Hiking Half Dome is a "bucket list" item for many people and is not something to commit to lightly or to go into unprepared. This 8,844 ft tall peak in Yosemite National Park provides incredible views of the valley floor and surrounding areas. Hiking to the top of it is no joke and is not for inexperienced hikers. It...

This is a short but difficult hike to two beautiful lakes in the Sierra Mountains in Inyo National Forest. Yost and Fern lakes sit on opposite sides of a large rocky peak. This hike is more often done as a day hike, but can easily be done as a weekend backpacking trip as well. I personally preferred Fern Lake over...

Yellowstone is full of tons of geothermal activity - and with so many geysers and hot springs in such a big park, which ones are the best and which are the ones that you can skip? It can be really overwhelming if you're not familiar with the park, which is why we've put together this guide! This is a...

The Wave is a sandstone rock formation located in Coyote Buttes North (not to be confused with South) in Arizona. Marked by its bright red and white "wave" or ribbon formations, it's become a wildly popular hiking destination due to the breathtaking photos visitors have shared of their visit on social media. In order to protect the area, the...

The Subway Cave in Sedona is a not so well kept secret that has become an "insta-famous" attraction due to stunning photos that have been taken of this red rock cave in the mountains. I contemplated whether or not to write this post since I don't agree with how Instagram has contributed to places like this being overwhelmed by...

I had never been down into a cave system before, let alone the lonest cave system in the world (with new areas still being discovered), and it was absolutely amazing! While Mammoth Cave itself is pretty cool (and there are lots of types of tours available), the thing that was really amazing about this experience was the the Wild...

Yosemite is full of hiking trails that go on for miles and miles, which almost makes it like a choose your own adventure hiking destination - it's hard to choose the best day hike when there are so many options! When I first started day hiking in Yosemite, I was very confused about the way the trails are laid...

A good sleeping pad can make the difference between tossing and turning all night and getting a good night's sleep during your backpacking trip. There might be some nights you'll be so tired that you just faceplant into your sleeping bag, but usually I haven't found this to be the case. Sleeping pads are an important part of not...

The Grand Staircase Escalante is one of my favorite places to hike, especially when it comes to desert hiking. This area of southern Utah is bursting with epic hiking trails including waterfalls, slot canyons, views, and so much more. Where is Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument? The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is in southern Utah and is one of the largest...

White Pocket is such a cool area - it feels like you're walking on another planet! The ribbons of orange, yellow, and white layers of rock formations are just incredible and unlike anywhere else on the Earth. These were created over time by mineral deposits and then shaped by the elements. The domes, swirls, and ridged rocks that are known...