Piegan and Siyeh Pass Trail at Siyeh Bend, Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park
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Can You Forage in National Parks? 17 Best National Parks for Foraging

ByBram Reusen

If you’re a national parks lover who enjoys gardening, collecting wild edibles and foraging, you might wonder if foraging is allowed in the national parks. And, as surprising as it may be, the answer to that question is usually yes. Although the general removal, disturbance or collection of plants is prohibited in national parks, numerous…

Yellow Mounds in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
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19 Essential Things to Do in Badlands National Park

ByBram Reusen

In the rolling prairie of southwestern South Dakota lies Badlands National Park, home to a magnificent collection of colorful buttes, hills, pinnacles and spires. There are many ways to explore and experience this otherworldly landscape of badlands and prairie, from scenic drives and ranger walks to backpacking adventures. In this post, you’ll find the best…

Visitors photographing alligator below the Shark Valley Observation Tower in Everglades National Park
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Best Places to See Wildlife in Everglades National Park

ByBram Reusen

Preserving the last remaining subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades National Park is home to a mindboggling amount of wildlife. In this sprawling park in southwestern Florida, the “River of Grass” flows ever-so-slowly to the Gulf of Mexico. Vast sawgrass marshes extend to the horizon, while mangrove swamps and wide estuaries line the coastline….

Rim Trail behind Volcano House with hikers, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
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10 Jaw-Dropping Views in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

ByBram Reusen

Covering nearly the entire southern half of the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes, tropical rain forests, lava fields and abundant Hawaiian wildlife. You can see these amazing features from numerous scenic overlooks and views in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The park’s main tourist area is around…

White River Valley Overlook at sunset with visitor in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
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Where to See the Sunset in Badlands National Park

ByBram Reusen

On sunny afternoons, the landscapes of Badlands National Park can, although still spectacular, also be quite monochromatic. Sunset in the Badlands, however, is a completely different thing, the low-angled sun rays bringing out a magnificent palette of colors. While the harsh midday sunshine hides the delicate colors of the Badlands, the gentle evening sunlight highlights…

Bison in backcountry along NPS 6 in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
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Best Places to See Wildlife in Wind Cave National Park

ByBram Reusen

Although Wind Cave National Park is one of the smaller national parks in America, it does have an amazing diversity of wildlife. The park’s intact mixed-grass prairie and forested hills are home to many iconic North American animals, including bison, prairie dogs, rattlesnakes and countless birds. When visiting this fascinating South Dakota national park, joining…

Sunrise at Jordan Pond in fall, Acadia National Park, Maine
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12 Incredible Views in Acadia National Park

ByBram Reusen

Encompassing beautiful Mount Desert Island, several smaller islets and a small stretch of mainland coastline, Maine’s Acadia National Park boasts some exceptional views. In fact, allowing visitors to take in the scenic views in Acadia National Park was one of the main goals of the landscape architects who designed and built the park’s roads and…

Big Badlands Overlook at dawn, Badlands National Park in South Dakota
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Where to See the Sunrise in Badlands National Park

ByBram Reusen

As daunting, unforgiving and monochromatic as the landscape may appear during the day, it’s a completely different experience to see Badlands National Park at sunrise. While the harsh overhead sunshine of midday hides the delicate colors of the Badlands, the soft morning light brings out a spectrum of gorgeous pastel shades. At sunrise, when the…

Bison in backcountry along NPS 6 in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
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11 Essential Things to Do in Wind Cave National Park

ByBram Reusen

Established in 1903 by the conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, Wind Cave National Park is one of the oldest national parks in America. It is also the very first national park in the world that was created to protect a subterranean landscape. With more than 150 miles, and counting, of explored passageways, Wind Cave is one…

View Mill Mountain Overlook, Roanoke Mountain
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Driving Virginia’s Blue Ridge Parkway in Fall – 2024 Guide

ByBram Reusen

The Blue Ridge Parkway is all about enjoying some of America’s greatest mountain scenery, doing some hiking and visiting historic sites. I recommend driving the Blue Ridge Parkway in fall. The landscapes are beautifully bright, the waterfalls even more scenic and the crisp mountain mornings invigorating.

Hiker at Dark Hollow Falls in fall in Shenandoah National Park
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5 Short and Scenic Fall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

ByBram Reusen

Article Topics: Easy Fall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park, Short Trails in Shenandoah National Park Fall is the peak season in Shenandoah National Park and it’s not difficult to see why. Come October, the park’s dense forests transform into a veritable autumn wonderland, boasting all hues of red, yellow and orange. You can explore and…

Kings Creek Falls hiker, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
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10 Wonderful Waterfall Hikes in the National Parks

ByBram Reusen

In the heat of summer, waterfall hikes are among the most enjoyable and popular activities in the national parks, especially if the waterfall also happens to have a swimming hole. In spring and fall, too, waterfall hikes in national parks are among the most popular things to do across the National Park System. Below, you’ll…

Wildflowers in Elk Meadows in Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon
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12 Best Places for Epic Views of Mount Hood (In and Around Mt. Hood National Forest)

ByBram Reusen

One of the most famous natural landmarks in the Pacific Northwest, Mount Hood is the tallest mountain in Oregon. A dormant stratovolcano rising up to 11,239 feet above sea level, this majestic mountain is visible from viewpoints, trails, parks and roads all throughout the region. A popular year-round destination, Mount Hood is home to no…

Mountain goat on the Going-to-the-Sun Road near Logan Pass in Glacier National Park
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Where to See Mountain Goats in Glacier National Park

ByBram Reusen

Article Topics: Best Places to See Mountain Goats in Glacier National Park, Glacier Mountain Goats, Where Are the Mountain Goats in Glacier Often considered the official mascot of Glacier National Park, mountain goats are some of the most popular sights in this spectacular Montana national park. Also known as Rocky Mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus), these…