We’ve visited 56 of the 63 U.S. national parks and almost every single one would make a fantastic family destination. With 63 parks to choose from, the options can feel overwhelming. After years of exploring the national parks, we’ve narrowed it down to 12 that hit the sweet spot for families. These parks are easy […]
The Paintbrush Canyon – Cascade Canyon Loop is one of the best hikes to do in Grand Teton National Park. In just one hike, you can visit a handful of the park’s top spots: Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point, Lake Solitude, Cascade Canyon, and Paintbrush Canyon. Throw in panoramic views across the Teton mountain range and […]
Discover the best things to do in North Cascades National Park, from the stunning drive along Highway 20 to Diablo Lake, Washington Pass Overlook, and world-class hiking trails. North Cascades National Park gets a fraction of the visitors that flock to Olympic and Mount Rainier, and that’s exactly what makes it so good. We visited […]
Not every hike makes you work for the view, but the ones that do are always the most memorable. The Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles is that kind of hike. The Klahhane Ridge Trail to Mount Angeles was the very first hike we did in Olympic National Park, and it ended up being our […]
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a highly underrated national park. In some ways, it’s a smaller, less crowded version of the Grand Canyon. You can enjoy the views along both rims, hike the rim trails, or go on a real adventure by hiking below the rim. You can explore both the North and […]
Driving South Rim Drive Road is one of the best things to do in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Along its short distance, you can take your pick between 12 overlooks. This is the easiest and fastest way to get panoramic views of the canyon, see the unique, striated cliffs, and peer down to […]
Located in southwestern Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. This park preserves the ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites that are hundreds of years old. Short hikes, scenic drives, and viewpoints make the to-do list, but the best way to experience this park […]
North Cascades National Park is not a place that easily reveals itself. Sure, the drive along Highway 20 is lovely. And the viewpoints over the lakes and mountain passes are gorgeous. But to really see this park, you are going to have to invest some time on the hiking trails. We spent three weeks hiking […]
We’ve hiked in more than 50 national parks across the United States, and the Cascade Pass and Sahale Arm hike is one that still stands out. We did this hike as part of a six-week road trip through the national parks of Colorado and Washington, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. […]
Rocky Mountain National Park is best seen from a hiking trail. Fortunately, there are hikes for all ages and ability levels. From short, easy strolls around lakes, to ridgeline trails with panoramic views, to challenging but epic climbs to the tallest mountain peaks, there truly is something here for everyone. Here are 15 of the […]
The Gunnison Route takes hikers from the south rim of the Black Canyon to the Gunnison River. It’s the most popular inner canyon experience on the south rim, but don’t let that fool you. This is a hard, strenuous hike where you will descend (and later hike back up) a massive amount of elevation in […]
Great Sand Dunes is a much different experience than many other national parks in the United States. Sure, there is hiking and amazing sunsets and ranger programs, but this park has a much different feel to it. It’s a small park and the list of things to do is very short. A few hours are […]
Mount Storm King earns its dramatic name. This short but relentlessly steep trail in Olympic National Park climbs over 2,000 feet in just over two miles, ending with a rope-assisted scramble to a rocky outcropping with sweeping views over the impossibly blue waters of Lake Crescent. We hiked this in July on a clear summer […]
Sky Pond is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park for good reason. This hike has a little bit of everything…waterfalls, alpine lakes, high mountain views, and fun river and stream crossings. To get to Sky Pond, you will rock scramble up a waterfall, which can be refreshing when the weather is […]
We’ve visited Yellowstone four times, and where we stayed looked different nearly every trip. Our first visit was back in 2001, when we spent a few days exploring the park. Kara and I returned in 2019, but that time I planned the trip almost last minute (booking in June for an August visit), so in-park […]
Old Faithful is Yellowstone’s most famous geyser and one of the park’s must-see sights. But getting the best experience takes a little planning. Eruptions are predictable within a window, crowds build quickly around the main viewing area, and where you watch the eruption can make a surprisingly big difference. Most visitors should plan to spend […]
Yellowstone National Park has the highest concentration of geothermal features of anywhere else on earth. The land literally smokes, bubbles and hisses. Numerous geysers erupt on a regular basis, including the most famous geyser in the world, Old Faithful. We’ve been to Yellowstone four times, and exploring the geyser basins has been a highlight of […]
Discover the best things to do in Big Bend National Park, including the must-see highlights, unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else, and practical tips to help you plan your visit. Big Bend National Park is one of those places that genuinely surprises you. Tim and I had heard it described as remote and rugged, […]