Sure, you might feel a little party-pooped after the busy holiday season, but right now is the best time to drum up ways to fill your 2023 festival card. To help, we’ve pulled together our top picks for some of the most fun, varied, and can’t-miss outdoor and outdoor-oriented experiences across the United States over the next 12 months. Whether you’re an adventure junkie, a culture vulture, a music nerd, a party animal, a diehard foodie, or a parent of toddlers, we promise t������’s something entertaining here for everyone.

JANUARY

Saint Paul Winter Carnival

Saint Paul, Minnesota�� / January 26 to February 5

Launched in 1886, in jubilant defiance of a bunch of visiting East Coast journalists who ripped on the state capital as an uninhabitable midwestern Siberia, this —the oldest wintertime festival in the U.S.—is a raucous celebration of the season. Ruled by an appointed King Boreas, and Aurora, Queen of the Snows, and backed by a royal court of nearly two dozen equally fantastic characters, the carnival has a vaguely Nordic, sorta Greek mythological backstory to get lost within, if that’s your thing. But really, all you need to know is that Minnesotans take their winter fun seriously and are seriously competitive. If you want to play along, lace up for an icy running series, angle for bass and walleye during an ice-fishing tournament, scour the streets in a citywide scavenger hunt, join an all-ages jigsaw-puzzle contest, and flex your follicular prowess in a burly beard competition. If spectating is more your thing, enjoy a casual stroll through Vulcan Snow Park to admire frosty sculptures on display.

Sundance Film Festival

Park City, Utah / January 19 to 29

An offshoot of the Sundance Institute, the creative-arts nonprofit founded by legendary actor-director Robert Redford, this isn’t just the largest indie film fest in the nation, but one of the most venerated, awash in Oscar bait. While offerings run the topical gamut, it has always featured plenty of adventure-oriented and environmentally conscious gems—An Inconvenient Truth premiered here in 2006, and critically acclaimed documentaries like Chasing Ice, Crip Camp, and Meru have followed suit. Offscreen, a plethora of panels, parties, and meet and greets round out the action, and nearby resorts offer a powdery alternative to hours in the theater. While this year’s event is the first in-person gathering after a pandemic-driven two-year hiatus, you can also screen entries from the comfort of home—although you’ll be a lot less likely to bump into, say, Issa Rae or Jason Momoa when you get up for popcorn.

Honorable January Mentions:

• in Breckenridge, Colorado / January 23 to February 1
• in Ouray, Colorado / January 19 to 22
• in Aspen, Colorado / January 27 to 29

FEBRUARY

Anchorage Fur Rendezvous

Anchorage, Alaska / February 23 to March 5

Known to its faithful as the or just Rondy, this tradition began in 1936 to mark the arrival of fur-trading season and give folks a way to shake off some cabin fever. While you can still eyeball (and purchase) an array of pelts during its three-day trade fair, this is your chance to interact with locals in lively ways over ten days. Find a spot to watch any stage of the multiday World Championship Sled Dog Race, get out there and try to beat Dasher and Dancer in a footrace during the Running of the Reindeer, or sidle up to see a bag-flinging throwdown at the Alaska Cornhole Championships. For something quirkier, strap on a pair of classic metal snowshoes for a chilly softball tourney, or wrangle your best wrangle your best toilet-on-skis (people are literally plopping toilets and outhouses onto a pair of skis for this race) and go for gold in the World’s Largest Outhouse Race.

Fire and Ice Winterfest

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho / February 4 to 5

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys chugging Fireball and getting cozy in the sauna after a day spent frolicking in the snow, make a beeline for southeastern Idaho to experience both extremes of the temperature scale. The Polar Bear Float involves donning a wacky costume, then settling in on an inflatable for a brisk quarter-mile cruise down the Portneuf River. Luckily, opportunities abound to thaw out and relax with cozier pursuits, such as wine-tasting events, a torch-light ski run, and a fire-dancing show. To experience the best of both worlds, however, brave souls strip down to their Speedos for the Running of the Bulls, a mad dash through town that ends, mercifully, with a sizzling soak at the natural hot-spring pools.

Honorable February Mentions:

• in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania / February 2
• in Saranac Lake, New York / February 2 to 12

MARCH

Flash Foxy Climbing Festival

Bishop, California / March 17 to 19

What was created in 2016 as a small gathering for female rockhounds has evolved into a celebration of community and climbing that now includes genderqueer, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people. The main draw of this is, of course, the excellent climbing scattered around the eastern Sierra’s jaw-droppingly scenic Payahuunadu region (also known as the Owens Valley), with clinics and workshops offered for all levels of experience. The event maintains deep ties to the local Bishop Paiute community and area businesses and organizes beneficial stewardship projects such as crag clean-ups.

National Cherry Blossom Festival

Washington, D.C. / March 20 to April 16

Banish the winter blahs with a trip to witness the vibrant emergence of spring, as nearly 4,000 cherry-blossom trees around our nation’s capital hit their pretty peak in a massive explosion of pink and white blooms. A 2.1-mile loop around the Tidal Basin reservoir puts you right in the floral action, but peel yourself away to revel in the sights and sounds of the PetalPalooza arts and music shindig, admire a different kind of colorful display at the Washington Monument’s Blossom Kite Festival, and check out various cultural happenings around town that celebrate the long history of goodwill between the U.S. and Japan. In fact, the seeds of this whole petal-peeping gala were planted way back in 1909, when Yukio Ozaki, mayor of Tokyo, gifted 2,000 trees to Washington, D.C., to honor the countries’ growing friendship.

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

Sedona, Arizona / March 3 to 5

Not that you need an excuse to pull out your mountain bike, but t������’s no better place to bid adieu to the dreary gray of a long winter than the sun-soaked red rock of Sedona. A loaded schedule of group rides at this presents the perfect opportunity to explore the nearly 250 miles of world-class singletrack laced throughout the nearby Coconino National Forest, with many trails launching straight from town. At night, kick back with your new dirt-covered besties in a craft-beer garden, settle in for a film screening, or boogie down at a concert. Ride hard, party hard.

Honorable March Mentions:

• in Estes Park, Colorado / March 17 to 19
• in Denver, Colorado / March 3 to 4
• in Tahoe City, California / March 2 to 12
• in Boise, Idaho / March 22 to 26

APRIL

Gathering of Nations Powwow

Albuquerque, New Mexico / April 27 to 29

Once a small, hyperlocal celebration of culture, the has grown to become the largest powwow in North America, drawing upward of 700 tribes from the United States and Canada. While the traditional drummers, singers, and dancers are all Indigenous, everyone is welcome to enjoy festivities that include contemporary music, an extensive arts and crafts market, a Horse and Rider Regalia parade, and the Miss Indian World pageant, which is less a contest than a means of preserving and elevating Native heritage. Come here hungry—the food court brims with tasty bites, including favorite dishes like mutton stew and fry-bread tacos.

High Water Festival

North Charleston, South Carolina / April 15 to 16

Held at the bucolic Riverfront Park on the banks of the Cooper River, and helmed by the Carolinian alt-country duo Shovels and Rope, this intimate indie-music is now in its fifth year. The lineup is small but mighty, with an emphasis on rootsy, homegrown sounds and regional acts. This year’s marquee names include Wilco, Angel Olsen, Big Boi, Orville Peck, and Lucius. Low Country cuisine shares top billing; if you’re feeling adventurous, sign up for an oyster-education class and learn how to shuck and slurp the briny mollusks.

Vermont Maple Festival

Saint Albans, Vermont / April 28 to 30

Looking for something sweet, sticky, and traditional as heck? Tap (ahem) into the all-ages fun at this 50-plus-year-old of “the official flavor of Vermont.” The good stuff takes center stage, of course, with cooking and maple-syrup contests, and plenty of opportunities to indulge in divine confections. This is also an active event, where you can lace up for the 8.5-mile Sap Run, stroll through a maple-themed art show, enjoy kid-friendly entertainment at Taylor Park, and tour a family-run sugarhouse that boils up liquid magic from nearly 30,000 local trees.

Honorable April Mentions:

• in Carbondale, Colorado / April 20 to 23
• in Wilkesboro, North Carolina / April 27 to 30
• in Monterey, California / April 20 to 23

MAY

Dominion Energy Riverrock

Richmond, Virginia / May 19 to 21

The western U.S. steals a lot of the outdoor-rec thunder, but this massive music-and-adventure sports serves it up hot in the Mid-Atlantic. Spread across various parks and trail systems along the roiling James River, Riverrock cranks up the fun with a stacked schedule of trail races, climbing contests, mountain-bike competitions, and fishing tourneys. You can also peruse art installations, take in an indie-rock-heavy concert lineup, watch doggos catch some vert at the Subaru Ultimate Air Dogs event, give back through stewardship events, stretch out with some yoga, or try your hand at activities including kayaking and slacklining.

Mountainfilm

Telluride, Colorado / May 25 to 29

If t������’s one word that appears more times than you can count on the website, it’s “inspiring.” But honestly, that’s an apt descriptor. Once focused squarely on mountain-based adventure storytelling, the festival has grown into a much broader showcase for indie films from around the world that uplift spirits and spark thought and action. While screenings pop up around the country, it’s worth showing up in person for the flagship event to bask in the (sorry) inspiring company alone. Past speakers have ranged from environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill to groundbreaking climber Lynn Hill, acclaimed climate author Bill McKibben, and Arctic photographer Subhankar Banerjee.

New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

New Orleans, Lousiana / April 28 to May 7

Don’t let the name fool you—you don’t need to own a single Miles Davis record to enjoy this It might sound like sacrilege, but even though the lineup usually includes a pretty stellar top billing (last year The Who, Willie Nelson, and Lionel Ritchie headlined), the true heart of this musical bacchanal beats on its smaller stages and in tents, where local legends and knockout upstarts abound. Sway to the good vibes at the gospel tent, get down at the larger stages to regional icons like Big Freedia and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and if you’re feeling frisky, wander over to the Fais Do Do area and let someone sporting a crawfish-patterned outfit guide you on the dance floor. Between sets, fuel up on a smorgasbord of southern delights that might just be the best grub on offer at any music festival in the States.

Honorable May Mentions:

• in Buena Vista Lake, California / May 24 to 29
• in Damascus, Virginia / May 19 to 21

JUNE

GoPro Mountain Games

Vail, Colorado / June 8 to 11

For most folks, the word Vail is probably synonymous with epic powder days or back bowls, but the prove that playtime in the Rockies shines just as brightly in the summer sun. Pros and amateurs alike compete in almost a dozen different disciplines—mountain biking, climbing, paddle sports, trail running, fly-fishing, and even disc golf—angling to nab a share of the $130,000 kitty. But the fun isn’t limited to humans; adventure pups can test their mettle in trail runs, swimming events, a DockDogs Big Air competition, and a slew of canine-friendly parties. In the evenings, the Mountains of Music concert series draws rootsy headliners; last year’s picks included Gov’t Mule, Grace Potter, and the Wailers.

Waynestock Outdoor ���ϳԹ��� and Music Festival

Fayetteville, West Virginia / June 8 to 11

This which kicked off in the late 1990s as nothing more than a bunch of friends (including, you guessed it, a guy named Wayne) enjoying an annual rafting trip, is now a celebrated jamboree, a mash-up of a backyard Bonnaroo and an adventure-sports summer camp. A ticket snags you a spot at a communal campsite, where festivities involve nightly bonfires, local brews, and an assortment of regional bands that tend toward the jammier side of things. During the day, choose your own adventure, with options on or near the New River Gorge. Set off on your own or sign up with local guides to tackle the area’s famed whitewater, rip through the forest along endless singletrack, or rope up to ascend one of the estimated 3,000 routes lining the steep sandstone cliffs. They don’t call it the Endless Wall for nothing.

Honorable June Mentions:

• in Manchester, Tennessee / June 15 to 18
• in New York, New York / TBD
• in Milwaukee, Wisconsin / June 22 to July 8
• in Telluride, Colorado / June 15 to 18

JULY

Lumberjack World Championships

Hayward, Wisconsin / July 20 to 22

Each summer, flannel-clad masses flock to a tiny lumber town in the Wisconsin Northwoods to get their Paul Bunyan on at this of all things timber. It’s high profile enough that major TV networks often stream the action, as the Olympics of the Forest draws an international field of ax-wielding competitors vying for a share of a roughly $50,000 pot in woodsy tests of agility, precision, and brute strength. T������’s chopping and sawing, of course, but the biggest treat for spectators might be watching folks speed-race up 90-foot-tall cedar poles or attempt to outlast their nemeses in a wet and wild log-rolling competition.

Newport Folk Festival

Newport, Rhode Island / July 28 to 30

Held at the idyllic harborside Fort Adams State Park, this historic pays homage to the countless forms of American folk music. That doesn’t mean you’re in for pure plucking; after all, this is the festival where Bob Dylan plugged in to go electric for the first time, much to the annoyance of purists. The original iteration featured icons like Pete Seeger, Odetta, and a then teenaged Joan Baez in her debut performance. Some of the legends still pop up today—and part of the fun is that they’re not always announced in advance. Last year’s event featured a surprise festival-closing appearance by Joni Mitchell in her first performance in over two decades. Grab tickets early; they often sell out before the lineup is revealed.

Honorable July Mentions:

• in Chicago, Illinois / TBD
• in Roswell, New Mexico / June 30 to July 2
• in Huntington Beach, California / July 30 to August 7

AUGUST

Maine Lobster Festival

Rockland, Maine / August 2 to 6

There might be no better place in the world to stuff your face with an ocean’s worth of crustaceans than this on the North Atlantic seaboard. Put down stakes at the seductively named Main Eating Tent, where thousands of pounds of fresh Maine lobster are served every which way—boiled in butter, swirled into a bisque, stuffed into gooey mac and cheese, spread across a toasted roll, and more. If you’re feeling creative, live out your best Iron Chef fantasies as part of the amateur seafood-cooking contest. Then take a break at the Marine Experience Tent, where you can handle and learn about local sea critters, or cheer for your favorites at a pageant where competitors vie for the coveted title of Sea Goddess. Shake off the lobster overload by signing up for the �ڱ���پ�������’s fun-run series, or try your luck at the International Great Crate Race, where participants attempt to blast across a line of wobbly floating boxes without tipping into the drink.

Refuge Outdoor Festival

Carnation, Washington / August 18 to 20

Held at Tolt MacDonald Park in the mountain-ringed, river-cut Snoqualmie Valley east of Seattle, this celebrates the diverse experiences of Black, Indigenous, and other people of color in the outdoors, although it’s open to all. The events on tap honor the myriad ways we find connection in nature, with a schedule that carves out equal space for those who crave adrenaline or those who would rather seek a quieter experience. Tons of traditional recreation activities are on offer, including mountain biking, hiking, fishing, stargazing, and birding, but attendees can also get their groove on at a silent disco or join an array of workshops on outdoor skills, poetry, and spirituality. Just like with any campout, however, the secret sauce is the community formed around the campfire each night.

Honorable August Mentions:

• in Milford, Connecticut / August 19
• in San Francisco, California / August 11 to 13
• in Cascade Locks, Oregon / August 18 to 19
• in Telluride, Colorado / August 16 to 21

SEPTEMBER

Afropunk Festival

Brooklyn, New York / TBD

Inspired by a 2003 documentary film of the same name that explored Black punk-rock culture, this transcends boundaries to celebrate Blackness in all its forms. While you’ll still spot plenty of guitars on stage, the eclectic lineup has formerly included genre-busting performers like Erykah Badu, the Roots, H.E.R., Doechii, and Janelle Monae. Between sets, indulge in a massage, stretch out in a yoga class, join a meditation practice, shop in a massive craft market, take a drum lesson, or just post up with a drink and admire the mind-blowing fashions on parade.

Aloha Festivals

Oahu, Hawaii / TBD

Forget winter break—the best time to visit Hawaii is in September, when the archipelago vibrates with aloha spirit during a monthlong, statewide of culture and heritage. While dozens of events happen around the islands, the three signature happenings take place in Honolulu. The Royal Court Investiture kicks things off in old-school style with a coronation that pays homage to Hawaiian nobility of yore. Choose a lei, browse traditional crafts, and snack on tasty grindz (street food, in Hawaii) at Waikiki Hoolaulea, a massive block party that shuts down the beach’s main drag. Head back later for the Floral Parade, where in a centuries-old practice, P’au��riders pass by on horseback, their long skirts billowing in a blaze of color.

Ohana Festival

Dana Point, California / September 29 to October 1

You might not be able to hear them over the music, but the crashing waves of the Pacific serve as backdrop for this three-day of sun and sound, held at SoCal’s Doheny State Beach. The lineup is usually pretty heavy on indie and alt-rock—which should come as no surprise, since it’s curated by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder.. Considering that last year’s headliners included Stevie Nicks, Jack White, and Pink, however, the offerings are eclectic enough to give most festival-goers a reason to head-bob. Train your ears on something a little different at the Storytellers Cove stage, where conservation-minded adventurers, artists, and athletes share inspiring tales; past speakers have included freediver Kimi Werner and pro surfer Greg Long. At the end of the day, your ticket dollars go to an array of local and national nonprofits working toward environmental and social justice.

Honorable September Mentions:

• in Custer State Park, South Dakota / September 28 to October 1
• in Denver, Colorado / September 21 to 23
• in Monterey, California / September 22 to 24

OCTOBER

Dirtybird Campout

Modesto, California / TBD

If you always wanted to attend summer camp as a kid—and don’t mind doing it a few decades later— your chance. This rowdy bacchanalia, with every action set to a backdrop of thumping music, is something like what you’d get if you crossed Wet Hot American Summer with an EDM festival. Campers are faced with a wide array of ways to pass the time, from traditional camp activities (see: capture the flag, kayaking, archery, making friendship bracelets) to those that are a bit more inventive, such as twerking classes, drag shows, lap-dancing contests, and an opportunity to wake and bake with your favorite counselors at the Ganja Garden.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

San Francisco, California / TBD

Funded by a banjo-loving venture capitalist who just wanted to bring a little finger-plucked joy to Bay Area music lovers, might just be the best darn absolutely free, completely noncommercial concert event in the world. While acclaimed folk stars like Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, and Buddy Miller have graced its stages, the “hardly” in the fest’s name alludes to the fact that the genres aren’t limited to just bluegrass. Grab some friends, spread out a blanket, and settle in for a series of sonic delights. Past artists have included Henry Rollins, Big Freedia, Elvis Costello, and M. Ward.

Salmon Days

Issaquah, Washington / October 7 to 8

They say you can’t go home again, but try telling that to the thousands of Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon that swim back upriver each year to spawn in the cool waters of Issaquah Creek, east of Seattle. The whole town turns out to revel in their return with a that include a welcome parade, fish hatchery tours, fun runs, a DockDogs competition, and an aquatic-themed sidewalk chalk contest. If you can stomach the thought of noshing on these hometown heroes, the local Kiwanis Club also hosts a barbecue of alder-grilled salmon.

Honorable October Mentions:

• in Fayetteville, West Virginia / October 21
• in Ketchum, Idaho / October 4 to 8

NOVEMBER

Blk Out Retreat and Boulderfest

Chattanooga, Tennessee / TBD

Tiffany Blount founded the Black Girls Boulder climbing club as a way to create community and draw more Black women into the sport; the builds on that promise. Open to all, but centered on Black climbers of all genders, the beginner-friendly event takes place in and around the Crash Pad, an adventure-oriented hostel in downtown Chattanooga. Attendees can hop a shuttle to the Wauhatchie Boulders for guided climbing, attend outdoor-film screenings, share in a group dinner, pitch in with stewardship projects, and join conversations and workshops to build skills and open horizons.

Florida Seafood Festival

Apalachicola, Florida / November 3 to 4

Billed as the state’s oldest maritime event, of the fruits de mer takes place on the Gulf of Mexico, in a town that touts itself as the Oyster Capital of the Southeast. That’s good news for bivalve lovers, who descend in droves to shuck and slurp. Beyond that, choose from a range of gustatory delights like fried shrimp, crab cakes, steaming paella, and boiled crawfish. Take a break from stuffing your maw at a host of family-friendly events, including a parade, a blessing of the local fleet, the Redfish Run 5K, and Blue Crab Races, where the crustaceans make a mad dash for glory.

Honorable November Mentions:

• in Austin, Texas / TBD
• in Bishop, California / TBD

DECEMBER

Indio International Tamale Festival

Indio, California / December TBD

It’s best to arrive at this sprawling billed as the largest tamale festival in the world, with an empty stomach. Unlike food events where celebrity chefs draw big crowds, the stars here are everyday people, with street vendors and home cooks alike slinging thousands of sweet, savory, and salsa-smothered masa creations. It’ll be tough to pry yourself away from their steamy wares, but a host of distractions provide (almost) equal temptation. Enjoy dozens of performers on stages scattered around town, cheer on masked luchadores competing in traditional Mexican wrestling matches, and try not to lose your lunch while whooping it up on an array of carnival rides. Stick around for the Mercadito de Noche, a night market that sparkles with holiday light displays.

Ullr Fest

Breckenridge, Colorado / TBD

Your local weather anchor might read the forecast, but only the mighty Norse god Ullr knows the score. Each year the wintry faithful don Viking helmets and raise a glass to praise his glory in hopes of a ski season for the record books. While the mythology might seem a little suspect, the partying is solid, especially when you consider the organizers’ 2022 quest to draw over 1,300 people to partake in the world’s longest shotski. There are also comedy shows, an ice-skating extravaganza, and a parade, where inventive float builders have a chance at a $1,000 prize. Remember, though—this whole thing is about honoring the mighty Ullr; be sure to toss a Christmas tree on the fest’s ritual bonfire to appease him so that your calendar may be stacked with endless powder days.

Honorable December Mentions:

• in Bozeman, Montana / December 7 to 10
• in Fort Lauderdale, Florida / TBD

Shawnté Salabert is a SoCal-based outdoor and travel writer who generally prefers listening to sweet birdsong instead of thumping bass while out in nature. That said, she’s been a music festival nerd since the tender age of five, when she caught her first concert (Huey Lewis and the News) at Milwaukee’s 55-years-strong Summerfest.

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We get it—summer gets all the festival glory. But the celebrations don’t quit just because the temperature��drops. Toss on a few extra layers, then head out to stuff your face with tacos and tequila, shred on Sedona’s famed slickrock trails, or relive the ’90s with Eddie Vedder and friends on the California coast. All that matters is that you’re having a good time.

September

Ohana Festival

Dana Point, California; September 30 to October 2

Pack sunscreen and a towel, then head over to SoCal’s Doheny State Beach and let Eddie Vedder be your host for the�� (from $159), three days of oceanside music curated and headlined by the Pearl Jam front man. As you might expect, his tastes run a bit guitar-heavy: other performers include Stevie Nicks, P!nk, and Jack White. Between sets, wander over to the Storytellers Stage to hear inspirational talks from conservation-minded adventurers, artists, and athletes. Past speakers have included freediver Kimi Werner and pro surfer Greg Long. Admission is steep, but part of the proceeds benefits park-loving nonprofits, including the Doheny State Beach Foundation and the San Onofre Parks Foundation.

October

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, New Mexico; October 1 to 9

Loosen up those neck and shoulder muscles, because you’re going to spend a lot of time gazing upward during the wondrous�� (from $15). Be sure to catch Mass Ascension daily at 7 a.m., when hundreds of colorful hot air balloons fill the morning sky. It’s equally magical when they’re illuminated at dusk. If your neck needs a break, hit the street fair–style concession area in search of green chile delights like chile-topped enchiladas and cheeseburgers, or watch the sawdust fly during daytime chainsaw carving demos.

Great American Beer Festival

Denver, Colorado; October 6 to 8

It’s all in the name, folks. When it launched in 1982, the�� (from $95) featured two dozen breweries; this year, at the festival’s 40th anniversary, attendees can sample more than 2000 suds. The paradox of choice is a bit head-spinning (or is that the alcohol?), but beerhounds in the know venture to the Heavy Medal booth to swig the �ڱ���پ�������’s blue ribbon brews. To ensure you remember to eat a little something between sips, take cues from event veterans, who drape pretzels, beef sticks, and even hamburger buns around their necks like so many carb-laden Flavor Flavs.

Bridge Day

Fayetteville, West Virginia; October 15

West Virginia’s New River Gorge is well regarded as one of the premier climbing areas in the country. To some, it’s an even better place to catch some air. For almost 40 years, adventurous types have flocked to its 876-foot-high namesake bridge (the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere) for��, a celebration of gravity—or the defiance thereof. While the free event is best known for showcasing BASE jumpers, others take the opportunity to rappel or cruise down zip lines. For spectators, the views can’t be beat.

Warren Miller’s Daymaker Film Tour

Salt Lake City, Utah; October 28

Get ready to kick off the winter season with 73rd annual ski and snowboard film Daymaker. Take a journey from British Columbia to Greece’s Olympus Range, Alaska, and beyond. Come for the ski season stoke and leave with swag, signed posters from the athletes, including Marcus Caston, Mckenna Peterson, Cam Fitzpatrick, Lexi duPont, Connery Lundin, and more. Even better, ���ϳԹ��� Plus members get early access, first dibs at the best seats, and a custom tour poster. Can’t make it to Salt Lake City? Check out to find a screening near you.

November

BLK Out Retreat + Boulderfest

Chattanooga, Tennessee; November 4 to 6

On the heels of successful events like , Black Girls Boulder is launching their inaugural , which celebrates Black excellence in rock climbing. Admission to the retreat (from $49) includes lodging at the Crash Pad, a welcome night food truck ticket, gift bag, festival weekend pass, raffle ticket, transportation (within Chattanooga) or free parking, and a guided bouldering workshop.

Roam Bike Fest

Sedona, Arizona; November 4 to 6

Ladies, non-binary, and genderqueer femme cyclists, this one’s for you. Bring your own wheels or demo some of the raddest mountain bikes on the market during dozens of group rides on Sedona’s iconic sandstone slickrock. When you’re done living out your singletrack dreams, head back to��’s event headquarters at the for yoga, film screenings, workshops, dance parties, and a SHRED talks panel. Happy hour drinks (boozy and non-alcoholic) are optional; stoke is not.

Arizona Taco Festival

Scottsdale, Arizona; November 12 to 13

Taco enthusiasts, rejoice: heaven awaits at the�� (from $15), where nearly 50 restaurateurs will vie for your affection by slinging little bundles of tortilla-swaddled joy for three bucks each. You want hot sauce with that? There are 100 varieties on hand. Same goes for tequila. Oh, and t������’s a lucha libre wrestling arena, a beauty pageant for chihuahuas, and, obviously, a taco-eating contest. Feeling brave? See if you have what it takes to out-sweat fellow capsaicin lovers in a pepper-eating showdown.

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Like many people, I assumed a lot about central California’s��Death Valley National Park before visiting for the first time in 2015: that it was completely dry, utterly devoid of life, and composed of not much more than a shadeless expanse of sand. Had I known that the park stood in for the dramatic landscape of Tatooine in Star Wars, however, perhaps I would have thought differently.

From my very first hike in the park—to Darwin Falls, a year-round cascade that spills into a surprisingly verdant canyon—I learned that you can’t always judge a national park by its name. Death Valley is very much alive. In addition to the lengthy human history in this part of the Mojave Desert, the area is rich with wildlife, from mountain lions to mule deer, desert bighorn sheep to wandering burros.��The park is also home to several species of endangered pupfish that are endemic to its scant water sources.

While the floor of Death Valley itself is relatively flat, it’s hemmed in by the sharp rise of the to the east and the Panamint Range on the west, which contains the park’s high point:��the often snow-dusted . Far below these lofty ridgelines, the earth creases in endless waves of rock decorated in bold striations and bursts of color thanks to the abundant metals and minerals contained within. The landscape itself is far from barren—more than 1,000 plant species populate Death Valley, from cacti and creosote in its lowest reaches to junipers and pines up high.

If t������’s one assumption I did get right so long ago, it’s that Death Valley National Park is hot, vast, and remote. As long as you’re prepared—staying well hydrated, protecting yourself against the elements, and planning for limited gas, food, and sundries—this seemingly alien landscape is a wonder to explore.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Death Valley

Prepare your rig.

If you plan to cruise the park’s dirt roads, ensure your car is outfitted with��off-road tires and that you have spares; flats are especially common on the park’s gnarly 4×4 roads. Gas is available inside the park at Panamint Springs, Stovepipe Wells, and Furnace Creek, but carry extra if you’re venturing beyond the pavement. No matter where you plan to travel within the park, carry plenty of water and maps—cellphones don’t work in most of Death Valley, and GPS devices can prove unreliable.

Research��the park’s deep human history.

While it was designated a national monument in 1933��and a national park in 1994, Death Valley has a record of human habitation that stretches back an estimated 10,000 years. While much of the park’s current boundary encompasses the homeland of the , who have resided here for at least 1,000 years, they were largely displaced during the Gold Rush and subsequent decades. The park’s myriad ghost towns, along with historic sites like the , , and , document this influx of settlers and extractive industry.��Perhaps the most intriguing relic is . It’s currently closed due to flood damage, but you can book a ticket when it reopens for a tour of the building’s exquisite interior, complete with the fascinating tale of a grifter named Death Valley Scotty.

Pack your camera—and set your alarm.

Desert light can veer from harsh to otherworldly in an instant. Early birds flock to to watch the sun paint the colorful badlands as it rises. The morning spread from Dante’s View is a worthy alternative. The centrally located form a dramatic backdrop at either end of the day.��Hike out a bit to lose fellow spectators and their footprints. Finally, make a golden-hour pilgrimage along scenic Artist’s Drive to , an explosion of color created by the oxidation of various metals and minerals embedded in the rock.

How to Get to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is located in central California, pressed up against the Nevada border. The nearest major airport is Las Vegas McCarren, two hours from the park’s main visitor center at��. If you’re driving from Las Vegas, you’ll pass through Death Valley Junction, a near-ghost town with a tiny population, before entering the park from the east. Those traveling from Los Angeles, 2.5 hours by car, can also cruise up scenic U.S. Route 395, entering the park from its��western entrance at Panamint Springs via CA-190 out of Olancha.��Or enter the park via NV-374 from Beatty, Nevada, a small town located two hours northwest of Las Vegas.

When��Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Death Valley?

Fall:��Starting��in late October, when camping season begins and the crowds have yet to arrive, temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees. Unless it’s your destination, avoid the annual����during��the second weekend of November.

Winter:��The months of November to February brings cooler temps ranging between 40 and 77��degrees, along with potential snowfall at high elevations. Despite Death Valley’s general dryness, precipitation is most likely in winter. Because of the area’s topography, heavy rainfall can prove dangerous. In 2015, flash floods ripped through the park, trapping visitors and damaging infrastructure.

Spring:��March to early May��boasts the most ideal weather and, in wetter years, vibrant wildflower blooms, which usually peak around late March. It’s also the best time to view pupfish darting around the habitat they are named after. This is the most popular season in the park; while there are plenty of campsites to go around, a weekend arrival means you may have to drive around a bit to find a place to lay your head.

Summer:��This season is for masochists—and for those who either stick to the park’s highest reaches or stay put inside their air-conditioned vehicles. The heat index is relentless from May through October; highs rocket into triple digits and can hover there overnight. For this reason, park authorities close several campgrounds and caution against outdoor activities during the day.

Where to Stay in Death Valley

Camping

The park has��, four of which are free, with others starting at $14. All of them are first-come, first-served, except for the 136-site�� (from $16), which takes reservations between October and April. While Sunset (closed in summer) and Stovepipe Wells are the largest campgrounds, with 270 and 190 spaces, respectively, my favorite is the 92-site Texas Springs, which is centrally located and perched just high enough to offer great views of the surrounding area. is allowed in previously disturbed areas—the wilderness boundary is 50 feet from the park’s dirt roads. Be sure��to park your car��right next to the road to minimize impact.��If you’re planning a summer stay, be aware��that Texas Springs and Stovepipe Wells��close due to the oppressive heat and dangerous ground temperatures.

Hotels

During hotter months, you may want to skip the campgrounds altogether and check into within the park. The most affordable options include the family-owned�� (from $55), which has 23 motel rooms, one cottage, and tent cabins; the 83-room�� (from $144); and the (from $199), which has 275 rooms along Highway 190 next to the National Park Service visitor center. If you’re looking for something that’s more resort, opt for the recently refurbished (formerly the Furnace Creek Inn, from $359), a lush, Mission-style resort with 66 rooms and 22 casitas that defies the arid surroundings. T������’s affordable lodging available outside the park in the town of Beatty and at the historic ��(from $90) in Death Valley Junction, but choosing to bed down farther inside the park will allow you to avoid a sleepy drive on either end of the day.

What to Do in Death Valley National Park

At 3.4 million acres, most of them designated wilderness, Death Valley is one of the largest national parks. That spaciousness means t������’s plenty of room to roam—but it also means you’ll probably spend a lot of time blasting the AC in the car. If you plan to spend��several days here, schedule your activities by location.

Hiking

For the most part, it’s best to avoid hiking Death Valley in the hotter months. If you insist, a good warm-weather option is��, the park’s high point at 11,049 feet. Bed down at the ten-site Mahogany Flat Campground next to the trailhead��for an early start on the strenuous 14-mile round-trip hike. Keep an eye out for gnarled stands of ancient bristlecone pines along the way. Within a mile, the vegetation gives way to unobstructed views of the valley.��The meadow between Rogers and Bennett Peaks is a good place to camp if you want to break up the hike into two days.

Plenty more options abound if you hit the ground in late fall, winter, or early spring. The one-mile hike to ��is family-friendly, with a payoff less than half a mile into the high-walled canyon at a picturesque arch caused by erosion. You’ll find the trailhead 13 miles south of Furnace Creek. Farther north, near Scotty’s Castle, offers a choose-your-own-adventure option with three very different trails: skirt the two-mile rim of the colorful depression that was��gouged out of the earth centuries ago by a volcanic explosion;��take a one-mile out-and-back that traces the western rim to its smaller adjacent crater, Little Hebe;��or descend to its sandy bottom. Just remember: what goes down must climb 600 feet��back up.

My personal favorite is the loop that winds through labyrinthine��. The trip offers varying routes that range in difficulty and is doable in as few as 4.2 miles, though it’s worth adding more miles to visit , the towering Red Cathedral formation, and the sharp folds of Death Valley’s dramatic badlands. Start at the Golden Canyon Trailhead, located two miles south of CA-190 on Badwater Road.

Overnight options abound for backpackers. One of the most iconic excursions is to Panamint City, an impressively intact ghost town that once boomed with prospectors mining its stores of silver ore. The steep, strenuous 14-mile round-trip hike begins along a crumbling roadbed in water-filled Surprise Canyon,��about an hour south of Panamint Springs.��Bring a map and expect scrambling, overgrown vegetation, and wet feet.

Driving

Death Valley boasts nearly 1,000 miles of roadbed. While many are accessible by passenger car, the possibilities expand if you’re rolling in a vehicle blessed with high clearance and four-wheel drive. Most who explore��beyond the pavement��and maintained dirt roads choose to do so in a jeep; rent one from , located near the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.

One of the most famous—and famously difficult to access—spots in Death Valley is the , a dry lake bed dotted with large boulders that move during infrequent freeze-thaw conditions, leaving slug-like trails in the playa crust. It’s a long, rough drive to get here; tradition dictates a stop at mile 20��to hang a kettle at Teakettle Junction. Once you arrive, six miles later, tread very carefully—prints from humans and vehicles are not only unsightly��but can scar the Racetrack playa, which is especially delicate when wet.

Farther north, an equally long drive deposits you at the , thought to be some of the��tallest in North America. To the east, the narrow road in cuts through 27��miles of the towering Grapevine Mountains, located between the outskirts of Beatty and Scotty’s Castle Road in the park’s center. Keep an eye out for hikers and cyclists, and plan to stop along the way to visit the ghost town of ��and admire bighorn sheep and petroglyphs at Klare Spring.

One of the park’s standout features is also the lowest spot in North America: , a salt flat located 282 feet below sea level. For an exceptional vista that, on a clear day, includes , the tallest peak in the continental United States, cruise up to Dante’s View, an overlook perched high above the valley floor.

Cycling

��launches from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center and leads to Harmony Borax Works, but if you want a grand adventure riding on pavement, consider bisecting the park east to west or north to south. Beyond that, pack a mountain bike (and fix-it gear, plenty of water, and current paper maps) to explore the park’s extensive network of dirt roads. The only limitations��are time, physical ability, weather (winter and early spring are ideal), and water availability (scarce). If you’re not so keen on going it alone, plenty of operators, from REI to local outfits, offer paid tours.

Stargazing

One of my favorite stargazing experiences happened during a late-winter evening at the site, where it seemed the entire galaxy opened up overhead. As it turns out, Death Valley is a��star nerd’s dream; with little in the way of light pollution, it’s been certified as a Dark Sky Park by the . Rangers lead frequent night-sky programs, but it’s pretty easy to enjoy the sights on your own—just head anywhere that’s not obscured by canyon walls and look up. For a somewhat dreamlike experience, trek across the Mesquite Sand Dunes at sunset and stick around for the sky to open up. Just pay attention to your route—it’s easy to lose your way in the lunar landscape.

The Best Places to Eat and��Drink Around Death Valley��

You might want to pack a cooler—it’s slim pickings in this corner of the Mojave. Dining options are clustered around the Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs areas, including at the hotels.��The latter two offer relatively basic fare and unfussy settings, although the digs at Stovepipe Wells provide a bit more Western flair, especially at the . The , located in the town square area of the Ranch at Death Valley, cranks that theme up to eleven, with loads of atmosphere and fancier grub, and prices to match. Believe it or not, t������’s also a poolside bar in��the park, complete with cocktails and cabanas, though it’s limited to guests of the Inn at Death Valley.

It’s worth a visit to Death Valley Junction on either end of your trip to order breakfast or lunch from the slim but well-curated menu at the historic , open fall through spring.

If You Have Time for a Detour

Speaking of Death Valley Junction, no visit is complete without a tour of the , lovingly restored by a dancer from New York��named Marta Becket who discovered the abandoned theater��building in the late 1960s while stranded in the tiny outpost with a flat tire. Though Becket died in 2017, the theater��continues to present films, concerts, and stage shows in her honor; tours are available year-round.

Another can’t-miss is , a large and well-preserved ghost town located just outside Beatty, Nevada, whose population soared into the five digits before it shuttered in 1916. Among the remaining buildings are three unique bottle houses, made by embedding glass beverage��bottles��in��mortar, built��by a prospector named Tom Kelly, who gathered his materials from the dozens of saloons that once dotted the town. It’s not the only sign of artistry in the area—the down the road features a collection of massive sculpture installations that rise from the desert floor.

How to Be Conscious

In 2016, the endangered��tiny pupfish at made a big splash in the news when three men were arrested for trespassing in its protected enclosure. One of them decided to go for a drunken swim with the endangered-fish population, which numbers just over 100 in total, and landed himself a prison sentence after a dead fish was discovered in the pool. That’s all to say: don’t be that person.

Also, protect yourself by paying attention to the surroundings. Death Valley is pockmarked with thousands of shafts from abandoned��mines, and though the park has been working on it for a decade, it’s only been able to sign and barricade a portion of them.��Open shafts abound, so steer clear.

Editor’s Note: We frequently update this National Parks guide, which was originally published on Nov 6, 2019.

The post The Ultimate Death Valley National Park Travel Guide appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

It’s embarrassing to admit, but ten years ago, when I first started going to Joshua Tree National Park, I got lost. I’d been shuffling along, marveling at the sheer magnitude of the fractured monzogranite towers, when I realized that the trail had vanished. I clambered atop the nearest pile of boulders��and took stock of the situation: an endless, undulating desert sparkling in the midday heat—and thankfully, a familiar beige ribbon in the not too far distance.

I offer this anecdote not to dissuade a visit, but to say that Joshua Tree is so mesmerizing that it’s pretty easy to get turned around out there. It’s also pretty��damn vast. Originally home to the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave,��Serrano, and Western Shoshone peoples, the park contains nearly 800,000 acres, more than a third of them designated wilderness, and many of those trail-free, a siren call to anyone who might enjoy a little desert solitaire.

But this is no lonely swath of sand. The whole place is riddled with snaking canyons, hidden oases, and bulbous rocks��hosting a variety of wildlife, including bobcats, coyotes, jackrabbits, and the threatened Mojave desert tortoise. In addition, the Southern California park receives nearly three million visitors a year who fan across its dual regions—the more arid and remote Colorado Desert, to the east, and the higher-elevation and more heavily developed��Mojave Desert, to the west. The latter is where you’ll find the highest concentration��of the park’s Seussian namesake, which is not a tree at all��but a monocot, a flowering plant that’s related to yucca.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting Joshua Tree National Park

Beware the spiky chollas.

During one of my earliest Joshua Tree hikes, a spindly segment of pencil cholla pierced through the thick rubber of my boot soles. Not long after plucking it out, I accidentally kicked a hefty wad of Teddybear��Cholla into my tender calf. This is to say: pay attention to your surroundings. Long sleeves and pants help prevent contact with pointy pests, but the importance of a kit featuring��a beefy set of pliers to pry off stems from shoes��can’t be underestimated.

Prepare to put your navigational skills to the test.

Despite all the thorny traps, my favorite way to experience Joshua Tree is to ramble cross-country; for this, a good map and solid backcountry��skills are crucial. Spend a day finding your way to Quail Mountain, the park’s high point at 5,814��feet, and nearby , neither of which have developed trails to their summits. The latter is named for a woman who lobbied Franklin D. Roosevelt to designate the area as a national park; while it was first protected as a national monument, Hoyt’s wish was granted in 1994, almost 50 years after her death. The peaks are located several miles west of the Hidden Valley Picnic Area as the crow flies; several established off-trail routes exist from the north and the east, so dig into some research and consult a topo map before committing to a plan.

Embrace the golden hours.

Joshua Tree is pure magic during the wee hours. Light pollution is minimal, so the night skies absolutely sparkle.��August is a stargazer’s delight during the Perseid meteor shower. Set your alarm to catch sunrise the next day.��The , located on Pinto Basin Road at��the park’s center, and ��(boasting sight lines to the glittering Salton Sea and beyond), farther west at the end of Keys View Road, are especially picturesque at this time.

How to Get There

The nearest airport is , located less than an hour from the park’s quiet south entrance off Interstate 10. T������’s not much in this area besides tumbleweeds and highway traffic, but you’ll find����seven miles from the park’s southern entrance. Its��62-site����is a less in-demand��option than��lodging within the park��during high season (from the end of August through early June, when it accepts reservations only, from $25), and has several hiking trails. Detour to , 25 minutes southeast of��the airport,��for a thick date shake to sweeten the drive.

The small��but colorful community of Joshua Tree is home to the west entrance and its namesake visitor center, although the park’s most popular features are about a 30-minute drive into the park. It’s most frequently used by visitors coming from Los Angeles.��The ��from Los Angeles International��Airport��offers plenty of diversions; it’s practically required to stop and snap a photo beside one of the famous —you’ll know them when you see them, especially if you’re a Pee-wee Herman fan.

The north entrance is located just below the city of��, known for its Marine Corps base and vibrant��public murals. Enjoy the sights, then cool down with a stroll through the shady and adjacent . During high season, use this entrance to avoid long waits, and pay park fees at the visitor center for even faster entry.

What’s��the Best Time of Year to Visit Joshua Tree?

While hearty locals and curious visitors cruise the park year-round (even during its sultry summer season, when temperatures often hit 100 degrees),��crowds swell in the more temperate fall and spring months, which maintain a range��of 50 to 85 degrees, dipping only during the harshest winter conditions, when it can get as low as 35 degrees.

Fall

Prime time begins in October, when temperatures downshift from summer’s triple-digit highs and visitors begin to pour in. You’ll likely have to jockey for parking at most established trailheads, so arrive early in the day. Campgrounds also fill up quickly, at least over the weekends, so have a backup plan—say, or springing for a hotel room—if you’re rolling up without a reservation.

Winter

The months of December and January��are mercurial: one day you’re playing lizard on a sunny rock, and��the next��you’re swaddled in a pile of down. Layers are key. Biting winds, rainstorms, and snow showers aren’t uncommon, but the upside for those prepared for the finicky elements is that cold temperatures and precipitation keep the shoulder season’s��larger crowds at bay (though you won’t be completely alone on trails or at camp).

Spring

Thanks to abundant wildflowers and mild temperatures, spring is the most popular season in Joshua Tree.��Joshua trees begin sprouting their creamy blossoms in February, and bright splotches from blooming cacti and wildflowers—including the desert lily, sand verbena, and ocotillo—dot the desert floor through April.

Summer

A visit between May and September grants more solitude��but not without significant cost: temperatures often top 100 degrees. Come prepared with ample water, protective clothing, and perhaps even an umbrella or shade structure for your campsite. And take it easy—heat-related illnesses are common and sometimes prove fatal.

Where to Stay in Joshua Tree National Park

In the Park

Snagging a campsite in Joshua Tree is a competitive sport during peak seasons; no day of the week is easy, though the odds improve midweek. The Indian Cove, Black Rock, Jumbo Rocks, Ryan, and Cottonwood Campgrounds (from $20) are Hidden Valley, Belle, and White Tank are first-come, first-served (and some, including Belle and Ryan, with the latter two closed during the summer (from $15). My favorite of these is , a small and somewhat remote campground that’s a 20-minute drive from the park’s Twentynine Palms entrance on Pinto Basin Road. From camp, it’s a short walk along a half-mile nature trail to find excellent sunrise views at nearby Arch Rock. Dirtbags frequent the more centrally located for its proximity to primo climbing at massive Intersection Rock. Expect to make friends if you have climbing gear lying around.

Beyond the Park

If you strike out in the park, t������’s (from $15), about 20 minutes north of the main entrance. It’s an affordable option that lacks the park’s iconic boulder piles but makes up for it with a small, serene fishing lake. Alternatively, you can set up on a checkerboard of BLM parcels scattered just below the southern entrance, off of Cottonwood Springs Road and Interstate 10. For less sandy digs, book a room at the charming (from $138), or bunk down in one of ten themed rentals at (from $115), something of a summer camp for adults thanks to amenities that include an archery range, Ping-Pong table, and mini-golf course. Both are a ten-minute drive from the park’s west entrance. Twentynine Palms boasts far more lodging. The (from $140) is one of its most unique, with lush landscaping, rustic cabins, colorful adobes, and an organic garden that’s harvested for an on-site restaurant. And Instagrammable Airbnb rentals abound along Highway 62, from rustic desert cabins��to geodesic dome houses.

The Best ���ϳԹ���s in Joshua Tree National Park

While driving around to ogle Joshua Tree’s iconic rock formations is a noble pursuit in itself, this playful landscape is best experienced on foot.��Be sure to pack in all the water you’ll need,��because��t������’s very little available in the park beyond at the visitor centers and . And download any maps or apps ahead of time as��cell service is effectively nonexistent.

Hiking

The around Barker Dam, located off its namesake road in the north side of the park, is a family-friendly option that passes one of Joshua Tree’s��few watering holes, a pond that nurtures plant life and rises��during winter rains, which makes it one of the best sites to view migrating birds. At the dam site, look for an inscription in the concrete and a spiral-shaped trough below, remnants of the area’s cattle-ranching history. Farther ahead, an obvious turnoff leads to a cave decorated with petroglyphs.

Ten minutes south, on Park Boulevard, the popular to Ryan Mountain leads to can’t-miss views of the park’s western half, including the massive boulder piles that form the Wonderland of Rocks. For more solitude, depart from on the park’s quieter western edge for a 6.3-mile out-and-back hike to the summit of Warren Peak, a craggy promontory that offers front-row views of two SoCal��gems—San Gorgonio Mountain and Mount San Jacinto, often snowcapped from fall through spring.

Of course, no Joshua Tree experience is complete without a trip through its gold-loving past. The moderately difficult to Lost Horse Mine, located off Keys View Road, features the well-preserved remnants of a��successful mine that��generated the modern equivalent of $5 million worth of gold and silver ore during its heyday��as well as��expansive vistas across the park’s southernmost reaches. For a longer alternative, set up a car shuttle to day-hike or backpack the 16-mile roundtrip Boy Scout Trail, which skirts the impressive Wonderland of Rocks and offers a side trip just over a mile from its southern terminus to visit Willow Hole, a seasonal water source and wildlife draw that rings its famed tree.

Climbing

The rock here is world-famous—and famously sandbagged—so��check your ego before chalking up. Winter and spring offer the grippiest rock, but that iconic grit will also chew the flesh right off your fingers, so pack plenty of tape and antibiotic ointment.

While it doesn’t have much to offer sport climbers, the park boasts thousands of slabby boulder problems and crack-laden trad routes spread far and wide.��A��bike, car, or opposable thumb is necessary to get around. The Hidden Valley area is popular, due to its proximity to its namesake , but no matter where you climb, bring plenty of sun protection, approach shoes, and a level head.��Runouts are common,��as are surprisingly spicy walk-offs.

Robert Miramontes’s�� is the book to carry if you’re dragging a crash pad.�� rents well-worn copies. For more hands-on instruction, consider taking a class or springing for a private guide from . You can also snag beta from rangers and fellow dirtbags at the Climbers Coffee��sessions offered weekend mornings at during the high season.

Horseback Riding

While riding across an exposed, waterless desert isn’t for everyone, well-prepared equestrians (including those who hire the knowledgeable guides at , from $135 for 90 minutes) will be able to access over 250 miles of …horse-friendly paths, including a 37-mile chunk of the much larger California Riding and Hiking Trail, which stretches from Black Rock Campground in the park’s northwest corner to its north entrance near Twentynine Palms.

Bird-Watching

Pack your binoculars, bird nerds. Thanks to its location along the famous Pacific Flyway migration route, the park hosts over 250 species of songbirds, waterbirds, and raptors. Year-round, you’ll likely spot��quail, roadrunners, egrets, osprey, red-tailed hawks, and bald eagles. But visit in spring for max avian stoke.

Cycling

While singletrack is off-limits, bikes are allowed on all of Joshua Tree’s public roads. Stick to the dirt roads��for more solitude and adventure. Queen Valley Road, which begins just south of the , is a relatively chill cruise that leads to the trailhead for Desert Queen Mine. Lock your bike at the trailhead and hike in 1.5 miles to view the remains of historic stone buildings and mining equipment.��Farther west, climb some 400 feet on remote Eureka Peak Road to reach its eponymous summit and excellent views. Check in with the folks at for additional recommendations and rentals.

Where to Eat and Drink Around Joshua Tree

The community of Joshua Tree, ten minutes north of��the park’s west entrance, is small��but mighty when it comes to eats; plus, everything is within walking distance of the town’s sole stoplight. I’ve spent more mornings than I can count hunched over a strong cup of joe (roasted by ; snag an excellent bag of beans at their storefront across the road) and a plate of salsa-slathered eggs and polenta at .

For lunch��I pull up a stool (and order a pint), then sink into a portobello burger at the . For lighter fare, it’s over to the����for a smoothie. On the rare occasion I’m not scarfing dinner by headlamp, I head straight to (these multitasking entrepreneurs also own a convenience store next door) for a belly full of curry.

Twentynine Palms offers a more expansive selection of eateries, including fast-food joints you won’t find in the town of Joshua Tree. Skip those in favor of , a cozy and creative eatery with Caribbean-inspired food��located on Mesquite Avenue; it’s also a great place to hammer away at your keyboard if the need should arise. You don’t need to be a guest to enjoy an evening at ; grab a seat at the poolside bar and restaurant for cocktails and upscale comfort food, much of it crafted from its��on-site garden.

If You Have Time for a Detour

South Entrance

If entering from the south, it’s worth the mileage to drop 30��minutes down to the Salton Sea, a highly saline (and rapidly disappearing) lake formed accidentally at the turn of the 20th century when the Colorado River flooded an existing irrigation system. T������’s a visitor center and campground on its north shore at the , which offers great bird-watching, with several hundred species of feathered friends making their way through on their winter migrations. Forty minutes southeast of here sits , a vibrant folk-art installation with religious overtones and pop-culture connotations. The site served as a��backdrop for a memorable scene in the film adaptation of Into the Wild.

West Entrance

The long stretch of Highway 62 between Morongo Valley and Twentynine Palms offers plenty of diversions and deserves at least a full day of your itinerary. Heading east, begin with a saunter around the lush , a major stopover on the Pacific Flyway and part of the , to enjoy the very rare sight of desert wetlands. From there, drive ten minutes to caffeinate at ’s rustic , then veer north��a few minutes more to sit a spell at the rustic , equal parts dive bar, BBQ joint, and world-class music venue (I highly recommend making dinner reservations and scoring show tickets as its��outdoor stage is unforgettable, no matter who’s playing). Farther north, in tiny Landers,��make an appointment well ahead of time to align your chakras to the dulcet tones of a sound bath at the (from $50), a domed structure that sits on a geomagnetic vortex in the Mojave Desert. Closer to the park’s Joshua Tree entrance, trace a series of dusty roads to arrive at the (free of charge, open sunrise to sunset), an immersive homage to its namesake creator, who used discarded materials to concoct fantastical sculptures.

How to Be Conscious

Judging from the news coverage of vandals running amok, you’d think Joshua Tree was overrun with trash and criminals. While some damage has occurred over the years, the impacts were mitigated by local groups, including and the , which��take stewardship seriously, and aside from occasional sprays of graffiti, most visitors do��as well.

The park’s ecosystems are fragile, so enter with a spirit of respect, and research seasonal restrictions. If you venture off-trail, take care to avoid trampling underfoot. This dark and delicate crust, which traps rainfall and provides structural stability, is comprised of living organisms and can take years to rebuild once crushed.

In more well-traveled areas, look out for climbing and overnight-camping restrictions, which are frequently enacted to protect nesting raptors and desert bighorn sheep��as well as��allow wildlife unfettered access to precious water resources. On the subject of climbing: any bolting, even the replacement of existing hardware, requires permits, and power drills are not allowed in the wilderness. The place is packed with traces of human history—petroglyphs, pictographs, shelters, mines, mills, and beyond, which endure damage over time just from human touch.

Editor’s Note: We frequently update this National Parks guide, which was originally published on Oct 28, 2019.

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When I moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago, a row of Mexican fan palms lined the street in front of my apartment complex. They were impossibly tall and perpetually arced in the breeze—a postcard view, I suppose, except for the frond missiles that constantly battered my car.

I’ve come to love the city’s less iconic (and belligerent) tree species so much more: The cluster of pines that scent my favorite picnic spot. A sprawling oak that dominates a friend’s front yard. The gnarled ficus along one of my regular running routes. And my new favorite: a spindly desert willow that a friend and I sunk into the sun-baked dirt across from an elementary school one morning last October.

This wasn’t some guerrilla gardening stunt; we had volunteered to make arboreal tributes��for an organization that partners with a slew of nonprofits and the City of Los Angeles to plunk roughly 20,000 trees in the ground each year. Most of these are gifted to residents, but the remainder are “street trees,” like our dear desert willow, installed in a public right-of-way to provide cooling shade, reduce greenhouse gases, capture stormwater, create habitat, and improve the quality of life for all Angelenos.

“There are so many great things that trees do for us. They’re really our superheroes,” says Rachel Malarich, . She was appointed in 2019 by Mayor Eric Garcetti to help achieve the leafier goals of his an ambitious plan to supercharge the city’s climate resiliency over the next few decades. Last year was and in California history. It’s predicted that if we do nothing at all to mitigate the effects of climate change, the number of days that rocket above 95 degrees Fahrenheit in Los Angeles County will triple in the decades to come.

Malarich’s first (and most headline-grabbing) task was to coordinate by the end of 2021. The pandemic slowed things, so that target stretched to 2022; as of press time, more than 65,000 trees have been planted. But Malarich and her team have a much bigger charge: create a more equitable urban forest in L.A. is concentrated in just five census blocks, containing only 1 percent of the city’s population. Unsurprisingly, these areas tend to be more affluent and whiter than parts of the city with little tree cover. The city’s plan would double tree canopy over the next six years in the city’s areas of highest need—namely low-income communities and communities of color that are disproportionately affected by climate change.

L.A. isn’t the only city working to create a more equitable canopy. In 2017, the parks and recreation department in Portland, Oregon, committed to a five-year racial-equity plan that includes tree planting and expanding parkland. , in Tennessee, launched in 2018 as a public-private joint venture aiming to add 500,000 trees to Davidson County’s urban forest by 2050. And in 2020, groundwork began for the City of Philadelphia’s first-ever urban-forest strategic plan.

But it’s the sheer scope of L.A.’s effort—which includes cutting-edge technology, groundbreaking research, and remarkable coordination between city government, countless nonprofits, universities, data scientists, and everyday citizens—that makes it a vanguard. “The city of L.A. is almost 500 square miles and spans so many social, cultural, political, and economic backgrounds,” says City Plants executive director Rachel O’Leary. “I really do believe that if we can crack this nut in Los Angeles, we can do it anywhere.”

The post How Los Angeles Is Leading the Urban Tree-Planting Revolution appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

While cutting lazy circles in the teal waters near ’s Scorpion Anchorage during my second-ever sea-kayaking experience, I made a rookie mistake. “What are some of the most memorable wildlife encounters you’ve had at the park?” I asked , a writer, photographer, and paddler who’s been guiding here for almost 20 years. He didn’t miss a beat. “Well, probably the two encounters I’ve had with great white sharks.”

It’s a testament to the stunning beauty of these islands and the Pacific waters surrounding them that I only ruminated on his response for a moment. The idea of killer sharks existing in a place like this was akin to a villain in a Disney film to me; even they took on an unthreatening feeling. On this perfect spring day, fingers of feather boa��and giant bladder kelp swayed beneath my kayak. A squadron of California brown pelicans perched nearby on craggy Scorpion Rock, while peregrine falcons swooped down to ruffle their feathers. Fleshy harbor seals sunbathed on craggy��outcroppings as a bald eagle cruised a thermal above. Beyond it all, the yawning mouths of barnacle-crusted sea caves beckoned like geologic sirens. You better bet I answered the call.

Channel Islands National Park, located off the coast of Southern California, provides visitors countless��pinch-me moments, but despite a fellow tourist��blurting out that she felt like she was living in a movie, I can assure you that everything here is quite real. Four of the park’s five islands (Anacapa, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Santa Rosa) once existed as a single volcanic landmass that was partially submerged during a post-ice-age period of glacial melt, creating the chain we see today. Over time, the Chumash and Tongva people came to inhabit the islands, and their descendants remain connected to them over 10,000 years later.

Because the islands are isolated from the mainland, nearly 150 of the more than 2,000 species of plants and animals existing��across them��are found nowhere else in the world. The most famous of these is the island fox, an adorable��floof that’s roughly the size of a well-fed house cat. I’ve never not seen one on Santa Cruz, where they roam Scorpion Anchorage and the nearby campground looking for discarded��snacks—that is, if the massive (and surprisingly dexterous) ravens don’t get to them first.

When I asked Graham��why he’d spent almost two decades of his life connected to this place of tiny foxes and outsize��scenery, he responded that it was because he could experience the land and the ocean as they��once were—before the 1980 creation of the national park, and before Spanish missionaries arrived in the 16th century and nearly decimated both the landscape and the Chumash and Tongva ways of life. I could tell that the Channel Islands had burrowed deep within his heart,��and I suspect that��after a visit, you might feel the same.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting

Get your logistical ducks in order. Unlike most national parks, this one is car-free—well, except for the main visitor center, which is located in the harbor area of the park’s gateway town, Ventura, California—so you’ll need to arrive via sea or sky. Most folks cruise over on the ferry (more on this shortly), and I recommend taking the earliest one you can schedule to maximize your island time. It’s not as crucial to strike out early if you’re camping, but you will need to coordinate carefully and book early��to ensure that campsites and boats are available on the same dates. Weekends fill up��quickly for both, especially in the warmer months. And I do recommend camping, especially if you’re visiting the two biggest islands, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, since t������’s so much to see.

Pack everything you need—yes, everything. Infrastructure is minimal across the islands. Unlike many other marquee parks, there are no restaurants, hotels, stores, and traffic… which is actually a huge plus. With the exception of the Scorpion Canyon Campground on Santa Cruz and��the Water Canyon Campground on Santa Rosa, t������’s also no potable water.��Plan to carry a gallon per day��per person if you’re traveling outside those areas. In addition, visitors should pack plenty of layers, a personal first aid kit, and food for the day. If you forget the latter, or if you want to supplement your stash, the Island Packers ferry��sell snacks and libations (including the adult variety) on board.

It’s wild out there. The islands sit on the southern side of the Santa Barbara Channel, and the shortest ferry crossing takes roughly an hour. It can get mighty windy out here, which creates chop, so anyone prone to seasickness might consider popping Dramamine before boarding. If you’re scanning for seabirds or marine life, the bow (or front) of the boat is the place to be—but hang on tight, because it’s a wild (and often wet) ride. Once on shore, the weather varies from island to island, with the outer isles (San Miguel and Santa Rosa) most likely to be hammered by the wind. T������’s not a lot of shade available, save for scattered stands that include oaks and rare Torrey pines, so good sun protection is a must. Finally, keep your distance from cliff edges (there are many), which are subject to erosion.

How to Get There

It’s about a 90-minute drive from��Los Angeles International��northwest to Ventura Harbor, where boats depart for the islands. Alternatively, ��offers service between LAX and��the Four Points by Sheraton hotel, located at the harbor front.

While runs private (and pricey) flights to��Santa Rosa��and San Miguel, most people travel via ferry. Island Packers, the official park concessionaire, runs frequent trips to Santa Cruz and Anacapa year-round (one hour each way)��and to the other three islands spring through fall (roughly three to four��hours each way, depending on conditions). The crew does a fantastic job of whipping up excitement about the national park��and its surrounding waters, and they often have a guest naturalist or ranger on board to answer any questions. In addition, they will often stop for wildlife sightings and may even pilot the boat into Santa Cruz’s��Painted Cave, one of the longest sea caves in the world, if you’re in that��area. During a recent trip, we spotted a pair of humpback whales, along with a colossal pod of dolphins who were in cahoots with the pelicans, staging an elaborate routine to round��up fish for one another. Be sure to drop a few bucks in the tip jar (for the humans) on your return voyage.

Traveling between islands isn’t impossible, but it does require some logistical gymnastics. Island Packers offers occasional service between Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz, but otherwise��you’re rolling solo. Experienced boaters and kayakers who are equipped with proper safety and navigation gear can island-hop if the weather cooperates, but research landing and camping options ahead of time. There aren’t many,��and with the exception of Scorpion Cove and its nearby campground, few are convenient. It’s also possible to pilot your own craft from the mainland to the islands, although you’ll be traveling across major shipping lanes—not an endeavor for the faint of heart.

When��Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Channel Islands?

Winter

Come December, it’s not just colder, hovering in the low sixties��during the day and the high thirties��at night, but also stormier, with the likelihood of rain and high winds increasing through March. The upside to a late-winter visit is that the islands practically glow with chlorophyll, and wildflowers add even more color—my favorite is the giant coreopsis, whose daisylike yellow blooms and feathery foliage cluster at the end of twisted, woody branches, giving it��a somewhat Seussian appearance. Mid-December also marks the beginning of the annual gray whale migration; scan the channel as you cross to see if you can spot their misty spouts.

Spring

As daytime temperatures rise to the high sixties��and��rain decreases in frequency, the greenery fades. But luckily, flowers continue to dot the landscape, and whales keep on swimming in the vicinity. Come April, seabirds—including western gulls and California brown pelicans—begin nesting in earnest. This is especially obvious on the tiny island of Anacapa, where they usually kick back en masse until mid-August. Plan your visit to this mini��chain of three islets for any other time of year, unless you enjoy dodging poop missiles while accompanied by the dulcet tones of incessant squawking.

Summer

This is the most popular time to visit the islands, when air and water temperatures climb to their warmest, in the seventies,��and children��are out of school.��Weather conditions—and thus��ocean conditions—are also typically at their calmest, creating excellent underwater visibility for swimmers, snorkelers, and divers. The odds also increase for marine-wildlife sightings, since blue and humpback whales are migrating past the Channel Islands during��these��months.

Fall

Water temperatures reach their peak in early fall, which makes this the best season to take a dip if you’re so inclined. Autumn is also prime time to witness seabirds and elephant seals settling into their nests and rookeries around the park; just remember to give these island residents their privacy. By October, the infamous Santa Ana winds begin to pick up, blowing hard through January.

Where to Stay near Channel Islands

Campgrounds

A single walk-in campground is available on each of the islands, with the exception of Santa Cruz, which has two. To reach them, plan to hike anywhere from a quarter-mile to a full mile (and up a steep flight of stairs on Anacapa) with your gear. Reservations are required and can be made up to six months in advance via ($15). It’s also possible to reserve space on several of Santa Rosa’s remote beaches from mid-August to December ($10). No matter where you intend��to snooze, book your ferry ticket first, since those get snapped up quickly.

Hotels

While there isn’t any brick-and-mortar lodging on the islands, you’ll find a pair of chain hotels at the Ventura harbor, located only a mile from the ferry, with more scattered along the coast. I can vouch for the ��(from $170), which features serene landscaped grounds and what I can only describe as a hot-tub terrarium (trust me, that’s a good thing). Closer to downtown and its popular pier, the almost��beachside ��(campsites from $59; trailers from $175) features over a dozen quirky vintage trailers for rent, along with even more space to park your own (BYOT, if you will). For a more refined aesthetic, splash out for a stay at one of the two century-old Craftsman-style��cottages at the����(from $127), a property built in 1910 that has long hosted Hollywood luminaries and others who appreciate historic architecture (and ocean views).

What to Do While You’re There

Hiking

Santa Cruz (Limuw��in the Chumash language) is the park’s most popular destination and its largest at 62,000 acres. Only 24 percent��of the island is accessible to visitors, however, since the Nature Conservancy manages the remaining acreage. T������’s still too much to see in a day (or even two), so spend a night if you can. My favorite day hike is the 7.5-mile round��trip from Scorpion Anchorage to Smuggler’s Cove, climbing to the fox-filled grasslands atop the island before dropping down to a pebble-strewn beach littered with tide pools. On the north side of the island, it’s only a five-mile��round��trip to score an eagle’s-eye view of the rugged coastline and brilliant blue waters at Potato Harbor; if you’re short on time, the two-mile Cavern Point Loop keeps you closer to Scorpion Anchorage while still offering a bluff-top vantage. For something less traveled, stroll the 4.5-mile Scorpion Canyon Loop, which serves as prime habitat for the bright blue island scrub jay, a species endemic to Santa Cruz.

The second-largest island, Santa Rosa (Wima), is also flush with trails. It might be tempting to park yourself on the pristine white sands that curl around Bechers Bay near the landing dock, but make time to��soak in the landscape. Day-trippers will be able to complete the 3.5-mile Cherry Canyon Loop, which follows a thin singletrack through its namesake gorge before depositing you atop a bluff with exceptional views of the coastline and rugged interior. If you’re staying longer, extend the route for a total of eight miles to tag 1,298-foot��Black Mountain and enjoy the 360-degree panoramas at��its summit. From the dock, it’s about 4.5 miles one-way to the mouth of Lobo Canyon, a winding slot of wind- and water-carved sandstone that travels roughly 1.5 miles before spilling out onto what feels like your own private beach.

San Miguel (Tuqan) is the park’s westernmost island, which means it’s susceptible to the gnarliest weather; windbreakers are all but mandatory. Due to possible unexploded ordinance (the Navy once committed the sacrilege of holding bombing practice here), unaccompanied visitors are restricted to a relatively small chunk of island’s northeastern quadrant near the ranger station. That’s why it’s worth it to call ahead and��ensure that a ranger is available to guide the 16-mile out-and-back traverse to Point Bennett, where you can gawk at a gaggle of chatty seals and sea lions living their best lives at one of the most densely populated rookeries in the world.

Hiking opportunities are slim on tiny Anacapa (Anyapax) and Santa Barbara (Siwot). On the former, a 1.5-mile round��trip drops you at Instagram-worthy Inspiration Point, while a 2.5-mile out-and-back to Elephant Seal Cove on the latter treats you to a sweeping view of its namesake pinnipeds in beachy repose.

Backpacking

Limited campsites and potable water make backpacking a little tricky. On Santa Rosa, reserve a backcountry beach-camping permit, then strike out from the dock to hike 12.4 miles along the unpaved former ranch road that traces Water Canyon before reaching prime spots near the mouth of La Jolla Vieja Canyon. Dispersed camping is available along the beach; be sure to pitch your tent above the high-water mark. On Santa Cruz, book a spot at the remote, oak-dappled Del Norte backcountry camp. This lofty perch, with only four designated sites, is a short 3.5 miles from Prisoner’s Harbor, but it feels more deliciously remote if you use it as a waypoint during a 24-mile loop from Scorpion Anchorage.

Kayaking

Listen, I’m a hiker through��and��through, but the best experience I’ve ever had at the park was sea-kayaking near Scorpion Anchorage. Unless you’re an experienced paddler, book a tour through ��(from $118), which provides knowledgeable guides like Graham, along with all the equipment you’ll need for a few hours or a half��day on the water. If you are already one with the ocean, rent a kayak from ��(from $12.50 per hour) at least one day before your trip, or bring your own (contact Island Packers to make sure they have room on board; kayak transport is��$20 to $28 on top of your ferry-ticket price, depending on its size). Scorpion Anchorage features the friendliest waters, followed by Anacapa, where you’ll find incredible tide pools at isolated Frenchy’s Cove. Due to their more unpredictable weather and waters, touring the outer islands is only recommended for the most experienced paddlers.

Snorkeling and Diving

Roughly half of Channel Islands National Park is underwater, with its boundary stretching a nautical mile out from shore;��a zone six nautical miles beyond that is protected as a national marine sanctuary. This makes the park’s waters an extraordinary place to view marine life. Channel Islands ���ϳԹ��� Company also leads beginner-friendly snorkel tours at Scorpion Anchorage, where you’ll marvel at sunlit kelp forests brimming with sea life, including the neon orange garibaldi, California’s state marine fish. Experienced snorkelers and divers will also enjoy the biodiversity in the waters surrounding Anacapa and Santa Barbara Islands. Wetsuits are recommended year-round. Snorkeling gear rentals are available via��Channel Islands ���ϳԹ��� Company (reserve equipment��before arriving on the island); divers can rent their gear��back on the mainland at , located in the harbor.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink Around Ventura

Nearly every time I��take��an early ferry to the islands, I make a quick pit stop at the , just��a short walk��from the Island Packers office. It��serves a thick-as-your-arm Hawaiian-inspired burrito stuffed with pineapple and Spam. And ask about its lunch boxes to go. After your return, linger awhile at the harbor to replenish your carb stash at (start with the yuca mojo de ajo), nosh on seafood classics at , or cool off with the frosty Technicolor concoctions dished up at .

Slightly farther afield, even carnivores will find plenty��to sink their teeth into at the punk-inspired , which serves up hearty, meatless riffs on all-American classics. Opt for the��Mr. BBQ jackfruit sammy with a side of Nardcorn, a loose-kernel version��on elote. The same unassuming strip mall features the , a brunch joint whose bold claim to “The Best Homemade Chorizo in Ventura” I cannot deny. T������’s even more to choose from in the heart of downtown. A local pal of mine is a fan of the curries at , another friend makes a habit of��stopping for a few island potions at , and I personally can’t wait to sample more of the fare��at tucked-away , the seafood-heavy California outpost of a Belizean gastropub. For a more casual experience, grab some local craft brews (more on this in a moment) and head to nearby San Buenaventura State Beach, where you can tuck into briny bivalves at the��.

If You Have Time for a Detour

Immortalized in song (press play on the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.” if you don’t believe me), Ventura is one of the world’s most iconic surfing locations. Grab your board and head to—wait for it—Surfer’s Point, a popular break near the downtown pier; tamer waters roll in��a few minutes up the coast at Mondo’s Beach. Less than 15 miles north of downtown Ventura, , home to the annual Rincon Classic, draws experienced surfers to a trio of good breaks. If you don’t have a board, rent one from the old-timers at , which has been catering to��wave hounds since the sixties. If you don’t have the skills, learn from the crew at ;��they teach groms of all ages.

For a short stroll or run, check out pastoral , which slices through the mountainous foothills perched at the city’s northern edge. For something a little more adventurous, the rugged fans out to the north, with the rising from the Pacific just a half-hour to the southeast. Cyclists will find plenty to enjoy in both of these areas, but t������’s also great cruising right in town along several paved routes, including the 12-mile Ventura Pacific Coast Bikeway and the 16.5-mile Ventura River Parkway. Rent your wheels (or schedule a tour) at .

Finally, book an extra night in your hotel (and secure��a designated driver) so that you can partake in samples offered by��the region’s many purveyors of adult liquid delights. While the central coast’s famed wine country isn’t all that far away, Ventura is better known for its craft-brew scene, which includes (which keeps several gluten-reduced beers in rotation), (whose Donlon Double IPA snagged a World Beer Cup award in 2018), and brand-new (whose Peelin’ Out incorporates locally grown tangerines). That said, I truly can’t wait until I can once again kick back and sip a dreamy, creamy Tux Nitro Milk Stout in the perfectly chill beer garden at ’s Colt Street headquarters, located just east of the harbor. Save room to visit the tasting room at , a distillery that uses overstock and less��than��perfect produce from area farms (and in the case of its agave spirit, plants that people no longer want in their yards) to conjure up a host of aromatic elixirs. Try its��Wilder Gin, which tastes like all of my favorite California plants decided to get boozy together.

How to Be Conscious

There are no trash receptacles anywhere on the islands, so pack out everything you brought along for the adventure, including fruit peels and pits. I carry a reusable zip-top bag along for this purpose, just as I do when traveling anywhere in the backcountry.

Wildlife is one of the major draws of a visit to the Channel Islands, and it’s important to give our furry, finned, and feathery friends ample space to live their lives in peace while we gawk in wonder. This is especially important when seabirds and pinnipeds are caring for their young, which is why beach camping is not allowed on Santa Rosa from January through mid-August. The park suggests giving a 100-yard berth to any nesting or pupping wildlife, since our presence can spook away the parent, leaving their eggs or young unattended and vulnerable. For this same reason, tamper your squeals of joy and avoid shining lights if you enter sea caves while kayaking, since animals enjoy cozying up inside.

You can also protect the park’s wildlife by storing food in critter-proof containers, such as hard-sided coolers or the lockers provided at campsites and picnic tables. The ravens, mice, and foxes here are bold and skilled, especially on heavily touristed Santa Cruz, where they’ve evolved to learn how to open (and close—so stealthy!) zippers. Graham��shared that a cunning avian thief once swiped his car keys, which he later discovered dangling from a dock halfway around the island.

The post The Ultimate Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

We’d all like to disappear deep into the backcountry for weeks. But life (and limited vacation time) has a way of preventing that. Enter the glorious three-day weekend, where 24 bonus hours can mean the difference between a quick car-camping trip and a full-on wilderness adventure. Here are nine itineraries that maximize fun��in backcountry areas that feel light-years from the city grind but are still close enough to home to execute,��thanks to that extra��PTO day.

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Jump Off From: Seattle, Washington

Just an hour east of the Emerald City, the 394,000-acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness serves up some of the finest scenery in the Cascades—and that’s saying a lot. With a postcard-perfect landscape carved by glaciers,��pockmarked by freshwater��lakes, studded with granite peaks, and flush with wildflowers, you’ll get whiplash trying to take it all in. Head north on the Pacific Crest Trail from Snoqualmie Pass to make the 33.8-mile round-trip hike to Spectacle Lake (yes, it’s deserving of the name), traversing the exposed Kendall Katwalk and passing by a parade of subalpine meadows and lakeside campsites en route. Mountaineers will have a field day (or three) plugging pro��and peak-bagging around the glacier-draped Enchantments, which can be accessed via a roughly 20-mile route between the Stuart Lake and Snow Lakes Trailheads; set up a car shuttle at one end, or stick out your thumb to travel the eight miles back to where you started. Anglers have their pick of trout-filled riches along the West Fork Foss Lakes Trail, including the piercing blue waters of Big Heart Lake, located roughly 7.3 miles in, which features good backcountry camping on its north shore.

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With four different federal agencies overseeing 28 designations of protected areas amounting to more than 615 millions acres, it’s no wonder most Americans stick to marquee destinations, like national parks, and familiar wildernesses close��to home. That leaves so much left to be explored, which��can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. We’ve got you: just start at the beginning of this decision tree, and click on the hyperlinked indicators by your answer to jump down to the next question—or go old-school and scroll to the corresponding letter and number combination. We guarantee that the��recommendations you arrive at��will be surprising—and tailored to you.

What kind of experience do you want?

Adventurous!��Go to A1.

Chill.��Go to B1.

A1: OK, how hard do you want to go?

Just a gentle sweat, thanks. Go to C1.

Go big or go home! Go to C2.

B1: Cool. Seeing stuff or learning stuff?

Teach me your ways!��Go to D1.

Please, I’m on vacation.��Go to D2.

C1: How far out are you thinking?

Um, how close is the nearest bar? Go to E1.

Desperately seeking solitude. Go to E2.

C2: By land or by sea?

I was born with gills! Go to G1.

Landlubber here. Go to G2.

D1: All right. History buff or science nerd?

Blow my mind, nature. Go to F1.

The older, the better. Go to F2.

D2: Fine. Plants or animals?

Gimme that sweet, sweet chlorophyll. Go to H1.

I heed the call of the wild! Go to H2.

E1: Um, how close is the nearest bar?

John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Philadelphia: Right next to the Philly airport is this 1,200-acre fishing and hunting preserve.

Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico: Paddle through a mangrove forest, snorkel in crystalline waters, or cast a fly into a gemstone bay at , only a short drive from beachfront bars.

E2: Desperately seeking solitude.

Noatak National��Preserve, Alaska: Whether floating the Noatak River or trekking across the Arctic tundra, you’ll have to yourself—minus some resident caribou, moose, and grizzlies.

Ozark National��Forest, Arkansas: It’s easy to snag your own swimming hole in this mountainous, , which has dozens of waterfalls.

F1: Blow my mind, nature.

Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida: Pack a telescope and spend at least one night training your lens on some of the

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho: Keep an eye out for migrating pronghorn while traversing the caves, lava flows, and cinder cones dotting .

F2: The older, the better.

Chaco Culture ­National Historical Park, New Mexico: Join a guided tour of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins at this , then bed down in the shadow of ancient cliff dwellings.

Grand Staircase–­Escalante National Monument, Utah: Gawk at fossil-stuffed, multihued rock layers stacked like prehistoric pancakes that trace 275 million years of human and geologic history.

G1: I was born with gills!

Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia: Consult a tide table, then kayak across Cumberland Sound to pitch your tent at one of five campgrounds scattered around .

Gauley River National Recreation Area, West Virginia: Though beautiful in any season, roars to life each fall when a series of dam releases whip up a heart-pounding brew of world-class whitewater.

G2: Landlubber here.

City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho:��Calling all climbers: rack up for more than 600 routes that roughly 28 million years in the making, located south of Pocatello, near the Utah border.

McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area, Colorado and Utah: Set out from the northern ­terminus of the 142-mile Kokopelli Trail, that runs from Fruita, Colorado, to Moab, Utah.

H1: Gimme that sweet, sweet chlorophyll.

Big Thicket National ­Preserve, Texas: Feel like you’re packing multiple trips into one at , which features nine distinct ecosystems, including lush cypress swamps.

Carrizo Plain National Monument, California: Wet winters create psychedelic spring wildflower displays across the rolling meadows of in California’s Central Valley.

H2: I heed the call of the wild!

Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York: Forget people-watching in NYC—bird nerds should grab their binocs and scan for the hundreds of species that flock to .

National Bison Range, Montana: Pack a camera when visiting , which helped rescue its famous namesake—our national mammal—from the brink of extinction.

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It was the middle of the day in the middle of July the first time I visited , and the foolish act of stepping outside my perfectly air-conditioned car was a bit like being body-slammed by Satan himself. Still, as an experienced desert hiker, I loaded up with several liters of water, spackled myself with sunscreen, and hoisted my reflective umbrella before setting off for Delicate Arch, the famed��figure��of many a Utah license plate.

My sweat equity paid off, and for a few moments I had the place to myself—pretty amazing, considering this is one of the park’s most iconic stops. Maybe it was the heat, but at first glance, the arch, perched on the edge of heat-seared nothingness, seemed like some otherworldly desert portal to another dimension. Except if you stepped through, you might run the risk of slipping off into a whole different kind of space.

Of course it’s not alien magic that carved Delicate Arch or any of the park’s other stunning formations but the decidedly more terrestrial power of seismic activity from the nearby Moab Fault, coupled with weather-caused erosion that’s been working for millennia to split, buff, crack, and carve this sandstone sculpture garden of sunset-hued arches, fins, and domes.

Before earning its spot as one of Utah’s five national parks in 1971, this fantastical landscape��spent over 40��years as a national monument. It was during this time that esteemed��writer and environmentalist Edward Abbey worked at Arches as a seasonal ranger, documenting��both his love for the area��and his disdain for people’s poor treatment of it in the classic Desert Solitaire. Abbey, whose reputation in recent years has become controversial for��the racist and sexist undertones in his writing,��spent only two years at the park, however; its original caretakers were first the Fremont people, followed by Hopi, Navajo, Paiutes, and Ute, who are still connected to this enchanting place today.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting��

Watch the mercury (and your H20 intake). During��my��first visit, I saw two people leave the trail on stretchers. Heat-related illness is a common affliction for those��who fail to respect both the weather and their own bodily needs. Park guidelines suggest consuming��a gallon of water per day year-round to stay hydrated during your time at the park,��and after I slurped down nearly three liters on a three-mile hike, I’d say that advice is��pretty spot-on. You’ll find water at the and at the and trailhead. Shade is even harder to come by than water once you leave the car.

Enjoy—and respect—the power of wind and water. The park’s incredible formations wouldn’t exist if not for the heavy-duty scouring power of Mother Nature at her most intense. Of course, these same erosive forces continue to shape Arches��today. Visitors have been stranded on trails and roads when flash floods inundate low-lying areas, and others have been gripped by quicksand after heavy rains. Sandstone fins (narrow walls that remain after surrounding rock has been eroded away)��are no place to be near during high winds��or when slicked with rain, snow, or ice. And sudden rockfall is more common than you’d think. doubled in size after dislodging a hefty boulder in 1940, belched up some of its innards in front of surprised onlookers in 1991, and disintegrated under the cloak of darkness in 2008.

The park feels crowded, but it actually isn’t. Relatively speaking, Arches is a fairly compact park (at roughly 76,000 acres), with very few named routes. This means that viewpoints and trails (not to mention front-gate traffic) can often feel jammed. You can still beat the crowds, however, by going the extra mile—literally and figuratively. Set the timer on your coffeepot and commit to arriving before dawn. Not only is it absolutely awe-inspiring to watch sunrise light up the sandstone (along with the La Sal Mountains to the southeast), but it’s also a smart way to sneak in some solitude on the park’s most popular trails. I also recommend going deep and striking out on Arches’ network of unpaved roads. Developed areas make up only a tiny portion of the park’s acreage, and t������’s so much more to see once you leave the pavement behind.

How to Get There

Arches is located off��U.S. Route 191, just north of the adventure outpost of Moab, which is centrally situated��near Utah’s border with Colorado. Those who fly��can land at tiny (about 15 minutes north of the park entrance), (about an hour and a half east), or the much bigger (three and a half hours northwest). Bus and train service will take you as far as Green River, a quiet burg known for its paddling access and tasty melons, some��45 minutes from Moab. No matter which option you choose, you’re still going to want a car, which you can rent in any of the places listed above. While you can pay for a to cart you around, there is no public transportation inside the park.

When Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Arches National Park?

Winter

Snow isn’t uncommon during the winter months when temperatures hover in the forties during the day and routinely dip below freezing at night. But if you’re prepared with the proper gear, it’s a real treat to see the vivid red-rock landscape all iced up like a somewhat psychedelic gingerbread cookie. Another upside for your efforts? This time of year is when the park experiences its lowest visitation and you’re most likely to snag a site at its sole campground.

Spring

Welcome back, humans! Between the thawed-out trails and crowd-drawing events like the , an annual off-roading get-together that involves four-wheelers tackling��the backcountry, prepare to jostle for space at popular viewpoints and on shorter trails, as well as for lodging and dining in town. Still, it’s hard to beat Arches this time of year—the mercury begins to rise, with daytime highs topping off in the sixties��and seventies, and tiny wildflowers start to sprout from the desert crust.

Summer

Despite my aforementioned Delicate Arch adventure, I maintain that the best way for most folks to experience Arches in the summertime is from inside an air-conditioned vehicle or toward��nightfall, when temperatures slide into the sixties. That said, I’ve seen just as many people crawling along its trails in July as I have in March—that is, a lot. I can’t say it enough: carry lots of water and drink said water, no matter what kind of activity you’re doing in the park. And come prepared for the monsoon season, which is marked by intense thunderstorms prone to causing flash floods; this season��begins in July and can last through September.

Fall

Sweet relief! Temperatures dip back down to mirror springtime conditions, and luckily, come November, the hordes��begin to do the same. Darkness arrives more quickly this time of year, but that just leaves more time for stargazing; consider signing up for a to maximize the experience.

Where to Stay in and near Arches National Park

Camping

The only��lodging option inside the park is the ($25), a slickrock-flanked oasis at the end of the park’s main road. Reservations are available and recommended via Recreation.gov March through October and are available up to six months in advance; its 51 sites are first come, first served for the rest of the year.

If you strike out, however, there are plenty of other options scattered around the greater Moab area, including an endless parade of stuffed with equally endless amenities. Feeling fancy? Ramp it up a notch (or several) with a glamping experience at Moab’s outpost (from $300), located about seven miles north of the park entrance.

For more rustic surrounds, bunk down at one of 26 different BLM camping areas dotted around the area, all of which are first come, first served (from $10), except for the reservoir-adjacent ��($20), which requires advance reservations from March through mid-November. While the picturesque sites dotting the Colorado River are always full, I’m partial to the ones scattered along the more remote Kane Creek Road, tucked beneath sheer walls of red rock. If you pitch a tent��at ��($20), it’s only a short walk to enter its namesake gorge, where idyllic swimming holes provide the perfect escape from summer heat (and Arches crowds).

Hotels

I’m not sure what the exact hotel-to-resident ratio is in Moab, but it’s gotta be pretty high. That said, it’s still competitive to snag any of the more “affordable” options in town, especially on a weekend, especially during high season, and especially if you’re coming through at the last minute. I once stayed at a cheap chain motel in Green Valley—a soul-draining 45 minutes away—after making such a poor planning decision myself.��In Moab, I have a certain affection for the (from $16), a sort of ramshackle collection��of traditional bunkhouse dorms, private rooms, and extremely simple log cabins located on the south end of town. If someone else wanted to foot the bill, though, I’d happily shack up at the dreamy (from $780), an upscale resort nestled along the Colorado River about a half-hour east of the park. Families dig the (from $200), a roadside motel right in the heart of town that’s been jazzed up with retro decor, an arcade, and a waterslide. (from $153), a colorful selection of condo-like suites, is also centrally located (and generally quieter). Closer to the park entrance, the�� (from $120) is a more traditional midrange hotel featuring a pool, playground, coffee bar, and surprisingly robust breakfast buffet.

What to Do

Sightseeing

Get the lay of the land by cruising��the park’s 18-mile , which rolls past a handful of pull-outs and overlooks that showcase the most fantastical examples of this wild landscape. A spur marked by signage��for the park’s —so named for the portholes that have been gouged from the rock—is worth the trip��as well.

Day Hiking

Yes, it’s worth the hype—you really should see Delicate Arch while you’re at Arches. You don’t have to make the somewhat strenuous three-mile round-trip to do so (although it’s a great hike); instead, bypass the trailhead and drive a little farther down to a pair of viewpoints. The lower one is only 50 yards from the parking lot along an accessible path, while the upper one rewards a half-mile climb with a closer look.

Another accessible and very worthy stop is the gravity-defying , which can be seen from its parking lot or from a 0.3-mile loop, roughly half of which is paved. Nearby, the Windows Area is an extremely popular stop, especially at sunrise, when you can scamper around the back side of North Window to look through and spot Turret Arch bathed in alpenglow. The mile-long , which connects its namesake overlook with the , is a quieter option (though just as beautiful)��at sunrise and sunset.

Deeper into the park, the impossibly thin (1.8 miles round-trip), the longest such span in North America at 306 feet, is a must-see. If you’re feeling adventurous (and aren’t afraid of heights), continue past this point to complete a 7.9-mile loop of the Devils Garden area; the route��travels across vertigo-inducing sandstone fins and requires good navigation skills. My favorite bang-for-your-buck hike, however, is a deceptively diverse 2.6-mile loop that links together , . Depart from the trailhead located across from site 39 in the campground (limited parking is available) to enjoy relative solitude, along with some fun slickrock and canyon travel.

Backpacking

Between the sparse trail system, lack of natural water sources, and fragile terrain (more on this shortly), backpacking in Arches is not as common as it is in other marquee parks. That said, it is possible—although you’ll need��excellent navigation and route-finding skills, the capacity to carry a lot of water (and carry out your waste), and a general air of self-sufficiency. Highly experienced hikers who are also comfortable with exposed scrambles, canyoneering techniques, and traditional map-and-compass navigation might consider hopping on what’s known as the , whose unmarked northern terminus is located in the park’s northwest corner on Salt Valley Road. Less an established path than a series of recommended routes, this 800-mile (give or take) adventure winds through some of Utah’s most stunning public lands and traverses the Grand Canyon before reaching its southern end point at Zion National Park’s Weeping Wall.

Climbing

The good news is that there is climbing in the park, most of it on trad routes with fairly easy approaches. The bad news is that nearly all of the established routes are closed from March through August to allow raptors to breed in peace. If you decide to rope up outside of that time frame, keep in mind that unlike the popular area about an hour south of Moab, the sandstone here is very crumbly; avoid climbing on wet rock.

Driving

While you can’t go off-roading (or use off-highway vehicles) anywhere in the park, you can get off the beaten path by tooling around its quiet interior via a somewhat slim network of unpaved roads, one of which—Salt Valley Road—is accessible to two-wheel-drive vehicles. This route travels between the Devils Garden area and the park’s northeast boundary; a 2.6-mile round-trip near the latter deposits you at , situated��in the fantastically lumpy Klondike Bluffs. If you have four-wheel drive, make time to visit Herdina Park, an even more remote area home to several arches and zero crowds. Keep an eye on the weather no matter where you drive, and stay off backcountry roads right after a rain, when they turn into wheel-swallowing mush.

Cycling

Moab is arguably one of the best mountain-biking destinations in the U.S., but you can’t get your fix inside the park, where it isn’t allowed. That said, you can still cruise along any of its roads. Just know that you’re going to share space with a lot of cars if you stick to pavement; making the steep, narrow, winding climb from or descent��to the visitor center is not without its risks.

If you want to see at least some of Arches from your saddle, hit up the BLM’s area directly to the park’s west; it��offers a nice variety of trails with great views into the park, including a portion of Courthouse Wash and the Klondike Bluffs. If you’re visiting without a rig, rent one from the knowledgeable folks at . During my most recent visit, I grabbed a full-suspension beauty from the shop��and joined an excellent guide from (from $85), who very (very) patiently helped me feel more confident navigating over rocks after I got a little too excited and suffered an epic wipeout at��the beginning of our ride.

Canyoneering

While a handful of canyoneering routes exist in the park, the most popular by far is a journey through what’s known as the , an unmarked sandstone labyrinth that requires sticky-soled shoes, a good sense of balance, and an even better sense of direction. While it’s possible to for a self-guided trip ($3 to $6 via Recreation.gov), it’s better to buy a ticket for a ranger-led tour ($10 to $16) unless you have previous experience navigating the mazelike canyons or are traveling with someone who does. (Note: The Fiery Furnace has been closed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.)

The Best Places to Eat and Drink Around Arches National Park

While the park itself doesn’t contain any type of food service, Moab offers a decent variety for its size. In addition to the much larger City Market, picnickers can stop by the to grab health-conscious goodies along with made-to-order deli items. Early risers should swing by to grab some solid coffee and a sandwich or burrito to go. (I’m partial to the green-chile-studded Wescial.)

Lunchtime throngs��gather in the center of town at , a bright yellow rig whose cheesy treats are on offer right next to a wider selection of wheeled delights at the . For something slightly heartier, grab a banh mi��and a yuzu limeade at , or tuck into one of ’s drool-worthy crispy chicken sandwiches. Go ahead and scoop up a few of the bakeshop’s decadent pastries while you’re there; resistance is futile.

Dinner is, of course, prime time for carbo-loading. Join fellow adventure junkies at the family-friendly for some hearty calorie bombs, or loosen your wallet a hair and settle in a few blocks down at , a Neapolitan pizzeria whose sublime pistachio pie (complete with the most wonderfully chewy gluten-free crust I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat) will live rent-free in my mind for eternity. Not feeling like Italian cuisine? Get your noodle (or rice) fix at , where the chefs manage to elevate classics like pad thai and massaman curry.

If You Have Time for a Detour

Listen—it’s not if you have time for a detour, it’s that you’d��better make time for a detour. Moab is��a fantastic base camp for enjoying all the region has to offer.

The most obvious side trip is one to neighboring Canyonlands National Park, about a half-hour southwest from Arches’��visitor center (although long lines might strand you on the entrance road for much longer). This section of the park rises like a wedge above the snaking Colorado and Green Rivers, whose tight bends carve striking canyons over 2,000 feet below. Cruise to to take in the stunning scenery. For a more��illuminating perspective on the local landscape, set out at dawn for the short hike to cliffside , which absolutely glows at sunrise; just know that you won’t be the only person jockeying for the perfect photo.

The same road that leads to Canyonlands, State Route 313, will also steer you toward , whose namesake overlook is worth the price of admission (from $20). But you’d be remiss to simply gawk and go; instead, leash up Fido to enjoy the roughly seven miles of trail that trace the rim, or saddle up to pedal the park’s network of beginner-to-intermediate-level mountain-bike trails. More experienced riders should head farther north on State Route��313 to the , a slickrock paradise best known for its namesake loop, a 17.5-mile, view-soaked roller coaster.

Although it’s incredible to scope the mighty Colorado River from high above its waters, make time to get down to��its level by driving all 44 eye-popping miles of State Route 128, most of which runs directly next to the iconic flow. Dip off the main drag for side trips to ogle—or even climb—the postcard spires of and ; a 4.5-mile trail weaves throughout the latter. If you want to get even closer to the river, consider launching your own craft or booking a guided rafting trip (the will steer you right).

If you’re short on time and can’t fit any of these lengthier options into your schedule, make tracks for , where a three-mile round-trip hike will deposit you on a slickrock slope beneath this gawk-worthy natural wonder.

How to Be a Conscious Visitor

No matter what you choose to do during your visit to Arches, tread lightly. Stick to the park’s established trails and roads.��If you do go off-trail, travel only on rock and soft sand surfaces to avoid damaging the plentiful cryptobiotic soil, a living crust that helps tiny desert plants stay rooted and��retains moisture in the parched ground. Rock art is found throughout the park; if you are lucky enough to encounter some, appreciate it from afar. Finally, resist the urge to turn the park’s��actual arches into your own personal jungle gym. As you’ve no doubt learned, Mother Nature doesn’t need any assistance on the erosion front.

The post The Ultimate Arches National Park Travel Guide appeared first on ���ϳԹ��� Online.

It was mid-March 2020, and I was on edge while driving toward the entrance of , a small slice of creek-fed greenspace that spills from the foot of Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains into the suburban sprawl located just below.

A morning hike is not my typical cause for anxiety, of course. But there was this burgeoning pandemic, you see, and I was about to join a friend for a stroll along what is arguably one of the most popular trails in all of Los Angeles County. The 3.5-mile round-trip Eaton Canyon Trail��ends at a slim waterfall that pours into a placid swimming hole. It’s the stuff of every dog’s, child’s, and Instagrammer’s delight.

Turns out they were all there that morning, shuffling along in a slo-mo conga line that began in the parking lot and swelled to fill the trail, save for the folks who sought distance by carving their own routes through the beleaguered chaparral. We timidly marched forth into the throng, lasting only a few moments before abandoning the cause.

Eaton Canyon closed to visitors a little more than two months later. “Over Memorial Day, we had over 5,000 people on the trail within a three-hour period,” says Kim Bosell, an administrator with Los Angeles County’s . “It was like Disneyland.” In addition to a whole new network of user-created trails, the COVID-19–driven rush for fresh air kicked up a perpetual dust cloud, splashed a significant amount of water out of the creek at each crossing, and completely spooked wildlife like coyotes and deer, once abundant in the canyon.

Bosell was tasked with devising a temporary fix that would allow people back into the area for some much needed nature connection, but in a way that better managed impact on the fragile riparian environment. Within a week, she created a that allows users to sign up for one of three daily time blocks, offered five days a week. When I decided to test it out—after fumbling through an awkward registration process that took a solid 20 minutes to complete—I struck out again and again and again.

As an avid backpacker, I’m used to jockeying for permits. I get it: not only does a paper trail help land managers allocate resources to high-use areas, but fewer��people moving around the same place also means less of an impact on the environment and the critters who live there, not to mention��more elbow room for the humans passing through. But it hits differently when these types of restrictions happen closer to home, in an urban area that already struggles with limited greenspace—and unequal access to the greenspace that does exist. It got me thinking: Is limiting our access to parks and trails truly the only way forward?

Eaton Canyon was, of course, not the only destination to experience a surge in visitation over the past year; people around the country flocked outdoors to escape the confines of their homes and the limited options of shuttered cities. Even Yosemite National Park launched a temporary reservation system to manage crowds, one that will return this summer. But it’s not fair to pin full blame on the pandemic. As experts continue to extol the health benefits of time in nature, as conversations about outdoor equity begin to bear fruit, and as our population continues its exponential growth, more folks will seek out places that offer us equal parts solace and happiness, connection and disconnection.

The and National Forests, which cover Oregon’s central Cascades, are among the many outdoor destinations��that have grappled with how to handle the impact of more feet on the ground. “Use exploded, and we had trailheads that went from an average of about 2,000 visitors a year to 15,000 visitors in a year,” says Matt Peterson, Willamette National Forest’s recreation program manager, describing��how forest visitation there skyrocketed a few years before the pandemic hit. “How do we catch up to that use in a way that protects both the recreation experience itself and the natural world that these experiences exist within?”

The question was an increasingly urgent one. As visitation increased, so��too��did bad behavior: graffiti, litter, parking in inappropriate areas, campsites created where none had been��before, and piles of human excrement left to fester in the sun. After a lengthy process that included extensive public engagement, the forests for three of their high-use wilderness areas during peak visitation (roughly Memorial Day weekend through late September), which April 6.

“The permit system was a tool of last resort,” says Peterson. “We recognize that, inherently, a permit system creates barriers to folks’��ability to access the lands, and that barrier is not as easily surmounted by everyone.” To that end, a pilot program is in the works that allows��library-card holders to reserve a pass that substitutes for a permit at certain libraries in gateway towns, an attempt to make the process more welcoming for people with no experience navigating the permitting system and for those without home internet access. And they hope to expand the��concept, working with local organizations that can not only lend passes��but also help teach visitors how to mitigate their impact. “Enforcement’s not the priority, permits aren’t the priority,” says Peterson. “It’s, like, how can we best educate ���DZ����?”

Peterson isn’t the only one chewing on that question. Last May, a collective of outdoor brands, land managers, organizations, and thought leaders attempted to answer it with a series of guidelines, reflecting both COVID-19 safety precautions and the general tenets of Leave No Trace, called . More direct user-education tactics are being employed in places like Minnesota’s popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where paddlers who want to overnight during its peak season (May through September) will now need to view a trio of short videos covering responsible visitation when requesting a permit. And in Eaton Canyon, Bosell looks forward to the day—hopefully soon—when the park’s roughly 150 volunteers can return and sit trailside to offer tips on trail etiquette and information on the natural environment.

But just as solving for overvisitation shouldn’t be tied exclusively to permitting and other access restrictions, the solution to increased use of public lands shouldn’t fall solely on the shoulders of land managers or industry wonks—it should also rest upon our own.

First, know that when you talk about the crowds, we are��the crowds. If you break down the essential issue, it looks like this: too many people in the same place at the same time leads��to a lack of solitude and space, displaces wildlife, and creates what amounts to overuse injuries on the landscape, with little time for recovery. Complicating the matter is that a whole bunch of these folks��are simply new to the idea of having a reciprocal relationship with natural places��and aren’t yet well versed in stewardship. So��how do you spread out usage while recognizing that everyone—even people who don’t yet know “the rules”—benefits from and deserves time outside?

Years ago��I learned traditional map and compass navigation so that I could travel cross-country to scope out more solitude. I generally avoid marquee trails and destinations in favor of locales that sit a bit lower on the sexy scale, delighting instead in the whole of the experience instead of fixating solely on my destination. Unfold your favorite map or gaze upon your trusty GPS app and dream big, my friends.

Of course, the confidence to visit places that aren’t gushed over in a thousand blog posts or highlighted in a million guidebooks comes with knowledge. Luckily, the fountain of outdoor knowledge doesn’t just spring from formal courses and government websites and volunteer docents; each of us can use our own experience to teach others��as well. Hunting and fishing are two outdoor pursuits that thrive on a mentorship model; it’s time for trail enthusiasts to do a better job of taking newbies under our wings. I volunteer to teach a backcountry-skills class and lead overnight trips through the . For you, it might look like volunteering with local outdoor organizations or spending time on the trail helping friends and family learn the ropes.

T������’s no way around it—we’ve got to create more opportunities for people to get outside closer to home. This is a tricky nut to crack, especially in cities like Los Angeles, where it can be argued that developing affordable housing is a much more urgent need than expanding parklands, and where increased greenspace can actually end up who should benefit from its existence. But we can still push local legislators to support the increase��of green schoolyards, parklets, and rails-to-trails projects.

None of these ideas may explicitly solve the dilemma��of having too many people milling about Yosemite Valley, for example, but they can help people begin or deepen their relationship to the natural world, which is a different kind of solution altogether. We were all beginners once, getting our toes wet in a backyard or a city park. Giving more people controlled, low-stakes settings to act as learning grounds will inevitably lead to more confidence and awareness once they move on to the backcountry big leagues.

As for Eaton Canyon, the reservation system is still in place almost a year later; a recent community meeting solicited input on whether it should continue indefinitely. While t������’s still no resolution, Bosell assured me that the canyon experience today is a much different one than it was a year ago. Social trails have disappeared, as has the perpetual conga line, and the wildlife has returned. “I work in parks. I love parks. My office is here in Eaton Canyon. And I wouldn’t hike these trails with my family the way it was,” she says.��“The way it is now, it’s just so, so much better.”

I finally got to see for myself one early April morning, my��hard-won reservation in hand. Driving in with significantly less anxiety this time around, I parked—my vehicle��just one of maybe a dozen cars in a lot designed for many more—and set off on the trail, passing two small groups of hikers before I was alone with my thoughts. It was almost eerily quiet, save for a flock of songbirds that seemed to escort me down the trail. Along the way, a cottontail bounced pass, a handful of alligator lizards skittered across the rocks, and a family of mule deer munched at some vegetation along the trail, their large ears barely perking as I passed by. This was some sort of bliss, for them and me. When I reached the waterfall, I was startled to discover that I had the place to myself for a few moments, thanks to the same reservation system that had shut me out for so long. I felt lucky to be there. We all should feel so lucky to visit these places. Just maybe not all at the same time.

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