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Lonely PlanetAug 24, 2026

The Best Permit-Only Hikes in the US – and How to Actually Get a Spot

Navigate the permit systems and secure a spot on these top hiking trails in the USA.

25 things in this story

Sequoia National ParkPlacePark where one route for Mt Whitney begins.
Elsewhere
Half DomeSightYosemite Valley, United StatesInfamous Yosemite hike requiring permits when cables are up.
Kalalau TrailTrailHāʻena, United StatesSpectacularly rugged trail to cliff-framed Kalalau Beach.
Hāʻena State ParkSightHāʻena, United StatesPark providing access to the Kalalau Trail.
The WaveTrailPage, United StatesLayered orange and pink sandstone swirls in rugged desert.
Wire Pass TrailheadTrailPage, United StatesTrailhead for The Wave, 1 hour from Page, Arizona.
Angels LandingTrailZion, United StatesSteep, narrow trail with chains and sheer drops.
The GrottoSightZion, United StatesStarting area for the Angels Landing hike.
Refrigerator CanyonSightZion, United StatesScenic canyon passed through on Angels Landing hike.
Walter’s WigglesSightZion, United StatesFamed switchbacks on the Angels Landing trail.
Mt WhitneyTrailLone Pine, United StatesTallest mountain in the Lower 48, requires wilderness permits.
Inyo National ForestSightLone Pine, United StatesForest where one route for Mt Whitney begins.
Whitney PortalTrailLone Pine, United StatesMost popular starting point for Mt Whitney hike.
Alabama HillsNature reserveLone Pine, United StatesUnderrated area near Mt Whitney worth visiting.
The EnchantmentsTrailLeavenworth, United StatesUnspoiled wilderness with craggy peaks and glassy lakes.
Alpine Lakes WildernessSightLeavenworth, United StatesWilderness area in the Cascade Mountains.
Stuart LakeTrailLeavenworth, United StatesPopular starting point for The Enchantments hike.
Leavenworth Ranger StationSightLeavenworth, United StatesLocation for daily lottery for The Enchantments permits.
Mist TrailTrailYosemite Valley, United StatesTrailhead for Half Dome hikes in Yosemite Valley.
Curry Village tent cabinsHotelYosemite Valley, United StatesLodging near Half Dome trailhead in Yosemite Valley.
Nāpali CoastSightHāʻena, United StatesSpectacular coastline on Kauaʻi, accessible by boat, helicopter, or trail.
Snow LakesTrailLeavenworth, United States
Leavenworth ShuttlePlaceLeavenworth, United States
Loop ConnectorPlaceLeavenworth, United States
Pizza DeckRestaurantYosemite Valley, United States

Read the full piece at Lonely Planet →

Atlas ObscuraAug 17

15 Best Places to Experience Bioluminescence

The humble glow worm is, in fact, a catchall term for numerous glowing creatures, from gnat larvae to fire flys to algae, that can be found all over the world. These tiny critters illuminate the night through bioluminescence, a process in which light is emitted by internal chemical reactions. Bioluminescence has evolved independently in over 90 different species, first emerging some 540 million…

15 sights in this story

Glowing Millipedes of Sequoia National ParkSightMotyxia millipedes use bioluminescence as a warning.
Elsewhere
Waipu CavesSightWaipu, New ZealandLesser-known alternative to Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Glowworm TunnelSightHelensburgh, AustraliaGlowworms settled in on the roof, illuminating the air.
Sea of StarsSightVaadhoo, MaldivesPhytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum move with waves.
Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky MountainsSightGatlinburg, United StatesRare breed of firefly, P. carolinus, flashes in unison.
Newnes Glow Worm TunnelSightPutty, AustraliaSandstone tunnel reclaimed by Arachnocampa richardsae larvae.
Bloody Bay Coral WallSightLittle Cayman, Cayman IslandsCoral wall home to microscopic bioluminescent creatures.
Blue Ghost FirefliesSightHendersonville, United StatesFlightless females glow and streak through the sky.
Glistening WatersSightFalmouth, JamaicaAgitation produces a strange and beautiful blue-green light.
Kampung Kuantan Fireflies ParkSightBestari Jaya, MalaysiaTens of thousands of fireflies blink in perfect unison.
Gippsland Lakes BioluminescenceSightRaymond Island, AustraliaAlgae bloom of Noctiluca Scintillans visible at night.
The Firefly Squid of Toyama BaySightNamerikawa, JapanWatasenia scintillans light up like blue glow sticks.
Waitomo Glowworm CavesAttractionWaitomo, New ZealandThousands of bioluminescent larvae create starlike lights.
The Milky SeasSightSomaliaOcean area glows due to bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio harveyi.
Dismals CanyonSightPhil Campbell, United StatesCanyon lights up with hundreds of bioluminescent gnat larvae.

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

OutsideJun 29

National Parks Out West Get All the Hype, but I Prefer Our Eastern Ones. Here’s Why.

Sure, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon are impressive, but our national parks columnist argues national parks in the East rival their popular counterparts out West when it comes to biodiversity, accessibility, and more.

21 things in this story

Sequoia National ParkPlacesheer volume of the trees is awesome
Elsewhere
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United Stateswater is boiling and tie-dyed
Grand CanyonSightGrand Canyon Village, United Statescontemplated the insignificance of humankind
Angels LandingTrailSpringdale, United Stateshit by vertigo
Half DomeSightYosemite Valley, United Statesawestruck at the sheer size of the rock
New River GorgeNature reserveOak Hill, United StatesEstablished in 1978 as a national river and redesignated in 2020, the park and preserve stretches…
Great Smoky MountainsPlaceGatlinburg, United StatesThey are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains and form part of the Blue Ridge Physiographic Province.
EvergladesPlaceHomestead, United StatesJust an hour from Miami, the 1.5 million acres of Floridian flora and fauna that make up the Everglades are home to…
BiscaynePlaceHomestead, United StatesWithin sight of Miami, yet worlds away, Biscayne protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and…
Dry TortugasPlaceKey West, United StatesThe park preserves Fort Jefferson and the several Dry Tortugas islands, the westernmost and most isolated of the…
Denali National ParkHotelDenali, United Statestallest mountain in the U.S.
El CapSightYosemite Valley, United Statestallest vertical rock face in the world
Crater Lake National ParkPlaceCrater Lake, United Statesdeepest lake in the U.S.
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkPlaceGatlinburg, United Statesbiodiverse regions, black bears and massive elk
Shenandoah National ParkPlaceLuray, United Stateshardwood forest painted red, yellow, and orange
GSMNPPlaceGatlinburg, United Statessynchronous fireflies coordinate their light show
Appalachian TrailTrailGatlinburg, United Statesmost famous footpath in the world
Blue Ridge ParkwaySightAsheville, United Stateslongest linear park in the country
AcadiaNature reserveBar Harbor, United States
ShenandoahPlaceLuray, United States
CongareePlaceHardeeville, United States

Read the full piece at Outside →

OutsideMay 2

10 Common Items That Could Get You Kicked Out of a National Park

Planning a National Park trip? Before you load the car, check this list. These items are prohibited, and could land you a hefty fine or jail time.

Atlas ObscuraOct 14, 2025

Sam Sanders: How to Become a Nature Girly

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and all major podcast apps. Dylan Thuras: So obviously we’re going to be talking about place and the way that place impacts who you are. I would love to hear about growing up in Texas. Sam Sanders: I grew up around San Antonio in the San Antonio greater metro area. And my home-home-hometown is this little town called Seguin, Texas, which is abo…

5 sights in this story

SequoiasSight
Elsewhere
Joshua Tree National ParkSightJoshua Tree, United StatesTrees out of outer space, like walking on another planet.
Charles RiverParkCambridge, United StatesWalked along it daily for graduate studies.
White Sands National ParkSightAlamogordo, United StatesLike being on another planet.
Huntington Dog BeachSightHuntington Beach, United StatesMile and a half strip for dogs off leash.

Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →