Last weekend, Patrick and I spontaneously decided to go camping in Allegheny National Forest. Camping has always been something that helps ground us and provide the perfect reset when life feels stressful. We’ve always talked about going to Allegheny and we finally made the trip happen! Here’s some photos of our quick trip to Allegheny and the camping list we always use that gives us the most comfort while camping.
Our time in Allegheny was short and sweet but it definitely has me excited to visit again in the future. We found a couple campgrounds in the area that were open already for the season, most were first come first serve, which always makes me a little anxious but luckily we were able to find a great spot. We stayed at Red Bridge Campground and we loved it! This campground felt scenic and secluded but also had plenty of amenities which is always a luxury while camping. I would highly recommend this campground, we plan to stay here again during our next visit.
Our Camp List
This is our camping list that we use when we go on quick weekend trip or a long road trip. Some of these items were investments to ensure we had the most comfort, especially for our longer trips. Most of these items aren’t necessary especially for a quick weekend trip but they definitely make us feel more at ease and comfortable which is our goal while camping or traveling on the road.
Sleep
Tent, with rain cover
Air mattress
Sheets
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Pillows
Hygiene
Travel toilet
Biodegradable waste bags
Toilet paper
Trash bags
Body wash and shampoo
Tooth brush and tooth paste
Cook
Newair refrigerator or cooler
Cooking utensils
Eating utensils
Plates
Bowls
Coffee mugs
Pots and pans
Stove top and propane
Jetboil
Cutting board
Stanley pour over stand
Containers/bags to store leftover food
Water cooler
Collapsible sink
Campsuds dish soap
Sponge to wash dishes
Comfort
Rinse kit (helpful for a quick rinse off or to assist with washing dishes)
Camp chairs
Hammock
Quick dry towels
Jackery generator (we use this to keep our refrigerator powered and other things we need to charge)
Cameras
String lights
Journals/books
Card games
Safety
Medicine kit
Lantern
Garmen inreach mini satellite gps (helpful when there’s no service!)
Quick start car battery charge
Misc.
Fire starter supply
Citronella candle
Small hatchet/shovel
Tent set upMorning coffeeRed Bridge CampgroundPrepping dinnerMorning at campStarting a campfire for the eveningCamp breakfastView of our setupS’mores!Walking around the campground
I have some exciting news to share, I recently started an Etsy shop to sell and highlight some of my travel photography! I have always been passionate about taking photos and capturing special moments on film. Through travel, that passion has only increased and continued to thrive. Travel and photography are both such big parts of my life and the reason I started this blog so I could share that passion with many others. This post shares some of the photographs I’ll be selling on my Etsy shop. These photographs are from my most cherished memories that include my travels throughout Europe, my time living in Italy and my recent travels out west USA. Feel free to click the link for my shop below to purchase a photograph to print out or simply enjoy the photographs here on the blog 🤍
Delicate Arch, Arches National ParkSunrise near Boulder, COCoast in Cinque Terre, ItalyFlorence, ItalyCanyon Overlook, Zion National ParkRocky Mountains National ParkCliffs of Moher, IrelandIcelandic horses, IcelandDuomo in Florence, ItalyRocky Mountains National Park Hiking Mount Ida, Rocky Mountains National ParkSunset at Lake Erie, OHDuomo Florence, ItalyThe Great Smoky Mountains National ParkSunrise near Boulder, COTrevi Fountain, Rome, ItalyIcelandic Coast, IcelandLondon Eye, London, EnglandObservation Point, Zion National Park
Last Summer, I went on my first cross country road to explore five different National Parks within Colorado and Utah. Traveling from Ohio, I knew very little about States out west and I spent several months doing research, making reservations in advance, and planning out a two week itinerary for my boyfriend and I. This trip included time in the Rocky Mountains National Park and time within Utah exploring 4 out of the 5 National Parks in the state. If you’re planning a similar trip, I hope this itinerary I developed is useful or gives some ideas to add to your own road trip itinerary!
Two Week Itinerary
Day One: Travel Day
Since we were traveling from Ohio, we decided to break the drive out to Colorado into two days. We stopped in Nebraska on our way after about 13 hours of driving. We found a hotel near Omaha, NE for the night.
🌛 Hotel in Omaha, NE
Day Two: Travel Day
On our second day, we left Omaha bright and early for a 7 hour drive to Boulder, CO. Once we arrived in Boulder we spent time walking around town and exploring Pearl St. which is an iconic spot in downtown Boulder that features fun shops and restaurants. My favorite part of this day was spending time at a free campsite we found just outside of Boulder, CO. This campsite was about an hour from downtown Boulder and 45 minutes to Rocky Mountains National Park.
Tips:
I found all of our free campsites off the Campendium or freecampsites.net
We purchased the America the Beautiful National Park pass which was $80 and covers entrances to all National Parks.
🌛 Beaver Reservoir Dispersed Camping
DayThree: Rocky Mountains National Park
On day three, we woke up bright and early to enjoy sunrise at our campsite before heading into Rocky Mountains National Park. On our way into the park, we stop in downtown Estes Park for some breakfast. We found Kind Coffee which was definitely a favorite stop of ours! After some coffee and breakfast we spent our first day hiking in the Bear Lake area and hiked to Bear, Nymph and Dream lakes. After hiking in this area, we stop at the visitor’s center and explored more of Estes Park. For the next two nights we stayed at one of the campgrounds in the Park, Glacier Basin.
Tips:
I wrote a blog post about our experience in RMNP if you’re looking for an in depth guide, read here.
Campground reservations can be made 6 months in advance, so if you know your dates book as soon as you can!
Rocky Mountains National Park requires a vehicle reservation to enter the park during certain hours. I discuss this in depth in my post dedicate to RMNP.
🌛 Glacier Basin Campground
Day Four: Rocky Mountains National Park
Our second full day in RMNP was a busy one! We spent our entire morning hiking to Mount Ida. From the Glacier Basin campground, this trailhead is about an hour away. The best part about the drive there is driving along the iconic Trail Ridge Road which is the highest highway road in the country! It was incredible to experience the views and the road during sunrise. We saw so much wildlife and almost had the entire road to ourselves since it was so early. To hike Mount Ida, you can park at Milner Pass parking lot. This hike was a strenuous 9 mile hike but the views were some of the best I’ve ever seen! After this hike, we went into town to take a shower. We found a local laundry mat that had showers for visitors that cost $4. That evening we had dinner in town at the Bird & Jim, which was delicious!
🌛 Glacier Basin Campground
Day Five: Travel Day
We were pretty exhausted after a long hike the day before so we slept in and took our time leaving Colorado. We stopped in Estes Park for the last time and got another cup of Kind Coffee before starting a 6 hour drive to Moab, UT. We planned to car camp once we arrived to Moab and we were surprised to find several camping areas off the main road that were first come first serve. We picked the first one we could find which was Upper Big Bend Campground and paid $20 for a spot that night. This night was extremely hot compared to the nights we just experienced in Colorado. The campsite we chose was about 15 minutes from Arches National Park which was super convenient.
Tips:
I have a blog post dedicated to our time in Arches National Park with more details of our experiences, read here.
Arches National Park requires a vehicle reservation to enter the park during certain hours. I discuss this in depth in my post dedicated to ANP.
All campgrounds in the area we stayed were $20 per night for a camp spot.
The campgrounds off the main road that we found had no running water, no showers, and no flush toilets.
Moab, UT is known as boondocking country, meaning there’s a lot of free camp spots surrounding Moab! Check out Campendium or freecampsites.net to find a free spot. Most are quite a drive from the park which is why we decided to pay $20 to be close.
🌛 Upper Big Bend Campground
Day Six: Arches National Park
We woke up around 3:30am tired but excited to drive into Arches National Park for the day. We drove to Delicate Arch trailhead to begin a sunrise hike to this iconic arch. It took about an hour to hike to the top and we made it just before the sun started to rise. Delicate arch is incredible in person and much bigger than I imagined. We spent a couple hours admiring Delicate Arch before hiking back down. Afterwards, we explored more Arches in the park. It was extremely hot so we didn’t last long out in the heat. This night we ended up booking a hotel room to escape the heat and it was definitely worth it!
🌛 Scenic View Inn and Suites Moab
Day Seven: Arches National Park/Travel Day
We slept in and explored downtown Moab before heading back into Arches National Park. We spent some more time driving through Arches National Park admiring Arches from a distance and stopping along viewpoints. We also took some time to explore Park Avenue which was one of the coolest spots we visited in the park. Afterwards, we prepared for a 4.5 hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. Once we arrived, we stayed at a free camp spot, Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping which is about 15 minutes from the park.
🌛 Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping
Day Eight: Bryce Canyon National Park
We only planned for one day in Bryce Canyon so we woke up early to make the most of our time. We started the morning at Inspiration Point for sunrise, this was an incredible spot but I imagine any spot in the park is amazing to watch sunrise. After sunrise, we drove to Sunset Point to hike the Navajo and Queen’s Garden loop trail. This was the perfect hike to do with only a day in the park. We were able to see the highlights of the park and spend time admiring all of the hoodoos! We ended the day by driving to Zion National Park which was a 2 hour drive.
Once we arrived in Zion, we went to Zion Outfitters to pick up rented gear for the Narrows hike. We then went to a free camp spot we found but ended up booking a reservation at Gooseberry Lodges last minute due to extreme heat temperatures and a thunder storm that was predicted. This was a great decision and gave us a comfortable place to sleep each night while visiting Zion. Gooseberry Lodges offer small private cabins for an affordable price and the location is about 45 minutes from the park.
Tips:
I have a blog post dedicated to our time in Bryce Canyon National park, read here.
Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping was an awesome free spot, the spaces were spread out and there was cell service which was a first!
I have a dedicated post to our time in Zion, read here.
🌛 Gooseberry Lodges
Day Nine: Zion National Park
Our first day in Zion was a full day! We started the day bright and early with a sunrise hike to Canyon Overlook which was one of my favorite memories, the views from this one mile hike were amazing. Afterwards we drove into Springsdale which is the closest town to Zion and got breakfast sandwiches from Deep Creek Coffee. Our next hike was The Narrows which was one I was most looking forward to as we planned our trip. We had already picked up our gear the night before which saved time. We got on the shuttle near the visitor’s center to begin our hike to The Narrows and got off at shuttle stop #9. We spent about 4 hours hiking in the Narrows. That night, we ordered dinner from a local spot near our cabin and enjoyed some time out by the fire after a long day of adventuring!
Tips:
During busy season, Zion requires visitors to use their shuttle system to access most trailheads. The shuttle is free and the easiest spot to pick up the shuttle is at the visitor’s center.
Canyon Overlook is one of the only areas you can drive in your personal vehicle to get to.
I would definitely recommended renting the gear if you plan to hike the Narrows.
🌛 Gooseberry Lodges
Day Ten: Zion National Park
On our second full day in Zion, we planned to hike to Observation Point. This hike offers one of the best views in Zion and a lot safer then Angel’s Landing! Be sure to read my blog post about Zion if you’re planning to hike to Observation Point as there’s a lot to know in advance. After an afternoon hike to Observation Point we spent the rest of the day walking around Springsdale, souvenir shopping and catching up on laundry.
🌛 Gooseberry Lodges
Day Eleven: Travel Day
We slept in and drove into Springsdale to stop at our favorite coffee shop one last time, Deep Creek Coffee. Our last National Park on this road trip was Capitol Reef National Park, which is about 3.5 hours from Zion National Park. The drive to Capitol Reef from Zion is a bit boring and as you enter the nearby towns to Capitol Reef, it feels like you’re in a Western movie. Capitol Reef is quite literally in the middle of nowhere so restaurants and shops are very limited. Since we arrived to the park later in the afternoon, we didn’t hike but spent time exploring the scenic drive which is about 8 miles one way to Capitol Gorge. This is a historic drive that offers stunning views of the park, definitely a must see. After a long day of traveling, we checked into our hotel for the next two nights, Capitol Reef Resort.
Tips:
I wrote a separate blog post about our time in Capitol Reef that provides more information about our time in the park, read here.
🌛 Capitol Reef Resort
Day Twelve: Capitol Reef National Park
Our first full day in Capitol Reef was actually my birthday so I picked the activities we did this day! I was most looking forward to hiking to Cassidy Arch which is an iconic spot in Capitol Reef. The hike to Cassidy Arch was tough but definitely worth the view at the end. Afterwards, we explored the fruita district of the park and stopped by Gifford Homestead for fresh pies, which were amazing! We also planned to hike the grand wash trail which is another popular spot in the park, but due to extreme heat temperatures we only hiked the beginning on this trail before turning back.
🌛 Capitol Reef Resort
Day Thirteen: Travel Day
We woke up early and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel before leaving Capitol Reef. We started our trip back to Colorado with a plan to stop in Vail, CO for the night. Vail is about 5.5 hours from Capitol Reef National Park. This trip felt longer than other days, most likely due to general exhaustion from a long road trip! Once we arrived in Vail, we camped at Camp Hale Memorial campground. This campground was stunning and so scenic and quiet. It truly was the perfect way to end our road trip. This campground was about $30 for the night and it was available to reserve in advance but when we arrived there were plenty of empty spots available as well.
🌛 Camp Hale Memorial Campground
Day Fourteen: Travel Day
From Vail, CO we woke up around 4am to drive towards Des Moines, IA for our stopping point. We drove about 12 hours to get to a hotel for the night. We arrived around dinner time and ordered in food at a nearby restaurant and went to bed early to prepare for another long travel day!
🌛 Hotel near Des Moines, IA
Day Fifteen: Travel Day
We left Des Moines bright and early and headed back towards Ohio which was about an 10 hour drive. We arrived home mid afternoon after a long two week road trip! This road trip gave me some of my best memories and it was definitely worth all the early mornings, days without service, heat exhaustion, and long days in the car.
One of my favorite National Parks is definitely Zion National Park. It offers incredible natural beauty and breath taking views. We were able to spend two full days exploring the park which was a nice introduction. I would recommend 3-4 days in the park to fully experience everything Zion has to offer. Here’s an outline of the hikes and activities we did within our two day trip.
Things to Know About Zion National Park
During peak season, the park requires use of their shuttle system. There are only certain areas of the park you are able to drive with your personal vehicle. For most of the hikes and activities, the shuttle is required. The shuttle is free and is easily accessible. There are nine stops within the park and the easiest place to get on the shuttle is the visitor’s center which is stop #1. On the park’s website, there is a list of all shuttle stops you can download. The park also provides this map to all visitors upon entering the park.
If you plan to hike Angels Landing, you’ll need to enter the lottery system. This is the park’s way of limiting traffic on this congested trail. Visit the park’s website to find out more information.
If you plan to hike the Narrows, I would highly recommend renting the gear which includes neoprene socks, boots, and a walking stick. In the summer months it’s about $32 to rent the gear for the day. We rented the gear from Zion Outfitters which is near the visitor’s center.
If you plan to hike to Observation Point, there’s a few things you’ll need to know. This hike used to be accessible through the East Rim Trail which started at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. However, due to falling rocks a few years ago, the trail is closed until further notice. Luckily, there’s other ways to hike to Observation Point. We hiked to Observation Point via the East Mesa trail which is on the other side of the park, it’s actually outside of the entrance of Zion so you can hike it without even entering the park! The parking lot at East Mesa is very limited and the road to get there is rocky and rough. It’s advised that only cars with 4×4 drive should take a risk to access the parking lot. If that’s not possible for you, there is a shuttle that takes hikers which is accessible from Zion Ponderosa Resort. The shuttle is $7. Keep in mind, the shuttle takes you to the road above the parking lot not the trail head itself so you’ll have to walk a .5mi walk to the actual trailhead after being dropped off.
The heat at Zion, like many other parks in Utah during the summer, is extreme. We originally planned to car and tent camp but decided to find a lodge instead due to high temperatures even at night. Last minute, we found Gooseberry Lodges located in Apple Valley, UT which is about 45 minutes from the park. I can’t recommend Gooseberry enough! It was extremely comfortable and affordable.
Day One
We started our first day in the park, bright and early for a sunrise hike to Canyon Overlook. I always recommend starting hikes before sunrise while visiting any National Park, but especially if you’re planning to hike Canyon Overlook in Zion. The parking lot is very limited and this is one of the most popular hikes in Zion! It’s also one of the only hikes that does not require the shuttle to access. The parking lot is located right after you pass through the Mount Carmel tunnel and you have to walk across the street to begin the hike. This hike is a simple 1 mile hike and it provides one of the most stunning views in the park! We arrived to the top just before the sun rose and it was one of my favorite memories watching the sun come up over the canyon.
After our sunrise hike, we drove into the nearest town which is Springsdale, UT. We stopped by Deep Creek Coffee for some breakfast sandwiches and espresso which tasted so great after a hike!
Our next adventure involved hiking the Narrows! The Narrows hike is only accessible from the shuttle in the park during peak season. The hike begins at shuttle stop #9 which is called Temple of Sinawava. From the shuttle drop off, you have to walk a paved path (Riverside Walk) that’s at least a mile to get to the start of the Narrows. The Narrows is a popular hike within Zion National Park so be prepared for crowds, especially at the beginning of the hike. The beginning was the most populated but as you continue through, the crowds definitely thin out. We hiked a little past”Wall Street” and turned back which was about 6 miles total. The Narrows was an incredible hike and so unique, I’d highly recommend adding this to your Zion Itinerary.
Narrows Notes & Tips:
If you decide not to rent the gear, I would at least recommend buying or renting neoprene socks. The Narrows is a challenging hike for many reasons. One reason being the water temperature. Even with the summer heat, the water is typically cold and after spending hours in the water, your feet will be wet and cold!
You will get wet. The rented socks and boots do not prevent your feet from getting wet, but ensure your feet stay warm.
The walking stick provided with the rental is another pro of renting gear. Since there is so much traffic through the Narrows, the water when we went was a brown color and impossible to see through. The hike is entirely water and rocks so walking and balancing is challenging. The walking stick helped us navigate the rocky terrain.
Try and go during lunch hour. The park recommends waiting at least until noon to begin hiking the Narrows. That way, the sun will be above the Narrows and allow some sunlight in between the canyons. Otherwise, it may be a chilly hike since the water is already cold. If you decide to go early, wear layers if possible.
The park determines each morning if there is any flood risk and if the water is safe to hike through. It’s always a little unpredictable if you’ll be able to hike the Narrows so be prepared to be flexible.
Pack snacks! Similarly to any long hike, you’ll want plenty of snacks and water to have when you take breaks. This hike is particularly more challenging since it’s all through water. You’ll want to keep energy up!
There are restrooms when you arrive at the shuttle stop but no restrooms along the hike.
The water in the Narrows contains cyanobacteria, which means it’s not safe to consume the water or submerge your head beneath the water.
After a long day of hiking, we headed back into town and found ice cream before heading to camp. We originally planned to camp out at a free camp spot we found, however, due to extreme heat temperatures we decided to find a place to sleep with air conditioning. We booked a two night stay at Gooseberry Lodge and it was one of the best over night accommodations we experienced on our road trip! Gooseberry offers private small cabins with a kitchenette and outdoor area. These cabins are super affordable and perfect for a place to sleep after a long day of hiking. Gooseberry Lodges is located in Apple Valley, UT which is about 45 minutes from Zion National Park. Even though it was a drive to the park, we had so much fun exploring Apple Valley and experiencing another small town.
Day Two
During our second day in the park, our only plan was to hike to Observation Point. Many compare this hike’s view to the one you could have at the top of Angel’s Landing. Observation Point’s view is actually behind Angel’s landing so in my opinion, it’s an even grander view (plus much safer to the top!). This hike is about 6.7 miles round trip and not too challenging. The first half of the hike is through a forest like trail but the rest of the hike is pretty exposed so be prepared for strong heat if visiting during summer months. The view at Observation Point is stunning and definitely a must see while visiting Zion! We packed a lunch and spent hours at the top soaking in the view.
As I mentioned earlier, this hike is accessible a few different ways. We accessed the trail via East Mesa which is on the other side of the park. The road that leads to the trailhead is rocky and uneven and unless you have a 4×4 car, it’s not recommended you drive the road but instead take the shuttle which is located at Zion Ponderosa resort. Our vehicle was equipped for the road so we drove there ourselves. The parking lot is extremely small and there are several signs that state if you are unable to find a parking spot, you’ll have to drive back and take the shuttle so also keep that in mind. Luckily we found a parking spot but it was very limited.
After another long afternoon of hiking, we drove back into town and did some souvenir shopping. To end the night we drove along the Mt. Carmel highway which is the scenic drive offered in Zion National Park.
Observation PointThe NarrowsThe NarrowsIce cream stop in townFilm photo of Observation PointHiking through the NarrowsSunrise at Canyon OverlookDriving along Mt. Carmel highwayAt the top of Observation Point
Last summer I went on my first long road trip. From Ohio, Patrick and I drove through the flat lands of Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska to arrive in Colorado. After spending a few memorable days in Colorado, we drove into Utah and spent a week traveling around to four national parks. We spent countless hours in the car, many nights sleeping under the stars, and we were pushed out of our comfort zone on a daily basis. This road trip was memorable for so many reasons. Besides experiencing new places and seeing so much beauty the United States has to offer, I learned lessons that I’ll keep for a life time. Here’s my list of five lessons I learned while road tripping across the country.
It’s possible to live less
In a world that can be so materialistic and consumer focused, it was hard to imagine at times I would have to live with less on a two week road trip. This was one of the biggest lessons I learned throughout the trip. I couldn’t pack everything and I realized did not need to. One of the most beautiful parts of the road trip was experiencing and making do with what nature and the surroundings had to offer. It was inspiring to experience how quickly we could adapt to our new surroundings and fall into a routine while making the car our home for two weeks.
The small things become big things
With any experience that’s out of the comfort zone, the small things begin to feel like big things. For me, it was paying for a hot shower after a long day of hiking, a hot cup of coffee in the morning, shelter from rain, a flush toilet and a home cooked meal even when we thought we were too tired to make one. The things I often took for granted suddenly felt so seen throughout the trip.
Flexibility is key
Speaking as someone who enjoys having a routine and a plan, I learned most times on the trip this wasn’t always possible. I learned to make some room throughout the days of our itinerary so we could have time to rest or time to adjust for the unexpected. There were several days we experienced unexpected weather, trail closures and overall fatigue we didn’t plan for but we were able to adjust.
It’s not always about capturing the moment
Throughout the road trip we were constantly surrounded by incredible beauty. As someone who loves to capture the scenery behind the camera lens, I found myself becoming consumed with ensuring I got the picture instead of truly taking in the moment and enjoying the scenery. By the end of the trip, I caught myself enjoying the surroundings first, then getting the “perfect” shot.
The experiences I had in between the bucket list items
There were so many things on our itinerary and bucket list we wanted to be sure and see. Those sights, towns, and parks were amazing but I also remember all of the in between moments and experiences we didn’t expect. We met so many friendly and kind people in every place and park we visited. These encounters were just as much of a highlight as the sights and parks we visited.
Last summer Patrick and I had the opportunity to visit Arches National Park during our out west road trip. Arches National Park is located outside Moab, Utah. We only had about a day and a half in the park but we were able to experience some of the park’s highlights. Here’s my small guide to Arches National Park.
Things to know before visiting ANP
Timed Entry Reservation system: Currently ANP requires visitors to have a timed entry reservation pass throughout the months of April-October.
Timed entry tickets are required to enter the park between the hours of 7am- 4pm (MDT).
The timed entry reservations can be purchased on the ANP park’s website and they cost $2 per vehicle. Note, you’ll need a timed reservation pass for each day you plan to visit the park.
Exceptions for the timed entry reservations tickets:
If you have a reservation with a campground in the National Park, you can show your campground reservation in place of having a timed entry reservation and enter at any time as long as the dates of the campground reservation match the dates you want to enter the park.
You can enter the park before or after the allowed times! If you are unable to get a reservation, you can enter the park before 7am. However, keep in mind if you enter the park this way, once you leave the park you will not be allowed back in during the hours required for a timed entry ticket. Similarly, you may enter the park after required hours (i.e., after 4pm).
Fees: It costs $30 per vehicle to enter the park which covers the cost of 7 days. We bought the America the Beautiful pass which is $80 for the year and covers entrance fees for all National Parks. I would highly recommend this if you plan to visit multiple National Parks!
Camping: There is only one campground within Arches National Park, Devils Garden Campground. If this is a campground you’d like to stay in, I recommended booking as far in advance as possible.
Boondocking; If you’re traveling in a van or a car like us, there are several free camp spots surrounding the national park in Moab, Utah. We used Campendium to search free camp spots or areas to park and sleep with a small fee. Note, majority of these areas are first come first serve rather than reservation based.
Heat: The heat in this part of Utah and Arches National Park during the summer months is extreme. There were nights we couldn’t sleep in our car set up or tent. This is worth putting in some research especially if you plan to camp like we attempted to. Surprisingly the hotels in Moab weren’t too pricey and definitely worth booking to have a break from the heat. We booked a night at Scenic Views Inn and Suites Moab and it was incredible!
Area. Moab, UT is the closet town to the park. This is where you’ll find restaurants, hotels, and grocery shops.
Things to Do
Hike to Delicate Arch (park at delicate arch trail head) for sunrise. This was my absolute favorite thing we did while visiting Arches National Park. This arch is one of the most popular so it was well worth it to hike at sunrise and enjoy the views in peace before the crowds!
Drive to double arch trailhead and walk to see Double Arch.
Continue walking the loop path to see North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch
Drive along scenic drive & stop to see various viewpoints:
petrified dunes
panorama point
fiery furnace/salt valley
Stop at visitor’s center
Take time to explore Park Avenue
My Tips
Start hikes in the dark to catch the sunrise and avoid crowds. We used head lights and our offline All Trails map while hiking in the early morning hours. Arches National Park is a very busy place so hiking early ensures some peace before crowds. We hiked to Delicate Arch before sunrise and it was our favorite experience while visiting the park.
Carry plenty of water. As I mentioned, Arches National Park can be extremely hot during the day if you’re visiting during the summer time. Be prepared to continuously hydrate! The visitor’s center has free water you can utilize to fill up water bottles.
Delicate Arch at sunriseEntrance to Arches NPDriving through Arches NPDouble ArchPit stop for a photoView of more ArchesHiking through Arches NPPark AvenueWalkway near Park Ave
This past summer my boyfriend, Patrick and I took our first big road trip out west. The first stop along our road trip was the beautiful, Colorado. We only spent a few days in Colorado and our main focus was the Rocky Mountains National Park. The park exceeded our expectations! We are dreaming of our next trip to RMMP! We had about two full days in the park which was a decent amount of time for a quick visit. I would recommend at least 3-4 days in the park to enjoy several activities and hikes. Throughout this guide I’ll be sharing our experience in the Rocky Mountains National Park.
Things to know before visiting RMNP 🌲
Timed Entry Reservation system: Currently RMNP requires visitors to have a timed entry reservation pass throughout the months of May-October. There are two types of timed entry reservations:
The Bear Lake Road Corridor [required during the hours of 5am-6pm (MDT)]. This pass will give you access to the entire park as well. I would recommend trying to get this pass to experience all parts of the park.
Park Access, No Bear Lake Road [required during the hours of 9am-3pm (MDT)]. This reservation allows access to the park but not the bear lake road area.
The timed entry reservations can be purchased on the RMNP park’s website and they cost $2 per vehicle. Note, you’ll need a timed reservation pass for each day you plan to visit the park.
Exceptions for the timed entry reservations tickets:
If you have a reservation with a campground in the National Park, you can show your campground reservation in place of having a timed entry reservation and enter at any time as long as the dates of the campground reservation match the dates you want to enter the park.
You can enter the park before or after the allowed times! If you are unable to get a reservation, you can enter the park before 5am/9am depending on the area you want to access. However, keep in mind if you enter the park this way, once you leave the park you will not be allowed back in during the hours required for a timed entry ticket. Similarly, you may enter the park after required hours (i.e., after 6pm or 3pm depending on the area).
Afternoon Thunderstorms: The RMNP is known for afternoon thunderstorms especially in the summer time. Keep this in mind when planning hikes and other day activities.
Elevation Change: The RMNP has a significant elevation range which can cause altitude sickness without proper time to allow your body to adjust. The only way to treat altitude sickness is to return to lower elevation.
Fees: It costs $25 per vehicle to enter the park which covers the cost of 7 days. We bought the America the Beautiful pass which is $80 for the year and covers entrance fees for all National Parks. I would highly recommend this if you plan to visit multiple National Parks!
Phone reception: Like many National Parks, there is no cell reception available within the park (including campgrounds!). Keep this in mind if you need to download directions to trails in advance.
Accommodations: If you plan to stay at a campground while visiting the park, book early! Campgrounds are available to book 6 months in advance and definitely fill up quickly. I imagine hotels/lodges in the area fill up just as quickly.
Area: Estes Park is the closet town/area to the RMNP. In Estes Park you’ll find restaurants, hotels/lodges, and grocery stores.
Things to Do in RMNP:
DAY ONE
Estes Park & Bear Lake Corridor
Overview:
Stop at Kind coffee, Estes Park before a full day of hiking
Spend the day at Bear lake trailhead:
Hike to Bear Lake
Hike to Nymph lake
Hike to Dream Lake
Hike to Emerald Lake (3.2mi one way)
Explore Estes Park
Check into campground, Glacier Basin
On our first day in the park, we drove in from Boulder, CO which was about an hour drive. Before going into the park we stopped in the park’s closest town, Estes Park. This town is definitely worth exploring either before or after a day in the park! I’d recommend stopping on the way into the park for a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at Kind Coffee before starting a big day of hiking.
After some coffee and breakfast, we spent our first day in RMNP exploring the Bear Lake corridor area. This area features several hikes but we focused on the lake hikes that all connect: Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. If you hike all the way to Emerald Lake it’s about 3.2 miles. We were only able to hike to Dream Lake and back due to a rain storm that started coming in. And although we missed out on Emerald lake, this hike was still one of my favorites in the park!
After a full afternoon of hiking, we spent our evening exploring more of Estes Park. We then checked into our campground for the next couple nights, Glacier Basin campground. If you’re looking to book a campground, I highly recommend Glacier Basin, it’s great proximity to the park and clean.
DAY TWO
Trail Ridge Road & Mount Ida
The highlights:
Drive along Trail Ridge road and catch the sunrise
Hike Mount Ida (park in Milner pass parking lot) 9 mi roundtrip
We started our second day in RMNP bright and early (4am!) for a drive along the Trail Ridge road on our way to Milner Pass parking lot for a big hike. From this trial head we started our hike to Mount Ida. This hike is strenuous and long but the 360 views make it all worth it! I recommend starting as early as we did to beat any thunderstorms that may roll in during the afternoon hours. This hike was a total of 9mi round trip and took us about 6 hours. Keep in mind this trailhead is on the opposite side of the park, so plan for a lengthy drive. From our campground, we were about an hour away from the trailhead.
My Tips
Start hikes early!– Even with the timed reservation system, the RMNP is still very crowded! Starting hikes before 7am ensures the trail to yourself or with only a few others. You’re also more likely to see some amazing wildlife.
Carry bear spray!– As a precaution it’s always best to be prepared in case you encounter an aggressive bear.
Wear layers– we visited RMNP in August and the mornings and evenings were cold but by the afternoon the sun was strong.
Plan in advance– if possible, start planning your trip to RMNP (or any national park) well in advance (6+ months) to ensure you can reserve an overnight accommodation.
Leave no trace– only leave footprints and only take photos + memories!
Earlier this summer I took my first trip to the heart of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains! Patrick and I decided to stay in another getaway house because we enjoyed our experience in the Ohio location so much. The tiny cabin was just as comfortable and welcoming and about a three hour drive from the smoky mountains. Maybe we were a little ambitious to stay in a cabin so far from our main destination but we wanted to take in as much of Tennessee as possible. Our trip consisted of taking a day trip to Nashville, spending time hiking in the smoky mountains and traveling home through Asheville, North Carolina. Out of all the places we visited, our day trip to the Great Smoky Mountains was hands down our favorite.
There is so much to see and do in the smoky mountains, I wish I would’ve had more time to explore and soak in the beauty of this national park. But, if you only have time for a day trip like us, there is a lot you can accomplish! We left early in the morning because we knew we wanted to tackle a lot with the time we had. We were determined to see Cades Cove and also experience a hike in the smokies.
To Do:
Cades Cove Loop
One of my favorite spots to visit in the smoky mountains! We started our morning here and it was the most beautiful way to be introduced to the mountains. I would suggest arriving on the earlier side because it does get crowded. Cades Cove is an eleven mile loop that is full of incredible scenery. Along the way, you can pull off to the side with your car to stop and walk around, take pictures, and enjoy the breath taking views. *Cades Cove is open daily for cars but is reserved for pedestrians and bikers on Wednesdays until 10am *
We originally intended on hiking Abram Falls which is located off the Cades Cove loop, but it was closed due to trail construction. Be sure to check before making plans!
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls was our spontaneous back up hike plan when we realized we could not hike Abram Falls, and it was a stunning hike! Located near Gatlinburg, this hike exceed our expectations and provided us with a new experience of what it’s like to hike within the smoky mountains. It’s an ideal hike if you don’t have enough time for a longer hike and it has plenty of stunning outlooks and several waterfalls along the way. Rainbow Falls is described as strenuous, and a total of about 5 miles roundtrip. The hike definitely feels longer than 2.5 miles one way, and that could be because it’s mostly uphill and paved with uneven and rocky surfaces–something to be aware of! I would highly recommend if you’re looking for a stunning hike that will take a few hours.
Clingman’s Dome
We visited Clingman’s Dome on our way out of town a few days later than our day trip but if you’re staying in the smoky mountains, visiting Clingman’s Dome is a must see. Only a mile trail to the top of the dome provides you with the highest view point in the National Park. The drive to Clingman’s is equally as beautiful, and there are multiple stop points along the way to pull over and take some pictures.
My tips:
Have a map– there is little to zero cell service within the smoky mountains and a map is helpful to orient yourself especially if plans need to be readjusted.
Look up trail updates-going off of the above tip, look up updates for trails you plan to hike ahead of time. I didn’t think to do this about Abram falls and we had to find a new trail to hike.
Take advantage of visitor centers-this is where you’ll find some of the only locations with actual toilets that flush!
Research– especially if your time is limited, make sure you are aware of the level of difficulties for hikes and what will work well in your time frame.
I recently had the opportunity to stay in one of Getaway Houses for a few days! These tiny cabins are a dream hidden in a secluded area with plenty of wildlife to feel like you’re truly far away from home. I stayed at the Ohio location and it was perfectly hidden off the road and deep behind several pine trees. The Getaway house is enhanced camping which feels like a retreat and provided me with a chance to unplug from the world.
I was amazed with how much could fit in such a tiny space. The design of the getaway houses was impressive as there was plenty of storage, space, while at the same time extremely simplistic. The interior of the cabin creates a peaceful atmosphere that instantly makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. The Getaway provides a lot of little things to make packing a lot easier! There’s no need to bring basic cooking materials (salt, pepper, olive oil, aluminum foil) and they even provide a no-stick frying pan! The Getaway also provides, a mixing bowl, plates, bowls, mugs, cups, and all utensils. I’ve listed below a few things I’ll remember for my next trip. I can’t wait to visit again, I cannot recommend the Getaway House enough! Here is a reference link to receive $25 your first stay with the Getaway!
Things to keep in mind:
Plan out your meals to bring materials and snacks needed for your stay. The refrigerator in the cabin is small!
There is not an oven in the cabin, however, there is an outdoor grill available for cooking.
The tap water in the cabin is safe to drink so there’s no need to bring extra water along.
There is no wifi available, it truly is a screen free retreat if you want it to be! If you want to bring movies, be sure to have them downloaded beforehand.
If you’re a coffee lover, bring your own coffee and maker. I brought my french press and I was thankful to have it in the mornings! The cabin provides creamer and sugar. There is also coffee available for purchase if you forget!
If you want wine glasses be sure to bring your own.
We noticed the hot water didn’t last long so I suggest taking showers before washing dishes in the morning and at night.
There’s a cell phone ‘lock box” provided in the cabin, I would highly recommend using it!
The service was amazing while we stayed! If you need any extra amenities throughout your stay you can simply text the staff to drop more off.
skylarbeck.com 