This hike is no walk in the park, but the stunning views from start to finish make it well worth the physical exertion and pending Epsom salt soak. It's considered one of the most challenging portions of the Appalachian Trail and is only recommended for experienced hik

Imagine oneself in the Old Wild West on a horseback ride in one of the world's most dazzling natural attractions. Horse (or mule) rides make one feel like a cowboy (or cowgirl) as one descends deep into the most famous canyon in the world. There are horse and mule rides in the Grand Canyon - with the option of spending the night in the can

The most famous sequoia grove in Yosemite National Park is Mariposa Grove. It is located near the entrance to the park and near Wawona. It is the largest grove of giant sequoias in the park and has many of the most famous trees. There are several hundred mature trees in the park and two of the trees in the grove are among the 30 largest giant sequoias in the wo

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

I’m certain most readers are wondering what on Earth is the link between the Federal Aviation Administration and the Grand Canyon. Well, it’s actually super interesting! In the ’50s, many pilots decided to go off route in order to explore the beautiful aerial view of this natural wonder (wheninyourstate). This resulted in several plane collisions that showed the United States' government that they needed some serious in-air regulations to avoid any further tragedies (wheninyourstate). The pilot's desire to go off-course and explore the canyon led to the creation of the Federal Aviation Administration. Thankfully, this now means that any flight you take today, be it over the canyon or elsewhere, is s

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

Another famous tree was the Wawona Tree. It had a tunnel cut through it that was large enough for horse-drawn carriages and early cars to drive through. However, the tunnel weakened it and https://Naturetrailinsight.Com/ it fell in a storm in 1

While horses may be more iconic of the American West, the humble mule is the animal of choice for such a trek. In fact, the iconic painting by Jacques-Louis David of Napoleon crossing the Alps on a noble white horse was propaganda. Napoleon actually crossed on a mule. Mules combine sure-footedness with the strength of a ho

Unfortunately, increased pollution has made some air in certain countries very unhealthy to breathe. While some areas of the United States may be more urban and polluted, you can enjoy a real breath of fresh air when you explore the canyon. The air is so pure when you go to the canyon because it is a national park that is highly protected by the government (wheninyourstate). Pollution, littering and anything that could harm its environment is prohibited, meaning you’ll be breathing some seriously clean air when you vi

For those seeking to explore the park on their own, fear not - other hikers and visitors are almost always around, and trails are well-marked with blazes. Trails vary in difficulty from treks such as Angel's Landing and Observation Point, which both require a degree of tactical hiking (and require that hikers leave their fear of heights at home), as well as trails like Canyon Overlook and Emerald Pools. Both of the latter are easier hikes and the first is family-friendly while also providing spectacular views along the

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

Some of the other noteworthy trees in the grove are the Fallen Monarch (which fell over 300 years ago). The Bachelor and Three Graces (they grow so close to each other that if one was to fall, they would all likely fall). The Columbia tree (the tallest tree in the grove at 286 feet or 87 meters). The Faithful Couple (an unusual example where the trees have grown so close that their trunks have fused together at the ba