National Parks Too Crowded? Visit These Nearby National Forests Instead

Posted by: Josh Garwood • Monday, April 01 2019

The national parks of the United States account for some of the world’s most glorious landscapes: ice-whittled peaks, abyssal gorges, primeval seashores, towering forests, kaleidoscopic deserts—well, you probably don’t need us to repeat the litany of superlatives, now do you? Tens of millions from all over the globe partake of the National Park System’s majesties every year—from the Everglades to Denali, from Death Valley to Congaree.

Amid this thoroughly well-deserved adoration for these sacred places, it’s also worth exploring the national forests that often border the parks—especially if you’re looking to duck at least some of the crowds. Taking a gander at adjoining Forest Service lands lets you see the topographic and ecological whole of which a given national park is just a component of. After all, it’s easy to mistake Arches or Shenandoah as standalone chunks of natural majesty, forgetting that mountain ranges and rivers and animals and weather don’t abide by sharp jurisdictional boundaries.

And on the other side of the coin, crisscrossing the national park/national forest borders helps you better appreciate how different management strategies cooked up on paper actually make their physical mark on the landscape. (The National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service, after all, have distinct, if overlapping, guiding principles, and it’s illuminating for any outdoors-person to consider the on-the-ground differences.)

Here’s a broad-stroked roundup of the national forests shouldering 10 of the most-visited national parks in 2015. (Two popular parks, Maine’s Acadia and Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley, which both saw more than two million visitors in 2015, aren’t part of this list, as they don’t have adjacent federal lands.) The forestlands profiled here serve as promising options for finding some elbow room near some of America’s best-loved outdoor playgrounds, and they’re home to some truly world-class scenery and recreation all their own.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Cherokee, Pisgah, & Nantahala National Forests

Mountain biking in the Cherokee National Forest's Chilhowee Recreation Area. Jeff Bartlett

Home to some of the world’s richest temperate forests and some of the East’s highest peaks and most extensive backcountry, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a marvel—one appreciated firsthand by more than 11 million people in 2015.

More Southern Appalachian magic awaits, though, in the national forestland bordering the park to its west, south, and east. Bliss out among giant tulip trees and other barrel-trunked ancients in the old-growth cove-hemlock forest of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness. Run the whitewater of the Nantahala, mountain bike the Tsali Recreation Area along Fontana Lake, or goggle at Bald River Falls in the Bald River Gorge. Wherever you go, keep an eye peeled for the fat and sassy black bears and feral hogs that both prosper in these rugged, fertile highlands.

2. Grand Canyon National Park | Kaibab National Forest

The view from Crazy Jug Point on the North Kaibab Ranger District. Kaibab National Forest

Set the head-spinning gash of the Grand Canyon in its full context by rambling around the Kaibab N.F. bracketing both the north and south sides of Grand Canyon National Park (which welcomed more than 5.5 million last year). From pinyon-juniper scrub to ponderosa parklands to subalpine spruce-fir timber, the Kaibab, split among three districts, encompasses some awesome Colorado Plateau ecology—and downright limitless recreational possibilities for experiencing it firsthand.

In the Kanab Creek Wilderness, trek into the redrock depths of the Kanab Creek Canyon gouging the Kaibab and Kanab plateaus as it drains to the Grand Canyon. On the Kaibab Plateau north of the Canyon, scout for the resident (and controversial) bison herd and dark, high-soaring California condors. Beyond the South Rim, journey across the Coconino Plateau to the Kaibab’s southernmost sector, where you can survey 10,418-foot Kendrick Peak’s dizzying summit panorama. Or mountain bike one of the most scenic rides in the country along the Rainbow Rim Trail, the only place to mountain bike along the Grand Canyon.

3. Rocky Mountain National Park | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests

Camping in the Indian Peaks Wilderness near Pawnee Lake. Jake Wheeler

More than four million people visited Rocky Mountain National Park in 2015, and it’s no surprise why—with more than 70 Front Range summits above 12,00 feet, oceanic tundra, glassy tarns, and huge wapiti herds on tap. But don’t overlook the flanking Arapaho and Roosevelt national forests. Four National Forest wilderness areas directly border the park, and they’re just as stirring: from the litter of 13,000-plus-foot horns in the Indian Peaks Wilderness (which includes part of Colorado’s biggest glacier, the Arapaho) to the granite benches in the pint-sized Neota Wilderness.

You can also drive America’s highest paved road up to 14,264-foot Mount Evans, an iconic Front Range 14er, which harbors some of Colorado’s northernmost groves of tough-as-nails, crazy-long-lived Rocky Mountain bristlecone pines. Meanwhile, Boulder Canyon calls to rock climbers as irresistibly as the Cache la Poudre Wild and Scenic River does to whitewater kayakers and rafters.

4. Yosemite National Park | Sierra, Inyo, Humboldt-Toiyabe, & Stanislaus National Forests

The otherworldly landscapes on Mono Basin, in Inyo National Forest, bordering Yosemite National Park. Jake Wheeler

In 2015, more than four million people clapped eyes on the near-mythic landscapes of Yosemite National Park, epitomized by the granite-walled glen of Yosemite Valley. If this world-famous park’s throngs (and car-burglarizing black bears) have you down, consider embellishing your Yosemite visit with some High Sierra adventuring in the adjacent national forests.

The scenery’s certainly Yosemite-caliber, whether you’re talking Thousand Island Lake beneath Banner Peak in the Ritter Range or the prospect of the otherworldly Mono Basin from the scoured heights of the Dana Plateau. And you can wander a colony of godly giant sequoias, the Nelder Grove, that’s typically much quieter than Yosemite’s three sequoia stands.

5. Yellowstone National Park | Gallatin, Custer, Shoshone, Bridger-Teton, & Caribou-Targhee National Forests

Daisy Pass in the Gallatin National Forest near Yellowstone National Park. Forest Service Northern Region

With its epic geyser basins and plentiful wildlife, the world's oldest national park—which hosted some 4.1 million in 2015—is, it goes without saying, a must-see. So, too, though, is the vast and wild Forest Service acreage nestling Yellowstone: critical public lands in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem framework.

For one thing, it’s in these national forests of its hinterland where Yellowstone’s mountainscapes crescendo to all-out alpine grandeur—from the matterhorn tooth of Pilot Peak in the Absarokas to the high, weather-beaten rockland of the Beartooth Plateau. You’ve got primo day hikes and world-class backcountry that feels just as primal as Yellowstone’s roadless (and grizzlied) depths, not least in the Teton Wilderness, which encompasses the corner of one of the Lower 48’s largest roadless areas. And awesome Greater Yellowstone water awaits: on the Madison River through Bear Trap Canyon and on the Yellowstone through Yankee Jim Canyon in the Gallatin N.F., and on the North Fork Shoshone in the Absarokas of the Shoshone N.F., to name a few standouts.

6. Zion National Park | Dixie National Forest

Early autumn in Utah's Dixie National Forest, near Zion National Park. John Buie

Okay, so the Dixie—Utah’s biggest national forest, straddling the physiographic frontier of the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau—doesn’t directly abut Zion National Park (3.65 million visitors in 2015), but it’s mighty close by, and it claims scenery to stand proudly alongside the national park’s sublime canyonlands. Tramp the Summit Trail through the wilderness-protected high country of the Pine Valley Mountains, with their shadowy spruce woods, sculptured bristlecone pines, and fine prospects of Zion’s colorful geology. Or bushwhack the wild canyons of the Cottonwood Forest Wilderness, where ephemeral streamers and hanging gardens pattern sandstone walls. Solitude ain’t hard to come by in the Dixie.

7. Olympic National Park | Olympic National Forest

The Olympic National Forest in all its lush glory. Miguel Vieira

Olympic National Park, experienced by some 3.26 million in 2015, is famously diverse: from a raw, stormy seacoast and some of the world’s standout temperate rainforests to high-country glaciers and drier rainshadow conifer woods. Olympic N.F.—home to five wilderness areas—partly buffers the park on all its aspects, offering something of a similar variety pack.

Near national forestland on the south shore of Lake Quinault grows some of the world’s mightiest trees, including among the very biggest Douglas-firs and Sitka spruces anywhere. On the other side of the Olympic Peninsula, Seal Rock offers a rare Forest Service developed campground on saltwater: a serene Puget Sound counterpart to the camping available across the mountains along Olympic National Park’s outer coast. And if you’re a hardcore mountain lover, the Olympic National Forest wildernesses on the park’s eastern boundary include some of the signal peaks of the Olympics: the Brothers in the Brother Wilderness, for example, and Mounts Skokomish, Cruiser, and Pershing in the Mount Skokomish Wilderness.

8. Grand Teton National Park | Caribou-Targhee & Bridger-Teton National Forests

Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail in Caribou-Targhee National Forest's Jedediah Smith Wilderness. Jake Wheeler

More than three million people basked in the glory of Grand Teton National Park in 2015, meditating on those iconic snarled Teton fangs, boating on the Snake River or the big foothill lakes, oohing-and-aahing over moose and black bears and white pelicans and coyotes. Two of the same national forests that buttress Yellowstone rub shoulders with Grand Teton as well: the slender Caribou-Targhee (mostly in Idaho) and the 3.4-million-acre Bridger-Teton (in Wyoming), one of the biggest national forests in the country.

The Caribou-Targhee’s Jedediah Smith Wilderness offers sublime backcountry approaches to the Teton high country. Hike up Teton Canyon to the rock garden of Alaska Basin, for example, which is also reachable by the outstanding Teton Crest Trail. And the portion of Bridger-Teton N.F. nearest Grand Teton National Park includes the sweeping limestone heights of the Gros Ventre Range, a critical corridor between the Greater Yellowstone and the Wind River Range and the summer pasture for many of the wapiti that winter in great number in the National Elk Refuge. The Gros Ventre Slide National Geological Area presents the scene of a massive 1925 landslide that dammed the Gros Ventre to form Lower Slide Lake.

9. Glacier National Park | Flathead & Lewis and Clark National Forests

Views of the Rockies from Near the Ford Cabin, Flathead National Forest.Views of the Rockies from Near the Ford Cabin, Flathead National Forest. Forest Service Northern Range

With its layer cake Canadian Rockies-style peaks, Glacier National Park (2.37 million visitors in 2015) marks one of America’s great mountainscapes, and it anchors a globally significant wildland complex: the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Some awesome Crown of the Continent vistas—and some raw Rocky Mountain backcountry—await you just outside the park, too.

The Flathead N.F. contributes most of the national-forest acreage fringing Glacier, although the Lewis and Clark N.F. borders its southeastern segment along the Rocky Mountain Front. One of the treasures of the Flathead is the 287,00-acre Great Bear Wilderness, headwaters of the Middle Fork Flathead River and major component of the massive Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex—one of the biggest roadless chunks in the Lower 48. The wilderness is aptly named, too: You’ll be sharing the river bottoms, avalanche chutes, and high meadows with lots of grizzlies, which find one of their standout refuges in the Crown of the Continent backlands. Then there’s the Jewel Basin Hiking Area in the Swan Mountains, open only to foot travelers and glinting with more than two dozen high-country lakes.

10. Joshua Tree National Park | San Bernardino National Forest

The Dr. Seuss-like desert vegetation of San Bernardino National Forest. Bureau of Land Management

With its yucca savannas and bouldery inselbergs, Joshua Tree National Park, sprawled along the messy seam between the Mojave and Colorado deserts, presents as ethereal a landscape as you’ll find in North America. In terms of bordering federal acreage, the most extensive is managed by the Bureau of Land Management—including the vast, newly minted Mojave Trails National Monument that links Joshua Tree with Mojave National Preserve to the north. (No question: The epic BLM holdings within shouting distance of national parks deserve their own treatment.)

But you don’t have to travel far from Joshua Tree (roughly two million visitors in 2015) to hit national forest: specifically the San Bernardino N.F. to the west, spread across the easternmost Transverse Ranges of the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa mountains. These are major uplifts. The San Bernardinos swell to Southern California’s loftiest peak, 11,503-foot San Gorgonio Mountain (aka Old Greyback). For tracing the gradient between desert lowlands and Tranverse Range crests, you can’t do better than the Sand to Snow National Monument, established (along with Mojave Trails) in February 2016 and jointly managed by the BLM and the San Bernardino N.F.; it includes Old Greyback in the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Next time you visit one of America's national parks, consider making a side trip to one of its equally spectacular (yet far less-crowded) public lands cousins. You'll be glad you did. And as always, be sure to share your adventures with us by tagging #RootsRated.

Written by Ethan Shaw for RootsRated.

Back to Adventure Insights

Most Americans experience the Sunflower State by driving across on I-70. But head a few minutes off the interstate and you’ll see what the state really has to offer—iconic prairies, adventure-filled state parks, historic sites, and chalky badlands. The next time you're driving through, check out these detour-worthy highlights. 1. Clinton State Park If you love spending time exploring nature, look no further than Clinton State Park. Just a couple miles outside of Lawrence, the park has anything and everything you might want to do. You’ll find an 11-hole disc golf course, 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, including a five-mile cross-country ski trail, flatwater paddling and swimming at Clinton Lake and two ponds for fishing. There are nearly 400 campsites if you decide you need a couple days (or weeks) to see it all. 2. Kaw River Trail Here’s a fun fact: Kansas is the only state to have two designated water trails, one of which is along the Kansas River (known as the ‘Kaw’ to locals). We suggest you launch into the river west of Topeka, in Wamego or Junction City, to paddle through the Sunflower State’s iconic prairieland for more than 100 miles. Bring a lunch and take a leisurely paddle out to one of the picnic-worthy sandbars. There are even a handful of riverside campsites if you want a multi-day paddle—just make sure you secure your boat and set up far away from the water line! 3. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve There’s only a small percentage of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem left in the United States. Doug Stremel/Kansas Tourism Explore some of the planet’s remaining tallgrass prairie and watch for grazing bison on the 40 miles of trails at the almost 11,000-acre Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. When the bulk of America’s tallgrass prairie disappeared—carved up in the name of progress by plow-wielding pioneers in the 19th century—a small section of it was preserved here. Plan your visit in the fall, when the grass will be over your head. 4. Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park Zipline tours at Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park is a must-do experience. Kansas Tourism Before continuing west to Milford State Park, head about 10 miles north of I-70 to the town of Manhattan, home of Kansas State University. For adventure-lovers, it’s also home to the Wildwood Outdoor Adventure Park, with seven zip-lines and hiking trails. Zip through the trees and learn a little something about the Flint Hills from your guide at the same time. The park is open year round and safety is a top priority. All you have to worry about is enjoying the view! 5. Milford State Park Spend some time boating on the Kansas’s largest lake at Milford State Park. Kansas Tourism Just outside Junction City, Milford State Park clings to the shores of Kansas’s largest lake—the 15,709-acre Milford Reservoir. For land lovers, the park’s nearly eight-mile Eagle Ridge Trail rambles through airy, wildflower-tinged prairie landscape. But the park is really known for fishing—walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, and catfish can all be caught here. A huge wildlife area is on the west side and you can usually spot a bald eagle or two over there in the winter. 6. Rock City and Mushroom Rock State Park It’s easy to see where the name for Mushroom Rock State Park came from. Lane Pearman Just north of I-70 and south of Minneapolis (Kansas), lies the appropriately named Rock City, where more than 200 Dakota Sandstone boulders dot the landscape. The spherical rocks are the result of millions of years of erosion, dating back to the Cretaceous period when the area was covered by an inland sea. Today, you are free to run around and climb these unique boulders. There are a few established boulder problems, but it’s mostly a create-your-own-line kind of place. About an hour south of Rock City is another of Kansas’ geological oddities—Mushroom Rock State Park. The tiny park was once a landmark for pioneers and used as a meeting place by Native Americans. The mushroom-shaped formations are easy to spot and are fun to photograph. 7. Kanopolis State Park Nestled in the Smoky Hills on the shores of the 3,500-acre Kanopolis Reservoir, the state’s oldest park is also one of Kansas’s most stunning locations. South of I-70 and west of Salina, the 12,500-acre Kanopolis State Park features more than 30 miles of rugged trails for hikers and mountain bikers. You’ll trek over rolling hills, through open prairie and woodlands filled with wildlife, past sandstone bluffs, and into Horsethief Canyon. Head over to the northwest section of the park’s wildlife area to see the Faris Caves, which were carved by early pioneers and used as a school house and living area. 8. Wilson State Park There's something for everyone at Wilson State Park. Kansas Tourism Savor some of the best mountain biking singletrack in Kansas at Wilson State Park, outside Sylvan Grove. The Switchgrass Bike Trail has been designated as an Epictrail by the International Mountain Biking Association, consisting of 20+ miles of uninterrupted singletrack, snaking through a stunning backdrop. Aside from mountain biking, the state park also offers paddling access to the 9,000-acre Wilson Reservoir. Wilson Lake has beautiful, crystal blue waters that are unlike any other in whole state, thanks to the high salt content from the Saline River, which feeds into the lake. 9. Castle Rock Kansas is full of interesting formations like Castle Rock. Harland Schuster/Kansas Tourism Rising above western badlands, the freestanding spire known named Castle Rock is more than just a geological anomaly. This towering pillar of limestone and shale is also rich with historic lore. Named by a survey team in 1865, Castle Rock served as landmark along the Smoky Hills Trail. The route was famously used by the Butterfield Overland Dispatch in the middle of the 19th century to ferry mail, freight and passenger across the state to Colorado. It was also notoriously vulnerable, frequently attacked by Arapaho and Cheyenne defending their historic hunting grounds from encroaching pioneers, and ultimately made obsolete by the arrival of the railroad. Note: Castle Rock is on private land, so be respectful of the property when you visit. 10. Monument Rocks Monument Rocks is also known as the Chalk Pyramids. Kansas Tourism Monument Rocks is one of Kansas’ most iconic natural wonders, and a must-see if you are driving through the state. Carved by the Smoky Hill River more than 80 million years ago, the cluster of pale rock outcroppings, some rising to 70 feet, are referred to as the "chalk pyramids." It was the first National Historic Landmark designated by the National Park Service, and is also a hub for wildlife. American Kestrels nest in the crevices in the looming chalk formations, and pronghorns, coyotes and western rattlesnakes roam the shortgrass prairie fringing the outcroppings. Note: Monument Rocks is on private land, so please be respectful when you visit. 11. Mount Sunflower Take a detour to Mount Sunflower, the highest point in the entire state. Andrea LaRayne Etzel/Kansas Tourism In the far reaches of western Kansas, almost in Colorado, is Mount Sunflower. With an elevation of 4,039 feet, it’s the highest point in the entire Sunflower State. The destination is more hill than mountain, and more a homage to Kansas than a hike. Mount Sunflower is actually located on the Harold Family Ranch, homesteaded over century ago by Edward and Elizabeth Harold in 1905, but is open to the public and all visitors are welcome. The pinnacle is appropriately adorned with a sunflower sculpture—crafted from metal railway scraps. It includes a standing invitation from the Harolds to swing by the ranch house and regale the family with the story of your "trials and tribulations to the lofty summit". There’s really no wrong way to explore the outdoor adventures that Kansas has to offer, so the next time you are cruising along I-70, pick one of these spots to stretch, explore, or even spend the night. And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up extending your road trip by a week or two to make sure you see them all! Written by Malee Baker Oot for RootsRated in partnership with Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism.

Visiting Goldmyer Hot Springs: Western Washington's Natural Spa

Hot springs usually fall into one of two categories: unmaintained, dug out pools overcrowded with local enthusiasts, or developed resorts, complete with showers, restaurants, and concrete. The former can be a gamble—hot springs are a natural petri dish for a variety of diseases (such as E. coli). But the latter can too often feel like a theme park or the spa at a local gym. Finding a hot spring with a natural feel that isn’t also risking your health can be a challenge. Here in Western Washington we are lucky enough to have Goldmyer Hot Springs, a tiny, steaming oasis in the middle of the Cascades’ temperate rainforests. On the way to the hot springs. Laura Lancaster Goldmyer was a popular tourist destination in the early part of the 20th century, but was abandoned in the 1960s after extensive flooding. After decades of neglect and overuse, the former owners donated the land to the Northwest Wilderness Programs, who restored and today manage the springs, employing rotating caretakers to process visitors and maintain the pools (including bi-weekly cleanings). From the caretaker’s cabin, visitors climb up through a canopy of ancient old growth—douglas firs, western hemlocks, and pacific silver firs—toward the sound of a roaring waterfall. Getting closer. Laura Lancaster Rounding the corner of a steep precipice brings the springs into view where there's an opening of a cave, framed with moss and ferns, with steaming water spilling out into two lower pools. Nearby is the cabana, a rustic, open-air structure, perfect for grabbing a quick bite to eat or changing out of sweaty hiking clothes. The pool furthest from the cave is the coolest—about 104 degrees with the temperatures rising to a steaming 111 degrees Fahrenheit inside the cave. Those who make it to the back of the cave are well-rewarded: a simple bench at the end far of the cave is perfect for enjoying the sauna-like atmosphere. A third pool, fed by an ice cold stream, quickly cools down any overheated bathers, leaving behind skin that is tingling and refreshed. Five miles from the nearest forest service road, Goldmyer is close enough to civilization for easy access by dedicated weekend warriors, but logistically complicated enough to dissuade Instagram addicts. (Although, speaking frankly, it’s probably best to leave your camera at home for this one: Goldmyer is clothing optional, and most days find a mix of bathers in swimsuits and in the nude.) Plan your Trip Today Goldmyer in all its modest yet welcoming glory. hundertmorgen_ Visitors are limited to 20 per day to ensure that Goldmyer remains pristine for years to come. This limit is strictly enforced, so you'll need to make a reservation in advance to ensure that you aren’t turned away at the gates. While many visitors will choose to hike out after an afternoon of soaking, overnight camping is also available for an additional $5. Note that campfires are not permitted on the Goldmyer premises. Getting There You're in the right place. Laura Lancaster _NOTE: Conditions change frequently along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie. Check the Goldmyer website for the most up-to-date travel info. _ There are multiple access points for Goldmyer Hot Springs, so choose the right one for your experience and fitness level. 1. A long, difficult drive followed by a short, easy hike. Drive east from Seattle on I-90 and take exit 34, just past North Bend. Turn left onto 468th Street and drive north for a half mile. Turn right onto the Middle Fork Road and travel 9 miles (the paved road will turn to gravel and then dirt) to the Middle Fork campgrounds. Just after the campground, look for a dirt road heading uphill to the right. Follow this road another five miles until you reach the Dingford Creek Trailhead. This last road is minimally maintained, and a number of washouts over the years have made it impassable to all but high clearance, four wheel drive vehicles. Do not attempt this road if your car has low clearance. From the Dingford Creek Trailhead, hike the old road 4.5 miles to a marked intersection. Take the right fork, following the signs to Goldmyer Hot Springs, cross over the river, and hike up a short hill to the caretaker's cabin to check in. 2. A short, easy drive followed by a long, difficult hike. Drive I-90 east from Seattle and take exit 52 at Snoqualmie Pass. Drive under the overpass and continue on for about a mile until you reach the parking lot for the Snow Lake Trailhead near the Alpental ski resort. Hike the Snow Lake Trail 3.2 miles to the intersection on the far side of the lake. Take the Rock Creek Trail, heading downhill and to the right. The trail here, while well maintained, is significantly more rugged than the popular Snow Lake Trail, crisscrossing talus fields before switchbacking 4 miles down to the intersection with the Middle Fork Trail. Turn right and follow the Middle Fork Trail 2.5 miles until you reach Burnboot creek. Carefully cross the three downed logs that serve as a foot bridge. On the other side of the creek are signs directing you toward the caretaker’s cabin. 3. A short, easy drive and hike followed by some serious bushwhacking. This one is only for hikers experienced in route finding. After exiting I-90 at Snoqualmie Pass, follow signs for the PCT (between Alpental and The Summit) that lead to the trailhead for the PCT out of Snoqualmie Pass. Follow the trail for 2.5 miles until you reach a fork. Take the Commonwealth Basin Trail to the left to its end at Red Pass. This is where things get a little interesting. The trail below is where the Pacific Crest Trail ran before it was rerouted over the Kendall Katwalk. From Red Pass, pass by the “trail not maintained beyond this point sign” and hike 3.5 miles down a steep slope into lush old growth. The trail will eventually run alongside Burnboot Creek, leading you to the log crossing to Goldmyer along the Middle Fork Trail. The tiny, yet wonderful Goldmyer Hot Springs. Laura Lancaster All in all a visit to Goldmyer Hot Springs isn't some epic backcountry excursion. But if you're looking for a relaxing soak in nature without the crowds and with the chance to camp overnight, this is a super special place tucked into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Oh, and you're right next to a gorgeous, roaring waterfall the entire time. It really doesn't get any better than this. Written by Laura Lancaster for RootsRated.

The Lowdown on the Newest Chicago-Area Camping Getaways

Cook County’s Forest Preserves have traditionally provided the only real green space in the immediate Chicago area. For hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners—not to mention picnickers, frisbee-throwers, and sunbathers—the forest preserves offer a wooded escape from the urban landscape of the city. But there was one thing all the diverse preserves had in common—you had to leave at sunset. But that’s no longer the case—at least in five preserves that will permit overnight camping this summer. It’s a big change for the Cook County Forest Preserve, which has spent the last several years creating and implementing a master plan to build new campgrounds and improve existing ones that in the past had only been available to established groups like the Boy Scouts. The forest preserve will be rolling out each of the campgrounds this summer, with three already open and taking reservations. 1. Camp Shabbona Woods Located at 15810 S. Torrence Avenue in South Holland, Camp Shabbona Woods was the first facility to open for campers in May. It’s a new facility created on the site of a former picnic grove that was removed. The campground now offers eight tent cabins and 12 tent sites in addition to a toilet facility on the grounds. The campground is closely connected to the nearby Sand Ridge Nature Center and Green Lake Aquatic Center. 2. Camp Sullivan This Oak Forest facility , located at 14630 Oak Park Ave., has taken a site once used by the scouts and improved it to create a larger campground open to the general public. An existing bunkhouse was removed and replaced with 12 tent cabins and 40 tent sites. Toilet and shower facilities were also added. Located in the 612-acre Tinley Creek Woods, Camp Sullivan offers access to more than 13 miles of trails. The historic red barn is being renovated to include a climbing wall and meeting space for outdoor activities and programs. 3. Camp Reinberg Having opened over the 4 th of July weekend, Camp Reinberg , in Palatine, is another facility that has been improved and updated with more modern amenities. It now includes several two-bedroom cabins (with air conditioning) that can accommodate up to 10 people. They each have a private bathroom and shower. Other cabins that sleep eight are available without the private bathrooms, but campers can share the modern facilities at the campground. There are also spots for small RVs and tent camping, in addition to a large dining hall with two community kitchens for large events. The campsite offers access to the trails at Deer Grove Forest Preserve , which offers some of the area’s only singletrack for trail running and mountain biking. The Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center is nearby the new Bullfrog Lake campgrounds. David Wilson 4. Camp Bullfrog Lake Expected to open by late July, Camp Bullfrog Lake is a new campsite located in the Willow Springs Forest Preserve , with access to the Palos Trail System . The facility will include eight tent cabins and 12 tent sites as well as a shower/toilet facility. It’s located near Maple Lake, which offers boat rentals, and the Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center. Of course, for mountain bikers, this could mean a new way to take advantage of by far the best trail system for off-road riding. 5. Camp Dan Beard This spot in Northbrook has hosted the Boy Scouts for more than 50 years, but it will be open to the public later this summer. The site will include tent camping as well as renovated cabins. Proximity to the River Nature Trail Center and the Des Plaines River will make this an excellent spot for campers looking to do some paddling on their trip. “We want to offer a camping experience inclusive of all skill sets and comfort levels,” said Arnold Randall, general superintendent of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. “Our camping program appeals to experienced campers and beginners. Our goal is for camping to be a gateway to forge lifelong connections with nature.” This means that several of the sites will offer gear rental, making it easier for outdoor newbies to get started camping. Fees for each facility will vary, but expect tent camping to cost as little as $20 a night for Cook County residents, while the 36-bed bunkhouse goes for $200 for a Saturday night in season. Nonresidents will pay $10 more per night. All five of the facilities will be open from April through October, with Bullfrog Lake, Reinberg and Sullivan offering camping year-round. All of the facilities will feature 24-hour staffing and regular patrols be the Forest Preserve Police Department. Reservations are available online [here](fpdcc.com/camping) as well as by phone at 855-YES-CAMP. For those who looking for a quick camping getaway, these destinations will be tough to beat. Just one caveat—the three facilities that have already opened have found demand to be very high, with most available spots selling out quickly. So if you want to take advantage of the first summer of Cook County Forest Preserve Camping, make your reservations soon. Written by Jeff Banowetz for RootsRated.

7 Outdoor Adventures to Beat the Winter Blues in Chicago

Yes, winter in Chicago can be tough. But that doesn’t mean you should spend your time indoors waiting for the thaw. You may have to wear a few more layers, but you’ll find the winter is a lot more fun when you embrace it. You don’t even need to hop a plane to the Rockies. Here are seven outdoor activities that will put a smile on your face during the cold and gray days of winter in Chicago. 1. Sledding Rotary Hill in Naperville is a popular spot for sledding in the suburbs. Naperville Park District Yes, Chicago is known for its flatness. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options when it comes to winter fun, especially with the kids. In the city, Cricket Hill sticks out among the soccer fields near Montrose Beach , offering a short but fun ride. Soldier Field also has a surprisingly large man-made hill that’s very good for sledding—a lot of dirt was moved when the stadium was renovated. A longer option for older kids (and parents) is at Caldwell Woods, 6200 W. Devon Ave., on the northwest side. While the site once featured a toboggan run—removed along with all the others in the Cook County Forest Preserve system for safety reasons—the hill is still good for sledding. Plus you’ll find a warming center, fire pit, and indoor bathrooms. Dan Ryan Woods offers another long hill, which operates under the lights until 9 p.m. In the suburbs, Rotary Hill in downtown Naperville is a popular spot just south of the Riverwalk and within walking distance of lots of great places to eat. 2. Tubing The tubing hill at Villa Olivia can be fun for all ages. Matt Gronlund Unlike the free-for-all of sledding, tubing offers a bit more structure. Many ski resorts have added the sport as a cheaper option for families with younger kids who aren’t necessarily interested in learning how to ski or snowboard. At a resort you’ll also get a lift up the hill, which allows for a lot more runs with a lot less effort—and especially nice for parents who otherwise have to carry the sled and the kid back up the hill. In addition to its ski and snowboard amenities, Villa Olivia features a tubing hill with two runs and a magic carpet, a lift that resembles the moving walkway at an airport. It’s by far the easiest way to get your kids and their tubes back up the hill. Participants age 6 and over pay $20 for a two-hour window to ride (tube included). Wilmot Mountain, located just across the border in Wisconsin, features a giant tubing park apart from the ski area with 20 tubing lanes on the 1,000-foot hill. An enclosed conveyor belt takes riders back to the top in style and comfort. Hours are Monday through Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $15-$35 a person, depending on when and how long you ride. If you’re willing to walk back up the hill yourself, the Blackwell Forest Preserve offers an excellent tubing hill. You must rent the tubes from the forest preserve (for $5), but once you have the tub you can ride the 800-foot hill as many times as you like. 3. Fat-Tire Biking Fat bikes come with big, knobby tires to better grip the snow and ice. Jereme Rauckman At one time, cycling actually had an off season in Chicago. Or at least most cyclists took their bikes inside, hooked them up to trainers, and enjoyed their Netflix subscription. But more and more cyclists are discovering that it’s quite enjoyable to ride in cold and snowy conditions—if they’ve got a fat-tire bike. These off-road cruisers with their behemoth tires may look like something out of a cartoon, but they work. The tires, often more than four inches wide (more than double standard mountain bike tires), permit riders to take on all kinds of harsh conditions. The added tire size and lower air pressure allow the bike to “float” higher above the snow or sand and produce a great deal of grip. More and more Chicago-area cyclists are discovering the sport, and the bikes are now available in most bike stores. 4. Luge The Luge track in Muskegon is one of the few places in the United States to try the sport. Muskegon Winter Sports Complex It may not be the state-of-the art track that you remember from Olympics, but the Muskegon Winter Sports Complex on the other side of the lake in Muskegon, Mich., is one of only three luge tracks in the United States. It’s smaller than the Olympic-level tracks, but that’s a good thing, making it accessible to the public. The 850-foot track consists of six curves and two starting areas. The public starts from about three-quarters of the way down the track and can reach speeds up to 30 mph. The track is designed for beginners and safe for those with no previous sliding experience. All equipment is provided, including the sled (one of four Austrian or Latvian luges), a sanitized helmet and forearm pads. Coaches will spend about 15 minutes before the run teaching you the technique, and then you’re free to sled as many runs as possible in your two-and-half-hour group session. The cost is $45 on the weekend, $40 on Friday nights. 5. Ice Skating Skating at Millennium Park on Michigan Avenue. Hourann Bosci Lots of park districts and forest preserves offer ice skating in the winter. But you can get a unique outdoor winter experience at two ice-skating options downtown. The skating ribbon at Maggie Daley Park is unlike your typical oval rink. Instead it’s an iced path that winds around the park, offering excellent views of the city. It’s free to skate on the ribbon, and you can rent skates for $12. If you want a more traditional skating experience, the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is on Michigan Avenue, right underneath the Cloud Gate Sculpture, better known as the Bean. It’s also free with the same price for rentals. 6. Snowshoeing at the Morton Arboretum The Morton Arboretum in the snow. Bill Carrier In the suburbs, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle features 1,700 acres to explore, and the vast majority of people simply do it by car. Which is a shame. Because the 16 miles of trails here are fantastic, offering a huge variety of flora to explore. The hilly landscape can be a challenge, especially if the snow is deep, so choose a route that’s in your comfort zone. Snowshoe rentals are available on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $12 for two hours, $16 for all day, with a $2 discount for members. Children are $8/$12, with a similar discount. You do have to pay for an entry to the arboretum, but the costs are less in the winter. See the full pricing here . 7. Learn to Cross-Country Ski Cross-country skiing at Camp Sagawau. Cook County Forest Preserve For a city that has a long winter and lots of snow—at least some winters—it’s surprising that there aren't more facilities like Camp Sagawau around. This Cook County Forest Preserve facility is located southwest of the city (near the Palos Trail System ) and offers a great introduction to cross-country skiing. It’s also one of the few places to learn skate skiing, for those who are interested in trying the aerobic-intensive sport. The facility offers rentals, lessons, and groomed trails to help anyone get started. For those more experienced skiers, the trail system includes a 1.3K trail that will offer a bit of a challenge. But Camp Sagawau is really about getting started in the sport and having a place where anyone can rent equipment and enjoy some time on skis. The area features just under 3 miles of groomed trails at the facility, which serves as a nature center in the snow-free months. Written by Jeff Banowetz for RootsRated.