forests – Syndication Server

Ride through a redwood forest on this charming train ride

Hop aboard the steam train.

Just outside Santa Cruz, California, Roaring Camp Railroads takes visitors back in time while connecting them with the outdoors. The destination accomplishes this task with an old-school steam train that carries guests through a stunning redwood grove and up nearby Bear Mountain. Hop aboard and see what makes this attraction worth visiting.

Steam train service at Roaring Camp began on April 6, 1963. The Redwood Forest Steam Train continues running today, taking families, couples, friends, and all other guests on a journey through the forest.

The trip is somehow both serene and thrilling. It’s all thanks to Roaring Camp combining heavy 1800s steam engines with timeless views of nature. On every ride, a conductor’s voice crackles throughout the open-air train cars to provide insight into local history as redwoods tower above the train. For tourists who appreciate their sightseeing with a side of storytelling, Roaring Camp’s redwood train ride is a can’t-miss stop.

While Roaring Camp’s inaugural steam train service began in 1963, the area’s history dates back a little further. In the 1830s, a “mountain man” named Isaac Graham settled in the region with plans to start a logging operation. On my recent visit to Roaring Camp, a train conductor claimed that Graham’s daughter and wife convinced Graham to keep the forest intact. Twenty-five years later, the redwood grove “became the first virgin stand of coastal redwoods to be protected from logging.”

Guests board the Redwood Forest Steam Train at the little station across from Roaring Camp’s retro, western-themed general store. During the festive season, visitors can expect to see yellow-leafed trees and pumpkins or colorful twinkling lights decorating the area. For Halloween this year, Roaring Camp is hosting “Thomas the Tank Engine”-themed events for families. Later in the year, guests can enjoy a Holiday Lights Train and Chanukah Train. See what else Roaring Camp has to offer on its website.

Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Roaring Camp during a press trip to Santa Cruz, California. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Here’s why you should visit Stanislaus National Forest

Trek into the mountain wilderness.

There are 154 national forests in the United States. As of 2015, these forests stretched across 188,336,179 beautiful acres of land. With so many miles of wooded area to explore, it can be hard for any one spot to stick out. Today, the spotlight is on California’s Stanislaus National Forest.

Find this hidden gem roughly 92 miles southeast of Sacramento. Stanislaus rests in the middle of a particularly gorgeous region, between Yosemite National Park and Eldorado National Forest. If you want to bypass the crowds at Yosemite, there are 78 lakes and 1,000+ miles of hiking trails to discover at Stanislaus. Here are the region’s top attractions and why it’s such an exciting place to visit.

A brown sign reading "Stanislaus National Forest." — *Photo by David Prasad*

Where to go

There is a treasure trove of cool places to visit at Stanislaus National Forest. For tranquil views of the water, stop by Mosquito Lake. In the Emigrant Wilderness, you can find lush meadows during summer and icy landscapes in winter. Other scenic areas within the forest include Trumbull Peak Special Interest Area and Rim of the World Vista.

Get even more out of your visit by taking a day trip to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Bring the whole family for a guided hike or an astronomy night event.

A boat full of people kayaking. — *USFS photo by Jerry Snyde*

What to do

Outdoorsy tourists will find endless adventure in this California forest. Try hiking along Cleo’s Bath Trail, Lake Alpine Trail, or Carlon Falls Trail. Prefer water sports? Swing by the Cherry Lake Boat Launch, or kayak on the Tuolumne Wild and Scenic River. For mountain biking, head to Pinecrest Lake, Ferretti Trail, or Ebbetts Pass.

A lake with lilypads and two white cabins with green roofs on rocks overlooking it. — *Photo by Kevin Dooley*

Camping and lodging

Spend the whole weekend at Stanislaus National Forest. The region offers some quality campsites, plus a few resorts. See a full list of available campsites here, and explore dispersed, group, and RV camping options here. For your first visit, consider staying at popular spots like Lumsden Bridge Campground or Pinecrest Campground.

If you prefer sleeping indoors, book a reservation at Dodge Ridge Mountain Resort or Kennedy Meadows Resort & Packstation. Groups can also find some great cabin rentals on Vrbo or Airbnb.

Trek into the forests of Oregon to experience these shimmering waters

Venture into the woods.

If you go out in the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise. At Oregon’s Willamette National Forest, that surprise is absolutely stunning scenery. Here’s what you should know about this special destination and its beloved landmark, Tamolitch Falls.

Tamolitch Falls, aka Blue Pool, hides within Willamette National Forest. Despite being tucked away just east of Smith Reservoir, these shimmering blue waters still manage to attract tons of visitors. Described as a “cliff-rimmed basin” by the United States Forest Service, Tamolitch Falls has been a popular tourist destination since the 1930s. Explore what makes this spot so magical in this curated photo gallery.

You’ll be amazed by these 7 places in Salmon-Challis National Forest

It’s a dream camping destination.

Certain images come to mind when you imagine “the great outdoors.” The phrase conjures thoughts of lush forests, serene lakes, and critters roaming the land. If these picture-perfect vistas are what you want out of an outdoor retreat, you can find them all within Idaho’s Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Over 4.3 million acres of land make up Salmon-Challis National Forest. From the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to the top of the Beaverhead Mountains, the region boasts an abundance of breathtaking views. While seeing all these natural wonders would take some time, visitors can witness the area’s top attractions at seven unique spots. Here’s a guide to the forest’s most beautiful places.

Venture into the mysterious depths of Ozark National Forest

Find stunning hikes and more.

Some natural wonders just don’t get the attention they deserve. Compared to major national parks, places like Ozark National Forest receive relatively little praise for their stunning landscapes. For lucky locals, this means they can enjoy these blissful destinations without worrying about massive crowds.

Whether you’re familiar with Ozark National Forest or are discovering it for the first time, a little research can make your adventures through the area more exciting. Located in northwest Arkansas, this wooded wonderland joins with nearby St. Francis National Forest to form what is officially known as Ozark-St Francis National Forests. This gorgeous area provides outdoorsy adventurers with tons of recreation opportunities. Discover some of the best things to do in Ozark National Forest with the list below.

Spend International Day of Forests exploring these 7 forests

Wander through the woods.

The world owes a lot to trees. These powerhouse plants help purify the air, filter water, and make the planet a comfortable place to live. Trees and forests keep Earth and its inhabitants healthy, and that’s why the 2023 International Day of Forests theme is “forests and health.”

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly established March 21 as the International Day of Forests (IDF). The occasion celebrates forests and raises awareness of their importance. People worldwide spend the day giving back to the planet through activities like tree-planting campaigns.

If you want to get involved, explore this list of IDF events. You can also help spread the word with this social media toolkit. Your efforts will help support magnificent forests like these throughout the United States.

I explored Ecuador’s Cloud Forest. Here are 7 incredible things to do there.

Adventure awaits you in the Cloud Forest.

Why do people endure an increasingly bumpy three-hour ride from Quito, Ecuador, to visit an ecolodge out in the boonies? Because the stunning Mashpi Lodge sits in the middle of the glorious wet and wild cloud forest. Guests come to explore the 6,177-acre private reserve, which features a staggering amount of plants and wildlife, from over 400 bird species to six kinds of wild cats.

It all starts with the boot station. When you arrive at Mashpi, you’ll be issued a pair of rubber waders and a long, hooded rain jacket. Now you’ll fit in and be ready for the forest activities.

A wooden shed area with a row of boots. — Rubber boots, the foundation of all activities at Mashpi. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Explore these 6 fantastic forests you probably haven’t seen before

See a new side to the natural world.

Tired of sticking to the rivers and lakes that you’re used to? It might be time to branch out and explore new parts of the world. If your neighborhood’s flora and fauna have grown boring, let these curious natural landmarks reignite your passion for the outdoors. From Madagascar to Japan, unique forests invite visitors to see a new side to nature. In these forests, moss runs wild, tree branches twist and turn, and flowers carpet the ground below. A magical world awaits those ready to broaden their horizons. See these fascinations for yourself by going on a virtual hike with this gallery of six fantastic forest photos.

[vertical-gallery id=909]

Río Celeste’s bright blue waters light up Tenorio Volcano National Park

Uncover this gem of nature.

A surreal and colorful natural wonder sparkles within Costa Rica’s Tenorio Volcano National Park. North of the country’s capital city San José, the park hosts an amazing array of ecological treasures. Geysers, waterfalls, and the eponymous Tenorio Volcano treat guests to unique and dazzling views. However, out of all these stunning sights, countless visitors worldwide know the park for one rare treasure in particular — Río Celeste.

The Celeste River, or Río Celeste, is home to other-worldly bright blue waters. Flowing along Tenorio Volcano National Park’s lush green forest trails, the river gets its incredible color from a mineral substance that creates an “optical illusion.” While the park forbids swimming in the river, tourists can hike close enough to get clear pictures of the area. Guests craving a dip in the water can visit the Río Celeste Free Pool, a free public swimming area just past the park’s entrance.

A waterfall feeding into a blue river with rocks. — © Bruce Thomson

Additional water features in the park include rushing waterfalls and thermal springs. Hiking tours through the area highlight these natural gems as adventurers trek through the wilderness. On a hike, visitors can also expect to cross canopy-level hanging bridges that overlook the thriving forest. Some lucky guests may even spot a tapir or puma slinking through the wilderness.

A blue lake in a green forest. — © zero.the.hero

Before embarking on a hike through the park, make sure you’re prepared for a strenuous workout. As Alejandro Zúñiga of The Tico Times wrote, “Tenorio Volcano National Park is beautiful, but you have to be willing to work for it.” Nearly four miles of trail will take hikers up steep inclines and a grueling set of stairs. Tourists who complete this journey through nature will have their effort rewarded with scenic views of waterfalls, lagoons, and rivers that bubble from the warmth of the nearby Tenorio Volcano. These sights will surely stick with visitors, but don’t forget to bring a camera to capture the moment, too.