Beyond the OverlookDestinations
Pick a region, then go deeper. Each destination hub connects the hikes, itineraries, stays and Worth It? decisions from trips we actually took.
National Parks
Arches National Park
Why Devils Garden was our marquee Arches hike.
Big Bend National Park
Canyons, Chisos Mountain hikes, hot springs and an official border crossing into Mexico.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Get below the rim, then stay for sunset and stars.
Canyonlands National Park
Our Island in the Sky guide and honest Mighty 5 ranking.
Capitol Reef National Park
Grand Wash, Waterpocket Fold, orchards, pie and petroglyphs.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A massive underground world, plus one of our favorite unexpected wildlife experiences: the evening bat flight.
Channel Islands National Park
Ferry to Santa Cruz Island for sea-cave kayaking, coastal hiking and island foxes.
Glacier National Park
Big hikes, alpine lakes, Going-to-the-Sun Road and the east-vs.-west planning decisions that matter.
Grand Canyon
Classic overlooks, South Kaibab below the rim, shorter hike options and the quieter North Rim.
Grand Teton National Park
Jenny Lake, Cascade Canyon, Taggart Lake and mountains made for hiking.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The highest point in Texas plus a rocky wash and natural staircase, combined into one ambitious hiking day.
Haleakalā National Park
Sunrise above the clouds, Sliding Sands and the lush Kīpahulu side of the park.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Kīlauea Iki, Nāhuku and Chain of Craters Road on the Big Island.
Olympic National Park
Mountain hikes, rainforest, wild Pacific beaches and the four-day route we packed with variety.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Six hiking-focused days from Estes Park: alpine lakes, Sky Pond, tundra, Trail Ridge Road, Grand Lake and family adventures.
Sequoia + Kings Canyon
Giant sequoias, exposed granite domes and the Kings Canyon day we would tell everyone not to skip.
Utah Mighty 5
Five individual park guides plus the road trip that connects them.
Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, wildlife, waterfalls and why geography matters when planning the park.
Yosemite National Park
Three visits, powerful waterfalls, big hiking days and why staying in the valley matters.
Zion National Park
Narrows, Watchman, Canyon Overlook and a family-friendly Angels Landing approach.
Beyond the National Parks
Hawaiʻi
Big Island
Volcanoes, manta rays, coffee, snorkeling, black and green sand, and road trips worth slowing down for.
Kauaʻi
Kalalau, Waimea Canyon, wild coastal hiking, turtles and the lush interior from the air.
Maui
Haleakalā sunrise, volcanic crater hiking, Waiheʻe Ridge and a Road to Hāna trip worth slowing down for.
Oʻahu
Pearl Harbor, Makapuʻu, Lanikai, Kualoa and a North Shore beach-hop in one whirlwind day.
