United States

Nestled in Oak Creek Canyon, and throughout the Red Rock District are several picnic and day-use areas. Popular sites include; West Fork, Red Rock Crossing, Banjo Bill and Grasshopper, which provide unique hiking, creek side picnicking, swimming and fishing opportunities. All Oak Creek Canyon cam...

The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. From the Elkhart trailhead parking lot, take the Pole Creek Trail directly adjacent to ...

Seal Beach is a small beach community between Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Right off PCH (Pacific Coast Highway), this sandy beach is a great place to chill on a hot summer day. The high winds coming off the water makes it an ideal place to kite board, surf, or simply fly a kite along the sho...

At 10,200 feet, the trailhead (Little Lakes Valley) for Ruby Lake is one of the highest (if not the highest) in the Sierra. Meaning you get right to the heart of the mountains quickly. Ruby Lake itself is at 11,200 feet elevation.How to get there: At Tom's Place off of Hwy 395, turn southwest int...

Before you head out for the trip, you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. You can get one online from the Yosemite website or pick one up at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center or from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley. Go to Yosemite and take Highway 120 up to Tuolumne Meadows. You ca...

Starting at the Norton Lakes trailhead, travel up into the mountains through pine forest, with several small stream crossings (if you're going early in the summer, be prepared to wade). Although this trail packs on the elevation quickly, you're rewarded after just 2.1 miles with a view of beautif...

Directly off of Interstate 81, headed toward West Virginia on Rt 33 is a beautiful lake only known by the locals. Switzer Lake, named because Switzer Dam was placed on the Dry River years ago to aid Harrisonburg and the surrounding area with its increased need for drinking water. The lake is seld...

Park in the circle in the Boykin Springs Recreation Area (see map) to access the trail. This is a dog-friendly trail that doesn't get crowded.

The trail begins just past the Trinity Alps Resort, a private collection of cabins near Weaverville, CA. Hikers wanting an early start can spend the night at the Bridge Camp Campground, located next to the trailhead. The path starts out wide and level, following an old road to the wilderness bou...

For the adventurous backpacker looking to get backcountry in central Colorado, the stunning beauty of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness cannot be beaten. While the Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen might be the most photographed mountains in North America, the beauty is definitely rivaled by ...

Phil Foster Park has a large parking lot, but on weekends or during peak hours looking for a spot can get competitive, so leave yourself a little extra time to meet your target "in the water" time. If you're like me and you don't have your own snorkel gear, rentals are available from the Force-E ...

This 6+ mile hike is located at Pinecrest Lake in the Stanislaus National Forest located in Tuolumne County and features a lake, river, forest, waterfall, and swimming hole. It is accessible year-round,  in winter there will be snow, and the hike is dog friendly except between May 15th-September ...

This is an easy access, fairly short backpacking trip to a high mountain lake, which is good for kids. A super dusty, dry and smoke permeated trip to the base of Three Fingered Jack. Forest fires raging throughout the northwest poured smoke in to the entire western half of the state during this A...

In State Forest State Park, you start at Agnes Cabin, a historic cabin built in 1925. Because of its rustic architecture, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. It is a one-story, lodge pole pine log cabin. The cabin is empty, bu...

This summer backpacking trip provides plenty of opportunities for exploration and endless moments to take in awe-inspiring scenery. On our visit, after setting up camp at the Lake Verna backcountry site, I quickly made my way to the next lake (Spirit Lake) to photograph the sunset. The symmetry a...

Paddleboarding on Lake Placid is definitely and activity to add to your list when up in the Adirondacks during spring or summer. Surrounded by mountains, there are multiple coves you can explore around the lake. There is no set route to follow but circling Buck Island or exploring Paradox Bay are...