#mammoth cave national park campground

[wanderlustphotosblog]

Discover Mammoth Cave National Park: Your Must-Have Guide

Embark on an unforgettable adventure at Mammoth Cave National Park. Plan your trip to the world's longest known cave system to witness its breathtaking beauty with my comprehensive Mammoth Cave National Park visitor guide.

[spellucci]

Bluegrass & Traveling Trivia

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Of course we woke up to rain. Mammoth Cave Campground is a nice campground in an interesting place so we aren’t in much of a hurry to get moving. A male northern cardinal started tapping on our windshield presumably looking for seeds caught in the windshield wipers driving Dora crazy.

We return the Visitors Center which is much less crowded. Jeanne comes to a stop at the Women at Mammoth and History of the Woman Ranger Uniform temporary exhibits, while Tim prowls the geology.

“Check out this fossil— it’s a scaled pre-tree.”

“OMG! In the 70s women rangers were forced to wear yellow miniskirts and gogo boots. Their uniforms were designed by fashion designers in DC. They had to go to court to be able to wear the men’s uniforms.”

“How do they map the different levels in a 2D map? Can you use a compass underground? How do you indicate depth?"

“A woman on a caving expedition in the Flint Ridge Cave system found the connector to Mammoth, making it the longest cave. She was the only one small enough to squeeze through a crack and saw a tourist trail.”

Mammoth Cave is a National Park and it is obligatory for the Visitor Center to have a movie about the park. This interior designer had some fun with the movie room. The movie projector is attached to the backpack of a mannequin of a caver who is rappelling down through a hole in the ceiling.

We drag ourselves away from Mammoth (where it is starting to rain) and leisurely retrace our steps through Kentucky. We get back Blue Ridge Parkway to Lexington KY. “Is this where the Kentucky Derby is run?” The co-pilot’s duties include answering the idle curiosity of the driver. “No, this is Kneeland race track.”

Kneeland is acres of perfectly manicured grass on artistically rolling hills crossed with immaculate white fences. It is decorated with a castle.

“What’s the capital of West Virginia? I see a gold dome.” The copilot is busy petting the poodle. “Well, it must be Charleston. I fail at State Capitols for 400.”

We finally head into West Virginia with a destination of New River National Recreation Area. Jeanne finds a likely boondocking spot at a ballfield in Fayetteville. There are road closures for flooding and bridges repair, so Google Maps sends us on thin winding roads.

The speed limit is 55mph, but Jeanne doesn’t dare go over 35 around the tight curves. She pulls over often to allow the annoyed locals to zoom by — even around switchbacks steeply descending down a river gorge. WV 16 is a fabulous scenic drive (picture the NH Kancamagus with no tourists or amenities like signs or pullovers). You just have to wrench your eyes from the road to catch a glimpse of waterfalls and gorges.

We pull up at Fayetteville Huse Memorial Park where local school baseball games draw a small crowd of parents. Finally the field lights go out. The local sheriff patrols by but doesn’t bother us.

[michiganandback]

July 22 – July 24 AM   We got lucky with the weather on the 21st for the school reunion, but it promised to be a little wetter Sunday. We headed west by Northwest on us 421 in the direction of Harlan Kentucky. This was a Scenic Drive mostly up and down hills on two-lane roads that had been resurfaced so the drive was okay. We couldn't go very fast and that was fine as well. We got within 15 or 20 miles of Hazard, Kentucky but didn't realize it until we were past it. There were no signs pointing to it. I don't think we would have gone anyway because I didn't need to see where the Dukes of Hazard was filmed. It finally stopped raining about two o’clock and we found the only campground around 30 miles and dropped anchor. It was nearly deserted and it was reasonably priced with clean bathrooms. We took a leisurely drive along some Kentucky turnpike's until we got to a campground near Mammoth Caves. We went to the caves first and reserved two tours for the 24th. Some of the other tours were fully booked. They probably had been for weeks by people who knew where they were going to be. We'll see two sections of the cave on the 24th. After dinner we took a walk around the campground and ended up talking with a couple from the Nashville area. They were both retired and this is their third camper, smaller than the big rig they had had and better than the fifth wheel. After talking a little bit, it turns out he was a Marine corpsman in Vietnam up near the DMZ. He had some interesting and herrowing stories. One time he arrived back at base camp and got out of helicopter to go to his tent and a mortar round blew the helicopter up seconds later. Another time he had said goodbye to his best friend who was shipping out the next day from a base across the road from his. There was an attack and they brought the wounded in to be treated at his Hospital.  He was an operating room tech and they work for several hours on one guy before he died. When they took the cover off his face he found out it was his best friend. Not a pleasant thing. We didn’t get out of the cave until 6:00 PM, so we didn’t have time to visit with the Marine and his wife that evening.   The Cave July 24 – July 25 AM   We took our time Tuesday morning getting ready for the cave. Our first tour was at 12:45 so we headed up there about 11:30 to get a parking spot and eat lunch. Our first tour was called the historic tour because you went into one of the original entrances to the cave. It's a two hour, 2 mile walk through the cave. There was a place called fat man's misery (very narrow section that you have to turn sideways to get through in places) and following that was tall man's misery (you have to bend over at the waist and walk about 100 feet). We are given quite a lengthy instruction about what we're going to be doing to make sure that no one was claustrophobic or couldn't bend over for 50 to a hundred ft. I don't know how much you know about Mammoth Cave but it's a dry cave in this section where you enter. They had recently put paving stones in that part of the cave to make it easier to walk in. It was discovered in the late 1700s on land that was granted to supporters of the Revolutionary War. There are hundreds of sinkholes around this area that allow water to run into the cave so there are no streams or rivers of any size in this area. The rain just goes to the sink holes and drips into the cave and runs through the cave sections that it gets to the Green River. During the War of 1812, they mined saltpeter to make gunpowder. The owner got very rich. After the war, the price of saltpeter dropped by 90%, so he had to find another means of earning a living. He started charging people for tours in the cave. He had a slave that did a lot of exploring in his quote-unquote free time and became very successful tour guide even though he was still a slave. In the early 1900s the government decided to make this area a National Park. It comprises an area approximately 7 Miles Square and there were 1800 buildings with settlements and private homes in the area. Unlike the Great Smoky Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley National Parks, the people here were forced off their land. They either took the government's offer or the government exercised its right of eminent domain and took their property. They were not a lot of happy people who left this area by force. As of 2016, the cave has 412 miles of trails in accessible areas. It’s the longest cave system in the world, not in length but in length of trails. The trails are stacked on top of each other and we were walking over numerous trails and even above the Green River on the historic tour. It's not a very pretty cave with lots of stalactites and stalagmites and different formations, but it is interesting geologically. The end of the first trip was 158 steps straight up, practically, to get to the surface. Thank goodness for all the walking we've done. After that tour, we took a break and had our coffee. The next tour was at 3:45 and it required a 10-minute bus ride to the entrance. We had a very interesting and knowledgeable Ranger for this tour. This tour started with a hundred eighty or so steps straight down to the bottom of the cave section we were visiting. Again, it was not a very pretty cave but it had the frozen Niagara Falls section at the end. This cave had a little bit more water in it and the frozen Niagara was calcium deposits that look like frozen water when Niagara Falls actually freezes over. It also had a small section where you can stand up comfortably that has an almost perfectly flat ceiling which is very unusual to be so uniformly flat and even. We got back out of the cave late in the day, about 6 p.m. By the tine we got back to the campground, it was too liate to cook and I was hangry. We had a quick snack before settling in to watch some more of the HBO special “From Earth to the Moon”. That special is very interesting and we only have three more episodes to go. We probably would never have watched it at home, but it's perfect for a couple of hours an evening when there's nothing to do in the campground. Today, the 25th we continue our journey northward towards Michigan. We will be taking some zig-zag route following some Scenic trails and driving through some National Forest. This section of the country didn't get much in the way of national parks. We tried to get in touch with some friends who live in Boonville Indiana about an hour away, but they apparently are not in town or they're avoiding us. Either way, we won't be seeing them on this trip. Pictures will follow someday. There are just not enough of them so it shouldn't take very long when I get them all in one place to upload. Be patient please.  

[nationalparkposters]

Best Things to Do in Mammoth Cave National Park

Best Things to Do in Mammoth Cave National Park: There's something magical about the subterranean world of south central Kentucky, where the world's largest known cave system lurks like a grand peculiar labyrinth, ready to explore. Its mysterious system of 400 miles of passageways and rooms captures the imagination of all who enter. Explorers are discovering new passages even today. Located east of Brownsville in the central part of the state, the caves are home to 130 animal species and have been used by humankind for thousands of years, with fascinating characters who entered the misty depth and led interesting lives. In addition, there are river valleys, historic churches, sinkholes, and vast forestland to discover. Activities can be done here year-round, and events are always happening at this UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. Ranger-led Tours and Talks All year round is a good time to go. It's underground, after all, so no having to deal with the elements. The park offers many different tours, focusing on the history, beauty, passageways, and other discovery tours showcasing the many different aspects of the caves. There are also cave tours made accessible for wheelchair users. Talks at the visitor center are often held on the back porch and are a nice 10-minute introduction to a variety of topics about plants and animals, history, scientific research, among others. Evening talks meet at the amphitheater between the lodge and the camp store. The Wild Cave Tour The most in-depth tour offered at Mammoth Cave, you will literally be crawling on your hands and knees for a portion of the tour. But don't worry, you won't be in such a compromising position for long, and you'll be given overalls and knee pads to protect you and your clothing, helmets with lamps at the ready, bandanas, and gloves. These guys don't mess around when it comes to your comfort and safety. Offered spring through fall, it is six hours of fun with lunch included. Those who are afraid of heights, are claustrophobic, in ill health, or under 16 should not go on this tour. Reservations are required; be sure to check the website for the latest. Hiking Trails Galore Easy access trails for those who like their hiking on the more casual side will find 18 miles of well-kept trails on the south side of Green River. Along the way, one can explore the history of the park and discover its unique geology. Around the visitor center, seven miles of trails feature scenic river views, ridgetops, cave-fed springs, cemeteries, sinkholes, a historic train engine. Over 10 miles of forested trails on the south side feature the Cedar Sink Trail, Sloan's Crossing Pond Walk, Sand Cave Trail, and Turnhole Bend Nature Trail. The Finest Backcountry Hiking The best way to get away from the crowds is to grab a backpack with all of the needed provisions and head for the remote wilderness. A dozen scenic and peaceful campsites are up for grabs should you wish to make it a multi-day trip. To get here, a minute-long ferry ride is all that is needed, but plan for possible delays, as the ferry can only accommodate one car at a time, and no RVs. From there, take your pick of several trails, some of which will take you near water sources, such as First and Second Creek trails. If you really want to feel like you're alone in the wilderness, take Collie Ridge trail, and Homestead is a great place to camp. Be sure to get your free backcountry pass from the Visitor Center. Go on a Horseback Riding Tour This park has plenty of trails and campgrounds that can accommodate our trusty horse friends. Whether you have your own horse or opt for paying for a wonderful horseback riding experience. There are over 60 miles of backcountry trails north of Green River, just for this type of adventure. Grab a free trail map, and ride side saddle through the wilderness. Explore the Trails on Two Wheels Biking enthusiasts are not left hanging in Mammoth Cave National Park. Here in the backcountry, there are four designated off-road trails specifically for mountain biking. Explore the Mammoth Cave Railroad and Big Hollow trails, both running about nine miles in length. The Maple Springs Trail is an easy one mile, while the White Oak Trail is about 2.5 miles long. Street bikes are permitted on all paved roads in the park, and mountain bikes are allowed on all administrative roads. Get Out on the Water The Green and Nolin Rivers run through Mammoth Cave National Park, offering many opportunities for boating, canoeing, and kayaking. There are three river access points in the park and are accessible by car and are located on the south side of the Green River: the Dennison Ferry, Houchin Ferry, and Green River Ferry. This is an amazing opportunity to watch for wildlife, explore the springs and river bluffs, and even do some fishing. Anglers can expect to find bluegill, catfish, muskellunge, perch, crappie, bass, and other game fish. You can also paddle or boat your way to one of the islands to camp; there is also camping at the Houchin Ferry Campground. The Best Stargazing is Here People have used the stars for thousands of years to help in navigation, to keep track of time, or to simply ponders the wonders of the universe. Mammoth Cave is an ideal spot for such a pastime. Find a wide-open space, such as a grassy field, to get the best view. The parking lot at the visitor center is also a popular place. Try to avoid areas with artificial light, and carry a flashlight with red lights that will help you navigate to your spot without disturbing your night vision. Here, you don't need a telescope; however, having a good pair of binoculars may aid you in your nighttime viewing. Ranger-led stargazing programs are offered throughout the year, as well, and offer a unique opportunity to gain an appreciation for the park's dark sky environment. Click here to see the Mammoth Cave National Park Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all 61 of America's National Parks. He's creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore! Join the growing community of 75k+ National Park enthusiasts to receive insider deals and updates. See why 75k+ National Park fans have already joined... https://national-park-posters.com/blogs/national-park-posters/best-things-to-do-in-mammoth-cave-national-park?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=Sendible&utm_campaign=RSS

[kozmophotos]

Pandemic Road Trip: Day 2

Pandemic Road Trip: Day 2

We started day two of our Pandemic Road Trip in a different time zone (central). So of course I woke up at 04:30 am CST which was 05:30 am EST. The good thing about being up that early was it give me some time to fine tune my plans for the day.

After I finished my Day 1 post I looked up the campground at Mammoth Cave National Park. Just like visiting the cave for this day the campground too…

[amanajeepnorealplan]

5/26/20 Planning, Planting, and Still Working on the House

5/26/20 Planning, Planting, and Still Working on the House

Hello All! Brace yourselves, Pretty Lady and I are going on an adventure this coming weekend. The plan is pretty fluid, especially since campgrounds aren’t open in KY yet, but we will be departing for Mammoth Cave on Friday afternoon, and then heading on to Great Smokey Mountains National Park. This is going to be our first adventure together with Jeff, so expect there to be some serious…

[dreamketchers]

Mammoth Cave is the largest known cave in the world. There are over 400 miles of passages and they map more passages yearly. The campground has plenty of first come first serve spots available this time of year. Book your tour in advance so you get the tour and time you want. ____________________________________ #mammothcave #nps #nationalparks #nature#cave#caves#tours#travelcouple#travelphotography#rvliving#fulltimerv (at Mammoth Cave National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Z0wNRhQDe/?igshid=dzgmrd7t3l3c

[k-phyte]

Woke up early to start our cave tour! #latergram #roadtrippin #daythirteen #mammothcavenationalpark #cavetour #domesanddripstones (at Mammoth Cave National Park Campground)

[tracer]

Last May, my wife and I spent a few days camping at Mammoth Cave National Park before heading to Nashville to catch Fleet Foxes in concert at the Ryman. During one of our caving tours, a park ranger told us about another (somewhat) nearby cave in Tennessee that served as a music venue. One year later and we finally had a chance to check out that unlikely concert space – formally known as The Caverns – for a taping of the PBS program Bluegrass Underground featuring one of my absolute favorites: Gregory Alan Isakov.

A trail marker for the Mountain Goat Trail outside of the Amish Hippie. Photo by Curt Whitacre.

The Caverns venue is nestled in the valley of Pelham, which is located northwest of Chattanooga. We stayed in the nearby town of Monteagle and were delighted to discover a “rails to trails” recreational path located mere feet from our motel. Known as the Mountain Goat Trail, the path runs alongside country roads and winds through forests en route to the neighboring town of Sewanee. As a very frequent visitor to Tennessee, I wasn’t expecting to find such a pedestrian friendly feature adjacent to our motel, nor was I expecting to find vegetarian-friendly eateries along the path! On our five-mile-long morning run along the trail, we discovered Mooney’s Market and Emporium, which carries fresh produce, locally-sourced kombucha and other sundries. We picked up some kefir and kvass from Short Mountain Cultures and then grabbed lunch at the Crescent Cafe Juice Bar, a small camper situated just behind Mooney’s that serves up vegan wraps and a great cup of coffee, amongst other things. God knows how many times I’ve had to live off of nothing but slices of cheese pizza and Sub-Way “Veggie Delite” subs when traveling through the south, so Mooney’s and Crescent Cafe were a real treat!

Operating with the tagline “A little bit Bluegrass, a little bit Underground,” Bluegrass Underground is a televised showcase of bluegrass, jam band, roots, folk and Americana concerts. The PBS program has featured acts like Andrew Bird, Jason Isbell, and Old Crow Medicine for nearly a decade, so Isakov was a perfect fit for the show’s upcoming ninth season. The May 19th taping (which will apparently air in fall of 2019) included sets by Gregory Alan Isakov along with country rock institution The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and a more mainstream country outfit called Brothers Osborne. That last act didn’t sound very “bluegrass” or very “underground” to me, but it seems like most of the crowd was actually there for Brothers Osborne.

We arrived early to give ourselves time to explore the venue before the first taping began, but we were surprised to find there was already a sizable crowd tailgating in The Caverns’ parking lot. Next time, we’ll know to bring camp chairs and a cooler! After picking up our will call tickets at The Caverns’ barn HQ, we walked a short distance to the mouth of the cave, which felt very much like descending into Mammoth Cave’s Historical Entrance (complete with temperature drop). I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the cave truly was a fully functioning concert venue with concessions, modern bathrooms, merchandise tables and other amenities that you don’t normally associate with … y’know … a cave. It was all a bit surreal.

We found our seats and soon enough a production manager was on stage to explain how the taping would proceed. Videographers spent several minutes shooting audience “reaction shots” as we clapped and laughed on command. Once that footage was in the can, the performances began. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was up first with a great set of originals and covers, including Hank Williams’ “Honky Tonkin” and a fine take on Bob Dylans’ “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.”

Up next was Gregory Alan Isakov, a Colorado-based singer-songwriter who I’ve admired for sometime but never before seen live. Isakov has been making great records for a long time, but his 2016 live concert LP with the Colorado Symphony is a real standout. Isakov’s music helped soundtrack my last two summers in Colorado, including my time at Great Sand Dunes National Park, so it was only fitting that his recent music video for the song “San Luis” centered on that stunning park.

Isakov and his five-piece band played an impeccable set for Bluegrass Underground and the natural acoustics of the Caverns only enhanced the cinematic sound of songs like “Big Black Car,” “Chemicals” and – appropriately enough – “Caves.” Due to some sort of technical difficulty on the part of the PBS production team, we were treated to two complete renditions of “Time Will Tell,” with the entire band gathered around a single microphone for an absolute highlight of the set.

Photography by Curt Whitacre.

Photography by Curt Whitacre.

Photography by Curt Whitacre.

Photography by Curt Whitacre.

Photography by Curt Whitacre.

Of course, the to-be-broadcast format of this concert meant that Isakov had to stick to TV-friendly lyrics, meaning the great “Saint Valentine” was unfortunately left off of the set list. Here’s a spry rendition from 2014’s Pickathon Music Festival, which was actually my introduction to Isakov:

The morning after the concert, my wife and I made our way from southern Tennessee to eastern Kentucky to spend a few days camping at Red River Gorge in the Daniel Boone National Forest. While I’ve been making sporadic trips to RRG and Natural Bridge State Resort Park for nearly 20 years, this was only my wife’s second visit to the area. After setting up our tent at the Whittleton Campground, we made the most of our two and a half days in the park: hiking portions of the Sheltowee Trace Trail, exploring the trails around Natural Bridge and making frequent stops to the newly-renovated Miguel’s Pizza.

We got back home just in time for me to celebrate my 40th birthday. Without a doubt, it was the perfect way to cap off my 30’s and set the tune for all of the adventures to come this summer.

Gregory Alan Isakov Graces the Underground Last May, my wife and I spent a few days camping at Mammoth Cave National Park…

[spellucci]

Mammoth Cave National Park

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

It’s pouring rain as we wake up. It has now rained every day of this trip —11 days so far. As we cross the Tennessee River, we compare weather apps to see where we can go with good weather. No luck. Any place with good weather will have rain by the time we can get there. Oh well. We had great weather when we really needed it yesterday.

Jeanne was scrolling maps looking for ideas when she spotted Mammoth Cave National Park. It’s a couple hours away, and we could get in our daily steps without getting drenched. Perfect!! We set Google Maps for Mammoth Cave.

This is not an original idea. We grab the last spot in the campground. We luck out and get the volunteer host site which has power and water. None of the rest of the sites have power. We head over to the Visitor Center to check out the cave tours. The parking lot was packed with cars and RVs. The rain is torrential and the entrance sidewalks are blocked with large puddles. We buy tickets for the self-guided tour and walk down a steep trail toward the historic cave entrance.

The entrance is framed by a waterfall.

We turn in our tickets to the waterproofed ranger at the cave mouth, receive the safety talk from the next ranger who is trying for a career in standup. “If you are bitten by a bat, once you stop screaming, see a ranger who will calm you down with stacks of government paperwork on the dangers of rabies.”

Charmed, we head into the Twilight Zone of animals that live near the entrances to caves.

This is not like Carlsbad Caverns. There are no delicate cave formations. In the tourist area, anything delicate was removed in the 1800s.

The cave was mined for gypsum by enslaved people to make gunpowder for the War of 1812 and beyond.

This cave system is capped by sandstone which prevents the slow percolation of water that builds stalagmites, so there are few formations. It has 5 layers cave rooms as mapped that have been carved by different levels of water before entering the Green River.

Jeanne asks a bored ranger where all the bats are. He says that 90% of the bats have died of white nose syndrome but points out one on the wall. They are 1.5 inches long, and look more like a caterpillar.

We carefully walk the path past WW1 memorial stones and rock formations into a huge oval room that was carved by a river of water.

We stop by the remains of the saltpeter works where gypsum was processed in the 1860’s and sold to DuPont. The sign said it was mixed with turnip and ox blood. Highly dubious, Tim asked the ranger who clarifies it was mostly tree ash. He called it “guide lore” where a good story takes on a history of its own.

The Visitor Center was still crowded, so we headed back to the campstore for showers. Much refreshed, we headed back to the campsite, plugged into power and decided to take advantage of the abundant electrons to cook several days of meals.

After dinner we headed out for what we thought would be a quick stroll around the campground, but stumbled onto a hiking trail where Dora could run. After a day in the rain, an hour’s walk under heavily overcast skies was a treat.

[ouraidengray4]

5 Outdoor Adventures Based on Your Favorite Travel Buddy

This article was created with Chase Auto as part of Road to Better.

If the great outdoors is calling you, we suggest you pick up the phone. Even if you don’t consider yourself an outdoorsy person, spending time in wide open spaces—or, really, any place with lots of greenery—has been shown to reduce stress and lower your risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Stuck on where to go? We have your back. We've teamed up with Chase Auto, who wants to help you make the most of your next big adventure, to bring you five nature-filled road-trip ideas to add to your bucket list. Since the journey is just as important as the destination, choose your best travel buddy below to find the route for you.

1. Your Best Travel Buddy (a.k.a. Your Car)—The Pacific Coast Highway

Our cars do so much more than just transport us—they’re a significant part of our lives. A 2017 survey by Chase Auto found that 48 percent of millennials have had their longest relationship with a car and 56 percent of Americans say their vehicle is like a family member. The love is real.

If it’s just you and your BFF, you want a long, open road and stunning views you can see from your car. Our top choice? The Pacific Coast Highway (also known as California State Route 1 or the PCH), which stretches from California’s northern border all the way down to San Diego for a whopping 655.8-mile trip.

Whether you decide to tackle the whole shebang or just a piece, we suggest starting up north so you're closest to the ocean as you drive. The highway will take you through major cities such as San Francisco, L.A., and San Diego, but the real gems are the off-the-beaten-path sights along the way.

Don't miss the 17-Mile Drive, a scenic loop in Pebble Beach, where you'll see stunning cliffs, the Lone Cypress, and white-sand beaches. Swing through the cute town of Carmel before heading down to Big Sur for a Big Little Lies photo op and a burger at Nepenthe. Stop off in San Simeon for a tour of Hearst Castle and elephant-seal watching, Pismo Beach for clam chowder, and Santa Barbara for wine tasting. Then hit the beach: Meander down through Ventura, Malibu, Long Beach, and La Jolla before arriving in San Diego.

2. Your Group of Friends Who Used to Be Camp Counselors—The Adirondacks

Wanna get back into the team spirit with your old camp counselor cohort? Pile into the car and head to the Adirondack Mountains. Not only is upstate New York gorgeous, but you'll also have endless camp-worthy activities at your fingertips.

Your first stop will be Lake George, but if you're coming from the south, drive through the charming Hudson Valley towns of Kingston, Saugerties, Red Hook, and Hudson. Have more time? Head west into the Catksills to tour hippy-dippy Woodstock (where the namesake festival was supposed to be held), go for a hike, or pick your own strawberries/apples/pumpkins/whatever's in season.

You're too old for bunk beds. Upgrade to Posh Primitive, a glamping spot in Lake George where you'll be one with nature but not too one with nature. Be sure to plan a group canoeing or kayaking trip around the lake for old time's sake.

Take the scenic route up to Lake Placid so you can stop at the Adirondack museum (plus, it'll give you more time to sing camp songs in the car). Then let the games begin: Try your hand at bobsledding or extreme tubing before tackling Mount Marcy, the highest point in New York State. (But don’t worry—it’s not so challenging your crew will give up after the third mile.) Finish things off with a beer at Lake Placid Pub & Brewery. We guarantee it’s a vacation worth repeating.

3. Your Frugal S.O. Who Only Has 10 Vacation Days—Acadia All-American Road

Need a quick escape with your budget-conscious one-and-only? Maine's Acadia All-American Road is a historic 40-mile byway that winds along the coast and loops through Acadia National Park, offering breathtaking views that set the right tone for a romantic getaway.

It's a three-hour drive without stopping, so you can customize the trip based on how much time you have. Start early to avoid the crowds (even better if you hit Cadillac Mountain for sunrise). You'll head from Trenton onto Mount Desert Island (keep an eye out for moose!) and down the jagged coast to Bar Harbor. Split blueberry pancakes and a McThisWay egg sandwich at Café This Way or BYO picnic down to Sand Beach. You'll need the fuel for a bike ride along the park's carriage roads or a hike up Champlain, Beech, or Cadillac Mountain.

As you make your way down the coastline, pit-stop at Thunder Hole and the Otter Cliffs before arriving at the Jordan Pond House for tea and popovers with blueberry jam overlooking a glacial lake (be sure to make a reservation).

Staying overnight? Pitch a tent at Seawall Campground or rent a cozy cabin in Bar Harbor.

4. Your Zen BFF Who Doesn't Go Anywhere Without Their Yoga Mat—Feathered Pipe Ranch

Whether your bud’s chakras are out of whack or you both could just use some room to breathe (consciously), plan a Big Sky Country road trip to Feathered Pipe Ranch in Helena, MT.

If you're coming from the south, start in Jackson, WY (don't miss the National Elk Preserve), so you can take in the dramatic Tetons. Short on time? Hit U.S. Route 20, throw on a podcast, and enjoy the awe-inspiring landscape. For a longer (but definitely worthwhile) trek, drive through Yellowstone National Park, stretching your legs at Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon, and Mammoth Hot Springs—and keeping an eye out for moose, bears, elk, and bison along the way.

From the north, you don't want to miss driving along Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. The 50-mile, twist-and-turn stretch (you might recognize it from The Shining) takes you through myriad landscapes (waterfalls, glaciers, mountains). Once you're out of the park, cruise over to Whitefish, an old-timey Western town with saloons, souvenir shops, and restaurants like Buffalo Café. Then take your pick of U.S. Route 93 or Montana Highway 83 (also known as the Seeley-Swan scenic drive) to get down to Helena.

Once at the ranch, you’ll ohm and exhale in a lush forest setting and forget all about updating Insta every minute (cell service is unreliable and phones are discouraged for obvious reasons). Choose from chalet-style rooms, cabins, yurts, tipis, or tents, and curate your own yoga schedule from a variety of classes or sign up for a retreat package. It’s time to disconnect from the world and connect with the earth.

5. Your Dog With the Travel Instagram—Sawtooth National Forest

If your dog is in need of a new grammable adventure, there aren't many parks more photogenic than Sawtooth National Forest Campgrounds in Idaho, which is home to mountain goats, elk, and bighorn sheep.

Start your journey in Boise, where you can check out an abundance of pet-friendly parks and restaurants with patio seating. When you're ready to hit the road, dip down to Shoshone to explore the Indian Ice Caves and other gorgeous trails that your dog will love (just be sure to keep her on leash).

From there it's an easy three-hour journey through Sawtooth Scenic Byway to your destination. Make sure your tank is full and you're stocked on water and food. The drive isn't long, but it is remote (one of the reasons it's so beautiful). Stop at Redfish Lake or Sawtooth Hatchery for shots of pristine lakes and rivers (and maybe catch a glimpse of some wild salmon!) before completing the trek through miles of trees and jagged peaks so picturesque, you'll think you've fallen into a postcard.

from Greatist RSS https://ift.tt/2B1j1hp 5 Outdoor Adventures Based on Your Favorite Travel Buddy Greatist RSS from HEALTH BUZZ https://ift.tt/2McytMC

[americandailylife]

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave - Glasgow Daily Times

Glasgow Daily Times

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave Glasgow Daily Times Sarah Craighead, a Cave City native who began her National Park Service career as a cave guide and campground ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1978 and has led the central-Kentucky park as superintendent since 2012, has been selected to ...

[dreamketchers]

Good morning from Mammoth Cave National Park Campground. . . . . . . . #goodmorning #campground #outdoors#getoutside#greatoutdoors#nature#outdoorlife#naturetherapy#outside#outdoortherapy#getoutdoors#livetoexplore#keepitwild#MammothCave #natiinalparkservice (at Mammoth Cave National Park Campground) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XCa30h_qi/?igshid=tlzvmwd03wlg

[americandailylife]

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave - Glasgow Daily Times

Glasgow Daily Times

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave Glasgow Daily Times Sarah Craighead, a Cave City native who began her National Park Service career as a cave guide and campground ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1978 and has led the central-Kentucky park as superintendent since 2012, has been selected to ...

[americandailylife]

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave - Glasgow Daily Times

Glasgow Daily Times

NPS announces leadership change at Mammoth Cave Glasgow Daily Times Sarah Craighead, a Cave City native who began her National Park Service career as a cave guide and campground ranger at Mammoth Cave National Park in 1978 and has led the central-Kentucky park as superintendent since 2012, has been selected to ...