The trails at Sylvan Lake provide some of the best views in all of South Dakota’s Black Hills. Hike the easy and flat 1.1 Lake Shore Loop around Sylvan Lake, and add in the 3.1 mile Sunday Gulch Loop for a fun but challenging hike past a creek with several small waterfalls and then up into the mountains of the Black Hills. Other trail options also include Little Devil’s Tower, my favorite viewpoint within the Black Hills, and Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) which is the highest point in elevation east of the Rocky Mountains. The trail to Black Elk Peak gains 1350ft, making it a tough trail. Little Devil’s Tower is shorter with less elevation, but involves a significant rock scramble at the end. There is also a spur trail to Cathedral Spires, a unique set of towering rocks.
Oberg Mountain is a 2.5-mile loop hike with a gradual elevation gain of 500ft. This is a relatively easy hike with amazing views around the entire loop of the surrounding hills, Lake Superior, and Oberg Lake.
Caribou Falls is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back hike, off of MN-61 between Tettegouche and Temperance State Parks. This is a subtly marked hike, meaning that although it is just a short distance away from the scenic highway that runs along Lake Superiors shore, you just might get to enjoy this waterfall by yourself. Enjoy the peacefulness of the Caribou River along your hike to the falls.
Vacation Ideas to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park - Plan a trip for your family.. This post includes favorite hikes, places to visit, and ideas on where to camp.
For anyone returning to Zion, St. George would be my recommendation for lodging. This large city allows easy access to nearby off-the-beaten-path treasures that are honestly just as amazing as Zion – including Utah and Nevada State Parks - Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Valley of Fire, and Cathedral Gorge. Zion’s Kolob Canyon entrance, Kanarra Falls, Red Reef, the Yant Flat Candy Cliffs, and St. George’s Pioneer Park are also worth visiting.
Kanab, Utah, is a smart place to set up basecamp for a trip to Zion National Park. Zion’s east entrance is just 35 minutes away, and likely the wait to get into the park will be minimal. The one thing that might slow the morning up though is a potential wait to get through tunnel, for anyone on their to the main entrance.
Nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes is an extremely fun place to spend a few hours exploring or sledding down the dunes. Additionally, there are several smaller interesting hiking locations, such as Kanab’s Sand Caves and Belly of the Dragon.
Kanab also makes a great lodging location for those wanting to venture towards the east, to Escalante’s Toadstool Hoodoos, or Buckskin Gulch (world’s longest slot canyon), or make a day trip out and back to Page, Arizona, to see Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Antelope Canyon. Lastly, Kanab is easiest place to find more adventurous options, such as 4×4 or ATV tours, and canyoneering.
A guide for all hiking ability in Zion National Park. Best easy hikes - Riverside Walk, Pa’rus, and Canyon Overlook. Best views - Scout Overlook, Canyon Overlook, and the Narrows. Most overrated hike - Angel’s Landing - this hike is dangerous. The views aren’t worth it. Best waterfalls - the Narrows, Pa’rus, Emerald Pools, and Weeping Rock. Most worth the adventure, pre-planning, and permits - Zion Narrows hike top down and consider learning to rappel - there are multiple places in the park to try it out.
If you are looking for an off-the-beaten path vacation destination with beauty and adventure, spend a few days in Page, AZ. Hike to Horseshoe Bend, take a tour through Antelope Canyon and enjoy a boat ride on Lake Powell. See the Glen Canyon Dam and spend some time exploring the Glen Canyon New Wave. Checkout Toadstool Hoodoos, hike the Buckskin Gulch, and take a tour to White Pocket.
From Jay Cooke to Duluth and up to the Canadian Border, these are my favorite places to stop along Lake Superior’s North Shore of Minnesota off of MN-61. Included are favorite hikes at Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, Temperance River, Cascade, George Crosby Manitou, Judge Magney, Grand Portage, and the Superior Hiking Trail. See amazing waterfalls, sea caves, spend time on the beach, skip rocks, hike to incredible overlooks, and canoe through lakes clean enough to drink from.
