Hiking trails and trips to State parks in the USA.
Most recently updated November 19th, 2019
Posts below include hiking info about destinations in the USA, Internationally, and close to home.
The list covers hiking destinations such as National and State Parks as well as local parks and trails.
See my Travel Resource and Adventure Travel pages for more destination and trip planning tips and deals.
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Most recently updated June 8th, 2023
I’ve built an expanded section just for G Adventures active trips because I’ve had so many wonderful experiences with them!
There are plenty of trips to choose from – one of them could be just perfect for you 🙂
Click here to see Current Promotions and Specials
The trips are remarkable not just because of the destinations or the activities, but because of the underlying vision of the company for sustainable, ecologically friendly travel.
It all began in 1990 when a very inspired young man named Bruce Poon Tip returned from a backpacking tour of Asia, determined to share his vision of how to experience travel adventures in an authentic and sustainable manner.
By offering adventure-craving travelers an affordable small-group alternative to crowded resorts and cruises, Bruce (G Adventures CEO) changed the way people looked at their holiday time.
What started off as a one-man show in 1990 has since grown to become the world’s largest adventure travel company with more than 2,200 employees in 28 offices worldwide. Continue reading Adventures For You!
Most recently updated August 4th, 2023
Over the years, I’ve found a few favorite tools for planning and booking travel in the US and around the world.
Most of my travel adventures have been in or close to National Parks or other incredible outdoor destinations.
I focus on time spent in Nature, but there are also plenty of cultural and historical sights to see!
For your convenience, I’ve included links to my favorite travel companies, and some blog posts about trips I’ve taken with them.
Some of my posts contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will receive a small payment at no additional cost to you. I do not get paid for recommendations, all opinions on this site are my own. See full Disclosure page here.
The average American spends 87% of their time indoors, 6% of it in a car, and just 7% of their life outdoors.
That’s too bad, because there are a lot of benefits to spending time outdoors!
For National Park locations in the US, the National Park Service provides a park locator that may help you with some destination ideas.
I’ve written about some of the National Parks I’ve visited – with more to come!
Read more here about:
Many States in the US have online pages to help people navigate the State parks in their area.
I’ve spent the most time in North Carolina State Parks and Virginia State Parks, but an online search would easily find parks in other parts of the country.
These sites provide important information like location, hours, fees and lodging options – as well as detailed Trail and park maps.
I’ve written about a few of the State Parks I’ve visited – with more to come! Read more here about:
There are a couple of companies that I rely on when I want to go on hiking/adventure trips outside of the US.
Though I’ve arranged all of the details for many trips on my own, it’s much more convenient – and usually less expensive – to have the help of an experienced team in my destination country.
They take care of getting transfers, hiking permits, lodging, renting any necessary equipment and engaging trail guides – which can be tricky, especially when traveling in a remote area.
If you have multiple flights and other transfers to reach your destination, it can be really confusing – especially if you don’t know the language!
It’s good to have someone on the ground to help you navigate the potential pitfalls that come with the mechanics of getting where you want to go.
There are two companies I’ve traveled the most with for guided trips. They’re both great companies, which is why I keep going back to them!
I’ve got special regard for G Adventures because I’ve taken so many wonderful trips with them. They’re very eco-friendly and always have great discounts available.
My first trip with G Adventures was back in 2004, to hike and see ancient sites on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and my most recent was in 2020 (right before the pandemic) to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand.
G Adventures offers vacations for solo travelers, couples, and the whole family, too.
NOTE: After March 31, 2023, GAP no longer requires all travelers to show proof of COVID vaccines & boosters or provide a Medical exemption to travel with them on any tour, but you can find an “all vaccinated” tour if you want one.
To learn more, see my G Adventures Travel page and get links to trip discounts!
Intrepid Travel provides expert group leaders and take care of all of the necessary permits and transfers for all of their trips, including entrance to any National parks abroad.
I’ve hiked the Isle of Skye in Scotland and cycled in Tuscany with this company, and much more. They were great!
They also offer some really good discounts on Last Minute travel.
NOTE: After March 31, 2023, Intrepid no longer requires all travelers to show proof of COVID vaccines & boosters or provide a Medical exemption to travel with them on any tour.
For me, the most stressful part of a trip is getting to my destination and getting back home.
With flight cancellations, close connections, and carry-on rules changing for each flight, just navigating the airlines is enough to make you stay at home!
Getting in the TSA Pre-Check line for flights in the US can help smooth the process.
Just go to their site, fill out the form, pay the fee and bring your ID to a quick in-person meeting and you’ll get your TSA Pre-check account number.
With TSA Pre-Check you won’t have to remove your shoes or unpack your laptop while going through airport Security – this is very important if time is tight and you’re wearing hiking boots!
I write a lot about the individual hikes I’ve taken in the wonderful National Parks across America, but pretty much leave the descriptions of the parks themselves to the Park websites.
A friend from the National Parks shared this Guide with me recently, and I thought I would pass it on to you!
The US is home to 62 national parks, and I’ve visited a bunch of them. But if you want to read about them ALL go here:
https://www.loveholidays.com/
Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, and the rest followed, up to New River Gorge National Park, which was dedicated less than a decade ago.
The resources below help me keep everything organized with detailed itineraries, and usually provide some good discounts, too:
For more vacation planning ideas, see my Trip Planning post. You may also find some tips in my post about planning your trip budget.
I hope these resources help you plan the trip of your dreams 🙂 However you do it, get out there and have your hiking adventure!
Thanks for stopping by – see you next time! LJ
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Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
From the moment I heard the phrase “llama trekking”, I was hooked. I love to hike – and who doesn’t love a llama??
Even better, when you go llama trekking at Divine Llama Vineyards, there could be wine involved 🙂
Divine Llama Vineyards is equally famous for its wine and for the Llama Treks they host together with their neighbor, the Four Ladies & Me Farm.
I stopped by for a visit one afternoon after a day of hiking at nearby Pilot Mountain State Park. It’s so close, you can see the mountain from the vineyard, and they’ve put Pilot Mountain on their label.
Equally close by is Hanging Rock State Park – so I plan to reward myself with another visit to Divine Llama after a day of hiking there, too! Continue reading Go Llama Trekking at Divine Llama Vineyards
Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
Pilot Mountain State Park views from the top are especially spectacular when the Fall colors come out! It’s a great place to take a family trip any time of year, with miles of trails, camping, climbing, canoeing, and lots of Ranger programs.
I’ve been visiting this park for many years, first with my daughter when she was young, and later with hiking friends or on my own.
Like the rocky escarpments in nearby Hanging Rock State Park, Pilot Mountain is a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountains.
In fact, the Sauratown Trail, a 22-mile (30 miles with spurs) trail for both hikers and equestrians, crosses the range and interconnects the two state parks.
This is a hike I’ve been dreaming of tackling for a while now – you’ll hear all about it when I do!
Several NC State Parks are just far enough away to be special trips but still close enough to make good day or weekend trips from the Raleigh area.
Hanging Rock State Park, Pilot Mountain State Park, and – just squeaking in as do-able with a 3 hour drive – Stone Mountain State Park.
Pilot Mountain SP is an easy 2.5 hour drive from Raleigh, so you can easily get there, hike all day and still make it home before bedtime – especially on longer summer days. Of course, if you live in Winston-Salem it’s an even shorter trip 🙂
Every time I visit, there’s something new to see, and the view from the summit never loses it’s charm.
If you’re looking for something a little bit closer to the Raleigh area, try Umstead State Park or for younger kids, try Yates Mill County Park.
If you want to spend more time to thoroughly explore the park and visit local attractions like Horne Creek Farm or Divine Llama Vineyards, you’ll need to find a place to stay.
There are camping sites and canoe-in camp sites available in the park. You can reserve a campsite on the ReserveAmerica site.
You could also find Pilot Mountain cabins to rent or stay at a Mount Airy or Pilot Mountain hotel. Continue reading Pilot Mountain State Park – Hike, Climb, Paddle and Camp
Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
The Flume Gorge natural area in New Hampshire’s Franconia Notch State Park is spectacular and pictures just don’t do it justice.
Eight hundred feet long and about 20 feet from side to side at its widest, with granite walls 90 feet high, the Flume feels like you’ve entered a different world or stepped back in time.
It’s something you really have to see for yourself to appreciate.
I returned last week from my second visit (in the past year!) to the area – the first was early last November, and a freak storm had covered the place deep in snow, so I wasn’t able to hike very far.
But my most recent visit, in early May, was perfect weather for visiting the gorge, and well worth the return trip!
I went on my own, but walking the self-guided 2-mile Flume Trail through the Flume Gorge is a great way to spend some time outdoors with the whole family.
Though there are many more difficult hikes in the Franconia Notch area for seasoned hikers, the Flume Trail is an easy manicured walk for hikers of all ages and abilities.
But don’t think you’ll be bored because it’s an easier hike.
In addition to the prehistoric beauty of the gorge, you’ll be splashed by waterfalls and cooled by mist, see huge Ice Age boulders, walk through historic covered bridges, and take in some beautiful mountain views. Continue reading Explore the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park
Most recently updated January 16th, 2022
I first heard about Palo Duro Canyon State Park a couple of years ago. It was February, and I wanted a good place to hike for a few days that was out of the cold, but not out of the USA.
A couple of hiker friends recommended Palo Duro Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas”.
After doing a some follow-up research, I decided that the park sounded perfect for my short solo hiking trip.
I booked a flight, bought some new boots, and went on down to Texas to see it for myself. Continue reading Hikes and History at Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
Most recently updated July 7th, 2023
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Hiking info for families, beginning hikers and more advanced trekkers.
Hiking destinations in the USA, Internationally, and local trails close to home.
See my Travel Resource and Adventure Travel pages for more destinations and trip planning tips and deals.
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Most recently updated June 9th, 2022
Estimated Reading Time: 6.8 minutes
So you want to plan a hiking trip.
Great! Like any other event outside of your normal daily routine – hosting a party, having a night out, or even creating a special meal – it starts with planning and research.
Don’t know where to start? I’ll help.
Let’s begin by figuring out what your perfect trip would look like….
Most recently updated July 30th, 2023
Estimated Reading Time: 8.5 minutes
Umstead State Park has been my go-to hiking place for at least the past ten years. I hike in the forest, or with the forest as a starting place, at least twice per week.
Sometimes I hike on my own, sometimes as a hike leader for Raleigh Recreational Hikers or I’d Rather Walk meetups.
Umstead State Park has a long history: initially a wild hardwood-forested area inhabited with bison, bobcats and elk, it later became the site for indigenous peoples homes and trade, was part of a land grant for farms in 1774.
Finally, in 1934 – through a joint effort of Federal and State agencies – 5,000 acres were purchased to create a public recreation area.
The Civilian Conservation Corp and the Works Progress Administration helped with construction, and the park was open to the public in 1937.
There are so many reasons to love this park, it’s hard to fit them all into a single post. So I’ll just start with my Top 3.
Continue reading Top 3 Reasons William B. Umstead State Park is my Favorite Forest
