Virginia’s Peaks of Otter is one of my favorite spots along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With multiple incredible hikes, a lodge, and the beautiful Abbott Lake in the shadow of Sharp Top Mountain, it’s a perfect stop for hikers.

In the summer of 2017, I managed to snag a position as an Interpretive Park Ranger Intern at Shenandoah National Park; it was one of the best summers of my life! I got to explore much of the park in my time off, hiking to my heart’s content. The great thing about Shenandoah is that a lot of the hikes are on the shorter side and are relatively easy to access from Skyline Drive, which means you can see a lot in a short time. Here are a few of my favorite - and some of the park’

Perfect for a long weekend, this 3 day itinerary for exploring the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is made for hikers and first timers.

Plan your next hike to the waterfalls of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.