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Practical Wanderlust

Responsible Travel on a Budget

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USA National Parks

Bubbling thermal springs. Volcanic peaks and craters. Pristine turquoise lakes. Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in the northeast corner of California, is an under-the-radar National Park home to a prehistoric landscape dotted with thermal hot spots and volcanoes. Here are the best things to do in Lassen National Park!

28 Epic Things to do in Lassen National Park, California: The Ultimate Guide to Lassen

Bubbling thermal springs. Volcanic peaks and craters. Pristine turquoise lakes. Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in the northeast corner of California, is an under-the-radar National Park home to a prehistoric landscape dotted with thermal … [Read more...] about 28 Epic Things to do in Lassen National Park, California: The Ultimate Guide to Lassen

Steaming hot springs and geysers. Cozy lodges. Thick blankets of snow. Yellowstone is incredible — and entirely different — in the winter! Temperatures plummet, snow accumulates by the foot, and wolves and bison flock to valleys and thermal basins. Here's everything you need to know about visiting Yellowstone in the winter!

The Ultimate Yellowstone in Winter Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Steaming hot springs and geysers. Cozy lodges with roaring fireplaces. Thick blankets of snow on rolling mountains. While most people tend to think of Yellowstone National Park in its green, summertime beauty, Yellowstone is a fantastic — and … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Yellowstone in Winter Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Yosemite in winter is just as beautiful (arguably more) in the winter - and MUCH less crowded. Here's everything you need to plan a trip to Yosemite National Park in winter!

12 Stunning Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California in Winter

Freshly fallen snow dusting towering redwoods. A waterfall that looks like lava. A 17th century English feast?? Wait, are we still talking about Yosemite National Park? Yes, y'all: Yosemite in winter is a whole new park! If you've only visited … [Read more...] about 12 Stunning Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California in Winter

Ancient mountains, misty forests, waterfalls, a ghost town, underground caverns, and a scenic road to nowhere: welcome to the country’s most visited National Park! Hikers, sightseers, spelunkers, white-water rafting fans and waterfall enthusiasts flock to Great Smoky Mountains National Park throughout the year to enjoy this enchanting swath of Appalachian wilderness located on the border of eastern Tennessee and North Carolina. Here's everything you need to plan your trip.

12 Epic Things to Do in Smoky Mountain National Park (& MASSIVE Travel Guide)

Ancient mountains, misty forests, waterfalls, a ghost town, underground caverns, and a scenic road to nowhere: welcome to the country’s most visited National Park! Hikers, sightseers, spelunkers, white-water rafting fans and waterfall enthusiasts … [Read more...] about 12 Epic Things to Do in Smoky Mountain National Park (& MASSIVE Travel Guide)

On this Utah National Parks road trip, you'll canyoneer through slot canyons, ride horses and ATVs, hike through a river canyon, watch the sunrise over a hoodoo-filled canyon, and catch a sunset through a massive stone arch. You'll visit Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches National Park, and Canyonlands National Park. And you'll discover why Utah's Mighty Five are considered some of the best National Parks in the country, all on one epic Utah road trip!

The Perfect 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Guide

Red rocks, stone arches, colorful hoodoos, hidden slot canyons, and alpine forests. Utah’s five National Parks, called the Mighty 5, are spread out across the state and feature a mind-blowing range of desert and mountain ecosystems, from the … [Read more...] about The Perfect 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Guide

14 epic things to do in Yosemite National Park, California!

14 Epic Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California

Towering sequoias. Raging waterfalls. Soaring granite cliffs. Yosemite is one of the oldest National Parks in the country, and in our very biased opinion as Yosemite's Bay Area-based neighbors, it's also the best. And the most beautiful. But hey, … [Read more...] about 14 Epic Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California

Things to do in Zion National Park, Utah, from hiking to stargazing! Plus, things to know before you go, where to stay at Zion, and more.

The Ultimate Guide to Zion & 9 Awe-Inspiring Things To Do in Zion National Park, Utah

Striped sandstone cliffs looming over a lush green valley. 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 The Ultimate Guide to Zion & 9 Awe-Inspiring Things To Do in Zion National Park, Utah

Jackson Hole winter travel guide: here's everything you need to know about things to do in Jackson Hole in the winter, from hot springs to Grand Teton National Park.

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

The ultimate guide to fall in california: fall foliage, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, grape stomping, and where to go for the best fall activities in California!

Fall in California Guide: 21 Places to Go for California Fall Foliage, Pumpkins, Apples, & More

Crisp autumn air. Crunchy leaves. Brightly colored foliage. Pumpkins and apples and spooky season - I love EVERYTHING about fall! Autumn has always been my favorite time of the year - I was born in Boston and grew up in a Halloween-obsessed city - … [Read more...] about Fall in California Guide: 21 Places to Go for California Fall Foliage, Pumpkins, Apples, & More

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

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 moose!) We designed the perfect 2-day Glacier National Park itinerary for folks with limited time to explore the park. A short getaway to Glacier National Park is one of the best ways to spend your weekend!

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 perfect 10-day Montana road trip itinerary! Visit Missoula, Whitefish, Glacier National Park, and Flathead Lake on this epic Montana 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

14 of the best weekend getaways in Colorado for a romantic road trip or just a quick adventure! Image shown is Garden of the Gods.

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

Rocky Mountain National Park is a great day trip from Boulder, Colorado.

8 Amazing Day Trips from Boulder, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado is a charming college town tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 30 minutes away from Denver. It's also one of the best jumping-off points for anyone looking to explore Colorado's many attractions. When we visit … [Read more...] about 8 Amazing Day Trips from Boulder, Colorado

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

Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular US National Parks. But it's HARD to find a place to stay in Yosemite National Park! So, here are our recommendations for where to stay near Yosemite NP by park entrance, and our favorite lodge near Yosemite National Park.

Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park (by Park Entrance)

We live in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is just 4 hours away from one of the most stunning, jaw-dropping, and downright awe-inspiring natural wonders of the world: Yosemite National Park. With its soaring granite cliffs, gushing waterfalls, and … [Read more...] about Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park (by Park Entrance)

50+ Amazing places to visit in Louisville, Kentucky USA. Things to do in Louisville, attractions in Louisville, and everything you need to know about visiting Louisville, KY!

50 Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky: The Ultimate Local’s Guide

My hometown of Louisville, Kentucky is a city full of surprises - for those that have never visited, that is. Many people are surprised when they find out that Louisville is the 16th largest city in the country. Or that, unlike the state it’s a … [Read more...] about 50 Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky: The Ultimate Local’s Guide

If you live in the Bay Area, every weekend is a chance to hop in the car and explore California! Within a few hours drive from San Francisco you'll find beach, forest, mountains, snow, desert, vineyards, redwoods... anything your heart desires. Oh, and lots of otters and seals! Here are the best weekend trips from San Franscisco.

The 12 Best Weekend Trips from San Francisco, California

The San Francisco Bay Area has everything to offer the wanderlust hungry, outdoor loving, adventure thirsty traveler. From hiking in the Bay Area to exploring the city of San Francisco, it's hard to get bored here. For us, every … [Read more...] about The 12 Best Weekend Trips from San Francisco, California

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