Need a hike to do with children in Big Bend National Park? Love geology? Just want a fun little hike? Tuff Canyon on the road to Castolon fits the bill. Although it’s not as well-known as other trails in the…
The Best Hikes in Big Bend
After having visited Big Bend numerous times over the past several years, I thought I’d share what I’ve found to be the best hikes in Big Bend National Park, and which trails are overrated. Then, I thought, What if someone…
Marufo Vega / Strawhouse Trails Loop: The Dry Desert
Looking for a very desert-ish trail? The Marufo Vega Trail, located in the far southeast of Big Bend National Park, is the remnants of an old sheepherders’ trail. However, it also offers nice views and, when combined with the Strawhouse…
Santa Elena Canyon: Get Your Rock into Mexico
I don’t know why, but my group has a fascination with throwing rocks across rivers into foreign countries. It’s not animosity. Perhaps it’s because they like the challenge of trying to throw that far, or perhaps it’s like a piece…
Tower Falls
Usually I write about the best I’ve run across while traveling, but sometimes it’s good to include a few places I don’t recommend or only found marginally interesting. It’s not that I don’t recommend Tower Falls (and I’d highly recommend…
Walk through Train Tunnels: Manitou Railroad Grade
Do you like history? How about train tunnels? Or is a hike through the mountains more your thing? Along the mostly-unknown Manitou Railroad Grade near Colorado Springs, CO you can experience all these things, as well as much more. The…
The Splendor of Garnet Canyon
Garnet Canyon in Grand Teton National Park is spectacular. I mean, really, really spectacular. Other hikes (such as Table Mountain) are beautiful, but they don’t have the jaw-dropping splendor of Garnet Canyon. As you’re hiking along, you keep looking up,…
Views of Lower Yellowstone Falls: Red Rock Point
Usually, the park maps and brochures at a given national park are really good. Most of the time you can just use the map to get around the park, from hiking to camping to deciding where to watch wildlife. This…
Druid Arch
I’ve never seen an arch quite like Druid Arch. It’s free standing, has two large openings, and is somewhat reminiscent of Delicate Arch in shape. It’s really cool, and if it was only a mile from a trailhead, I’d highly…
Palo Duro Lighthouse
I have to admit that most of my Texas adventures have been south of the state’s panhandle. However, one park that I’ve enjoyed more than once was Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located only 30 miles from Amarillo near I-27. …