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At first glance, Cove Spring Park looks like any normal city park. In reality, it is a waterfall filled, 240 acres nature preserve hiding in plain site of Kentucky's capital city. The property is filled with wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, and historic structures that make this a great getaway if in the Frankfort or Lexington area. Along the parks trail system (6 in total), there are fa...

At the summit of Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the lodge sits at a elevation of 6400 feet. It is the only "accommodations" inside the park boundaries. It is the highest lodge in the eastern United States.   Accessible only by hiking one of the five trails to the summit, one can rent a small cabin with bunk, kerosene lantern, and a small propane heater. Bedding is prov...

When you arrive at Dixon Springs State Park, drive through the park and stop and take in the main attraction of a waterfall that is partially man made. Then drive and park at the swimming pool, walk to the front of it where the building is, and turn to the right. Follow the trail, and be mindful there is only about half a mile of distinguishable trail. There are many places for you to stop and ...

For a full day on Lusk Creek, put in at Iron Bridge and paddle 7.1 miles of Shawnee National Forest beauty. This 8 hour excursion is sure to delight the senses as you pass through some of the most pristine areas in Illinois. Lusk Creek is a remote, pristine stream that provides some of the best canoeing and kayaking in all of Illinois. The river is not as easily accessible as many of the other ...

The area directly below Lee's Ferry campground is known as the Paria Riffle and Beach. The Paria is a small river that feeds into the Colorado River just north of the campground. Just park at the campground parking lot next to the river and walk a short distance to the sandy beach area where you can put your toes in the freezing cold Colorado River and admire the scenery of where the river meet...

Spending much of the trek above tree line, Hurricane Pass is situated at 12,730 feet above sea level and offers up views of Poughkeepsie Gulch (a more extreme off-road trail) and sapphire blue mountain lakes, such as Lake Como. One of the most beautiful roads in the lower 48 states, Hurricane Pass, which is also a great spot for lunch can be paired with other 4WD roads like California Pass.  Lo...

The ghost town of Animas Forks, CO is located in the San Juan Mountains at an elevation of 11,200 feet. There are several original buildings remaining. The best way to explore the region is by Jeep or other high-clearance 4×4. The cabins began being built by prospectors in 1873. Three rivers meet nearby, one of them being the Animas River, leading to the name Animas Forks. By 1876, Animas Forks...

Bennett Spring is the flagship of the Missouri Trout Parks. It draws the largest crowds, by far, and it boasts the largest spring of the four parks. It has a very nice restaurant, a nature center, a swimming pool, and tons of lodging and camping spaces. Once the park fills up, the rest of the visitors simply spill into the lodges and campgrounds that surround the park. The park boasts a nice ta...

One of Sedona’s best and most scenic drives, that happens to also lead to Native American ruins, has to be Loy Butte Road (FR-525). This route also forms the eastern half of the famous Outlaw 4×4 Jeep Trail. The road is very rough in places, especially during the latter part of the drive. The road is not regularly maintained so you will encounter some deep ruts, sharp drop off's, and boulders t...

Giant City is a popular weekend retreat because it provides for all levels of camping. There are 85 campsites in the Class A Campground which provides water, electricity, showers and restroom facilities for tent and trailer camping. Some facilities such as showers are closed for the winter. A separate Class A equestrian campground is located off the horse trail in the southwest corner of the pa...

Like the rest of the park, the Giant City Lodge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's. The lodge's architecture will remind someone of great lodges of the West with its hardwood timber and sandstone blend that has a two story fireplace and rotunda to enjoy one of the best meals in Southern Illinois. The rustic beauty of the building is found no where else in Illinois....

Located within the picturesque town of Ouray, Colorado, Cascade Falls is what most city parks strive to be. This park and amazing waterfall are located on the edge of town along the longer 5+ mile Perimeter Trail and provides a place for picnics, relaxing, and further days hikes through connector trails. A quick .50 mile round trip hike begins at a parking lot. A small incline up to a great vi...

Fan of Western movies? Most people are aware of Hollywood movies like Tombstone and Wyatt Earp along with the infamous real life Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  But instead of walking where Kevin Costner or Kurt Russell stood, walk the boardwalks along the dusty main drag where the real Doc Holiday stood.  The “Town Too Tough to Die” didn't earn its nickname name for nothing, it is now a booming ...

Built in 1790 by Major William Croghan and Lucy Clark Croghan (William & George Rogers Clark's sister), Locust Grove became a place where major national figures who helped shaped our nation collaborated and provided a gathering space for rest while within the Kentucky Frontier. James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor, Aaron Burr all have stayed at the estate. Lewis and Clark also were ...

Located within Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge and along one of the most scenic lakes within the Shawnee Hills of Southern Illinois Little Grassy Lake Campground is a awesome place to camp for a night or a whole week. There are 14 full hook up campsites. 54 sites have water and electric access. There are also 35 tent sites along one point of campground. All the sites have picnic tables an...

Mermet Lake Conservation is an old Cypress and Tupelo Swamp that has been turned into a shallow lake by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. It was developed in 1949 as a waterfowl hunting destination. Each October the lake is closed and only accessible by hunters, but the Spring and Summer bring activities like Fishing, Paddling Sports, and World Class Diving.  A loop road will take y...

Columbus-Belmont State Park is a stop along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway that combines pivotal Civil War history with dramatic cliffs overlooking the Mississippi River. The park is also a stop along the Trail of Tears National Historical Trail and the Civil War Heritage Trail.  The two mile self-guided trail within the park will take you along massive trenches and earth works that...

Located in Vincennes, Indiana, the urban park honors the heroic deeds of George Rogers Clark and his men who captured the British Fort Sackville on 25 February 1779. Today a memorial similar to those found in Washington D.C. now honors Clark and the site of Fort Sackville. Walking to the nearby Riverwalk, you will follow a paved path that will lead to other important historical sites to the sta...

Historic New Harmony, Indiana honors two unique communities from the early 1800's. The Rappites located here in 1814. They were fleeing from religious persecution and awaiting the impending millennium. In 1824, the Owenites brought many great scientists and philosophers into the area when they purchased the Rappites holdings. Today, the historic district located on the banks of the Wabash River...

The 9.3 (one way) section of the 44.5 mile that begins at the Tunnel Hill access point and travels south to Vienna, Illinois is one of the most picturesque stretches of Southern Illinois.  The former Norfolk Southern Railroad line connects to many other popular trails like the River to River Trail and the Trail of Tears.  As you start out southward from the site office at Vienna you get a view ...

Visit Paducah's thriving riverfront and take a self-guided tour of the Paducah Wall to Wall Murals along the concrete floodwall in downtown.  These works of art depict Paducah's  rich history in more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals by renowned artist Robert Dafford and the Dafford Murals Team. Continue on by walking along the riverfront or enjoying some time taking in the beauty of the Ohio...

Hike, swim, paddle, fish, bike, or picnic is a amazing medium size lake in the heart of the Shawnee. Surrounded by trees, bluffs, creeks, and trails in all directions paired with its central location many attractions in Southern Illinois, Lake Glendale is a great spot to spend a day or a week. From Memorial Day thru August, the beach area is open seven days a week. The beach also has a concessi...

Located off Regent Lane/Cedar Grove Road near Goreville, Illinois, Bork's Falls is a beautiful waterfall with little visitor traffic. The bottom of the falls is accessible from either side of the ravine with a very short hike. This waterfall generally flows year round, unlike most other waterfalls in Shawnee National Forest. Spend a day or spend an hour and enjoy one of the most beautiful place...

Abraham Lincoln lived on this farm from the age of 7 - 21. Begin your visit at the Visitor Center. This building is a memorial to Abraham Lincoln and his family and was designed with two halls and a connecting covered walkway. On the outside of the building there are five sculptured panels marking significant periods in the life of Abraham Lincoln.  The Allee Trail runs from the Visitor Center ...