Welcome to the Good
Grah Life
Check out our favorite places
Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
Browse posts by topic
Arizona | California | Oregon | Utah | Washington
Arches | Canyonlands | Crater Lake | Mount Rainier | North Cascades | Olympic | Redwoods | Yosemite
Hikes | Backpacking | Hiking Gear | Permits
Coming soon:
Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
British Columbia, Canada
Search Posts
The Only Pacific Northwest Packing List You Need
Packing for Pacific Northwest can feel very intimidating because the weather can vary greatly and change rapidly. It's going to feel like you need to pack for all types of weather. While this is generally true, the key to packing efficiently is focusing on bringing great layers – items of clothing you can quickly take on and off as the conditions change.
Best Campgrounds Near Mount Rainier National Park
One of the best ways to enjoy Mount Rainier National Park is by camping. By camping, you’ll not only be staying close to all the major sites within the park, but you’ll be also surrounded by nature your entire stay. It takes some effort to book these sites – they are the most coveted campsites in all of Washington – but it’s well worth it!
Best Lodging Near Mount Rainier National Park
The towns surrounding Mount Rainier are adorable, but small, with minimal restaurants and amenities. Lodging tends to book up quickly around the park, so plan your accommodations ahead of time.
Where to Camp Near Yosemite National Park
Camping is an awesome way to explore the U.S. national parks. This blog covers all campgrounds in and near Yosemite. You’ll find a select few that are open year round – pair staying here with our winter itinerary!
Yosemite Winter Packing List (Plus Road Trip Supplies)
Visiting Yosemite National Park in the winter has so many upsides! You’ll have moderate daytime temperatures, snow, and much fewer crowds than the summer months. Packing for such a versatile climate can be a bit overwhelming, but this blog has you covered.
17 Stunning Winter Hikes in Yosemite National Park
We were impressed with how many incredible hikes were accessible in Yosemite throughout the winter. You can traipse through impressive sequoia groves, hike for grand views, snowshoe, or just explore the valley floor. You can’t go wrong no matter what hike you choose here!
Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park
With five park entrances, choosing where to stay near Yosemite National Park can be intimidating. This blog has insights on each area, as well as the best lodging options for every budget.
Yosemite Valley Itinerary
Yosemite National Park is known for having incredible waterfalls, impressive cliffs, rock formations, and beautiful meadows. Amazingly, all of these can be seen in one small area of the park – the Yosemite Valley.
The Yosemite Valley is the most visited location within the park. This blog covers everything you need to know to visit and all the best sights.
Yosemite Winter Itinerary – Your Complete Guide
Yosemite National Park is the sixth most visited National Park in the United States, but nearly 90% of its visitors visit between spring and fall and most never explore beyond the Yosemite Valley. We admit that Yosemite Valley is the park’s star attraction, but it’s completely accessible throughout the year. Winter is, without a doubt, the best time to visit this area if you’re looking to beat the crowds.
Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Guide; 9+ Days
Known for its Icelandic landscapes along the coast, towering waterfalls, rugged mountains, and beautiful greenery – Oregon is one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States. This blog covers how to see the best of Oregon in as little as nine days.
Where to stay in Bend
If you’re visiting Oregon, staying in Bend is a must! As avid outdoor enthusiasts, it’s one of our favorite areas to visit year-round because there is always something to do. The surrounding towns all have unique offerings, so we’ve provided overviews of each and covered the best lodging in Bend, Sunriver, Sisters, and Redmond.
Where to camp near Bend Oregon
Whenever we visit Bend, our goal is to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and there is no better way to do this than by camping. There are bucket list-worthy campsites all over the area, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
40 Best Hiking Trails near Bend Oregon
Multiple wilderness areas and national forests full of hiking trails surround Bend, Oregon. You don’t have to wander far from town to find great views of mountains, forests, lakes, and unusual landscapes. With over 150 trails to choose from nearby, we’ve narrowed this blog down to the top 40.
Guide to Bend, Oregon – A 3 to 5 Day Itinerary
Bend, Oregon is one of our favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. It’s full of year-round outdoor activities and has an incredible food scene. There is so much to do and see here that we’ve visited multiple times and rarely have repeated the same activities!
How to Use a Sauna 101: a Beginner's Guide
Prior to visiting Finland, we were excited and a bit nervous about trying a sauna for the first time. Post-trip, we sauna every chance we get! We absolutely love it and want this blog to break down any barriers there may be for others to try it.
25 Best Small Towns in Washington
Sure, you’ve heard of Washington’s national parks, and maybe even the Columbia River Gorge, but we’re sure there are towns on this list that are still under the radar. Each of these destinations makes for a great weekend trip by itself or a fantastic addition to any adventure you already have planned.
The Backpackers Gift Guide –– 50 Best Gifts in 2024
This is your go-to gift list for the backpackers in your life. It’s full of essential gear, fun items, and extra add-ons to make gifts extra personal.
Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
With nearly 100 different ecosystems, Washington is one of the most diverse and interesting states to visit. Its national parks – Olympic, Mount Rainier, and the North Cascades, are three of Washington’s top destinations. This blog covers how to see all the best sights at each park in one trip.
Moab's Best Campgrounds and Dispersed Campsites
There is no better way to enjoy Moab’s outdoors than by camping. You’ll have star-filled skies after dark and witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets daily. Camping is a more affordable, but popular way to visit, so reserve your stay in advance or try your luck with finding a dispersed site.
Arches National Park Timed Entry Reservations Explained
Arches National Park’s response to peak season congestion, limited parking, poor user experience, and damage to the delicate desert ecosystem has been to implement a timed entry reservation system. It’s been in place since 2021 and has seen positive results.
