7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Breathtaking Canyonlands - Utah's Escalante Region
Canyonlands National Park, Utah's underappreciated gem, sees a mere 800,000 visitors annually, a fraction of the crowds at other state parks.
Divided into three distinct districts, the park offers a range of outdoor adventures, from challenging hikes in the remote Maze region to more moderate treks like the Golden Cathedral Trail.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah's most underrated national park, receives only around 800,000 visitors annually, a fraction of the crowds at Zion National Park.
The park is divided into three distinct districts - Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze - each offering a unique geological landscape and adventure experience.
The Maze district within Canyonlands is considered the most challenging and remote region, requiring advanced navigation skills for visitors.
Escalante, a small town with a population over 800, serves as a gateway to the breathtaking landscapes of the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, which showcases petrified wood, fossils, and dinosaur tracks.
One of the best hikes in the region is the 5-mile out-and-back trail to Zebra Canyon, near Escalante, known for its visually stunning, pink-ish sandy stripes in the narrow opening.
Despite covering 527 square miles, Canyonlands National Park remains a relatively uncrowded destination compared to other national parks in Utah, owing to its remote location and rugged terrain.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Breathtaking Canyonlands - Utah's Escalante Region
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Kayaking Paradise - Explore Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Misty Mountain Trails - Appalachian Wonders of Western North Carolina
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Volcanic Vistas - Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Sandstone Splendor - Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona
- 7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Coastal Allure - The Rugged Charm of Oregon's Samuel H.Boardman Scenic Corridor
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Kayaking Paradise - Explore Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Guided kayak tours led by experienced outfitters provide a unique perspective on the park's natural wonders, allowing paddlers to explore the vibrant multicolored rock formations up close.
Whether you're a seasoned kayaker or a beginner, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore promises an unforgettable adventure in a truly serene and picturesque setting.
From the majestic bald eagle to the elusive peregrine falcon, the park's diverse avian population attracts nature enthusiasts from around the world.
The vibrant colors of the Pictured Rocks, ranging from reds and oranges to greens and blues, are the result of a unique geological process.
The rocks are stained by minerals such as iron and copper that have leached out of the sandstone over thousands of years.
Kayakers can paddle through the park's intricate network of sea caves, some of which extend up to 130 feet into the cliff face.
These natural wonders, carved by the relentless waves of Lake Superior, offer a thrilling and visually stunning experience for adventurous paddlers.
Interestingly, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is home to a rare geological feature known as a "wave-cut platform." These flat, wave-eroded surfaces along the shoreline provide a unique habitat for a variety of plant and animal species.
The park's Miners Castle rock formation, a popular destination for kayakers and hikers, was once much larger.
Over the years, the castle-like structure has been slowly eroded by the elements, with significant portions collapsing into Lake Superior.
Surprisingly, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is also a designated Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional opportunities for stargazing.
Visitors can witness the Milky Way and other celestial wonders in the park's pristine night skies, away from the light pollution of urban areas.
Intriguingly, the park's waters are known to be exceptionally clear, with visibility reaching up to 30 feet in some areas.
This clarity allows kayakers to observe a diverse array of aquatic life, including schools of fish and even the occasional shipwreck.
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Misty Mountain Trails - Appalachian Wonders of Western North Carolina
The Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina offer a wealth of hiking trails and outdoor adventures for enthusiasts.
Destinations like the Richland Balsam Trail, Lover's Leap Loop, and Wesser Bald Fire Tower hike provide breathtaking views and diverse experiences for visitors.
The Richland Balsam Trail, at 6,410 feet, is the highest point along the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Appalachian peaks.
The Lover's Leap Loop near Hot Springs features a steep and challenging climb, but the breathtaking vistas at the summit are said to have inspired the name, as the location was once a popular spot for daring jumps.
The Wesser Bald Fire Tower hike, while relatively short, provides a unique opportunity to climb a historic fire lookout tower and witness stunning 360-degree views of the Nantahala National Forest.
Pisgah National Forest, home to over 500,000 acres of protected wilderness, is known for its diverse ecosystems, including old-growth forests and rare plant species found nowhere else in the world.
The region's numerous waterfalls, such as the three-tiered Triple Falls in DuPont State Forest, were formed by the erosion of the ancient Appalachian Mountains, creating natural wonders that draw visitors from across the country.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds through the heart of the Appalachian Mountains in Western North Carolina, is one of the most heavily engineered roads in the United States, with over 250 bridges and viaducts constructed to navigate the rugged terrain.
Despite the region's popularity, the Misty Mountain Trails still offer opportunities for solitude and exploration, with lesser-known trails like the Price Lake Trail providing a more secluded experience for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Volcanic Vistas - Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California is a hidden gem that offers a unique glimpse into the powerful geological forces shaping the planet.
Established in 1916, the park features diverse volcanic landscapes, including Lassen Peak, which last erupted in 1915.
Visitors can explore the park's scenic drives, hydrothermal areas, alpine lakes, and challenging hikes, making it a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
shield, cinder cone, plug dome, and stratovolcano.
This diverse volcanic landscape is a unique geological feature found in few other places on Earth.
The park's hydrothermal areas, such as Bumpass Hell and Sulphur Works, feature a mesmerizing display of fumaroles, mud pots, and boiling pools, offering a glimpse into the park's active geothermal processes.
Lassen Peak, the park's iconic volcano, last erupted in 1915, making it one of the most recently active volcanoes in the contiguous United States.
The eruption left behind a visible layer of volcanic ash covering the surrounding areas.
Interestingly, the park's diverse ecosystem is shaped by the ongoing volcanic activity, with unique plant species adapted to thrive in the nutrient-rich, disturbed environments created by the eruptions.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to over 700 lakes, many of which are alpine in nature, providing stunning reflections of the surrounding volcanic peaks and landscapes.
The park's scenic drive along Highway 89 is widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking drives in California, offering panoramic views of volcanic features, alpine meadows, and cascading waterfalls.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, recognized for its exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environments.
The park's Manzanita Lake area features a thriving population of the rare Western Pond Turtle, a species that has adapted to the unique volcanic habitat and is considered a species of special concern.
Interestingly, the park's geothermal activity has led to the formation of unique mineral deposits, including the rare mineral "Lassen Rhyolite," which is found only within the park's boundaries.
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Sandstone Splendor - Red Rock Country of Sedona, Arizona
The deep red color of the sandstone is a result of hematite, or iron oxide, trapped in the rocks over time.
Sedona's unique geology attracts outdoor enthusiasts, with numerous hiking trails and scenic drives that showcase the area's natural beauty, including the underrated Dry Creek Road.
The deep red hues of the sandstone in Sedona are due to the presence of hematite, a form of iron oxide, which gives the rock its distinctive coloration.
The Schnebly Hill Formation, a unique layer of red to orange-colored sandstone, is found only in the Sedona vicinity and contributes to the area's stunning geological features.
Cathedral Rock, a natural sandstone butte with an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, is one of the most iconic and popular rock formations in Sedona.
Sedona's red rock country is surrounded by vast stretches of national and state forestlands, creating a 25 square-mile enclave that feels like a world unto itself.
The area has been inhabited since 700 A.D., with Native American settlements predating the modern town of Sedona.
Sedona's red sandstone formations are the result of a natural process where iron trapped in seawater caused the rocks to "rust" over time, creating the vibrant hues.
The Coconino Sandstone, a layer of rock found above the Schnebly Hill Formation, is mostly yellow in color, providing a striking contrast to the red rocks below.
Dry Creek Road, an underrated scenic drive in Sedona, offers visitors the opportunity to explore the area's rugged landscapes and stunning vistas.
Sedona's unique geology has attracted outdoor enthusiasts for centuries, with the area offering numerous hiking trails and opportunities for exploration.
The town of Sedona is built around the red sandstone formations, integrating the natural wonders into the local architecture and amenities.
7 Underrated Log Destinations for Outdoor Enthusiasts - Coastal Allure - The Rugged Charm of Oregon's Samuel H.
Boardman Scenic Corridor
The Samuel H.
Boardman Scenic Corridor in Oregon showcases the state's dramatic coastal landscapes, with rugged cliffs, hidden coves, and towering rock formations.
This 12-mile stretch of coastline offers outdoor enthusiasts a chance to explore the Oregon Coast Trail, observe diverse wildlife, and take in the corridor's breathtaking natural beauty.
The Samuel H.
Boardman State Scenic Corridor is named after Samuel H.
Boardman, the first Oregon State Parks superintendent, who played a crucial role in establishing and preserving this natural wonder.
The corridor features a diverse array of geological formations, including dramatic sea stacks, natural bridges, and offshore rock formations, some of which are remnants of ancient lava flows.
Interestingly, the corridor is located within the "Banana Belt" of Oregon, a region that experiences a milder climate compared to the rest of the state, allowing for a lush and diverse plant life.
The area is home to a rich variety of marine life, including harbor seals, sea lions, and the occasional sighting of gray whales during their annual migrations.
Visitors can explore the corridor's network of hiking trails, including the 27-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding landscape.
The corridor's unique microclimate supports a diverse range of avian species, including the majestic bald eagle and the elusive peregrine falcon, attracting birdwatchers from around the world.
Interestingly, the corridor's rock formations, such as the iconic Arch Rock, were formed through a combination of erosion and tectonic activity over millions of years.
The area's crystal-clear waters and rocky coastline provide an ideal habitat for a variety of marine invertebrates, including anemones, sea urchins, and starfish.
The corridor's unique geology has led to the formation of natural bridges, such as the aptly named Natural Bridges, which have become popular photographic subjects for visitors.
Interestingly, the corridor's rugged terrain and exposure to the powerful Pacific Ocean have made it a challenging environment for maintaining and preserving the hiking trails, requiring ongoing maintenance and restoration efforts.