STOCKHOLM, July 22, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– Tucked along Sweden’s northeast coast lies one of Europe’s most dramatic and least-discovered landscapes: the High Coast. With its soaring cliffs, ancient forests, and UNESCO World Heritage status, this unique region is rapidly becoming the go-to destination for travelers seeking nature, authenticity and tranquility.
The High Coast is where land still rises from the sea, shaped by the last Ice Age and reborn every year through isostatic uplift. Here, nature is not only beautiful – it’s alive with geological history. Visitors can hike among pine-covered peaks, kayak between red granite islands, and walk suspension bridges above deep valleys.
Unlike many of Europe’s more crowded scenic destinations, the High Coast offers space to breathe and room to explore. It’s a haven for hikers and trail runners, with Sweden’s highest coastline and the iconic Höga Kustenleden trail stretching over 130 km. For those craving slower adventures, the coastline’s fishing villages, local smokehouses and floating saunas offer perfect moments of calm.
“Travelers are looking for something real – and the High Coast gives them just that,” says Kamron Funk of High Coast Guide. “It’s nature at its rawest, mixed with small-town charm, Swedish fika culture, and deep connection to land and sea.”
The region is also home to award-winning distilleries, forest-to-table cuisine, and a vibrant arts scene rooted in coastal traditions. Events like the High Coast Trail Festival and outdoor concerts at Skuleberget attract culture-seekers and athletes alike.
Getting here is easy. The High Coast is accessible by train, plane, or car from Stockholm, making it ideal for both long vacations and quick getaways.
For travel editors and writers looking for a fresh story, the High Coast delivers. This is not just another scenic destination – it’s a frontier of Nordic beauty waiting to be explored.
IRVINE, Calif., November 20, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– NESTOUT, an outdoor gear brand by ELECOM, is set to release two new products on November 20th: the NESTOUT Fan, a modular accessory designed to integrate with NESTOUT’s battery ecosystem, and the NESTOUT Whistle Light, a versatile multi-functional safety tool. These new offerings will be available on NESTOUT.com and Amazon, enhancing NESTOUT’s lineup for adventurers seeking reliable, versatile gear for camping, hiking, and beyond.
Stay Comfortable Year-Round with the NESTOUT Fan
The NESTOUT Fan is built for the outdoors, combining power, portability, and flexibility to adapt to any environment. Available in black and beige with a Full Kit Package option that includes a padded bag and clamp, this fan offers versatile functionality for all seasons, including cooling in summer and circulating warm air in colder months.
Custom Fit for NESTOUT Batteries – Engineered to directly integrate with NESTOUT’s 5000mAh and 10000mAh batteries, the fan provides a seamless, on-the-go power solution. It’s also compatible with other USB power banks, chargers, or wall outlets, giving users the flexibility to keep cool anywhere.
Four Adjustable Speeds – Includes a unique “Breeze Mode” that mimics natural wind, creating a refreshing experience with ebb and flow wind motion, alongside three additional settings for various cooling needs.
Smart Oscillation and Adjustable Neck – Automatically oscillates at 40, 70, and 100 degrees, and can be manually adjusted up to 90 degrees for customized airflow. Perfect for circulating warm air in tents during winter camping.
Mounting Flexibility – Equipped with a large metal hook and a removable tripod, allowing the fan to be hung from poles, tent hooks, or other supports. The Full Kit version includes a clamp for securing to table edges or poles.
Automatic Shut-Off Timer – Set to run for 60, 120, or 240 minutes, perfect for conserving battery life during overnight use.
Tactile Knobs – Enjoy satisfying, precise control with textured knobs that click when rotated, offering intuitive and easy use even in low-light settings.
Whether cooling down at the campsite, providing airflow in a tent, or keeping comfortable while cooking, the NESTOUT Fan adapts effortlessly to outdoor settings.
NESTOUT Whistle Light – A Compact, Multi-Purpose Safety Tool
The NESTOUT Whistle Light is a compact powerhouse, combining an LED flashlight, lantern, and emergency whistle into one essential tool. Available in black and beige, this 3-in-1 device is an ideal companion for camping, hiking, or emergency preparedness.
3-in-1 Functionality – Use as a flashlight for directional lighting, an emergency whistle for added safety, and lantern when inserted into a water-filled bottle for ambient light.
Weather-Ready Durability – Built with IP44 water and dust resistance, this light withstands challenging outdoor conditions, ensuring reliability when you need it most.
Convenient and Portable – Operates on a single AAA battery, providing up to six hours of continuous lighting with 35 lumens of brightness. The included neck lanyard offers easy access and hands-free convenience.
Designed for Emergency and Everyday Use – Lightweight and compact, this tool is ready for both regular outdoor activities and unexpected situations, making it a reliable partner for outdoor explorers.
Purpose-Built for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Crafted to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, the NESTOUT Fan and Whistle Light are essential tools for camping, hiking, and other outdoor adventures. The fan’s customizable airflow and durable mounting options provide cooling comfort anywhere, while the whistle light’s multifunctional design and robust construction make it indispensable for safety and illumination in any situation.
Availability
The NESTOUT Fan and Whistle Light will be available for purchase starting November 20th. To learn more, visit NESTOUT’s website or shop directly on Amazon.
About ELECOM and NESTOUT
ELECOM, through its NESTOUT brand, is dedicated to creating high-quality, innovative products that elevate outdoor experiences by blending functionality with thoughtful design. Each NESTOUT product is crafted with durability and versatility in mind, empowering consumers to explore the outdoors with confidence and comfort.
Welcome to Show the Receipts, a new series where we ask interesting people to share exactly how much it costs to get shit done. No matter the task, we’re tracking every last dollar from start to finish.
A few years ago, I checked my phone to find a message from my aunt: “I’m trekking to Everest Base Camp. Are you in or out?” She had recently trekked to the Base Camp of K2, the second highest mountain in the world, and had her sights set on her next destination.
Although this invitation was out of the blue, it wasn’t necessarily surprising. My aunt and I had spent many summers hiking in western Washington; she had a tendency to pick 10+ mile hikes and not tell me until we were at the trailhead, something I learned to embrace. We had also trekked across the Scottish Highlands together right before I started my full-time job, so this felt like a way to continue that spirit of the adventure. To add.
That first message was back in early 2020, so you can imagine where this story is going. The trek was delayed until September 2022, one of the months experts say is a good time to climb Everest (if you’re interested, plan on going between March to May or September to November, FYI). The pandemic delays gave me more time to physically, mentally, and financially prepare. I focused on cross-training and going on long-distance hikes to build my endurance – and to visit REI and Ascent Outdoors to purchase gear. The hike would certainly be more taxing than our day hikes given the 17,598 feet elevation gain – and more expensive than a $30 annual hiking pass and the gas to get there. But we were ready.
Here’s the cost breakdown.
Task: Trekking to Everest Base Camp Occupation: Freelance writer and product marketing manager Location: Nepal Timeline: Five months of planning, 10 days of actual trekking
The Receipts
Roundtrip flights from Seattle, WA to Kathmandu, Nepal:$1,370 Everest Base Camp trek package with Himalayan Wonders. Includes guide and porter fees, meals and lodging in the Himalayas, trekking permits and fees, and hotel stay in Kathmandu before and after: $1,399 Visa for traveling to Nepal (paid upon arrival): $50 Cash for guide and porter tip and everyday expenses like bottled water, charging, laundry, etc. while in the Himalayas: $1300 Clothing gear (jackets, rain pants, leggings, socks, and base layers): $1,337 Hiking boots and spikes: $215 Hiking passes (Annual Discover Pass and Northwest Forest Pass): $60 Gym and Peloton memberships: $190 (total for the duration of my training) Traveler’s insurance through World Nomads: $84 Two helicopter rides, to and from the Himalayas due to low visibility: $125 (it would have been $1,000, but one $500 ride was covered by insurance and the second was split four ways) Total: $6130
How I Did It
Trekking to Everest Base Camp is hard to do on a whim. Here’s how the trip and the finances came together so I could feel prepared for the longest trek I had ever done.
My Biggest Expense
We booked our trek through Himalayan Wonders, which is one of the top companies that offers treks. Their fee was the biggest single expense of the trip (by a narrow margin), but it was relatively all-inclusive, covering our stay in Kathmandu before and after, the tea houses we stayed in along the trek, three meals a day, airport transfers, Everest trekking permits, farewell dinner, and fees for our guide and porter, who carried our bags between tea houses. We were lucky to get a much lower rate for this trek because we booked pre-pandemic, though our trip was delayed for two years, and the trek and flight costs would be several hundred dollars higher now. Plus, we didn’t have to worry about getting our own permits or arranging lodging, which meant we could focus on the trek itself.
Prep Costs
Getting myself ready for the trek to Everest Base Camp was a combination of physical and mental preparation. My brother and aunt had trekked to K2 in the years prior, and they recommended that I spend at least an hour on the treadmill with a focus on walking with a very high incline. I was able to get a pretty great discount for a monthly membership at a local gym, and I also purchased a Northwest Forest Pass and Discover Pass so I could hike in western Washington every weekend. These costs were negligible compared to the amount I spent on gear, though. Which brings us to …
Where I Splurged
The biggest splurge was all of the gear that I had to buy, though I knew that I’d use everything for future hikes and treks. Since I had never done a trek with such a high elevation, I needed to purchase wool base layers, sock liners, rain pants, jackets, and more. I even bought my first “real” pair of hiking boots, which I broke in during the months before the trek. My now wife drove me to multiple REI locations and helped me pack – and repack – everything that would have to fit in the 22-pound duffle bag I’d bring to the Himalayas.
I was also lucky that the timing of my trek enabled me to purchase gear at REI and Ascent Outdoors during their annual sales, which helped me save 10 to 15 percent on the purchase price of some items. Many of the items I bought as base layers were made with merino wool, which is more expensive but tends to last longer and is great for long hikes since it’s breathable, odor-resistant, and quick-drying fabric. My hiking boots were also one of the most expensive items I purchased for my trip, but I found them to be a great investment since I wore them before and after during my summer hikes.
Where I Saved
Because my brother and aunt had recently gone on a big trek, they had a decent amount of gear and supplies that I could borrow. My brother loaned me his hiking backpack and hiking poles, which saved me a few hundred dollars, and my aunt had a decent amount of personal cleaning supplies, granola bars, blister bandages, and filtering water bottles. I’ve also spent half of my life hiking in Washington State, so I had a decent amount of hiking socks and clothing that I could use as a starting point.
Where I Had to Make Sacrifices
To trek to Everest Base Camp, I had to take five days of unpaid leave from my job because it did not offer unlimited time off at the time, and I was one week short on vacation time. I’m lucky that I had the option to take leave so I could still go but as a result, I lost about $1,000 in wages, something I decided was worth it because this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wanted to have with my aunt. I was also able to make this money back and more by writing stories about my trek to Everest Base Camp, covering everything from what to pack to which wellness products I brought with me.
My Advice to Future Everest Base Camp Trekkers
Bring cash, for one. During the trek itself, we were able to use the cash for a porter and guide tip, and we also paid for Wi-Fi, device charging, bottled water, laundry, and hot water at most of the tea houses where we stayed along the way. To reduce some of the costs, I would often pay to charge my portable battery and then use it to charge my phone and Apple Watch while hiking. Something else worth noting is that the cost of these goods typically get higher as you rise in elevation and when you get high enough, it’s too cold to shower at all.
Also: opt for traveler’s insurance. We bought it before arriving in Nepal, and this higher up-front cost helped cover incidentals that came up during the trek. For example, flights from Kathmandu to the Himalayas are frequently delayed due to inclement weather, which led us to book a helicopter to get to the Himalayas after a day’s delay. Thankfully, this cost was covered with insurance, but we did end up needing to take another helicopter the day after reaching base camp due to inclement weather; we didn’t want to risk getting stranded due to low visibility. The second ride wasn’t covered, but we split the cost four ways.
Final Thoughts
Trekking to Everest Base Camp was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll cherish forever – after all, how many people can say that they’ve been 17,598 feet above sea level? But as a queer Pakistani woman, one of the best parts about doing this trek came during the aftermath. After returning home, numerous women of color messaged me that they felt inspired to book their own trek, and others talked about how they felt inspired to find a hike in their city or take a solo trip they’d been thinking about. This meant more to me than the cost of the trek itself. And when life gets challenging, I find myself thinking, “It can’t be as hard as trekking to Everest Base Camp – and I already did that.”
Aleenah Ansari is a queer Pakistani writer based in Seattle. She covers travel, entrepreneurship, mental health and wellness, and representation in media for PS, Insider, The Seattle Times, Byrdie, and more.
Nima Rinji Sherpa’s ears are still tinged black from wind chill, an occupational hazard of climbing to heights where humans struggle to breathe and where the weather can turn deadly in an instant.Video above: Breast cancer survivor climbs Vermont’s highest peak while raising awareness for a cureThis month, Nima became the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, but the 18-year-old Nepalese mountaineer is already getting ready for his next big feat.Speaking to CNN via video call from the Nepali capital Kathmandu last week, Nima said he’s taking a couple of weeks to rest before preparing to climb the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Manaslu, with Italian mountaineer Simone Moro, in winter, alpine-style.“That means we’re climbing an 8,000-meter mountain in winter … There’s no fixed ropes for us, there’s no (supplemental) oxygen for us, there is no support for us. So, it’s like pure human endurance,” Nima said. “It has never been done in the history of mountaineering.”After that, “I’ll take some rest,” Nima said.On Oct. 9, Nima reached the top of the 8,027-meter (26,335-foot) Shishapangma along with his partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa. For Nima, it was the final of the “eight-thousanders,” the 14 peaks recognized by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation as standing more than 8,000 meters above sea level.Describing the moment of summiting the final peak as “pure joy,” Nima said his motivation comes from his family, many of whom are renowned mountaineers.His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, has climbed Everest nine times and, at age 19, became the youngest person to summit without bottled oxygen. His uncle, Mingma Sherpa, became the first South Asian climber to summit the 14 peaks in 2011.“My uncles and my father, they are way more successful than I would ever be because they came from a very small village. To even dream about being this successful, for them it was really hard,” Nima said. “I have the privilege that they didn’t have.”Not just support staffNepal’s ethnic Sherpas have lived in the high altitudes of the Himalayas for generations and have long served as guides and porters, whose local expertise has been invaluable for foreigners attempting climbs in the area.Their name has become synonymous with mountaineering. Sherpas are more often than not the backbone of international mountaineering expeditions, hauling heavy gear and supplies up mountains and guiding people to high-altitude summits in dangerous conditions.But they often don’t receive the same recognition or financial rewards as their Western counterparts.Despite his record-breaking achievement, Nima’s climbs did not attract big-name sponsors, and he relied on his father’s 14 Peaks Expedition company for funds and logistical support.“Everybody talks about Sherpas being superhuman, but how many Sherpas (do) we see being the face of a brand or being a sponsored athlete? None,” Nima said.Nima said he hopes he can inspire other young Sherpa climbers to realize their potential as athletes and professional mountaineers and to not be seen solely as support staff.“Hopefully, I become the face of a big brand. And then the younger generation of Sherpas, they don’t see this as like a dead job, you know, like a risky job. They see this as an athletic feat as well.”He hopes to use his recent achievement to “open a door” for other Nepali climbers.“Because sometimes in life, you find a moment when you think the community is bigger than you, and that’s what I am aiming for; that’s what I hope for,” he said.The death zoneNima started his epic journey in September 2022 when he first climbed Nepal’s 8,163-meter Manaslu. Over the next two years, he summited all of the “eight-thousanders,” including Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,849 meters, and the notoriously dangerous K2 at 8,611 meters.He summited Everest and Lhotse, standing at 8,516 meters, on the same day – just 10 hours apart – and climbed five of the peaks in under five weeks.“When I climbed Everest it was night, so there was no view from the mountain. Because we had to climb the next mountain, it was so quick. I took some photos … but in my mind, I was thinking of the next mountain that I’m going to climb,” he said.His favorite climb was Annapurna, at 8,091 meters, which he did without bottled oxygen.“For a teenager of 17 years to do something without using oxygen, you know, normally it’s not recommended,” he said. “Annapurna was where I felt really strong … It was really one of the best, my most beautiful mountain for me.”He said the final 200 meters were the most difficult “because I was spending 20 hours without oxygen in my brain.”“Till then, I was just feeling unstoppable, you know, just walking faster than everybody else,” he said.But Nima said the mountains “always find a reason to keep you humble.”“Regardless of the beauty of the mountains, the success of the summit, it’s always going to be a dangerous sport,” he said.Nima and his climbing partner Pasang got caught “in a couple of avalanches” on Annapurna. He hurt his arm before climbing Shishapangma and didn’t drink enough water, leaving him with cramps. And, while climbing the last 700 meters of Nanga Parbat, 8,126 meters, without fixed ropes, Nima slipped on an icy rock.“My first word from my mouth was my climbing partner’s name. I knew he would somehow save me, so I just called him,” Nima said. “We were together, connected on the same rope. So, when I fell, he also fell, and he just threw an ice ax, and we just stopped together.”Spending prolonged time above 8,000 meters — known as the “death zone” — your body starts to shut down. The thin air starves brains and lungs of oxygen, which can develop into the deadly condition hypoxia.Nima describes life above 8,000 meters as “about who can suffer the most given the circumstances.”When temperatures fall below minus 16 degrees Celsius (3.2 degrees Fahrenheit) and the wind races at 100 kilometers per hour, Nima said that’s when a climber’s physical ability stops and their mental strength takes over.“Maybe I like suffering,” he said.Leaving a better legacyNepal is at the sharp end of the climate crisis, as rising temperatures are rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers and worsening devastating flooding, impacting millions of people.Increasing tourism to Nepal is bringing needed dollars but also tons of garbage that threatens the fragile ecosystem of the mountains.Nima says he hopes his generation can leave a more sustainable legacy for the next.“You can see a lot of problems … Hopefully, the younger generation — like me and others — we will try to mobilize this industry and make it more sustainable for the upcoming generations,” he said.His dream is to start an organization to fund training and technical facilities to help young Nepalis get into climbing and guiding safely as a profession.This year, Nepali climbers have broken many records in the Himalayas. Dawa Yangzum Sherpa became the youngest Nepalese woman to climb the 14 peaks. Mingma G. Sherpa became the first Nepali climber to summit all 14 without bottled oxygen. And Phunjo Jhangmu Lama climbed Everest in a record-breaking 14.5 hours.Nima said he dreams of Nepali climbers getting the same attention as professional Western climbers, and he already sees the younger generation making it their own.“The generation before us, they are the pioneers; we’re climbing the route that they established,” he said.“But I’m just so happy that I’m living in this moment right now. So much is happening in the world of mountaineering. And as a younger generation, we’ll always try to do something better.”
Nima Rinji Sherpa’s ears are still tinged black from wind chill, an occupational hazard of climbing to heights where humans struggle to breathe and where the weather can turn deadly in an instant.
Video above: Breast cancer survivor climbs Vermont’s highest peak while raising awareness for a cure
This month, Nima became the youngest person to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, but the 18-year-old Nepalese mountaineer is already getting ready for his next big feat.
Speaking to CNN via video call from the Nepali capital Kathmandu last week, Nima said he’s taking a couple of weeks to rest before preparing to climb the world’s eighth-highest mountain, Manaslu, with Italian mountaineer Simone Moro, in winter, alpine-style.
“That means we’re climbing an 8,000-meter mountain in winter … There’s no fixed ropes for us, there’s no (supplemental) oxygen for us, there is no support for us. So, it’s like pure human endurance,” Nima said. “It has never been done in the history of mountaineering.”
After that, “I’ll take some rest,” Nima said.
On Oct. 9, Nima reached the top of the 8,027-meter (26,335-foot) Shishapangma along with his partner, Pasang Nurbu Sherpa. For Nima, it was the final of the “eight-thousanders,” the 14 peaks recognized by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation as standing more than 8,000 meters above sea level.
Describing the moment of summiting the final peak as “pure joy,” Nima said his motivation comes from his family, many of whom are renowned mountaineers.
His father, Tashi Lakpa Sherpa, has climbed Everest nine times and, at age 19, became the youngest person to summit without bottled oxygen. His uncle, Mingma Sherpa, became the first South Asian climber to summit the 14 peaks in 2011.
“My uncles and my father, they are way more successful than I would ever be because they came from a very small village. To even dream about being this successful, for them it was really hard,” Nima said. “I have the privilege that they didn’t have.”
Not just support staff
Nepal’s ethnic Sherpas have lived in the high altitudes of the Himalayas for generations and have long served as guides and porters, whose local expertise has been invaluable for foreigners attempting climbs in the area.
Their name has become synonymous with mountaineering. Sherpas are more often than not the backbone of international mountaineering expeditions, hauling heavy gear and supplies up mountains and guiding people to high-altitude summits in dangerous conditions.
14 Peaks Expedition/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
But they often don’t receive the same recognition or financial rewards as their Western counterparts.
Despite his record-breaking achievement, Nima’s climbs did not attract big-name sponsors, and he relied on his father’s 14 Peaks Expedition company for funds and logistical support.
“Everybody talks about Sherpas being superhuman, but how many Sherpas (do) we see being the face of a brand or being a sponsored athlete? None,” Nima said.
Nima said he hopes he can inspire other young Sherpa climbers to realize their potential as athletes and professional mountaineers and to not be seen solely as support staff.
“Hopefully, I become the face of a big brand. And then the younger generation of Sherpas, they don’t see this as like a dead job, you know, like a risky job. They see this as an athletic feat as well.”
He hopes to use his recent achievement to “open a door” for other Nepali climbers.
“Because sometimes in life, you find a moment when you think the community is bigger than you, and that’s what I am aiming for; that’s what I hope for,” he said.
The death zone
Nima started his epic journey in September 2022 when he first climbed Nepal’s 8,163-meter Manaslu. Over the next two years, he summited all of the “eight-thousanders,” including Everest, the world’s highest mountain at 8,849 meters, and the notoriously dangerous K2 at 8,611 meters.
He summited Everest and Lhotse, standing at 8,516 meters, on the same day – just 10 hours apart – and climbed five of the peaks in under five weeks.
“When I climbed Everest it was night, so there was no view from the mountain. Because we had to climb the next mountain, it was so quick. I took some photos … but in my mind, I was thinking of the next mountain that I’m going to climb,” he said.
His favorite climb was Annapurna, at 8,091 meters, which he did without bottled oxygen.
“For a teenager of 17 years to do something without using oxygen, you know, normally it’s not recommended,” he said. “Annapurna was where I felt really strong … It was really one of the best, my most beautiful mountain for me.”
He said the final 200 meters were the most difficult “because I was spending 20 hours without oxygen in my brain.”
“Till then, I was just feeling unstoppable, you know, just walking faster than everybody else,” he said.
But Nima said the mountains “always find a reason to keep you humble.”
“Regardless of the beauty of the mountains, the success of the summit, it’s always going to be a dangerous sport,” he said.
Nima and his climbing partner Pasang got caught “in a couple of avalanches” on Annapurna. He hurt his arm before climbing Shishapangma and didn’t drink enough water, leaving him with cramps. And, while climbing the last 700 meters of Nanga Parbat, 8,126 meters, without fixed ropes, Nima slipped on an icy rock.
“My first word from my mouth was my climbing partner’s name. I knew he would somehow save me, so I just called him,” Nima said. “We were together, connected on the same rope. So, when I fell, he also fell, and he just threw an ice ax, and we just stopped together.”
14 Peaks Expedition/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource
Spending prolonged time above 8,000 meters — known as the “death zone” — your body starts to shut down. The thin air starves brains and lungs of oxygen, which can develop into the deadly condition hypoxia.
Nima describes life above 8,000 meters as “about who can suffer the most given the circumstances.”
When temperatures fall below minus 16 degrees Celsius (3.2 degrees Fahrenheit) and the wind races at 100 kilometers per hour, Nima said that’s when a climber’s physical ability stops and their mental strength takes over.
“Maybe I like suffering,” he said.
Leaving a better legacy
Nepal is at the sharp end of the climate crisis, as rising temperatures are rapidly melting Himalayan glaciers and worsening devastating flooding, impacting millions of people.
Increasing tourism to Nepal is bringing needed dollars but also tons of garbage that threatens the fragile ecosystem of the mountains.
Nima says he hopes his generation can leave a more sustainable legacy for the next.
“You can see a lot of problems … Hopefully, the younger generation — like me and others — we will try to mobilize this industry and make it more sustainable for the upcoming generations,” he said.
His dream is to start an organization to fund training and technical facilities to help young Nepalis get into climbing and guiding safely as a profession.
This year, Nepali climbers have broken many records in the Himalayas. Dawa Yangzum Sherpa became the youngest Nepalese woman to climb the 14 peaks. Mingma G. Sherpa became the first Nepali climber to summit all 14 without bottled oxygen. And Phunjo Jhangmu Lama climbed Everest in a record-breaking 14.5 hours.
Nima said he dreams of Nepali climbers getting the same attention as professional Western climbers, and he already sees the younger generation making it their own.
“The generation before us, they are the pioneers; we’re climbing the route that they established,” he said.
“But I’m just so happy that I’m living in this moment right now. So much is happening in the world of mountaineering. And as a younger generation, we’ll always try to do something better.”
BEVERLY — The city’s Open Space and Recreation Committee announced that it has completed improvements to Sally Milligan Park, including a new trail, footbridge and wayfinding signage.
The new trail leads from behind the soccer field on Cross Lane, enabling visitors to access land north and west of the field and the Mackerel River. Parking is available at the Cross Lane soccer field.
The new trail was originally proposed in the fall of 2019 in accordance with the 2002 Sally Milligan Implementation Plan. The trail was approved by the Open Space and Recreation Committee in 2021. In 2022, the city received a MassTrails grant to construct a bridge over the Mackerel River, install a new map kiosk for the Cross Lane soccer fields, and update maps depicting the new trail.
The trail and the bridge were completed in June 2023. The new kiosk and maps were installed in December 2023 and bike racks were installed in September 2024.
Sally Milligan Park was a gift to the citizens of Beverly from Hugh Taylor Birch, who gave the original 31 acres to the city in 1933 as a memorial to his mother, Sally Milligan Birch. In 1999, the city purchased an additional 15 acres from the Santin family with assistance from the state and the Essex County Greenbelt Association.
Just because there is a change in the weather during autumn, doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun time – and if you add in a little marijuana, it can get even better!
Autumn is great time of year, it is not to hot and there is a wide assortment of things to do inside and out. While the swim suits and sunscreen are packed away, there is a wide variety of things to engage the mind and body. Here are the best fall activities to do while high.
Movie marathon
As the days get shorter, cozying up with a movie marathon becomes increasingly appealing. Choose classic horror films or feel-good comedies, and pair them with some cannabis-infused snacks for an elevated viewing experience. This is perfect for those chilly fall evenings when staying in feels just right
Board games
Photo by Flickr user John Morgan
Board games can always be made better with the help of a little weed, and you can add to all of this enjoyment by scheduling your board game play sessions among friends during this time of the year, which is perfect for staying in and cozying up. The list of board games you can play while high is endless, from something chill and easy-going like Monopoly, to something more in-depth, like a Dungeons and Dragons session that can be made all the more real and entertaining with marijuana. Plus, most games allow you to snack while engaging your competitor.
Apple picking is a quintessential fall activity that becomes even more enjoyable while high. The crisp air and vibrant colors of the orchards create a beautiful backdrop for a leisurely day. Plus, you can savor the fruits of your labor by making delicious edibles or cider at home
Hiking
Photo by Eddy Billard via Unsplash
Hiking is one of the best fall activities in the world, lending itself perfectly to the fall weather. By adding weed into the mix, you’ll be contributing a deeper appreciation for your surroundings and nature. You’ll enjoy the exercise more, as well as the colors and the smells. Just make sure to choose a hike that’s not too crazy; you don’t want to get high and then get lost.
Crafting and DIY Projects
Engaging in crafting or DIY projects can be incredibly satisfying while stoned. Consider making fall-themed decorations or creating your own cannabis-infused products. This not only sparks creativity but also results in tangible items to enjoy throughout the season.
Attend Local Festivals
Many towns host harvest festivals during the fall, featuring local produce, crafts, and entertainment. Attending these events while high can enhance your enjoyment of live music, food tastings, and community spirit. It’s an excellent way to connect with others who share similar interests
Finally, as nights grow longer, stargazing becomes an enchanting activity. Find a quiet spot away from city lights, lay back, and enjoy the cosmos while sharing stories with friends. Cannabis can deepen your appreciation for the universe’s beauty, making this a peaceful way to end a day of fall adventures
MOSHI, Tanzania, October 22, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Altezza Travel has been named Tanzania’s Leading Tour Operator and Tanzania’s Leading Destination Management Company at the 2024 World Travel Awards. Since 1993, the awards have highlighted excellence across the global travel industry, recognizing top companies, destinations, and organizations.
Mt. Kilimanjaro, a key destination for Altezza Travel, was also named “Africa’s Leading Tourism Attraction,” reaffirming the mountain’s appeal as one of Africa’s most sought-after travel destinations.
Although it was their first nomination, Altezza Travel outperformed several previous winners to claim the title.
While the organizers do not disclose the voting criteria, Altezza likely won for the following reasons:
Kilimanjaro Leadership: Altezza Travel is the largest and fastest-growing operator of Kilimanjaro treks. In 2024 alone, they guided over 5,000 people to the summit of Kilimanjaro, more than any other operator, accounting for 15% of all successful climbs. The company experiences an annual growth rate of 20%, with thousands of positive reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor and Trustpilot, which likely played a key role in influencing the judges’ decision.
Outstanding Safety and Expertise: Travelers choose Altezza for its top-tier safety protocols, expert consultants, and high comfort standards on Kilimanjaro. Paying the highest wages in the region, Altezza attracts the best talent. The company has invested heavily in custom-designed tents and extensive guide training. In 2023, Altezza Travel’s expertise earned them an invitation to Nepal, where their guides became the first Tanzanian guides to participate in a high-profile international expedition.
Commitment to Social Responsibility: Altezza Travel’s proactive social responsibility: the company has several ongoing projects with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. After the devastating fires in 2020 and 2022, which Altezza helped to extinguish, they provided fire-fighting equipment to the park and took part in a large-scale reforestation effort. Additionally, Altezza invests in numerous conservation initiatives and actively supports local communities.
As of October 2024, Altezza Travel remains the leading operator for Kilimanjaro treks and wildlife safaris, setting the benchmark for excellence in Tanzania’s tourism industry.
There’s something special about desert hiking with dogs. The serenity and tranquility of the vast landscape is peaceful. But, in the back of your mind, you also know that the place you’re in can kill you if you’re not careful. These tips will help you get the most out of your desert hikes and keep yourself and your dog safe.
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Bailey and I spend a lot of time hiking. And, after spending most of my life in the Midwest, visiting the desert comes with a certain amount of anxiety. The desert commands respect. And desert hiking with dogs means you need to take precautions to stay safe.
When my search for tips and resources came up empty, Bailey became my guinea pig. Together we developed this guide to the gear needed for desert hiking with dogs. Hopefully it makes your trip planning easier!
Essentials For Desert Hiking With Dogs
Bailey thinks the only gear she needs is her ball! But when you’re hiking the desert, there are a few other things you’ll need to pack.
Desert Dog Essential #1: Water
This probably sounds obvious, but when you’re hiking with dogs in the desert you need to pack water. A LOT of water. I alway carry some water for Bailey when we’re hiking. But, being a dog, she sometimes supplements my tap water with samples from streams, lakes, and puddles.
When you’re hiking the the desert with dogs, water is unreliable. A stream that was flowing last week could be totally dry today. So you have to take all the water you and your dog will need during your hike.
You can either carry the water for your and your dog, or let her carry her own beverages with a Ruffwear hydration dog backpack.
Giving your dog an efficient way to drink also helps reduce the amount of water one of you has to carry. My old dog, Duke, would only drink out of a bowl, so whatever he didn’t finish was wasted.
Bailey and I have developed an awesome system, but it took some practice! Every so often, I ask Bailey if she wants water. If she does, she faces me and sits down. Then I squirt water into her mouth from a water bottle.
Since it’s not natural for dogs to drink like this, they might sputter a bit until they get the hang of it. Just go slow and only give small drinks each time.
Using a collapsible water bottle works well. The key is the pop-top, which allows me to create a “drinking fountain” for Bailey. Of course, any water bottle will do, but these roll up for easy storage.
Desert Dog Essential #2: Dog Boots
In Chicago, Bailey had dog boots for the occasional hike in the snow and to protect her paws from the salty winter streets. But in the desert, her boots never leave my backpack.
Since dogs regulate their body temperature through their paw pads, boots aren’t something Bailey wears constantly while we hike. That could cause her to overheat. Instead, I consider them emergency equipment — carried in case of an injury, if the ground becomes hot, or when we encounter uncomfortable trail surfaces.
If you’re hiking with a dog on hot sand, like we did at Great Sand Dunes National Park, dog boots an absolute necessity. We like the Ultra Paws Rugged Dog Boots for their 2nd velcro strap, which really keeps the boots in place. But there are a lot of great dog boot options to choose from.
On longer hikes, you’re likely to stop and take a few breaks. I always carry a small sit-pad for myself – it’s a smaller version of my Therma-Rest sleeping pad. And, after watching Bailey struggle to find a place to rest, I decided to throw one in for her, too.
This may seem like overkill, but the desert is littered with rock shards, prickly brush, and cactus needles. If you’re looking forward to a leisurely lunch along the trail, bring something comfortable for your dog to lie down on. It’s a small investment to make everyone’s day more enjoyable.
Desert Dog Essential #4: Fine-Tooth Comb
This was a brand-new addition to my hiking gear – a special requirement for desert hiking with dogs. A fine-tooth comb allows you to remove cactus spines, goathead thorns, and sand burrs from your dog’s paws or fur quickly and easily. And, as an added bonus, they don’t end up stuck in your fingers! It’s well worth the two-dollar investment.
Desert Dog Essential #5: Tweezers
For cactus spines too small for the comb to catch, splinters, and even bee stingers, a simple pair to tweezers can save the day.
A fun fact I’ve learned (the hard way) is that, even if your dog isn’t bothered, you can get poked by spikes hitching a ride in their fur or hanging on the leash!
Carrying a good first aid kit when your hiking in the desert with dogs goes without saying. But most don’t come with first-aid tape for pets. This is just as important as carrying Band-Aids for yourself. And you can order it online, or pick it up at any pet store.
The tape is self-adhesive and won’t stick to skin or fur. So you won’t cause your pet additional pain while wrapping or unwrapping their injury. The tape is stretchy, so be sure to apply it as loosely as possible to avoid cutting off the circulation. And get your pet the appropriate medical attention as soon as possible.
Dirty dog secret: Bailey likes to eat bees! Seriously, when things start buzzing around, it’s like she’s part frog. She’s even caught a few. And, so far, she hasn’t had a bad reaction. But just like in humans, your pet’s allergies can start at any point in their life. Adding Benadryl to our first aid kit was important for us both.
At your next vet visit, ask your dog’s doctor whether they recommend giving your pet Benadryl for an allergic reaction. If they approve, confirm the proper dosage. Then put a note with that information in your first aid kit along with the medication, so you’ll have it handy. (Benadryl dosage for dogs is much higher than for humans, so it’s important to know how much to administer.)
Though they’ll do their best to avoid you and your dog, it is possible to have a rattlesnake encounter when you’re hiking with dogs in the desert. For those of you planning to spend a lot of time on desert trails, or if your dog hikes off-leash, consider vaccinating them for rattlesnake bites.
Having your dog vaccinated will give you more time to get them to a veterinarian if they are bitten. Opinions vary, so talk with your veterinarian to determine what’s best for your dog.
We hope that when you’re planning to go hiking with dogs you find this information helpful. If you have any other desert hiking tips, please share them in the comments below!
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Looking for a day away from it all out in the woods? Then definitely plan a visit to Dupont State Park waterfalls in western NC. On a fall day there is nothing like heading north to the streams, fresh air, dazzling waterfalls and fall colors of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With its 900 miles of hiking trails, six major waterfalls and over 10,000 acres of forest, DuPont State Forest is a showcase of some of the most fabulous scenery in western NC, just an hour from Greenville! KAG Contributor Liene is telling us all bout the best places to visit in Dupont State Forest.
Find even more great hikes on our Hiking Guide. Plus find tons of waterfalls in our area to visit here!
This article was originally published on Femme au Foyer as “DuPont State Forest and its waterfalls”.
What to expect if you visit Dupont State Park
To maximize a visit to DuPont, park in the Hooker Falls area on Staton Road and combine the Triple Falls Trail, the High Falls Trail and Hooker Falls Road for an unforgettable, three mile hike to visit three of the most popular and beautiful falls in the area. Two of them (Triple and Hooker Falls) you might recognize from the movie The Hunger Games, a portion of which was filmed in DuPont in 2011, and Triple Falls featured prominently in the movie Last of the Mohicans.
Just a short ½ mile from the Hooker Falls parking area you’ll reach Triple Falls, with three distinct cascades that drop 120 feet in total. The first overlook is just a short distance from the parking lot, and a few hundred feet further is the spur trail that leads down to the large rocky area between the falls. Bring a picnic to enjoy the spectacle – natural and human – before jumping back on the main trail.
Triple Falls trail and High Falls trail form a loop, but you can choose to stick close to Little River on High Falls trail and cut out a bit of the mileage by doing a there-and-back. (Triple Falls trail heads west, hitting Buck Forest Road and intersecting with High Falls trail and the Covered Bridge Trail about 1/3 mile from High Falls). To reach the base of the 150-foot cascade, take a detour on the short River Bend spur trail for a memorable view of the falls and the covered bridge at the top.
High Falls is the largest waterfall in the area, and together with the beautiful covered bridge was part of a planned real estate development in 2000. After a lengthy legal battle the state was able to purchase the land from the developer, ensuring the view of the falls would be preserved. The trail leading to High Falls is somewhat steep, so make sure to bring water and to set a comfortable pace in the summer heat.
Once you’ve retraced your steps to the parking area and crossed back under Staton Road, you’ll turn west on Hooker Falls trail. Make sure to pause at the observation area above the falls before circling down to the base of the 12 foot waterfall. From the popular swimming hole at the base of the falls, Little River flows on into Cascade Lake, outside of the state forest’s boundaries. The hike to the falls is relatively easy, a mildly sloping 0.4 miles down a gravel road.
These three DuPont waterfalls make for a perfect year-round destination. The weekends during the summer will find a crowd at Hooker Falls, cooling down in the natural swimming hole, meanwhile autumn brings unparalleled fall foliage to the views around High Falls. Winter will decorate the waterfalls in ice, and finally spring means wildflowers and the return of the Blue Ghost Firefly. Whichever season you visit, you’ll find the scenic and tranquil beauty of DuPont State Forest and its waterfalls a memorable experience you’ll want to repeat again and again.
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Has your family checked out DuPont State Forest yet?
Colorado is home to four seasons of vast wonders, with its mountain views, wide-open spaces, and opportunities to connect with the land. It’s no surprise the state attracts hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and road-trippers from around the world. But Colorado’s beauty is on full display in fall, when the landscape transitions into a golden masterpiece—a dream for any outdoor enthusiast. To fully capture the magic of fall in Colorado, we talked to three members of the Colorado Mountain Club, an inclusive community dedicated to mountaincraft education, adventure, and conservation.
Fall road trips are an excellent way to explore Colorado’s diverse landscapes. The best person to ask about the state’s scenic driving routes is Matt Enquist. As the author of Colorado’s Best Hikes for Fall Colors, Enquist has driven all over the state in search of the best destinations to see the changing leaves. He lives in a hiking, skiing, and climbing haven—the San Luis Valley, in south-central Colorado. The area is home to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and the impressive Sangre de Cristo Range.
Outside: Colorado is packed with beautiful driving routes. What do you love most about fall road-tripping in Colorado?
Matt Enquist: I love the fresh, cool air and the hunt for the perfect campsite. There’s no time to be outside like in the fall. The beauty of the changing leaves, the perfect weather, and the opportunity to get outside before a long winter truly make fall the best time of year.
Fall road trips are an excellent way to explore Colorado’s diverse landscapes. (Photo: Matt Enquist)
Out of all the fall road trips you’ve been on in Colorado, which one is the most memorable?
When I was writing my book, my research took me all over the southwestern part of the state. The drive from Durango up to Ouray along the famed Million Dollar Highway, through Ridgway, and down into Telluride via Last Dollar Road was truly incredible. The route has jaw-dropping color at every turn, prominent peaks, and some of the best camping I’ve found. Ouray is full of hot-spring pit stops, Ridgway has great food, and Last Dollar Road is an adventure in and of itself. The dispersed camping overlooking Wilson Peak and its sea of yellow, red, and orange aspen leaves is world class.
The cool fall days in Colorado are perfect for mountain biking. And Riley Hanlon knows the state’s mountain biking trails well as a Colorado Mountain Club member and a freelance filmmaker based in Golden. Home to miles and miles of glorious mountain biking areas, including North Table Mountain and White Ranch Park, Hanlon loves spending time riding with family near the Front Range and beyond.
There’s nothing quite like biking through colorful aspens in the crisp autumn air. Can you describe your perfect fall ride in Colorado?
Riley Hanlon: It’s finally time for layers and warm drinks! After the heat of summer, I get so excited for brisk fall mornings. I enjoy having cozy layers and hot coffee for the drive to wherever I’m riding and getting to start with some layers on for the ride, shedding them as I go without ever getting too hot. My perfect fall ride in Colorado also includes finding the best spots to fly through golden aspens!
Sara Hanlon and Josh Huff riding trails near Vasquez Creek in Winter Park, Colorado. (Photo: Riley Hanlon)
If you could only recommend one Colorado mountain biking destination to someone planning a fall visit, what would it be and why?
People staying in the Rocky Mountain Front Range—from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins—tend to focus on getting out to Crested Butte or other far-out destinations, but I personally love Winter Park. You can get some lift assist at Trestle Bike Park if that’s your thing. Or get laps on the trail systems off Vasquez Creek for some easy-access rock rolls and great flow through aspen groves. And afterward you get to stroll through the village or get a beetroot latte from Moon Frog Cafe (my favorite!). It’s an enjoyable day trip from the Front Range or a good first or last stop on a camping trip out in the mountains.
When it comes to finding scenic fall hiking trails in Colorado, Urszula Tyl knows exactly where to go. As a trip leader for Colorado Mountain Club, Tyl spends a lot of time safely guiding hikers into beautiful areas. She also enjoys exploring new trails and backpacking in Colorado’s pristine wilderness. Her vibrant energy and zest for getting people together outside made her the perfect person to ask about fall hiking in the state.
Colorado is a well-known hiking destination with a seemingly endless selection of trails to explore. Why is the state’s fall hiking unlike anywhere else?
Urszula Tyl: There are many reasons I look forward to fall hiking in Colorado. Fall brings pleasant temperatures, making it a perfect time to enjoy a hike. As summer ends, so does the monsoon season, which brings less risk of afternoon storms and more time on the trail.
Colorado also has spectacular fall foliage. The aspens all around the state begin to change color and create a beautiful contrast against the green pine forests and mountain landscapes. You don’t have to go far to get a glimpse of fall color. However, many areas across the state, such as Rocky Mountain National Park, are especially breathtaking to see. If you visit RMNP in fall, you might hear elk bugling, too.
There are a variety of ways to experience the magic of fall in the state. Whether you’re looking for a multiday adventure, a morning hike in the mountains, or a cool evening stroll along the river, the options to get out and explore around the state are seemingly endless. There are trails for everyone in Colorado, including accessible trails in Staunton State Park.
Urszula Tyl recommends exploring the Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. (Photo: Urszula Tyl)
To experience the magic of Colorado trails in the fall, what area do you recommend visitors explore and why?
For a truly magical fall hiking experience in Colorado, I recommend exploring the Raccoon Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park. This trail offers a fantastic opportunity to witness the vibrant fall colors of the aspens among the rugged mountain peaks and pine trees.
The 3.1-mile Raccoon Trail is easily accessible to anyone staying in the Front Range and provides beautiful panoramic views throughout the hike. As you meander through the colorful foliage, you’ll find serene spots that capture the essence of fall in Colorado.
After your hike, unwind in nearby Golden, where there are plenty of food options available. One of my favorites is the Golden Mill, a food hall with a diverse range of dining options, plus beer, cocktails, and wine on tap. Enjoy a variety of foods, from Mexican to sushi, and take advantage of the rooftop with views overlooking Clear Creek.
Explore the interactive map of Raccoon Trail on COTREX.
Colorado is a four-season destination offering unparalleled adventure and recreational pursuits, a thriving arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, flavorful cuisine, and 28 renowned ski areas and resorts. The state’s breathtaking scenic landscape boasts natural hot springs, the headwaters of seven major rivers, many peaceful lakes and reservoirs, 12 national parks and monuments, 26 scenic and historic byways, and 58 mountain peaks that top 14,000 feet. For more information or a copy of the Colorado Official State Vacation Guide, visit Colorado.com or call 1-800-COLORADO. Follow Colorado on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Put the tomato juice away! If your dog has been sprayed by a skunk, it’s not going to help. We hope you never need this post … but if you do, this is how you get rid of the stink.
Life is funny sometimes. A recent road trip has had us strolling down memory lane. We’ve been reminiscing about our travels with Ty and Buster and some of the funny things they did. It was all quite enjoyable … until last night.
Just before heading off to bed, I asked Myles if he wanted a “final-final.” (That’s what we call the last potty break of the day.) Like most evenings, he was already curled up on the sofa. And about half the time when I ask that question he just looks at me, closes his eyes, and goes back to sleep.
But last night, he hopped off the sofa and headed for the door.
We lucky to have a yard that’s complete fenced. So I just let Myles out and went about my business. Seconds later, I heard a noise come from Myles that I’ve never heard before. It was like a combination of a bark and a yelp.
By the time I made it outside he was already coming toward me, sputtering, shaking his head and licking his lips. And then the odor hit me. He’d been sprayed by a skunk!
Memories Of Buster
Those of you who’ve been following this blog a while might remember the time Buster got sprayed by a skunk.
We’d just settled into an RV park outside San Francisco and were taking the dogs for a walk around the marsh. It was a lovely summer evening, and the sun was just starting to go down. Buster and I were in the lead, and as we rounded a corner on the trail Buster came nose to tail with a skunk!
The poor boy took a direct hit to the face. The funny thing is that the sputtering, head shaking, and lip licking that Myles was doing last might were a perfect impression of Buster on that day! Upon closer inspection, Myles had a tell-tale yellowish stain on his chest. It wasn’t a hit to the face, but it was darn close!
This wasn’t the kind of memories we’d been having fun remembering. But when you have dogs, it’s usually what you don’t see coming that gets you.
When Dogs Get Sprayed A Skunk
If you love dogs the outdoors – and who doesn’t?! – there is a possibility that, at some point, your dog will get sprayed by a skunk. Skunks live in both urban and rural areas, so you could meet one at any time. Though, in my experience, it’s most likely to happen when the stores selling any kind of anti-skunking shampoo have closed for the night.
Should you ever have a similar encounter, we’re sharing our tips for removing “eau de skunk.” Fortunately, it’s a combination of a few simple ingredients you probably keep around the house.
In fact, it might be a good idea to add these ingredients to your dog’s suitcase!
In the event that your dog is sprayed by a skunk, combine a large bottle of hydrogen peroxide with a quarter cup of Dawn dish washing liquid and 2 tablespoons of the baking soda. Then hold your breath, apply liberally to your dog, and scrub, scrub, scrub.
The Dawn and peroxide break down the oil in the skunk spray, which is the secret to eliminating the smell quickly. And the baking soda helps absorb any lingering odor.
Be sure to thoroughly rinse the soap out of your dog’s coat before drying him off.
The Results
I’m happy to report that this concoction has worked for us … twice! Both times our dogs’ coats were a bit more fluffy than usual after their de-skunking. No doubt that’s due to the oil-removing properties of the dish soap. But the skunk odor was mostly eliminated. And some coconut oil with Myles’ food for a few days will help avoid any issues with dry skin.
All in all, our skunkings have been pretty painless.
Has your dog been sprayed by a skunk? Did you use something else that worked well to get rid of the smell?
Looking for some great hikes for toddlers and young children near Greenville, SC? Hiking with young children is possible! We put together this great list of the best hikes in and around Greenville, SC for toddlers. Peruse the list to find trails that are perfect for little ones in the Upstate.
Greenville and the Upstate have some great hiking spots. Beautiful trails, scenic views, mountains, creeks, waterfalls. And there are even several trails that are perfect hikes for toddlers and young kids.
Until I became involved with Hike it Baby Greenville, it never occurred to me I could hike with toddlers, let alone babies. While I can wear my little one, my three-year-old does not like to ride in backpacks–he likes to walk. But he’s little and can’t walk far. And he can’t hike anything that’s too rugged. Luckily there are still plenty of trails we can hike together.
There are lots of wonderful, short and easy, unpaved trails that are perfect introductory hikes for toddlers, early walkers, and young kids new to hiking! For important tips on recreating responsibly, please see this story on the seven Leave No Trace principles.
17+ Great Hikes for Toddlers Near Greenville & the Upstate
Lake Placid Trail at Paris Mountain State Park
This is a simple trail through the wooded park that passes the lake, dam, and waterfall and ends up at the docks. When you drive into the park the lake is just to your right and the parking lot is the first lot on your left.
The Lake Placid trail is a .75 mile loop around the lake. There are bridges, docks, and benches to rest if necessary. There is an entrance fee to enter Paris Mountain if you don’t have a State Park passport.
Paris Mountain State Park 2401 State Park Road Greenville, SC 864.244.5565
Wildcat Wayside
This is one of my favorite places to hike and explore with my little guys. The waterfall, swimming hole, and trail are located right off SC 11 in Cleveland. There are stone steps leading up to the trails – the Wildcat Wayside loop is an easy mile.
Heading north on Route 11, the trail and pull-off parking are on the right side of the road. There is a brown wooden sign that says Wildcat Wayside, but it is easy to miss. It’s about 5 miles north of the 276/11 intersection.
While many readers love this particular trail, others have noted that there are steep drops along the mile-long trail that could be worrisome while hiking with smaller children. Always use caution and make your own determination about safety when hiking any trail.
Wildcat Wayside US 276/SC 11 Cleveland, SC
Lake Conestee Nature Park
Lake Conestee Nature Park in Mauldin is a great introduction to hikes for toddlers. With a combination of paved trails, unpaved trails and wooden walkways, plus a wildlife habitat this is a wonderful place.
This free park has two Learning Loop trails as well as numerous benches, observation areas, and a playground. The trails are beautifully maintained and well-marked. With forest and wetlands, there is a diverse wildlife population including beavers, river otters, deer, snakes, and more than 150 types of birds.
There is also a playground near the entrance to the trails.
Lake Conestee Nature Park 840 Mauldin Rd Greenville, SC 864.277.2004
Yellow Branch Falls
A moderate three-mile round trip hike near Walhalla with a beautiful waterfall payoff. Parking is trailside on the road. This one is fairly popular so try to get there early in the day to get a parking spot.
To find the trail, start at the Yellow Branch Picnic Ground in Sumter National Forest, just south of Stumphouse Tunnel Rd on Hwy 28. Use the short Nature Trail to make your way to the Yellow Branch Falls Trail.
Riverbend Equestrian Park
The sweet horses and nature trail that weaves through the woods are big reasons why this place is so awesome. When you enter the park go left and park back by the stables. The entrance to the nature trail is to the right of the parking area. Andrea Beam has some great photos and tips about this cool park.
Riverbend Equestrian Park is located across from Furman Golf Course on 75 acres. The trail loops around and might be too long for some little hikers. But a shortened hike paired with visiting some horses makes for a perfect outing.
Riverbend Equestrian Park 175 Riverbend Rd Greenville, SC 864.288.6470
Riverbend Equestrian Center | Photo courtesy of Andrea Beam
Hagood Mill
Hagood Mill in Pickens has a beautiful .75 mile nature trail as well as lots of interesting historical buildings such as a blacksmith shop, gristmill, and moonshine distillery to check out. You can hike or wander around the grounds every Wednesday through Saturday all year long. The nature trail is beautiful and short enough for little walkers to manage. When we went the trail was very shady.
Located in Clinton SC, there are two easy trails at Musgrove Mill, both about a mile long.
British Camp Trail
The British Camp trailhead is off the parking lot near the Visitor Center and includes a walk through a lovely meadow as well as scenic views of the Enoree River.
Battlefield Trail
The Battlefield Trail begins at Horseshoe Falls and is mostly wooded, winding along the site of a Revolutionary War battlefield. The falls are a nice spot to cool off after a hike on a hot day.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site 398 State Park Rd Clinton, SC 864.938.0100
The Lakeside Trail begins at the main parking lot and is a 2-mile loop around Pinnacle Lake with stunning views of Table Rock. It might be too long for young toddlers, but it’s great for confident walkers.
Carrick Creek Trail
The Carrick Creek Trail is a 2.2 mile loop that begins at the Visitor Center across the street from the parking lot. You’ll hike along multiple cascading waterfalls and through the forest. This hike includes some altitude so young toddlers may need to be carried or in a hiking pack for parts of it.
You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to the park if you don’t have a state park passport.
Table Rock State Park 158 E Ellison Ln Pickens, SC 864.878.9813
Kings Mountain National Park
The Battleground Trail at Kings Mountain National Park right on the SC/NC border is paved with rubber material and is an easy 1.8 mile loop. It’s great for kids plus a fascinating history lesson about the battle that took place there during the American Revolution on October 7, 1780.
Kings Mountain National Park 2625 Park Rd Blacksburg, SC 864.936.7921
Campbell’s Covered Bridge
Campbell’s Covered Bridge is located in Landrum and includes an easy and scenic .5 mile trail at the only covered bridge left in South Carolina. This hike is great for hot days as there is a perfect spot for wading near the bridge.
The Bunched Arrowhead Heritage Preserve is a beautiful 1.25 mile trail in Travelers Rest, SC. This heritage preserve was created to help protect the federally endangered bunched arrowhead plant. This trail is mostly level and shaded with some fun little wooden boardwalks.
The Natural Bridge-Raven Rock Trail is a really fun trail for kids. There are waterfalls and the hike overlooks Lake Keowee, which is beautiful. It’s about a four-mile hike in total and of moderate difficulty.
Toddlers will likely need to be carried for most of this hike, especially the Raven Rock Trail section. Take care at the overlook as the rock is smooth and has an abrupt drop-off.
Keowee-Toxaway State Park 108 Residence Dr Sunset, SC 864.868.2605
Station Cove Falls
Station Cove is an easy trail less than two miles round trip that has a huge, beautiful waterfall. It’s located at Oconee Station State Historic Site and is an easy trail perfect for little kids.
Oconee Station State Historic Site State Rd S-37-95 Walhalla, SC
Blue Wall Preserve
The preserve is close to Greenville, less than an hour away, and is a great trail for kids. There is hardly any elevation and if you take the Twin Ponds lollipop loop trail, you’ll see two ponds and a waterfall. The leaves here in the fall are stunning also. The trail is around 3.5 miles.
Twin Ponds Trail at Blue Wall Preserve Landrum, SC
Cedar Falls Park
Cedar Falls is a Greenville County Park located in Fountain Inn that have both paved and nature trails. The longest is only 1.5 miles and includes a beautiful waterfall with a little sandy area for kids to play in (watch for trash and glass though). Don’t play in the water though as bacteria levels are high.
Cedar Falls Park 201 Cedar Falls Rd Fountain Inn, SC
Chau Ram Park
There are several easy trails that are great hikes for toddlers across the bridge at Chau Ram Park in Oconee County. It’s a fun place to cool off in the summer as well since there’s a little sandy beach. There’s also a small entrance fee.
Chau Ram Park 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd Westminster, SC 864.647.9286
Great Hikes for Toddlers and Young Kids in Western North Carolina
Catawba Falls Trail
Catawba Falls Trail is east of Asheville and is a fantastic trail for families because it’s not long and ends at a stunning waterfall, like spectacularly stunning. Total mileage is around 2.5 miles and it’s a fairly easy trail.
Catawba Falls Trailhead 3074 Catawba River Rd Old Fort, NC
Glassy Mountain Trail at the Carl Sandburg Home
Located on the grounds of the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC, the Glassy Mountain Trail is easy to moderate and climbs about a mile to the top of the mountain. It’s a beautiful view. You can also hike along the other trails on the vast property and even pet and play with goats at the barn, all for free.
Carl Sandburg Home 1800 Little River Rd Flat Rock, NC 828.693.4178
Moore Cove Falls
Take US 276 out of Brevard, NC and enjoy two waterfalls with easy access. Looking Glass Falls can be seen from the road, but you can also walk down the steps to get a closer look.
Drive a bit farther and you will find a small parking area by a stone bridge. Take the easy, 1.5 mile round trip trail to Moore Cove Falls where you can walk behind the waterfall!
Crabtree Falls
This waterfall right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in McDowell County is just stunning. It’s totally worth the drive up there and is about 2.5 miles round trip.
Hooker Falls
Located in Dupont State Forest in Cedar Mountain, NC, a .25 mile hike will take you to Hooker Falls, which is also a great spot to wade in the water. Dupont is very popular so it’s crowded. Get there early if you plan to go.
Dupont State Forest 1300 Staton Road Cedar Mountain, NC
Pearson’s Falls
Located in Saluda, NC this trail to Pearson’s Falls is a moderate, .75 mile hike through a botanical preserve. Most of the trail is made up of a stone stairway going up to the falls. The falls and the pond at the base of the falls are not accessible to the public, but there are multiple wading pools among the rocks at the top of the trail that are perfect for cooling off little feet on hot days.
There are lots of great, easy hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway like Graveyard Fields but during the winter, many parts close because of snow or ice – and that’s the best time to go hiking there! You’ll have to do a little research to find places to go but you can just walk along the Parkway and even run through the tunnels. It’s a lot of fun and super easy. Some our favorite places to hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway are at Black Balsam Knob (incredible 360 degree views), Rough Ridge near Grandfather Mountain, and Frying Pan Fire Tower.
Rough Ridge Trail
Tips for going on hikes with toddlers and young children
Go at their pace: let them wander, explore and stop.
Lower your expectations because unexpected things can happen on the trails – they get tired, they get cranky, you get cranky, the trail is closed, etc.
Be prepared to turn back if they get tired.
Make sure to bring snacks, water, and sunscreen.
Keep them within sight. Letting them explore is great but keep them close enough so if there’s a bear or loose dog or snake, you can be there to intervene.
Hike with others! Hike it Baby Greenville is a great way to find hikes or urban strolls, as well as meet other families who enjoy exploring the outdoors. For more information, check out Hike it Baby Greenville on Facebook.
If eyes are windows to the soul, then the eyes in William Stoehr’s paintings convey the isolation and despair that come with addiction and depression. They are lonely and haunting, especially in one of the pieces he painted of his late sister.
Her eyes are dark and sunken. Perhaps she has been crying. In the bottom left corner, Stoehr etched the words: DAD CALLED EMMA OD’d HER SOUL IS AT REST.
Stoehr and his wife, Mary Kay, used to help people find their way with topographical maps. They are the couple who built Trails Illustrated — a company revered by serious hikers, backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts — into a must-have standard. But over the past two decades, Stoehr laid out a second-act career as an artist and self-professed mental health activist, seeking to lead viewers into an empathetic understanding of mental health and the stigma of addiction that inhibits diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
All of his pieces depict abstract faces that fill large canvases, usually measuring 5 feet by 7 feet. He starts with the eyes but says viewers finish the work in their minds, creating what he calls “a greater reality.” He says neuroscience backs that up.
“I put the tools there for you to create the painting,” Stoehr explained in his studio at the couple’s home in Boulder. “You pick up on the part of the face you identify with, and you create the narrative. I lose control of the painting the minute it’s seen by someone else. They reinterpret it, based on how they feel at that moment or what their life experiences are. People stand before my paintings and cry. It’s bringing back some memories deep inside.”
In another painting of Emma (not his sister’s real name), her face is dark black. Barely visible eyes are the only facial features the viewer sees. It’s the painting he promised her he would create if she agreed to go into rehab. She went — her third round of treatment — and was sober for five years until she died from an overdose of prescription pain medication.
“This painting, people just break down and cry,” Stoehr said. “That’s a seven-foot painting, just black spots and two eyes. People say, ‘You captured exactly how I feel,’ or, ‘This is what depression feels like.’”
The Trails Illustrated years
Stoehr, who most people call Bill, and Mary Kay grew up in Wisconsin and met in a lunch line while attending the University of Wisconsin-Stout. She became a teacher and he went into industrial engineering after graduation.
But they had always wanted to live in the West, so they moved to Colorado in 1982. Two years later, Bill severely broke his leg while skiing, leaving him desperate for something physical to do during his recovery. His doctor said he could ride a bike, so they took up mountain biking, which was just becoming a thing. Stoehr discovered there weren’t any good guidebooks for mountain biking on the Front Range, so he wrote two.
Looking to duplicate a map for one of his books in 1985, Stoehr went to see Kaaren Hardenbrook, who owned Trails Illustrated at the time. One bedroom of her Littleton home was devoted to cartography and sales, Stoehr discovered, while the garage was for inventory and shipping. During their meeting, she looked at her watch and abruptly told Stoehr she had to run because she had an appointment with her CPA. She was selling the company.
That evening, on their nightly walk together, Bill told Mary Kay what happened. She slugged him playfully and said, “What are we waiting for? Let’s buy it!”
A photo of artist William Stoehr and his wife Mary Kay among art books in the artist’s home studio in Boulder on Aug. 28. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
They owned Trails Illustrated for 10 years. Working with U.S. Geological Survey topographical quad maps, they painstakingly pieced together their own maps on light tables in the basement of their Evergreen home. They met with National Park Service personnel to add informational notes and features that hikers needed. They knew their audience, because they also were avid backpackers.
“We were able to go to USGS in Denver and say, ‘We’re doing a map of Denali National Park. What do you have?’ Mary Kay explained. “They would then reproduce for us photographic negatives. We would buy the base information – the topo lines, the blue which was water, the green which was wooded cover, another layer that was private property, another layer that was roads. Those negatives we would bring back, and on light tables, splice maps to together.”
First-year sales totaled $28,000. From there, they built up the Trails Illustrated inventory and enhanced its brand. In the late 1990s, National Geographic came calling, looking to expand beyond its membership base by entering the for-profit world with books, maps, television and movies.
“They needed somebody to do maps,” Mary Kay said. “They had like 50 cartographers, but nobody knew how to get maps into distribution, because up until that point, (National Geographic) only went to members. They wanted to get into bookstores, map stores, REI, everywhere.”
National Geographic rebranded Trails Illustrated’s look with the magazine’s yellow and black colors, and hired the Stoehrs to run it. Soon they named Bill president of National Geographic maps. Mary Kay left after five years, but Bill remained until he retired in 2004 to pursue the dream he’d had as a teenager: to become an artist.
Artist Bill Stoehr and his wife, Mary Kay, surrounded by his work in his home studio in Boulder on Aug. 28. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
Becoming an activist artist
Stoehr (pronounced Stare) begins a painting by sketching the eyes, nose, lips and chin on a canvas held vertical on an easel. Then he tips the easel into a horizontal position. He brushes, pours, splashes and dribbles watered-down acrylic paint wherever his spirit moves him. Sometimes he spreads paint with a squeegee.
He also uses paper towels — what he calls his “secret sauce” — to dab and create intricate patterns. “I only use Bounty, because I like the pattern and I’m used to how it absorbs,” said Stoehr, 76. “That’s the first layer. Then I’ll put varnish on it, acrylic varnish. It dries in like 10 minutes. Then I’ll put down another layer and another layer.”
It’s not unlike the color separations that went into printing Trails Illustrated maps. That connection is not lost on Stoehr, although it didn’t occur to him until others pointed it out to him.
“A map is made in layers,” Stoehr said. “They print one color, then another and another — exactly how I paint.”
Over the years, his work has been in more than 120 exhibits and 30 one-person shows. They are part art appreciation, part education about substance-use disorders.
“It’s more than an art show,” Stoehr said. “What I say is, come for the art, stay for the message.”
It only took Stoehr 40 years to find his message and platform. He wanted to go to art school when he was 17 but couldn’t afford it. He became a full-time artist after retiring from Trails Illustrated at age 55 and got his first break from Michael Burnett, the owner of Space Gallery in Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe.
“I walked in with a roll of paintings, spread them out and said, ‘Just give me five minutes. If you want me to stay, I’ll stay. If you want me to go, I’ll go.’ He looked at me and said, ‘Well, I just had someone cancel out of a show and I need an artist.’ So he took me on.”
Burnett later gave him advice that proved pivotal.
“I said, ‘I’m having fun with the painting part of it, but it doesn’t have soul, and it’s not hanging together as a group (of paintings),’” Stoehr said. Burnett replied, “‘Why don’t you start doing big faces? You really do faces well.’ So I started doing big faces, and I haven’t looked back. Shortly thereafter, my sister died of an opioid overdose.”
From her tragic life and death came his mission.
“I was at a point of saying, ‘What good is your art? What are you accomplishing?’ ” Stoehr said. “Suddenly I could be an activist about stigma. I started painting what I called victims, witnesses and survivors. I didn’t consider myself a victim, and I wasn’t a survivor, but I was a witness to my sister. I was very involved in trying to get her into proper care for several years. The thing I could do as a witness was to work on the stigma, because the stigma keeps people from care.”
Artist William Stoehr works on a large portrait in his home studio in Boulder on Aug. 28. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
The tragic death of Emma
Stoehr’s sister got into drinking and drugs while growing up in small-town Wisconsin. She married a man with the same issues, so they became codependent alcoholics and drug users. After she developed back problems that resulted in two failed surgeries, she became addicted to prescription opioids. There were two failed attempts at rehab in residential treatment facilities.
On a last-ditch visit to Wisconsin, Stoehr begged her to go into rehab for the third time, telling her he wasn’t leaving until she agreed. She finally relented but when she called her doctor, who was home with his family on a Sunday, he told her to call back when he was in the office. Then he hung up on her.
“She threw the phone down, started crying, ran to her room and slammed the door,” Stoehr said.
Stoehr pleaded with her to come out. Then he remembered how much she loved his art and wanted him to paint her. He blurted out the words he would later put on one of her portraits, the one where her face is an all-black figure: “I promise to paint your portrait if you promise to go into rehab.”
The door opened and she agreed.
A portrait of Emma, the artist’s sister, by William Stoehr in his home studio in Boulder on Aug. 28. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
“She was good for five years,” Stoehr said. “She would be good today if she hadn’t had another back surgery and they gave her the opioids.”
She died in 2012. Her death was ruled accidental.
Driving up Boulder Canyon one day to go hiking with Mary Kay, Stoehr got a call on his cellphone from a man who had seen one of Emma’s portraits. He didn’t recognize the number, but took the call and put it on speaker.
“This guy said, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t think I’d get to you.’ He’s crying and he said, ‘My daughter’s name is Emma, she OD’d and died.’ I’m trying to drive, I’m crying, Mary’s crying. It’s brutal.”
Words cannot describe, and pictures cannot capture, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon. Its Mother Nature’s most stunning sculpture. But what makes the Grand Canyon truly special is how much of it you can experience with your dog — a rare thing in America’s national parks.
Stretching 277 river miles from Lees Ferry to the Grand Wash Cliffs, Grand Canyon National Park ranks as the 11th largest national park in the United States. And, no matter how many times you visit, the views will never be the same. Sunlight and clouds, the bright green of spring, or a dusting of snow combine to make every trip unique.
For us, this is one of those places we never get enough of. And it’s all the better for the fact that the Grand Canyon is a wonderful place to visit with your dog.
In fact, on a recent month-long road trip with our pup, we took Myles to the Grand Canyon for his first time. Walking the same paths we explored with Ty and Buster years ago brought back a lot of sweet memories. And it’s wonderful to now have memories of Myles in one of our favorite national parks, too!
Visiting Grand Canyon National Park With A Dog
Two years ago we took Myles on a trip to Kanab, Utah, and visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. So, this wasn’t actually Myles’ first visit. But the pet policies on the North Rim and South Rim are very different.
At the North Rim dogs are allowed at the picnic areas and in the parking areas of the overlooks. So, views of the canyon come as you drive the 30 miles of scenic roads at the North Rim. The only trails that allow pets, Bridal Path and the portion of the Arizona Trail that runs between North Kaibab Trailhead and the north entrance of the park, are both pretty. But either have views of the canyon.
Pet Policy At The South Rim Of The Grand Canyon
On the other hand, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a fantastic place to visit with a dog! You’ll find plenty to explore, pet friendly lodging, and a kennel where your pet can spend the day if you want to see parts of the park where pets aren’t allowed.
Leashed pets are welcome on the Rim and Greenway trails at the South Rim. Leashes must not be longer than 6-feet.
Pets cannot go below the rim, inside the buildings, or on the shuttle buses.
Yavapai Lodge has pet friendly rooms available for an additional fee of $32 per pet, per night and allows up to two pets per room.
The Mather Campground, Desert View Campground, Trailer Village, and other developed areas of the park are pet friendly.
Most of the pet policies in our national parks make visiting with dogs a challenge. In fact, many times pets can’t go beyond paved parking lots or campgrounds. Fortunately, that is not the case at the Grand Canyon. This is one of the most pet friendly national parks in the country!
When you’re ready to hit the pet friendly trails, the best scenery is along the South Rim Trail. The 14-mile trail is paved, so it’s easy walking. Foot traffic is more concentrated near the shuttle stops, but most of the time it feels like you and your dog have the whole Grand Canyon to yourselves!
Keep in mind that the trail’s average elevation is about 6,800 feet, which makes it easy to get dehydrated. Be sure to carry plenty of water for you and your pet, because bottle filling stations aren’t always operational, and bottled water isn’t for sale.
Also be aware that altitude sickness (nausea, shortness of breath, exhaustion, headache) can affect both humans and pets, so take it easy until you’ve acclimated to the elevation.
Despite the elevation, heat is often an issue in the summer. Our most recent visit was in July, so we expected high temperatures. Getting to the trail at 7am allowed us to comfortably walk for a few hours. But by the time we got back to the car around 10am, it was already over 80 degrees!
There really is no bad place to jump on the Rim Trail and go for a walk. You can park at the visitor center and start down the trail in either direction for fantastic views.
If you happen to be visiting during the off-season (November 1 – February 28), we have another suggestion. Head for Hermit Road and catch the Rim Trail there. From Hopi Point you’ll be able to see the Colorado River. And from Pima Point you can actually hear the roar as the river crashes through Granite Rapid!
Hermit Road is closed to personal vehicles from March 1st to October 31st, and pets can’t ride the shuttles. So accessing these spots requires a trip during the off-season, or a lot of walking!
Watch The Weather
At the Grand Canyon, storms can blow in quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on the sky as you walk. And move toward the nearest shelter if the clouds turn ominous!
If you and your dog need more than a day at the Grand Canyon, the Yavapai Lodge has pet friendly rooms for an additional $32 fee per pet, per night. They allow two pets per room with no restrictions on size. There are also two campgrounds without hookups, and one RV park with hookups inside the park. You can find additional pet friendly accommodations just south of the Grand Canyon in Tusayan, Arizona.
Finding pet friendly restaurants here is a bit more challenging. There are a few restaurants with outdoor seating in Tusayan. But if you want to make the most of your time with your dog at the Grand Canyon, we suggest packing picnics. If that’s your plan, stock up before you arrive. Grocery options are limited once you’re in the park.
Grand Canyon Kennel
If you want to hike below the rim at the Grand Canyon you’ll need to make arrangements for your pet. The kennel at the Grand Canyon is located on the South Rim near Maswik Lodge, and is open every day from 7:30am to 5pm. Accepting dogs and cats for day or overnight boarding, the kennel recommends making your reservations early, especially during the summer months and holidays. And be sure to pack your pet’s vaccination records.
We hope we’ve inspired you to visit the Grand Canyon with your dog! It’s a place like no other. And the experience and memories are truly unforgettable when you do more together.
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Have you visited Cashiers, NC? There are so many family adventures waiting in Sapphire Valley. It’s one of our favorite places to visit with awesome places to hike, play, and eat. Go ahead and consult your calendar, because you will want to plan your trip once you read about this North Carolina gem.
Looking for more places to spend the day with your family? Here’s our list of Day Trip Towns, just a short drive from the Upstate.
The Sapphire Valley. Even the name was beautiful. My family’s first family vacation once we moved to Greenville was to the Sapphire Valley and it was more than I ever hoped it would be. Family vacations aren’t really vacations when you have kids, right? It’s more like parenting, just in a different place and with less sleep.
But this trip was so awesome and relaxing despite the lack of our usual sleep routine. It was filled with adventure, waterfalls, good food, stunning beauty, and a feeling that we experienced a little bit of heaven. Since that trip, I’ve gone back many times, whether for another family trip, day trips, and weekend excursions.
The Sapphire Valley and Cashiers, NC is one of those true hidden gems, a small mountain town that consists of a handful of shops and restaurants and leaves the rest up to nature. I’ll tell you all about where to hike, where to stay, where to eat, and seasonal activities so you can hopefully plan your own family’s adventure to this little slice of heaven.
Schoolhouse Falls
Find a place to stay near the Sapphire Valley. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
About the Land of Waterfalls
The Sapphire Valley and Cashiers, NC is nicknamed the “Land of Waterfalls” because, well, it is. There are hundreds of waterfalls in the area due to the mountainous terrain and many of them don’t involve long hikes. If you’re into long hikes, don’t worry, there are definitely places to do that here. And if you’re looking for a more family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of places to do that, too.
Cashiers, NC sits 3,487 feet above sea level right near the Eastern Continental Divide. Highway 64 is the main road that goes through it and into Highlands to the West or to Rosman and Brevard to the East. It’s a really small town, only 2,500 people most of the year, which bumps up to 10,000 during the summer months. The town is so cute, too, with a beautiful park, the Village Green, a little hiking store, some clothing shops, a farmers market, and events throughout the year, including a wonderful Christmas parade.
Being so high in the mountains, Cashiers is almost always 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the foothills, which is so refreshing during the summer especially. When you pack, keep that in mind and bring an extra jacket or sweater.
What to do in the Cashiers area
Cashiers is wonderful for all kinds of activities or for doing nothing at all. You can paddleboard, swim, hike, practice photography, eat, ski, snow tube, or just cozy up by a fireplace and read a book. I’ll tell you about most of these activities here.
Hiking in Cashiers
Let’s start with hiking. I’ve done a lot of trails in this area and I’ll give you the rundown of what to expect for each one here.
Whiteside Mountain
This two-mile loop is about 13 minutes from the center of Cashiers and oh my gosh, what a view. Be sure to go clockwise or you’ll be going up a lot of steps. The reason I love this hike is that for the backend of it, you have mountain views the whole way. You are walking along the mountain ridge with steel ropes. Just watch your kids and if you go during the winter months, this could be a very slippery hike (that I wouldn’t recommend). Also note that you have to pay a $3 fee at the parking lot so bring cash or you can use your phone to pay via a QR code.
Whiteside Mountain
Silver Run Falls
This isn’t necessarily a hike. It’s more like a five-minute trek through the woods to a beautiful waterfall with a swimming hole. The water is really cold but feels awesome on a hot day and it’s only five minutes from the center of Cashiers on the left-hand side of the road. The pull-off only fits about five cars.
Glen Falls
Glen Falls is about 25 minutes south of Cashiers and is a 2.5-mile round-trip hike. It’s easy on the way down and there are several overlooks to view the massive waterfall. The hike to the bottom gets you to a small sandy beach, perfect for a picnic and rest since you’ll have to hike all the way back up!
Black Balsam
l had been wanting to get to Black Balsam for years and finally made it. Oh boy, it was worth it. You get 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s right near Graveyard Fields (also a great hiking spot with waterfalls) and Devils Courthouse. It’s about an hour from Cashiers and the hike is a moderate one, going uphill in the beginning and then downhill on your way back to the car. It’s only about 1.5 miles total and kid-friendly.
We saw so many kids climbing all the rocks and loving it. Get there early during weekends especially as this is a popular hike and it gets crowded. If there isn’t parking there, head up the road a bit to park at the lot at the end of the road and hike to Sam Knob, which is also an amazing 2.5 mile hike.
Black Balsam
High Falls
There are two trailheads to High Falls – one is the short but steep 1.4 mile roundtrip trail from the Pines Recreation Area at Lake Glenville and the other is a steadier and longer at around 4 miles long. High Falls is beautiful either way but be sure to stay off the rocks around the waterfall and check to make sure the dam isn’t being released when you go. It’s amazing to see but you need to make sure you are out of the way downstream since the trickle of the waterfall turns into a powerful churn.
High Falls
Devils Courthouse
Go here in the spring for a possible look at the peregrine falcons that will sometimes nest on the ridge. The overlook is on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the hike is straight up but it’s not too far, just a half mile or so. The top is gorgeous and you can see both sunrises and sunsets from here.
Schoolhouse Falls
Located in the Panthertown Valley, Schoolhouse Falls is a beautiful spot. Park at the Panthertown Trailhead off Cold Mountain Road and take the pink-blazed trail to Little Green Trail and you will hear the waterfall. Cross the boardwalk and you are there. It is one of my favorite waterfalls and an easy 2.5 mile roundtrip hike.
You’ll gain some elevation on the way back as you hike back up switchbacks to your car but it’s not that difficult. The pool below Schoolhouse Falls is crystal clear and perfect for swimming but I particularly love this waterfall because you can walk behind it! It’s about 45 minutes from Cashiers.
Schoolhouse Falls
Swimming
Next up is swimming near Cashiers. You can swim at Silver Run Falls and Schoolhouse Falls but here are a couple of other spots to get wet during the warmer months.
Sliding Rock
This is not the Sliding Rock you may have heard about in Pisgah Forest. Nope, this is the smaller but just as fun and nowhere near as crowded Sliding Rock in Cashiers. It’s less than 10 minutes from downtown Cashiers and down a short trail. There’s a little sandy beach and you can slide down the waterfall all you want or jump into the potholes in the middle of rock formations on the waterfall itself if you are daring. Definitely watch your kids here though.
Sliding Rock in Cashiers
Pines Recreation Area
Not 15 minutes from downtown Cashiers is the beautiful Lake Glenville. You can swim in the lake at the Pines Recreation Area on the north end of the lake. It has a little sandy beach and a fishing pier as well – so pretty! And it’s free. Also, you can access the south trailhead (the shorter but steeper trail) to High Falls.
Boating on Lake Glenville
If you want to get on the water at Lake Glenville, take an a waterfall cruise with Lake Glenville Scenic Waterfalls Cruise with Captain Mark Wise. The two-hour boat tour is great for any age or ability and you’ll learn all about the lake, its history, its diverse ecosystems, and you will get to see waterfalls that are only accessible by boat.
You can also rent kayaks, paddleboards, and pontoon boats from local marinas or drop in your own small water vessels at the Pines Recreation Area.
The Village Green
The Village Green is a huge, 12.5 acre green space right in the heart of Cashiers with art sculptures, a boardwalk path through the woods, and an old school wooden playground that my kids did not want to leave. This is where many events happen in Cashiers as well so if you’re not sure where an event is taking place, it’s probably here. I think the playground is the best part though! It is fenced in and has swings, a tire swing, lots of obstacles, and a tot play space.
Village Play at the Village Green
Fly Fishing
Even though I’ve never done fly fishing (but I really would love to try it), I love watching the fishermen on the water whenever I see them during hikes. They look so relaxed. The Tuckaseegee River flows through a scenic mountain valley and several quaint communities up in Western NC. Jackson County is known as the North Carolina Trout Capital and home of the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.
The river is very accessible for fishing and teeming with brown, rainbow, and brook trout – the river is stocked with almost 93,000 fish annually. Winter is actually prime fly-fishing time and because they are often feeding more during the day and since the state stocks the river in the fall, you have a really good chance of getting bites. You can bring your own equipment or rent from local outfitters.
Seasonal Fun in Cashiers
Cashiers has four defined seasons, all of which have their own beauty, events, and cool things to do. Here are our favorites:
Outhouse Races
Every year, the Sapphire Valley Resort hosts the Outhouse Races where teams decorate an outhouse, put it on skis, and then race it down the mountain. It is exactly how it sounds and it is really fun to watch. The teams are really creative and all use some kind of toilet humor but it’s in such great fun that when people are cheering for their favorite outhouse, you can really get into it. It usually happens in February.
Outhouse Races
Snow Tubing & Skiing
During the winter, you can ski and snow tube at the Sapphire Valley Resort. I’m not a skier but my kids and I have done snow tubing there and it’s a lot of fun! Snow tubing at Sapphire Valley happens at Frozen Falls Tube Park, right behind the community center and next to the bunny slope. Snow tubing tickets are sold at the community center and are $35/person or if you have an amenity card, it is $26/person. You can’t buy them in advance so you need to show up, sign a waiver, and purchase your ticket. You can purchase your weekend ticket in person starting at 9 am on Fridays. They do take group reservations of more than 10 people and those must be made a week ahead of time. On busy days, they do sell out so plan accordingly (keep reading for backup plans). Each tubing session lasts for 1.75 hours and start every two hours beginning usually at 10 am, although that can change. Check the schedule before you go.
There are no height restrictions so kids can definitely do snow tubing but they will be in their own tube. My kids (ages 9 and 5) had a blast. There is nothing quite like flying down a mountain on a giant tube! It’s exhilarating and a bit scary at first. The run is about 500 feet with a drop of 60 feet. To get up the mountain, you have to stand on an escalator-type contraption, like the kind you use at the airport that is totally flat and moves. There are staff that help to get you and your tube on it.
The Cashiers Christmas Parade
If you’ve ever wanted to experience a small, mountain town at Christmas, this is your chance. The annual Cashiers Christmas parade happens every December and it includes fire trucks, marching bands, and vintage cars. It will happen on Saturday, December 7th, 2024 at 3 pm.
The Shadow of the Bear
This is a tricky one to catch but if you do, prepare to be blown away. It’s only tricky because you need a clear sky and it only happens twice a year for a few weeks – the Shadow of the Bear is literally a shadow that looks like a bear next to Whiteside Mountain that appears in late October/early November and again in early February. You can see it about 30 minutes before sunset off of a pull off on Highway 64 right on the Jackson County border. I’ve done it with my kids and we had such a fun time talking with the people watching it with us because none of us thought that the shadow looked like a bear! You really need to watch your kids though since you’re on the side of the road. Get there early to get parking and bring a jacket since it’s quite chilly up there that time of year.
Courtesy of Stacy Redmon
Where to Eat in Cashiers
Cashiers is small so dining options are limited. My favorite spot to eat is Slabtown Pizza, just a minute or two from the heart of Cashiers. They have pizza, salads, and local craft beer. We ordered a large cheese pizza, small Greek salad, and waffle fries for just myself and my two kids and had leftovers. You order at the counter (or call ahead for pickup) and take a seat and wait for your food.
We also ate one afternoon at Happs right next to Lake Glenville. This place is fantastic because they have a big outdoor play area with cornhole and mini-golf, which is a great distraction for kids while they wait for their meals. They have burgers, sandwiches, and salads plus a huge bar, big TVs, both indoor and outdoor seating, and a big fireplace.
Happs Barn & Grill
For coffee and pastries, I recommend Buck’s Coffee Shop at the main intersection of 64 & 107. The place is very laid back with bagels, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a latte that I’m still thinking about days later. If you’re working while up in Cashiers, this is a great spot to bring your laptop and relax while making your deadlines. They’ve got wifi and lots of comfortable seating.
Where to Stay in Cashiers
Most of the times I’ve visited Cashiers or Lake Glenville, I’ve stayed in an AirBnB or VRBO at the Sapphire Valley Resort. Staying at the resort is fantastic because it has an indoor pool and sauna, hot tubs, mini-golf, a gym, arcade room, and outdoor pool. You have to purchase an amenity card ($5/day in 2024) but it was totally worth it for the downtime moments between all our adventures to swim in the pools and relax in the sauna.
This is especially worth it if you’re visiting during the colder months because you can use the indoor pool and sauna no matter the weather! Also, if you’re staying at the resort, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards at Lake Fairfield. That was the very first time I tried paddleboarding, which kindled my love for it!
The AirBnB I stayed at in Lake Glenville though was just amazing. I really didn’t want to leave. While we didn’t have lake access, we did have a breathtaking view of the lake, which was one hundred percent worth it. Definitely check AirBnB or VRBO for listings that fit your family’s needs and budget.
View of Lake Glenville from our AirBnB
The other place I’ve stayed while visiting Cashiers is the Hampton Inn & Suites directly across the street from the resort. This hotel was awesome for several reasons:
It has an indoor pool and hot tub, which we made use of when our initial tubing time was unavailable
It has a free, hot breakfast in the morning included which has everything from waffles to eggs to smoothies to oatmeal and bagels
The location is just perfect as it took us no time to get to the resort
It is super clean and the staff are friendly and helpful
It has free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate all day long
Great option for budget-conscious families (we saw so many families there!)
The wintertime is this area’s slower season so prices are probably as cheap as they will be all year. This season is often called the “Secret Season” because of the lower cost of trips there.
For a more luxurious and high end vacation experience in Cashiers, take a look at the High Hampton Resort. It has a gold course, spa, and beautiful rooms.
Where to Shop in Cashiers
We loved shopping at the Cashiers Farmers Market, a standalone market with everything from bacon to local honey to fruit and produce to pottery and seasonal items. They also have wine, chocolate, and you can order lunch and eat at the picnic tables next door.
Cashier’s Farmers Market
We also really loved the Cashiers Candy Shoppe, which has an eclectic array of clothing, home goods, and an entire room dedicated to candy and chocolate. It was amazing. But the best part for my kids was petting the two Golden Retrievers that greeted guests. They were adorable and one rolled over immediately for tummy pets when one of my daughters was giving her some love. So, so cute.
My Last Thoughts on Cashiers
Know this: if you visit Cashiers, you may leave a little piece of your heart there. If you like hiking, swimming, boating, sliding down waterfalls, and spending time with family, the Sapphire Valley may swoop in and whisk you away. I have fallen so hard for this tiny slice of heaven and go as often as I can. I have made some wonderful memories with my family here and truly hope I get to make many more.
And here’s another confession – I grew up close to the beach in New Jersey and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m more of a mountain-lover than beach-lover. It seems like a betrayal of my roots. But it’s not. I’m setting down new roots for my own little kids to make their own memories and hopefully fall in love with the outdoors like I did.
For more information on other things to do in Jackson County, the county’s tourism website is super helpful.
State parks that allow pets are wonderful places to explore with your pup! Enjoy nature, take a walk or hike, go boating or biking, pack a picnic, or just kicking back for a relaxing afternoon with your best friend.
Of state parks that allow pets, some have even gone the extra mile to provide pet friendly cabin rentals, off-leash play areas, and dog friendly beaches where your pooch can splash!
But how do you know where to go? We’ve done all the sniffing for you! Below are the pet policies and amenities for state parks all 50 states. All that’s left is to pack the car, buckle up your furry travel companion, and hit the road!
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Alabama state parks. You must provide proof of vaccination. And pets cannot go on beaches or to swimming pools. Any dog that behaves in an intimidating, destructive, dangerous, or noisy manner must leave the park.
In addition, pets are welcome in all Alabama state park campgrounds, and the parks listed below also have dog friendly cabins. For cabin rentals, a pet fee of $30 per dog per night applies. And campers leaving dogs unattended at any time must confine them to a carrier or crate.
Alabama State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets are welcome in Alaska state parks and campgrounds if leashed and accompanied by the owner at all times. Dogs can go unleashed in the backcountry, but must be within voice command.
Note that traveling to Kodiak Island State Park requires a ferry ride and pets must stay on the car deck. Owners only have access to the car deck while in port, or for 15 minutes every 8 hours.
Leashed pets are welcome in most Arizona state parks and campgrounds and select camping cabins. But you may not take them on cabana sites, on developed beaches, or in other areas posted as environmentally or ecologically sensitive.
Dogs are welcome in Arkansas state parks and campgrounds if leashed at all times. In addition, the Arkansas state park system offers a few pet friendly rental cabins in parks that have cabins (listed below).
The lodge at Ozark Folk Center State Park also has a designated pet friendly lodge rooms. Reserve your room by calling the parks directly.
Arkansas State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Dogs on a leash (our go-to leash from Amazon) up to six feet long are welcome in many California state parks and campgrounds. Vicious or unusually noisy dogs cannot visit or stay in any park. Several parks restrict where dogs can go. You can see a full list of restrictions in a chart on the dog policy page.
The pet policies at California state beaches vary by park district:
Angeles District 818-880-0363 Leashed dogs permitted at Point Mugu State Park (Mugu Beach, Thornhill-Broome Beach, Sycamore Cove). At Leo Carrillo State Park beach, you may only take your leashed dogs north of Lifeguard Tower 3.
Channel Coast District 805-585-1850 Dogs may not walk on any of the Channel Coast District State Beaches. City of Ventura has some areas (Seaside Wilderness Beach, Harbor Cove, Promenade Park, and Marina Park Beach) that allow leashed dogs.
Monterey District 831-649-2836 Leashed dogs may visit Asilomar SB, southernGarrapata beach at gate 19, Carmel River SB, and Monterey SB from the Roberts parking lot south. Dogs are NOT allowed beyond the parking lots at Zmudowski SB, Moss Landing SB, Marina SB, Salinas River SB, Seaside SB, and Point Lobos State Reserve to protect the threatened Western Snowy Plover.
North Coast Redwoods District 707-445-6547 Dogs may walk in designated areas at Gold Bluffs Beach only. They must be leashed.
Orange Coast District 949-492-0802 Dogs may walk on beach bike paths only. Some city beaches and unincorporated county areas allow dogs.
Oceano Dunes 805-473-7230 Leashed dogs may visit the beach.
Russian River 707-865-2391 Dogs may go everywhere except on coastal trails and at Goat Rock.
San Diego Coast District 619-688-3260 Cardiff SB allows leashed dogs on the beach south of tower 16. You must walk them on a leash no longer than 6 feet.
San Luis Obispo Coast District 805-927-2074 Dogs may stay at beach campsites at Montana de Oro and San Simeon State Park campgrounds but no other park beaches. They must be leashed.
Santa Cruz District 831-429-2850 Leashed dogs may enjoy Rio del Mar and Seacliff State Beach.
Mendocino District 707-937-5804 Do not take dogs onto the beach.
Thirty-eight Colorado State Parks and campgrounds allow pets on a leash up to six feet long. You may not take pets on swim beaches or water-ski beaches at state parks. And Roxborough and Harvey Gap State Parks do not allow pets.
Connecticut welcomes pets on leash in most state parks and forests. But you may not take pets into state park campgrounds, swimming areas, or buildings.
Pets may not visit Dinosaur State Park at any time. Or pets may not visit Sherwood Island or Squantz Pond State Parks between April 15 and September 30.
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in most Delaware state parks and campgrounds. You must provide a license and proof of a rabies vaccination for all pets. Pets are not allowed in picnic areas, bird nesting areas, park buildings, cabins, cottages or yurts, or at Fort Delaware State Park or the Killens Pond Water Park.
When camping with your pets, you may not leave them unattended (inside or outside) at any time. Please use the waste composting receptacles where available.
Pets are generally welcome on Delaware state beaches in the off-season, except for Beach Plum Beach were pets are prohibited year round. Some beaches welcome nesting birds. Look for “closed” signs where birds are nesting.
The following state parks allow pets in a limited number of dog-friendly cabins:
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in all Florida state park day-use areas, except Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs State Park because of the captive wildlife. (That park provides complimentary, self-service kennels at the main entrance for visitors traveling with pets.)
Pets are also not allowed at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, and Egmont Key State Park. You may not take pets to beaches or playgrounds, or in bathing areas, cabins, or park buildings.
Leashed pets are also welcome at Florida state park campgrounds. Up to four dogs, cats, and non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish, are welcome under the physical control of the owner. Provide proof of vaccination for dogs and cats. And pets that are noisy, vicious, dangerous, disturbing, or intimidating to other persons or pets, or which damage park resources, are considered nuisances and will not be permitted to remain in the park.
Of the many state parks that allow pets, Georgia is among the top for its number of pet friendly rentals (listed below). As long as your pet is on a leash no longer than six feet, you’ll find all Georgia state parks and campgrounds to be pet friendly. Pets are prohibited around some of the most historic sites, lodges, group camps, swimming areas, and some trails at Panola Mountain and Tallulah Gorge.
Every state park in Georgia that offers cottages has at least one that’s dog friendly! Cottages permit two-dogs per cottage. The pet fee is $50 per dog, per stay. Do not leave dogs unattended either in the cottage or in your vehicle. Georgia state park’s dog friendly cottages appear below. Make reservations at GeorgiaStateParks.org.
And don’t forget to join the Tails on Trails club at Georgia State Parks that allow pets. Tick off all the trails you hike with your pup. And get a t-shirt for yourself and a bandana for your dog.
Hawaii’s state parks prohibit pets and other animals in campgrounds, restaurants, pavilions, swimming areas, lodges, on beaches, and wherever posted.
Where they are permitted, pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, be crated, caged, or otherwise under physical restrictive control at all times.
Pets are welcome in most Idaho State Parks, but not on the beaches, and some parks prohibit pets on trails and in some cabins and yurts. You must keep your pet on a leash no longer than 6-feet or confined inside a camper. Do not leave them in your vehicle.
Harriman State Park does not allow pets. Dogs are only permitted on one trail at Ponderosa State Park.
Pets are welcome in all Idaho state park campgrounds, except Harriman, and the parks listed below also have dog friendly cabins available for rent. Reserve a site at idahostateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Idaho State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Illinois state parks and campgrounds allow pets on a leash up to 10 feet long. But they do not allow dogs beaches, in cabins, or in concession and picnic areas. You may provide proof of current vaccinations upon request. And noisy, vicious, or dangerous animals must leave the park.
Indiana state parks welcome pets on a leash up to 6 feet long in campgrounds. But pets are not permitted at swimming pools, beaches (unless specifically designated for pets), rented recreation buildings, the Pioneer Village at Spring Mill State Park, or other public buildings. Dogs and cats must be current on their vaccinations.
Pets on a leash up to 6 feet long are welcome in Iowa state parks, forests, and campgrounds. In addition, the Iowa state parks listed below have dog friendly cabins or yurts available for rent.
Two dogs are allowed per cabin/yurt. And you may not leave pets alone and unattended unless they are in a crate or carrier.
Pets on a leash up to 10 feet long are welcome in Kansas state parks and campgrounds. But you may not take pets on swimming beaches or swimming areas that are delineated by buoys or other markers, or into public buildings or structures.
Kentucky state parks welcome pets on leash, except on park trails that share land with State Nature Preserves, and in protected archaeological areas. This includes John James Audubon SP, Wickliffe Mounds SHS, and all but one trail at Natural Bridge SRP.
Leashed pets are welcome at all thirty-one Kentucky state park campgrounds. And those campgrounds with cottages and lodges offer pet friendly accommodations as well (listed below). There is a two pet limit in each cottage or lodge room, and a pet fee of $50 for cottages and $30 for lodge rooms applies. Do not take your pet inside restaurants, lobbies, or other public areas.
Kentucky State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Louisiana state parks and campgrounds. As of 2020, sixteen state parks have pet friendly cabins. Owners must pay $40 per dog per stay in cabins in the state parks listed below.
Louisiana State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Leashed pets are welcome in all Maine state parks and campgrounds, except Baxter State Park and the Sebago Lake State Park campground. In addition, leashed pets can go on state park beaches between October 1 and March 31.
Pet policies in Maryland state parks and campgrounds vary by location and time of year. It’s best to refer to the state’s pet policy page to determine the park policy at the time of your visit. Regardless of time of year or location, you must leash your pet. And visiting pets must be vaccinated.
Up to four pets per person, on leashes up to ten feet long, are welcome in most Massachusetts state parks, forests, campgrounds, and reserves. Pets can also go on coastal beaches and designated swimmings areas of inland beaches from September 16 – April 30, unless otherwise posted.
You’ll have to show your pet’s license and have proof of rabies vaccination. Pets cannot go to indoor skating rinks, cabins, yurts, and the encompassing areas, playgrounds, or swimming pools. In addition, pets cannot go to the following parks: Walden Pond State Reservation, Moore State Park, City Square Park in Charlestown, Plum Island’s Sandy Point State Reservation, and Boston Harbor Islands.
Massachusetts also has many designated areas where dogs may be off-leash. Dogs must stay within sight at all times, come immediately when called, stay on command, not charge or chase people, dogs, horses, or wildlife, and be leashed when entering or exiting an off-leash area. Additional rules may vary by location, so follow posted rules and regulations.
North RegionOff-leash Areas
Boston Region Off-leash Areas
Southwest Corridor Park in Boston – Carlton Court Dog Park (Carleton Street between Braddock Park and Holyoke Street)
South RegionOff-leash Areas
Central RegionOff-leash Areas
West Region Off-leash Areas
With a few exceptions, pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Michigan state parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas. Michigan prohibits pets from boat access sites at varying times throughout the year. Information will be posted on signs.
Michigan State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets cannot go on the Sandy Hook Trail at Tawas Point State Park, or on designated beaches or areas used for wading or swimming. However, the state has set aside several pet friendly shorelines where dogs are welcome.
Dodge #4 State Park – Dogs may swim north of the jetty, outside the designated swim area.
Duck Lake State Park – There is a 1/2 mile pet friendly area along Lake Superior and all of Duck Lake.
Fayette Historic State Park – Your dog may swim everywhere along the Lake Michigan shoreline except designated swim areas.
Grand Mere State Park – Pets may explore the entire length of the Lake Michigan shoreline (1 mile).
Harrisville State Park – A pet friendly section of shoreline is available at the north end of the camper’s beach. This section of shoreline is available via a foot trail near site #103.
Hayes State Park – Dogs are allowed everywhere except designated swim beaches.
Highland Recreation Area – Dogs are allowed along the lakeshore except for designated swim areas.
Hoffmaster State Park – Dogs may swim anywhere on the shoreline except for designated swim areas.
Holland State Park – You’ll find a dog friendly swimming area across from the campground.
Holly Recreation Area – South of the designated swim beach is a dog friendly section of Heron Lake shoreline.
Lake Hudson Recreation Area – Dogs are allowed everywhere on the shoreline except for the designated swim beach.
Leelanau State Park – The dog friendly beach is in the northern unit of the park along Lake Michigan. Ludington State Park – Most of the shoreline is closed to dogs to protect endangered piping plovers. But there is a dog friendly beach along Lake Michigan between the beach house and Sable River.
McLain State Park – A portion of the Lake Superior shoreline at F.J. McLain State Park is pet friendly.
Mears State Park – The southernmost section of shoreline at Mears is pet friendly.
Silver Lake State Park – Pets may enjoy 3 miles of shoreline alone Lake Michigan and Silver Lake except for designated swim beaches.
Sleeper State Park – Dogs are permitted everywhere along the Lake Huron shoreline except for designated swim beaches.
Sleepy Hollow State Park – About 100 yards north of the Lake Ovid swim beach they have set aside an area for dogs to swim.
South Higgins Lake State Park – There are three pet friendly areas of shoreline – one for campers-only near the west campground, another just west of the boat ramp in the campground, and a third in the day use area.
Straits State Park – Pets are welcome to swim along the Lake Huron shoreline.
Tawas Point State Park – A pet friendly section of shoreline is available on Tawas Bay between the campground and the lighthouse. Pets are prohibited in all other beach-areas as well as the Sandy Hook Trail.
Twin Lakes State Park – Ask a ranger or look for signs to the only pet friendly swim area.
Van Buren State Park – The pet friendly beach area is located south of the designated swim beach. Access it via trails west of the picnic shelter.
Van Riper State Park – Pets are allowed on entire length of Lake Michigamme and Peshekee River shorelines except for on the designated swim beach.
Warren Dunes State Park – Pets may visit north of the northernmost swim buoy at the beach, providing 2.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Wells State Park – Pets are permitted everywhere along the shoreline except for designated swim beaches. Wilderness State Park Beach – The park has two pet friendly beaches; one east of the headquarters building and the other west of the East Shore campground. Look for signs for areas closed to pets to protect piping plovers.
Young State Park – Pets are allowed on a designated area east of the boat launch.
Minnesota state parks and campgrounds welcome pets on a leash up to six feet long. But do not leave your pets unattended. Pets cannot go into buildings, lodging, cabins, camper cabins, on tours, or in beach areas.
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Mississippi state parks and campgrounds. But pets are not welcome in cabins, cottages, on beaches, or in swimming pool areas.
Pets on a leash no longer than 10 feet (one of our faves with a padded handled sold at Amazon) are welcome in Missouri state parks. Pets cannot go inside any state park or historic site building, in public swimming areas and beaches, or on the trails at Prairie State Park.
Two pets are welcome per campsite in all Missouri state park campgrounds, and the parks listed below also have dog friendly accommodations, including outpost cabins, camper cabins, yurts, single-unit cabins, fourplexes and duplexes.
A per pet fee applies and varies depending on the accommodations. There is a limit of two dogs per unit. Do not leave your dog unattended at any time unless in a carrier or crate. The park provides crates with a rental fee.
Missouri State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets are welcome in most Montana state parks, and from April 15 – September 15, they must be on a leash no longer than ten feet, unless otherwise posted. Pets may not visit Lewis and Clark Caverns (but they have rental kennels), Frenchtown Pond, or Wild Horse Island. At Smith Island, they are only permitted at the put-in and take-out areas but not on the float. And Spring Meadow Lakes does not allow pets from April through October.
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in Nebraska state parks and campgrounds. But pets cannot go in lodge rooms, public buildings, and designated swimming beaches or pools.
The following Nebraska state parks offer pet friendly cabin rentals for an additional pet fee of $20:
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in nearly all Nevada state parks and campgrounds. The only exceptions are Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park and Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (between April 15 and November 15).
Pet policies in New Hampshire state parks and campgrounds vary by location. But pets may never visit state beaches, picnic areas, and historic sites. It’s best to refer to the state’s pet policy page to determine the pet policy of the park you’re considering before your visit.
Regardless of the location or time of year, New Hampshire requires you to always keep your pet on a leash. You may not leave pets unattended.
New Jersey state parks and campgrounds welcome pets on leashes up to six feet long. Pets cannot go in buildings, on swimming beaches, in campsites designated as not pet friendly, or in overnight accommodations. They charge a $5 per night pet fee at campsites.
Most New Mexico state parks and campgrounds welcome pets on leashes up to ten feet long. Pets must be vaccinated and cannot be left unattended in a vehicle or at a campsite.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, and Smokey Bear Historic Park do not allow pets.
Most New York state park welcome pets on leashes up to six feet long. And New York allows two pets per site in designated loops of state park campgrounds. You must present your pet’s proof of vaccination, cannot leave them unattended, and cannot take them in buildings, picnic or swimming areas, or where posted.
At Rockland State Park pets are allowed only between October 1 and April 30. Even then, they must stay off the bike path or improved walkways. At Watkins Glen State Park, pets cannot go on the Gorge Trail.
New York State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in North Carolina state parks and in some campgrounds. Pets cannot go in buildings, bathhouses, swimming areas, or on the ferry at Hammocks Beach State Park.
North Carolina state park that allow pets in campgrounds:
Leashed pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks and campgrounds. Do not leave pets unattended. They are not allowed in designated swimming areas, playgrounds, or in park buildings, including, but not limited to, cabins, dormitories and comfort stations.
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in Ohio state parks and campgrounds. Many parks have dog parks and swimming areas. Ohio does not allow pets in camping areas designated as not pet friendly, wildlife display areas, or at any beach, swimming pool, or golf course.
In addition to welcoming two pets per campsite in all 56 Ohio state park campgrounds, and the state parks listed below offer pet friendly cabin, yurt, or lodge rentals.
Pets on a leash up to ten feet long are welcome in Oklahoma state parks and campgrounds. Great Plains State Park in Mountain Park has a dog swim beach. In addition, the Oklahoma state parks listed below have special accommodations for dogs.
Hugo Lake State Park in Hugo – pet friendly primitive and resort cabins with small pet fee. Resort cabins feature satellite television, fully equipped kitchens, two bedrooms and spacious decks with views of Hugo Lake. Primitive cabins feature heating and air conditioning and screened-in porches with lake views.
Most Oregon state parks and campgrounds welcome pets on leash up to six feet long. Pets cannot go in Dabney State Recreation Area, or on the Canyon Trail or connecting Winter Trail, Maple Ridge Trail and Twin Falls trails at Silver Falls State Park.
In addition to welcoming pets at Oregon their campgrounds, the parks listed below allow up to two dogs and cats to stay in pet friendly cabin and yurt rentals for an additional $10 fee.
Oregon State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Dogs On Oregon State Park Beaches
Dogs can generally go off-leash on Oregon state beaches. However, they must be under your direct control. Exceptions include areas designated as occupied sites for western snowy plovers where dogs are not allowed in wet sand areas, and in areas designated as unoccupied sites for western snowy plovers, where dogs must be on a leash of six feet or less. Always carry a leash, prevent your pet from disturbing wildlife, and clean up after your pets on the beach (and everywhere else).
In Pennsylvania state parks, you make take leashed pets to day-use areas, on trails, in most campgrounds (two pets per campsite), and in designated cabins, camping cottages, and yurts. You must provide proof of vacation. And pets may not be left unattended. They are prohibited in swimming areas, inside public buildings, in overnight areas not designated as pet friendly, and in any area posted as closed to pets.
Pets are not permitted at the Night Sky programs at Cherry Springs State Park or in the campgrounds at the following parks:
Cherry Springs State Park
Kettle Creek State Park (Lower loop only)
Caledonia State Park (Chinquapin Hill campground only)
Visitors may bring up to two (2) total dogs or cats to Burlingame State Campground, Fishermen’s Memorial State Campground and George Washington State Campground. Dogs must be well socialized, friendly, and happy and have a current rabies vaccination. You may not bring pets to Charlestown Breachway or East Beach Campgrounds. And RI state beaches prohibit pets.
You must provide proof of vaccination upon request. Dogs must have a valid license tag. And you may not leave your pets unattended.
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in the outdoor areas of South Carolina state parks and campgrounds. Owners must remove noisy or dangerous pets, or any pet that threatens or harasses wildlife.
The parks listed below allow pets under 75 pounds in select villas or cabins for an additional fee of $55. In addition, the park allows dogs in lodge rooms 408 – 412 at Hickory Knob State Park.
South Carolina State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets on leashes up to 10 feet long are welcome in South Dakota state parks and campgrounds. Outside of campgrounds and day use areas pets must be under immediate control and more than 200 feet from other park guests. Designated swimming beaches or in any park buildings, including camping cabins, lodges and comfort stations all prohibit pets.
Tennessee state parks welcome leashed pets on trails and campgrounds. But you cannot bring pets to park inns or cabins (except those designated as pet friendly), lodges, food stores, picnic areas, swimming beaches, or pools. Trails and other areas of the parks may also be posted as closed to pets as deemed necessary. Do not leave pets unattended. And remember to bring proof of rabies vaccination.
For an additional fee of $20 per pet per night, the following Tennessee State Parks offer a limited number of pet friendly inn rooms and one cabin at each park for guests who travel with their pets. Reservations should be made by calling the park and asking for a pet friendly room or cabin.
Tennessee State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Most Texas state parks and campgrounds welcome pets on a leash up to six feet long. Pets cannot be left unattended, and proof of vaccination must be provided upon request.
Pets cannot go in restaurants, snack bars, cabins, lodge rooms, restrooms, park stores, shelters, refectory buildings, amphitheaters, administration buildings, railroad coaches, or designated swimming beaches.
In addition, the following parks have specific pet restrictions to protect pets and wildlife:
Most Utah state parks are pet friendly, however, pets must be on a maximum six foot leash and not left unattended. Pets cannot go in buildings, on beaches, or in the lakes or reservoirs.
Pets are prohibited on boats, beaches, in the reservoir, or in any park buildings. The following areas restrict pets:
Deer Creek State Park – Dogs are prohibited below the high water line and in or on the reservoir.
Dead Horse Point State Park – Pets are not allowed on the Intrepid Trail.
You must show proof of rabies vaccination must upon request. And a pet fee of $1 per pet per night applies at all campgrounds. Unless specifically stated above, pets are not permitted in day use areas, on beaches, in picnic areas and pavilions, or in most cottages or cabins.
The parks listed below each have a pet friendly.
Vermont State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in all Virginia state parks and campgrounds. Pets may not be left unattended, and proof of vaccination must be provided upon request.
State regulations prohibit pets on public swim beaches, in public facilities like bathhouses, visitor centers, park offices, and restaurants. While pets are allowed at False Cape State Park, they are not permitted access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
Pets on leashes up to eight feet long are welcome in Washington state parks and campgrounds, but are not permitted on designated swimming beaches, within a natural area preserve, or on any designated alpine ski site or cross country trail which has been prepared, set, or groomed during ski season.
The Washington state parks listed below offer pet friendly cabins and yurt rentals for guests traveling with their pets with a nightly fee of $15 per pet.
Washington State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
Dogs and cats (only pets allowed) on leashes up to ten feet long are welcome in West Virginia state parks, forests, and campgrounds. Be prepared to provide a certificate of vaccination, and use designated pet relief areas where provided.
West Virginia State Parks That Allow Pets In Rentals
West Virginia State Parks With Pet Friendly Lodge Accommodations
The parks listed below offer pet friendly lodge accommodations. Additional pet fees apply, and there is a two pet limit, and a 15-pound maximum weight per pet.
Pets on leashes up to eight feet long are welcome in most Wisconsin state parks, forests, and campgrounds. Unless specifically stated, pets cannot go in buildings, picnic areas and picnic shelters, on beaches, playgrounds, marked nature trails, or in observation towers. That includes the trails around the waterfalls at Copper Falls, Paradise Springs at Kettle Moraine State Forest, and Boardwalk Trail at Big Bay, and cross-country ski trails when groomed for skiing.
The following Wisconsin state parks have pet friendly amenities:
Pets cannot go in these areas at Wisconsin State Parks:
Aztalan State Park
Copper Culture State Park
Devil’s Lake South Shore area (except on paved roads and walkways leading to areas that allow pets)
Governor Nelson State Park (except at the dog swim area)
Parts of Havenwoods State Forest
Heritage Hill State Park
Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area
Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit – Loop 1 of Pinewoods family campground and the west loop of Whitewater campground in
Parts of the Rock Island State Park campground
Parts of the Tower Hill State Park campground
Wyoming welcomes pets on leashes up to ten feet long in state parks and campgrounds, but not in picnic areas, food stores, public buildings, or on designated swimming beaches. Don’t leave pets unattended for more than an hour.
I hope we’ve convinced you that state parks that allow pets offer many great options for pet travelers. Whether you enjoy long hikes, learning at historic sites, camping, or swimming you’ll find options all over the country–some right in your own back yard!
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and discover your favorite state parks that allow pets.
Have you checked out Blackstock Battlefield hike in Enoree, SC? One of the benefits of living in South Carolina is the chance to bring history to life by visiting the hundreds of historical sites across the state. We’ve visited Musgrove Mill State Historic Site many times, as it covers all the bases for my kids: Revolutionary War battlefield to explore, Tyger River trail to hike, and Horseshoe Falls to cool down in. But did you know Musgrove Mill manages a second battlefield?
Located only 7 miles to the north, Blackstock Battlefield preserves the site of the Revolutionary War battle where the infamous British Lt. Col. Tarleton was foiled in his attempt to defeat Patriot Brig. Gen. Sumter in 1780. We recently received a tour of Blackstock Battlefield during the South Carolina 7 Wonders Expedition, and wanted to share with you more on this little-known historic site just 40 minutes from Spartanburg!
Revolutionary War Action
Some months after the Battle at Kings Mountain, Sumter had gathered troops in preparation to attack the British post at Ninety Six. The British summoned Tarleton from his pursuit of the “Swamp Fox” Marion down near the coast to intercept Sumter, and the British Lt. Col. managed to secretly cross the Broad with his feared Dragoons before a defector informed Sumter he was being pursued. Sumter chose to make a stand at Blackstock’s Plantation on the Tyger river as Tarleton raced towards his position with his cavalry and mounted infantry.
Historical Map of Blackstock Battlefiled
When the British caught up with Sumter, they were at a disadvantage; they had gotten ahead of their infantry and artillery in hopes of catching Sumter unawares, and instead were themselves caught in the open under heavy fire from the high ground. After suffering heavy losses and regrouping, Tarleton retreated to join his infantry and artillery – but without half of his men, who had been lost in the battle.
Sumter was badly wounded, and was evacuated overnight. Tarleton pursued the Patriots for two more days, and although he claimed a victory for dispersing Sumter’s militia, it was a costly defeat for the British in that they lost numerous officers, horses, and equipment. The Battle of Blackstock was a precursor to the action later at Cowpens.
On Your Visit to Blackstock Battlefield
Directions: From Exit 44 on I-26, go east on SC Hwy 49 about 5.5 miles to the Blackstock’s Historical Marker. Turn left onto Blackstock’s Road, then go about 1.2 miles and turn right onto Monument Road. Continue until the pavement ends, and park in the parking area before the gate.
For the best vantage point of the battlefield, continue up the gravel road to Monument Hill. Standing with your back to the monument, Blackstock’s Ford of the Tyger River is down the hill to the right. The open meadow was much larger when the Blackstock family lived there, and the British would have come charging up the hill to meet the forces lined up along the top. On the far end of the meadow was where the house and barn were located.
Take a Hike
The parking area is also the trailhead for the Blackstock Battlefield Passage of the Palmetto Trail. This 1.6-mile loop descends to the Tyger River, and then follows the river for about ½ mile before climbing up to the battlefield. Skirting the edge of the open field, the trail re-enters the woods and returns to the parking area.
The SC Park Service asks that you remain on signed roads & trails while visiting the battlefield. Going off-trail can be hazardous, especially to children, as there are many deep holes from when the area was logged and the stumps were buried. On our visit, we also saw fire ants, bees, and snakes. Highlights of our hike included seeing an eastern box turtle, taking in the view from Monument Hill, and experiencing another piece of the Revolutionary War puzzle that we have been piecing together during our southeastern travels.
You can also go on a ranger-guided hike at Blackstock Battlefield! There are limited dates and times during 2024. The cost is $10 per person. Be sure to wear good hiking shoes and bring insect repellent.
Things to do near Blackstock Battlefield
After hiking the Palmetto Trail Passage, my kiddos were more than happy to make the 15-minute drive to Horseshoe Falls, a small waterfall on a tributary of the Enoree River that is located in Musgrove Mill State Historic Site off Battlefield Trail. Just across the Enoree is the main portion of the State Park, including a Visitor Center and British Camp Trail. A little farther to the east is another State Historic Site, Rose Hill.
Just to the southeast is the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. In addition to camping, cycling, OHV, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting, the Enoree is home to the Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail, with 36 continuous miles of trail linking Newberry, Laurens, and Union counties.
If you are headed north, towards Spartanburg, on your way home, you will pass near Glenn Springs, a small community with a lot of history, as well as by Croft State Park.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site Admission to Musgrove Mill is $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free. Musgrove Mill is open 9 am to 6 pm daily.
Looking for a place to get outdoors near Easley, SC? Check out Nalley Brown Nature Park. Here’s what you can expect when you visit Nalley Brown Nature Park, plus some tips and ideas for things to do in the surrounding area from local mom, Liene.
We are blessed to have a large selection of parks and natural areas in the Upstate in which to enjoy the outdoors, from the state and county parks such as Jones Gap and Caesars Head to our urban public spaces like Lake Conestee Nature Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
But what about those beautiful days when we don’t have the time to travel all the way up to the Blue Ridge but want something different from the same-old, same-old? With the approach of fall, the lure of the outdoors will take families on explorations all over the Upstate, bringing the dilemma – where to go today?
A perfect option for those days when the mountains are a little too far is Nalley Brown Nature Park. Located at 380 Adger Road, this park features almost 3 miles of trail on its 38 acres, and is only 3 miles from downtown Easley!
The park was many years in the making; Catherine Brown Ladnier donated the land in 2001, but over the past two decades the project stalled more than once and it took a push by the then-mayor of Easley Larry Bagwell to finish it before the end of his term.
Things to Do at Nalley Brown Nature Park
Trails and Loops Through Wetlands
The heart of the park is its 2.5 miles of trails; leading through scrub pine and mature hardwoods, the trail network forms two main loops that can be combined for excursions ranging everywhere from a few tenths of a mile to almost three miles. Nalley Trail is the longest trail and forms an outer loop of just under 1 ½ miles long. An inner loop, Brown Trail, is another 0.85 miles, and a wetlands trail connecting the two loops on the west side of the park adds another tenth of a mile with its boardwalk.
Pet Friendly and ADA-Accessible
Definitely bring your furbabies along to enjoy the trails, as dogs are allowed, but be sure to have them leashed for their safety. Finally, an ADA-accessible loop just off the parking area is a mile long.
Small Playground and Picnic Shelters
Adjacent to the parking area visitors will find a small pavilion and a play area with a few tunnels and climbing structures.. If you are interested in renting the shelter at Nalley Brown to enjoy a picnic, you can submit a rental request online with the City of Easley, or apply in person at the Parks and Recreation Department at 111 Walkers Way in Easley.
Please note there are no bathrooms at the park. However, Ingles is about four minutes away by car. They have bathrooms you can use (410 Pelzer Hwy, Easley, SC 29642).
History of the Nalley Brown Nature Park
The history of the property influences the forest we see today. The Nalley and Brown families farmed the property and owned it for around 150 years. From the trail, you’ll see reminders of the old farmstead: abandoned car parts here, old farming supplies there.
Damage from long-ago farming practices still scar the land, heavily eroded ravines show the result of bad farming practices, as well as more recent harm – the dumping of trash into these gullies. On the other hand, the mature beech-oak forest has towering hardwoods over a hundred years old, and the softwood forest has its own charm with the smell of pine and the thick canopy of pine needles.
The wetlands trail brings visitors down to a tributary of Eighteen Mile Creek whose waters eventually flow into Lake Hartwell. Mosses and ferns line the sides of the ravines while the occasional wildflower brings spots of color to the forest floor.
Bring a picnic to enjoy under the beautiful pavilion, or head to Easley afterward; kids love the “Train on Main” scavenger hunt. Adults might enjoy a stop at local grocery and natural market Farmacy to pick up last-minute groceries for dinner. If you are looking to cool off after your hike, check out the Saluda Outdoor Center on your way back to Greenville and go tubing down the Saluda River in Easley.
Nalley Brown Nature Park is a lovely addition to the natural spaces of the Upstate. The trails provide a hiking option close to home for those living west of Greenville. In addition, it’s a way for people to get outdoors in what is becoming an increasingly urban landscape. We hope to see additional improvements (such as restroom facilities and educational signage) in the future and look forward to seeing what the change of the seasons brings to this new park.
This article was originally published on Femme au foyer.
Hiking is the most popular summer sport, especially when the temperatures are under 100. It is an easy entry activity just needing good shoes and the right location and off you go. Emerging yourself in nature and seeing waterfalls, meadows, vistas and scenic views are all the big payoff. It can be even better when considering the option of adding in some of cannabis. Here is what to know about hiking with marijuana.
Hiking while drinking alcohol is never a good idea. Alcohol can impair balance, significantly contributes to dehydration, and impair judgement. While you don’t want to get totally stoned while hiking, a little focused consumption or microdosing can enhance nature’s wonders.
While there are many approaches to get high on a hike, vapes and gummies tend to be the easiest. Find a strain which gives you energy and focus and manage the high so you can enjoy the hike. It will unlock parts of your brain and the make the journey better.
Pack all the necessary tools
As you head out, make sure to pack all your necessary items in discreet and convenient places. If you’re taking a vape or pipe, pack one that you wouldn’t mind losing or breaking, since accidents (tripping, falling, etc.) are common while hiking. If you’re planning on smoking, make sure you’ve prepared it ahead of time and stored it somewhere that protects it and keeps the smell contained.
Photo by Denys Nevozhai via Unsplash
Be discreet
No matter the state where you live, cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug, meaning that if you’re caught with it in a national park, you’re still breaking the law. Also, not everyone enjoys the smell of weed so be considerate of others and smoke in an area that’s secluded and private.
Pack water and snacks
Water is a basic necessity when hiking, but plan to add a bit more if you’re considering bringing weed. Remember to pack your favorite snacks in case you get hit with the munchies and still want to be able to enjoy your hike.
Photo by Eddy Billard via Unsplash
Never travel alone
No matter how experienced you are with marijuana, it’s important to be with someone if you’re planning on consuming somewhere other than your home; you don’t want to get too stoned and then be unable to make your way back home. And you never know if something can go wrong.
If you’re an inexperienced hiker or if you’re trying out a new trail, being with a companion is even more important. It’s also more fun to converse with someone, high or not, while on the trail.
Don’t litter
After you’re done consuming, snacking and hiking, make sure to take the trash with you and leave the space a little better than you found it.
