Monthly Archives: May 2023

7 Natural Wonders Unique To The Treasure State That Should Be On Everyone’s Montana Bucket List

Posted on by

Montana is a state for nature lovers. With land like ours, you can’t help but appreciate it and enjoy it to the fullest. And there are some natural wonders here that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re a lifelong Montanan or you’re just trying to explore as much of the state as possible, there are a few natural wonders you really shouldn’t miss.

7. Lewis & Clark Caverns
Doug ZWick / Flickr
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park was Montana’s first state park, and it’s well known for having one of the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest. Take a seasonal guided tour and learn about its history as you travel to the depths of the cavern.
Lewis & Clark Caverns
6. Flathead Lake

Continue reading →

Here Are The 12 Absolute Best Places To Stay In Utah

Posted on by

Whether you enjoy hiking around the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, climbing at Red Rock, taking in the unique rock formations in Arches National Park near Moab, or rafting the exciting rapids in the Colorado River just a hop skip and a jump from the Grand Canyon in Arizona, there is no denying that Utah is one of the best vacation destinations for those who love the outdoors. And what better way to enjoy all that exciting outdoor recreation than taking a road trip to this lovely state? Here are some of the best places to stay in Utah that have more panache than your average hotel.

 

Best Places to Stay in Utah
  1. Best Places to Stay in Utah for Families
  2. Best Affordable Places to Stay in Utah
  3. Best Romantic Places to Stay in Utah for Couples
  4. Best Places to Stay in Moab
  5. Best Places to Stay in St. George

 

Best Places to Stay in Utah for Families

There is so much to do in Utah on a family vacation. Whether you love skiing, hiking in the mountains, taking in the nightlife in Salt Lake City, or stopping by the Hogle Zoo for the lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! These two-family vacation rentals are the perfect home base for all that Utah has to offer.

1. Luxury 3-Story Log Cabin, Duck Creek Village

Continue reading →

A Hidden Trail In Colorado Will Take You To The Original Castlewood Canyon Ruins

Posted on by

Have you ever taken a Colorado hike that leads you somewhere historical and fascinating? Fortunately, there is no shortage of these places to go around, thanks to ghost towns, deserted mines, and haunting ruins. In the case of today’s hike, it is the latter of the 3, and you are going to want to take the trail ASAP.

Welcome to Castlewood Canyon State Park, a 2,621-acre park that is hiding away south of Denver.
TripAdvisor/smalltownNorthDakota
Featuring wide-open spaces, ample wildlife sightings, a natural amphitheater, and hiking opportunities galore, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy at this hidden gem of a state park!

Continue reading →

This Airbnb On A Hot Spring In Colorado Is One Of The Coolest Places To Spend The Night

Posted on by

Have you ever visited a hot spring? If so, you know that it is one of the best ways to relax and that you can find these all-natural soaking pools all around Colorado. However, did you know that you can stay the night in a charming mountainside home and enjoy your own personal hot spring? You can, and it is one of the most incredible places to stay the night in Colorado. Here’s everything you need to know about this luxurious Airbnb with private hot springs in Colorado.

Welcome to the Holloway Cabin on Cottonwood Creek!

Continue reading →

The Largest Brown Bear Sanctuary In The World Is In Alaska, And It’s Magical

Posted on by

One of Alaska’s most famous wildlife species is the grizzly bear. And the largest bear sanctuary in the world is found right in the Last Frontier! The McNeil River State Game Sanctuary is located right outside of  Katmai National Park and Preserve and is home to the world’s largest concentration of brown bears.

If you’re on the lookout for brown bears, there’s no better place to go than Alaska.
Ian Stotesbury / 500px / Getty Images
The state is teeming with bears, and brown bears congregate in the largest amounts anywhere in McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. This world-famous sanctuary is on plenty of people’s bucket lists, and for good reason!
The wildlife sanctuary is home to the largest concentration of brown bears in the entire world.

Continue reading →

This Underrated Trail In Montana Leads To A Hidden Turquoise Lake

Posted on by

There’s nothing like hiking to something truly spectacular, like a shimmering turquoise lake. In fact, we have a body of water that is — appropriately — named Turquoise Lake in Montana — but if you want to see it, you’ll have to put in some serious work. Rest assured, though, your efforts will be well rewarded. And you won’t want to forget your camera!

The Turquoise Lake Trail is located near Condon, and it’s about 12 miles long.
Andy Edelstein / alltrails.com
You’ll have to drive from Highway 83 down Kraft Creek Rd for more than 11 miles before you even reach the trail.
This trail is not meant for beginners — it’s lengthy, and you’ll face an elevation gain of about 1,500 feet.

Continue reading →

Hike Across Stunning Ridges And Valleys To A 1930s Cabin On The Pioneer Cabin Trail In Idaho

Posted on by

Hiding in the Sawtooth Wilderness near Ketchum is a popular day hike that takes hikers straight to a charming and rustic cabin. The Pioneer Cabin Trail is an intense climb up across forested ridges, switchbacks, and wildflower-covered valleys. However, those who tough it out are well-rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Pioneer Mountains, plus the opportunity to check out this 1930s-era cabin! This is most definitely a hike to remember, so challenge yourself to make it your next adventure.

Waiting for you at the end of the Pioneer Cabin Trail is a lovely little mountain cabin that was built in the 1930s. Along the way, you’ll enjoy tremendous views of the Sawtooth Wilderness and Pioneer Mountains, so lace up those hiking boots and prepare for a truly stunning adventure.
scott knollenberg/AllTrails
Despite its difficulty, the trail to Pioneer Cabin is a popular day hike in the area. The 8-mile out-and-back trail will lead you through more than 20 switchbacks as you climb up a ridge to reach the cabin, but don’t worry—the final destination is worth it!

Continue reading →

One Of America’s Most Beautiful Spring Drives Is Located Right Here In Colorado

Posted on by

When the warm weather months are in full bloom here in the Centennial State, it means that’s the time to get out and walk, hike, bike, or drive! If a colorful road trip sounds like a day well spent, you’re in luck, because this famous Colorado highway is considered one of the best roads not only in the state but in the entire country. Come along as we take you step-by-step along one of the most scenic drives in Colorado.

Winding through the scenic San Juan Mountains is that of its namesake San Juan Skyway.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
It is a 236-mile byway that is considered by many to be Colorado’s premier scenic and historic byway.
It was also at one time named one of “America’s Best Spring Drives” by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Continue reading →

Hike This Ancient Forest In Wyoming That’s Home To 55-Million-Year-Old Trees

Posted on by

When Woody Guthrie sang of the redwood forests, he was almost definitely thinking of the mighty trees of California that stand tall against the subtropical forest that surrounds them near the coast — but you know, there is a small chance he was talking about our very own Cowboy State. Have you ever wondered, “Are there redwoods at Yellowstone?” The answer is, yes, although what you’ll find today is only a remnant of what once was a towering collection of redwoods in Wyoming. You can explore what’s left of them today in the Dry Creek Petrified Forest of Yellowstone, which is home to 55 million-year-old trees.

More than 50 million years ago, Wyoming’s landscape was flourishing with a variety of trees, when a series of volcanic eruptions from the Absaroka Range buried them in ash.
AllTrails / Jeff Hartman
The ash covered the trees and petrified them under the soil, while new forests grew in their place.

Continue reading →

The Abandoned Town In Montana That Most People Stay Far, Far Away From

Posted on by

While the Treasure State lists several ghost towns among its top attractions, some of our abandoned towns are actually a little eerie. Castle Town Montana is no exception; in fact, most Montanans tend to forget it even exists. This beautiful ghost town in Montana is a bit difficult to find and located on private land, so permission is needed to explore it. Luckily, we have some exclusive video content of this abandoned town in Montana, courtesy of YouTube’s SkyworksHD. Let’s take a look…

SkyworksHD / YouTube
Castle is one of many towns created and ruined by the silver rush of the late 1800s. At its peak, it was home to 2,000 residents, a great school, a jail, seven brothels and, of course, several saloons.

Continue reading →