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Channel Islands National Park: 11 Things You Need To Know Before You Go

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:00:00 +0000

If you’re not convinced that California is the best state, then visiting Channel Islands National Park will definitely seal the deal for you. This national park is so stunning with its limestone cliffs, turquoise blue waters, and scenic hiking trails.

It’s located in between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and can easily be done as a day trip from either place.

I lived in Los Angeles for over 10 years, not ever knowing that Channel Islands National Park was so close! So I wanted to share everything you need to know about Channel Islands National Park before you go.

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1. How to get to Channel Islands National Park

Firstly, Channel Islands National Park is comprised of 5 different islands: Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara Islands.

Anacapa and Santa Cruz islands are the most accessible, with year-round ferry service, and have the most to do for a day trip. I went to Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz island for a day trip and had the best time.

To get to Channel Islands National Park, you’ll need to book your roundtrip boat tickets with Island Packers Cruises. Boats depart from two different harbors: Ventura Harbor and the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

2. Reservations are required to visit

Because of the limited number of ferry spots, reservations are required to visit Channel Islands National Park. However, you don’t need to make a separate reservation with the park – just the boat tickets.

Make sure to make your reservations in advance! Since you have to book both your departure and return trip, spots can fill up quickly if you’re just looking to day trip.

3. You can take just a day trip or camp overnight

Day trips are the more popular option to visit the islands, but you can also choose to camp overnight to really maximize your time in Channel Islands National Park.

Make sure to read through all of the guidelines so you know what to pack and bring with you, and what’s not allowed.

4. Ferries can be canceled due to weather or rough seas

Definitely be aware that in the winter/spring (December – May) you could end up having to spend an extra night or two on the islands due to changing weather conditions.

There are bulletin boards on the islands that will be updated with the most up-to-date information regarding island pick-up times.

If you’re camping overnight, make sure you pack extra food and water, as there will not be places on the islands to purchase any.

5. There are no shops or restaurants on the islands

While there are visitor centers that may or may not be staffed, there are no shops, businesses, restaurants, etc on the islands. Whether you’re day tripping or camping overnight, make sure you pack the essentials and bring lots of food and water.

There are local restaurants by the harbors on the mainland that allow you to pre-order a bagged lunch. This is a great option if you don’t want to pack your own picnic lunch. I ordered lunch from Harbor Cove Cafe.

Additionally, there are no trash cans so everything you bring with you to the islands, you must carry back out with you.

6. There are pit toilets on the islands

Santa Rosa Island has flushing toilets and running water, but all the other islands have pit toilets. The good news is, you will be able to the bathroom on whichever island you choose.

7. There is minimal cell coverage

I’ve found this to be common in most US National Parks, but there is not much cell coverage throughout Channel Islands National Park. I did randomly find pockets of cell reception while on the Potato Harbor Trail, but it was slow and unreliable.

I recommend downloading Offline Google Maps or AllTrails before you go so that you’ll be able to access the hiking trails and maps even when you lose cell coverage.

8. There are 30 hiking trails throughout Channel Islands National Park

Although it may seem like the islands are small, there are so many incredible hikes you can go on to explore Channel Islands National Park! The most popular one is Potato Harbor, which you can easily hike on a day trip to Scorpion Cove (Santa Cruz Island).

9. There are barely any shaded or covered areas

This is something to keep in mind when planning your outfit and what to pack for Channel Islands National Park. I found that there were very few shaded areas throughout the island and I had to reapply my sunscreen often.

Definitely make sure you bring a hat, and lots of water to stay hydrated.

10. You can spot lots of native wildlife

Being able to see all of the wildlife is a major reason why you should visit Channel Islands National Park! On our ferry ride over to Scorpion Cove, we saw tons of dolphins swimming around and even a humpback whale.🤯

On the islands themselves, you can spot native wildlife like the island fox, island deer mouse, harvest mouse and spotted skunk. You can also see bald eagles flying around in the sky; although I unfortunately did not see one of these, how cool is that!

Make sure you have your camera ready to snap a pic of the wildlife!

11. Kayaks and snorkel gear are available to rent

On Santa Cruz Island, you can rent a kayak to paddle in the ocean waters at either Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. You may also bring your own kayak out to the islands.

Make sure to reserve a kayak in advance – there’s a limited number each day and the team needs to know how many kayaks to bring out to the island.

Have you ever visited Channel Islands National Park? Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments! And be sure to follow me on Instagram for more California travel content and tips.

mariss

The post Channel Islands National Park: 11 Things You Need To Know Before You Go first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Olympic National Park: The Best 3 Day Itinerary

MLE Travel Diary — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Thinking of visiting Olympic National Park? This park is on the Western coast of Washington, and has one of the only rainforests in the United States!

Because of this, the park is so lush and pretty well shaded, so we never got too hot or sunburnt. However, we totally didn’t realize how much driving was involved in visiting this park…

All of the major hikes and sights look close to each other on a map, but require driving through separate entrances to access, so we spent a lot of time in the car.

Because of this, I would recommend going for at least 3 days if you are able to so you can spend a day in the rainforest, a day at the beach, and a day in the mountains. This ultimate 3-day weekend itinerary will help you plan out your trip to maximize all of your time there.

And if you’re wondering what to pack, don’t miss my Ultimate Hiking Packing Guide to make sure you’re fully prepared.

If you’re thinking about combining this visit with a road trip along the west coast, check out my post: Complete Itinerary For A Stunning West Coast Road Trip.

This Olympic National Park blog post will tell you everything you need to know before visiting the park, what to pack, and the best hikes!

To easily save all of these spots to your Google Maps, drop your email below and I’ll send my FREE list straight to your inbox!💌

What You Should Know Before Visiting Olympic National Park

1. Weather is unpredictable and often gloomy and overcast

Because you’re right by the water and in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find that it is often gloomy in Olympic National Park. Now, this is great for visiting the Hoh Rainforest and really adding to that ~spooky vibe~ but it’s not so great for hiking or visiting the beach.

If you’re looking for maximum sun, I would recommend booking your trip mid-July through mid-September. I visited in early July and it was overcast about half the time we were there, and the beaches were cloudy the entire time.

2. Check the Webcams before venturing out

The National Park website has webcams specifically for popular places in Olympic National Park including Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and a few of the beaches.

Definitely check these before heading out to make sure weather is okay where you’re headed!

3. Parking is readily available, except at Hoh Rainforest

We didn’t have any issues with parking, except for at Hoh Rainforest. We visited the park mid-week and found that most parking lots always had spots available, or you would maybe have to wait 5-10 minutes for someone to leave.

However, at Hoh Rainforest, the line often gets up to a 2+ hour wait, and I can’t even imagine what it looks like on weekends. I would recommend arriving to Hoh Rainforest before 8 am to ensure a parking spot without having to wait.

4. There is decent cell reception in Olympic National Park

I actually found there to be pretty good cell coverage throughout the park – especially near visitor centers and along the hikes.

However, I’d still recommend downloading Offline Google Maps for the entire area of Olympic National Park before your trip. You can also download a self-guided audio driving tour to learn more about the park – it’s like having a super affordable personal tour guide the whole time.

Also make sure to download any road reservations, park passes, etc before you enter the park.

5. Olympic National Park is ~3-4 hours from Seattle

This is something we didn’t realize when flying into Seattle; the park is actually quite far from the city. I’d recommend planning to land early to give yourself ample time to drive to your lodging before it gets dark.

6. Stay near the park

Like I’ve said, everything is pretty spread out within the park, so I recommend trying to stay as close as you can to what you want to see the most.

We stayed in Forks, a little town that was made famous by the Twilight vampire series if you’re familiar. This was really nice, because we were pretty much in the middle of everything and close to Rialto Beach and Second Beach.

I would alternatively recommend staying in Port Angeles; this is in the Northern part and is close to Hurricane Hill, Lake Crescent and Mount Storm King.

If you want to know our exact Airbnb, send me a message and I’ll send you the link!

Day 1: Hoh Rainforest & Hurricane Ridge

I’ve split up the itinerary to make sure you see the best of the 3 different parts of the park: the Hoh Rainforest, the mountains, and the beaches. You can definitely mix and match spots and hikes from each category, but this is a way to organize your itinerary most efficiently!

8:30 AM: Hall of Mosses

To maximize your day, and minimize the amount of time waiting in line to enter the Hoh Rainforest, I suggest arriving by 8 AM. This might sound insane, but we got here at 9:30 AM and still had to wait 45 minutes to enter.

They say the busiest times are between 10 AM – 3 PM, so alternatively you could also come here later in the afternoon and wait only an hour or so.

Start your day with the simple Hall of Mosses trail, which is a 1.1 mile loop trail through the center of the rainforest.

You’ll get these amazing views of the mosses, ferns and these huge trees! This is a relatively flat trail that we spent about an hour walking through and really taking in the scenery.

9:30 AM: Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls

Once you finish the Hall of Mosses trail, start the hike on Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls. The trailheads are right by each other, so it’s easy to go from one to the next.

This is a 5.5 mile out-and-back trail, also with minimal elevation, that will take you to the Mineral Creek Falls.

This took us about 2.5 hours, including spending some time by the creek falls. You can also get close to the Hoh River on this trail, and take a quick dip if you’re feeling up for it!

3:00 PM: Hurricane Hill

Once you’ve wrapped up in the Hoh Rainforest, this is the perfect time to begin the drive to Hurricane Ridge. It will take you about 3 hours, and in the meantime you can eat your packed lunch, or stop in Forks to grab a quick bite.

Make sure you check the webcam before heading out; this hike starts pretty high up in the mountains so even if it’s sunny in the rainforest and towns, it can be cloudy up in the mountains. This was unfortunately the case for us, but here is what the hike should look like on a clear day:

This is a 3.4 mile out-and-back, moderately challenging hike that should take you about 2 hours. Given your body will probably want to rest after all this hiking and walking around, I suggest driving back to your lodging afterwards and stopping for dinner along the way!

Then, make sure to get a good nights rest for tomorrow’s hike, which will be the most challenging of the whole trip.

Day 2: Mt. Storm King & Devil's Punchbowl

Please make sure you have a ton of water and snacks before setting out for the day. The Mt. Storm King hike is no joke and you will need to be properly fueled for this one!

8:00 AM: Devil's Punchbowl via Spruce Railroad Trail

To kick things off for day two, I would start with this easy, 2.4 mile out-and-back trail to Devil’s Punchbowl! You’ll get to see these stunning views of Lake Crescent and get your legs warmed up for the day.

This will take you about an hour, including any extra time you spend at Devil’s Punchbowl swimming or taking photos! The water is sooo cold but we did see a lot of people going for a dip.

9:30 AM: Mount Storm King

Then, you’ll drive around the lake quickly to get to the trailhead for Marymere Falls. This is the same starting point for Mount Storm King; you’ll walk on a relatively flat trail for 0.5 miles until you get to the Storm King Trailhead.

Now all in all, this is about a 4 mile out-and-back trail and will take you anywhere from 3-5 hours to complete. You will be rewarded with these stunning views at the very top:

HOWEVER!! This has to be one of the hardest (if not THE hardest) trails I have ever done. It is straight up hill for 2 miles, which took us about 2 hours.

And not to mention I think my quads are still sore…over a week later haha!

Also, the very last part of the hike is not maintained and is a series of 6 ropes along a steep rocky trail on the side of a cliff. Sorry to be dramatic, but for some reason once I got to this section just was not feeling comfortable enough attempting it and so I sat on the rocks and waited for my sister to get back down.

Definitely do not push yourself if you are feeling tired, scared, uncomfortable, etc at the end of the hike. It is not worth it and Search and Rescue operations are not uncommon on the Mount Storm King Trail.

Here’s a picture of my sister sliding back down haha this is how most people were getting back down:

While I was there I didn’t see anyone having issues going up or coming back down, but definitely good to be prepared.

2:30 PM: Marymere Falls

When you finally make it back down, you can continue along the Marymere Falls trail. This is 1.8 miles out-and-back and is an easy trail to see the waterfall.

It is flat for the most part, except at the end to actually view the waterfall so if your legs are totally dead, maybe skip it.

This will take you less than an hour, and then you’ll be back at your car!

4:00 PM: Sol Duc Falls

If you still have a bit of energy left, stop by Sol Duc Falls on your way back. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Mount Storm King and there are also ~hot springs~ here where you can finally relax and rest your feet!

Sol Duc Falls trail is a 1.8 mile out-and-back, easy trail that will take you only about an hour.

5:00 PM: Sol Duc Hot Springs

Then (finally) head to the hot springs to relax!! You can get a nice dinner and a soak in the hot springs at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort.

They have a few different pools at different temperatures, and admission is pretty affordable. I’d recommend booking in advance because they can fill up, especially during busier seasons.

Day 3: Beaches

Ahh finally a relaxing day where you can sleep in a bit and chill more, and beach hop! Again, make sure you check the webcams before heading out for the day to make sure the weather is cooperating.

For the Olympic National Park beach itinerary, I’m going to leave time stamps off and you can just pick and choose, or explore them all at your leisure. They’re listed in order of Northernmost beach to Southernmost beach.

You really can’t go wrong!

Shi-Shi Beach

This one takes some effort to get to, but is so worth it! You’ll get views of the rugged coastline, really cool sea stacks, and the most insane sunset views.

Just be prepared for a longer hike and muddy trail. I would recommend bringing waterproof shoes!

Hole-in-the-Wall From Rialto Beach

This beach walk is super cool; it’s a 3.3 mile out-and-back walk along the coast that will take you about an hour.

It’s not technically a “trail” so you will follow the shore past massive driftwood and crashing waves until you reach the Hole in the Wall rock formation.

Go at low tide so you can explore the tide pools and walk all the way through!

Second Beach

This is the closest beach to Forks and one of the prettiest beaches there. There’s a short forest hike down and then boom, you’re on this wide open beach with crazy rock formations.

Ruby Beach

Easy access and gorgeous views – we actually tried to come here but it was cloudy. But still the combo of sea stacks, black sand, and driftwood everywhere is insane.

It’s one of the more popular spots, but totally worth a stop (especially for photos).

Kalaloch Beach

I would recommend stopping here to see the famous Tree of Life. Apparently it looks like it’s defying gravity!

It’s an easy one to swing by if you’re driving along the coast.

What To Pack For Olympic National Park

Here’s my list of things you might not usually think to pack that you will definitely need on your trip to Olympic National Park:

Comfortable hiking boots: prepare for lots of walking.
Cooler: use this to pack lunch, snacks and lots of extra water – remember to fill it with ice packs!
Portable charger: especially if you’re using for phone for directions, it can lose battery quickly and you’ll need a way to keep your phone charged. This one is my favorite!
Sunscreen: hopefully you’re packing this on all of your trips, but wanted to call it out specifically since you’ll be out all day in the sun.
Paper maps: this is optional, but can come in super handy if you lose cell service.
Layers: temperatures can start out cool in the morning, and progressively get warmer throughout the day. You’ll want to wear light layers that you can put on / take off as needed.
Water bottle: again, something you should always have but definitely when you are out hiking all day. The most dangerous thing would be to be dehydrated.

Any questions? Drop them in the comments and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

If you’re planning a trip to Olympic National Park, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!

mariss

The post Olympic National Park: The Best 3 Day Itinerary first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Glacier National Park: The Best 2 Day Weekend Itinerary

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 22 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks I have ever visited! The stunning glacial waters are just out of this world – I’ve never seen anything like them.

You must add Glacier National Park to your bucket list if it isn’t there already! I promise you one visit won’t be enough – you’ll leave wanting to come back.

I would recommend going for at least 3 days if you are able to, but this ultimate 2-day weekend itinerary will help you plan out your trip to maximize all of your time there. Since hiking is a must in Glacier, make sure you’re prepared with the right gear.

This Glacier National Park blog post will tell you everything you need to know before visiting the park, what to pack, and the best hikes!

If you’re thinking about combining this visit with a road trip along the west coast, check out my post: Complete Itinerary For A Stunning West Coast Road Trip.

To easily save all of these spots to your Google Maps, drop your email below and I’ll send you my FREE Google Maps list straight to your inbox!💌

What You Should Know Before Visiting Glacier National Park

1. Make your reservations online in advance

Starting in 2025, you will need a timed entry vehicle reservation for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork. These can only be secured at Recreation.gov, or using their mobile app.

Tickets are released 4 months in advance and sell out REALLY fast. They will also release some additional reservations the day before, if you aren’t able to secure a reservation.

2. If you don't score a reservation, don't worry

Not all roads require a timed entry vehicle reservation. And the ones that do, you are able to freely enter the road after 3 PM.

3. Be sure to also buy your Glacier National Park Pass before your visit

While there’s an infinite number of the National Park passes, it’s helpful to get your pass before your visit. This will help you to maximize your time in the park, instead of waiting on a long line to buy your pass when you arrive.

4. Parking lots fill up quickly but cars are always leaving

We got up early each morning to get to the park by 7 AM to really maximize our time there. We didn’t have issues with parking, except at Logan Pass since we went there later in the day.

However, this is the largest parking lot, so we were able to snag a spot after only about 10 minutes of circling around the lot.

Be prepared to be aggressive with grabbing the first spot you can find!

5. There is not reliable cell reception in Glacier National Park

While you may get lucky and find a pocket of cell reception, or be able to use a hotel’s WiFi, plan as if you won’t have any cell service at all in the park.

I recommend downloading Offline Google Maps for the entire area of Glacier National Park before your trip. Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you aren’t sure how to do this and I can help you!

Also make sure to download any road reservations, park passes, etc before you enter the park.

6. Stay nearby the park entrance

My sister and I stayed in an Airbnb just 15 minutes away from the park entrance, and it was the best idea ever.

This means you can be one of the first to get into the park each morning. It is especially crucial if you weren’t able to get a road reservation, since you can enter the park without one before 7 AM.

If you want to know our exact Airbnb, send me a message and I’ll send you the link!

Day 1

For Day 1, you will need a Going-To-The-Sun Road reservation to access these trails between 7 AM and 3 PM.

This link will take you to the official Recreation.gov website to make your reservation.

8:00 AM : Trail of the Cedars & Avalanche Lake

Start your trip strong with an easy-to-moderate walk through the Trail of the Cedars, and continue on to Avalanche Lake.

It’s about a 5.9 mile out-and-back trail, and estimated to take 2 1/2 hours to complete, according to AllTrails.

However Avalanche Lake is about 2/3 of the way into the hike so if you want an easier hike, you can stop once you get to the lake and turn back!

The water is actually so insane – it’s this perfectly blue/green emerald color, and the backdrop with the mountains and the trees makes it the most scenic trail.

12:00 PM : Logan Pass & Hidden Lake Overlook

Once you finish the Avalanche Lake hike, drive up to Logan Pass to hike the Hidden Lake Overlook!

This is a 2.7 mile out-and-back trail with a pretty steep elevation gain, so prepare accordingly! Once you reach the top though, you’ll be met with incredible views like this:

You can also see a ton of mountain goats on this hike! We saw a whole little family just passing through the mountains, it was really cool.

This is a pretty popular trail, so prepare for it to be busy – which unfortunately includes the parking lot.

3:30 PM : Red Rock Point

Red Rock Point is a little overlook we stumbled upon on our drive out of Glacier National Park! It’s absolutely worth adding to your itinerary and stopping by.

It’s an easy 5-10 minute walk out from the road to see these cascading waterfalls with super light blue water.

6:00 PM : Great Bear Cafe

After all of this hiking and sightseeing, I imagine you’ve got to be pretty hungry! So, we’re going to exit Glacier National Park and head into the little nearby town for some dinner.

I recommend going to the Great Bear Cafe; they’ve got Montana classics like biscuits and gravy, and elk and buffalo burgers! This was the perfect stop after a long day.

7:30 PM : Eddie’s Cafe

Once you’re filled up on dinner, head back into Glacier National Park for some huckleberry ice cream at Eddie’s Cafe!

You’ll notice that huckleberry is a really popular ingredient in a lot of dishes in Montana, especially around Glacier National Park. It’s a wild berry, primarily harvested in the Rocky Mountains and is so delicious!

While you’re here, you can also walk down to the water at Lake McDonald, where you’ll be able to see the iconic rainbow rocks:

Seeing these was on my bucket list for such a long time, and was well worth the visit!

If you have more than 2 days in Glacier National Park, I recommend spending a day driving up to Bowman Lake. To access this lake, you will need to make a timed entry vehicle reservation on Recreation.gov at 8 AM on the Saturday before.

This is separate from the other road reservations, and the Glacier National Park Pass.

Day 2

For Day 2, you will need a Going-To-The-Sun Road reservation and a Many Glacier hiker shuttle service ticket to access these trails between 7 AM and 3 PM.

This link will take you to the official Recreation.gov website to make your reservation.

Please note that the Many Glacier hiker shuttle service is new as of 2025 due to construction.

8:00 AM : Logan Creek

This is not an official “stop,” but we spontaneously pulled over on the side of the road here to take these INCREDIBLE photos. I mean, just look at this view!

If there’s a lot of traffic, I wouldn’t recommend doing this. However, if you’re here right when the park opens you will probably get lucky too and there will barely be any cars around!

9:00 AM : Grinnell Glacier Trail

Continue on to the trailhead for Grinnell Glacier Trail. This is the NUMBER ONE rated hike in Glacier National Park and it is actually so unbelievable.

According to AllTrails, it’s a 10 mile out-and-back trail that’s estimated to take you about 5 hours. However, since there was some construction going on, we actually ended up taking 7 hours and hiking 14 miles roundtrip, starting at the Many Glacier Hotel.

There is a boat tour that starts at the Many Glacier Hotel, that will cut out about 1.5 – 2 miles each leg of the hike. Tickets for this sell out really quickly, so make sure to check out the Many Glacier Hotel’s official website for tickets and the most up-to-date information.

This hike will take you past 4 lakes, with the trail starting at the Swiftcurrent Lake. Then you’ll hike along Lake Josephine, which is so stunning.

As you keep climbing higher, the water gets lighter and more shocking. You’ll then pass Grinnell Lake, which is at the bottom of a steep drop-off and has its own hiking trail, if you’re looking for something more moderate.

The trail ends at Upper Grinnell Lake, which will feel like it is SO far away. But I promise it is worth it to hike all the way to the end.

Just look how insane it is:

Photos don’t even do it justice, so you’ll just have to come and see it for yourself!

5:00 PM : Swiss Lounge @ Many Glacier Hotel

When you FINALLY make it to the end of the trail, I suggest heading into the Many Glacier Hotel and grabbing dinner at the Swiss Lounge.

We didn’t have to wait too long for a table, and the food was delicious. Not sure if that’s just because we were starving, but they have lots of great options and it’s amazing how convenient it is.

7:30 PM : Lake McDonald

If you still have a bit of energy left, stop by Lake McDonald on your way home to watch the sunset! We pulled off into one of the many little parking lots along the Going-To-The-Sun road, and sat on some rocks here.

The colors are absolutely magnificent; every part of Glacier National Park is truly so stunning.

If you’re in the mood for another sweet treat, you can stop by Eddie’s Cafe again for some ice cream!

Otherwise, head back home to get what will probably be an amazing night of sleep due to the exhaustion.

What To Pack For Glacier National Park

Here’s my list of things you might not usually think to pack that you will definitely need on your trip to Glacier National Park:

Bear Spray: our Airbnb hosts had some they let us use, but if your accommodations don’t provide any, make sure to pick some up!
Comfortable hiking boots: some of the trails were longer than we expected, so prepare for lots of walking.
Cooler: use this to pack lunch, snacks and lots of extra water – remember to fill it with ice packs!
Portable charger: especially if you’re using for phone for directions, it can lose battery quickly and you’ll need a way to keep your phone charged. This one is my favorite!
Sunscreen: hopefully you’re packing this on all of your trips, but wanted to call it out specifically since you’ll be out all day in the sun.
Paper maps: this is optional, but can come in super handy since there is no cell service in Glacier National Park.
Layers: temperatures can start out cool in the morning, and progressively get warmer throughout the day. You’ll want to wear light layers that you can put on / take off as needed.
Water bottle: again, something you should always have but definitely when you are out hiking all day. The most dangerous thing would be to be dehydrated.

Any questions? Drop them in the comments and I’ll get back to you ASAP!

If you’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park, feel free to send me an email or DM on Instagram with any questions or for personalized travel tips!

mariss

The post Glacier National Park: The Best 2 Day Weekend Itinerary first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Add Banff National Park To Your Bucket List Now

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t yet been to or heard of Banff National Park, you NEED to add it to your bucket list! There are a ton of stunning lakes you can visit, and trails you can hike and explore. I went to the most popular destinations, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, and they exceeded my already-high expectations.

I’ll be sharing my experiences at both lakes, including information on how to get there and what you can do when you’re there. Make sure you bring bear spray; our hotel had it for us to rent, or you can buy it at most of the local shops around downtown.

Banff National Park is an absolute must-visit, especially in the summer when the weather is warmer and the lakes are open. I promise you won’t regret it!

Lake Louise

Getting There

I highly recommend taking a shuttle or other group/public transit. There is not a lot of parking for cars, and if you drive your own car, you won’t be able to easily access Moraine Lake.

We opted for the Super Pass Reservation from Roam Transit. The Super Pass gives you the ability to get to Moraine Lake as well.

If the shuttles are fully booked when you look, don’t fret! You are still able to wait in line in person as standby if people do not show up, or the bus isn’t full.

We had booked tickets on the 7am shuttle, and there were maybe 8 other ticketed seats; everyone waiting in line got on the bus easily. Granted, it was also 7am, so I can’t speak for the later shuttles!

Activities

Hiking: I don’t want to say you NEED to hike…but if you want to get these insane views of the water, you will need to hike. Lake Louise Lakeshore is an easy, accessible walk around the lake, with no elevation.

We hiked Fairview Lookout, which was surprisingly challenging, as it is basically just uphill the entire time. The view is SO worth it though. It is an out-and-back trail, however it is not as well maintained, so we just walked back down the way we came up.

Kayaking: The Fairmont has a monopoly on the kayak rentals, which makes it pretty pricey! We did not end up renting a kayak. It looked stunning though, and like a really great way to explore the lake.

You can’t make reservations; it is first come, first serve. So, if you want to do this, I recommend coming early to get in line. Hotel guests have first priority and have their own line.

Food + Facilities

Since the Fairmont is right on Lake Louise, you are able to stop there for food & restrooms. I was pleasantly surprised by their breakfast options and prices; they had breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, pastries, and coffee!

Moraine Lake

Getting There

Again, you are not able to take a personal car here, so you will need to make a bus or shuttle reservation. Transport to Moraine Lake was included with our Super Pass shuttle ticket. It was about 25 minutes from Lake Louise, and was so easy to get on the shuttle. We were definitely ahead of the crowds, but had no issues getting on the shuttle.

Activities

Hiking: The hiking at Moraine Lake is much more relaxed! There is an accessible Moraine Lake Lakeshore trail, which will take you around the lake with no elevation.

We hiked the Rockville trail to get to the top for the views! This was much easier than the Lake Louise hike, and arguably more stunning. The water is sooo blue like Gatorade, it is actually insane!

Kayaking: You can also kayak here, and it is a bit cheaper than at Lake Louise (though not much). This is also first come first serve, but looked to be a lot less crowded than at Lake Louise.

Food + Facilities

There is a lodge with some food options, but I personally did not order anything from here so can’t speak too much to it. We brought protein bars for this part, and only spent about an hour at Moraine Lake.

However, in terms of the restroom…there is no running water, so they are basically fancy port-a-potty’s. They warned us before getting on the shuttle too. Definitely advise going to the restroom at Lake Louise before going to Moraine Lake, but it’s not the worst if you have to go. I used them and am here to tell the tale.😂

Drop any questions you have in the comments below, or send me a DM! And make sure to follow along on Instagram for more Banff + travel content!

mariss

The post Add Banff National Park To Your Bucket List Now first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Complete Itinerary For A Stunning West Coast Road Trip

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to my West Coast Road Trip itinerary! Complete with the best destinations from Los Angeles all the way up to Seattle and tips along the way. It took my sister and I about a week to go roundtrip from LA to Seattle. However, you could definitely split these up and take multiple trips exploring the west coast!

I’ve included our exact itinerary, including timing, at the bottom of this blog post. There are so many beautiful spots up and down the coast, it was hard to narrow it down to just these 8. #WestCoastBestCoast!

Before you set out on your road trip, make sure you’re prepared with the right gear!

California

Sequoia National Park

First stop, Sequoia National Park! Did you know a giant sequoia tree can live for over 3,000 years? These trees are so impressive, you have got to check them out! There are over 100 different hiking trails you can check out in Sequoia. We checked out the main trails, like General Sherman Tree and Congress Tree trails.

There is an entrance fee; you can also buy your parking pass online in advance. If you plan on going to multiple national parks throughout the year, I would highly recommend the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Lands Pass. Check out the official National Parks website for current details.

McArthur-Burney Falls State Park

If you love waterfalls, definitely add Burney Falls to your list! This 129-foot waterfall is quite possibly the most breathtaking in California, maybe even the entire west coast. Plus, it flows year round, so no matter when you go you can expect stunning views. You can also swim in the water, although it is pretty cold year round!

Redwood National Park

Fun fact: these redwood trees are the tallest and oldest in the world! I would definitely recommend allotting at least one full day to exploring the Redwoods. There’s a ton of different hiking trails, and just walking amongst these trees is an unreal experience. Plus, you can drive through the Chandelier Tree in the Drive-Thru Tree Park! That was such a unique thing to do, I’ve never seen this anywhere else.

El Matador Beach

Located under an hour (without traffic) from LA is El Matador Beach! This is a great spot to watch the sunset or spend a full day at the beach. There are these cool rocks which make for a great photo spot as well. There’s no fee to get onto the beach, but there is a small fee for parking in the lot at the top. You will have to walk down a small staircase as well to get to the beach, so this is not as accessible as other beaches.

Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

I have absolutely no words for how stunning Crater Lake is! It’s the deepest lake in the US, and is surrounded by cliffs that are almost 2,000 feet high. The water really is as blue as it looks in these photos! Before you go, make sure to check on the weather conditions – it actually snows a lot here over the winter, and sometimes there is still lingering snow into May or even June.

Umpqua National Forest Hot Springs

These terraced geothermal pools can reach temps up to 105°, even in the winter. They’re open year-round, and there is only a small $5 day use parking fee, but no fee to use the hot springs otherwise. To get to the hot springs, you will have to hike a moderate trail for about 0.8 miles (1.3 km). I would recommend getting there around sunrise, if you want them all to yourself.

Toketee Falls

Also in Umpqua National Forest is another stunning waterfall hike to add to your list! Although I will warn you, the hike to get down was one of the more dangerous ones I’ve ever done. I think it actually is technically not an allowed trail. There was a small rope to help you up and down a very steep cliff. But it is definitely worth the view at the bottom!

Washington

Mount Rainier National Park

Detailed Driving Route

Comment below your favorite spot to visit on the West Coast! Let me know if you have any questions about our trip, or the west coast in general.

mariss

The post Complete Itinerary For A Stunning West Coast Road Trip first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.

Add White Sands National Park To Your Bucket List Now

MLE Travel Diary — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Tucked away in the south of New Mexico is an incredible hidden gem you MUST add to your bucket list: White Sands National Park. Have you ever heard of gypsum sand aka the white sand you see in the photos? This rare substance is a “soft mineral often left behind when water bodies evaporate.” Read more about the formation of gypsum sand here.

The white sands dune field is a whopping 275 square miles; a large part of which is maintained by the National Park Service. There is really nothing quite like it anywhere else the world. Definitely add White Sands to your bucket list if you have not been yet!

Getting There

To get to the park, you will have to drive or bike, as there is currently no public transportation option. There is a park entrance fee; check the official website for the most updated fee information. We paid a single $25 vehicle entry fee, and it was valid for 7 consecutive days. There are also a variety of national park pass options you can purchase to gain access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

What To Do When You're There

In my opinion, you really need one full day to explore and enjoy the White Sands National Park. While you’re there, here are some options to maximize your time at the park:

Start your visit by checking out the visitor center! You can get information on daily park activities, peruse the gift shop for souvenirs and learn about the history. They also have restroom and water refill facilities here!
Hike on any of the five established trails throughout the park. You can see us walking Gracie in the second photo below! This was one of the shorter, accessible trails.
Sled down the sand dunes! You can purchase a sled at the visitor center, or bring one of your own. Be sure to check out their official website for safety tips when sledding down the dunes!
Pack a lunch and picnic at one of the many tables and grills throughout the park. There are many shaded areas, in the event it is really hot outside. If you have a large group, there is one area you are able to reserve in advance; be sure to submit the form ahead of time.

Important Things To Note

Make sure to check that the White Sands Missile Range is not conducting a missile test before you go. These can cause road closures and related delays for several hours.
Shockingly, the sand itself is not hot! We went in the beginning of July when the temperature was over 90°F, but the sand was cool enough to walk on.
Pack sunscreen and remember to reapply if you are out sledding all day.
The park is pet-friendly. You can see we had our furry friend, Gracie, with us and she LOVED playing in the sand!
Remember to leave no trace when visiting national parks! This means do not take any sand or other resources out of the park, and do not litter in the park.

Nearby Attractions

I would definitely suggest including this as one of many stops on your road trip! Here are a few fun suggestions for nearby things you can do as you pass through New Mexico:

White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park
Alameda Park Zoo
New Mexico Museum of Space History
International UFO Museum & Research Center

Feel free to leave a comment below if you think I missed anything or have any questions. Enjoy your time exploring White Sands National Park and the Southwest US!

mariss

The post Add White Sands National Park To Your Bucket List Now first appeared on MLE Travel Diary.