National Parks – Off to See the View

52 Hike Challenge Adventure Series 2018 – Completed!

By: Anne Barnhorst December 21, 2018

Challenges, National Parks52 hike challenge2 Comments

I enjoyed doing the 52 Hike Challenge last year (2017) so much that I wanted to do the Adventure Series version this year (2018).

Craters of the Moon National Monument

By: Anne Barnhorst October 30, 2018October 31, 2018

idaho, National Parkscamp, campground, craters of the moon, explore, hike, idaho, inferno cone, National Monument, national park, park ranger, travel3 Comments

Visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument was the highlight of my 2018 solo road-trip.

Badlands National Park

By: Anne Barnhorst October 24, 2018October 24, 2018

National Parks, South Dakotabadlands, national park, South Dakota5 Comments

Badlands National Park was the last park I visited on my 2018 solo road-trip. It was a very brief stop – half a day – just long enough to get a semi-decent overview of the national park. I had been to Badlands NP once before with my family in 2005, but I don’t remember much…

Wind Cave National Park

By: Anne Barnhorst October 23, 2018October 24, 2018

National Parks, South Dakotabison, cave tour, national park, South Dakota, wind cave1 Comment

Wind Cave National Park is located in South Dakota.

Devils Tower National Monument

By: Anne Barnhorst October 23, 2018October 23, 2018

National Parks, Wyomingculture, devils tower, hike, history, learn, National Monument, respect, sacred place2 Comments

Devils Tower National Monument was the first National Monument dedicated in the United States. It is revered by Indigenous people, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and tourists alike.

Great Basin National Park

By: Anne Barnhorst October 1, 2018October 8, 2018

National Parks, Nevadacave, great basin, hike, junior ranger, mountain, national park, Nevada, Road-trip, tour, travel2 Comments

Great Basin National Park in Nevada!

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

By: Anne Barnhorst July 12, 2018July 9, 2018

Indiana, National Parksflag pole, hike, history, junior ranger, lincoln boyhood national memorial, museum, national memorial, national park, national park service, president abraham lincoln, walk5 Comments

Long story short: I’M A JUNIOR RANGER AT LINCOLN BOYHOOD NATIONAL MEMORIAL!!!!! I’m not excited or anything… 😀 Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is very history based, so I thought the best way to learn about the memorial was to do the Junior Ranger Activity book. In order to become a Junior Ranger you have to…

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

By: Anne Barnhorst May 2, 2018April 30, 2018

Indiana, National Parksbog, hike, Indiana, indiana dunes, national lakeshore, national park, sand dune, trail, winter4 Comments

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is unique because it is a patchwork of protected lands broken into sections by harbors, factories, towns, and the state park. The beaches it protects are very popular with sunbathers and families in the summer. The winter brings great views and draws smaller crowds. The patchworkness of the park (yes I…

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

By: Anne Barnhorst April 18, 2018April 16, 2018

National Parks, North Carolina, Tennesseeadventure, great smoky mountains, hike, national park, North Carolina, Road-trip, Tennessee4 Comments

Shawn and I made a super quick trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park on March 31 – April 1 2018. I had never been before which is surprising because we live only 5.5 hours away (turns out its more like 7 because of construction traffic) and Shawn hadn’t been since he was little kid.…

Saguaro National Park – Rincon Mountain District (East)

By: Anne Barnhorst January 3, 2018January 8, 2018

Arizona, National ParksArizona, dust devil, saguaro cactus, saguaro national park, sonoran desert, tuscon4 Comments

Saguaro National Park in southern Arizona is split into two districts by the city of Tuscon: Saguaro East – Rincon Mountain District and Saguaro West – Tucson Mountain District. I visited the Rincon Mountain District in 2014 while working at my internship in Phoenix. It was my first of many weekend day-trips to explore the…