best road trip songs

The 60 Absolute Best Road Trip Songs

Apple pie, the 4th of July, baseball, all of these things are quintessentially American.  Something equally American that you may not have thought of before is the road trip.  Seriously, think about it; where else in the world is the road trip a common way of traveling?   In Europe trains are the way to go, Asia is renowned for their public transport (Japanese bullet trains, anyone?).  But in the United States, it’s the road trip. We love our cars, and...

looking over badlands national park

Badlands National Park: Your Ultimate Planning Guide

Located in western South Dakota, Badlands National Park is one of the highlights of one of the nation’s premier outdoor destinations.  Named for the earthen formations that define the area, Badlands National Park is one of the most unique spots in the national park system.  Lots of parks have mountains, plenty have lakes and rivers, but only on the Great Plains will you find these unique geological formations.   Whether you visit the Badlands as a standalone trip, or visit it...

teton range from signal mountain

Visiting Grand Teton National Park: What You Need To Know

Idyllic mountains, rising abruptly in front of you, somewhere remote in the American west. This place actually exists, in a place called Grand Teton National Park. Whether you know it or not, the Teton Range is the iconic mountain range in America, present in all of our minds when we imagine the mountains of The United States.  From the high peaks of the Teton Range, to the dry, wide open plains that lie in their shadow, Grand Teton National Park...

view from the summit of the hike

Trip Report: Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve

With the California winter finally set to arrive and rain on the horizon for the foreseeable future, I had to take advantage of a beautifully sunny Saturday.  With the forecast calling for about 60 degrees and sunshine, my mind set to figuring out where to go, and I can assure you Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve wasn’t even on my radar. Miles/Elevation: ~6 miles ~1400 feet vertical gain Idea 1: Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve My first thought was actually a...

visiting yellowstone
america the beautiful pass

The America The Beautiful Pass: Should You Get It?

If you’re new to National Park travel, or if you’ve just never heard of it, the America the Beautiful Pass is something that you should strongly consider buying.  While national parks can be a great way to travel on a relative budget, entry to most of the busy parks is far from free.  With a single car pass costing $35 at a park like Yosemite, national park entry fees can be a hidden cost on a trip that quickly adds...

road trip planning steps

Road Trip Planning Steps: How I Do It

Planning a road trip can be intimidating.  There is a lot to figure out, often through areas that you have never been to before.  Follow our road trip planning steps to get started with your next road trip! In my opinion, road trips are the best way to travel.  No other type of travel truly allows you to see the country.  Rather than just landing at your destination, road trips allow you to see everything between you and your end...

north ridge trail
bear safety while hiking

Bear Safety While Hiking: Everything you Need to Know

I personally love seeing wildlife on the trail, and to me it can take a pretty average trail and make it into a really memorable outing.  However, there is one animal that no matter how well prepared I am that always freaks people out: bears.  Every time I go into bear country, especially grizzly country, many of the people in my life get a little nervous, and fair enough honestly.  Bears are big and unpredictable, have sharp teeth, and we’ve...