Part Time Adventuring

Most people visit Canyonlands National Park for the overlooks… but the real adventure starts when you leave the pavement behind.

Shafer Trail Road is one of the most iconic off-road routes in Utah, dropping from Island in the Sky down through dramatic red rock switchbacks with unreal views the entire way. It’s easily one of the coolest drives we’ve done in any national park.

The road starts near the Shafer Canyon Overlook and descends roughly 1,500 feet through steep dirt switchbacks before connecting toward White Rim Road and Potash Road, creating an epic route all the way back to Moab. One of the best parts is you do not need a permit to drive this route if you’re simply taking Shafer Trail to Potash Road and exiting to Moab without continuing onto the full White Rim loop.

While the drive is usually manageable in dry conditions for high-clearance vehicles, conditions can change quickly after rain and the steep drop-offs definitely keep things interesting. Always check current road conditions with the park before heading out.

If you want to experience a completely different side of Canyonlands, this drive absolutely belongs on your Utah road trip list.

7 hours for some trees… and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. 🌲 Redwood National Park hits different when you’re standing next to something that’s been alive for 2,000 years and 300 feet tall.

Comment REDWOOD and I’ll dm you our guide to visiting here!

This is the Highline Trail in Glacier National Park and it’s about 11 to 12 miles one way, running along the Garden Wall with nonstop views the entire time.
The first time we hiked it, we just did a short afternoon section starting at Logan Pass. We had perfect weather, clear skies, saw wildlife right on the trail, and kind of thought that was already enough.
A few days later we went back and did the full point-to-point hike from Logan
Pass to The Loop, plus the climb up to the overlook (pretty challenging hike up FYI).
Totally different experience-less visibility, more clouds, but honestly still just as good in a different way.
It’s one of those trails where the mileage sounds big, but the views make you forget you’re even hiking that far.
Reminder, this year if you want to hike point to point you need to reserve a hiker shuttle, you can park longer than 3 hours at Logan pass.
If we go back to Glacier, this is an easy repeat every time

Worth a try 🤷‍♀️

A must do when in Kauai 🚁

Most of the island of Kauai is inaccessible by land. The only way to see it is by air. This was by far the best travel experience we’ve had and it’s worth every penny! We flew over Waimea Canyon, along the rugged Napoli Coast, and into the blue hole, the wettest place in the world. In total it ended up being around 50 minutes of flying going around and through the entire Island.

The doors off experience was super exhilarating and it was nice to have unobstructed views.

There are many companies to fly with and we chose Airborne Aviation and had a perfect flight and time with them!

Hot take: we didn’t fly all the way to Hawaii just to sit on the beach all day.

The beaches are beautiful, but what makes Hawaii unforgettable is everything beyond them—ridge hikes with insane views, waterfalls you can hike right up to, volcanic landscapes, and coastlines that don’t even feel real.

Across islands like Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), Oahu, and Kauai, you’ve got places like Haleakalā National Park, the lava fields of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Diamond Head, and dramatic views along the Nā Pali Coast.

Even when we were at the beach, it wasn’t to sit still—it was to snorkel, spot sea turtles, or experience something unique.

If you’re planning a trip, don’t just plan beach time—plan experiences. Pick a few hikes, chase a waterfall, explore different sides of each island. That’s the Hawaii you’ll remember.

Waimea Canyon doesn’t feel real the first time you see it. Deep red cliffs, layered valleys, and sudden waterfalls cutting through the landscape after the rain. The scale is hard to process until you’re standing along the rim looking straight into it.

They call it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, but it has its own identity entirely—lush, dramatic, and constantly changing with the weather rolling through the island. To me it’s a mix of the Grand Canyon and Zion but add an epic waterfall and some jungle.

The photos and videos really cannot capture the beauty of this place. You just have to stand there for a minute and take it in.

This is a MUST if visiting Kauai

Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai.

Maybe that’s EXACTLY what I’m saying on second thought 😏

California’s least visited national park might just be one of the most unique.

Channel Islands National Park sits just off the coast of Southern California—but getting here takes a little more effort than most parks. And that’s exactly why it still feels wild.

Here’s what to know before you go:

Getting there
You can’t drive here. You’ll need to take a boat with Island Packers (departing from Ventura or Oxnard). Ferries can sell out, especially in summer, so book early.

Pick the right island
Each island is completely different:

* Santa Cruz: best overall (hiking + sea caves + iconic views)
* Anacapa: easiest for a quick day trip
* Santa Rosa: more remote, incredible coastal hikes

What makes it special
Because of its isolation, the park is home to endemic species like the Island fox—found nowhere else in the world.

No services
No food, no water, no cell service. You need to pack everything in and out.

Best things to do

* Kayak through sea caves (this is a must)
* Hike along the cliffs
* Spot wildlife (foxes, sea lions, seabirds)
* Camp if you want the full experience

Is it worth it?
If you’re willing to plan ahead, this is one of the most untouched and unique national parks in the U.S.

Save this for your next California trip—this one takes a little effort, but it’s 100% worth it.