Dine in the Underworld: The Story of Carlsbad Caverns Underground Lunchroom
We can all admit that the National Park Service has learned a lot over its century-plus helping manage and protect some of the most incredible natural wonders in America. Gone are the days of feeding wildlife and other bad habits endorsed by rangers; now are the days of environmental policy that puts protection above tourism – or at least it should...
My Top 5 Favorite National Parks
& Why I Love ThemEvery so often, I feel the need to share a post just because I want to – not because Google is going to show it to lots of people. Instead, I write stories like this one because I know that you and I share something in common: we love exploring and finding new places to call our favorites and recommend to our friends and family. After all, what is a blog if not a big megaphone to share my travel advice with (future) friends like you...
How to Make the Most of One Day in Carlsbad Caverns National Park
America's national parks have something for everyone. Whether you love historic sites, back-country trekking, or delving deep underground... there's a park for that! It turns out that I personally am partial to the latter: I have loved caves and caving since I was a child (along with mining and mineshafts, which is a weird thing for kids to love!). Unsurprisingly then, some of my favorite national parks have caves – and it's also unsurprising that Carlsbad Caverns National Park jumped right onto my list of personal faves since IT'S ALL CAVES...
7 Former National Parks Across the U.S. Still Worth a Visit
When most people think of national parks in the United States, they likely envision iconic sites like Yellowstone, Yosemite, or the Grand Canyon. However, there are some former national parks that have been demoted or absorbed into other parks for a variety of reasons...
What Should be the Next U.S. National Park? 10 Data-Backed Contenders for the NPS
As you may know from reading my site at all, I'm a huge fan of the national parks system in the U.S. I, like many, believe it to be one of America's best ideas – and I love traveling with the specific intent of visiting new national parks. Heck, Mr. V and I took a honeymoon road trip to explore national parks, and I plan an annual pilgrimage to a new park with my friend Marissa...
13 Fascinating National Park Visitation Facts (from 2022 data)
You love national parks, right? I mean, who doesn't? They are undoubtedly one of the best parts of the U.S., and protect some of the most incredible natural wonders in this country. I love visiting them, and I love learning about them too...
The 10 Least Visited National Parks
(Updated with 2022 Data)Empty wilderness, mountain landscapes, sweeping beaches, and untamed wildlife: these are just some of the reasons that many of us are drawn to visit national parks across the U.S. And while you might think of iconic sights like geysers and granite valleys, there is a huge diversity of natural wonders on the list of National Parks...
The 10 Most Visited National Parks
(Updated with 2022 Data)Misty mountains, prismatic geysers, idyllic beaches, and towering spires – the national parks across the U.S. is a protected collection of some of the most naturally stunning and geologically diverse places in the world. I've been fortunate to visit many of them (28 of 63 and counting!) and love writing about my travels to each one (plus tips on how you can visit.)...
How to Make the Most of One Day in Canyonlands National Park
One of the most important human emotions is wonder. You can find it through incredible meals, jaw-dropping art, or admiring epic views. No matter the means, wondrous experiences create an indelible mark in your memory. I had one such experience in Canyonlands National Park, where my breath was taken away by the stunning natural beauty that southwest Utah is so well known for...
