Author: Don't Forget to Move

The state of North Dakota might not be the first place you think of when planning a US road trip, but it’s for this very reason that it makes for one wild adventure! Picture a destination that has stunning landscapes, rich history and warm hospitality, and now picture it without the hustle and bustle of overcrowded attractions and overpriced everything. Welcome to North Dakota!

If finding a new travel destination in 2021 and beyond is on your ‘to-do list’, then take a trip with us through western North Dakota and learn about what this great state has to offer!

Watford City

Watford City is the definition of a hidden gem! This quiet unsuspecting town completely surprised us in all the right ways. Recent developments in the last decade have quadrupled Watford City’s population and brought a lot more investment into the area, which was evident as soon as we checked into the beautiful Little Missouri Inn.

Watford City History

Start your Watford City experience at the Long X Trading Post Visitor Center and Pioneer Museum to get a crash course in everything about town. The exhibits paint the picture of Watford City’s long history and development from past to present. History buffs will love all the memorabilia that adorn the walls and exhibits, showcasing a real life look at Watford City throughout the decades.

True crime fanatics will be fascinated by the story of Charles Bannon, a man who killed a whole family back in 1931 and tried to conceal the evidence. An angry mob of locals, extremely unsettled by the murders and seeking immediate justice, busted Bannon out of jail and executed their own justice by hanging him off the nearby town bridge. The whole story, along with first hand witness statements and other interesting facts, is presented in the museum; they also have displayed the rope that was used to hang Bannon, the last man hanged in North Dakota.

Eating in Watford City

We thought we’d just be eating at small local diners (they have a lot of good ones, especially Little Missouri Grille), but as it turns out, Watford City has quite the offering for restaurants. In the few days that we spent in Watford City we did our best to sample as much as we could from all the food options. This included delicious wood-fired pizzas and amazing craft beer from Stonehome Brewing, burgers and more local beers at JL Beers and even a SoCal inspired Mexican spot called Slow Ride that serves up tasty street tacos and margaritas.

And being the agricultural hub that it is, for all you meat eaters there are plenty of steak and rib options in town, including Outlaws Bar and Grill and American Smoke Wagon BBQ. There’s also a ton of other cool places to check out like Teddy’s Lounge for a fancy cocktail and dessert and Door 204 for coffee and breakfast.

Maah Daah Hey Trail

After exploring Watford City, if you want to stretch your legs a little further we recommend a short 15 mile drive down to the north section of the Maah Daah Hey Trail. This 144 mile world-renowned trail is the perfect spot to walk, bike or horse ride yourself through the diverse North Dakota landscapes.

Whether you’re looking to walk a couple of miles of scenery, or want to backcountry hike and camp the whole trail, the Maah Daah Hey Trail showcases quintessential North Dakota nature. Grasslands, rivers, iconic badlands buttes and more awaits anyone who wants to get off the beaten track and explore this serene trail.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

For National Park lovers North Dakota doesn’t disappoint with the picturesque Theodore Roosevelt National Park to explore. There are two main sections of the park, the North Unit and the South Unit, and if you’re coming from Watford City it’s just a short 15 mile drive to get to the North Unit visitor center.

From here there’s a road that runs through the park, taking you across the different terrains and showcasing all the park has to offer. Within the first 5 minutes of driving we were fortunate enough to come across a couple of wild bison that were grazing in a distant field.

Careful not to disturb them (keep your 50ft distance, people) we parked the car on the side of the road and observed them gracefully meandering through the fields like the enormously docile creatures they are. After taking a few snaps we jumped back in the car and continued our journey along Scenic Drive, winding through the park until we got to River Bend Overlook.

Just a short walk from the carpark, the overlook takes in wide spanning views of the river gorge below. There are a couple of viewing platforms to admire different angles, along with some great spots to pull up for a sunset picnic.

Tobacco Gardens and Birnt Hills Trail

The next stop on our North Dakota road trip was further north to the Tobacco Gardens Resort and Marina, which is just a short 40 minute drive. Situated on the expansive Lake Sakakawea this location has a number different accommodation options, including camping, cabins and RV hook up. Being right on the lake means not only perfect views, but it’s perfect for fishing, watersports or simply splashing around on a hot summer day.

If you’re getting a little waterlogged on the lake and want to dry out for a couple of hours why not try a local hike. A short 10 minute drive from Tobacco Gardens are the Little Missouri National Grasslands, where you’ll find rolling hills and plenty of hikes to take in the abundant landscape.

One hike in particular is the Birnt Hills Trail, a moderate 3 mile loop that goes through the grasslands and along the coast, with a couple of hills, and offers amazing views of Lake Sakakawea. The path is set up with route markers along the way and weaves you through the landscape with ease.

And what the hike might lack in difficult terrain or natural wonders, it certainly makes up for in its sheer isolation from the rest of the world. During the whole hike we didn’t see one single person, which meant we could really escape the world for those few miles and just sink into nature.

MHA Interpretive Center

After taking in the scenery it was time to learn more about the local history. Our next stop on the road trip was the MHA Interpretive Center in New Town. MHA stands for Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara, which are the three local tribes of the area.

This expansive center is much more than just a museum exhibition on the three tribes, but also an integral part of the community, responsible for protecting and nurturing the traditional values of the tribes. The center also functions as an event space, conference center and workshop facilitator.

Give yourself a number of hours to properly explore the exhibition, which is rich in knowledge about the three tribes. We’d also recommend taking a local guide to walk you through the extensive displays and help answer any questions you might have. No phones / photos are allowed in the exhibition, so it’s a great opportunity to be distraction free and just soak in the many centuries of culture uninterrupted.

Don’t miss the Earth Lodge Village located behind the center. You can go inside one of the lodges that acts as a museum to see what they look like from the inside and find more artefacts. While in there we were fortunate to speak to one of the elders from the Arikara tribe who told us the tribe represented in the movie The Revenant was the Arikara, and that he advised on the movie. They even have some original props from the movie.

Skunk Bay

The last stop on our western North Dakota road trip was Skunk Bay, located inside the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. While visiting Skunk Bay we had the pleasure of staying at the local resort The Rooster at Skunk Bay.

This cozy, family run resort is nestled on Lake Sakakawea and a perfect location for water lovers and those looking for some R&R. With a number of accommodation options, like super cute rooms, fully equipped cabins and RVs. Our one bedroom cabin was perfect for Jules and I. The fully stocked kitchen meant we could make breakfast in our pajamas and relax in the living room before getting outside for the day. We also had a deck with a BBQ to watch the sun go down while grilling some local fish (if Jules had caught any!)

Being right on the lake means there’s a boat ramp, so you can launch a boat for fishing or jetting around the coves. If you prefer to stay on shore, you can wander down to the lakeside and hang out on the sand for the afternoon. Perfect for picnics, reading on a blanket or just soaking up the sun. Want to get some exercise? Grab one of the resort’s kayaks for a paddle around the bay. Skunk Bay is the spot to be on a hot summer day in North Dakota. The resort is the only full service bar and restaurant on the lake so boats from around the area come to party throughout the day. They have tons of options for kids, as well, including slides that run into the lake, water toys and an inflatable movie screen for family friendly flicks.

Overall, North Dakota was one pleasant surprise after the next. At the risk of sounding braggy, we’ve been to a lot of places around the world, and it’s rare that we’re surprised anymore. North Dakota’s warm hospitality, serene nature and interesting local culture kept us wanting to explore more and more of this beautiful state. We can’t wait to go back!

Massive thanks to Watford City and North Dakota Tourism for hosting us during this trip. As always, all opinions are our own and we wouldn’t recommend anything that we truly didn’t believe. North Dakota was rad!

The United States West Coast, also known as the Pacific Coast or the western seaboard, is an iconic stretch of coastline perfect for a scenic train trip. The west coast states include California, Oregon, and Washington, which boast some of the country’s most stunning natural landmarks and national parks.

You can use the Amtrak to get to Portland for an epic Oregon road trip, travel to LA for the Californian sunshine, or simply admire the scenery en route. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about the best West Coast Amtrak train route, as well as some popular spots to visit along the way.

Best Route for Train Travel, USA West Coast

The most popular way to travel the U.S. by train is on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight route. You can purchase Amtrak train tickets online, where you’ll get a choice between coach, business class, and Superliner accommodations.

The Superliner tickets include access to observation cars or Sightseer Lounges, which offer floor-to-ceiling glass and wrap-around windows perfect for admiring the passing scenery.

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight Cross-Country Train Ride

Route: Seattle – Portland – Sacramento – Los Angeles

Widely considered one of the best American train routes, the Coast Starlight train departs every day from LA and passes through Santa Barbara, San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Portland on its way to Seattle.

The scenery along the route is utterly breathtaking, taking passengers through the Cascade Range, past the Pacific Ocean shoreline, and through incredible alpine forests and lush valley regions.

Best West Coast Spots to Visit via the Coast Starlight Route

If you’re planning a West Coast adventure via train, you’ll want to plan an action-packed itinerary to see the best of the west coast states. Read on for some of the most attractive tourist destinations on the Pacific coast, each of which is accessible via Amtrak train routes.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains in the Crater Lake National Park, the namesake Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.

There is plenty to do and see here, including rafting, boating, hiking, and backcountry camping. You can even take a trolley tour along the park’s scenic Rim Drive, a 33-mile highway loop offering panoramic views of the park’s meadows and forests.

You can take the Coast Starlight train to Klamath Falls Station in Oregon. Then, take the Crater Lake Trolley from the station to the park. The trolley departs daily at 9 am and runs from July 1st – September 6th. Outside of those months, you’ll need to rent a car to get to the lake from the station.

Powell’s City of Books, Oregon

Founded in 1971, Powell’s City of Books is the largest independent bookstore in the world and a prized gem in the state of Oregon. The massive store covers an entire city block and is home to 3500 different book sections, three floors, nine rooms, and over a million books for sale.

Powell’s City of Books is less than a mile from the Portland Union Station, so you can take a stroll through town to get there from the train stop.

At a whopping 68 000 square feet, book lovers won’t want to miss out on this fascinating and historical destination along the Coast Starlight route. If you time your trip accordingly, you can visit the bookstore to see one of their intriguing lecture series or participate in the annual Portland Book Festival in November.

San Luis Obispo, California

Situated in the heart of California, San Luis Obispo is a charming city known for its Downtown SLO Farmers’ Market on Higuera Street, one of the biggest farmers’ markets in the U.S. The Coast Starlight Route stops at the San Luis Obispo Amtrak Station, a 15-minute walk from the market.

Be sure to check out the Madonna Inn while you’re in town. This is one of America’s most famous motels and has been open since the 1950s. A landmark in California, the outrageous decor and design of the motel is like something out of a storybook.

If you’re still in the market for things to do in San Luis Obispo, check out the Fremont Theater, a historic movie theater dating back to the ‘40s which boasts impressive architecture and a unique movie-going experience.

Cross-Country Train Travel and Sustainable Tourism

At Don’t Forget to Move, we believe that all tourism should be sustainable tourism. That is why we think tourists should focus on cross-country train travel as opposed to traveling by car. Besides walking and biking, train travel is hands down the most environmentally friendly way to go about cross-country travel.

Trains not only reduce your overall energy consumption but also limit your use of space and contribution to noise pollution.

The Coast Starlight train alone can carry over 40, 000 passengers, which is a significant saving on gas emissions compared to the same amount of people traveling individually by car across the west coast states. It’s sustainable travel methods like these that protect the tourists of the future.

Enjoy Your Train Ride Across America

Thanks to the incredible cross-country trains in the U.S., you can explore the magnificent west coast valleys, forests, meadows, and backcountry terrains using Amtrak’s Coast Starlight train route.

Traveling in the United States by train isn’t just a fun way to see the west coast states. It’s also a great way to see the west coast in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Trains across the U.S. offer tourists and locals a scenic way to see the country, as well as an adventurous way to travel from one state to another.

For your next train trip across America, you can visit some of the fantastic west coast destinations outlined in this post and take the iconic Coast Starlight train from Seattle to Los Angeles. This beautiful sightseeing adventure will allow you to admire the best west coast attractions and see the Pacific Coast from the comfort of your very own train car.

There’s nothing like traveling down mountain roads, alongside lakes, and through the woods on wheels. An RV, even a rental RV, gives you the freedom to transport all your belongings and comforts for an exciting adventure around parts of the world.

If you’re a dog parent and always toyed with the idea of bringing along your fur baby, you’re not alone. Four wheels shouldn’t get in the way of including your best friend. There are hundreds of travelers who embark on adventures with their pets and we’re going to show you the safest and most comfortable way to do it for you and your dog.

RV Traveling with Dogs: What to Expect

While full-time RV living with dogs can be tougher on the family, a week-long road trip or weekend getaway helps keep things a bit more stress-free.

RV’ing with pets is an adventure in itself. Instead of leaving your pooch at home or at the kennels, you can bring them along for your wild adventure! But you’ll always need to consider your dog’s comfort, safety, and health when embarking on your RV trip.

Having a trained dog will be a big advantage, and you’ll need to ensure that they’re used to walking on leashes and being around other dogs and people. After all, they won’t be spending all of their time in the RV.

Positive reinforcement in the form of treats and plenty of cuddles can help your dog adapt to their temporary home. Spend time hanging out with them at pit stops and when you’re in the passenger seat. Bring along their favorite toy and snacks to create the comfort of home.

You’ll also want to start off with small road trips and see how they take to that before venturing on multi-day vacations. Be prepared to bring along all the essentials for your vacation; dog bowls, leashes, collars, blankets, beds, and towels are some items to bring along.

Dangers of RV Travel with Pets

Traveling in an RV may be an entirely new experience for your dog; both you and your dog might not know what to expect. Take note of these dangers that may occur if you’re not too careful.

Depending on where you are traveling to, you may encounter high levels of heat. A day in the sun is always appreciated, but too much sun exposure can be fatal for your dog. Heatstroke, also known as heat exhaustion, is a condition in which body temperature is above the normal range. For dogs, this is 38 – 39°C (100.5 – 102.5°F).

Dog heatstroke aftercare involves cooling methods, such as ice baths, to normalize body temperature and prevent organ failure. In severe cases, your dog may also need to be placed on a special diet to aid in a speedy recovery.

Another problem that travelers often encounter is the issue of where to leave their dog when heading out on solo adventures. Perhaps you’re in a pickle of wanting to explore a destination that doesn’t allow pets. Or you need to head out for some grocery shopping.

Did you know that it takes less than 30-minutes for an RV to reach unmanageable levels of heat that can cause distress? This is even true on cold days.

It can be dangerous leaving pets in an RV for long periods of time. While RV’s tend to have ample space for your dog to roam around, it’s always a good idea to monitor the temperature when they’re left alone. Investing in a Waggle Monitor is the safest way to keep an eye on your baby.

Waggle Pet Monitor: Safely Monitor Your RV with Dogs when Traveling

As a dog owner, the last thing you want to do is put your pets in danger. But you can keep them safe and comfortable when you’re out and about – without having the worry of heatstroke or frostbite.

The Waggle RV pet monitors are built with Verizon 4G cellular data to keep track of temperatures and alert you about any concerning conditions. The fact that the monitor uses cellular data is perfect, as many RV’s might not have access to wifi.

To view the conditions within your RV, you can monitor the app – but in a dangerous situation, you’ll receive a text and email.

An added perk of monitoring the temperature and humidity of your RV allows you to assess how healthy the conditions are for your dog. In temperatures of 100°F with high humidity, a dog’s small sweat glands are compromised. This often leads to heat-related illnesses.

Benefits of Waggle Monitor for RV Traveling with Dogs

It’s a sad reality that hundreds of dogs die or are affected by heatstroke every year when left in the car or RV. You’ll always have peace of mind knowing that your pooch won’t overheat when left in the car. 

• Temperature will automatically update on your phone
• There are periodic check-ins every 15 minutes – so concerning environments can be prevented early
• Instant Alerts if temperatures or humidity crosses the threshold you set
• Instant alert when your RV loses power or when the power is restored
• Alerts can also be sent to friends and family for situations when you might not be near your pet

Features of Waggle RV Pet Monitor

No matter where you are venturing to, these are the reliable features that come with each Waggle:

• Temperature monitor
• Verizon 4G cellular data
• GPS tracking
• Instant alert
• Rechargeable battery that lasts up to 4 days
• USB powered

Where to Buy a Waggle for RV Living with Dogs

You can easily buy a Waggle from their online store. On top of the once-off payment, you’ll need to subscribe to their mobile app, which can be paid for annually, bi-annually and quarterly.

But guess what? Don’t Forget to Move readers can purchase the Waggle monitor online and receive a 40% discount when using this link. So worry less, and have peace of mind when you’re out and about on road trips or RV camping with dogs!

Embarking on an RV Dog-Friendly Road Trip

RV pets get to experience all of your adventures with you, and it’s a chance for them to explore outside of their homes. They can meet new doggies, swim in secluded lakes, and go on hour-long hikes at the Grand Canyon while discovering surrounding areas.

As long as you take the right precautions, road tripping in an RV is a great way to include your pooch in your plans. Tools like Waggle help ease the worry when it comes to leaving your pup in the car. With temperature monitoring, you’ll be free to wander around, knowing that your dog is safe.

This post is a sponsored collaboration between Don’t Forget To Move and RVshare and includes affiliate links. As always, we would never endorse and promote a company that we didn’t fully trust and support. RVshare are rad! And so is road tripping!

There has never been a better time for taking a road trip across the United States. With international travel still on hold, and domestic travel on the rise, what better time than now to visit a new state!

And the age of RVs and motorhomes is upon us once again. Call it a retro throwback to the 1970s, or human beings natural instinct to roam, but more people than ever are packing up their bags, loading up a vehicle and hitting the open road.

What is an RV?

There’s a lot of things to consider when looking at a road trip vehicle. RV stands for  recreational vehicle, but inside that little acronym are a lot of different options. By definition an RV is any motor vehicle or trailer that has living space. There are plenty different types of RVs,  depending on your needs as a traveler. That includes motorhomes, campervans, trailers, truck campers and pop-up vans.

With this many options it’s hard to know what you need, so before you rush off to search Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for a used RV, why not consider renting one. Renting the RV you think best suits you not only gives you the opportunity to test out travel life on the road, it also helps you understand what requirements you need to make your trip enjoyable. Your ‘must haves’ in an RV may surprise you!

Booking a RV with RVshare

When it comes to booking an RV for a road trip there’s no better place to look than RVshare. Think of them like Airbnb for renting RVs. But instead of renting a room stuck in one location, you can rent an RV and wake up in a completely different setting every morning.

Especially in such a diverse state like California. You can literally be on the iconic California coast in the morning, have lunch in the lush redwood forests and then overlook the snowy mountains or dry deserts at sunset.

RVshare has every different kind of RV you could want. Aside from the most popular 18ft-24ft type RVs that you might be familiar with there’s also luxury camper vans, airstreams, teardrop trailers and full sized motorhomes to suit any type of traveler.

You can search by the location of where you want to pick it up, trip dates and how many people you need space for. Once the search results pop up you can then filter by price, the size and type of the vehicle, as well as the many different amenities that a RV can have.

Once you’ve found a couple of RVs that you like you can do a deep drive and read reviews, get the specifications on size and see every amenity that it offers. You can also search the RV availability and a simple message interface allows you to easily chat with the owner to ask any further questions.

It honestly makes booking a RV so simple. So simple that we decided to do it ourselves!

Our RV Road Trip Experience

With a burning desire to explore the California coast that we love so much, we jumped on RVshare and started searching for a mid-seized RV to get started. Out of all the years of epic road trips around the world (Northern Spain road trip and Estonia trip being big highlights), this would be our very first time in a RV.

We weren’t sure what to expect, but it turns out driving a 24ft RV isn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as it seems. Driving it was pretty straight forward. It rocked and rolled a little more than our trusty Camry, but that’s pretty understandable considering you’re driving a small house around with you.

Turning and reversing got easier the more we got used to driving the RV. Even though it was twice the length of our van, with a decent backup camera installed we managed to avoid any mishaps.

Benefits of Renting a RV

For anyone who’s been following our adventures you’ll know we’re all about that #VanLife. Back in 2017 we bought an old 1992 Dodge Ram, built a bed, some storage areas and installed solar panels and batteries for power.

And as much as we love our little van, there was a problem. We had no shower, no bathroom and were constantly running out of water when trying to do dishes on the road. You can only get yourself, and your things, so clean living off baby wipes alone. There was also the ‘little’ problem of the bed, which barely fit the two of us.

Even after a day in the RV we were already like… wow, we’ve got some serious space in here. Not only that, but the extra amenities really made traveling in a vehicle a lot easier than our van. It was so nice to have running water to do dishes, a flushable toilet and a full sized bed.

Aside from the obvious things, like a bathroom and bed, we also loved the extra storage space and dining / working table. The storage space allowed us to reduce the amount of clutter and the desk gave us somewhere proper to work. Working remotely means we not only have a lot of things we need to bring with us (camera equipment, computers, etc), but we also need a comfortable work space to be able to work effectively during the day.

We know not everyone is going to be renting a RV to drive around the country and work. However, if you do have things you need to do online then its a huge advantage to have your own private space to smash out that work in the morning before you go hiking through a national park or taking a walk along a quiet beach.

When you think of the Grand Canyon National Park the first thing you probably think of is a huge hole in the ground. And you’re not wrong, it is a massive hole. Stretching 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide and at its deepest point it’s over a mile down (6,000ft to be exact).

But aside from visiting the Grand Canyon to awe at this colossus of nature, there are also a lot of amazing Grand Canyon trails that you can explore. Hiking at the Grand Canyon is not only a fun way to stay fit and active, but it also gets you off the main tourist trail and gives you a different angle to admire the canyon from.

So grab your favorite hiking boots, make sure that LifeStraw water bottle is filled up and let’s head out on our three favorite Grand Canyon hiking trails.

Best Grand Canyon Trails

Grand Canyon Rim: Mules to Mather Point

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 5.3mi

Elevation Gain: 367ft

Route Type: Out and Back

For those looking for an easy, paved, wheelchair and dog friendly Grand Canyon trail then this is the one for you. Long enough that you get a sweat on, but minimal elevation climb and simple enough that you won’t get lost. It’s one of the more popular trails, so you’ll likely encounter some crowds soaking in the sights.

South Kaibab Trail to Cedar Ridge

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 2.8mi

Elevation Gain: 1095ft

Route Type: Out and Back

This trail might be shorter than hiking the Rim, but don’t let that fool you. This 2.8mi out and back hike has triple the elevation gain in half the distance of the previous hike. It’s a popular trail for people looking to get off the main tourist routes, so it will still be populated on a busy day, but not overcrowded like the easier trails. All along the trail you’ll get amazing views.

You start by hiking down, so remember that when you’re planning to come back up. Some of the best viewpoints are at Ooh Aah Point and Cedar Ridge. You can continue on the hike to make it longer, but remember to pack accordingly. There are no water fill up stations and the elevation climbs in the heat can be exhausting. This trail does not allow dogs.

Bright Angel Trail to Bright Angel Campground and River Trail

Difficult: Hard

Length: 18.4mi

Elevation Gain: 4980ft

Route Type: Out and Back

This one is for those long haul hikers who really want to get out for the day. Rated difficult for both its elevation gain and length, this hike should only be for those looking to really stretch the legs with a challenge.

Phantom Ranch is a good turn around point, which puts the trail total at closer to 22mi for there and back. The trail starts by going down, so remember that when you’re 11 miles in and turn around to start climbing back up. Although the trail is mostly long and the elevation climb is gradual as opposed to sudden, strenuous climbs. It’s reported that there are spots to refill water along the way, but do your research and never rely completely on that fact.

Grand Canyon Hiking Tips

Whether you’re hiking at the Grand Canyon or anywhere else in the world it’s important to stay safe on the trails. Here are our four best hiking tips for making sure you get home safely from your hike.

Tell Someone Where You’re Going

Always tell somebody where you’re going, regardless of whether you’re hiking solo or in a group. If you’re going alone this is especially crucial because if something happens to you then it’s important for someone to know where you are if you suddenly don’t return. Even if you’re in a group, make sure that someone who isn’t on the hike knows that you all went out that day.

This applies for both long hikes and short hikes. While it might seem more obvious if you’re heading off on a long, overnight hike, this can be equally important for a quick 2-3 mile hike. All it takes is one small deviation from the trail and a badly twisted ankle and you could be in some trouble.

Pack Trail Supplies

While you don’t need to lug around a 50L backpacking bag on your next casual hike, you should always carry the right trail supplies for what you’re expecting to do. Energy bars, sunscreen, water purifying tablets/devices, trail mix, a rain jacket; these are all things to consider depending on where you’re going.

And always carry more water than you think you’ll need, especially in hot climates. The Grand Canyon can get well over 100F and has been known to melt people’s boots on their hike. Do your research and know what the weather is doing, so you can pack accordingly.

Stay on the Trail

Stick to the path! It might be appealing to get that extra special selfie or take a photo from a unique angle, but designation trails are there for two main reasons. First, they’re there to protect the native flora and fauna.

Humans already have a huge impact on the environment and local animal populations, so don’t contribute even more by wandering around and damaging nests, burrows or other areas that animals call home.

Secondly, and most importantly for you, is that trails are there to protect you! The Grand Canyon sees around a dozen deaths a year. Not all of those are from people falling down the canyon, but it does happen. All of the people that have fallen down the canyon have either wandered off trails or tried to get that special picture just a little closer to the edge than planned. No picture is worth your life.

Time Your Hike

Research the trail length and difficulty and factor that into your own personal fitness, weather and time of day. Don’t take off on a five hour hike if you know the last few hours are going to be in the dark. That’s a ‘getting lost’ disaster just waiting to happen.

If you can avoid it, try to time your hikes so you’re also not hiking during the hottest part of the day (11am-2pm). On hot days try to set out in the early morning to beat that midday sun.

Keeping these tips in mind, you should be good to go to hike some beautiful Grand Canyon hiking trails!