Johnathan .Explorer
I'm a Colorado native that's passionate about photography, exploring nature, live music, and craft beer. On my free days you'll most likely find me on the trail and behind my camera. Life is short, get out there and explore! Follow my adventures here on The Outbound.
The trail at Sapphire Point and really short and flat, which is perfect for those that may be just visiting the area for the day or those traveling with families. You'll get great vistas of Lake Dillon and Summit County.
3.0
This is a easy to reach off road trail near Keystone that is great for beginners. However, it should only be attempted in high clearance 4x4 vehicles as there are some places where a low clearance car will scrape. You can turn this into a loop by connecting it with Deer Creek, which will take you back to Montezuma, but the connector between the two is a little rough. Did this in a stock 2017 4Runner just for comparison and it was a breeze.
5.0
This is a great hike near Moab that does not require a park entrance fee. The trail head is right off the Potash Road and only requires about 3 miles of hiking round trip. There is a small section where you will need to use permanent cables and posts to get up the slick rock, but this can be easily navigated by most people, even novice hikers, with careful foot placement. The description references a rope swing, but keep in mind roped activities near the arch have been banned by the BLM, so don't get your hopes up for some rad footage for your next IG story.
5.0
We stayed here over a weekend in March and were pleased with the stay. The great thing about these sites is that they are so close to town, so if your travel plans include exploring Moab, then this is the place to set up. It is above town, so you're more exposed to the weather, our first night we battled intense winds only to come down to town the next morning to have it be a beautiful sunny morning. You have great views of the La Sals plus it seems like most sites are dispersed a little bit, so its not like you're camping right on top of your neighbor. If you're looking for something remote and with solitude, this isn't the place for you, however.
3.0
Jason is right, finding a good composition can be tricky just because of the monument's proximity to modern civilization, but the rocks themselves are gorgeous. Sunrises and sunsets here are really good because the rocks tend to glow with the low hanging sun. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.
4.0
The views from Signal Mountain can't be beat if you want to get an overview of the Tetons and the park. We came here to photograph the sunset and were absolutely blown away. Be sure to get here early so you can claim a good spot. I suggest bringing a camp chair, a blanket, and a thermos of coffee so you can enjoy the show.
5.0
If you want to have the best reflections, do this in the morning when the water is calm. When there aren't any waves the lake is still and like a perfect mirror. Also, you can fish the lake if you have fishing gear with you. Just know that no bait fishing is allowed, so you can only use artificial flies or lures. Be sure to check the park's fishing regulations here: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/fishing.htm
5.0
We decided to an easy trail after our hike to Cracker Lake and this was just the trail we were looking for. Relatively flat with great views and not too long. The waterfalls themselves are spectacular, but the lakes along the way also provide some great scenery. This trail is perfect for families or those wanting to experience the park without having to do a 12 mile trail.
5.0
We stayed here for four nights during our trip to Glacier and we loved it. Granted, all the sites are pretty much right on top of each other, but that's camping in a Natl Park for ya! All the bathrooms are very clean with running water and flush toilets. Not every campsite has a bear box (weird), but we just kept everything in our car. Be sure to keep a clean campsite as the rangers do patrol the grounds quite regularly and take bear safety VERY seriously. The gift shop/general store and the cafe are a short distance away which is very nice in case you're craving a candy bar or forgot to pack something.
5.0
We did this hike in mid-July and it was absolutely amazing. You can pay for the ferry which takes you from Swiftcurrent Lake over to Lake Josephine. From there it's about a 1.5 mile hike to Grinnel Lake. We opted to rent a canoe to paddle across Swift current, and then hiked from the far dock over to Grinnell Lake, that makes it more of a 2.6 mile one-way hike. The views across Lake Josephine are hard to beat, until you actually get to Grinnell. The lake sits in a massive bowl that's surrounded by cliffs and mountains. It was definitely hard to leave the lake to head back!
5.0
This has been one of my all time favorite hikes that I've ever done. The trail is relatively flat with one short section of switch backs near the beginning, but after that it's relatively flat. The entire trail is jam packed with views and the lake itself is simply jaw dropping. This makes for a great day hike if you're in the Many Glacier region. Be sure to make lots of noise on the trail and bring bear spray, we passed fresh scat on the trail and saw a mama grizzly and cub up on ridges near the lake!
5.0
This is a nice, short little hike that's great for out of town visitors. You get a great view of Red Rocks on the west side, as well as a great panorama of the hogbacks on the east side. If you park at the trailhead on the C-470 side, be on the look out for a side trail on the right hand side right before you get to the top. This trail will take you onto the Dakota Ridge Trail which will actually take you on top of the hogback. Even better views if you do this trail!
4.0
If you're headed to the Sand Dunes then you'll want to make sure that you go when there's water in the creek. A quick call to the ranger station can let you know how high the creek is running, but like Katie says, peak flow is between May and June. One of the interesting facts about Medano is that it has "waves". As the sand walls build up and eventually break, water surges can be seen flowing down the creek periodically! Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen and bug spray! The sun can quickly bake you and the mosquitoes will eat you alive without preventative measures. Sometimes we like to take a cooler full of drinks and snacks along with some camp chairs to just sit out and relax with our feet in the water.
5.0
This is an amazing hike that will give you some spectacular views near Santa Fe, the trail isn't too long so you can easily bust it out in half a day and on to your next adventure. One thing to definitely consider is the heat. The New Mexico sun can really heat up the area in the summer and I would suggest doing this early in the morning or in the shoulder months. Otherwise, it's definitely worth checking out!
5.0
This hike is not very long or strenuous, but Park Ave is one of my favorite areas in the park. The towering sandstone cliffs make you feel so small, there's nothing like it. Go during sunrise or sunset and the rocks will glow! Definitely bring your camera along.
4.0
If you are visiting the Island In The Sky district in Canyonlands then you have to check Mesa Arch off of the To Do List. The trailhead is right off the main highway and the trail itself is short and easy. Perfect for families and people of every ability. Don't leave Canyonlands without seeing it!
5.0
The Upheaval Dome trail is a short but fun hike. Definitely do the hike out to the second overlook as this will give you a little more solitude. Looking at Upheaval Dome through pictures won't even begin to give you a sense of how big it is, so do yourself a favor and see it in person!
4.0
Hiking up the stone fin to get to Double O Arch may give those that are afraid of heights some butterflies, but don't let that stop you from completing this hike as the effort is well worth the reward! Double O is one of the most spectacular arches in the park and is truly a sight to behold.
5.0
The Primitive Trail in Devils Garden is one of the best trails in Arches NP! There is some exposure to heights, but nothing that a healthy hiker in good shape couldn't tackle. I recommend doing the loop counter-clockwise so that you knock out the pesky sand dunes first. Definitely add this hike to your list if you're visiting the park, it gives you some of the best views around!
5.0
The falls are spectacular as they're situated back in a little canyon, so you definitely will have to get your feet wet, there is no avoiding that. Typically what we'll do is hike one of the nearby trails, hit the falls on the way out (the cold water will feel great on your tired feet), and then head back to the dunes to lounge near the creek. This is a very short hike, but if you're camping in the area then it is a must see.
4.0
The hike to the Alcove House from the Visitor's Center is short and is a perfect excursion for those that may only have a few hours in the park. A series of four ladders will take you 140 feet up from the creek floor to the Alcove House. Fear not, however, as the ladders are sturdy and bolted into the rock face for extra stability. I definitely suggest that everyone that visits Bandelier does this hike!
5.0
This is by far one of my favorite places to go around Denver for an after-work adventure. There are many different trails to the top so you can make it different just about every time you come here. The views from the top are some of the best around because you can see downtown Denver to the east and Red Rocks to the west! If you really want to elevate your experience then come here in early summer (late May/early June) to hike among all the wildflowers. Be sure to stick around to watch a sunset from the top, you won't regret it!
5.0
There's a reason Red Rocks is so famous. Yes the rocks make a world class concert venue, but the surrounding area is also chock full of natural beauty. Any time someone tells me they have family or friends coming in to Denver to visit I always tell them to make sure to go to Red Rocks. If you visit Denver and don't check this park off your list then you're missing out!
5.0
There are great vistas here of the Front Range and Denver. What makes it so great is how close it is! From downtown Denver you can get here in about 20 minutes!
3.0
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