The 3 Dune Challenge is arguably the top hike in the Indiana Dunes region. As the name suggests, it takes hikers up and down three large sand dunes situated near Lake Michigan. They’re
Indiana Dunes National Park is a unique and biologically diverse park that’s just one of only several National Parks in the Midwest. While many visitors come mainly to relax on its beaches, the
Northeast Iowa is home to one of the largest concentrations of ancient mounds in the US, many of which are now located in Effigy Mounds National Monument. Established as a protected area in 1949,
Known for their remarkable badlands, massive sculptures, and ample wildlife, the Dakotas are gradually becoming known as must-visit destinations for both nature and history lovers. But if you’ve never been to the area
At over 11,000 acres, Makoshika State Park, located just outside of Glendive, is Montana’s largest state park. ‘Makoshika’ is the Lakota word for ‘badland,’ and the park accordingly shares a lot in common
Theodore Roosevelt Park is easily one of the country’s most underrated parks. And even among those who do make it out to this remote part of North Dakota, not everyone ends up visiting
The Caprock Coulee Trail is Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s flagship hike. Though I didn’t embark on it with any special expectations, its ever-changing scenery continued to amaze me throughout, and I’d even go as
There’s no shortage of things to do at Theodore Roosevelt National Park – easily one of America’s most underrated parks. And it’s in the South Unit that you’ll find the Scenic Loop Drive,
North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park is easily one of America’s most underrated parks. And the Painted Canyon area, which serves as many visitors’ introduction to the park, is a great way to
Not many people would expect the highest point of a particular state to be a hidden gem. But that’s exactly the case with White Butte, North Dakota, a geological formation located in the
Located just outside the city of Sturgis and an easy drive from Deadwood, South Dakota’s Bear Butte State Park is part outdoor, part cultural experience. In addition to learning about Native American history
Situated along a 19-mile stretch of South Dakota’s Highway 14A, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is fast gaining a reputation as one of the state’s top scenic drives. Much of the area’s beauty can
The ominously-titled Devils Tower, known for its unique vertical stone columns, was declared the first-ever US National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. But being located at the opposite end of Wyoming
Most visitors to Badlands National Park stick to the easily accessible Badlands Loop Road. But who wants to come out to such a remote landscape only to be surrounded by crowds? Fortunately, there
Despite its remoteness, Badlands National Park attracts around 1 million visitors each year, who are drawn by the park’s rugged terrain, unique formations and wildlife. And for most visitors, the sights and hikes
Mount Rushmore was originally conceived of as a way to boost tourism to South Dakota’s Black Hills region. And with over two million people visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial each year, the effort
Aside from its hikes, the Custer State Park and Black Elk Wilderness areas are equally known for their scenic drives. And popular drives like the Wildlife Loop, the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain
For those who’ve already seen Custer State Park’s famous landmarks and are looking to experience more but without the crowds, consider hiking the Sunday Gulch Trail. The thrilling yet relatively short trail takes
Custer State Park is arguably South Dakota’s top attraction for hikers – perhaps even outshining the state’s two National Parks. The massive 71,000-acre park is known for its spiky granite outcrops, forests, lakes,
As its name suggests, the most popular activity at South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park is visiting its caves. But as the caves were closed for renovations at the time of my visit,
Tucked away in a remote corner of northwest Nebraska are some fascinating badlands that will change the way you think about the Cornhusker State. Many of Toadstool Geologic Park’s highlights can be explored
To most outsiders, Nebraska isn’t particularly known for its geological formations. Quite the opposite, in fact, as most of the state is covered by seemingly endless flat plains. But a visit to sites
With a population of just 65,000, Cheyenne is the capital of the country’s least-populated state. And given its position at the opposite end of Wyoming from Yellowstone, one would be forgiven for thinking
Out of the United States’ most popular parks, Rocky Mountain and Glacier are often compared with one another due to their breathtaking mountain scenery, scenic drives, and unforgettable hikes. But if you could
As one of America’s most popular and crowded parks, proper planning is essential for getting the most out of Rocky Mountain National Park. In the following Rocky Mountain planning guide, we’ll be covering
Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of thrilling hikes, though Mount Ida is rather unique among them. After a short forested section, this hike is mostly above the tree line, giving you wide-open
The Chasm Lake hike is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most popular longer hikes. Hikers can enjoy beautiful views of the alpine tundra along the way, while Chasm Lake itself is the
Known for its ever-changing scenery, breathtaking mountain views and picturesque lakes, many consider Sky Pond to be Rocky Mountain National Park’s flagship hike. Not only was this my favorite hike at the park, but
Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of scenic lakes, many of which are located in the Bear Lake Road area. And within 4-5 hours, I managed to visit no less than six
Though Rocky Mountain National Park may be a hiker’s paradise, the park is also home to one of the country’s most thrilling scenic drives. In the following guide to Trail Ridge Road, we’ll
Founded in the late 19th century, the scenic and charming town of Manitou Springs has a bit to offer everyone. Whether you’re looking for historical architecture, cave tours, or thrilling hiking trails, the
Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Manitou Incline isn’t your typical hike. Rather than hiking up a mountain via an ever-changing winding path, the Manitou Incline is simply a massive staircase leading straight
Within easy driving distance of Denver is America’s highest paved road: the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. The parking lot at the summit stands at over 14,000 ft above sea level, while the thrilling
Located in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods, a large public park known for its towering sandstone formations, is one of the area’s most popular attractions. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park isn’t quite what most visitors are expecting when they picture Colorado. But these colorful badlands, within easy reach of either Denver or Colorado Springs, reveal how geologically diverse
Iowa isn’t exactly known for its natural beauty, and the stereotype of endless cornfields as far as the eye can see is largely true. But the state is also home to the stunning
The island of Roatán may be Honduras’ main tourism hub, but it’s also somewhat off-the-beaten-path as far as Caribbean islands go. For travelers looking for a tourist-friendly destination that’s not quite as overdeveloped
For most foreign travelers visiting Honduras, La Ceiba is mainly known for being where you get on the boat for Roatán or Utila. But wanting to explore Honduras beyond its main tourism hubs,
Located 50 km northeast of San Salvador, Suchitoto is arguably the country’s most endearing small town, featuring an even mix of charming colonial architecture and scenic views. Not only can the beautiful Lago
The Ruta de las Flores is often hyped up as one of the top day trips from Santa Ana, if not El Salvador as a whole. The region is home to about five
Santa Ana Volcano is El Salvador’s highest volcano, its third-highest peak, and arguably the country’s most popular day trip. In the following guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the
Often touted as one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán is home to nearly a dozen villages, largely inhabited by indigenous Maya. And with so many towns and outdoor activities to
Simply put, hiking up the Acatenango Volcano is one of the most thrilling adventures one can have in Central America. But as beautiful as Acatenango itself is, the real star of the show
Few scenes capture the imagination like Tikal’s towering pyramids looming over a vast and dense jungle. But Tikal’s pristine environment also means that it’s not the easiest place to reach. And with rather
Caracol in southern Belize was one of the Mayan world’s most dominant cities, and is accordingly the country’s largest Mayan archaeological site. But it’s also the most difficult to reach, so most visitors
Tropical Belize is teeming with wildlife, and for many visitors, spotting animals will be one of the highlights of their trip. One of the most ubiquitous animals you’re bound to see (and definitely
Situated between the urban centers of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley isn’t your typical National Park. It’s divided up into various sections with modern towns and residences scattered between them. While it lacks
Montana’s Glacier National Park attracts about three million visitors each year, making it the 11th most-visited park in the country. But due to weather conditions, a large majority of visitors come between July
Montana’s Glacier National Park is the quintessential hiker’s park, while it’s also home to a thrilling scenic drive. But with so much to see and do, planning for your first trip to the
Many who’ve done it call the Highline Trail one of Glacier National Park’s quintessential hikes. As we’ll cover below, the most challenging part of the hike is figuring out transport to the trailhead.
Constructed over the course of nine years and completed in the 1930s, Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only way to get from one end of Glacier National Park to the other (without leaving park
Waterton Lakes is located in southern Alberta, just across the border from Glacier National Park. The two parks, in fact, make up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. But those basing themselves at Glacier may
Many visitors to Glacier National Park regard the Grinnell Glacier Trail as their favorite hike in the park (though the Highline Trail is another top contender). But what makes it so special? Though
Glacier National Park is comprised of several different districts, but lots of visitors call Many Glacier their favorite. The area offers some of the park’s best hiking experiences, while it’s also home to
At over two million acres, Yellowstone requires several days to fully appreciate. While it would probably take weeks to see 100% of the park, three or four days is enough to see the
Yellowstone will forever be known as the United States’ (and the world’s) first-ever National Park. Designated in 1872, it remains one of the country’s largest and most unique parks to this day. But
Just about every corner of Yellowstone National Park is home to something special. And the northern part of the park is no exception, as it’s here that you’ll find the stunning travertine pools
Located in the western part of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is home to hundreds of hydrothermal features like geysers, mud pots and fumaroles. While it may not be as well-known as Upper Geyser Basin
At over two million acres, Yellowstone has a bit of everything – geysers, wildlife, a large lake, and a scenic 20-mile canyon, the latter of which we’ll be focusing on in this guide.
Aside from its geysers, if there’s one thing Yellowstone is known for, it’s wildlife. While you’ll inevitably have a few chance encounters while exploring the park, where should one go in hopes of