The Olympic Peninsula
Do you have a weekend or a week to spend time in Olympic Peninsula? Make sure you eventually carve out time to visit all these locations. This area encompasses beaches, forests and mountains and is known for its hiking trails, backpacking and camping options and water activities such as paddling, clamming and whatnot - a perfect area for solo trips or taking your family or friends here.
Summit Lake
Experience one of Washington’s most iconic hikes for an epic view of Mount Rainier. The road up to the trailhead might be rough so be prepared for a bumpy ride. But once you start your trek up to Summit Lake, give yourself a pet in the back, you made it! Now soak in the views and enjoy a snack.
Silver Falls State Park
Take a weekend getaway trip down to Silver Falls State Park. It is located 4.5 hours from Seattle and only a little over an hour away from Portland. Hike the Trail of Ten Falls to see ten distinct waterfalls through an old grown lush forest.
Exploring Phoenix
If you’re short on time and only have a day to spend in Phoenix, Arizona, check out Lost Dutchman State Park and the Desert Botanical Gardens. Get up close and personal with the infamous ‘cactus’ known as the saguaro. There’s no other place here that has more saguaros than Arizona.
Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap and Upper Crystal Lake
Located in the Chinook Pass area of Mount Rainier National Park, this hike takes you on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) until you enter the national park boundaries. This is an easy to moderate walk on an exposed trail that takes you through Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap before concluding at Upper Crystal Lake for the night. Perfect for the last minute backpacking trip you’ve been daydreaming about all year long.
Backpacking to Hole in the Wall
A quick trip to Hole in the Wall in Olympic National Park - a perfect for year-round backpacking. You can extend your trip by hiking along the North Coast or South Coast. The options are endless.
Quinault Loop Trail
Located 40 minutes from the Kalaloch Campground, the easy 5 mile hike takes you through lush rainforests and a few waterfalls. Cross a few well-maintained bridges and a boardwalk that takes you through a bog. Explore the towering Douglas Fir and the animals that reside within this coastal terrain of Olympic National Park.
Thornton Lakes
Looking for a less popular hike in the North Cascades but still want to experience mountains and an alpine lake? Look no further than Thornton Lake. This 11.2 mile roundtrip hike is perfect for a day hike or a one-night backpacking trip. Read more to find out what the hype is all about.
Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway
Don’t miss out on the other side of Utah. Stop by Big Cottonwood Canyon Scenic Byway if you’re feeling a little lazy and want to enjoy massive views inside your car. Feeling active? There are plenty of hikes and campgrounds along the byway to stretch your legs.