Outdoor Project

Columbia Hills Historical State Park, located just east of The Dalles, Oregon, is comprised of 3,338 acres on the north side of the Columbia River. The park includes day use facilities (35 uncovered picnic tables, restrooms, gazebo and potable water), a boat ramp, and campground at Horsethief Lake (motorized boats are permited with 5 m.p.h. limit). The park also provides boat ramp access onto the Columbia River

The Conestoga Ranch is a glamping (glamorous camping) site located in Garden City, UT near the Idaho border.  Located just inland on the west side of Bear Lake, the ranch offers a wide variety of activities and sights to enjoy. The lodging consists of various deluxe canvas tents and covered wagons with comfortable beds within. Now you can enjoy all the fun of camping while letting someone else cook breakfast and clean up.

The Fifth Water Hot Springs southeast of Provo is great place to enjoy a beautiful canyon while relaxing in a bunch of nature-made hot tubs. Also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs because of its location in Diamond Fork Canyon, a series of hot springs dot the Fifth Water Creek and create a great place where locals and tourist mingle. It's a beautiful area with tremendous fall colors that receives year-round visitors, and you get to bring your dogs!

The Desert Voices Trail should be the first hike for any visitor to Dinosaur National Monument. Traversing a variety of desert topographies and showing off the beauty of this harsh and remote area, this trail also has terrific and informative commentary aimed at adults and kids throughout the route.

The Sound of Silence Trail is the second hike to take in Dinosaur National Monument. For an excellent introduction to desert ecology and issues affecting the desert, take the Desert Voices Trail first. The two trails are connected, so they can be done as a single loop from either of the trailheads for a 4.7-mile hike.

Rifle Falls State Park is a great place to relax for a few days of camping. It is set in a quiet valley about 6 miles past its sister park, Rifle Gap. But these sisters aren't twins! Instead of Rifle Gap's wide expansive views and large flat setting, Rifle Falls is surrounded by hills and woods, and instead of boat motors, the sound of Rifle Creek is a constant companion. 

Butler Fork Trail is a great hike about half way up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the north side of the road. From the trailhead you have access to several great trails, peaks and lakes to choose from at your own discretion. This article covers the route leading to Circle-All Peak lookout by taking the Mill A Basin fork.

Mount Audubon is a great hiking trail within the Indian Peaks Wilderness. It offers panoramic views of Colorado's entire Front Range as well as several of the other Rocky Mountain sub-ranges.

The Lake Mary/Catherines Pass Trail is a great hike with plenty of options when it comes to adjusting the length of your adventure. On this trail there are three major lakes and access to Little Cottonwood Canyon by way of Catherines Pass. Great views, incredible autumn color, and frequent wildlife keep a steady stream of hikers coming up. Beautiful peaks rise above the lakes including Mount Millicent, which during the winter is a major part of the terrain at Brighton Ski Resort.

Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is located in a tight, picturesque valley near the top of Weber Canyon. Although it feels remote, you are not far from the town of Oakley, Utah, and Park City is a bit further. The drive up the canyon is really pretty, especially in autumn. There is a boat ramp, nearby camping, and fishing. It can get windy but is still a popular SUP destination. The lake is long and thin but large enough to handle a decent number of people in the water. It can get crowded on weekends, but mostly just for parking alongside the road.