The first person to successfully complete a thru-hike of the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail was Earl Shaffer in 1948. He viewed the challenge as a way to leave his war experiences behind, documenting his travels in great detail in a journal that's on display at the Smithsonian. It took him 4 months and one pair of bo

There are four longer hikes for dogs but bear in mind the weather. On hot days, owners are asked to stay within the short trails or bring enough water for both themselves and their dogs, as climbing the mountain can be extremely hot. Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Carlon Road, Wawona Meadow Loop, and Chowchilla Mountain Road offers hikers views of breathtaking waterfalls, basins of water, creeks, wildflowers and ancient trees. Sadly, Horsetail Falls is only accessible to huma

With an altitude as high as this hike, many accidents have happened, even during summer. Mountaineers have died and frozen trying to reach the summit. But those who make it to the top get to enjoy the view of Mt. Rainier, the glaciers, and the tall ser

Zion National Park brings millions of visitors each year to enjoy its scenic hikes that weave through the desert environment at the corners of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. This also makes it one of the most visited national parks in the country and it ranks high on many hiker's, and camper's bucket lists. Over the last few years, the park has only seen more people wanting to explore this remote wilderness and it's easy to see why - its somewhat otherworldly landscapes and breathtaking canyon vistas rival that of any other park ( except the Grand Canyon ) in the coun

Of course, hiking is one of the most popular activities at the park. With so many trails, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which one is worth spending an entire day (or several) on, and this is where guided tours can help. Not only will hikers have the chance to learn about the area from an experienced guide but they'll also have the reassurance that comes with a well-versed hiker, familiar with the trails. Some of these guided tours are all-inclusive which means that meals and extras are included, helping to curve the cost and take the stress out of planning a Zion excurs

The first French missionary colony in America was here on Mount Desert Island back in 1613. It was destroyed by the Colony of Virginia and heralded the long struggle in the continent between the English and the French and the English speaking colonists and the French colonists. This would eventually boil over into the French and Indian Wars and the French would be forced to cede it to the English. During the War of Independence, it was a part of Massachusetts before eventually becoming part of Ma

Village Grill Deck is a quick grab-and-go deli that makes simple grilled sandwiches and juicy burgers, steamed hot dogs. They also provide vegetarian options. Best of all, diners get to sit outside at various picnic tables in order to keep enjoying the beauties of nat

Zion National Park was recently given official Dark Sky Status which means it has now joined the ranks of other dark sky parks around the world. In order to achieve this, a park must be practically devoid of light pollution in order to see astronomical features that aren't usually visible to the human eye without the use of a telescope or binoculars. With the park's new status, visitors will notice an uptick in events that will occur after dark, and these are definitely something to take advantage

As for eclectic groups of at least 20 people (or 10 fully paid rooms) and school groups of 20 passengers or more, they will also receive special discounted rates (check the website for updated brochur

There is nothing more beautiful than enjoying a nature hiking game guide|https://naturetrailinsight.com/ hike with your furry friend and being able to stay multiple nights without worrying where they will stay or paying an additional expense or a dog sitter or kennel service. Luckily, there are a few cabins that are dog friendly located in Curry Village which is within Yosemite's vicinity. The downside of this gorgeous village of cabins and pop up tents is that it completely sells out eighteen months early, so it’s important to properly plan any vacation or quick weekend trip well in adva

Hikers of the Art Loeb Trail comment on the abundance of false summits, as well as dense overgrowth and rocky footpaths that demand full attention to remain standing. Parts of the trail are known for rattlesnakes, which become especially active during the warmer months on the Appalachian Tr

Find the right time to visit a national park such as this, though, can be tricky. Just as one wouldn't visit a high-altitude alpine park in the dead of winter, one wouldn't typically go for a strenuous hike in Zion at the peak of the summer. There is a 'best' time to visit this beautiful park and, while you're there, add these to your itiner

Out of three fast dining options in Yosemite National Park, there are only two that are dog friendly . However, for those who are looking for a more luxurious meal, dog sitting can be provided for a small fee and if there’s availability. Village Grill and Degnan’s Deli both have indoor and outdoor seating available for guests and their pets. They also provide a discount for guests who are looking to reserve a night or two (or seven) to a dog-friendly ho