Written by Rex Vogel, RVing with Rex explores North America one meaningful place at a time through destination guides, history, slow travel, and thoughtful storytelling. Drawing on years of RV travel and firsthand experience, the site helps readers move beyond simply seeing places to truly experiencing them.
We all remember the spooky stories we first heard while gathered around a campfire or snuggled in a sleeping bag. Those tales frightened and thrilled us, prompting screams, and exhilarated giggles.
The ubiquitous experience of sharing ghost stories can be traced back to the earliest oral traditions of many ancient cultures and a universal curiosity about death and the afterlife. Some scholars believe that an ancient Babylonian tablet from roughly 1500 BC shows the first known depiction of a ghost. In a collection of letters written during the first century, Roman writer and magistrate Pliny the Younger (61-c. 113) recorded one of the first ghost stories describing a “ghost rattling its chains over (a man’s) head.”
Stories about ghosts are grounded in the belief that our spirits are separate from our bodies and can continue to exist even after death. From novels and movies to podcasts and TV shows, pop culture is chock-full of paranormal tales about wandering spirits, haunted houses, and the supernatural.
Sometimes a ghostly narrative serves as a cautionary tale that unresolved conflicts in this lifetime may carry over into the next realm. Others, such as the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol serve as allegories that reflect the darker parts of society and warn of their consequences.
Here are some haunting and atmospheric quotes about ghosts—spectral, ephemeral, and even metaphorical—to remind us of the enduring and entertaining traditions they’ve inspired.
From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us.
—Scottish folk prayer
We are all the ghosts of yesterday, and the phantom of tomorrow awaits us alike in sunshine or in shadow, dimly perceived at times, never entirely lost.
—Daphne du Maurier, Myself When Young: The Shaping of a Writer, 1978
Our revels now are ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air.
—William Shakespeare, The Tempest
The rain
Is full of ghosts tonight that tap and sigh
Upon the glass and listen for reply,
And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain
For unremembered lads that not again
Will turn to me at midnight with a cry.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sonnet No. XLIII (1892-1950)
To be haunted is to glimpse a truth that might best be hidden.
—James Herbert
Her beauty climbed the rolling slope, it came into the room, rustling ghost-like through the curtains.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, Tender Is the Night, 1934
I know what a ghost is … And I know what it isn’t, too … it isn’t a scarification or a flapping sheet, so pooh and pish to all that bunkum. What’s a ghost? Unfinished business, is what.
—Salman Rushdie
Ghosts may be a part of the terror of Halloween, but our love of ghost stories betrays a far more fragile desire: that we do not fade so easily from this life.
—Katherine May
Nature is a Haunted House
but Art
a House that tries to be haunted.
—Emily Dickinson, The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson
“Go to the d—l!” said the disappointed ghost-hunter. An hour—two—rolled on, and still no spectral visitation… and when the turret-clock sounded at length the hour of three, Ingoldsby, whose patience and grog were alike exhausted, sprang from his chair, saying— “This is all infernal nonsense, my good fellow. Deuce of any ghost shall we see to-night…”
—Thomas Ingoldsby, The Spectre of Tappington, 1837
I don’t believe that ghosts are “spirits of the dead” because I don’t believe in death. In the multiverse, once you’re possible, you exist. And once you exist, you exist forever one way or another. Besides, death is the absence of life, and the ghosts I’ve met are very much alive. What we call ghosts are lifeforms just as you and I are.
—Paul F. Eno, Footsteps in the Attic, 2002
The moon is hidden behind a cloud… On the leaves is a sound of falling rain… No other sounds than these I hear; The hour of midnight must be near… So many ghosts, and forms of fright, Have started from their graves to-night, They have driven sleep from mine eyes away: I will go down to the chapel and pray.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Neighbouring Nunnery (1807-1822)
Ye who, passing graves by night, Glance not to the left nor right, Lest a spirit should arise, Cold and white, to freeze your eyes…
Nature keeps herself whole, and…. suffers no seat to be vacant in her college. It is the secret of the world that all things subsist, and do not die, but only retire a little from sight, and return again…. Nothing is dead: men feign themselves dead, and endure mock funerals and mournful obituaries, and there they stand looking out of the window, sound and well, in some new and strange disguise.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nominalist and Realist
And I saw a ghost wandering under the fading trees, still clinging to life; tired of earth, unready for heaven— I heard the quiet feet of a ghost stirring the fallen leaves, and a sigh echoing the sighing in the stripped branches.
—Dallas Kenmare Browne Kelsey (1905–1970)
I’ve always believed in the paranormal. I mean, there is a paranormal. And there are spirits. And there are ghosts. And anybody who doesn’t believe there are is being silly, because what runs this vessel is energy. And you can’t kill energy, you can only displace it. It has to go somewhere. So there are spirits, as we call them, — of course there are.
Usually, it seems, a genuine ghost is seen or heard but once or twice, and then, having accomplished its purpose, it departs to return no more. But there are plenty of well-attested cases in which a ghost attaches itself to a house or family, and keeps up its haunting for years, sometimes for centuries.
—H. Addington Bruce, Adventurings in the Psychical, 1914
At first cock-crow The ghosts must go Back to their quiet graves below.
Famous for its surreal landscapes and towering rock formations, Joshua Tree National Park may look like a photographer’s dream during the day but it takes on a spectral atmosphere at night
Joshua Tree National Park is a mystical and magical desert wonderland that’s home to a variety of hiking trails. But be warned, some of these trails are believed to be haunted by spirits from the past. If you’re a thrill-seeker or a ghost enthusiast, here are three haunted trails in Joshua Tree National Park worth checking out:
The first haunted trail is the Lost Horse Mine Trail. This trail takes you through the rugged terrain of the park and leads you to the remnants of an old gold mine. The mine is said to be haunted by the ghost of a miner who was killed in a tragic accident. Legend has it that his spirit still roams the area looking for his lost gold.
As you hike the trail, keep an eye out for strange noises and unexplained movements. Some hikers have reported feeling a cold breeze despite the hot desert temperatures. Others claim to have heard the sound of pickaxes hitting rock even though there’s no one around. The Lost Horse Mine Trail is a spooky adventure that’s not for the faint of heart.
Best Photo Spot: At the end of the trail you will find the mine and Pinto Basin. Both provide for great photo opportunities and if you’re lucky perhaps you will run into some Desert Sheep.
When to visit: The optimal time to visit Lost Horse Mine is around Halloween and during the cooler winter months. If planning to tackle this hike during the summer months would recommend arriving before dawn to avoid the higher day temperatures as there is no shade on this trail. It’s also good to arrive early due to the limited parking at the trailhead.
Plan your footwear: Light hiking shoes would be best
Where to park: Parking and the trailhead are located off Keys View Road
Next up is the Wall Street Mill Trail, a moderate hike that takes you through a historic gold-mining area. The mill was used to process gold ore and was abandoned in the 1940s. However, the spirits of the mill’s former workers are said to still linger in the area.
As you explore the mill, keep an eye out for shadowy figures or strange lights. Some hikers have reported feeling a sense of unease as if they were being watched. Others claim to have heard whispers or the sound of footsteps coming from the empty mill. The Wall Street Mill Trail is a fascinating and eerie journey through Joshua Tree’s mining history.
Best photo spot: Along the trail are some pretty cool ruins that make for interesting photo backdrops including abandoned vehicles, a windmill, and a deserted homestead.
When to visit: As this is a fairly short in and out flat trail it can be hiked year round. If you plan to visit during the summer though it’s always wise to bring plenty of water, sunscreen as well as wear sunglasses, rashguard, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Plan your footwear: Walking shoes are sufficient
Where to park: The trailhead and parking are accessible via a dirt parking lot off of Queen Valley Road
My final haunted trail is the Barker Dam Trail, a short hike that takes you to an ancient Native American water source. The trail is said to be haunted by the spirits of the Chemehuevi people who were forced out of the area by European settlers. The Chemehuevi believed that the area was sacred and that their ancestors’ spirits still reside there.
As you hike the trail, keep an eye out for strange rock formations or petroglyphs. Some hikers have reported feeling a sense of peace or reverence as if they were in the presence of something holy. Others claim to have seen ghostly apparitions or heard the sound of chanting in the distance. The Barker Dam Trail is a hauntingly beautiful hike that’s steeped in history and legend.
Where to park: You can park directly at the Barker Dam trailhead. There is ample parking here but this is the busiest parking lot at the park so it can be challenging to find a spot. To the west of the trailhead parking area is Echo T parking lot that offers alternative parking. Parking at the Echo T Connector Trail will put an extra 0.6 miles on the trail length when combined with the Barker Dam Trail loop making the total length 1.7 miles.
Joshua Tree National Park is not just a beautiful destination for hiking and outdoor activities. It’s also a hotspot for paranormal activity and ghost sightings. If you’re brave enough to explore these haunted trails you might just have an otherworldly experience that you’ll never forget.
What’s even scarier than a scary national park? Folks who leave an unwelcome mark on these precious lands! Don’t let this be you. Always leave public lands better than you found them, respect the rules of the trail (and stay on marked paths), and just generally be a good human.
Whether you’re drawn to the supernatural or simply intrigued by the unknown, Joshua Tree National Park offers natural splendor and good-natured scares.
Worth Pondering…
And I saw a ghost wandering under the fading trees, still clinging to life; tired of earth, unready for heaven— I heard the quiet feet of a ghost stirring the fallen leaves, and a sigh echoing the sighing in the stripped branches.
If you’re dreaming of where to travel to experience it all, here are my picks for the best places to RV in November
Freedom is something that dies unless it’s used.
—Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson refused to be bound by any conventions especially in his writing. As a reporter in the 1960s and ‘70s, he made no attempts at objectivity and often anointed himself a main character in narratives he was dispatched to just observe.
This quote derives from one of the last career-spanning interviews he granted, a 2003 conversation with Salon. Thompson was speaking not about how he emerged as gonzo journalism’s leading voice but about complacency in general. Exercising our liberties is how we build a better world for ourselves, our communities, and future generations.
An evolution of Urbanna Days that began in 1957, the Urbanna Oyster Festival (67th annual, November 1-2, 2024) as we know it today hosts over 50,000 people in the square mile town over two days. Visitors flock from all over to celebrate the oyster!
In 1988 it were designated as the “official” oyster festival of the Commonwealth of Virginia and maintain that title today.
Come by BOAT or come by LAND! The charming Town of Urbanna closes it’s streets for this big celebration of everything OYSTER! Its foodie heaven with over 50 food vendors and every kind of OYSTER! Raw, steamed, roasted, Rockefeller, fried, stewed, oysters in a pot pie and festival food fare like BBQ and crab bisque.
Arts and crafts, antique auto show, children’s activities, and live bands are spread throughout the town. The town marina offers historical boats and exhibits on the conservation of the Chesapeake Bay, watermen, and the oyster industry.
This celebration of one of the South’s top crops offers a unique autumn attraction for up to 75,000 attendees each year in Colfax, Louisiana. Held on the first full weekend in November (November 1-3, 2024), the Louisiana Pecan Festival typically kicks off on Friday with Children’s Day which features a petting zoo, rock walls, games, and other free family-friendly activities. Festival attendees will enjoy a parade, live music, arts and crafts booths, a cooking contest, carnival rides, and fireworks throughout the weekend.
Visitors can sample and purchase pecan specialties including pies, pralines, jams and candies as well as catch numerous live performances by the Louisiana Pecanettes dance team composed of local high schoolers. This event is also a great place to gobble goodies like funnel cakes, fried chicken and alligator on a stick from vendors.
Sedona, Arizona is a captivating destination for RVers seeking a cold-weather escape with stunning red rock landscapes. November brings cooler temperatures to the region making it an ideal time to explore the beautiful outdoors. Red Rock State Park offers a network of hiking trails that wind through the dramatic red rock formations and provide breathtaking vistas.
One of the most iconic landmarks is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a spiritual and architectural marvel built into the red rocks. The tranquility of this place is truly enchanting. To cool off visitors can head to Slide Rock State Park where natural water slides and swimming areas offer a refreshing way to enjoy the striking natural surroundings.
This California national park is a pleasure, famed for arid desert landscapes, scenic trails, Joshua trees, and even spiritual awakenings. Indeed, visiting Joshua Tree National Park in November is an excellent idea! With nice weather and fewer people, tourists can truly appreciate the breathtaking desert scenery and unique rock formations.
Visitors to Joshua Tree National Park in November can enjoy various activities including stargazing, hiking, rock climbing, and seasonal events such as the Joshua Tree Half Marathon and Thanksgiving holiday.
The park’s amazing diversity of plants and animals attracts nature enthusiasts and photographers. Another attraction is its clear night skies. Joshua Tree is an International Dark Sky Park and the November sky is ideal for seeing the stars shine brightly.
From the Chisos Mountains to the vast Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend Country is enormous. To fully experience the sprawling terrain, take a scenic drive, off-road-style. The historic 51-mile River Road in Big Bend National Park offers panoramic views of the park with rugged mountains rising above desert washes as far as the eye can see. Up for more 4×4 action? Drive two miles down a narrow gravel road then hike the half-mile trail to Langford Hot Springs where you can soak in geothermal water.
If you don’t have a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle, the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is your best bet. The 31-mile paved route connects some of the park’s most famous viewpoints.
Canyonlands National Park is one of Utah’s Mighty Five, yet it is an underrated gem. Nonetheless, its picturesque surroundings, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and lower crowds than other Utah national parks make this underrated gem worth a visit despite being an overlooked National Park for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
November is one of the least-crowded months to visit the Canyonlands. Although November may be cold with an average high of 50°F and a low of 33°F the days are ideal for outdoor adventures and exploration. Also, now is the perfect time to drive on the White Rim Road because obtaining a permit is easy.
The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the River. Each district has its own unique charm and opportunity for sightseeing and adventure. A trip to Canyonlands in November has something for everyone including driving, cycling, hiking, camping, stargazing, and ranger programs.
November is a wonderful time to visit Zion National Park. The weather during the day is ideal for outdoor activities including hiking, biking, canyoneering, and nature and wildlife photography.
With average highs of 64 degrees and lows of 37 degrees Fahrenheit, the days are warm and the mornings and evenings are chilly. This is a lovely break from the intense summer heat and the weather is just perfect for enjoying Zion’s best hikes.
Yes, the shuttle to Zion National Park operates in November but it does so less often and for fewer hours a day. There are many opportunities to see wildlife including mule deer, Bighorn sheep, and migratory birds. What more? Leaf peepers are in for a treat in November as the fall colors make the park even more eye-striking.
Socorro, New Mexico is the perfect place to visit for nature and bird-watching lovers in November. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is near the town famous for its Bosque del Apache Festival Of The Cranes each November. It is a breathtaking spectacle of nature. Thousands of sandhill cranes and geese migrate here for winter from the north.
Standing on pencil-thin legs, sandhill cranes have a captivating elegance. They spread their wings with stately grace. They dance and take flight swaying against the sky. Their large bodies are covered with brownish-gray feathers and their heads are strikingly white and red.
The colors of the feathers are not intense. Rather, they’re subdued, reminiscent of the colors of dry grasses. This is for a good reason: the bland colors of the feathers blend with the colors of the meadow making the cranes difficult to spot by a potential predator. And there are plenty of those as numerous coyotes gather in the area hoping for an easy meal.
After sunset, waves of cranes are approaching from all sides. Birds flock to the refuge’s shallow swamps to survive the night safely.
At dawn, they take flight to feed at the surrounding fields and water reservoirs.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is also worth seeing because of its hiking trails where you can spot coyotes, deer, eagles, and hawks. Best of all, Albuquerque is just a one hour drive north.
Most known for its appearance in films such as Forrest Gump (when Forrest decides he’s tired and stops running in the center of the road) and the old John Wayne cowboy flicks, the breathtaking Tsé Bii’ Ndzisgaii hasn’t changed much since the 1930s. The site holds the story of monsters who once plagued the people before the Hero Twins and female deity worked together to turn the monsters to stone—and it’s those monsters who are monuments of this gorgeous desert valley.
November is a wonderful time to stroll around Charleston—and there are plenty of special events to enjoy.
The Preservation Society of Charleston holds its annual garden and home tours from October 9 to November 2. A citywide literacy festival takes place from November 1 to 10 at various spots around the city. And the famed Farmers’ Market runs on Saturdays in November. Highly recommended indoor options include the South Carolina Aquarium and the new International African American Museum.
Worth Pondering…
In November, the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers. They know it is time to be still.
Arizona’s national parks offer more than just stunning beauty—they are filled with bizarre formations, spooky stories, and haunted histories
Although America’s many national park sites are famed for their jaw-dropping beauty, their excellent hiking, and their rich, diverse wildlife, many national park sites are known for their spooky stories. Out of all the areas in the US, the Southwest is well known for its bizarre landscapes and creepy occurrences.
From ghostly apparitions in the hills to frightening visits from otherworldly beings to the energy vortexes in places like Sedona, there’s no shortage of unusual spots in Arizona’s national parks.
In this list, you’ll find several of these strange spots found within Arizona’s national park system and other locations ranging from unusual rock formations and UFO hotspots to mysterious abandoned structures once inhabited by ancient civilizations.
Ancient mummies make this national monument extra creepy
Arizona’s best hidden gem national park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument is also a location for creepy historical happenings. With a history of human habitation that goes back 5,000 years (making it one of the longest continually inhabited locations in the US), it’s statistically likely that something creepy has happened here at some point and Canyon de Chelly does not disappoint on that front.
Mummy Cave, a key attraction in the park draws tourists from far and wide. This cave, home to some Ancestral Puebloan ruins that date back to before 1300, is an important historical site for those interested in the history of pre-Columbian North America.
Seeing the buildings nestled into the sheer cliffside is enough to engage interest but its creepy history is also a draw, too. What makes it creepy though is the two mummified bodies found in the ruins when the site was initially excavated.
Cost to enter: Free
Address: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona 86503
Why it’s strange: Ancient ruins found with mummies inside them
Located in Coconino National Forest, the stunning red rocks of Boynton Canyon hold a strange, but comforting secret. According to many who believe in New Age spirituality, this location is one of Sedona’s many energy vortex hikes.
As hikers head near the site of the vortex marked by a sign and stunning canyon views they will encounter cairns left by pilgrims as they seek out the spiritual awakening, refreshment, and healing that can be experienced here.
According to the National UFO Reporting Center, a US organization dedicated to cataloging all the UFO reports nationwide, Arizona is one of the states that have the highest counts of UFO sightings. Out of all these sites, there are few others as famous as Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest for alien encounters.
In 1975, a man named Travis Walton claimed to have been abducted by aliens within the park. Although Walton’s claims have been heavily scrutinized there are many who still believe that the desert sands of the Southwest are still visited yearly by extraterrestrial beings.
Cost to enter: Free
Address: Sitgreaves National Forest, Arizona 85928
The ruins of an ancient civilization rest at Montezuma Castle National Monument
Montezuma Castle National Monument is a place of historical beauty and strange stories. First identified by Westerners in the 1860s, this archeological site was misnamed after the Aztec emperor Montezuma II due to the misguided belief that only the peoples of Mesoamerica had created sprawling civilizations in North America. In reality, this incredible site was created by the Sinagua People who lived in central Arizona from 500 to 1425.
Today, Montezuma Castle is considered to be one of the most illustrious cliff-dwelling locations in America which is high praise considering the many cliff-dwelling spots that have been found throughout the region.
After centuries of habitation, the site was ultimately abandoned for unknown reasons perhaps linked to resource depletion or war. Visitors today can see these ruins and think back to the people who lived their lives there—and ponder the mysterious reasons why their settlement was abandoned.
Petrified tree logs from the Late Triassic are rampant throughout this national park
Petrified Forest National Park, located in northeastern Arizona lives up to its name. In this park, a unique discovery was made of a natural phenomenon that is truly incredible to behold. Amid the desert badlands and steppes of the park’s 346 square miles are thousands of petrified fallen trees.
Dating to the Late Triassic period these fossilized trees are around 225 million years old. Today, visitors can see the remains of this prehistoric forest that stands as a testament to our changing world.
Cost to enter: $15.00-$25.00
Address: Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona 86028
Why it’s strange: Fossilized trees from the Late Triassic
See some of Arizona’s strangest rock formations at Chiricahua National Monument
At Chiricahua National Monument some of Arizona’s strangest rock formations await those who venture into this arid environment. Stone hoodoo columns, boulders balanced atop one another, and winding canyons were all formed by a massive volcanic eruption 27 million years ago.
Visitors today can see these incredible rock formations along the 3.2-mile Echo Canyon Loop Trail perhaps one of the strangest hikes in America due to these stunning yet bizarre rocky structures.
Cost to enter: Free
Address: 12856 East Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox, AZ 85643
Jerome is often referred to as the “largest ghost town in America.” Today, this small Verde Valley community resembles anything but a ghost town. Revitalization efforts have transformed the tiny town into a tourist destination. Art galleries, boutiques shops, and trendy restaurants populate the area taday although ghostly legends still remain. The same eerie ghost sightings dating back decades continue to plague visitor and locals. Unlike other haunted towns where only one building is haunted, ghosts inhabit almost all of Jerome!
The most haunted building in town is the Jerome Grand Hotel, not surprisingly, as it once was a mental institution. And, if you are up for a real scare book a night in the spooky hotel (many guests get so spooked that they end up sleeping in the lobby or leaving!). Or opt for the safer route and simply dine at the hotel’s restaurant, the Asylum, which of course, goes all out in the decor department around Halloween.
Cost to enter: Free
Address: 200 Hill St, Jerome, AZ 86331
Why it’s strange: Ghost sightings
Worth Pondering…
The Arizona desert takes hold of a man’s mind and shakes it.
Sedona deserves a spot on your RV travel bucket list
When you need a break from city life, there’s no better escape than a visit to a pretty small town especially one voted among the best in the U.S.
Sedona, Arizona is a small town located 120 miles north of Phoenix that’s filled with charm and it definitely deserves a place on your travel bucket list.
Regularly described as one of America’s most beautiful places, Sedona is a town of towering red rocks, jagged sandstone buttes, and an almost always blue sky.
You’ll find endless outdoor activities here including hiking, mountain biking, and off-roading but your trip doesn’t have to be all fast-paced—Sedona is also home to chic resorts that promote meditation for a restorative vacation.
The town is also known as a powerful and spiritual place filled with vortexes, places where the Earth seems especially alive with energy and where many people who visit report feeling inspired, recharged, or uplifted.
If pleasant, mild weather, lush resort spas, outdoor adventures, and a little mystical R+R sound like the makings of an ideal getaway spot, here’s what to know about a visit to Sedona.
Many of the top things to do in Sedona involve getting out and exploring the town’s mesmerizing natural red rock formations.
Red Rock State Park is a 286-acre nature preserve and an environmental education center with stunning scenery. Trails throughout the park wind through manzanita and juniper to reach the banks of Oak Creek. Green meadows are framed by native vegetation and hills of red rock. The creek meanders through the park creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife.
One of the park’s more interesting sites is the abandoned House of Apache Fire built in 1947 situated on a hilltop commanding beautiful views. Easy hiking trails provide views out to the red rock countryside and allow for a close-up look at the House of Apache Fire. One of the more impressive views is the Seven Warriors formation seen from the Bunkhouse Trail.
The 7.5-mile Red Rock Scenic Byway often referred to as a museum without walls has tons of spectacular sights and things to do.
The Byway winds through the charming Village of Oak Creek (the historic name on some maps is Big Park) and is home to three of Sedona’s finest golf courses and two of its most famous and beautiful vortexes.
Along the way, you can also stop to hike, dine, or shop.
The route takes you to Cathedral Rock, another top spot to visit in the town. This natural wonder delivers heavenly views and a colorful sandstone palette but it’s also one of the most well-known vortexes in Sedona.
A hike to the top of the rock takes about an hour and can be strenuous so be sure to wear proper hiking attire.
Devil’s Bridge is a must-see on everyone’s Sedona bucket list. Formed by wind and weather erosion, it’s the largest natural sandstone arch in the Sedona area. As such, it is one of the busiest hiking trails in Sedona. According to visitors, the parking lot fills up before 7 am on most days. To avoid parking hassles, hop on the Sedona Shuttle.
Several trails allow you to find unobstructed views of the night sky. One of the best is the Aerie Trailhead where you can get breathtaking views of the stars and cosmos over Sedona’s famous red rock formations.
Tip: Arrive before sunset to view the changing landscape with the cockscomb formation at twilight.
Sedona, Arizona is widely known as a spiritual wellness destination with several vortexes in the town believed to emit energy and act as a portal for celestial and terrestrial spirits.
Some believe that vortexes are places where the Earth emits an energy that fosters healing, meditation, and self-exploration. Though all of Sedona is considered to be a vortex, there are certain areas where the energy is said to be the strongest. Many past visitors have claimed to feel tingly sensations while hiking here; others have felt nothing.
Sedona is home to several vortex sites. One of the most well-known and powerful vortexes can be found at Bell Rock a towering red rock formation that’s said to be associated with masculine energy.
According to Visit Sedona visitors often report feeling energized and motivated at Bell Rock.
“It’s a place where you might feel more focused and ready to take on challenges. Many people hike to Bell Rock to experience its uplifting energy.”
Another well-known vortex is Cathedral Rock, a natural wonder said to embody feminine energy which is associated with emotions, intuition, and receptivity and can promote compassion, self-care, and emotional healing.
People often visit Cathedral Rock for meditation and self-reflection. It’s a place where you might feel a sense of inner peace and emotional balance with the tranquil surroundings and breathtaking views contributing to a feeling of serenity.
Other vortexes you can visit in Sedona include the Airport Mesa, a hiking trail where you can discover beautiful views and which is said to have balanced energy (masculine and feminine), Boynton Canyon which is said to have majestic energy, and The Chapel of the Holy Cross which is said to have sacred and tranquil energy.
Some resorts in Sedona allow you to stay right by the vortexes and continue your journey of well-being. The Enchantment Resort is set within Boynton Canyon offering mountain biking and hiking, a first-class on-site spa, and panoramic views of the red rock scenery.
The LAuberge de Sedona which has been named one of the best resorts in the state is inspired by Sedona’s power to create change and offers focused healing, mindful dining, and metaphysically immersive experiences.
Sedona offers mild weather year-round with average highs of 59 degrees F in January and 64 in February. The evenings are nippy, just cold enough to make cozying up with a hot drink enjoyable.
The area can also get snow with the white stuff occasionally dusting the upper reaches of the surrounding mesas and mountains in a most picturesque fashion.
Visiting in winter allows you to take in Christmas displays and festive holiday events like the Festival of Lights and even enjoy winter activities like outdoor skating.
However, travel guides say the best time to visit Sedona is from March to May when temperatures are warm but not scorching and the area is fully in bloom.
September to November is another nice time to visit, especially if outdoor activities are on your itinerary, as the months offer milder weather.
Sedona is a beautiful year-round RV destination with natural rock formations, cliffs, and unforgettable views. RVing to Sedona is perhaps the most convenient and memorable way to see all that this magical red rock city and the surrounding Verde Valley has to offer.
I have personally visited each of these parks and recommend them for visiting Sedona and other communities in the Verde Valley—Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Jerome, and Clarkdale.
Verde Ranch Resort, Camp Verde
Verde Ranch RV Resort is a new RV park that offers 389 full hookup RV sites with 30/50 amp service and cable TV, 14 furnished vacation rental cottages including studio, one- and two- bedroom options; and Glamping options including Conestoga Wagons and Luxury Safari Tents. There is a variety of amenities for guests such as a clubhouse, convenience store, pool, hot tubs, pickleball courts, playground, dogpark, and more.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park, Cottonwood
There are more than 100 large RV sites available. For after-hours arrivals, vacant sites may be occupied on a night-by-night basis only. Most of the pull-through sites can accommodate 40-foot motorhomes and truck and trailer rigs up to 65 feet and include potable water and 30/50-amp service. Generators are prohibited.
Verde Valley RV Camping/Thousand Trails Verde Valley, Cottonwood
Verde Valley RV Camping is a scenic RV campground in Arizona best known for its expansive desert and mountain backdrops. Situated on the Verde River, this 300-acre oasis in the high desert of Arizona is surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Red Rocks to the north, Mingus Mountains to the west, Hackberry Mountains to the south, and adjacent to beautiful Alcantara Vineyards.
Overlooking Tuzigoot National Monument and Verde River, Rain Spirit RV Resort is a new park with 63 full-service sites including 30/50-amp electric service, cable TV, and Internet. Amenities include private restroom/showers, fitness room, laundry facilities, recreation room, library lounge, pool and spa, and dog run. This 5-star resort is a great home base from which to explore the historic town of Jerome, Sedona Red Rock Country, Old Town Cottonwood, and book an excursion on the Verde Valley Railway.
Distant Drums RV Resort, Camp Verde
Distant Drum RV Resort is conveniently located along I-17 (Exit 289) across the Interstate from Castle Cliff Casino and a short distance from Montezuma Castle National Monument. The interior roads and sites are paved and the park is well maintained but many sites are not level. The park features 157 spacious RV sites with concrete pads. Each site comes with full hookups, including 30/50 amp electrical service, cable TV, and Wi-Fi throughout the park. All brand new amenities include an events center, lending library, heated pool and Jacuzzi, laundry facilities, exercise room, spacious dog run, and country store.
Tired of the same old travel plans? Looking for unusual places to visit? Here are the best road trip options for weird and unusual attractions.
When you’ve been RVing as long as we have, you start to tire of the same old mainstream destinations and you realize how many weird, unusual, and interesting places there are to see across the country.
There’s a lot! So much so that I could devote numerous articles on unique places to visit!
So, I decided to round up the best of the best. They just might inspire your next RV road trip!
La Conner is a charming fishing town on the Skagit River in northwestern Washington. As one of the best hidden travel gems in the US, this town is filled with quaint hotels and arts and crafts stores. It also offers gorgeous views of the surrounding nature.
Visit quirky shops. One of the best things to do in La Conner is to go antiquing. There are dozens of antique shops both in the town center and a short drive into the countryside and you can find some beautiful, funky, and crazy pieces of old-time furniture and memorabilia.
Every year, normally in April, Skagit Valley hosts the tulip festival. It is an absolutely beautiful event to see. The fields surrounding La Conner and beyond are filled with thousands of tulips in almost every color that you can possibly imagine. For a small entrance fee, you can walk the fields and purchase very inexpensive tulips.
Insider Tip: Don’t miss the scenic 21-mile Chaukanut Drive either to or from La Conner. You’d be driving along the Pacific Ocean with absolutely gorgeous views of mountains, trees, and water. There are also some great seafood restaurants along this drive.
A hidden town steeped in nature, Redding is one of the most unique places to travel in the U.S. This city in Northern California is home to two volcanos, six waterfalls, the largest man-made lake in the state, and some caverns. Unless you’re from California, you may have never even heard of Redding, making it one of the best hidden vacation spots in the U.S.
Redding is at the northern end of California’s large Central Valley just south of Shasta Lake. It can be a great base for seeing the nearby Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen has a number of volcanos including the majestic Mount Lassen. You can take a number of hikes there including a trek along Kings Creek to a waterfall.
There’s an easy one-day driving loop from Redding that will take you to five waterfalls including McArthur-Burney Falls which was called the Eighth Wonder of the World by Theodore Roosevelt. While it’s not the tallest of California’s waterfalls, it might just be the most beautiful one.
Insider Tip: An easy half-day trip from Redding will get you a tour of the beautiful Lake Shasta Caverns which includes a boat trip on Shasta Lake. There are also plenty of other things to do in Redding and the area definitely deserves at least a 3-day visit.
The Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Basin (ACE Basin) is a giant wetland ecosystem located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. The ACE Basin consists of approximately 350,000 acres of diverse habitats including pine and hardwood uplands, forested wetlands, fresh, brackish and salt water tidal marshes, barrier islands and beaches.
There are beachside campsites at Edisto Beach State Park and the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge offers a chance to see bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and American alligators.
Insider Tip: Take a step back in time at Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve in the ACE Basin. The 4,600-acre preserve includes almost three miles of undeveloped, breathtaking beachfront that you’ll never forget. Botany Bay is very accessible; you can tour most of the property in half a day or less.
Simply pick up a free self-guided driving tour guide at the information kiosk and you’re on your way. The 6.5-mile route begins along a magnificent avenue of oaks interspersed with loblolly pine and cabbage palmetto, the state tree. Look for colonies of resurrection fern growing on the spreading oak limbs. After a rain, the leaves of the resurrection ferns turn a beautiful bright green.
Not a common place you would hear when asking for advice as to where to go when visiting the U.S. However, due to the excitement that the New River Gorge has brought, people have been driving in droves to experience it first-hand.
The New River Gorge has become famous for rafting while enjoying the scenic view that the river’s surroundings offer. Of course, you have options other than rafting if it does not fit your fancy. There are tours offering horseback riding and hiking in true outdoor spirit.
It also has something for art contemporaries. It should be a given considering the rich cultural history that surrounded the state in the past.
Insider Tip: Bridge Day is West Virginia’s largest single-day festival and one of the largest extreme sports events in the world. Held annually every third Saturday in October (October 19, 2024) on the New River Gorge Bridge, this is the only day each year thousands of spectators can walk across the bridge and watch as serious BASE jumpers get their chance to fly 876 feet into the Gorge below and rappellers ascend and descend from the catwalk.
Enjoy the view from the bridge, one of the best overlooks in the New River Gorge. 2024 marks the 45th anniversary of Bridge Day!
Located at in the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region between Manchester and the White Mountains, Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in New Hampshire and the third-largest lake in New England. The lake is 69 square miles altogether—21 miles long and one to nine miles wide. Its home to more than 250 islands and has 200 miles of shoreline.
In short, this lake is massive. The eight small towns surrounding Lake Winnipesaukee include Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonborough, Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, Alton, Gilford, and Laconia. Additionally, there are some inhabited islands like Bear Island and Governors Island.
Many of the top things to do in Lake Winnipesaukee are about enjoying the lake in the summer. There are lake cruises, jet-ski rentals, and plenty of beaches to relax on. But you’ll also find plenty of museums, breweries, wineries, and shops to enjoy.
Insider Tip: Lake Winnipesaukee is home to a truly unique lake cruise: the M / V Sophie C, an actual working mailboat and the oldest floating post office in the United States. The boat travels from Weirs Beach to the islands of Lake Winnipesaukee delivering mail to their residents. And passengers can join for the ride. On a cruise, you’ll visit a handful of islands and drop off and pick up the mail. Passengers can also fill out postcards, write letters, and mail them with a collectible stamp during the cruise.
Snow Canyon State Park is filled with great hiking, beautiful Navajo sandstone formations, ancient lava rock (basalt), and out-of-this-world views. Cut by water, sculpted by wind and time, Snow Canyon’s Navajo sandstone cliffs share the same history and geology as Zion National Park to the east. You may find yourself wondering why it isn’t a national park.
As recently as 27,000 years ago lava flows exerted their powerful force reshaping the canyons and creating the park’s distinctive landscapes. The blend of Navajo sandstone cliffs, petrified sand dunes, and broad lava fields make this terrain a fantastic playground for both adventurous travelers and families looking to give kids an outlet to expend some of their boundless energy.
Snow Canyon State Park is one of those state parks often overlooked by people touring Utah. While Utah is obviously known for The Mighty Five and as a prime destination for winter recreation as well, there are also 43 state parks. Many of these parks are just as majestic as the national parks but without the crowds. Also, state parks are generally dog friendly.
There are more than 38 miles of hiking trails, excellent biking trails, opportunities for technical climbing, and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails.
Insider Tip: Hiking is the prime activity in the canyon. As soon as you drive in, you can quickly see why. Gorgeous red and white sandstone streaks together with black lava flows spilling along the canyon floor create a perfect playground for exploring on foot. Along with slot canyons to enter and lava tubes to explore, the sweeping vistas and overlooks might have you grabbing for your camera. You’ll need more than one day to do a thorough job of exploring the park’s 18 hiking trails
The Lava Flow Trail, also known as the Lava Tubes is a 2.5 mile, family-friendly trail that takes you back in time. The trail takes you past three lava cave entrances. Entering the caves can be a little dangerous as it can get dark and slippery at times. There is a dedicated parking for the trail head.
Once in a lifetime, if one is lucky, one so emerges with sunshine and air and running water that whole eons might pass in a single afternoon without notice.
Representing a diverse array of landscapes, America’s newest national parks are located across five different states. Here’s what you can expect from each one.
Established by the U.S. Congress and maintained by the National Park Service (NPS), the nation’s 63 national parks are protected areas of national significance. They represent diverse ecosystems with exceptional natural beauty.
National parks have been set aside for everyone to enjoy and they are subject to different rules and regulations than other types of public land.
They encompass all types of terrain including mountains, valleys, deserts, forests, volcanoes—even rivers. And while you may already be familiar with some of the country’s most popular national parks (like the Grand Canyon, Zion, and the Great Smoky Mountains), the five newest national parks established between 2013 and 2020 are just as spectacular—and definitely worth a visit.
What are the five newest national parks?
The country’s newest national parks stretch from sea to shining sea. Here they are from most recent to least:
Known for its deep canyons and rugged, whitewater river, America’s newest national park—New River Gorge—is easily reachable from Interstates I-64 and I-79 and encompasses 70,000 acres of wooded, mountainous terrain, and waterfalls.
Trails wind through old mining towns that tell the story of Appalachia. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, world-class whitewater rafting, and tubing down the New River.
Home to white-tailed deer, black bears, snakes, turtles, salamanders, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons, the park gets quite crowded in the summer but it experiences a more leisurely pace in the autumn when the changing leaves create stunning landscapes.
Don’t miss the park’s most iconic landmark—a mile-long steel arch bridge that spans the New River; it’s the longest in the western hemisphere and is viewable from the Canyon Rim Visitors’ Center—there’s even a wheelchair-accessible viewing deck that, on clear days, affords a glimpse deep into the gorge.
Located in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, White Sands‘ otherworldly landscape positively shimmers with each gust of wind as nearly three hundred square miles of white gypsum dunes shape-shift to spectacular effect. The best time to visit the area is at sunrise or sunset when the dunes take on bold red and orange hues.
Even in this harsh environment, you’ll find that life abounds—if you know where to find it. The park is home to jackrabbits, bobcats, frogs, salamanders, rattlesnakes, lizards, and box turtles, even white animal species that have evolved to blend in with the desert.
Visitors can explore the stark landscape themselves on foot, through a ranger-led hike, or even by backcountry camping. The park extends its hours during full moons in the summer and offers free live music and artistic performances in its amphitheater.
But perhaps the coolest way to experience the dunes is to sled down them: You can pack your own sled or for around $25 (or $15 used), you can purchase a plastic saucer at the visitor center.
Less than an hour’s drive from Chicago, Indiana Dunes is located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world.
More suburban than other wilderness areas, Indiana Dunes features 15 miles of coastline and 50 miles of trails that traverse a range of habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and wildflower-filled prairies.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit to avoid the throngs of people—over two million visitors enjoy this park each year, rivaling it in popularity to Yosemite.
Activities include hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, swimming, and fishing on the lake or along the Calumet River but the park is best known for its birdwatching opportunities as the area is an important resting spot for more than 350 species of migratory fowl.
Next to the Mississippi River in the heart of St. Louis, Gateway Arch is a 91-acre urban park that features the iconic Gateway Arch (the park’s namesake) which was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1965 to symbolize the “Gateway to the West.”
The grounds also encompass the Old Courthouse where pivotal Dred Scott slavery trials took place before the Civil War and a museum with exhibits detailing the history of American westward expansion. For a unique perspective of the famous Arch, you can hop aboard a riverboat cruise which also departs from the park.
But the park’s most popular attraction is the Arch itself—visitors can even go to the top of the 630-foot Arch via a 4-minute tram ride ($15 for adults). The topside viewing area offers panoramic vistas of downtown and the Mississippi River.
Winter is the best time to visit as the weather is usually mild and there’s little to no wait to take the tram to the top of the arch.
Less than 100 miles from San Francisco and due west of the San Andreas Fault, the land that makes up Pinnacles National Park was formed from the remnants of ancient volcanoes millions of years ago and continues to be shaped by tectonic forces.
Within this landscape of chaparral and canyons, visitors can explore striking geological wonders including rock formations and hidden caves. Camping, hiking, and rock climbing terrain are especially popular as well as stargazing amongst its exceptionally clear skies.
Birdwatchers won’t want to miss the Condor Gulch Trail where 200 species of birds can be seen soaring above the cliffs from condors to prairie falcons, swallows, and even golden eagles.
With the extreme summertime heat—temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer in July and August—visiting the park during the fall, winter, or spring months is recommended.
The National Park Service was formed by the Organic Act of 1916 although the country’s first national park, Yellowstone, was established nearly half a century before that, in 1872.
Through writing, painting, and photography, preservationists like John Muir, Nathaniel P. Langford, and Thomas Moran, among others, raised public awareness of these breathtaking areas in order to protect them from being developed in the 19th century. Between 1901 and 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt set aside 230 million acres of public lands that would later be designated as national parks, including:
In 1983, writer Wallace Stegner called the concept of the National Parks “America’s best idea” because they were inclusive spaces that unified people from all walks of life—something everyone could be proud of.
Worth Pondering…
National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.
From the river to the rails, Clarkdale abounds with awe-inspiring landscapes and small town charm that will make your visit unforgettable
Nestled in the stunning Verde Valley of north-central Arizona, the town of Clarkdale shines like a true Arizona gem teeming with world-class attractions. Skip the crowds and plan for a true Arizona adventure in red rock country.
Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the area that is now Clarkdale was inhabited by early Indigenous peoples including the Southern Sinagua.
In 1912, William A. Clark founded the town of Clarkdale as a model company town for his United Verde Copper Company Smelter and employees.
The United Verde Copper Company’s Smelter was the main economic engine of Clarkdale. The company operated a large copper mine in the nearby town of Jerome and built a smelter in Clarkdale to process the copper ore. The smelter operated more than 45 years providing jobs and economic growth for the town.
Clark died in 1925. In 1929 copper prices fell sharply and continued to fall resulting in the complete shutdown of the mine and smelter in 1931. In 1935 mining and smelting resumed and the United Verde was sold to the Phelps Dodge Corporation.
In the late 1940s, the minable copper in Jerome began to run out. Phelps Dodge closed the United Verde Copper Company mine and smelter in 1951 and many residents left the town to find work at other Phelps Dodge holdings in Arizona.
Clarkdale had been incorporated in 1957 and was on the rebound with the opening of the Phoenix Cement Plant which was built to supply cement for Northern Arizona’s Glen Canyon Dam. The empty homes left behind by smelter workers were sold to retirees and a new generation of families employed by the cement plant and cement transport business.
Today, Clarkdale is known for the Verde Canyon Railroad, Tuzigoot National Monument, outdoor recreational opportunities, well-preserved historic homes and buildings, and small-town charm.
Verde Canyon Railroad
Hop aboard the historic Verde Canyon Railroad to take in a different perspective of the river and canyon. A sight seeing adventure through rugged terrain featuring red rock pinnacles and flowing water through an unspoiled canyon will leave you breathless. The renovated vintage train provides comfortable seating with access to open-air viewing cars for a more intimate look at the breathtaking scenery and fresh canyon air.
The four-hour nature ride on Verde Canyon Railroad into Arizona’s other Grand Canyon is an unforgettable adventure. Captivating panoramic views are revealed in every direction. Take advantage of the outdoor viewing platforms while enjoying the canyon sun.
Just two miles from the center of downtown Clarkdale is Tuzigoot National Monument where you can explore the legacy of ancient peoples in an ancient 110-room hilltop pueblo. The monument sits high atop the Verde Valley and is a striking piece of history that still stands strong. Discover endless views of varying desert habitats and learn about the Sinaguan people and see a collection of artifacts at the museum.
Tavasci Marsh
A part of Tuzigoot National Monument designated as an Audobon Important Birding Area, Tavasci Marsh is one-of-a-kind birding and hiking experience. The marsh itself is quite large and you can hike around approximately 2/3 of it with no trouble at all. It varies from tall grass/reed marsh to Cottonwood stands.
Birds you might see in the area include Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Belted Kingfisher, Brewer’s Sparrow, Clapper Rail, and the Cordilleran Flycatcher.
Two easy access points to the Verde River makes activities on and along the river one of Clarkdale’s biggest draws. As one of the last perennial flowing rivers in Arizona it is a treasured desert riparian habitat. Kayaking, canoeing, fly fishing, picnicking, birding, and hiking all provide fun experiences for the whole family.
Sycamore Canyon
For those who want to venture further into the wild, Clarkdale is the gateway to Sycamore Canyon. The 21-mile long scenic canyon reaches a maximum width of about 7 miles. For those who really want to get away from it all, the wilderness provides a tranquil setting for nature lovers, citizen scientists, and birders.
To enter Sycamore Canyon follow Sycamore Canyon Road north from town. The wilderness area encompasses the second largest canyon in Arizona’s red rock country. A lesser known but equally scenic cousin of Oak Creek Canyon, Sycamore Canyon Wilderness contains more than 50,000 acres of colorful cliffs, soaring pinnacles, and one of the world’s rarest habitats, a desert riparian area.
Hiking
AllTrails has selected 13 of the best scenic trails in the Clarkdale area. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Explore one of six easy hiking trails in Clarkdale or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Check out some trails with historic sights or adventure through the nature areas surrounding Clarkdale that are perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts at any skill level.
Follow the story of copper around the world and back again at the Arizona Copper Art Museum in downtown Clarkdale. Long before copper was used to power our modern world it had many uses as the world’s most beautiful metal. This one-of-a-kind museum combines history and artifacts into truly dazzling displays; you won’t look at copper the same again after visiting.
Featuring exhibits of copper art and collections for study which were made by coppersmiths, soldier artists, and braziers many of whom were masters in their trade. Artifacts displayed have an emphasis on American and European works-of-art from the 16th to 21st century.
The affinities and history of copper is also featured and is very fascinating bringing forth forgotten stories, legends, and mysteries. The museum’s collection is the largest return of copper back to both Clarkdale and the Copper State.
The history and charm of downtown Clarkdale is not just for the nostalgic as it is a thriving community filled with growing families and retirees. The local block parties showcase the spirit that living in Clarkdale inspires. The town park with its iconic gazebo is the perfect setting for festivals, free summer concerts, and seasonal celebrations where visitors can join in the activities.
Clarkdale Historic District
The well preserved Main Street and residential areas are noteworthy to history and architecture buffs. Clarkdale also boasts 387 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Strolling through the historic townsite you will be inspired by the bungalows and cottages that are lovingly kept. To dive deeper into this important copper mining smelter town, a visit to the Clarkdale Historical Society will bring the town’s dynamic past to life.
The Clarkdale Historic District was added to the National Registrar in 1998. The district includes 50 blocks of the original town site founded in 1912. Clarkdale is one of the first master-planned communities in Arizona built to provide housing and amenities for employees of the copper mines in Jerome and the newly constructed smelter in Clarkdale. Today, these historic buildings anchor a vibrant downtown and house an eclectic mix of businesses.
Uncork something delicious at one of Clarkdale’s growing and acclaimed wineries and breweries. Situated right in the heart of the Verde Valley Wine Region, Clarkdale is a hidden gem offering delectable wines not to be missed. A few dedicated eateries serve up a variety of options ranging from a classic french patisserie to a casual Main Street cafe to Mexican fare.
The Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College is a premier wine industry and community resource offering a comprehensive hands-on education from vineyard-to-bottle with programs in enology, viticulture, and business/entrepreneurship.
Smelter Town Brewery
Smelter Town Brewery serves up finely crafted beers, brewed on-site. With each innovative beer poured, Smelter Town Brewery remembers the commitment, creativity, and passion that goes into the craftsmanship of brewing. Located in the same building as the Park Hotel, this brewery offers a great atmosphere, knowledgable staff, and live music.
Violette’s Bakery Café is the finest little French bakery in the Verde Valley. Here you will find the best French pastries outside of Europe. Get your croissant and coffee fix and check out the beautiful daily breakfast, brunch and lunch specials served all day in this outdoor cafe. Serving up classics such as Croque Monsieur, crepes, baguettes, and Belgian waffle sandwiches there’s something to delight every palette here.
Regional Attractions
National and state parks, monuments, and wilderness areas are all within an easy driving distance of Clarkdale.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Located 34 minutes southeast of Clarkdale and established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape. Admission into Tuzigoot will also get you into this National Monument on the same ticket.
Located 29 minutes northeast of Clarkdale, Red Rock State Park is a 286 acre nature preserve and environmental education center with stunning scenery. Trails throughout the park wind through manzanita and juniper to reach the rich banks of Oak Creek. Green meadows are framed by native vegetation and hills of red rock. The creek meanders through the park, creating a diverse riparian habitat abounding with plants and wildlife. This riparian habitat provides the setting and the opportunity for the park to offer a focus on environmental education.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
Located 10 minutes southeast of Clarkdale, a scenic park that belies its ominous name and is best known for bird watching, camping, canoeing, hiking, and horseback riding. Dead Horse Ranch State Park is located adjacent to and across the Verde River from the community of Cottonwood.
Old Town Cottonwood
Located 5 minutes southeast, Old Town Cottonwood is located in the heart of the Verde Valley Wine Country and known for its Main Street with over 60 businesses including wine and spirit tasting rooms, cafes and restaurants, shopping, historic and natural attractions.
Located 12 minutes to the southwest, Clarkdale’s sister town of Jerome is a popular tourist and artist hub with a population of around 450 people. Jerome resides above what was once the largest copper mine in Arizona which was producing an astonishing 3 million pounds of copper per month. Today the mines may be silent but Jerome has found new life as the largest ghost town in America.
Located 33 minutes northeast of Clarkdale, Sedona is known worldwide for its colorful, surreal red rock formations which you can explore via Jeep tours or hiking. You’ll hear about the five vortexes—areas in the red rocks that are said to possess increased electric and magnetic energy and that can imbue calming and euphoric feelings in people who visit the sites. The stone ruins and petroglyphs left by the Sinagua people between 1100-1400 show Anglos were far from the first to settle here in 1876.
Shoppers delight in the many local boutiques and art galleries in town and anglers rave about the challenging trout in upper Oak Creek. Located 40 minutes northeast of Clarkdale, Oak Creek Canyon is is a spectacular 16-mile gorge with streams and waterfalls between sheer rock walls.
Fort Verde State Historic Park
Located 35 minutes to the southeast of Clarkdale, Fort Verde State Historic Park is where you can experience life through the eyes of a frontier soldier. The park is the best-preserved example of an Indian Wars period fort in Arizona.
Today visitors can experience three historic house museums all furnished in the 1880s period that are listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places. Visit the Visitor Center with interpretive exhibits, period artifacts from military life, and history on the Indian Scouts and Indian Wars era.
Rain Spirit RV Resort offers spectacular views of Tuzigoot, the Verde River, Jerome, Sycamore Canyon, and the Verde Canyon Railroad Train. Rain Spirit features 63 sites, big rigs are welcome, setting up a motorhome or trailer is easy with wide paved roads.
To my mind these live oak-dotted hills fat with side oats grama, these pine-clad mesas spangled with flowers, these lazy trout streams burbling along under great sycamores and cottonwoods, come near to being the cream of creation.
How to avoid damage to your RV electrical system and components
Technology marches on even in the world of recreational vehicles. Full-featured motorized and towable RVs have become increasingly sophisticated over the years. Large-screen entertainment systems with surround sound, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi capability, and satellite or streaming connections are becoming the norm. Big residential refrigerators and multiple air conditioners are commonly incorporated. The evolution of digital technology has brought us multiplex wiring systems that communicate with and control a large array of components.
One thing these amenities have in common is the need for electricity to operate but not just any electricity will do. They all require a steady supply of clean electricity with voltage, frequency, and true sine waves that conform to standards. If you throw in a few power supply anomalies, the lifespan of some of these components may shorten quickly.
While the electrical systems in recreational vehicles have become more sophisticated the same cannot always be said for campground power sources. As RV parks evolved many added new RV sites and upgraded from 30-amp to 50-amp power pedestals.
However, the infrastructure to support the additional requirements hasn’t always kept up with demand and maintenance is sometimes an issue. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been to an RV park where the circuit breaker on the pedestal tripped prematurely.
Breakers have a limit in terms of the number of times they can be switched on and off; eventually, they weaken and may trip prematurely. Loose connections at the terminal lugs inside the pedestal can cause more issues resulting in low voltage, open neutral, hot legs, etc.
Every RV owner should have some sort of power protection device to prevent damage. Surge protector is a commonly used term to describe these power protection devices although they generally guard against much more than power surges. Let’s first define these damaging elements.
Surges and spikes both refer to excessively high voltage also called transient voltage that occurs in a power line. Voltage is to electricity as water pressure is to your fresh-water system. Your RV is designed to use a standard 120-volt electrical system. Higher voltage (pressure) can damage your electrical system just as higher water pressure can burst water lines or hoses.
Think of a filament in a light bulb that pops when too much voltage is received. Apply that to tech devices and it becomes more expensive than simply replacing a light bulb. A surge is transient voltage that lasts for three nanoseconds or more. In the case of a spike, the increased voltage lasts only one or two nanoseconds.
This is where surge protectors come in. A metal oxide varistor commonly known as an MOV will act as a shunt to divert electricity to ground whenever the incoming voltage is excessive. An MOV looks like a small disc and consists of metal oxide sandwiched between two semiconductor layers. Each layer has a wire lead with one wire connected to the incoming power and the other connected to ground.
The MOV acts as a variable resistor. When the incoming voltage is within specifications the MOV has a high resistance and the incoming power passes it by withoutaffecting the MOV. However, when the voltage exceeds the maximum tolerance level of the MOV it will go to low resistance and the current will flow through the MOV to ground dampening the surge or spike and protecting your RV from a damaging increase in voltage. Think of it as a safety valve on an air compressor that bleeds off excessive air pressure.
Surges and spikes are rated in joules. One joule is the amount of energy that is released in one second when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm. In other words the bigger the surge the higher the number of joules. So, be sure to search for a surge protector with the highest possible rating in joules. The higher the rating the greater the level of protection.
If a surge is significant enough in intensity or duration, it may exceed the capacity of your surge protector. In that case, the MOVs will destroy themselves while attempting to save the electrical system. These self-sacrificing MOVs will then need to be replaced to restore surge protection. Some units may need to be returned to the factory for repair while others are capable of being serviced in the field with a simple plug-in circuit board swap.
A 15-amp, 20-amp, or 30-amp pedestal has three conductors—a hot, a neutral, and a ground. If the neutral conductor has a break someplace you will have an open circuit and you won’t have any power to the RV. A 50-amp receptacle has four conductors—two hots (commonly known as L1 and L2), one neutral, and one ground. Alternating current follows the path of least resistance.
Ohm’s law is E=IR which is defined as voltage equals current times resistance. In a nutshell, if you double your resistance you can double your voltage and keep the same current flow (amperage). You can have a 5-amp load on the L1 phase and another 5-amp load on the L2 phase and the current will flow between L1 and L2 without any current flow on the neutral wire.
But if you have 30 amps on one hot pole of a 50-amp supply and 20 amps on the other pole, the two phases will not be in balance; the excess (10 amps) will flow down the neutral conductor. If the neutral conductor fails you will have an open neutral. This will cause 240 volts to pass between the two hot phases because the resistance in each phase is not equal. Those 240 volts will destroy any electrical component in their path.
Skipping this math, the important thing to remember is that an open neutral can be disastrous to your electrical system because of the presence of 240 volts on 120-volt electrical components.
A good surge protector will stop the incoming power if the voltage drops below set parameters. That will protect your RV from damage but it also leaves you without power. You may be able to run the generator but that consumes fuel, makes noise, and might not be allowed in certain RV parks.
Another option is a voltage booster such as the 30-amp and 50-amp models available from Hughes Autoformers. The Autoformer monitors incoming voltage. If the voltage is 115 volts or higher, it passes through with a 2 percent boost. If the voltage drops to 113 volts or lower, the Autoformer will boost the voltage by 10 percent. This can allow you to operate with pedestal voltages as low as 95 volts by boosting it to 104 volts or better, depending on the incoming voltage.
If the voltage drops below 95 volts, the Autoformer won’t be able to boost the voltage to an acceptable level but these conditions are rare. Most voltage drops are marginal and the Autoformer just might make the difference between having power or not having power to your RV.
While the Autoformer does have surge protection, it does not guard against excessively high or extremely low voltages so it should be used in conjunction with an auto-shutoff surge protector. In that case, the Autoformer should be used in line ahead of the surge protector; otherwise, the surge protector will cut off the incoming voltage and prevent the Autoformer from boosting voltage. In other words, the Autoformer should be connected to the pedestal with the surge protector next in line and then the RV.
Another problem occurs when an RV park power pedestal supplies continually high voltage that exceeds the maximum allowed. This can be caused by a utility transformer set too high to provide for long runs to a campground that has power pedestals spread over a large area and an inadequately designed electrical grid. This scenario isn’t as common as low voltage but it does exist. In our 25+ years of RV camping we have experienced this issue on two occasions.
As noted, you are more likely to encounter low voltage at the pedestal. Numerous RV parks have added sites over the years or upgraded from 30-amp to 50-amp pedestals. But a campground’s electrical grid may not have been designed for an increased load. Once guests roll in during the middle of the afternoon on a hot summer day and start switching on their air conditioners, the pedestal voltage drops as the demand for more power increases throughout the park.
Electrical components are rated in wattage which is a true measurement of power. Wattage equals voltage multiplied by amperage. Current is measured in amps. Each conductor is rated for a maximum amperage and excess amperage causes heat to build up due to the resistance in the circuit which is why circuits utilize fuses or circuit breakers for over-current protection. Wattage is always constant so when the voltage drops amperage increases.
For example, if a 120-volt air conditioner is designed to pull 20 amps as a starting surge it will pull 24 amps if the voltage drops to 100 volts. The excessive amperage caused by low voltage will increase heat in the wires and eventually damage your compressor motor or capacitors. Other electrical components can be damaged in the same manner.
Choosing a protection device
As noted earlier, the term surge protector tends to be used generically and may not properly describe what the device does. A surge protector guards against surges and spikes but many units do more than that. Because you are more apt to have issues caused by low voltage than by a surge, it’s important to check the specifications as to what types and levels of protection each device offers.
Not all surge protectors perform to the same level. If you want a unit that will adequately protect your RV from surges and spikes look for one rated at 3,000 joules or better. Devices that meet or exceed that level of protection are available from various manufacturers among them Hughes Autoformers, Progressive Industries, and Southwire (Surge Guard).
Some units are portable while others are made to be hardwired into your RV. A portable unit generally will hang on the power pedestal and can be moved from one RV to another. However, portable units are exposed to the weather and potential theft. Hardwired units are mounted inside the RV and thus protected from the elements and theft. They do require installation although that’s normally just a matter of splicing into the incoming shore power cord inside the RV.
Many units have a remote display that can be mounted inside the RV. The unit may display voltage, amperage, and any error messages that occur. The remote display generally communicates to the surge protector by way of a four-conductor phone cable or via Bluetooth; the latter would be required for a portable unit.
Remember: You don’t want a surge protector that just handles surges because you also need to monitor voltage levels. Standard tolerances on 120-volt appliances and components are plus or minus 10 percent which gives you a safe operating range of between 108 and 132 volts.
RV surge protectors that have voltage-monitoring capabilities typically lower the minimum voltage by a few volts to allow for temporary voltage dips when heavy loads are applied to a 50-amp power source. So, it’s not uncommon to see units with low-voltage cutout values down to 102 volts. If the voltage exceeds the maximum or drops below the minimum, the device will disconnect voltage from the RV to prevent damage.
Reverse polarity, miswired pedestals, and open neutrals are real dangers as well. The surge protection device you choose should be capable of disrupting power to the RV should any of these conditions exist. Some sort of notification is also necessary so you know why the power has been shut off. This can be as simple as a few illuminated LEDs on the device itself or it can be a digital display either on the surge protector mounted inside the RV or on a smartphone via a Bluetooth app.
Voltage boosters
A good surge protector will stop the incoming power if the voltage drops below set parameters. That will protect your RV from damage but it also leaves you without power. You may be able to run the generator but that consumes fuel, makes noise, and might not be allowed in certain RV parks.
Another option is a voltage booster such as the 30-amp and 50-amp models available from Hughes Autoformers. The Autoformer monitors incoming voltage. If the voltage is 115 volts or higher it passes through with a 2 percent boost. If the voltage drops to 113 volts or lower, the Autoformer will boost the voltage by 10 percent. This can allow you to operate with pedestal voltages as low as 95 volts by boosting it to 104 volts or better depending on the incoming voltage.
If the voltage drops below 95 volts, the Autoformer won’t be able to boost the voltage to an acceptable level but these conditions are rare. Most voltage drops are marginal and the Autoformer just might make the difference between having power or not having power to your RV.
While the Autoformer does have surge protection it does not guard against excessively high or extremely low voltages so it should be used in conjunction with an auto-shutoff surge protector. In that case, the Autoformer should be used in line ahead of the surge protector; otherwise, the surge protector will cut off the incoming voltage and prevent the Autoformer from boosting voltage. In other words, the Autoformer should be connected to the pedestal with the surge protector next in line and then the RV.
Southwire sells a line of surge protectors as well as automatic transfer switches. Some of the transfer switches such as the 50-amp model 41260 offer some surge protection but no low or high voltage protection. This model is included as original equipment in a number of RVs so if that’s true of your RV you’ll need to purchase a surge protector that also provides low and high voltage safeguards.
The Surge Guard model 40350-RVC is a better choice because it offers enhanced surge protection and upgraded, heavy-duty, shock-mounted 65-amp-rated contactors as well as open neutral and low and high voltage protection. It also has RVC network compatibility so you may find it as original equipment on the latest high-end RVs with multiplex wiring systems that feature a touch-screen display showing incoming power levels. It is also available with a remote monitor panel for non-multiplexed systems that displays information such as voltage, amperage draw on each line, and any status messages.
Transfer switches such as the 40350-RVC also offer the benefit of protecting the power not only from shore power but also from the generator although generator power issues are extremely rare. If being installed in an existing RV, the new device will replace the present transfer switch so you won’t have to find additional room to mount the new one nor will you have to cut into the shore power cord.
If your RV has a 40350-RVC transfer switch, you won’t need any additional protection although you may still choose to carry a Hughes Autoformer for times when voltage needs a bit of a boost. An upgraded 40450-RVC transfer switch features automatic switching from generator power when shore power returns after an outage.
Power outages, low-voltage brownouts, and surges are a fact of life in the RV world and with increasing demand for power it’s not likely to get better anytime soon. It’s really not a matter of if but when you’re going to need protection for your RV’s valuable electrical system components. Having a quality surge protector that can handle these situations is cheap insurance and a good investment.
The following are examples of popular devices available for purchase.
Hughes Autoformers While not a complete power protection system, the Autoformer boosts incoming voltage; the device supplies the RV with power rather than just shutting down power to the vehicle and can be used in conjunction with a surge protector to provide full coverage. The company also offers the Power Watchdog line of surge protectors.
The RV220-50-SP features 4,800 joules of surge protection in addition to the 10 percent automatic voltage boost should the incoming voltage drop below 113 volts. An array of LED lights provides park power diagnostics. The Autoformer can be mounted inside a vehicle with an optional connection kit. A 30-amp model is also available.
The company’s Power Watchdog series of high-end surge protectors includes the PWD50-EPO 50-amp model. It offers 6,100 joules of surge protection plus full protection against open neutral, reverse polarity, and high or low voltage. The Power Watchdog is available in either portable or hardwired models and in 30-amp and 50-amp versions. All models feature wireless Bluetooth communications with a free smartphone or tablet app to view the power status at any time in the immediate vicinity of your RV.
Progressive Industries
Progressive Industries provides surge protectors described as electrical management systems for 30-amp and 50-amp power supplies in both hardwired and portable models. The EMS series offers a full load of features. Some models are equipped with embedded displays while others have remote display capabilities. These EMS systems have a limited lifetime warranty and can be repaired in the field rather than needing to be sent back to the factory.
The EMS-HW50C is a hardwired 50-amp electrical management system that offers 3,580 joules of surge protection at 88,000 amps, low (104 volts) and high (132 volts) voltage protection as well as open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, miswired pedestal protection, and frequency protection. A bright LED display is included as standard equipment and will scroll through the various voltage, amperage, and frequency readings as well as status or error codes. This display can be mounted near the device or in a remote location inside the RV. The unit is field serviceable in the event of a major surge and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
A 30-amp model EMS-HW30C is also available.
The EMS-PT50X is a portable 50-amp electrical management system that offers 3,580 joules of surge protection at 88,000 amps, low (104 volts) and high (132 volts) voltage protection as well as open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, miswired pedestal protection, and frequency protection in a Lexan housing. A bright-green LED display in the face of the unit scrolls through the various voltage, amperage, and frequency readings, as well as status or error codes.
Southwire’s Surge Guard brand offers surge protectors for 30-amp and 50-amp power supplies in both hardwired and portable models as well as a line of automatic transfer switches.
Model 35550 is a 50-amp hardwired unit that provides 3,850 joules of surge protection, low (102 volts) and high (132 volts) voltage protection, and open neutral, reverse polarity, and miswired pedestal protection. The unit mounts in the basement but an optional remote LCD monitor is available to display voltage, amperage, and any status or error messages.
Model 35530 is similar except it is designed for 30-amp power supplies and provides 2,450 joules of surge protection.
Model 34950 is a 50-amp portable unit that provides 4,200 joules of surge protection, low (102 volts) and high (132 volts) voltage protection, and open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, and miswired pedestal protection. This device plugs into the pedestal and accepts your RV’s power cord. LED lights and an LCD display indicate voltage, amperage, and status or error messages. The 34950 also will shut off power if the plug or receptacle overheats.
A 30-amp version, model 34930, is also available and provides 2,450 joules of surge protection. The 34951 (50-amp) and 34931 (30-amp) models also use Bluetooth to connect to the Surge Guard app and the optional 40301 wireless display.
Model 40350-RVC is a 50-amp automatic transfer switch offering 3,350 joules of surge suppression, low (102 volts) and high (132 volts) voltage protection, as well as open neutral, open ground, reverse polarity, miswired pedestal protection, and high or low frequency. It uses upgraded 65-amp shock-mounted contactors and is equipped with LED status lights. An optional monitor displays voltage, amperage, and power system status messages.
Model 40450-RVC is similar except it features shore power sensing that transfers automatically to generator power when energized. Once the generator shuts down, shore power activates after a three-second delay.
Worth Pondering…
I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.
Visiting Congaree National Park? Don’t miss these things!
Congaree National Park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. This small park is quick and easy to visit. Walk the boardwalk trail through the forest, go kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek, go birdwatching and fishing, and, if you like, venture farther into the park on a number of other woodland trails. In this guide, I cover the best things to do in Congaree National Park.
This national park protects the oldest old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the southeastern United States. The trees that grow here are some of the tallest in the eastern U.S. and this is one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies in the world.
This park sits inside the Congaree River floodplain. It is mistakenly referred to as a swamp. Instead, the flooding of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers bring essential water and nutrients to this bottomland region creating one of the most diverse ecosystems in the U.S.
What is a bottomland forest? According to the EPA, a bottomland hardwood forest is a river swamp. These forests are found along the floodplains of rivers in the southeast United States. The trees that live here (usually bald cypress, oaks, gums, and tupelos) are able to survive these seasonal (and sometimes year-round) floods. Of the estimated 30 million acres of bottomland forests that once covered the U.S. only 40 percent remains.
In Congaree, you can see some of the tallest Loblolly pines still alive today as well as bald cypress trees that are over 500 years old. Tupelo trees sit alongside slow moving creeks and oxbow lakes. Fish, amphibians, deer, raccoon, feral pigs, bobcats, and numerous species of snakes and birds all find refuge inside this park.
Congaree officially became a national park on November 10, 2003. It is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 2023, 250,000 people visited this park making it the 13th least visited national park in the United States.
Congaree is one of the smallest U.S. national parks. At 26,000 acres it is the 7th smallest park.
The Harry Hampton Visitor Center is the main hub for the park. This is where the majority of the hiking trails start including the wonderful Boardwalk Loop Trail. Cedar Creek flows west to east through the center of the park. The Congaree River forms the southern border and out to the east there are a few short trails to hike.
Best things to see and do in Congaree National Park
1. Walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail
Distance: 2.6 mile loop
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 to 2 hours
This is the best walk in the park. Starting at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, this all-boardwalk trail makes a loop through some of the best scenery in Congaree National Park.
The boardwalk trail is an elevated path through the bottomland where you can see giant tupelos and bald cypress trees standing in the water. The entire boardwalk trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Along the trail are numbers that correspond to the Self-Guided Boardwalk Trail brochure that you can pick up at the Visitor Center before you start this walk. It’s well worth it as it points out both natural and historical sights along the trail.
Pro travel tip: This park floods on a regular basis. After a heavy flooding the Boardwalk Loop Trail and other trails on this list can temporarily close. Before planning your trip and just before your visit, check the National Park Service website for updates on park conditions to avoid any unfortunate surprises.
Drifting along Cedar Creek in a kayak or canoe is the one of the best things to do in Congaree National Park.
There are several ways to do this depending on how much time you have and how much you like canoeing or kayaking.
Cedar Creek is beautiful and to drift along the water listening to the birds and the crickets and to see these majestic old trees is a very memorable experience.
Cedar Creek is a very slow moving creek. Paddling upstream is not a problem at all and really no harder than going downstream.
As water levels change, you could have obstacles along the creek that impede your progress. There is a chance that downed trees can block the creek forcing you to turn around or pull your kayak/canoe up onto land to carry it around the downed tree.
Renting a canoe or kayak
A canoe can be rented from River Runner Outdoor Center. You can either pick up the canoe from their office in Columbia or for an additional fee have them deliver it right to the canoe launch.
You can spend a half day to a full day on Cedar Creek. There is a 15 mile trail called the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail that starts at Bannister’s Bridge and ends at the Congaree River. You can canoe part of or all of the trail. If you use an outfitter like River Runner, they can drop your canoe or kayak at the starting point and pick you up at the endpoint.
The Congaree River Blue Trail is a 50-mile paddling trail on the Congaree River that starts in Columbia and ends in Congaree National Park. Learn more here.
The Weston Lake Loop Trail loops through old growth forest where you can see more tupelo and bald cypress trees. Like all of the hiking trails in Congaree, it is completely flat.
The best way to do this hike is to start on the Boardwalk Loop Trail, hiking in a counter-clockwise direction. At the trail junction, follow signs for Weston Lake and you will now be on trail #3 (there will be small, white signs on the trees with the number 3 on them).
The Weston Lake Loop Trail will follow alongside Cedar Creek for almost one mile. At the next trail junction, go left to continue on the Weston Lake Loop Trail and head back towards the Visitor Center. When the trail rejoins with the boardwalk, walk out to the viewpoint of Weston Lake. Then take the boardwalk back to the visitor center.
Wise Lake is one of the prettiest spots in Congaree National Park. This lake is surrounded by old growth trees.
Wise Lake is located near the trail junction for the Weston Lake Loop Trail and River Trail. From the Boardwalk Loop Trail, walk 0.6 miles on the Weston Lake Loop Trail until you get to the trail junction with the River Trail. There are signs here that direct you to Wise Lake. From this junction, you will walk about 325 feet to get to Wise Lake.
5. See the Synchronous Fireflies
For two weeks from mid-May to mid-June, fireflies light up the skies in Congaree National Park. During this time, the fireflies synchronously flash as they search for a mate.
The best time to see the fireflies is between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. The best viewing spots are near the Harry Hampton Visitor Center.
This has become such a popular event that in 2021 the National Park Service began a lottery system. Learn more on the NPS website.
Fishing is allowed in all areas of Congaree National Park.
In order to go fishing in the park, you must have a valid South Carolina fishing license. Catch and release fishing is encouraged. For more restrictions and information, visit the NPS website.
7. Bates Ferry Trail and the General Greene Tree
This off-the-beaten-path hike is worth it if you want to hike a quieter trail, see the Congaree River, and search for one of the oldest, grandest trees in the park.
The Bates Ferry Trail is really not all that exciting. It is the remains of an old ferry road that ended at the Congaree River. For the entire 1.1 mile walk (one-way), you are on a wide grassy trail that leads to a view of the Congaree River.
If you just hike the Bates Ferry Trail, it is a 2.2 mile out-and-back hike that is completely flat and takes about an hour.
But I recommend adding on a detour.
Getting to the General Greene Tree
The General Greene Tree was recognized as a South Carolina Heritage Tree on December 7, 2018. It is the largest bald cypress in Congaree National Park with a circumference of 30 feet. The tree is named for Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene.
Getting to the tree is a bit tricky. From the Bates Ferry trailhead, walk 0.4 miles. On the left will be an unmaintained road. To the right is a metal trail marker with a #7 on it. Walk about 20 feet farther and to your right will be a trail leading into the woods.
On this trail, you will cross a metal bridge over a creek. The trail narrows beyond this bridge. Once the trail turns to the left, look for cypress trees standing in water off on the right side of the trail. The General Greene tree is located here.
The total distance from the Bates Ferry Trail to the General Greene Tree is 0.2 miles.
If you continue past the General Greene Tree, in about 0.1 miles you reach another unmaintained road to the right. Follow this for another tenth of a mile and you come to this low area filled with tupelos and bald cypress trees. It’s a beautiful part of Congaree National Park.
Getting to the Bates Ferry Trailhead: This trail is located in the far eastern section of Congaree National Park on U.S. Highway 601. As you drive south on U.S. 601, the turn off for the trailhead is located just past the bridge that crosses Bates Old River.
This hike is quick and easy as long as it is not flooded or muddy.
The Fork Swamp Trail is located near the Bates Ferry Trail so this hike is worth doing if you will be out this way. This trail leads out to the southern channel of Bates Old River, an oxbow lake created by a hurricane in 1852.
Getting here: On Google Maps, the trailhead is labeled “Fork Swamp Trailhead.” It is located on an access road on U.S. 601. There were no signs labeling this access road but the GPS coordinates for the turn off are 33°45’44.7″N 80°38’33.7″W. At the end of this short road a small parking area and a National Park sign indicate the trailhead.
9. The Kingsnake Trail
Distance: 12 miles out-and-back
Difficulty: Easy to difficult
Time: 5 to 7 hours
If you are a birdwatcher, this is the best trail in the park. The Kingsnake Trail passes through sloughs of tupelo and cypress trees and runs along part of Cedar Creek. Crossing over the old, rickety bridges with views of the forest is beautiful.
This trail starts at the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch and ends at the junction with the Weston Lake Trail and Oakridge Trail. At this junction, you can retrace your steps back to your starting point or add the Weston Lake Trail or the Oakridge Trail.
The difficulty can vary based on conditions in the park. The trail is very easy to hike (it is completely flat) but downed trees and flooding can create difficult conditions.
This is a long hike. And for the most part, the views don’t change all that much over its 11 miles.
The short walk on the boardwalk at the start of the hike is the best part. Seeing Wise Lake is also very nice.
But once on the River Trail, it is a completely flat, monotonous walk through the forest. Most of the time, you are walking through oaks and other hardwoods, not through sloughs of tupelos and cypress trees that make Congaree National Park so beautiful and so unique.
At the midpoint of the hike you get a view of the Congaree River but it’s not worth it, not for an 11 mile round trip hike (if you want a view of the Congaree River from a hiking trail, do the 2.2 mile Bates Ferry Trail instead).
This hike is easy. It’s completely flat and very well marked with trail signs along its entire distance. The total ascent for this hike is a mere 60 feet. The NPS website warns that this hike is difficult since flooding and downed trees can make hiking challenging.
I only recommend this hike for those who are looking for a long hike away from the crowds.
There are other short trails in the park. Some of these are connector trails.
The Sims Trail is an old gravel road. Part of Sims Trail bisects the Boardwalk Loop Trail and this part of Sims trail is not worth it since you miss seeing the bottomland forests. The southern part of the Sims trail connects the Boardwalk Trail with the Weston Lake Trail, River Trail, and Oak Ridge Trail.
The Firefly Trail is a flat trail that runs through the woods just to the south of the visitor center. It gets its name since this is a good place to see the synchronous fireflies in May and June.
The Bluff Trail is located north of the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and passes through loblolly and longleaf pines.
The Oakridge Trail is a longer trail (7.1 miles) that passes through hardwood forests with oaks, gums, and poplars.
How many days do you need in Congaree National Park?
Since this park is so small, you only need a half to a full day to see the highlights.
I listed 10 things to do in Congaree National Park. The highlights are walking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and kayaking or canoeing on Cedar Creek. Adding on the Weston Lake Trail and Wise Lake is great for those who want to go a little deeper into the park.
If you have a half day in Congaree National Park, walk the Boardwalk Loop Trail and consider adding on the Weston Lake Trail with the detour to Wise Lake.
If you have one day in Congaree National Park, spend half a day hiking the Boardwalk Loop Trail and Weston Lake Trail and spend half of a day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek.
If you have two days in Congaree National Park, spend one day canoeing or kayaking on Cedar Creek and one day hiking the trails (Boardwalk Loop Trail, Weston Lake Trail, and the Bates Ferry/General Greene Tree hike).
The best time to visit Congaree National Park is in the spring and the fall.
In the spring and fall, temperatures are warm (daytime highs can get up into the 70s) and mosquitoes are low. In spring and fall, Congaree gets about 3 inches of rain per month.
Peak fall colors occur at the beginning of November. We visited Congaree in mid-November. Daytime highs were in the high 60s to mid-70s and at night it got down into the 40s. We had bright sunny skies when we were here.
Fall is the best time to go paddling on Cedar Creek since water levels are ideal.
If you want to see the synchronous fireflies, plan your visit for the end of May to early June.
During the summer months, Congaree is hot and humid. Temperatures frequently get up into the high-90s and even up over 100°F. The humidity makes it feel worse and mosquitoes are at their highest levels at this time.
Flooding tends to occur during the winter months. Temperatures can be chilly but snow is unusual.
Inside Congaree National Park, your only option is tent camping. There are two campgrounds, the Longleaf Campground and Bluff Campground, and you must make your reservation in advance.
Outside the park, Columbia is the best place to stay (and eat). It is just a 30-minute drive to get between Columbia and Congaree National Park.
For RV camping and sites with more amenities, there are several options outside the park:
Barnyard RV Park: Located about 35 minutes from Congaree National Park offering 129 full hookup sites. We have stayed at Barnyard and would recommend this park.
River Bottom Farms Family Campground: About 50 minutes from the park with 52 full hookup sites.
Edmund RV Park: Approximately 40 minutes from Congaree National Park providing 65 full hookup sites.
Sesquicentennial State Park: About 28 minutes from the park offering 84 full hookup sites. We have stayed at this delightful state park and would recommend it.
Big Rig Friendly RV Resort: Located about 30 minutes from Congaree National Park with 50 full hookup sites.
Where to eat
There are no restaurants in Congaree National Park. If you plan to visit the park for the day, pack a picnic lunch. There are limited food options in Gadsden and the best place to grab a bite to eat in Columbia. There are a lot of great restaurants in Columbia.
Plan your visit
Entrance fee: There is no fee to enter Congaree National Park.
Hours of operation: The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit.
Here are some helpful resources on Congaree National Park:
