The Most Unexpected Bucket List Landscapes in the US

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Let’s just get one thing out on the table: the US is huge. Because of its size, this one country is home to tons of crazy landscapes, from the tundra of Alaska (which is still on my list) to the volcanoes of Hawaii. Really, the US is home to some incredible, insane, unexpected landscapes you can’t find anywhere else. These are worlds you might think you’d find way up in Canada’s Northern Territories, in the deserts of Africa, or even, maybe, an alien planet?

Here are the most unexpected destinations in the US, which you should probably add to that bucket list after you’re done reading this.

(Disclaimer: 100% of these spots are run by the National Park Service. There’s a reason these spots are protected land, so please, if you visit, make sure you keep them as pretty as when you arrived).

Glacier National Park, Montana

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

I know I’ve talked about it on the blog before, but it’s such a cool place, it can’t not make this list (don’t worry, it’s the only repeat destination on here). Devils Tower is truly one of a kind. It’s the only rock formation like this in the world and attracts huge numbers of rock climbers, hikers, and sightseers to its park every year. Devils Tower is a sacred place for Native Americans, and you might see prayer flags as you hike around the park, especially close to the tower. This is also a great place to see wildlife (especially prairie dogs), as this part of Wyoming is right where the pine forests of this mountain state and the grasslands of the neighboring Dakotas meet. And, if you want to visit Devils Tower and the Badlands in one go, they’re not too far from each other!

Read more about Devils Tower HERE!

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Okay, I know Utah’s other National Parks are a bit more famous, but Bryce is absolutely mind-blowing. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos—the strange rock formations that visitors describe as looking like either people or sandcastles (or both!). Advanced hikers have the chance to hike down into the hoodoos and experience them up close, but even if you don’t trust your hiking ability, there are plenty of fantastic views from the rim! This is one of the most unique desert landscapes out there, and is the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. They’re formed through a combination of plate tectonics, sediment deposition, and erosion, and their bright orange color lets them form a truly alien landscape.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington

While there are a couple temperate rainforests in the United States, the Hoh Rainforest in Washington’s Olympic National Park is the only temperate rainforest you can actually drive your car into. Complete with a campground, tons of interesting wildlife, and scattered rainstorms, this is truly a landscape to escape to. It honestly feels like you’re in a different country (or maybe the world of Jurassic Park?), and the temperature ranges from hot and humid to freezing cold in the winter. Located in the Pacific Northwest, it’s clear that this is a place that stands out amongst the surrounding mountains, coastline, and big cities.

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

Haleakala National Park literally looks like Mars. This was actually the first National Park I ever visited, and needless to say, I was blown away. From the long winding drive up the dormant volcano to the vast, red landscapes that feel like they don’t belong on the lush, green island of Maui, Haleakala is a landscape you truly can’t find anywhere else in the US, and perhaps nowhere else in the world. Haleakala is known for its sunrises, and often, tourists will take a bike tour to ride down the mountain just as the sun comes up over the Hawaiian horizon.

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii (photo “vintage” circa 2012)

Glacier National Park, Montana

 Glacier National Park is hands down, my favorite place I’ve ever visited. This alpine landscape definitely deserves to be on this list as one of the most unexpected places in the US, simply because it’s not a landscape that you’d generally find this far south. Although many of the Glaciers are now melted, there are still a few that stand which are accessible by hiking trails. I wouldn’t recommend hiking to the glacial views, though, unless you’re an advanced hiker, as the trails that allow you to see the most intact Glaciers are quite long. There are accessible views of Jackson Glacier, though, along the Going to the Sun Road. The Going to the Sun Road offers some of the most beautiful views in the country (although it is often closed November through May), and is only accessible to vehicles less than 21 feet long.

There are three sections of Glacier: East Glacier, which is at a higher elevation and offers great views of St. Mary Lake and some of the first views of these incredible mountains, West Glacier, which is tucked away in the woods and close to the adorable town of Whitefish, and Many Glacier, which is where much of the glacial access is hiding, including the famous Grinnell Glacier trail.

I could go on about Glacier forever, but for now, it should definitely be added to your summer bucket list. It does get crowded, so get there early for a campsite, and plan on taking the shuttle around the park if you can to reduce car traffic. Most importantly, though, in this remote National Park, make sure that you respect wildlife—it’s everywhere, it’s beautiful, but wildlife is wild, and should be enjoyed from a distance.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Honorable Mentions:

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

 The United States is home to an incredible array of unique landscapes. From the deserts and hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the melting glaciers of Glacier National Park, the diversity of the country’s landscape is one that’s hard to challenge. These are five places that should absolutely be on your adventure list— they’re sure to give you the wow factor you’re looking for in a National Park, and will inspire adventures to last a lifetime.

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Why I Travel Solo

“You’re going where by yourself?”

“That must be so lonely.”

“Why on Earth would you travel solo?”

Long story short, because I love it.

In the summer of 2019, three days after I graduated university, I loaded up my Kia Soul and hit the road for three months straight, living out of the back of the car, and driving to all 48 connecting United States. (More on this in “My Journey.”)

But, it didn’t start there. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision, although a lot of the decisions I made while on the road were. This trip was brewing for a long time, and the thing that sparked it the most was my Horrible Year of 2018. But of course, one bad year isn’t the reason I travel solo, it’s just a big part of why I hit the road at all. Traveling solo to me is an empowering experience, and a liberating one. As a solo female traveler, the road is a strange place to reside, but it feels like home now, and I don’t know if I would feel that way if I’d never made the decision to go it alone.

Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

I got tons of questions when I was on the road. One conversation I remember vividly happened at a private campground in Indiana that I ended up at because the National Park didn’t have a spot for me. The owner of the campground had talked to his wife who’d checked me in, and came up to me while I was making dinner, asking “You’re going all the way to Mammoth Cave by yourself? That doesn’t seem very safe.” By this time, I’d been on the road for two months and very much knew what I was doing. The solo thing didn’t feel strange to me, but it dawned on me that it was probably very strange to other people.

Mount Rainier National Park, WA

There are a ton of reasons I travel solo, and if you ask any solo female traveler their reasons, they might have some of the same ones as me, and some completely different ones, but the fact is, solo travel is an experience that’s unique to the person doing it.

First and foremost, solo travel is incredibly liberating. Have you ever been on a trip with someone and spent the entire time worrying about whether or not the other person is having a good time? Maybe you spend the whole trip just doing things they want to do so that you can sidestep any guilt you might have if you pick a spot and they hate it? Yeah, me too.

Traveling with friends can be great, truly it can. But for the long stretches of time that I like to go for, it’s an incredibly liberating feeling to be able to make all your decisions for yourself without another person to worry about.

Glacier National Park, MT

When you don’t have another person with you, you’re able to learn more: about yourself, about life, about the world. I had to do things on the road I never would’ve experienced had I not been alone. I had to troubleshoot and make decisions on my own and listen to my gut more than I ever would’ve with a partner, and for that, I’m super grateful.

Solo travel allowed me to figure out parts of myself I think I was missing after that Horrible 2018 and allowed me to fall in love with this nomadic lifestyle. Being kinetic is something that felt so right to me, as if to say “no wonder you felt so stuck when you were in school! You’re meant to be moving!” And I never would’ve found that little bit of my soul—my wandering soul—had I not been alone.

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

Now, you’re probably wondering: what possibly could’ve happened in 2018 that prompted her to take off around the country by herself for 3 months with an insane goal? Plenty. Plenty happened.

2018 started with my dog passing away unexpectedly. A few months later, the last summer break I’d ever have started off with a breakup with someone I never should’ve been in a relationship with in the first place, and then a few months after that, I started one of the most physically and emotionally demanding jobs I’ve ever worked. And a slew of other things.

If you’ve read My Journey, then you’ll know that the trip that started it all had been in the back of my head for about 5 years before I actually left on it. And it was at the beginning of that summer of 2018 that I decided I was going to do it alone, and in a year, instead of waiting any longer.

Congaree National Park, SC

And when I did finally do it, I experienced some of the most beautiful places of my life. From the hot Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, to the swamps of Congaree National Park in South Carolina, to the icy cold of Glacier National Park in Montana, I’ve gotten to see some of the most unreal landscapes in the country, and all because I made a decision for myself to prioritize my own happiness.

Just the prospect of traveling alone was an act of stepping out of my comfort zone, and that in itself was one of the most empowering decisions I ever made.

Shenandoah National Park, WV

Traveling alone can be scary. It can be stressful. It can be lonely. But despite what plenty of people told me before I left, I never once felt unsafe, and the reason for that is that I listened to my gut about everything I did. If you trust yourself, solo travel can be a freeing experience, rather than one of mystery and the danger everyone projected onto me prior to leaving. Solo travel is scary in the way that any new experience is, making you so aware and present of everything happening around you, in the best way.

So, if you haven’t traveled alone, or haven’t even thought of traveling alone, this is for you: make that first move. Hit the road, book the flight, choose your first destination. The world is waiting to show you what you’ve had hiding inside you all along.

Top 5 Fee Free National Parks

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If you’re a National Park freak like I am, you probably already own an America the Beautiful pass, or one of the related interagency passes that allow you to get into National Parks for free (or at least cheaper). However, if you’re new to the National Park system, those entrance fees might be slowly blowing that travel budget as you realize how many of your public lands you still have to visit. Luckily, there are a select few National Parks that don’t have an entrance fee attached.

As I traveled the country, these parks all surprised me in different ways. Their landscapes were some that I’d never expect to all be connected somehow by interstate highways, and although a lot of them are smaller parks, there’s a reason they’re protected by the National Park Service. At first, I was disappointed to find out that not all National Parks were like Yosemite, with its entrance gate that suddenly leads you to what feels like a different world, but the truth is, in a country with landscapes as diverse as the United States, it’s important to recognize that beautiful nature comes in all shapes and forms, and sometimes, you need to surrender to the fact that a National Park might include the town built around it, or serve as a highway between two states. When you do this, the result is a certain kind of magic.

These are my top five fee free National Parks:

Lake Kabetogama, Voyageurs National Park, MN

#5: Congaree National Park, SC

Honestly, I really like all of these places, so putting this only at #5 was super hard. Congaree is an incredibly unique Park known for its swamp. The famous boardwalk loop will take you through all of its unique landscapes, and it’s a great park for seeing bugs, spiders, and other, larger wildlife, such as armadillos, owls, and snakes. This is also a great park to take kids to, as the boardwalk is easy to walk, and is stroller and wheelchair accessible. There are of course other trails in the park as well, but as this is a swamp, it’s important to hike at your own risk. Congaree does offer a great campground as well, so you can spend as much time soaking in this unique environment as you want.

Tip: It’s still super important to support our parks while we visit because, although they’re federally protected, they don’t get very much funding. If you can, think about purchasing something from the National Park gift shops located inside visitor centers, and if you can’t, simply make sure you Leave No Trace, so that it’s just as beautiful for the next person who comes along.

Congaree National Park, SC

#4: Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

Mammoth Cave is the largest cave in the world, stretching over 600 miles long under the ground. The park doesn’t charge admission due to it being the location for over one hundred historic cemeteries, but they do charge a small fee to get into the cave. For only $6 you can explore the cave on a self guided tour of their lit area, and for only a bit more you can go on a ranger guided tour, and experience even more of the cave itself. If you really don’t want to pay anything, though, there are plenty of nearby hiking trails for you to explore, and you can definitely view the natural entrance to the cave for free (although, at that point, you might as well pay the $6 to go in). The cave itself is a crisp 52 degrees Fahrenheit, so bring a sweatshirt! The park does also offer an awesome campground, so be sure to get there early if you need a spot to stay!

Mammoth Cave National Park, KY

#3: North Cascades National Park, WA

North Cascades National Park is a fantastic mountainous park that’s free because it’s so interspersed with National Forest land. The Park itself is home to quite a few campgrounds, but they’re all spread out along the highway, so do some research about what part of the Park you’d like to call home before you get up there. While there is no cell service or internet in most of the area, I did get some service at the Newhalem Visitor Center, so for a solo traveler, that’s the campground I’d recommend. North Cascades has tons of great trails, and is dog friendly.

North Cascades National Park, WA

#2: Voyageurs National Park, MN

While Voyageurs doesn’t really have its own campground, it’s surrounded by State and National Forests, which provide plenty of spots in the woods for people who need to stop for the night. Voyageurs doesn’t have a ton of hiking trails (all of them can basically be done in one day), but the landscape is absolutely gorgeous. Right across the lake lies Canada, and the views are to die for. You’ll be surrounded by forest your entire trip here, and needless to say, there’s plenty of wildlife to be found. There’s also cell service throughout the whole park, and plenty of access to nearby lakes for boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.

Voyageurs National Park, MN

#1: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Bet you didn’t know that the Smokies were free to visit! It’s no question that Great Smoky Mountains National Park would end up in my #1 slot for this category. The National Park with the most annual visitors in the country, the road that goes through the park itself actually serves as a road that people use to commute, and spans from North Carolina to Tennessee. The Smokies are an incredibly biodiverse landscape that’s home to black bears, a huge selection of plants, and of course, the fog that give the Smokies their name. The drive through the Smokies is one of the most magical out of all the National Parks I’ve been to, and the hiking offers fantastic views like the one pictured below. As one of the big and famous National Parks, the Great Smoky Mountains should absolutely be near the top of your list. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see one of the most incredible landscapes in the country for free?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN and NC

While National Parks tend to cost between $20 and $35 just for admission, these are great for the new National Park explorer. Here, you’ll be able to get out, and enjoy the outdoors for practically nothing, making it so you can enjoy your time in the parks just a little more.

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Wyoming: A State of Firsts

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When I hit the road back in June 2019, Wyoming was one of the first states I visited, and the first that I would describe as a mountain state. Crossing from Idaho into the Northwestern corner of Wyoming brought me almost directly into Yellowstone National Park: the country’s first National Park, and widely regarded as the first National Park in the world.

Wyoming is a state of firsts when it comes to protected land. From the first National Park, to the country’s first National Monument, to some personal firsts along my own journey, Wyoming will always hold a special and important place in my wandering soul. Having visited four of Wyoming’s National Park Service Sites, I’ll be the first to jump up and explain the state’s diversity, but it’s the firsts that really make this state unique. Yellowstone and Devils Tower (the country’s first National Monument) are two incredibly different landscapes, and yet are two must-visit places for anyone visiting Wyoming for the first time.

Artists Paint Pots, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Yellowstone National Park

Of course, while there’s definitely more to do in Wyoming, Yellowstone is a good place to start. As the world’s first National Park, Yellowstone offers incredibly vast landscapes, some of the best camping I’ve ever experienced, and diverse wildlife (including the famed “bison traffic jam”).

 Yellowstone is a unique experience that everyone should have at some point in their lives. The park itself is an active volcano, and it’s known for its geysers, prismatic pools, and incredible views.

I only had the fortune of staying one night in Yellowstone, but it was one of my favorite nights of my whole 3 months traveling the US.

My first day in the park involved sightseeing. I’m usually a huge hiker, but with my limited time in the park, I was determined to see as much as I possibly could. My first stop was the Artist Paint Pots, little pools of boiling water that give Yellowstone such an iconic landscape. The Paint Pots smell a bit like sulfur and are definitely too hot to even go near, which is why the park has built a boardwalk surrounding the pools. It’s not one of the most famous places to stop, but it was definitely cool enough for me to put it on your radar.

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, WY

From there I made my way to Old Faithful: the famous geyser. While it’s not the largest in the park, it’s the most famous because of its predictability. If you love Old Faithful, you’re in luck because there are tons of other geysers just waiting for you throughout Yellowstone. Unfortunately, I got to Old Faithful about five minutes after it erupted, which meant I had to wait about an hour and a half before it would go off again. Luckily, this forced slow-down was just what I needed and let me stop and have my lunch and hit the visitor center.

After being wowed by Old Faithful, I made sure to hit some other iconic sites on my way to my campground. I passed the Grand Prismatic Spring, Mud Volcano, and Yellowstone Lake, and finally ended my drive for the day in Canyon Campground, one of my favorite campgrounds I’ve stayed in. It was definitely a chilly night, and Yellowstone made it easy to handle with everything that came with my campground reservation. Located in Canyon Village, Canyon Campground had the most amenities included in a campsite I’ve ever experienced. I got 2 free showers, access to laundry, access to a dishwashing station, flush toilets, and my own personal bear box, and the campground was close to the store and café where there was spotty wifi available (not super strong, but enough to use to get in touch with my family). It was also one of the only places in the park with a gas station. Canyon was a fantastic experience, yet it was a bit pricey. For one night, though, it was more than perfect.

These bison proceeded to surround my car after I took this picture

My second day in the park, as I made my way toward the Tetons, I made sure to hit one more stop: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The South Rim has one of the most famous views in the park—Artists Point—which is known for attracting painters and photographers from all over the world. On my way in, I spotted one lone bison eating his breakfast, and on my way out, I found myself in my own personal bison traffic jam, alone on the road, surrounded by animals nearly as big as my car.

The one thing I wish I did when I was in Yellowstone was to head up to the Lamar Valley. The Lamar Valley is known for having some of the best wildlife in the park, so it’s definitely on my list for next time!

Artists Point, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park, WY

Devils Tower National Monument

I wasn’t expecting to return to Wyoming, but after learning how close Devil’s Tower is to South Dakota, the science fiction nerd in me couldn’t help by head back into this familiar place from the beginning of my trip.

Devil’s Tower is the country’s first National Monument, and was used as the set for Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It’s the only rock formation of its kind, and attracts climbers from all over the world. While it’s much smaller than Yellowstone, I actually stayed two nights here because I wanted some time to rest and not drive for a day.

The park only has one campground, and I lucked out and got a site with a direct view of the Tower (A12, if you’re curious). During the summer months, the campground offers fun ranger programs at night (I learned all about prairie dogs), and everything in the park is super close to everything else.

Devils Tower from Tower Trail Loop

My second day involved hiking the “Devils Tower Marathon,” a connection of trails recommended to me by a ranger I got to know while I was there (since the park is so small, there were only a select few rangers around). The trails start with the Joyner Ridge Trail. You can find the trailhead by driving up a little dirt road near the visitor center, and you’ll be greeted with amazing views of the tower once you’re up there. You’ll then take this to the connector trail between Joyner Ridge and Red Beds, and from there, if you want, you can connect to the valley views trail (which I didn’t do because of stinging nettles), or continue to the Tower Trail loop before finishing the Red Beds and Joyner Ridge.

The entire series of trails gives you an awesome, diverse look at the park, and plenty of views of the tower and the climbers that have set out to summit it that day.

Devils Tower is an incredibly unique place that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet, so if it wasn’t on your radar before, it definitely should be.

Devils Tower from Red Beds Trail

Wyoming is a state of firsts, and while I visited two other National Park Service sites while I was there, these are the two that have made the biggest lasting impact on United States public land conservation throughout the years. They’re both very different from both each other and all other public land in the country, and deserve to be on your list, no matter where you’re from.

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How to Visit Salem, MA and Pay For Nothing But Parking

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It’s October, and I know a lot of people are heading out to New England and specifically Salem, MA to celebrate the changing weather and recently dubbed “Spooky Season.” Salem is a fantastic destination any time of year, but with the changing autumn leaves of October, and the general spooky vibes the place gives off, there’s no better month to go.

I had the fortune of visiting Salem during the summer and the spooky feelings were already there. As a heavy budget solo traveler, I was determined to pay for nothing but parking and food, and if you bring your own lunch, you can take a day trip to this famous town for only $6 all day parking (and gas).

Salem, Massachusetts was made famous by the Salem Witch Trials, an event that occurred in 1692 which resulted in the deaths of 20 people accused of witchcraft.

Today, the whole town is themed around the idea of witches and Halloween and is home to tons of museums such as the Salem Witch Museum and Halloween Museum. These attractions aren’t free, though, so if you’re a budget traveler like me, these aren’t really an option. The good news is, there are plenty of free things to do in Salem to experience the town.

Statue near the Salem Common

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial was built in 1992 to commemorate the 20 people who were killed during the Salem Witch Trials 300 years prior. The memorial is free to visit and consists of 20 benches, one for each of the people whose lives were taken and surrounded by black locust trees. This is a somber place, but one that should absolutely be experienced if you are planning a day trip to this little New England City.

The Old Burying Point Cemetery

Directly next to the memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, which is where one of the Witch Trial judges is buried. Also a somber experience, it’s important to visit these places out of respect for the place’s history if you’re also going to experience the Halloween festivities (or in general, they’re interesting and important stops any time of year).

Walk Downtown Salem

Even if you don’t plan on buying any souvenirs, walking through downtown Salem is a cool experience in itself. With witch-themed shops, cobblestone streets, and a beautiful fountain statue, Downtown Salem is a cool place to hang out if you need some downtime during your day in Salem.

Downtown Salem

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Venturing away from the spooky stuff, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site features a cool little walk down to the lighthouse that’s beautiful any time of year. Run by the National Park Service, this National Historic Site is a good break from the hustle and bustle of the touristy parts of the city, and not to mention, it’s interesting to see this site that was so crucial to the building of the US in a place that was so destructive to human lives. This site is also attached to the free visitor center just outside of Downtown Salem, where you can get information about the entire city.

Lighthouse at the end of the walkway in the Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The Hocus Pocus House

While I personally didn’t visit the Hocus Pocus House because I didn’t want to move my car and lose my paid-for spot ($6 for 4 hours, which was more than enough time to see all of these things and eat lunch), it is free to visit. If you’re a fan of the Disney original Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, this is a must-see for you! While they do have paid tours that will take you to all of the filming locations in the city, visiting the house won’t cost you anything (although you probably won’t be allowed inside).

Follow the Red Line

If you’re out of ideas, look to the ground! Likely, wherever in the city you are, you’ll find a red line painted on the floor somewhere nearby. This red line will take you to all of the important historic spots in the city, so if you’re worried you might’ve missed something, this is a great thing to do to make sure you don’t drive away while there’s still more to see.

While it has a grim history, Salem, MA has its hidden beauty

Salem, Massachusetts is an important part of American history, not just a spooky spot to visit during October. But since it is such a hotspot for all things Halloween, tons of tourists flock there this time of year. Luckily, in this touristy town, you won’t be required to spend money at all if you don’t want to. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this city’s history without even opening your wallet.

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10 Reasons You Should Actually Visit the Dakotas

The United States is home to a certain section of the country that Americans like to refer to as “fly-over states.” These are typically states that people don’t see the point in visiting, either because they’re “flat,” “boring,” or, “there’s nothing to see.” Two of the most notable fly-over states are North and South Dakota. North Dakota specifically has a reputation for being the 50th state people visit (to the point where you can get a t-shirt in Fargo that says so).

Well, I might be the first person on Earth to say this, but I disagree with all of the above statements. The Dakotas have tons to offer, from unique, and even dream-like landscapes to incredible wildlife.

Badlands National Park, SD

Here are 10 reasons you should actually visit the Dakotas:

1. They don’t get a lot of tourists

If you’re like me and like to travel like a local, the Dakotas are two fantastic destinations for you. They’re some of the least populated states in the country and all the spots that would normally count as “touristy” had far less people than even other states in this part of the US. The lack of people makes you feel like you’ve discovered some unknown secret, and allows for you to be completely immersed in these northern grassland landscapes without the crowds.

My car/super tiny home in Badlands National Park, SD

2. The wildlife

I’ve seen a lot of North American wildlife in my travels, but the Dakotas had some of the most interesting animals I’ve encountered. From a herd of bison welcoming me to Theodore Roosevelt National Park to sleeping in a prairie dog town in the Badlands, the Dakotas were never disappointing when it came to spotting wildlife in their natural landscapes. I even got to see some pronghorn sheep during a Badland sunrise, which was made even more unique by the fact that I was one of the only people out that early.

Pronghorns in Badlands National Park, SD

3. The grasslands

The Dakotas are some of the only places in the country where you can experience pure, untouched grassland and prairie, and doing so gives you an awesome peek into what the landscape of this country looked like before mass industrialization. I got to spend the night in the Sheyenne National Grassland (where I was one of three campers), and the clear skies and vast prairies that surrounded me gave me an amazing sunset and sunrise.

4. Sunflower farms!

Something that was completely unexpected was North Dakota’s sunflower farms. First of all, they’re everywhere. Second, they’re huge. Third, they’re absolutely gorgeous. When I told people I’d be driving every state in the country, I got “I hope you like cornfields” as a response more often than you’d think, but North Dakota surprised me in incredible ways with its bright yellow rows of sunflowers off the sides of state highways. So, keep an eye out if you’re road tripping these states! Or don’t, you can’t really miss them.

Sheyenne National Grasslands, ND

5. Badlands National Park

You knew I’d be getting to the National Parks at some point. There are actually 3 National Parks across both states, and they’re all on this list, but the one with the most unique and anticipated landscape is Badlands. Located in South Dakota, the Badlands is made up of a mixture of vast grasslands and unique geologic formations. The Badlands is an interesting experience, and the rock formations are best experienced at sunrise and sunset (but I’d recommend sunrise—way less people!), but the park has so much to offer. From backcountry camping that’s allowed anywhere in the park to roaming bison, the Badlands is going to leave you with something to remember. I got to stay in the park’s free campground: Sage Creek, which is technically in the backcountry. The campground was situated in a prairie dog town and was insanely hot during the day, but was fantastic for morning wildlife viewing as I made my way back toward the main road and spotted tons of bison enjoying their breakfast.

Disclaimer: do not feed prairie dogs anywhere you encounter them. They might look cute, but they do bite, and are known to carry bubonic plague in this part of the country.

Badlands National Park, SD

6. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

My personal favorite of the three Dakota National Parks is Theodore Roosevelt. Located in North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt is home to expansive grasslands, rolling hills, and unique wildlife. I was able to hike about 7 miles here, and was super happy to find out that this park is actually dog friendly! The hike I did was called Jones Creek and it took me through 3 separate prairie dog towns, which was so exciting because it allowed me to get close enough to them to enjoy their company without feeling like I was violating their space. Theodore Roosevelt just kind of surprised me when it came to how beautiful of a park it really was, so it’s definitely one that shouldn’t be missed, no matter when you end up making it to the Dakotas.

Disclaimer: while the trail’s proximity to the prairie dog towns does not allow for the Leave No Trace principle of staying 25 yards away from wildlife, please make sure that you’re staying on the trail while hiking in Theodore Roosevelt and any other National Park. This is for the safety of you and the wildlife around you, as well as the conservation of the natural landscape. You can, however, hike freely in Badlands National Park.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND

7. Wind Cave National Park

While the elevators into the cave were broken due to a lightning storm when I visited, Wind Cave is still known as one of the country’s oldest National Parks. With barometric winds at the cave’s entrance, Wind Cave is known for its complexity, length, and surrounding intact prairie lands. The park is also home to tons of wildlife, including huge herds of bison, and elk (if you’re lucky enough to spot them).

Me in Wind Cave National Park, SD. This National Park is so close to Wyoming that the pine trees start to appear here, where the grasslands end.

8. These states are unique

I’ve been to nearly every state in the country, and the Dakotas stood out as incredibly unique to me. They didn’t feel like the rest of the Midwest, and they didn’t quite feel like the North either. The Badlands aren’t quite desert, but they look like they almost are. The wildlife seems borrowed from other parts of the country, but they’re actually native. All around, it’s a special feeling being in these Northern states, one that’s almost impossible to describe, but I think the thing is, their landscapes don’t quite feel like they’re part of the United States. The Badlands feel like another, distant country, and the animals feel like they’re something out of a storybook.

Prairie Dog Town in Sage Creek Campground in Badlands National Park, SD

9. Fargo and Mount Rushmore

You’ve probably heard of Fargo from either the movie or the TV show, and saying this town in front of any group of people who aren’t from the Midwest or the North usually prompts a chorus of people trying to pronounce it in that characteristic Northern accent. Fargo is probably one of the most “touristy” parts of these two states because of its recognition in pop culture, but the good news is, you won’t be bombarded by a ton of people in this little Midwestern town.

Mount Rushmore, on the other hand, is known for being one of the most touristy spots in the Dakotas (which is why I actually skipped it during my time there, although I kinda wish I hadn’t). It is managed by the National Park Service, so there is an entry fee, and you can’t get too close to the mountain, but seeing this iconic piece of American history is something worth doing.

10. Clear skies

Both of the National Parks I camped in were in super low light pollution zones, which meant that once the sun went down, I was greeted with amazing views of the stars. If you’re into night sky photography, these parks are great choices for you, and while they aren’t on the list of International Dark Sky Zones, they’re close enough.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Jones Creek Trail, ND

The Dakotas are far more than just fly-over states. They’re home to unique, authentically American landscapes that seem a bit more untouched than other famous landscapes the US has to offer. Here, you can escape the norm, and venture into the unknown by exploring everything from expansive grasslands to Badland rock formations that will make you feel as if you’re on an alien planet (or at least another continent). So, what are you waiting for? The bison and prairie dogs are waiting for you.

Your Guide to Joshua Tree National Park

Local visitors and out of town tourists alike are drawn to this mysterious place hiding out in Southern California’s desert for many reasons. Whether it’s trees that look like they’re straight out of The Lorax, rocks just begging to be scrambled and climbed on, or the Milky Way waiting to come out of hiding in this designated dark sky zone, Joshua Tree National Park truly has something for every type of traveler, from the hiker to the artist.

Joshua Tree is the park that I’ve spent the most time in so far. Part of the reason for that was its proximity to my old university, but even after graduating, I still find myself pining for the dry, expansive landscape of the California desert more often than I’d expect, considering I’m such a lover of mountains. Joshua Tree truly comes with a certain type of desert magic, and it’s something you definitely shouldn’t miss during your next trip to California.

Hemingway, Joshua Tree National Park, CA

So… where exactly is Joshua Tree?

Joshua Tree is located between Yucca Valley, CA and Twentynine Palms, CA, and is about an hour from the Inland Empire. It’s nearly exactly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, if you draw a triangle between the three, Joshua Tree being the most inland. Joshua Tree is also located nearby other famous California road trip destinations, such as the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, and Salvation Mountain.

What is a designated dark sky zone?

There are only a few spots in the US that are considered “designated dark sky zones,” Joshua Tree being one of the most famous, but what makes them different from other areas where there’s simply low light pollution?

Well, the basic idea is that it’s really low light pollution, and it’s protected land. So, these areas are specifically set aside in a way that ensures that light pollution like we have in many major cities can’t reach them, allowing for incredibly dark nights, and incredibly clear stars. Many people have their first views of the Milky Way while staying in Joshua Tree National Park, and photographers love playing with light here: the contrast between the strange silhouette of the Joshua Tree and the bright stars up above creating dream-like landscapes one usually only finds in children’s books.

Joshua Trees off the side of the road near the Yucca Valley park entrance

Hiking Joshua Tree

If you’re a hiker, like myself, it’s important that you visit Joshua Tree prepared for a couple things: most of their trails are fairly flat, it’s easy to get lost, and there’s no potable water in the park. While there are marked trails, no one will yell at you for going off trail here to explore, as long as you don’t damage the plants or rocks, but make sure you know your way back—most of this beautiful desert looks very similar!

Of their marked trails, there’s really only one that truly gains any elevation: Ryan Mountain. Ryan Mountain is an awesome hike with truly amazing views, but as there’s no potable water in the park, make sure you bring enough on your back if you’re there in the hot season.

That feeling you get when you summit Ryan Mountain and there’s still snow on the ground

There are other flat trails in the park as well, and plenty of rock scrambles to climb if you’re sick of just wandering through the desert! Some other notable trails include the Boy Scout Trail (16 miles out and back, or 8 miles one way) and the Cholla Cactus Garden trail (only .25 miles of family friendly trail through a spot where tons of cacti grow). Of course, there are plenty of other trails, out to old mines, abandoned ranches, and rock scrambles, so be safe, choose a trail right for your ability, and get hiking!

Cholla Cactus Garden, Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Sightseeing in Joshua Tree

If you’re not a hiker, there are tons of sites to see that don’t involve tons of energy exertion. These are also great places to stop if its too hot out to hike! Some favorite sites are Skull Rock, Oyster Bar, Hemingway, and Hall of Horrors.

While Hemingway and Hall of Horrors are known as rock climbing and scrambling spots, they’re still only a short walk from the parking lot, and feature cool rock formations to photograph. If you are looking to scramble though, Hemingway is more known for bouldering and climbing, while Hall of Horrors is full of fun rock scrambles and hidden caves.

Skull Rock, Joshua Tree National Park, CA

Camping in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree is a super popular park, so if you’re going on a long weekend, or really any weekend except in the summer, my advice would be to get there early! I’ve personally camped in three of the park’s campgrounds: Jumbo Rocks, Belle, and Ryan. All three are beautiful and offer very different experiences! Ryan is definitely closest to the sites, but as Belle is a bit harder to find, it tends to be a bit quieter. Both are first come first served.

Most campgrounds in the park are first-come-first-served, but Jumbo Rocks is available for reservation, and is one of the most popular campgrounds in the park due to its proximity to, well… huge rocks! On top of that, it’s by far my favorite of the three I’ve stayed in. The rocks are perfect for late-night scrambling and provide fantastic views of the stars away from the noise and light down below. It’s also home to one of the most famous photography spots in the park (pictured below).

Go on a treasure hunt for this famous spot in Jumbo Rocks Campground

What to be prepared for…

Like I said earlier, there’s no water in the park, so bring at least one gallon per person per day, and more in the hot season. The last thing you want is to get dehydrated 40 miles away from the Yucca Valley entrance (the only place with potable and running water).

It’s also either incredibly hot or incredibly cold, so check the weather before your trip.

The park is also home to tons of wildlife, if you know where to look! I’ve spotted tarantulas, giant hawks, snakes, lizards, jackrabbits, and tons of mischievous chipmunks!

There is a $25 entrance fee at the gate as well, so if you plan on visiting more than 3 National Parks within the next year, I suggest purchasing the $80 Interagency Annual Pass or Lifetime Senior Pass (for adventurers ages 65+).

When’s the best time to go?

Personally, since I’m a winter girl, I’d say go in the cold season. While it does still get below freezing in the winter here, I’d rather have to use more blankets than sweat through my sleep. It starts getting hot around late April, and cools down starting around November, so anything in that winter season would be perfect in my book, as long as you bring enough firewood and warm clothes! It does snow in Joshua Tree if it gets cold enough, though, so check the weather, or the Joshua Tree official Instagram, and be prepared with chains if needed.

If you insist on going in the hot season, know that it’s not just hot, it’s incredibly hot. There’s next to no shade in J Tree land, and I’ve found myself climbing rocks to find caves to hide in during the heat of the day. In the hot season, the only time you’ll have for exploring is early morning and evening. For a summer visit, I’d suggest getting one of the nearby Air BnB’s instead of camping, so that you have some AC to escape to!

Joshua Tree in February is beautiful, but chilly!

Joshua Tree truly is a unique place to visit, and has amazing sites hidden around every bend. If you’ve never experienced the California desert, this is a great place to start. This is truly one of my favorite spots in California, and the National Park I’ve spent the most time in (and for good reason). Whether you simply want to take pictures with the cool trees, or insist on staying up late to stargaze, Joshua Tree will not disappoint, and its strange desert magic will keep you coming back again and again.

If you want to learn more about Joshua Tree and how you can fit it into a huge California road trip, check out my ebook: Exploring California’s Interior.

What I Packed For Three Months On the Road

The trip that inspired me to want to live on the road full time was a 3 month solo road trip around the United States. This trip involved me living full time out of my car and staying mostly at free or cheap campsites in or around National Parks. But the one question I got the most often when people heard this was: “But where does all your stuff go?”

Honestly, I didn’t have that much stuff. I basically packed just the essentials and the only souvenirs I got the whole trip were stickers that went on a storage trunk that I used during the trip for actual storage. So, pretty much everything I had in the car, tucked in corners or hidden in secret compartments to save space had at least one essential purpose… except a few things.

Here’s everything I brought with me on my 3 month road trip around the country, and some things I wish I’d had:

Me and Theon, my Kia Soul, aka my house for three months

Absolute Essentials (things I brought and used literally all the time)

Of course, there were some things that I used every single day, without exception. Since I was simply living out of my Kia Soul, I didn’t have a lot of space, so I wanted to bring things that could serve multiple purposes for the most part, or that were 100% necessary to my survival in what was basically the wilderness.

Kitchen

I didn’t have an actual kitchen so my “kitchen” consisted of what could make up a kitchen on any table at a campsite or rest stop I was parked at (and the occasional tailgate out of my trunk).

·       Camp Stove: my camp stove was absolutely necessary. This camping kitchen must-have will make things so convenient for you, and open doors for you to have actual meals, rather than just sandwiches for three months. I have a Coleman 2 burner camp stove, but there are plenty of options available depending on your needs. Make sure you know what propane your stove uses before you hit the road though!

·       Cooler: honestly, I wish I’d gotten an electric cooler, but regardless, keeping your food cold in some way in a necessity. The only downside is having to buy ice every three days or so.

·       Dishes: I didn’t bring a ton of dishes. For camping on the road, you really need to just think about what you’ll use at each meal. The things I used the most were my mess kit, spork, big pot, little pot, knife, tea kettle, mug, and plate (which doubled as a cutting board).

Camp Stove Kitchen on a bear box in Yellowstone National Park, WY

Clothes

It was super necessary to bring clothes for all seasons because I’d be starting in June in the desert, and ending in September in the mountains, and I did actually experience all weather! But when you’re packing for your own trip, really think about the time of year and destinations you’ll be hitting (or might hit), and don’t bring anything more than that. I probably had about 20 shirts total (t-shirts, tank tops, and long sleeve base layers), 4 sweatshirts/sweaters, 15 pairs of pants, leggings, or shorts, two thicker jackets, 10 pairs of socks, and about 2 weeks worth of underwear (so I could avoid doing laundry as long as possible).

Camping and Hiking Gear

As far as camping and hiking gear other than food-related stuff, I didn’t have or need very much. I had my hiking backpack and water bladder ready at all times, as well as easy access to my hiking boots. But I did use my lantern and multitool a few times!

For Fun

Of course, you need entertainment on the road, especially solo. So, my storage trunk I mentioned earlier was the home for things in my “fun” category. Essential for me when it came to entertainment on the road was my yoga mat and ukulele. I did pack a few books, as well as my sketchbook and journal, but I found myself playing my uke and practicing yoga more than any of those other things. A lot of times when you’re on the road, you don’t want to be in your own head, so these things allowed me to step out of that a little bit.

The inside setup of the car for the whole summer. Yes, I made the curtains myself…

What I Wish I’d Left at Home

We all overpack. This time around, my suitcase just happened to be a bit bigger than normal (car sized, to be exact). So, although I didn’t bring much to start with, there were definitely a few things I didn’t use even once on my trip. Leaving these things at my home base would’ve made the car lighter, and allowed me to have a little more space in the car, so what is it that I could (and did) live without?

·       My tents: I was planning on pitching a tent once or twice on this trip, but instead, I slept in the car every single time I wasn’t staying at a family member’s house. This meant my tents sat squished at the bottom of the car the whole time (and yes, I brought two—one backpacking size and one normal).

·       My ski jacket: while I did need one of my thicker jackets I mentioned in the clothing section, it never got quite cold enough for the actual winter coat I’d lugged around for three months.

·       Lighter fluid and fire starters: I didn’t light a fire once. If I had a campfire, it was because someone invited me to join them, and otherwise, I just went to bed early if I was too cold.

·       Dresses and nice clothes: let’s be honest, I was living in the woods for three months. When I was in cities (on the very rare occasion), I could easily just throw on my one pair of jeans and a t-shirt and be perfectly acceptable. I really didn’t need to take up space in my clothing compartment with the dress, romper, and other nice clothes I thought I’d end up needing.

What I Wish I’d Had With Me

It’s easy to miss the luxuries of home when you’re on the road, so of course there were things I wished I’d thought to bring.

·       Electric cooler: The ice chest was fine, but it would’ve been nice to not have to buy ice all the time, and produce would’ve lasted me longer.

·       Car charger for my laptop: there were so many times I was working out of the back of my car on hotspot and was racing against my battery for time. The Surface Pro does have an available car charger, so I was kicking myself the whole summer that I hadn’t invested in one.

·       A van: honestly? I wouldn’t do this trip in a car again. It was too easy to miss things that I simply could never have in a car no matter what, like a sink and a toilet, so if you’re super committed to long term travel and don’t feel like you need to test it out before hitting the road for months at a time, maybe it would be best to splurge and buy the van instead of doing it out of the car like I did.

One of my beautiful free campsites, somewhere along a Great Lake

Overall, I was happy with everything I brought. Of course, there were a few things I didn’t end up needing, but they didn’t take up all that much space. So, if you’re planning a long term trip, just really think about what it is you’ll need, from shampoo to a tiny refrigerator. The thing is, what I considered necessary might be totally different for you, so go with what you know you’ll use, and consider these things: where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, what season it is/will be in your destinations, and what you love! And remember, everything works out—there’s always shopping to be done on the road.