Kristen May

The drive from Durango to Ouray via Colorado 550 (The San Juan Skyway) is one of the most gorgeous roads in the country. The drive itself is worth your time, but if you have time be sure to make stops along the way at the many waterfalls, hiking trails, and lakes along the road. This drive passes the Continental Divide as well as many other extreme elevation changes, so make sure your car has g...

Let me start off by saying, this is not an easy hike by any means. Only attempt this if you are an experienced hiker. The route has over 5,000 ft elevation gain in a little over 5 miles. You start off your hike in the Katahdin Stream Campground parking area, following the white Appalachian Trail blazes for the entire hike. If you are hiking this trail in the summer or on a weekend I would sugg...

This 78-foot waterfall, among the largest in the state, is easily accessible by two short trails. Lower Trail (0.5 miles) leads directly to the falls, whereas Cliff Trail (0.75 miles) has slightly more difficult terrain and takes you to a viewing platform. To lengthen the adventure, Hunting Creek Lake is close by for swimming, or you can continue your hike by taking Old Misery Trail for great ...

The free camping in the Coconino (as well as the many other national forests) is generally along the old Fire Roads, and old Forest Service Roads. You can tell if a road is one of these by a brown sign with an FS 123 or any other number, FS meaning Forest Service Road. There are many of these roads just outside the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument on Highway 89 Heading in the direction o...

The winter is the perfect time to explore this park as it does not draw in many visitors like it does in the summer months. You can walk along the sandy shores to photograph both the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as well as the bay itself. This is a very easy walk and could take you under 10 minutes and is perfect for if you are just passing through the area.

From the mount hood scenic byway in Government Camp, Oregon turn on the road that heads up to the Timberline Lodge. Follow that road to the end and park in the lot all the way at the top. In the ski season you need a pass to park there, but if you go in June, July, Or August (aka when the wildflowers are there) you can park for free. Walk up the little dirt road to the left of the Overflow park...

Starting in the parking lot you will follow the Red Trail for 1.3 miles until you reach the cliffs that give this park its name. The trail to the cliffs is both easy to follow and gorgeous at every turn. This is a fairly flat trail and is perfect for all skill levels as well as dog-friendly. Once at the sandy beach be sure to look through the sand for shark's teeth as they are easily found here...

If you're willing to go off the beaten path to a neat little ghost town, St. Elmo, Colorado is the place for you! About 2 and a half hours west of Colorado Springs, Colorado lies the town of St. Elmo, high up in the White River National Forest.The town itself was founded in 1880 when they discovered gold and silver in the area but slowly began to decline in the 1920's as the mining industry de...

These old ruins on the side of old route 66 in the town of Two Guns Arizona. The ruins themselves are very photogenic and worth a stop at. Be careful of snakes and the structural dangers of old ruins. This is a fun stop along the side of the highway to take photographs and watch the sunset.

The trailhead is located right off Weverton Cliff's Road in Knoxville, Maryland. Park at a Park and Ride on the right side of the road, then walk right out of the parking lot down Weverton Cliff's Road until you see the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Follow that trail for 1.5 miles along steep switchbacks and rocky paths to reach Weverton Cliffs. Along those 1.5 miles you come across on...