If you don’t have much time in Badlands National Park, but you want to experience the Badlands proper, the Door and Notch Trails are for you. These trails are extremely short (together, they’re 1 mile (1.6 km) RT), and they…
Day-hiking Coyote Gulch: Waterfalls, Arches, and Solitude
Near Hole-in-the-Rock Road in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument there is a wash that turns into a canyon, and through this canyon runs a small, perennial stream. The canyon (which goes under the name of Coyote Gulch) also hides several…
10 Ways to Improve Your Sunset at Delicate Arch Experience
I’ve hiked the Delicate Arch Trail more times than I care to count, but I still love it. There’s something about standing across the valley from the arch looming upwards, tall and grand, that brings an awe at the beauty…
Angel’s Landing: Best Views in Zion National Park
Ok, so I’ll admit it: I’ve never been fond of Zion National Park. Every time I’ve visited since 1997 it seemed there was nothing to do that got you far enough away from Zion Canyon to allow you to appreciate…
Dry Fork Slots, pt. 2: Spooky Slot
In last week’s post, I talked about Peek-a-Boo Slot (one of the Dry Fork Slots), one of the prettiest slot canyons I’ve ever seen. This week, I’d like to continue that post by talking about another really interesting slot canyon…
Dry Fork Slots, pt. 1: Peek-a-Boo Slot
On a recent trip to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (May 2013), I hiked again one of the first hikes that drew me to the region: The slot canyons of the Dry Fork of the Coyote Gulch (Dry Fork Slots). Walking…
The Castle Trail: Stark Beauty (and a nicely long hike!)
In the main part of Badlands National Park, I only know of one long trail that is maintained: the Castle Trail, which can be stretched to 10.8 miles (17.4 km) RT hike. However, for hikers who don’t want quite such…
Saddle Pass Trail: Beautiful Views of Badlands
Badlands is beautiful from the road – no doubt. But if you really want to see the Badlands, you’ve got to get out and experience it. A great trail to do this on is the 0.7 miles (1.1 km) (RT)…
Tuff Canyon: For the Children and the Geologist
Need a hike to do with children in Big Bend National Park? Love geology? Just want a fun little hike? Tuff Canyon on the road to Castolon fits the bill. Although it’s not as well-known as other trails in the…
The Best Hikes in Big Bend
After having visited Big Bend numerous times over the past several years, I thought I’d share what I’ve found to be the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, and which trails are overrated. Then, I thought, What if someone…