Most people when visiting Yosemite don’t leave the valley, but in staying there they miss where Yosemite really shines: the high country. Perhaps one of the lesser-known gems in this area is Mount Hoffman, a mountain practically smack dab in the middle of the park that showcases some of the best mountain and lake views in Yosemite. 

Virginia’s Peaks of Otter is one of my favorite spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With multiple incredible hikes, a lodge, and the beautiful Abbott Lake in the shadow of Sharp Top Mountain, it’s a perfect stop for hikers.

In the summer of 2017, I managed to snag a position as an Interpretive Park Ranger Intern at Shenandoah National Park; it was one of the best summers of my life! I got to explore much of the park in my time off, hiking to my heart’s content. The great thing about Shenandoah is that a lot of the hikes are on the shorter side and are relatively easy to access from Skyline Drive, which means you can see a lot in a short time. Here are a few of my favorite - and some of the park’

As I always say, one day in a park is better than no days in a park! Here are 14 National Parks you can experience in one day.

Take a sunrise hike to the historic Mount Fremont Fire Lookout at Mount Rainier for some of the park's premier views.

Itinerary for a long weekend in and around Arches National Park for hikers and first time visitors to the area.