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.
If you are looking for a hidden waterfall in a secluded and rugged MN State Park, check out Cascades Waterfall in George Crosby State Park. The easiest option to access the waterfall is a 2.0 mile out-and-back hike along the Middle Trail. If you prefer a longer day of forest bathing, hike out along the Manitou River Trail or head out to Caribou Falls.
Split Rock Lighthouse is the second MN State Park as you head north on Hwy 61 from Duluth along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This state park includes Pebble Beach, a fantastic beach full of small, flat, smooth rocks, absolutely perfect for skipping. There is a hike up to the lighthouse, or you can drive to a second parking lot right next to the lighthouse.
The best long hike in the park is Split Rock River, which takes off from a small unmarked parking lot 2.5 miles south of the main park entrance. This trail goes past the namesake “split rock” and several small waterfalls which occur in the Split Rock River. The trail ends with views high in the bluffs of the park overlooking the valleys and Lake Superior.
A complete overview of hiking at Gooseberry State Park, the first of several MN parks along the Hwy 61 North Shore of Lake Superior. Gooseberry includes trails to four waterfalls including Upper, Middle, Lower, and Fifth Falls. The River View Trail heads out to Agate Beach and Lake Superior. And the Gitchi Gummi Trail includes views of Lake Superior from the cliffs along the shoreline.
The Historic Columbia River Highway is probably the best place in the United States to go waterfalling. It includes Multnomah Falls, the second highest waterfall in the country, as well as Horsetail Falls, Dutchman Falls, Wiesendanger Falls, Ecola Falls, Fairy Falls, Wahkeena Falls, Coopey Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Shepperd’s Dell Falls, and Latourell Falls. There are flexible options for both the non-hiker and the avid hiker looking for a moderately strenuous trails. If you choose to hit a couple of different trailheads, the best part is, it’s less than 9 miles that you need to drive in order to hit all of them. And this stretch of highway is located less than an hour from Portland, OR, which makes it a very convenient destination for a fun day to spend outside.
Explore Crater Lake National Park with a one-day itinerary to the best viewpoints and trails. Hike down Cleetwood Cove, and bring a swimsuit if you are brave enough to jump in the cold water of our country’s deepest lake. If you are even bolder, try cliff jumping into it. For the best view of Crater Lake, hike up to the Watchman Overlook Tower. The best roadside pullouts are at Vidae Falls and Phantom Ship Overlook. To see more of Crater Lake’s volcanic history, explore the Pinnacles Trail. This is a very family friendly park.
Craters of the Moon National Monument is a strange, largely barren landscape set within a lava field. The best part of the park involves exploring lava tube caves. Before heading into a cave though, make sure you are not wearing any clothes you have previously worn underground (including jackets, shoes, or boots), and check in at the Visitor Center to obtain a free permit. When planning your trip, consider also adding an excursion to Black Magic Slot Canyon, the Shoshone Ice Cave, or tour the Experimental Breeder Reactor (EBR-1)
If you are planning a hiking trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, this post can help you determine which trails are best for you based on trail length, elevation, and trailhead location. Our favorite trails were Chasm Lake (hard), Gem (moderate) Lake, Forest Canyon Overlook (easy), Tundra Communities (easy), Coyote Valley (easy), Lake Haiyaha (moderate), and Sky Pond (hard).
Snow Canyon is a very accessible State Park just outside of St. George, UT, where you can explore unique lava tube caves. Make sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp as the light on your phone won’t be enough. If you have more time, then head to Jenny’s Canyon (a short slot canyon), and enjoy a more urban hike out to Scout Cave.
If you are looking for a breath of solitude off the beaten path in Nevada, check out the amazing rock formations within Cathedral Gorge State Park. You can see the canyon from trails at the top and bottom of the canyon, as well as explore within the walls themselves which are cut into a maze of slot canyons.
Your complete guide to a trip to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park - Plan your trip for a 1/2 day with a night at Goulding’s Lodge or the View to enjoy a sunset and a sunrise at the park. Hike Wildcat Trail, and enjoy the 17-mile driving loop on your own if you have a vehicle with higher clearance or book a tour guide. Mile Marker 13 on US-163 marks the spot where Forrest Gump stopped running, which you can take a selfie at on your way out of the park. I’ve also included ideas other nearby hiking destinations to include on your road trip to Monument Valley.
Traveling to Moab? Here’s your complete guide to Canyonlands National Park, including viewpoints and trails in both Island in the Sky and the Needles districts. Find the best places to see the sun rise and set in Canyonlands, check out the best hikes, and see my links to other nearby places to hike while you stay in Moab, UT.
Red Rock Canyon is just a little over 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and has several short and long trail hiking options amongst multi-colored rock walls, canyons, and mountains. Check out my itinerary from March 2021 when I travelled here with my 8 and 12 year sons: Calico Tanks, High Point Overlook ,Petroglyph Wall, Lost Creek Children’s Discovery Trail, and Ice Box Canyon.
Hiding just below the Hoover Dam are two hot springs accessible by day hikes. On the Nevada side of the Colorado River, the hot springs are referred to as the Gold Strike Hot Springs. On the Arizona side, they are referred to as both the Arizona Hot Springs and the Ringbolt Hot Springs. The trail may also be referred to as White Rock Canyon. Gold Strike is a crazy fun challenging hike involving boulder scrambles and ropes to navigate the largest boulders. The Gold Strike Hot Springs is near the Colorado River so you can play between hot and cold water. On the other hand, the AZ Hot Springs are incredibly warm and deep and are my favorite hot springs that I’ve found so far. Please read my post for more information on both trails.
If your goal is to hike to the top of Minnesota, or you are just looking for an extremely quiet and remote hike along the North Shore, Eagle Mountain is your trail. This trail enters the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and summits to the top of Eagle Mountain, MN’s highest point. Eagle Mountain is just over 6.5 miles, with a steep ascent of 500ft in the last third of the hike and is a moderately difficult hike.
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.
