Every national park visit has a starting point, and for us, that almost always includes a trip to the visitor center.The Horace M. Albright Visitor Center and Museum of the National Park Ranger at Yellowstone National Park provide an insightful look at the history of the National Park Service, together, these museums stand as a testament of the importance of those who protect Yellowstone and other natural wonders.

There’s something to be said about enjoying a pristine pine forest and vibrant thermal activity while inhaling the aromas of a boiling cauldron of sulfur. Just a few hours into our first voyage to Yellowstone National Park, we pulled off the main road to stretch our legs along the short 1-mile loop at Artists' Paintpots Trail and got to witness this thermal basin activity up close for the first time.

Come along as I recap our experience exploring Idaho’s volcanic landscape on the North Crater Trail and check out the must-see views at Craters of the Moon National Monument.

In true weekend warrior fashion, we drove five hours until we reached the Grand Canyon to hike to 3-Mile Resthouse to get a taste of hiking below the rim.

I’ve always been drawn to the trails that lead you to a place of solitude. The ones that require a bit of dust, a few miles of trail under your boots and even a dirt road to find. Canyonlands quickly became one of those places that reminds me why I take the long way to find adventure away from the pavement.

The journey started off spectacularly. A well-maintained trail of packed sand wound through impressive red rock formations and deeper into the desert. After a short incline, we witnessed the dramatic ribbon of red rock over the horizon. Past this arch is when the trail transformed into something far more demanding.

With the public lands I love to explore coming under threat here are resources to encourage action to defend National Parks and Public Lands