Sea Stacks Kenai Fjords

9 Amazing Things to Do in Kenai Fjords National Park

Julie United States 2 Comments

Hike to one of the largest icefields in North America, spot humpback whales and orcas on a wildlife cruise, kayak in front of glaciers, go ice climbing or glacier hiking, and soar over the fjords in a helicopter…these are all things to do in Kenai Fjords National Park. This is one of the few national parks in Alaska that you …

Petrified Forest Trail Guide

How to Hike the Petrified Forest Trail in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Julie United States Leave a Comment

Badlands, grasslands, bison, and the Little Missouri River are not the only attractions in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. You can also visit the Petrified Forest to see ancient, mineralized trees, similar to what you will see at Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Millions of years ago, this part of North Dakota was once a swamp, much like the Everglades …

Bonanza Peak Alaska

How to Hike the Bonanza Mine Trail | Wrangell – St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Julie United States 2 Comments

The Bonanza Mine Trail is a tough hike that features panoramic views over the Kennicott and Root Glaciers. It’s not the most thrilling hike at first but once above the tree line the views really open up. The pay-off comes at the end…the chance to see the abandoned Bonanza Mine and sweeping views across Wrangell – St. Elias National Park …

New River Gorge Itinerary

New River Gorge National Park Itinerary for 1 to 3 Days

Julie United States 6 Comments

If you are planning your New River Gorge National Park itinerary, this is a great place to start. There are many different ways to plan the “perfect New River Gorge itinerary,” depending on your interests and how much time you have. The things to do in New River Gorge National Park are scattered along the New River. To get from …

Kilauea Iki Photo

How to Hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Julie United States Leave a Comment

The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a great experience to add to your Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to-do list. On this relatively short hike, walk through a rainforest, cross a solidified lava lake, and gaze out at the crater from the rim. You also have the option to add on the Thurston Lava Tube. This hike was one of our favorite …

Root Glacier Hike

Hiking the Root Glacier Trail in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park

Julie United States 2 Comments

Hiking the Root Glacier Trail is one of the best things to do in Wrangell – St. Elias National Park and Preserve. This national park is covered with a huge amount of glacial ice and the Root Glacier is the most accessible glacier in the park. Whether or not you have been glacier hiking before, this is an awesome experience. …

Savage Alpine Trail Denali

How to Hike the Savage Alpine Trail in Denali National Park

Julie United States 4 Comments

If you want sweeping views of Denali National Park, and a great view of Denali without venturing too far into the park, put the Savage Alpine Trail on your to-do list. This is one of our favorite hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve. On a clear day, you can see Denali from the high points of this hiking trail. …

South Unit TRNP

Complete Guide to the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Julie United States 6 Comments

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is made up of three separate units: the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. The South Unit is the most commonly visited area of the national park, mainly due to its convenient location on Interstate 94. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in the South Unit of Theodore …

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop: The Complete Hiking Guide

Julie United States 3 Comments

The Ekblom Trail and Big Plateau Loop is one of the best hikes to do in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Along this hike, you have numerous chances to spot wildlife, gaze out across the grasslands and colorful badlands, and get up close to the Little Missouri River. When we did this, we saw mule deer, two coyotes, a feral horse, …

Kauai Hike

How to Hike the Nu’alolo Trail and Awa’awapuhi Trail Loop | Kauai, Hawaii

Julie United States 2 Comments

Located in Kokee State Park in Kauai, the Nu’alolo Trail and the Awa’awapuhi Trail are two separate trails that head out along the ridgelines of the Na Pali Coast. From the endpoint of each of these trails, you get spectacular views of the coastline. You can hike each trail separately or combine them into one big day hike, by connecting …

McKinley Bar Trail

How to Hike the McKinley Bar Trail in Denali National Park

Tim United States Leave a Comment

The McKinley Bar Trail is a great add-on to a Denali Park Road backcountry adventure. Hiking through a beautiful landscape of streams, marshes, and spruce trees makes this hike enjoyable even on a cloudy day. And on a clear day you will also be treated with specular views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The McKinley Bar Trail is an …

Diamond Head Hike

Diamond Head Summit Trail, Oahu | Things to Know Before You Go

Julie United States 2 Comments

The Diamond Head Summit Trail in Oahu is one of Hawaii’s most popular hikes. This short, steep trail takes hikers up to a spectacular viewpoint of Waikiki Beach. We have hiked a lot of trails around the world and this was the most crowded, congested trail we have seen yet. If you are looking for a quiet, secluded trail in …

Kauai Hike

Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail: Map, Photos, & Is It Worth It?

Julie United States Leave a Comment

The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail is a 2-mile coastal trail on south Kauai. It’s easy to get to, easy to walk, and offers beautiful views of the coastline along its entire distance. To make it even more worthwhile, there are a few places you can add on to the trail. I first learned of this walk in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook …

Horseshoe Lake Hiking Guide

How to Hike the Horseshoe Lake Trail | Denali National Park

Tim United States 3 Comments

Horseshoe Lake is a beautiful lake near the front entrance of Denali National Park. Named after its shape, Horseshoe Lake can be reached from the Horseshoe Lake Trail. This trail is a short and easy hike that first takes you to an aerial overlook of the lake and then down to its shoreline, where you circle around the lake. Highlights …

Pipiwai Trail

Pīpīwai Trail & the Bamboo Forest: The Complete Hiking Guide

Julie United States 8 Comments

On just one hike, you can see several waterfalls, an enormous Banyan tree, and hike through a bamboo forest. The Pīpīwai Trail is a relatively short hike that is located in Haleakala National Park on the Road to Hana. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to hike the Pīpīwai Trail. Pīpīwai Trail Stats Distance: 3.8 miles …

Triple Lakes Hike Denali

How to Hike the Triple Lakes Trail in Denali National Park

Tim United States Leave a Comment

The Triple Lakes Trail is a 9.25-mile point-to-point hike in Denali National Park. This well-maintained and well-traveled trail runs along the eastern border of the park just south of the park’s only entrance. As you hike the Triple Lakes Trail, you can enjoy the beauty and peacefulness of three separate lakes, right from their shorelines. The forested trail also offers …

Harding Icefield Trail Hike

Harding Icefield Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide

Tim United States 2 Comments

Hiking the Harding Icefield Trail in Kenai Fjords National Park is a challenging, rewarding, and unique experience all rolled into one. This memorable hike takes you past the Exit Glacier and ends with sweeping views across the Harding Icefield, the largest icefield that is located entirely in the United States. In this guide, we provide everything you need to know …

Mount Healy Overlook Trail

How to Hike the Mount Healy Overlook Trail | Denali National Park

Tim United States Leave a Comment

Hiking to the Mount Healy Overlook is one of the most popular hikes in Denali National Park & Preserve. The main reason to do this hike is for the view. From the overlook, you have 360° views of the front country of the park and, on a clear day, you will be able to see the top of Denali. The …

Sliding Sands Loop

Sliding Sands Trail and Halemau’u Trail Loop | Stats, Photos & Tips

Julie United States 8 Comments

In Haleakala National Park, you can combine two very unique trails into one big day hike. The Sliding Sands Trail, which is one of the most popular trails in the park, starts on the rim of Haleakala and ends on the crater floor. To finish the hike, you can retrace your steps back up the Sliding Sands Trail, or, for …