Do you need a guide to visit a national park? For most national parks, the simple answer is no. Millions of people visit on their own every year. But there are two things to think about when it comes to doing it yourself. There’s all the planning you have to do in advance of your…
Cold weather will be here soon, and I know I’m already planning my winter escape. But I’m not exactly a ‘sit-at-the-beach-for-a-week’ kind of person. Yes, a lot of the best national parks are pretty cold in the winter, but not all of them. And there are national parks and outdoor adventures beyond the U.S. as…
Most national parks give you one ecosystem. Olympic gives you three. On the same trip, you can stand in a rainforest draped in moss so thick it feels like a sci-fi movie, walk a wild Pacific coastline, and drive into an alpine meadow with mountain views in every direction. It’s one of the most diverse…
Acadia National Park is a different kind of National Park. It’s on the coast of Maine, so you have mountains and forest next to a rugged coastline with lobster boats and a charming New England town (Bar Harbor). Most National Parks aren’t quite foodie destinations, but if you like seafood, this one definitely is. You…
Grand Teton National Park, in my humble opinion, is one of the most stunning places in the United States (and probably a top contender in the world). It’s the National Park I keep coming back to because the snow-covered jagged peaks in front of beautiful glacier lakes are one of my absolute favorite landscapes. And…
If you are picturing Glacier National Park as a hiking destination, yes, there are incredible hikes. But some of the best Glacier experiences aren’t on a trail. There’s wildlife watching, historic Red Jammer tours, scenic boat rides, horseback riding, fishing, rafting, kayaking on crystal-clear lakes, and some of the most beautiful scenic drives in the…
Yosemite has a reputation as a hiker’s park, and yes, there are epic hardcore adventures like climbing Half Dome, but there’s so much more to Yosemite than that. You can float lazily down a river, swim in a glacial lake, or admire the views from amazing lookout points while an expert guide does all the…
If you are imagining Yellowstone as a hiking destination, yes, there are incredible hikes. But there is so much to do in Yellowstone beyond hiking. There’s wildlife, scenic drives, geysers, rafting, horseback riding, and plenty of experiences for people who want more than just miles on the trail. Yellowstone is even one of the few…
When I started National Park Escapes, I never planned to become a travel advisor. In my head, travel advisors meant cruises, all-inclusives, and pre-packaged tours. Nothing wrong with those types of vacations, but they just aren’t me. I love researching and customizing trips to exactly what I want to do. I know it’s overwhelming for…
Wake up in the mountains. Go to sleep under the stars. And do it all in comfort. If you think driving an RV is like driving an 18-wheeler, think again. Modern, luxury RVs are as easy to drive as a large SUV. Luxury RV travel has really evolved that much! There’s a reason 74 million…