Author: marklongmainstream (Page 91 of 174)

The Woodland House

A special hideaway, The Woodland House invites you up a spiral stair tower to relax among the surrounding tree limbs. Secluded and warmed by the glow of a Hase wood burning stove, cozy nights and daydreams are yours to indulge.  For more information, click here.

Private Island Cabins

vrbo.com

The rich and famous aren’t the only ones who can rent a private island. Turns out, the option is available to us as well.  Perfectly secluded, the 5-acre island is mostly undeveloped and about a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. Spanning 2,000 square feet, the house can accommodate up to 16 people, making it perfect for large families and groups of friends. And since the house is equipped with amenities, like WiFi, central air, and satellite TV, you’re sure to feel right at home during your stay. For more information, click here.

The Glass House

An elevated camping experience, the Glass House provides comfortable shelter with only a whisper of structure between you and the outdoors. Listen as the wind pushes through tree leaves and crickets sing into the night. Here is a special closeness with the valley woods. For more information, click here.

Hillside Cabin

A simple sketch and first glimpse of the new Hillside Cabin we’re dreaming up! In this design we’ll be having fun with curves, specifically the front facing windows that share a rounded view of the valley woods. With 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, and ample square feet beyond the previous floor plan, the new Hillside is sure to be a favorite.  For more information, click here.

Stout’s Island Lodge

Stout’s Island Lodge offers a breathtaking setting for a quiet romantic getaway or an elaborate celebration for all of your nearest and dearest. Stout’s Island Lodge is a haven for recharging, unwinding, and reconnecting. It’s a magical place where modern comfort meets timeless elegance. For more information, click here.

Pam’s Grotto Falls

TommyBrison / shutterstock

If you’re at all like me, you’re probably asking yourself who’s Pam, and why does she have a grotto in Arkansas? Though these questions may never be answered, what’s important is that the cascade-style falls are nearly 40 feet tall, surrounded by pristine forest, and sport a cool cavern or grotto behind the falling water. The falls are in the Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area near the towns of Russellville and Clarksville. You can get to the falls from the parking area and the campground. Although the trail is easy to follow, it’s got some tricky areas so wear decent shoes. For more information, click here.

Falling Water Falls

Steve Brigman / shutterstock

Located in the Richland Creek portion of the Ozark National Forest, Falling Water Falls is considered by many who’ve seen them to be the most beautiful in the state. The area’s fascinating geology is comprised of interesting, stratified rock formations, boulders, and encroaching forests. Below the falls is a cool and swimmable pool, and it’s even possible to get behind the flowing water for a unique experience. The falls are viewable from the road if that’s more your style. They’re beautiful year-round, and in the winter during times of low temperature and water flow, large icicles often hang from the fall’s precipice. For more information, click here.

Mirror Lake Falls

Tammy Chesney / shutterstock

As you may have guessed, Mirror Lake Falls are in part famous for the reflections on their still waters that often resemble a painting. The lake was created in the ‘30s as a CCC project, which aimed at building important infrastructure and putting America’s largely idle workforce back to work. The waters are rich in game fish, especially trout, and below the falls there’s a large cavern created by overhanging rock that’s a really cool place to explore. The falls have multiple terraces, and can be viewed from a circular trail that is less than two miles long. For more information, click here.

Glory Hole Falls

westtexasfish / shutterstock

Fed by a spring that seeps through the rocks above the falls, Glory Hole Falls is one of the most popular in the Ozark Mountains. There’s also a large grotto below and behind the falls, and the area is a favorite with spelunkers who come to explore the labyrinth of caves that have been carved out of the rock over the years. The falls are near the town of Fallsville, and can be reached by the Glory Hole Falls Trail, which is about a 2-mile round trip, and only moderately difficult. The area has many amazing geological formations that you won’t see elsewhere. For more information, click here.

Forked Mountain Falls

Brittany Smith / Facebook

Located in the Ouachita National Forest that straddles the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas, Forked Mountain Falls are in the section of the park at the highest elevation. The falls themselves are relatively small, but their quaintness and the splendor of the surrounding park and 1,400-foot mountain on which you’re standing will leave you feeling content. The trail leading to the falls is near a popular campground and leads to the base of the falls. The trail is pretty easy, and once you’ve had your fill, keep going and you’ll come to another waterfall. For more information, click here.

Chimney Rock Campground

Chimney Rock is easily one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Iowa, and possibly the entire mid-west. Located in Cresco, Iowa, just 15 minutes north of Decorah. Featuring, 7 gorgeous cabins, as well as 30 campsites with electrical hook-ups, and 20+ primitive sites This small campground offers a relaxing, rustic country atmosphere. A weekend at Chimney Rock, is sure to create memories your family will cherish forever. For more information, click here.

Lost Island KOA

One of Iowa’s most popular campgrounds the Lost Island KOA is a perfect combination between camping and a resort style vacation.  The campground is conveniently located across the street, from the Lost Island Waterpark. The campground features 148 RV sites, 8 tent sites, and 13 cabins are available for rent.  Electricity is provided at all sites. The Lost Island KOA is located at 4550 Hess Rd, in Waterloo. For more information, click here.

Pulpit Rock Campground

If you want a camping experience with sights, activities and close proximity to small town America, then Pulpit Rock Campground is just what you’re looking for. Located just two miles from downtown Decorah, you can enjoy all the town has to offer simply by walking or biking. There are 56 back in sites, 19 pull through sites, and 37 tent sites. For more information, click here.

The KOA in Des Moines

The KOA in Des Moines Iowa is really a great family retreat campground more than anything. They have tons of activities for the whole family including 2 dog parks, trampoline basketball, paddle boats, peddle cards and more to go along with tons of planed weekend activities every weekend throughout the summer. They offer tent campsites, glamping tent sites, RV camping sites, cabin rentals, and even deluxe cabin rentals. For more information, click here.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Nestled beside the Maquoketa River in Monticello between Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort Monticello is a family-friendly camping destination that has been a family tradition since 1974 and is widely recognized as one of the premier campgrounds in Iowa.  Relax and enjoy the unique seasons of Iowa in your tent or RV – or one of the rental cabins and campers. Enjoy the heated pool while the kids enjoy the numerous planned activities. For more information, click here.

Looking for a cabin with its own private pool? Click here.

Princess Falls

DMS Foto / shutterstock

This waterfall on Lick Creek in Daniel Boone National Forest is thought to have got its name from a Native American princess – Cornblossom of the Cherokee tribe. If you follow the Lick Creek Trail, you will find a few good vantage points for a photograph. They are almost 3.5 miles from the start of the trail; there you will reach the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail that runs beside the Big South Fork River. The forest is especially beautiful when all the flowers are in bloom. Dogs are allowed, but only on a leash. For more information, click here.

Cumberland Falls

Kenneth Keifer / shutterstock

The most impressive waterfalls are those that have genuine volume. Cumberland Falls has earned the nickname ‘’The Niagara of the South’’ precisely because of the volume of water dropping over the sandstone – 3,600 cubic feet. The falls are 68 feet high and 125 feet wide and make a most impressive sight and sound. They are arguably even more impressive at night time when there is a full moon; the mist produced often creates a spectacular moonbow. For more information, click here.

Meadow Creek Falls

Jimmy New / Facebook

The main falls are seasonal but there is also a series of cascades above them to enjoy once you head on from Mill Springs. The cascades vary in drops of between 3 and 6 feet and stretch back many hundred feet from the falls. At their best, the falls are 35 feet of powerful water, which can be viewed either from within the cascades or below. Obviously, you need to take care of slippery stones if you venture close to get the best pictures. Get there in spring. For more information, click here.

Eagle Falls

Alexey Stiop / shutterstock

Whilst not as large as Cumberland Falls, Eagle Falls are most impressive, especially in the springtime. The flow drops markedly through summer unless there has been heavy rain. They are 44 feet high with the water pouring down into a rocky cove. The setting is beautiful, as is every step of the 1.5-mile trail you take to reach them. The location is Daniel Boone National Forest and the walk is not too strenuous, so active kids will enjoy it. The State Park is open year-round. For more information, click here.

Flat Lick Falls

Patrick Jennings / shutterstock

These falls are among the least known in Kentucky yet they offer lovely views. It’s a great place for a picnic. They lie about seven miles south of McKee in a region that is perfect for camping and hiking. There is rarely a huge amount of water cascading down, but the setting – surrounded by greenery – makes for a lovely photograph. An improved visitor infrastructure is in progress, with viewing platforms providing different vistas of the falls. You can park nearby and basic camping is available. For more information, click here.

Meramec River

Meramec Caverns

The Meramec River is an incredible opportunity, to enjoy a day on the river. Kayaks, canoes, inner tubes, and even rafts are a great way to navigate the river. We put in at Meramec State Park and floated down stream to Meramec Cavern.  We enjoyed our float trip in kayaks, and the trip lasted about 3 hours. Expect a longer trip with a different vessel. Your trip down river, takes you under bridges, and past towering bluffs, you will pass sand bars, a cave, and even a rope swing. This stretch of river is gorgeous, and is a perfect place to enjoy a warm summer day. There are several outfitters in the area, but my personal favorite is Caveman Floating found a Meramec Cavern. For more information, click here.

Current River

The current river is one of the most beautiful water trails in the Midwest.  With crystal clear water, towering bluffs, and several caves right on the water. The Current River is spring fed and moves through stunning Ozark landscapes, with bluffs ranging in height from 12 feet to 200 feet. The water has a constant year round temperature of 58 degrees.  Which makes it one of only a few places, you can kayak in the middle of winter. A float trip on the Current River is an experience you won’t forget. There are several great options to access the river.   The most scenic section, stretches from Cedar Grove to Round Springs, about 29 miles. Current River Canoe Rental is our favorite outfitter in the area. For more information, click here.

Crystal City Underground

Weather your an adventure junkie like me, or its your first time in a kayak, this is one Adventure you won’t want to miss! The 3 hour tour takes you up to 400 feet below ground, as you navigate your kayak through the flooded former sand mine.  On your tour you will pass such sights as the “Birth Canal,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “The Squeeze,” ” The Car Wash” and the “Townsend Center”which is the largest opening in the mine. All tours are run by expert guides of great personality, who do an outstanding job both guiding the tour and providing an interesting/entertaining history of the mine.  To reserve your spot call (636) 208-5026  to find out more about this amazing kayak tour click here.

The Black River 

Facebook/Jeff’s Canoe Rental

The Black River is located in the south-eastern portion of Missouri just south of the Mark Twain National Forest near Pilot Knob. It is perfect for kayakers in that it is relatively shallow in many places, and these shallow waters offer crisp views several feet down. However, the magnificent thing about the Black River is that there are many shut-ins along the navigable stretches, and these shut-ins allow you to travel off the main river into a variety of scenic gorges. When you visit these shut-ins, you should look for white pelicans and blue heron as well as the occasional black bear dangling in trees. There are numerous outfitters along the river, our favorite is Black River Outfitters at Horseshoe Ranch. For more information, click here.

The North Fork White River

River of Life Farm

Continually replenished by the eighth largest spring system in Missouri, the North Fork River is always ready for your kayak. Nestled among the notable beauty of the southern portion of the Ozarks, paddling along this river exposes you to the beauty of the bluffs and the massive ridges along the shoreline that are followed by peaceful meadows and deep woods, all of which work together to provide a kayaking experience like no other. Additionally, this river is rated as Class I and as Class II, which means you can enjoy smooth waters as well as small rapids, making it a good choice for beginners and younger paddlers. There are several outfitters in the area, our personal favorite is River Of Life Farm. For more information, click here.