• Hikes,  South Dakota

    Family Fun in Fort Pierre, South Dakota

    Looking for a family getaway full of outdoor recreation, historic sites, and small town charm? Check out the quaint and lovely town of Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Located just across the river from the state capitol, Fort Pierre is a wonderful destination full of adventure for the whole family. Things to do in Fort Pierre, South Dakota Fort Pierre offers a convenient road trip location just 30 minutes north of I-90 in central South Dakota. The town has a storied…

  • Day Trip,  Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri

    Walk the Streets of a Ghost Town at Old Greenville, Missouri

    When it comes to the idea of ghost towns, you probably think of rickety buildings standing in the mountains or deserts of locations far west. But you can find some interesting ghost towns in Missouri as well. You can view the streets, sidewalks, and foundations of a 200 year old town at Old Greenville Recreation Site in southeastern Missouri. History of Old Greenville Greenville was first settled back in 1818 and was established as the county seat of Wayne County.…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  St. Louis

    Exploring Caverns and Rock Art at Piney Creek Ravine in Illinois

    Piney Creek Ravine Nature Preserve is a bit of a secret hike. Visit this spot even on a summer weekend and you may still have the whole trail to yourself. So many don’t realize this dramatic and historic spot exists tucked deep in the farm fields of southern Illinois. Not only does the preserve feature dramatic canyons and trickling creeks, but the main claim to fame here is the biggest display of prehistoric petroglyphs and pictographs in Illinois. You can…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis

    Wildflower Wonder at Valley View Glades Natural Area in Missouri

    Less than an hour south of St. Louis lies one of our favorite and uncrowded spots to hike. Tucked away off the highway near Hillsboro, Valley View Glades is a 225 acre site with a mix of dolomite glades, woodlands, and trickling streams. This mostly undisturbed area looks very much like what would have greeted early French settlers to the area. Native wildflowers flourish in the open glades and put on an impressive display in spring and summer. In the…

  • Hikes,  Hiking,  Illinois,  Kids,  Missouri,  St. Louis,  Trips

    Best St. Louis Area Hiking Books

    Have you been wanting to take a hike but don’t know the best places to visit around St. Louis? Maybe you want to find a trail that is kid friendly or one that is not likely to be crowded. Maybe you have seen local pictures of a hiking trail with a beautiful waterfall or stunning overlook and want to know how to get there. The one hiking question I’m asked over and over is how exactly do I find all…