Hawaii
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Haleakalā National Park |
63,206 |
|
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park |
28,991 |
|
Pipiwai Trail |
16,579 |
Haleakalā National Park is named for the dormant volcano within its bounds of the same name - but don’t worry, it’s thought to have last erupted around 1480-1600 AD! Catch a glimpse of the rare Nēnē bird, found only on select Hawaiian islands and in the national park, and soak up the gorgeous tropical vibes in Hawaii’s "house of the sun."
Take an adventure through the rainforest like @youradventurebestie at the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. If you dare to brave the park despite its two active volcanoes, you’ll be rewarded with sights of rare fauna and flora you won’t find anywhere else on Earth 🌿
All the way at the end of Pipiwai Trail you’ll be rewarded with Waimoku Falls. The trail’s round trip will take you between 2.5 and 5 hours depending on how much wildlife you stop to look at, which is likely a lot! 🌺
Idaho
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Coeur D’Alene |
26,152 |
|
Lake Pend Oreille |
24,621 |
|
Redfish Lake |
22,634 |
Edged with pine trees and snow-capped peaks, Lake Coeur D’Alene is a gem of the Pacific Northwest region. A popular vacation destination in the summer months, many flock here for beautiful walking trails, relaxing beaches, and to see bald eagles catching fish from Wolf Lodge Bay!
A lovely dog walking spot (as demonstrated by Raikou and Judge @howlingupnorth), Lake Pend Oreille is surrounded by lush forests like the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and the two-mile Maiden Rock Trail. Get back to nature with a head-clearing trip around this peaceful lake 🌲
At the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, you’ll find the stunning alpine Redfish Lake. Originally named for the wild sockeye salmon that visited the lake in vast quantities, they’re now endangered and must be returned to the water if caught. Luckily there’s plenty to see and do besides fishing here — like take a dip and appreciate the breathtaking mountain views.
Illinois
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Michigan |
2,413,977 |
|
Shawnee National Forest |
39,847 |
|
Chain O'Lakes |
17,324 |
Lake Michigan enters Illinois from the state’s northeast, creating pretty views and lakeside beaches. North Avenue Beach is known as Chicago’s most popular, while Waukegan Municipal Beach is quieter and perfect for swimming.
Fancy some rock climbing? Jackson Falls seasonal waterfall inside the Shawnee National Forest is the perfect location. Extremely popular with the climbing and road-tripping communities, there’s a campsite nearby for an exciting forest adventure.
Chain O’Lakes actually comprises 15 lakes, all connected by the Fox River. Attracting huge holiday crowds every year due to the masses of recreational activities in the area, you’ll have an incredible vacation here, whether you’re more of a bird-watcher or kayaker.
Indiana
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Michigan |
2,413,977 |
|
Indiana Dunes National Park |
11,343 |
|
Hoosier National Forest |
10,895 |
Check out this glorious sunset over Lake Michigan from Long Beach, Indiana. Yup, Lake Michigan borders Indiana and its neighbors Illinois and Michigan (plus Wisconsin). Explore the shoreline and take a hike on the Heron Rookery Trail where you’ll find a bird sanctuary, lush forests, sand dunes and more ☀️
Indiana’s first national park only became official in 2019, when Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore swapped its name. It’s America’s youngest national park, and like the excitable younger sibling of the family, is great fun to be around. Find incredible sandy beaches, grassy prairies and dazzling rivers in this charming park.
Skipping to the south side of Indiana, you’ll find a wonderful 204,000 acre wood in the Hoosier National Forest. It’s a popular spot for family camping, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding, plus you could spot some woodland wildlife in the form of otters, owls, herons and turkeys!
Iowa
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Okoboji |
13,533 |
|
Loess Hills |
8,956 |
|
Maquoketa Caves |
5,458 |
Looking for a perfect place to spend the 4th of July this year? Iowa’s Lake Okoboji puts on a sparkling show, as captured by @mr._ford. Lake Okoboji is actually part of an interconnected network of five lakes, of which West Lake Okoboji is the star with its clear blue water, measuring at 134 feet deep.
The stunning Loess Hills were formed in the Ice Age, as glaciers bulldozed their way through the Midwest, creating deep canyons and rolling hills. Today, the hills are grassy peaks that offer great views and amazing hiking trails.
Be sure to pack a flashlight before you venture down to Iowa’s Maquoketa Caves! 🔦 Set in Maquoketa State Park, the site has thirteen natural caves to explore, including Dancehall Cave which measures 1,100 feet.
Kansas
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Flint Hills |
50,086 |
|
Grinter Farms |
9,281 |
|
Clinton Lake |
8,974 |
Take a hike up the Flint Hills and you may be lucky enough to stumble across a herd of beautiful wild horses, like @ace2duce. The area, also known as Blue Stem Hills or Bluestem Pastures, begins in eastern Kansas and stretches through to northern Oklahoma.
Ever wondered where people get their gorgeous sunflower field Insta pics? One such place is Grinter Farms in Lawrence, Kansas. Hint: head down late August to early September to catch the flowers at their blooming best 🌻
Clinton Lake is alive with wildlife — from pelicans and great blue herons, to wild deer, rabbits and squirrels on the shore. Much of the surrounding land belongs to Clinton State Park which is known for biking trails, picnic locations and even geocaching!
Kentucky
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Cumberland |
89,061 |
|
Kentucky Lake |
44,707 |
|
Daniel Boone National Forest |
28,264 |
Get footloose and fancy free (like @mccul114) at Kentucky’s beautiful Lake Cumberland! Whether you’re a happy camper or you prefer lodge life, there’s something for everyone when staying at the Lake Cumberland State Resort Park. Don’t miss the Creelsboro Natural Arch, a natural bridge dating back 300 million years, located next to the bubbling Cumberland River.
Kentucky Lake is fun for all the family — including the furry ones! Around the lake site, you can go offroading, visit the Venture River Water Park, play a round of golf, and drive through the Elk & Bison Prairie in the Land Between the Lakes.
Daniel Boone National Forest is home to Red River Gorge, where you’ll find amazing natural rock formations. Just check out how the sun streams through the rocks and trees in the stunning image above! Other highlights of the forest include tons of wildlife, rock climbing, horse riding, boating, and of course scenic hiking trails galore.
Louisiana
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Pontchartrain |
36,247 |
|
Caddo Lake |
25,137 |
|
Avery Island |
18,321 |
Between New Orleans and the North Shore lies Lake Pontchartrain, offering a scenic location for a spot of boating, cycling along bike paths, or soaking up the scenery at a lakeside restaurant. Did you know that the bridge crossing it, Causeway Bridge, spans 23 miles and is the longest overwater bridge in the world!
Caddo is a lake and bayou (wetland) bordering Louisiana and Texas. Come here to swim, fish, paddle, stay at one of its 46 campsites, and see stunning cypress trees growing out of the water. Just make sure you refresh your alligator safety knowledge before your trip!
Avery Island is set on a huge salt dome, which Native Americans used to harvest and trade with trade with other tribes. As well as being home to various species of exotic plants, rare animals, and a bird sanctuary, Avery Island is also known as the birthplace of Tabasco Sauce, where you can take a tour of the museum!
Maine
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Acadia National Park |
455,050 |
|
Moosehead Lake |
34,787 |
|
Sebago Lake |
47,545 |
Get awesome, unparalleled views of the Milky Way from Boulder Beach at Acadia National Park. The perfect spot to camp under the stars, start a bonfire, and make happy memories! Acadia contains the US Atlantic coastline’s highest rocky headlands along with various other terrains and habitats.
Get a ferry across Moosehead Lake to visit Maine’s Mount Kineo ⛰️ there you can choose between two trails: Bridle Trail, a gradual hike to the summit, or the steeper Indian Head Trail. However, both are leisurely trails suitable for all the family! The hardest part is perhaps crossing the choppy (but beautiful) lake to get there!
Through the thick woods of Sebago Lake State Park you’ll find clear blue water with great swimming access. Some say Sebago Lake’s pretty beaches rival those on the coast! Head to Songo River Beach inside the state park, or Tassel Top Beach in Raymond for beautiful beaches you won’t believe are lakeside.
Maryland
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Assateague Island |
94,078 |
|
Deep Creek Lake |
66,749 |
|
Loch Raven Reservoir |
9,112 |
Assateague Island has a thriving wild horse population. Watch these beauties gallop along the beach and through pastures, but be careful not to disturb them! Besides pony spotting, visitors can camp, kayak, hire bikes, go crabbing, swim, and much more on the island.
Waterfalls are some of nature’s most beautiful features. Take a trip to Muddy Creek Falls in Deep Creek Lake State Park to hike alongside one! Deep Creek Lake is an all-year-round destination everyone will love, featuring camping, kayaking and golf in the summer and perfect for sledding, skiing and hiking in the colder months.
With 50-70 miles of hiking trails lining the shore, Loch Raven Reservoir is a must-go location for a walking vacation in nature! While you’re there, see if you can spot some of its native wildlife, including beavers, praying mantises, sunfish, bald eagles, chipmunks, and snapping turtles 🐢
Massachusetts
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Walden Pond |
32,748 |
|
Cape Cod National Seashore |
20,583 |
|
Boston Harbor Islands |
12,499 |
Famous for the book Walden by American writer Henry David Thoreau, written while he lived at Walden Pond, people now flock to the area every year to see what inspired him. It’s now a National Historic Landmark encompassing forest, a sandy beach, boating areas, and a replica of Thoreau’s cabin.
President John F. Kennedy created the Cape Cod National Seashore in 1961. It encompasses over 43,000 acres of ponds, forest, beaches, hiking trails, and a lighthouse.
The Boston Harbor Islands is a collection of 34 islands, where visitors can take ferry tours to see all the sights! Islands reachable by the ferry tour include Spectacle Island, Grape Island, and Bumpkin Island, and the boat runs 7 days a week from June to September each year.
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