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…
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…
There is no better way to relax after a day of exploring than soaking in a natural hot spring. With over 130 hot springs throughout the state, Idaho offers something for everyone, from family-friendly pools to secluded backcountry springs. In this post, we’ll highlight some of the best hot springs to visit in Idaho and offer some tips for a safe and enjoyable soak. Exploring Some of the Best Hot Springs in Idaho We definitely couldn’t list all 130+ hot…
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…
One of the fun things about road tripping, or traveling in general, is finding cool spots to stay along the way. Our cross country trip this year was no different. It can be a bit more challenging to find places that are open or accessible during the colder months of the year but you also have the benefit of being able to find spots without reservations when you otherwise wouldn’t be able to. We were fortunate enough to snag prime…
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…
Which seaside towns come to mind when you think about visiting the Oregon Coast? Cannon Beach, Newport, Lincoln City, Seaside, and Astoria are ones that pop into my mind first. After our recent trip earlier this month, Pacific City is at the top of our list. Here are a few reasons why you should visit Pacific City next time you are on the Oregon Coast. History We enjoy learning about the history of places we visited. Here are some interesting…
What comes to mind when you think of traveling? Do you see yourself jetting off to Europe to visit the Louvre or the Eiffel Tower? Maybe you dream of hiking Machu Picchu and taking in the views from the top. While traveling internationally is a goal for many, don’t overlook what is in your own backyard. Traveling locally may be more realistic for people and provide you the opportunity to experience fun and memorable adventures sooner than you might think.…
Have you ever felt the pressure to “see it all” when on vacation? We have definitely fallen into this trap – me (Melissia) more so than Alex. It’s hard not to especially when you read about other people’s adventures….I want to experience all the things! But that isn’t always realistic. Utah’s Mighty Five Earlier this year we traveled to southern Utah to explore the Mighty Five national parks. We had two weeks which included travel time in Vannah. Because we…
Did you know there are seven national forests in Idaho and that they cover nearly 40% of this beautiful state? We’ve explored 6 of these areas but nowhere near everything in each one. In other words, there is plenty of adventuring and discoveries to make for many years to come! According to the forest service website (fs.usda.gov), there are almost 400 campgrounds (with many more boondocking areas) and 250 trailheads. Do you enjoy exploring on ATVs or other motorized vehicles?…