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Travel Memories: The Best of 2024

Posted on by Elissa

Intro

Feeling inspired by some of my favorite bloggers who write both monthly and annual recaps, and inspired by how eventful 2024 was, I decided to also start writing recaps myself! The idea behind writing these recaps is twofold: hopefully inspire others to spend more time outside and/or to visit somewhere new, to get me writing again more regularly, and to hold myself accountable to also opt outside as much as possible.

I stopped writing regularly because I found myself being so focused on another part of running a website that I honestly sometimes enjoy even more than writing: the actual design work and backend logistics like SEO, accessibility, and weight. I knew I loved all of that stuff (hey, freewebz in like 2004), but I let it consume me.

Plus I’ve never done a travel recap before now, and I love reading recap posts! I learn so much (about travel, cultures, etc.) from reading recaps and find them to be really entertaining. I love learning about other people’s travels too. Oh you visited somewhere new? TELL ME EVERYTHING. Genuinely. Don’t leave out a single detail.

It’s a good time for reflection too, and I am just so grateful for the memories made in 2024 that I really just wanted to write them down. I would hope it goes without saying, but just in case, dear world: I’m incredibly grateful of all of the travel memories I’ve made in my life, especially since I didn’t think relatively consistent travel would ever be in my future. It took a lot to get to this point and I am proud of it. So here we are!

Away we go…

January – Colorado – Skiing and Hot Springs

The year started off strong with a week-long ski trip to Colorado with some of our best friends and who we ski with often. We spent the first night in Denver, eating at Bao Brewhouse, playing at Rhein Haus Denver, and grabbing a drink at speakeasy Retrograde.

Day 2 we hopped onto I-70 and stopped for a half day of skiing at Echo Mountain, followed by finishing our drive to Granby. The rest of the week was spent skiing at Granby Ranch, an afternoon soaking in hot springs at Hot Sulphur Springs, skiing at Steamboat Springs (I was working remote that day), and exploring the towns of Granby and Winter Park.

This was such a fun week! And a great way to kick off the year – if we ignore getting temporarily stranded in Winter Park due to the Berthoud Pass avalanche.

Four people in ski suits standing on mountain. One person is lying down.
Group at Granby Ranch
Skiers standing on mountain giving thumbs up or waving
Group at Steamboat
(I stayed at the AirBnB for work)

February – Wisconsin – the State’s Highest Point

This was also my first solo hike! Eric and Jessica went skiing at Granite Peak Ski Area, and I went on my first solo hike to explore Rib Mountain State Park, which is conveniently connected to Granite Peak at the top where the ski lift drops off skiers.

I got 4.5 miles of hiking in, which felt great! I had my new day pack, the Jetboil to make lunch, snacks, water, and layers to ensure I was comfortable. I carried more than necessary for “just” a 4.5 mile hike because I was practicing for an upcoming trek in Iceland. More on that later in this post!

April – Missouri – Total Solar Eclipse and visiting a new baseball stadium

Eeeek I love baseball stadiums! I rarely talk about it, but one of my (many) life goals is to see as many MLB stadiums as I can. On our way to our campsite for the total solar eclipse, an overnight was already planned for Kansas City. Eric and Josh went along with my wishes to go to the Royals game and for that I am grateful. What a cool, intimate ballpark!

Of course, the point and biggest highlight of this trip was the total solar eclipse itself. Eric’s friend/coworker Chris invited us to the same campground his family and his friend’s family were staying at: Echo Bluff State Park. It was also special to spend this time with Eric’s aunt Gail and her best friends Joe and Betty.

After seeing the total solar eclipse in 2018, I became set on trying to see it as many more times as my life will allow. It is the most magical moment. I would encourage anyone who has the ability to see this happen, to not pass up the opportunity.

Three people standing in front of a baseball field.
Photo of a camera with the screen open showing the total solar eclipse.

May – Minnesota – Aurora Dancing Up North

OKAY speaking of magical things in the sky! We are definitely northern lights chasers. The amount of times we’ve left the house at 9pm and didn’t get home until midnight (and *gasp* on a work night) just to chase the aurora can’t be counted. It’s such a magical experience, up there with the total solar eclipse, and I will chase those dancing lights until I can’t anymore (hint about an upcoming trip? maybe).

We were absolutely blessed with the most powerful and awe-inspiring northern lights show that I’ve ever seen. Ever. Even on television. With our naked eyes we could see purples, reds, and greens. We pinned our favorite, super secret, up north campsite and drove 3 hours for this opportunity. Staring through the netting of our tent at the incredible light show above is something I think about all. the. time. It was so powerful that these photos didn’t even need editing!

Photo of the sky with the northern lights and silhouettes of trees and a tent.

July – Iceland – Trekking the Laugavegur Trail

July brought me to the jaw dropping country of Iceland. I rarely travel back to the same place twice (there’s so much of the world to see!), let alone three times, but I love Iceland. Between the stunning landscapes and incredible geography, I can’t say no.

But I wasn’t in Iceland for vacation – I was working! This was the very first trip I got to lead for Women Who Explore (an organization I’ve been a part of since 2020). The women on this trip were encouraging and motivating, and we had the best time. The full trip notes and photos deserve their own blog post, so I’ll keep this one short.

A couple of years ago, I set a goal to do a thru hike someday. Though it’s not one of the more well known or high mileage thru hikes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, it’s still a thru hike – and a great one at that.

We tracked over 50 trail miles (not counting walking around the city/towns) over 4 days through four chilly river crossings, through rain, crazy wind, beating sun, and even sand (sometimes all at once). The trek also took us up over 8,438 feet of elevation gain! Wow.

I am so proud of us. This was the greatest and wildest and toughest experience.

PS shoutout to my knee PT team Dr. Gregg and Nate for getting me prepped for this endeavor because without them (and the other clinic docs and staff) I would have majorly suffered and potentially not even made it.

Woman standing next to wooden wayfinding sign denoting the Laugavegur trail.
Woman wearing a hat smiling with mountain and river in background.
Grass covered mountains with clouds above and a river below.
Woman standing while holding trekking poles pointing toward the rolling green mountains in the background

August – Minnesota – Backpacking the North Country Trail

I promised myself to make the rest of 2024 the year of trails and when I returned from my Iceland trek a few days into August, only a couple of weeks later I was back on another long trail! This time, not thru hiking. The North Country Trail actually spans across 8 states and a whopping 4,800 miles! Incredible.

850 of those miles go through my beautiful state of Minnesota. Women Who Explore ambassador Jen (she hosts events in North Dakota and Minnesota) has a goal to hike the MN portion of the NCT over time. She set up an event in the Minnesota Chapter to spend a weekend backpacking a beautiful portion of it, and I was really excited to join them!

We tracked 19 miles over the course of 3 days (one 1/2 day, one full day, then another 1/2 day) and it was TOUGH, but empowering, and despite the rain and mosquitos and crawling over and under a million downed trees, the trip showed me that I am capable. And I actually do like backpacking! THANK GOD, because I saved up and bought gear over the course of three years to make this (and future) trip happen – hahaha.

Woman with bug net on standing in grass in front of sign that reads "North Country National Scenic Trail"
Tents set up on grass with trees and sky in background.

August – Minnesota – ARA Ojibwe Forests Rally

This one may seem off-brand for me, but hear me out. Picture: Elissa from like 2002-2007, loving motocross, wanting to be a motocross racer, loving all things X-Games and Travis Pastrana… falling out of it but still checking in every so often after then. Cut to 2017: I get to attend the summer X-Games in Minneapolis and I AM SO PUMPED, it instantly re-sparked that excitement.

Cut to August 2022 and August 2023: An ARA Rally takes place in up north Minnesota and we don’t get a chance to attend either of those two years. Cut to August 2024: We finally get to go! Travis is there. And I fangirl over the experience and fall in love with his charismatic co-driver, Rhianon, who I hope to learn how to co-drive from someday. It’s so cool to see females in motorsports. I know this isn’t a new thing, but it’s still really empowering, especially since motorsports are still typically more male-dominated.

The Ojibwe Forests Rally weekend was so much fun. It was exciting to watch the cars fly around corners and throwing dirt back at the spectators, fun to watch the awards ceremonies – to see the “shoey” live from the front row, and to be a part of these moments. This weekend made me start looking into rally co-driving and as mentioned above I hope to take one of Rhianon’s classes someday. We’ll consider that a stretch goal 😉 I plan to be more involved in 2025.

Four people standing in racing suits on a podium celebrating a win

September – Colorado – Hiking and Casa Bonita

Another goal I set for 2024 was to summit a mountain. The best way for me personally to do this was by hiking (vs. mountaineering or climbing). I love Colorado so much, I would move there in a heartbeat, and since Colorado has some pretty amazing mountains – plus it’s just a day’s drive and cheap distance away – that would be my best option to get on a mountain.

But first – dinosaurs! Our first stop was at Dinosaur Ridge. It’s an easy hike but has so many dinosaur tracks and fossils, it’s well worth the stop. It’s also home to one of only twelve known raptor footprints! We even saw a bobcat! If you’re a fan of music and amazing venues, Dinosaur Ridge also overlooks Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. This trip was starting off strong, to say the least.

We chose Mount Stanley because it was mentioned in a few resources (e.g. AllTrails, blogs) that this was a great “beginner” mountain for those who haven’t navigated mountains before. This is due to the trail being clearly marked, the trailhead wasn’t far from lodging (camping was closed), and the distance to the summit was attainable. Plus, I had a vendetta against Berthoud Pass – where the Mount Stanley trailhead is located – because it caused us major delays and a detour (five or six hours?) due to an avalanche when we were there in January (see January’s post above). I was not going to let Berthoud Pass stop me from doing what I wanted, a second time!

Prior to this trip I actually “won” a reservation in the reservation lottery for the coveted Casa Bonita restaurant outside of Denver. The dates lined up and we celebrated our summit and closed out our trip with a quick stop at the Coors Brewery Hospitality Lounge and entertaining dinner at Casa Bonita.

Casa Bonita was such a fun experience, it honestly was right up there with the joy of summiting Mount Stanley.

Dinosaur tracks in rock.
Man and woman taking a selfie in front of Continental Divide Trail sign.
Woman in hiking gear holding trekking poles behind a sign that reads "Berthoud Pass West Trail" and "Continental Divide Trail."
Woman in sunglasses, hat, and sun hoodie smiling with mountains in the background.
Man and woman on summit of mountain cheering
Man standing on balcony taking a photo of a water show in the distance.

October – Utah – Hiking Zion & Bryce National Parks

More hiking! Eric and some of our friends originally planned to go to Las Vegas for MagicCon, but on brand for Elissa: we extended the trip to also explore Zion and Bryce National Parks. After the con on Sunday, our friends Matt and Alicia flew in to Las Vegas and we headed out to Utah.

I had been to the Zion area once before on a short weekend beginner backpacking trip with a few other ladies, but I never made it into Zion proper. Eric and I had “won” the lottery for Angel’s Landing permits and planned the trip around that. I actually found out about these permits when I was on my Iceland trek – we reached to top of a mountain and happened to get enough cell service to make a phone call and check email haha!

Angel’s Landing was a phenomenal hike + scramble, and I’m glad we got to do it. Truthfully, it wasn’t high on my bucket list, but Eric was really wanting to hike it, and I’m so glad we did. I don’t mind heights so the chain section wasn’t quite as bad as I thought, but it’s definitely still a whole thing. We met a pretty neat couple on trail, Fred and Myrna, who were also hiking Angel’s Landing but didn’t get permits to do the chain section. They seemed pretty legit, and since we happened to have two more spots on the permit, I invited them to join us – they were so excited!

After spending a couple days in Zion National Park, we drove up to Bryce Canyon National Park. My National Parks Passport was happy on this trip 🙂

Bryce Canyon had the most beautiful red and orange glowing rock formations, and some pretty cool hikes. The hikes here were challenging, and we could tell we were all still tired from the Angel’s Landing hike. We drove the entirety of the main road through Bryce Canyon, stopping at lookouts along the way.

View of Angels Landing chain section.
Angels Landing at Zion National Park
Arch with spires on top with pine trees in the distance at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Man and Woman selfie with spires in the background at Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park

November – Arizona – Exploring the Page area

This is a continuation of the above October trip, actually! Matt and Alicia flew back home after Bryce, while Eric and I went on our way to Page, Arizona. This part of our trip was completely unplanned prior to when we got there. We wanted to take in the suggestions of the locals and see how that goes.

Driving from St. George, Utah to Page, Arizona brought us to a rest stop at Pipe Spring National Monument. We learned so much about those who used to live here, including the Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settlers, and even got a 1 mile ridge hike in.

Sign that reads "Deseret Telegraph" with longhorn cattle pen, sage bushes, and trees in the distant background.

A town festival was going on throughout the few days we had in Page, Arizona, which made our visit extra special. There were hot air balloons! We’ve been wanting to go to the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but either the dates haven’t worked out or the campsites have been sold out, so we never made it. But honestly, this seemed so much better! It was a smaller festival so you could be right up close with the 60+ hot air balloons. It was amazing.

Man and woman selfie with hot air balloon inflating behind them and four hot balloons in the sky in the distance.
Six hot air balloons in the sky

We also spent a day a little further south at Lees Ferry where we saw two California condors, Horseshoe Bend, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. This will also have to be a whole separate blog post because these areas are so amazing they need to have more screen time.

Man and woman selfie with horseshoe bend in the distance. Horseshoe bend is a rock formation in the shape of a horseshoe carved out by the Colorado river.
Photo of balancing rock made of sandstone and a sandstone cliff in the distance.

December – Arizona – Hiking around Sedona

In an attempt to catch a little more sunshine before the brittle cold of Minnesota winters, we flew down to Sedona, Arizona for an extended weekend focused on hiking. Two trips to Arizona in 2024 – what a pleasant surprise! The beginning of 2024 did not include thoughts of this much travel, let alone this much travel in Arizona, but for it I am grateful.

We started our trip by visiting Wupatki National Monument and Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Learning about the historical cultures of an area we’re visiting is always a priority, and we enjoyed visiting Wupatki National Monument and seeing a pueblo for those reasons. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument was also geologically amazing with of course the crater, along with an otherworldly lava trail.

Pueblo ruins at Wupatki National Monument
Photo of a sign titled "Formation of Sunset Crater" with the sunset crater in the distance.

Across four hikes over the course of two days in Sedona, we tracked 15.39 miles of hiking with at least 2,537 feet of elevation gain, and it felt so good. I really needed to close out the year with that type of movement. Movement is what I’m working on in 2025.

The trip ended with a mindful walk through the peaceful Amitabha Stupa and Peace Park, followed by a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Cross on our way out of town. It was a lovely way to wind down and close out the year.

Recap photo: Stupa in background with flags and trees surrounding.

Here are the hikes we hiked:

  • Doe Mountain
  • Keyhole Cave
  • Soldiers Pass (including Seven Sacred Pools, Devil’s Kitchen)
  • Airport Mesa Loop
Selfie in cave with buttes in the distance.
Sandy hiking trail with man walking on it wearing a hiking backpack, surrounded by trees and sage brush.
View of landscape of sage brush and buttes and sand in the distance
Photo of wooden directional sign that reads "Airport Loop," "Sedona view," and "Summit trail." Rocks and trees are behind it.
In Reflection

I feel so blessed to have traveled so much in 2024. It was the first year that felt like I was finally reaching a point where I can spend my free time in a way that helps me reach my life’s goals of spending time outside, exploring new places, and being with my favorite people. I am so proud of the life I’ve been building. It’s taken a lot of work and a lot of time and patience to get here <3

“Move” is my word for 2025. It can be defined in many ways, but one of the directions I’m taking it is through movement. I plan to hike more, hike harder, and hike in new places in 2025. I plan to branch out, push myself out of my comfort zone, and view life in a way I haven’t before. Only the next 333 days will tell what that exactly looks like, but I have some ideas in the meantime 🙂

Blogmas, New

9 Inspiring Adventure Blogs, Vlogs, & Pods

Posted on by Elissa

I love adventure blogs! And vlogs! And pods!

First, thank you so much for checking out my blog. It means so much that all handful of you consistent readers are here. Truly.

I’ve had this website since 2016, but had the idea to create a blog or similar for a decade+ beforehand. I remember an old website builder that used to exist – Freewebs I think? – that back in 2004 or 2005 I sat on for hours creating HTML pages and articles about the world and sports and fashion and all the things I loved. I wanted it to be something so bad, it was so much fun.

Now, clearly I’m not a famous magazine or travel or sports or fashion writer, but this blog is that platform I needed. I have social media accounts – an Instagram, YouTube channel, and Facebook Page – and they all have their place, but nothing feels as natural or as Elissa as being right here on this website. So thank you for being here!

With that context, I’ve been reading travel blogs for a long time! They’re really inspiring to me. I love reading, listening to, and watching inspiring things. And know that what I’m watching/reading/listening to is evergreen with my interests, so this list isn’t final.

Adventure Blogs

In no particular order, additional travel/adventure blogs I’d suggest you should check out (click arrow for more information):

Women Who Explore

Website: https://www.womenwhoexplore.com/blog-posts
Women Who Explore has made a huge impact on my life personally. I’ve found a community of adventure loving women who strive to do better and push themselves every single day, all while having fun and encouraging others along the way!
As of June 2023, I’ve officially been trained to be a trip host and will be co-hosting the July 2024 Iceland Trekking adventure. I also am an ambassador for the Minnesota chapter of Women Who Explore, so if you’re a Minnesotan (or are here frequently), I invite you to join our Facebook group (Women Who Explore: Minnesota) and upcoming events!
Their bio says “Yes, you’ll find outdoor adventures… hiking, backpacking, climbing, paddling, yoga. But who says that’s the limit? Not us! You’ll also find opportunities to explore brunches, breweries, parties and city nightlife! We’re all about exploring at your own pace, on your own terms. So, no need to fear that you won’t fit in. You’re already enough and we can’t wait to get to know you. It’s our core mission to make sure that our members know they’re enough. In fact, that’s why we exist.”

Alastair Humphreys

Website: https://alastairhumphreys.com/blog/ (also his Shouting from My Shed newsletter = *chef’s kiss*)
“Alastair tells stories to encourage people to live more adventurously every day, to engage with and care for the natural world, and to take action –begin!– with curiosity and enthusiasm.”

Adventurous Kate

Website: https://www.adventurouskate.com/blog/
Adventurous Kate is one of the very first travel blogs I started reading!
Kate’s bio says “At age 26, I quit my job to travel the world alone. I spent six fantastic months in Southeast Asia and turned my travel blog into a full-time business. 12 years later, I’m still traveling — 83 countries and 7 continents — and now living in Prague! My goal is to show YOU how you can travel the world on your own — easily, safely, and adventurously.”

Oneika the Traveller

Website: https://www.oneikathetraveller.com/
I have learned SO much from her, her experiences, and her perspectives.
Her bio is long, but I picked out some parts for your context: “…Her adventures have taken her to over 120 countries on 6 continents. .In addition, Oneika is an accomplished writer with … work …in a wide range of publications… her articles examine travel and exploration through the intersections of race, politics, and privilege. A fierce supporter of women who travel, Oneika is co-author of the book Wanderess: The Unearth Women’s Guide to Traveling Smart, Safe, & Solo.”

Adventure Vlogs

    Though for much less time, I’ve also been into vlogging, so I wanted to share my favorite travel/adventure vloggers for you to get inspiration from, too! In no particular order:

    Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker

    Channel: @TaylortheNahamshaHiker
    Taylor’s bio is simply “Making videos hiking, backpacking & thru-hiking.” That is all true, but she’s been really inspirational and opened my eyes to the hiking opportunities in New England, life on the trail as a thru-hiker, and owning a business (a New Hampshire focused gift shop!) at the same time.

    Kyle Hates Hiking

    Channel: @KyleHatesHiking
    You probably assumed, but Kyle actually loves hiking, and we share the same type of humor so – while the videos may not be for all – they are some of my favorites. Eric and I both love learning about the mystery videos and stories.
    His bio says “I am a huge hiking nerd. On this channel you’ll find videos about hiking related mysteries/stories, backpacking gear, thru hiking, and much more. When I was 16, I learned what the Appalachian Trail was. Being an ambitious teenager, I decided that one day I was going to attempt the trek from Georgia to Maine. I realized that goal in 2018, and have hiked thousands of additional miles since.”

    Wandering Switchback

    Channel: @WanderingSwitchback
    Suzanne is an amazing outdoorswoman with a great focus on education and doing the best for YOU. A urology nurse IRL, she understands the body and how to take care of it in the backcountry.
    Her bio says “Hi folks, I’m Switchback (she/her/hers). My goal is to help you get on the trails and into the outdoors safely and responsibly. This may be the place for you if: … You have a body you don’t often see represented on the trails … You want to feel more comfortable solo hiking or solo backpacking, day and night … You’re unsure what to look for when it comes to gear … You don’t even know where to start”

    Arielle Shipe

    Channel: @ArielleShipe
    Arielle is a climber, yoga instructor, PCT thru-hiker, adventure-mom, and all-around great to watch and be inspired from. I first saw a video from Arielle on Instagram a couple of years ago when she was summiting a knife edge trail in New England, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever and is currently still on my wish list.
    Her bio says “If you like outdoor adventures then you are in the right place! My name is Arielle and I am an outdoor adventurer vlogger based in Colorado. I’m a big fan of hiking, climbing, biking, and any outdoor adventure I can bring my dog on. After being forced to reschedule in 2020, I am excited to set out on my lifelong dream of hiking the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) in 2022 but in the meantime, I want to climb mountains, explore, and take as many adventures in my converted van as possible!”

    Adventure Pods

    Also interested in listening to adventures vs watching or reading? Check out these inspiring podcasts:

    JUMP with Traveling Jackie

    Website: https://jumpadventures.com/podcast/
    Traveling Jackie used to mostly be a blogger, but has moved as of a few years ago to focus mostly on her podcast and group travel opportunities. Jackie’s earlier works (The Budget Minded Traveler) were what got me hooked on her content, and it’s only been evolving into greater things over time.
    Her website says “Jackie Nourse moved abroad in 2003 to study Spanish and hasn’t stopped traveling (or learning languages) since. She is the founder and host of the international hit podcast JUMP with Traveling Jackie and of JUMP Adventures, where she leads adventure trips for her audience. When she’s not traveling, Jackie’s home base is in the Rocky Mountains of Bozeman, Montana”

    Trail Tales

    Where to Listen: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LsMWoNa5qPw1jQvqhwE5B
    You guessed it, this is also Kyle from the above Kyle Hates Hiking YourTube Channel. In Trail Tales, Kyle “interviews other thru-hikers, peak-baggers, and backpackers who are almost as crazy as him. Is life while thru-hiking really as glamorous as the social media stars make it out to be? Is pooping in the woods really that big of a deal? Find out these answers and more on Trail Tales.”

      Who am I missing? Who would you add? As I said earlier, what I’m watching/reading/listening to is evergreen with my interests, so I’d love your suggestions!

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      Adventure, Blogmas, New

      12 Wonderful Cliffside Memories

      Posted on by Elissa

      was looking through my Apple photos today. I love looking through “old” memories. Many people take photos and never look at them again, but I most certainly do. I like that Apple tries to categorize pictures so you can look at like-type photos whenever you want. One of the categories that caught my eye today was called “Cliffs.” Cliffs! So I had to dive in.

      Merriam-Webster’s definition of a cliff: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice.

      Turns out, I’ve seen a lot of cliffs so far in my life! And they were all fun to look at. Each photo brought back another memory of that moment. I thought these photos would be a fun share for today’s Blogmas post.

      Do you have any fun “cliff” related memories or favorite places to share?

      Visual Memories of My Favorite Cliffs

      In no particular order.

      Paracas National Reserve

      Ica, Peru

      We were here on our wedding anniversary! We boated around protected Ballestas Island, saw lots of wildlife (shoutout to the cute South American Sea Lions and Humboldt Penguins – unfortunately no Andean condors), and learned so much history of the area. Paracas National Reserve offered some of the most beautiful views from our entire trip to Peru. I could stare at that white sand beach alllllll day!

      Yellow cliff and blue water

      Canyonlands National Park

      Utah, USA

      As you may/may not know, we absolutely love visiting National Parks! Canyons offer realllllly cool cliffs and geologic patterns! The Canyonlands National Park area has been carved out by the Colorado River over thousands of years. There are three distinct and notable sections within the park ready for you to explore: Island in the Sky, The Maze, and The Needles. Canyonlands National Park is within a couple hours drive of Arches and Capitol Reef National Parks.


      Kenai Fjords National Park

      Alaska, USA

      Fjords in general hold some of the greatest cliffs we’ll ever see. But the fjords in Kenai Fjords National Park? 100% worth venturing over to Alaska for. You’ll take a giant boat (read: catamaran) through some incredibly choppy waters, eventually arriving within Kenai Fjords NP “proper.” You’ll witness amazing wildlife (including puffins and orcas) and landscapes.

      Sermitsiaq Island

      Nuuk, Greenland

      This gargantuanly tall waterfall (the mountain is 3,970 ft) cascades from a massive glacier on Saddle Mountain on Sermitsiaq Island in inland Greenland. This captivating waterfall and its stunning surroundings land a spot on my top favorite cliffy areas list!

      Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

      Michigan, USA

      We visited here in August of 2023 after years of it being on the wish list! A story for another time, we were at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for a kayaking tour, and boy was that quite an adventure that I don’t think either of us were prepared for. But for this post, I’ll leave it at this: It was one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever paddled.

      Cliff next to turquoise water

      Palisades State Park

      South Dakota, USA

      Just across the Minnesota/South Dakota border lies the hidden gem of Palisades State Park. A beautiful, landscape-diverse area, you could spend a long weekend here and do something different every day. We’ve been camping and hiking here, but you could also go paddling, swimming, and Elissa has been rock climbing here. To read a full post on this park, check out this blog post.

      Mesa Verde National Park

      Colorado, USA

      Would you believe people used to LIVE inside cliffs? Easily the most fascinating cliff situation we’ve ever seen, Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique (believe it or not that is grammatically correct) and historic glimpse into life the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in these cliff dwellings beginning in the late 1190s. It is beautiful and it is fascinating. This photo is of the Cliff Palace Dwelling.

      Cliff Dwellings

      Theodore Roosevelt National Park

      North Dakota, USA

      A truly hidden gem over in North Dakota. Eric and I camped at Theodore Roosevelt National Park on our way to our friends Anna and Jonathan’s Glacier National Park wedding, and this park faaaaaar surpassed both of our expectations. Wild horses, bison, cliffs, canyons, a river, and gorgeous sunsets. It felt like I was staring into a Windows default background photo.

      Capitol Reef National Park

      Utah, USA

      I love places that make me feel small, and Capitol Reef National Park does a really great job of that! It even has petroglyphs and oyster shell fossils, which are so fascinating to learn about and even better to see. Check out all three of its distinct districts: Fruita, Cathedral Valley, and Waterpocket.

      Deep canyons with woman standing in front of it. Woman is small in size compared to canyon opening.

      Great Stirrup Cay

      Norwegian Cruise Line’s island in the Bahamas, Caribbean Sea

      A spontaneous trip to the Bahamas with Jessica via Norwegian Cruise Line back in 2017. Some amazing memories made and places seen! I LOVE anywhere with b-e-a-u-tiful and warm blueeeee water. We’ve since been back! This island is so relaxing.

      Devil’s Tower National Monument

      Wyoming, USA

      One of the most beautiful and mysterious “cliffs” we’ve visited! Is it made out of mashed potatoes? Maybe. Are there aliens? Maybe. But one thing’s for sure, there’s a LOT to see and do and LEARN from Devil’s Tower National Monument! And similar to Palisades, Elissa has also been rock climbing here in the past (her 21st birthday).

      Snow Canyon State Park

      Utah, USA

      I was here in November of 2022 as part of a group beginner backpacking trip. We didn’t backpack here specifically, but it was a spontaneous stop along the way. So much fun! You can climb in, on, over, through, and around (many) slot canyons, which easily adds them to my “I love this now!” list.

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      Blogmas, New

      7 Easy Ideas to Simplify

      Posted on by Elissa

      Anyone else guilty of over-complicating tasks? Or maybe it’s just me. The idea to simplify was not really in my vocabulary before. I shifted a lot within my life and my mindset this year, but one thing I’ve been noticing about myself lately is my perception of “completeness” or “doneness.” For example, if I wanted to write a blog post, I wanted it to be complex, long, overly informative and exciting. These elements were what defined a “complete” blog post for me. This was because I pressured myself to ensure it was worth your time as a reader.

      Then I realized, not everyone wants to read a 10-minute long blog post about one particular thing. A post doesn’t need to have an abundant amount of detail that people don’t care about (that type of information does have a place sometimes though) in order to be worth reading. In fact, the majority of people only prefer reading a 3-4 minute post.

      Because I pressured myself to ensure my posts were worth your time as a reader by aiming for way-too-detailed and long posts, I ended up doing the opposite (driving y’all away), and hurting myself in the process – hello, >100 blog drafts in my dashboard with zero consistency. Sorry about that!

      Simplify Life

      This is relatable to so much in life. I over-complicate by overthinking details and need to start simplifying instead. Let’s do it together! Here are some ideas I thought of to simplify our lives – please let me know what I’m missing!

      • First, get outside. I promise, just being outside creates a simple and calming feeling: take a nice walk or hike, take time to meditate and for gratitude, breathe fresh air, camp next to a calm river in a hammock, or whatever outside activity that you love that doesn’t add a huge workload to your day.
      • Define in your mind the words “complete” and “done.” Once defined, you’ll learn how quickly you can accomplish certain tasks or milestones. The definitions may change depending on the task, and that’s encouraged!
      • Determine what is “good enough” in the task you’re working on, and only go beyond that if you have the capacity for it. This doesn’t mean to lessen the quality, but instead keep the quality of work but trim off excess tasks where possible.
      • Clean up your communication style. This is a huge and difficult task for me personally, and I’m finding it to be messy and clunky to get right. I’m SO WORDY, it’s really annoying. And as a chronic over-sharer, simplifying and shortening my verbal and written communications has been challenging, but already helpful and rewarding!
      • Make a daily list (physical, digital, or imaginary) and prioritize 1-2 items on it for the day. But only do this if you have a “zero day” and aren’t busy with other things like being with people or working. The idea here is to be productive but relaxed and simple, not to add anything unnecessary to your likely already busy day.
      • Unsubscribe and declutter from things that don’t bring you joy: emails, TV, doomscrolling, people, places.
      • Always. Be. Reflecting. I’ve been doing this for a few years now, so it’s truly subconscious to me at this point, but after every single task, meeting, event, hang out, trip, movement, and tiny little thing, I think to myself: “What could change for this to be done more efficiently next time?” I’m guessing it’s borderline annoying for others, but it really does help with efficiency and simplification! And it’s just a part of who I am now

      We may live a complex and ever-moving lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean the details of it have to be complex and stressful (in fact, I’m actually not stressed most of the time)! I also know not everyone lives the same way, and that is wonderful, so I know not all of these suggestions may be relevant.

      So what would you add to this list?
      What has already helped you simplify your life a little more?

      Pine tree with elm leaf on branch - simplify
      Wooden steps leading to lake water

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      Blogmas, New

      Easy Ways to Remove Simple Stressors

      Posted on by Elissa

      We’re not doing a 2023 Christmas Card this year, but if we were, the following photo would be it. Why? Because I’m trying to remove easy-out stressors in my life.

      Volkman Christmas Card - Easy-Out Stressors

      Removing Simple Stressors

      I intentionally missed Blogmas the past two days. I had a long Wednesday and didn’t get done with my last meeting until 8:30pm and had to be physically at work by 8am again yesterday, which was also long, so I just didn’t feel like pushing myself and adding extra unnecessary stress. Eric and our friend Brian made cheesecake and we played Libertalia instead. But tonight, I’m back on. Next week, I have required 12+ hour day onsites so I will likely miss a day or two then, too. I’m not about that “grind” anymore. What a funny thing, “the grind,” that we put on ourselves under the false narrative that overworking ourselves and looking busy would get us anywhere. It’s actually smart thinking and strategic movement that gets us anywhere. Burning myself out was so 2018-2023.

      Which is also why we’re not doing a Christmas card for the second year in a row. It takes a lot of time and money! I’ll reconsider next year. I’m always looking for ways to lessen the load, and this is one of them.

      As a reminder, you don’t owe anyone things like this. Sure, it’s tradition to send Christmas cards (and I do LOVE Christmas cards), but if you’re in a spot where it’s overly stressful to do it, just eliminate it! Even temporarily. The same can be said about almost anything in your life – your mental and physical wellbeing must come before everything else.

      This season, I challenge YOU to take a look at your stressors – big and small – and decide what can be paused for a while or even eliminated all together!
      The trick is to go for those quick, easy wins.

      If you are doing a Christmas card this year, do you typically take special photos for the sake of using in your Christmas card, or do you choose photos taken from throughout the year? If you use photos taken throughout the year, I’m begging you to share the stories behind them! It’s so important that we share stories of importance to us.

      Ours has a small story behind it. The photo above, our digital Christmas card photo, was taken this year in Willow River State Park just across the border in Wisconsin.

      I’d been trying to get there for quite a while, so it was exciting when we had a random Friday night available to camp there. This photo brings me a lot of joy, but also a lot of eye rolling thoughts haha.

      Archie is a mediocre camping dog. He doesn’t mind camping in the RV, but wakes up every couple of hours to bork and boof (yeah, use of onomatopoeia!) at the animals passing by or every creepy sound he hears. But don’t worry, he’s quiet enough to where the campground neighbors probably don’t even notice. We sure do though. His lack of sleep creates our lack of sleep and therefore a semi-undesirable camping experience. He also spreads his tiny body out throughout and takes up about 1/3 of the tent space, which is incredibly limited when you’re sharing a 31 square foot 2-person backpacking tent with two humans and a medium-sized dog. But we still love him. He loves being outside and smelling all of the smells possible, so we do bring him camping when possible.

      Here are a couple of ideas of potential stressors you could try to eliminate this season:

      1. Do a digital Christmas card
      2. Limit gifting to 2-3 items per person
      3. Recycle and toss spam mail into the proper bins and only bring real mail into the house
      4. Create a list of 2 easy tasks to complete each day and 1 tougher task, and start with the tougher task
      5. If you’re hosting, don’t over clean. Visitors only care about the cleanliness of the bathroom and eating surfaces.
      6. Get fresh air as many times as possible throughout the day.

      What are your ideas?

      Dog lying by a fire

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      New

      Airport Routines

      Posted on by Elissa

      Do you have routines?

      In general, I’m not a super “routine” person. I never wake up or go to sleep or eat meals at the same time every day, I definitely don’t work out regularly, nor do I wash my face every night. I just am so bad at creating a regimen or routine, I stopped trying.

      But there is one thing I approach the same each and every time. And that’s the airport and airplanes. I am definitely routine at the airport and in an airplane nearly each and every time.

      Here’s my usual:

      Attire –

      I wear almost the same outfit each and every time I have to fly. Pro tip: Zippered pockets are key. This could be a whole other blog post (maybe it should be?), but here are the basics.

      • Compression socks (if flight is 4+ hours) or wool socks (for comfort / cold)
      • Slip on Birkenstock Arizona Essentials (the foam ones) – lightweight, comfortable, easy to slip off (if for some reason PreCheck is down and I have to go through the regular security line), and doubles as a camp shoe if it’s a camping trip.
      • Women’s boyshort or boxer-brief style underwear (my favorites are the Duluth Trading Co. Armachillos)
      • Black joggers with zippered pockets (mine are Arc’teryx brand, but a discontinued line)
      • Loose fitted top (preferably v-neck as I try to avoid t-shirts because they touch my neck too much when under a sweatshirt)
      • Loose sweatshirt with zippered pockets
      • Hat (baseball or knit depending on what the weather will be like where we’re headed)

      Arriving –

      • Arrive at the airport approximately 45 minutes before boarding (only recommended if you have TSA PreCheck because #stress). If you don’t have TSA PreCheck and even only fly once per year, it’s so nice to have, you should totally get it. That $99 spread across five years is completely worth not having to deal with regular security lines and regular security processes (I mean, who wants to take their liquids our or put their socks or – God forbid – bare feet on those floors?!)!
      • Find the departure gate. Always, always, always ensure you know where it is. Or that it exists. Or that it isn’t behind a second (and surprise!) passport control area that you weren’t previously aware of (trust me on this one).
      • Get a donut at Dunkin’ (if there is one, like at my home airport, MSP). It doesn’t matter if I just ate or not, I always buy a Dunkin’ donut! If not for waiting, then for on the plane itself.
      • Fill my water bottle. And/or buy a bottle of water with a pH balance of 9.5+.
      • Do a few laps around the airport if possible to get some sort of exercise and circulation before the flight.
      • Always quadruple check the screens when walking by them to ensure my gate hasn’t changed.

      At the Gate –

      • If my phone battery is under 75%, I always plug it in at the gate if possible. I keep my boarding pass on my phone so I get nervous about my phone dying and then not having the boarding pass easily and readily available!
      • Break out the laptop or iPad and research ideas for where we’re going (even if I already have, it’s nice to keep researching) or take care of work stuff! Depending on wifi accessibility, I typically work while traveling so that I can 1) Stay on top of things to not come back to an overwhelming inbox, and 2) To use less PTO time. But only do this if it’s convenient – I find airports and airplanes to be a super convenient place to get work and blog things done.
      • Rearrange my items and take snacks from carry on and put in personal item so that they can be easily grabbed. I don’t like opening the overhead bin during flight if I don’t have to.
      • Screenshot my boarding pass in case the app doesn’t work at the gate for some odd reason.

      On the Airplane –

      • Use a sanitizing wipe to wipe off the tray table. They are so gross and never get cleaned.
      • Whip out the neck pillow as soon as possible. Not necessarily to sleep, but also just to sit comfortably. I often use my neck pillow as a behind the back pillow.
      • Take out my water bottle so it’s easily accessible.
      • Situate my snacks so they are also easily accessible.
      • Set up phone, iPad/laptop, accessories so I’m comfy (read: nest).
      • Have a comfy and cozy flight!

      Happy flying!

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      Adventure, Blogmas, New

      What does Adventure mean to you?

      Posted on by Elissa

      What does “Adventure” mean to you?

      Let me know! I truly want to hear your thoughts.

      The following post is written more like a journal entry than a standard blog, so I apologize in advance if it’s not your reading style, but I was really into it so I didn’t want to force anything else.

      The word “Adventure” and the concept of it is so important to me. It’s part of who I am and what I love. It’s what drives me to want to move forward and always seek out what’s next. It’s what makes life fulfilling.

      Definition: “An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky.”

      Of course I may not be summiting any of the infamous 14 peaks, or breaking records trekking across Antarctica, or getting any first ascents, or hiking 4,800 miles in a calendar year, but I am deciding what are realistically lofted adventure dreams, working towards them, and even turning some of those dreams into reality.

      Though I do think of adventures as physical happenings, I also see the concept of adventure as being a big part of my own personal growth journey. It’s not solely about facing physical challenges like a mountain; it’s also about discovering this whole new “me” in the process. Being the best “me” means that I’m the best partner, friend, employee, and person that I can be – it’s good to have something that drives you.

      Thinking and planning out new adventures also breaks up some of life’s monotony for me. I plan a lot of trips I’ll never even go on because I love the challenge and hate being bored. And sitting. Ugh jeez do I really hate just sitting.

      Life can sometimes feel like a broken record, and the concept of (or actually taking an) adventure is the force that transforms your everyday life into a dynamic narrative, with each day presenting new opportunities and possibilities. Even at home. I think that falls under the idea to “romanticize your life,” and I will always agree with it.

      With a little mindset shift and creativity, it’s possible to turn pretty much any day into some sort of adventure haha!

      And for me, it’s also like a duo of a mental health spa and rehab center combined. Especially in nature, where it’s usually quiet so I can think and observe, but far so I can still have physically movement. I find it to be so healing.

      Adventure is even a way to make me a little more extroverted and make new friends. While I won’t approach anyone in my local Walmart to ask what their favorite restaurant is, I will do that while traveling literally anywhere else! It’s weird. Or maybe I just become more “me” when I’m traveling and the real “me” does actually like those connections and conversations? We’ll never know. I think that’s also where organizations like Women Who Explore comes into play – I love meeting new people with similar interests, and find WWE to be one of the best places for it. If you’d like to join me sometime, I lead the Minnesota chapter.

      I lost my train of thought. But the point of this is that I love that life is really a choose your own adventure game. Or maybe, “define your own adventure” game 🙂

      What are your thoughts on it?

      P.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. Check out the other posts here.

      Blogmas, Inspiration, New

      Inspired to Adventure (Minnesota + Beyond)

      Posted on by Elissa

      Happy Saturday! I hope your weekend is going great. Eric and I had a really productive day getting housework done and finally getting some Christmas shopping done. I love productive days.

      Now we’re relaxing on the couch watching movies. We finished The Good Dinosaur on Disney+, that we started the other day and have switched to A Walk in the Woods on Netflix. I didn’t realize the book was turned into a movie too, so this was a nice surprise. A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail is based on the true story of travel author Bill Bryson’s spontaneous decision to hike the entire Appalachian Trail (“AT”). It’s about hiking and is a comedy, so, would recommend!

      Have you ever been really inspired to do something?

      Too often when I’m watching things like this, I find myself feeling inspired, or more like yearning, for adventures of this magnitude. To hike the AT or summit a mountain or cross through Drake Passage or cycle the Swiss Alps are all things on my life’s never shrinking only growing bucket list. I love and appreciate my surroundings and the opportunities that Minnesota holds for outdoor adventure, but picture this:

      Hiking through the woods seeing some of the nation’s last remaining American chestnut trees, or some of the most beautiful overlooks and views east of the Mississippi River, going through 14 states solely by foot.

      Or this: Catching the stunning purple, pink, orange, and red hues of a magical sunrise from the top of some 14er.

      Or: Dealing with the most atrociously choppy body of water for 2 days, and waking up in the most secluded edge of the world presenting itself with the coolest views of gigantic mountains and the largest glaciers you’ll ever see. And penguins.

      Or even: Biking your butt off through mountain passes, along the countryside with mountain goats and livestock, experiencing the most gorgeous views of snow-capped mountains, including Matterhorn.

      To my dismay, I’m usually a realist, but when it comes to stuff like this, I’m also a dreamer. But I know that dreams can become reality, it’s just figuring out the puzzle to get there. I’ll get there. Ideas like this are part of what keeps me going.

      Do you ever feel this way too? I can’t be alone. If you do, what about? Let me know, you’ll probably inspire me too!

      What a cool thing, to get inspired. Without inspiration, the world would be such a dull and stagnant place. Could you imagine? No, thanks.

      Though I have lofty dreams that aren’t possible around Minnesota, I can still do so many similar things around here, on a different (not worse) scale. I’m hoping in the next few years to be able to do some of the above things but locally!

      If you’re interested in something similar, here are local to Minnesota alternatives:

      Hiking: The Superior Hiking Trail is 310 miles, and the Border Route Trail is 65 miles, both entirely in Minnesota and both totally worth hiking. If the timing works out, we’re hoping to spend a few nights on one of these in 2024.

      Summit: Minnesota, technically, according to the UN Environmental Programme’s definition of a “mountainous environment,” has a Class 6 “mountain”: Eagle Mountain! Eagle Mountain is 2,301’ and offers a unbeatable views of Boundary Waters lakes, is the highest point in Minnesota, and I hear is best hiked in the fall season when the leaves are changing.

      Secluded body of water to secluded beautiful views: Rent a houseboat and explore Voyageurs National Park in far up north, basically Canada. Can you imagine floating off into the sunset, parking at a campsite, and waking up to the beautiful call of the Common Loon? McDreamy.

      Cycling distances for views: There are so many road cycling trails in Minnesota! These offer the best views: Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail, Paul Bunyan State Trail, and the Root River State Trail.

      Can’t wait to check these out! Have you done any of these? Please share some insights 🙂

      P.S. Enjoy this photo from last night’s Northern Lights show in Minnesota! I feel so lucky to have witnessed them for a few minutes last night before they drifted away.

      P.S.S. This post is part of the 2023 Blogmas series. See the first Blogmas post – about the purpose of Volkman Adventures – here.

      Inspired Nothern Lights December 1st

      Blogmas, New

      Welcome to December! + the Reason Volkman Adventures Exists | Blogmas 2023

      Posted on by Elissa

      Welcome to December!
      And Blogmas 2023

      Blogmas 2023 Christmas Trees in New Orleans
      December is usually a wonderfully reflective and super energizing month for me, and 2023 was no exception. I love looking back at the year’s accomplishments (big and small), opportunity areas, and looking ahead with goals for the upcoming year.

      This blog is about adventure, so I’ll keep this these posts focused on that. Historically, Vlogmas and Blogmas are supposed to be Christmas-themed, but given we don’t typically travel much during the holidays aside from visiting family (max 2 hours away), I don’t actually have relatable Christmas content, and I refuse to focus so much on gift idea lists this year. 

      But first, I acknowledge that I started a Blogmas series in 2022, but abruptly stopped. Then I didn’t really post anything again in 2023. This was due to the passing of my aunt mid-December. She – and my grandpa (who is also no longer here as of ’19) – were a huge influence on my wanderlust and how I got hooked on travel (especially cruises). And I felt unmotivated to share much of what I’ve been up to the last 12 months. It’s been a hard year not hearing her talk about how excited she is for her next adventure, as there always was one upcoming. Many of my travels and ideas were directly influenced from their past travels and ideas. Friendly reminder to everyone reading that we’re all inspired by others, and those people should know the impact they have on our lives 🙂

      Our Purpose

      I feel grateful for so much in 2023. When reflecting on the year, a few distinct moments stand out to me the most. This is because they either challenged, guided, brought opportunities, or joy. This year, Blogmas will focus on some of those (adventure-focused, of course).

      But before going into details of 2023, I want to share the reason this blog exists to begin with. I think about it often, but realized today that I’ve never actually posted it.

      • At its core, the most basic reason for creating this blog 7 years ago was to learn and share adventures (including trip ideas, activity ideas, location ideas, tips, reviews, gear, etc.) in order to inspire others to get outside more and try new things. 
      • At its heart, this blog was created to show us that we can do things we never thought were possible, that we can push our boundaries safely, that we are ever-learning, and to remind us to never stop being curious: continue exploring forever (in whatever way you define “explore”).

      And, Volkman Adventures is run by one person with minimal resources, not an entire production team paid by a company (ha, clearly), and on top of the actual time it takes for travel and documenting, it takes days and lots and lots of thought and revision to write a single full-size post. So the fact that you’re reading this right now gives me a feeling I can’t even describe, I really appreciate that you care enough to spend time here. 

      To reiterate: this content is created to serve you! Not me, so always let me know what type of content you’re looking for so I can do this thing right.

      Thank you for being here!

      Hiking, Lists, Midwest, Minnesota, Minnesota State Parks, New

      2023 Minnesota Hiking Trails Wish List

      Posted on by Elissa

      Do you have a hiking bucket list this year?
      Let me know what trails are on your list in the comments!

      Do you have a hiking bucket list?

      I love having goals, and my love of goals means there’s nothing more exciting than having a themed bucket list or two (…hundred). On a quest to complete at least 10 new trails this year, I’ve compiled a small but mighty list of my bucket list hikes for Minnesota.

      Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or wanting to get into it, I recommend adding the following hikes need to your list, too!

      Table of Contents

      1. Oberg Mountain

      Superior National Forest | Tofte, MN

      2.3 miles | Loop Trail

      Are you ready for a trail that offers both the most beautiful view of Lake Superior and one of the best fall views along the North Shore in Minnesota?  On the Oberg Mountain loop, you’ll get to experience both the astonishing views of Lake Superior and one of the most picturesque lakes in the state, Oberg Lake.  Visiting in the fall season gives you the most scenic fall color views in the Midwest.

      One of the most popular trails in Minnesota, Oberg Mountain will not disappoint.  Generally considered an easy-to-moderate hike, this trail is friendly to both beginners and advanced hikers alike.

      Trailhead address: Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain Loop, Tofte, MN 55615

      2. Crosby Lake Inner

      Crosby Farm Regional Park | St. Paul, MN

      2.5 miles | Loop Trail

      Would you have guessed that Minnesota has slot canyons?  No need to go all the way to Moab if you don’t want to, there’s one right over in St. Paul!

      To access the slot canyon, you’ll start at Crosby Farm Regional Park.  The 2.5 mile Crosby Lake Inner Loop trail will lead you there. Plan for an hour or so, and feel free to bring the whole family (including your leashed four-legged friends)!  Note the trail is pretty uneven and not ADA accessible.

      Be sure to bring your binoculars and get ready for some awesome birding along the way.

      Trailhead address: 2595 Crosby Farm Rd, St Paul, MN 55116

      3. Kadunce River Wayside Trail

      Grand Marais, MN

      1.1 miles | Out and Back Trail

      Minnesota also has gorges!  Follow alongside (or on the riverbed in the fall when the water level is low) the Kadunce River around 1.1 miles to a stunning waterfall in northeast Minnesota.  This may be a short hike, but the views and differential experience of hiking inside a gorge is rare in Minnesota and should be taken advantage of.

      Seeing the varying foliage and vantage points within this hike (as there are two options: alongside and on the riverbed) will make this hike unforgettable.

      Trailhead address: Superior Hiking Trail Kadunce Riv Spur, Grand Marais, MN 55604

      4. Lost Forty

      Chippewa National Forest | Wirt, MN

      1.9 miles | Loop Trail

      This beautiful interpretive trail will take you amongst Minnesota’s oldest trees.  The Lost Forty is one of Minnesota’s best kept secrets.  It’s a Scientific and Natural Area protected by the Minnesota DNR.  The only reason this exists is because, during the logging era, a land surveyor accidentally missed adding these 40 acres to a logging planning map.  Thus, the state’s oldest (over 240 years), biggest (115″ circumference), and tallest (120′ high) trees reside in the special area within the Chippewa National Forest.

      This area is so special, I can’t wait to go back in time on this hike.

      Trailhead address: 47.766335, -94.084050

      5. Carver Rapids

      Ney Nature Center | Henderson, MN

      4.4 miles | Loop Trail

      This 4.4 mile loop is a combination of pieces of all of the trails within Ney Nature Center, located in southern Minnesota.  Here you can see historic farm grounds, forests, hills, and varying terrain, a river, and peaceful gardens.

      I’m looking forward to this trail because we love history!  It will be awesome to read all of the interpretive boards and view the historical farm buildings along the way.

      Trailhead address: 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson, MN 56044

      6. Sugar Loaf Bluff

      Winona, MN

      1.2 miles | Out and Back Trail

      Located in the driftless region of southeastern Minnesota lies the town of Winona, home to towering Sugar Load Bluff.  Due to its steep hike, this trail is considered moderate difficulty.  The views from the bluff are spectacular and overlook both the city of Winona and surrounding picturesque valleys and hills.

      I’m excited about this trail because my family and I went on this for my mom’s birthday when we were kids, and it was one of my favorite memories growing up.

      Trailhead address: 825 E Lake Blvd, Winona, MN 55987

      7. Silver Creek

      Jay Cooke State Park | Carlton, MN

      3.4 miles | Loop Trail

      Jay Cooke State Park is arguably one of the most popular and beautiful state parks in the state of Minnesota.  Silver Creek is Jay Cooke State Park’s designated hiking club trail, and is certainly one of its most popular as it takes hikers over the most beautiful suspension bridge for unforgettable views of the St. Louis River.

      What draws me to this trail is its terrain diversity: from paved to over the suspension bridge, rocky near the river, and rolling hills.

      Trailhead address: 780 MN-210, Carlton, MN 55718

      8. Loon Island Trail

      Lake Shetek State Park | Currie, MN

      1.4 miles | Loop Trail

      Lake Shetek State Park is located in southwest Minnesota.  The Loon Island Trail starts with a sand causeway and loops around an island within the state park.  This trail is considered easy due to its flat and consistent terrain. Be sure to bring swimming gear so you can hop in the beautiful lake after your hike!

      I love that this trail will take you through a diverse landscape: sandy beaches, wooded forests, and by cattailed wetlands.

      Trailhead address: 44.108503, -95.697676

      9. Bass and Dry Lake Loop

      Superior National Forest | Ely, MN

      6.3 miles | Loop Trail

      Located in the beautiful Superior National Forest in Ely, MN, is Bass Lake and Dry Lake.  This trail offers beautiful views of pristine Minnesota lakes and rocky landscapes.  This trail is considered to be moderate to strenuous, as there are many hills and rocky terrain, but note it’s worth the challenge to see the amazing views!  Along the way, you’ll run into five scenic lookouts and three opportunities for a designated restroom.

      What excites me about this trail is that you can take a dip in the water once you reach the waterfalls!  And, as someone who is just recently getting into backpacking, there are three non-reservable sites along the trail to camp at: one on Dry Lake and two on Bass Lake, all within 0.5 miles from each other.

      Trailhead address: 1548 Echo Trail, Ely, MN 55731

      10. Dakota Trails Loop

      Whitewater State Park | Altura, MN

      4.2 miles | Loop Trail

      Whitewater State Park is located in the southeast corner of Minnesota.  Known for being a “bluffy” area of the state, hikes around here are some of the most scenic you’ll find in Minnesota.  Being in bluff country also means the trails are typically a little steeper and challenging too.

      What I’m most excited about with this trail is the diverse scenery to be experienced: overlooks, rivers, beautiful trees, limestone formations, and flora variety.

      Trailhead address: 19041 MN-74, St Charles, MN 55972


      2023 MN Hikes Bucket List

      Download this bucket list here!

      Bonus: Kawishiwi Falls

      Superior National Forest | Winton, MN

      1 mile | Loop Trail

      Love waterfalls too?  You will LOVE the hike to Kawishiwi Falls in the Superior National Forest.  It’s a short but sweet 1 mile mellow hike to view this spectacular and massive waterfall.

      Trailhead address: 444 Fernberg Rd, Ely, MN 55731

      Bonus: Superior Hiking Trail Sections

      Northeast Minnesota

      Thru-Hiking Trail

      The Superior Hiking Trail is a scenic 300+ mile trail in northern Minnesota.  Hikers have the option to complete the SHT by way of thru-hiking, section hiking, or day hiking.  Hikes range anywhere from 4.8 to 11.8 miles, giving us a wide range of options to choose from.

      The exciting part about having any section or day hike of the Superior Hiking Trail on this list is that the possibilities are endless!  Oberg Loop, mentioned above, is part of the Superior Hiking Trail as well, but I’m really excited to continue researching and add another bit of the SHT to my list this year.

      Are you doing any part of the SHT this year?  Let me know where in the comments!