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Nestled in the southernmost reaches of the Jefferson National Forest, Grayson Highlands State Park stands watch over Mount Rogers– Virginia's highest peak– and has access to some of the best camping, hiking, and true wild Virginia treasures.

October 21, 2020

Situated in the midst of the gorgeous Appalachian Mountains, Tennessee's Roan Mountain State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities to delight any visitor to the area. Not only hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing, this Tennessee state park's attractions also include the historic Miller Farmstead and the celebrated Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival.

October 21, 2020

Camping at Davidson River Campground, in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest, offers plenty of outdoor opportunities including hiking, tubing, and fishing. Located only a couple of miles from the charming mountain town of Brevard, campers have easy access to restaurants, groceries, and other town amenities.

October 20, 2020

Less than a mile off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina, lies an eight mile stretch of pristine, undeveloped barrier island that - due to its limited accessibility - is often overlooked as a camping destination. While summer or early fall might be the best time to plan a paddling adventure to Masonboro Island, don't rule out a winter adventure.

September 24, 2020

Perhaps lesser known than its Outer Banks cousins to the northeast, camping at Carolina Beach State Park, North Carolina, is a welcome end to the summer. Nearby Kure Beach is virtually empty, the crowds have dissipated, the no-see-ums are gone, and the Atlantic coastal waters are still bathtub warm.

September 16, 2020

The beloved children's book, "My Side of the Mountain," inspired this Catskill Mountain destination as part of our camping and hiking road trip through the northeastern United States. Around 700,000 acres have been set aside as "forever wild" by the State of New York. Woodland Valley Campground, one of their oldest public parks, made an excellent choice for us to explore the Catskills region.

August 6, 2020

When you find your way up to the glorious summit of the Beehive Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine, realize that a million years ago it was under 10,000 ft of water which explains a lot about the formations. Most of the exposed surfaces are smooth and the fissures have been gracefully carved by a millennia of rushing Atlantic tides.

July 23, 2020

What does a 39-day American road trip of 7,600 miles look like? The call to go to Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota and everywhere in between was too loud to be denied. I wrote recently about the "how" of the trip, so now I'd like to include you in on the details of Part I - North Carolina to Kansas - where we camped, places we stopped, and things we saw. Hope you enjoy the ride and let it inspire you to make your own road trip adventure!

July 18, 2020

Our family road trip across South Dakota remains a favorite vacation. South Dakota offers outdoor beauty from the vast prairies to the rolling Black Hills as well as nonstop wildlife viewing. From stunning state parks to awe-inspiring national parks, South Dakota should be on everyone’s must-see destinations.

June 6, 2020

East of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a massive monadnock dome towers 600 feet over the surrounding land in its namesake park, Stone Mountain State Park. Another gem in the North Carolina state park system, Stone Mountain makes for a glorious camping and hiking adventure – even in the dead of winter.

May 20, 2020