Connect with us

Outdoor Blog

The Ultimate US National Park Road Trip (Every Park)

Published

on

a map of the united states

America’s national parks are all beautiful in their own way. However, wouldn’t it be convenient to see them all on one trip?

It’s possible to do; however, it takes a few months to accomplish and a lot of money to spend. It would be worth it to see the beauty the United States has to offer. 

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is a great place to start your road trip.

The trick to having the perfect road trip itinerary is to start on one side of North America and then work your way to the other. The east coast has fewer national parks than the west coast, so it makes sense to start there. Florida is a great place to start because it has three national parks and is a good place to jump-start your trip. 

Florida

First, start at Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is mostly water, but it’s home to breathtaking coral reefs that you won’t find anywhere else. After this one, move on to Everglades National Park, which has lots of endangered species. Biscayne National Park is the last park in Florida, and it’s also mostly water, which means that there are lots of water-related activities available to do here. 

South Carolina

It’s almost a 10-hour drive from Biscayne to Congaree National Park, which is South Carolina’s only national park. Congaree gets written off as swamplands, but it’s a lot more than that. Congaree has a tranquil environment that can bring a sense of calmness to anyone. It’s only a four-and-a-half-hour drive to the next national park.

North Carolina/Tennessee

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. It’s the most visited national park in the USA. This is because of how accessible the park is, and it’s free to visit. It’s also home to the Appalachian Trail, which stretches out over 70 miles.

West Virginia

New River Gorge National Park is the newest national park to join the list. It’s about four hours away from the Great Smoky Mountains. This park is every rock climber’s dream come true because there are lots of places to rock climb. It was protected before it became a national park, so you don’t have to worry about the park being full of trash. 

Virginia

It’s only slightly less than four hours to get to Shenandoah National Park from New River Gorge National Park. The park sits right outside of Washington, DC, so you can spend some time in the nation’s capital after touring the park. It takes a lot of time to get to the next park, so make sure that you have enough supplies before you begin the journey. 

Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park has beautiful coastlines.

Maine

It’s an almost 13-hour drive to Acadia National Park from Shenandoah. This park has one of the best displays of fall colors in the country. This park is extremely popular, and it’s all because of how gorgeous it is. There are miles of coastline for you to explore and Cadillac Mountain for you to climb. 

Ohio

From Maine, you’ll spend about 14 hours in the car to get to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This park is great for art lovers because there’s an art exhibit, a live orchestra, and theater productions. You can also spend time outside by going kayaking or canoeing down the Cuyahoga River. It’s only a little under five hours to get to the next stop on the trip. 

Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park is home to prairies, forests, swamps, and marshes. There are several mountains for you to climb to get great views of Lake Michigan. It’s only open during certain hours of the day, so make sure that you leave Cuyahoga Valley at the right time to get to Indiana Dunes in time to see the park. 

Michigan

Isle Royale National Park is about eight and a half hours away from Indiana Dunes. It’s accessible by ferry, so you can take your car with you. This park is extremely remote, so watch out for animals roaming freely. Remember that it is their territory. It’s about seven and a half hours to the next national park. 

Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park is the next stop on the road trip, and it’s home to 30 different lakes. The best way to see this park is on a guided boat tour, and there are lots of hiking trails and campsites available to everyone. It’s about nine hours to the next national park.

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is named after the 26th president of the United States, who loved wildlife and being outdoors. It’s home to lots of wildlife that runs free. It also has a painted canyon. It’s a little bit less than five hours to get to Badlands National Park. 

South Dakota

Badlands National Park isn’t home to many hiking trails, so most visitors stay in their cars. However, the backcountry is open to whoever wants to explore it. There are several places to camp and stay for the night to rest before you begin the rest of your road trip. 

Next up is Wind Cave National Park, which is only a little over an hour from Badlands National Park. The namesake cave is underneath grassy hills that spread all over South Dakota. You can only tour the cave with the NPS, so don’t try to do it alone. There are other things to do in the park too. 

Colorado

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most well-known national parks. It’s about five and a half hours away from Wind Cave National Park, so it’s not too bad of a drive to get there. It’s home to Trail Ridge Road, which doesn’t have a guardrail. It’s also got a lot of great hiking trails. The next stop on the ultimate national park road trip is about five hours away.

Great Sand Dunes National Park doesn’t get many visitors during the summer months because of the heat index. The best time to visit the colder months. There are so many things to do in this park, so you’ll never be bored during your time here. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is next on the itinerary. 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only three and a half hours away from Great Sand Dunes, so it’s an easy car ride. This park is full of beautiful scenery, so you never run out of things to look at. There’s a river at the bottom of the canyon for you to go kayaking and canoeing down. South Rim Drive is a great scenic drive for you to view the park without getting out of your car. 

Mesa Verde National Park is just under three hours away from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It’s a breathtaking historical site, home to over 5,000 archaeological sites. There’s also the Trail of Ancients that will take you through some of the oldest sites the park has to offer. 

Utah

Arches National Park is a little over two hours away from Mesa Verde, and it’s home to the most naturally occurring arches in the world. It’s full of rock formations that are great for rock climbing. There are hiking trails for you to trek, bike, and horseback ride on.

A half an hour away is Canyonlands National Park, which is the next stop.  Canyonlands National Park has the Island of the Sky district and the Needles district. Most tourists visit the Island of the Sky district because it’s easier to access than the Needles.

It also has the Mesa Arch, which attracts lots of tourists to take pictures at. The other district, the Needles, is perfect for people who like backcountry trekking. About two hours away from Canyonlands is Capitol Reef National Park. It has gorgeous buttes, ridges, and canyons for everyone to explore.

While Utah has many parks that look very similar, they have their differences. Capitol Reef has great scenery to enjoy year-round. Two hours down the road is Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is most well known for its hoodoos.

You can hike all over the inside of the canyon and different levels of trails. The park has gorgeous views that are guaranteed to take your breath away. Zion National Park is the next stop on the road trip. About an hour and a half away from Bryce Canyon is Zion National Park. Zion is known as Utah’s pride and joy. It’s home to Angels Landing and the Narrows, which will offer you a relaxing opportunity to cool off in the Utah heat. 

Nevada

Great Basin National Park will give you a good break from all the desert Nevada has to offer. Just three and a half hours away from Zion National Park in Utah, Great Basin has mountain peaks and lakes all in it. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way and millions of stars sweeping across the sky. The next park is over eight hours away, so make sure you stock up for the car ride. 

Old Faithful geyse

Old Faithful geyser attracts many tourists to Yellowstone every year.

Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park is often overshadowed by Yellowstone, but it has its fair share of visitors. Grand Teton is home to the famous Jackson Hole, and it has great scenic drives if you decide not to get out of your car. It’s only nine minutes away from Yellowstone, so you can do both parks fairly easily.

Yellowstone National Park is the first national park. It has lots of geysers, and the most popular geyser is Old Faithful. Yellowstone is massive, but most people visit the tourist attractions and don’t explore the rest of the park. This means that you’ll most likely be alone on your backcountry journeys. 

Montana

Glacier National Park is the only national park in Montana. It’s roughly six hours away from Yellowstone, and it is often called the Crown of the Continent. It borders a Canadian national park and is part of the first International Peace Park. Glacier is definitely one of the best national parks. 

Washington

The next stop is North Cascades National Park. It has lots of waterfalls for those who love to chase them. This park is the best one in Washington in terms of hiking trails. The trails go all over the park, so you can take the trails and not miss anything. It’s about four hours to the next park, which is Olympic National Park. 

Olympic National Park has a little bit of everything. There are snowy peaks, rainforests, and coastlines. Olympic National Park will take more than one day to conquer, so it’s best to take your time here. Three hours away is Mount Rainier National Park, and it’s Washington’s last national park. 

The peak of Mount Rainier can be seen from over 200 miles away, and the trails it has are on the bucket list of most avid backpackers. The main reason that people visit Mount Rainier is that it’s an active volcano that is expecting future eruptions. Because of this, make sure that you check the updates on the volcano so you know the status. 

Oregon

A little over six hours away from Mount Rainier is Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, which is something that attracts many people every year. The park also has a dormant volcano, Mt. Mazama. There are lots of things to do inside this park, especially with beautiful Crater Lake at the center of park activities.

California

The drive from Crater Lake to Redwood National and State Park is a little under five hours. Redwood trees are the tallest trees on earth. This park also has a drive-thru tree. This park has a little bit of everything in terms of things to do. 

About four hours away from Redwood National and State Park is Lassen Volcanic National Park. It has several different kinds of volcanoes and ecosystems for you to explore. There’s one big volcano called Mt. Tehama, which offers great hikes. Lassen Volcanic has lots of things for everyone to do. The next park is about six hours away. 

Yosemite National Park has millions of visitors every year. This is because of its landscape and activities available to visitors. Yosemite Valley is the main stretch of road in the park, and it’s very famous worldwide. A little less than four hours away from Yosemite is Pinnacles National Park. 

Pinnacles National Park is the least-known national park there is. This means that it isn’t very crowded. The rock formations here were formed by a volcano explosion a long time ago. It’s every rock climber’s dream. About four hours away is Kings Canyon National Park. 

Kings Canyon National Park shares a border with Sequoia National Park. A creek used to run through the middle of the canyon, and that’s how the park got its name. There are all kinds of wildlife running around in Kings Canyon, so make sure to be aware of your surroundings.

It takes no time to get to the next park. Sequoia National Park is right next door to Kings Canyon. It has some of the biggest trees in the country, and it even has a signature tree named General Sherman. This park is unique because you’re open to hike wherever you want, you don’t have to stay on the trails. 

Another four hours away is Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is very big, which means that getting around by car is the easiest way to get around. Everyone can enjoy the great hiking trails that Death Valley has because the trails are different levels of difficulty. About three and a half hours away is California’s last national park.

Joshua Tree National Park has the oldest trees in the world. When most people think of this park, they think of a massive desert full of really old trees. However, this park is so much more than that. It’s full of gorgeous wildflowers that can only be found here. It’s about five and a half hours away from the next park on the trip. 

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is extremely popular for tourists.

Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park has a canyon that can be seen from space. This park is home to the Grand Canyon, which is one of the seven wonders of the world. There are things to do here besides looking at the canyon. You can go hiking, you can go rock climbing, and you can go camping too.

Only about three hours away from the Grand Canyon is Petrified Forest National Park. A long time ago, a volcano killed all the trees that used to fill the land where Petrified Forest now sits. The park isn’t open all day, so you’ll have to plan when you want to go. It’s an almost five-hour drive to the next national park. 

Saguaro National Park is home to the cactus that most people think of when they think of a cactus. The cactus can only be found in this region. The park is divided into two sections: the Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District. 

New Mexico

It’s about five hours to get to the next national park. White Sands National Park used to be a national monument before it became a national park. It has lots of white sand dunes made up of gypsum crystals. It’s about three and a half hours to get the New Mexico’s other national park.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park has the Carlsbad Caverns, which sit deep below the surface of New Mexico. There isn’t as much to do here besides tour the caverns, so it won’t take up that much time of your trip. 

Texas

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is one of the two national parks in Texas, and it’s over six away from Carlsbad Caverns. Four of Texas’ tallest mountains are in this park. This park has lots of opportunities for rock climbers to explore the Texas terrain. It only takes about three and a half hours to get to the next national park. 

Big Bend National Park has lots of places to stay because this park has so much to do that you need to spread it out. There are hot springs for you to relax in. You can climb mountains and explore Texas’ backcountry. You’ll need to rest up for the next drive though because the next park is over 12 hours away.

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park is a great next stop on the trip because you can relax in the hot springs after the long car ride you’ll take to get here. It’s also known as the American Spa. There are other things to do here besides soaking in the hot springs; you can also go hiking. The next national park is in Missouri and is about six hours away.

Missouri

Gateway Arch National Park is in the middle of St. Louis, and it has the arch that marks Thomas Jefferson’s westward expansion. There aren’t many outdoor activities to do here like there are at the other national parks, and that’s because it sits in the middle of a major city. It’s a little under five hours to get to the last national park on the trip. 

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park has the largest underground cave in the world, and it’s the perfect place to end your national park road trip. There are several above-ground trails to hike if you don’t feel like going into the cave, and there are guided tours led by the NPS to show you all around the cave.

Continue Reading

Outdoor Blog

Living Life on the Edge: Embracing Adrenaline-Fueled Moments

Published

on

Life is an adventure, a journey filled with countless opportunities for thrill and excitement. For some, the idea of living life on the edge, embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is an exhilarating concept that fuels their passion for adventure. This article delves into the world of adrenaline-chasing, highlighting the benefits and experiences of such a lifestyle.

Kitesurfing: Riding the waves of excitement

The first step to living on the edge is stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Kitesurfing, a water sport combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, and paragliding elements, is an excellent example of an adrenaline-fueled activity. The activity entails utilizing a sizable maneuverable kite to capture the force of the wind, enabling the rider to traverse the water on a board specifically designed for kiteboarding. There is nothing quite like the exhilaration of soaring through the air, feeling the breeze caress your cheeks, and mastering the art of maneuvering a kite. Kitesurfing is a remarkable adventure that captures the spirit of embracing excitement and pushing boundaries.

The psychological thrill

In addition to the excitement of the tangible experience, embracing a daring lifestyle offers a mental rush that is just as stimulating. Engaging in these activities provides an exhilarating experience that stimulates the production of endorphins, the body’s innate pain relievers. This results in a profound sense of joy and an overwhelming feeling of invulnerability. The thrill of this frenzy can become habit-forming, compelling thrill-seekers to pursue fresh and increasingly demanding adventures consistently. 

The benefits of embracing the edge

Embracing a daring lifestyle goes beyond pursuing excitement; it presents many advantages. Participating in thrilling adventures can enhance physical well-being, as numerous pursuits demand robustness, stamina, and skill. Furthermore, they have the potential to enhance one’s emotional well-being by offering a means to alleviate tension and unease. Engaging in these activities demands concentration, which can effectively alleviate mental clutter, resulting in a serene state once the surge of excitement diminishes.

The balance of risk and reward

While living life on the edge can be exhilarating, it’s important to remember the balance of risk and reward. Adrenaline-fueled activities often involve a certain level of risk, and it’s essential to approach them with a healthy respect for safety. Proper training, equipment, and precautions can help mitigate these risks, allowing you to enjoy the thrill without unnecessary danger. 

Always research your activities and location. This understanding can help you decide if the risk is acceptable and if you have the skills and equipment. Check and maintain your gear, and never sacrifice safety. Finally, embracing adventure with a responsible and safety-conscious mentality lets you enjoy high-risk activities without risking injury.

Living life on the edge embracing adrenaline-fueled moments, is a lifestyle choice that offers a unique blend of thrill, excitement, and personal growth. Whether kitesurfing across the waves, scaling a mountain, or skydiving from a plane, these activities provide an escape from the mundane, a chance to challenge oneself, and an opportunity to experience life at its most vibrant. So, step out of your comfort zone, embrace the adrenaline, and start living on the edge. After all, life is not meant to be lived in the slow lane; rather, it’s about experiencing every thrilling moment it offers.

Continue Reading

Outdoor Blog

Renewable Energy Farms That Make Beautiful Hiking Trails

Published

on

Wind farms and solar panels are not just alternative means to get our natural resources. They have now combined with another industry and are making some unexpected news. 

The tourism industry has marked renewable energy farms as hiking trails, and hikers are here for it. You can read more about renewable energy sites. Although you might not think of hiking on a wind farm as beautiful as hiking along a famous mountain trail, you might just be in for a surprise. 

Let’s discuss the benefits that renewable energy farms have as hiking trails. 

Why are Renewable Energy Farms Important? 

Renewable energy farms are important for the future of civilization. These farms provide an alternative to our natural resources, such as wind and energy. 

The most important benefit of renewable energy is that it doesn’t produce any greenhouse emissions and reduces the air pollution other traditional processes create when providing natural resources. 

These farms also allow for the creation of the country’s own resources without having to import natural resources from another country and save their limited natural resources. 

Here are some of the reasons why energy farms are important: 

  • Allows for sustainable rural development 

This will allow landowners to make an extra income by generating energy. 

  • Test new technologies 

Providing the opportunity to test technologies to find new ways to create renewable energy. 

  • Improving the effect of climate change 

Climate change has left the environment filled with toxic pollutants, which has led people to become sick and breathe in harmful air. 

Renewable energy can change this by lessening the number of pollutants that are released into the atmosphere and providing much safer, cleaner, breathable air. 

  • This leads to job creation 

Job creation within the renewable energy farms industry is plentiful as there is a need for skilled workers such as construction, maintenance and manufacturing to build the necessary infrastructure that is needed to generate these wind and solar farms. 

The Benefits of Renewable Energy Farms As Hiking Trails 

Renewable energy farms have many benefits for both the environment and people who love spending their time outdoors. 

Embracing the Use of Green Technology 

Since wind farms and solar plants are located in areas that are unpopulated, they make for great hiking trails. 

By visiting these sites, people get to experience green technology, and by integrating them into recreational spaces, people can visit these sites and embrace green technology by seeing how they work and the positive effects that it has on the environment. 

The more people embrace the shift to green technology, the easier it will be to use it. 

Energy Farms Offer A Unique Experience For Visitors 

Visiting energy farms means you will have a unique experience while there. You will get to see how these large devices work and how they replace the basic resources needed to survive. 

Tours can give visitors more information on the background of the construction of devices, their environmental impact and why it is important for us to switch to sustainable energy resources. 

Visitors Get to Enjoy Natural Beauty 

The sites for these renewable energy farms are often located in areas that are surrounded by natural beauty, such as large landscapes. 

Natural pathways can be used as hiking trails without the need for carving out new roads and damaging the ecosystem. 

Visitors can even discover native plant life and explore the natural wonders that are located at these energy farms, as they are often placed where no infrastructure has been built on the property before. 

Providing Health and Wellness Benefits 

Hiking has many health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving fitness, and helping aid mental well-being. 

Energy Farms have Community Benefits and Increase the Economy 

These hiking trails can help boost economic sales, bringing tourists to the community. This will give the local people the opportunity to expand their businesses. 

This can also help increase employment within the community as these sites will be visited frequently and lead to new business openings to cater to tourists. 

Conclusion

Renewable energy farms greatly benefit both the economy and the people who want to spend their time on them. These farms are especially important for transitioning from natural resources to newer energy resource power plants. 

From learning how to embrace green technology to getting health and wellness benefits to enjoying nature’s natural beauty and finding job opportunities within the market. 

Spending time on these renewable energy farms can be educational and recreational for anyone who visits them. To find more renewable energy farm hiking trails, you can visit https://outsidebozeman.com

 

Continue Reading

Outdoor Blog

Top Recommendations for RV Window Maintenance

Published

on

Much like other sections of your RV, the windows sometimes need a bit of maintenance. It is essential to clean off dirt and insect smudges and also make sure they are adequately sealed to avoid leaks and water harm.

If you have a broken RV window, then you may want to consult Van Isle Glass. However, if you wish to know more about simple measures to ensure your RV windows stay spotless and secure, you are in the right spot! Continue reading below.

Polish Your Windshield Using Ultra-Fine #0000 Steel Wool

Numerous RV enthusiasts have praised the use of the finest grade of steel wool #0000 for removing stubborn bugs and water marks from their windshields. Before proceeding, first test the #0000 steel wool on a small portion of your windshield. Apply it with light, circular motions. Sweep away any remaining steel wool bits with a microfiber towel. Next, spritz the surface with a residue-free glass cleaner and wipe it down with a separate cloth.

Steel wool is also great when used with a spray lubricant for cleaning tires, maintaining grills, starting campfires, and repelling mice. A gentler alternative is cleansing dish pads. These pads are versatile, suitable for cleaning various materials such as wood, porcelain, stainless steel, chrome, painted areas, and glass.

Apply a Sealant to Avoid Leaks

Silicone sealant is effective in stopping leaks in areas like your windshield, RV windows, sunroof, and vents. It penetrates tiny gaps, creating a robust waterproof barrier. Ensure the surfaces are clean before application and do not have old caulk, dirt, oil, and other residues.

Furthermore, clear away any standing water on windows to prevent hard water stains. Make sure the inside of your windows stay dry to avoid condensation and mold build-up. If there is significant condensation on your windows, consider getting a small dehumidifier.

Use Tools to Access Difficult Regions

Using cleaners with long handles can prevent you from straining to clean those distant parts of your windshield. Windshield cleaning tools often feature a lengthy, swiveling triangular head that is ideal for getting into corners and spots difficult to access manually.

Opt for a Residue-Free Glass Cleaner

A high-quality glass cleaner will maintain the clarity of your windows and windshield. A great glass cleaner performs well on both standard and tinted windows, making sure to remove streaks or leftover residue. Another option is a natural concoction of half vinegar and half water, with a touch of lemon essential oil.

Steer Clear of Cleaning RV Windows in Bright Sunlight

A sunny afternoon may feel perfect for washing your RV windows, but the warmth can speed up the drying of the cleaner, resulting in streaks or spots. It is advisable to tackle your RV window cleaning during early morning, late evening, or when stationed in a shaded area for the best outcome.

Endnote

Keeping your RV windows clean and clear is not only about aesthetics, but is also vital for safety. The subtleties in cleaning, like steering clear of the sun and using the appropriate products, play a key role. Adhering to these guidelines will help you maintain a pristine view during your various journeys.

Continue Reading

Trending