Striped sandstone cliffs looming over a lush green value. Turquoise lagoons tucked between soaring red walls. Millions of stars twinkling overhead. Zion National Park, meaning “heavenly city”, is the oldest National Park in Utah and the most visited … [Read more...] about 9 Awe-Inspiring Things To Do in Zion National Park, Utah: The Ultimate Guide to Zion
9 Things to Do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Winter
Snow-capped mountains. Alpine forests. Turquoise hot springs. Horse-drawn sleighs. The snowy, remote valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming sits at the base of Grand Teton National Park, with Yellowstone National Park neighboring just an hour to the … [Read more...] about 9 Things to Do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Winter
42 Places to Go Whale Watching in California: The Ultimate Guide
Ah, whales: these majestic, enormous marine mammals have been immortalized in our culture in everything to Moby Dick to Finding Nemo. There was once a whole industry devoted to murdering them; now there's a movement devoted to saving them. Any way … [Read more...] about 42 Places to Go Whale Watching in California: The Ultimate Guide
The Best 8 Hikes Near Salt Lake City, Utah (A Local’s Guide)
Encircled by two looming mountain ranges - the Wasatch Mountains to the east and north ranges and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west - Salt Lake City is an outdoor paradise within a state full of natural beauty! Just minutes outside of the … [Read more...] about The Best 8 Hikes Near Salt Lake City, Utah (A Local’s Guide)
The 8 Best Campgrounds in Colorado
Grand mountains. Rustling plains. Towering sand dunes. Spectacular lakes. Nope, we're not talking about the entire United States: you can find absolutely all of this stunning scenery right in Colorado! From the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National … [Read more...] about The 8 Best Campgrounds in Colorado
Ultimate Camping Checklist: 42 Car Camping Essentials
Eating s’mores around a crackling fire as stars twinkle overhead. Waking up with the birds at dawn to sip a mug of hot coffee and watch the sun rise. Camping is all about those quiet, peaceful moments of simplicity and bliss. Moments when you take … [Read more...] about Ultimate Camping Checklist: 42 Car Camping Essentials
10 Best Hikes in Southern California (a Local’s Guide)
Snow-covered mountains. Rushing waterfalls. Secluded beaches. Otherwordly desert landscapes. If this description of Southern California surprises you, it's time to head out and explore! Stretching from just north of Los Angeles all the way south … [Read more...] about 10 Best Hikes in Southern California (a Local’s Guide)
The Perfect 2-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary
Ice-capped mountains. Sweeping valleys. Aquamarine lakes spilling into gushing waterfalls. Welcome to Glacier National Park, one of the USA's first - and best - stunning National Parks, and a playground for both outdoor enthusiasts ... and bears. And … [Read more...] about The Perfect 2-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary
The Ultimate Montana Road Trip: Detailed 10-Day Itinerary
Ice-capped mountains dominating lush valleys. Aquamarine lakes spilling into gushing waterfalls. Down-home ranchers and honest-to-goodness cowboys. Lumbering bears, moose, bison, and llamas. Wait, llamas? Welcome to Montana, where there are … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Montana Road Trip: Detailed 10-Day Itinerary
How to Plan an Amazing Lake Tahoe Winter Trip (on a Budget)
Living in the California Bay Area means taking Lake Tahoe winter trips is somewhat of a regular requirement. Every year for the past 7 years, we've rounded up a group of our friends, piled them into 2 cars, and headed into the Sierra Nevadas for a … [Read more...] about How to Plan an Amazing Lake Tahoe Winter Trip (on a Budget)
The 14 Best Weekend Getaways in Colorado: from Hiking to Hot Springs
We Californians like to joke that the only state we love as much as California is Colorado. I say joke, but we're being totally serious. And yes, California definitely has a lot in common with our landlocked friend-state, like legal weed … [Read more...] about The 14 Best Weekend Getaways in Colorado: from Hiking to Hot Springs
12 Epic Things to do in Banff in Winter: The Ultimate Banff Winter Guide
Snow-topped mountains. Hot springs. Ski resorts and cozy lodges. Dog sledding and sleigh rides underneath the Northern Lights. Banff National Park is a winter wonderland for outdoor adventure lovers and snow sports enthusiasts (or just like, people … [Read more...] about 12 Epic Things to do in Banff in Winter: The Ultimate Banff Winter Guide
25 Gifts for Hikers Under $25: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Hiker Gift Guide
Buying gifts for hikers isn't as easy as you might think. I mean, chances are they've already got the basics covered - hiking boots, a hydration pack, hiking pants - and if you're not an avid hiker yourself, it can be difficult to know what to … [Read more...] about 25 Gifts for Hikers Under $25: The Ultimate Budget-Friendly Hiker Gift Guide
The Best Salt Lake City Ski Resorts: a Complete Guide to Skiing in Salt Lake City
When Lia suggested celebrating my 30th birthday with a weekend snowboarding in Utah, I was dubious. After all, we're only a few hours away from some world-class snowboarding in Lake Tahoe, a fact I bring up regularly the minute it's October and … [Read more...] about The Best Salt Lake City Ski Resorts: a Complete Guide to Skiing in Salt Lake City
8 Scenic Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas, California
The Sierra Nevadas are a rugged mountain range in eastern California containing several absolutely stunning and world-famous outdoor destinations, including Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, the Ansel Adams Wilderness, the John Muir … [Read more...] about 8 Scenic Day Hikes in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas, California
10 Incredible Zion Hikes: a Complete Guide To Hiking in Zion National Park
Zion National Park, Utah, is freaking beautiful. It's what people are referring to when they say things like "the most amazing destinations in the United States are its National Parks." The red cliffs rising high above the green foliage elicit the … [Read more...] about 10 Incredible Zion Hikes: a Complete Guide To Hiking in Zion National Park
The Cataract Falls Hike Disaster: Hiking in the Bay Area, California
For Lia and I, "hiking" and "absolute disaster" go hand in hand. It's an unfortunate pattern that popped up over and over again during our year-long honeymoon. There was the injured wrist on the Valle de Cocora hike in Colombia. There was the … [Read more...] about The Cataract Falls Hike Disaster: Hiking in the Bay Area, California
The 8 Best Day Hikes Near Denver, Colorado (That Nobody Knows About)
Denver, Colorado is the gateway the some of the most beautiful mountain passes, winding back-country trails, and scenic vistas in the United States. And as someone who lives in California, that’s high praise. We Californians like to joke that … [Read more...] about The 8 Best Day Hikes Near Denver, Colorado (That Nobody Knows About)