Author: marklongmainstream (Page 128 of 174)

Plan An Unforgettable Weekend At This Luxury Outdoor Resort

November 14, 2020 / marklongmainstream

This amazing campground has everything your family needs for an unforgettable vacation. Take your pick from the luxurious tree house, safari tent, retro camper, RV and tent sites.

Free Wifi, a swimming pool, and a beautiful pavilion are just some of the conveniences offered at Camp LeConte. Book your room or site today.

Camp LeConte is located in beautiful Gatlinburg Tennessee, and has 40 different units to choose from.

The campground has numerous amazing attractions nearby! From outdoor activities like The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and CLIMB Works Smoky Mountains Zip Line Tour to indoor things like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Gatlin’s Escape Room Games you will always have something to do while you stay in Gatlinburg.

If that wasn’t enough, Dollywood theme park is only a few miles away!

Camp LeConte is a family owned and operated campground since 2013. Ian and Linzy Nicely, and their three children, are happy to have a family business where they can share the love of nature, mountains and Gatlinburg with all their guests. Ian is a lover of all things outdoors. Mix that with Linzy’s style and love of decorating and that’s Camp LeConte.

Camp LeConte is located at 1739 E Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tennessee

For more information, click here.

This Little Known National Park Is One Of Utah’s Best Kept Secrets.

November 7, 2020 / marklongmainstream

For a state with five incredible National Parks, its easy to see how one might get a little bit overlooked. Especially when the other four are, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands National Park. But just because its not as well known as some of the others, doesn’t mean its any less special.

Photo credit to Aleksandr Mironyuk

In a state where two-thirds of the land is federally owned, it can be rather hard for a natural area to stand out, however Capitol Reef National Park, is one of my personal favorites, and the smaller crowds make it even more enjoyable.

Photo Credit to Greg Owens

This beautiful park is located right in the middle of canyon country, and features some of the most amazing views in the west.

Photo Credit to David Long

In this day and age its not uncommon that parks feel more and more like an amusement park. With long lines, congested trails and crowded parking lots. At Capitol Reef its likely you will have large parts of the park all to yourself.

Photo Credit to Matthew Thompson

The park is a great location, for canyoneering! Some of the best routes in the park are The 5 Wives, Stegosaur Slot, and Cassidy Arch.

Capitol Reef is also a great place for hiking, there are fifteen day hiking trails with trailheads located along Utah Highway 24 and the Scenic Drive. Round trip distances vary in length from less than 0.25 miles to 10 miles. These trails offer the hiker a wide variety of options, from easy strolls over level ground to strenuous hikes involving steep climbs over uneven terrain near cliff edges. Hikes may take you deep into a narrow gorge, to the top of high cliffs for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area, under a natural stone arch, to historic inscriptions… and much, much more!

If your looking for a longer adventure, backcountry hiking is a great way to experience the park. Capitol Reef offers many hiking options for serious backpackers and those who enjoy exploring remote areas. Marked hiking routes lead into narrow, twisting gorges, slot canyons, and to spectacular viewpoints high atop the Waterpocket Fold. Popular backcountry hikes in the southern section of the park include Upper and Lower Muley Twist Canyons and Halls Creek. Backcountry hiking opportunities also exist in the Cathedral Valley area and near Fruita…the possibilities are endless! A backcountry permit is required for camping outside of established campgrounds. The permit is free and can be obtained in person at the visitor center during normal business hours.

For more information, click here.

This Fantastic Park Has One Of The Midwest’s Most Stunning Waterfalls

November 7, 2020 / marklongmainstream

The Outbound-Gooseberry Falls is one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks due to its easy access to several scenic waterfalls!

Gooseberry Falls State Park is the first State Park you hit traveling up the North Shore after leaving Duluth. Located 13 miles north of Two Harbors on Highway 61, Gooseberry Falls State Park a quick turn off of the highway which is very well marked with signs. Follow signs for Falls parking.

This picture is owned by John Keefover

You can stop by the Visitor’s Center to pick up a map of the park, visit some of the exhibits they have, or attend some of the naturalists programs they offer. After heading out, follow the signs for the Middle/Lower falls. It is about .3 miles to the popular Middle Falls. The path is paved the entire way and is wheelchair accessible.

Once you reach the falls, there is plenty to explore. The water level of the falls varies frequently, but if it is low enough, it is easy to walk through the shallow water and over the rocks to get close to the base of the falls. You can follow stairs to descend further along the river to see the lower falls. Alternatively, you can continue climbing the stairs and follow a path for about .3 miles to reach the Upper Falls. The short traveling distance is attractive to the many tourists that make Gooseberry Falls their first stop along the North Shore.

This picture is owned by Chris Edmonson

During the summer months, Gooseberry is very crowded as it is known as the “gateway to the North Shore.” To avoid crowds, try to get to the park during the earlier morning hours. Visiting during other seasons can also help avoid the large crowds and provide a nice change in scenery. The falls freeze over in the winter, but if you explore during these times be aware that the river ice is never completely safe. There is also a 2 mile round-trip hike to the park’s Fifth Falls that is often less crowded.

This picture is owned by Jerred Kline

The Minnesota Legislature authorized preservation of the area around Gooseberry Falls in 1933, and the area was officially designated a State Park in 1937. In 1996, the Joseph N. Alexander visitor center was built, providing space for interpretive displays, a cinema screening room, and a gift shop. The visitor center hosts public events including nature, wildlife, astronomy, and music programs.

This picture is owned by Vasanth Rajkumar

This park provides 70 non-electric camping sites that are available year-round. There are 18 miles of hiking trails, including 8 miles of mountain bike trails. The trails connect to the Superior Hiking Trail. There are popular picnic and swimming spots found throughout the park.

The park is also home to a wide variety of animals, including white tailed deer, lynx, black bear, and timber wolf. The lakes are also a popular fishing destination, with a large population salmon and trout. Bird watchers will enjoy a variety of conifer-dependent birds, as well as ravens, and herring gulls.

This article was written by Allison Herreid, and the original article can be viewed by clicking here.

You and 5 friends can rent a private island in Florida for a week for about $50 a night

November 4, 2020 / marklongmainstream

Insider.com- Located just off of mainland Florida, East Sister Rock Island houses a secluded villa that travelers can rent.

Although the property usually costs upwards of $9,500 to rent for a week, Hotels.com is offering a deal that knocks the price to $2,000 (plus tax) for one group of six.

The first-come, first-served deal comes to about $300 per night, or just under $50 per person, and it includes a private chef who will prepare a Thanksgiving dinner.

Located just off of the Florida coast, a remote island is being temporarily dubbed “Friendsgiving Island,” a socially distanced getaway in a tropical paradise.

Although a single night on this island would normally cost upwards of $1,350, Hotels.com is offering a deal where one lucky group of travelers can snag the whole place for a week (November 14 to November 21) – plus Thanksgiving dinner cooked by a professional chef – for $2,000 total, plus tax.

For six people, that’s about $50 per night. The deal is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and will become available for booking starting October 27 at 10 a.m EST.

And although only one group is going to spend their Thanksgiving week in this remote paradise, the island is available to book year-round.

The small, private island is located just off of Marathon, Florida.

East Sister Rock Island, as it’s actually named, is a quarter-mile from the shore of Marathon, Florida.

Located in the Florida Keys, Marathon is known for its great fishing spots and large coral reefs that visitors can see up close by embarking on a snorkeling tour.

Guests can arrive via boat or helicopter.

The island is surrounded by blue water.

The property is surrounded by a moat, and houses a dock and helipad. A personal boat service is provided for guests to access the island.

The 5,000 square-foot home sleeps six and has ocean views.

The house’s wraparound veranda gives visitors a 360-degree view of the surrounding ocean.

Guests of the three-bed, two-bath home can fall asleep to the sounds of the Atlantic Ocean.

The living area is spacious, with several dining areas.

The fully-equipped kitchen and living room areas have an open floor plan, with a breakfast counter, dining table, fireplace, satellite TV, and couch.

There’s also an outdoor dining area where travelers can enjoy their meals al fresco.

The wraparound deck also has a full-sized pool table and a range of lounge chairs.

The island also has plenty of outdoor activities and a pool.

Visitors who want to enjoy the outdoors will also be given a kayak and paddleboards. According to the island’s website, visitors can book kiteboarding lessons or view nearby coral reefs by boat.

The island also has a pool for those who prefer man-made waters, plus lounge chairs for sunbathing and sunset-watching.

Typically, the island costs a minimum of $9,500 per week to rent.

Guests with larger groups also rent out the guest cottage on the island for an additional $3,250 per week. The guest cottage has two beds, a couch bed, and a bathroom.

More information, can be found at floridaisland.com

This article was first published at Insider.com by Ariana DiValentino. The original article can be found by clicking here.