How to See Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

view from Glacier Point

Glacier Point has some of the best hikes and viewpoints in Yosemite National Park! From lush forests to colorful meadows, this place has me coming back year after year and leaving me in awe each time. Glacier Point Viewpoint is the best place in the park for sunrise, and Taft Point and Sentinel Dome have […]

How to Visit Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park

Lake at base of mountains

Lake Crescent is a glacially carved lake that is 12 miles long and 624 feet deep. This area is a fairly busy part of Olympic National Park, mostly because of the proximity to Port Angeles, but also because these sapphire waters are the perfect place to cool off and hang out during the summer. While […]

7 Best Things To Do in the Hoh Rain Forest (+Where to Eat and Stay)

moss growing on trees in rainforest

The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the most popular places to visit in Olympic National Park. It’s known for being one of the largest untouched old-growth forests in the United States. With miles of hiking trails, a milky-blue river, and nature surrounding you, it’s no wonder that half a million people visit each year. […]

4-Day Yosemite Research Trip (June 2025)

man in front of waterfall

Yosemite National Park is one of the most iconic parks in the country—and now I know why. In June 2025, I took a research trip to Yosemite National Park to scope out the trails, hotels, restaurants, and logistics. It was my first visit to the park, and I hiked 20 miles, drove 1700 miles, and […]

How to Visit Lake Quinault in Olympic National Park

trees and pond in rain forest

Quinault Lake sits at the southwestern-most point in the Olympic National Park. This area is a mixture of National Forest and National Park land, with the southern shore being part of the National Forest and the northern shore in the National Park. Quinault Lake has many things to see and do. But what makes this […]

How to Visit Kalaloch and Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

beach with cliffs and rocks

Kalaloch, pronounced Clay-lock, is one of the most visited areas of Olympic National Park. With a mixture of sandy beaches, tidepooling, and hiking trails in large old-growth forests, it’s no wonder that so many people are drawn to Kalaloch. I have visited Kalaloch many times and will always add this area to my Olympic itinerary […]

How to Visit Pikes Peak, Colorado: The Ultimate Guide!

train on mountain

Pikes Peak is one of the 14ers in Colorado, and the Pikes Peak Highway is one of the highest roads in America. The highway will take you to the top of a 14,000-foot-tall mountain where you will see epic views. Resources

How to Visit the Four Corners: Perfect 7-Day Itinerary

man and woman in front of Ancestral Puebloan Ruins

Did you know the very best ancient ruins, cliff dwellings, and petroglyphs in the United States are located where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico meet? Not only that, but there are several national parks and monuments in the area as well as beautiful scenery on tribal lands, and it’s not crowded! To see the […]