September is one of the best months of the year to visit the national parks. The weather is fantastic across much of the USA, the busy summer season is coming to an end, and, in some parks, you can see the first of the fall colors. In this guide, we list 14 of the best […]
Planning a trip to the US national parks in August and don’t know which ones to visit? August is a busy time to visit the national parks, but crowd levels aren’t quite at their peak (that typically happens in July for many parks). In this guide, we list some popular summertime parks to visit plus […]
Which are the best national parks to visit in July? In this guide, we list 15 great parks to visit in the USA. Go hiking in Mount Rainier and Glacier National Parks, go whale watching in the Channel Islands, and venture into Alaska for some amazing adventures. About this National Park Series This article is […]
The list of US national parks to visit in June is wonderfully long and diverse. Visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, go hiking in the Rocky Mountains, spend some time in the tranquil forests in Olympic and Sequoia National Parks, and explore one of the most underrated US national parks, Wrangell-St. Elias. About […]
The COVID-19 pandemic brought huge changes to how we live and work. With lockdowns and social distancing, employees of many businesses began to work remotely. Home offices, kitchens, and spare bedrooms became the new office space for many people. What we thought would be a temporary adjustment has now become a more permanent aspect of […]
One of the best ways to explore the USA is on a good old-fashioned road trip. Cruise along Route 66, road trip through the Florida Keys, explore the American Southwest, or even drive from coast to coast. In this guide, we share 18 of the best USA road trips…18 great ideas for your next big […]
Planning a trip to Mount Rainier National Park and not sure how to structure your time? We’ve got you covered, and we’re speaking from experience. We’ve visited Mount Rainier twice: once on a six-day trip where we hiked extensively through every corner of the park, from Paradise and Sunrise to the quieter trails of the […]
Washington state is one of the great road trip destinations in the United States, and this itinerary is the one we wish we’d had before our own trip. We spent several weeks exploring Washington’s three national parks—Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades—as well as Leavenworth, Lake Chelan, and the Enchantments. We then combined our top […]
Mount Rainier is one of the most spectacular hiking destinations in the United States. From wildflower-covered alpine meadows to glacier viewpoints and fire lookout summits, the variety here is incredible. We’ve hiked in more than 50 U.S. national parks and on trails around the world, from Everest Base Camp in Nepal to the Dolomites, and […]
Olympic National Park offers some of the most diverse hiking in the United States. Where else can you hike through a moss-covered temperate rainforest in the morning, walk along a wild Pacific coastline in the afternoon, and look out over glacier-capped mountain peaks from an alpine ridge? We spent four days in Olympic National Park, […]
Discover the best things to do in Mount Rainier National Park, from iconic hikes like the Skyline Trail and Mount Fremont Fire Lookout to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and easy walks that are perfect for first-time visitors. We’ve visited Mount Rainier National Park twice: once on a 6-day deep dive where we hiked trail after trail […]
If you’re looking for a hike that quietly exceeds expectations, the Silver Falls Loop Trail is it. We hiked the Silver Falls Loop on our first trip to Mount Rainier at the end of July. The trail was wonderfully quiet even during peak summer; the old-growth forest along the Ohanapecosh River was stunning, and Silver […]
Discover the best things to do in Olympic National Park, from Hurricane Ridge to the amazing Hoh Rainforest to the wild and rugged Pacific coast. Olympic National Park might be the most diverse national park in the United States. In a single visit, you can stand on a windswept alpine ridge looking out over snowcapped […]
The Maple Pass Loop, also known as the Heather-Maple Pass Loop, is one of the best day hikes in the North Cascades, and one that’s surprisingly accessible for the views it delivers. In early August, Tim, Kara, and I completed this hike and came away genuinely impressed. It’s not our favorite hike in the area […]
The Staircase Rapids Loop is an underrated trail in Olympic National Park. On this short, easy hike, you will walk along the North Fork of the Skokomish River, through a temperate rainforest, with views of waterfalls and rapids. Just under 3 miles long, this trail loops up and around Staircase Rapids. With waterfalls, dense forests, […]
Few hikes in Mount Rainier National Park deliver so much scenery for so little effort. The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Trail offers nearly nonstop views of Mount Rainier, sweeping alpine landscapes, and the chance to stand on one of the park’s historic fire lookout towers. This was the very first hike we did in Mount […]
The Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap is a strenuous 12-mile adventure into the quieter side of Mount Rainier National Park. With panoramic views of Mount Rainier and fewer hikers than Paradise or Sunrise, it’s ideal for those craving a bigger, more rugged day on the trail. Hiking the Summerland Trail to Panhandle Gap is one […]
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 […]