National & State Parks Archives

Feb

24

2026

3 Days in Death Valley – My Ideal Itinerary

I consider Death Valley National Park one of the most extreme and fascinating places in the United States. It holds the record for one of the hottest air temperatures ever recorded on Earth at 134 °F, and it contains the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. Conditions are dry, dramatic, and powerful. Salt flats stretch for miles, dunes rise in soft curves, mountains shift color with the light, and volcanic craters remind me how active this region once was. Spending three full days here gives me enough time to experience the major sights at a…

Feb

20

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Valley of Fire – The Best Day Trip from Las Vegas

Destinations, National & State Parks

Trade the neon lights of Las Vegas for a landscape that looks like another planet. Just an hour northeast of the Strip, fiery red sandstone formations rise from the desert floor, glowing intensely under the Nevada sun. Many visitors say it feels like stepping onto Mars, thanks to the park’s dramatic geology and surreal colors. Valley of Fire State Park is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, designated in 1935. It spans more than 40,000 acres of vibrant red Aztec sandstone outcrops, layered with streaks of gray and tan limestone. The rock formations were shaped over millions of years, creating…

Feb

20

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Savanna Portage State Park vs. Jay Cooke

National & State Parks

Minnesota has a long list of state parks that are worth the drive, but when people talk about planning a proper weekend outdoors, Savanna Portage and Jay Cooke tend to come up first. They sit within reach of each other, yet the experience in each feels noticeably different once you arrive. Jay Cooke tells a different story. The St. Louis River cuts through a rocky gorge, and the park builds around that drama. Visitors cross a swinging suspension bridge, climb ridgelines for wide river views, and move through terrain that feels sharper and more vertical. Both parks deliver time outside…

Feb

18

2026

By Patrick Duncan

Goblin Valley State Park – Is it Really Like Another Planet?

Destinations, National & State Parks

Goblin Valley State Park is known for a surreal desert setting filled with thousands of bizarre rock formations that many travelers describe as feeling like another planet. Strange sandstone figures rise across a broad basin, forming shapes that look sculpted by imagination rather than nature. Visitors often compare the scene to science fiction worlds, with clusters of squat, mushroom-like rocks stretching as far as the eye can see. Other areas in Utah offer dramatic views, yet few create the same sense of stepping onto unfamiliar ground. Countless hoodoos crowd the valley floor, forming an open expanse that invites curiosity at…

Oct

09

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Sandboarding, Camping & Scenic Views

Destinations, National & State Parks

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park offers one of Utah’s most stunning natural settings for outdoor enthusiasts. Situated in southern Utah near Kanab, it covers roughly 3,730 acres of soft salmon-colored dunes created by windblown Navajo sandstone. The park provides endless opportunities for recreation and relaxation, drawing adventure seekers, photographers, and families looking for a peaceful escape. Its vivid pink hues contrast beautifully with the surrounding red cliffs and blue skies, creating an unforgettable backdrop for every visit. Visitors can enjoy sandboarding, off-highway vehicle rides, hiking, camping, and stargazing all within a single weekend trip. @mimi.alxt almost died but so…

Oct

08

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Upper vs Lower Antelope Canyon – Which One Should You Visit?

Destinations, National & State Parks

Few landscapes in the American Southwest stir as much awe as Antelope Canyon. Hidden in the red sandstone near Page, Arizona, this narrow slot canyon has become one of the most photographed places in the world. Its smooth, sculpted walls seem to flow like water, glowing in shades of orange, gold, and purple. But before you can wander through its twisting passages, you face one question: Upper or Lower? Both parts of Antelope Canyon are inside the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, and both can only be visited on a guided tour led by authorized Navajo guides. They’re close in…

Aug

20

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Escalante Petrified Forest – The Prehistoric Park No One Talks About

Destinations, National & State Parks

Southern Utah is packed with iconic stops that make it onto every road trip list: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and the endless slickrock stretches of Grand Staircase. But sitting quietly above the town of Escalante, tucked on a mesa above a desert reservoir, is a park that carries a story even older than dinosaurs. Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is not loud, not crowded, and not widely marketed. Yet, for those who pause and walk its short trails, it offers one of the richest concentrations of petrified wood in the entire West. We prepared a practical, detailed guide to the…

Jul

22

2025

By Patrick Duncan

10 Tips for Visiting Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Destinations, National & State Parks

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offers a vast and rugged expanse filled with trails, cliffs, and canyons unlike anywhere else in the American Southwest. Preparing for its terrain, climate, and remote character makes all the difference between a rewarding visit and a stressful experience. A well-thought-out approach turns every stop into an opportunity for discovery and adventure. 1. Prepare for Remote and Rugged Terrain Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers 1.9 million acres of mostly undeveloped wilderness. Visitors must come ready for isolation and unpredictability. Many routes lead to areas with no road signs, unmarked trailheads, and almost no indication of civilization.…

Jul

21

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Dead Horse Point State Park – The Best Views in Utah

Destinations, National & State Parks

Dead Horse Point State Park sits about 32 miles outside Moab, Utah. Known for some of the most iconic and photographed views on the planet, it attracts travelers looking for dramatic overlooks, towering cliffs, and surreal desert light. Located just a short drive from Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, the park fits perfectly into any Utah road trip focused on natural beauty and outdoor adventure. Why It’s Called Dead Horse Point Before standing in awe at the canyon's edge, many visitors pause at the name itself. Dead Horse Point carries a haunting legacy that shapes its reputation. It's not just…

Apr

21

2025

By Patrick Duncan

Is The Maze Canyonlands Worth It? Absolutely – Here’s Why

Destinations, National & State Parks

There’s no delicate way to say this: The Maze is not for the casual tourist. This place is not polished. It’s not pampered. It doesn't show up in Instagram reels with a perfectly staged picnic. You can't see it all from the comfort of your car with an iced latte in hand. But here’s the thing — if you want that kind of experience, you’re looking in the wrong corner of Utah. The Maze is the least accessible, least visited, and by far the most ruggedly wild district of Canyonlands National Park. It’s the place where the pavement ends, and…