United States

The Basics: Picture this: Winter on Colorado's Front Range. It snowed yesterday. You're stir crazy because today it's 60 degrees and sunny outside, but the trails are a muddy mess! Cue Oil Well Flats. Located just an hour outside of Colorado Springs, this trail network rarely sees precipitation, ...

I loved this trail when I lived in Lakewood. It has a decent elevation gain, close to the city, spectacular views, and you can pretty much hike it year round unless you just had a winter snow storm (though you could just hike in snow boots!).  Take the John O Hayden Trail from the Utah Parking l...

Start your hike where the AT crosses Raven Rock Road (Maryland Route 491). This crossing is well-marked from both sides by large, yellow signs and blazed stakes. You will need to park on the side of the road, but the shoulder is wide and can accommodate a crowd.  The first half mile or so of this...

The major draw of this campground however is the beach. Many of the campsites overlook the water, but if you don’t have a view from your site it takes less than a minute to be in the sand. We made our trip from the University of Oregon in Eugene. It was a gorgeous 2 hour drive, and after driving ...

This loop is great for families and all skill levels. The gardens are open year round, and feature different seasonal flower assortments. The San Antonio Botanical Gardens has an entrance fee of $10 per adult. The gardens have a small cafe for a quick bite to eat. The gardens feature flowers, pon...

Wyllie's beach is a small beach next to Anini beach. It is on the northwest side of the river mouth. There is a 0.8 mile trail down to the beach. The trail head is near the Westin Princeville. This is a handy beach for those staying in the Princeville area, as it is walkable from most vacation ho...

This easy trail crosses a truss bridge over the Cache River and features a floating boardwalk in the middle of one of the most beautiful and accessible Cypress-Tupelo swamps in the Midwest. There are 10 interpretive panels located along the trail to guide your way. The floating boardwalk section ...

Williamsburg, Virginia , founded in 1632, is one of the oldest cities in America. The city has played major roles in American history as the capital of Virginia and as a political center for the American Revolution. Today the city offers an abundance of museums,beautiful bed and breakfasts, and l...

On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire. We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums p...

The Black Canyon of Gunnison is know for 2000 foot cliffs and a beautiful raging river below. The south side of the canyon is the most popular and the easiest to get to. The visitor center is also on the south side making it convenient for information and getting souvenirs. The scenic drive also ...

The thinking spot isn't a secret spot but it will seem like it when you arrive at an empty crag with dozens of routes all to yourself. There are climbs ranging from 5.7 to 5.11 so there's something for most. Though directions to get to the crag exist on Mountain project, there is practically no b...

Set out from Pamelia Lake Trailhead through dense old growth forest. You'll see giant cedars, mixed firs and stunning mountain streams carving their way thru very green forest. After a couple miles, you'll reach Pamelia Lake. This is a great place to grab a snack, water, take photos and camp if y...

Oceanside Beach is often passed over for Tunnel Beach just north. Both are great, but you're missing out if you don't head down to Oceanside and fly a kite.  There's a parking lot right next to the marked location. Park there, then head down to the beach—don't forget your kite! 

Located at the state's westernmost tip and perched over the Pacific Ocean, the Cape Blanco Lighthouse was built and 1870 and features views up and down the rugged Oregon Coast. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, tours cost $2 for adults (free for youth 15 and younger). Tours: April-Oct. 31...

Pig Rock, aka The Pig, as its name suggests, is a pig-looking outcrop of volcanic tuff that has a variety of routes great for training and being introduced to trad climbing. There is no approach to the routes themselves, as you can park right at the base of The Pig. To get there, take Hwy 445/Pyr...

Willow Lake has become my favorite spot in all of Utah.  It feels so distant from civilization in the mountains, but is only a 25 minute drive from Salt Lake City. I have hiked to Willow Lake close to 10 times this year during different seasons, and have never seen more than 5 people on the trail...