Why would you want to visit a desert just to see some weird-looking trees? Because the Joshua trees are just the beginning of the fascinating landscapes, history, and experiences available all year round in Joshua Tree National Park! Come discover the beauty of the desert as you witness the cholla…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most popular national park, several times over. It sees as many visitors as the next 3 most visited national parks combined. It’s hard to beat free entry, frequent elk and black bear sightings, amazing fall color, hiking and waterfalls galore, and the third…
If you're looking for an easy weekend getaway that offers a combination of beautiful natural landscapes and fun-filled outdoor activities, Indiana Dunes is the place to be. Located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, this 15,000-acre national park boasts towering sand dunes, inviting beaches, lush forests, and diverse wildlife.…
Are you planning a trip to the beautiful island of Maui and trying to decide between a Haleakala sunrise vs sunset? Both events feature spectacular displays of color from an unrivaled vantage point atop a volcanic crater. It’s hard to get more epic than that! But there are some key…
Visiting Saguaro for the first time and can’t decide where to start? We get it. That’s why we’re comparing Saguaro National Park East vs West head-to-head, to help you figure out where to start! This national park has two completely separate districts on either side of Tucson, AZ, and it…
Stand in awe of the iconic symbol of the American West: the saguaro cactus. There are plenty of other fun things to do in Saguaro National Park, too, other than stare at cacti! Explore the Sonoran Desert via a short, easy trail or a long all-day hike. Discover the plants…
Looking for the best hikes in Indiana Dunes National Park? We can help! This park houses the most diverse ecosystems in the National Park Service, and you can see most of them for yourself from a hiking trail. Here are our top picks for the best hiking trails in Indiana…
Arizona is filled with ancient historical sites and geological wonders, many of them with the coveted title of “national park.” That makes Walnut Canyon National Monument a bit of a hidden gem that often gets overlooked. Don’t be that person! If you’re wondering if Walnut Canyon is worth visiting, the…
Hoover Dam. One of America’s greatest engineering achievements, born of necessity and sheer will and still faithfully serving the Southwest today. Visiting Hoover Dam is a quintessential summer vacation stop in the United States, for good reason. And I'm not just saying that because I'm a former structural engineer who…
Just 2 hours from the urban bustle of Seattle, WA, North Cascades National Park is an underrated gem waiting to be explored. The gorgeous blue waters of Diablo Lake are enough to convince most people to visit, but there’s more to do in North Cascades than stare at beautiful scenery.…