Adventuring Beyond

Adventuring beyond through travel, food, and more.

National Parks

Isle Royale National Park: The Complete First-Timer’s Guide

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Isle Royale National Park Rock Harbor
Isle Royale National Park Rock Harbor

If you’ve never heard of Isle Royale, you’re not alone. Tucked into the frigid, moody waters of Lake Superior, closer to our home state of Minnesota than to Michigan (the state it technically belongs to), Isle Royale is the least-visited national park in the lower 48 states. Yellowstone actually sees more visitors in a single day than Isle Royale sees in an entire year.

That’s exactly why you should go!

No cars. No cell service. No crowds circling for a parking spot at the trailhead. Just 165 miles of hiking trails, wildlife (including some of my favorite animals to spot in the wild – moose), and a silence broken only by loons calling across the water at dusk. This guide covers everything you need to plan a trip: how to get there, what it costs, where to stay, what to pack, and the mistakes that trip up first-timers.

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3 Unforgettable Days in Acadia National Park

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Acadia National Park Schoodic District
Acadia National Park Schoodic District

We spent an incredible 3 days in Acadia National Park and came away already talking about a return trip.  Part of that was the beauty, part was that our trip included a tour of New England and part of it was the weather when we were there.  

Acadia National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, making it very busy. Be prepared for crowds with patience and alternate plans if you are not able to find parking for the activities you planned for the day. That being said, there are also ways to avoid the crowds for the most part if you are not a fan of crowds.

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Pinnacles National Park in 2 Days

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It happened again – a park that you will mention to others who have never heard of it is the one that gives you such a special memory that you can’t forget about it.  Pinnacles National Park fits that for us (as does Lassen Volcanic). Pinnacles National Park is located about 3 hours south of San Francisco. Pinnacles is protected for a few reasons but primarily because it is a key nesting habitat for California Condor and while I can’t guarantee you will see one, I will confidently say that you will. The more you are willing to hike into the High Peaks area, the more likely you will see them up close! 

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1 Stunning Day in Channel Islands National Park

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Channel Islands National Park. adventuringbeyond.com #nationalparkswithkids #santacruzisland #channelislands #getoutside #nps #travelwithkids #MyNationalParks #familytravel

Our recent trip to California included 1 stunning day in Channel Islands National Park!  This park requires some planning and early reservations for your ferry, so plan ahead. We visited Santa Cruz Island after a lot of research and would suggest you do the same!  Read on to see our best logistics and hiking tips for your next trip to Channel Islands National Park.

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An Amazing 2 Days in Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Lassen Volcanic National Park Sign

We had the most amazing 2 days in Lassen Volcanic National Park!  This park, which is sadly overlooked in a state with Yosemite, Death Valley, Redwood, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and other beautiful spots, should be a destination on your road trip because it is so unique! 

Lassen Peak
Lassen Peak

Unique meaning a mini-Yellowstone, Haleakala, or Mount Rainier.  This park is home to both the world’s largest plug dome volcano (Lassen Peak) but also is home to all 4 types of volcanoes (plug dome, shield, cinder cone, and stratovolcano), which is rare in such close proximity.  It is also home to a geothermal area named Bumpass Hell that feels like Yellowstone.  You also have some higher elevation areas that felt like a high elevation mountain. 

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Stunning 3 Days in Redwood National Park

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Redwood National Park

We came for 3 Days in Redwood National Park for the trees, but stayed for the unexpected and special beauty of the ferns, the beaches, and the tidepools! Here is how we had a stunning 3 days in Redwood National Park!

This park, much like Olympic National Park, has a lot more to it than people typically would think.  We came from the north on our way from Crater Lake National Park and a quick stop at the Oregon Caves National Monument.  The beauty of the drive through the mountains and along the Smith River on Highway 199 was special before we came upon the exit for the Howland Hill Road near Hiouchi, CA in the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park.

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3 Unique Days in the Crater Lake Area

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Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest and one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States.  It is also both easy to visit and hard to experience.  It is easy to visit because as long as the road is plowed you can get to see the lake itself often.  It is hard to experience because the shore is approximately 900 feet below the rim drive and only one path leads down to the lake itself.  Making matters worse is that the trail, as well as the boat rides that leave from it, are not open to visit for as long as you would expect and the boat tour was still closed in late June when we visited.  

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The Best Things to do in Voyageurs National Park with Kids

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Our tips for the best things to do with kids in Voyageurs National Park
Morning at our 2nd Houseboat Site

Our summer trip to Voyageurs National Park was perfect – it included beautiful sunsets, stunning lakes, great hikes, and some fun history.  We spent a total of 4 nights in the park, with 3 of those being on the water on our houseboat.  

As mentioned in our other post here on Voyageurs National Park, we went out on Crane Lake and as a result some of these things to see are on that side of the park, but we visited Kabetogema Lake Visitor Center and Rainy Lake Visitor Center as well so we got to two of the three Visitor Centers and did activities at each of them.  We have organized this post by the nearest visitor center so you can choose where you go and what to see in that area.  

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Complete Guide to 1 Day in New River Gorge National Park

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New River Gorge National Park

Our newest National Park, christened in January 2021, is New River Gorge National Park and Preserve! I have to say first that I am often leery of new National Parks because they can be a stretch to consider them worthy of that status when compared to their peers (I’m looking at you, Indiana Dunes). Rest assured that after exploring New River Gorge this summer this is worthy of being called a National Park!

Our visit spanned a few days including 2 full days in the park, so we will share this as a choose your own adventure plan where you could spend a single day doing either itinerary or combine them for a great 2 day visit! I will dispel one other thought right off the bat here as well — you do NOT need to be a whitewater rafter to enjoy the park. We did not choose to do that and still had a fantastic visit that left us wanting to return to the area.

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Top 9 Things to do with Kids in Great Smoky Mountains

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Our family’s picks for the top 9 things to do with kids in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This post contains affiliate links, we may make a small commission on purchases made through links.

Top 9 things to do with kids in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Of the national parks east of the Mississippi, Great Smoky Mountains is, well, the greatest! This beautiful park is, especially at sunset, a sea of hills that layer stunningly and distinctively. Mountains? Umm… Not in the western mind, but for the east it is a “yes!”

For families, Great Smoky Mountains should be considered solidly on the list of “top 5” national parks. It is easily accessible and has many kid-friendly programs and hikes. With Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg directly next to the park you can easily blend nature hikes and wildlife with mini golf, laser tag, wax museums, and a legitimate amusement park with a good dose of twang!

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