National Parks and Public Lands

Experience what all US public lands have to offer.

National Parks are dear to my heart. Not just National Parks themselves, but also National Monuments, National Historic Sites, etc. Not all US public land is run by the National Park Service but also the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, state parks, non-profits, etc. Most people may not know the difference between all these agencies, or really care and for this blog, it doesn’t matter either. So this topic will cover all public lands in the United States, no matter who runs it. Yay!

The West Fork Trail in Sedona, Arizona, part of the Coconino National Forest.

I love to explore cities but I also like to explore parks. A nice hike is good for the soul. However, hiking is not the only thing to do in parks. Many are historic sites that are national treasures as well. I now try to visit as many National Park sites that I can but that wasn’t always the case. Better late than never I guess. Stay tuned for the journey!

National Parks preserve more than just nature. Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park.

Come explore US Public lands and state parks with me.


The Outer Banks

A quick visit to North Carolina’s famous seaside destination.  Continue reading

Great Falls of the Potomac

Two parks with a giant waterfall between them just fourteen miles upstream of Washington, D.C.  Continue reading

Wandering Harpers Ferry

High Street. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Explore a West Virginian town that time left behind.  Continue reading

Lassen

Bumpass Hell. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Volcanos, hot springs, mud pots and the rich smell of rotten eggs. Check out California’s Yellowstone! Continue reading

Redwoods

Lady Bird Johnson Grove. Redwoods National Park, California

Redwoods is more than just one park. There’s a whole bunch of them to explore! Continue reading

Route 1: Santa Cruz to Glass Beach

Sonoma Coast State Park.

A whole lot of Route 1 driving and a whole bunch of coastal stops along the way.  Continue reading

Route 1: Coastlines and Elephant Seals

Morro Rock. Morro Bay, California

This journey along the California coast features wonderful beaches, craggy cliffs and shouting elephant seals! Continue reading

Pinnacles

Pinnacles National Park. California

My 100th update brings you California’s amazing Pinnacles National Park! Continue reading

Pictured Rocks

Lovers' Leap. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan.

For a state known for its lakeshores, this one on Lake Superior is especially fantastic.  Continue reading

Lighthouses and Waterfalls

Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Michigan

A Michigan native returns home from the desert and finally sees water again.  Continue reading

Organ Pipe Cactus

Ajo Mountain Drive. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Arizona.

A unique cactus, at a unique park, in a unique part of Arizona. Explore Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.  Continue reading

Caving and Saguaros

cactus forest trail. East side. Saguaro National Park. Tucson, Arizona

Explore Tucson, Arizona’s natural beauty, both above ground and below.  Continue reading

Hiking the Valley of Death

Ubehebe Crater. Death Valley National Park. California

Unique geology, beautiful canyons and a desolate desert, Death Valley National Park has a ton of hiking opportunities. Continue reading

Return to Glen Canyon

Hanging Garden Trail. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Page, Arizona

A quick day trip brings further explorations of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Continue reading

Wandering St. Louis

Gateway Arch National Park. St. Louis, Missouri

Explorations of the Gateway to the West. Continue reading

So Many Petroglyphs, So Little Time

Petroglyph. Petroglyph National Monument. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Gaze in wonder at the fantastic rock carvings at Petroglyph National Monument. Continue reading

Bandelier

Bandelier National Monument. New Mexico

With Native American ruins and waterfalls, Bandelier has both nature and history. Continue reading

Natural Bridges

Owachomo Bridge. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah.

Located in the absolute middle of nowhere Utah is a national monument that preserves three amazing natural bridges. Continue reading

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

The Gunnison River cuts a dramatic canyon through the Colorado landscape in this national park. Continue reading

Colorado National Monument

Ute Canyon. Colorado National Monument. Colorado

A national park on a beautiful mesa full of dramatic canyon views. Continue reading

Dinosaurs and Petroglyphs

Fossil Discovery trail. Dinosaur National Monument. Utah, Colorado

Check out a national monument with both dinosaurs and petroglyphs, and some nice views. So much awesome in one place. Continue reading

Canyonlands

Grandview Point.

Canyonlands National Park is home to countless trails, dramatic views and some crazy roads. Continue reading

Capitol Reef

Sunset Point Trail. Capitol Reef National Park. Utah

Explore grand vistas, natural bridges, and narrow canyons in this remote Utah national park. Continue reading

Return to the Valley of Death

Keane Wonder Mill and Mine. Death Valley National Park

An unexpected trip takes me back to Death Valley for more exploration. Continue reading

Roosevelt’s Hyde Park

Springwood. Hyde Park. New York. Home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site

Explore Springwood, the birthplace, lifelong home and burial place of the 32nd President of the US, Franking Delano Roosevelt. Continue reading

Fort Bowie

Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Willcox, Arizona

Explore the ruins of a fort that helped conquer the West. Continue reading

The Valley of Death

Racetrack, Death Valley National Park, California

Explorations of Death Valley National Park, the driest and hottest area of the United States. Continue reading