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Matthiessen State Park, Illinois
Matthiessen State Park, Illinois This place is amazing. I went in February while everything was frozen and in black and white tones. It was magic. The Dells Canyon and Bluff is one of the 5 Miles of trails in the whole of Matthiessen State Park, it’s a small gorge in Illinois with two waterfalls. The Dells trial itself is only about 2 miles in total but it makes a figure eight so you don’t have to hike it all in one go. Dells Canyon and Bluff Distance: 2 Miles Pets: Yes, on leash. The lower falls in summer can create a corkscrew cascade and I’m told it’s amazing. I wasn’t…
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McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs
Hiking McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs Visiting Vernal Utah is a unique experience and one of the best day trips in the area is hiking the McConkie Ranch Petroglyphs. They’re a fabulous representation of the Fremont People’s petroglyphs and has 200 feet of ancient native American art. It is owned and maintain by the family who owns the land so be respectful of the properties around the trail. They don’t have to allow people to visit and if people are destructive they will close it down to the public. For now, it’s open. Address: 6228 McConkie Rd, Vernal, UT 84078Trail Distance: .8 MilesDog Friendly: Yes, on leash Directions Take a screen shot of…
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Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park According to Outsideonline National Parks and National Monuments are distinguished by why they are being protected. “National parks are protected due to their scenic, inspirational, education, and recreational value. National monuments have objects of historical, cultural, and/or scientific interest.” The Great Sand Dunes National Park was designated on September 24, 2004. That being said, Great Sand Dunes is small by comparison but should be identified as a National Park simply because it’s one hell of a view. GSD is the largest Sand dune in North America, and reaches an outstanding 750 feet high. It’s very bizarre to be driving along southern Colorado, and…
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Echo Park, Dinosaur National Monument
Echo Park Echo Park is a small canyon which is part of Dinosaur National Monument. It’s located on the Colorado side of the park and is a great little fishing hole with the view of Steamboat Rock dead center. It’s gorgeous for photographers and has rafting, floating, and fishing accommodations. You will need to get a fishing license from the state of Colorado for this location. There is a cabin on site that a park ranger stays in so trying to get away with fishing without one is almost impossible. The ranger on site will come ask for it, I’ve never not been asked. Because this area is on the…