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Rim Rock Trail follows the edge of the bluff top, hence its name, and features vistas of a slot canyon below, a stone fort used by prehistoric Native Americans, a cave used on the Underground Railroad, and diverse wildlife habitats. Located near very popular Garden of the Gods, Rim Rock is sometimes overlooked. It shouldn't be. Most of the trail is paved with rock, and after the first 100 yards...

Hundreds of people will drive past this trail and arch on the weekends and never know they just drove past one of the best sights within the Garden of Gods Wilderness of the Shawnee National Forest. It is a few hundred feet off the road on the way to the more popular Garden of the Gods Observation Trail.  To find it, look for the first pull out on your way to the main attraction of Garden of th...

Shawnee National Forest played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century. As slaves escaped and headed north, the dense forest and rugged terrain offered natural hiding places. On the route through Pope County, Illinois, freedom seekers often used Sand Cave for shelter and protection. The mouth of Sand Cave is nearly 30 feet wide and set into the rock approximately 100 ...

Inspiration Point Trail is a 0.7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Wolf Lake, Illinois. The Inspiration Point Trail offers a panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley and the Big Muddy bottomlands and is well worth the climb. The 300-foot drop, seven feet to the left of the path, however, assures this is no regular hiking trail. More than 1200 species of plants and ...

The beach at Border Field State Park is southernmost beach in California. This beach begins (on US Maps) at the Mexican border and continues north to the mouth of the Tijuana River. The State Park shares its land with the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve which are both operated by the state of California. Be mindful that due to the low elevation of the park, the park is sometim...

Just south of the Lakeview Picnic Shelter is the 53-acre Round Bluff Nature Preserve. Round Bluff has been designated a nature preserve which means that you are only allowed to hike on maintained trails. This is an isolated area of the massive sandstones that form the canyons of Ferne Clyffe State Park. It stands like an island, separated from the principal bluffs of the park and contains an di...

The Big Rocky Hollow Trail isn't the only trail that starts at the parking area. Cross the stepping stones over the creek to find a place where the trail forks in three. Look for the sign for the Rebman Trail at the right-most fork. This short walk leads to a small canyon punctuated by a pair of picturesque waterfalls (best water flow is in the spring or after a large rain event).  Also on this...

Fan of Western movies? Most people are aware of Hollywood movies like Tombstone and Wyatt Earp along with the infamous real life Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  But instead of walking where Kevin Costner or Kurt Russell stood, walk the boardwalks along the dusty main drag where the real Doc Holiday stood.  The “Town Too Tough to Die” didn't earn its nickname name for nothing, it is now a booming ...

Explore two remarkably preserved American Indian cliff dwellings that date back to the 13th century. Set within a shelter bluff on the side of steep cliffs, the Upper and Lower Cliff Dwellings are well protected, and have great views of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. If you get to the park early in the morning you may have the opportunity to see the resident owl's that live in the ruins. The U...

This is a fantastic hike through the history of the early United States. And one with many interactive exhibits and recreation opportunities. From the Visitor Center, head onto the path towards the Yorktown Historic District. The historic district begins at the Dudley Digges House. Buildings that are open to the public for tours include the Nelson House and the Poor Potter site, though they are...

The Elk and Bison Prairie is a photographers dream within a 700 acre enclosure of native grassland habitat that was common to Kentucky over a century ago. Visitors travel within their enclosed vehicle via a 3.5 mile paved loop road.  About 50 bison and 50 elk call the area home. Entry fee is $5.00 per vehicle. Every experience is different, but very often, Large Elk and Bison will be close enou...

For 59 miles, the North-South National Scenic Trail winds up and down wooded hollows as you make your way along the length of Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. A National Recreational Trail, the North-South has a great mix of coastal views of Kentucky Lake (one of the largest artificial lakes east of the Mississippi River). This is a great introductory trail to overnight backpack...

The 9.3 (one way) section of the 44.5 mile that begins at the Tunnel Hill access point and travels south to Vienna, Illinois is one of the most picturesque stretches of Southern Illinois.  The former Norfolk Southern Railroad line connects to many other popular trails like the River to River Trail and the Trail of Tears.  As you start out southward from the site office at Vienna you get a view ...

Great for cyclists, this tour is full of beautiful scenery with rolling hills, redoubts, and history.  A six-stop tour of the Yorktown Battlefield has been designed to take visitors to the most important spots on the battlefield. Signs direct you from one stop to the next. Signs with red arrows are for the Yorktown Battlefield Tour. Signs with yellow arrows are for the Allied Encampment Tour, a...

From where Father Junipero Serra established the first of 21 California Missions in 1769, this area was the first permanent European settlement in the San Diego region. Today, past and present meet in a preserved historical park located near Downtown San Diego. You can explore life as it was in the mid-1800's through historical buildings and museums. There are more than 20 buildings dating bac...

At 2,250 feet, the Painted Wall in Black Canyon of the Gunnison is a sight that cannot be truly captured in photos. The layers of rock along the cliff's wall resembles a canvas with streaks from a paintbrush. This canyon took eons to create, and this view of the river and canyon walls is the highlight of the National Park. It is a quick and easy trip out and back to the overlook from the south ...

A Native American village once occupied the site of Wickliffe Mounds, about A.D. 1100 to 1350. Here, the Mississippian culture built earthen mounds and permanent houses around a central plaza overlooking the Mississippi River.  Visitors follow a self guided trail system to view the Ceremonial, Chief’s and Burial Mounds and take an archaeology walking tour. Exhibits in the main museum gallery gi...

Want an easier way to get to the bottom of the canyon without the rugged hiking trails? Drive to the bottom via the East Portal Road. Open once the harsh winter breaks, this road switchbacks its way to the bottom at the meeting place of Curecanti National Recreation area and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The road is really steep, with many switchbacks and therefore only vehicles o...

Dunbar Cave is located 60 minutes northwest of Nashville in Clarksville, TN. Dunbar Cave is the most prominent of several caves located in this designated natural area. In the entrance of the cave, square dances, radio shows, and big band era concerts were once held. Archeologists have found that this cave has been occupied by man for thousands of years, drawn by its constant stream flow and na...

Four separate trails make up the 8 miles of available hikes in the Bell Smith Springs National Natural Landmark. The dirt trails can be moderate to difficult in some areas. Please, stay on designated trails. The trails pass under large shelter bluffs and various rock formations while offering views and overlooks of Bay Creek. Discover the Sentry Bluff Trail, marked with blue diamonds, and trave...

The town of Port Royal was established in 1797, one year after Tennessee became a state. This was a major port for flat boats transporting of tobacco and other goods. The Red River was the life blood of the entire region.  Today, the park encompassing 30 acres, preserves and provides recreation along the same river bank that those carrying trade did over 200 years ago. Situated along the Red ...

The Pomona Natural Bridge located in Pomona Illinois is a great hike for most ages.  Starting on a scenic drive from the small town of Pomona, there is ample parking at the trailhead. The hiking trail is easily identified with its gravel path and sign. The trail begins at the top of a hill then descends downward immediately after it begins. No more than a quarter mile into the hike, the path co...

Along Colorado’s Alpine Loop, Cinnamon Pass sits 12,640’ above the San Juan Mountains. A high clearance vehicle preferably with 4WD is needed to reach the pass, but the breathtaking views along the challenging journey make it worth the ride.  During the gold rush in Colorado, Cinnamon pass was used to reach what would soon be the town of Silverton.  In the late 1800's a wagon road was installed...

The ghost town of Animas Forks, CO is located in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 11,200 feet. There are several original buildings remaining. The best way to explore the region is by Jeep or other high-clearance 4×4. The cabins began being built by prospectors in 1873. Three rivers meet nearby, one of them being the Animas River, leading to the name Animas Forks. By 1876, Animas Forks...