But for us to continue to visit these beautiful parks all across America, we must do everything in our power to protect them. Protect the land, the resources, the wildlife, the habitats, the ecosystems, and the rangers who keep it all afloat. We must protect our national parks. And here’s a few ways we the people can do that.

LEAVE NO TRACE

The “leave no trace” principle is the easiest, most common way to protect our national parks. It’s as simple as it states. LEAVE. NO. TRACE. Whether your hiking, camping, having a picnic, just visiting the visitors center, it doesn’t matter, what matters is that you leave no evidence that you were ever there.

GOING FOR A HIKE

Ways to implement the “leave no trace” principle when you’re on a hike is easy. Just be sure to pack out what you packed in. We have seen everything from underpants, sunglasses, gloves, t-shirts, binoculars, plastic water bottles, orange peels, banana peels, and pistachio shells on the trail. The park is not your trashcan.

When it comes to gear, just be sure everything is tucked away in your pack. If the hike becomes too hot and you need to take off a layer, put it in your pack, not on a branch to grab on your way out. When it comes to food, EVERYTHING must be disposed of properly. That includes orange peels, banana peels, shells. Orane peels are often something we see left on the trail as most people think “It’s natural, it’s fine.” But even an orange peel can take up to 2 years to decompose! It doesn’t matter that these items grow on a bush or tree or in the ground. It is most likely uncommon to the area you are in, and many things can happen if we leave food scraps out. One, this will lead to food conditioning in the wildlife. Animals will be prone to invade the trails and campgrounds if they become used to eating human food. This becomes dangerous for the visitors as well as the wildlife. And two, food scraps can lead to unwanted pests, which can eventually lead to invasive species. So please pack out all food scraps!

Always do a double take after taking a break on your hike to make sure you have picked up all of your belongings. And Pro Tip: bring a small bag with you on hikes to pick up trash along the way!

HAVING A BATHROOM EMERGENCY

If you hike regularly, then you have probably had a bathroom emergency as some point on your trails. If you are new to hiking, then you should always be prepared for when nature calls.

To avoid this unfortunate situation, stop by the visitor center or trailhead bathroom before beginning your hike. During your hike, however, when you gotta go, you gotta go. Here’s a few tips for those emergent situations. One, always find a spot at least 200ft from any trail, campground, or water source. If you just have to pee, go about your business and then consider using a pee cloth, instead of toilet paper. This helps reduce waste, is antimicrobial, and reusable!

If you have to go “number two” while on the trail, then again always make sure you are at least 200ft from any trail, campground, and water source. The best practice is to pack your poop out. And in many cases is actually required. You can purchase a WAG bag (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) to help make packing your poop out easier! Or the other option is to dig a cathole. You’ll want to dig a hole about 6-8 inches deep, away from water, poop in the hole, and cover with dirt. If you wipe with nature’s toilet paper, you can bury that in the hole with your poop. If you use toilet paper or wipes, please be sure to pack that out! It can take years for those to decompose.

The easiest way to protect our national parks is by leaving no trace.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM WILDLIFE

Seeing wildlife during your visit to a National Park is all a part of the experience, but it’s super important that we keep our distance. These are still wild animals.

A lot of parks, such as Yellowstone, are perfect if you’re looking for a national park with wildlife viewing! Because there’s a good chance you’ll see bison, wolves, bears or elk. But if we want to protect our national parks and everything in them, then it’s very important that we keep our distance, or know what to do on a rare occasion of running into wildlife on the trails.

If you encounter an animal on the trail, make sure you know the correct way to respond depending on the type of animal. Check out this post for helpful tips! If you encounter an animal on the road, stop and let them pass. Take a picture if you’d like, but do not hold up traffic. This can be dangerous and lead to accidents within the park.

At the end of the day, we are in their territory. Most of the time, the animals will move on and not think twice. But if we start to invade their space and make them feel threatened, we could be putting ourselves, and them in danger.

RESPECT MOTHER NATURE

We have the privilege to explore these beautiful national parks year-round. They provide the most epic hiking trails, scenic views, jaw-dropping forests, and unbelievable wildlife viewings. But at what cost to them? People trample over the tiny, unseen ecosystems, carve into the outer layers of trees, leave food scraps out that will eventually lead to killing a bear, and drain these areas of their natural resources. So, what are we to do?

Aside from the “leave no trace” principle, and keeping our distance from wildlife, we should also be respecting Mother Nature. That means staying on designated trails, not carving our initials into trees, keeping our hands to ourselves during a cave tour, and only taking home souvenirs from the gift shop. By taking petrified wood, pebbles, fossils, etc., you are only expediting erosion and contributing to the dismantling of the park’s already fragile ecosystem. It’s also illegal, so there’s that too.

We only get one Earth, and we must take care of her.

FOLLOW SAFETY GUIDELINES

Before we visit a national park, we always check updates on the National Park Service website. We do this so we can be up to date on the latest trail closures, road closures, restoration projects, wildlife activity, wildfires, etc. The parks do a great job at keeping the public informed with what exactly is happening within the park. The rangers and staff members put a lot of effort into making sure all visitors have a great experience when visiting their national park and the least we can do is adhere to their safety guidelines.

If specific roads and trails are closed, simply do not go on them. If there are barricades preventing you from going all the way out to a ledge, simply stay behind the barricade. And if areas on a trail are closed due to restoration, simply stay on the designated trail.

Ways to protect our national parks can be as simple as reading a sign and adhering to it. They’re there for not only the safety of the visitors but also the safety of the wildlife and ecosystems within the park.

MAKE DONATIONS

The last way to help protect our national parks is to donate our time and resources to them. Currently, our parks are being dismantled for their resources, they’re experiencing major budget cuts, and staff is being laid off. The long-term effects of this could be catastrophic for the National Parks as we know it. It’s now more important than ever that we stand up and fight for these beautiful parks that we get to visit. Here’s how we can help.

DONATE YOUR TIME

Our National Parks are always looking for volunteers. From front desk help to campground clean ups, tour guides, and more. There are never too many volunteers. You can register at volunteer.gov to find work near you!

OR you do little things by picking up trash on your hike, and/or making sure you are not contributing to destroying a bathroom facility. Little things can lead to big differences.

HELP FUND OUR NATIONAL PARKS

If donating your time isn’t an option, consider donating to your favorite park or contributing to The National Park Foundation. You can make a one-time payment, or a monthly payment depending on your budget. No dollar is too small. We can make a difference, and this will help protect our national parks, as well as those who maintain them.

SIGN A PLEDGE

A simple way to help protect our national parks is by signing a pledge. The National Parks Conservation Association has a pledge we can sign that show Americans stand with the parks. That we support the people who protect them, and the history behind them. So, stand with me and sign the pledge today!

PROTECT OUR NATIONAL PARKS

After visiting 41 national parks, I can honestly say that it has changed me. It’s changed the way I view the world. Nature is a part of me, as I am apart of nature. I don’t want to live on this land, but with the land. From the ocean to the forest, to the sky, nature is everywhere and it sure is beautiful. We’ve spent years exploring these parks, and one day we hope to take our kids to these parks. But we can’t do that if we suck these parks of their resources, displace wildlife from their natural habitats, and ignore climate change. We must protect our national parks at all costs. Who’s with me?

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post 5 WAYS WE CAN HELP PROTECT OUR BEAUTIFUL NATIONAL PARKS appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

THE PRACTICALITIES

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to North Cascades National Park, you can fly into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, rent a car, and then drive 2.5 hours to the park. Or you could fly into the Bellingham International Airport, rent a car, and drive 2 hours. Either way, it is important to have a rental or your own vehicle to get around.

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time of year to visit is going to be in the summer. By this time most trails/roads will be open. Campgrounds will be operating. And businesses will have switched from winter hours to summer hours! However, visiting in the summertime does bring the risk of forest fires.

FOREST FIRES

Forest fires can wreak havoc in places such as the North Cascades. For safety reasons, for both people and nature, fires can cause road, trail, and park closures. Therefore, trying to plan around a forest fire is nearly impossible. If this happens to you, don’t fret. Washington is home to multiple beautiful National Parks, an epic coastline, and national forests with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. So, I promise changing plans would not be the end of the world!

Just before our planned trip to the Cascade Mountains, there was a large forest fire. It closed a lot of the main roads, the popular hiking trails, and access to some of the beautiful lakes. However, there was still a lot we could do! We decided to continue on with our trip. We knew that we wouldn’t get to see everything we wanted to but were fortunate enough to see a majority of it!

HIKING IN THE NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

North Cascades National Park is separated into three sections. Theres the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Chelan Lake National Recreation Area. Because of how large an area the National Park and Recreational areas take up, there are an endless amount of epic hiking trails. But if you’re not sure where to start, I would highly suggest hiking the Cascade Pass & Sahale Arm Trail. This hike is 11.6 miles long with an elevation gain of 3,963 ft. It’s quite the trek; however, if you’re looking for a short, less intense, but very rewarding hike, you could hike just to the Cascade Pass on this trail. This makes the trail only 7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,784 ft. 

CASCADE PASS TRAIL

Throughout the Cascade Pass Trail, you will hike switchbacks through the forest, hike on the edge of a mountain side, passing over centuries worth of rockfall and scree fields, witness incredible glacier views, and hear squeaks and squeals from the neighborhood pikas.

Once you come to Cascade Pass, a vast breathtaking opening between two mountain ridgelines, you can choose to continue on the Sahale Trail or go back down the way you came. We decided to continue on. From there it’s a rock scramble to the top of Doubtful Lake. Adam was on a mission to dive into as many Washington lakes as possible. So, he made his way down to the lake to add another one to the list. While I admired the view from the top. (Adding another ~500 ft of elevation gain wasn’t on my list for that day). 

The great thing about hiking is you can turn around at any point. Completing hikes is always satisfying and we would’ve loved to finish the Sahale Trail and make it to the summit of Sahale Glacier, but we had a long way back to our campground. We felt incredibly satisfied with the hike we had just done. And we knew that the Cascade Pass Trail would forever hold a spot in our top 5 favorite hikes of all time!

*NOTES* 

ADDITIONAL HIKING TRAILS

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hike all the trails we would’ve liked to with the forest fire closures and the amount of time we had; however, we have so many trails on our list and hopefully one day we’ll get to go back and complete them. But for now, you can hike them for us! Be sure to let us know in the comments which ones we must check out for next time!

CAMPING/OVERNIGHT STAYS

CAMPING/BACKPACKING

There are many ways to stay overnight in or near North Cascades National Park. First off, you can camp. There are a handful of campgrounds spread throughout the park. We decided to stay at Newhalem Creek Campground. The sites were incredibly spacious. Each spot was tucked in a rainforest like setting, and had the sound of the roaring Skagit Creek to soothe you to sleep. Prices can range from $24-$75 depending on group size and location of the site. This campground was in a great location! Just down the road from the Visitor Center and other popular points of interests. A lot of the campgrounds will close in the off season, so be sure to check their schedule ahead of time. If you’re still interested in camping during the winter, you can also backpack by obtaining a permit which can be purchased year-round.

AIRBNB’S

If you’re not interested in camping, there are a lot of unique Airbnbs to rent out in the area. Because my parents were meeting up with us the next day, we decided to forgo camping and book a treehouse in the woods. From the park it was about an hour drive, but it was well worth it! This rustic treehouse is nestled in the woods, has a pond with a waterfall, a bathhouse, and makes for the coziest overnight stay. I highly recommend staying here!

ROSS LAKE RESORT

If you would like to visit the North Cascades and enjoy an epic stay inside the park, you could plan ahead and try and stay at Ross Lake Resort. But fair warning, this resort books up FAST and has a waitlist. With only 15 cabins overlooking the lake with the mountains in the background, Ross Lake Resort makes for a beautiful destination getaway!

FOOD & DRINKS

Unfortunately, access to food and drinks inside the park is fairly limited with most restaurants being in the little towns outside of the park. When we visit National Parks, especially the ones that are a bit more remote like North Cascades, we expect this to typically be the case. Therefore, we normally pack our own food for at least breakfast and lunch. However, it is nice to get a filling dinner somewhere else, if possible.

RESTAURANTS

For dinner, we decided to travel back West on Hwy 20 to Marblemount. This is a little town about 20 minutes outside the Western entrance of the park that thrives mostly on tourists, as it’s the nearest place for food and gas services. The choices were few, but we decided to stop in at the Upriver Grill & Taproom.

As the gateway to the “American Alps”, this mountain-themed restaurant offers a diverse dining experience with a menu that caters to all tastes, from hearty comfort food to locally sourced PNW specialties. For those looking for a drink, you’ll find a large selection of local draft beers, craft cocktails, and an extensive whiskey collection. Dining is available both indoor, at the bar, or on the outdoor patio (we love an outdoor patio), where the furry friends are allowed (added bonus). So, whether you’re fueling up before your park adventures or celebrating after a day of exploration like we did, the Upriver Grill & Taproom is a great place to enjoy the flavors and spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

If you don’t stop in at Marblemount, you’ll have to keep traveling further West and stop along the way in Rockport or Concrete, other small towns off of Hwy 20. If you happened to be exiting/enter from the East side of the park, the closest town with restaurants will be Mazama and Winthrop, which are much further from the main areas of the park. Again, when in doubt, plan on bringing your own food. Otherwise, you may have to drive a decent way to get your belly full!

NORTH CASCADES WILDLIFE

National Parks are a great place to search for wildlife! Each park is home to hundreds of different species of wildlife. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a handful of them. We were very lucky on our short trip to the North Cascades National Park! So, keep your eyes peeled and your senses alert because you never know what you might see in the North Cascades National Park. 

POINTS OF INTERESTS

North Cascades National Park has so many great sights to see! Whether you’re in the car driving, walking across a suspension bridge, or admiring a beautiful lake, the park is packed full of stop-worthy destinations.

LAKES

• BAKER LAKE
  • OUTSIDE OF THE PARK BUT DEFINETLY WORTH SEEING
• DIABLO LAKE
• ROSS LAKE

WATERFALLS

• LADDER CREEK FALLS
• GORGE CREEK FALLS

STOPPING POINTS

• GORGE POWERHOUSE
• NEWHALEM – NORTH CASCADES VISITOR CENTER
• SUSPENSION BRIDGE TO TRAIL OF THE CEDARS
• WASHINGTON PASS OBSERVATION SITE (EAST SIDE OF THE PARK)

As short as our trip to the North Cascades National Park was, we sure did have an epic adventure! We would love to go back again and hike more scenic trails, visit Ross Lake, and check out more of the park that was closed due to the fire. But for now, we will remember this park as a truly magnificent National Park not only in Washington, but in the world. Be sure to check it out yourself and let us know what your favorite part was! You can also check out our Washington Page for more fun and epic adventures in Washington! Have fun and happy hiking!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post NORTH CASCADE NATIONAL PARK: AN EPIC ADVENTURE GUIDE IN WASHINGTON appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

*Note: I did these hikes between June and October of 2023. Be sure to check the National Park Website for trail closures/updates.

DEWEY LAKE TRAIL

Ironically, the first on this list just so happens to be one of the first hikes we did in Washington. Dewey Lake Trail technically isn’t in Mount Rainier National Park, it’s located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. However, for a brief moment, the trail does cross over into the National Park and is located just outside of the park’s entrance sign. Therefore, I’m counting it.

Dewey Lake Trail is a moderate 6-mile hike with an elevation gain of 1,282 ft. Most of the elevation gain happens on the way back from the lake, so be prepared for an uphill return. Dewey Lake Trail stood out from all the other Mount Rainier hikes because for the 3 miles hiking down to the lake every turn you take is yet another breathtaking view. The hike itself sits on a ridge where the thin dirt trail carves its way through the mountain. This creates a magical path that guides you along towering evergreens, colorful wildflowers, and mountain views that go on forever.

Even though this hike was one of the first hikes we did upon arriving in Washington, it truly felt like we were transported to a different realm. The greens were brighter, the lakes were bluer, and nature was thriving. If you didn’t want to hike to Dewey Lake I would still recommend this trail. You could stop at the first lake which is about one mile in and only an elevation gain of about 500 ft. You’ll still benefit from the gorgeous views!

*If you are hiking during the summer, do not forget bug spray! The bugs were only bad at Dewey Lake specifically.

MOUNT FREMONT LOOKOUT TRAIL

From our first Mount Rainier hike to our last Mount Rainier hike, Mount Fremont Lookout Trail via Sourdough Ridge Trail. This trail is a MUST! Be sure to hike this one before it’s too late as the trail will close due to weather. We were cutting it close but got it in just after the first snowfall, which we weren’t mad about. The snow added a certain ambiance to the hike that we had yet to experience in Washington. It made it that much more special with it being our last hike in the park.

Mount Fremont Lookout Trail is located at the Sunrise Visitor Center. This out-and-back trail is 5.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,108 ft. It takes an average of less than 3 hours to complete. Along the trail you will see different terrains, possibly some marmots, and of course Mount Rainier. When we first started this hike, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see very far, but as soon as we got to the fire lookout the sky cleared and there was Rainier in all her glory. It was a breathtaking moment to witness the volcano seemingly appear out of thin air. We had no idea just how close we were to the mountain. Thankfully, we got some incredible shots of Mt. Rainier, the fire lookout, and the never-ending mountains beyond.

Mount Fremont Lookout Trail was the perfect trail to say goodbye to Washington and Mount Rainier National Park.

SKYLINE LOOP TRAIL

If you want to get up close and personal to Mount Rainier, I suggest the Skyline Loop Trail. This is the perfect trail to not only have great views of the active volcano but also great views of the surrounding mountains, including Mt Adams, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood.

Skyline Loop Trail is 5.7 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,768 ft. This is a more challenging hike, but feel free to stop at Panorama Point to shorten it. Skyline Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the park. You will access the trailhead at the Paradise Visitor Center. Make sure to arrive as early as possible because parking fills up FAST. From the trailhead, you immediately start your ascent. The first two miles are a doozy, but after that, it’s all downhill.

Along the trail, you will potentially see quite a bit of wildlife. We had a marmot come right up to us! You’ll also have great views of waterfalls, glaciers, and mountain peaks. The perfect hike that features just what Mount Rainier hikes are all about!

SNOW LAKE TRAIL

If you’ve spent any time hiking in Washington, you know that this state is FULL of beautiful crystal clear lakes high in the mountains. And I was on a mission to do as many alpine lake dives as possible during my time there. This is what drew me to the Snow Lake Trail, as this lake features 2 great lakes in a short 2.2 miles.

On this trail, you will not only be hiking to Snow Lake but you’ll also pass by Bench Lake. As its name suggests, Bench Lake is on the side of the mountain with a quick drop-off on the back end, creating a “bench”. This creates an “infinity pool” effect at the edge of the lake, with Mt. Rainier as the backdrop.

As you hop back on the trail and continue to Snow Lake, you will traverse through a couple of lush green meadows, a seemingly perfect place to spot a bear (don’t forget the bear spray). Upon arriving at Snow Lake, you will meet a fork in the road. For the best view, you will want to take a left and head towards the Snow Lake Camp. The view from this side of the lake has the best view of the surrounding mountains. Right before you get to the camp area, you’ll make a right towards the lake, and boom, there’s the view (see below). As you can see by my towel, I had to jump into this lake when I got there. As expected, it was very cold (see the snow on the opposite side of the lake).

SUMMIT LAKE TRAIL

Hiking Summit Lake was a turning point for me. I knew Washington was amazing and all of the Mount Rainier hikes were great thus far, but hiking Summit Lake Trail solidified that Washington and Mount Rainier National Park are the best of the best. I’ve been to many states and National Parks, but these win hands down. While Summit Lake trail might not exactly be in the Park, you do have astounding views of Mount Rainier, so again I’m counting it.

Summit Lake Trail is an out-and-back that’s 5.8 miles long with an elevation gain of 1,417 ft. The trail is a steady climb to the top, mainly below the tree line, until just before the summit where you have perfect views of the lake, Mount Rainier, and the surrounding mountains. We decided to backpack this hike with friends. Because it’s not technically in the park, you do not need a permit. Be sure to have a National Forest Pass or National Park Pass displayed on your car dashboard though. Getting to the trailhead was a little bit of a bumpy ride, so I would recommend 4-wheel drive and a high clearance vehicle. Take it nice and slow because the road is very narrow and not easy to pass oncoming traffic.

Once you get close to the summit there are multiple great camping spots available on a first come first serve basis. Get there as soon as possible if you want a spot with a view, they will go fast. Once you’re all settled, you can finish the climb to the top or stop at this viewpoint. The actual summit just offers a different view of the lake and not so much of Mount Rainier. There is one picturesque spot located just to the left of the photo shown below where people tend to gather for the “perfect photo”. We of course had to snap a few, but then let others have their turn. Try and be mindful of the people around you, if any. We caught many people hogging the ledge unaware of others wanting a turn, and that’s just bad hiking etiquette.

Summit Lake Trail is the perfect hike for beginner backpackers! Short enough to get comfortable with the weight of the pack and not long enough to need the essential items you may have forgotten. This hike is also a great sunrise hike! We were fortunate enough to have one of the best sunrises of all time following a wet, dreary, and non-visible day prior.

*Fun (not so fun) Fact: Paige broke her foot hiking down this trail. Gotta watch out for the tiny rocks and slippery tree roots!

TOLMIE PEAK FIRE LOOKOUT TRAIL

Okay…where do I start with Tolmie Peak Trail? To put it simply, this was hands down one of my favorite hikes of all time, for obvious reasons. Multiple lakes to jump into, vast panoramic views, and a long hike through the dense forest. This view of Mt. Rainier will forever be on replay in my mind when I think about our time in Washington.

This hike starts at the Mowich Lake campground, which is inside Mt. Rainier National Park limits. Parking is spread out along the roadside and frequently monitored by Park Rangers. So be sure to have a day pass or display your annual park pass so you do not get a ticket. The road getting to the trailhead is a long gravel road, though not quite as rough as the road to Summit Lake. We handled it just fine in our 2WD Chevy Equinox.

The views on this trail start immediately with the trail running right alongside the shoreline of Mowich Lake. The trail then ascends into the thick forest. Hiking through the forest for me is an adventure in itself. Hiking among giants, some of which have been around for centuries, gives you a quick reality check to help you realize just how small you are in this world. A feeling that I frequently felt during Mount Rainier hikes. You will also get a chance to spot endless fungi if the time is right, as well as a chance to see some wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a blackbuck just off the trail near the second lake on the trail.

Upon exiting the forest, you will come across Eunice Lake. Atop the rocky backdrop behind Eunice Lake, you will see the fire lookout. From here you will ascend the final 600ft in less than a mile. A quick climb to the top reveals a purely unforgettable view of Rainier and the surrounding foothills. You can even see out to the Puget Sound from atop the lookout!

If you’re as lucky as us, you may get some curious critters wanting to introduce themselves at the top. With many hikers frequently taking a snack break at the summit, a resourceful group of birds await their fair share of crumbs to fill their bellies. If you’re patient and inviting enough, one may even just land right in your hand! We do not suggest feeding wildlife as this disturbs the natural order of things in the wild. Keep nature wild and be kind to our furry and feathered friends out there!

I’ve done a lot of hikes in Washington and Mount Rainier Park, and I can honestly say these 6 are by far some of the best ones out there! I’d love to hear about your favorite Mount Rainier hikes and what you think of these 6 in particular. Comment below and let me know!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post 6 OF THE BEST MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK HIKES appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

If you are planning a trip to Utah and are looking for a relaxing and beautiful park to visit, we got you! We spent two full days at Capitol Reef and had such a blast camping, hiking, and exploring this amazing park. There are so many more activities you could do here than what we did, but if we are ever in the area again, we will be sure to head back and cross some off. If you have ever been to this park and have favorite hikes/activities, we would love to hear about it in the comments below!

THE PRACTICALITIES

HOW TO GET THERE

Capitol Reef National Park isn’t the easiest park to get to. There is a little more planning involved. I would recommend flying into either Salt Lake City International Airport or Grand Junction Regional Airport. Either way, you will have to rent a vehicle. If you’re combining other national park/state parks in this trip, maybe you opt for a campervan! Drive time to Capitol Reef will take about 3-4 hours depending on where you fly into. Just be sure to fill up at every gas station see you! It can get pretty remote the closer you get to the park.

WHERE TO STAY

The closest town to Capitol Reef National Park is Torrey. It’s about a 20-minute drive to the park. Here you will find motels, inns, and a few resorts. We didn’t stay in Torrey, but a few options that stand out are Capitol Reef Resort, Red Sands Hotel & Spa, Rim Rock Inn, and Skybridge Inn. Your other option for staying in Capitol Reef National Park would be to camp.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The best time of year to visit would be either in the Spring (March-May) or the Fall (September-November). During both the Spring and Fall, temperatures are ideal, wildflowers are blooming or leaves are changing, and the crowds are non-existent. If you visit during the peak times, Summer (June-August) you will see larger crowds and hotter temperatures. If you visit during the winter, you may not have a problem with crowds, but weather could be a factor. You can stay up to date by checking road conditions and trail closures through the Capitol Reef National Park Page.

CAMPING IN CAPITOL REEF

There are only a few ways to camp/stay at this park. Because it isn’t close to a major city, the hotels and other accommodations are slim. However, there are three ways to camp: backcountry, primitive, and Fruita campground. For the two nights we were there, we did primitive camping one night and Fruita campground the second night.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING

Backcountry camping is always fun! Unless you are worried about getting eaten by a bear, or mountain lion, or attacked by a snake, or giant spider. Otherwise, it’s totally fun! To do this though you need to have a free permit. This just lets the park know that there are people who are camping in the area and exploring the park off the beaten path. When you are backcountry camping it is very important to let someone know (who isn’t with you) where you plan on camping and the routes you are planning on hiking. For more information on backcountry camping in Capitol Reef, you can click this link.

PRIMITIVE CAMPING

There are two free primitive campgrounds in the park, Cathedral Valley and Cedar Mesa. For both of these campgrounds, it is first come first served. They both also recommend high-clearance vehicles. Because we didn’t stay at these sites you can click this link to read more about them!

We like to use the Campendium app when looking for random primitive sites that other people recommend. The spot we chose was right next to the river, had a makeshift fire ring, and a great layout for two tents. Although it can be intimidating at first to camp off the beaten path, there is something exhilarating about it. Especially getting in late at night, unsure of what is surrounding you. When we first arrived, a little after 8 pm, it was already pitch black. We had our headlamps on and found a flat spot to set up our tent. Our friends had already made a fire next to the river. We had a great night telling ghost stories and eating smores!

The next morning, we awoke just before the sun came up. Once we stepped outside of our tent, we were greeted by the sound of the roaring river and a beautiful mountain towering over us. We had no idea that we were camping at the base of this thing. We made breakfast and sipped our coffee while we relished the fact that we were surrounded by beauty. After taking it in it was time to break down camp and head to Fruita campground to ensure a site for the next night.

FRUITA CAMPGROUND

We arrived at Fruita campground and had our pick of sites. During peak season, I’m sure it’s pretty hard to find a site on a Saturday morning, but we were lucky to have the pick of well over 50 sites (we were visiting in November). There are 71 sites available at this campground. Reservations can be made March-October. But it is open all year round. After driving in circles trying to choose the most perfect spot, we finally landed on one. Short walking distance to the bathroom, a great view of the mountains and orchards, plenty of space for 4 people/2 tents. It was perfect. And at only $25 a site! I would highly recommend staying at this campground!!

One of our favorite parts of this campground was the wildlife. There were deer bedded down in the orchards, as well as strolling through the campsites. In the morning, it was truly magical waking up with them right by our tent!

No matter how you choose to camp, whether that’s with no other soul in sight, or waking up with 70+ people, Capitol Reef is a stunning place to watch the sun come up.

EXPLORING CAPITOL REEF

There are three districts in Capitol Reef National Park: Fruita, North (Cathedral Valley), and Southwest (Waterpocket). The majority of our time was spent in the Fruita district. It is definitely the most popular district of the three, being the easiest and most accessible to get to.

Our first stop in the Fruita district was of course the Gifford House. A house that was originally built in 1908 and later restored into what you can see today; a cute, tiny shop that sells local, handmade products, such as quilts, aprons, candles, etc. But the main attraction was the cinnamon rolls and the homemade pies! We can never pass up on a homemade pie! They also sell jams, jellies, and ice cream too! Be sure to check the hours of operation to make sure they are open during your visit because they are only open seasonally.

HIKING CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK (FRUITA DISTRICT)

Once our bellies were full of homemade goodies at 10 am we set out for a hike. There are many hikes you can do while in this park because well it is massive! But we had a lot that we wanted to do in two days, so we set out for the shorter, more popular, must-see hikes.

CASSIDY ARCH TRAIL

GRAND WASH TRAIL

HICKMAN BRIDGE TRAIL

The last hike we did for the day was Hickman Bridge. This moderate trail is 2 miles long with an elevation gain of 400 ft. The trailhead is just off Route 24 with a pretty decent size parking lot. This hike is also family-friendly and perfect for someone who doesn’t enjoy heights! You will see some more canyon views as you make the trek toward Hickman Bridge, but there is a safe distance between the trail and the edge of the rocks. One mile in you will see the 133 ft natural bridge that is Hickman Bridge. It’s pretty incredible seeing how rocks form after years and years of weathering and erosion.

EXPLORING THE NORTH (CATHEDRAL VALLEY) DISTRICT

Getting to the North District is a bit of a drive, so it is very important to be prepared! Have plenty of water, gas, food, and safety kits. You don’t need to have four-wheel drive, but it is recommended to have a high-clearance vehicle! We did just fine with two-wheel drive, but it is pretty rugged. Again, be sure to keep up with recent weather conditions because heavy rainfall can make the roads impassable or washed out.

Also located in the North District is Glass Mountain, a large mound formed with glassy crystals, Gypsum Sinkhole, a 50 ft wide and 200 ft deep sinkhole, and many, many, bentonite hills. These colorful hills are spread throughout the district making for a very scenic drive!

VISITING THE SOUTH (WATERPOCKET) DISTRICT

The South District is definitely the least visited of the three districts, being a little more remote, but don’t rule it out just yet! Again, a high-clearance vehicle is preferred, but you will do just fine with two-wheel drive. Although we didn’t have much time to visit the South District, there are many sights to see the next time we go back! Such as Strike Valley. Strike valley is the perfect place for anyone fascinated by geology! There are also many slot canyons, which we find super fascinating! Check out Burro Wash and Cottonwood Wash. If you’re interested in hiking and exploring the South District you can click this link.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

Capitol Reef National Park easily became one of our favorite parks after the weekend we spent there. However, there were so many more things we wished we could have seen or done. If you have time to squeeze these in let us know how you like them!

• Canyoneering
• Rock Climbing/Bouldering
• Horseback Riding
• Sunset Point Trail (Fruita)
• Rim Overlook Trail (Fruita)
• Capitol Gorge Trail (Fruita)
• Upper Cathedral Valley & South Desert Overlook (South)
• Muley Twist Canyon (South)
• Halls Creek Narrows (South)

Capitol Reef National Park might just be the most underrated national park, not only in Utah, but in the country. Maybe if we went during peak season, we would have a different opinion, but visiting in the Fall with crisp weather, colorful foliage, and no crowds made for a weekend to remember! If you need more recommendations or have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy hiking!

Hi! We’re Paige & Adam

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We’re passionate explorers who are dedicated to keeping our bodies moving until we’re old and grey. Through our travel guides and expert travel physical therapy advice, we empower future travelers with the tools and inspiration to embrace adventure every step of the way. Your support means everything. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Have fun, stay safe, and happy hiking!

The post CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK: A GUIDE FOR A GREAT WEEKEND appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.