While in Colorado, I hiked an incredible trail in Arapaho National Forest. Rather than writing a trail guide, though, this post is about the experience. Something I myself often forget. I did something different, and I encourage you to follow suite on your next adventure. I woke up with the sun (and the Border Collies) and basked in the early morning hush that draped the campground. The air was crisp and the day full of possibilities. I had one thing on the agenda, though, an

I just returned from my second ever epic mountain camping road trip. There were a few new apps on my phone this time around that made a huge difference in my travels. Download these before your next trip, and it could change everything! 1. Free campsites You wouldn't believe how many free campsites are out there! This was a great resource because of the detailed reviews from users. It actually helped me avoid a few. Really easy to use on the fly, this should definitely be on

While visiting family up in Fergus Falls, I took a day and night to explore Maplewood State Park, the 6th largest state park in Minnesota. Since it was a weekday, I practically had the entire park to myself. I chatted with the very friendly and helpful park rangers in the information center, selected a campsite, then explored several trails in the park. There are so many options! Here are a few experiences I can share; I hope you enjoy! Location: Pelican Rapids, MN Management

All Campgrounds Maplewood State Park Location: Pelican Rapids, MN Management: Minnesota State Parks & Trails Size: 71 drive-in sites, 32 electric sites, 3 backpack sites Cost: $17 for non-electric sites Environment: Glacial morain. Hardwood forests, Birch trees. Numerous lakes. Cell Phone Reception: Good Privacy: Varies by campground. Details below. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum length of leash Amenities: Varies by campground. Details below. Trails Nearby: 27 mile

Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes Regional Park Location: Wyoming, MN Management: Anoka County Parks & Recreation Cost: $5/day or $25/year. Car passes are NOT available at this location but can be purchased at other Anoka County parks. Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt and Grass Trails Environment: Pine, Oak, Elm Forest. Lakes. Marsh / Grassland. Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, Pick up Waste

On a sunny but windy Saturday in late February, I put the dogs in the car and we hit the road for a mini-adventure. A day trip up highway 35 from Minneapolis to Duluth with three well-researched stops planned out: Banning State Park, Jay Cooke State Park, and Park Point Duluth. Most of my research came from these books: Hiking Minnesota and Camping the North Shore. In the back of my mind, I was prepared to do car camping -- and by that I mean actually camping in one's car --

Banning State Park Location: Sandstone, MN (right off I-35) Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail: Skunk Cabbage Trail Duration: 1.5 hours Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt Trails Environment: Birch forest, Kettle River, rapids Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Good Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Winter parking at Picnic Area. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: Waterproof boots when hiking in early winter and early s

Snake River Campground Chengwatana State Forest Pine City, MN Management: Chengwatana State Forest Size: 26 sites Cost: $14 (non-reservable, first come first served, self pay box, cash/check only) Environment: Tall pine tree forest, river nearby, grasslands surrounding Cell Phone Reception: Good Privacy: Very Good Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash Amenities: Primitive. Pit-style toilets, Hand-pump water access Trails Nearby: Canoe launch at the river access. This idyllic little campgr

Lake Maria State Park Location: Monticello, MN Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Dirt Trails Environment: Primarily Oak Forest, some grassland, several lakes Degree of Difficulty: Moderate Cell Phone Reception: Good Parking: Plentiful, no charge. Main parking at trail center. Parking also available at the Lake. Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: Waterproof boots when hiking in early winter and early spring. L

For the most part, adventuring in nature is FREE! You can find open air, green grass, and hiking trails almost anywhere. Yet, there seem to be a lot of accessories and extras and bonuses that make adventuring, especially travel, cost more than a pretty penny. I'm a minimalist and also nearly debt-free; I have not used credit cards in two years and pay for everything with real money and savings. Suffice it to say, I'm pretty mindful about where I spend my money. I've put toget

I’m a wanderer, an adventurer, and a lone wolf. As an introvert, I find peace and solace in the silence of nature, in the aloneness of the wilderness. It fills up my internal well and brings me contentment. I do a lot of solo travel, and it’s thrilling, comfortable, and fulfilling for me, but for others it can be very scary to consider traveling without company. This article should inspire you to take to the road, to the trail, or to nature and experience adventure by yoursel

Exploring the great outdoors with your dog can be wonderful and exciting, but it can also sometimes be dangerous. Be prepared by keeping a first aid kit for your dog in your car. Backpacking or camping? Bring a mini-kit with you on the adventure. Here's a sampling of what I keep in my first aid kit for the adventure dogs. What else do you use? Have you had to use it? Add your thoughts to the comments below. Everything in red is what you should have on your person on the trail

Here's a video entry for ya! Trying something a little new and different. Loaded with great tips on hiking with your dog and some unwritten rules of the trail. Adventure On! Danielle #tips #hikingwithdogs #hiking #harness

I was talking with a friend one night, and she told me about a rough experience she had on an unfamiliar trail. She and her two dogs decided to explore a new park and headed out on a popular trail. Thinking it would be challenging but doable, they trekked onward until all of a sudden they were stuck. She and her dogs found themselves in the middle of a field of sharp rocks. The trail was unclear, there were no other hikers around, and her dogs were becoming distressed. Safety

Tales From the Trail William O’Brien State Park You may have read my trail guide for Afton State Park, also on the St Croix River in eastern Minnesota. You may have said, that’s really rugged and a little intimidating; I just want a moderate hike with an interesting landscape. This trail at William O’Brien State Park is going to be just the right fit for you, then. When I go to William O’Brien State Park, I really feel like I’m getting away from it all. Sure, you’ll run into

I'm thrilled to welcome my good friend Emily Lewis from A Click Away Training and her guest blog post about what to do when encountering an off leash dog on the trail. Emily is a exceptional dog trainer with years of experience helping humans connect with their four-legged friends. Visit A Click Away Training to learn more about her dog training business in Vermont and to get great training tips from her blog! Picture this. You're walking along a peaceful trail with your dogs

I had about as much fun preparing for my first backpacking adventure as I did actually going on the trip! There was a lot of research, packing, and planning that had to happen before I actually set out, though. Learn from my trials and tribulations by reading up on the tips below so that YOUR first backpacking adventure is smooth and full of fun. Have other tips to share? Leave me a comment at the end of the post! I'd love to hear how your adventure turned out. Note: This ar

One Mile Lake Nature Area Location: Fergus Falls, MN Management: Fergus Falls Fish & Game Club Trail Surface: Natural Surface - Grass Environment: Prairie, Marsh Degree of Difficulty: Easy Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: None posted Up in my hometown of Fergus Falls, MN, just an hour shy of Fargo off I-94, there is a trail system through the prairie hosted by the Fish & Game Club. This is Mica’s favorite place by far! He absolutely lov

There are a lot of unwritten rules when it comes to hitting the trail with your pup. Check out these two truths and a lie about trail etiquette and see which ones you knew! 1. The proper way to pass other hikers with dogs is to keep dogs on the outside. TRUTH. Keeping a short leash and having your dog on the outside of the trail helps keep stress levels low for both the dogs and the people in a pass by situation. It is much less likely for the dogs to want to greet each othe

This is a companion trail guide to an article originally featured on SidewalkDog.com on October 19, 2016. Afton State Park Location: Hastings, MN Management: Minnesota State Parks and Trails Trail Surface: Paved and Natural. Dirt, grass. Environment: Prairie, Deciduous Forest, St Croix River, Bluffs Degree of Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Cell Phone Reception: Excellent Parking: Plentiful, no charge Dog Rules: Dogs on Leash, 6 foot maximum Recommended Gear: A GOOD pair of