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Trails I've Hiked

Trails I've Hiked: Mills Lake And Beyond At Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park, with its sky-scraping peaks, deep valleys gouged out of the landscape by creeks and rivers fueled by snowmelt, and forests thick with conifers and dappled with aspens, is a hiker's dreamscape. Though there are only 355 miles of marked trails, far fewer than Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, Glacier, and many other national parks, Rocky Mountain "hikes" much bigger than it seems.

Trails I've Hiked: Mallard Lake Trail At Yellowstone National Park

Though I've been visiting Yellowstone National Park for a few decades and hiked many of the park's trails, in truth I've only scratched the surface of the backcountry paths that wind through this incredible landscape. So on my latest trip I packed four guidebooks and three maps with plans to discover a new one. And the one I did was practically out the door of my cabin.

Trails I've Hiked: The Howard Eaton Trail To Lone Star Geyser In Yellowstone National Park

There are two ways to get to Lone Star Geyser from Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park: Drive down to the parking area for Kepler Cascades and walk 2.4 miles down the paved trail, or take your time and enjoy the scenery while hiking down the Howard Eaton Trail from the inn.

Trails I've Hiked: Johnston Canyon At Banff National Park

In a park known for its majestic peaks and brilliant lakes, perhaps the most enchanting trail in Banff National Park clings to a canyon above a curving, crystal-clear river with a handful of picturesque plunges just 15 miles west of Banff townsite. Johnston Canyon, one of the area’s most popular hikes, features a pair of large waterfalls along with a handful of smaller cascades as Johnston Creek carves its way through the limestone walls.

Trails I've Hiked: Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

Most avid hikers know Half Dome. In fact, as the signature landmark for Yosemite National Park, its image is recognized worldwide. It’s even on the 2005 U.S. quarter. From late-May to early-October, visitors can attempt this extremely strenuous 16-mile round-trip day hike. The main challenge is the nearly one mile vertical climb from the valley. Then there’s the final 425 feet, aided by a 45-degree inclined cable banister.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.