Tucked away in St. George is one of my favorite parks — Pioneer Park. This 52-acre park is the ultimate outdoor playground with hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, and the coolest views. But, also found within this unique park is one area I highly recommend you explore — the St. George Narrows. This is a narrow slot canyon in Utah that is fun and perfect for a quick adventure. This area is easy, short, and delightful to visit any time of the year. There’s no wonder it’s worth driving across the state to explore.
Pioneer Park in St. George is a fun day trip destination for the entire family. Here, you will find all types of attractions including countless rock formations to view and climb.
Is anyone out there an amateur spelunker like I am? Visiting a cave can be like seeing a whole other world. The state of Washington is home to hundreds of caves, many of which you can explore. One such cave is Boulder Cave, located in the Wenatchee National Forest. It’s one of the best cave trails in Washington.
The Boulder Cave Day Use Site is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and attracts more than 30,000 visitors every year.
The hike out to the cave is 1.5 miles roundtrip and should take you about an hour. It is a dirt and gravel path with a few rougher areas as you head closer to the cave’s entrance.
If you’re looking for a cave in Oregon to explore, then you can’t miss Lava River Cave near Bend. This volcanic cave was formed about 80,000 years ago and it is the longest continuous lava tube in the state. It’s 5,211 feet long so there’s a lot to explore. Read on to learn more.
Lava River Cave is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and is managed by the United States Forest Service. It was created by lava flowing downhill from a volcanic vent as the lava traveled toward the Deschutes River. As the lava flowed, the top of it crusted over and hardened, and the lava continued to travel underground.
When the volcanic eruption stopped, the lava drained and the cave is the space that was left behind. Today, you can walk down into it and explore the cave.
Do you like short hikes with beautiful payoffs? Then you’ll definitely want to check out the San Rafael Swinging Bridge hike. The trek is quite short, so the hike isn’t as much of the trip as the time spent on the bridge. If you’re not afraid of a tall, swinging bridge, you’ll be enchanted by this little adventure! The San Rafael Swinging Bridge Hike is a must for to a future adventure in Utah.
Welcome to a historic and beautiful area, the San Rafael Bridge and San Rafael River in Emery County, Utah. This stunning area is not only picture perfect, but full of history as well.
Out here, you’ll find endless grazing land, big, bighorn sheep, and a beautiful bridge from the 1930s. It used to bring automobiles across the water, but now only serves pedestrian traffic.
Utah’s first residents left behind dwellings, artifacts, and lots of prehistoric rock art, all of which give us clues about what their lives were like thousands of years ago. You can find petroglyphs in many places all over the Beehive State, but there’s one place that has more rock art than anywhere else in Utah. In fact, it’s known as the “World’s Largest Art Gallery!” Check out Nine Mile Canyon:
Located in central Utah northeast of Price, Nine Mile Canyon is considered one of the best places in the world to see ancient rock art.
The road is 46 miles long, and was once plagued by dusty conditions as visitors drove up and down its dirt surface. The road was paved in 2014, so dust isn’t as much of an issue now.
Whether you live in Montana or just love to visit, any time spent here is memorable. From fun hiking adventures to beautiful trips at a snowy resort, you’ll undoubtedly leave with memories to call upon for years to come. While it’s certainly easy to enjoy time here, it’s not always easy to find the perfect overnight accommodation. That’s why we love the idea of vacation rentals versus hotels. This one, located in Sanders County, is one of our favorites. The Hobbit-themed vacation rental in Montana provides the perfect background for memories you’ll keep forever.
Welcome to The Shire in Trout Creek. This undoubtedly unique, themed vacation rental in Montana is one of the most delightful places in the state.
The beautiful adults-only cabin is modeled after the houses featured in The Hobbit.
The small town of Trout Creek is nestled in the far reaches of northwest Montana. It’s an idyllic place to calm your mind and get away from the daily grind.
You don’t have to travel the world to see the Seven Wonders when they are right here in our own back yard. Some of the most incredible natural wonders in Wyoming showcase our state’s incredible natural beauty. Some of them may scream out at you and some are so unassuming that you may not have even considered them as natural standouts. However, each of the scenic places in Wyoming listed here have a very unique quality about them in the purest sense of the word. They go beyond any man’s capability and exist solely as they are because of nature’s raw existence.
Thanks to beautiful temperatures around the Centennial State, picnic season is in full swing, which means it is time to pack your lunch and blanket and enjoy a meal al fresco. If you are looking for a new place to picnic that is as scenic as it is peaceful, we highly recommend checking out the fantastic John Denver Sanctuary in Colorado:
Located in Aspen, the John Denver Sanctuary is a stunning outdoor oasis that is nestled in the heart of the charming mountain town.
Do you love to hike and explore Colorado’s many landscapes and attractions? If you do, get ready to have your mind blown (and your leg muscles worked) by walking these 5 historic hiking trails in Colorado that will lead you to some of the most extraordinary ruins in the state:
1. Chimney Rock National Monument (Archuleta County)
Located in the scenic San Juan National Forest, Chimney Rock is a massive 4,726-acre national monument that features not only the beautiful colors you would come to expect from the San Juans, but also Ancestral Puebloan sites from some odd 1,000 years ago. (Please note: Since the area is highly protected, it is only accessible via guided tours.)
Canyonlands National Park is a vast, wild space that encompasses 337,598 acres. It’s absolutely stunning, but much of the park is also difficult to access. Guests will need four-wheel drive for many of the park’s roads, and should always be prepared with plenty of gas, water, and food before heading into the remote sections of the park.
The White Rim Road makes a loop around the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands. If you have the vehicle (and the nerve) to explore it, it’s an unforgettable adventure.
The beauty of Canyonlands National Park is unparalleled, and much of the park is truly wild. If you want to escape the huge crowds of tourists, this is place.
The park has four sections: Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the Rivers. Most visitors stick to the mesa, Island in the Sky, which is accessible with paved roads. But if you really want an adventure, you’ll head for the backroads of Island in the Sky. Namely, White Rim Road.
White Rim Road is 100 miles long, and it makes a loop around Island in the Sky, and takes you down below it. The road includes several sections: Shafer Trail, Lathrop Canyon, Murphy Hogback, Mineral Bottom, and Hardscrabble Hill.
White Rim Road is not suitable for every visitor. To travel on this road, you must have a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive. Motorbikes and bicycles are also allowed. ATVs and OTVs are not permitted.
Some spots along the road require some serious navigation around some rough road, and you might need a passenger to hop out and act as a spotter as you make your way around boulders and other impediments along the way.
You’re on your own out here, far from civilization, and you don’t want to mess around. If your vehicle is disabled, it can take a tow truck hours to reach you (assuming you have the cell service to call one). Tow fees from White Rim Road often exceed $1,000, according to the national park.
The narrow dirt road winds and loops around hairpin turns. There is no guard rail, and in most spots, if your tires slip off the edge, it’s hundreds of feet down.
There are pullouts occasionally, and you’ll want to watch for the clouds of dust ahead that alert you that another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, so you can find a spot to pull over and wait. Otherwise, one vehicle will have to back up along the road to a pullout spot.
As you travel along White Rim Road, you’ll witness some of Utah’s most majestic scenery. This place is almost untouched by humans, and it’s vast and rugged. If you have the right vehicle, and nerves of steel you’ll come away from White Rim Road with an experience you’ll never forget.
For a challenging, but slightly less nerve-wracking experience, take a three-four day bicycle trip on White Rim Road. If you’re an experienced backcountry camper, it’s an adventure you’ll love.
There are 20 campsites along the route for motorbike and bicycle campers.
To travel the White Rim Road, you’ll need a day-use permit. Overnight permits are required for overnight trips along the road, and you’ll want to make reservations in advance for those.
