White Tank Mountain Regional Park, at the west end of the Salt River Valley & Phoenix metropolitan area, offers an amazing variety of activities. From learning about First Nations history with a walk through ‘Petroglyph Plaza’ to exploring the backcountry in this mostly wild park, there is a world of opportunities to be had in this +25,000 acre setting.

Despite urban surroundings, spectacular bird-watching and access to ample natural vegetation is accessible from 5 miles of easy, well-graded trails at the almost 2,000 acre Hayward Regional Shoreline in the East Bay.

Weogufka State Forest in central Alabama is home to Flagg Mountain, the southernmost peak over 1000’ in the Blue Ridge Outliers of the Appalachian Mountains. It’s home to the southern terminus of the state’s longest trail, The Pinhoti, and a cabin complex and beautiful stone fire lookout tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Tucked between the its namesake creek and the hills of south Redlands, the 200-acre San Timoteo Nature Sanctuary offers open space and trails for humans and reliable water for local and migratory wildlife.

The SIpsey on the Bankhead National Forest in northwest Alabama is a land of superlatives: it is the oldest, largest, and most popular of the state’s three designated wilderness areas. Also known as the ‘Land of 1,000 Waterfalls,’ this beautiful site is home to an incredible variety of flora & fauna, and offers an outstanding array of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Estrella Mountain Regional Park, in the southwest corner of the Phoenix metropolitan area, offers an amazing variety of activities. You can go on a guided horseback adventure, play a round of golf, fish the Gila River, escape into the backcountry, and more in the park’s almost 20,000 acres.

Michelle ‘SuperClassy’ Markel plans to walk 56+ miles in three days to benefit Redlands Conservancy and Support Public Lands.

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