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Stephen Catalano

It's a bit harder to get to and its definitely off the beaten path, but Bowman is worth the effort. The trails along the lake are well maintained and very clean, without too much foot traffic thats common in the more popular areas of Glacier. Most mornings have a bit of fog coming off the water, which makes for some epic photos.

The rentals are pretty pricey... but I think its worth it if you arrive early and get glassy water. It was one of my favorite lakes for photography in Glacier.

This is classic Glacier National Park. If you're in East Glacier, its worth stopping off at. Wild Goose Island has probably been photographed a million times, but it doesn't make this any less beautiful. Check it out for yourself!

Knocked out this hike in early September with the entire family. Keep your eyes peeled for huckleberries, you should find a few patches along the trail. Its a regional treat that you should definitely try!

We really enjoyed the trail that leads all the way to the top of Big Mountain. It was a good choice for the whole family and the views at the top are pretty spectacular! The lodge at the peak also has food, drinks, and a spot to hang out.

Really enjoyed this paddle. We did this to get a change of scenery from the beach and were stoked on how it turned out. We brought kayaks from home and made a solid morning out of it!

Brought some out of towners to Shenandoah, most of whom weren't big hikers, and they loved this one. The views close to sundown are really spectacular and the trail wasn't too tough on those just wearing light sneakers.

This spot is ripe for landscape photographers in summer and fall. The river offers a nice, natural leading line for photographers. I'd recommend bringing a telephoto for some of the birds (if you like to photograph wildlife)!

Overnight camping is off limits in the meadow itself (the super convenient campground is literally across the road), but if you have a backcountry permit (easily acquired from the park) you can hike just beyond the meadow to plenty of campsites.

Nice for both photography and fishing. Pulled a few bass out of here in the springtime. Bring along your rod/reel for some fun!

These are worth the cost of admission. It's a fun family activity as well, kids usually get a kick out of it. I'd say its worth the extra driving distance if you're coming from the DC area, compared to Shenandoah Caverns!

Great swimming hole. Check this one out for a summer spot. We strung up some hammocks nearby and made a few hours out of it!

Lots of conifer along this trail. Really enjoyed the change of sights and smells. This is a nice trail for a weekend hike.

Dolly Sods gets TONS of rain, so don't expect to put together a fire (especially in the valley) if there has been recent rain. Dry wood is rather hard to come by. I'd echo the authors suggestion, push on toward the later campsite and try to get there on the earlier side!

We've done this a few times, usually with the entire family. Its a great place that most folks enjoy. Its not too far from DC, either. That being said, if you're looking for a slightly more grand experience, head to Luray Caverns (although its a longer drive).

Great spot for climbing as well. Theres a great guiding service, give em a call https://www.blueridgemtnguides.com/seneca-rocks-climbing.html

Was down at this area in May. Its in great condition, clean, great water access, and deep in the 'Sods. I love the stone chairs that folks have set up, its a nice place to rest before setting up camp!

The platform makes for an easy spot to set up a tripod.. better than uneven ground!

Came here for sunrise photos, following the directions in this post, and it didn't disappoint. Once at the overlook, morning fog blanketed the valley below offering some pretty epic shots/contrast.

Amazing view for such a small hike. Doesn't get much better if you're with friends/family.

I found a couple swimming holes after the falls which were not off limits. The best view is definitely from the main overlook!

In the last turn detailed, it's an easy one to miss. There were no cairns when I went, however I stacked a couple rocks to help the guy who has trouble finding those white blazes. Also recommend heading out to the overlook during sunset. It's a great spot to take it all in before turning in for the night.

This is a fun one. I came when it was rather foggy/misty and it added a bit of drama to the whole area. Read the signs along the way, all pretty interesting!

Although the power lines were a bit of an eyesore, the overall views are pretty great from up here. The hike up isn't too difficult, albeit a little rocky and unstable if you're not wearing the right footwear.