Explore 176 write-ups tagged with National Parks

This 3-mile hike on the east side of Glacier National Park presents intimate views of two waterfalls on creeks flowing into Saint Mary Lake. Before the Mississippi-bound water from the Continental Divide reaches the grand lake, it spills over Saint Mary Falls and Virginia Falls, two easy-to-reach gushers that can be picked up as a pair. The trail descends 200 feet to Saint Mary Falls and then climbs 250 feet to Virginia Falls. ...Read more.

Johns Lake Loop starts as a pleasant trail through a mossy forest leading to a small lake, but this Glacier National Park hike has a lot more to offer. The trail follows a cascading creek past McDonald Falls, getting an eyeful of the water that feeds the expansive Lake McDonald. This varied 2-mile loop has just 225 feet of elevation gain, making it one of the easiest hikes on the west side of Glacier National Park. ...Read more.

Beneath the natural fortress known as Badlands Wall, Cliff Shelf Nature Trail presents easy access to South Dakota's badlands and has views across the Great Plains. This pleasant half-mile lollipop loop passes through a juniper forest elevated along the Badlands Wall, a 100-mile long ridge spanning across the park. The start of the loop is wheelchair friendly, but steps lead to the highest viewing platform on this wide trail. ...Read more.

This trek travels up a badlands canyon to an overlook with massive views over the Great Plains. The hike is 1.33 miles round trip with 125 feet of elevation gain. This hike does not have a boardwalk to follow, just a dirt trail and a steep wooden ladder. Notch Trail also traces a cliff's edge so it is not a good option for hikers with a fear of heights. ...Read more.

The door on this trail is an opening in Badlands Wall that introduces hikers to a rugged world. While nearby Window Trail allows visitors to look over the wall, Door Trail lets you walk through it. A short boardwalk takes hikers through a natural passageway to a viewing platform on the other side. Beyond that, follow a level path across the formidable landscape to overlooks with views into steep eroded canyons. ...Read more.

You don't need glass to have a window. All you need is a large opening like the one found in Badlands Wall at the end of this short trail in Badlands National Park. Window Trail is a quarter mile round trip with just ten feet of elevation gain - an easy hike that is suitable for all. The start of Window Trail Three hikes begin from this trailhead, Window Trail, Door Trail, and Notch Trail. ...Read more.

Dune Succession Trail in the West Beach area of Indiana Dunes National Park offers a mile-long look at the stages of dune development, starting with a beach on the shore of Lake Michigan and ending with a boardwalk through a forest that has risen from the sand. The loop has 100 feet of elevation change, covered by 250 boardwalk steps. In addition to the ecology lesson, the self-guided nature trail delivers great lake views. ...Read more.

Indiana Dunes National Park protects 15,000 acres of lakefront, dunes, bogs, and marshes on the edge of Lake Michigan in northeastern Indiana. Dunewood Campground is the principal campground in the park with 78 sites (53 drive-up sites and 25-walk-in sites). The first-come first-serve campground is open seasonally from April to October. A drive-up site at Dunewood Campground Sites are $18 per night (price as of 2018), and amenities include flush toilets, showers, potable water, picnic tables, and fire rings. ...Read more.

Is there a better hike in Mount Rainier National Park than Skyline Trail? The hike begins from Paradise, a perfectly named destination on the southern slope of Mount Rainier. Loop up to Panorama Point, a stunning viewpoint that is about as close to the summit of Rainier as you can get without an ice ax. The trail passes snowfields, streams, waterfalls, and fields of alpine flowers. ...Read more.

Mount Rainier National Park has three main campgrounds with over 450 campsites. The campgrounds are located in the southwest, southeast, and northeast corners of the park near the most popular hiking areas. Backcountry camping is also an option, by permit only. Visit the official Mount Rainier National Park camping page for more information.   Campgrounds in Mount Rainier National Park Courgar Rock Campground | 173 sites (plus 5 group) | open late May to late September | reservations accepted | $20 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire grates, dump station, and flush toilets | elevation 3,180 feet Mowich Lake Campground | 10 primitive walk-in tent sites | open early July to early October | first-come first-serve | free | no potable water, no fires, vault toilets | elevation 4,929 feet Ohanapecosh Campground | 188 sites (plus 2 group) | open late May to late September | reservations accepted | $20 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire grates, dump station, and flush toilets | elevation 1,900 feet White River Campground | 112 sites | open late June to late September | reservations accepted | $20 per night | potable water, picnic tables, fire grates, and flush toilets | elevation 4,400 feet Mount Rainier from White River Campground What do I do if the national park campgrounds are full? ...Read more.