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Discover historic wonders at Montana’s Pictograph Cave State Park

Witness the magic.

One of the West’s most prolific archeological sites is surprisingly accessible. Pictograph Cave State Park is right outside of Billings, Montana. It’s famous for pictographs inside caves and for a phenomenal dig in the 1930s that revealed more than 30,000 artifacts.

“That really put it on the map of archeology in the West,” said Richard Tooke, the park’s ranger/manager/chief cook and bottle washer.

The 23-acre park includes three caves and is located about seven miles south of Billings. At roughly 50,000 visitors per year, it’s one of the busiest parks in south-central Montana. But when I visited on a Monday morning in early June, there were only a few other folks around. Here’s what I saw there and what you can look forward to when you visit.

A rock and grass landscape at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Pictographs

So, what do the pictographs depict? It’s hard to say for a couple of reasons.

“At least 12 different Northern Plains Indigenous tribes were in and out of here,” said Tooke. Modern Indigenous people might not know what all the pictographs represent. And if they do, they might not want to share that intel with outsiders. Plus, the porous sandstone is not a permanent artistic medium. When people started studying the pictographs in the 1930s, artists recorded about 105 of them. Now it’s hard to see half that many, as rock layers slough off and minerals build up.

Tooke estimates that Montana has 650 to 700 known pictograph sites. Most are on private ranch lands or on remote public lands. “This is one of the few places where people can just get off the interstate and in ten minutes hike up to the cave and see rock art and kind of contemplate this history of these native people being there for thousands of years doing everything people do in life,” Tooke said. The rock art chronicles the lives of long-ago people. “Some of it’s about their spirituality, some of it is simply you know, a grocery list. A grouping of animals, perhaps. This is what you can find here when you hunt and gather.”

A cave wall with pictographs at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

In winter, warm air occasionally hits the super chilled rock just right, and additional pictographs become visible. On those days, “You can see 20 or 30 more pictographs than you can see on a drier surface,” Tooke said. The local Crow people call this place Alahpaláaxawaalaatuua, which means a place where there is spirit writing. Tooke said that many visitors still consider the park a place with “a heavy presence of spirits and energy.”

A cave wall with faint pictographs at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

I visited on a dry day where it was hard to identify all but the most obvious pictographs, such as a grouping of red rifles. I relied heavily on signage to help me find the pictographs on the cave wall.

A sign titled "viewing the pictographs today" at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — Saved from confusion by the interpretive sign! / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Wildlife at Pictograph Cave State Park

Pictograph Cave State Park is also popular with migratory birds and other wildlife. The visitor center posts a list of about three dozen birds that have recently flown by, including the pinyon jay, northern flicker, Merriam turkey, and the hairy woodpecker.

Tooke told me about a mule deer who for several years running left her fawn on the floor of one of the caves while she went off to forage. “She was pretty smart about leaving her baby where the people would probably dissuade any big cat from coming through,” he said.

The park also has porcupines, coyotes, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, and five different types of snakes. Indeed, I was impressed by the most aggressive depiction of a rattlesnake I’ve ever seen on a park warning sign.

A "beware of rattlesnakes" sign at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Pictograph Cave State Park recreation and education

Visitors also come for recreation. Hikers enjoy a circular trail system, while cyclists like the park roads. Even bikers enjoy the region.

“There’s a lot of motorcycle rallies in the area, and those guys are always in and out,” Tooke said.

In addition to offering recreation opportunities, education is a big part of the park’s job. In the fall, many school groups visit. Montana’s Indian Education for All program requires school curricula to cover Indigenous people. A trip to see the pictographs is a fun way to learn. Astronomy clubs also like to bring their telescopes for night sky viewing events.

Artifacts in a glass case at Pictograph Cave State Park in Montana. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Tooke is happy to lead the park’s conservation mission. He explains that he enjoys “taking care of these kind of roadside attractions that have historic cultural meaning and are part of our heritage as Montanans.” Tooke adds that Montanans “take pride in our state park systems and the place we live in.”

Pictograph Cave State Park is open year-round: seven days a week in summer, and five days a week the rest of the year.

Swim, scuba dive, and more at South Carolina’s prettiest lake

Go on an adventure.

While I was visiting Greenville, South Carolina, I took an unofficial poll. The results were unanimous: my sources told me Lake Jocassee is the state’s prettiest lake. The 7,565-acre lake is 42 miles northwest of Greenville in Devil’s Fork State Park. People visit the park to swim, fish, kayak, hike, camp, and even scuba dive.

Learn all about Lake Jocassee and Devil’s Fork State Park in the guide below. And if you’re a runner who plans to be in Greenville next May, see how you can get involved in the local Mountains to Main Street Half Marathon here. It’s a race you won’t want to miss.

People paddling on Lake Jocassee in Devil's Fork State Park in South Carolina. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Recreating in Devil’s Fork State Park

If you visit in springtime, you can hike the easy 1.5-mile Oconee Bell Nature Trail and look for a rare Appalachian flower. Found only in a few places in the mountains of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, Oconee bells are little white and yellow blossoms with red stems.

During my visit to Devil’s Fork State Park, I focused on paddling. I rented a kayak from Jocassee Lake Tours, which also offers guided boat and kayak tours with a naturalist. Two guys from the company met me at one of the park’s three boat ramps and helped me launch. There was little boat traffic on the lake, which surprised me on a Sunday in late May. At times, I saw only lush greenery, water, and the occasional turtle — no other people in sight. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, pontoon boats, and standup paddleboards from Eclectic Sun.

The tip of a blue kayak in water at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

If you want to stay over in the park, rent one of the 20 lakeside villas, some of which are pet-friendly. There are also campsites for RV or tent camping and even one boat-in campground. Boaters can also see a few hidden waterfalls only accessible from the water.

You can swim in Lake Jocassee, too. There are no lifeguards, so be careful and watch your kids.

Birders will also appreciate Devil’s Fork State Park. Visitors can note their sightings on the park’s birding checklist.

A sign pointing to various amenities at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

What’s underwater at Lake Jocassee?

Lake Jocassee is known for its clean, clear water. But what really attracts scuba divers is what’s under the water: a flooded town and cemetery. In 1973, the state partnered with Duke Power to build Jocassee Dam and create the lake. Underwater relics include a lodge, girls’ camp, sunken Chinese boat, and the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. This is the cemetery featured in the 1972 movie “Deliverance” — made one year before the area was turned into a reservoir. Bodies were exhumed before the dam was built, but divers can see headstones 130 feet below the surface. Some divers have even reported spotting artificial flowers.

A turtle on a log at Lake Jocassee in South Carolina. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

Lake Jocassee and Devil’s Fork State Park are year-round destinations. Only the hardiest will want to swim in the winter when water temperatures drop to the 50s. But it’s a beautiful place for hiking, birdwatching, and paddling any month of the year.

Disclaimer: While this article was not sponsored, Visit Greenville SC hosted the writer during her visit to South Carolina. As always, Outdoors Wire operates independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

See what trail running is like at Palo Duro Canyon’s Lighthouse Trail

Explore this running trail.

Hit up the Texas Panhandle for one of the state’s coolest running trails. Located in the small Texas town of Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park appeals to outdoorsy adventurers who value the iconic “rugged beauty” of rocky canyons. Known by some as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon is perfect for everything from geocaching and hiking to mountain biking and trail running.

Speaking of trail running, every sporty visitor who explores this stunning landscape should know about the park’s best running trail. Also one of the best hiking trails in Texas, Lighthouse Trail offers runners a rewarding challenge. Here’s what you should know and what you can see when running the Lighthouse Trail.

Great white sharks appear in waves at popular San Diego beach

A 10-mile stretch of coastal waters in San Diego County continues to be utilized as a nursery by juvenile great white sharks. At times you can see them in the surf.

A roughly 10-mile stretch of coastal waters off San Diego continues to be utilized as a nursery by juvenile great white sharks, which sometimes appear in waves.

The junior apex predators, measuring to about nine feet, can be spotted from bluff-top trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

I captured the accompanying images during visits as recently as Dec. 20, usually before noon (with the sun at my back) while wearing polarized sunglasses for easier spotting.

Some of the sharks I observed swam close to shore as they searched (presumably) for rays and other fish. Some were beyond the surf, cruising parallel to the coast in either direction.

The stretch between Del Mar and La Jolla is a major aggregation site for young white sharks – a productive feeding zone in a reasonably safe and tranquil environment.

Many of the sharks are tagged. Chris Lowe, director of the of the Shark Lab at Cal State University Long Beach, told me recently that there could be as many as 40 sharks utilizing the area.

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve does not routinely publicize the presence of sharks. But regular visitors know about them, and children on field trips are sometimes asked by naturalists to try to spot them.

View from the Guy Fleming Trail at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

The sharks can be spotted from trails and overlooks nearest the water. Mornings are best because the ocean is generally calm and the sun is at a proper angle. Binoculars and polarized glasses are extremely helpful.

My best sightings occurred at medium or high tide, when sharks seem more likely to approach the shore. But on Wednesday during a medium low tide I spotted one shark well inside the breaking waves (photo posted above).

Will the sharks stay for the winter?

Lowe told me in October 2022 that larger sharks were likely to hold over, while smaller sharks might leave if the water temperature dipped into the 50s.

For now, the aggregation appears to be holding steady but nobody knows how long it’ll last. Major aggregation sites are temporary and have formed and dissipated at other locations.

What’s unique about Torrey Pines is a trail network that affords a bird’s-eye view. All you need are suitable viewing conditions and patience.

If you’re fortunate enough to be visiting on a calm morning with any kind of swell, you might spot a shark or two swimming in waves.

Warm up this winter by exploring Florida’s Bahia Honda State Park

Escape the cold weather.

When cold winter weather has you trapped inside, you might start dreaming of a sunny beach vacation. In Florida, you can experience that magic year-round at Bahia Honda State Park. While most people only think about visiting the beach come summertime, it can be worthwhile to make the trip in cooler months. You can look forward to less crowded shores, gorgeous views, and early sunsets.

Tourists will find this park all the way down south, where pleasant temperatures stick around through winter. When you visit, take advantage of the great weather and scenic landscapes by getting active. Here are seven fun sightseeing spots and activities to consider when planning your trip.

Valley of Fire State Park is a ‘geological wonderland’ just outside of Las Vegas

Hike through the Valley of Fire.

Less than an hour northeast of the bright lights in Las Vegas, one special destination invites curious travelers to explore a “geological wonderland.” At Valley of Fire State Park, petroglyphs and petrified trees from over 2,000 years ago decorate a landscape of sandstone and limestone rock formations.

This park is like few others in the world. While the park was established in 1935, the region’s history dates back much further. On a hike through Valley of Fire, you’ll see petroglyphs carved by Puebloans about 2,500 years ago. These historic carvings are in stark contrast to the glamorous hotels and casinos located roughly 46 miles away in Las Vegas. Get a taste of what this trip back in time is like with this photo guide to Valley of Fire State Park.

San Diego beach a hot spot for great white shark sightings

If you’d like to observe great white sharks but do not want to board a boat, Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego is just the spot.

Last November, a state beach in San Diego boasted that great white sharks had gathered beyond its shore and provided spotting tips for visitors.

The announcement put Torrey Pines State Beach on the map as a destination known for juvenile white sharks as well as magnificent trails and sweeping ocean views.

Then winter arrived, some sharks left for warmer water, and the hype ended. But I can attest that there are still plenty of white sharks, perhaps dozens, hanging out at Torrey Pines.

White shark close to shore at Torrey Pines. Photo ©Pete Thomas

I’ve visited the park four times in the past two weeks and saw sharks during each visit. During my most recent visit last Wednesday, I spotted multiple sharks during an hourlong period, including four sharks at once.

Two days earlier, I saw a large juvenile shark, perhaps 9 feet, probing in the sand in green water less than 30 yards from shore.

White shark sporting a Shark Lab research tag off Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

It could be argued that at present, because trails at Torrey Pines provide a bird’s-eye view, there is no better location for observing white sharks from shore.

The aggregation site spans from Del Mar to about Black’s Beach just south of Torrey Pines. Juvenile white sharks, measuring 5 to 10 feet, utilize the area as a nursery. They feed mostly on rays and other bottom fish.

White shark in bluer offshore water at Torrey Pines. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Chris Lowe, who runs the Shark Lab at California State University Long Beach, told FTW Outdoors that in recent weeks 27 tagged sharks have remained in this area “day in, day out.”

Not all of the sharks are tagged and some come and go, so it’s difficult to estimate the number of sharks off Del Mar/Torrey Pines. But Lowe said it could be as many as 40.

Juvenile white shark aggregation sites, which can be established anywhere along the coast, are temporary so it’s unclear how long the sharks will remain off Torrey Pines.

Those who wish to observe them should plan their hikes to overlooks during morning hours with the sun at their backs.

Shark Lab tagging crew searching for white sharks. Photo: ©Pete Thomas

Calm, sunny mornings during a high or incoming tide are best, and polarized sunglasses are a must unless conditions are perfect.

There are no guarantees, but if conditions are right and visitors spend enough time looking, they have a solid chance of seeing a shark or two. (I’ve seen them swimming as close as 30 yards from shore.)

Since juvenile white sharks feed on fish instead of the seals and sea lions preferred by much larger adult white sharks, they do not pose a significant threat to swimmers and surfers.

However, last Nov. 4 a woman was bitten by a presumed white shark while swimming 200 yards offshore in Del Mar. She was hospitalized and treated for puncture wounds to her right thigh.

Note: White sharks are protected in California. Anyone caught targeting white sharks while fishing at Torrey Pines State Beach will be cited.

Go on a cozy fall camping trip at Letchworth State Park

Waterfalls await you.

Some people call New York’s Letchworth State Park the “Grand Canyon of the East.” The park’s incredible gorges are just one part of its appeal, though.

If you want to spend all day hiking past waterfalls and rafting down the Genesee River, Letchworth is the place to go. The region offers miles of trails, tons of scenic overlooks, and some stellar campgrounds. There are even cabins available for a unique glamping experience. Plus, the park enjoys an explosion of color in the fall. It’s one of the best places to spend a cozy fall weekend.

Plan your trip to Letchworth State Park with this photo guide to its best hiking, camping, and sightseeing spots.

See 10 waterfalls on a trip to Silver Falls State Park in Oregon

Here are five things to know before you go.

Oregon is rich in waterfalls, with many excellent waterfall hikes around the state. But the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park is a huge crowd favorite. If you’re a waterfall lover, you’ll want to take this hike.

Silver Falls State Park is located near Silverton, Oregon, 20 miles southeast of Salem. With more than 9,000 acres, it’s Oregon’s largest state park. Explore 24 miles of walking trails, or ride a horse or bike in some parts of the park. It’s also a gorgeous place for a picnic if you just want to chill and enjoy the trees.

Hikers near a forest waterfall. — *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

In Oregon, you can climb a 300 foot tree — and even sleep in it!

Climb high!

If you’re not used to dangling on a rope hanging off a 200-foot old-growth tree, it takes a minute to find your climbing rhythm. You have to muster the balance and the quadriceps strength to stand up in your foot loops and push the top metal ascender up the rope with your right hand. Then, you sit back in your harness and lift your left knee while using your left hand to push up the bottom ascender. In this fashion, I inch-wormed my way up the Douglas fir.

Megan Bonham, my guide at Tree Climbing at Silver Falls, was relentlessly encouraging. She climbed beside me, coaching me upward and reminding me which piece of equipment did what.

Two people climbing a tree on ropes. — *Photo by Megan Bonham*

It wasn’t all smooth climbing — I sometimes lost my equilibrium and unexpectedly swung around like a helpless baby monkey. And, a couple of times, I encountered pointy broken limbs keen on impaling me. But the thrill of being right up in the grill of such a stately tree, and the excitement of trying something so outside the norm, propelled me up. And when you get to the top of the climb? Ah, the forest view.

Learning to climb

The climbing happens in Silver Falls State Park, a gorgeous green space near Silverton, Oregon, known for its waterfalls. Aspiring tree climbers meet their guides in a trailhead parking lot, where they get suited up with gear. Once you have adjusted your harness and helmet, you’re ready for the practice tree.

Three people on ropes climbing trees. — Guests learning in the practice tree. / *Photo by Teresa Bergen*

If you’re like me, the idea of tree climbing evokes an image of clambering up branches. But this is all about rope work. My first few minutes on the practice tree involved trying to remember which ascender was which and swinging around stupidly. It seemed unlikely that I’d get the hang of it and manage to climb a tall tree. Turns out, my experience was pretty typical.

Bonham’s favorite part of her job is seeing people transform from struggling with their gear on the practice tree to successfully climbing. “Once we get into the big tree, just seeing how they learn to maneuver through the branches and everything and then the reaction when they do make it up to the top and have that realization of oh, wow, they did it!” she said. “It’s such a thrill.” She loves to see her clients feel proud of themselves.

A climber sitting on a tree branch. — Made it to the top! / *Photo by Megan Bonham*

Who climbs trees?

Bonham has personally guided a client as young as seven — a fearless birthday girl who zoomed up the tree while her mother had heart palpitations. The company’s oldest guest so far has been 89. People climb trees at Silver Falls on their honeymoon or to celebrate an anniversary. Most are on vacation. Some are local. Bonham fondly remembers one couple who had survived a medical scare with cancer and were spending a year touring the country and checking off their bucket list items.

“Just taking advantage of the time that they have,” she said. “That was really, really neat to be part of their experience.”

A climber on a rope in the forest. — Why not climb a tree? / *Photo courtesy of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls*

Tree camping

Guests can climb three trees at Silver Falls, ranging from 200 to 300 feet tall. You can climb the tallest to see the sunset, then rappel down in the dark. Or, if you really like it up there, you can book the tree camping option. “You get a beautiful view of the sunset, and rock to sleep in the wind,” Bonham said.

A person with a helmet laying in a hammock high in a tree. — Would you like to sleep up high in this hammock? / *Photo courtesy of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls*

Much as I loved climbing the tree, I’m not sure how much sleeping I’d do while lying in a hammock or on a portaledge and harnessed into ropes. But it’s an intriguing idea. The guide prepares dinner in the trees for the campers and makes breakfast before rappelling down the next morning. You can tree camp from May 1 to September 30. Tree climbing is available year-round, weather permitting.

A climber on a platform attached by ropes to a tall tree. — Or opt for the deluxe portaledge. / *Photo courtesy of Tree Climbing at Silver Falls*

In addition to Silver Falls, the company has a location on Lopez, one of Washington’s San Juan Islands. Hmm. I’m already plotting more trees to climb.