Since Wind Cave became a national park in 1903, millions of people have flocked to explore the area. This South Dakota landmark prides itself on protecting “two very different worlds – one deep within the earth, the other a sunlit world of many resources.” The park’s caves and lakes compel brave tourists to go spelunking, while grasslands and prairies above invite visitors on a lovely nature walk. No matter which part of the park you prefer, Wind Cave has something that will interest you.
Chart your expedition through Wind Cave National Park with this photo guide to its best sights. Get ready to discover some fantastic views.
Koetsu Ichinei was the first person our group met on a trip to DaisetsuzanNational Park, and I cannot imagine a better park ambassador. The prominent photographer has spent decades hiking the Daisetsu Mountains with his heavy old Linhof Master Technica 4×5 camera. He used to camp for a month in winter, and two to three months in other seasons, capturing the year-round beauty of these mountains in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. Now that he’s 84, he only camps for a week. During our group’s visit to his photo gallery — where his mountain photos fill a former school — he was preparing to take his old camera out to shoot fall foliage.
Photographer Koetsu Ichinei is the lead photographer of Daisetsuzan Volcanic Group. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Daisetsuzan is Japan’s largest national park (875 square miles) and boasts some of the country’s wildest scenery, but it seems undiscovered by foreign tourists. In my few days touring the park, I mostly encountered domestic travelers out for a hike.
Photo by Teresa Bergen
“Daisetsuzan” means great snowy mountains. Which is apt, considering there’s a looong winter season here and a short summer. If you don’t want to freeze, July through September are good times to visit. Fall foliage usually peaks in mid-September. It starts snowing again in October. During my few days in the park, I could appreciate why Ichinei spent his whole photography career capturing its many moods.
Wildlife in Daisetsuzan
Before setting out on the Daisetsu Kogen Onsen Numa-meguri Hiking Trail, you’re required to watch a bear preparedness video. My group sat in the Brown Bear Information Center, absorbing the mixed message. Everybody was curious about seeing a bear (why else would they hike the notoriously bear-infested trail?), yet the video preached avoidance. This heightened the drama. We looked at a map of the designated areas along the trail where visitors are allowed to eat. These sectioned-off spaces reduce the chances of attracting bears. Also, you can’t cook anything or even make coffee on the trail.
A scene from the instructional video shows defensive techniques. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Besides brown bears (aka grizzlies), Daisetsuzan is home to Ezo red foxes, Yezo sika deer, Hokkaido squirrels, and Yezo stoats, which are weasel relatives. I had mixed feelings about bear sightings but would have loved to see Blakiston’s fish owl, the world’s largest living owl, which can have a six-foot wingspan. However, we saw only squirrels.
The hike was rooty and rocky, so you had to watch your step, but it wasn’t too steep. The leaves turned late this year, so in mid-September, we saw the first yellows and reds. We also saw sulfurous vapors pour out of fumaroles. These volcanic mountains are still very active.
Visitors can explore fumeroles at Daisetsuzan. / Photo by Teresa Bergen
Further along, we crossed swampy areas full of skunk cabbage, flowing streams, and ferns that reminded me of my Pacific Northwest home. We stopped to rest by picturesque ponds.
Onsen hotels
You can stay in several onsen hotels in Daisetsuzan National Park. These hot springs resorts feature bathing pools and the chance to swan around the property in a yukata, or bathing kimono.
We stayed at Hotel Taisetsu, a huge and luxurious lodging in a dramatic gorge. It had three different onsens to soak in, including the glorious rooftop bath with a mountain view. Hotel Taisetsu made us a lavish, multi-course dinner and was kind enough to accommodate my vegan ways. They also have a bakery café with espresso and good pour-over coffee, which is not always easy to find in Hokkaido.
Photo courtesy of Taisetsu Kamuimintara DMO
If you go
If you’re visiting from another country, you’ll probably fly into Tokyo and then take a domestic flight to Asahikawa, the nearest airport. Unless you speak Japanese, you might need some help getting around. Our English-speaking guides at AdventureLab Taisetsu Hokkaido were excellent.
Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Outdoors Wire did visit Lake Shikaribetsu on a press trip in conjunction with the Adventure Travel World Summit. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
While stuck in a bear jam last May in Yellowstone National Park, I spotted a coyote that was being closely watched by a potential prey. Can you spot the smaller critter?
Last May in Yellowstone National Park I observed more bears in three days (14) than I observed during all prior trips later in the season.
I spent hours in “bear jams,” standing outside my vehicle while trying to spot and photograph bruins at various safe distances.
During one sighting, involving a cinnamon-colored black bear and two cubs, I looked back across the highway and spotted a coyote trotting behind the mass of cars and people.
I snapped a photo before turning back to face the bears. It wasn’t until hours later, while checking my images, that I noticed another critter closely watching the coyote.
The image is posted above and a question for readers: How quickly can you spot the critter? (Answer below.)
Most photographers expressed only a passing interest in the coyote; they were laser-focused on the bears.
Momma bear was large and her coat lustrous. She napped briefly while her cubs scampered up a tree and hid in the branches.
Some argued that she was a grizzly because she was not black like most black bears. Others noted that she had the face and pointed ears of a black bear, and lacked the telltale grizzly bear shoulder hump.
Almost all spectators were outside their vehicles and some were in violation of the park’s 100-yard distance rule.
As more people crept closer for better photo opportunities, the bear management team shut down the viewing session and ordered everyone to leave.
The tourists complied. But as often happens in Yellowstone, many returned within minutes after the bear management team had departed. I saw the new jam forming after turning around and driving past the sighting area, then continued east toward Tower-Roosevelt.
My good fortune continued when another momma black bear (with black fur) and two cubs emerged along the side of the road, where they foraged on grass.
I photographed them for several minutes before a crowd began to gather, then I continued east into Lamar Valley.
The coyote remained an afterthought until I was back in my hotel room in Gardiner. I almost disregarded the image but noticed the ground squirrel at the top of the frame, intently watching the squirrel-eating coyote.
The squirrel is circled in red in the image posted above.
At Yosemite National Park, it’s not hard to find beautiful landscapes. At almost every turn, you’re guaranteed to witness something marvelous. Waterfalls, meadows, mountains, and more make the park an outdoorsy traveler’s paradise. Even so, some spots shine a little brighter than all the others.
If you want a collection of stellar photos that capture the wonder of your trip to this magical destination, prioritize visiting scenic overlooks. For first-time visitors, this list of Yosemite National Park’s six best overlooks and viewpoints will serve as a helpful guide for finding gorgeous sights. And for more adventurous guests, these spots can be a jumping-off point for more extensive excursions.
Fat Bear Week brings a lot of attention to Alaska’s stunning Katmai National Park and Preserve. While the region’s bears are incredibly loveable, they’re not the only wonders found within Katmai. This unique park offers a world of adventure for curious, outdoorsy visitors.
In addition to being an excellent place for spotting wildlife, Katmai also provides one-of-a-kind opportunities for backcountry sightseeing. The park encompasses 4 million acres of remote Alaskan wilderness, from frosty mountaintops to glittering lakes. Guests can turn their journey into a real outdoor retreat by staying at a local lodge or campsite. Get inspired to plan a trip to Alaska with this list of seven fascinating things to do at Katmai National Park and Preserve.
Are ghosts real? Surveysshow that Americans are split on this spooky issue. Just under half of the country thinks these paranormal entities exist, leaving the other half of the nation to raise their eyebrows in skepticism. Whether or not ghosts really are haunting Earth, the stories about them sure are captivating.
This Halloween, discover a new kind of ghost story with this compilation of haunted tales from national parks. That’s right, eerie spirits can apparently reside in places other than graveyards and historic buildings. They could be walking alongside you on your next hike! Prepare yourself and scare yourself with these three intriguing ghost stories from America’s national parks.
Are you looking for a mysterious and spooky place to visit this Halloween? If so, Joshua Tree National Park is the place to be. While many curiosities decorate this famous destination, only one landmark has the honor of being the desert’s spookiest attraction. Here’s what you should know about Skull Rock and why it’s the perfect Halloween sightseeing opportunity.
Joshua Tree visitors will find Skull Rock along the park’s main east-west road. This massive chunk of granite gets its name from the skull-like indentations on the front of the rock. While this spot is no hidden gem, it is popular for a reason. This round-up of Skull Rock info and travel tips will show you why this sight is so beloved.
Photo by Grae Gleason / Outdoors Wire
What is Skull Rock?
Ages ago, raindrops began the slow process of wearing away at a massive slab of granite within Joshua Tree. Over time, the water shaped the rock and created the indentations that give Skull Rock its unique look. Today, the landmark is characterized by two hollow sections that form the skull’s eyes and a third hole creating the illusion of a nasal cavity.
Where can you find it?
As previously mentioned, Skull Rock rests along Joshua Tree National Park’s main east-west road. For the fastest trip possible, enter the park through the North Entrance Station and follow the main road’s signs past Split Rock to reach Skull Rock. If you want to stay the night, you can set up your tent nearby at Jumbo Rocks Campground.
Photo by NPS / Robb Hannawacker
What can you do there?
At Skull Rock, visitors can navigate around the desert brush and up the rocks for a closer view of this spooky sight. Expect to run into other tourists, though. During busy seasons, you’ll probably have to wait your turn for a picture in front of this magnificent rock.
If you want to get a little more out of your visit, go for a hike along Skull Rock Trail. Keep an eye out for cool cacti along the 1.8-mile loop trail.
Feel like you’re exploring another planet on a trip to Petrified Forest National Park. This strangely beautiful Arizona park offers distinctive landscapes that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the United States. Otherworldly rock formations ripple across the region and call to adventurers who long to stray from the beaten path. Feed your curiosity with this guide to the park.
Ready to search for fossils, petroglyphs, petrified wood, and more? While you can discover all of these intriguing sights within the park, they’ll be easier to find if you plan your trip around a few key spots. This guide on the best things to see at Petrified Forest National Park will show you the way.
It’s hard to sleep in when you’re staying in a hotel overlooking one of Japan’s most beautiful lakes. Especially in summer, when the sun rises around 4:30 a.m. and brings shifting colors, jumping fish, and diving osprey.
Lake Shikaribetsu is the highest-altitude lake in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido. Tucked up in the Daisetsuzan mountain range, it was formed by a volcanic eruption damming the Yanbetsu River approximately 30,000 years ago.
In addition to being a prime recreational area within Daisetsuzan National Park, the lake also attracts fans of “Spirited Away.” Its lake-bottom railroad tracks resemble those from the wildly popular 2001 anime movie. There was never actually a railroad going into the lake, though. Instead, the tracks help bring sightseeing boats ashore before the winter freeze.
Footage showing a moose strolling past a restroom in Grand Teton National Park is a reminder that large animal encounters can occur just about anywhere.
A guide on Friday shared footage of a moose strolling just inches from a restroom in Grant Teton National Park and asked his Instagram followers: “Can you imagine walking out of this bathroom at this moment?”
Welden stated, “Turns out there are many bathrooms in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks BUT you might have to wait to get out of the car until a HUGE bull moose walks past first.”
The clip is reminiscent of a more dramatic (embarrassing?) situation that occurred in Yellowstone in July. In that case, the critter was a massive bison and the man hoping to exit the restroom smartly chose to hold up inside.
Click here to view that footage and note the amusing reaction from tourists in the parking lot, including a child who observes, “The guy is peeking out.”
Both clips show that interesting animal encounters sometimes occur where you least expect them to occur.
