Top 5 Things to Do in New River Gorge

Are you looking for the ultimate adventure opportunity in the Appalachian Mountains in one of the most underrated destinations in the country? Welcome to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the newest National Park in the United States, and home to one of the oldest rivers in the world (despite its misleading name).

New River Gorge is located in wild and wonderful West Virginia, and is home to some of the most unexpected landscapes on the eastern side of the country. When you picture West Virginia, you might not picture rushing class five rapids, towering sandstone cliffs, and a multitude of waterfalls and wildlife, but you’ll find all of that and more in New River Gorge National Park.

I had the privilege of working as an Assistant Climbing Guide in the park during the summer of 2022, which means I got to spend all of my free time climbing, exploring, and enjoying unexpectedly wild West Virginia. Here are the top 5 things you should make sure you do during your trip to New River Gorge.

Know Before You Go

There are a couple things you should know ahead of your visit to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This is all my advice for navigating this park for the first time.

The weather in New River Gorge is unpredictable. Always assume it’s going to rain even if the weather isn’t calling for it. This is considered a rainforest, and showers can come quickly and come down hard. That being said though, summer is absolutely the wet season when it comes to rain. If you’re a rock climber looking for the driest time of the year to visit, we call Fall “send season” for a reason.

Dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere in New River Gorge as long as they’re kept on a leash. Feel free to bring well behaved dogs with you on trails, to the crag, or to picnic areas, and always make sure you have an extra poop bag on you so we can keep our wild spaces wild.

New River Gorge is not your classic National Park where you’ll enter through an entrance station and be within the park the rest of your time. New River Gorge is a park that’s interspersed with neighborhoods, Highway 19, and the adorable town of Fayetteville. The official National Park boundaries are the quarter mile of space surrounding the New River itself. Everything else is still considered “The Gorge” though, and is just as worth checking out while you’re there.

Go Whitewater Rafting

Since New River Gorge National Park is known for the New River, you can’t skip out on going whitewater rafting during your time here. You’ll want to book a trip with one of the local outfitters and the most popular company to raft with is Ace Adventure Resort, although you can’t go wrong with any company that’s going to get you safely on the water.

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to keep in mind that there are some age restrictions on the river. If you have young children, you’ll probably want to look into rafting the Upper New River, which only goes up to Class III rapids. Teenagers love the Lower New River, which goes up to Class V. Some companies even offer all day trips that will include time to swim in the river, lunch, and an overall longer adventure.

If you’re visiting in the fall and have a party of people over 16 years old, you might consider the biggest adventure available in the New River Gorge area: rafting the Gauley River. This rafting trip includes some of the most intense Class V rapids in the country (possibly even the world). While this river isn’t within New River Gorge National Park boundaries, it is part of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, also managed by the NPS. The Lower Gauley is slightly less intense if you’re not sure about embarking on the ultimate Upper Gauley adventure.

Rafting on the Lower New just before Fayette Station

Go Hiking

There are lots of hiking trails available in New River Gorge National Park and they all lead to somewhere beautiful. You can pick up a trail guide in the visitor center, but these are some of the most popular trails for finding the best views in the park.

(trail classifications and ratings are my own, based on the available terrain in the area)

Endless Wall Trail

Endless Wall is easily the most famous view in the park. Here, you’ll eventually reach Diamond Point Overlook, where you’ll gain views of some of the rapids and rafters below. This trail is dog friendly, and there are two parking lots. I recommend parking at the first one you’ll pass as you come from Highway 19. You’ll have the opportunity to make the trail a loop by hiking parking lot to parking lot, and if you park at the first lot, the section of this loop that will have to be along the road will be downhill rather than up (unless that’s your thing!).

Endless Wall is about 3 miles round trip, and I would classify this hike as easy.

Long Point Trail

Long Point is the other trail where you’ll gain some million dollar views of the park. Here, you’ll gain views of the famous New River Gorge Bridge and this is one of the best places to catch the sunset in the park. The trail starts off fairly flat and then starts to gain some elevation and rocks on the path toward the viewpoint.

Long point is about three miles round trip, and I would classify it as moderate.

Glade Creek to Kates Falls

Glade Creek is easily my favorite trail in the park, but it doesn’t lead to some incredible viewpoint. Instead, you’ll hike deep into the forest, along the rushing Glade Creek, to the stunning Kates Falls. This trail is fairly flat but long, so be prepared for at least a half day on trail with no cell signal. I recommend parking at the Lower Glade Creek Trailhead as the Upper Trailhead lot is 4x4 access only. Hiking to the falls from the Lower Glade Creek lot is about 9.2 miles one way, and I would classify this trail as difficult. Make sure you keep an eye out for the sign to Kates Falls on the left once you’re about a mile and a half from the bridge, and prepare for flooded trails and creek crossings—trekking sandals would be a great choice for this trail!

Kates Falls

Paddleboard on Summersville Lake

One of the most beautiful places in New River Gorge National Park is Summersville Lake, which is located about a thirty minute drive from Fayetteville. Here, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, climbers deep water soloing, and one of the best sunsets in the park (from the water of course).

Rent a paddleboard or kayak or bring your own to explore this huge and warm lake in the summers, just make sure that you bring a personal floatation device (PFD) for every passenger on your board or boat.

Be aware that some years, in the fall, the lake does get drained, so make sure you check the park website for updates.

The view from Diamond Point on the Endless Wall Trail

Go Rock Climbing

Other than whitewater rafting, climbing is the most popular sport to do in the New. Rock climbers from all over the world travel here, and many end up staying, because of the beautiful Nuttal Sandstone walls, incredible trad routes, and fun sport climbs. There’s even a good assortment of boulders for anyone who’s not stoked on rope climbing.

If you’ve never climbed before, there are outfitters who can take you on your first climbing trip—gear included! I personally worked for Ace Adventure Resort, but other climbing outfitters include Adventures on the Gorge and Appalachian Mountain Guides.

Another great resource for climbing (other than Mountain Project and the local guide book), is the local climbing shop: Waterstone Outdoors. Every employee here is super knowledgeable and wants to help you get on the rock as soon and as safely as possible.

Hal Homel lead climbing in New River Gorge National Park

Explore Fayetteville

There’s a reason Fayetteville is known as the “Coolest Small Town.” Downtown Fayetteville, West Virginia is super cute and has a lot to check out. Other than Waterstone Outdoors, our local climbing shop, there’s a huge assortment of places to visit like the Hobbit Hole, which is the antiques shop, the Great Googly Moogly, which is the local crystal shop, and restaurants like Cathedral Cafe and The Takeout.

Overall, there is so much to see and do in New River Gorge National Park and its surrounding areas, so make the most of it, get out of your comfort zone, and try something NEW.

Sedona, AZ Bucket List

Sedona, AZ is already a bucket list destination for hikers, photographers, spiritualists, and vanlifers, but what do you do once you get to Sedona? From the crowded trailheads, to the must-see Uptown Sedona, this is everything you need to do and see in Sedona, AZ.

What to know before you go…

The best time of year to visit Sedona, according to the weather, is between October and April, but the best time of year to visit according to the crowds is in the summer. Sedona is located in Northern Arizona, so it gets really hot in the summer, making it almost impossible to hike. In the winter, though, the crowds make it so that you need to choose a hike the night before, and get there first thing in the morning in order to find a parking spot that allows you to actually hike.

Most hikes in Sedona that aren’t affiliated with a state park are dog friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friend along!

On the Soldier’s Pass Trail

Visiting Sedona Vortexes

Sedona is a highly spiritual location full of energy Vortexes. These are natural spaces that are known to be super energetically charged, so much so that spiritual people can feel an energy shift while they are near them. You can recognize them by the swirly “vortex trees,” and they’re often found at the top of hikes like Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon.

At the Boynton Canyon Mesa

Hikes You Should Do

Sedona is known for hiking. This is the main thing we do whenever we visit Sedona, and there are so many trails, I definitely haven’t hiked even close to all of them. These are my favorites for first time visitors, though, so that you get the best experience.

Devils Bridge: 4 miles RT, easy-moderate. Devils Bridge takes you to the famous bridge arch formation, where you can get your perfect picture. The trail starts on a 4x4 dirt road, and eventually climbs to the viewpoint. Be careful on the bridge though—it’s narrow!

Devils Bridge Trail

Cathedral Rock: 1.2 miles RT, moderate-difficult. Cathedral Rock is a straight ascent of about 700 feet up to a beautiful viewpoint and spiritual vortex. This hike involves some heavy rock scrambling, and I highly recommend going in real hiking boots.

Solider’s Pass Trail and Seven Sacred Pools: as long as you want it to be, easy-moderate. The Seven Sacred Pools are an easy .25 miles from the trailhead, but if you want to go to Soldier’s Pass or the nearby caves, you’ll be doing about a 4 mile hike. We liked returning by walking the 4x4 road to avoid crowds going to the Seven Sacred Pools from Jordan Pond.

The Birthing Cave: 2 miles RT, moderate. This cave trail is easy until it reaches a steep ascent during the last .25 miles to the top. Traditionally, Hopi women came here to give birth, which is part of how it got its name (the other reason being its yonic shape). This is a very busy trail, so be prepared for crowds, and if you want a picture perfect scene for the ‘gram, get there early!

Cathedral Rock Trail

Healthy Hippie Bites

Sedona is a true hippie town full of amazing plant based food. These are my favorite spots for any meal, any time of day.

ChocolaTree: If you’re looking for amazing lunch or dinner food, ChocolaTree has you covered for vegetarian food. With options for any budget and diet, including raw vegan, you’ll love this organic eatery. My favorite thing to order at ChocolaTree is the Mushroom Fantasy.

Local Juicery: If you’re looking for a quick bite for lunch, Local Juicery is an amazing choice. From smoothies and juices, to easy on-the-go meals, this is the place to stop for any food you’re craving. My favorite thing to order here is the Avocado Toast.

Berry Devine: For anyone trying to cool off after a hike, Berry Devine has got you covered. This acai bowl place carries organic acai soft serve perfect for quenching any thirst. My favorite thing to order here is the Vortex Bowl with agave instead of honey and vegan granola.

At a Vortex just after sunrise

Visit Uptown

Shopping, believe it or not, is another thing you have to do in Sedona. But not just any shopping: crystal shopping. Sedona’s Uptown is their version of downtown, with shops after shops, and restaurants you won’t find anywhere else. Aside from the clothes and art galleries, you’ll find endless metaphysical shops in Uptown, and these are the perfect spots to buy crystals and other spiritual goodies during your trip. My favorite metaphysical shop in Uptown is called the Center For New Age, a shop where the spiritual energy is high, and you’ll find the most genuine crystals in town. They also have affordable incense, a spiritual bookshop, and a vortex at the back of the store.

Sedona, AZ is one of my favorite places in the US, and as a spiritualist, it’s a must see for anyone who connects to the energy of the universe. Even if you’re skeptical, no one can doubt that the hikes here are incredible, and there’s no chance that there is a more beautiful desert town in the Southwest.

Live in a van? Check out last year’s Vanlife Guide to Sedona at the link below!

Beautiful Destinations for Beginner Vanlifers

Vanlife is becoming the newest movement, and with so many people embracing the nomadic lifestyle, there are more visitors than ever to a lot of the most popular places in the US. While places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Park, are incredible, when you drive a large vehicle, these places aren’t as accessible as we might like them to be. However, there are lots of places in the country that are super accessible to vanlifers, and are must see’s when it comes to getting out and exploring the country for the first time. These are my favorites for when you first hit the road.

Sedona, AZ

Sedona is a vanlife hotspot that everybody already knows about. It’s not a secret destination, but it is incredibly van friendly, and the locals are welcoming to vanlifers. There’s Forest Road to camp along, free water fillups in town, and three major grocery stores to shop at. Not to mention, the endless hiking trails, beautiful scenery, and good plant based food. This is an area that people travel to every year, whether they live in a van or not, and the accessibility of the things to do, great places to sleep, and easy ways to stock up on supplies makes it a great choice for beginners.

Cons: The trailhead parking lots are super small, so if you live in a big vehicle like me, you might have trouble parking at some of the most popular trails.

Learn more about Sedona in last year’s blog post: A Vanlife Guide to Sedona

Joshua Tree National Park, CA

National Parks are notoriously inaccessible, but Joshua Tree is a small exception. This beautiful National Park has large vehicle accessible parking, lots to see, do, and hike, stunning desert scenery, and nearby BLM land to park on, on both the South and North ends of the park. You can also fill up water in all bathrooms with running water, both on the South side of the park at the Cottonwood Visitor Center, and the North Entrance Station.

Cons: Joshua Tree is not dog friendly. While your dog can accompany you into the park, they are only allowed in the picnic areas, and not on any of the trails.

Bend, OR

Bend is easily one of my favorite places to be in the country. Aside from the adorable downtown, dog friendly trails, and nearby free camping in the Deschutes National Forest, this is truly a vanlife hotspot all year long. It’s even the site of one of the largest annual vanlife meetups, Descend on Bend. This is a super van friendly city where the locals know that vanlifers love to pass through. You’re allowed to park overnight on the streets in the city, too, if you don’t feel like driving out to the National Forest.

Cons: It is a larger city, which makes it a bit harder to navigate in a van. Be prepared for skinny dirt roads to get to camp, and busy highways to get into town for groceries.

Top 5 Most Dog Friendly National Parks

We love traveling with our furry friends, but as a lot of people who like to travel in the US know, most National Parks aren’t super dog friendly. There are a few we’ve found since traveling with our border collie, Lassen, that we’ve loved due to the dog friendly trails. It’s made it easier to travel with him, and we all have so much fun getting to see the sights! These are our top 5 dog friendly National Parks.

Don’t miss the BARK Ranger program at many of these parks—a goal to educate dog owners on where their dogs can and can’t go in the park. Parks with BARK Ranger programs are specified below.

Great Sand Dunes, CO

If you’ve been following a while, you’ll know that we loved Great Sand Dunes National Park. This is a fairly large park, and the whole main area of the sand dunes is completely dog friendly. Your dog has to be on a leash, but we don’t mind! Lassen was able to climb to the top of High Dune with us and run with us down the sides of the dunes. We loved how dog friendly this park was, and so did Lassen!

White Sands, NM

White Sands National Park, NM is very similar to Great Sand Dunes. Dogs are allowed all over the dunes as long as they’re on a leash, which made this the perfect sunrise park for us. We love being able to take Lassen along on adventures, so it was great to not have to leave him in the car to experience the park. White Sands is also part of the BARK Ranger program.

Petrified Forest, AZ

While Petrified Forest is a small park, and one of the least visited, it’s also one of the most dog friendly. Lassen was able to come everywhere with us. Most of the trails in this park are paved, so as long as your dog is on a leash and stays with you on the trail, they’re allowed to accompany you throughout your entire trip through the park. Petrified Forest also has a BARK Ranger program where you can get a free treat for your dog.

Olympic, WA

Olympic was actually the park that coined the BARK Ranger program! Olympic is a huge park, and while not all of it is dog friendly, many of the beaches are! This was where Lassen first saw the ocean. Our favorite beaches to take our dog to were Rialto and Ruby Beach. Your dog is also allowed around Crescent Lake and on the Spruce Railroad Trail.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, CO

While your dog can’t hike down into the canyon with you, this is the perfect National Park to take your dog to if you’re a sight-seeing type of traveler. Dogs are allowed to join you at all of the park lookouts, even the ones that are unpaved. Lassen and I had a great time driving to each viewpoint while Jared did a bigger hike into the canyon.

It’s unfortunately very hard to get a picture of a dog with a canyon you have to get very close to the railings of to see. But I promise he loved it!

Honorable Mentions:

City of Rocks National Reserve, ID

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, NE

Top 5 Underrated Destinations of 2020

Despite 2020’s strange circumstances when it came to travel, the magic of vanlife is that I still got to see quite a bit of the country. We passed through more than 15 states on our way from California to Kentucky, between mine and my boyfriend, Jared’s family. Even though we dealt with COVID-19 closures, restrictions, and stress, there were still quite a lot of places that truly stood out to me. I have a whole list of places I’d love to return to one day, but I’ve complied my top 5 underrated destinations for you to add to your list for future travel.

Ranch horses in the Alabama Hills

The State of Idaho

Idaho is seriously one of the most underrated places in this country. From unexpected mountain ranges to flowing waterfalls to abundant hot springs, Idaho has natural beauty around every corner. Idaho is located in the west, in between Oregon and Washington on the coast and Montana and Wyoming inland. It’s known for its potatoes but it is so much more than that!

City of Rocks, ID

Places worth seeing:

·       Sunbeam Hot Springs

·       Stanley

·       The Sawtooth Mountains

·       City of Rocks National Reserve

·       Craters of the Moon National Monument

Sawtooth Mountains, ID

Badlands National Park, SD

This is an interesting one because I actually visited the Badlands in 2019 too, but didn’t like them nearly as much as I did this time. I recently wrote a whole post on the Badlands so I don’t feel like I need to go into too much detail, but the Badlands are spectacular. They are located in western South Dakota, and are home to animals such as coyotes, pronghorns, bison, prairie dogs, big horned sheep, and more.

Places worth seeing:

·       Yellow Mounds

·       Roberts Prairie Dog Town

·       Toadstool Rock

Alabama Hills, CA

The Alabama Hills were actually the first place we chose to live during quarantine in the vans. Located just outside of Lone Pine, CA in the Eastern Sierras, the Alabama Hills are located on BLM Land, which means free camping, lots of hiking and climbing, and stunning views. The Alabama Hills are known as the “Whitney Portal—” the gateway to Mount Whitney, the Lower 48’s tallest mountain. Because of that, you’ll get both desert rock formations and mountain views when you visit this iconic spot.

Places worth seeing:

·       Mobius Arch

·       Whitney Portal (drive or hike to the Whitney trailhead, depending on the time of year. If you’re up for it, and the trail isn’t snowed over, it’s 11 miles one way to the summit!)

·       Death Valley (This famous National Park is only an hour away and worth the day trip)

Hiking the road up to Whitney Portal

Crested Butte, CO

We spent about a month in Colorado, and while I loved so much of the state, Crested Butte will always stand out to me as my favorite. Famous for being a ski town in the winter, Crested Butte is surrounded by mountains such as Gothic Peak and Crested Butte itself. This area is home to some incredible wildlife such as elk and bears, and mountains that resemble those of Glacier National Park. This is the first place I heard an elk bugle, so in the fall, make sure you keep an ear out!

Places worth seeing:

·       Gothic Peak Trail (even if you don’t make it to the top, the views are pretty incredible)

·       The town itself (the town of Crested Butte is adorable and reminded me of places like Telluride)

·       Crested Butte (this towering formation is hard to miss, and you can hike or bike to the top if that’s your thing)

Mount Hood National Forest, OR

I’d wanted to visit Mount Hood for a really long time, but I didn’t realize how incredible it would really be. This is a place to climb mountains, swim in lakes, dip your toes in an ice river, and camp with a view! Mount Hood is easily my favorite National Forest in the country, only rivaled by the Sawtooth and Wind River Wildernesses. Mount Hood is also full of waterfalls, stunning pine trees, and dog friendly trails.

Trillium Lake

Places worth seeing:

·       Trillium Lake

·       White River

·       Cooper Spur (if you feel like climbing a mountain)

·       Timberline Lodge

·       Tamanawas Falls

Tamanawas Falls

While 2020 wasn’t the adventure we thought it would be, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t plenty to be seen. How many of these places have you visited? How many are on your bucket list?

Colorado’s 4 National Parks, Ranked

For the past 3 weeks or so, my boyfriend, dog, and I have been traveling around Colorado. Colorful Colorado has so much to offer in terms of nature, and while we’d both been before, there were definitely a couple firsts this time around. Colorado is home to 4 beautiful National Parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde, along with tons of Forest land, state parks, and other NPS designated sites worth visiting. Each one is completely unique from the last, and they each have their own highlights. Now that I’ve been to all 4 Colorado Parks, it’s time to rank them, so that you can best plan your own trip to one (or four) of Colorado’s iconic National Parks.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

#4: Mesa Verde National Park

While we loved all four Colorado Parks, someone has to be number four. The thing about Mesa Verde is, it’s about the history. You truly need to take the time to read each plaque as a way to understand what it is you’re looking at so you can appreciate the fantastic building skills of the ancient Puebloans. I love learning about history and culture, and MesaVerde is almost like a beautiful outdoor museum. The only reason it’s at the bottom of this list here, is because we visited during 2020, and the tours to go inside Cliff Palace were not running. We didn’t feel like we were able to get the full experience at Mesa Verde, so we’re looking forward to when we can go back and experience it in full (hopefully in cooler weather too.

Mesa Verde National Park

#3: Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is truly a spectacular park. It is one of the steepest and narrowest canyons in the world, and its dark color is what gives the park its name. Here, you can explore by driving the 6 miles of road to the many (dog friendly) overlooks, including Painted Wall and Cedar Point, and drive down into the canyon via the East Portal Road, so you can experience the Gunnison River for yourself. If you’re more adventurous, score a permit to hike into the canyon on one of the three wilderness routes: Gunnison, Tomichi, or Warner. And remember, just because this park ranked #3 doesn’t mean I didn’t like it, I just liked the next two even more!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

#2: Great Sand Dunes

I absolutely love Great Sand Dunes. It’s like a spiritual escape to me. Walking barefoot on the sand at sunrise—there’s nothing better! Great Sand Dunes is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The entire dunes area is considered wilderness, and the park is home to animals like horned toads, bears, and tiger beetles. The sand can reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer during the day, but in the evenings and mornings, it’s pleasant, and even meditative to walk on. We particularly love this park because of how dog friendly it is. Much of the dunes area is an area where dogs are allowed, and there are a few trails where they are welcome too!

Great Sand Dunes National Park

#1: Rocky Mountain

There’s no question Rockies had to be #1. This enormous park is located in northern Colorado, and is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the state. From towering mountains to stunning lakes and rivers, no trip to Colorado is complete without seeing the Rocky Mountains. While I personally didn’t spend a lot of time here (it was too risky to visit this time around due to the fires), I’d still say it’s near the top of my list of parks I need to revisit. This green park is known for the presence of bears, moose, and other large alpine animals you’ll only find at this elevation.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado is wild in itself. It’s quickly become one of my favorite states in the country, and the National Parks here are truly something that can’t be compared to! Which one is highest on your list?

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Why Great Sand Dunes is the West’s Most Underrated Park

As we travel through Colorado, I’m slowly falling in love with a state that, last year, I thought was only meh. Having only really explored the northern part of the state last year, I hadn’t really experienced everything this unique place has to offer. Colorado is the last stop in the Western States before you reach the flat Midwest, but that means it has more to offer than most other states. Colorado is part mountains, part plains, and part southwest all rolled into one. Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Great Sand Dunes National Park. You don’t hear a lot about this park. It isn’t in any way on the same level as, say, Yellowstone or Yosemite in most people’s eyes, but as soon as we arrived, it quickly made it onto my top ten list of National Parks I’ve visited so far.

Great Sand Dunes was my 36th National Park, and it’s easily one of the most unique. This is why Great Sand Dunes is the most underrated National Park of the West, and why it should top your bucket list.

The Tallest Sand Dunes in North America

Great Sand Dunes is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, reaching over 700 feet above sea level. These dunes stretch far into the distance and are the main attraction in the park. People bring sleds, sand boards, and even skis to experience these unique slopes. While we didn’t have any of these, we still had the time of our lives hiking up the dunes barefoot, and then running down in this low impact environment (perfect for me, who is healing a knee injury). The views at sunrise and sunset are incredible, and the sand is cool as long as you don’t visit in the middle of the day.

A Unique Ecosystem

Great Sand Dunes is more than just sand. In the distance, as you climb the dunes, you’ll see a clear view of stunning mountains, which adds a whole other level to this park. Some of the park is actually alpine zone, which is home to animals like bears and mountain lions. This section of the park is accessible by foot only, which makes it one of the most remote places you can visit within Great Sand Dunes. If you visit in the late spring and early summer, you’ll get to experience the creek that runs through the dunes, creating a unique beach far away from the ocean. The thing to remember is, no National Park is only known for its main attraction, so it’s important to give the rest of the park a chance too!

It’s Dog Friendly

Many National Parks have heavy restrictions when it comes to bringing your dog along for the adventure, but Great Sand Dunes is one of the most dog friendly parks in the country. While they don’t have a Bark Ranger Program, Lassen, our border collie, was able to do everything we wanted to do while in the park. There are a couple trails he could go on, and he was allowed up with us through the first high ridge of dunes. This meant we didn’t have to leave him behind for our sunset or sunrise hikes. Not to mention, he loved it! Running on the sand with us was some of the best fun I’ve seen him have in a long time.

It Isn’t a Popular Park

Both times we entered the park, we got parking right away. This isn’t a super popular park which makes it perfect for those wanting to get away from the crowds and be in nature. Great Sand Dunes is an extremely underrated place in the Western states. So, tell me, is it on your bucket list yet?

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Backpacking in Wyoming's Last Wilderness

When you go on your first backpacking trip, nothing can prepare you for the pain. In your hips, in your legs, the mental discomfort of forcing yourself to reach a destination your body doesn’t think you can reach. You will be carrying a good fraction of your body weight and fueling yourself with dehydrated food.

For my first backpacking trip, my boyfriend, Jared, convinced me to venture with him into one of the Lower 48’s last true wildernesses: the Bridger Wilderness. We planned on 15 miles a day, something only experienced backpackers can do. I’m a hiker. I’ve been hiking for about 4 years now, but I haven’t carried a 30+ pound pack on my back over the long distances I usually hike in a day. Starting out, I suddenly felt connected to Cheryl Strayed, realizing that I couldn’t possibly make it 15 miles when it took me twice as long to cover a mile than it would with just my normal day pack on.

By the time we made it to Eklund Lake, there was talk about stopping, less than halfway to our original goal of Titcomb Basin. We were here to experience the Wind River Range, some of the last untouched wilderness in the country. You can’t drive to the Winds. There are no roads that lead here. The closest many people make it is Photographer’s Point, about 4.5 miles in, where the day hikers usually stop.

The view from Photographer’s Point

But I didn’t want to stop at Eklund Lake. I wanted to feel like I accomplished something, and in my brain, that meant at least making it to Seneca Lake, which is often used as one of two base camps for the Titcomb Basin (the other being Island Lake).

Finally at Seneca Lake

With hundreds of people on the trail, we didn’t see any wildlife except the scattered ground squirrels and chipmunks, and baby birds screaming for food in the trees. I had hoped to see a moose or a bear (from a distance), something that would make this place feel more wild than the parks I usually hike in, but the truth is, the journey itself was what made it wild. At no point did we know how far we’d walked, or how much further we’d have to walk. By the time we made it to Seneca, the avocado I’d packed and meant to eat for lunch suddenly became the best thing I’d ever tasted, but I was still craving potato chips or something other than the sugary protein bars I’d packed due to the last minute decision to go on this trip in the first place.

Entering the wild

By the time we reached mile 17 over two days, my knee injury decided to scream at me. The last thing I wanted was to walk anymore. But we had to keep going so that we didn’t have to spend another night in the tent. So we kept going, and when we returned to the van, I collapsed on the bed and was so thankful for my tiny home on the road. I was so thankful that I could return to the trailhead and be home. But my body still hurts, even as I write this little recap. My hips are still bruised from carrying my pack, my legs are still sore, and yet, I’m inspired to go again. Not now, but eventually.

-HWS

City of Rocks: Idaho's Unexpected Dog Paradise

Last week, we had the privilege of exploring, in full, one of the most beautiful states in the country: Idaho. Idaho is incredibly underrated, so I went on a mission to find the most beautiful places in the state. We explored the Sawtooths, saw Shoshone Falls, and even witnessed a meteor fall over the highway during one of our drives, but the one place that truly stands out to me when it comes to Idaho is a small natural reserve right on the Utah state line called City of Rocks.

City of Rocks is a National Park Service run site that is known for its rock climbing, historical significance, and giant natural features. But on top of that, it is also one of the most dog friendly NPS sites in the country. Dogs are allowed everywhere with their owners here, as long as they are kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. So this means that all hiking trails and rock climbing areas are ones where your pup can hang out with you.

This was such a relief to us. We love the National Parks, but it’s hard to visit them with a dog sometimes. We find ourselves skipping a lot just because we don’t want to leave our border collie, Lassen, in the van, especially during the summer when it’s so hot. We were more than happy to hike with him on leash during our time there because we feel that it’s a privilege that he’s allowed at all.

City of Rocks quickly became a super memorable place for me, and it’s one that I think everyone should add to their western US bucket list. So, tell me, after you read this post, has Idaho made your must-see list yet?

The Twin Sisters

A little bit about Leave No Trace

Before visiting any park, it’s important to remember our Leave No Trace Principles. More detail on this can be found in these two articles: HERE and HERE, but the general rule is to leave the place better than you found it and respect those around you. That respect also goes for the park itself, and the rules they have in place. While this is a dog friendly park, that doesn’t mean your dog can run the place. The largest violation of rules and LNT principles the park encounters is people letting their dogs off leash. It’s important to respect their leash rule, and keep your dog under control, so that dogs can continue to be allowed in the park in the future.

View from the visitor center at City of Rocks National Reserve

A City of Geology

City of Rocks is a fairly small park that is often explored in conjunction with its sister park: Castle Rocks State Park. City of Rocks is free to visit, but is made up of a long, unpaved loop road that will take you to all of the sites. Camping is available in the park, but they do take reservations (so check recreation.gov before visiting if you plan on camping in the park).

The park is made up of endless iconic rock features, the most noticeable being the Twin Sisters. While they are not really twins (the one on the left is much older), they are still a must see within the park, and one of the best places to stop for a photo or lunch.

As you drive through the park, you’ll also come across what is known as their “Inner City.” This is where you’ll drive through the most rock formations, and where you can stop and see rocks such as Parking Lot Rock and the Window Arch.

This park is known for its climbing culture, so if you’re a climber, plan on spending a few days out here, weather permitting. With endless routes to climb, you’re sure to be in climbing heaven.

Window Arch in City of Rocks National Reserve

A Deep History

City of Rocks is home to over 6 miles of the historic California Trail, upon which over 200,000 people traveled between the times of the Gold Rush and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. This place was a landmark for those passing through, and throughout the park, you can see their signatures still staining the rock in axle grease, so keep an eye out as you drive the park’s loop, and see which names you can find throughout your trip.

(disclaimer: please do not add your name to the rocks. It is disrespectful to the park’s history and violates park rules and Leave No Trace guidelines. If you cannot respect the place you are visiting, please choose to visit virtually instead).

Putting Idaho on the Map

Idaho technically does not have any National Parks with Park status. It holds a small sliver of Yellowstone, but as most of the park lies in Wyoming, it’s hard to give Idaho its credit. That being said, Idaho has so many beautiful NPS sites that hold Monument or Reserve status, such as City of Rocks, Craters of the Moon, and Hagerman Fossil Beds. Idaho is full of natural wonders, and is so much more than just a farming state. If it isn’t on your list yet, it absolutely should be.

Axle Grease Signatures on the rocks

Need help planning a road trip through the West? I’ve been road tripping for years, and I’d love to answer your questions directly and plan your trip for you. To get on the phone with me and discuss your trip, head over to my Patreon and sign up for at least one month of road trip resources (plus you get a pretty cool sticker just for joining).

How To Visit A National Park With Your Dog

One of the largest misconceptions about domestic adventure travel in the US is that dogs are not allowed in National Parks. National Parks are public land that is run by the National Park Service, meaning, they have a lot more restrictions that other types of public land that are run by the Bureau of Land Management or US Forest Service. Because of the fact that these restrictions are fairly well known by visitors, it’s often rumored that you can’t bring your furry friend along on your adventure. But, that couldn’t be less true! Dogs are absolutely allowed in National Parks, it’s just a matter of finding out exactly where they’re allowed during your visit.

Hanging out at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park

Why are there restrictions on pets in the parks?

There are a few reasons for the restrictions on dogs in National Parks, but the main one is that dogs are not part of the natural environment. Their presence has the power to disrupt the ecosystem because they can pollute areas with their poop, eat plants, and scare animals off that would normally be present in an area. For this reason, it’s really important to respect these regulations so that we can preserve these areas for future visitors. That being said, there are areas in each park where dogs are allowed, so let’s explore those areas!

Exploring Crater Lake National Park in Oregon

Where are dogs normally allowed in National Parks?

In pretty much all parks, you can guarantee that dogs are allowed in parking lots and picnic areas. In some parks, there are dog friendly trails to hike, so check each park’s website before visiting. They are often allowed on dirt roads, and can enjoy viewpoints with their owners.

To find the pet friendly areas in each park on the park websites, go to Plan Your Visit > Basic Information > Pets.

Taking a walk along a dirt road in Mount Rainier National Park

What parks are more dog friendly than others?

Some National Parks are more dog friendly than others. The two most popular dog friendly parks are Acadia and North Cascades, but there are quite a few that you can take your furry friend to when you really do your research. Zion has a dog friendly trail, and Olympic has dog friendly beaches. Crater Lake is a great option since most of the park is only accessible by car.

It’s also worth looking into visiting National Park Service sites that don’t have National Park designation, such as monuments, preserves, and recreation areas. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area has dog friendly beaches, and City of Rocks National Preserve is known as a dog friendly park. This will allow you to use that National Park pass you love, while letting your dog tag along.

Taking a walk near the visitor center in Crater Lake National Park

What is the Bark Ranger Program?

Similar to the Junior Ranger Program, the Bark Ranger program is a free program for all the fur babies who come along on a National Park adventure. This program allows dogs and their owners to learn exactly where their dog can and can’t go in the park, and allows your dog to get sworn in as an official Bark Ranger. They will also receive a special Bark Ranger badge to wear on their collar or leash and take home as a fun souvenir.

Watching the sunset in Olympic National Park: the first park to create their Bark Ranger Program

Visiting a National Park with your dog will be a different experience than you’re used to, but it doesn’t have to be a boring one. There truly is so much you can still see and do with your dog to make it a worthwhile visit, and once you learn the rules, you’ll get to see the Parks through your dog’s eyes, which can be magical in its own way.