shimmering like a mirage. This is a land of extremes—the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S.—yet within its harsh beauty lies an otherworldly charm. From the ghostly silence of Badwater Basin to the kaleidoscopic colors of Artist’s Palette, Death Valley is a place that both humbles and exhilarates in equal measure. Seeing all the highlights of Death Valley in a single day will leave your heart happy and your camera roll full.

Under 2.5 hours from Vegas, Death Valley is a doable day trip for a motivated parks enthusiast. Even better, it’s possible to experience some of the most breathtaking sights—- without the concern of venturing into the rugged backcountry. Over the course of a day, you can stand at the lowest point in North America, wander across the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, drive the scenic curves of Artist’s Drive, and witness the fiery glow of sunset at Zabriskie Point. In essence, you’ll have enough time to explore the highlights—without needing a high-clearance vehicle or hours of off-roading.

Fast Facts About Death Valley National Park

Size: 3.4 million acres

Visitors: 1,099,632 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 11, 049 feet — at Telescope Peak

Lowest elevation: 282 feet below sea level — at Badwater Basin

Distance from Las Vegas Airport: 120 miles — 2 hr & 15 min drive

National Park Initiation: upgraded from national monument to national park status in 1994 by an act of Congress

Fun Fact: per the NPS, the highest recorded air temperature in the world was recorded at Furnace Creek at 134°F (57°C) Furnace Creek on July 10, 1913

the death valley national park entrance sign, with the mountains in the background— the first stop in a 48 hours trip to this beautiful national park
Timing is Everything

While October through April are the ideal months to visit, what’s most important is knowing when not to visit—- and that’s the middle of the summer. Summer visits are not recommended due to the dangerous heat (regularly > 120°F). It becomes unsafe to spend too much time outside in an area notorious for being as dry as it is hot.

A visit in March or April means you might get to see some wildflowers in bloom. I had an open four day weekend at the end of January, so I decided to go visit! Temperatures ranged from 40s-60s, so it was warm enough to camp without issue, while also staying comfortable whilst hiking around. The quantity of fellow park visitors was minimal. Overall, January was a great month to visit!

Ridin’ Dirty 

While Death Valley is home to some rugged, off-the-grid destinations that require a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle, this itinerary is accessible to anyone with a standard vehicle. Almost all the desert landscapes on the list can be reached via paved roads or well-maintained gravel routes. You’ll be able to sample Death Valley’s remote beauty without the risk of getting stuck in deep sand or rough terrain! You don’t need off-roading capabilities to have an unforgettable adventure. 

It’s always a good idea to fill up on gas before you head to Death Valley, but there are gas stations in the park. No need to fret about running out of gas!

Good Eats 

Even in one of the harshest landscapes on Earth, you’ll find a surprisingly large variety of dining options. As you might expect, the Furnace Creek area offers the most choices, centered around The Oasis at Death Valley. The Inn Dining Room serves upscale cuisine with desert views that are as memorable as the food is delicious. The Ranch 1849 Buffet provides an all-you-can-eat experience for those looking to refuel after a long day of exploring. Just around the corner, the Last Kind Words Saloon, with its Western atmosphere, serves hearty meals and cocktails. Even if you pack your own meals, the Coffee and Cream is the nice spot to visit for a morning caffeine or post-adventure sweet treat.

Depending on when you roll through Stovepipe Wells, you’ll find a couple options: both Toll Road Restaurant and Badwater Saloon have some solid casual lunch fare options. The general store here also has some snacks, cold drinks, and basic supplies. 

photo via www.oasisatdeathvalley.com

Death Valley’s limited but well-placed food options ensure you won’t go hungry in the middle of this vast desert wilderness.

The Day-Trip Itinerary:

Death Valley is almost 5 hours round trip trip from Las Vegas, so you’ll certainly be motivated to spend your time economically while you’re there. The order of stops is intentional as it sequences an approximately two and a half hour drive through the park. The below itinerary includes 5-7hours worth of exploring, so this truly is a very full day.

Visitor Center at Furnace Creek

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a perfect starting point for any Death Valley adventure. They have everything you need to get your bearings before heading out—park maps, trail updates, and a water fountain… all of these things are especially important as the weather in Death Valley grows warmer! It’s nice to have the rangers’ insight, and they can also answer any questions you might have— be sure to ask about the mysterious moving rocks at Racetrack Playa. The visitor center also features informative exhibits on Death Valley’s extreme climate, unique geology, and rich history– particularly regarding the indigenous Timbisha Shoshone culture. For any parks passporters, don’t forget to get your stamp! 

Badwater Basin 

At an impressive 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America—a vast, surreal expanse of hexagonal salt formations that seem to go on endlessly under the rising sun. While the view from the parking lot is rather impressive, it’s even more enchanting to take the 2-mile walk onto the salt flats. As you venture farther, the ground beneath your feet transforms into a dazzling white crust, crunching with each step.

It’s so wild to think the sandy-looking ground is actually an impressive stretch of salt… I did a quick taste test (not recommended) and can very heartily attest to the salinity. This truly is a beautiful place to start your adventuring— the expanse of salt and distant mountains make this a stark, stunning desert landscape.  

Devil’s Golf Course 

You won’t find a lush, manicured golf course amidst this desert expanse. The Devil’s Golf Course is a vast field of jagged, twisted salt formations so tumultuous that “only the devil could play golf here.” This peculiar landscape was formed as ancient lake beds evaporated, leaving behind a maze of salt pinnacles, sculpted by wind and time. It’s intriguing to see two salt fields that differ from one another so tremendously. Their similarity? The salt in both spots expands as it heats up in the warm sun, causing it to crackle and pop. 

Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette 

Winding through colorful hills and rugged canyons, Artist’s Drive is one of Death Valley’s most scenic roads. This 9-mile, one-way loop twists through a landscape that looks more like a painting come to life than a desert landscape. Especially at Artist’s Palette, where mineral-rich volcanic deposits have stained the hills in hues of red, yellow, green, and even purple, creating a surreal view.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

For being out  in the middle of the desert, it’s amazing how many unique, memorable landscapes you’ll find. Trade the plains of salt and colored canyons, for endless sand! The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a sea of rolling, wind-sculpted dunes— rising up to 100 feet tall. There’s a 2.3 mile trail, for a more immersive experience; however, there’s no official path, so shoe and footprints or hikers are ever-changing in the shifting sands. 

Mosaic Canyon

Tucked into the hills near Stovepipe Wells, Mosaic Canyon is a hidden wonder of smooth marble-like rock and narrow passageways. A 3.5 mile out-and-back trail starts with a short scramble and leads into a twisting slot canyon, where polished walls, shaped by centuries of water erosion, gleam in the sunlight. Even if you don’t have time to do the whole hike, the first half-mile or showcases the most stunning formations— making it a worthwhile stop for adventurers of all fitness levels!  

Ubehebe Crater — ** optional **

Ubehebe Crater is an enormous, gaping hole measuring 600 feet deep and half a mile across. This volcanic crater was formed by a powerful explosion when rising magma superheated groundwater, creating a violent steam eruption. The resulting dramatic, steep pit is surrounded by layers of dark volcanic rock, making it yet another unique geographical marvel in this desert park. To take it in from every angle, there’s a just-under-2-mile hike around the rim that offers panoramic views of Ubehebe as well as a peek at Little Hebe Crater nearby. 

Adding ‘crater’ to the list of things you’ll see in Death Valley is undoubtably cool; however, it does come at a bit of a time cost. The time-spent-in-the-car for this round trip itinerary is about 2.5 hours. If you decide to go visit the Ubehebe Crater, you’re looking at about 4 hours of drive time. And that doesn’t include the time spent taking pictures, hiking, or reading/learning. Different enough that it’s worth mentioning, but the first thing to cut, if you’re a tight on time!

Zabriskie Point

End the day with a sunset at Zabriskie Point. As the sun sinks, the vibrant evening sun streams across the rolling badlands, casting deep shadows and highlighting the dramatic ridges and valleys below. There’s a short walk out to a viewpoint, overlooking a labyrinth of eroded rocks, with the Panamint Mountains in the distant background. It makes for an incredibly peaceful and grounding end to the day! 

Death Valley National Park embodies such varieties and extremes. From salt flats to mountains to sand dunes to craters, and all the slot canyons in between, this national park is a wonderland of unique experiences in a desert landscape. We hope you have an incredible time exploring and adventuring. It’s a rather full day, but even a day trip out to Death Valley provides an awesome glimpse of this natural desert wonder! If you have a bit more time, check out our two-day itinerary for Death Valley here.

Looking to hit another California desert national park? Joshua Tree National Park is a completely different ambiance, only 4.5 hours away. If you head in the opposite direction, Zion National Park is also an easy 4.5 hours away. You never have to go toooo far to find your next adventure in this pocket of the country. Happy travels!

written by Kayla

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

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lifestyle

The Best Death Valley Itinerary for 48 Hours of Adventure

The moment you step into Death Valley National Park, it feels like you’ve landed on another planet. As you peer out, towering sand dunes ripple like golden waves under a scorching sun. In the distance, jagged mountains rise and the salt flats stretch endlessly, shimmering like a mirage. This is a land of extremes—the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S.—yet within its harsh beauty lies an otherworldly charm. From the ghostly silence of Badwater Basin to the kaleidoscopic colors of Artist’s Palette, Death Valley is a place that both humbles and exhilarates in equal measure. You’ll find that 48 hours of exploring flies by in a blur as you traverse the remote desert.

Two days in Death Valley is the perfect sweet spot for experiencing its most breathtaking sights, without venturing into the rugged backcountry. In just 48 hours, you can stand at the lowest point in North America, wander across the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, drive the scenic curves of Artist’s Drive, and witness the fiery glow of sunrise at Zabriskie Point. You’ll have enough time to explore the highlights—without needing a high-clearance vehicle or hours of off-roading. Whether you’re here for the epic landscapes, the eerie silence, or the thrill of exploring one of Earth’s most extreme environments, a well-planned two-day itinerary ensures you see the best of Death Valley without pushing past your comfort zone.

Fast Facts About Death Valley National Park

Size: 3.4 million acres

Visitors: 1,099,632 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 11, 049 feet — at Telescope Peak

Lowest elevation: 282 feet below sea level — at Badwater Basin

Distance from Las Vegas Airport: 120 miles — 2 hr & 15 min drive

National Park Initiation: upgraded from national monument to national park status in 1994 by an act of Congress

the death valley national park entrance sign, with the mountains in the background— the first stop in a 48 hours trip to this beautiful national park
Timing is Everything

While late fall to early spring (i.e. October to April) is the ideal time of year to visit, what’s most important is knowing when not to visit—- and that’s the middle of the summer. Summer visits are not recommended due to the dangerous heat (regularly > 120°F). It becomes unsafe to spend too much time outside in an area notorious for being as dry as it is hot.

A visit in March or April means you might get to see some wildflowers in bloom. I had an open four day weekend at the end of January, so I decided to go visit! Temperatures ranged from 40s-60s, so it was warm enough to camp without issue, while also staying comfortable whilst hiking around. The quantity of fellow park visitors was minimal. Overall, January was a great month to visit!

Catch Some Zzzzzs

There are loads of accommodation options when you’re visiting Death Valley. In-park accommodations tend to either be very economical (camping) or a little on the spendier side (lodge living). Either way you have quite a few options to choose from— you can explore them below. It’s worth noting, both camping and the lodges will fill up quickly. If you know this is where you want to stay, book sooner rather than later!

LODGE LIFE

For those looking to experience Death Valley without roughing it, the park offers several lodge options. These range from historic luxury to rustic desert stays. The Inn at Death Valley, a beautifully restored 1920s resort, offers the most upscale accommodations in the park. Think elegant rooms, a spring-fed pool, and stunning views of the surrounding desert landscape. Just down the road, The Ranch at Death Valley provides a more casual, family-friendly experience, featuring a western-style vibe, a general store, and even a saloon. Both properties are located in Furnace Creek, making them ideal bases for exploring Death Valley’s major attractions. 

To the northwest, Stovepipe Wells Village offers a mid-range option. You’ll find comfortable rooms, a restaurant, and easy access to the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly and remote stay, Panamint Springs Resort on the park’s western edge provides basic motel rooms, cabins, and tent sites, along with a small gas station and a restaurant. Whether you’re seeking luxury, convenience, or a rugged desert retreat, Death Valley’s lodges offer a place to cool off and rest after a day of exploring the park’s extreme landscapes.

photo via www.oasisatdeathvalley.com
CAMPING

Death Valley has several developed campgrounds (and even more primitive campgrounds), each catering to different styles of desert camping. Furnace Creek Campground is the most popular, due to its convenient location (just minutes from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center). It’s also the only campground that allows advanced reservations. This makes it the best choice for any planners who love the peace of mind that comes with a guaranteed spot—especially during peak season.

Nearby, Texas Springs Campground offers a quieter alternative with a scenic setting against the foothills, while Sunset Campground provides a massive, open gravel lot that’s ideal for RVs and larger vehicles. These three campgrounds are all within a five-minute drive of the visitor center, making them a convenient base camp when exploring Death Valley’s major sights. 

About 30 minutes northwest, Stovepipe Wells Campground offers a rustic stay near the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, with easy access to gas and a general store. For those looking to be a bit more removed, Emigrant Campground is a free, tent-only site along Highway 190, while Wildrose Campground is nestled in the Panamint Mountains, providing a cooler, higher-elevation option. The most remote of the developed campgrounds, Mesquite Spring Campground, sits near Ubehebe Crater and offers a peaceful, less crowded experience. 

our campsite at Furnace Creek Campground
Good Eats 

Even in one of the harshest landscapes on Earth, you’ll find a surprisingly large variety of dining options. As you might expect, the Furnace Creek area offers the most choices, centered around The Oasis at Death Valley. The Inn Dining Room serves upscale cuisine with desert views that are as memorable as the food is delicious. The Ranch 1849 Buffet provides an all-you-can-eat experience for those looking to refuel after a long day of exploring. Just around the corner, the Last Kind Words Saloon, with its Western atmosphere, serves hearty meals and cocktails. Even if you pack your own meals, the Coffee and Cream is the nice spot to visit for a morning caffeine or post-adventure sweet treat.

If you’re staying or stopping at Stovepipe Wells, you’ll find a couple options: Toll Road Restaurant for casual lunch and dinner fare, and Badwater Saloon, a great place to grab a bite and unwind with a drink— especially after a long day in the desert. The general store here also has some snacks, cold drinks, and basic supplies. 

photo via www.oasisatdeathvalley.com

The Panamint Springs Resort, located on the park’s western edge, has a restaurant and bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner year-round. To really enjoy your meal, snag a patio seat and take in the rugged mountain views. The resort’s general store also carries firewood, camping essentials, and souvenirs. 

Death Valley’s limited but well-placed food options ensure you won’t go hungry in the middle of this vast desert wilderness.

Ridin’ Dirty 

While Death Valley is home to some rugged, off-the-grid destinations that require a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle, this itinerary is accessible to anyone with a standard vehicle. Almost all the desert landscapes on the list can be reached via paved roads or well-maintained gravel routes. You’ll be able to sample Death Valley’s remote beauty without the risk of getting stuck in deep sand or rough terrain! You don’t need off-roading capabilities to have an unforgettable adventure. 

It’s always a good idea to fill up on gas before you head to Death Valley, but there are gas stations in the park. No need to fret about running out of gas!

D A Y   O N E 
Visitor Center at Furnace Creek

The Furnace Creek Visitor Center is a perfect starting point for any Death Valley adventure. They have everything you need to get your bearings before heading out—park maps, trail updates, and a water fountain… all of these things are especially important as the weather in Death Valley grows warmer! It’s nice to have the rangers’ insight, and they can also answer any questions you might have— be sure to ask about the mysterious moving rocks at Racetrack Playa. The visitor center also features informative exhibits on Death Valley’s extreme climate, unique geology, and rich history– particularly regarding the indigenous Timbisha Shoshone culture. For any parks passporters, don’t forget to get your stamp! 

Badwater Basin 

At an impressive 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America—a vast, surreal expanse of hexagonal salt formations that seem to go on endlessly under the rising sun. While the view from the parking lot is rather impressive, it’s even more enchanting to take the 2-mile walk onto the salt flats. As you venture farther, the ground beneath your feet transforms into a dazzling white crust, crunching with each step.

It’s so wild to think the sandy-looking ground is actually an impressive stretch of salt… I did a quick taste test (not recommended) and can very heartily attest to the salinity. This truly is a beautiful place to start your adventuring— the expanse of salt and distant mountains make this a stark, stunning desert landscape.  

Devil’s Golf Course 

You won’t find a lush, manicured golf course amidst this desert expanse. The Devil’s Golf Course is a vast field of jagged, twisted salt formations so tumultuous that “only the devil could play golf here.” This peculiar landscape was formed as ancient lake beds evaporated, leaving behind a maze of salt pinnacles, sculpted by wind and time. It’s intriguing to see two salt fields that differ from one another so tremendously. Their similarity? The salt expands as it heats up in the warm sun, causing it to crackle and pop. 

Artist’s Drive & Artist’s Palette 

Winding through colorful hills and rugged canyons, Artist’s Drive is one of Death Valley’s most scenic roads. This 9-mile, one-way loop twists through a landscape that looks more like a painting come to life than a desert landscape. Especially at Artist’s Palette, where mineral-rich volcanic deposits have stained the hills in hues of red, yellow, green, and even purple, creating a surreal view. In our opinion, the best time to visit is in the late afternoon when the soft light brings out the most vibrant hues. 

Dante’s View

Perhaps the most breathtaking panorama in the park, Dante’s View, sits at a perch of 5,475 feet, offering a staggering bird’s-eye view of Death Valley below. From here, you can see the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin stretching to the horizon, framed by towering mountains and, on a clear day, you can even see the distant peak of Mount Whitney. Not only is this incredibly scenic, but the dichotomy of visible elevation stretches from the lowest point in the U.S. at Badwater Basin to the highest peak in the continental U.S. at Mount Whitney. This makes for a serene place to end the day as the soft golden light of sunset rolls through. 

photo via NPS.gov

Bonus views: Dante’s view is also an awesome place to stargaze. If you don’t mind hanging out for a bit, pack some dinner and hang out while you wait for the stars to make an appearance. Death Valley National Park is an international dark sky park, meaning the stargazing here is far above average.

D A Y   T W O 
Zabriskie Point

Start the day with an iconic sunrise at Zabriskie Point. As dawn breaks, the soft golden light streams across the rolling badlands, casting deep shadows and highlighting the dramatic ridges and valleys below. There’s a short walk out to a viewpoint, overlooking a labyrinth of eroded rocks, with the Panamint Mountains in the distant background. It makes for an incredibly peaceful and grounding start to the day! 

Mosaic Canyon

Tucked into the hills near Stovepipe Wells, Mosaic Canyon is a hidden wonder of smooth marble-like rock and narrow passageways. A 3.5 mile out-and-back trail starts with a short scramble and leads into a twisting slot canyon, where polished walls, shaped by centuries of water erosion, gleam in the sunlight. Even if you aren’t keen on doing the whole hike, the first half-mile or showcases the most stunning formations— making it a worthwhile stop for adventurers of all fitness levels!  

Twenty Mule Team Canyon Drive

Up next? A short and sweet peek at the rugged backcountry. The Twenty Mule Team Canyon Drive delivers a thrilling, off-the-beaten-path experience—without the need for 4WD! The road is named for the famous mule teams that once hauled borax out of the valley…. My how times have changed!! While this 2.7-mile loop remains unpaved, you shouldn’t have difficulty navigating through a maze of golden badlands, where rolling hills and eroded ridges create an almost alien-like landscape. 

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

For being out  in the middle of the desert, it’s amazing how many unique, memorable landscapes you’ll find. Trade the plains of salt, for endless sand! The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes are a sea of rolling, wind-sculpted dunes— rising up to 100 feet tall. There’s a 2.3 mile trail, for a more immersive experience; however, there’s no official path, so shoe and footprints or hikers are ever-changing in the shifting sands. 

Ubehebe Crater

Ubehebe Crater is an enormous, gaping hole measuring 600 feet deep and half a mile across. This volcanic crater was formed by a powerful explosion when rising magma superheated groundwater, creating a violent steam eruption. The resulting dramatic, steep pit is surrounded by layers of dark volcanic rock, making it yet another unique geographical marvel in this desert park. To take it in from every angle, there’s a just-under-2-mile hike around the rim that offers panoramic views of Ubehebe as well as a peek at Little Hebe Crater nearby. 

Death Valley National Park embodies such varieties and extremes. From salt flats to mountains to sand dunes to craters, and all the slot canyons in between, this national park is a wonderland of unique experiences in a desert landscape. We hope you have an incredible time exploring and adventuring— it’s action packed, but 48 hours in the park is an awesome glimpse of this natural desert wonder!

Looking to hit another California desert national park? Joshua Tree National Park is a completely different ambiance, only 4.5 hours away. If you head in the opposite direction, Zion National Park is also an easy 4.5 hours away. You never have to go toooo far to find your next adventure in this pocket of the country. Happy travels!

written by Kayla

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

Categories
lifestyle

A One Day Adventure: Hiking & Beaches at Indiana Dunes

lake michigan as the backdrop to the forest and dunes, along the Cowles Bog trail — a perfect hike for a one day adventure in Indiana dunes national park

Nestled along the southern tip of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and ecological diversity. Of the 63 national parks, the dunes were the 61st park, making them one of the most recent additions to the illustrious US national park ranks. This Midwest treasure boasts about 15,000 acres of landscapes that range from towering sand dunes to tranquil wetlands, and all the lush forests in between. The park is a testament to the power of nature’s adaptability, showcasing habitats that support over 1,100 plant species and a variety of wildlife. Only an hour southeast of Chicago, a one day adventure in Indiana Dunes is a tranquil escape from the bustling windy city. 

There’s immense diversity between the breadth of parks within the national park system. While some areas feature more dramatic topography, much of the Indiana Dunes region is more subtle in its enriching, natural beauty. If you are on a road trip, a half day is sufficient to marinade in the ambiance of the park. For those interested in some shoreside relaxation, a full day is perfect to enjoy some morning activity before a restful afternoon of relaxation. Either way, we have an idyllic itinerary in store for this great lakes gem. Get ready, because a visit to the Indiana Dunes means connecting to nature, with beautiful Lake Michigan as a backdrop! 

Fast Facts About Indiana Dunes National Park

Size:  ~15,000 acres

Visitors: 2,765,892 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: ~140 feet above the surface of the Lake Michigan — on Mount Baldy (the dune is dynamic so this can change from year to year)

Distance from Chicago Airport (ORD): 55 miles — 1 hour drive 

National Park Initiation: on February 15th, 2019 Indiana Dunes was upgraded from National Lakeshore to National Park by an

National park or state park?

Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park lands are rather interspersed throughout the region, creating a patchwork of protected areas that blend seamlessly together. While the state park is managed separately, it has its own hiking trails and activity opportunities. The state park actually has the largest beach area and facilities, along this stretch of Lake Michigan. You will almost assuredly find yourself moving between national and state park areas without even realizing it.

We enjoyed the cohesive, intertwined nature of the park system here. Perhaps this is a hot take, but from the feats-of-nature perspective, Indiana Dunes generally feels like a state park. It’s not like the ‘national park’ parts are significantly different than the ‘state park’ areas. That being said, the national protections, championed by conservationists, have been huge to protect against ‘big steel’. Part of the beauty of the national parks system is the diversity between all the states and regions protected. Plus, it’s still a wayyyy more immersive outdoor-nature experience than visiting the Gateway Arch National Park.

Accommodation Station 

Depending on how long you plan to stay in the park, accommodations might not be necessary. However, if you’re looking to spend the night, you have a couple options. There’s no lodge in the park but there is a log cabin! The Cypress Log Cabin is a cozy, rustic abode, able to sleep up to 12 visitors. This is a beautiful, historic house with modern amenities and an amazing view of Lake Michigan. 

For any campers, the Dunewood Campground offers spacious sites nestled among the trees, complete with restrooms and showers. The Central Avenue Walk-In Sites cater to those looking for a more secluded experience, as they require a short hike to reach the campsites. This also lends itself to a bit more solitude! Meanwhile, the Dunbar Group Site is ideal for larger groups and gatherings (up to 30 people allowed). Whether you prefer the comforts of a cabin or the simplicity of a campsite, the park’s accommodations ensure a memorable stay surrounded by nature.

photo by Erin Watson via inthedunes.com
ONE DAY 

The park’s compact size and well-maintained trails make it easy to explore several distinct ecosystems within a few hours. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, taking a leisurely stroll through a wooded trail, or marveling at the sweeping views from a dune summit, you can savor the park’s beauty and still have time to relax. A half-day itinerary is ideal for travelers looking to enjoy nature while leaving room for other regional activities or a peaceful evening to unwind. A full day in the park will leave you time to sink your toes in the sandy beach!

Visitor Center

The visitor center is the logical first stop as you enter the park. Not only is it conveniently located, but you’ll also find all the helpful park resources, detailed maps, interactive exhibits, and (most importantly) expert guidance from rangers. It’s always helpful to know if there’s any closures or areas to be mindful of, when out exploring. For any parks passport enthusiasts, don’t forget your stamp! 

Cowles Bog Trail

The Cowles Bog Trail is arguably the best trail in the park, as it explores a variety of ecosystems. This not-quite-4.5-mile trail weaves through wetlands, forests, prairies, and sand dunes, showcasing the park’s remarkable ecological diversity in a surprisingly short round trip distance. As you saunter along the trail, you’ll encounter picturesque views, vibrant plant life, and the chance to spot unique wildlife. And on a clear day, the Chicago skyline, as the trail culminates at a serene beach along Lake Michigan, making it a rewarding adventure for nature lovers.

A word to the wise, hiking back up from the beach is loose, dune sand is humbling— even for more experienced hikers, so be ready for a little challenge. Regardless, the Cowles Bog Trail provides a rich and immersive way to experience the heart of the park.

a couple stands with lake michigan as the backdrop to the forest and dunes, along the Cowles Bog trail — a perfect hike for a one day adventure in Indiana dunes national park
West Beach 

If you’re looking for some afternoon relaxation, West Beach is an easy, 20-minute drive from the Cowles Bog trailhead. With its expansive shoreline, it’s an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and post-hike picnicking. It’s also one of the bigger beach areas, which means you won’t have to fret about mid-day parking– there’s over 650 parking spots! It means there’s bathrooms and showers as well, which is always refreshing at the end of a long, warm day.

For any beach-bound families, lifeguards are out during the day, in the summer months. You’ll also find food trucks setting up shop in the West Beach parking lot during the busier months. They vary from day to day but you can get your sugar fix with some kettle corn, cotton candy, and ice cream… or perhaps if you forgot to pack luck, the tacos, hot dogs, or sandwiches will tickle your fancy. 

To get from the parking lot down to the beach, there’s an easy paved path— wheelchair accessible!! For anyone looking to take the scenic route, the Dune Succession Trail, winds through the dunes, woodlands, and wetlands behind the beachfront. Truly, West Beach encapsulates a little bit of all the best aspects of the park… stunning views of natural beauty paired with accessibility and fun.

photo via indianadunes.com
Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk Beach

The Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk Beach is a close second when considering beach options. The parking lot is considerably smaller (still over 100 spots available), making this a less hectic spot, while still having a cafe and bathrooms nearby. The riverwalk stretches out into Lake Michigan, making this a favorite sunset spot. Its peaceful ambiance makes this a relaxing spot to end the day. 

photo via indianadunes.com

Not a very action-packed itinerary? We felt you really can capture the essence of this park with a half-to-full day experience. The Cowles Bog trail does take you down to the beach, so it’s a pretty rewarding one-stop-shop, if you only make one stop in the park. Overall, we felt, when compared to other national parks, Indiana Dunes National isn’t exactly going to blow you away with its topographical magnitude, but there is a peaceful atmosphere of feeling grounded in nature. We hope you enjoy your visit— happy travels! 

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

Categories
lifestyle

One Day in Joshua Tree: Essential Hikes and Scenic Stops

Joshua Tree National Park is a mesmerizing desert landscape. The convergence of the Mojave and Colorado Desert ecosystems meet to create a unique arid climate. Named after the spindly-armed trees the park is known for, the iconic Joshua trees dot the rugged terrain vista— while dramatic, monolithic boulders appeal to curious explorers of all ages. Joshua Tree is a place of contrasts—an expanse of harsh desert softened by delicate beauty. Where solitude and awe inspire those who wander its trails and lose themselves in its otherworldly ambiance. One day in Joshua Tree provides a perfect window to take in all the key highlights of this desert abode.

Due to its convenient location, about an hour away from Palm Springs, one day in the park affords ample opportunity to explore the dazzling desert of Joshua Tree. Whether you’re hiking amidst towering rock formations, soaking in panoramic views from high desert trails, or marveling at the vibrant desert sunsets, a day in Joshua Tree promises unforgettable moments. We’ve compiled the ultimate one-day itinerary, filled with must-see sights, short hikes, and hidden gems to make the most of your time. 

Fast Facts About Joshua Tree National Park

Size: 792,623 acres

Visitors: 3,270,404 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 5,816 feet — at Quail Mountain

Distance from Palm Springs Airport: 40 miles — 45 min drive

Distance from Los Angeles Airport: 145 miles — 2.5 hour drive

National Park Initiation: upgraded from National Monument to National Park on October 31st, 1994 via the Desert Protection Bill

Rock This Way

With Joshua Tree being in a desert climate, the busy season stretches from October to May– with the spring break months being particularly popular (mid-March to April). If you’re able to visit during a weekday, you’re likely to find less crowds than on the weekend. We most recently visited in late February and found the weather to be relatively mild and fellow visitors were present but not overwhelming by any means.

In the summer months, temps stretch into the 90s and 100s, so if you find yourself in Joshua Tree in July, be sure to start your day early and bring loooooots of water! 

Rest Your Weary Bones

There’s no lodge in Joshua Tree, so if you’re looking to stay in the park you’re got about 500 campsites to choose from. Reservations can be made online here. Campground *do* fill up, so be sure to make reservations in advance if you plan to camp it out.  

If you’re not much for camping, there are hotel and Airbnb options in the city of Joshua Tree and even more in Palm Springs— an easy 45 min drive southwest.

photo via nps.gov

Campsites go like HOTCAKES in the busy season!!! Campgrounds will be fully booked up weeks in advance, but there’s hope for last minute campers. We love using Campflare to help snag last-minute campsites. It’s an app that will let you know when a campsite in a given campground becomes available. Be prepared to act fast though because things do not stay vacant long! 

One Day in Joshua Tree

California is home to more national parks than any other state in the USA, with an impressive nine unique parks protecting various landscapes across the state. One of the most well-visited parks in California is Joshua Tree (second only to Yosemite)— characterized by the rugged beauty of the California desert. And for good reason! It’s easy to spend a day here, tackling some short hikes and taking in the desert vistas. 

Joshua Tree Visitor Center 

The Joshua Tree Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your day. It’s conveniently located along CA-62, meaning you’ll likely pass it as you make your way into the park anyways– so might as well stop! Not only is this a clean place to use the bathroom and fill up your water bottle, but it’s also convenient to check in with the rangers about any road or trail closures. There’s also a few informative exhibits that delve into the park’s unique ecosystems, geology, and history— worth spending a bit of town perusing. For any parks passport stampers, don’t forget to get your Joshua Tree ink before you leave! 

If you’re needing an extra kick, Joshua Tree Coffee Company is an awesome spot to grab a cup of coffee. It’s just down the road from the Visitor Center and opens at 7am, so minimal to no detouring necessary!  

Hidden Valley Trail

The Hidden Valley is one of the most popular trails in the park but for good reason! It’s a 1 mile loop that traverses through a picturesque valley, encircled by towering rock walls. If you get there early enough, it almost feels like your own secret desert sanctuary. This hike is pretty family friendly and easy-to-follow. Nature’s beauty isn’t the only amazing feat out here… keep an eye out for nearby rock climbers! It’s always rather thrilling to watch talented climbers scale the massive boulders in the park. 

photo via nps.gov

due to the popularity of this spot, try to make it here before 9am as at it will get busy in the high season

Skull Rock

Skull Rock is one of Joshua Tree’s most famous and quirky landmarks, easily recognized by its uncanny resemblance to a human skull. The iconic formation has been shaped over millennia by erosion, personifying hollowed-out “eye sockets” and rounded contours. Located just off the main road, it’s a quick stop that offers a fun opportunity for photos and light rock scrambling. There’s also a surrounding trail that winds through the surrounding boulder field (and desert plants), making it a unique mix of whimsy and natural beauty. Perfect for explorers of all ages! 

Cap Rock

Cap Rock is an oversized, flat boulder precariously balanced on a stack of smaller rocks— seemingly defying gravity and logic. Not quite as uniquely wondrous as Skull Rock but certainly worth popping out for. Plus, Cap Rock is located in a crossroads of the park, making this an easy stop to hit amongst other key highlight destinations. 

photo via nps.gov
Keys View

While many of the memorable views in Joshua Tree are characterized by its boulder fields and flora, the Keys View offers a different but uniquely spectacular panorama, showcasing sweeping vistas of the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas Fault. From a perch up at an elevation of over 5,000ft, this viewpoint provides a dramatic contrast to the low-lying desert below. There’s a short, paved path to an overlook. This makes it an accessible stop for visitors of all ages and mobility limitations. 

Indian Cove Trail (optional)

If you’re bunking down at Indian Cove Campground, tacking on this hike is a no brainer! Clocking in at just over a half mile, the Indian Indian Cove Trailhead is a bit of a hidden gem, nestled amongst towering rock formations and clusters of iconic Joshua trees. The winding trail meanders through surreal landscapes, but some there’s also unique people watching experiences as well. This area is a veritable haven for rock climbers, as its massive granite boulders provide endless opportunities for tenacious climbers. 

Perhaps this is an unpopular opinion, but for as much as I’d heard about Joshua Tree, I expected it to be a bit more grandiose?? It’s difficult to criticize a national park because Joshua Tree truly is a beautiful place with a spectacular topography and some one-of-a-kind geological feats; however, you’re likely to find that one day in the park is more than enough to see your fill. But perhaps you’ll feel differently! Let us know what you think— happy travels!

spindly Joshua tree in the foreground with a mountainous vista in the back drop — a must see view with only one day in Joshua tree
written by Kayla

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

Categories
national parks travel

How to Make the Most of 48 Hours in Yosemite as a Solo Adventurer

Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking wonderland nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, known worldwide for its dramatic granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient, towering sequoias. From the moment you enter Yosemite Valley, you’re greeted by a majestic, almost surreal panorama: the sheer face of El Capitan rising nearly 3,000 feet above the valley floor, Half Dome’s iconic silhouette etched against the sky, and the enchanting mist of Bridalveil Fall tumbling down rocky slopes. Don’t let the prospect of adventuring by yourself deter you from seeing these staggering feats of nature. 48 hours in Yosemite is the perfect amount of time to see the most unforgettable sights, go on a few awe-inspiring hikes, and watch a breathtaking sunset or two.

These landscapes are more than scenic—they are a rare, living testament to the power of glaciers, volcanic activity, and tectonic forces that shaped the land over millions of years. Each vista in Yosemite offers a new sense of wonder and awe, combining rugged, untouched beauty with a peaceful serenity that draws millions of visitors each year. It’s no wonder Yosemite is consistently one of the most-visited parks parks in the National Park System!

Fast Facts About Yosemite National Park

Size:  747,956 acres

Visitors: 3,897,070 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 13,114 feet at Mount Lyell

Closest Airports: Fresno-Yosemite (FAT) and Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) airports are both ~2.5 hour drive to Yosemite Valley; Sacramento Airport (SMF) is ~3.5 hour drive to Yosemite Valley

National Park Initiation: October 1st, 1890 by an Act of Congress (3rd national park in the USA)

Fun Fact: Yosemite is home to three groves of sequoias, and the oldest one— Grizzly Giant— is estimated to be about 3,000 years old

Yosemite’s place in history as one of the first protected landscapes in the world adds to its legacy. In 1864, during the heart of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant. This made Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove the first public land ever set aside by the U.S. government for preservation and public use. This landmark decision was the foundation of the National Park system (NPS). 

While Yellowstone is heralded as the first national park, much of the nomenclature used to protect Yellowstone land was modeled after the Yosemite Grant. The big difference? Yosemite is housed entirely in California, whereas Yellowstone occupies regions of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Due to its multi-state occupancy Yellowstone became the first park protected nationally. Yosemite was not long after! In 1890, Yosemite was officially designated as a national park, making it the third in the NPS. Today, it stands not only as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers but as a symbol of America’s commitment to preserving its most extraordinary natural treasures for future generations. 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 

The most popular time of year to visit is summer into early fall, with the highest visitation in July and August. This time of year, you can expect temperatures to get up into the 80s and 90s, but it will cool off into the 50s in the evening. 

Having visited a couple different time in early and mid-October, I am a staunch supporter of the slightly-off-season visit! With highs in the 70s, it’s perfect for hiking… but not too cold to camp through the evening! No real chance of snow and likelihood of rain is still pretty minimal. The only downside is that the park has dried out some. Mirror Lake becomes more of an enchanting puddle and the Mist Trail is much less likely to soak you, compared to early summer. None of this takes a way from the beauty of the park— just a slightly different experience. Worth it, in my opinion, to deal with almost HALF as many fellow visitors!!

girl taking selfie with tunnel view in yosemite national park as a backdrop — a must visit spot when you only have 48 hours in Yosemite
Thou Shall Not Pass

Due to issues with congestion and traffic in the park, a timed reservation system has been implemented at Yosemite. This only is in place during the busy season! In 2024, this was as follows: 

4/13 – 6/30Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 4 pm
7/1 – 8/16Reservations required daily from 5 am to 4 pm
8/17 – 10/ 13Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 3 pm

This was modified in 2025, as reservations were not necessary after September 1st!

The timed entry reservation differs from the $35/vehicle entrance fee everyone pays for admission into the park. This entry fee is enforced year-round as it’s important for preserving and maintaining the park. The timed entry reservation system is completely different! Its sole purpose being to control the influx of people into the park. This is an online reservation system, so there is a $2 fee. You can make your ticketed entry reservations here. 

If you have camping or lodging reservations in the park or are on a park-authorized commercial tour, you do not need to worry about securing a timed entry reservation. 

Accommodation Station 

Yosemite National Park offers a diverse range of lodging options. If you’re looking to stay in the park and enjoy a bit more comfort and style, there’s a few different historic lodge and hotel options. For outdoorsmen (and women) more keen to be surrounded by nature’s simplicity, you actually have two different kinds of options here. There are 13 campgrounds in the park for a “typical” tent-camping experience. There’s also a handful of hybrid camping options including some permanent canvas tents and structures in the backcountry. Regardless of where you’re resting your head, each option brings a unique way to experience Yosemite. There really is a perfect retreat for every kind of adventurer. 

As noted above, a nice perk of staying in the park is this precludes you from needing a timed entry pass, if you happen to be visiting during the high season months. Two birds with one stone!

Yosemite will sometimes close down an area for a season to do maintenance. All Lodge and Modified Camping availability is visible using the links below or at travelyosemite.com. Similarly, campground closures and anticipated re-openings can be found at recreation.gov. 

Lodges 
photo of Ahwahnee via travelyosemite.com
Modified Camping/Permanent Tents
  • Housekeeping Camp – three-sided concrete structures with canvas roofs and privacy curtains
  • High Sierra Camps – backpacking to permanent structures (requires lottery participation) 
  • Tuolumne Meadows Lodge – canvas tent “cabins” 
  • Glacier Point Ski Hut – large bunk bed area that sleeps up to 20 people in a single room (only open in winter; must transverse backcountry to arrive) 
photo of Housekeeping Camp via travelyosemite.com
Campgrounds*
camp 4 campground

* Campsites go like HOTCAKES!!! Campgrounds will be fully booked up weeks in advance, but there’s hope for last minute campers. I snagged 3 nights in the park with less than a week’s notice using Campflare. It’s an app that will let you know when a campsite in a given campground becomes available. Be prepared to act fast though because things do not stay vacant long! 

** It’s worth noting, Camp 4 is an awesome campground, but it has a bit more of a hostel feel than other spots in the park, as it’s a shared site campground. Also, you do have to walk your tent and camp items a short distance. Overall it’s a bit less individual or private than other campgrounds in the park, but some people really dig that vibe. All in all, it’s a cheaper campground/campsite (for a solo traveler) at only $10/person/night. 

Yosemite Valley Shuttle

Yosemite Valley is a popular area of the park, so to facilitate traffic and parking concerns, there are two shuttle systems within the valley. They both run from 7am to 10pm, hitting the key points of interest, as noted below. Since the East Valley shuttle runs a smaller loop, buses tend to arrive a little more frequently. Even at that, the longest wait time is estimated to be about 22 minutes. 

Two Day Itinerary 

While I am no stranger to a fun solo adventure, anything more than two or three days starts to feel like a lot of time by my lonesome. That’s just me though! I felt that about 48 hours in Yosemite was the perfect amount of time to experience the park’s highlights without feeling rushed. There’s ample time to explore iconic spots like Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove— taking in scenic views via a couple moderate-length hikes, a relaxing bike ride, and breathtaking drives. 

It’s worth noting, everyone has different comfort levels, but ~8 miles is the most I like to hike by myself. If you are visiting Yosemite with friends or if you feel comfortable going on long hikes solo, Half Dome is one of the most renowned hikes in the park. The ~16 mile trek was a bit much for me to tackle alone, but it is an option! Especially if you’re open to staying a third day! 

DAY 1

To make the most of a full day, it does help to arrive in Yosemite the night before. That way, when you wake up, you’re ready to hit the ground running. I stayed at Camp 4, which was very centrally located, but there’s certainly other lodge and campground options in the valley to choose from. 

Vernal & Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

The Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail is an awesome hike because it combines breathtaking waterfalls, diverse terrain, and unforgettable views into one memorable hike. This trail takes you up close to the powerful cascades of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. A rather immersive experience, the waterfall mist cools off hikers as they ascend, hence the trail’s name. Climbing the granite stair-master-come-to-life alongside Vernal Fall is rather unforgettable, but so worth it as you’re rewarded with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley and the Merced River atop Nevada Falls. 

The hike is around 6.5 miles from the trailhead. A heads up/FYI, I ended up parking in Curry Village, which made it more of an 8ish mile hike– just so you’re mentally prepared. It’s certainly not an impossible endeavor, but the 2,208 ft of elevation is definitely not easy peasy. 

Yosemite Valley Loop Trail Bike Ride 

After a rewarding hike it’s nice to just relax for a minute. While I loaded up the cooler and brought a bunch of food with me, it was super comforting to know Yosemite has loads of food options. It’s so peaceful to just snag a spot to rest for a bit and enjoy lunch with an awesome view. 

Up next? A bike ride! The Yosemite Valley Loop is about 20 miles total, but even just doing part of it is a worthwhile adventure. The path weaves past Mirror Lake, El Capitan, the Meadow, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Falls. It’s a bit of a choose your own adventure. Even better? There’s a free bike share program in Yosemite that allows use of bikes for 2 hours at a time. That was about all the physical activity I was keen on, after the morning hike, but The Yosemite Valley Lodge has bikes for rent as well if you’re looking to cruise around a bit longer ($30 Half Day/$40 Full Day). 

photo via yosemite.org
Set Up Camp

If you’re down to camp, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4 are all located in Yosemite Valley. For anyone planning a last minute trip in Yosemite’s busy summer season, Camp 4 might be your best chance at snagging a campsite as these are released one week out. The other three campgrounds open up campsite reservations 5 months in advance. North Pines is actually so sought after, there’s a lottery system in place as part of the booking process there! A friend recommended Camp 4 to me, and I loved it! It’s set up a bit different than typical national park campsites, but it lends itself to a fun, community environment. 

Tunnel View

Finish the day out by taking in the sunset at Tunnel View. It’s hard not to feel like a photographer, with the sun painting El Capitan and Half Dome with rays of golden light. This spot is easily accessible, making it a popular choice for capturing postcard-worthy photos. Even if you don’t take a single picture, simply soaking in the magic of Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes is an unbeatable way to round out the day. The sweeping views from Tunnel View at sunset encapsulate both the grandeur and tranquility of Yosemite in an unforgettable scene.

DAY 2 
Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 

This is the largest visitor center in the park and the main hub for park information. It’s a must-stop for any park-goers looking to secure their park stamp! It also offers a buffet of resources like maps, exhibits, and interactive displays that cover the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. 

I sometimes like to snag a couple postcards at the park visitor center to send to my sisters, and there’s a very conveniently located post office right around the corner. In general, there’s a lot in the area by the visitor center, so go to the bathroom, grab a snack, and get ready to go, because day two takes us out and away from the valley. 

Glacier Point 

Home to one of the most spectacular, panoramic views in the park, Glacier Point features sweeping vistas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra peaks. Sitting at over 7,200 feet, this viewpoint provides a breathtaking perspective of the valley and its renown, granite landmarks.

Depending on how much time you have or perhaps how your legs are feeling, you have two options for taking in the view. You can either take a short walk to a viewpoint or hike the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trail. The latter is about 5 miles round trip and a little over 1,000 feet of elevation. It makes for a nice, brisk start to the day. This is what I opted for (and loved it), but either way you’re going to have a beautiful morning. 

Glacier Point is accessible by car for approximately late May through October or November, depending on conditions. 

Mariposa Grove 

Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias. These are one of the largest and oldest trees on Earth, with some towering over 200 feet tall and living for more than 2,000 years. These ancient giants, like the iconic Grizzly Giant, offer visitors a rare glimpse into the ancient natural world, making a walk through the grove a powerful, humbling experience. There’s a tranquility to the forest that is simply different from other regions of the park. 

Getting to Mariposa Grove is a bit of an adventure. After arriving at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, everyone must take a shuttle to the grove. Once you arrive at the grove, there’s a few different hiking options, but we recommend the 2 mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. How many times in life do you have the opportunity to see a 3,000 year old tree?? 

photo via nps.gov

Mariposa Grove Shuttle Hours

6/25 – 9/28 am to 7 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8 pm). Buses pick up every 10 to 15 minutes
9/3 – 11/28 am to 5:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 6:30 pm). Buses pick up about every 15 minutes
11/3 – 11/30Weather permitting, 8 am to 3:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 5:00 pm). Buses pick up about every 15 minutes
12/1 – 4/15 (at least)No shuttle service available

When the shuttle service is not running, the only way to reach Mariposa Grove is via a 2 mile walk (each way) along the Washburn Trail or the Mariposa Grove Road. 

Bunking Down

Where you choose to spend the night is rather dependent on where you are headed the next morning. I live in southern California so the Wawona campground was perfectly situated. That being said, if you are headed north, you might want to consider another campground or sleeping accommodation. If you decide to stay at the Wawona Campground, the Wawona Meadow is an awesome spot to stargaze! 

photo via nps.gov

As a solo traveler, I felt 48 hours in Yosemite was the perfect amount to sample the park and experience the sights for myself. Exploring by myself, I’m always happy to have just gone out there and adventured, instead of always waiting to go with someone else. That being said, I’m already excited to head back in the future— hopefully to hike half dome with some friends! Life is a balance— happy travels!

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in southern California. She can be found patching patients up in the emergency department but is equally likely to be spotted out hiking or backpacking. She is also quite the coffee connoisseur, and she will go out of her way to find a local coffee shop when she visits somewhere new!   

Categories
national parks travel

A Half Day In the Badlands: An Adventure Packed Guide

Badlands National Park in South Dakota is a unique and rugged landscape, known for its dramatic rock formations, deep canyons, and expansive prairies. The park is home to some of the most striking geological features in North America, with colorful layers of sedimentary rock that tell the story of millions of years of natural history. It’s also a haven for wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. Badlands is characterized by its otherworldly beauty and the sense of solitude that it offers. An adventurous half day in the Badlands is the pit-stop you can’t afford to miss!

If you’re driving through South Dakota, a half day in the Badlands National Park is ideal for experiencing the key highlights. The scenic Badlands Loop Road offers stunning viewpoints, allowing you to capture the essence of the park’s striking landscapes without feeling rushed. A few short hikes let you explore the rock formations up close. In just a few hours, you can see the park’s iconic formations, spot wildlife, and enjoy breathtaking views, making a half day the perfect introduction to the Badlands.

Fast Facts About Badlands National Park

Size:  244,000 acres

Visitors: 1,046,400 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 3,340 feet at Red Shirt Table

Closest Airports: the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is 70 miles away (~1.5 hour drive) or the Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is 240 miles (~4 hour drive)

National Park Initiation: November 10th, 1978 (established on the same day as Theodore Roosevelt, making them the 38th and 39th national parks)

Fun Fact: there are many native tribes associated with the park, but the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is actually part of the southern region of the park

We recently moved from Wisconsin to Oregon. Instead of driving straight through, we decided to make a road trip out of it! We stopped at Custer State Park, Yellowstone, and the Tetons, but the views of South Dakota were the most unexpectedly breathtaking! Xavier kept us humble by staying incredibly stoic, despite all the excitement. 

A Good Night’s Rest

Perhaps the most important part of maximizing your time on a busy day? Getting a good night’s sleep! There are certainly accommodations nearby when you are visiting Badlands, but what’s more convenient than staying in the park?? In-park accommodations tend to either be very economical (camping) or a little on the spendy side (lodge living). Either way you have great options to choose from. It’s worth noting, both camping and the lodge will fill up quickly. If you know this is where you want to stay, book sooner rather than later!

Cedar Pass RV and Campground

The Cedar Pass RV and Campground is located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. It has restroom and shower facilities as well as pretty easy access to all amenities of Cedar Pass Lodge. There’s 96 camp sites, and practically all of them have scenic views of the badlands formations. 

Sage Creek Campground 

The Sage Creek Campground is a bit more of a backcountry experience. This campground is located on Sage Creek Rim Road, with 22 sites. It’s free and first-come first-serve; however, it’s only accessible via an unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains. 

As an FYI, motor homes, pull behind trailers, and other recreational vehicles >18 ft are prohibited. Pit toilets and covered picnic tables are available, but not water. Potable water is available at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.Generators are not permitted here. 

Cedar Pass Lodge 

The Cedar Pass Lodge is open for visitors to stay from April 19th– October 20th. You can bunk down in one-of-a-kind cabins with custom-made, regionally handcrafted lodgepole pine furniture. If you’re open to tasting the lodge’s take on native cuisine, the Cedar Pass Restaurant makes fresh fry bread daily for their Sioux Indian Tacos. Worth trying!! 

It’s worth noting, if you happen to visit outside these months, you might want to pack some snacks (or lunch) for yourself as it’s a bit of a drive to get to the nearest grocery store or restaurant. The last thing anyone needs is to find themselves hungry and far away from food!

photo via www.cedarpasslodge.com
◁ An Action Packed Half Day ▷

Get ready for a little bit over everything in the Badlands! While the weather can get quite warm in the summer months, even in August, it can still feel cool in the mornings. It’s worth it to get up early to ensure you’re not hiking in the heat of the day. With its location not too far off the interstate, a half day is the perfect amount of time to see a vibrant sunrise, a couple adventurous hikes, a handful of memorable overlooks… and hopefully a bison spotting or two. 

There are three entrances into the park. The Pinnacles and Northeast entrances are relatively easy to access off of I-90. If you find yourself making a cross-country road trip, like we did, this stop might not be much of a detour!

Big Badlands Overlook

The Big Badlands Overlook is right inside the Northeast entrance of the park. This makes it a perfect first place to pull over and pop out! Even if it wasn’t conveniently located, it would still be a  must-see spot in Badlands National Park because it offers sweeping, panoramic views of the park’s dramatic landscape. From this vantage point, you can take in the colorful layers of eroded rock formations, deep canyons, and rugged cliffs that truly define the Badlands. The overlook provides an excellent introduction to the park’s unique geology and is especially stunning at sunrise, with the soft morning light enhancing the vibrant colors of the terrain. It’s a very accessible viewpoint— perfect for capturing the park’s vast beauty.

The Door Trail

The Door Trail is a unique hike. It starts along a boardwalk and becomes a bit more of a choose-your-own-adventure. Hikers can explore the natural terrain for a more immersive adventure, following numbered signs that lead to the end-of-trail viewpoint. This hiking experience offers visitors an up-close experience of the rugged landscape, while not being too overwhelming as the trail is only 1 mile round trip. Its mix of ease and rewarding views makes it a great option for visitors of all ages and abilities.

The Notch Trail

If you only do one hike in the Badlands, it should be The Notch Trail! Even though it’s only 1.5 miles in total, it features a unique blend of experiences: a steep wooden ladder climb, narrow pathways, and dramatic views of the surrounding Badlands formations. The trail leads you through canyons and cliffs, culminating in a spectacular overlook of the White River Valley. The Notch Trail’s obstacles and breathtaking views make it a bit more adventurous than you might initially presume, for those seeking a bit of thrill in a relatively short distance.

Don’t be fooled, by the ladder— it’s a much steeper climb than it appears to be!

man with baby in carrier on his back amongst the spires, having a most enjoyable half day in the badlands
White River Valley Overlook

The White River Valley Overlook stands out from other viewpoints because it offers expansive views of the park’s eroded cliffs and spires with the vast White River Valley stretching out in the distance. Unlike some other overlooks that focus on the more compact rock formations, this viewpoint gives visitors a true sense of the Badlands’ wide-open spaces and the interplay between the rugged badlands terrain and the surrounding grasslands. The contrast between the jagged formations and the rolling valley below makes it a particularly unique and serene spot.

We especially loved it because there’s a worn path that ventures out into the ridge spires. As always, proceed with caution, but it’s fun to have a bit more immersive feel!

Panorama Point

Panorama Point is special because it offers visitors a sweeping, 360-degree view of the park’s vast, layered landscape. It lives up to its panoramic name by providing a comprehensive view of the surrounding badlands, prairie, and distant horizons. This makes it an ideal spot to fully appreciate the park’s impressive terrain.

Pinnacles Overlook

Pinnacles Overlook offers one of the most expansive views in the park. From a towering vantage point, the rugged cliffs, eroded spires, and deep canyons Badlands are known for are showcased. Pinnacles Overlook is also a prime spot for wildlife sightings, including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. This makes it a must-see stop for nature lovers and photographers alike!

A half day in the Badlands National Park was an unexpected delight as we made our way across the country. The technicolor spires and canyons really are something to behold! If you are looking for the closest neighboring national park, you don’t have to look very far. Wind Cave National Park is only 2 hours away… as is Custer State Park! We hope you have a lovely adventure— happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

Categories
national parks travel

One Perfect Day in the Tetons: Top Highlights & Must-See Spots

Grand Teton National Park, located in Wyoming, is a breathtaking destination known for its towering peaks, pristine alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Dominated by the jagged Teton Range, the park offers visitors a stunning mix of rugged mountain landscapes, lush forests, and serene valleys. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy endless activities, from hiking and boating to wildlife spotting and photography, with the iconic Jackson Hole valley as a backdrop. Whether you’re seeking adventure or simply want to soak in the park’s natural beauty, the Tetons and all the top highlights are a must-visit for anyone exploring the American West.

The staggering Teton peaks are nothing short of awe-inspiring, and a full day in Grand Teton National Park provides the perfect amount of time to experience its most iconic highlights. If you really enjoy hiking, you could easily spend a few days here; however, a single day affords you the time to capture the essence of the Tetons without feeling rushed.

sign at the entrance to grand teton national park -- home of some of the top sights in Wyoming
Fast Facts About GrAND TETON National Park

Size: 310,000 acres

Visitors: 3,417,106 visitors (data from 2023)

Closest Airport: Jackson Hole Airport — this is the only commercial airport located entirely within a National Park (in the US)

Became a National Park: in 1929 by an Act of Congress

Highest point: 13,770 feet at the peak of Grand Teton mountain

Fun Fact: the coldest temperature recorded in the park was a whopping -63°F! Brrrrrr!

We recently moved from Wisconsin to Oregon, and instead of driving straight through, we decided to make a road trip out of it! We stopped at the Badlands, Custer State Park, and Yellowstone, but the views of the Tetons might have just been the most astounding. Xavier kept us humble by sleeping through all of the breathtaking views. 

woman with baby in backpack carrier in front of Taggart lake -- one of the top highlights in tetons national park
‘Twas the Night Before

There are loads of accommodation options when you’re visiting the Tetons because Jackson is close enough that it makes for a convenient base camp. The only thing more convenient? Staying in the park! In-park accommodations tend to either be very economical (camping) or a little on the spendy side (lodge living). Either way you have lots of options to choose from— you can explore them all below. It’s worth noting, both camping and the lodges will fill up quickly. If you know this is where you want to stay, book sooner rather than later!

Camping
Lodges
THE DAY 

Get ready for an action packed day! The below order of stops is loosely organized around starting your day in Jackson; however, the stops can be re-organized however it makes sense for your diving plan! Get ready for a couple of gorgeous hikes, a handful of postcard-worthy viewpoints, and a dreamy relaxation spot to end the day!

Driving the loop as detailed below takes right around two hours total. This really flies by when you’re popping out for different stops along the way! You can see the stops from a bird’s eye view below.

Mormon Row

Mormon Row is a fantastic sunrise spot due to its iconic views of the Teton Range, with the historic barns of Mormon Row in the foreground. As the sun rises, it bathes the mountains in soft, golden light, creating a breathtaking contrast between the rugged peaks and the pastoral setting. The weathered barns are remnants of early Mormon settlers, and they add a unique and photogenic element to the scene. The calm morning air, wildlife activity, and serene atmosphere make sunrise at Mormon Row a magical experience. Just be aware, this is by no means an “underrated” sunrise spot…. you will be one of many photographers, so if you’re committed to the shot, you’ll want to arrive early! 

Jenny Lake

Nestled at the base of the Teton Range, the crystal-clear waters of Jenny Lake reflect the towering peaks, creating picture-perfect views. This is arguably the most popular spot in the park, so even if you aren’t up to catch the sunrise, you should plan to head here first! The lake itself is serene and beautiful, but it also serves as a gateway to some of the park’s most-hiked trails: Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. Its accessibility and breathtaking surroundings make it a must-visit spot in the Tetons.

Spending a full day in the Tetons means you have time for a couple hikes. While you can hike around Jenny Lake to get to the Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls trailhead, the boat ride there is rather scenic. It’s also helpful for the economy of time on an action-packed day. Clocking in around 2 miles, this is a perfect way to start the day, without feeling too overwhelming. Hidden Falls is certainly worth stopping at, but the views from Inspiration Point are the crown jewel of this boating and hiking extravaganza. 

view of Jenny Lake at Inspiration Point
Hidden Falls

Boats depart every 10-15 minutes, running continuously throughout the day. They don’t take reservations, you simply pay upon arrival and hop on the boat. Pricing can be found here. 

baby’s first boat ride!

Be Bear Aware: If you already own bear spray don’t forget to pack it, and if you don’t own some, STRONGLY consider either renting or purchasing some. Bear sightings are not uncommon in Grand Teton National Park— especially when out hiking. The hikes included in this itinerary are well trafficked enough by other people, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

bear spray at the ready, even at Inspiration Point!
Taggart Lake

Now, the Inspiration Point trail is a really beautiful and amazing experience, but you end up with an awesome view of the lake… you don’t really have a view of the Tetons. For that reason, we feel you need to do at least one other hike to fully take in the Tetons. 

We LOVED the Taggart Lake hike! Since we’d already trekked a bit at Jenny Lake, the sub-500 feet of elevation and just-over-3.5 mile length was welcome. Plus the views of the lake were absolutely gorgeous— pictures don’t quite do it justice. This is the kind of spot where you wouldn’t be sad to pack a snack and a sparkling water, and just hang out for a bit, taking it in before you head back! We felt this was a perfect compliment to the Inspiration Point hike– different enough that you get two unique hiking experiences in the park. 

To save a little time/distance, you could treat this trail as an out and back instead of a loop… it might shave off half a mile or so. If you have a bit extra time, you can keep stepping to Bradley Lake and hit both! As an alternate option, the trailhead for Delta Lake isn’t far; however, this trail, while beautiful, might be a bit much (~8 miles + >2,ooo ft elevation) for a one-day itinerary.

beautiful teton views on the trail to Taggart Lake
Schwabacher Landing

Schwabacher Landing provides the most picturesque views of the Teton Range, reflected in the calm waters of the Snake River. This requires a short walk from the parking lot, making it fun to stop at different points along the path, to find your perfect shot. 

Snake River Overlook

This overlook provides panoramic views of the Snake River winding through the valley with the Teton Range as a majestic backdrop, perfect for scenic photos and iconic landscapes. The juxtaposition of the river against the mountains makes this a must-stop!  

Colter Bay Lakeshore 

Located along Jackson Lake, Colter Bay offers serene views of the Tetons. There’s no bad viewpoints in the Tetons, but I think this one just might be the best. There’s also recreational opportunities like boating and kayaking, and easy access to nature trails, making it as picturesque as it is family friendly. 

While the fun activities might not make the agenda with only one day in the park, it’s worth grabbing a beer at Leek’s Marina & Pizzeria. While the views here are truly incredible, the pizza….. was not. Perhaps we came on an off day, but alas, can’t say we recommend the pizza– the beer was good though! 

A bit farther south, the Trapper Grill sits on Lake Jackson. We didn’t stop here, but the menu seems solid, and the views look sublime! Even if you don’t grab lunch or dinner at the Trapper Grill, the Signal Mountain Lodge General Store is right next door, which makes for a convenient spot to grab some lakeshore relaxation snacks. 

String Lake & Leigh Lake

To round out the loop around the park, head back down to String Lake and Leigh Lake. This area is a bit of an underrated gem, and it’s the perfect place to wind down. This is by no means a secret spot, but we were so enchanted with how cozy this area was. There are loads of little alcove ‘nooks’ along the lake, with a bench and small sandy beach area. There’s also a scenic walking path between String Lake and Leigh Lake if you are looking for one final stroll to end the day. 

taking a little dip— beware the water is COLD!
scenic path/trail between String Lank and Leigh Lake

Grand Teton National Park is amazing because you can appreciate the staggering beauty of the park by just driving through it. The more you have time to explore the more immersive the experience becomes, but you truly can spend a full day in the park and leave feeling satisfied with the sights, sounds, and experiences. This is a park we are already excited to come back to!

While we just have the one little peanut, our friends over at Plan More Adventures tackled a Yellowstone and Tetons trip with three kiddos. You can check it out here. We hope you have a lovely adventure— happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

Categories
national parks

Maximize Your Time: A One Day Itinerary for Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is a cornucopia of sights and experiences. It was the first national park– not just in the United States but in the world! From the eternally iconic Old Faithful Geyser to the dozens of dazzling hot springs in the park to the breathtaking Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and all the little wonders in between, Yellowstone is memorable! One day certainly goes fast, but we can help you maximize your time!

In a park of this magnitude, you could easily spend a week hiking and leisurely exploring the park. However, if you’re planning a multi-park road trip or perhaps trekking across the country, sometimes there’s only time for the essentials. If you’re hoping to hit the highlights, we have a jam-packed one day itinerary for the adventurer looking to do the most. For anyone looking to spend two days in the park, we have a bit more in depth itinerary here.

Fast Facts About Yellowstone National Park

Size: 2,221,766 acres

Visitors: 4,501,382 visitors (data from 2023)

Closest Airport: the Jackson Hole airport (JAC) is ~50 miles from the south entrance of the park and the Bozeman airport (BZN) is ~90 miles from the north entrance

Became a National Park: March 1st, 1872 when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act (first national park in the United States AND in the world)

Highest point: 11,358 feet at Eagle Peak

Fun Fact: Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined! Even more fun— more than half the world’s geysers exist in Yellowstone.

road trippin’

We recently spent a few days in Yellowstone as part of a cross country road trip, and we found Yellowstone to be unique for a few different reasons. It truly is a diverse park. Yellowstone has hot springs, geysers, mountains, an incredible canyon, waterfalls, and amazing opportunities for wildlife encounters. The breadth of experiences here is special!

Yellowstone is also one of the most tourist-friendly national parks we’ve been to. What do we mean by that? There’s good to excellent accessibility at most of the viewpoints, lots of bathrooms, lodge accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants, gas stations throughout the park etc. It feels like a park that’s equipped for large volumes of visitors, without going toooo far to feel like a theme park-esque experience. 

making an entrance

There are five entrances into Yellowstone: East, Northeast, North, West, and South. Realistically, the entrance you plan to arrive through will dictate the order that you hit everything. As such, we’ve detailed the top must-do spots and included a map of where exactly everything is, to help you see the day from a bird’s eye view. 

Grand Loop Road effectively makes a circle through the park, so this road serves as the backbone of our highlight reel. It also simplifies navigation in the park. Service in the park tends to be pretty poor, so the straightforward driving route and copious signage helps ensure everyone gets where they intend to. 

Rest Up

How to make the most of a full day? Get a good night’s sleep! And when you only have one day in Yellowstone, it’s important to make the most of your time! If you are able to arrive in the park the night before, it can help with the flow of your day. There are accommodations near the various entrances to the park, but most entrances to the park (i.e. all but the north entrance) are still about an hour away from the big sights. 

If you want to stay in the park, there are two general options: camping or lodge life. The park lodges are unique to each region of the park they’re in, which gives each place historic character. You can check out all nine options here. The lodge and cabin stays in the park tend to run a little on the expensive side, but park of what you’re paying for is the location of being steps away from something amazing!!

It’s a little strange but four of the campground’s sites are available through recreation.gov (linked here). The other five are booked through the lodge reservation webpage (linked here). The booking itself is relatively straightforward— just a little peculiar to have it split up!

photo taken by our friend Zachary Splinter (IG: master_splint3r)
THE KEY STOPS:

Between the multiple entrances to the park and the many welcome stations at each entrance, the arrival process into the park is as streamlined as it gets; however, it’s always a good idea to get into the park sooner rather than later (or just stay in the park overnight :)). Things start to get more crowded around 10am, so an earlier start helps ensure you can enjoy a bit more nature to yourself. 

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone stretches for about 24 miles, and this amazing feature is worth taking in from a few different vantage points. There’s a bunch of awesome viewpoints to take in the canyon from different vantage points. We found Yellowstone to be a more accessible park, so even if you can’t or don’t want to hike, you can still take in the awesome vistas, just steps from your car. 

Artist Point

If you’re in the park early, this is a nice overlook to wander over to. You are able to see both the canyon as well as the waterfall from afar– it’s a nice spot to catch the sunrise! With this as your first stop, it’s an amazing way to start the day.

view of Yellowstone canyon at Artist Point
view of the falls at Artist Point
North Rim Hike… or Drive. 

The North Rim Overlooks are connected by road as well as hiking trail, making them relatively easy to access to a variety of adventurers. While there are overlooks up by the parking lot, some of the cooler views are accompanied by a bit of sweat equity. For example, the Brink of Lower Falls trail drops 600 feet over a short 0.4-mile stretch of switchbacks to the Lower Falls viewpoint. This was probably our favorite spot along the North Rim but they are all worth hitting!

view of Yellowstone Canyon from Lower Falls (falls directly to the right)

Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point all afford slightly different vantage points. Similar to Lower Falls, Lookout Point (view pictured below) also has a combination of stairs and graded descent that are worth the huffin’ and puffin’. Whether you’re driving or hiking, you won’t regret going to at each stop!

view of the falls from Lookout Point

If you look closely or zoom in on the above picture, just to the right of the falls, you will see a viewing platform with a handful of people standing on. This is the Lower Falls viewpoint!

steps down to lower viewpoint at Lookout Point

The Yellowstone River and Canyon are truly breathtaking and it’s so grounding to take in the technicolor wonder. What makes this canyon even more interesting is its constant evolution. If you look out across the canyon walls, you’ll notice some steamy, active hydrothermal features. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was our favorite area of the park! 

view from Inspiration Point
Hayden Valley

Driving south from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, along Grand Loop Road, will take you through Hayden Valley. This approximately 7 mile stretch of landscape is gorgeous to drive through. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife because this area is one of the best spots in the park to spot some of the large mammals the park is home to. The grizzly and black bears are spotted more frequently in the spring and early summer days. They tend to be found at higher elevations as the summer goes on, but you never know where you might see one. Bison are more likely to be seen at any time throughout the summer, with coyotes commonly spotted as well!

There’s so many different areas to pull out if you *think* you might see something off in the distance…. or if you want to simply stare at the bison grazing nearby. There’s no singular recommended destination or overlook in Hayden Valley. It’s simply a beautiful drive with a high probability of animal sightings. This is first on the list because early risers may be even more likely to spot animals if you’re driving through at dawn (or dusk). 

If you see a bunch of cars pulled over, there’s a good chance someone has spotted something exciting! If you see a cluster of cars, it doesn’t hurt to pull over as well! You never know what you might see! 

photo via nps.gov
Old Faithful 

Timing up your Old Faithful experience takes a bit of planning. This iconic geyser erupts every 94 or 68 minutes… plus or minus ten minutes. So while the eruptions are routine, they’re just far apart enough that you might find yourself waiting a while if you arrive right after the previous eruption. The Old Faithful Visitor Center has a sign out that estimates when to expect Old Faithful’s next performance. This is helpful but having something online is just a bit more useful as you try and time up your morning.

We used this NPS website and this informative site to help give us an idea of when to show up. It’s better to be 15 min early than 2 minutes late! 

The Old Faithful area of the park will get busy… there’s no getting around that, but if you get to the park relatively early, you do have time to do the Grand Prismatic Overlook hike first. We recommend this because the ambient temperature earlier in the day is still rather chilly– even in the summer months. Why is this relevant? Well, Old Faithful is erupting hot hot hot water, so if it’s cold outside, the water plume becomes pretty shrouded in steam. Still neat to see but perhaps not the expected view. 

old faithful erupting on a cool morning with more steam than water visible— an iconic sight at yellowstone national park
Upper Geyser Basin hike 

The Upper Geyser Basin hike begins just steps away from Old Faithful and showcases dozens of hot springs and geysers (AllTrails link here). This boardwalk trail stretches about 3.5 miles total. While it’s totally possible to just walk part of the trail and then head back, in our opinion, some of the more impressive features are further along the trail. Morning Glory is the final hot spring on the path, and we were glad we walked all the way to the end to check it out! 

Yellowstone is home to so many hot springs and geysers, you’re be hard-pressed to hit them all, even with a few days in the park. While this walk doesn’t highlight all of them, you can leave knowing you were able to see some unique geological wonders.

hot springs along the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
Morning Glory hot spring
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Overlook Trail 

There’s so many hot springs in Yellowstone, but none is more memorable (or larger) than the Grand Prismatic. You can certainly check out the overlook at ‘ground level’, but in my opinion, the bird’s eye view is superior. There’s a bit of sweat equity involved, but the 1.5 miles round trip is very manageable (AllTrails link here)! 

When you’re nearing the hot spring, you want to park at the Fairy Falls trailhead. If you’re driving around Grand Loop road clockwise, this means you’ll take the turnoff for the Fairy Falls trail, which is actually just before the Grand Prismatic overlook parking lot. 

This is a relatively small viewing area and it does get rather popular, so come with patience in your heart. When you’re in Yellowstone— especially in the summer— it seems like everyone’s advice is to get to ‘XYZ’ early. Generally speaking, this is great advice, but when you’re only in the park for one day, you can’t hit everything early!

In our opinion, the Grand Prismatic is a spot that’s better to hit later. The colors of the hot spring “pop” and become more vibrant when the sky is overhead, so arriving a little later in the day should afford you awesome, vibrant views. It’s never fun to do a hike in the hottest part of the day, BUT at least it’s a relatively short hike!

Mammoth Hot Springs (optional)

Just inside the North entrance of the park, you’ll find Mammoth Hot Springs.Yellowstone is home to many different hot springs– what makes these springs unique are the travertine terraces that have formed as a result of the hot springs. The thermal water rises through limestone, carrying dissolved limestone to the surface, creating the memorable terrace formation these hot springs are known for. 

To take in the multi-level wonder, there’s a boardwalk path that weaves in and through the hot spring. If you hit every nook and cranny, it’s about 2.5 miles long. Now, if you have time and want to stretch your legs, it’s a nice board walk saunter with a healthy amount of stairs. If you’re rushing along, you can more or less get the gist of it by poking around for 15 minutes or so.  

If you’re planning on either arriving or departing the park via the North entrance, stopping here is a no-brainer. The terraces are rather unique and certainly worth a stop if it’s along the way. That being said, and this might be an unpopular opinion, but if you’re coming and going through the East, South, or West entrances, tacking on this stop miiiight not be worth the drive time. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but if we were crunched for time AND knowing this is the only big stop in the north part of the park, we’re not sure the “awe-factor” here is worth allllllll the extra driving it would take to see this single geological wonder.

One day in Yellowstone flies by! Maximizing your time can feel tricky… trying to see as much as you can but not be so rushed you hardly enjoy it. Our plan should thread that needle perfectly. We hope you have an amazing time exploring all the breathtaking beauty this historic national park has to offer. Happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

Categories
national parks

Yellowstone’s Iconic Sights & Hidden Gems: The Ultimate 2-Day Itinerary

Yellowstone National Park is a cornucopia of sights and experiences… a crown jewel in the national park system, sitting atop a super volcano. It was the first national park– not just in the United States but in the world! Whether you’re looking forward to the iconic sights or the quiet moments of peaceful nature, Yellowstone won’t disappoint. From the famous Old Faithful Geyser to the dozens of dazzling hot springs in the park to the breathtaking Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and all the little wonders in between, Yellowstone is memorable!

In a park of this magnitude, you could easily spend a week hiking and leisurely exploring. However, if you’re planning a multi-park road trip or perhaps trekking across the country, sometimes there’s only time for the essentials. If you’re hoping to hit all regions of the park, we recommend at least two days in the park. Yellowstone is large, so you will spend a couple hours just driving around. And that’s before you even get out to see anything! 

If you’re zooming through and are looking for a one-day packed-to-the-gills itinerary, you can find that here.

Fast Facts About Yellowstone National Park

Size: 2,221,766 acres

Visitors: 4,501,382 visitors (data from 2023)

Closest Airport: the Jackson Hole airport (JAC) is ~50 miles from the south entrance of the park and the Bozeman airport (BZN) is ~90 miles from the north entrance

Became a National Park: March 1st, 1872 when President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act (first national park in the United States AND in the world)

Highest point: 11,358 feet at Eagle Peak

Fun Fact: Yellowstone is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined! Even more fun— more than half the world’s geysers exist in Yellowstone.

road trippin’

We recently spent a few days in Yellowstone as part of a cross country road trip. This was our first big hiking trip with our son, so we were stoked to make the most of it. We’ve been told it gets more challenging as kiddos can run away, but man oh man… it was notably more time consuming to get out the door with an 8 month old in tow vs. just rolling out of bed ourselves. Everything we did, we did with him along for the ride, so whether you’re a solo traveler or parent to a young, wild soul, this itinerary should flow nicely for you! 

There are five entrances into Yellowstone: East, Northeast, North, West, and South. This itinerary is centered around an arrival through the east entrance; however, the days’ activities circumduct the park, so you can hop into the “circle” from any entrance. Yellowstone is immense, so this is by no means an all inclusive list BUT this is a great snapshot of Yellowstone’s must-see highlights. 

Grand Loop Road effectively makes a circle through the park, so this road serves as the backbone of our highlight reel. It also simplifies navigation in the park. Service in the park tends to be pretty poor, so the straightforward driving route and copious signage helps ensure everyone gets where they intend to. 

DAY ONE 

The day starts arriving through the East entrance of the park. Between the multiple entrances to the park and the many welcome stations at each entrance, the arrival process into the park is as streamlined as it gets; however, it’s always a good idea to get into the park earlier than later. Things start to get more crowded around 10am, so an earlier start helps ensure you can enjoy a bit more nature to yourself. 

Hayden Valley

Driving north along Grand Loop Road will take you through Hayden Valley. This approximately 7 mile stretch of landscape is gorgeous to drive through. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife because this area is one of the best spots in the park to spot some of the large mammals the park is home to. The grizzly and black bears are spotted more frequently in the spring and early summer days. They tend to be found at higher elevations as the summer goes on, but you never know where you might see one. Bison are more likely to be seen at any time throughout the summer, with coyotes commonly spotted as well!

There’s so many different areas to pull out if you *think* you might see something off in the distance…. or if you want to simply stare at the bison grazing nearby. There’s no singular recommended destination or overlook in Hayden Valley. It’s simply a beautiful drive with a high probability of animal sightings. This is first on the list because early risers may be even more likely to spot animals if you’re driving through at dawn (or dusk). 

If you see a bunch of cars pulled over, there’s a good chance someone has spotted something exciting! If you see a cluster of cars, it doesn’t hurt to pull over as well! You never know what you might see! 

photo via nps.gov
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone stretches for about 24 miles, and this amazing feature is worth taking in from a few different vantage points. There’s a bunch of awesome viewpoints to take in the canyon from different vantage points. We found Yellowstone to be a more accessible park, so even if you can’t or don’t want to hike, you can still take in the awesome vistas, just steps from your car. 

Artist Point

If you’re in the park early, this is a nice overlook to wander over to. You are able to see both the canyon as well as the waterfall from afar– it’s a nice spot to catch the sunrise! Just an amazing way to start the day.

view of Yellowstone canyon at Artist Point
view of the falls at Artist Point
North Rim Hike… or Drive. 

The North Rim Overlooks are connected by road as well as hiking trail, making them relatively easy to access to a variety of adventurers. While there are overlooks up by the parking lot, some of the cooler views are accompanied by a bit of sweat equity. For example, the Brink of Lower Falls trail drops 600 feet over a short 0.4-mile stretch of switchbacks to the Lower Falls viewpoint. This was probably our favorite spot along the North Rim but they are all worth hitting!

view of Yellowstone Canyon from Lower Falls (falls directly to the right)

Lookout Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point all afford slightly different vantage points. Similar to Lower Falls, Lookout Point (view pictured below) also has a combination of stairs and graded descent that are worth the huffin’ and puffin’. Whether you’re driving or hiking, you won’t regret going to at each stop!

view of the falls from Lookout Point

If you look closely or zoom in on the above picture, just to the right of the falls, you will see a viewing platform with a handful of people standing on. This is the Lower Falls viewpoint!

steps down to lower viewpoint at Lookout Point

The Yellowstone River and Canyon are truly breathtaking and it’s so grounding to take in the technicolor wonder. What makes this canyon even more interesting is its constant evolution. If you look out across the canyon walls, you’ll notice some steamy, active hydrothermal features. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone was our favorite area of the park! 

view from Inspiration Point
Canyon Village

Yellowstone is unique for many reasons, the least of which being that it’s one of the most “city-ized” national parks we’ve been to. Now, millions of acres of the park remain largely unavailable and untouched by visiting tourists (as it should), so it’s less commercial and more self-sufficient. For example there’s multiple post offices throughout the park. There’s not just gas stations but small auto body shops as well. The park is home to multiple lodges, restaurants, and visitor centers too. And more bathrooms than I’ve seen in any other national park!! 

Canyon Village is one of the small hubs or “cities” in the park. North Rim Drive ends right near this area, so it’s a perfect stop to grab some lunch…. or to send off a postcard! 

photo via nps.gov
Lamar Valley (optional) 

As you follow Grand Loop Road north, you will find yourself heading to the northeast corner of the park. As you approach Theodore Lodge, there will be an opportunity to turn right onto Northeast Entrance Road. While it’s not quite time to leave the park yet, Lamar River and the Lamar Valley are down this corridor. 

Similar to Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley is a gorgeous expanse of scenery and known wildlife spotting locale. If you’re hoping to spot a wolf, this is actually the best place in the park to have a chance; however, dawn and dusk tend to be the best times to see them. While we didn’t see any wolves, we did see a whoooole bunch of bison! 

Northeast Entrance Road stretches about 33 miles and takes about an hour to drive, so driving all the way out and back takes around 2 hours. Depending on how early you start your day, you might have time for this, but Lamar Valley is in the inner half of the drive, so going the full length of the road isn’t exactly necessary– especially during a two day trip! 

Mammoth Hot Springs 

Just inside the North entrance of the park, you’ll find Mammoth Hot Springs. Yellowstone is home to many different hot springs– what makes these springs unique are the travertine terraces that have formed as a result of the hot springs. The thermal water rises through limestone, carrying dissolved limestone to the surface, creating the memorable terrace formation these hot springs are known for. 

To take in the multi-level wonder, there’s a boardwalk path that weaves in and through the hot spring. If you hit every nook and cranny, it’s about 2.5 miles long. After a stretch of drive time in the car, it feels good to stretch the legs out! 

Catch Some Zzzzzs

There are so many options for where you may choose to rest your weary bones for the night. Day two is primarily focused on exploring the southern half of the park, so getting lodging farther south just makes it easier to hit the ground running in the morning. Accommodations in Yellowstone have a huge range. You can have convenience and breathtaking views with a budget-friendly price tag by camping in the park. There’s luxe lodge stays that will be well appointed and opportunely located. There’s also West Yellowstone just minutes outside the park.

Camping Out

If you own a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, this is a no brainer!! All three campgrounds have awesome, scenic views in the park AND avoid the wasted time that comes with driving out of and back into the park. It makes it easier to hit the ground running in the morning! The only downside of camping is that even in the summer months it can get chilly in Yellowstone…. like down into the 30s, so be sure to bring a warm sleeping bag! We decided this might be just a little too chilly for our 8 month old, but we hope to take him camping next time we roll through! 

photo taken by our friend Zachary Splinter (IG: master_splint3r)
Mid-Range in West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone really is minutes, if not seconds away, from the West entrance to the park. We were booking accommodations last minute and snagged a room at the Best Western Western Inn (dog friendly!). Not only was the room great, but we were walking distance to the Yellowstone Beer Company as well as Firehole BBQ. Tasty beers and phenomenal barbecue!! If you have even a remote interest in smoked meat, this is a fantastic meal– especially after a full day adventuring around in the park.  

Luxe Lodge Life

The biggest aspect of ‘luxury’ associated with the on-property lodging is the convenience of being in the park. Despite West Yellowstone being “just outside the park”, it’s still about an hour long drive from West Yellowstone to Old Faithful. The cost of the room is tied up in location location location! and character! Can you imagine waking up and watching Old Faithful erupt from the comfort of your room?? The Old Faithful Inn is notoriously popular as the building was finished in 1904, constructed with local logs and stone– making it one of the largest log-style structures in the world! 

photo via yellowstonenationalparklodges.com

DAY TWO 

Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Overlook Trail 

There’s so many hot springs in Yellowstone, but none is more memorable (or larger) than the Grand Prismatic. You can certainly check out the overlook at ‘ground level’, but in my opinion, the bird’s eye view is superior. There’s a bit of sweat equity involved, but the 1.5 miles round trip is very manageable (AllTrails link here)! 

When you’re nearing the hot spring, you want to park at the Fairy Falls trailhead. If you’re driving around Grand Loop road counterclockwise, this means you’ll actually drive past the signs for Grand Prismatic, following signs to the Fairy Falls. 

Beware, even with the hike, this is a relatively small viewing area and it does get rather popular, so come with patience in your heart. While it’s wise to get a relatively early start to your day, this isn’t necessarily a recommended sunrise hike. The colors of the hot spring “pop” and become more vibrant when the sky is overhead, so arriving by 8:30-9:30am should afford you awesome views, while still allowing you to arrive at old faithful by/before 10am. 

Old Faithful 

Timing up your Old Faithful experience takes a bit of planning. This iconic geyser erupts every 94 or 68 minutes… plus or minus ten minutes. So while the eruptions are routine, they’re just far apart enough that you might find yourself waiting a while if you arrive right after the previous eruption. The Old Faithful Visitor Center has a sign out that estimates when to expect Old Faithful’s next performance. This is helpful but having something online is just a bit more useful as you try and time up your morning.

We used this NPS website and this informative site to help give us an idea of when to show up. It’s better to be 15 min early than 2 minutes late! 

The Old Faithful area of the park will get busy… there’s no getting around that, but if you get to the park relatively early, you do have time to do the Grand Prismatic Overlook hike first. We recommend this because the ambient temperature earlier in the day is still rather chilly– even in the summer months. Why is this relevant? Well, Old Faithful is erupting hot hot hot water, so if it’s cold outside, the water plume becomes pretty shrouded in steam. Still neat to see but perhaps not the expected view. 

old faithful erupting on a cool morning with more steam than water visible— an iconic sight at yellowstone national park
Upper Geyser Basin hike 

The Upper Geyser Basin hike begins just steps away from Old Faithful and showcases dozens of hot springs and geysers (AllTrails link here). This boardwalk trail stretches about 3.5 miles total. While it’s totally possible to just walk part of the trail and then head back, in our opinion, some of the more impressive features are further along the trail. Morning Glory is the final hot spring on the path, and we were glad we walked all the way to the end to check it out! 

hot springs along the Upper Geyser Basin boardwalk
Morning Glory hot spring
West Thumb 

West Thumb is essentially a large inlet of Yellowstone Lake. There’s a fun one mile loop along the West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail that takes you past the Thumb paint pots as well as a handful of geysers and hot springs, and the West Thumb shoreline (AllTrails link here)! 

photo via nps.gov
Lake Yellowstone

Yellowstone Lake is the largest freshwater lake above 7,000 ft elevation in the United States, making this a relaxing spot to end the day. If the weather is nice, the park offers one-hour guided tours aboard Lake Queen II, for the Yellowstone Lake Scenic Cruise. This is a paid tour, but ticket prices are very reasonable. During high season, tours run into the late afternoon and early evening hours, so this makes for a lovely way to wind down. When we visited, an evening shower rolled through, so we just went and grabbed dinner at the Lake Lodge Cabin. They have tables right up against the window, giving you an amazing view out to the lake. 

At this point in your adventuring, you’ve likely encountered an elk or two, but if you haven’t, they tend to wander around in the area of the park into the evening. We stayed in the Lake Yellowstone Cabins and were so delighted with all the elk we saw wandering around as we were arriving. Always practice mindful safety around wild animals! We ended up rather close, just because they caught us by surprise! 

Sleep It Off 

Where you rest for the night largely depends on where you’re heading in the morning. If you plan to leave the way you came (out the East entrance), bunking down near Yellowstone Lake, or even heading for Cody likely makes the most sense. If you plan to drive south to explore Grand Teton National Park next, staying in West Thumb might be a better stop. 

Camping Out

From tent campers to RV campers and all the rooftop tents and fifth-wheelers in between, it’s hard to beat the bang for your buck you get with camping! As long as you have the right gear, this is an awesome way to experience the park… we’re already excited to come back and camp with our littlest camping buddy one day! 

Luxe Lodge Life

We stayed at one of the Lake Yellowstone cabins and loved it! Elk were wandering past our cabin as we arrived and it was so charming! Similar to the Mammoth and Old Faithful Lodge stays, perhaps a little expensive, but we were so thrilled with the location. 

Map It Out

The map can look a little chaotic, just because Yellowstone is so big! Having a bird’s eye view of the park can make it a little easier to see the vision of the itinerary. This map is awesome because Grand Loop Road pops in red and almost all the stops noted above are highlighted below on the map.

Two days in Yellowstone fly by! Planning an action-packed itinerary is tricky— trying to make the most of your days… but not being so busy and rushed you hardly enjoy it. Our plan should thread that needle perfectly! We hope you have an amazing time exploring all the iconic sights and hidden gems of this historic national park. Happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

Categories
national parks

The Most Memorable Day at Gateway Arch National Park 

Does an urban national park sound like an oxymoron? While national parks usually embody sprawling, untouched wilderness, the Gateway Arch breaks the mold as it celebrates the Westward expansion of the United States. This eye-catching memorial is the tallest man-made monument in the United States, designed by architect Eero Saarinen. There were over 170 unique designs; however, his particularly memorable design was chosen and has stood the test of time since its inception in 1963. 

St. Louis is home to the one and only Gateway Arch National Park, making this park much easier to reach and robustly experience than others in the repertoire. While it might not take your breath away quite like the staggering beauty of some of the other larger, more natural parks, there’s a certain charm to the historic reminder of our country’s growth. While eager history and architecture buffs would likely be keen to make a day of it, for most, a half day is the perfect amount of time to allot for visiting the Gateway Arch National Park. 

Fast Facts About GATEWAY ARCH National Park

Size: 91 acres

Visitors: 1,618,774 visitors (data from 2022)

Became a National Park: Feb. 23, 2018

Highest point: the top of the arch is 630 ft high — interestingly it’s also 630 feet wide from leg to leg

The upside of the park’s small stature is that it’s rather easy to get the full experience in a half-day visit. We swung through driving back up to Wisconsin, and this was baby Xavier’s first national park visit. While he *technically* visited Indiana Dunes, Rocky Mountain, and Olympic National Parks in utero, the Gateway Arch made for a very un-intimidating first national park for us to visit with him. I must say, he’s a hard man to impress… he had the audacity to try and sleep through the whole thing!!

Park vs Monument… the NPS tea

The Gateway Arch is the tallest monument in the United States, but that begs the question… why is it a national park and not a national monument? There’s not a great answer for this name change and corresponding national park designation, as they were decided upon in Congress. Interestingly, the National Park Service did have something to say on the matter submitted a statement to the hearing on the legislation for the name change that said:

“… the National Park Service strives to provide consistency in the naming of park units. To better align with the standard nomenclature for units of the National Park System, we recommend that Congress re-designate the unit as “Gateway Arch National Monument.” National parks contain a variety of resources and encompass large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources. The existing 59 designated national parks protect at a minimum thousands of acres each, and some span millions of acres. At only 91 federal acres, we believe that the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is too small and limited in the range of resources the site protects and interprets to be called a national park.’”

This makes Gateway Arch National Park the only urban national park in the repertoire– certainly unique, but also setting an interesting precedent for future designations. Will this remain the only smaller, more urban national park or will others join its ranks in the years to come? Only time will tell! 

When To Visit

While the most popular time of year to visit is in the spring and summer months, we stopped by on a beautiful day in January and very much recommend a mid-winter visit. There were no lines to deal with, and even on a more frigid day, so much of what you come to see is indoors, so the time of year is less important. 

TIME TO EXPLORE

Depending on where you’re coming from, getting into the arch may be a bit counter-intuitive. If you head over right from the designated parking garage, you won’t have any problem wandering to the west entrance, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. If you’re out walking along the river, the entry point is *not* in the base of either arch; however, you can exit from the arch legs, which sometimes confuses people. 

Tickets

Upon entering the building, the ticket counter is easy to spot. If you plan to visit in the spring or summer months – especially on a weekend day, you should consider purchasing your tickets in advance, to ensure you’ll be able to make it up!

Security 

With your ticket in hand, the next step will be going through security. Think of a more-relaxed version of TSA. You’ll have to empty your pockets and step through a scanner, but no one is going to make you dump out your water bottle. As an important note, no weapons, including pepper spray and fixed-blade knives (except fold-out pocket knives with a blade size less than 4″) are allowed, so if you keep pepper spray on your keychain or in your purse, you’ll want to make sure that stays in the car. Even if you don’t plan to take the tram ride, you will still need to go through the security checkpoint to get to the museum, cafe, documentary movie, and gift shop areas. 

Museum of Westward Expansion 

The museum is quite lovely to wander through, and rather engaging for visitors of all ages with its interactive displays and exhibits. Not only are there exhibits detailing the nuances of westward expansion in US history, but there’s a rather interesting section about the arch architecture. It’s fun to see the runner-up designs and learn more about the unique tram system that carries visitors to the top. Depending on how early you arrive before your tram time, you can explore the museum before or after you ride… or both! 

a memorable museum exhibit, demonstrating the history of the icon Gateway arch
Tram 

Once you’re through the museum, the lower level space opens up, and you can head on down to get your tram ticket scanned. As the group awaits the arrival of all its participants, everyone is provided a boarding pass of sorts for their individual tram. Each tram can hold up to 5 people, but man oh man would that be a snug fit to put five grown adults in one tram car. I’m not sure how things go over the summer, but it was definitely nice that groups were more dispersed.

After everyone in the group has arrived, there’s a short background history of the arch provided, and then everyone is led over to their assigned tram. The ride up goes quickly, only taking a couple minutes. 

The windows at the top are a little small, but it’s rather amazing to peer out of the Mississippi River and the city of St. Louis and realize you’re doing so from the top of the arch. Everyone has ample time (about 8-10 minutes) to look around, read some of the signage, and take a picture or two, and then it’s time to head back down. The descent is just slightly speedier than the ascent, and in no time at all, your back– boots on the ground! 

Once you’ve ridden the tram, it’s worth a couple minutes of your time to pop back into the museum and read about the unique transportation system constructed to carry people up the arch… it’s one of a kind! 

The Extras 

We really enjoyed reading, watching, and listening in the museum, but if you’re keen to learn more, there’s a documentary movie you can check out (showtimes here). While tickets aren’t free, it’s likely the cheapest movie ticket you’ve bought in a while! You can also head over to the gift store to collect your passport stamp and pick up any mementos you might desire. There’s a little virtual reality experience you can check out as well– looks like something that could be fun for kiddos. 

There’s a cafe if you’re feel pecking, but it’s worth noting, the upside of being an urban national park is that there’s a whole bunch of dining options within easy walking distance

The Old Courthouse 

Once you’ve had your fill of arch exploration, you can head over to the courthouse. What is so special about this courthouse? It was the site of not one but two cases that became formative to the cultural landscape. In 1847 Dred and Harriet Scott, an enslaved couple, sued for and were granted their freedom. This case went through appeals and ended up going before the Supreme Court, which overturned the original verdict, stating that since slaves were property they didn’t have the right to sue. BIG YIKES. This case is reflective of culture in the United States at the time and is thought to be one of the precipitating factors of the Civil War.

It’s also where Virginia Minor and her husband sued for her right to vote. She went on to become a huge advocate for suffrage rights for women. 

The historic courthouse is currently closed as it undergoes a multi-million dollar renovation project. That being said, it’s set to be finished by 2025, and should be quite impressive whenever it’s completed. 

Riverboat Rides

Not exactly a park experience, but you can take in the Mississippi River and view the Arch from the water on a riverboat cruise. The boats are a callback to a bygone era, when steamboats ruled the river and drove local commerce. We visited on a beautiful January day, but it wasn’t quite let’s-take-a-riverboat-cruise warm, which is why the riverboat tours only run March through November.

If you’re passing through town, you could definitely see the Gateway Arch in a few hours, but if you’re looking to make a day of it, this would be a perfect way to savor the Arch and get to know a bit more about St. Louis and the history of the hard-working river.

Gateway Arch National Park is not only an impressive architectural monument, but it serves as an important memory to the westward expansion of our country and journey we took as a nation to get here. It’s certainly worth stopping by if you’re in St. Louis or road tripping nearby. Due it’s rather urban stature, it’s hard to compare the ~natural beauty~ of a man-made arch to some of astounding feats of nature at other parks; however, the very nature of this ‘park’ is a memorable memorial to the country’s growth that houses many of the nation’s most alluring national parks!

If you’re looking for your next national park adventure and you enjoy a national park with a little extra historical significance, Dry Tortugas National Park might tickle your fancy. This old fort can be found about 70 miles off the coast of the Florida keys, making it rather remote but incredibly picturesque.

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

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national parks

One Full Day Exploring in Olympic National Park 

The Olympic Peninsula, a veritable cornucopia of ecosystems in western Washington, is home to the one and only Olympic National Park. This unique park houses a rainforest, wilderness beaches, sub-alpine forests, rugged glaciers, and breathtaking lakes, making it rather one of a kind. One could easily spend a few days here, exploring all the nooks and crannies of the peninsula, but sometimes time is of the essence. If you have limited time to spend exploring in Olympic, we have the perfect itinerary for you… but rest up and pack your snacks because it’s going to be quite the action-packed day! 

Washington is home to three national parks— Olympic being the most-visited, with 2,432,972 visitors in 2022. It boasts 73 miles of wilderness coast, over 3,000 miles of streams and rivers, and 60 glaciers. For eager outdoorsmen (and women) the park has 611 miles of trails to scout out, which still leaves the other 95% of the park as a designated wilderness area. The medley of sights, sounds, climates, and creatures is truly amazing. 

Fast Facts About OLYMPIC National Park

Size: 922,651 acres

Visitors: 2,432,972 visitors (data from 2022)

Distance from Seattle: 85 miles — 2.5 hour drive

Became a National Park: June 29th, 1938

Highest point: Mount Olympus at 7,980 ft

Busiest month to visit: August — 634,516 visitors

two sisters in the Hoh Rainforest at the end of a long day exploring in Olympic National Park

Sister Kayla currently lives in near-by Tacoma, so she’s had the opportunity for a bit more robust exploring, but my arrive-a-couple-days-before-our-friend’s-wedding timeline didn’t leave much wiggle room in the ‘ole itinerary. As always, a little bit of adventuring is better than no adventuring! Here’s as much as we could cram into ~24 hours in Olympic National Park. 

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center

In the northern mountains of the Olympic peninsula, you’ll find the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and trailhead. There’s more than one hike on the docket for today, so you don’t want to burn too bright too soon. If you just want to stretch out your legs, there’s a few meadow loop trails that let you meander without getting too taxing. Perhaps you’re feeling ready to take on the day?! The Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge hike is 3.4 miles long with 826ft of elevation to climb. Not exactly easy peasy, but the panoramic views are a most amazing way to start the day. 

Unfortunately we visited in June 2023, and the Hurricane Ridge area of the park was temporarily closed as the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge burned down in May 2023. This temporarily changed operations in this region of the park, but the park has since re-opened. Currently, only 430 vehicles are allowed access at the Heart O’ the Hills Entrance on Hurricane Ridge Road. If you’re stressing about making it into the park, there is a shuttle service that runs, even as the park hits the 430 vehicle limit. You can find out more about the shuttle stops and cost here. 

Even though the Hurricane Ridge area of the park has opened back up, it’s not quite fully operational at this point. The infrastructure is still limited, so don’t plan on stocking up on gift store swag or snacks at this visitor center… think porta-potties and big self-sufficiency energy. You can find more information and recent access updates here. 

Crescent Lake

Heading west in the park will bring you to Crescent Lake and all the fun that awaits. There’s a few different spots to go hiking here, and they’re all great options. The Moments in Time trail clocks in at 0.7 miles with only 9 feet of elevation, so this is going to be perfect for anyone that’s looking for more of a walk than a big time hike. If you enjoy hiking but aren’t in the mood to tackle serious elevation, the Devil’s Punchbowl trail will be a nice 2.5 miles with just under 140 feet of elevation. 

Now, if you’re looking for a real kick in the pants, Mount Storm King is the hike for you. It’s a little over 4 miles round trip and tackles 2,100 feet of elevation. What makes this even more exciting? The 4 miles is an out and back trail, so it’s really ~2 miles each way, with the first (and last) 0.5 miles being flat. For those of you math wizards, that means you’re going to crush over 2,000 feet elevation in 1.5 miles making it *not* a hike for the faint of heart.

Once you start going uphill, you pretty much don’t stop climbing until you reach the viewpoint… with the last portion of the hike being steep enough that there’s ropes in place to help weary hikers haul themselves up. That being said, the view at the top really is rather spectacular— more than worth the grueling climb. I did it while I was pregnant, so you definitely can crush it!!! 

Rialto Beach

The next stop on the adventure route here is Rialto Beach. You can always pack your favorite floaties, but it’s not likely you’ll find yourself using them. Even when we visited in the middle of June, it was still rather chilly and overcast. You’re much more likely to be rocking gore-tex boots and rain pants! 

Don’t let that slow you down– the beach really does have an ethereal sort of charm. Still feel like your legs have some energy left in the tank? Take a walk on the beach! If the tides are in your favor, you might even make it up to some cool rock formations on the north end of the beach via the Hole-in-the-Wall trail (3.3 miles out & back). 

Hoh Rainforest & Campground

Continuing south but also a bit inland on the Peninsula, you’ll find the Hoh Rainforest. As you make the trek out to the rainforest, you’ll be able to watch the climate and topography change yet again. This is the last stop on the itinerary for the day… with a bit of a chose-you-own-adventure option. What do you consider a full day… sun-up to sun down, or a full 24 hours? If you have the time to stay the night, we do recommend popping a tent and hunkering down for the night. While the line for entry to this part of the park can get quite lengthy, arriving later in the day should help avoid peak wait times. 

We stayed at campsite #70, and like the locale. Not necessarily the most private or secluded campsite, but it was along the river and nice and close to the bathroom— without being so close you have to worry about all the bathroom foot traffic. The campground is also an easy walking distance to the Hoh Visitor Center, so it was nice to set up camp and then go wander on over.

Extra things to know:

As an added bonus for any Twilight fans out there, getting from Rialto Beach to the Hoh Rainforest involves driving through Forks, WA. Yes, that’s right— the town in the Twilight series isn’t made up… it’s a real place out on the Olympic peninsula. While we didn’t catch a glimpse of any vampires, it’s always fun to feel like you’re in the pages of a book. 

If you’re planning to swing by the grocery store, you might find yourself out in a bit of a food desert. The Forks Outfitters Thriftway is about the only grocery store you’re going to find as you go from the beach towards the rainforest, so either make sure you have everything you need for dinner before you leave Port Angeles, or plan to snag food at this local stop. 

HOT TIP

As an aside, if you’re ever trying to snag a campsite on short-ish notice in a national park, the app ‘Campflare’ is a lifesaver. Campgrounds can fill up months in advance, and you can’t always count on the limited release (i.e. available 2 weeks, 1 week, 4 days out) sites to be available because those can go snatched-up-in-seconds FAST. 

You input the campground you’re interested in staying at as well as the dates you’re looking for, and you will get notified immediately if a campsite becomes available. We’ve only recently discovered this app ourselves, but we’ve had good luck with snagging campsites at both Rocky Mountain and Olympic National Parks. A friend was able to luck into three consecutive nights at the same campground in Glacier with only ~2 weeks notice. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but it is rather helpful to know about!

waking up to find Kayla under her sleeping pad instead of over it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Spruce Nature Trail & Hall of Mosses Loop

To round out a cool 24 hours in the park, sneak in one final hike before you hit the road. While Olympic is home to glaciers, they remain remains rather elusive on this trip as the 35 mile round trip hike to Blue Glacier from the Hoh Visitor Center isn’t exactly one-day-itinerary material. Instead, the Spruce Nature Trail (1.2 miles) and Hall of Mosses Loop (0.8 miles) make for a nice morning walk before you head out for the day. Even if your legs are feeling tuckered out from all the hiking the day before, both trails combined tackle less than 110 feet of elevation, so it truly is just a walk as opposed to a grueling climb.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and the dynamic duo of sister time plus a new park makes for a very fast day of adventuring indeed. Olympic National Park has an amazing array of beautiful scenery to take in. It’s so worth making time to visit on your next trip out to Washington. Have time for more than one park? Head over to the iconic Mount Rainier next, to check out some outstanding day hikes.

written by Hannah 

Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest. Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.

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national parks travel

The Six Best Day Hikes in Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier towers above the skyline at 14,411 ft elevation and is a snow-capped, breath-taking vision of nature year-round. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and fitness levels travel to come experience the trails and the accompanying views. The transcendent peak is visible in the distance from over 100 miles away, and is a beautiful reminder of the vast topography within the park. The different regions of the park offer unique viewpoints of Mt Rainier. When you’re exploring someplace new, you want to be sure to make the most of your time. We’ve outlined the six best day hikes in Mount Rainier… the hardest part will be choosing which one to do first!

Whether you’re new to outdoor adventures or a seasoned wilderness explorer, there’s abounding beauty for everyone to savor. The views make hikes of any length fly by and steep elevations feel worth it. Grab your trekking poles and pack your bags!

Five Mt. Rainier Park Regions

It comes as no surprise that the landscape varies in different regions of the park. With over 250 miles of trails, there’s enough forests, rivers, lakes, and streams to stay enchanted for weeks. Before you get hiking, it helps to get your bearings. Due to the sheer size of the park, trails are sorted into five different areas.

  1. Sunrise — Northeast
  2. Ohanapecosh — Southeast
  3. Paradise — South
  4. Longmire — Southwest
  5. Carbon River & Mowich — Northwest

The mountain for which the park is named stands tall and impermeable in the center. There’s no way to drive through the center of the park, but there are ample trails to explore its surroundings.

Our Six Favorite Hikes
1. Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

The Sunrise area of the park showcases the impressive rocky terrain on the northeastern side of Mount Rainier. The Mt. Fremont hike was one of the first hikes we took in the park as continues to be a favorite, with its 360 degree views from the old fire tower lookout. While it wasn’t easy, we didn’t find it to be too overbearingly challenging at 6 miles with a little over 1,000 feet of elevation, and we felt we were rewarded in spades with both the magnitude of Mt. Rainier as well as the seemingly endless stretch of green valleys to the north. It boasts one of the best Rainier summit views in the park!

Mt. Fremont is one of the six best day hikes in Mt. Rainier national park with its sweeping views
2. Burroughs Mountain Trail

The Burroughs Mountain Trail also stems from the Sunrise Visitor Center and stretches 9 miles, tackling nearly 2,500 feet of elevation to climb the three Burroughs. Even if you don’t go the whole stretch you will be privy to beautiful views throughout, with the second Burroughs mountain, showcasing spectacular views of Mount Rainier as well as the Emmons Glacier. While wildlife spottings are never guaranteed, we’ve seen goats, marmot, and deer somewhat regularly. Last time we were in the park we even saw a bear. Definitely a trail for a hardier hiker, but so worth it!

3. Silver Falls Trail

A bit easier on the knees, the Silver Falls Trail in the Ohanapecosh region of the park is a very palatable 3 miles round trip. Compared to many other trails in the park, it’s relatively level, with about 500 feet of elevation gained in total throughout the hike. This makes it a more popular hike for families and hikers of all ages. The trail follows the Ohanapecosh River, and makes for quite the sight as the icy glacier water tumbles through Silver Falls. Another fun bonus, this is a loop trail (as opposed to going out and back along the same trail), so you will get to enjoy different forestry scenery on your way back.

photo via www.nps.gov
4. Skyline Trail

The Skyline Trail Loop is in the, very aptly named, Paradise area of the park. This little slice of heaven is the most popular among visitors and for good reason. The colorful meadows and running streams are just as idyllic as they sound, and it’s equally beautiful as the warm hues of fall foliage roll in. As this trail is a loop, you have two options for your climb. If you tackle the trail clockwise, you will have a steeper but shorter journey up to the Panorama Point. If you’re keen on a more graded climb, you’ll want to tackle this trail counterclockwise. Regardless of how you get there, both the journey and the destination are worthwhile.

5. Mildred Point Trail

Making your way into the Longmire region of the park, set your sights on the Mildred Point via Comet Falls trail. This trail stretches almost 8 miles and climbs over 2,500 feet of elevation. Don’t let that intimidate you though! This hike is a true two-for-one special. About a mile and a half in, you’ll get to enjoy the enchanting waterfall at Comet Falls, followed by some heart-pumping switchbacks and a log bridge that will lead you to Mildred Point.

From your perch at the top of a meadow, you will have an unfettered view of the ever-lovely Mt. Rainier. You really can’t beat the diverse landscape of this hike with its rushing waterfalls, flowing rivers, charming bridges, and endless meadows… all with Mount Rainier as a stunning backdrop.

photo via www.nps.gov
6. Tolmie Peak Trail

Gotta save the best for last! At the end of a 15 mile-long dirt road you’ll find the beginning of the Tolmie Peak Trail, right alongside Mowich Lake. This hike exudes etherial beauty with its sweeping views of Eunice Lake, rolling alpine peaks, and a snow-covered Rainier. The cherry on top? Tolmie Peak houses another fire-tower lookout, which guarantees a panoramic view. This hike covers about 5.5 miles and over 1,500 feet of elevation, making it moderately difficult, but certainly doable!

But Wait, There’s More

The National Park Service Website has a complete list of trails, up-to-date trail conditions, and information regarding the various campgrounds. As an outdoor enthusiast, I generally love being outdoors, but I’m rather partial to a hike that ends in a gorgeous view. My favorite aspect of the AllTrails website is that you can see pictures other hikers have taken, to better grasp the hard-earned view you’re hiking out for. 

As a note: whatever trail you choose, be sure to stay on the trail— no creating new short-cuts! Even though it seems small, if everyone trampled the meadows a little, the collective damage would be massive.

Packing your Day Pack  

Can’t crush your hike without your day pack! There’s nothing like being stoked for an awesome day hike, only to realize half-way in that you don’t need half of what you’re carrying. Even worse is when you realize you forgot something crucial! Due to the snowfall Mount Rainier National Park receives every year, this list would be more extensive for winter months. We have you covered for all your late spring, summer, and early fall hikes.

Jacket—  this is top of the list for a reason… mostly because it will be unnecessary for a majority of your hike. That being said, chances are, if you plan to spend any extended period of time at the peak, you will likely be glad to have it. Additionally, if there’s any chance of rain, it’s also not a bad idea to bring a rain jacket along with you as well. The weather can change quickly. Rain jackets aren’t heavy and they’re well worth it when the heavens open!

Camera — whether it’s a DSLR or an iPhone, the view is definitely something you’ll be glad to look back on later! 

Trail map — you can either download a trail map from the NPS website or grab one from the trailhead, but it’s always a good idea to have a map with you. The trails are well-kept and the signage clearly dictates which paths to follow for desired destinations. That being said, we are big ‘safety first, safety always’ gals, so it’s always a good idea to have a map, just in case you get lost! 

example of the trail map for the sunrise area trails

Snacks — our go-to hiking snacks are dried mango, fresh fruits (in mason jars so they don’t get smushed) & veggies. Who doesn’t love a couple handfuls of homemade trail mix?? There’s nothing like reaching the viewpoint and sitting down to take it all in, with a tasty treat.

Water — for an approximately 6 mile hike, we usually take 20-40 oz of water per person, depending on the day. This is not including the water bottles we keep in the car to drink from before and after the hike. We always like to ensure we have more than enough water to stay hydrated, without carrying around extra weight. 

Sunglasses — while sunnies are always a good idea for hiking, Mount Rainier has snow year-round, and snow tends to reflect the sunlight, sometimes making it feel even brighter out. 

Sunscreen — as you climb in elevation, the breeze can keep you cool and make you forget the sun is still beating down on you. Even if you sunscreen up before you depart, you may want to re-apply!

Headlamp — not necessary for shorter most daytime hike, but if you plan in hiking around sunrise or sunset, you’ll be glad to have a headlamp. While cellphones have flashlights that might suffice in a pinch, it’s safer and easier to hike with your light hands-free.

Chapstick — while this won’t necessarily make or break your hike, chances are you’ll be glad you have it. A chapstick with SPF is a bonus.

The 411 on Furry Friends 

Generally speaking, Mt. Rainier is a no dogs allowed park. The exception? The Pacific Crest Trail stretches along the west coast of the country and cuts through the park. As such, this is a technical caveat since dogs are allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail throughout its entirety. That being said, all other trails (including the ones above) and campgrounds do not permit any non-service animal pets. 

The best time of year to visit? Later than you might think. It all depends on the longevity of winter… or rather how cold the spring season is! We’ve gone hiking fourth of July weekend, and had to change plans on the fly due to snowy trails. Mid-to late summer and all throughout fall would be the best time to make an appearance.

written by Kayla

A literal life saving queen, Kayla Grace is an Army nurse in Tacoma, Washington. When she’s not fixing up tiny humans on the peds floor, she is likely to be found running, walking, or hiking outside— or crushing a home improvement project, as she has recently purchased her first home! Since moving to Washington, Kayla has maintained a plant-based diet— a feat largely unattainable by any other sister, but she makes it look *almost* possible with her I-can’t-believe-these-are-vegan chocolate chip cookies.


Categories
national parks travel

Everything You Need to Know About the Kenai Fjords

The Kenai Fjords National Park maintains a unique topography with its frigid water and flourishing forest, interwoven around millennia old ice and snow. The crown jewel of the park is the Harding Icefield, with over 30 glaciers stemming from this remnant ice sheet. These historic glaciers carved out fjords, leaving behind the deep, narrow inlets the park is named for. Here the ice age lingers at the intersection of cautious exploration and intentional preservation. With such diversity, there are many ways to gain an appreciation for the pristine, immense wilderness, so we detailed everything you need to know about the Kenai Fjords, to help make the most of your time.

Alaska is home to eight national parks, and the Kenai Fjords is arguably the most accessible park in the state, only two and a half hours away from Anchorage— Alaska’s largest city. Not only does the park itself have a worthy draw, but the Kenai Fjords are the beloved backyard of Seward, a popular fishing town on the Kenai Peninsula. Between the two, this pocket of Alaska is a must-visit for anyone keen to experience the beauty of pristine, immense wilderness!

Fast Facts About the kenai fjords National Park

Size:  607,805 acres

Visitors: 411,782 visitors (data from 2021)

Distance from Anchorage: 130 miles — 2.5 hour drive

Became a National Park: December 2nd, 1980

Most unique feature: the Harding Icefield — over 30 glaciers stem from this icefield!

While park stretches into a vast expanse, we did our best to explore as thoroughly as possible. From float planes to kayaks to good ole fashion boots, we set out to see everything there was to see. Below we have detailed your hike options, all of the various tours available in the area, and ways to ensure you catch a glimpse of the unique wildlife — as well as all the tips and tricks to ensure you have the best time.

Up, Up, and Away  

Nothing like catching a bird’s eye view! Due to the expansive nature of the park as well as the hardiness of the topography, a plane tour can be a fantastic way to experience the lay of the land, from a bird’s eye view. We were headed to the Seward area via Moose’s Pass, so we stopped by Scenic Mountain Air for a float plane tour. The hour-long jaunt explored the south-central Kenai Peninsula. From our vantage point, we were able to see the Harding Icefield, Chugach Mountains, endless lakes and waterfalls, as well as a handful of wildlife sightings. My favorite spot to see was Bear Glacier Lagoon and the many icebergs it houses.

If you’re looking for a flightseeing option a bit closer to Seward, Seward Air Tours is a small plane experience with eight different tour options to choose from. If you’re keen to chopper through the skies, Seward Helicopter Tours offers not only a flight tour but they also have an option to go dog sledding over a glacier. While we didn’t do this in the park, we did something similar near Girdwood at Punchbowl Glacier and can attest that it is so beyond cool. 

These Boots Were Made for Hiking 

Having already appreciated the park from above during our float plane tour, we were excited to explore with our boots on the ground. The hiking options in the park are limited to the Exit Glacier Overlook Trail and the Harding Icefield Trail. Basically you get to choose between very easy or very challenging.

Trekking out to the Harding Icefield is a 9.2 mile out and back trail that tackles over 3,600 feet of elevation. During the summer months there can be ice and snow on the trail, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Even in later summer or early fall months, consider bringing spikes if you plan to walk on the icefield once you arrive. This rugged trail is prime real estate for all kinds of wildlife sightings, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled! 

If you arrive at the park around 10am or 2pm, park rangers lead walking “tours” along the Exit Glacier Overlook trail. While the 2.2 miles of trail doesn’t take that long to hike, they provide additional commentary and insight regarding the park, evolution of the glacier, and local preservation. No advanced registration is needed, and there’s no cost associated with the walking educational opportunity. 

For travelers that live by their own set of rules, the trail is easily navigated independently and the views are just as spectacular! As you walk out to the glacier overlook viewpoint, you will notice low-profile makers with years on them. These denote where the glacier extended to at various points throughout history. It’s one thing to hear how our glaciers are melting but another to see the receding line for yourself. Regardless of whether you go with a group or explore solo, the Exit Glacier is humbling to experience. 

Whatever Floats Your Boat 

Exploration by land, by air, and next up: by sea! We went adventuring with Major Marine Tours and loved it. Their Kenai Fjords Wildlife tours run for four hours, six hours, seven and a half hours, or eight and a half hours. We opted for a four hour tour (mainly because we were going as a family and our dad doesn’t always fare well on boats). While the longer tours will dive deeper into the park, we felt four hours was a perfect amount of time to see glaciers, fjords, and an outstanding breadth of wildlife. Our favorites were the puffins, humpback whales, seals, and mischievous otters. It was so thrilling to see these guys out in the wild. 

What to expect? Upon entry on the boat, each group was assigned to a “home base” table, to store their things at and use as they pleased. In addition to the tables, there was ample space inside the boat as well as on the decks for people to observe as they pleased. And observe we did!! The captain was fabulous and any time we were near any sort of wildlife that may be of interest, he would linger (at an appropriate distance) to ensure everyone had an opportunity to see. They had snacks and drinks available for purchase, but you can also bring your own food and drink on board with you as well. 

Major Marine Tours boat in the dock: good to show you everything you need to know about the Kenai Fjords
Paddle Powered 

For a more immersive boating experience, hop in a kayak! If you’re not a big kayaker, it can certainly feel intimidating to be out in such a tiny boat; however, it is immensely serene to feel so small in the magnitude of nature’s magnitude. The interaction with nature is so much more intimate, with curious harbor seals popping their heads up a couple feet from your kayak– checking out what you’re up to. 

We embarked on this adventure through Miller’s Landing, and wholeheartedly recommend them! Full disclosure, we suited up for a dusk kayaking trip to Bridal Veil Waterfall, so technically we stayed within the confines of Resurrection Bay and didn’t quite make it into the national park waters; however, this was more than enough adventure for us. They do offer all kinds of full day kayaking trips for more committed paddlers. Regardless of your paddling destination, it is humbling to experience the fjord environment and wildlife in this way. 

The 30-Second Scoop on Seward 

The Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor Center is actually located in the heart of Seward, making it very centrally located; however, not where you might expect to find it. Be sure to stop in and chat with a park ranger, stamp your national park passport, and collect any park mementos. While it’s not the true visitor center, the Exit Glacier Nature Center is a visitor center-like building near the trails in the park, so it’s not completely wilderness out there!

If you’re feeling a bit peckish, you have loads of restaurants to choose from. The Lone Chicharron Taqueria is going to have some fantastic tacos, while Gold Rush Bistro boasts an impressive bowl of clam chowder. Sweet Darlings has chocolates and gelato that are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re looking to crack open a cold one, Seward Brewing Company is an awesome local craft brewery. 

Sampling different restaurants was easy because Seward is pretty compact. The main populus of the city stretches about a mile and a half long and is rather walkable. However, if you struggle with mobility impairments, Seward has a free shuttle to aid in transportation (and exploration!).

A majority of Alaska’s national parks are reachable only by bush plane and/or boat. Not only are the Kenai Fjords a breathtaking reflection of the wilderness Alaska is hailed for, but the accessibility of this park only adds to its charm. Any additional plane or boat trips taken once you arrive only add to the fullness of the experience.

If you’re eager to encounter more of Alaska’s astounding natural beauty, Denali National Park and Preserve is less than five hours outside of Anchorage, and boasts grandiose heights as the highest peak in North America. You won’t regret adding this mammoth park to your Alaskan bucket list. Happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest. Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.

Categories
national parks travel

Eight Unique Adventures To Have in Denali National Park 

Denali National Park and Preserve is home to not only the highest peak in North America but abundant wildlife as well. If you visit in the summer, the nearly endless daylight provides ample opportunity to maximize your exploration time. When you’re heading to a park as massive as Denali, it can be daunting to plan your trip. Whether you’re staying for a day or a week, we’ve compiled a list of unique adventures to have, to make the most of your time in Denali National Park.

While the national park system certainly caters to the outdoorsy, adventurers of any tenacity can enjoy the beauty of the park. From breath-taking hikes to picturesque plane rides and all the sled dogs in between, you won’t regret visiting this humbling reflection of nature’s boundless might.

Fast Facts About Denali National Park

Size:  6.1 million acres

Visitors: 427,562 (data from 2022)

Distance from Anchorage: 240 miles — 4 hour drive

Became a National Park: February 26th, 1917

Most unique feature: Mount Denali reaches up 20,310 ft, making it the highest peak in North America!

As with any national park, nature’s beauty shows off in a surreal way. Below we have detailed eight unique activities to allow you a robust Denali experience. Denali National Park is a perfect embodiment of the stark, Final Frontier allure Alaska is known for. Here’s to happy adventures!

1. Hike Horseshoe Lake Trail

Depending on where you’re departing from, getting to Denali can be a way. If you’ve spent a couple hours in the car, and are looking for a nice hike to stretch your legs out, the Horseshoe Lake Trail is a perfect option. It’s an awesome hike for everyone in the family to get out and enjoy nature. 

Two miles goes by quickly, with all of the sweeping views. On this particular hike, we crossed paths with another group that saw three moose traipsing through. While we missed seeing them on our Hourseshoe jaunt, we ended up seeing at least one moose every day we were in the park and the surrounding Healy area!

2. Conquer the Mount Healy Overlook

The Mount Healy Overlook Trail is a perfect hike to start the day with– the early bird gets the worm, and the early risers get an empty trail! We were after it by 7am, and didn’t see anyone else out on the trail until we were heading back down the mountain! The 7 miles and over 2,700 feet of elevation was an energizing kick in the pants. Once we made it to the top, it was hard to want to head back. Looking out at the horizon was as beautiful as it was peaceful.

While any hiker could certainly crush this route, the elevation and length kept some of the less outdoorsy members of our family away. Not a terribly technical hike but just lengthy… and the elevation a little cumbersome if you’re from the flatlands of Florida!

3. Grab a Bite at Morino Grill

When you’ve tuckered yourself out and need a bite, be sure to stop by the Morino Grill. It’s the only restaurant in the park, so they run the monopoly on sustenance for hungry hikers. The menu has all the hearty staples, so there’s bound to be something to hit the spot– especially since they maintain gluten free and vegan options.

It’s conveniently located next door to the Visitor Center, so it’s easy to get your national park passport stamped and snag any park mentos. Alaska’s tourism runs year-round, but the large majority of visitors arrive over the summer, so the Morino Grill is closed through the winter season.

4. Explore Denali from a Bird’s Eye View

Denali National Park and preserve stretches out to cover over six million acres. With such a vast magnitude, it’s impossible to see everything by foot. To expand your exploratory reach, a flightseeing tour can take you to new heights! This kind of aviation adventure was a humbling way to observe the magnitude of the Alaskan mountain range, see Denali up close, and appreciate the complete isolation of the Alaskan wilderness. While it’s guaranteed to be a breathtaking view regardless of what plane or helicopter you’re in, we explored with Talkeetna Air and could not recommend them more!

We actually landed on a glacier and were able to appreciate the immense landscape from the ground up. It is beyond humbling to realize how truly isolated one can be in the snowy Alaskan range– even in summer. 

5. Visit the Denali Sled Dogs

Denali National Park remains steeped in its traditional roots and has maintained their pack of sled dogs since 1922. The temperature of the winter can make machinery unreliable, but the dogs thrive in the cold. They have the intuition a snowmobile lacks, which becomes life-saving in a white out or when avoiding dangerous ice. You can meet these hard working boys and girls at the kennels, just under two miles from the Visitor’s Center. Not only are there puppies to meet, but in the summer, you can pretend to drive a sled and learn more about the dog sledding culture. 

6. Mush in the Park

While the park dogs will take your for a ride in the summer, they’re busy working in the winter time, so if you want a mushing experience, tracking down Denali Dogsled Expeditions is a must! They’re the only company that currently is permitted to offer dogsledding tours inside the park premises.

As we visited in the summer, this wasn’t an option, but we did have the opportunity to dogsled elsewhere. We can attest that it’s big cool to be pulled through the snow by eight very eager dogs.

7. Spend a Night Under the Stars

Looking for a fully immersive experience? Go camping! Denali doesn’t house a lodge with sleeping accommodations for guests, so if you’re looking to spend the night in the park, you better pack a tent! 

There’s six campgrounds to choose from, with a whole world of backcountry camping available as well. The Riley Creek Campground is the closest to the entrance of the park and houses a shower and laundry facility— which can be rather nice at the end of a long day. As an additional bonus, the Riley Creek Mercantile is right next to the campground. It maintains a supply of items such as water bottles, bear spray, sunscreen, and such. They also sell sandwiches and some pre-packaged food if you’re in a pinch.

Some campsites can be booked in advance while others are first come, first serve only. You can find out more information about each campground here, to ensure you arrive prepared.

8. Bus or Bust!
Intra-Park Transit

There’s only one road through Denali National Park, so in order to mitigate traffic and parking snafus, there are free busses that transport visitors about 15 miles into the park, with their final stop at Savage River. If you’re keen to explore a bit further into the park, there’s an alternate bus options that will take you the rest of the 92 miles along Denali Park Road. This bus system has a nominal fee, depending on how far you plan to go. Both of these options are non-narrated bus rides, existing exclusively for transportation needs. As such, riders are free to disembark and re-board different buses as they please.

Narrated Tours

There’s a bus ride for everyone! For anyone less keen on transportation to a remote hike and more interested in a cultural history lesson, there’s a trained naturalist waiting for you. These tours run anywhere from 4 hours to 13 hours, depending on how deep into the park you’re looking to adventure. These bus options can be thought of as more of a paid tour— i.e. it will not stop at campgrounds and is not designed to ridden in a hop on/hop off style.

The Denali Park Road is 92 miles long, but landscape anomalies can close the road down, so be sure to check conditions out before you go.

two sisters in front of the Denali National Park and Preserve sign with eight unique adventures to be had in the park

Denali National Park and Preserve boasts some outstanding feats of nature, and we had such fun exploring the little slice we did. We stayed in this region for two nights and felt it was a perfect amount of time to explore the park and surrounding area. Our stop in Denali was part of a two-week road trip, exploring a beautiful sliver of the gargantuan state of Alaska. Check out the full itinerary here. Happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah has learned the hard way to be careful what you wish for— sometimes happily ever after lands you with a husband and puppy… in the Midwest.  Despite leaving Florida to move to Wisconsin,  Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves spending weekends exploring newfound hikes.

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national parks travel

One Day in Arches: Best Hikes and Sights to See

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 arches as well as a myriad of other astounding feats of nature. Conveniently placed near Moab, outdoor enthusiasts of all backgrounds find themselves drawn to explore the curious rock formations. Whether you’re planning an Arches-only trip or hitting up all the parks in Utah, you won’t regret adventuring to Moab and discovering the wild west that Arches showcases with such grandeur. One day in Arches will leave you in awe of all there is to see and humbled by the enchanting wilderness.

Not only are the various arrays of arches just incredible to see and stand under, but the views from the park, with the La Sal mountains in the backdrop, are astounding as well. Arches National Park is an incredible testament to the power and simple beauty of nature.

Fast Facts About Arches National Park

Size:  76,519 acres 

Visitors: 1,806,865 (data from 2021)

Highest elevation: 5,653 feet at Elephant Butte

Distance from Moab: 13 miles — 20 minutes

Distance from Salt Lake City Airport: 240 miles — 4 hour drive

National Park Initiation: November 12th, 1971

Arches is minutes away from Moab— an outdoor recreation mecca, known for zealous exploration adventures. It would be easy to spend a week in Moab, immersing yourself in the unique topography of the nearby state and national parks. That being said, not every trip gets to be as endlessly long as we’d like. It’s definitely possible to see the top highlights of Arches in a day!

We tend to enjoy an action-packed day, so the ideal itinerary might vary from person to person. Fitness level and time of year are going to be factors that dictate just how long you should allot for this fantastic park. Below we have detailed how to ensure you are allowed into the park, our favorite hikes, the best spots to stargaze, and the scoop on camping in the park— as well as a handful of tips and tricks to ensure you have the best time.

Securing Your Timed Entry 

Where to start? Let’s make sure you make it in the door! From 2009 to 2019, visitation to Arches grew over 66 percent, with most people arriving during the same peak hours each day. Due to this influx, the park has integrated an initiative to spread arrivals out— from 7am to 4pm. This timed entry is in effect April 1 through July 6 and August 28 through October 31, 2025. The aim of the timed entry program is not to reduce the quantity of individuals visiting the park but to more evenly disperse their arrival throughout the day. 

What exactly does timed entry mean? Prospective park visitors can reserve a 1 hour slot in which they will enter the park. It is important to arrive at the park within your window otherwise your entry may be denied. Taking a last minute trip and worried you won’t be able to get in? Additional tickets are made available at 6pm MDT/MST the calendar day prior. If you are having technical difficulties and are unable to secure any timed entry tickets, your other option would be arriving at the park before 6am or after 5pm.

This differs from the $30/vehicle entrance fee everyone pays for admission into the park. The entry fee is enforced year-round as it’s important for preserving and maintaining the park. The timed entry reservation system is completely different! Its sole purpose being to control the influx of people into the park. This is an online reservation system, so there is a $2 fee. You can make your ticketed entry reservations here.

Individuals with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits do NOT need to secure a timed entry reservation. Nor do those with concessions contracts, commercial use authorizations, or academic fee waivers. Tribal visits are also exempt.

Pack a Snack

There is no lodge or restaurant in Arches, so be sure to bring along all the snacks and meals you might need. Arches’ close proximity to Moab makes tracking down sustenance easy. Grocery stores like City Market are the perfect way to make sure you have everything you need before embarking on your adventure. When you’re done exploring, nothing hits the spot like a cold treat on a hot day. There’s a handful of tasty-looking shops, but we had the best post-hike treat at Moab Frozen Yogurt— a delightful little dessert desert oasis!

Catch Some Zzzzz’s  

How to make the most of your day? Start by already being in the park! There’s no lodge in Arches, so if you want to sleep in Arches, you better pack your camping gear! Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in Arches National Park. As such, its busy season is quite busy, and the 51 campsites go like hotcakes. Campsites can be reserved up to six month in advance between March 1 and October 31. In the low season, campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. As a bonus— when you have a camping reservation for a given night, you do NOT have to worry about securing a timed entry pass for the day!

If you’re not much for camping, there are loads of different hotel accommodations in Moab— which could not be a more convenient location for accessing Arches.

As a note: Campsites go like HOTCAKES!!! Campgrounds will be fully booked up weeks (if not months) in advance, but there’s hope for last minute campers. Campflare is an app that will let you know when a campsite in a given campground becomes available. Be prepared to act fast though because things do not stay vacant long! 

◁ ・An Action-Packed Day ・▷

With over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and dramatically memorable vistas, one day at Arches will be full of adventure and breathtaking scenery. The park’s compact size and efficient road system makes it easy to navigate between trailheads and viewpoints. Get ready to start your day early and stay up late… the star gazing in Arches is almost as outstanding as the other-worldly landscape.

Delicate Arch

The Delicate Arch hike is arguably one of the most popular hikes in the park, but for good reason. While the park is home to a myriad of arches, Delicate Arch is massively impressive and the La Sal Mountains in the backdrop make it beyond picturesque. My favorite moment in the park was standing under Delicate Arch, looking out at the mountains. The arch is larger than you might initially assume— you can hardly notice me underneath! If you only have time for one hike, this should be it.

Getting an early start on the day helps to avoid some of the trail congestion and gobs of people at the viewpoint.

Length: 3.2 miles

Elevation gain: 629ft

large arch, with mountains in the backdrop— if you only have one day in Arches the delicate arch hike is a must
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

This viewpoint gets its name as end-of0the-day, low-angle sunset light gives the rock face a furnace-like glow. Even in the bright light of morning, the natural labyrinth of sandstone walls and eroded passages makes for a unique view. It’s a peaceful spot to eat a snack, give your legs a break, and just take in nature’s beauty.

photo via nps.gov

If you plan to spend a couple days in the park, you can actually hike through the Fiery Furnace, either on a ranger-led tour or with a special use permit.

Devil’s Garden Hike

The Devil’s Garden trail or Double O Trail is quite the multi-destination hike as it leads to an array of different arches. These paths both go all the way down to the Double O Arch, passing by the Dark Arch, Landscape Arch, and Navajo Arch along the way. The viewpoints and arches were certainly beautiful, but this hike was worth doing just for the views of the horizon. There’s also some fun climbing and scrambling to be had as well. 

discovering the wild west in Arches on the Devils Garden trail with the La Sal mountains in the background

Taking the most direct route out and back to the Double O Arch is 4.2 miles, but the full Devil’s Garden trail loop takes you through new terrain on the way back and clocks in at just under 8 miles. If you only have one day in the park, we recommend the more direct out and back path. The longer loop is certainly picturesque, but you get the general ambiance and scenery in the shorter out and back version. Depending on time of year, this also helps attenuate excess time out in the sun on an exposed trail. Very little sacrifice, while helping make the most of your day!

Length: 4.2+ miles

Elevation gain: 682+ ft

It cannot be said enough, be sure you pack yourself enough water. Due to the long, unshaded nature of this trail, going earlier in the day is especially advisable, but if you are hiking in the afternoon, ensure you are prepared.  

Panorama Point

Panorama Point is another fabulous viewpoint. If you waited until after your second hike to enjoy a late lunch, this is the perfect spot for it! A sandwich almost assuredly tastes better when it’s being enjoyed in the midst of a 360-degree sweeping view. One of the best spots to take in the park and surrounding high desert grandeur.

photo via nps.gov
Visitor center

The Visitor Center is located right by the entrance to the park. Depending on when you arrive, it may not be open yet, but it’s worth stopping by before you leave. Whether you’re looking to get your passport book stamped, checking out swag in the bookstore, or hunting down a park ranger to learn exactly how an arch comes to be, the visitor center has a little something for everyone.

photo via nps.gov
Out & Back

A full day in the park can be skewed according to the time of year you visit. The late spring, summer, and early fall months are the months of highest visitation but this is usually accompanied by warm temperatures during the day. If you aim for an early start and you are likely to be done with most of the above itinerary between 2-4pm. That will give you the opportunity to go rise off, rest for a bit, grab dinner, and make it back to see the stars.

star light, star bright

On a clear night, you can see the stars almost anywhere in the park. Areas off the main road prevent the headlights or people coming and going affecting your night vision and photographs. The farther north you drive into the park, the darker the sky will be. We initially drove to the Petrified Dunes Viewpoint but found the light pollution from Moab to be disruptive, so we hopped in the car and drove a bit farther to the Balance Rock picnic area.

While these points aren’t terribly far from one another, it made a huge difference in visibility. The best spots to stargaze are at Balance Rock, just past Balance Rock at either the Windows section or the Garden of Eden, and at Panorama Point. 

If you have a flashlight or headlamp with a red light setting, bring it along! White lights can be harmful to your night vision, but the red lights more gentle. This is also respectful to any photographers out trying to capture pictures of the stars. Due to the long exposure necessary to photograph the stars, extraneous white light can be disruptive. If you have any star identification apps, they may be able to help you find constellations as well as the Milky Way.

As a note, Canyonlands National Park is about 45 minutes away from Moab, and therefore the light pollution of Moab. If you are a night owl with the evening flexibility, the stars will be even more amazing at its gold-tier International Dark Sky status.

Bonus: How are Arches Made? 

To be considered one of the park’s 2,000+ official stone arches, an opening of at least three feet must exist. This hole can stretch in any one direction, and there’s no requirement for width. For this reason, many of the arches in the park are so narrow, you might walk right past them as though it’s just a small hole in a stone. 

The rock that makes up much of Arches is different layers of sandstone. Water takes advantage of cracks in rock surfaces and wears the sandstone down into fins. The park only receives 8-10 inches of precipitation per year. This doesn’t sound like much, but if the park were to receive too much more rain, the sandstone would potentially erode so quickly that the arches wouldn’t be able to form. The rain and snow that fall at Arches is a perfect quantity to erode the underlying rock at a sustainable pace to create the gorgeous sandstone arches. 

The infographic pictures below are from the Arches Visitor Guide, which provides a more thorough explanation. If you have any additional questions about arches or any other geological features, be sure to ask a park ranger. We happened upon one whilst out on the Devils Garden trail, and found she was a wealth of information regarding various questions we had accumulated along our hike. 

parting thoughts

While all national parks are home to outstanding feats of nature, Arches is perhaps the most uniquely mysterious. While science has a perfectly logical explanation as to how arches are formed, it still feels like nothing short of a miracle to stand under Delicate Arch, looking up. We hope you have a chance to make it out west and enjoy your action-packed one day in Arches National Park.

Arches is one of five national parks in Utah. If you are planning a multi-park road trip, you don’t want to miss Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, or Canyonlands!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

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national parks travel

One Day in Capitol Reef: A Complete Itinerary for Visitors

Capitol Reef National Park is the youngest of Utah’s five national parks, with its inception in 1971. The south-central desert park is home to an impressive, nearly 100-mile Waterpocket Fold. This wrinkle in the earth’s crust breathes life into high desert ecosystems and some enduring historic orchards. Whether you’re planning a Capitol Reef-only trip or hitting up all the parks in Utah, you won’t regret exploring the immense sandstone canyons and savoring breathtaking panoramic views that make this desert oasis unique. With so much to explore in this expansive yet underrated park, making the most of one day in Capitol Reef is a priority!

Not only does this area boast unique geography, but it’s also steeped in rich history. From historic farming practices to trails named after infamous outlaws, Capitol Reef remains intriguing.

Fast Facts About Capitol Reef National Park

Size:  243,921 acres

Visitors: 1,268,861 visitors annually (data from 2023)

Highest elevation: 8960 ft — in upper Deep Creek drainage near Billings Pass

Distance from Salt Lake City Airport: 220 miles — 3.5 hour drive

National Park Initiation: December 18th, 1971 by President Richard Nixon 

How Long to Stay?

Capitol Reef is a beautiful national park with breathtaking vistas and amazing topography. It’s a less popular park than neighboring Bryce or Arches, which means there’s less people out in the park you have to contend with. If you are on a road trip visiting all five Utah parks, Capitol Reef is easiest to hit when driving between Bryce and Moab (Arches and Canyonlands nearby). A half-day to a single full day is enough time to appreciate the essence of Capitol Reef. If you have limitless time available, there’s always more exploration to be done, but plan to spend at least 3-5 hours here.

Sleeping under the Stars  

For anyone keen to stay a full day, you might find yourself in need of a place to rest your weary eyes. Capitol Reef National Park does not have a lodge or restaurant, so if you want to eat, pack a lunch, and if you want to sleep, bring a tent! There are three campgrounds in the park: one developed and two primitive. The campgrounds are each found in a different district of the park. 

If camping is not your style, Torrey, UT is the closest nearby town. There are some assorted hotel and Airbnb options there to chose from.

Cathedral Valley Campground — photo via nps.gov
Fruita Campground

The Fruita Campground is located in the Fruita Historic district, and it is open year-round. It is the only developed campground in Capitol Reef National Park. This campground might just feel like a slice of heaven, surrounded by historic orchards, with the Fremont River running nearby. Campers visiting from March 1st to October 31st must make a reservation— up to 6 months in advance to ensure availability. For the remainder of the year, all campsites are available on a first come, first serve basis.

photo via nps.gov
Cathedral Valley & CEDAR MESA Campgrounds 

The Cedar Mesa Campground (Southern Waterpocket district) and Cathedral Valley Campground (Cathedral Valley district) are the two primitive campgrounds. There are five and six campsites, respectively, at each location. There is no cost or need for reservations. Campsites are available year-round on a first-come, first-serve basis.

No gatekeeping the best stargazing spots— a list, organized by district, can be found here. 

The Sights & Sounds of Capitol Reef

The Waterpocket Fold—a massive geographical wrinkle—offers breathtaking views and hiking opportunities. With its combination of natural beauty and cultural history, Capitol Reef provides a memorable experience for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Below we have detailed our favorite hike, a beautiful drive, a couple stargazing walks, where to bunk down, and an unexpected spot to grab a snack— as well as all the tips and tricks that will ensure you have the best time.

Mission 66 Visitor Center

The Mission 66 Visitor Center is home to engaging exhibits about the park’s geology, history, and cultural significance and the stories of early settlers in the Fruita district. It’s the perfect spot to ask more questions about what exactly a Waterpocket Fold is. The visitor center offers a plethora of resources, such as maps, brochures, and ranger-led programs, making it an ideal starting point for any visit. Its opportune location makes it easy to stop by before heading out to the nearby park attractions, including the scenic drive and nearby hiking trails.

photo via nps.gov
Boots on the Ground

What’s a visit to a national park without a hike? Capitol Reef has dozens of hikes to choose from in the various regions of the park. That being said, if you only do one hike, it should be the Cassidy Arch Trail. Hiking to a viewpoint is always rewarding, but this hike showcases dramatic views the whole time! It offers gorgeous views of not only the Cassidy Arch but of the waterpocket fold as well. A few spots along the trail can be a little hard to follow, but the cairns placed throughout ensure no one wanders too far from the trail.   

*if you only do one thing in the park, this should be it*

the cassidy arch with the waterpocket fold in the backdrop… a must do hike if you only have one day in Capitol Reef
Scenic drive 

Taking it low and slow! Capitol Reef offers a virtual “guide” of sorts, available on their website. This 8 mile drive takes about an hour and a half and takes visitors through some of the park’s highlights. Be sure to pull the webpage up before you leave the visitor center (service can get spotty), so you can read a little background information and history on various spots along your drive. 

Perhaps you don’t have time for the full scenic drive but want to sneak in one last view before you leave? Two miles west of the Visitor Center, Panorama Point and Gooseneck Point stand 800 feet above the Sulphur River. These viewpoints showcase the millions of years of erosion it took to carve out the canyon. 

panoramic view of the Waterpocket fold from the Cassidy Arch Trail in the desert oasis that is Capitol Reef National Park

As a note: if you are planning to rent a car, you won’t be disappointed to have a higher clearance vehicle. We were able to get by with a sedan, but if we were to do it again, we would have a higher clearance car/SUV— especially for this park! Of the five parks in Utah, we found Capitol Reef to be the most rural.

Berry Picking

Capitol Reef is home to a few gorgeous orchards, bearing cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, and apples. Trees in bloom are always beautiful but in the middle of the desert, these fruit trees feel like an oasis. In the late 1800s, Latter-Day Saints planted thousands of trees in the fertile Fremont River Valley. The remaining trees are remnants of this pioneer community in Fruita, making these historic orchards the bearers of heirloom fruits.

photo via nps.gov

When the trees are bearing fruit, park visitors are allowed and encouraged to pick the fruit. You will know an orchard has ripe fruit, ready for harvest when you see a “U-Pick Fruit” sign. Fruit pick from the orchard must be paid for, but this done with ease with a self-pay station, scale, and fruit price list located near the entrance of the orchard.

Capitol Reef is visited less than some of Utah’s other illustrious parks, but that’s what makes it a perfect spot. With over 1 million people visiting annually, you will certainly see other visitors exploring, but the more remote location limits the crowds. A day in Capitol Reef is a day well spent! Be sure to add this technicolor desert escape to your bucket list!

If you’re planning to visit all Utah’s national parks, check out our guided itineraries for Zion, Bryce, Canyonlands, and Arches! Happy travels!

written by Hannah 

Hannah traded the warm beaches of southwest FL for the outdoor adventure locale that is Bend, OR. Despite the distance, Hannah maintains her bossy big sister role with regular phone calls to keep up with all the little sister shenanigans. Notoriously chatty with her patients as well, Hannah stays busy as a physical therapist, but loves making time to explore newfound hikes. These days she has some extra pack weight; however, Xavier is notorious for being unimpressed by sweeping vistas.

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