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Mount Rushmore and Beyond: Discovering the Hidden Stories of the Black Hills

Mount Rushmore is only the beginning. Discover the Black Hills’ iconic landmarks, scenic drives, wildlife, and hidden stories in this comprehensive RV travel guide.

Every great American road trip has places that become milestones—destinations travelers have dreamed about, photographed, and remembered for generations. In the Black Hills of South Dakota, few places carry that distinction more than Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

For many visitors, standing beneath the towering granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln is a moment they will never forget. The Avenue of Flags, the sweeping mountain backdrop, and the story behind the monument combine to create one of America’s most recognizable landmarks.

More than just a stop along the road, Mount Rushmore represents ambition, history, and the enduring stories that have shaped the nation. For generations of travelers, it has been a destination that inspires curiosity and invites exploration.

For many travelers, the first glimpse of Mount Rushmore is a road trip moment that stays with them long after they leave the Black Hills. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Mount Rushmore: An American story carved in stone

The vision, ambition, and determination behind one of America’s greatest monuments

Few landmarks capture the imagination quite like Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Rising from the granite peaks of the Black Hills of South Dakota, the four presidential faces have become one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States.

For millions of visitors, the first sight of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln carved into the mountainside is unforgettable. But behind those massive granite faces is a story just as remarkable as the monument itself—a story of vision, engineering, perseverance, and the people who transformed an idea into reality.

A vision born in the Black Hills

The idea for Mount Rushmore began with South Dakota historian Doane Robinson who wanted to create a monument that would attract visitors to the Black Hills and celebrate the history of the region. His original concept focused on carving figures from the Old West into the landscape.

Robinson eventually turned to sculptor Gutzon Borglum whose ambition transformed the project into something far larger. Rather than focusing only on regional history, Borglum envisioned a monument that would represent the story of the United States itself.

He selected four presidents whose lives reflected important chapters in the nation’s development. George Washington represented the founding of the country. Thomas Jefferson symbolized expansion and the vision of a growing nation. Theodore Roosevelt represented America’s emergence as a world power and his role in conservation. Abraham Lincoln represented the preservation of the Union during the nation’s greatest internal crisis.

Together, the four figures were intended to tell a story of America’s beginnings, growth, challenges, and continuing aspirations.

Standing beneath the faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln is an unforgettable highlight of any visit to the Black Hills. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Carving a mountain

Construction began on October 4, 1927, and continued for 14 years. Creating the monument required moving more than 450,000 tons of granite from the mountainside using dynamite, drills, and careful finishing work.

Nearly 400 workers participated in the project, many of whom spent their days suspended high above the ground as they removed rock and shaped the massive faces. Despite the dangers involved, the construction was completed without a worker losing their life.

The project was far from simple. Weather, funding challenges, and the sheer difficulty of carving a mountain created constant obstacles. Borglum continued refining his vision throughout the process but he died in 1941 before seeing the official completion of the memorial. His son, Lincoln Borglum, helped oversee the final work, and the monument was dedicated later that year.

What emerged from the granite was more than a sculpture. It became a place where visitors could reflect on the people and events that shaped the nation.

Understanding the Monument

Standing before Mount Rushmore today, it is easy to focus on the size of the faces—each one measuring approximately 60 feet tall. But the true story of the memorial is found in the combination of human imagination, technical skill, and determination that brought it to life.

Mount Rushmore is not simply a mountain carving. It is a snapshot of how Americans at a particular time chose to tell their national story. Like many historic places, it carries layers of meaning, inviting visitors to learn, reflect, and consider the many stories that make up the country’s past.

For RV travelers exploring the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore is more than a stop on the itinerary. It is a destination worth slowing down for—a place where understanding the story behind the stone makes the experience far more meaningful.

Lined with the flags of the 50 states, the Avenue of Flags provides a dramatic approach to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Experiencing Mount Rushmore: Beyond the first view

Walking the trails, exploring the exhibits, and seeing the monument from a new perspective

For many visitors, the first glimpse of Mount Rushmore is the moment they have imagined for years. Walking through the Avenue of Flags and arriving at the Grand View Terrace, the four granite faces appear above the Black Hills in a way that is both impressive and almost difficult to comprehend.

But Mount Rushmore is not a place to simply arrive, take a photograph, and leave. The monument rewards visitors who slow down, explore the grounds, and take time to understand the details behind this extraordinary achievement.

Walking among the Presidents

One of the best ways to experience the memorial is the Presidential Trail, a 0.6-mile walking loop that provides changing perspectives of Mount Rushmore. The trail brings visitors closer to the base of the mountain and offers a different appreciation for the scale and craftsmanship of the carving.

The first section of the trail is paved and accessible from the Grand View Terrace to viewing areas near the mountain. The remaining portion continues toward the Sculptor’s Studio and includes 422 stairs, making it a more challenging walk for some visitors. Those who take their time are rewarded with closer views of the monument and a better understanding of the landscape surrounding it.

The trail is not simply about reaching another viewpoint. Along the way, interpretive signs explain the carving process, the four presidents represented, and the people who turned Borglum’s vision into reality.

The Avenue of Flags leads visitors toward the towering granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, creating an unforgettable first impression. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Understanding the story behind the stone

The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Museum provide another layer to the experience. Exhibits explain the tools, techniques, and challenges involved in carving the mountain while displays introduce visitors to the workers who spent years transforming granite into a national symbol.

The Sculptor’s Studio offers additional insight into Gutzon Borglum’s work including the models and plans that guided the creation of the monument. Seeing the planning behind Mount Rushmore helps visitors appreciate that this was not simply a sculpture—it was an enormous engineering and artistic undertaking.

A different view at the end of the day

The evening lighting ceremony offers another way to experience Mount Rushmore. As the faces are illuminated against the darkness of the Black Hills, the monument takes on a different feeling. The ceremony provides a moment to reflect on the history represented by the four presidents and the generations of visitors who have stood in this same place.

For RV travelers, Mount Rushmore deserves more than a quick stop between destinations. Leave the motorhome at the campground, explore at your own pace, walk the trail, visit the exhibits, and take time to understand the story behind the stone.

The more you learn about Mount Rushmore, the more it becomes clear that the monument is not just something to see—it is something to experience.

The rugged beauty of the Black Hills extends far beyond Mount Rushmore inviting travelers to slow down and discover one remarkable landscape after another. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Beyond Mount Rushmore: The larger story of the Black Hills

One monument opens the door to a landscape filled with many stories

Mount Rushmore is often the reason travelers make the journey to South Dakota’s Black Hills. It is the landmark that appears on postcards, inspires road trips, and creates memories that last a lifetime.

But the Black Hills have always been more than a backdrop for one monument. This landscape holds stories that reach far beyond the granite faces—stories of Native American heritage, wildlife and conservation, exploration, geology, and the people who have shaped this remarkable region.

For travelers willing to slow down, the Black Hills reveal a deeper experience. The roads beyond Mount Rushmore lead to places where history comes alive, wildlife still roams freely, and every turn offers another reason to stop and explore.

Mount Rushmore tells an important story of America. The places beyond it help complete the picture.

Crazy Horse Memorial: Another story of the Black Hills

Exploring the heritage and history beyond Mount Rushmore

Just 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial offers visitors another perspective on the history and heritage of the Black Hills.

Begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the invitation of Lakota elder Henry Standing Bear, the mountain carving honors Crazy Horse, the respected Oglala Lakota leader who resisted the loss of his people’s lands and way of life. More than seven decades later, the massive sculpture remains a work in progress.

The unfinished mountain carving is the centerpiece but the memorial offers more than a view of the mountain. The Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center provide opportunities to learn about Indigenous art, history, and culture, adding another dimension to understanding the Black Hills.

A visit to Crazy Horse adds an important chapter to the story of this region. Mount Rushmore tells the story of four presidents and the nation they helped shape; Crazy Horse provides insight into the Native peoples, traditions, and history that were part of this landscape long before Mount Rushmore was carved into the mountain.

Driving the Wildlife Loop Road offers one of the Black Hills’ most memorable experiences with herds of bison roaming freely across the prairie. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Custer State Park: Where the Black Hills come alive

Wildlife, bison, and the landscapes beyond Mount Rushmore

Just a short drive from Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park reveals a different side of the Black Hills. Here, the story is no longer carved into granite. It moves across the landscape in the form of roaming bison, grazing pronghorn, towering granite formations, and forests of ponderosa pine.

Covering more than 71,000 acres, Custer State Park is one of South Dakota’s signature destinations and one of the finest wildlife parks in America. It is a place where visitors are encouraged to slow down, put away the schedule, and experience the landscape at its own pace.

The Wildlife Loop Road: A drive with no guarantees

The 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road is one of the park’s most memorable experiences. Unlike a traditional wildlife viewing area, there are no guarantees about what you will see or when you will see it. Each drive is different which is part of the adventure.

The park is home to one of the largest publicly owned bison herds in North America, numbering around 1,400 animals. Seeing a herd of these massive animals moving across the prairie is one of the unforgettable moments of a visit to the Black Hills.

Along the loop, visitors may also encounter pronghorn, elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, prairie dogs, and the park’s famous burros that often approach vehicles looking for a friendly handout. The combination of wildlife and scenery makes the Wildlife Loop Road one of the best ways to experience the natural character of the Black Hills.

Watching a herd of bison move across the prairie is one of the signature experiences of a visit to Custer State Park. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Bison herd: A conservation success story

The bison are more than a popular attraction. They represent a remarkable conservation story.

When Custer State Park was established in 1912, efforts began to protect and restore a healthy bison population. Today, the herd serves as an important example of wildlife management and conservation while also preserving a connection to the animals that once moved across the Great Plains in enormous numbers.

Each September, the annual Buffalo Roundup becomes one of South Dakota’s most celebrated events. Cowboys and cowgirls on horseback gather the herd for health checks, sorting, and management decisions that help maintain the long-term health of the animals and the park ecosystem.

For visitors, it is a rare opportunity to see a tradition that connects modern conservation with the historic role of the American bison in the West.

A park worth exploring slowly

Custer State Park is not a place to hurry through. The best experiences often come from unexpected moments — stopping to watch wildlife, taking a quiet turn along a scenic road, or simply sitting beneath the towering ponderosa pines and appreciating the landscape.

For RV travelers, the park is especially rewarding as a base for exploring the Black Hills. Several campgrounds are located throughout the park, allowing visitors to experience the area early in the morning and later in the day when wildlife is often most active.

Leave the motorhome or trailer at the campground and explore the park with your tow vehicle or passenger vehicle. The Wildlife Loop Road is best enjoyed without the stress of navigating a large rig.

Custer State Park reminds visitors that some of the greatest treasures in the Black Hills are not carved into stone. They are alive around you—moving across the prairie, standing among the forests, and waiting around the next bend in the road.

More than just a road, Needles Highway is an adventure through the heart of the Black Hills where the journey becomes part of the destination. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Custer State Park: A scenic drive through Granite Country

Needles Highway, Sylvan Lake, and one of America’s unforgettable mountain roads

If the Wildlife Loop Road reveals the living side of Custer State Park, Needles Highway reveals its dramatic side. Winding through some of the most spectacular scenery in the Black Hills, this 14-mile scenic road is one of South Dakota’s most memorable drives and a reminder that sometimes the journey itself is the destination.

Completed in 1922, Needles Highway was considered an engineering achievement of its time. The narrow road follows a route through towering granite formations, forests of ponderosa pine, and dramatic mountain landscapes that seem to change around every curve.

The highway gets its name from the towering granite spires that rise from the landscape like giant needles pointing toward the sky. Among the most famous formations is the Needles Eye, a narrow granite pillar that has become one of the most photographed locations in the Black Hills.

A road built for exploration

The drive along Needles Highway is memorable not because of speed or distance but because of what appears around each bend. The road winds through several narrow tunnels carved through solid granite, creating moments where visitors suddenly emerge into sweeping views of the surrounding mountains.

The most famous is Needles Eye Tunnel which measures approximately 8 feet wide and less than 10 feet high. Other tunnels along the route are similarly narrow, creating a unique driving experience that feels unlike most scenic roads in America.

For RV travelers, this is an important road to experience—but not in your motorhome. The narrow tunnels, tight curves, and limited maneuvering space make Needles Highway unsuitable for many larger vehicles. The best approach is to leave the RV at the campground and explore with a tow vehicle or smaller passenger vehicle.

Whether you’re hiking, relaxing by the shore, or simply taking in the view, Sylvan Lake invites visitors to slow down and savor the beauty of the Black Hills. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Sylvan Lake: The crown jewel of Custer State Park

At the northern end of Needles Highway lies Sylvan Lake, often called the “Crown Jewel” of Custer State Park. Surrounded by massive granite boulders and forested hills, the lake is one of the most beautiful settings in the Black Hills.

Visitors can walk the shoreline, enjoy a picnic, rent a paddle boat, fish, swim, or simply sit among the rocks and take in the scenery. The lake also serves as a gateway for several hiking opportunities, including trails toward Black Elk Peak and the surrounding granite landscapes.

For those who have traveled the winding curves of Needles Highway, arriving at Sylvan Lake feels like a reward at the end of the journey.

Taking time to explore

The beauty of Custer State Park is that it cannot be experienced from behind the windshield alone. The Wildlife Loop reveals the animals that call this place home. Needles Highway reveals the forces of nature that shaped the landscape.

Together, they tell the story of a place where granite mountains, forests, wildlife, and winding roads come together in one unforgettable destination.

For RV travelers exploring the Black Hills, Custer State Park is more than a stop near Mount Rushmore. It is a reminder that some of the best discoveries happen when you slow down, take the scenic route, and allow the road to become part of the adventure.

The slender granite formations known as “the Needles” have been sculpted by millions of years of weathering into one of the Black Hills’ most iconic landscapes. © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

More stories waiting in the Black Hills

The journey does not end with Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park

The Black Hills are a region that rewards repeat visits and slow exploration. While Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park may be the places that first bring travelers here, they represent only part of what this remarkable landscape has to offer.

History comes alive in Deadwood where the legends of the Old West still echo through its streets. Beneath the surface, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave reveal a hidden world of underground passages and geological wonders. Along Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, towering limestone cliffs, waterfalls, and forested landscapes create one of the most beautiful drives in the Black Hills.

These destinations deserve more time than a passing mention. For travelers with additional days, they provide even more opportunities to understand the history, geology, and natural beauty of this region.

The Black Hills are not a destination to rush through. They are a place to return to, explore slowly, and discover one story at a time.

The journey continues

The Black Hills reward those who stay a little longer

Mount Rushmore has earned its place among America’s most iconic landmarks. Standing beneath the towering granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln is an experience that stays with visitors long after they leave.

But the true gift of the Black Hills is discovering that one remarkable place leads naturally to another.

The monument introduces travelers to the history and ideals represented by four presidents. Beyond it, the Black Hills reveal additional stories—the heritage celebrated at Crazy Horse Memorial, the wildlife and landscapes of Custer State Park, the winding roads through granite spires, and the many hidden places still waiting to be explored.

That is what makes this region such a rewarding road trip destination. Mount Rushmore is not diminished by everything that surrounds it. Instead, the surrounding landscapes and stories add depth and meaning to the experience.

For RV travelers especially, the Black Hills are a reminder that the best journeys are rarely measured by how quickly we arrive or how many attractions we check off a list. They are measured by the moments that encourage us to slow down, look closer, and understand the places we visit.

Mount Rushmore may be what brings travelers to the Black Hills but the stories beyond the monument are what make them want to return.

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Editor’s note

This article was originally published in August 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. Conditions, access, and amenities may change over time, so please verify current details before planning your trip.

To maintain transparency and editorial independence, this website contains no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just firsthand RV travel experiences and practical information for fellow travelers.

RVing Is the Answer—But What Is the Question? Exploring Why We Travel

RVing is often described as a lifestyle of freedom and adventure but the vehicles themselves are rarely the point. Beneath the appeal of life on the road lies a deeper search for simplicity, flexibility, connection, and a more intentional way of living. This reflective essay explores the questions RVing may be answering—and why so many people are drawn to life in motion.

There are moments in life when a decision feels less like a choice and more like recognition. You don’t so much decide to do it as you finally admit you’ve already been doing it in your head for years. For many people who end up RVing—whether full-time, weekend-warrior, or somewhere in between—that is exactly how it begins. Not with a spreadsheet or a retirement plan or a neat five-year strategy but with a quiet realization that the way life is “supposed” to be lived no longer fits quite right.

And so, RVing becomes the answer.

But that raises the more interesting question: what exactly was the question?

Because no one wakes up and says, “I need a 30-foot rolling home with questionable water pressure and a strong opinion about campground Wi-Fi” unless something else has already shifted underneath that thought. RVing is rarely about the vehicle. It is about escape, adjustment, simplification, expansion, or sometimes all of the above at once. It is a response to pressures that are often hard to name, but easy to feel.

So if RVing is the answer, the real work is understanding the question it is answering.

The quiet discontent of modern life

A life that works, but rarely feels alive

For many, the question begins as a kind of low hum in the background of daily life. Nothing is necessarily wrong. Bills are paid. The job is stable enough. The house is comfortable. The routines are familiar. But familiarity has a way of hardening into constraint when it is never interrupted.

There is a difference between living a life that works and living a life that feels alive. Modern life often optimizes for the former while quietly starving the latter. The commute replaces movement with obligation. The schedule replaces spontaneity with efficiency. Even leisure becomes managed—booked, timed, optimized, and sometimes even monetized.

At some point, a person begins to notice that most of their life is happening in places they do not choose in the moment but rather agreed to months or years ago. That realization doesn’t arrive dramatically. It accumulates.

RVing often enters the imagination right here—not as a hobby but as an alternative operating system. One where location is no longer fixed by employment geography, where mornings do not always look the same out the window, and where movement is not something reserved for weekends or vacations.

The question, then, might be: Is this all there is?

Camping on the Gulf at Meaher State Park, Alabama © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Freedom reimagined, not escaped

Freedom isn’t absence—it’s awareness of choice

RVing is often framed as freedom. But freedom is a slippery word. True freedom is not simply the absence of responsibility nor is it constant motion. In practice, RVing replaces one set of constraints with another. There are tanks to empty, weather systems to track, routes to plan, and mechanical realities that do not care about your mood.

And yet, people still describe it as freeing.

Why?

Because RVing changes the nature of constraint. In conventional life, constraints are often invisible. You live inside them without seeing their boundaries clearly. You are bound to a mortgage but it feels normal. You are tied to a job location but it feels inevitable. You are locked into routines but they feel like personality traits.

RVing makes constraints visible again. It turns abstract limits into physical ones you can understand and adjust. You trade permanence for mobility and in doing so, you regain a sense of agency over where your life unfolds.

The question RVing responds to here might be: Why does my life feel pre-scheduled before I even wake up?

The beauty of a botanical garden © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The minimalism that isn’t really about things

Less space, more clarity about what matters

One of the most talked-about aspects of RVing is minimalism. There is something unavoidable about shrinking your living space to a few hundred square feet. You quickly learn what matters and what doesn’t—not in theory but in practice.

But RV minimalism is rarely about aesthetic simplicity. It is about trade-offs. You can have the slow cooker or you can have the extra pair of boots. You can have space for hobbies or space for storage. You can carry memories but not everything that carries memory.

And yet, something unexpected often happens: the reduction of space does not always feel like loss. Instead, it can feel like clarity.

When everything cannot come with you, you begin to notice how much of what you owned was simply habit in material form. The question shifts from “What do I want to keep?” to “What actually improves my daily life?”

This is where RVing becomes less about travel and more about editing. It is not just movement across geography but movement through priorities.

So perhaps the question is: What do I actually need to live well?

Reflection in Sunshine Valley, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Time, slowed down and reorganized

Days stop repeating and start unfolding

In conventional life, time is often segmented and compressed. Weeks are structured around workdays. Vacations are condensed into short bursts of relief. Even weekends can feel like recovery periods rather than lived experiences.

RVing disrupts that structure. Not by eliminating time pressure entirely but by loosening its grip.

When your home moves with you, the distinction between “being at home” and “being away” begins to blur. A morning coffee can happen beside a desert canyon or a forest edge or a quiet roadside lake. Time becomes less about returning somewhere and more about continuing forward.

This changes how experiences accumulate. Instead of rare highlights punctuating routine life, the routine itself becomes varied. Even ordinary days begin to carry a sense of place.

The question underneath this shift might be: Why do I treat most of my life as something to get through on the way to something else?

The myth of constant escape

You can’t outrun structure—you can only reshape it

It is easy to misunderstand RVing as permanent escape. But most long-term RVers eventually learn that you cannot outrun structure. You simply redesign it.

Weather still dictates plans. Maintenance still demands attention. Social connections still require effort. And eventually, even the most scenic view loses its novelty if you are not careful.

The romantic idea of endless movement often collides with the practical reality of living in motion. You still have to deal with breakdowns in small towns, crowded campgrounds during peak season, and the occasional realization that “off-grid” sometimes just means “no cell service and a headache.”

And yet, people stay.

Not because RVing solves everything but because it reframes the problems. It replaces the question “How do I build a stable life in one place?” with “How do I build a workable life across many places?”

That is a different kind of challenge entirely.

Admiring wildlife in the Canadian Rockies © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Connection in motion

Distance removes convenience, not intention

One of the more surprising aspects of RV life is how it reshapes connection. There is a stereotype of isolation—of people disappearing into the open road—but the reality is often more social than expected.

Campgrounds become temporary neighborhoods. Shared experiences create quick bonds. Conversations happen easily when everyone has, at some point, dealt with a stuck awning, a dead battery, or a confusing campground layout.

At the same time, relationships outside the RV world can shift. Some deepen with distance and intentionality. Others fade simply because proximity is no longer automatic.

RVing forces a kind of honesty in relationships. If connection is not maintained deliberately, it does not persist by default.

So another version of the question might be: Which relationships remain when convenience is removed?

Camping on Lake Pleasant, Arizona © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Personal geography of meaning

Places become memories you can drive through

As miles accumulate, something subtle happens. The map stops being just a map. Certain places begin to carry emotional weight—not because they are famous or scenic but because of what happened to you there.

A quiet desert turnout becomes the place you finally fixed something that had been broken for weeks. A mountain campground becomes the place you slept better than you had in months. A random stretch of highway becomes memorable not for its beauty but for the clarity you felt while driving it.

In this way, RVing creates a personal geography that overlays the physical one. You are not just traveling through states and parks; you are traveling through versions of yourself.

The question shifts again: Where have I felt most like myself?

So what is the question?

Every answer hides a deeper restlessness

After all of this, it becomes clear that RVing is not a single answer to a single question. It is a response to a cluster of them—some practical, some philosophical, some deeply personal.

Is my life too fixed? Too fast? Too repetitive? Too constrained by systems I did not consciously choose? Do I want more time, more movement, more clarity, more space, more experience—or simply a different relationship with all of them?

RVing does not resolve these questions permanently. It just changes how you live inside them. It makes them visible. And sometimes, that visibility is enough.

Because once you see the structure of your life clearly, even if you do not change it entirely, you can no longer say you didn’t know it was there.

Camping on Padre Island National Seashore, Texas © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Closing reflection

Not an escape—an invitation to pay attention

RVing is not the answer for everyone and it does not need to be. But for those who feel its pull, it often arrives not as an escape from life but as an attempt to re-enter it more consciously.

Maybe the real question is not “Should I RV?”

Maybe it is simpler and harder than that: What kind of life makes me pay attention while I’m living it?

And if RVing happens to be the answer that brings you closer to that attention, then it is doing something far more important than travel.

It is changing the question itself.

Enjoyed this article?
Share it with friends and your social network to inspire their next adventure!

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in June 2026. Information reflects what was accurate at the time of writing. For topics that may change quickly, please verify current details before planning. To ensure honesty and avoid bias, this website features no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just straightforward information for fellow travelers.

These Parks Are Like a Mini Zion

Zion’s complex geography combines deserts, coniferous forests, riparian zones, and other types of woodlands while also offering some of the most breathtaking cliffs and canyon scenes anywhere in the country. Add Zion’s excellent hikes for every type of hiker and you get one of the top outdoor destinations in North America.

But Zion’s well-earned popularity does come with a price. In 2024, Zion welcomed 4,946,592 visitors putting it in the top three most-visited American national parks. The resulting crowds (not to mention the park’s $35 entrance fee) may have travelers pining for alternative destinations.

The good news is that alternatives do exist. As one-of-a-kind as Zion is several other parks do replicate some or even all of its grandeur on a smaller scale. These seven national and state parks are close enough to “mini Zions” to make for worthwhile destinations all their own.

Snow Canyon State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

1. Snow Canyon State Park, Utah

Snow Canyon State Park is probably the closest approximation to Zion National Park in Utah itself. Despite flying under the radar compared to its much more famous neighbor, Snow Canyon features an equally impressive collection of towering red rock cliffs, deep rocky canyons, and sublime desert scenery that doesn’t quite look like anywhere else on Earth.

Despite its name conjuring images of white winter days, Snow Canyon actually protects an immense corridor of red sandstone canyon walls baking under Utah desert heat. As if that wasn’t hot enough, the park also contains several preserved lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions.

Despite the heat, Snow Canyon is also a top destination for scenic hiking, camping, and horseback riding. And like Zion, Snow Canyon offers some of the best opportunities for canyoneering in the Southwest. Plus, with additional bonuses of large sand dunes and natural arches, Snow Canyon is one of Utah’s best obscure state parks to visit as a national park alternative.

  • Entry fee: $10 (Utah residents); $15 (Non-residents) per vehicle daily
  • Opening hours: 6 am-10 pm
  • Nearest cities: St. George
  • Best hiking trails: Snow Canyon Trail, Scout Cave Trail
  • Best time to visit: Spring and fall
Red Rock State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

2. Red Rock State Park, Arizona

Occupying perhaps the most photogenic area of Arizona outside of the Grand Canyon, the city of Sedona is home to some amazing hiking trails. Cathedral Rock Trail and other scenic hiking routes in the Coconino National Forest draw hikers from all around the world to experience the region’s mesmerizing beauty in person. But one of the most spectacular destinations in the vicinity of Sedona especially for anyone looking for a Zion National Park vibe is the appropriately named Red Rock State Park.

As its name implies, Red Rock State Park contains a magnificent collection of towering canyon walls, buttes, mesas, and other prominent geological features all forged from the same striking red sandstone that defines other iconic natural wonders like the Grand Canyon. Similar to Zion National Park, Red Rock State Park gives visitors ample opportunities to hike through the canyon directly all while admiring the epic cliffs towering on all sides.

Despite the foreboding terrain, Red Rock State Park does have several miles of accessible, family-friendly hiking trails that let visitors of all experience and mobility levels enjoy its out-of-this-world beauty. And the park is also an excellent location to view some of Arizona’s famed desert wildlife species including javelina, coyotes, and even river otters who make their home in the canyon’s central creek.

  • Entry fee: $7 per vehicle daily
  • Opening hours: 8 am-5 pm
  • Nearest cities: Sedona, Cottonwood, Clarkdale
  • Best hiking trails: Eagles Nest Trail, Javelina Trail, Kisva Trail
  • Best time to visit: Spring to fall
Valley of Fire State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

3. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

The name Valley of Fire is dramatic enough to at least intrigue most potential visitors. But as interesting as it sounds, even that name doesn’t quite prepare you for the spectacular landscape of Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park.

The “fire” in the Valley of Fire comes from the stark red of the park’s unique Aztec Sandstone which forms an intricate complex of canyons, cliffs, and other prominent rock formations that easily rival the best of Zion National Park. Across the park’s 40,000 acres, visitors can also find immense rocky arches, the preserved remains of ancient sand dunes, and other defining features of the region’s dream-like Mojave Desert.

Valley of Fire’s cliffs and canyon walls provide a great alternative to Zion but the park has a few advantages over its more famous national park analog. In addition to its geological wonders, Valley of Fire State Park also contains a prominent forest of petrified trees and even large collections of ancient petroglyphs carved into stone more than 2,000 years ago.

  • Entry fee: $10 per vehicle per day
  • Opening hours: Sunrise to sunset
  • Nearest cities: Overton, Las Vegas, Mesquite
  • Best hiking trails: Fire Wave Trail, White Domes Trail, Fire Wave and Seven Wonders Loop
  • Best time to visit: Fall through spring
Canyon de Chelly National Monument © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

4. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona

Known for its dramatic sandstone cliffs and rich geological history, Canyon de Chelly features towering rock formations such as Spider Rock which rises over 800 feet from the canyon floor. The canyon itself is approximately 24 miles long and showcases colorful rock walls shaped by eons of erosion and natural processes

This site is not only a natural wonder but also a place of deep cultural importance for the Navajo people who have inhabited the area for over 5,000 years. The canyon contains ancient Puebloan dwellings and rock art that reflect the history and traditions of its indigenous inhabitants.

While Zion does not have the same level of continuous indigenous habitation as Canyon de Chelly, it is also culturally significant. The area has historical ties to various Native American tribes and it features sites that highlight their historical presence.

Both Canyon de Chelly National Monument and Zion National Park are breathtaking examples of the American Southwest’s natural beauty. While they share similarities in their stunning landscapes and cultural significance, their access methods and visitor experiences differ markedly. Canyon de Chelly offers a more guided and culturally rich experience rooted in Navajo heritage whereas Zion provides broader access to diverse geological formations and hiking opportunities.

  • Entry fee: No entrance pass required
  • Opening hours: 24 hours
  • Nearest cities: Chinle
  • Best hiking trails: White House Trail
  • Best time to visit: Spring and fall
Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

5. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park is characterized by the Waterpocket Fold, a prominent monocline that creates dramatic cliffs and colorful sandstone formations. This geological feature results from a complex history of sedimentation and tectonic activity leading to tilted rock layers and stunning landscapes including domes and canyons.

Similarly, Zion features impressive geological formations including the iconic Zion Canyon shaped by the Virgin River. The park’s rock layers represent a sequence of sedimentary deposits from various environments ranging from shallow seas to desert landscapes.

Capitol Reef has a rich cultural history with evidence of ancient Native American inhabitants including the Fremont culture. Petroglyphs and other archaeological sites reflect the historical significance of the region. The park features sites that highlight its indigenous heritage alongside more recent settler history.

Both Capitol Reef National Park and Zion National Park showcase the stunning natural beauty of Utah’s landscapes through their unique geological formations and cultural histories. While Capitol Reef offers a more tranquil experience with its striking Waterpocket Fold and colorful cliffs, Zion captivates visitors with its dramatic canyons and bustling trails. Each park provides a distinct yet complementary experience for those exploring the wonders of the American Southwest.

  • Entry fee: $10-20 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
  • Opening hours: Open 24 hours
  • Nearest cities: Torrey
  • Best hiking trails: Grand Wash Trail, Cohab Canyon Trail, Hickman Bridge
  • Best time to visit: Spring and fall

Worth Pondering…

Nothing can exceed the wonderful beauty of Zion…

In the nobility and beauty of the sculptures there is no comparison…

There is an eloquence to their forms which stirs the imagination with a singular power and kindles in the mind a glowing response.

—Clarence E. Dutton, geologist, 1880

2025 Dinghy Towing Guide

Why consider dinghy towing a vehicle behind your motorhome?

Choosing the right vehicle—as well as the correct equipment—requires some research on your part to ensure a safe and reliable towing experience. The first step is to make sure the vehicle you’re considering is approved for four-wheels-down towing—also known as dinghy towing—by the vehicle manufacturer. The accompanying dinghy towing guide lists the 2025 vehicles fit this criterion.

Whether the vehicle in question is new or used, make sure you consult the owner’s manual and look for towing or recreational towing in the index.

Once you’ve determined that the vehicle is approved for dinghy towing, the next step is to see what procedures will be required each time you tow.

Dinghy tow behind a motorhome © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

2025 manufacturer-approved dinghy vehicles

All models vehicles listed below are the 2025 models. Other, older models may be dinghy-towable but you’ll need to check with the manufacturer beforehand to make sure. Do NOT assume because one year is dinghy-towable that another will be.

BUICK

Encore GX AWD

Envista FWD

CADILLAC

Escalade/Escalade ESV 4WD

CHEVROLET

Blazer AWD/FWD

Colorado 4WD

Silverado 1500 4WD

Silverado 2500/3500 HD 4WD

Suburban 4WD

Tahoe 4WD

Trailblazer AWD

Trax

FORD

Bronco

Escape Hybrid/Plug-In Hybrid

Expedition/Expedition MAX 4WD

F-150 4WD

F-150 Raptor

F-250/F-350/ F-450 Super Duty 4WD

Maverick Hybrid FWD

Ranger 4WD

GMC

Canyon 4WD

Sierra/Sierra Denali 1500 4WD

Sierra/Sierra Denali 2500/ 3500 HD 4WD

Yukon/Yukon Denali, Yukon XL/ Yukon XL Denali 4WD

JEEP

Gladiator 4WD

Grand Cherokee 4WD

Grand Wagoneer 4WD

Wagoneer 4WD

Wrangler 2 door/4 door

LINCOLN

Corsair Grand Touring PHEV

Nautilus Hybrid

Navigator/Navigator L AWD

NISSAN

Z RWD

RAM Trucks

1500 4WD

2500 4WD

3500 4WD

Dinghy tow behind a motorhome © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

What equipment do you need for dinghy towing?

Let’s cover the basic hitch and tow equipment you’ll need for towing a car behind a motorhome!

Pro tip: Remember that manufacturers design these products to work with others in the same family. For example, a Blue Ox base plate generally won’t be compatible with Roadmaster tow bars and a Demco auxiliary braking system. Mixing and matching is not recommended.

Base plates

A base plate is a structure that mounts to your vehicle’s frame to provide a secure location for the tow bars to connect. Base plate selection is vehicle-specific; some require more extensive installation procedures than others.

Blue Ox, Roadmaster, and Demco are three of the most popular brands for dinghy towing equipment. Each company has a vehicle fit list on its website to help you find a base plate kit that fits your vehicle.

Pro tip: Find out if a base plate is available for your vehicle before you buy it.

The most popular manufacturer of base plates for dinghy towing include:

Dinghy tow behind a motorhome © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Tow bars

Tow bars connect your towed vehicle to the motorhome. They must be rated for the weight of your vehicle plus any fuel or cargo stored inside. Choose tow bars with a weight capacity to spare as you don’t want to max them out. 

Compare tow bar weights before making your selection. The design, materials, and construction will dictate how much tow bars weigh but you’ll want to ensure you’re comfortable handling that much weight when installing or removing them.

Manufacturers of tow bar systems include:

Auxiliary braking systems

A braking system for towing a dinghy is legally mandatory in most US states and Canadian provinces. They’re also a smart idea to reduce the stress on your motorhome brakes when towing a secondary vehicle. 

Dinghy braking systems are available in portable and permanent installations. Some owners prefer portable braking systems because they can be used for dinghy towing multiple vehicles. They also allow you to change your towed vehicle in the future. 

These systems are temporarily placed in the footwell in front of the driver’s seat in your towed vehicle. They have an arm and pedal clamp that connects to the vehicle’s brake pedal and depresses it when you apply the brakes in your motorhome. 

Permanent auxiliary braking systems are better for those who plan to tow the same vehicle for a considerable period of time. They offer the ease of one-time installation, typically requiring several hours of labor. Once installed, the system is basically “plug-and-play” whenever you’re ready to tow. 

Since I’m talking braking systems, here’s a related article: Who Needs an RV Supplemental Braking System?

Some popular examples include those from:

Dinghy tow behind a motorhome © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Rock guards

Installing a rock guard is a great idea to protect your towed vehicle from rocks or other debris that your motorhome can kick up. There are generally two types: those mounted to the rear of your motorhome (i.e., mud flaps) and those mounted to the front of your towed vehicle. 

A rock guard or mud flaps on the rear of your motorhome should be the bare minimum to protect your towed vehicle. You can also consider mounting an additional rock guard to the front of your towed vehicle. 

Still, you’ll need to consult your vehicle’s manufacturer to see if they warn against such an installation. Some vehicles can’t have accessories permanently mounted to the grill so they can maintain proper airflow for cooling the transmission.

Is dinghy-towing worth the effort?

Dinghy towing can seem overwhelming at first. Take your time, absorb all the information you can, and keep safety first.

DIG DEEPER: More on towing

Worth Pondering…

Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.

—Henry Ford

All about Canada, Eh?

Planning an RV trip to the Great White North

The second largest country in the world, Canada has plenty to be proud of: beautiful natural parks, a rich and diverse culture and heritage, a coastline spanning three oceans, Old World charm, and New World ideas, hockey.

Yes, that’s right! In today’s post I shine the spotlight on Canada. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to help you plan your next trip to the second-largest country in the world. With its sprawling wilderness and endless beauty, you would be hard-pressed to not enjoy your stay.

So, as the clicks add up while you’re heading to The Peg (Winnipeg) or wherever your plans take you, be sure to treat yourself to a Timmies Double Double and some Timbits from Tim Hortons.

Banff National Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

Crossing the Border

What awaits you at the Canada-United States border? If you’re thinking of taking an RV trip from one country to the other, make sure you hone up on current border crossing requirements. Know the rules for each country including similarities and differences to experience a smooth, hassle-free crossing. 

Having correct documentation is the key. To drive across the border, you’ll have to present identification to border-crossing officials. Acceptable forms of ID include a passport, a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, or an enhanced driver’s license. American citizens entering Canada also may use paperwork that shows proof of U.S. citizenship such as a birth certificate. For Canadian citizens crossing the border into the United States, a birth certificate is acceptable identification only for children under 16. Each passenger in your vehicle needs appropriate identification.

Have copies of the registration and insurance information for each of your vehicles as well. Bring proof of up-to-date rabies vaccinations for your dogs and cats on board. As for COVID-19 requirements, Canada has removed their rules for those arriving from the United States has done the same. 

Jasper National Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

What can I bring? When entering the United States, you’re required to disclose the following items to border-crossing officials: firearms, fruits and vegetables, plants and cut flowers, meat and animal products, and live animals. Numerous foods are restricted or prohibited such as most fruits and vegetables (unless commercially canned) and many milk/dairy and poultry/egg products. Canada also maintains a list of restricted/prohibited food items. Both countries prohibit bringing in firewood as well as soil (make sure any camping equipment is free of soil and pests). Most Canadian provinces and territories prohibit radar detectors also. According to Ezbordercrossing.com, both countries have strict firearms protocols.

At the border, open the windows in your RV so the interior is visible. Remove your sunglasses. Turn off phones and the radio. Clearly and courteously communicate your reasons for travel, travel dates, and destinations to border officials.  

Declare all money or currency equal to or over CAN$10,000. It is not illegal to bring such amounts into Canada but you must declare it on arrival.

Banff National Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

Exploring Canada

The Great White North offers so much to see and do. Canada is full of national parks, lakes, mountain ranges, coastal views, and great camping locations. Here’s a sampling of sites worth seeing.

Banff is Canada’s most famous national park and the oldest national park in the country. Banff was designated as a national park in 1885 after the discovery of its hot springs by employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Located in Alberta just 1 hour and 30 minutes west of Calgary, Banff national park is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.

RVs in Jasper National Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

There is a reason everyone flocks to Banff. With snowcapped mountains, glacier lakes, and world-class four-season activities, it’s Canada’s outdoor playground. Banff National Park is so beautiful that one of its most famous lakes, Moraine Lake was depicted on Canada’s twenty-dollar bill.

Another location is Jasper National Park in Alberta, the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and the second-largest dark-sky preserve in the world. An extensive network of trails provides views of its abundant wildlife.

Icefields Parkway, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

Driving along the Icefields Parkway, you will be able to see parts of the Columbia Icefields—the biggest icefield in the Rocky Mountains. It feeds six large glaciers and covers 125 square miles. Athabasca Glacier is one of the six and it is the most visited glacier in North America due to ease of access. The Icefield Interpretive Centre and paid tours are nearby and definitely recommended as a stop on your road trip.

Vaseaux Lake, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights

Folks who love wineries, beaches, and bird-watching may gravitate to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. The Okanagan is characterized by a dry, sunny climate, beautiful landscapes, and a series of lakes. The region receives less than 12 inches of rain and two inches of snow annually and is the hottest and driest place in Canada. On the horizon are mountains of green foliage, aqua blue lakes, and, in the distance, rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights

In central British Columbia, Wells Gray has something to offer every outdoor interest: lush alpine meadows, excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities, hiking, boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Guiding businesses offer horseback riding, canoeing, whitewater rafting, fishing, and hiking. The history enthusiast can learn about the early homesteaders, trappers, and prospectors or about the natural forces that produced Wells Gray’s many volcanoes, waterfalls, mineral springs, and glaciers.

Many people head to Wells Gray for the lakes but there are also over 40 named waterfalls in the park. Many of them are in remote corners of the park but eight of them are easy to reach from Clearwater Valley Road.

Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights

In Newfoundland, Gros Morne National Park features a unique mountain landscape that resembles a massive gorge. The park which was forged by colliding continents and grinding glaciers will surely take your breath away.

You can’t visit Newfoundland without a stop in St. John’s, Newfoundland’s charming capital city filled with windswept hikes, delicious eats, charming landmarks, whale watching, and iceberg hunting, yes, iceberg hunting! 

Long drives in Nova Scotia are definitely desired more than they are dreaded. One of the most scenic routes in Canada is Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail; this 185 mile (298 km) highway runs along the Cape Breton coast line. Stop at the famous Ingonish Beach where you can jump from ocean saltwater to fresh lake water with just a few steps.

Do this drive in the fall and you will be stunned by the natural beauty of the fall trees and the coastal views along the way. If you’re looking for stop along the drive, there is no shortage of things to do and see in Cape Breton. Hike or camp at Cape Breton Highlands National Park, play a round of golf at Highlands Links, peruse artisan shops along the trail, or book your spot on a sea kayaking, cycling, or whale watching tour.

Penticton in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights

With its breathtaking northern coastline, beautiful red sand, and incredible seafood cuisine, it’s no surprise that Prince Edward Island is a popular maritime destination. Dip your toes in the ocean at Cavendish beach, one of P.E.I’s major summertime destinations.

Here you can also visit the famous green-roofed farmhouse and find the Anne of Green Gables Historic site. Golf lovers can enjoy the coastal view while playing a round of Golf at the Green Gables Golf Course. For a scenic drive, Points East Coastal Drive explores the eastern end of the island where beautiful beaches, rare dune systems, and lighthouses mark the coastline.

Fort Assiniboine National Historic Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

Quebec City has a special feature that makes it unique in Canada (and the U.S., for that matter): it has walls. Quebec City is the only city north of Mexico that still has fortified walls. First the French and later the English built up Quebec City’s fortifications between the 17th and the 19th centuries.

Quebec’s entire historic district including the ramparts has since been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can also tour the Citadelle de Quebec which is the largest active military fortress in Canada. Don’t miss visiting the iconic Chateau Frontenac, also a national historic site.

Niagara Falls is made up of three falls with Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three on the Canadian side. Enjoy clear views of Horseshoe Falls and stay past sundown for a chance to see the falls illuminated any night of the year. During the summer and early winter staying past sundown will see you treated to a fireworks show.

Don’t leave the Niagara region without visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake. Begin exploring this famous wine region with the gorgeous scenic drive from Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Summer is peak season but fall harvest season and January’s Icewine Festival can also be great times to visit.

Black Hills, an Okanagan Valley winery, British Columbia © Rex Vogel, all rights

Manitoba is known for its golden prairies, magic skies, and hundreds of thousands of lakes. Asessippi Provincial Park offers camping facilities, trails for hiking and snowmobiling, boating, swimming and water sports on the lake, and some of the best walleye fishing in the province, all accompanied by breathtaking views.

Elk in Jasper National Park, Alberta © Rex Vogel, all rights

Saskatchewan is home to two national parks that are very different from one another: Prince Albert National Park in the northern boreal forest and Grasslands National Park in the prairie grassland natural region. The two national parks are perfect examples of the provinces varied landscape. Just over six hours separating the two parks it is the perfect way to see a wide variety of what Saskatchewan has to offer while visiting this prairie province.

The year is still young. Consider a trip to the Great White North in 2023!

Worth Pondering…
My truck tore across Montana
Ian Tyson sang a lonesome lullaby
And so I cranked up the radio
Cause there’s just a little more to go
For I’d cross the border at that Sweet Grass sign
I’m Alberta Bound.

—Lyrics and recording by Alberta born Country Music singer, Paul Brandt, 2004

What to Know Before Planning Your National Park Summer Vacation

From when to book a reservation to how to avoid traffic

This year, visiting the national parks—one of America’s favorite summer pastimes—will take a bit of extra strategizing. Following the trend of recent years, summer 2023 is shaping up to once again shatter visitor records across the national parks system. 

The National Park Service (NPS) recorded nearly 312 million recreational visits in 2022, a five percent increase over the number of visits in 2021. As you can imagine, this increased wear and tear on hiking trails, park roads, visitor centers, and park amenities like restrooms, restaurants, and gift shops. Road construction, trail repairs and closures, and traffic delays will be widespread this summer. 

Zion National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Worse still, record snowfall in the West is still melting, causing troubles of its own like flooding and landslides. So, as you gear up to have a memorable national parks vacation, keep organized and stay on top of park websites and social media for the latest updates—and most of all, be patient and flexible. Here’s what you should expect.

There will be a lot of traffic

Prepare for road closures and delays. From Grand Teton and Glacier to Rocky Mountain and Zion—even the Blue Ridge Parkway—units across the National Park Service are diligently making much-needed repairs and upgrades to roads, hiking trails, parking lots, and visitor facilities.

At Yellowstone, construction projects are taking place across the park to address last year’s devastating flood damage, stabilize road bridges, and rehabilitate the most heavily trafficked routes including a 20+ mile section of Grand Loop Road which allows access to Old Faithful.

Pro tip: Stay on top of park websites for closures, delays, and traffic. Yellowstone, for one, has a page dedicated to updates on road status including wait times and webcams showing current traffic conditions at park entrances.

Blue Ridge Parkway © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

You’ll want to bring plastic

Not plastic bottles but plastic credit and debit cards. Many parks are going cashless. The idea is that by freeing national park staff from handling and processing cash they can spend more time improving visitor experiences and making park upgrades.

So far this year, more than a dozen national park units have opted to go cash-free including Mount Rainier, Badlands, and Crater Lake. That’s on top of various other NPS units including certain monuments, historic sites, lakeshores, and recreation areas which no longer accept cash.

Pro tip: If you must use cash purchase a prepaid gift card at a grocery or convenience store ahead of your visit to pay for park entrance. Some general stores, resorts, and historical associations within gateway towns may also accept cash for park passes.

Lassen Volcanic National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

You may need a reservation

Long gone are the days when you could just show up at a national park for a scenic drive or an invigorating hike. Some of the most popular parks including Arches and Glacier now require reservations generally in the form of a timed entry ticket that enables access to either the entire park or to a popular corridor like Bear Lake Road at Rocky Mountain.

Several parks also require advance planning to check off the most popular hiking trails. You’ve got to win a permit lottery to hike Half Dome at Yosemite or Angels Landing at Zion. At Shenandoah, a day-use ticket is required to hike Old Rag from March through November.

Pro tip: Set a calendar alert. Every park manages their reservation system differently in terms of when they release timed entry permits. Know when a park will release permits or open a lottery and set your calendar accordingly. And don’t dally. Some permits can be gone within 15 minutes.

Shenandoah National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Some sections of parks will open late this season—if at all

The West got a whole lot of snow this winter. It’s going to take time to melt but as it does, runoff is going to cause rivers and creeks to swell, making for potentially dangerous conditions including slippery rocks and unsafe pedestrian bridges which can cause closures.

The opening of Yosemite’s Glacier Point Road is at least one month behind schedule due to record snowfall and road construction. It’s not expected to open until at least July. Floodwaters in Yosemite Valley are also causing intermittent closure of campgrounds.

Arches National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The 30-mile highway through Lassen Volcanic National Park recently opened for the 2023 summer season though sections might seem like winter. A higher-than-average snowpack has been fully cleared. Visitors to the park should prepare for winter conditions at higher elevations and possible delays due to ongoing road work.

Pro tip: Seek out updates on park websites but also be flexible and open to alternatives. Chat up rangers to identify open park sections and trails that may not have been on your original plan.

Worth Pondering…

I encourage everybody to hop on Google and type in national park in whatever state they live in and see the beauty that lies in their own backyard. It’s that simple.

—Jordan Fisher, American actor and musician

20 Top Things to Do in South Carolina

Quite simply, South Carolina has it all, y’all—and the state has delivered to visiting RVers with a friendly southern drawl

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Midlands and the beaches and marshes of the Coast, South Carolina is full of natural beauty and historic gems. You’ll find a wide variety of attractions in the Palmetto State to explore including stately antebellum mansions, world-class golf courses, and sun-soaked beaches.

The Palmetto State contains many surprises. It’s the first state to open a library (1698) and its state fruit is the peach—it produces even more than Georgia. But beyond what you may not know about this coastal state, South Carolina has plenty of what you would expect from historic estates and cultural tours to gorgeous shorelines and its ever-present oak trees. It’s a state that blends old and new, land and sea.

With hundreds of years of history and postcard-perfect landscapes, South Carolina has something surprising in store for any RV traveler.

Charleston © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

1. Charleston Historic District

Frequently ranked as one of America’s best places to visit, Charleston is known for its candy-colored historic homes, friendly vibe, and a skyline dotted with grand church spires. Take a guided tour or head out on your own to view architectural landmarks like Rainbow Row, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, the city’s oldest church. Then grab provisions from a nearby market like Butcher & the Bee and head to the Battery to enjoy a picnic under majestic oak trees with waterfront views.

>> Get more tips for visiting Charleston

Congaree National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

2. Congaree National Park

Just 18 miles southeast of the state’s capital, Columbia, Congaree National Park contains the country’s largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest and one of the world’s largest concentrations of champion trees including a 167-foot point loblolly pine and 500-year-old cypress trees. Park highlights include the 2.6-mile Boardwalk Loop Trail which departs from the Harry Hampton Visitor Center and traverses through old-growth hardwood forest featuring bald cypress, tupelo, oak, and maple trees.

A marked canoe trail invites visitors to kayak or canoe their way through the park along Cedar Creek. More adventurous and experienced paddlers can take on the Congaree River Blue Trail, a designated 50-mile recreational paddling trail that stretches from Columbia to Congaree Park.  

>> Get more tips for visiting Congaree National Park

Walterboro © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

3. Walterboro

Established in 1826, the City of Walterboro is hailed as the front porch of the Lowcountry with its historic charm, plentiful natural resources, and warm Southern hospitality. For those reminiscing about the warmth and familiarity of an authentic small town, Walterboro provides the perfect opportunity to step back through time.

Treasure-hunters love scouring the village’s dozen antique shops finding everything from high-end antiques to fun vintage souvenirs or shopping the Colleton Farmers Market for farm-fresh produce and delicious homemade food products. Nature lovers can take advantage of South Carolina’s year-round balmy weather and enjoy the quiet solitude of the ACE Basin and Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary (see below).

>> Get more tips for visiting Walterboro

Hunting Island State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

4. Hunting Island State Park

Located near historic Beaufort, four-mile-long Hunting Island is home to dense vegetation and wildlife making it the most natural of the Lowcountry Islands. Climb to the top of Hunting Island lighthouse to survey the palm-studded coastline. Bike the park’s trails through maritime forest to the nature center, fish off the pier, and go bird watching for herons, egrets, skimmers, oystercatchers, and wood storks.

Camping is available at the northern end of the park near the ocean. 102 sites offer water and 20/30/50 amp electric service. Campground roads are paved while the sites are packed soil. Some sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet; others up to 28 feet. The campground is convenient to hot showers with restroom facilities, beach walkways, and a playground.

Charleston © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

5. King Street in Charleston

Once Charleston’s main thoroughfare, historic King Street bisects the peninsula from north to south. Its colorful buildings house restaurants, bars, and shops like Saks Fifth Avenue, Apple, and Anthropologie along with local gems like estate furniture shop George C. Birlant and Co., men’s clothier M. Dumas & Son, women’s ready-to-wear designer collective Hampden Clothing, family-owned fine jewelry store Croghan’s Jewel Box, and rare and used purveyors Blue Bicycle Books.

Edisto Island © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

6. Edisto Island 

Edisto Island is a sea island in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, a rustic world of majestic live oaks that are thickly draped with light-as-air beards of Spanish moss, salt marshes, meandering creeks, and historic plantations. Activities include touring Edisto Island, Edisto Island State Park (See below), the beach, and driving/walking tour of Botany Bay Plantation (see below).

>> Get more tips for visiting Edisto Island

Peachoid, Gaffney © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

7. Gaffney

Southern charm makes Gaffney a desirable place to visit especially if your RV is a motorhome built on a Freightliner chassis. The Freightliner Custom Chassis Factory Service Center offers six service bays, 20 RV electric hookup, and factory-trained technicians. Be sure to visit the factory and see how the custom chassis is produced for the RV market.

And the Peachoid, a 135-foot structures that functions as one million gallon water tank is an iconic landmark that draws attention to one of the area’s major agricultural products.

Greenville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

8. Greenville

As the hub of South Carolina’s Upcountry region, Greenville has been finding its way onto many national Top Ten lists for its lively arts scene, modern downtown, and livability. Known for its exceptional beauty, the two most distinctive natural features of downtown Greenville are its lush, tree-lined Main Street and the stunning Reedy River Falls located in the heart of Falls Park (see below).

Crossing this urban oasis is the award-winning Liberty Bridge and its postcard-perfect photo ops. Shop up and down Augusta Road shopping district and marvel at all the public art that energizes this city.

>> Get more tips for visiting Greenville

St. Helena Island © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

9. St. Helena Island 

In the center of the island surrounded by Spanish moss-draped oak trees you’ll find the Penn Center, a 50-acre historic district comprising 25 historic buildings and structures. The Penn Center was one of the first schools in the country where formerly enslaved persons could receive an education. The center was visited by Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s and continues to work toward preserving and celebrating Gullah culture to this day. Visitors can learn about African American history, art, and culture on self-guided tours and group tours.

Middleton Place © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

10. Middleton Place

Home to America’s oldest landscaped gardens, Middleton Place is a former plantation and a National Historic Landmark. Only one part of the original house still stands and now functions as a museum complete with original furnishings.

The Plantation Stableyards are designed to give visitors a taste of 18th-19th century working plantation life and the beautiful 65 acres of gardens on the property have been planned so that there are flowers in bloom all year round. Interpretive tours of the various areas are offered for a fee and nature walks and guided kayak tours are also available.

Reedy Falls, Greenville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

11. Stroll through Falls Park on the Reedy

This stunning, 32-acre green space in Greenville’s historic West End is the ultimate urban oasis. Stroll along the walking trails to view landscaped gardens, public art installations, dramatic stonework, and a wall from the site’s original 18th-century grist mill.

For the city’s best views and the park’s namesake picturesque waterfalls, cross the 355-foot suspension Liberty Bridge, the longest single-sided bridge in the Western Hemisphere. After visiting the park, head to Passerelle Bistro to dine on French-inspired cuisine like escargot and crab cakes with a view.

Magnolia Plantation © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

12. Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Founded by the Drayton family in 1676, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens has been open to visitors since 1870. It has been owned by the same family for more than three centuries and over the years they have carefully tended and added to the gardens.

There is also a beautiful plantation house on the property and guided tours are available for a small fee. Several other guided tours are offered as well, including a train tour, a boat tour, and a tour of the plantation’s slave cabins. The gardens are open 365 days a year, but hours vary according to the season.

Aububon Swamp © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

13. Audubon Swamp Garden

The Audubon Swamp is a black water cypress and tupelo swamp that’s lovely, mysterious, and unique to this area. Once a freshwater reservoir used for rice cultivation the entire 60 acres is traversed by boardwalks, bridges, and dikes featuring all varieties of local mammals, birds, and reptiles including bald eagles, herons and egrets, otters, turtles and alligators. Allow at least 45 minutes for a self-guided walk. A 45-minute nature boat tour takes visitors through ancient rice fields.

Botany Bay Plantation © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

14. Botany Bay Plantation

If you want to see the South Carolina coast the way the original settlers did, take a step back in time to Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve located adjacent to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast corner of Edisto Island. The 3,363-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. The 6.5-mile route begins along a magnificent avenue of oaks interspersed with loblolly pine and cabbage palmetto.

>> Get more tips for visiting Botony Bay

Cowpens National Battlefield © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

15. Cowpens National Battlefield

On January 17, 1781, the Americans won a decisive battle against the better-trained British Army. The Battle of Cowpens was over in less than an hour. This battle was the event which started British General Cornwallis on his march north to his eventual surrender at Yorktown just nine months later. It was one of those special moments in time when destiny is forever changed. The march to Yorktown had begun.

>> Get more tips for visiting Cowpens National Battlefield

Folly Beach © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

16. Folly Beach

Folly Beach is one of America’s last true beach towns. Just minutes from historic downtown Charleston, Folly Beach is a 12 square mile barrier island that is packed with things to do, see, and eat. Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Folly River, visitors enjoy six miles of wide beaches, surfing, fishing, biking, kayaking, boating, and eco-tours. Folly Island was named after its coastline which was once densely packed with trees and undergrowth: the Old English name for such an area was folly.

Peace Center, Greenville © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

17. The Peace Center

The Peace Center is situated in the heart of Greenville’s downtown area and is largely considered the upstate’s cultural hub. The multipurpose venue is capable of seating 2,100 people in its concert hall, 1,400 people in its amphitheater, and 400 people in its theater. It has event spaces, rehearsal spaces, different stages, and more, making it incredibly versatile for acts of all kinds.

Jazz, Broadway, musical concerts, comedy, political events, and celebrity acts all arrive here to take the stage. There’s also the South Carolina Children’s Theater and the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, which call the Peace Center their home. With all its variety, there’s no surprise that watching a show here is one of the top things to do in South Carolina.

Frances Beidler Forest © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

18. Frances Beidler Forest

Frequented by photographers and nature lovers from around the world, Audubon’s 18,000-acre bird and wildlife sanctuary offers a beauty unsurpassed in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Frances Beidler is the world’s largest virgin cypress-tupelo swamp forest—a pristine ecosystem untouched for millennia. Enjoy thousand-year-old trees, a range of wildlife, and the quiet flow of blackwater, all from the safety of a 1.75-mile boardwalk.

Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

19. Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary

There is a beautiful wildlife sanctuary located in the middle of Walterboro. Easily reached from I-95, the Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary (formerly the Great Swamp Sanctuary), is a great place to leave the traffic behind, stretch your legs, and enjoy nature. Located within the ACE Basin, the East Coast’s largest estuarine preserve, the sanctuary contains a network of boardwalks, hiking, biking, and canoe trails that are perfect for viewing a diversity of a black water bottomland habitat. The 3.5-mile loop is paved and well maintained.

>> Get more tips for visiting Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary

Edisto Beach State Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

20. Edisto Beach State Park

Located on Edisto Island, Edisto Beach State Park is one of four oceanfront parks in South Carolina. Its 1.25-mile public beach is ideal for swimmers and beachcombers—and also a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

The state park is situated neatly between a salt marsh and the beach making it possible to hear the waves lapping at the shore regardless of whether you’re staying in an RV, tent, or cabin. Located in the town of Edisto Beach, it’s just a short walk or bike ride from the grocery store, gas station, restaurants, and shops.

The park has an impressive array of camping sites in oceanfront and maritime forest habitats and most can accommodate RVs, some up to 40 feet. There are 64 oceanside sites and 33 sites along the salt marsh. Many sites offer easy access to the sea, sand, and sun. There is also a restroom and showering facility on the premises.

>> Get more tips for visiting Edisto Beach State Park

Worth Pondering…

As the old song declares, “Nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning,” or almost any other time.

The Magnificent History of the Maligned and Misunderstood Fruitcake

We all know what a fruitcake is, or at least we think we do

The simple holiday fruitcake has been to outer space, served as the world’s first energy bar, and is an international $100 million business. However, despite all of these achievements, this ancient Roman dessert is still the target of countless jokes.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The polarizing dessert that people love to hate became a Christmas mainstay thanks, in part, to the U.S. Postal Service. An estimated 3 billion packages will circulate through the postal service and delivery companies this holiday season. Somewhere among them is a 50-year-old fruitcake from Otsego County, New York.

Nothing says Christmas quite like a fruitcake—or, at the very least, a fruitcake joke. In a 1985 monologue, “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson quipped: “The worst gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world and people keep sending it to each other.”

It’s certainly earned its reputation for longevity.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

True to Carson’s word, Phyllis Eggler and Jeanne Schuyler have been exchanging the same fruitcake since the late 1960s. The Egglers and the Schuylers were both newlywed couples living on different floors of the same home on Valleyview Street in Oneonta.

“He was very cheap,” Eggler said of their landlord. Eggler said the fruitcake gift inspired a prank.

“My husband and I rewrapped it as a joke,” she said. “That got it started.”

“The next year, we sent it back to them,” Schuyler said. “We’d just go along with it.”

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Eggler and Schuyler, now in their 80s and widowed, still talk on the phone regularly and have no plans to give up the tradition. “It’s just a little fruitcake, but we’ve had lots of laughs over it,” Eggler said.

Mail-order fruitcakes became a popular holiday tradition in the early 20th century due to their enduring shelf life. Traditional recipes call for soaking a loaf in liqueur or brandy and coating it in powdered sugar, both of which are thought to inhibit mold.

Fruitcake is known to stay fresh for an inordinate amount of time.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

In 2017 Antarctic conservators came upon a specimen that tests the limits of the treat: a 106-year-old cake, found in one of Antarctica’s first buildings. This particular cake is believed to have been brought over in 1910 during the Terra NovaExpedition to the South Pole, led by British Royal Navy officer Robert Falcon Scott. According to the Antarctic Heritage Trust, “it has been documented that Scott took this particular brand of cake with him at that time.”

But the honor for the oldest known existing fruitcake goes to one that was baked in 1878 when Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the United States.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Every year Freida Ford whipped up a fruitcake that would age for a year before being served the following holiday season. After making a cake in 1878, the 65-year-old matriarch died before it could be eaten. When the holidays arrived, the family no longer regarded her handiwork as food. They saw it as a legacy. Now it’s being kept in tribute to Ford’s great-grandson, Morgan, who was its biggest champion until his passing in 2013.

What’s amazing about these old fruitcakes is that people have tasted them and lived, meaning they are still edible after all these years.

The combination of sugar, low moisture ingredients (dried nuts, dried fruit, and “candied” fruit or peel) and some high-proof spirits make fruitcakes some of the longest-lasting foods in the world.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Fruitcake’s great, great, grandfather is the Roman Satura. The ancient Romans were looking for a way to sustain their troops in battle and developed a bread consisting of pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, raisins, barley mash, and honeyed wine. This cake was packed with calories and lasted long enough to fortify a soldier through an epic and exhausting campaign.

As dried fruits became more readily available, this Roman warrior energy bar eventually made its way off the battlefields and into homes as a dessert for special occasions. When Rome fell, local variations on the fruitcake emerged including Italy’s dense, sweet-and-spicy panaforte (literally, “strong bread”) and panettone, Germany’s stollen, a tapered loaf coated with melted butter and powdered sugar that’s more bread-like in consistency, and Britain’s plum pudding

Then, during the sugar boom of the 16th century the fruitcake, that we know today, began to emerge in Europe. Increasing amounts of fruit began to be preserved by soaking the fruit in inexpensive sugar from the colonies.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The modern fruitcake was created as a way to deal with the abundance of sugar-laced fruit and, by the early 19th century, the typical recipe was full of citrus peel, pineapples, plums, dates, pears, and cherries. By the late 1800s, the fruitcake was gifted in decorative tins, becoming a holiday staple with Christmas and fruitcake becoming intertwined in Victorian England with the help of colonial sugar.

The British adaptation of the Roman Satura recipe, plum porridge, was influenced by the sugar trade and the traditional meat in the porridge was replaced with the readily available sugar preserved fruit. During Christmas in the 19th century, it was traditional for English nobles to feed poor carolers with a slice of plum pudding and the Christmas carol, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” made begging for this figgy pudding famous.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The fruitcake becomes part of American history thanks to the very first first lady, Martha Washington, who made it for friends and family. So did another American icon, Emily Dickinson. The beloved poet made sure to bake fruitcake for everyone on her Christmas list. For a recluse and an introvert, she had a lot of friends. Her recipe for black cake, so called because it is brandy-rich, thick, dense, and dark with raisins, prunes, and dates—serves 60.

Before long, most cuisines had some sort of fruited breads or cakes that were early versions of the modern fruitcake. Fruitcakes are different in Europe than they are in America. European fruitcakes are more like the medieval fruited bread than the versions made in Great Britain and the United States. The two most common styles of fruitcake in Europe are the stollen and panettone.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

British and American versions are much more cakelike. Fruitcakes came to America with the European colonists, and the rising tide of emigration from Britain to New England closely mirrored an influx of cheap sugar from the Caribbean.

Sugar was the key to preserving fruit for use across the seasons. One of the favorite methods of preserving fruit was to “candy” it. Candied fruit, sometimes known as crystallized fruit, is fruit that’s been cut into small pieces, boiled in sugar syrup, tossed in granulated sugar and allowed to dry.

Thanks to this technique, colonists were able to keep fruit from the summer harvest to use in their Christmas confections and fruitcakes became one of the most popular seasonal desserts.

Fruitcakes were also popular due to their legendary shelf life, which, in an era before mechanical refrigeration, was extremely desirable.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The best fruit cakes are matured—or “seasoned” in fruitcake lingo—for at least three months before they are cut. Seasoning not only improves the flavor of the fruitcake but it makes it easier to slice.

Seasoning a fruitcake involves soaking cheesecloth in brandy, bourbon, whiskey, rum or other liquor and then wrapping it around the cooked, cooled fruitcake and storing, or simply brushing the cake with an alcohol of your choice and wrap tightly and letting it sit in a cool, dark place.

Credit for the fruitcake’s popularity in America should at least partially go to the U.S. Post Office.

Fruitcake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The institution of Rural Free Delivery in 1896 and the addition of the Parcel Post service in 1913 caused an explosion of mail-order foods in America. Overnight, once rare delicacies were a mere mail-order envelope away for people anywhere who could afford them.

Worth Pondering…

Friends are the fruitcake of life—some nutty, some soaked in alcohol, some sweet.

—Jon Ronson

The Ultimate Guide to Capitol Reef National Park

Discover the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic wrinkle on earth

I’ve often said that all of southern Utah should be protected as national parkland. The entire region is filled with unusual, ornate, and beautiful geologic formations that take shape, color, and texture to a level that is truly beyond comprehension (unless you are a geologist and if that is the case you already know how special Capitol Reef is). The crown jewel of the park is Waterpocket Fold, the second largest monocline in North America, a feature that is often described as a wrinkle in the Earth’s crust resembling a coral reef turned inside out.

This one-of-a-kind landscape has sustained human life since long before European settlers knew about it. From the ancient Paleo-Indians who roamed here some 12,000 years ago to the more recent Ute and Southern Paiute peoples who were displaced from it, the land we now know as Capitol Reef has a much deeper and richer history than the average visitor knows.

Capitol Reef is perhaps Utah’s most underrated National Park. The park is about 2.5 hours east of Bryce Canyon via the Scenic Byway 12, an All-American Road. Much like Zion, the landscape is centered amid massive red rock cliffs.

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Situated squarely in the desert, Capitol Reef sees less than 10 inches of rain per year though it does experience occasional snowfall during its chilly winter. Daytime temperatures in July and August can climb past the 100 degrees mark but the climate is generally temperate and pleasant with highs in the 40s even in December and January.

Although undeniably remote, Capitol Reef is served by a variety of small gateway towns which offer camping, restaurants, and other attractions to visitors—the closest of which is Torrey. Park-goers can also reach Grover, Teasdale, and Bicknell within a few minutes.

Explore a wrinkle in space-time—or at least in the earth’s surface—at Capitol Reef. Surrounding the geological wonder known as the Waterpocket Fold, the park is known for its fairytale landscape boasting a variety of landmarks like the Chimney Rock pillar, the Hickman Bridge arch, and Cathedral Valley. Capitol Reef National Park is also home to over 2,700 fruit-bearing trees situated in its historic orchards—apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, plums, mulberries, and more are seasonally available for fresh picking.

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The park and its surrounding areas protected under the Bureau of Land Management are full of canyons, ridges, buttes, badlands, and monoliths creating a 387-mile playground for modern-day explorers while serving up prize shots for landscape photographers. Beyond the natural landscape is a rich cultural past spanning more than a thousand years that was cultivated by the Fremont Indians and later, Mormon settlers who pioneered the park during the turn of the 19th century. Between easy-to-access areas surrounded by undeniable beauty, boundless backcountry wilderness to explore, and interesting local history, it is unsurprising that Capitol Reef National Park sees high visitation numbers despite its off-the-beaten-path location.

Like many national parks, Capitol Reef is divided into separate and very distinct areas— Fruita Rural Historic District, Cathedral Valley, and Waterpocket Fold. I’ve outlined them below, there are three, and included some awesome spots to stop at in each of them. 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Fruita Rural Historic District

The Fruita Rural Historic District is the most popular area in the park in terms of visitation. The paved Scenic Drive starting near the visitor center travels 20 miles (out and back) through gorgeous slick rock scenery and provides access along the way to many established trails that trot off into the landscape. There is an important cultural history in this area of the park as well. 

The village of Fruita was established along the Fremont River by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s who found there a rich utopia where they could flourish as the Fremont Indians had many centuries prior. The new settlers planted fruit trees along irrigation lines that were dug by the Fremont culture, trees that remain today. With that, an opportune first stop… 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Fruita Orchards

The Fruita Orchards are a popular place during the spring, summer, and fall when parkgoers file into the valley to harvest peaches, apricots, and apples. Anyone is welcome to visit open areas to sample and harvest fruit for a small fee. Healthy snacks for the trail! 

Petroglyphs of the Fremont Culture

Carved into the sandstone formations in Fruita is the Fremont Petroglyphs, chipped rock art depicting animals, people, shapes, and other forms indicative of their hunter/gatherer existence. The petroglyphs can be seen on several large panels east of the park visitor center on UT Highway 24. There is parking, a boardwalk, and viewing platforms making it easy for all to catch a glimpse of the intriguing relics.

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Hickman Arch

No visit to a Utah national park could be complete without a sandstone arch framing the scenic landscape. The Hickman Bridge is a 133-foot natural bridge with canyon views in all directions. Getting to it is easy with roadside parking on UT 24. The trail to the bridge is a cool 1-mile.

Torrey Log School and Church

The Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or LDS) with the help of local settlers built this one-room log structure in 1898 using natural resources found in the area that included shingles supplied by a local mill and donations of doors and windows from neighboring communities. The structure was used as a school until attendance superseded the space available. The school then evolved into a meeting house for members of the LDS church. The Torrey School and Church are now on the National Register as a historical building. 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Gifford House

This rural homestead is a classic example of early 20th-century rural Utah farm homes. It was built by Calvin Pendleton in 1908 who occupied it with his family for eight years. Other private owners followed the Pendleton family until eventually, the land became part of the national park. The homestead sits on 200 acres of land and has seven rooms, a barn, and smokehouse, a garden, rock walls, and a pasture. This homestead is a prized example of earlier times and as such has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Gifford House is operated today in partnership with the Capitol Reef Natural History Association and the U.S. National Park Service which operate it as a museum and learning center to preserve and to also raise awareness of Utah’s cultural past.  

Panorama Point

Panorama Point is an easy turn-off from US 24 and offers exactly what the name suggests—panoramic views in all directions. After following a short walk on a paved path to the top of the hill, fantastic views await particularly so at sunset. It is also a fine place to get a sense of the lay of the land.    

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Cathedral Valley

The Cathedral Valley area is a backcountry dream where you can get lost in solitude while exploring Utah’s rugged and remote wilderness ecosystems. Not only is the Cathedral Valley area completely stunning but its far-flung location is infrequently visited allowing visitors a respite from crowds found in more accessible areas. There is much to see and do in the Cathedral Valley—driving on primitive roads under big skies, shooting the sunrise at cool formations like the Temple of the Sun, Moon, and Stars, camping and hiking with peace as your guides… it’s amazing out there!  

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Glass Mountain

One of the coolest sites in the national park is Glass Mountain, a small formation of exposed gypsum made of selenite crystals. The textured mound looks like it is decorated by broad brush strokes of dirt exposing glassy crystals. You can find it next to the Temple of the Moon monolith and plan for at least 30 minutes to explore it. Even though it is relatively small when compared to other features in the park and climbing on its delicate gem is forbidden it is so unique and interesting that you will probably find yourself doing laps around it spellbound by the incredible textured shapes of the gypsum. 

Gypsum Sinkhole

Five miles from the Cathedral Valley campground is the Gypsum Sinkhole—a 200-foot deep, 50-foot wide chasm that formed when water dissolved the below-ground gypsum foundation allowing the site to cave in. It is astounding to stand over and look down into a depression like this falling so deep into the Earth, a reminder of the forces of nature always at work beneath the planetary surface. 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Morrell Cabin

The historic Morrell Cabin and Corral in Cathedral Valley sheds light on how this area has been used during the last century. It was built in the 1920s on Thousand Lake Mountain by a wealthy landowner named Paul Christensen and was moved during the 1930s to its current location in the Cathedral Valley by Lesley Morrell. Locally known as “Les’s Cabin,” it once served as a stop along for cattle ranchers traveling to and from Thousand Lake Mountain where they could eat, sleep, rest, and refuel. The National Park Service purchased the site in 1970. It is listed today on the National Registrar of Historic Places.  

Waterpocket Fold

Waterpocket Fold, the geologic feature, is a 100-mile rocky spine extending from Thousand Lake Mountain to Lake Powell. Its technical name is a monocline which citing the Oxford Dictionary is a “bend in rock strata that is otherwise uniformly dipping or horizontal.”

Waterpocket Fold, the area, is the least visited section of the national park. It has few services and few marked trails that are of course highly enticing for backpackers who want to head out into the wilderness to get lost. The Halls Creek Narrows and the Lower Muley Twist Canyon are two of the most popular spots in the park to set off from on a backpacking adventure.

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Fact Box

Size: 37,711 acres

Date established: December 18, 1971 (designated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a National Monument in 1937) 

Location: South-central Utah

Designation: Certified IDA International Dark Sky Park

Park elevation: 3,687 feet to 11,574 feet, alverag elevation is 6,384 feet 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Park entrance fee: $20/vehicle, valid for 7 days

Camping fee: $25

Recreational visits (2021): 1,405,353

How the park got its name: Capitol Reef was given its name for the white domes of Navajo sandstone that resemble the domes of the capitol buildings found throughout the United States and for the rocky cliff formations, the “reef,” which presents a barrier to travel through this rugged terrain just as it does in the sea. 

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Iconic site in the park: The massive monolith formations found in the Cathedral Valley look like church cathedrals as their name suggests and jump out from the backdrop like the subject of a children’s pop-up book. The 57-mile loop drive taken to get there passes through the San Rafael Swell, an all-terrain environment that takes some commitment (and a high clearance vehicle) to get to. The most well-known “cathedrals” are the 400-foot high Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, each of which captures beautiful golden light during both sunrise and sunset depending on where you stand.

Accessible adventure: Ancient past meets modern present for auto-tourists along the paved park road (UT 24) and Scenic Drive, two separate roads that wind through the heart of the park in the Fruita Rural Historic District. These roads bring visitors passed rivers, valleys, orchards, historical rural buildings, petroglyphs, and aside formations made of sedimentary rock that is 225 million years old. There are nearly 40 established trails throughout the Fruita area as well as plenty of wildlife-watching opportunities, so keep your eyes peeled and drive safely.

Did you know?

Utah is home to what the state calls “The Mighty 5” —Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef National Parks.

The nearest traffic light to Capitol Reef National Park is 78 miles away.

There is no formal entrance to the national park. Payment is due at the visitor center and you are on your honor. Have honor!

Capitol Reef National Park © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

There are 10 sites in Capitol Reef National Park on the National Registrar of Historic Places. 

Capitol Reef is approximately 60 miles long and about 6 miles wide.

Waterpocket Fold is nearly 100 miles long.

Most of Capitol Reef is made of sedimentary strata rock ranging in age from 270 to 80 million years old.  

There are 239 recorded bird species in the national park.

Worth Pondering…

 …of what value are objects of a past people if we don’t allow ourselves to be touched by them. They are alive. They have a voice. They remind us what it means to be human; that it is our nature to survive, to be resourceful, to be attentive to the world we live in.

—Terry Tempest Williams, Exploring the Fremont

The Ogopogo! One More Reason to Visit the Okanagan

What is Ogopogo?

Throughout the course of history, there has been a sense of mystery when it comes to deep water and what could be living beneath the surface. Just as Lake Champlain has its legendary lake monster, Champ, and Loch Ness has woven a tale of Nessie, the legendary monster that supposedly swims beneath its dark waters, Canada, too, has a legend of its own.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

In the Western Canadian province of British Columbia, near the very bottom of Canada, there is a series of lakes in a desert. The Okanagan is characterized by a dry, sunny climate and beautiful landscapes. The region receives about 12 inches of rain and two inches of snow annually and is the hottest and driest place in Canada. On the horizon are mountains of green foliage, aqua blue lakes, and, in the distance, rolling vineyards as far as the eye can see.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Before becoming a wine destination, the Okanagan was a family holiday spot, best known for its “beaches and peaches”—the lakes with their sandy shores, boating, and waterskiing as well as the countless fruit stands. The beaches and peaches—and cherries, apricots, apples, and pears—are still there, and the Okanagan still welcomes families. With its mild, dry climate, the region is also popular with golfers, hikers, and bikers.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Okanagan Lake is home to boating, swimming, and general summertime recreational fun. It’s a place for families and adults to gather and enjoy the warmest days of the year but as it turns out, many think they may not be alone in the water. Ogopogo, the sea serpent that’s believed to live in the waters of this scenic lake, may just be swimming around right beneath their feet. For many, this is enough of a reason to visit the area—but how likely is an Ogopogo sighting, really?

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The Legend Of Ogopogo

The legend of Canada’s lake monster and sightings of it dates back to the 19th century. It’s believed that the serpent which is consistently estimated to be anywhere from 40 to 60 feet in length lives in Okanagan Lake, the largest of the five freshwater lakes that are interconnected by a river channel in the British Columbia interior.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

While the legend of Ogopogo seems like it should be older, the lake itself is much older than the legend. These glacial lakes were formed some 10,000 years prior when the water from melted glaciers flooded the Okanagan Valley. The depth of the lake is 762 feet which, for some, means that the lake is far too expansive to know for sure what lives in it. For others, all of this depth is just further proof—who’s to say that something this extraordinary couldn’t be hiding beneath the surface?

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

One night in 1924, a song was sung in a local music hall about a strange creature. Not too many details of the song are known but the lyrics are cited as being:

His mother was an earwig,

His father was a whale;

A little bit of head

And hardly any tail

And Ogopogo was his name.

Two years later, the song was published in the Vancouver Province. Since then, the elusive creature has gained the nickname Oggy, with potential names for its offspring being ‘Ogopups.’

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Native Myths Surrounding Lake Okanagan

Some have consulted history that dates much further back than the first settlers to the region to understand the mystery surrounding Ogopogo. The Secwepemc and the Sylix native tribes believed that the lake monster was an evil supernatural entity with great power. It was believed that the creature was destined to carry out an ill will and they referred to it as Naitaka.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The word “n’ha-a-itk” has various translations, such as “water-demon”, “water god”, or “sacred creature of the water”. In native lore, Naitaka demanded a live sacrifice for a safe crossing of the lake. For hundreds of years, First Nations would sacrifice small animals before entering the water.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Oral traditions often described visiting chief Timbasket who rejected the required sacrifice denying the existence of the demon. Upon entering the lake on a canoe with his family, Naitaka “whipped up the surface of the lake with his long tail” and the canoe and its occupants were sucked to the bottom of the lake. The Naitaka was often described as using its tail to create fierce storms to drown victims. In 1855, settler John MacDougal claimed that his horses were sucked down into the water and nearly his canoe before he cut the line.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

It is reputed that the demonic view of Naitaka came about through miscommunication between Canada’s early European settlers and the Syilx/Okanagan people. To the Syilx, it’s n ̓x̌ax̌aitkʷ (n-ha-ha-it-koo), a sacred spirit of the lake that protects the valley. The spirit was said to dwell in caves under Rattlesnake Island (a.k.a. Monster Island) or adjacent to Squally Point.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Modern-Day Sightings of Ogopogo

During the 1980s, there was a reward of one million dollars offered for anyone who could obtain definitive proof of the monster. From that point on, the legend of Ogopogo became almost a part of daily life around Okanagan Lake. From sculptures that were made of the mythical creature to people claiming that they sighted him on an almost monthly basis, there was seemingly no escaping the legend. According to BBC, the lake monster was even declared an ‘endangered species’ by Greenpeace and was featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

Compelling Evidence

The most recent and most compelling evidence for the existence of Ogopogo comes from a cell phone video taken back in 2019. A man by the name of Jim La Rocque captured footage of what appears to be several large humps rising out of the water and swimming away from where he and his children were enjoying the lake on a sunny day.

Okanagan Lake © Rex Vogel, all rights reserved

The movement in the water is unlike any other known creature and has a snake-like appearance that one might expect with lake monsters such as Champ or Loch Ness. While some scholars believe that the motion in the water is the result of varying temperatures in the lake, others swear that it’s Ogopogo—to this day, nothing as convincing has been spotted or caught on camera.

Worth Pondering…

His mother was an earwig,

His father was a whale;

A little bit of head

And hardly any tail

And Ogopogo was his name.