America’s First National Park, Yellowstone, opened back in 1872. Today, a total of 63 national parks (and 424 total National Park Sites) can be enjoyed. America’s newest national park, New River Gorge in West Virginia, just opened in 2020. This makes it the newest addition to the ...

Yellowstone (est. 1872) was America’s First National Park, while New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia is the newest addition (est. 2020). Planning your annual vacation around one of the 63 national parks (424 national park sites) makes for a great budget friendly trip. Vacations ...

Washington D.C. is home to one of the most famous Christmas trees in the country. The beautiful National Tree on the White House Ellipse draws many visitors and much media coverage each year. Although the city itself is not overly festive this time of year, there are a number of festive ...

The Smoky Mountains region is one of the most gorgeous areas in the country. Woodsy hiking trails through diverse terrain (The Smokies is the most biodiverse national park), waterfalls, and scenic overlooks and drives populate the area. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most ...

While everyone has heard of Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, and The Smoky Mountains amongst others, many are unaware of the more off-the-beaten path national parks in our country. One of these such places is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Located just 20 minutes outside of Cleveland, a trip ...

The Smoky Mountains National Park is home to over 100 waterfalls. Fortunately, many of these incredible waterfalls are easily accessible via an easy-moderate hike of no more than a few miles. According to the NPS, ample rainfall (the area sees over 55 inches per year) and elevation gradient ...

There are many beautiful waterfalls within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park sees over 55 inches of rain per year in the lower altitude areas and up to 85 on some peaks. This translates into lush greenery and powerful waterfalls especially during the rainy late spring/summer ...

Bryson City, a charming small community of just under 2000 people in Western North Carolina, is a hub to exploring the southern end of the Smoky Mountains. Along with being home to a very popular scenic train ride, it’s also an outdoor lover’s paradise. With easy access to great hiking ...

Taking a scenic drive is one of the best ways to enjoy the natural wonders of an area. While hiking is my preferred means for taking in the beautiful scenery of an area, a leisurely cruise is my next favorite vacation activity. From the grandiose Blue Ridge Parkway which travels through the ...

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park encompasses 522,427 acres between the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, making it one of the largest protected land areas east of the Rockies. With over 12 million visitors per year, the Smoky Mountains is America’s most visited national park. ...