Hard
Angels Landing
Zion National Park, Utah
A steep sandstone climb to a narrow fin above Zion Canyon. The last section is exposed and requires a permit; many hikers turn around at Scout Lookout.
Hiking routes, scenic road trips, and thoughtfully planned journeys.
Find the Trail. Take the Long Way.
Practical hiking routes, scenic road trips, and detailed itineraries for travelers who want to explore at their own pace.
What are you planning?
On foot
Featured Hiking Trails
Expert
Half Dome Trail
Yosemite National Park, California
A full-day Sierra hike from Yosemite Valley to the cables on Half Dome. It needs fitness, an early start, a cables permit, and a willingness to turn around in weather.
Moderate
Bright Angel Trail
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The South Rim’s main corridor trail. Day hikers should pick a rest house and treat the river as a multi-day objective, not a casual turnaround.
Hard
Sky Pond Trail
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
A Glacier Gorge classic past Alberta Falls, The Loch, and Timberline Falls to a high lake beneath the Keyboard of the Winds. Snow often lingers into early summer.
Moderate
Mount Rainier Skyline Trail
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
The classic Paradise loop: wildflower meadows, glacier views, and a high point near Panorama Point. Snow can cover parts of the route well into July.
On the road
Scenic Road Trips
Coastal Drives
Pacific Coast Highway
California
California’s Highway 1 between the Bay Area and Southern California is a sequence of headlands, agricultural benches, and beach towns. Plan for slow average speeds and landslide-related closures.
Stops: Pacifica and Devil’s Slide · Santa Cruz and Monterey Peninsula · Big Sur coast (when Highway 1 is open) · San Luis Obispo / Morro Bay
National Park Road Trips
Utah National Parks Road Trip
Utah
A classic loop of Utah’s canyon parks. Distances look moderate on a map and feel longer in real desert hours. Build slack for shuttle lines, timed entry, and heat.
Stops: Zion · Bryce Canyon · Capitol Reef · Arches
Scenic Byways
Blue Ridge Parkway
Virginia / North Carolina
A 469-mile crest road between Shenandoah and the Smokies. You will not ‘do’ it in a day. Fog, leaf season traffic, and seasonal closures shape the plan.
Stops: Shenandoah / Rockfish Gap · Peaks of Otter · Mabry Mill · Linville Falls / Grandfather area
Mountain Roads
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Montana
Glacier’s 50-mile alpine crossing is a destination, not a shortcut. Vehicle reservations, length limits, and snow removal dates decide whether your week works.
Stops: Apgar · Lake McDonald · Logan Pass · Jackson Glacier viewpoint
Long-Distance Adventures
Route 66
United States
Route 66 is a collection of alignments across eight states. Drive a section well or budget two-plus weeks. Do not expect a continuous vintage road under your tires the whole way.
Stops: Chicago · St. Louis area · Tulsa · Oklahoma City
Day by day
Deep-Dive Itineraries
3 days
3-Day Yosemite Adventure
California
A valley-first long weekend: waterfalls and one bigger hike, with a Glacier Point or Tioga day if roads are open.
Season: Late May–October for Tioga access; valley is year-round with winter limits
5 days
5-Day Utah National Parks
Utah
Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands at a pace that still includes hiking, not only overlooks.
Season: April–May and September–October
7 days
7-Day Pacific Northwest Road Trip
Washington and Oregon
Rainier, Olympic rainforest and coast, then a southbound Oregon coast finish. Weather flexibility is the plan.
Season: Mid-July through mid-September for high roads and meadow trails
10 days
10-Day Southwest National Parks
Utah, Arizona, and optional Nevada start
A slower Southwest: Zion and the Grand Canyon get real time, with Utah’s other parks and a Moab finish.
Season: April–May and late September–October
14 days
14-Day American West Explorer
California, Utah, Arizona, and a mountain connector
A two-week arc: Sierra granite, Utah redrock, and a Grand Canyon finish—or the reverse. Built with rest days so the trip survives reality.
Season: September is often the most workable compromise for Sierra and desert
Field notes
Latest Travel Guides
National Parks
How to Plan Your First National Park Road Trip
A sequence that prevents the classic mistake: too many gates, not enough sleep.
Packing
What to Pack for a Full-Day Hike
A field list for national-park days, not a 40-pound backup kit for a two-mile boardwalk.
Hiking Guide
How to Choose a Hiking Trail by Difficulty
Mileage is the least honest number on the sign.
Road Trip Guide
How Many Miles Should You Drive on a Road Trip?
A practical daily range for scenic highways, not for interstates you are using as a conveyor.
Travel Planning
How to Build a Multi-Day Travel Itinerary
Start from sleep and scarce permits, then place hikes, then place drives.
Seasonal Travel
Best Seasons for Exploring America's National Parks
Match the park’s elevation and storm pattern, not a single national ‘peak season.’
Packing
Hiking Packing Checklist
A printable-style list you can actually use the night before a park day.
Packing
Road Trip Packing Checklist
Car kit, clothing that handles two climates, and the paperwork parks actually ask for.
Before you go
Travel Planning Toolkit
Practical pages for duration, packing, difficulty, and park logistics—not empty buttons.