The underrated San Juan National Forest offers dramatic scenery, and its remote location means fewer crowds than more famous Colorado spots. explore.com/2292763/san-juan…

California has hundreds of hiking routes to choose from, but the three-hour Iron Mountain Trail near San Diego delivers stunning views. explore.com/2292760/iron-mou…

The Centennial State's Flat Top range is home to some of the cleanest water in the country, and Sweetwater Lake, a state park candidate, is no exception. explore.com/2292756/sweetwat…

Nobody loves going to the bathroom on a cramped airplane, but using Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray can make the experience better for yourself (and others). explore.com/2294439/toilet-s…

Skip Sequoia National Park and head to Pescadero Creek County Park just an hour from San Francisco for the same trees without the crowds. explore.com/2292637/pescader…

The hike up to Half Dome is an intimidating one but thankfully, there's another, easier Yosemite trail that offers incredible views of the iconic peak. explore.com/2294435/mirror-l…

Hearing a flight attendant call someone a VIP onboard might sound nice, but it can actually stand for "very irritating passenger." explore.com/2292552/vip-flig…

State parks tend to have a reputation of being lesser than their national counterparts, but Humboldt Redwoods State Park is an outlier in the best sense. explore.com/2291524/humboldt…

Flight attendants know what’s best when it comes to travel, so you can trust them when they say they prefer this brand of luggage — even if it’s expensive. explore.com/2292486/travelpr…

The Golden State isn't exactly lacking in world-class nature, but some parks are more crowded than others. Castle Mountains National Monument is a calm getaway. explore.com/2291522/castle-m…

Sometimes, when military bases outlive their use, communities band together to turn them into something useful for the people. Fort Snelling is one example. explore.com/2291519/fort-sne…

For a true adventure in Death Valley National Park, check out the remains of this once-booming mining town hidden away deep in a desert canyon. explore.com/2294434/leadfiel…

Getting out in nature is nice, but sometimes you want a little bit of civilizational comfort by your side. The BioLite CampStove 2+ does exactly that. explore.com/2291516/biolite-…

Visit Lake Jocassee in Devil’s Fork State Park for a crystal-clear reservoir with great visibility for snorkeling and scenic waterfall hikes. explore.com/2294432/lake-joc…

The Crazy Mountains near Big Timber, Montana, are a quieter alternative to the national parks, with lake trails, horseback riding, and scenic backcountry roads. explore.com/2291360/crazy-mo…

Sure, the Great Lakes are impressive, but the Land of 10,000 lakes has plenty of breathtaking lakes in its interior, too. La Salle Lake is a great example. explore.com/2290235/la-salle…

You might feel like you've gotten away from it all at a national park, but civilization might be closer than you think. But Hawks Rest is different. explore.com/2290144/hawks-re…

Flight attendants have their own way of talking, including code words to keep things on the down-low. Here is one code name you might want applied to you. explore.com/2292411/bob-flat…

Winter camping and outdoor activities are way more enjoyable with a heated jacket: high-tech gear that will keep you warm in cold temperatures. explore.com/2294429/heated-j…

Great Sacandaga Lake boasts 125 miles of shoreline, perfect for outdoor adventures in the southern foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. explore.com/2290138/great-sa…