This might be my favorite photo ever taken of me. This was Super Bowl Sunday 2026 while I was admiring the best view of Half Dome from ths ground in the entire park. it was empty that day which is why I love being in nature when the world is mostly focused elsewhere.
This national park is definitely low on my ranking (30/32). While it is pretty, it involves hiking in sand and it has a very urban feel to it. Both of which I'm not a fan of. A lot of the trails that aren't the dunes themselves still have sand on the path. I have been twice, once in Sept 2021 and once Oct 2025 with my mom so she could cross it off her list. I personally think the campground is the best part of this park. We had site 32 which was close to the bathrooms (that have showers) and it had an area that is a pond for part of the year and a short walk from your car to the actual site. We even had a campsite kitty there when we arrived to hang out with us while we had a fire and some beers 🥰 I didn't take many pictures of the park either time I visited because I just wasn't all that impressed by anything, but here are some that I do have. Highly recommend doing the 3 dune challenge at the State Park portion of the area for the bragging rights and free sticker 🙂
Florida Tropical House from 1933 world's fair
Wieboldt-Rostone House from 1933 world's fair
Great marsh trail
Mount Baldy
Chellberg farm
Hello! Planning a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone in late fall. Hoping to stay in the park if we can get lucky (I know we are pushing it) any suggested lodges /in park places to stay? This will be our family’s first time visiting both parks. Looking to do a split stay over 8 days
I have been to many caves but THIS one is enchanting!!!
Hello All!
I am a single mom who loves taking my kids to national parks! This will be our second "big" trip. Last May, we did the Redwoods, the Oregon Coast, and Olympic National Park. It was great! But wet... This year we are doing a more desert themed trip. We will be spending about 2 weeks on the road. Mostly camping but we will be staying at two air bnbs (Vegas and Kanab) to regroup and do some laundry.
Last year, I did a lot of one night stops on my way up the coast. This year, I am trying to have a few more days at one campsite so we have a little bit more time to explore. I also cut down "big" drive days. Last year we had some really long day. This year we only have a fews days over 4 hours and a lot more lay over time.
The National Parks we will be hitting up are (we are staying at a few state parks in between):
Capitol Reef: Driving through (wish we could stay longer but its only 5 hours from home so we are planning a September trip to actually explore)
Bryce Canyon: 2 nights at the Sunset Campground
Joshua Tree: 4 nights, meeting up with some family here
Grand Canyon: 3 nights at the south rim
Zion: 2 nights in Kanab, we will spend 1 full day at Zion. A little short but again, we plan on coming back soon
Arches: our final night on the road we snagged a spot at Devils Garden Campground (by far the hardest campsite I have ever reserved. I have been trying to get a spot at arches for YEARS)
Let me know if there are any must see stops for kids along the route. Or any good playgrounds on the route! Or any other great tips for these parks.
And feel free to ask any questions about single parent camping with two kids. Last year we spent over 40 days camping. I'm hoping to beat that this year. Its a lot of work but I have managed to get it pretty streamlined so we can all enjoy ourselves.
Do you all have any recommendations for a weekend hiking trip? I have recently gone to Utah’s five parks and I am looking for any hidden gems, or places you think should be a National Park.
I heard that Great Basin, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone are still slushy and most of the roads are closed. Thank you in advance!
I’ll do my best to put my scatter brain ideas into this post.
My in-laws don’t get a chance to travel much and even now into retirement they only travel to the same beach a few times a year.
Same goes for my father, although he has gotten out more than my in-laws
They are all very active, but not in shape to do any day hikes.
Plan is to give them a Xmas gift of flight / rental car to LAX and likely go to Yosemite and we will join. The can book a room In The hotel we stay at or grab an air bnb / rental ect.
We will drive and cover gas. Plan easy hikes to harder depending how they feel.
I’ve been to Yosemite a few times and I think this would be the best bet to see the west coach beach, redwoods, Mountain View’s.
We aren’t rich but we can budget and save for this .
The idea is to give them a new experience rather than useless gifts from Amazon.
We generally hit the store when we land and get food to keep in the car cooler to make and such.
We also will give them a choice to go to any other park or take the flight credit and go where ever they want.
Any tips on traveling with elders ? I don’t know if they have ever flown before.
Meal ideas ?
Must haves?
What else am I missing?
I’m worried this will be viewed from the wrong place, like a flex or a something?
We really just want to give our partners who gave up so much of life for us to experience new things
We stayed at Fruita Campground. The first night was cold AF but we still enjoyed ourselves.
Planning a trip in the beginning of June, between the Grand Teton or Olympic.
It’s my real first time ever planning an entire trip out west, and can’t believe the prices, $400 a night on average for a private room + bathroom hotel.
I’m into photography and really wanted to go there, but it would ruin the trip staying in a shitty place or paying 400 a night.
Any other national parks that are almost as cool and more affordable? Thanks!
A little brisk but love the mountains.
they are so much smaller than expected, probably the size of a house cat if i remember correctly. they also dont gaf about people lol they were just roaming around looking for things to eat
