A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park are among the most numerous and best-preserved of their kind in North America. They are one of the cultural jewels in the crown of the National Park System. Countless cliff dwellings dot the landscape of Mesa Verde—more than 600 of them—along with…
Few natural phenomena are as magical and captivating as the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights. This is Mother Nature’s greatest show, a dazzling display of dancing lights in the sky. In the U.S., there are various places to see this amazing show, including these national parks.
The health benefits of hiking are well known and well documented nowadays. And few things are better for a “nature bath” than going on a reinvigorating hike in a national park. These are some of the greatest day hikes in the U.S. National Park System.
As the largest national park in the contiguous United States, Death Valley National Park has plenty of attractions and activities to offer. You could spend several days, even weeks, exploring this vast park. Some of the most popular things to do include hiking, sightseeing, stargazing, enjoying the many spectacular views in Death Valley National Park,…
Quite possibly the most iconic place in south Florida’s Biscayne National Park, Boca Chita Key is also the park’s most visited island. In this blog post, I’ll tell you all about how to get to Boca Chita Key and, once you’re there, what you shouldn’t miss. First, though, a brief introduction to Biscayne National Park…
As varied as the park itself, these amazing fall hikes in Mount Rainier National Park will take you through fragrant pine forests, to waterfalls, around shimmering lakes, across breathtaking meadows, to mountain summits and into an Arctic tundra-like environment.
“Shark Valley is the heartland of the Everglades,” the National Park Service says. Is there a better reason to visit this part of Everglades National Park? I didn’t think so either! A popular day trip destination from Miami, Shark Valley provides the perfect introduction to the glorious wetland world of the famed Everglades. It’s a…
Despite their remote location in the High Desert of central Oregon, the Painted Hills are one of the most-visited natural attractions in the state. It’s a popular day trip destination from Bend, as well as a fantastic two-or-three-day road trip from Portland. The Painted Hills are famous for their extraordinary colored stripes of yellow, gold,…
Meandering its way for 18 miles across a landscape dotted with striking red rock formations, the Scenic Drive in Arches National Park offers access to all of the park’s top attractions. From the Visitor Center just off of Highway 191 to Devils Garden, motorists pass by numerous natural landmarks and some truly breathtaking views. Famous…
Situated in the far northwestern corner of the contiguous United States, Mount Baker has some of the greatest (sub)alpine trails in the nation. Rising 10,781 feet to the heavens, Mount Baker—also known as Komo Kulshan or simply Kulshan—is the third highest mountain in Washington State, after Mount Rainier and Mount Adams. Located within sprawling Mount…
Although (parts of) the park are open throughout the year, summer is the absolute peak season in Mount Rainier National Park. And there’s one main reason for that: spectacular displays of subalpine wildflowers. While you can enjoy this natural spectacle from your vehicle or from crowded tourist areas, nothing compares to walking through these vibrant…
People from all around the globe visit Yellowstone National Park for many reasons. They want to see the world’s most famous geyser erupt, watch iconic wildlife, walk on the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, explore extraordinary hydrothermal basins,… Whatever your reason for visiting Yellowstone is, you could spend many days in the…
Although Crater Lake National Park is not renowned for its epic backpacking opportunities, there are some pretty amazing day hikes you can do in the park. Whether you’re looking for a strenuous climb to a mountain viewpoint or an easy stroll along the Crater Lake rim—or even a gorgeous waterfall!—there’s a surprisingly variety in your Crater Lake hiking options.
With its length of 10 miles and depth of nearly 500 feet, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It’s also one of the most popular places in the park. The center of tourist activity on the park’s West Side, busy Apgar Village sits on the south shore of Lake McDonald. This is…