Devils Tower Camping: How to Camp at Devils Tower National Monument in 2022
Post Summary: Devils Tower Camping Have you ever seen the film Close Encounters of the Third Kind? If you have, then you will recognize Devils Tower. While the film is fiction, camping at Devils Tower is one way to ensure that if the aliens visit, you have a front role seat. All alien jokes aside, Devils Tower is a special place. The Tower rises an impressive 867 ft above the surrounding landscape. It stands out against the rolling hills and nearby forests. Given its prominence, the Tower has attracted always humans. It is a sacred site to most of the nearby Native American tribes. They have their own names and…
11 Things NOT to Miss on Your First Visit to Mount Rainier National Park
Planning on heading out to visit the mountain? In the state of Washington, there are many mountains but only one “the mountain.” Her name is Mount Rainier and this 14,411-foot volcano is a predominant feature in much of Washington’s skyline. Mount Rainier is part of the Cascade Mountain Range. She is the highest mountain in the range. The mountain and the surrounding glaciers are protected by Mount Rainier National Park. Mount Rainier is a playground for men and women of all ages. Climbers come from around the world to attempt a summit while hikers come to hike to remote mountain valleys, and others come to walk among the wildflowers. Here…
Hiking Chesler Park Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park
One of the best trails in Canyonlands National Park is the Chesler Park Loop Trail. This stunning 11-mile long loop features, colorful spires, mushroom-like formations, caves, and boulders. The hike is one of a kind that will keep you mesmerized throughout the trail. Even though the trail is located in The Needles District, which isn’t as popular as the Island in the Sky District, it shouldn’t deter you from enjoying this hike. Not only is the trail captivating, the lack of visitors is the cherry on top. Keep on reading on for an in-depth guide to Chesler Park Loop Trail located in Canyonlands National Park. About Canyonlands National Park For…
National Park Obsession of the Week – Podcasts with Park Rangers
This week’s featured member of the National Park Obsessed community is Sarah and Lucas Villa-Kainec. Sarah and Lucus full-time RV’ers who are the voices behind Podcasts with Park Rangers. When they are not exploring parks or interviewing the park rangers, they are working in web and audio space. Lucas is a voiceover artist and Sarah develops websites. Their podcast drives them to see all of the parks and “supports” the obsession in a way. Sarah and Lucas Villa-Kainec – Podcasts with Park Rangers Where does your National Park Obsession come from? We went on a huge National Parks trip when we first started dating about 10 years ago. We cruised through Badlands…
5 Things to know before planning an Appalachian Trail thru-hike
Are you dreaming of leaving life behind and taking a long-distance backpacking trip? Do you want to hike your way thru iconic National Parks and landscapes? Are you planning an Appalachian Trail thru-hike from Springer Moutain, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine. Long-distance backpacking trips often occupy the upper echelon of many a wanderer’s bucket list. The three most popular long trails in the U.S. are the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), and the Appalachian Trail (AT). Completing all three is considered the Triple Crown of backpacking. Last year my wife and I completed the Appalachian Trail in our mid 40’s. We spent one day shy of six…
10 Southeastern Labor Day Weekend Getaways in the National Parks
Labor Day in the southeast is a great time of the year. Summer is still in season and the weather is perfect for being outdoors. There is plenty of outdoor adventure to be had in the south. From relaxing by a river to canoeing in a swamp to climbing a mountain, the southeast has a range of weekend offerings. Here are 10 excellent southeastern Labor Day Weekend Getaways in the National Parks. Southeastern Labor Day Weekend Getaways Cape Hatteras National Seashore Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located on the Outerbanks of North Carolina. Their 70 miles of shoreline that stretches from Bodie Island to Ocracoke Island. Cape Hatteras offers miles of…
Hiking Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
While the view from the rim of Bryce Amphitheater is spectacular. It is best to view the hoodoos from the canyon rim and then below the rim. The Peekaboo loop trail leads down below the canyon rim and into the world of hoodoos. The trail whines up and down and allows for close up views. The Peek-A-Boo Loop Trail provides some of the best views of the hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park. Peek-A-Boo Loop Hike Details Distance 5.5-mile lollipop loop Elevation Gain 1,555 ft Difficulty Moderate, short, steep ascents, and descents Time to hike 3-4 hours (depending on the time of day) Exposure Full sun, little shade Pets Allowed No,…
8 Books to Read Before Visiting Denali National Park and Preserve
Denali stands proudly over Alaska. She is the highest peak in North America as well as one of the United States largest national parks. Denali National Park and Preserve is one of the most popular parks in Alaska and one of the few accessible via a road. The park takes up 6 million acres of land and has been inspiring generations of people. Here are 8 books to read before visiting Denali National Park and Preserve. Check out 10 things to know before visiting Denali National Park Denali National Park Reading List Historic Denali National Park and Preserve by Tracy Salcedo Historic Denali National Park and Preserve: The Stories Behind…
Planning a National Park Road Trip
Road trips are a huge part of exploring the United States. I know I am a huge fan of them. I have planned and completed 8 cross-country national park road trips. Just to name a few, I have driven from Florida to Washington, Virginia to Alaska and Utah to Tennessee. Each road trip has involved visiting at least two national parks. Each road trip has been a great adventure and I love getting to see the country by driving across it. Here is my guide to planning a national park road trip. Get your FREE national park road trip planner! Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get access to all our…
The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Mount Rainier National Park
Camping in the woods on a mountain is a liberating experience. Mount Rainier National Park offers several front country campgrounds that are in the woods, by a river, and on a mountain. The campgrounds allow park visitors to just the park entrance line. It makes it easy to the trailheads and get that coveted parking space. Camping in Mount Rainier National Park is the best way to hang out in the park after dark. Mount Rainier Camping Things to Know about Mount Rainier Camping None of the campgrounds are open year around. Opening and Closing Dates can vary from year to year. These dates are weather dependent. Check the NPS…