Maine’s Acadia National Park is full of stunning sights that will charm any nature-loving visitor. The park truly offers something for everyone. Birdwatchers can look for wildlife along Jesup Path, stargazers can watch the skies over Cadillac Mountain, and people who prefer driving to hiking can cruise along Ocean Drive.
But what about trail runners? What does this dazzling park have for outdoorsy folks who enjoy jogging through scenic landscapes? If you’re looking for a prime trail running spot at Acadia National Park, look no further than Jordan Pond Path. This running hotspot circles the tranquil waters of Jordan Pond, but waterfront views aren’t the only perks runners can look forward to seeing there. Take a peek at this trail’s best sights and learn more about the area in the photo guide below.
Have you ever thought about the world’s obsession with adorable bears? Humans create plush versions of the animal in the form of teddy bears, there are contests devoted to picking the fattest bear, and fictional bear characters like Winnie the Pooh have captured the hearts of millions. Despite this critter’s sometimes ferocious and grisly behavior, people just can’t get enough of bears.
If you’re one of the world’s many bear enthusiasts, start your day off right with these three fun, strange, and silly bear videos. These recent clips come to you from locations like the snowy wilderness around Lake Tahoe, California’s Oakland Zoo, and the Woburn Safari Park in England.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C41TDZaMUpI/
While this first video seems to show a sleepy bear slowly emerging from hibernation within a snow-filled forest, this next video from the Oakland Zoo features a delightful and energetic grizzly bear.
This bear isn’t the only one having fun in the water, though. Recently, England’s Woburn Safari Park shared a video showing some of its North American black bears playing in a swan boat. See it for yourself in the video below.
Some national parks are perfect for runners. A few of the parks, like Grand Teton and Joshua Tree, even host 5K, half marathon, and marathon events. Yellowstone National Park also offers runners fun races to partake in. These events include races like the Yellowstone Half Marathon and 5K and the Yellowstone 50K Trail Race.
So, if there are official races like these hosted at Yellowstone, why shouldn’t you try tail running through the park? The answer is simple: wildlife. Bears, bison, wolves, and other powerful critters may view your running as a threat or as prey behavior. This isn’t just a potential danger; people have been attacked and killed by animals within Yellowstone. In 2023, a bear attack on one of the park’s trails led to the death of marathon runner Amie Adamson.
While wildlife dangers shouldn’t keep you from enjoying Yellowstone, the park does have a few important safety tips guests should know. Outdoors enthusiasts are probably familiar with most of these rules: don’t feed the animals, keep your distance, and carry bear spray just in case.
NPS photo by Neal Herbert
“All of Yellowstone is bear country,” Yellowstone National Park’s website explains, “from the trails in the park’s backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.”
Additional safety tips recommended by the park include hiking with a partner or group, making noise, respecting park closures, and not leaving food sources unattended. Oh, and if you’re carrying bear spray, make sure you know how to use it. Remember, it’s not like bug spray. You do not want to spray this stuff on yourself or your gear. Instead, bear spray should be directed at an aggressive bear to keep them away and keep you safe.
Read up on more wildlife safety tips here, or explore some of the sights you can expect to see at Yellowstone here.
Every year, millions of tourists visit America’s national parks. Not every park gets the same amount of visitors, though.
In 2023, some of the most visited national parks were Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, and Zion. The year’s number one most visited park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, recorded 13,297,647 recreation visits. Grand Canyon National Park came in second place, with 4,733,705 recreation visits.
Unless you’re a winter sports enthusiast, you probably haven’t thought much about visiting national parks during snowy season. But, if you want to avoid crowds, winter might be the perfect time to visit some of the country’s most popular parks. Visitors who time their trips just right will even get to see these magical landscapes covered in shimmering, sparkling snow.
Take a look at what some of the most visited national parks look like in the snow with the gallery of stunning photos below.
Bison are just one of the captivating animals you can spot trekking through Yellowstone National Park in the winter. If you regularly visit the park, you have probably been able to see one of the park’s beautiful bison before. But have you seen these majestic creatures posing in front of Old Faithful geyser right as it’s erupting? On Saturday, March 9, that is exactly what park visitor Cindy Shaffer caught on camera.
“That was an extremely special and tearful moment for me,” Shaffer said. “Tears of joy, of course.”
Happy birthday, Olympia and Elbroch! On March 6, the Philadelphia Zoo posted an adorable video of these two precious pumas celebrating their first birthdays together.
As the Philly Zoo wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “We estimate the cubs were born around this time. These siblings joined our family in early July after being rescued in Washington, and very quickly became beloved by both staff and guests!”
A local news report further explains that the puma cubs were rescued from Kalama, Washington, and transferred from experts at the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to the Philly Zoo. Formerly underweight and at-risk, pumas Olympia and Elbroch can be seen thriving and enjoying a birthday cake made of ice in the video below.
Want to wish these puma cubs a happy birthday yourself? You can direct your birthday wishes to the pair via social media. Or, better yet, visit the Philadelphia Zoo and see if you can get a glimpse of the pumas in person!
We celebrated a very special 🎉1st BIRTHDAY🎉 to rescued puma cubs Olympia and Elbroch! We estimate the cubs were born around this time. These siblings joined our family in early July after being rescued in Washington, and very quickly became beloved by both staff and guests!🎂🎈 pic.twitter.com/feTAZIDNN6
Get a glimpse of some of the magnificent creatures that swim in the waters around California’s one and only Channel Islands National Park.
While several species call the Channel Islands home, some are more likely to make an appearance than others. One of the species known for staying out of the limelight is the orca. Eagle-eyed wildlife watchers have to be pretty lucky to spot one of these curious animals.
Recently, a ranger patrolling the area around the park’s San Miguel Island lucked out and saw a pod of orcas for himself. As Channel Islands National Park recently explained in a Facebook post, “Although sightings of orcas around the Channel Islands are rare, they can happen at any time of the year.”
See this orca sighting for yourself in the video below.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=765451632164134
Note: The featured image is a stock photo used to illustrate the story.
Celebrity sightings probably aren’t what draws most hikers to the great outdoors. Still, for fans of people like Taylor Swift, the chance to see your favorite star can be excellent motivation to explore a new trail. If you’re curious to discover a hiking hotspot frequented by celebrities like Swift, Ed Sheeran, and RuPaul, make your way to Los Angeles, California’s Franklin Canyon Park.
Visitors will find this lovely nature retreat tucked away between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. Rumor has it that couples like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis love to hike the trails within Franklin Canyon Park. In 2013, Taylor Swift and friend Ed Sheeran were even spotted hiking in the park. Swift was seen hiking Franklin Canyon again in 2019, with then-boyfriend Joe Alwyn.
Want to check out Franklin Canyon Park for yourself? While you’ll want to check the park’s official website for any closures, the area welcomes anyone looking for a place to unwind and escape the city. Get a sense of the area and learn what to expect there with the gallery of Franklin Canyon Park trail photos below.
This year, make the most of spring. As the world shakes off the last icy chills of winter, nature enthusiasts can see the land come back to life. Blossoming wildflowers, sprouting plants, and buzzing bees are just the start of the wonders this season has to offer. If you’re ready to discover all the natural beauty and hidden gems of spring, we’re here to help.
Plan a season full of outdoor activities with this guide to spring fun. Below, you’ll find a round-up of helpful resources, from lists of top-notch spring break travel destinations to features on where and when to see cherry blossoms bloom throughout the United States. So, without further ado, let’s jump in.
The amazing recreational opportunities in West Virginia’s New River Gorge are no secret. This destination was recognized as a national river in 1978 and has long been beloved by rafters. But since becoming America’s newest national park in 2020, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has grown even more popular.
What does this place in rural West Virginia have to offer? There are over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the rugged New River. You can hike, bike along an old railroad grade, raft, and rock climb. All the while, you’ll be marveling at the longest, deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. The park includes a variety of habitats that shelter rare and endangered animals. The Virginia big-eared bat, the Indiana bat, and the Allegheny woodrat all make their homes here. Rich human history is also evident, with rail and mining artifacts.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
Running at New River Gorge
Want to go for a run through New River Gorge? The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority’s Active Southern West Virginia initiative is here to encourage you. Brandon Mehlinger, an avid runner and running spokesperson for Active Southern West Virginia, wants to inspire people to get active outside.
“Two of the best trails in the New River Gorge National Park for trail running are Long Point Trail and Kaymoor Miners Trail,” Mehlinger said. “Long Point trail is a 3 mile out and back that leads you out to a stunning view of the river and the bridge. Kaymoor Miners trail takes you down through the remnants of an old coal mine area. It’s a unique trail that offers a challenging 821 step staircase at the bottom of the trail and can branch off in different ways on the way back up depending on how far you’re looking to run.”
Photo courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia
If you like to plan your travel around race events, New River Gorge offers two big days: the six-mile New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race in May and the Bridge Day 5K in October. Both involve the stunning and much-photographed New River Gorge Bridge. Runners pass under the bridge during the Rim to Rim.Â
“The Bridge Day 5K allows runners the only opportunity of the year to run on the Bridge,” Mehlinger said. “Runners get to see the park and all its glory from above and really get to visualize the scale of it all. Both races give runners unparalleled views of the park – one from below, and the other from above.”
Photo by Jay Young, courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia
Can’t make a race day? Drop in for one of Active Southern West Virginia’s weekly running groups in Fayetteville or Beckley to explore trails inside the New River Gorge National Park.
Originally from Connecticut, Mehlinger came to West Virginia in 2022 as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Part of his role was expanding the Kids Run Club program to more rural elementary schools. Now, he’s the program coordinator of Active Southern West Virginia and a big advocate of both community and running.
Photo courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia
“The New River Gorge National Park holds a unique allure for running enthusiasts, and it’s not just about the breathtaking scenery, although that’s certainly a major part of it,” he said. “What truly makes this place special for running is the heart and soul of the community that surrounds it. West Virginians are a close-knit group of individuals that take immense pride in their outdoors. The trails in the park follow century-old paths, revealing the history of timber and coal industries.”
Mehlinger urges people to get out on the trails to hike, mountain bike, or run. “It’s the people, the shared love for running, and the sense of community that make every stride in this park truly special.”
