Emerald Pools: Swimming Holes Near Lake Tahoe Emerald Pools is a free swimming hole on the South Yuba River in Tahoe National Forest, about 45 minutes from North Lake Tahoe. A 5-minute walk from the parking lot leads to granite pools with swimming and cliff …
The best photo spots in Oahu are concentrated on the island’s east and west sides — not in Waikiki. My top picks: Lanikai Pillbox for sunrise, the Kaneohe Sandbar for mid-ocean shots, and Koko Head’s 1,000+ stairs for the workout-with-a-view. All 10 spots below are …
The best natural hot springs near Mammoth Lakes are Wild Willy’s, Travertine, Crab Cooker, the Rock Tub, and Shepherd — all free, all open in 2026, and most within a 5-minute walk of your car. No permits, no fees, no reservations: just show up and …
Visiting Havasupai in 2027 requires a permit booked at havasupaireservations.com — the 2026 season has ended and 2027 reservations are expected to open in early February 2027 (historically February 1 at 8am Arizona time, with the exact date announced in January). In 2026, permits cost …
Fifth Water Hot Springs: The Hike The Fifth Water Hot Springs hike is a 4.5-mile roundtrip, easy trail along Diamond Fork Creek in Utah that ends at a series of stunning blue and green natural hot spring pools. The trailhead is on Diamond Fork Road, …
Quick facts: 6.8 km (4.2 miles) return · ~600 m (2,000 ft) elevation gain · 3–4 hours · Class 4 (challenging) · No park entry booking needed, but national park entry fees apply · No pets on the trail. Bluff Knoll is one of the …
Quick facts: 4 km (2.5 miles) return · ~436 m (1,400 ft) elevation gain · ~3 hours · Grade 4 (challenging, rock scrambling) · Never attempt in wet conditions · 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Mt Amos has got to be one of the coolest hikes …
The best viewpoints in Yosemite are Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Washburn Point — all reachable within a minute of parking. For easy hikes, try Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles roundtrip) or the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall. Good news for 2026: no day-use reservation is …
Limekiln State Park Big Sur: 2026 Status Limekiln State Park in Big Sur is open with restrictions in 2026. Day-use ($10/vehicle, cash only, 8am–sunset) and the campground — reopened April 2026 after a ~3-year closure, ~$35/night via ReserveCalifornia — are open. The Limekiln Trail to …
Dogs are allowed in Yosemite National Park — but only in developed areas: paved roads, paved trails, bike paths, and most campgrounds. They’re not allowed on unpaved hiking trails, in the backcountry, on shuttle buses, or inside buildings. Here’s exactly where you can take your …
