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When it comes to wild places worthy of federal protection, the Natural State is a place of firsts. Hot Springs Reservation, now called Hot Springs National Park, was the first piece of land in the U.S. to be federally preserved for recreation. This happened in 1832, long before the concept of national parks had even been considered. In 1972, another first for the nation came from the Natural State. The incredibly scenic Buffalo River was designated as the first National River....

Forecasters are calling for another grueling week of temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s with more of the sticky humidity that we have grown to loathe… how do you plan to beat the heat? Our suggestion: take a dip in the clear and pristine waters of eastern Kansas’s Clinton Lake. FourSquare/Seth C. FourSquare/Seth C. Yelp According to both visitor reviews (on websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor) and national websites (like Fox News), Clinton Lake is heaven on earth for those trying to beat the heat, take a hike, or embark on new adventures....

Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is one of the most enchanting places in the U.S. This pristine wilderness is best enjoyed by embarking on one of the many trails available. In fact, one such trek is recognized by National Geographic as one of the World’s Top 20 Hikes. The 34-mile trek is located in Olympic National Park and spans from Dosewallips to Lake Quinault. If you’re not opposed to a little (or lots) of rain, this trail is well-worth seeing....

Cape Hatteras is more than majestic. With miles of untouched seashore, unique wildlife, enchanting coastal marshland, and the iconic lighthouse – it doesn’t get much better. Due to the forces from wind, surf, and storms the islands are ever changing and adjusting. Visit after visit, there’s still something new to witness. While summer sees a record peak in visitation, winter is the perfect time to plan a trip. Flickr / Alistair Nicol...

They don’t say “Keep Austin Weird” for nothing. I don’t think there’s a high enough number to count all the strange occurrences that have happened here. I could write a book on this topic, but I decided to stick with 10 of the weirdest things I could find. Here they are: In 1962, Janis Joplin was voted “ugliest man on campus” at the University of Texas. Flickr/lookingforjanis Lady Bird Johnson refused to have the town lake named after her, so they waited until she died to name it after her anyway....

Winter in Ohio can be stunningly beautiful. There are several parks, forests and other destinations that are just as beautiful to explore during the winter months as they are to explore during the spring, summer and fall months. The following are 11 places in Ohio that we think you should take the time to explore this winter after you’ve had enough cabin fever. Old Man’s Cave (Hocking Hills State Park) Chris Palmer/Flickr Ohio’s favorite hiking spot transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the winter months....

Looking for a way to stay out of the heat? If you want something more exciting than heading to the nearest lake, these waterparks are sure to do the trick! Packed with lazy rivers, gargantuan slides, every type of pool imaginable, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful time! 1 Soak City Waterpark at Valleyfair. Classic amusement park you’ll find plenty of slides, rides, and a great wave pool! Valleyfair...

How do you know if you are truly a Louisianian? If you’ve been here all your life and so has your family, it’s probably simple enough—but what if you moved here a little while ago? Here are some things to watch out for to see if you have that Louisiana life seeping into your blood: Start a pot of rice before you even start your coffee. flickr.com/photos/chadmagiera That’s how you make sure everyone you love is well fed....

A year in North Dakota is packed with awesome festivals and events that center around anything from food to heritage to music and more. However, there is one spectacle in particular that takes place each year you do not want to miss. Make sure to mark your calendars for this one, because you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. The Medora Hot Air Balloon Rally is a truly magnificent sight that will happen on September 9th-10th this year....

Oklahomans have been stereotyped for far too long. Contrary to what others think, we are NOT all from the country or out-of-shape, so let’s set the record straight. The following are some common stereotypes about Oklahomans and the state itself: We don’t all drive pick-up trucks. flickr/rich anderson Or wear cowboy boots. flickr/omar barcena Walmart is not the only place we shop. flickr/mike mozart Everybody does not go to church…but almost....

If you live in or have visited New Mexico, you probably know a few things about Albuquerque. There are more than 887,000 people living in the Albuquerque Metro Area, which easily makes it our state’s biggest city. The city is extensive, covering 187 square miles; the Sandia Mountains dominate the landscape. So Albuquerque both soars and sprawls! That makes it hard to take in Albuquerque in one go. The best way to view it is from above....

There are many super tiny towns that are located throughout Nevada. I recently covered 12 of them on a previous list. Of course, there are many more than those 12. Here are 10 more super tiny towns that are located throughout Nevada: Austin, NV (Population 417) wikimedia commons Austin is located in Lander County, nestled in the beautiful Toiyabe Mountain Range. Walker Lake, NV (Population 275) flickr/Alan Levine The town of Walker Lake is located along the southwest shore of Walker Lake, in Mineral County....

Believe it or not, many people have heard of Wormsloe Plantation in Savannah, Georgia, or even seen those famed pictures of the tree-lined drive, but haven’t actually visited the Historic Site. If you haven’t yet made the trek to Wormsloe Historic Site, then it’s time to cross this easy one off your bucket list. Not only is Wormsloe just a hop-skip-and-a-gas-tank away, but it also boasts one of the most beautiful drives in the state....

Spring is here, summer is approaching, and we just can’t get enough of the beautiful sunshine and vibrant landscape! Once again, we’ve compiled some stunning photos of Idaho sunsets that will inspire you, relax you, and make you want to take a moment on your next road trip to stop and enjoy the colorful view – wherever you happen to be! The Idaho Tetons simply bask in the glow of the setting sun in this photo....

Christmas celebrations are in full swing and there’s no better way than exploring all our state has to offer. From light displays to even a statewide Christmas road trip, there’s plenty of ways to ring in the season. One tradition will take you back in time and is a must for Christmas cheer! Historic Latta Plantaion Celebrate the Christmas of yesteryear at historic Latta Plantation in Huntersville. 100 years of Christmas takes place November 26th (today) and Christmas by Candlelight happens on Dec....

Everyone’s mom says that they are the most beautiful baby. But these Illinois babies are actually very pretty. Here are 13 of the most beautiful people ever born in Illinois. Michelle Obama Steve Jurvetson/Flickr The First Lady of the United States was born in Chicago. Maria Shriver Kelly Huston/Flickr Arnold Schwarzenegger’s former wife was also born in Chicago. Jennie Garth Alan Light/Flickr Jennie Garth was born in Urbana, Illinois. John Cusack David Sifry/Flickr John Cusack was born in Evanston....

L&A Family Farms in Paris, Illinois is known for many things; they raise many types of livestock and grow over 50 types of fruits and vegetables. But, what many visitors to their farm enjoy most are their gorgeous sunflowers spread across two acres of farm land. Keep reading to find out what makes this incredible sunflower farm even more special! Each July, the sunflowers slowly start to bloom. L&A Family Farms/Facebook When the middle of the month hits, the field begins to turn from green to yellow....

Alabama is filled with many charming and unique towns. Among these towns is one that’s well known for its fishing industry, which has lead it to become one of the most famous fishing towns in the United States. Most fishing towns have changed throughout the years, but this one seems to be frozen in time. This fishing town is Bayou La Batre. flickr/Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Bayou La Batre, located in Mobile County, is a charming fishing village with a population of nearly 3,000 residents....

The Portland Underground—more commonly referred to as the Shanghai Tunnels—is a network of underground tunnels that is said to be the most haunted place in the city, and one of the most haunted places in the entire country. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, the terrifying history of this place will send chills down your spine. Located beneath the streets of Portland’s Old Town district, these tunnels are said to have been a hotspot for illegal activity (most notably between 1850-1941), including “shanghaiing”: the act of kidnapping people and selling them into slavery as crewmen on departing ships....

There’s something tragically haunting about abandoned power plants. What once stood as a source of industry and prosperity now stands in ruins, no longer serving much use. Like skeletons, these buildings serve as reminders of what once was. These 12 photographs are particularly haunting and provide a glimpse into the eerie remains of power plants from around the country: Burlington, Vermont Jay Parker/flickr Sandsprings, Oklahoma michael/flickr San Fransisco, California Thomas Hawk/flickr...