The Well Worn Shoes

Wanderlust Welcome

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Disclaimer
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Destinations
    • Canada
    • United States
      • Mountain States
      • North East
      • South
      • Southwest
  • National Parks
    • National Park Guides
    • Is This National Park Dog Friendly?
  • Adventures
    • One Day In
    • Bucketlist Travel
    • Dog Friendly
    • Roadtrips
    • Travel Guides
    • Hiking
  • Digital Nomad Lifestyle
    • Camper Life
    • Honest Reviews: Campgrounds
    • Digital Nomads
  • Shop

November 2, 2021

The Eerie Ghost Town In The Smokies

In the lush valley, where Jake’s Creek and the Little River meet, you can find the magical Daisy Town…

October 19, 2021

The Most Dog Friendly National Parks

If you’ve traveled to many National Parks with your pups, then you know that in general, they are not very dog-friendly…

October 5, 2021

One Day At Acadia National Park With Dogs

Acadia National Park on the rocky and gorgeous coast of Maine is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the United States. There are so many amazing places to explore and trails to hike with your pups…

August 24, 2021

10 Things To Do At Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park in South Dakota may be one of the coolest places in the United States. Honestly, the name is a tribute to the people that lived in the Badlands before it was even a national park…

July 27, 2021

11 Must See Waterfalls In The Smokies

Looking for a waterfall hike in the Smokies? Check out these 11 Must See Waterfalls In Great Smoky Mountains…

July 20, 2021

14 Fun Things To Do In Cades Cove

14 Fun Thing To Do In Cades Cove! Including to where to stay, where to eat, and what to do on your visit to Cades Cove…

June 19, 2021

Theodore Roosevelt National Park: 12 Incredible Adventures

There is a lot more to do then you would expect, but don’t expect many modern conveniences while inside the park. It remains largely as it was when Theodore Roosevelt ranched and hunted here, and that’s rare these days. So, what should you do if you visit Theodore Roosevelt National Park?…

June 15, 2021

Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park Worth A Visit?

You don’t really hear much about the National Park in North Dakota, do you? This hidden gem is often bypassed for its bigger counterparts, but find out, Is Theodore Roosevelt National Park worth a visit?…

June 8, 2021

Best Sunrise Spots At Acadia National Park

From Oct 7 to March 6 earth year the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park is the first place to see the sunrise in the U.S. You don’t want to miss it…

May 29, 2021

11 Dog Friendly Adventures At Shenandoah

With over 200,000 acres, Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, and fields of wildflowers.There’s so much to explore and it seems like the perfect place to explore with your dog(s), doesn’t it? But let’s find out, Is Shenandoah National Park Dog Friendly?…

May 25, 2021

10 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia

5 hikes that you really don’t want to miss the next time you take your pups to Acadia National Park…

May 18, 2021

11 Fun Things To Do In Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine is one of my absolute favorite coastal towns. I’ve visited Acadia National at least 10 to 12 times in the past 7 years, and Bar Harbor is the cherry on top of the Acadia sundae! If you’re looking for picturesque harbor views, charming B&Bs, and all the lobster you can handle then Bar Harbor is for you…

  • ← Previous
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next →
Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

Join the List

Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

Connect

Recent Posts

  • Wildlife Watching in Cades Cove: Your Complete Animal Guide
  • Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains
  • The 15 Best Hikes In Utah
  • One Day At Zion National Park
  • Zion National Park Guide

Categories

  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
  • History
  • Adventure
  • National Park Love

Reader Favorites

The Ultimate Salem Fall Bucket List

Yellowstone National Park Bucketlist

The 15 Best Hikes In Utah

On the Blog

  • Destinations
  • Tips & Tricks
  • History
  • Adventure
  • National Park Love

Join the List

The Well Worn Shoes is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Connect

This is your sign to visit one of Pennsylvania’s m This is your sign to visit one of Pennsylvania’s most famous Christmas markets…

This German-style Christmas market has been a Lehigh Valley tradition since 1993, and walking through it feels like stepping into a little European village right here in Pennsylvania.

We browsed handmade goods from over 150 artisans, sampled way too many treats, and soaked in every last bit of that holiday magic.

Don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate as you wander around the lights 😉

If you’re looking for a festive day trip that feels like a mini getaway, this is it.
📍 Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, PA
The ocean has a way of putting things into perspec The ocean has a way of putting things into perspective, doesn’t it? 

That trip you’ve been saving for “someday”? Book it!! 

The truth is, we figured out how to make this life work not because we had it all planned out (trust me, it wasn’5), but because we finally stopped waiting for permission to start.

Crystal Beach didn’t care that our timing wasn’t perfect. It just welcomed us anyway.

What’s one thing you’ve been putting off until you feel “ready”? 👇
State parks really don’t get the love they deserve State parks really don’t get the love they deserve…and Brantley Lake State Park in New Mexico is proof 🌅

Just outside Carlsbad, this underrated gem serves up wide-open desert views, peaceful lakeside walks, and sunsets that somehow feel dramatic and calming at the same time. It’s quiet, uncrowded, and perfect for slowing down (although I don’t recommend visiting in August like we did 😆). 

Gold hour along the rocky shoreline was my favorite, and blue hour that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Camping here is easy and low-key with spacious sites, and it makes a great base if you’re visiting Carlsbad Caverns or road-tripping through southern New Mexico. Less crowds, more breathing room…exactly why we love state parks.

Have you been here or do you have an underrated state park we should add to the list? 👇
🌲STEAL THIS DOG FRIENDLY DAY IN THE SMOKIES 🐾⛰️ T 🌲STEAL THIS DOG FRIENDLY DAY IN THE SMOKIES 🐾⛰️

The Smokies aren’t the most dog-friendly national park…but with a little creativity? You and your pup can have an incredible day together.

🌫️ EARLY MORNING Cruise Newfound Gap Road at sunrise → 33 miles of misty mountain magic → Dogs welcome in the car for this iconic scenic drive → Stop at overlooks for photos + fresh mountain air

🥾 MID-MORNING Hike Oconaluftee River Trail (3.1 mi, easy) → One of only TWO dog-friendly trails in the entire park → Shaded riverside path perfect for warm days → Watch for elk near the visitor center and make sure your dog is secured if you happen to see any! 

 💦 AFTERNOON Drive to Cherokee for Mingo Falls (0.4 mi, 161 stairs) → 200-ft waterfall on tribal land = dogs allowed! → Best bang-for-your-buck waterfall hike in the area

🐕 LATE AFTERNOON Off-leash time at Gatlinburg Dog Park → Fenced, clean, separate areas for big + small dogs → Let them burn off that trail energy!

🌅 SUNSET End the day at Cades Cove Loop Road → 11-mile scenic loop through open meadows → Golden hour here is chef’s kiss → Watch for deer, turkeys + black bears!

Save this for your next Smokies adventure with the pups 📌
Evolution of a Maine sunrise 🌅 Proof you don’t hav Evolution of a Maine sunrise 🌅 Proof you don’t have to be inside Acadia for Acadia-level magic

This was one of those mornings in Trenton, Maine - the kind where you had to drop someone at the airport early and you’re still half-asleep, expecting nothing more than a quiet start…and then the sky shows up like this. Golden light stretching across the water. The moon still lingering. Ducks skimming the surface like they had somewhere important to be.

We spent all summer calling this little spot home while exploring Acadia, and honestly? Mornings like this were the moments that we won’t forget. 

The reminder that you don’t have to be deep inside a national park to get a view that stops you in your tracks. Sometimes the magic waits right outside your front door, or in our case, the camper steps.

If you’ve ever watched a sunrise that made you feel like time slowed down just for you…I hope this brings that feeling back for a moment 🌞✨

Save this for your next East Coast travel daydream!
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 The Well Worn Shoes · Theme by 17th Avenue