U.S. National Forests

A man in a hat and glasses stands outdoors, framed by a phone on the rocky landscape of Cochise Stronghold—Dragoon Mountains, Arizona. Text: “Insightful Reflections.” Subheading atop the phone reads, “EVENTUALLY COCHISE ESCAPED AND.” History meets moral crossroads.
Ready to confront uncomfortable truths about history and morality? Are we repeating past mistakes? It's time to reflect and decide which side of history we want to stand on.
A man wearing glasses and a green “Dublin” t-shirt smiles while sitting under a large rock formation, embodying human drive. Text reads: "Cochise Stronghold, Dragoon Mountains, Arizona" on the left and "Insightful Reflections" on the lower right. A smartphone frame surrounds him.
Hiking in Cochise Stronghold, I found pictographs, sparking thoughts on human creativity and change. Sitting in the shade of some huge boulders, I ask, "What are you creating?"
A man in a wide-brimmed hat and glasses stands outdoors among trees, embracing nature. Four inset photos highlight Cochise Stronghold, a historic wooden structure, a scenic mountain view, and a cave. Text reads: "Shea’s Rapid Recap #50" and "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver.
Explore Cochise Stronghold’s history and stunning landscapes in Southeast Arizona, discover hidden pictographs, and discover if a for-sale historic mercantile is for you!
Man in orange helmet talks in foreground; logo "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver" above. Three inset images: stone building with statue, a bus named "Royal Traveler," and a person eating a sandwich. Text: "Shea's Rapid Recap #47 Coronado National Forest and Memorial plus Fort Huachuca, Bisbee, & Arizona's National Scenic Trail.
Exploring Coronado National Forest, hiking sky islands, visiting military museums, and savoring local flavors in Bisbee. An adventure worth every step!
Man with glasses in the foreground speaking. Overlay text: "The Hiking CEO Shea Oliver," "Shea's Rapid Recap #46," detailing a journey through Arizona’s Past. Inset images showcase Coronado Forest, historic structures, and vibrant cactus scenes, all set against a sunny backdrop.
Explore historic Patagonia and Sonoita, AZ ranches, the scenic beauty of Coronado National Forest, and an unexpected challenge from a dirt road on my Ultimate American Quest.
A black Jeep with roof storage is parked next to a small, silver teardrop camper on a dirt clearing in the Sierra Vista District of Coronado National Forest. Sparse greenery and rugged hills surround the area, shaded by overhanging trees, creating a serene camping atmosphere under a partly cloudy sky.
Rolling back into a forest with larger trees was emotionally soothing and allowed me to check off National Treasure #48 on my quest list, with #49 and an interesting museum close by.
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Bennington, VT, was so much more than I expected. From the sixth largest monument in the United States to Early churches to the Bennington Museum and even CHOCOLATE!
A small camper trailer hitched to a Jeep is parked in a wooded area, surrounded by the vibrant autumn foliage of the Green Mountain National Forest.
After leaving Peekskill, I'm on my way to the Green Mountain National Forest and headed up to watch the leaves change colors and work for a few days.
Stone wall with a small, arched alcove made of red bricks at the base, partially filled with stones. Overgrown greenery, including leaves and small yellow flowers, surrounds the structure like those near the historic Bay Furnace Ruins by Lake Superior, giving it an abandoned, rustic appearance.
With all that I've been learning about taconite and iron mining over the last few weeks, I decided to visit one more historic site connected with iron ore mining around Lake Superior.
Dispersed Camping Near Two Harbors copy
To say I enjoyed myself with my friends Lynn and Erik would be a monstrous understatement; leaving was difficult, but I had a lighthouse and waterfalls to visit on Lake Superior.
Tall rock face with vertical striations, featuring a variety of brown and gray hues in the Boundary Waters terrain. Sparse green vegetation grows in crevices. The surface is weathered, with dark streaks and some moss. Sunlight illuminates the upper left corner, creating a soft glow.
One of the fantastic things I was introduced to while visiting Lynn and Erik was canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. And we saw pictographs by the water!
A sandy beach with a folding chair facing a calm lake, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky during daylight at South Pike Bay Campground in Chippewa National Forest.
After my fiasco in the forest yesterday, finding a official campsite, especially one with the beach, turned out to be exactly what I needed.
Free Samples at a Grocery Store Opening in Walker, MN (Rapid Recap #11 South Pike Bay Campground)
I was so happy to move from a roadside pullout to a gorgeous National Forest Campground with a private beach after having a blast at a grocery store opening in a nearby town.
A man wearing a blue cap and glasses stands smiling in front of the Chippewa National Forest sign. Behind him, the Shingobee Recreation Area unveils its dense forest under a cloudy sky.
After a long day driving from the Cheyenne National Grasslands, running errands in Fargo, ND, and almost getting stuck in the forest, I camped on the side of the highway.
A black Jeep with a roof rack tows a teardrop-shaped camper on a grassy clearing along Franklin Basin Road. Surrounded by leafless trees, in the backdrop of Cache National Forest, tall evergreens and snow-capped mountains rise under the clear blue sky, their shadows stretching across the ground.
Needing someplace for one night between the Sand Wash BLM land and the City of Rocks, I elected to spend a night in the forest, happy that the forest roads were finally melting.