1. Lava Versus Lunar

The volcanic geology of Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve made it a top pick for NASA’s Apollo 14 mission because it most accurately represented what astronauts would experience on the moon’s surface. The team trained for their lunar trip by maneuvering through through this unique Idaho landscape and collecting rock samples. The area is also recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, which means all the brilliant stars you’ll experience at night will make you feel like you’re worlds away.

2. Battle of the Birds

Don’t let the long name throw you. The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) has a prestigious designation as its home to the greatest concentration of nesting birds of prey on the continent and more than 250 avian species. On the other side of the country, Florida’s Everglades National Park may have a more tropical climate — making it an ideal destination for the 300 bird species that visit the area — but both locations offer top-tier birdwatching. Drive through the NCA to spot hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons as they use the crags and crevices 700 feet above the Snake River to raise their young. The NCA is the considered “the best of the best” for bird viewing in Idaho.

3. Tall Tree Tussle

Towering trees? We’ve got that! Walk through an old-growth cedar forest where the treetops reach heights of 150 feet. The Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars is a smaller concentration of gigantic trees than the expansive Redwood National Forest, but you’ll still find mighty cedars that are wider than a two-car garage. Visit this tucked-away spot in northern Idaho for a picnic, or a trek to a waterfall.

4. Big Lake Brawl

Idaho is home to hundreds of amazing lakes, but Lake Pend Oreille holds the title of Idaho’s deepest lake. Despite being nearly 200 feet shy of Lake Superior’s whopping 1,300-foot depth, Lake Pend Oreille makes up for it with 111 miles of shoreline. Farragut State Park sits on the edge of this magnificent lake, where you can wander around the Museum at the Brig and learned about the former World War II naval training center stationed here. Even better, when the conditions are right, you might be able to spot the northern lights.

5. Super-Sized Showdown

While this may seem an unlikely matchup, Idaho’s Frank Church-Wilderness of No Return Wilderness spans more than 2.3 million acres, which is a close second to Death Valley in size. “The Frank,” as it’s lovingly known, is the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48 states and offers more mountains, waterways and trees than its counterpart in California and Nevada. Featuring world-renowned whitewater rafting on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, four national forests and the Salmon River Canyon (which is also deeper than the Grand Canyon), there is no shortage of wild places to explore in this extraordinary part of Idaho.

6. Falls Face-Off

There’s a reason Shoshone Falls is nicknamed the “Niagara of the West.” At 212 feet high, this dazzling waterfall stands 24 feet taller than Niagara Falls. The falls are accessible from overlooks in the nearby park, but some of the best views can be enjoyed by paddling to the base of the falls and looking up from the Snake River below.

7. Clash of the Canyons

While the Grand Canyon has some serious name recognition, Idaho’s Hells Canyon still outranks its fellow natural marvel. In some areas, Hells Canyon is nearly 8,000 feet deep and 10 miles wide. That’s 2,000 feet — almost two Eiffel Towers — deeper than the Grand Canyon. Take a jet boat tour, a whitewater rafting trip or a drive along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway to see how it stacks up.

8. Dark Sky Duel

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve stretches 1,400 square miles (two times the size of Los Angeles) covering the majestic Sawtooth Mountains, rugged wilderness areas and several mountain towns. It also holds the coveted Gold-Tier status, which means Idaho’s night skies are some of the best found on Earth. Arches National Park in Utah also holds an International Dark Sky Park designation, so those night skies are nothing to overlook. But the size of Idaho’s Dark sky Reserve means you have ample, and often uncrowded, ways to experience the stars — no special equipment needed.

Which of these natural attractions will you visit first?

The Gem State is dotted with many breweries, taphouses and pubs worthy of a stop—or a session, as brewmasters say. Behind the scenes of some of Idaho’s top breweries, you’ll find talented women in craft beer who are developing unique flavors coupled with stellar vibes. Four remarkable connoisseurs are crafting the future of brewing in Idaho, from intriguing beverages to inviting taprooms.

Penny Pink

Portneuf Valley Brewing | Pocatello

Penny Pink may lovingly call herself Idaho’s “grandmother of brewing,” but her legacy as the state’s first female brewer ensures that Portneuf Valley Brewing isn’t your grandma’s typical watering hole. When Pink and her husband moved to Idaho in 1986, she gifted him a homebrewing kit and then took over the operation when his first round exploded. “Once he discovered the broken glass all over his power tools, he said, ‘You are the one with a degree in microbiology and chemistry—you brew the beer!'” she laughs.

After building her first brewing system out of scrap metal in her driveway and bootstrapping her way into growing the business, Pink unveiled Portneuf Valley Brewing’s first commercial pour in July 1996. Today, the space is equal parts brewery, restaurant and community hub. While you might come for the atmosphere, live music and great food, the diverse beer lineup is undoubtedly the shining star.

Portnuef offers six flagship beers—all of which Pink developed—and a host of seasonal and rotating brews.

“One of the reasons I have brewed a lot of different styles over the years is because I like a diversity of things,” she says. “In the summer, I want light and crisp, and in the winter, I want dark and satisfying. I bring a range of beers to the tap.”

Of her flagship beers, Ligertown Lager and Belligerent Ass remain Pink’s personal favorites. Ligertown is a classic all-malt, all-American pilsner known for its balanced flavor and light body. Belligerent Ass is a nut brown ale that was lovingly named for her husband (a fact he’s quite proud of, Pink confirms). It is brewed from six types of malted barley and two varieties of hops that create a rich, well-rounded beer.

Beth Bechtel & Hailey “Alex” Alexander

Bear Island Brewing Co. | Boise

Beth Bechtel came to brewing by way of serving her country. After a successful career in personal training and professional boxing, she was looking for her next chapter and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Throughout her travels, she became fascinated with the breadth of beers abroad. “I became a beer geek. The best brown ale I ever had was in Rome, where I had an epiphany that I needed to learn how to brew.”

Fast-forward to 2014, when Bechtel—along with her husband, business partner and fellow Navy veteran, Steve—evolved from brewing in a two-car garage to founding Bear Island Brewing Co. Today, it is housed in the historic Firehouse #6 building in Boise and offers a welcoming “community living room” vibe, Bechtel says. “Beers brings people together. It is our job to craft community.”

Bechtel, who is the CEO and CBO (chief brewing officer), works alongside Hailey “Alex” Alexander, the site’s head brewer. Alexander got her start in the wine industry but soon gravitated toward crafting beer. “I kept finding myself at breweries, learning about beer and drinking beer,” she recounts. “I just love the atmosphere of brewing.”

When it comes to her approach, Alexander explains, “I want to create something that is unique but sessionable, which means you can have more than one, and you want to have more than one.”

While both women gravitate toward Brewhouse #6—a Euro-style pilsner—their go-to brew of choice is Idaho® Potato Ale, the brewery’s flagship IPA. Bechtel crafted this beer out of necessity. “While I was on my final deployment in the Middle East, I ran out of barley and needed a replacement starch to make beer,” she recalls. She describes this juicy, tropical and approachable IPA as “Idaho in a glass.”

Ginger Cantamessa

Black Lodging Brewing | Coeur d’Alene

Ginger Cantamessa is a self-described beauty-school dropout who found her way to brewing. “The first really good beer I made was a stout,” she says. I realized that (much like processing hair) temperature matters more than you think it does. The adjustments on your grain mill matter—all the things really matter—and everything came together perfectly for that batch.”

Cantamessa had worked at a variety of bars, wineries and pubs but found herself gravitating to the production side. Getting in the weeds with recipes, science and logistics suited her, and a dream of what would become Black Lodge Brewing Brewing took hold. Cantamessa and her husband, Josh, opened the brewery in Coeur d’Alene in 2021, creating a spot that pays homage to the Davide Lynch TV show, Twin Peaks.

“I am a huge David Lynch fan, and I wanted [the brewery] to have [the show’s] ethereal, dreamy pop vibe,” Cantamessa admits. “It’s a very chill, low-key place where you can enjoy good food and good beer.”

A small but mighty brewery, Black Lodge always has one of Cantamessa’s recipes on tap but also serves up a rotating list of other regional craft beers. While you never know what she’s brewing or what you’ll find on tap when you visit, you can be certain it’ll be a nice, clean beer with funky flavors. “I like sours, I like dark beers, I like [beers that] have more depth,” she asserts. “I like some complexity to [them].”

These remarkable women in craft beer have made an indelible impact on the landscape of Idaho brewing, infusing it with their expertise, creativity and hospitality. They inspire others to redefine the craft beer scene in Idaho, while engaging brew enthusiasts and fostering a lasting sense of community.

After you’ve checked out these creative female craft brewers, you can discover more of Idaho’s impressive craft beer scene at breweries across the state.

Kate Hull is a travel and lifestyle writer and editor. She is the co-publisher and editor-in-chief of Powder Mountain Press—the publisher of Teton Valley Magazine based in Driggs. Hull lives in Victor with her husband and young son and enjoys biking, baking and exploring the Teton Mountains.

Eagle Island State Park | Eagle

This 545-acre park is home to a year-round disc golf course that is challenging in all the right ways. The handcart-friendly route provides intermediate-to-advanced players with a mix of open fairway and wooded shots across 19 holes. The course is lined by water and features slight elevation changes.

Farragut State Park | Athol

This park’s five, yes five, year-round courses are known for their balanced mix of hole layouts and difficulty. Each course features 18 holes, with one geared toward beginners and children, three in the intermediate-to-advanced range and one highly technical, advanced course designed with professionals in mind.

Hells Gate State Park | Lewiston

This charming, intermediate nine-hole course sits along the Snake River and is available to play year-round, although summer access may depend on the park’s mowing schedule. Several holes prompt players to use strategy in avoiding light brush, tree groupings and water hazards.

Lake Walcott State Park | Rupert

With 21 holes open all year and various options for approaching play, the course at this state park is easily adjustable to suit a player’s skill level and is a fast favorite for first-time visitors.

Lucky Peak State Park | Boise

Sandy Point, a hillside section of this scenic state park near Boise, offers a welcoming 18-hole course with changing basket layouts. The park is generally accessible from October through May.

Massacre Rocks State Park | American Falls

This challenging, elevated adventure features nine holes available year-round and is best for intermediate-to-advanced players. There are drops and rises, narrow fairways and even several baskets located over ravines at this park. Beginners can get their throws in on an additional junior course.

Priest Lake State Park | Coolin

Harvey’s Hemlock Hideaway, a disc golf course located in the lovely Priest Lake area, was designed with beginners and families in mind. The nine holes feature scenic views and a mix of open shots and tree coverage. This picturesque location is technically seasonal, but baskets are left out for those willing to brave the elements throughout the year.

Three Island Crossing State Park | Glenns Ferry

Spend the entire day outside on a beautiful 18-hole course. This moderately challenging route along the Snake River incorporates water and can be tricky when it’s windy. The course at this park is accessible year-round despite occasional snow cover.

Thousand Springs State Park | Hagerman

Niagara Springs is one of six units at this renowned state park, where disc golf enthusiasts can find a well-designed course at a higher elevation with a mixture of shots. The play on this 18-hole disc golf course in Idaho leans toward intermediate or advanced, but beginners can also enjoy honing their throws here.

Castle Rocks State Park | Almo

Aim for an ace against a backdrop of ancient granite formations at this remarkable state park known for its rock climbing. The small, grassy course here has only three holes, but visitors can also take advantage of nearby scenic picnic areas, as well as hiking and fishing access.

Dworshak State Park | Lenore

Recently upgraded to 18 holes, the FoxBurrow fairway is found near the Freeman Creek Campground within the 850-acre park. The course allows ample opportunities for intermediate-to-advanced players to show off their skills over shots of differing lengths, inclines and technicality.

Looking for insider tips on visiting Idaho’s state parks? Check out Ranger Talks! This series gives you firsthand tips from the people who know each park inside and out: the rangers.

Find additional resources and check out more activities and adventures you can experience in Idaho State Parks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Round Lake State Park

When I’m traveling outside of Idaho and share that I live in the Gem State, people will often throw out the names of destinations that they’ve either been to or heard of. Boise. Sun Valley. Some mention the stunning natural beauty of Redfish Lake or the adventures that await near McCall. While I love hearing what people know of this beautiful state, I’m always keen to share that Idaho is full of memorable places to visit that are just off the beaten path.

Take a chance on one of these destinations that flies just-under-the-radar for many, but are perfect spots for exploring this summer.

Explore Island Park

Island Park is Idaho’s gateway to Yellowstone National Park, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that it’s not a destination in its own right. Whether you fish, hike, paddle, ATV, or simply like to relax on the riverbank with your favorite drink in hand, Island Park is your kind of place.

Tucked along Idaho’s border with Montana and Wyoming, Island Park is best known for the Henrys Fork of the Snake River (known simply as the “Henrys Fork”). The Henrys Fork is a world-class fishing river whose primary source, Big Springs, gushes forth from the ground just minutes from downtown Island Park. Anglers love the river for its large trout, prolific hatches, and accessible riverbanks. Everyone else loves it for its wide, sometimes lazy flow that is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and swimming.

Those looking for more terrestrial adventures will find them in spades in Island Park. Hiking and ATV trails criss-cross a landscape that was formed by the same volcanic forces that continue to shape Yellowstone National Park. Harriman State Park is a favorite hiking spot and features historic ranch buildings that are open for tours in the summer. A bit further south, stunning Mesa Falls careens for ten stories over an ancient caldera and is an ideal spot to relax with a picnic lunch.

Soak in Lava Hot Springs

If a family-friendly destination is what you’re after, look no further than a trip to Lava Hot Springs. Located in Idaho’s southeastern corner, this small resort town grew up around a series of natural pools that fill with crystal clear, odorless mineral water that emerges from the ground at perfect soaking temperature. The highlight of any trip to Lava Hot Springs is hours spent soaking, splashing, and playing in the pools themselves, but there is plenty more to explore beyond the hot springs.

Spend a morning at historic Chesterfield, a Mormon pioneer town that remains lovingly preserved by the families of the settlers who once called this quiet patch of prairie home. Free tours are given from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or you can walk the grounds yourself and get a taste of what life was like for pioneers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Adventure seekers will want to book an afternoon with Lava Zipline for hours of fun “riding the lines” across a wide, green canyon just outside of town. The experience continues with a run through a high ropes course that towers two stories above the ground.

Enjoy the Snake in Twin Falls

The Snake River that is! The Snake is one of the Northwest’s major rivers, cutting a broad smile across southern Idaho from the Wyoming to the Oregon borders. Halfway through its journey across the state, the Snake flows through Twin Falls, a city of 50,000 people nestled along the edge of the deep river canyon.

Though Twin Falls is known as the commercial hub of south-central Idaho, its trendy Main Street and desert beauty make this bustling city worth a trip. Start your explorations with a morning at Centennial Waterfront Park. Enjoy beautiful views of I.B. Perrine Bridge, whose distinctive truss arch rises almost 500 feet above the water. Kayak rentals are available right along the shore, and in summer, a zipline course whizzes overhead.

Those looking for an even bigger thrill might be inclined to book a tandem jump with a BASE instructor—the Perrine Bridge is one of the only structures in the United States that doesn’t require a permit to launch from the deck into the canyon below.

Make your way to Twin Fall’s newly revitalized Main Street for lunch at a local eatery before heading to the impressive beauty of Shoshone Falls. Known as the “Niagara of the West,” the river plunges 212 feet over a horseshoe-shaped cliff. The sight is most impressive during the spring snowmelt but worth checking out any time of year.

Get Your Thrills in Hells Canyon

The Grand Canyon may get all the fame, but did you know that the deepest river gorge in North America is right here in Idaho? Hells Canyon, located on our southern border with Oregon, plunges 7,900 feet at its deepest point. Its entire length is wild, dramatic, and a little hard to get to…but getting there is at least half the fun.

Start your journey by driving the 22-mile Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, which stretches north from the Oxbow Bridge to the Hells Canyon Dam. This narrow, winding road looks down into the canyon itself but peel your eyes away from the water to keep a lookout for mountain goats, deer, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. The Hells Canyon area was home to Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Tribe, and petroglyphs dot the cliffs.

The Hells Canyon Dam is the start of the designated “Wild and Scenic” section of the Snake River, and though the road stops here, you won’t want to miss what’s beyond. To explore, book a whitewater rafting trip from Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburgh Landing. This 35-mile rafting adventure takes three days and will bring you through the wildest and deepest parts of Hells Canyon. If whitewater rafting isn’t your style, make your way north to the Riggins area, where you can book a jet boat adventure that motors for a half-day or a full-day up the Snake River and into the rugged canyon bottom.

Catch a Sunset in Sandpoint

From the arid high desert in the south to the jagged terrain of central Idaho’s mountain ranges, few are ready for the surprise of the north—a land that is densely wooded, hilly, and filled with beautiful lakes, streams, and rivers. Love those Pacific Northwest vibes? Northern Idaho is where you’ll find them.

Coeur d’Alene is a popular jumping-off point for northern Idaho adventures. This town of 50,000 sits on the edge of Lake Coeur d’Alene, a lake popular with boaters and sightseers. Don’t have your own boat? Book a scenic cruise that leaves right from the downtown marina, or rent a paddleboard to ply the waters yourself. 

An hour north of Coeur d’Alene lies the resort town of Sandpoint, nestled on the shore of Idaho’s biggest and deepest lake, Lake Pend Oreille. Sandpoint has a quiet, beautiful charm that lures vacationers back year after year. Spend your days relaxing on the lakeshore, grabbing a bite to eat and a local pint at one of the many restaurants and breweries, and exploring the nearby hiking and paddling trails. Don’t miss the chance to catch a sunset over Lake Pend Oreille—the sight is one you won’t soon forget.

No matter where you visit this summer, Idaho is sure to leave you with memories that’ll last a lifetime. We’ll see you soon!

Featured image credited to Sara Sheehy.

Sara Sheehy is a writer and photographer who travels the world seeking wild places and great stories. When she’s not on the road, Sara spends her time exploring the mountains around her home base of Sun Valley, Idaho.

Idaho is known as the Gem State, and with more than 240 types of minerals identified within its borders, the state definitely earns its moniker. Ranging from rare minerals to semiprecious gems, Idaho holds many notable treasures for rock lovers to uncover. But none of these gemstones are as rare as its state gem, the star garnet. Idaho and India are the only two places in the world where this semiprecious stone is found in significant quantity.

The star garnet gets its name from the four- or six-pointed star pattern that appears to flit upon the surface of the stone when properly cut and polished. The optical effect is called asterism and is created by rutile (a mineral consisting of titanium dioxide) needle formations inside the star garnet. This occurrence is unusual and found in very few gemstones.

Digging for star garnets is a popular summer activity for the whole family found in Idaho’s Panhandle. Located near St. Maries, Emerald Creek Garnet Area is a federal site that opens every year on Memorial Day weekend for organized mining. People from around the world come to this remote corner of Idaho to hopefully find their own ruby-red gem.

Paranoid that thousands of other passionate gem seekers would get the prized dig permits before us, I found myself waking up on a Saturday at 6:55 a.m. so I could hit the “buy now” button on the permit website the second the clock hit 7. I got a shot of adrenaline when my computer screen flashed a confirmation. As a family of self-proclaimed rock hounds, my husband and our five-year-old son had been impatiently waiting to get in on the action. With my son’s birthday falling a week after we’re set to visit the dig site, it was the ideal way to celebrate his sixth birthday. Most children have a natural pull to rock collecting, making this a great thing to do in Idaho with kids—but my son especially could spend all day every day looking for treasure. Whether digging through sand, collecting rocks on a hike or geocaching, he’s always had an eye for detail and finding the “diamond in the rough.”

Where to Find Star Garnets in Idaho

Heading south from Coeur d’Alene, we drove the White Pine Scenic Byway, a peaceful stretch of two-lane highway that takes you through some of northern Idaho’s most scenic waterfront communities. Passing by the bike-friendly Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Coeur d’Alene River, we were tempted to stop and spend a few hours enjoying the early summer days together, but star garnets were calling our name.

Reaching the recreation area requires driving on a gravel road (Forest Service Road 447) for eight miles. The route is well-maintained, and any standard vehicle should be able to handle the terrain. When we pulled into the parking lot for our afternoon dig, prospectors from the morning session were returning to their cars. We struck up a conversation with an animated group of women who were boasting about who dug the most star garnets. Excited to share what was found, they pulled out their treasures and gave us our first look at the gemstones up close. As with many unpolished stones, these seemed unremarkable upon a quick glance—a misshapen black nugget. However, in the sunlight, you could see hints of maroon flush beneath the surface—the telltale sign of a star garnet.

The Experience

We walked the half-mile path to the sluice area, where a handful of other groups were already in line at the rangers’ desk. Your permit time slot allows you three hours, and showing up late doesn’t mean you are allowed to stay later. The rangers run a tight, albeit friendly, ship, and water used for the mining process is shut off promptly at the end of every session. The rangers handed us our federal mining permits and educated us on what a star garnet looks like, pointing out its unique dodecahedron (three-dimensional with 12 equal, flat faces) shape. After a quick rundown of what to do, they pointed to some well-used buckets and sent us off. The process is simple: Dig, sift, sluice, repeat.

Our First Dig

With buckets in tow, we headed to the massive pile of dirt and began digging. In the past, you were allowed to dig directly out of the creek bed, but the Forest Service put a stop to that practice to protect the environment and water quality. Now the site offers a pile of dredged-up earth that holds the promise of finding a star garnet.

After filling our buckets halfway, we took them to the sifting area. The sifters have mesh bottoms that allow much of the dirt to rinse away, leaving behind muddy rocks that you wash at the sluice station. The sifters are also made of solid wood, so after a few rounds of burning through our shoulders and forearms, we quickly learned it was better to take turns and shake up the dirt as a team effort. Our son gave it two tries before deciding this portion would most definitely be an operation led by his parents. The sluice boxes are where kids get to let loose and channel their inner prospector. With a bucket of dirty rocks, we sat on a tree stump and washed the rocks off in a steady stream of clean water. With the midday sun beaming down, the star garnets are surprisingly easy to spot with their crimson hue against a backdrop of gray river stones. On our first go, we found eight pieces of garnet! We were hooked.

The Results

Banking on beginner’s luck, we started the process over again, eager to max out our two-pound-per-person limit. I can’t lie—it’s hard work. By the third go-around, my arms were spent, and the 85° F heat was weakening my resolve. But my son’s exuberance and the sweet victory of finding more garnets kept me going.

Moving at a leisurely pace, we completed four rounds of the entire rotation and came away with just under two pounds of garnets—a far cry from our allotted six pounds. But we felt a sense of accomplishment, especially when our son found the largest gem of the day—a golf-ball-sized star garnet that weighed a whopping 5.6 ounces.

With our pockets stuffed with garnets and our bodies a bit worse for the wear, we walked back along the tree-lined path to dish over every detail and decide what we should do with our findings. Will they be rough or polished? Should we have them professionally cut or keep the stones natural? If we get them cut, should we choose a cabochon (polished but uncut) or faceted shape?

For the time being, we settled on enjoying these natural wonders as-is and set our alarms to be first in line to do it again next year.

Reserving a Permit

Permits are required to access the Emerald Creek Garnet Area, the only dig site where you can find star garnets in Idaho, and are awarded on a rolling 90-day calendar. It’s a popular summer activity, so advanced planning is highly recommended. Be sure to set a reminder to wake up early and buy your tickets. The site offers two three-hour sessions daily, with both an early morning and midday slot. Children five and under are free, but you will still need to obtain a ticket for them. Walk-up permits are not offered. Due to high demand, each individual is allowed to purchase one permit per year. However, the policy could change, so check the Idaho Panhandle National Forests website for the most current information. If you can’t secure a reservation, continue to check the website. Cancellations happen, and spots do occasionally open up.

Good to Know

• In the summer, the area is hot with limited shade. Bring drinking water and sun protection.

• Beginning Memorial Day weekend, Emerald Creek Garnet Area is open Friday through Monday. The site closes for the season on Labor Day weekend.

• You must bring a valid ID to the site to obtain a permit.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty.

• The site has no amenities like potable water or food, but there are two vault toilet bathrooms at the dig site and a single bathroom in the parking lot. While shade is limited, there are a handful of picnic tables that offer light coverage. You are welcome to bring your own food and eat at the picnic tables.

• Pets are not allowed at the dig site.

Feature image credited to Bradford Benoit.

Christina Grance and Bradford Benoit are the writer/photographer duo behind the travel blog, Live A Wilder Life. Former full-time travelers turned part-time nomads, they live with their wild son and an ornery cat in north Idaho, where they spend every second they can dreaming up their next adventure.