Find Inspiration & Information

Our library of travel guides, tips and recommendations, insider insights, and visitor stories provides inspiration and information to help you plan your next adventure.

• 10 Awesome Hikes from 10 Major Cities

  Throw a few supplies in a day pack, rendezvous with your nature-loving friends and get yourself to a trailhead for an outdoor adventure everyone will enjoy. Here are 10 places to hike a short distance from 10 major cities that offer excellent trail conditions, diverse landscapes, and spectacular views.

  
• Road Trip Tips for Exploring Public Lands

  Road trips are the quintessential summer outing often sparked by bucket list destinations and the desire to hit the open road to discover new landscapes. If you plan to enjoy your public lands and waters along the way, we offer these trip planning tips to get you started.

  
• Campfire Safety Tips

  Campfires are an essential part of the camping experience.  Stories are told around them, s'mores are roasted on them, bodies are warmed by them and memories are created. The best way to keep those memories from becoming a horror story is to follow some simple and important campfire safety tips.

  
• Plan Ahead and Play It Safe for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

  Outdoor recreation is in high demand as visitors seek experiences among the nation's public land and water destinations in record numbers. Planning ahead and understanding what to expect for your trip is more important now than ever.  Visitors also have an opportunity and responsibility to res

  
• S'mores in Endless Ways

  A classic campfire treat just got a little sweeter. You may know of the traditional s’mores - graham cracker, chocolate, and roasted marshmallow, but what about the many ways you can dress it up? Check out these suggestions from our friends at the National Park Service!

  
• 10 Lakes for Summer Fun

  There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than cooling off in a lake. There are lakes scattered across the country that offer a variety of experiences to take the heat off when temperatures soar. These 10 cool lakes feature plenty of amenities to please everyone in the crowd, while also

  
• Bear Facts and Safety Tips

  Bears exist in and around a majority of our public lands across the United States and are native and natural members of the wildlife community. Seeing a bear can be an exciting experience, one that will form a lasting memory of your visit. By learning more about bears and their curious nature, you

  
• Our Top Locations to See America's National Mammal

  There are only a few wildlife experiences more awe-inspiring than feeling the thundering presence of a bison. Before their near extinction roughly 30 to 60 million bison roamed the country, but by the 1890's less than a thousand bison could be found across America. Thanks to conservation efforts

  
• Ten Tips for First-Time Tent Campers

  The desire to spend time enjoying the outdoors is greater than ever, and many new visitors are seeking solace in nature and the spirit of adventure with a camping trip for the first time this year. In fact, reservations through Recreation.gov are at an all-time high. This means planning travel in a

  
• Exploring Night Skies - Where to Stargaze

  A whole new world comes alive at night and is waiting to be explored. When you head out at night to stargaze, take your family or friends with you, be prepared for a cool night, and let your eyes adjust to the wonder above. Below are some recommendations from our friends at the National Park Service

  
• Unearth the Mystery at Nebraska's Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed

  Why did so many ancient bison die in this place? What drew the bison and Paleo-Indians here? These are some of the questions still asked today as researchers continue to investigate the largest known bison bonebed in the world.  A trip to Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center is a visit to an a

  
• Hiking the Hoover Wilderness

  Beginning in central California and spilling into Nevada's Great Basin, the Sierra Nevada mountain range includes some of California's most iconic landscapes — Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Inyo National Forest and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, amon

  
• Go Fish! ... at a National Wildlife Refuge

  There is nothing quite as relaxing, or as quintessentially American, as fishing in a natural setting. You can experience that feeling at more than 270 national wildlife refuges, 29 national fish hatcheries and many other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters. Virtually every type of sport

  
• Running The Rogue River

  From the headwaters near Crater Lake National Park, the Rogue River flows 215 miles (346 km) to the Pacific Ocean at Gold Beach, Oregon. The 84 miles (135 km) of the lower Rogue, beginning seven miles (11.2 km) west of Grants Pass and ending 11 miles (17.7 km) east of Gold Beach are designated as a

  
• Tips for Yosemite Reservations

  Since the Gold Rush of 1849, California remains high on many travelers' bucket lists. Today’s adventurers dream not of gold, but of striking it rich with a campsite in Yosemite National Park. Other “gold strikes” include a permit for the Yosemite Cables on Half Dome or to scale America’s tallest

  
• Tips to Recreate Responsibly This Winter

  Winter provides a short window to take part in snow fun for many winter recreationists and adventure seekers. This can be a special time to experience outdoor spaces and public lands under a blanket of snow or simply during an off season for regions of the country that don’t experience snowfall.

  
• Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation – Arizona Style

  Located less than an hour’s drive from Phoenix, Arizona, Bulldog Canyon is a great place to experience the Tonto National Forest’s unique Sonoran Desert from your off-highway vehicle (OHV). With 25 miles (40 km) of designated OHV trails and views of the Goldfield and Superstition mountains, visitors

  
• Experience Hunting on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lands

  At more than 400 national wildlife refuges, wetland management districts and national fish hatcheries from Alaska to Florida and Maine to California, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands offer some of the best hunting in the country. Hunters have long been U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners. T

  
• 11 Trails for Fall Mountain Biking

  Enjoy this list of trails for shoulder-season riding to experience cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and scenic vistas that reward the effort.   Remember, safety first.  Always wear a helmet and other appropriate protective gear, respect the rules of the trail and ride responsibly.  Lead by example

  
• Romantic Adventures

  If watching a sunset from a mountain top, hiking a steep slope to a spectacular waterfall, playing “Marco Polo” in stunning blue waters, or cozying up in a historic lodge is your idea of romantic, then you’ll fall for this list of outdoor adventures. Some of these locations often inspire proposals a

  
• Head East for a Brilliant Autumn

  Witnessing the fall foliage in the East is sure to be a bucket list item, especially when you consider the charming local towns and covered bridges, wildlife viewing, paddling and leisurely urban walks. From our Nation's Capital to South Carolina this ranger-crafted list offers a variety of ex

  
• The Denali Road Lottery

  The Denali Park Road is the only road in Denali National Park and Preserve. This 92-mile (148 km) ribbon of road parallels the Alaska Range and travels through low valleys and high mountain passes. Weather permitting, many opportunities exist to view the park’s beautiful vistas, including North Am

  
• A Day in the Life of a Campground Host

  An essential workforce for many land management agencies, campground hosts are diligent volunteers ready for the task of hosting visitors at many campgrounds across the United States.  Committed hosts are friendly, flexible, and responsible with both individuals or couples stepping into the role, an

  
• Hunt the Eastern Shore at Blackwater and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuges

  As part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, both Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge provide a critical habitat for migrating birds, threatened and endangered species and other native species along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay. Additi

  
• Snow Mountain Biking Alaska-Style

  Located just an hour's drive from Fairbanks, the one-million-acre (404,685 ha) White Mountains National Recreation Area (NRA) offers stunning views of Alaska scenery and outstanding opportunities for year-round recreation, including snow mountain biking. With over 240 miles (386 km) of groomed

  
• Top Outdoor Places to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month

  To many Latino visitors, a deep appreciation and constant admiration towards nature is inherently passed down from every generation. Latino immigrants have historically dignified our country’s land and the great outdoors through various conservation and labor efforts. Today, as Latinos continue to

  
• A Slice of History at Joshua Tree National Park

  There are few U.S. national parks as recognizable as Joshua Tree National Park located at the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts, where rare plants, 46 reptiles, 57 mammal and 251 bird species call home.  This park also features historically significant sites and structures that help te

  
• Ten Tips for First-Time Tent Campers

  The desire to spend time enjoying the outdoors is greater than ever, and many new visitors are seeking solace in nature and the spirit of adventure with a camping trip for the first time this year. In fact, reservations through Recreation.gov have increased by 45% over the past year! This means pla

  
• Make 2020 Your Year of Experiences

  Every end marks a new beginning, and the new year presents the chance to make the most of a fresh start. Resolve to make 2020 your year of experiences! Opportunity doesn't wait, and neither should you. Whether it's a first camping trip with the kids, cross-country road trip with friends,

  
• Special Places to Honor Veterans

  Veterans Day is a time when Americans honor and thank U.S. military veterans for their service to their country. This is also a perfect time to enjoy America’s great outdoors and historic places, which represent much of what veterans serve to protect.   Beginning Veterans Day 2020, all U.S. militar

  
• New Wilderness Permit Reservations for Yosemite National Park

  Yosemite National Park features 1,200 square miles (311,000 ha) of iconic landscapes including must-see destinations like Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove, Crane Flat Area, Hetch Hetchy Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows. Every year, millions of visitors travel to Yosemite to view these dramatic landscapes

  
• Stay Overnight in a Cozy Winter Cabin or Yurt

  This winter, if snow camping isn’t your thing (brrr!), then seek out the warmth and shelter of a cabin or yurt.  These wintertime gems, especially the cabins, often have a storied past – complete with fire and conservation crew tales.  Or maybe the simple lines of a yurt surrounded by gleaming snow

  
• Backcountry Camping in Great Sand Dunes National Park

  Bordered to the east by Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Great Sand Dunes National Park beckons overnight backpacking enthusiasts to explore the stark contrast of where dunes meet the forest. A diverse landscape unfolds for explorers to roam the dune slopes where there are no trails, where sol

  
• 10 Thrilling Rock Climbing Destinations

  Yosemite, Zion, Joshua Tree – for climbers, these names are synonymous with the best. Federal lands host some of the most visually spectacular, challenging and exciting rock climbing areas in the world. Check out this list of climbing hot spots – whether you prefer bouldering, top-roping, lead cli

  
• Memorable Escapes in the Mount Rushmore State

  With the weather warming up across the country, weekend trips and summer vacations are right around the corner. As you start planning your next getaway, add South Dakota to your short list of must-visit destinations. Tourism is the state's second-largest industry, and it’s easy to understand wh

  
• 8 of the Best Whale Watching Hotspots

  Experience the sight of a whale slapping the water with a fin, blowing water and air through its spout or even fully breaching the surface in an acrobatic arch. Here are eight places where you can see whales from the shore or within a short boat ride away. To witness these magnificent mammals during

  
• Glamping Makes the Scene in North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest

  Nestled in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest among the hardwoods and conifers of Lake Powhatan Recreation Area, a deluxe glamping site has been thoughtfully designed for your mountain adventure. Only 10 minutes from the excitement of downtown Asheville these all-inclusive glamping sites allow

  
• Embark on a Wilderness Journey in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks

  The marvels tucked away in California’s Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are no hidden secret. The magnificent presence of ancient sequoia trees, glacial canyons, broad lake basins, lush meadows, and sheer granite peaks, represent the most rugged portion of the High Sierra. This captivating

  
• Recreation.gov Outdoor-Themed Indoor Activities

  Let Recreation.gov help you bring some fun outdoor activities, indoors! No, we don't mean letting wild animals into your home or creating an indoor sandbox. Instead, our dedicated team has pulled together some of our favorite outdoor-themed, indoor activities for the whole family. A-B-C our pub

  
• Recreate Safely and Responsibly in Rocky Mountain National Park

  The grandeur of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park has beckoned millions of visitors over the years – 4.6 million in 2019. Its scenic meadows and aspen groves, swift-flowing rivers, alpine forests reaching more than 11,500 feet (3,505 m) in elevation, abundant wildlife, and hundreds of miles of

  
• New Mexico's Scenic Rio Chama River

  Towering cliffs, rolling sagebrush covered hills, and heavily wooded side canyons provide the backdrop for the dramatic beauty of the Rio Chama River. Beginning in the southern San Juan Mountains of south-central Colorado, the Rio Chama runs about 120 miles (193.1 km) before joining the Rio Grande n

  
• 8 Places to See the Northern Lights

  Your chances of viewing the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, greatly increase the more north you travel—think: Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia. However, during a year when the aurora is particularly strong, you’ve actually got a shot at seeing this magical occurrence in the no

  
• Top 10 Places to See Fossils that Rock

  There are special places on earth where conditions uniquely exist to preserve fossils and give us a window into the past so that we can understand what plants and animals were like long before humans existed. Here are 10 locations where fossil remains are recognized around the globe for their signi

  
• 2021: Giving Thanks to Our Federal Public Lands

  This past spring Recreation.gov hosted its inaugural “Share Your Story” adventure writing contest, designed to encourage visitors of our federal public lands to share details of their meaningful outdoor adventures and experiences. The contest resulted in more than 1200 submissions, with stories that

  
• Unique Lodging

  Across the U.S., cabins, yurts and fire lookout towers provide a unique opportunity to stay in historic facilities and awe-inspiring locations. Many are open year-round and are surrounded by wildlife viewing opportunities, bountiful recreation and landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.

  
• Bring Home A Story - Outdoor Activity Summer Scorecard

  Summer is officially here, and parents know what that means - kids are home from school and itching for new activities to keep them occupied. We’ve got you covered with our “Bring Home A Story – Outdoor Activity Summer Scorecard,” designed with parents in mind.  Check out our list of recommended out

  
• Fall is the Perfect Time for Birding

  Picture an autumn sky blanketed with birds erupting into flight, filling the air with calls and the sound of thousands of wings beating together. Fall is the perfect season for bird watching. Whether this is your first birding experience or you’re a professional ornithologist, experiencing a festi

  
• Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Shooting

  Hunters, anglers and recreational shooters can explore the outdoors on America’s public lands and waters and experience traditional activities to connect with our heritage and create memories with family and friends. Whether you're interested in fly-fishing, rifle hunting or target practice, you

  
• Site Passes Add Convenience to Your Visit

  For many who explore America's public lands and waters, Site Passes can be a convenient way to visit these special places.  Site Passes for dozens of destinations across the country can be purchased on Recreation.gov to cover entrance, standard amenity (day use), or recreation fees for that indi

  
• There's Still Time to Plan a Summer Outing

  If summer seems like it is passing you by, take a little time to discover a destination just down the road or beyond the horizon.  Here are a few tips for finding places that are closer than you think.   FIND IT:  On the Recreation.gov homepage, scroll to the map and type in your location.  The map

  
• First Day Hikes in America's State Parks

  A new year offers 365 days of opportunity, and what better way to start your outdoor goals than with First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day at a state park near you? State parks in all 50 states offer free, guided First Day Hike programs run by outdoor experts who want to help you explore the best the pa

  
• Planifica con anticipación y juega seguro en tu próximo viaje

  La recreación al aire libre es muy demandada a medida que los visitantes escapan a tierras y aguas públicas en números récord.  El paisaje recreativo puede parecer diferente al del pasado, o incluso del año pasado.  Planificar con anticipación y entender lo que necesita a medida que planifica su v

  
• Vivid Fall Colors from the Great Lakes to the West Coast

  With crisp autumn days settling in, now is the time to venture out and explore the spectacular hues of the season. Maximize your time and plan a day hike or a mountain bike ride. Be sure to bring your camera, a water bottle and a snack to fuel your day out on the trails. Or, there's still time t

  
• Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

  Pounding sound, billowing smoke, and explosions in and around Pearl Harbor, Hawai'i, was the scene on December 7, 1941. Ships were damaged, ships were sunk, many lives were changed and many lives were lost. The episode drew the United States into World War II.  In Pearl Harbor, on the island of

  
• Visitors Welcome Once Again to Oregon's Multnomah Falls and Lodge

  Multnomah Falls is a popular Pacific Northwest destination located about 30 minutes east of Portland, Oregon. Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls is a spectacular view with water plummeting 620 feet (188  meters) in two sections.  Built in 1925, the Multnomah Fal

  
• Climbing Mount St. Helens

  Best known as the site of the enormous 1980 volcanic eruption, Mount St. Helens offers a variety of recreation opportunities, including the chance to climb to the summit of the most active volcano in the Cascade Range.  Starting in lush Pacific Northwest forests, the route rises above the treeline,

  
• Mount Rainier to Test a New Approach for Wilderness and Climbing Permits

  Rising over 14,410 feet (4392 m) in elevation, Mount Rainier dominates the Washington State skyline, surrounded by wildflower-filled meadows and ancient forests. Each year, tens of thousands of visitors encounter the park’s wilderness on overnight trips, whether through the challenge of a summit cl

  
• 10 States to See Stunning Fall Colors

  Relish in a lovely picnic under the vivid autumn maples of New England or a crisp morning stroll surrounded by golden aspens of the Mountain West. You can discover the beauty and exceptional fall colors on public lands in just about every state. As you venture out for this seasonal colorful display,

  
• Visiting Red Rock Canyon During Peak Season

  It’s well known that Las Vegas is one of the world’s entertainment meccas. It’s also the gateway to stunningly beautiful public lands including Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Located just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, the area is visited by more than three million visitors each

  
• Improving Visitor Experiences at the Popular Acadia National Park

  Located along the mid-coast of Maine, Acadia National Park protects a diverse and scenic landscape that includes rocky coastlines, forests, lakes, and bald granite mountain tops. Visitors can enjoy a range of recreational experiences along the historic Park Loop Road, hiking trails, and carriage r

  
• Backpacking the Wilderness of Olympic National Park

  At Olympic National Park, forest, coastal, and mountain ecosystems combine to create a spectacular wilderness wonderland. Designated as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, the Daniel J. Evans Wilderness of Olympic is a living laboratory for scient

  
• Celebrating Black History Month

  The richness of African American culture is one to be revered. From struggle does come strength. February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to, not only America, but the rest of the world. Travel with us as we take you on

  
• Camp 4 Daily Lottery

  Located in central California's Yosemite Valley, Camp 4 campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, especially among the rock climbing community – it’s even listed on the National Register for Historic Places for its significant role in the development of rock cl

  
• Women in History Inspiring Future Leaders

  What started as Women’s History Week in March of 1981 expanded to become Women’s History Month by 1987, and every year since, March is recognized by Presidential Proclamation. Today we celebrate the achievements of women in our American story.  Here we honor six women who were pioneers in their fiel

  
• Explore Everglades National Park Wilderness Waterways

  The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness in Everglades National Park is comprised of 1,296,500 acres and is the largest designated wilderness east of the Rocky Mountains. Congress authorized the wilderness in 1978 and named it after its most famous champion in 1997. The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wild

  
• Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs' Lasting Legacy

  Straddling the Arizona and Utah border, the vibrant and dramatic landscape of Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness spans 112,000 acres (45,324 ha) of spectacular geologic formations, desert wildlife and provides primitive outdoor recreation opportunities. Part of Vermilion Cliffs National Monume

  
• Yosemite Valley Alternatives

  If you tried (and failed) to get California gold—a campsite in the Yosemite Valley or a permit to climb the Cables on Half Dome— then you know the demand far exceeds the supply. Thousands of prospectors stampede each summer to stake claims on just a few hundred campsites and a limited number of Cabl

  
• Sometimes Even Bats Need a Super Hero

  Celebrate and spread awareness of the role bats play in the ecosystem during Bat Week from October 24-31, 2021! Bats are vital to our environment and economy and can be found worldwide with more than 1,400 species, 47 of which can be found across the United States. Bats help pollinate important pla

  
• Flocking to Fall Bird Festivals

  Picture an autumn sky blanketed with birds erupting into flight, filling the air with calls and the sound of thousands of wings beating together. Fall is the perfect season for bird watching. Whether this is your first birding experience or you’re a professional ornithologist, experiencing a festi

  
• Wonderful Wildflowers Across the Country

  The first full week in May is National Wildflower Week. To celebrate, we’ve compiled wildflower photos from Share the Experience photographers. From fiery reds and oranges to majestic purples, these photos capture a rainbow of beautiful blossoms in forests, parks and monuments of the West. If you’re

  
• 8 Destinations to Experience Native American Culture

  Through stories, art, song, dance and architecture, Native American culture comes alive in the special places that serve as the ancestral homelands of these Native peoples. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in vibrant culture, while exploring vivid depictions of historical events and places.

  
• 10 Destinations to Visit for a Haunted Good Time

  America is filled with spooky little hidden corners and old colonial towns with legends, ghost stories, and other lore. Spooky spirits and eerie energies even inhabit some of our federal public lands… from historic battlefields that come alive with ghosts of America’s past, to national forests and w

  
• Top Tips for Camping with a Dog

    If you’re thinking about bringing your dog on your next camping trip, be sure to plan ahead. Check out these tips from Recreation.gov to prepare appropriately and get the most out of the experience.  

  
• 5 Ways to Prep for Summer Camping

  As we begin to gear up for summer camping, it’s time to make sure our camping gear is ready.  We picture s’mores around the campfire and drifting off to sleep reading a favorite novel.  Then, briefly our minds wander into dreaded territory – the camping equipment.  Where is the camp stove?  Did I

  
• Cut A Tree for the Holidays from Your National Forest

  Christmas tree permits are available for national forests across the country to purchase online through Recreation.gov for the 2021 holiday season.  For every tree that is found, cut and carried home as a holiday fixture, a new story is created.  These stories become the precious memories that crea

  
• Top 5 Hot Spots To Enjoy This Fall

  With the landscape changing colors and the cold setting in across many of our public lands and waters, take a leaf from our book and travel somewhere warm this fall. Our top five “hot spots” offer temperatures where you and your loved ones can take off your fall jackets!