If you are lucky enough to live in Portland or even if you are just visiting here, you have so many great nearby places to visit. Day trips from Portland include a range of destinations that involve hiking, sightseeing, wine tasting, beach combing, shopping, and so much more. The longest I would be willing to drive for a day trip…
Dry Creek Falls via the Pacific Crest Trail is a really nice hike in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge area to an amazing plunging waterfall. The hike itself is a steady incline through lush, green forests, ground-covering ferns, and giant slugs crossing the path. It looks like a scene straight out of the movie, FernGully. When I was researching this hike,…
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area of Oregon is one of the most beautiful spots in America, and it is my favorite place to hike. Waterfalls, lush forests, and gorges….what’s not to love! The great part is the best hikes in Columbia River Gorge range from less than half a mile to several miles, so there are trails for…
Hood River is a small town on the banks of the Columbia River in Oregon located about an hour east of Portland. This town’s close proximity to Mt. Hood, Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area, and the Hood River Fruit Loop make it the perfect place to visit! Here are the 18 best things to do in Hood River, Oregon. Disclaimer: This…
One of the best ways to spend a few days in Washington is by visiting the Olympic Peninsula. This part of Washington has so much to offer with its rain forests, waterfalls, beaches, whale watching, and other sea life. The best way to spend 3 days is with this Olympic National Park itinerary. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links so…
Las Vegas is best known as being an oasis for gambling and partying. But this desert city is also a great place to begin a hiking vacation. Below are nine great locations for hiking near Las Vegas, organized from the closest to the furthest away. These destinations can be visited in just a few hours or part of road trip…
Who doesn’t love a good waterfall? I certainly do! I am not sure why water falling from a higher elevation to a lower one can be so beautiful, but everyone, including myself, really enjoys them. With a short drive, you can enjoy these breathtaking waterfalls near Seattle too. Fees and Passes Many of the hikes in this list require a…
Maple Pass Loop is the best and most beautiful hike I have ever done. The hike is long and strenuous but does not feel that tough because you are stopping every 30 steps or so to take a picture. From old growth, dense forests to pristine turquoise lakes and views of snow-topped mountains, this trail is like no other I…
Maybe you are a beginner hiker, maybe you are hiking with kids, or maybe you are just looking for easy hikes in Washington to add to your itinerary. Whatever your reason, I have found the most impressive easy hikes in Washington for your outdoors vacation. These hikes are all beautiful walks in forests or along streams to a jaw-dropping destination.…
The five national parks of Utah (Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef) and Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument have been bucket list items for me for several years. So why not combine them into one epic Utah national park itinerary? That is exactly what I did, and what a whirlwind it was! I am so happy with how this…