Category: National Park

Great smoky mountains national park fall road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, National Park, Tennessee

Everything You Need To Know About Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park In The Fall

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Ahh. Gatlinburg in fall. The best and worst time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fall foliage is some of the best in the country and the crowds are some of the worst. It is the number one visited national park in the US, after all.

It’s also a bucket-list topper to see the Smoky Mountains in fall for a lot of people and for good reason. A few years ago wee went to the Smokies in the fall and loved it even though it was so busy, but we’re going back this fall and I’m SO excited.

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Megan Johnson!2 Comments
guadalupe mountains national park texas
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, National Park, Texas, USA

West Texas (Sort-Of) Hidden Gem: How To Spend Half A Day In Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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I knew most people that visited Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas did it for longer backpacking trips, or at least overnight trips.  We were just passing through and didn’t really know what to do or if it was even worth it. 

So if you’re just passing through, not backpacking, and want to know how to spend half a day in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, then welcome!  If not, well, you’re still welcome here!  Either way, this little hidden gem belongs on your national park bucket list.

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Megan Johnson!2 Comments
desert view tower in grand canyon national park
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park, National Park, Things to do that aren't hiking, USA

12 Of The Best Things To Do In The Grand Canyon For Non-Hikers

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When most people think of national parks, they probably think of the Grand Canyon, and for good reason.  It’s the grandest canyon in the country and millions of people come to see it every year. 

While hiking in the Grand Canyon is amazing, most people don’t, but there are tons of other awesome things to do in the Grand Canyon for non-hikers alike.  And don’t forget to book your Grand Canyon hotel before you go!

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Megan Johnson!2 Comments
grand prismatic spring yellowstone national park
National Park, Things to do that aren't hiking, USA, Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park

14 Of The Best Things To Do In Yellowstone That Aren’t Hiking

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*Clears throat, game show host voice*

Welcome back to another episode of Things to do that aren’t hiking in the national parks!  Today we’re featuring Yellowstone, America’s first national park, home to Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and more wildlife than you can imagine. 

We all know there’s tons of hiking in Yellowstone, but today I’m going to be sharing with you the best things to do in Yellowstone that AREN’T hiking but still totally bucket list worthy.

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Jenny Lake Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park, National Park, Things to do that aren't hiking, USA, Wyoming

The Best Things To Do In Grand Teton National Park That Aren’t Hiking

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN GRAND TETON OTHER THAN HIKING?

Welcome back to my things to do that aren’t hiking series!  This time we’re focusing on Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, one of my personal favorites, especially in the winter.  But, for this post I’ll be focusing on a summer visit.

So, if you’re planning on visiting Grand Teton National Park but don’t have time for hiking, don’t want to hike, want a break from hiking, don’t like hiking, or can’t hike, this is for you.

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Megan Johnson!3 Comments
bison in wind cave national park
National Park, South Dakota, USA, Wind Cave National Park

Rankin Ridge Hike: The Best View In Wind Cave National Park

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The Rankin Ridge hike in Wind cave National Park offers the best views from the highest point in the park.  This was our first real activity when we got to South Dakota and I was so excited to see me some bison and prairie dogs.

The last time we were here we just drove through so this time we wanted to actually hike since we couldn’t do a cave tour as they are currently closed for repairs or something.

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Megan Johnson!2 Comments
Watchman trail zion national park Utah
Bucketlist, National Park, USA

The Best US National Park Bucket List Ever

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There are affiliate links in here.  I get a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.

Everyone knows the national parks were America’s best idea, but it can be overwhelming planning a trip to them and deciding which to see and what to do at each.  Well, look no further.  This is the best national park bucket list ever. 

Not only does it include the best things to do in the national parks, but it’s broken down by park for even easier browsing. 

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Ranger Talk Cass
National Park, Ranger Talk

Ranger Talk: Cass In Yellowstone

Welcome back to another Ranger Talk, my national park ranger interview series!  This week I’m featuring a new Internet friend, Cass!  She’s currently working in Yellowstone.  If you want to see more interviews, head over here.  Just keep in mind, the views expressed here are her own and are not reflective of National Park Service in any way.

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canyonlands island in the sky moab utah
Canyonlands National Park, National Park, Things to do that aren't hiking, USA, Utah

The Best Things To Do In Canyonlands National Park That Aren’t Hiking

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Welcome back to my “things that aren’t hiking” series.  This series highlights activities in national parks that aren’t hiking.  Some easy walks may be included, but they are all easy according to the park website and under one-mile round-trip. 

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Megan Johnson!8 Comments
Landscape arch arches national park utah
Arches National Park, National Park, USA, Utah

Landscape Arch Hike: One Of The Best Hikes In Arches National Park

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One of the most iconic arches at Arches National Park, aside from Delicate Arch, is Landscape Arch!  Have you ever read arch more in one sentence?  This is the really long, skinny arch you see on the park maps that you get at the entrance.

I had hiked to Landscape Arch on our winter road trip, but it was a pretty gray and icky day so I wanted to go back when it was sunny and what better time than our four days in Moab!  Plus, it’s just one of those bucket list worthy sights.

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Megan Johnson!2 Comments
Ranger Talk: Dara
National Park, Ranger Talk

Ranger Talk: A National Park Ranger Interview With Dara Green

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Welcome back to another Ranger Talk!  This week we’re talking to Dara, an interpretive ranger in Virginia.  Just keep in mind, the views expressed here are her own and are not reflective of National Park Service in any way.

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Ranger Talk: Dani
National Park, Ranger Talk

Ranger Talk: A Park Ranger Interview With Dani In Texas

I recently decided it would be fun to start a series of National Park Ranger Interviews and, well, welcome to the first one!  I figured instead of just sharing experiences from National Park Service, I would share all kinds of ranger stories.  While Dani doesn’t work for NPS, she is a ranger for Texas Parks and Wildlife.  Just keep in mind, the views expressed here are her own and are not reflective of Texas Parks and Wildlife in any way.

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Capitol Reef National Park, National Park, USA, Utah

Cohab Canyon Trail: Capitol Reef’s Best View

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I feel like every time I do a new hike at Capitol Reef, it’s my favorite and things were no different on my first visit of the year.  Our plan was to drive Cathedral Valley Loop and camp a night out there, but as usual, things changed.  Our new plan was to hike Cohab Canyon then get salsa and ice cream at the Gifford Store.

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Megan Johnson!7 Comments
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado, National Park, USA

7 Reasons Why Visiting Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park Is Worth It

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This was my third trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and I was hoping for a little sun this time.  The first two trips were cold, rainy, and windy, but still totally worth it. 

This time it was warmer but still not quite sunny.  It was just a quick visit with some spare time we had in Grand Junction. And it’s just as amazing with and without any fog.

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Megan Johnson!13 Comments