The desert tortoise, Mojave Max, who is like the West’s Punxsutawney Phil, will only exit brumation when it feels like spring.

The western U.S. is home to some of the earth’s most concentrated geothermal activity. From geysers and fumaroles to lava tubes and hot springs, getting outside and seeing earth science in action with your own eyes is an incredible experience. While Yellowstone is well known for its geysers, and has the highest concentration of them [...]

There’s no better way to cool off from a warm weather hike than by taking a dip in a lake, pond or swimming hole. Such bodies of water can be found in forests throughout the United States. Some are hidden gems, while some attract groups of people looking to cool off.   Pack a towel, grab [...]

Whether you had your life changed by the 2017 eclipse — or you missed it and have been living in regret ever since — we’ve got good news. You’ll have another shot at seeing an eclipse in 2023. Better yet, it’ll be visible from more than 20 national park units across the U.S., which means [...]

The summer season is prime time to enjoy music and art in the great outdoors. Whether you prefer to kick back with a cold beer, jam and dance all night, discover new and unusual art or explore a bit of nature, there’s an outdoor festival made for you.  From your usual suspects like Bonnaroo and [...]

On March 21, the Biden Administration officially designated two brand-new national monuments: Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and Castner Range in Texas. The monuments will protect a combined 514,000 acres of public land, which will be open to hiking, camping, and outdoor recreation of all kinds.  Avi Kwa Ame National Monument is a swath of [...]

The Grand Canyon draws in millions of annual visitors with its steep, rusty red cliffs and sprawling natural vistas dotted with ponderosa pines. But this canyon is huge—277 miles long, to be exact—and offers far more to explore than a simple drive-by will allow. Fortunately, the vast majority of lodging in and around the Grand [...]

Humans have always been drawn to stargazing—and it’s easy to see why. The vast darkness juxtaposed against the brilliant dots of light evokes a sense of astronomical wonder that reminds us just how much more is out there beyond our own existence. In recent years, stargazing tourism has boomed, with travelers seeking out the best [...]

On January 19, 2023, two skiers got caught in an avalanche just outside Heavenly Mountain Resort’s ski area boundaries. Both survived.  According to the Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC), the avalanche forecast that day was “considerable,” a designation that indicates significant avalanche danger in backcountry terrain. That’s mostly owing to the recent storm cycle, which deposited [...]

When you come to the desert for a camping trip, you can look at its most common wildlife as something to be scared of and avoid or as a focus of interest, learning, and discovery. Whether you find things like spiders, snakes, and scorpions creepy or fascinating, you’ll want to know about how to interact [...]