Illinois is set right in the heart of the US and is home to diverse landscapes – from picturesque cornfields to sprawling metropolitan cities. The Prairie State might be best known for the big city of Chicago, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a wealth of exciting attractions throughout this incredible state. After
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Is visiting the US National Parks on your bucket list? Get a free printable list of National Parks by state so you can check them off!
The Indian Beach Trail passes through an old-growth coastal forest and past towering oceanside viewpoints.
A mini-Yosemite might be hiding out in your backyard.
There are tons of state parks to explore in Maine, but Baxter State Park was just named the best in the state and this is why you'll love it!
Upstate New York is incredibly underrated in terms of beauty and diverse natural offerings. From Allegany State Park, the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Watkins Glen there are so many amazing parks to explore here. Read on for the best state parks in Upstate New York.
Don’t let Oregon’s hidden gems stay undiscovered – find out which of its state parks you don't want to miss. From lush rainforests to mountain peaks, explore the beauty of this magnificent US st
While the National Parks of the USA are famous for awe-inspiring scenery, don't overlook the country's lesser-known State Parks. Catherine shares her picks for 25+ of the Best State Parks in the USA from coast to coast.
The moon comes from second-exposure. 月亮是二次曝光后贴上去的
Cannon Beach, Ecola State Park, Oregon by natecanada
Devil's Lake is Wisconsin's largest and most visited State Park located in Baraboo. A must-see destination with something to do for everyone!
Russian River Gulch State Park is a beautiful park in the Mendocino area. It has coastal bluffs, a sinkhole, and a great hike to a waterfall. We got the opportunity to hike there a few weeks back, and it was a fun experience with shaded trails and fantastic views. The waterfall hike is one of...
Thru-hiker "Belch" took this photo of us on the summit. Having worked as a hiking guide, outdoor blogger, and New England adventurer, I am frequently asked, "Have you hiked Katahdin?" I usually blush and mumble "No, but I really want to." Mt. Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine and arguably one of the most exciting and challenging climbs in New England. So when my adventurer guide friend, Sarah, asked if I wanted to join her on her first Katahdin climb, I jumped at the opportunity...and into her Civic. From the complicated permitting process, to the epic climb up to the Abol trail, to the night hike down the Hunt trail, we loved our adventure from start to finish. Fall leaves were vivid in Northern Maine Here is how to recreate this adventure... Adventure: Katahdin Climb, Baxter State Park, ME. Getting there: One of the reasons I'd never adventurered to Katahdin before is, it is a looooong drive to get there. Mt. Katahdin is located in Baxter State Park. It was a five hour drive from North Conway, NH. To get there, take I-95 in Maine to Millinocket. From here, follow signs to Baxter State Park. Since we couldn't secure camping reservations inside the park, we camped at Penobscot Outdoor Center which is located just a few miles out of Millinocket and only two miles from the South entrance to Baxter. Trail: There are multiple trails to Baxter Peak (highest peak on Mt. Katahdin). You need a permit to park at the trailhead to any of them. As a result, Sarah and I were at the mercy of whichever Up Abol Trail/ trailhead permits were still available three days before our hike. Originally, we wanted to hike Saturday and include the treacherous "Knife's Edge" into our adventure, however, due to our last minute planning, the only reservations available was on Sunday at the Abol campground trailhead. We showed up at the park entrance at 8 am with our reservation in hand. Unfortunately, we failed to read the fine print, and found out that after 7:05 am, all parking reservations were given away to other visitors. NO!!!!!! Fortunately, the hiking gods were smiling down on us, because there were just two permits left - this time for the Katahdin Spring campground and Hunt trailhead. We grabbed our spot and headed to the trailhead. heart cairn - photo by Sarah Audsley Wanting to try a loop, we parked at Katahdin Spring and walked/hitched a ride down the 2 mile road to the Abol campground trailhead. We signed in at the trailhead and headed up the Abol trail. This trail is amazing! After a half hour through the birch forest, we reached the slide. Here, we spent 2 hours climbing up rock and boulder - ascending 3,000 feet in only 1.3 miles. The climb gave us beautiful views of the valley below and through a bank of clouds to the plateau. We took a break for lunch at the junctions of Abol and Hunt, then continued onto the Hunt trail/AT for the last mile to the summit of Baxter Peak. The views were AMAZING at the summit. On one side we got views of Chimney Pond, Owls Peak, and the Knife's Edge, and on the other, an ocean of clouds. We were welcomed by a rowdy group of thru-hikers who had just finished their 6 month trek along the AT. It was wonderful to see them celebrate the end of their journey and join in on the merriment. Sarah enjoys a snack break at the summit. Looking at knifes edge. After thirty minutes of summit awe and celebration, we descended on the Hunt trail back to our car. This trail is one of the longer ones from Baxter peak (5.2 mi), and includes a technical 3 mile stretch down a rocky and exposed ridgeline. The views were amazing as we lowered ourselves onto large granite boulders. We caught the sunset as we dropped below tree-line into the forest where we finished the last couple miles in the dark - using our headlamps to find our way. By the end of the hike we were exhausted and happy. The day was a wonderful adventure filled with excitement and beauty. Hunt Trail/ Last mile of the AT Difficulty Level: Strenuous and Challenging! The Abol trail was steep and challenging with many large boulders and straight up. The Hunt Trail was technical with large rock steps. The Hunt Trail was also highly exposed and would be dangerous if the weather was bad. Distance: + 9 miles. 11 hours including breaks. Recommendations: Summit of Baxter Peak. Photo by Sarah Audsley. I think my biggest piece of advice is follow the first rule of Leave No Trace: PLAN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED! This comes down to planning way in advance for trail and camping, bringing proper gear, knowing your route, and your capabilities. If you follow this, you are bound to have a great trip. Trail Permits - Reserve your permit in advance (you are allowed up to 2 weeks prior). Camping permits can be made up to 4 months in advance. We were lucky to obtain a parking spot reservation with only one day's notice but didn't get the trail we wanted. Read the fine print! You will lose your parking permit if you don't get there by 7:05 am! This happened to us and we were soooo lucky that we still got to hike! Camping at Penobscot Outdoor Center Camping - We didn't reserve in time to camp in the park, but we really enjoyed camping at Penobscot Outdoor Center. The campground offers wooded, lakeside tent site, cabin rentals, and canvas tent rentals. They have hot showers, bathrooms, and free canoe rental. The price was right (13 dollars a person per night) and was only 2 miles from the park's southern entrance. Great place! Hiking - This is a really challenging hike. In fact, Sarah - an experienced guide - said it might be the most challenging hike she's ever done. This is because the large rocks and steep elevation gain makes it just take a long time. It's not good for someone who has bad knees or inexperienced. Hunt trail near summit Gear - It's a long hike. Bring plenty of water - I drank three liters and it was a cool day!! Summer, I would need even more. Bring lots of food, protection from the sun (lots of exposure on the hike), first aid kit, compass, map (and knowledge of how to use it), layered clothing, and a head lamp. Mt. Katahdin was an amazing experience. Sarah and I experienced thrilling hiking, outstanding fall weather, and unforgettable views. Looking up the Hunt trail. Please leave comments and questions below!
Things to do in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: hikes, sunset spots, wildlife and more. This is the largest state park in the US!
Kansas, also known as “The Sunflower State” and “The Wheat State”, offers some of the most beautiful and spectacular sights and places to visit! Just browse through these awesome pictures ... Read more
Taken at sunrise... the lighting was irresistible. This is the trail head at the upper end of the Robert Treman State Park / Enfield Glen.
Stretching along four miles of coastline in dense, temperate rainforest, Oswald West State Park has a beautifully secluded sandy beach and miles of trails leading to breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This vast, scenic treasure is without a doubt one of the most spectacular parks in Oregon. Located two hours west of Portland on the north Oregon Coast, Oswald West State Park is popular with surfers, hikers and beach goers and has much to offer in the way of recreation. A popular beach that’s alive with activity on any weekend or summer day, Short Sand Beach lies sheltered in a cove blanketed by forests and edged with volcanic basalt and sandstone cliffs characteristic of the Oregon coastline. Nicknamed “Shorty’s” by locals, the beach is just a half mile walk through the woods. From the main parking lot, walk under Highway 101, and down the trail, following the contours of Short Sand Creek through the forest. Cross the creek on a railroad-style bridge and you’ll find yourself at a beautiful picnic area overlooking the beach. Oswald West State Park offers miles of hiking trails in this 2,484 acre park. A 13-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail weaves its way through the entire park, starting at the community of Arch Cape and extending south towards the town of Manzanita. Two prominent headlands, Cape Falcon and Neah-kah-nie Mountain are included in the park and offer great hikes. Park in one of four parking lots along Highway 101 and enter one of the best preserved coastal rainforests in Oregon. Low-growing ferns, salal and salmonberry are shaded by massive western red cedar, western hemlock and Sitka Spruce trees that form the basis of the temperate coastal rainforest ecosystem of the Northwest. Oswald West does not offer camping.
Secret Beach is a very small beach located on a trail just south of Spruce Island Viewpoint and north of Thunder Rock Cove. There are two theories as to how this beach got its name. One is that there is not an official parking lot or designation. The other is that the furthest of the three beaches is only accessible during exceptionally low tides and was visited by only a few people each year. The first beach is accessible at any tide. Follow the path down to the parking area, then there is a steep and somewhat challenging climb down a rock, across a small stream to a beach. At low tide, it is possible to head south to a second beach. At a very low tide (-2 ft) there is a tunnel that is open to walk to the second beach. Also, at a low tide, there is a short cave to walk further south to a third beach, which is actually the beach below Thunder Rock Cove. Thunder Rock Cove is a little visited parking area north of Brookings because little is visible from the lot. However, be certain to take the hiking loop out to view the rocks out to Thunder Cove. This section offers some of the most spectacular views that visitors rarely see who do not venture far from their cars. Those who take the short hike are rewarded with views of crashing waves, tiny beaches and inlets as well as a collection of marine birds. The well maintained trail gets right up to the edge, so be certain to watch the children and pets. The trail is a portion of the Pacific Coast Trail. There are two parking lots used to access the beach. The shortest hike is from a small unmarked parking lot between the Spruce Island and Thunder Cove parking lots. Turn off just before a guardrail. Others park at the Thunder Cove parking lot and take the trail to the north. This is a bit longer hike, but the parking lot is easier to find and access.
Looking for the best Oregon Coast Airbnbs? Then look no further! This list is full of cute cottages, dreamy treehouses, and more!
My list of the most beautiful places in the Great Lake State is loaded with spots that have been shaped by Lake Superior or Lake Michigan. On the Lower Peninsula, ... Read more
