Something as massive and popular as the Appalachian Trail is bound to have an interesting origin story and, as it turns out, this 2,190-mile trail certainly does. What started out as a somewhat simple idea has now grown into a monster of a thru-hike , with its trails seeing upwards of thousands annua

To get a general sense of the Grand Canyon’s stunning landscapes and avoid exhaustion for miles on end, first-time visitors would do well to take the comfortable, fun, vintage-style Grand Canyon Rail

Hike a portion of the popular Pacific Crest Trail to get a feel for what it's like to make the wilderness your home. The Oregon Skyline Trail has an elevation gain of over 60,000 feet, taking hikers across the crest of the Cascade Mountains and through Crater Lake National Park. Several PCT hikers take the opportunity to resupply at the park, just as AT-thru-hikers stop every few days for the same reason. It is a great hike to get used to the unique demands of hiking extremely long distan

Arizona is home to 22 national parks , monuments, historic sites, recreation areas, and historic trails, the most famous of which is Grand Canyon National Park . Named the best outdoor destination in the U.S. and one of the world’s best natural wonders , this majestic park covers 1,218,375 acres and boasts many wonderful geological spots, rich wildlife, and 3,391 ancestral si

Park Rangers have reported receiving letters and the return of things that tourists have taken with an explanation that they had experienced extreme bad luck and illness since removing these items from the park, where they bel

Two companies offering horse and mule rides on the South Rim are the Grand Canyon Lodges and Apache Stables. There is another company - Grand Canyon Mule Rides - that offers rides in the North Rim. If one is in a hurry, see here for how to see the Grand Canyon in a d

The biome of Zion National Park is rather unique in the sense that it experiences a wide range of temperatures and weather patterns depending on the time of the year. During the summer and winter months, the region experiences extremes of both seasons - with summers being extraordinarily hot and winters being cold enough to bring snow. The park also has a monsoon season and during the months of January, February, and March, there are typically anywhere from seven to eight days of full precipitation which can cause flash flooding, according to Wildland Trekking . These weather conditions apply to both Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyon so it's always better to check the weather report prior to heading

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

With so many people disappearing while visiting the Grand Canyon , so many miles to cover on foot or by vehicle, and the limited parking spots available in peak season, a train ride to the Grand Canyon seems like the perfect solut

With an elevation on the South Rim of nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, travelers and locals can experience some of the cleanest air in the country while visiting the Grand Canyon, so enjoy some of the restorative benefits that a trip to the canyon has while you’re th

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

Despite its name, the Appalachian Trail snakes its way through a majority of the East Coast, not just the Appalachian Mountains . The trail received its name due in part to the fact that it begins in Georgia before winding its way through Appalachia, before ending at the summit of Katahdin, Maine. So, how did this incredible trek become conjured into existence? As it turns out, with a lot of perseverance and vision for the fut

With that being said, the real question is this: when is the best time to explore this popular park? Undeniably, it's during the fall season. There are a number of reasons as to why this is the best time to head down to Zion; the first, obviously, is the heat. Arizona summers can be brutal and while temperatures might cool off later in the day at Zion when the sun is overhead, it's going to feel exactly like the desert environment that it is. During the months of September and October, the average precipitation is limited to just four days or so which means for an overwhelming majority of the month, there are plenty of nice, naturetrailinsight.com sunny days on which to trek its many hiking trails or stay at its campgrou