Author: marklongmainstream (Page 88 of 174)

Sioux Falls Park

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If you were asked to pick the highlight of the 120-acre Sioux Falls Park, you would likely pick the falls themselves. At over 100-feet high, thousands of gallons of water pour down every second. Sioux Falls dates back to the middle of the 19th century, and many historic buildings remain within the park itself. Queen Bee Mill is a seven-story structure that was only in use for a mere two years, yet it still stands today. Enjoy the art, Stocklands Ag Experience – an agricultural museum – and the Falls Overlook Café, where you can relax and take in the magnificent setting. For more information, click here.

Spearfish Falls

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The history of Spearfish Falls is very interesting. The railroad ran across the falls in the early of 19th century, a great experience for passengers. But a century later, the water was diverted to create hydroelectric power to a nearby gold mine. Suddenly, the falls were dry; they did not appear again until 2003 when the creek returned to its original route. South Dakota’s mines are long gone now. The railway has been closed for many years but its remains are in evidence. The walk to reach the falls is fairly simple; park your car at the Latchstring Restaurant and go ahead. For more information, click here.

Cascade Falls

Looking for an outdoor place for swimming in pleasantly warm water? Cascade Falls is the place for you. Its name tells the story: hot water emerges from a spring two miles above the falls and the natural pool below the falls just beckons you in to relax. The temperature averages 67 F. The setting is lovely and the water has helped the area to grow some lovely flora. Kids are able to enjoy shallow parts of the pool, which has deep areas as well. There is a little picnic spot for you to enjoy too. For more information, click here.

Roughlock Falls

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The State Natural Area taking the name of these falls is a delight for waterfall lovers. Roughlock Falls is just off the main canyon and comprise two cascades pouring off ledges to create a lovely sight. Hikers are in for a treat and visitor facilities include parking, restrooms and an area given over for picnicking. Trails begin above the falls and head down to the base as well as lookout points. All are well-maintained and you can select from a number of viewpoints to get yourself a good photograph. For more information, click here.

Hippie Hole

There are two hiking choices to reach Hippie Hole in the Black Hills; one is just an easy walk from a nearby parking lot to the top of the falls and the other a real challenge. You will need plenty of water on a hot day if you accept the challenge; you will be walking downhill and must avoid the poison ivy. Either way, you will enjoy the waterfall once you arrive. Jumping from the falls to the pool below is a popular activity but you should not do that without some thought. You can sunbathe or swim and enjoy a picnic, but please take your rubbish home with you. For more information, click here.

Maquoketa Caves State Park

This beautiful state park is one of the most popular in the entire state.  Located in Jackson County, sitting just Northwest of Maquoketa.  The park rests on more then 360 acres of rough, hilly terrain.  The trail system, offers a beautiful hike, that links together the caves, rock formations, and scenic overlooks. The park features 16 accessible caves, which offer great caving  for experienced and inexperienced cavers alike.  The hiking trails are just over 6 miles in length, and are a great way to see the park.  There is also a campground with 29 campsites, 17 of which have electrical hookups. Maquoketa Caves State Park is located at 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060.

Wildcat Den State Park

Wildcat Den State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in all of Iowa.  Combining preserved historical structures with natural beauty, and a wonderful trail system.  The unique trail system winds through a variety of different terrain and covers more then 4 miles on 420 acres of rugged beauty.  With 75 foot high cliffs and amazing rock formations scattered throughout, its easy to see why Wildcat Den is a favorite spot for hikers and outdoors lovers alike. Wildcat Den State Park is also a great location for your next camping and picnicking, the park has 28 campsites with non modern restrooms.  Wildcat Den State Park is located at 1884 Wildcat Den Road, Muscatine.

Ledges State Park

It’s with good reason that Ledges State Park is one of Iowa’s most iconic spots it’s full of bridges, trails, waterways and more wildlife than you can imagine.  While the park is mostly known as a great place for hiking, it’s also a fascinating place for history buffs, as the park is riddled with ancient ruins throughout. Ledges offers several campsites, including electrical hookups, non-electric hookups, and some hike-in. Modern restrooms, showers, a trailer dump station and a playground are also located in the campground.  Ledges State Park is located at 1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA 50156.

Backbone State Park

Backbone State Park

This incredible State Park was one of the first in Iowa, dedicated all the way back in 1920.  100 years later Backbone State Park is still one of Iowa’s most popular. The well maintained hiking trails are rugged and winding, and cover more than 20 miles of Iowa’s most scenic country.  The most popular is the Backkbone trail this loop trail follows a tall narrow ridge line along the inside bend of the river with several overlooks into the valley below. Backbone State Park is also one of the only parks in Iowa that allows rock climbing!  With so much to see and do Backbone is a great vacation destination and has several overnight accommodation options, including campsites, within two campgrounds, and 16 different modern cabins to reserve. Backbone State Park is located at 1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038.

Pikes Peak State Park

Iowa’s state parks are truly the hidden treasures of the Midwest. Most visitors to Pikes Peak State Park in McGregor, Iowa, stop by to take in the view of the Mississippi River from a 500-foot-high cliff, but there’s more to see here! One of the best places to visit in Iowa’s state park network is the breathtaking Bridal Veil Falls in Pikes Peak State Park. In the fall, this trail is one of the states most popular places for fall foilage. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better view anywhere in the Midwest – it will truly take your breath away. Pikes Peak State Park is a great place to camp, too, if you want to take your time exploring the enormous park. Pikes Peak State Park is located at 32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157.

West Falls

West Falls, and its near neighbor, East Falls, are on the way to Lake Eerie. The best view of West Falls on the West Fork Black River is from the observation deck at the end of a 1.2-mile trail, some of which is paved. West Falls is 30 feet high and you can view them from the bridge above as well as the observation deck. Two or three separate flows descend from the top of the falls, crashing into the river below. East Falls is about a mile away if you want to see both on the same visit.

Paine Falls

The setting is lovely – a multi-tiered waterfall where you can sit at a table with a picnic. Facilities are good, including restrooms, but take note of the instructions to stay on the marked trails. The falls are in the park of the same name. You will find it if you are traveling between Buffalo and Cleveland and you are fairly close to Lake Erie. Their height is around 25-feet and the best photograph is from downstream. A bridge crosses the creek upstream but the view of the waterfall from there is limited.

Lanterman’s Falls

These Falls in Mills Creek Park get their name because of the proximity of the restored Lanter’s Mill, which opened in the mid-19th Century. It is still in operation and you can buy its flour at a gift shop. There is a drop of 15 feet and still enough force to power the mill for several months in the year before the water hurries down the gorge below. You can get a nice photo from the side and above the falls. If you want to hike around this lovely region, make sure you have comfortable footwear.

Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls are fairly narrow but have become one of the most visited falls in Ohio State. That is because they are family-friendly and offer the chance to cool off on a hot day. Their appearance changes by the season with the flow of water. Inside the state park, you will see caves and cliffs around this 50-foot waterfall. Visitors facilities are excellent and have led to even greater numbers coming, without the environment being spoilt in the least.The trails are good and cyclists can explore the park at their leisure – all stop to look at the falls.

Fallsville Falls

Fallsville Falls have remained largely a secret; they do not merit much mention on the website of State Department of Natural Resources but can accurately be described as stunning. The falls are close to the source of Clear Creek and largely hidden away. However, once you know where they are, it is less than a 10-minute walk, descending into the gorge on the final stretch. They are 15 feet high and best seen in the spring. They may even dry up by the end of the summer.

Cloudland Canyon State Park

Tucked away in Cloudland Canyon State Park is a mesmerizing world of wonderful nature and breathtaking views seen the edges of the canyon walls. Be sure to bring your camera to commemorate this underappreciated yet gorgeous hidden Georgian gem. You will definitely want to bring your camera for this one. Follow Sitton’s Gulch train for some of the best views down into the canyon and bluffs that stretch thousands of feet away. There are some magical creeks also gentling curving through the abyss and adding to the enchantment of the park. What are you waiting for? Try the road less traveled and prepare to be amazed by this unassuming state park. For more information, click here.

Chattahoochee National Forest

FIND Outdoors

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest provides the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 867,000 acres across 26 counties, thousands of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. For more information, click here.

Amicalola Falls State Park

Northeast of Dawsonville, Georgia, on the cusp of the North Georgia Mountains, sits Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge. A nature lover’s wonderland, it’s only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail and within the Chattahoochee National Forest. The park is named after its most treasured feature, Amicalola Falls – a magnificent 729-foot waterfall that’s the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. In the thick of the spectacular terrain, stands Amicalola Falls Lodge – a beacon of comfort, rejuvenation, and true Georgia adventure. At Amicalola Falls Lodge, almost every room has a view. The breathtaking vistas and spectacular sunsets await behind the door. Time spent at a destination of this caliber turns an ordinary trip into a great escape. Whether you are planning a corporate meeting, a family reunion, a friendly mountain getaway or a romantic rendezvous, Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge offers amazing accommodations and world-class recreation on the southern tier of the Appalachian Mountain Range. For more information, click here.

Fort Yargo State Park

Fort Yargo State Park/Facebook

Located between Atlanta and Athens, this popular park features a 1792 log fort built by settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. Today, visitors come to Fort Yargo for its wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery. Overnight guests can choose from fully equipped cottages or cozy campsites. For a more unique experience, visitors can reserve lakeside “glamping” yurts, which are permanent canvas and wooden “tents.” Each yurt has furniture and electricity inside and a fire ring, picnic table and grill outside. A 260 acre lake offers a large swimming beach, fishing and boat ramps. Mountain bikers and hikers can test their endurance on 20.5 miles of trails. The park’s wooded disc golf course is exceptionally challenging. Fort Yargo State Park is also a beautiful location for outdoor weddings, reunions and other celebrations. Visitors have a choice of numerous facilities for all budgets, ranging from group shelters to lake-view pavilions. For more information, click here.

Vogel State Park

One of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Driving from the south, visitors pass through Neel Gap, a beautiful mountain pass near Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. Vogel is particularly popular during the fall when the Blue Ridge Mountains transform into a rolling blanket of red, yellow and gold leaves. Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, including the popular 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, an easy lake loop that leads to Trahlyta Falls, and the challenging 13-mile Coosa Cottages, campsites and primitive backpacking sites provide a range of overnight accommodations. The park’s 22 acre lake is open to non-motorized boats, and during summer, visitors can cool off at the mountain-view beach. This park is rich in history, with many facilities being constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during our nation’s Great Depression. The “CCC Boys” story is told in the park’s museum. The CCC museum is open seasonally. For more information, click here.

Medicine Park Falls

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The resort of Medicine Park in SW Oklahoma developed as a resort town almost a century ago and families still head here in numbers. The attraction of the creek is obvious, with its waterfall within the town – much wider than it is high. The nearby Wichita Mountains and Lake Lawtonka add to the appeal of the region. Several cascades are found locally and swimming in the cool waters on a hot, sunny day is a delight. Several bridges cross the creek, providing great photo opportunities.

Little Niagara

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This Chickasaw National Recreation Area has been delighting visitors for decades. Just 90 minutes from Oklahoma City, it is a realistic day trip. The surroundings are wonderful, with the freshwater springs a great place to cool off. Travertine Creek has several cascades along its length Little Niagara is a favorite picnic place for families on the Creek. It gets its name because of its width rather than its height. Biking and hiking in the region are popular from early spring onwards, although the park is open all year round.

Beavers Bend Waterfall

Brad Remy / shutterstock

Head for South East Oklahoma and you will see nature at its best. The sound of the fast-flowing water of Beavers Bend Waterfall on Mountain Fork River adds to the sounds of nature itself. Water cascades down boulders at some pace during high season. The water is cold but you are welcome to swim – it is refreshing on a hot day. Hiking trails in Beavers Bend are very appealing, with good camping facilities for families. You can rent a kayak if you want to take to the water, or learn more about the area in a little museum.

Bricktown Falls

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Bricktown is a district of Oklahoma City and its canal attracts tourists every year. The waters are calm but many water taxi passengers come to check out the manmade Bricktown Falls that run alongside. Bricktown is an ongoing development project aimed at attracting tourists to the former site of William Cody’s Wild West Show. The falls play a central role in attracting tourists. If you are considering a tour of Oklahoma’s waterfalls, this is an excellent starting point.

Turner Falls

Turner Falls Park/Facebook Page

One of the tallest waterfalls in Oklahoma is Turner Falls in the park of the same name near Davis. A 77-foot cascade of water drops into a natural pool below, just inviting you to swim. The falls are a famous landmark in Oklahoma and families frequent them on a regular basis – partly because they are so accessible. You can enjoy a picnic and swim on a day trip, but camping is also popular – whether in a tent or RV. The Arbuckle Mountains are a great place to hike, explore caves and simply enjoy the natural environment.