Top 5 Things to Do in New River Gorge

Are you looking for the ultimate adventure opportunity in the Appalachian Mountains in one of the most underrated destinations in the country? Welcome to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the newest National Park in the United States, and home to one of the oldest rivers in the world (despite its misleading name).

New River Gorge is located in wild and wonderful West Virginia, and is home to some of the most unexpected landscapes on the eastern side of the country. When you picture West Virginia, you might not picture rushing class five rapids, towering sandstone cliffs, and a multitude of waterfalls and wildlife, but you’ll find all of that and more in New River Gorge National Park.

I had the privilege of working as an Assistant Climbing Guide in the park during the summer of 2022, which means I got to spend all of my free time climbing, exploring, and enjoying unexpectedly wild West Virginia. Here are the top 5 things you should make sure you do during your trip to New River Gorge.

Know Before You Go

There are a couple things you should know ahead of your visit to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This is all my advice for navigating this park for the first time.

The weather in New River Gorge is unpredictable. Always assume it’s going to rain even if the weather isn’t calling for it. This is considered a rainforest, and showers can come quickly and come down hard. That being said though, summer is absolutely the wet season when it comes to rain. If you’re a rock climber looking for the driest time of the year to visit, we call Fall “send season” for a reason.

Dogs are allowed pretty much everywhere in New River Gorge as long as they’re kept on a leash. Feel free to bring well behaved dogs with you on trails, to the crag, or to picnic areas, and always make sure you have an extra poop bag on you so we can keep our wild spaces wild.

New River Gorge is not your classic National Park where you’ll enter through an entrance station and be within the park the rest of your time. New River Gorge is a park that’s interspersed with neighborhoods, Highway 19, and the adorable town of Fayetteville. The official National Park boundaries are the quarter mile of space surrounding the New River itself. Everything else is still considered “The Gorge” though, and is just as worth checking out while you’re there.

Go Whitewater Rafting

Since New River Gorge National Park is known for the New River, you can’t skip out on going whitewater rafting during your time here. You’ll want to book a trip with one of the local outfitters and the most popular company to raft with is Ace Adventure Resort, although you can’t go wrong with any company that’s going to get you safely on the water.

If you’re traveling with children, you’ll want to keep in mind that there are some age restrictions on the river. If you have young children, you’ll probably want to look into rafting the Upper New River, which only goes up to Class III rapids. Teenagers love the Lower New River, which goes up to Class V. Some companies even offer all day trips that will include time to swim in the river, lunch, and an overall longer adventure.

If you’re visiting in the fall and have a party of people over 16 years old, you might consider the biggest adventure available in the New River Gorge area: rafting the Gauley River. This rafting trip includes some of the most intense Class V rapids in the country (possibly even the world). While this river isn’t within New River Gorge National Park boundaries, it is part of the Gauley River National Recreation Area, also managed by the NPS. The Lower Gauley is slightly less intense if you’re not sure about embarking on the ultimate Upper Gauley adventure.

Rafting on the Lower New just before Fayette Station

Go Hiking

There are lots of hiking trails available in New River Gorge National Park and they all lead to somewhere beautiful. You can pick up a trail guide in the visitor center, but these are some of the most popular trails for finding the best views in the park.

(trail classifications and ratings are my own, based on the available terrain in the area)

Endless Wall Trail

Endless Wall is easily the most famous view in the park. Here, you’ll eventually reach Diamond Point Overlook, where you’ll gain views of some of the rapids and rafters below. This trail is dog friendly, and there are two parking lots. I recommend parking at the first one you’ll pass as you come from Highway 19. You’ll have the opportunity to make the trail a loop by hiking parking lot to parking lot, and if you park at the first lot, the section of this loop that will have to be along the road will be downhill rather than up (unless that’s your thing!).

Endless Wall is about 3 miles round trip, and I would classify this hike as easy.

Long Point Trail

Long Point is the other trail where you’ll gain some million dollar views of the park. Here, you’ll gain views of the famous New River Gorge Bridge and this is one of the best places to catch the sunset in the park. The trail starts off fairly flat and then starts to gain some elevation and rocks on the path toward the viewpoint.

Long point is about three miles round trip, and I would classify it as moderate.

Glade Creek to Kates Falls

Glade Creek is easily my favorite trail in the park, but it doesn’t lead to some incredible viewpoint. Instead, you’ll hike deep into the forest, along the rushing Glade Creek, to the stunning Kates Falls. This trail is fairly flat but long, so be prepared for at least a half day on trail with no cell signal. I recommend parking at the Lower Glade Creek Trailhead as the Upper Trailhead lot is 4x4 access only. Hiking to the falls from the Lower Glade Creek lot is about 9.2 miles one way, and I would classify this trail as difficult. Make sure you keep an eye out for the sign to Kates Falls on the left once you’re about a mile and a half from the bridge, and prepare for flooded trails and creek crossings—trekking sandals would be a great choice for this trail!

Kates Falls

Paddleboard on Summersville Lake

One of the most beautiful places in New River Gorge National Park is Summersville Lake, which is located about a thirty minute drive from Fayetteville. Here, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, climbers deep water soloing, and one of the best sunsets in the park (from the water of course).

Rent a paddleboard or kayak or bring your own to explore this huge and warm lake in the summers, just make sure that you bring a personal floatation device (PFD) for every passenger on your board or boat.

Be aware that some years, in the fall, the lake does get drained, so make sure you check the park website for updates.

The view from Diamond Point on the Endless Wall Trail

Go Rock Climbing

Other than whitewater rafting, climbing is the most popular sport to do in the New. Rock climbers from all over the world travel here, and many end up staying, because of the beautiful Nuttal Sandstone walls, incredible trad routes, and fun sport climbs. There’s even a good assortment of boulders for anyone who’s not stoked on rope climbing.

If you’ve never climbed before, there are outfitters who can take you on your first climbing trip—gear included! I personally worked for Ace Adventure Resort, but other climbing outfitters include Adventures on the Gorge and Appalachian Mountain Guides.

Another great resource for climbing (other than Mountain Project and the local guide book), is the local climbing shop: Waterstone Outdoors. Every employee here is super knowledgeable and wants to help you get on the rock as soon and as safely as possible.

Hal Homel lead climbing in New River Gorge National Park

Explore Fayetteville

There’s a reason Fayetteville is known as the “Coolest Small Town.” Downtown Fayetteville, West Virginia is super cute and has a lot to check out. Other than Waterstone Outdoors, our local climbing shop, there’s a huge assortment of places to visit like the Hobbit Hole, which is the antiques shop, the Great Googly Moogly, which is the local crystal shop, and restaurants like Cathedral Cafe and The Takeout.

Overall, there is so much to see and do in New River Gorge National Park and its surrounding areas, so make the most of it, get out of your comfort zone, and try something NEW.

A Visitor's Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

Home to three National Parks, Washington State is a nature-lover’s dream destination. From the sprawling mountains of the North Cascades to the hidden rainforest of Olympic, there’s something for everyone in this Pacific Northwest state. But there’s one National Park that stands out as a crowd favorite when it comes to Washington, and that’s Mount Rainier.

Mount Rainier is the most glaciated mountain in the lower 48. This park stays cold well into the summer months, and attracts visitors of all ages to come and explore its forests, climb to its peak, and discover its secret lakes and waterfalls created by snowmelt. In the summer, you can spot beautiful wildflowers and incredible wildlife as you explore the park, and still experience the same snowy landscapes as winter visitors in some areas of the park.

We recently spent the holiday weekend in Mount Rainier and explored the best areas of the park. Here is my guide to help you plan your visit.

The view from an overlook accessible from a trail near the Sunrise Visitor Center.

First things first…

Mount Rainier is located about 2 hours south of Seattle, WA, and is bordered by the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Gifford-Pinchot National Forests. These areas are home to animals such as black bears, marmots, elk, and deer, so be on the lookout for any creatures as you drive through the park!

The entry fee for Mount Rainier is $30 per vehicle or the America the Beautiful Pass. During COVID-19, Mount Rainier is doing fee collection.

Pets are allowed to join you during your visit, but they are limited to certain areas of the park, such as parking lots, campgrounds, and picnic areas. There is a dirt road in the Sunrise section of the park where you can walk your dog. Dogs are not permitted on park trails.

There are two campgrounds in the park, White River and Ohanapecosh, but there are also tons of boondocking and dispersed camping spots in the nearby forests.

Mount Rainier National Park

Sections of the park

There are five main sections of the park: Ohanapecosh, Longmire, Paradise, Sunrise, and Carbon River. Each section has something unique to see and do.

In Ohanapecosh, experience old growth forests, deep canyons, and gorgeous views! We didn’t spend too much time in this section because the road was closed ten miles in due to winter damage.

The Longmire area leads into Paradise, which is the subalpine area in the southern end of the park. Longmire is where the park’s founders stayed during their time in the area, so this is an important area to stop and experience on your way up to the subalpine!

On the way from Longmire to Paradise there are plenty of amazing views to see!

In Paradise, you’ll find yourself up next to the mountain. Here, you’ll be able to experience the subalpine in the southern side of the park, much of which stays snowy well into summer. Here, we were able to do the Nisqually Vista Trail, a small snow hike that leads to a glacial view of Nisqually Glacier.

The Carbon River section is located in the Northwest corner of the park, and is known for being the park’s temperate rainforest. This area is generally cool and rainy, and is a great place to experience some of the most unique Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Mount Rainier is perfect for solo travelers looking to get out of their comfort zones!

Sunrise is our personal favorite section of the park. Here, you’ll reach elevations of 6,400 feet and might meet animals like black bears and marmots. Here, there are plenty of hiking trails that are accessible in early summer, despite the snow, just make sure that you know your hiking level! This is one of the best places to see Emmons Glacier.

Sunrise at Sunrise Point is an incredible experience

Best underrated things to do

While Mount Rainier is known for hiking and mountaineering, there are plenty of really underrated things to experience! These are our favorite things we did during our time in the park.

Get up for sunrise… at Sunrise

Sunrise in the PNW is incredibly early, but you’ll never experience a sunrise like the ones from Sunrise Point in the park. Here, you’ll be above the clouds and get incredible and almost private views of Mount Rainier as soon as the sun comes up. In early July, we got up at 4:30 to drive from the park entrance to Sunrise Point for sunrise at 5am.

A secret no-name lake in Mount Rainier National Park with the famous mountain hiding behind some clouds

Search for hidden waterfalls and lakes

While it is still a hike, it’s not a long one to find the best secret lake and waterfall. The Glacier Basin Trail that starts in White River Campground is home to tons of small yet beautiful waterfalls, and if you’re brave enough, a secret glacial lake with no official name that might take a little bit of effort to find!

Drive up to Tipsoo Lake

This part of the park is free to visit and has an beautiful reflective lake perfect for catching views of Mount Rainier, experiencing some July snow, and having a picnic in the picnic area. The drive up here also has views that can’t be beat!

The view of Mount Rainier from Tipsoo Lake in July

Mount Rainier is truly an incredible National Park to visit, and easily the best in the state of Washington. Home to one of the tallest mountains in the country, this is a site that can’t be missed during your time in the Pacific Northwest. From wildflower to wild animals, to awakening your own wild self, Mount Rainier is sure to give you experiences you won’t soon forget.

The Three Best Woodlands to Explore Along the West Coast

The West Coast of the US is full of wonder. There’s no question why this is one of the top road trip destinations for Americans this summer. But the truth is, there’s so much more to the west coast than just the stunning coastline, brilliant rock formations, and potential whale sightings. The West Coast is home to some of the most unique forests and woodlands in the country, with tons of diversity stretching from Central California all the way up to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.

(I’m defining these as woodlands to get rid of any confusion with National Forests, which are often just referred to as Forests by campers.)

These are the top three woodlands to explore on your next road trip up (or down) the West Coast!

See the tallest trees in the world at Redwoods National Park in California

Sequoia National Park, CA

Let’s start this journey in Central California, in the Western Sierras. Sequoia National Park is home to the world’s largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, which is thought to be one of the oldest trees in the world. These trees are known for their wide trunk diameters and towering heights. The National Park is home to stunning wildlife such as black bears and marmots, and on a trip through the General’s Highway, you’ll be introduced to huge trees, hidden waterfalls, and beautiful views to hike to.

Sequoia National Park is connected to its sister park, Kings Canyon via the Sequoia National Forest, so you’ll have plenty of time to see this forest of massive trees between the two parks.

Explore the largest trees in the world at Sequoia National Park in California

Redwoods National Park, CA

High up in Northern California, located along the coastline, is Redwoods National and State Parks. Contrary to what most people think, Sequoia is not home to the world’s tallest trees. Instead, that secret spot is the Redwoods. These trees are skinnier than Sequoias, but don’t let that fool you! The Big Tree, one of the top attractions in the park is 23.7 feet in diameter (and 286 feet tall!).

Redwoods National and State Parks is just that—a mix of National and State Park land, which means there’s plenty to do for any traveler, no matter how long you want to spend there. You’ll likely see some elk in the woods and meadows and some seals in the ocean during your trip.

For a full guide to Redwoods National Park, click the button below!

Redwoods National Park is a hiker’s heaven

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

Olympic National Park is a unique one all on its own, but did you know it’s also home to the only temperate rainforest in the US that you can drive your car into? The Hoh Rainforest is one of the most biodiverse places in the country, and it is made distinct by the fact that the forest itself creates its own weather system.

While Olympic is known for its unique set of landscapes, the Hoh Rainforest truly stands out as one of the most distinct. It is home to multiple species of moss, banana slugs, and larger animals like bears. It is one of the only places in the country where you can experience a landscape as unique as this one.

For a full guide to Olympic National Park, click the button below!

Explore the only temperate rainforest you can drive to in Olympic National Park, WA

Trees are something that really define the West Coast, almost as much as the ocean does. With so many unique species of trees along these states, you truly can’t go wrong with a road trip to any of these destinations. You’ll be guaranteed to not only see Sequoias and Redwoods, but also Ponderosas, Spruces, and more. So keep your head high and your views higher—I’ll see you in the trees!

Interested in living on the road full time but don’t know where to start? Check out my ebook: A Beginner’s Guide To Living As A Nomad by clicking on the button below!

A Visitor's Guide to Olympic National Park

At the end of my 3 month solo road trip, I made a 3 day stop in Olympic National Park, Washington. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) will always have a special place in my heart. It’s the home of pine trees, mountains, and grey coastal shoreline. I first visited Washington as part of a day trip to Portland during the solar eclipse season of 2017, when I went up to Oregon for the very first time. This time, I came at Washington from the East, after visiting Glacier in Montana, and slowly made my way to Olympic about halfway through the week that I spent there.

Olympic is an incredibly unique National Park. It’s home to a vast array of different landscapes and ecosystems, and has a strange layout in terms of its road system. Olympic is known for its temperate rainforest, and is a favorite among backpackers and long distance hikers from all over.

This is my guide to Olympic National Park, and why you should add it to your bucket list.

Rialto Beach, Shore Section, Olympic National Park, WA

Getting to Olympic

Olympic has a strange layout in that you cannot drive through the park, you can only drive around it. Of course, you can drive into certain sections, but you can’t drive straight through, so you have to be really cautious of where each entrance is. The good news is, as you drive the 101 around the park, you’ll pass through plenty of towns, such as the Twilight-famous town of Forks.

It’s important to know where the visitor centers are, and Google Maps will let you put in a specific visitor center when navigating to the park. Look for the Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center for information when you first enter the park. For extra information, the Hoh Rainforest Visitor Center is great but a little out of the way. You can also go to the Kaloch Ranger Station for help and the Wilderness Information Center for information regarding backcountry permits.

To enter certain parts of the park, such as Hurricane Ridge and the Hoh Rainforest, you will need to pay an entrance fee or show your interagency pass. It is $30 per car to enter, and your entrance fee at one section of the park will get you into the entire park for 7 days.

Lake Crescent, near Fairhomle Campground

The different landscapes

Olympic has one of the most diverse ecosystems I’ve ever experienced in a National Park. They’ve got bears and banana slugs, beaches and rainforests. Every part of the park is something completely different, and it’s important to check out each of them. The following sections will bring you through each different ecosystem (and let you know which is my favorite!).

The Hoh Rainforest

“While there are multiple temperate rainforests in the United States, the Hoh is the only one you can drive your car into,” said a ranger at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center when I first arrived. I was immediately intrigued and set out to do my big hike through the rainforest on my second day in the park. The Hoh is known for backpackers, and has three trails. Two of them are small loops near the visitor center, but the Hoh River Trail is 17.3 miles long and is used for backpacking. You don’t have to have a permit to day hike on it though, so I went to Five Mile Island and back, making for a 10 mile hike.

The rainforest is home to lush greenery, crazy wildlife, like banana slugs and their darker, invasive species cousins, and tons of tourists. This is definitely the most popular part of the park, so plan accordingly! There is a campground in the Hoh too, just make sure you’ve got your rain fly if you’re tent camping.

Hoh River Trail, Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

Hurricane Ridge

It’s not Washington without mountains. Hurricane Ridge is the mountainous part of the park that is most easily accessible to visitors, as you can drive straight to it! It offers clear views of the park, but is pretty far from the rest of the attractions and is one of the few spots in the park that you need to pay an entrance fee for. Unfortunately, this is also one of the only parts of the park I didn’t get to explore, because it was Labor Day and the roads were too crowded for me to make the day trip.

You can camp at Hurricane Ridge, at Heart O’ the Hills Campground.

Lake Crescent

I recently talked about Lake Crescent in my Best Lakes of 2019 post, so I’ll make this short. Lake Crescent is known as one of the prettiest parts of the park. You can camp here at Fairholme Campground, which I did for 2 nights, and it was lovely. There is a nearby camp store with food, souvenirs, and other camping essentials like ice. The lake is open to boats, kayaks, SUPs, and other water recreation, and the area has plenty of hiking trails. I personally loved the Spruce Railroad Trail, which takes you through a really cool tunnel, and goes along the length of the lakeshore.

Be careful, though, this is the only part of the park that has poison ivy.

You’ll also be nearby Elwha and Sol Duc Valley when you stay near Lake Crescent and both are worth a little day trip (although Elwha is currently closed to cars).

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

Shore Section

All of this mountain and forest stuff is connected somehow, but on the other side of the highway you’ll find the shore section. The Olympic shoreline is easily my favorite part of Olympic National Park. It’s my Pacific Ocean that I grew up with, but it’s so different. There are pine trees overlooking the shore, and it’s full of rocky tidepools to explore.

Rialto Beach is my personal favorite, but you can also visit Kaloch and Ruby Beach and the coast near Lake Ozette. You can camp near the shore at Mora Campground (requiring reservations for 2020), and South Beach.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Shore Section

Truly, Olympic is the most diverse National Park I’ve been to. If you’re looking for a destination with beach, pine trees, mountains, lakes, and a little bit of rainforest (or a lot, depending on how far you hike), you won’t be disappointed with Olympic. So, make sure it’s on your list, and don’t miss the rest of the PNW while you’re at it.

If you’re interested in visiting Olympic and working it into a much larger road trip, check out my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days.

Your Guide to Crater Lake National Park

When I was traveling through the continental 48 during the summer of 2019, Crater Lake was the last stop before I touched ground back in my home state of California. Now, I’ve mentioned Crater Lake in plenty of blog posts so far (here, here, and here), but I’ve also gotten a couple questions asking for more information about actually visiting the park.

Note: this post may contain affiliate links

Now, Crater Lake is the only National Park in Oregon, and it’s one of the smallest big parks in the country. I tend to categorize the parks into “small” and “big” parks, the big parks being the ones with an entry gate, possible campgrounds, and use the America the Beautiful Pass. Crater Lake, while it is smaller in acreage, contains about 30 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, a dormant volcano, and the deepest lake in the country.

These are my tips and tricks for getting the most out of your trip to Crater Lake. So, grab your 0 degree sleeping bag (it’s cold out there!), some yummy snacks, and a park map, and let’s explore one of the most unique locations in the country.

View of Wizard Island from Sun Notch

Getting there

Crater Lake is located about an hour and a half south of Bend, OR. You’ll drive through some of the most beautiful forests to get there, no matter which entrance you come in through. When you arrive, you will be met with that classic entrance gate. Without the America the Beautiful Pass, park entry costs $25 per car.

Phantom Ship, as seen from Sun Notch

About the park

Crater Lake is the ninth deepest lake in the world, and the deepest in the United States. Because of this, it has a beautiful deep blue color to it. Crater Lake is one of the many volcanic parks in the country, and is also home to an unexpected crop of pinnacles formed by lava flow.

While the park is open year-round, during the winter months, the road is closed to cars. Yearly, the park receives over 500 inches of snow, and the best months to go are July, August, and September. The park is never very warm though, the highest average temperature only reaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and dropping into the 40s at night. Because of this, it’s incredibly crucial to have the right gear, and a 0 degree sleeping bag just in case, even if you’re camping in your vehicle or RV. (I highly recommend the sleeping bags available from Madera Outdoor—they’re warm, lightweight, vegan, and you’ll receive 20% off your order.)

There is a scenic loop road that will bring you all around the lake and park in the summer months. The 33 mile long road will bring you to all of the 30 overlooks, as well as the park’s hikes, except those located on the offshoot that is Pinnacles Road. Pinnacles Road is where you can find a small waterfall hike called Plakni Falls as well as the Pinnacles Trail, which has one of the most unique views in the park. Here, you’ll also find the park’s dry campground, Lost Creek.

The strange Pinnacles area of Crater Lake National Park

Staying in the park

There are two campgrounds in the park, and I actually highly recommend staying in Lost Creek campground, even for vanlifers. The campground is only $5, and you’ll get the extra security of being in the park (always a plus for solo female travelers), as well as the convenience of not having to leave. It does not take reservations, and did not have running water during summer of 2019.

The other campground is called Mazama, and is located near Rim Village, which give you close access to the visitor center, clean water, gift shop, and in-park gas station. It costs between $21 and $43 to camp here, so I’d recommend this for families and tourists, rather than overlanders. All campsites in the park, including those at Lost Creek come with a bear locker.

There is also lodging available in the park. As with all national parks, I’d recommend booking your lodging (or even camping) reservations a few months in advance through the park’s official website and whatever reservation system they have set up. There are two motels available in Crater Lake: Crater Lake Lodge ($202 per night), and The Cabins at Mazama Village ($164 per night).

You can also eat at the restaurant in the park, which is called the Rim Village Café, and buy groceries and snacks at the Mazama Village Store. The Crater Lake Lodge also offers a dining experience inside the park.

Plaikni Falls

Hiking in Crater Lake

I constantly heard that Crater Lake isn’t worth spending more than a day in because all the hikes are the same, which is simply not true! There are tons of little hikes to do, which are great for families and beginner level hikers that will take you to places like waterfalls (Plaikni Falls), the unique pinnacles (Pinnacles Trail), and views of the lake and it’s famous Wizard Island and Phantom Ship (Sun Notch).

There are longer hikes in the park perfect for moderate to advanced hikers. Fantastic moderate hikes are Watchman Peak and Discovery Point, which both offer amazing scenic panoramic views of the lake.

For my advanced hikers, the best hike you can do is Cleetwood Cove. This is the only legal access to the water in Crater Lake National Park. Here, you can swim, take boat tours, or just relax by the water. Other amazing advanced hikes are Wizard Summit (trailhead only accessible by boat), and Mount Scott (the park’s highest point).

Crater Lake is beautiful, even on a cloudy day

Crater Lake truly is one of the most unique landscapes in the country that I’ve personally visited (so far). While it’s very cold, and a smaller park, its beauty is unmatched by any of the country’s other famous lakes. From camping to hiking to simply being an amazing vacation spot, Crater Lake has something for every type of traveler to experience, and is sure to help you appreciate the outdoors just a little bit more.

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To read more about Crater Lake and many of the other national parks in the country, check out my ebook: Around the States in 90 Days in the shop!

The Best Route For Roadtripping from Los Angeles to Portland

The drive from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest is one of the prettiest road trips you can take in the US. California truly is one of the best states in the country (in my humble, totally non-biased opinion), and because of this, the drive from the south to the north (and vice versa) will allow you to see as much as possible, depending on the route you choose. There are four different routes to take between Los Angeles, California and Portland, OR, and I’ve driven all of them multiple times.

You can drive north via PCH, the 101, or the 5, but the secret best route from Los Angeles to Oregon is a combination of all three. This is the defining best route north (or south), and a list of everything you’ll see and experience along the way.

Hoyt Arboretum, Portland Or (aka, a reason you need to get up to the PNW)

So, the secret best route starts in Los Angeles, heading north on the 101. When you reach Santa Barbara, the 101 will converge with the 1 and you’ll be met with some of the most beautiful coastline you’ll see on the trip. From here, I suggest heading through the Los Padres National Forest via the 154. This is an incredibly gorgeous drive, yet incredibly winding. You’ll have plenty of chances to stop and see some gorgeous views (like THESE from the beginning of my latest YouTube video) and spot Lake Cachuma.

You’ll then continue up the 101, passing through Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo, two trendy and smaller Central California cities. Of course, feel free to stop at any time. This drive can take as many days as you want, but when my family and I recently visited Portland, we did it in 2.

Mt. Tabor Park in Portland, OR

Once you reach San Francisco, you’ll cross through the city and onto the 5. I prefer doing it this way because if you take the 5 up from Los Angeles, you not only have to go through the Grapevine (as we call it), but you also have to pass through Coalinga (cow country), and Fresno (the literal middle of nowhere, sorry Fresno).

This section of the 5 is amazing. You’ll pass by plenty of National Forest Land and Lassen Volcanic National Park, if you want to stop and see some sites.

Eventually you’ll reach Redding. Redding is a super underrated Northern California Town. It’s surrounded by tons of hiking opportunities, including the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. There’s enough to do in Redding to last a week, and there are plenty of hotels, camp spots, and restaurants if you’re just passing through. I’d highly recommend the Americana Modern Hotel, the only dog friendly hotel in the town. This hotel is a newly renovated hotel that’s fairly central to a lot of different food options (including Mod Pizza and Chipotle if you’re plant based like me). The service was fantastic, and a stay comes with breakfast. This is also exactly halfway between Los Angeles and Portland, so it makes the perfect overnight rest after an 8 hour drive.

Dundee, OR (wine country)

Just an hour north of Redding is a Californian gem: Weed, CA. Weed is ironically a town full of college students that basically leans on the commerce of a lone souvenir shop selling, you guessed it, weed themed apparel and gifts. It’s a hilarious little pit stop, and there’s a bathroom in the Dollar General across the street from the gift shop. Even if you don’t care about weed whatsoever, it’s fully worth the stop just to take a picture of the sign. After this, you’ll finally cross the bridge over Lake Shasta, and enter the mountains and pine forests for the rest of the drive.

A little further north, you’ll pass by Mount Shasta, an active volcano that stands at more than 14,000 feet. Mount Shasta is met at its base by Lake Siskiyou, a gorgeous lake great for paddle boarding, hiking, and boating, and definitely a valuable stop if you have the time.

It’s supposed to say “Welcome to Weed.” You get the picture. It’s also on a hill and this is the straightest I can get the picture so I’m sorry…

Once you pass the Siskiyou Pass and over the Oregon state line, the drive up the 5 is fairly easy. You’ll pass through plenty of National Forest Land, such as the Umpqua National Forest, and most of your drive will be surrounded by pine trees. A worth-it stop on your way up is Crater Lake National Park, but it will add quite a bit of time to your drive.

Disclaimer: be careful driving the Siskiyou Pass during winter. Carry chains.

Mount Shasta from highway 5 heading south.

There’s so much beauty in Oregon, but you’ll pass through quite a bit of farmland too, once you’re out of Southern Oregon’s mountains. It’s definitely worth checking out the college town of Eugene, as well as the capital city of Salem.

Truly, there is so much to see between Los Angeles and Portland, and probably more than is even on this list. These are simply my must-sees. California is a vast and diverse state larger than some countries, so it does take quite a bit of dedication and coffee to drive it all without switching drivers. But, it’s so worth it. You’ll pass some of the prettiest sights on the west coast along this route, and it’ll have you wanting to see the rest of these two states as soon as you can.

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What It's Like to Spend Thanksgiving in an Airbnb

An Anecdote From A Full Time Solo Traveler

It’s that time of year again, and holidays for so many people, mean traveling to familiar places to visit family. This year, my immediate family and I decided to do something a little different. We drove 1,000 miles from Los Angeles, CA to Portland, OR to spend Thanksgiving, just the four of us. We did this for a few reasons, one of which being that my parents wanted to do something special for their 29th wedding anniversary, since it always overlaps with the holiday. We wanted to explore somewhere new, since my family had never been to Oregon, and Southern California also doesn’t get a real autumn, so we made it our goal to get a little taste of the cold weather this year before I head off to South East Asia for the rest of the winter.

Dundee, OR (wine country)

We opted to stay in a cute little Airbnb on the SE side of Portland, which was exactly 20 minutes from everything. We were able to experience all of the important sites and visit family in the area no problem. But we planned on doing an all vegan Thanksgiving in our Airbnb, which lead to some interesting adventures in cooking.

We chose this type of accommodation because it would allow us to have a kitchen and the privacy of not having people walking by our rooms all night (I’m clearly not a fan of hotels). The thing is, our kitchen was missing so many tools, from a pasta strainer to serving utensils (try making a huge family dinner without a big spoon, I dare you). This made for some interesting and creative improvisations. Think, spatulas to serve stuffing, rice, and green bean casserole, and a bread knife to cut Tofurkey. Because the truth about travel is that it can be uncomfortable. Not everything is going to be perfect, and that’s kind of the point of an adventure. You figure out how to make it work as you go along, and you have fun doing it because of the place you’re in, or the people you’re with, or both.

Portland International Rose Test Garden in Fall. Clearly, the roses were hibernating already.

But this article isn’t about food, it’s about feeling at home when you’re so far away from it. While Airbnb’s message is about helping you feel at home when you’re away, there’s always a bit of displacement that happens when you’re staying in a new space. I’m pretty used to this, but I’m also used to traveling in a constant vehicle that feels like home (and will be hitting the road in my actual tiny home come January). But because this was such a different type of travel to me, it did take some adjusting. I got to unpack into a real closet! I had a full bathroom, and constant access to a shower! And I still got to experience a new place (weird, I guess this is how most people do the travel thing). More important than amenities though, I had constant access to the most important people in my life, and as a solo traveler, this is a rare luxury.

This was an interesting trip. I’d never spent a holiday other than the Fourth of July away from Southern California, and while I’d spent plenty of Decembers in my college town away from my family, this trip felt different, because this time I was away with my family. That made it so that this crazy cooking adventure felt a little like home, even though we were in such an unfamiliar place. The important thing about the holidays is that you’re with the people you love, regardless of where you are in the world.

Mt. Tabor Park in the early morning

Being away from home made every moment exciting. There was no waiting around for dinner to be done, the way Thanksgiving usually goes, so we didn’t find ourselves snacking all day and filling up before the main course. Instead, on Thanksgiving, we went out to Washington Park and Pittock Mansion to look at some of the best views of Portland, and got home in the afternoon to start cooking. Instead of my brother spending his week doing homework, he was eager to get out and practice his photography in the woods. My dad and I spent time hiking in a local park instead of our usual hills, and my mom and I got excited about trying new vegan restaurants instead of our go-to’s. It made everything an adventure.

My brother and I at Wakheena Falls, Columbia River Gorge area

And that’s the strange thing about full time travel. You get to a point where it’s just life to constantly be moving and seeing new things every day (which I love, despite the complete lack of stability), but it’s a completely different experience when you’re with people who don’t live that nomadic life. Suddenly everything is seen as new again.

Happy Holidays, everybody. Back to our regularly scheduled programming on Sunday with one more little guide to the PDX area.

-HWS

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Top 5 Most Instagramable Natural Spots in Oregon

Oregon is hands down one of my favorite places in the US. It’s almost as diverse as California, yet rivals it when it comes to changing seasons. I just had the opportunity to spend my Thanksgiving week properly visiting Portland. And while Portland is a cool little city, I kept finding myself drawn to Oregon’s nature. The Pacific North West is one of the best places in the country for mountains, pine trees, and even beaches, and I’ve compiled a list of my favorite natural places in Oregon to photograph (or, those that I’ve been to so far).

To follow me on Instagram for more pictures like these, and plenty of travel inspiration, click HERE or visit the CONTACT page.

Geotag Disclaimer: if you choose to use geotags on your Instagram feed, please be responsible, and keep local secrets you find that aren’t on this list, well, secret. Geotags have the tendency to draw crowds and ruin natural spaces, so in line with Leave No Trace, let’s leave no map too.

So, grab your camera or phone, don’t forget a good snack, and hop in the car. This ride’s about to get insanely pretty.

Crater Lake National Park

Haystack Rock

While this one might be a bit obvious to those of you engrossed in the crazy world of Instagram, it’s a spot that tops many Oregon travelers’ bucket lists by a long shot. Located on Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock is a huge rock formation known for its famous reflection in the sand. This is easily one of the most popular spots in Oregon, and for good reason. The Oregon coast is a famous stretch of coastline, and this is easily the most famous beach on the drive.

Cannon Beach is a dog friendly beach, and has free parking only a couple blocks away. It’s only about an hour from Portland, and is super easy to find.

A tip for my vanlifers: It’s a bit (and by a bit, I actually mean a lot) hard to find affordable camping, let alone safe boondocking spots, so if you’re living that vanlife, you might want to dive up over the state line and stay at the rest stop that’s 40 minutes away.

Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon Coast

Hoyt Arboretum

If you’re staying in Portland, this is an awesome place to go to lose yourself amongst the PNW’s famous pine trees and redwoods. The Hoyt Arboretum is located within Washington Park, and is basically a living museum. You can grab a map at the visitor center, or just wander the marked trails. Each area of the park features a different type of tree, from redwoods to maple. This was actually the first time my family was able to snag a glimpse of our West Coast redwoods.

The Hoyt Arboretum is completely dog friendly, and free to enter, but you do have to pay for parking. You can hike about a mile (one way) to Pittock Mansion from the visitor center if you want a view of the city too!

Redwood Deck in the Hoyt Arboretum, Portland

Smith Rock State Park

Located about 30 minutes outside of Bend, Smith Rock State Park is known by rock climbers across the country. I am not a rock climber, and I came here with a friend from the road when we both happened to be in Bend. There are quite a few hiking trails here for all hiking abilities, if you’re not into climbing, and there are spectacular views all around. This is the best place for you to head if you’re in Oregon and craving some desert-esque landscapes. It reminded me of this park in Los Angeles that I used to visit with my parents called Vasquez Rocks (which I largely credit my love of the outdoors to).

Smith Rock does allow dogs and has paid camping available.

Smith Rock State Park

Crater Lake

I’ve talked about Crater Lake a couple times on here, but it’s the deepest lake in the country, so how could it not make it onto this list? With its deep, blue water and towering pine trees, Crater Lake is far more than just a lake. This National Park includes a beautiful scenic drive, volcanic-formed pinnacles, and a little island dubbed Wizard Island. Even if you’re not a big hiker, you’ll be able to grab some of the best and bluest shots to fill that ‘gram with at Crater Lake.

A tip for my vanlifers: Lost Creek Campground is a bit out of the way, but only costs $5 a night! It gets super cold, even in the summer, so make sure you have the right gear!

Crater Lake National Park, aka one of the coldest days I’ve spent on the road so far

Multnomah Falls:

On the same level of Insta-popularity as Haystack Rock, you’ve likely seen a picture or two of Multnomah Falls come across your feed. This was a bucket list item of mine for a long time. Multnomah Falls is part of the Columbia River Gorge area, on National Forest Land, and is a 620 foot tall two-tiered waterfall that features a bridge. You can hike to the top, or you can get that perfect shot from the bottom (it was raining, so my family chose the latter).

There is free parking just across the street, and the falls is a dog friendly area. Just a few minutes down the road, you’ll find Wahkeena Falls as well, another large waterfall in the area with a hiking trail.

Multnomah Falls in late November

There are plenty of super beautiful spots throughout Oregon, but these are easily my favorites I’ve been to so far. Oregon in itself is incredibly pretty, so make sure you get off that beaten path a little bit too.

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To learn more about my favorite places in the country, make sure you check out my full 3 month, 48 state road trip itinerary, available now in the shop!

Your Guide to the National Parks of the PNW

It’s no secret that the Pacific Northwest is one of the most desirable travel destinations in the United States, especially in terms of nature. While there are plenty of beautiful hikes and natural areas to visit in Oregon and Washington, from Multnomah Falls, to Mount Hood, to Forest Park, there are also four National Parks hiding in these two beautiful states. You’ve probably heard of Mount Rainier, but what about the other three?

Well, in Washington, you’re in luck because all of the state’s National Parks are within only a few hours drive of each other, and in Oregon, Crater Lake stands as one of the most unique landscapes in the country. (For other unique bucket list locations, check out THIS ARTICLE).

This is your complete guide to all four National Parks in the PNW, so get ready for some hiking and sightseeing, it’s gonna be a beautiful ride.

Olympic National Park, Shore Section, WA

Crater Lake, OR

I figured it might be useful to start with Crater Lake because it’s not only the smallest of the four National Parks in the PNW, but it’s also the only one in Oregon. Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake is positioned at a very high elevation, making it only fully accessible during the warmer months. Crater Lake’s water is extremely blue, and deep, and there’s only one trail that actually allows you lake access. This is the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth deepest lake in the world.

Crater Lake is definitely a small park. While there are plenty of little trails, which I spent my very cold day there hiking, there are only a select few longer trails, and only two campgrounds, one of which currently has no water (Lost Creek). Regardless of its size, Crater Lake is absolutely stunning. It’s only here that you’ll find water this blue surrounded by mountains, pine trees, and sometimes snow.

Crater Lake National Park, OR

North Cascades, WA

By now, I’ve talked about North Cascades a couple times (HERE and HERE), so I’m gonna keep this short.

North Cascades is the secret National Park of Washington. It’s made up of the famous Cascade Mountains, and is interspersed with National Forest land. There are quite a few campgrounds in the North Cascades, and plenty of diverse trails to explore, and on top of that, it’s dog friendly. This is another small park, but it’s a great getaway for a few days, as there’s plenty to explore as long as you have gas in the tank.

North Cascades National Park, WA

Olympic, WA

Olympic National Park is one of Washington’s most famous National Parks, and it’s also its most diverse. Located on the Olympic Peninsula, most of the park isn’t drivable. The roads simply go around the park, cutting into each of the park’s unique landscapes: the mountains, lake, rainforest, and shore section.

I spent three nights exploring Olympic, and got to see three of these four landscapes. I spent two nights up in Fairholme Campground near Lake Crescent, and took one of those days to explore the Hoh Rainforest, the only temperate rainforest in the continental US that you can drive into. To get there from Fairholme, you simply head south through Washington’s famous city of Forks (which you might recognize from the Twilight series). This awesome spot is home to some pretty cool wildlife, like banana slugs, and you can hike through the rainforest to your heart’s content (and you can even get a backpacking permit if you want). The rainforest offers one of the most unique views of Washington’s landscape, and truly allows you to get a feel for just how diverse this strange and beautiful northern state really is.

The third night, I spent the night in a privately owned campground near Rialto Beach because it was simply the better deal than staying in Mora Campground run by the NPS. Rialto Beach is one of my favorite beaches in the country. It’s home to crazy rock formations, tidepools, fallen driftwood trees, and is surrounded by pine, making it the perfect combination of mountains and beach (aka my favorite things ever). Olympic is truly a park with something for every type of explorer, and if you don’t like one section, you can just move on to the next—they’re so different, it’ll feel like you’re in a different place entirely.

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

Mount Rainier, WA

While Mount Rainier is probably the most famous National Park in Washington, it’s definitely my favorite (which is funny because I actually spent the least amount of time here). Mount Rainier is at a very high elevation, and is pretty much always covered in snow (the mountain, not the park). From some of the hikes in the park, you’ll be able to see glaciers, wildlife such as foxes and bears, and plenty of wildflowers (most of the year).

Mount Rainier is a huge park with different sections to explore, and while I only got to see a very small part of it during my stay at White River Campground, it was one of my favorite nights on the road due to the overall landscape of the place and the welcoming rangers.

Mount Rainier does get some crazy weather. Luckily it was only raining when I was there, but there’s always a world where it might snow, so come prepared with warm clothes, and an extra warm sleeping bag (shop my favorite sleeping bag at Madera Outdoor HERE).

View of a glacier in Mount Rainier National Park, WA

From the towering peaks of Mount Rainier to the deepest lake in the country, the Pacific Northwest is full of diverse landscapes and beautiful National Parks. The Washington National Parks are only a couple hours away from each other, and Crater Lake, while further south, will encourage you to explore its surrounding natural areas, and even cute towns like Bend. The Pacific Northwest is only just getting started in terms of being a popular tourist destination, and it’s sure to get even more popular over the years, considering its popularity on social media. So, head out now to these beautiful spaces, and enjoy the unique solitude of the northern mountains. And don’t forget to take plenty of pictures.

The Most Unexpected Bucket List Landscapes in the US

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Let’s just get one thing out on the table: the US is huge. Because of its size, this one country is home to tons of crazy landscapes, from the tundra of Alaska (which is still on my list) to the volcanoes of Hawaii. Really, the US is home to some incredible, insane, unexpected landscapes you can’t find anywhere else. These are worlds you might think you’d find way up in Canada’s Northern Territories, in the deserts of Africa, or even, maybe, an alien planet?

Here are the most unexpected destinations in the US, which you should probably add to that bucket list after you’re done reading this.

(Disclaimer: 100% of these spots are run by the National Park Service. There’s a reason these spots are protected land, so please, if you visit, make sure you keep them as pretty as when you arrived).

Glacier National Park, Montana

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

I know I’ve talked about it on the blog before, but it’s such a cool place, it can’t not make this list (don’t worry, it’s the only repeat destination on here). Devils Tower is truly one of a kind. It’s the only rock formation like this in the world and attracts huge numbers of rock climbers, hikers, and sightseers to its park every year. Devils Tower is a sacred place for Native Americans, and you might see prayer flags as you hike around the park, especially close to the tower. This is also a great place to see wildlife (especially prairie dogs), as this part of Wyoming is right where the pine forests of this mountain state and the grasslands of the neighboring Dakotas meet. And, if you want to visit Devils Tower and the Badlands in one go, they’re not too far from each other!

Read more about Devils Tower HERE!

Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Okay, I know Utah’s other National Parks are a bit more famous, but Bryce is absolutely mind-blowing. Bryce Canyon is known for its hoodoos—the strange rock formations that visitors describe as looking like either people or sandcastles (or both!). Advanced hikers have the chance to hike down into the hoodoos and experience them up close, but even if you don’t trust your hiking ability, there are plenty of fantastic views from the rim! This is one of the most unique desert landscapes out there, and is the largest collection of hoodoos in the world. They’re formed through a combination of plate tectonics, sediment deposition, and erosion, and their bright orange color lets them form a truly alien landscape.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington

While there are a couple temperate rainforests in the United States, the Hoh Rainforest in Washington’s Olympic National Park is the only temperate rainforest you can actually drive your car into. Complete with a campground, tons of interesting wildlife, and scattered rainstorms, this is truly a landscape to escape to. It honestly feels like you’re in a different country (or maybe the world of Jurassic Park?), and the temperature ranges from hot and humid to freezing cold in the winter. Located in the Pacific Northwest, it’s clear that this is a place that stands out amongst the surrounding mountains, coastline, and big cities.

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, Washington

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

Haleakala National Park literally looks like Mars. This was actually the first National Park I ever visited, and needless to say, I was blown away. From the long winding drive up the dormant volcano to the vast, red landscapes that feel like they don’t belong on the lush, green island of Maui, Haleakala is a landscape you truly can’t find anywhere else in the US, and perhaps nowhere else in the world. Haleakala is known for its sunrises, and often, tourists will take a bike tour to ride down the mountain just as the sun comes up over the Hawaiian horizon.

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii (photo “vintage” circa 2012)

Glacier National Park, Montana

 Glacier National Park is hands down, my favorite place I’ve ever visited. This alpine landscape definitely deserves to be on this list as one of the most unexpected places in the US, simply because it’s not a landscape that you’d generally find this far south. Although many of the Glaciers are now melted, there are still a few that stand which are accessible by hiking trails. I wouldn’t recommend hiking to the glacial views, though, unless you’re an advanced hiker, as the trails that allow you to see the most intact Glaciers are quite long. There are accessible views of Jackson Glacier, though, along the Going to the Sun Road. The Going to the Sun Road offers some of the most beautiful views in the country (although it is often closed November through May), and is only accessible to vehicles less than 21 feet long.

There are three sections of Glacier: East Glacier, which is at a higher elevation and offers great views of St. Mary Lake and some of the first views of these incredible mountains, West Glacier, which is tucked away in the woods and close to the adorable town of Whitefish, and Many Glacier, which is where much of the glacial access is hiding, including the famous Grinnell Glacier trail.

I could go on about Glacier forever, but for now, it should definitely be added to your summer bucket list. It does get crowded, so get there early for a campsite, and plan on taking the shuttle around the park if you can to reduce car traffic. Most importantly, though, in this remote National Park, make sure that you respect wildlife—it’s everywhere, it’s beautiful, but wildlife is wild, and should be enjoyed from a distance.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Honorable Mentions:

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

 The United States is home to an incredible array of unique landscapes. From the deserts and hoodoos of Bryce Canyon to the melting glaciers of Glacier National Park, the diversity of the country’s landscape is one that’s hard to challenge. These are five places that should absolutely be on your adventure list— they’re sure to give you the wow factor you’re looking for in a National Park, and will inspire adventures to last a lifetime.

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