THE PRACTICALITIES

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time of year to visit is from November-April. More specifically, December-February. During this time, the weather is dry, the skies are blue, and the temperature is perfect! After April, the weather will start to get wetter and hotter! There will be less tourism but summiting a volcano when it’s wet and hot doesn’t sound too appealing to me.

GETTING THERE

Getting to Volcan de Fuego & Acatenango, you must first fly into Guatemala, La Aurora International Airport. Next, I would suggest getting a private shuttle to Antigua. It will take about 2 hours depending on traffic. It’s very important that you give yourself a few days in Guatemala (no matter where that is) to adjust to the altitude. I would recommend at least 2 days before beginning your hike. After booking your hiking tour through a reputable company, they will make arrangements for you to get to the volcanoes to begin your trek.

BOOKING A TOUR COMPANY

There are many tour companies to choose from when booking your hiking expedition, but I would HIGHLY recommend OX Expeditions. We have nothing but good things to say about them!

Within in OX Expeditions, there are a few hiking tours to choose from:

• ACATENANGO DAY TRIP
  • $69/person
  • 12-hour tour
  • Leave around 5am
  • Summit Acatenango & back
• ACATENANGO OVERNIGHT HIKE
  • $119/person
  • Day and a half tour
  • Sleep at base camp in either cabin or tent
  • Summit Acatenango for sunrise (wake up at 3am)
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Breakfast included
  • Back in Antigua by 12pm
• DOUBLE WHAMMY TOUR
  • $149/person
  • Day and a half tour
  • Sleep at base camp in either cabin or tent
  • Hike to Fuego Ridge for sunset and nighttime views of lava explosions
  • Summit Acatenango for sunrise (wake up at 3am)
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, & Breakfast included
  • Back in Antigua by 12pm

VOLCAN DE FUEGO & ACATENANGO TRAIL OVERVIEW

The hike to Volcan de Fuego & Acatenango is no easy feat. However, if you’re capable and willing, I truly think you’ll look back and think that was the coolest thing you’ve done! The trail starts and ends in La Soledad. And for the next day and a half you will be doing a lot of hiking with little to no sleep and 40% less oxygen. You’ll traverse through the rainforest, the alpine forest, and then encounter a knife’s edge at Fuego Ridge, and 360 views at the summit of Acatenango. If you’re completing the Double Whammy, like us, then you will hike 12.4 miles with an elevation gain of 7,000ft. Phew! But I believe in you!

2 DAY HIKING ITINERARY

OVERNIGHT HIKE PACKING LIST

• >40 L Backpack, Backpack cover
• >4 L Water
  • OX requires each person to carry an additional .5 L for group meals
• Boots with good tread
• Extra set of hiking clothes
• Base layers (leggings, long sleeve)
• Camp shoes
• Long sleeve sun shirt
• Fleece
• Rain Jacket, Poncho
• Puffer Jacket
• Hat, Gloves, Buff
• Headlamp
• Sunscreen, Chapstick
• Toilet Paper, Deodorant, Toothbrush, Toothpaste
• Snacks, Electrolytes
• Emergency blanket, Blister patches, First aid kit, Medicine
  • Can purchase Diamox (altitude sickness meds) over the counter in Antigua
• Ankle/Knee braces, KT tape
• Sleep sack, Pillowcase, Eye mask, Ear plugs
• Portable charger, charging cords
• Cash
  • There are two entrance fees of GTQ50/person at each location (total of GTQ100/person)
  • Tip for guides/porters
  • Snacks & drinks at lunch
• Trekking Poles
  • You can rent these from OX for $5
• Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner
  • Given to you by OX to carry in your bag

SHOULD YOU HIRE A PORTER

Hiring porters is a personal choice. We went back and forth a few times deciding if it was the right thing to do, if it was the wrong thing to do, if we felt we needed someone to carry our bags, what if we needed something in our bags, is it rude to pay someone else to carry it for us? Because of this, there was a lot to think about. In the end, Paige hired a porter for the way up. That cost her GTQ200 CASH (roughly $30). Afterwards, she carried her large park (with her small pack inside) on the way back down. In contrast, I opted to carry my 44L pack myself the entire way. I felt confident in my ability to lug it up to base camp.

REASONS TO HIRE A PORTER

• Hiring a porter took a huge load off ascending to base camp. Which in turn, helped Paige complete the Double Whammy Tour. Paige carried 2 liters of water, snacks, and some essentials like sunscreen and Kleenex in her 14L pack. Her porter carried the rest.
• Porters stay with the group at all times. Which means, if you need in your large pack at any moment, you will have access to it.
• Hiring porters does not mean you are weak.
• In fact, GTQ200 is almost double the DAILY wage of the average Guatemalan worker.
• Most porters you will see carrying two-four bags on the way up. It’s quite impressive. Ultimately, this is them choosing to earn more money.
• Moreover, you are helping contribute to the local community by hiring a porter.

FINAL ADVICE

• Slow and steady wins the race! Luckily, the guides do a great job at keeping a steady pace. Keep putting one foot in front of the other, focus on your breathing, and you’ll get to the top!
• Be sure to give yourself a few days in advance to adjust to the altitude!
• Prepare for the hike! Depending on where you live it can be hard to train in high altitudes but making sure you are going on long hikes with elevation gain, walking on an inclined treadmill, and feeding your body nourishing food will help you.
• Bring a buff! You can purchase one for $10 at OX, but the trail is extremely dusty, and we were so thankful to have ours!
• Pack an extra trash bag to collect not only your trash, but trash that was left behind.
• Don’t forget your TP!
• There is no water on the volcanoes, so if you feel 4 L is not enough, bring more, or drink sparingly.
• The mountain dogs are sweet as can be! Kindly, pack a few dog treats for them to enjoy.
• Bring extra snacks if you are hiring a porter. They do receive lunch but would also appreciate snacks if you have some to spare! They are carrying your bag after all.
• In addition, don’t forget to tip your guides and porters! They do phenomenal work.
• Obviously, the main goal of this expedition is to see lava and summit Acatenango, but weather and eruptions can be unpredictable. Make sure you have other reasons for working hard and summiting volcanoes. Otherwise, this will not be enjoyable. Enjoy the hikes, enjoy your group, prove to yourself that you are capable of doing hard things and overall, try and have fun!

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 VOLCAN DE FUEGO & ACATENANGO: A GUIDE FOR THE ULTIMATE OVERNIGHT HIKE appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

People from all over come to witness the glorious, majestic, breathtaking views of the Na Pali Coast. From the stunning sea cliffs, the waterfalls, pristine beaches, and lush valleys, the Na Pali Coast is truly something spectacular. I knew that in my precious time on Kauai I had to witness this myself. That’s why I decided to book an epic adventure through Kauai Sea Tours!

THE PRACTICALITIES

WHEN TO VISIT

The best to time of year to visit the Na Pali Coast would be May-September. The water is calmer, which means your chance of actually visiting the Na Pali Coast, entering sea caves, and snorkeling in the coves are much higher! You are more likely to have sunny days, clear blue skies, and warm water!

If you visit from October-April (we went in January) there is a higher chance of rainstorms, bigger swells, cancellations, reroutes to somewhere other than the Na Pali Coast, and a bumpy ride. We may not have entered the sea caves or had a great snorkeling experience, BUT winter season means whale season! So, we did have an epic boat ride while chasing whales.

GETTING THERE

To get to the Na Pali Coast, you’ll first fly into Lihue Airport. From here you can rent a car, take the bus (long wait times), or grab an uber (few and far between). Getting around Kauai is a little challenging, so your best bet is too rent a car! We booked a jeep with a rooftop camper from Kauai Rooftop Campers. You will have to hop on the bus from the airport to get to rental pickup spot. Roughly an hour and a half. After you’ve secured your rental car, the real fun begins!

BOOKING YOUR ADVENTURE

When I’m booking an excursion for my vacation I always look on Viator first! They’re my go-to when it comes to finding the best tours and activities around the area! I’ve booked countless trips through them and have never been disappointed!

Viator has everything from relax and chill to adventurous and thrilling! Me and Paige were looking for excitement! For heart-racing, adrenaline pumping adventure! And that’s when we came across the half day raft and snorkel adventure with Kauai Sea Tours on Viator.

We immediately booked the excursion because it was exactly what we had been looking for! For 6 hours we would be on a motorized raft speeding through the open ocean, chasing whales, snorkeling in coves, checking out the sea caves, and of course admiring the Na Pali Coast. The cost per person was roughly $218. For the experience we had, it was worth every penny!

Book your Kauai Sea Tours Adventure HERE!

If this excursion is a little too intense for you, check out some of Viator’s other options! There are all kinds of tours to choose from!

TRIP OVERVIEW

On the day of your excursion, you’ll meet at Kauai Sea Tours. Here, you will make sure all waivers are signed, you’ll go over safety instructions, and the day’s route. You will also have some time to use the restroom, and I would highly suggest you do so. It’s a long day with no pit stops, if you know what I mean…

WHAT TO PACK

For a trip like this, you don’t need much! Most things are provided for you! And when you’re booking through a reputable company, who does this multiple times per day, year-round, they have everything you could possibly need!

Kauai Sea Tours will provide you with a life jacket, snacks, lunch, water, drinks, all snorkeling gear, and a dry bag if you didn’t bring one. Here are a few things I would recommend bringing.

• SUNSCREEN
• SUN SHIRT
• RAIN JACKET
• HAT (THAT CAN’T BE BLOWN OFF!)
• TOWEL
• PHONE/WATERPROOF CASE/LANYARD
• SUNGLASSES
• DRY BAG

That’s it! Not too much to worry about. Just don’t forget to bring you adventurous spirit and fun attitude!

EXPECTATIONS OF THE NA PALI COAST TOUR

Don’t skip over this section! It is very important to fully understand what you are getting yourself into. This isn’t a fun, little snorkeling adventure for the whole family to enjoy. You will not be sailing off into the sunrise while whales and dolphins swim around you. In fact, you may not even see the Na Pali Coast at all…

THE UNPREDICTABLE OCEAN

Here’s what you need to understand. The ocean is unpredictable. The weather can be unpredictable. Any time you are booking an outdoor excursion there will be factors out of your control.

We did our Na Pali Coast tour during January. The weather and the waves were a huge factor as to whether or not we would see the cliffs or not. Luckily the morning of, our guide told us we would try to make it to the coast, but there was a good chance that on the way back the waves would start to get pretty gnarly. He wasn’t lying. But what that meant for our tour specifically was that snorkeling was a maybe, going into the sea caves was a definite no, and we might have to skip seeing the Na Pali coast if the waves got too intense.

So, for your trip, be prepared for a few things.

One, if the weather is bad the trip could get cancelled altogether. You will be reimbursed if Kauai Sea Tours cancels the tour. Two, you may not get to see the Na Pali Coast. If the waves are too large making it unsafe to visit that side of the island, then your tour guide will reroute you to a safer destination. Three, depending on wave size, you may or may not enter the sea caves. Our waves were 15ft, which meant entering sea caves were deemed unsafe. Four, depending on the season of your tour, whales may or may not be migrating in the area. The best time to see whales in Kauai are November-May. And five, snorkeling may or may not happen. If your excursion is during the summertime I think it’s a pretty safe bet to say your snorkeling experience will be better than ours!

THE INTENSITY OF THE TOUR

The last thing I want to make sure you are fully prepared for is that this tour is a workout! The motorized raft in which you are in is what the Navy Seals use. This raft is fast, bumpy, and makes quick, sharp turns that could easily throw you off the boat if you are not holding on. After 6 hours of this absolutely epic tour, we were wiped! Our entire body was sore from the neck down. You are holding on for dear life the entire time. And while we were loving every second of it, and crying because we were laughing so hard, others were not enjoying it as much…

Before you set foot on the boot, your guide will make sure you are fully aware of everything I am telling you. But it’s important that you listen. If you do not think you are capable of holding on for 6 hours, speeding through the open ocean, and bouncing up and down until your insides feel like scrambled eggs, then this might not be the excursion for you.

If you love scrambled eggs, then I promise you will have the trip of a lifetime!!

THE ADVENTURE TO THE NA PALI COAST

Now that you booked your experience, have everything you need, and are fully prepared for the adventure you’re about to have, let me tell you about ours!

**It’s important to note our tour was in January. The best time to visit would be May-September. That experience will most likely be completely different than ours. Either way, fun as hell!

TO THE NA PALI COAST WE GO

We set out to sea as the sun was starting to make an appearance. The water was calm, the sky was colorful, and the Na Pali Coast was calling our name. The ride to the coast takes about an hour, and what a magical hour it was. Our tour guide, Paul, was having fun in the waves, showing off his boating skills. We took a morning dip in the ocean. And then continued our ride while hundreds of little pink spinner dolphins showed us the way.

As we began inching closer to the majestic sea cliffs, Paul told stories of the Hawaiian culture and what the Na Pali Coast signified to the community. He showed us caves, and beaches, and ancient burial sites.

For the next hour we traveled up the coast in awe and amazement. What a sight to behold! The Na Pali Coast was truly majestic! Paul found a nice spot for us to take a break and enjoy the views. We all excitedly jumped out of the boat and swam beneath the cliffs. This moment for us was one we will cherish forever!

LUNCH AND A SHOW

After the best morning of our lives, we had a spectacular afternoon! Kauai Sea Tours provided us with a delicious lunch, sandwich, chips, and a drink. And because it was migrating season for whales, our eyes were peeled for a spout! We spotted one off in the distance, and off Paul zoomed. To our surprise, there were three males fighting over a female! What a show we got with our meal!

We continued our journey back home and like Paul said, the waves were starting to get gnarly! Paige and I were in the front of the raft laughing so hard with every crash and bounce that the waves brought, but the members of our group in the back of the boat were not having as much fun. They were getting absolutely soaked. So, Pro Tip: sit in the front!

OUR SNORKELING ADVENTURE

The tour is called a half day raft and snorkel adventure. So, I guess I was expecting something a little more exciting. Granted, our excursion was in the middle of January and that’s typically not the best time to snorkel.

We pulled over into a little cove where a few other tour groups were snorkeling as well. We geared up and jumped in. The water was freezing, the cove was pretty murky, and the waves were still going strong. We have lived on Oahu for 8 months at this point, so snorkeling for us wasn’t as big of deal because we could walk across the street and snorkel whenever. But for those that book the adventure solely for the purpose of snorkeling on the Na Pali Coast, then I would highly recommend booking during the summertime! The waves will be calmer, the water will warmer, and the snorkeling location will be different.

Our snorkeling adventure wasn’t all bad though! In the 15 minutes that we swam we did follow a sea turtle and that’s always cool! Once everyone was nice and cold, we hopped back in the boat and headed for home.

FINAL ADVICE

• Don’t forget to tip your guides! They’re incredible!
• Choose an adventure fit for your lifestyle. During the winter, this one is pretty gnarly. Are you up for it?
• Don’t forget the sunscreen! Nose and ears people.
• The morning water and sunrise is a magical experience, but the Na Pali Coast is better lit in the afternoons. This may affect what time you want to book your excursion.
• If whale watching is a priority for you, book in the winter.
• If snorkeling is a priority for you, book in the summer.
• Most importantly, stay safe and have fun!

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 THE BEAUTIFUL NA PALI COAST: AN ADVENTURE GUIDE appeared first on Trails of a Travel PT.

If you’ve never been to Sedona, Arizona then this guide is for you! And if you have, maybe you’ll find a few hidden gems that you have yet to explore!

THE PRACTICALITIES

HOW TO GET THERE

Getting to Sedona, you’ll want to fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Once you arrive, you’ll want to rent a car and drive two hours to Sedona. The Phoenix airport will be the cheapest option, unless your road tripping of course! If you’re looking for a closer airport you can fly into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. The drive is still about 45 minutes, and the flight will most likely be more expensive, but it does drop your drive time over half.

NO CAR NO PROBLEM

An alternative option to visit Sedona without renting a car would be to book a day trip tour from Phoenix. Arizona Scenic Tours will pick you up from any hotel in Phoenix (within a radius), drive to Sedona, and give you a guided tour around the beautiful city. You’ll see some of the most popular sights, such as Bell Rock, the Capel of the Holy Cross, and cute little Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. After a day filled with sightseeing your guide will then drive you back to Phoenix and drop you off at your hotel. This is a great way to see Sedona if you’re strapped for time and no car.

WHEN TO VISIT

We have visited Sedona in all seasons and honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong any time of year. However, depending on what you’re looking to do will help narrow what time frame is best for you.

SPRING (MARCH-MAY)

The spring season is peak season! During this time wildflowers are blooming, temperatures aren’t too hot, and everything is green! Spring is best for hiking, photos of wildflowers, and a lively downtown. However, the further into Spring you get, the more crowded it does become. All of the popular trails and sights will be packed. I would advise steering clear of those places and finding more hidden gem spots to spend your time. If you want to see the more well-known places I would recommend starting early.

SUMMER (JUNE-AUGUST)

Summer can be great if you don’t want to deal with the crowds. But you will have to deal with the hotter temperatures, and scattered thunderstorms. The mornings (weather permitting) would still be great for a short hike and a beautiful sunrise. But come afternoon you may want to shop or visit local bakeries and coffee shops. The evenings can provide cooler temps and beautiful sunset colors.

FALL (SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER)

Fall would be a close second, after Spring, for the best time to visit Sedona. The temperatures are finally cooling off, the leaves are changing colors, and the crowds won’t be as bad. You may have less time in the day (thank you daylight savings), but the Fall can provide a full day of fun activities, great views, and cozy vibes.

WINTER (DECEMBER-FEBRUARY)

In my opinion, winter is the best time of year to visit. We have celebrated three of Adam’s birthdays in the last 6 years in Sedona come late January. We have never had any issues with crowds; we have most trails to ourselves, everything is green from all the rain, and the snowcapped red rocks make Sedona a sight to behold. The holidays feel magical and the town gives such warm and inviting vibes that make visiting Sedona in the winter our absolute favorite!

SEDONA LODGING

Depending on the kind of weekend you’re looking for, your lodging might look different. If you’re looking for a more relaxed, nature focused weekend, then camping at Manzanita Campground would be perfect! Each site comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and cooking grill. For only $30 a night, you can be tucked away in the trees, listening to the water flow in Oak Creek Canyon.

Or if you’re looking for lodging with 4 walls and extra amenities, then I would recommend Hilton Vacation Club Los Abrigados Resort & Spa Sedona. We’ve always had great luck with them and find them very affordable considering the area! However, there are tons of places to stay while in Sedona, Arizona all with great reviews!

SEDONA HIKING TRAILS

The main thing we’re looking to do while in Sedona, Arizona is hike! Oddly enough, we’ve always visited Sedona in January! And even though the town sits at about 4,350 ft, we’ve always had such delightful weather! The highest peak in Sedona is over 7,000 ft, so hiking in the middle of winter could be cold, snowy, and/or muddy. Just be prepared with good boots, trekking poles, and crampons if necessary. If you’re hiking in Sedona not in the middle of winter, then be prepared with plenty of water. Very few trails are shaded, and Arizona can get very hot!!

Adam and I have done everything between “touristy” hikes to off the beaten path hikes. Easy hikes to difficult hikes. Hikes where we needed to be shuttled, and hikes where we probably needed 4-wheel drive. No matter what difficulty level or crowd level you are looking for there’s something for everyone!

I always advise starting hikes early. One, to beat the crowds. Two, to beat the heat. And three, to watch the sun rise from the mountains. I would also advise checking All Trails before starting your hike so you can double check on shuttle information, trailhead parking fees, trail closures, and trail conditions. It’s always a good idea to download the offline map too, just in case you lose service! Stay safe on the trails and happy hiking!

EASY SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS

MODERATE SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS

DIFFICULT SEDONA, ARIZONA HIKING TRAILS

LOCAL SEDONA, ARIZONA EATERIES

Although hiking is the main thing we are looking to do while in Sedona, Arizona, eating is the second! There are countless cafes, coffee shops, and local restaurants to choose from. We try and go somewhere different every time we visit, but one cafe will always draw us back. And that is Indian Gardens Cafe & Market. No matter what our plans are for the weekend, breakfast or lunch here is an absolute must! The coffee is delicious, the food is fresh, and the pastries are to die for. Not to mention, the staff is great, they provide blankets for outdoor seating, and it’s not located in the middle of town. Please do yourself a favor and make a pit stop here! Some others that are noteworthy are listed below!

BREAKFAST IN SEDONA

LUNCH IN SEDONA

DINNER IN SEDONA

THE FAMOUS SEDONA, ARIZONA ENERGY VORTEXES

People from all over travel to Sedona, Arizona just to experience this one thing, the energy vortex. Scattered across town, multiple sites are known for being a site of powerful energy that promote healing and spiritual growth. Now whether or not you believe in this, it’s important to note that others do! So please be mindful and respectful of those who are practicing mediation or simply having their own experience in these areas of powerful energy.

VORTEX SITES

Where can you find these sites? There are a few different options you could go with. One, choose to hike there! Two, book an excursion. Or three, find a local group who has an outing planned and sign up to join!

LET’S HIKE THERE!

If it were up to me and my experience, I would choose to hike there! There’s a feeling of completion, of doing hard things, a profound sense of accomplishment, and the gratitude towards my body and what it is capable of. I believe all of that will only add to the experience of being in an energy vortex. After making it to one of the sites, be sure to sit with yourself. Meditate, sit in solitude, express gratitude, let go of unwanted feelings, manifest new beginnings, or do whatever feels right to you in the moment. We’ve been to all of these places, and while they may be busy, they sure are beautiful. Try to hike at sunrise or sunset to beat the crowds and make the most of your experience!

BOOK AN EXCURSION TO AN ENERGY VORTEX

If you choose to forgo hiking, book an experience through a company, like Viator! They have lots of great options to choose from!

Sedona Vortex Odyssey-A spiritual and Scientific Adventure is a 3-hour guided tour in which you will learn the phenomenon behind the vortex and how it originated in Sedona, all while being led (by van) to some of Sedona’s most popular sites. Full transparency, we have not taken this tour ourselves, but it is locally owned and operated and has great reviews! We have booked through Viator multiple times and have always had a great experience!

Book this spiritual and educational adventure HERE!

JOIN A LOCAL GROUP

The third option you could do is find a local group who is planning an experience and looking for people to join! You can do this by searching on Facebook or walking into just about any locally owned restaurant and finding their bulletin board which displays activities happening within the area. We were standing in line at the restrooms at our favorite cafe, Indian Gardens Cafe & Market, when we noticed all kinds of fun group activities taking place all over Sedona, Arizona! If we were staying for longer, we would have definitely tried to join one!

Sedona, Arizona is one of our all-time favorite towns! We just can’t stay away. With the beautiful views of the red rock formations, the delicious food at local restaurants, and the energy we feel while hiking the amazing trails throughout the area make visiting Sedona truly the best weekend!

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 SEDONA ARIZONA: A WEEKEND GUIDE TO A BEAUTIFUL CITY 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.

THE PRACTICALITIES

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to Glenwood Springs you can fly into the Denver Airport, rent a car, and then drive about 3 hours on I70. We have done this drive so many times and it never gets old! If you’d rather not drive that long you could fly into the Grand Junction Regional Airport. From here, the drive is a little over an hour away. I would suggest renting a car to get to and from the airport, as well as if you want to venture outside of Glenwood Springs. However, if you plan on staying in Glenwood Springs then there is a lot you can do within walking distance or simply grabbing an uber considering the town sits on a mountain.

BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT

We have visited Glenwood Springs both in the summer and the winter and have enjoyed the town both ways! The summers can get hot, but if you’re looking for adventures then white-water rafting can quickly cool you off! Winters can be snowy and cold, but if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend then the hot springs will surely warm you up. Glenwood Springs is a great weekend getaway year-round!

GLENWOOD CAVERNS ADVENTURE PARK

If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is the place to be! Whether you have kids or not, there are plenty of things to do in the park to keep you entertained for hours! We loved it so much we went twice. The park is fun any time of the year, but during the holidays it’s extra special! You can enjoy live music, holiday food and drinks, thousands of Christmas lights, and even a meet and greet with Santa himself. What’s not to love?!

TICKETS

This adventure park is unique because it sits at the top of the mountain! To access the park, you first need to buy tickets. You can do this online in advance or at the ticket counter at the bottom of the mountain. Tickets can range from $30-$52/person. The difference in ticket prices depends on exactly what you want to do. The cheapest ticket, $30, only includes the gondola ride up the mountain to the park. You will have free range to walk around the park but will not have access to rides or tours. If you don’t like roller coasters or rides, I would recommend this ticket! The gondola ride up to the park is worth it for the views!

The next cheapest ticket is $46. This ticket will give you access to the gondola ride up to the park, and access to both cave tours. The most expensive ticket is $52 (during the winter it’s called the Winter Funday ticket). This ticket will give you access to the gondola ride, cave tours, and a limited selection of thrill rides.

If you attend the adventure park regularly, I recommend their annual pass! The ticket is $160 and gives you unlimited access to everything already mentioned, plus discounts on food, drinks, and souvenirs. You’ll also have the added benefits of parking and jumping the line on the rides! Sounds like a steal to me.

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

Our favorite part about Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park had to be the rides! We both love roller coasters, so we had an absolute blast! If you purchase the Winter Funday ticket it comes with access to the Mountain Coaster, 4D Motion Coaster, and Laser Tag. We didn’t play laser tag, but we did the other two multiple times! The 4D Motion Coaster is great for those who don’t like roller coasters but can still enjoy a thrill! You’ll enter a movie theater-like setting, put on your 4D glasses, and a short video will play on the big screen. Your seat will then jostle you around, the wind will blow at your feet, and things will seemingly fly at your face. It’s great.

The Mountain coaster, however, is the main attraction! This is the main reason we headed to the adventure park, If you’ve never been on a mountain coaster, essentially, you’re the driver. You control how fast or slow you are going down the mountain. You do this by placing your hands on the handlebars at your side, pulling up to brake, and pushing down to go full speed. The coaster will guide you down the mountain through twists, turns, and ups and downs. At the end of the ride, the coaster will automatically take you back up the mountain where you exit. The Mountain Coaster seats one adult and one small child (if any). If you didn’t purchase the Winter Funday ticket you can still purchase individual tickets for this ride specifically.

The other rides not included (during the winter) are the Defiance Coaster, Giant Canyon Swing, Cliffhanger Rollercoaster, Zip Ride, Canyon Flyer, Wild West Express, and Giddy Up. These are seasonal rides only and cannot operate under cold weather.

CAVE TOURS

The cave tours are open year-round and I highly suggest you visit them! There are two different cave tours, the Fairy Cave Tour and the Kings Row Cave Tour. We did both tours and preferred the Kings Row Cave Tour. Both tours last approximately 40 minutes and welcome most all fitness levels (there are many stairs). If you are afraid of tight spaces, I would recommend staying away from Fairy Cave as it has more narrow walkways. Kings Row Cave Tour is pretty spacious at all times.

Kings Row Cave is Colorado’s most decorated cave tour. It was beautiful! You’ll see incredibly long stalagmites and stalactites, passageways that the first explores took, and a magnificent room set up for a light show. This tour was one for the books and great for any time of the year considering it’s a cave and stays at a consistent 52 degrees year-round.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS HOT SPRINGS

If you’re looking for more of a relaxing getaway I have just what you need, a nice long hot soak at the hot spring pools nearby. Hot springs are the perfect way to fully embrace R&R, especially during the winter! However, they are open year-round. If you’ve never been in or even near a hot spring, you might be a little taken aback by the smell. To put it bluntly, it smells like rotten eggs. But have no fear, it’s completely natural! You can read more about why hot springs have such a distinguished smell here.

There are two great options for soaking in hot springs in Glenwood Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs and/or Glenwood Hot Springs. You can’t go wrong with either one, but I would recommend Iron Mountain Hot Springs.

IRON MOUNTAIN HOT SPRINGS

The reason Iron Mountain Hot Springs is preferred over Glenwood Hot Springs is that it’s more like a resort instead of a public swimming pool. There are 31 pools total with a few of them being 21+, which for us is always a plus. The only thing that would make this facility better is if it had overnight rooms available. However, there are a few hotels and Airbnb’s available for rent nearby if needed.

There are a few different booking options you could go with. The first is General Access to 18 pools with a 3-hour time limit which costs between $40-$52. The next is the WorldSprings Access (21+) which costs between $55-67. The difference between this one and General Access is you will have access to all 31 pools, 10 being mineral pools, for a 3-hour time limit. You will also have access to a cold plunge, which is a great benefit when soaking in a hot tub for hours. The last booking option is the All Day Soak (21+). This costs between $100-$150. The only difference with this booking is you can come and go as you please between the operating hours of 9 A.M -10 P.M. This is a great option if you want to squeeze a few other activities in your day but start and end your day with a hot soak and cold plunge.

GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS

Although I would recommend Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs is still a great option! Instead of multiple pools, there’s one giant pool, which costs $43/person. There are also cabanas available for rent by the half or full day. And unlike Iron Mountain Hot Springs, Glenwood Hot Springs does have rooms available on-site.

Either hot springs location would be a great option for those who want a relaxing vacation, once you get passed the sulfury smell of course.

HIKING TO HANGING LAKE

No matter what kind of vacation we go on, we always try and squeeze in a hike. Typically vacations are filled with lots of food, drinks, and not much movement. Therefore, being able to move our body in any way possible, especially if it means hiking to an alpine lake, is a number one priority for us.

Hanging Lake trail is a highly coveted hike for many people visiting or living in Colorado. This hike is an out-and-back trail that is only 3.1 miles long but has a quick elevation gain of 1,187 ft. The trail leads you from the bottom of Glenwood Canyon up through the canyon walls to a hidden oasis featuring a waterfall and a crystal-clear alpine lake hanging at the edge of the canyon walls. It is truly a unique and breathtaking view and one you’ll never forget.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!

Because this hike is so popular and parking is limited, reservations are required. So, PLAN AHEAD and book your online reservations ahead of time!! Do not expect to get a reservation on the day of your hike. Click here to book your reservation.

Permits from May 1- October 31 are $12 per hiker and November 1-February 29 are $10 per hiker. Year-round your permit will include self-parking at the trailhead. There are no shuttle services available from Glenwood to the trailhead parking lot as this would contribute to the overcrowding of this popular trail that they are trying to avoid.

HOW TO GET THERE

To get to Hanging Lake from Glenwood Springs, you will head East on I-70, toward Glenwood Canyon. You will drive through Glenwood Canyon, which is worth it even if you don’t want to hike. The drive is absolutely beautiful but could be a little scary for those who fear heights and narrow passes. The trailhead for Hanging Lake is at a rest stop just off I-70 in the White River National Forest. The trailhead is located right next to the Colorado River with great views of the river and canyon. However, before you can access the trailhead you will go through a security gate which proves you have a reservation. So, book your reservation today and get hiking, I promise it’s worth it!

RESTAURANTS AND BREWERIES

My favorite part about a vacation is the food. And Glenwood Springs has AMAZING food! Because we only visited twice, we didn’t even make a dent in the delicious restaurants nearby, but the ones we did try were “Chef’s Kiss”. The best place to find food & drinks is under the Grand Avenue Bridge. This is a prime location for people looking to have a good time. Whether you’re waiting on a table, looking for a drink, or wanting to listen to live music, I suggest going under the bridge. There are obviously other great restaurants spread out across town, but this is a great area to walk around and see what looks interesting to you.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS RESTAURANTS

We received a lot of great recommendations for the best restaurants in town from the locals, but there are too many to list! Ones that we didn’t try but heard great things about are The Italian Underground Restaurant, Zheng Asian Bistro, Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse, and Hugo’s.

Now for what we did try. One of our favorites had to have been Slope & Hatch. This TINY New American Restaurant is the perfect place if you’re looking for tacos! Although the restaurant is small, the flavors these tacos have are BIG! You won’t be disappointed. Our next favorite is just next door, Grind. Grind has also taken something original but elevated it in a way that will leave you speechless. Grind specializes in gourmet burgers. You can order 1/3 lb or 2/3 lb beef, chicken, pork, buffalo, lamb, falafel, or black bean burgers. What a variety! We opted for the All-American burger and Loaded Sweet Potato Fries. Delicious!!

Just next door to Grind sits Smoke Modern BBQ restaurant. I’m telling you, under the bridge is a prime location for great restaurants! You can’t walk by this BBQ joint and not want to go in. It fills the streets with yummy smells and tastes just as delicious! We ordered Burnt End Mac & Cheese (killer), and the Smokin’ Q Combo with Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, Slaw, and Beans. Everything was delicious and for a great price!

GLENWOOD SPRINGS BREWERIES/DISTILLERIES

If you’re looking to kill time before a reservation or simply just want to grab a drink before your next destination there are many great spots in Glenwood Springs for that. I would recommend Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Stoneyard Distillery Tasting Room, and Casey Brewing Taproom. Each of these has a variety of drink options that not only taste delicious but provide a fun atmosphere to hang out, play games, and enjoy the day.

WHITE WATER RAFTING GLENWOOD CANYON

Are you a go-big or go-home type of vacationer? If so, whitewater rafting in Glenwood Canyon is the perfect activity for you! My wife and I have been whitewater rafting in a few different locations now, but this one is up there for scenic views!

TICKETS

There are a few different companies in the area that you could book through, such as Glenwood Canyon Rafting, Glenwood Adventure Company, and Defiance Rafting. We booked through Whitewater Rafting, LLC, and what a blast we had! When booking your trip there are a few different routes you could take depending on your experience level, age, and how much time you have. We opted for the Half Day Rafting Trip.

This trip is approximately three hours long and will see class III-IV rapids. Depending on rapids that day you could be as young as 5 years old for class III rapids or 13 years old for class IV. Ticket pricing is $62 for 12 and younger and $69 for 13 and above. Tickets will include a life jacket, helmet, and a shuttle to and from the drop-off location. Whitewater Rafting LLC does have booties, wet suits, splash jackets, and more available to rent if needed.

THE RIDE

Once you’ve booked your trip and the day has come to paddle, you’ll want to arrive 45 minutes early at the Whitewater Rafting LLC facility to check in, get your gear, rent booties, etc, if needed, and sign your waiver if you haven’t already. From there you will be prompted to sit outside on the steps with the rest of the groups before being advised on weather conditions, rules, and techniques. You will also be paired with your guide and other members depending on how big your group is. We were a group of four, my in-laws, Adam, and myself. Because of that, we were then paired with another group of two. We all boarded the bus and took a short ride through Glenwood Canyon where we unloaded the oars and rafts and met our guide, who was nicknamed “Guppy“.

After figuring out where everyone would be best seated on the raft, Guppy gave us more instructions on how to paddle as a team, what kind of obstacles lay ahead, and just reminded us to have fun! We were fortunate to have Guppy as our guide because he was energetic, kind, informative, and overall, just very good at his job. Having a great guide can make your experience that much more enjoyable and it seemed that every guide at Whitewater Rafting LLC was perfect for the job.

As soon as we left the shore, we were immediately in class IV rapids. We paddled as hard as we could and overcame the challenging obstacles that we faced. We got drenched with ice-cold water, spun around from giant boulders in the middle of the river, and had a blast through it all! The rough rapids only lasted the first 30 minutes of the trip. For the next hour, we floated through the canyon, took a few dips into the river, and admired the views. Then came the rain.

PERSPECTIVE

The last hour of the trip it rained, and it poured. It was cold, sharp, and a little miserable. We were all wearing shorts and tank tops, which didn’t provide a lot of warmth. My family being from Missouri is quite used to rain; however, the other couple in our group were from California, where the rain is much less frequent. It was easy for us to wish the rain away and let the rain ruin the last leg of the trip, but thankfully the Californian man spoke up and said, “California would kill for some of this rain right now.” We then all took a moment to shift our mindset on getting some precipitation in Mid-Summer. And to add to it, Glenwood Canyon was scattered with wildfire damage from the previous year. Having all that perspective opened our eyes and made the last hour of the trip quite enjoyable, albeit cold, but enjoyable. So, thank you California guy for giving us a little perspective!

Therefore, as you’re paddling down Glenwood Canyon and see the devasting fire damage that once occurred, take a moment to be thankful for the firefighters and rain.

Book your Glenwood Springs White Water Rafting Tour HERE.

Glenwood Springs is full of fun activities for just about everyone! If you’re looking for even more things to do check out Rifle Falls State Park, Harvey Gap, and Aspen. These are all within driving distance and definitely worth a visit if you have the time. Leave a comment below telling us what your favorite thing about Glenwood Springs is. We’d love to hear from you.

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 GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO: A GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE WEEKEND GETAWAY 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.