Jon KingExplorer

Where to camp: San Luis State Park is located 15 miles west of Great Sand Dunes National Park, San Luis State Park features views of San Luis Lake, the Great Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The campground provides water and hot showers, which we enjoyed after a day of hiking the dunes. Reserve your campsite here.If you're making this a couple day trip, here's a guide to a few g...

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Willow Lake offers a stunning destination to a rigorous hike. The hike is approximately 9 miles out and back with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and maintained. However, the hike rarely levels off. Be prepared for a steady incline the entire way until you reach the lake.Along the way you'll come across a beautiful valley, wildfl...

Shortly after the trailhead, you’ll come to a three-way intersection. Head straight on Pedestal Rocks Trail to make a counterclockwise loop. Follow through the woods until you reach the bluff line. Check out the ledges along the way and you’ll begin to see the pedestal rock formations. There are several areas where you can head off trail and explore the rocks and caves from below. Continue a...

The hike to Grinnell Lake begins at the Grinnell Glacier Trailhead, approximately 0.5 miles past Many Glacier Hotel in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park. For folks staying in the hotel, there is an optional trailhead just south of the building. There is also is a boat shuttle for those wanting to bypass the hike along Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. For more information on th...

Sycamore Falls is located in the Fiery Gizzard region of South Cumberland State Park. The trailhead is located just past Tracy City Elementary School on Fiery Gizzard Road. There is a large parking lot with restrooms at the trailhead. Start your hike at the south end of the parking lot. This area of trail is known as the Grundy Day Loop trail. You'll quickly descend until the trail meets Li...

Yellow Rock Trail offers an easy loop hike with stunning views of the Ozark Mountains. The trail is located just south of Fayetteville, AR in Devil’s Den State Park. From the entrance, follow the main road past the visitors center. You’ll pass a small lake and recreational area on the left. Take the first right just past the bridge. The trailhead is located on the left hand side of the road...

With panoramic views of St. Mary Lake and it’s surrounding peaks, Sun Point is the perfect spot to chill/relax in Glacier National Park.  It can be reached via the Sun Point Nature Trail or the Sun Point picnic area.To reach Sun Point via the nature trail, start at Sunrift Gorge parking area.  Climb down the stairs on the south side of the road until you see the trailhead sign. Continue to desc...

The campground has several sites along the shores of Beaver Lake. Its restrooms are clean and include free hot showers. The campground does not provide firewood. However, you are allowed to pick firewood from the surrounding woods. If there has been recent rainfall you’ll need to buy firewood prior to arriving. Campsites run $20/night and can be reserved at recreation.gov. Check out the ma...

Mystic Falls is located in the Biscuit Basin area of Yellowstone National Park. Biscuit Basin’s parking lot is approximately 2 miles north of Old Faithful along Grand Loop Road. Start your hike along the Biscuit Basin boardwalk. The boardwalk provides access to several thermal features including the popular Sapphire Pool. The actual trail for Mystic Falls begins near Avoca Spring at the west ...

Finding Tea Kettle Falls is the most challenging part of this adventure. The trailhead is located in the McIlroy-Madison County Wildlife Management Area in northwest Arkansas. From Forum, travel 6.5 miles north on Hwy 23 to gravel road #447. It is approximately 13 miles south of Eureka Springs (1.4 miles south of the Hwy 12 junction). There is no sign for gravel road #447 but you should see a...

Big Spring Trail is located in Smith Creek Preserve just south of Boxley, Arkansas.  There is a small parking area at the entrance. Detailed maps of the area provided by The Nature Conservancy can be found just past gate. Walk through the gate and begin your hike with a steady decline down the service road.  You’ll soon reach a fork in the road leading to Elise Falls. Keep straight at the for...

The parking area for Neil Compton’s Double Falls is approximately 1.1 miles past the trailhead for Hawksbill Crag on Cave Mountain Road. Cave Mountain Road is steep and can get pretty muddy after a good rain. A vehicle with 4WD is recommended although plenty of people make it up in small cars. You will see a sign on the left side of the road that states “Upper Buffalo Wilderness - Ozark Natio...

Although there is no official trailhead, Paige and Broadwater Hollow Falls can be accessed off of NC 2660 in Compton, Arkansas.  Once on NC 2660, head straight down this rugged gravel road for approximately 2 miles.  Soon you’ll reach a sharp bend to the left with a small parking area just before the bend. Park here.   Once parked, hike down the road and cross the creek.  You’ll notice a small ...

The hike begins with a paved trail leading to a plaque marking the highest point in Missouri.  Although there is no view here it is still a fun spot to take a picture. Continue back on the main trail until you reach the junction marked by the backcountry camping registration box. Turn right at the junction to hike a counterclockwise loop. The trail slowly descends through the woods.  As you con...

Experience Yellowstone’s diversity with this epic loop hike.How to get there: Wapiti Lake Trailhead is located just south of Upper Falls of the Yellowstone. From Yellowstone Lake, head north on Grand Loop Road. Turn right on South Rim Dr. Just after crossing Chittenden Bridge turn right and park in the large parking lot.The Hike: The hike begins with a steady climb through and open meadow. To...

This 5.4 mile out-and-back hike will take you to Baring, St. Mary, and Virginia Falls.   Start your hike at the Sunrift Gorge parking area. Hike down the stairs on the south side of the road. Here you’ll see the trailhead for Baring Falls. Descend until you reach the Baring Falls/Sun Point junction. Here, turn right toward Baring falls.  At 0.3 miles you’ll encounter the 25 ft. high Baring Fa...

A short day trip from Kansas City, Weston Bend State Park offers a nice getaway for those seeking the outdoors.How to get there: Weston Bend State Park is approximately 35 miles northwest of Kansas City. From Kansas City take I-29 N to exit 20 for Weston. Turn left on MO-371 N. Continue onto MO-273 N. Turn right on the first stop light to stay on MO-273 N. Prior to entering Weston, turn left ...

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located just outside of Mound City in northwest Missouri. The refuge is approximately 100 miles northwest of Kansas City off I-29. It’s headquarters/visitors center are on the east side of Hwy 159. The visitors center is open weekdays 7:30-4:30 and on select Saturdays during peak migration periods. The refuge itself is gated and open from sunrise to s...

The trailhead for Bourgeau Lake/Harvey Pass is on the west side of Trans-Canada Highway approximately 5 miles west of Banff.  The turn-off is approximately 0.9 miles past the Sunshine Village Ski Resort exit.  There is a small parking lot and a restroom at the trailhead. Enter through the gate to begin.  Initially, the trail steadily climbs through the forest with long drawn out switchbacks.  Y...

On this Rocky Mountain hike you’ll explore 4 picturesque mountain lakes and a 60 foot waterfall. Completing this hike requires familiarizing yourself with Rocky Mountain National Park’s free shuttle system. Hikes along Bear Lake Road are some of the busiest in the park. Trailhead parking lots fill up early in the morning, so avoid the trouble and use the shuttles. To access Bear Lake trailhead...

Beaver Ponds Loop offers a perfect day hike in the Mammoth Hot Springs area of Yellowstone National Park. How to get there: The trailhead for Beaver Ponds is located just north of the Mammoth Hot Springs thermal area on Grand Loop Road. Although there is no designated parking lot for Beaver Ponds, there is plenty of parking throughout the Mammoth Hot Springs area. You'll find the trailhead ...

One of the biggest perks of hiking Abrams Falls is the drive to get there. The trailhead is located approximately 5 miles into the scenic Cades Cove Loop. Cades Cove is an adventure in itself. Keep your eye out for black bears, deer and wild turkey. If you are taking the self guided auto tour, Abrams Falls Trail is located just after stop #10. Turn right on the gravel road and park in the large...

The hike to Richland Falls and Twin Falls of Richland creek begins at the Richland Creek Campground. From the entrance of the campground take the road to the right heading to the day use area.  The trailhead is found at the end of the day use area. The trail immediately begins with a crossing of Falling Water Creek.  You’ll notice a sign for Richland Falls and Twin Falls just beyond the crossi...

Reflection Lakes is located approximately 1 mile east of Inspiration Point just off Steven Canyons Road in the Paradise section of Mount Rainier National Park.  Simply park in one of the pullouts at the lakes and enjoy the scenery.  Reflection Lakes can also be accessed via the Wonderland Trail.Try to catch the lakes early morning or evening when the water is still.  If the sky is clear you’ll ...