Here we are at the second installment of our Best of State Parks Adventure Travel Guide Series! We’re here to share some of the not so secret, yet powerful benefits of spending time in state parks. Click here and here to get caught up. Today, we’re chatting about the benefits – both physical and mental – of state parks. You can bet that one of the main focuses is on camping under a blanket of stars, one of our absolute…
If you’re like us, you’re already deep into planning your 2024 (and even 2025!) outdoor travel destinations. While national parks tend to top people’s lists of places to go, state parks don’t get as much love. We’re here to help you avoid making that mistake. Enter our Best of State Parks Adventure Travel Guide Series! Not only are state parks just as spectacular as our national parks, they’re less crowded, have more opportunities for recreating, and are probably closer to…
Idaho is a diverse and beautiful state with various landscapes. You really can’t go wrong anywhere you decide to explore in this great state. It has a little something for everyone.But the true gem, in our humble opinion, is the vast amount of outdoor recreation areas to adventure and explore. Nestled at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains and along the Salmon River in central Idaho is our favorite place…Stanley and the surrounding Sawtooth Wilderness. Here are the top 7…
While it may not be as widely known or visited as some of the more famous national parks in Utah, such as Zion or Bryce Canyon, The San Rafael Swell, otherwise known as The Swell, offers its own unique beauty and charm and is one of the hidden gems in Utah. Offering you a wide range of recreational opportunities including hiking trails, rock climbing routes, picturesque camping and boondocking locations, and scenic drives, this area covers approximately 2,000 square miles…
Idaho is an outdoor lover’s paradise, with its stunning landscapes and natural beauty. One of the best ways to experience the state’s winter wonderland is by snowshoeing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snowshoer, Idaho has plenty of trails and destinations to explore. In this edition of our All Things Idaho series, we’ll take a closer look at snowshoeing in Idaho and highlight some of the best spots to hit the trails. Discovering the Best Snowshoeing Trails in Idaho…
Picture this: Walking under a canopy of trees, the ground sparkling with snow in the sunlight. The only noise you hear are the crunch of your snowshoes as you travel on a hiking trail winding its way thru the forest. Every so often, you catch a glimpse of the frozen lake through the pines and the brave souls setting up to try their luck at ice fishing. Sounds pretty peaceful, doesn’t it? This, my friends, is one of the many…
Planning to visit Arches National Park, or any popular national park for that matter, can be fun and overwhelming at the same time. You want to see so many popular sites but worry about dealing with all the crowds, figuring out where to park, how long you might need to wait in line for pictures (unfortunately this can happen), and potentially not getting to have the experience you were hoping to. Don’t worry! With a little bit of planning, you…
There are many benefits of spending time outside, including improvements to your mental wellbeing. There’s just something about feeling the sun on your face and watching trees, grasses, and flowers gently sway in the breeze while listening to the sounds of birds or squirrels chatter around you that can bring a sense of calm or peace to your day. Sitting still and allowing yourself to be present even for a moment can have a restorative impact on you. We have…
This past fall, Alex and I took our pups and headed out with my sister and her partner on a trip to Coeur d’Alene, camping along the way. It was a blast discovering places we had never been – all beautiful in their own way. On our way home, we discovered we’d be near the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest so we decided to see if we could find a spot to dry camp for the night. Enter Jungle Creek.…