Courtnie Erickson

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Courtnie Erickson

stops5distancedriving timeIn This GuideMontana Dinosaur Center01Great Plains Dinosaur Museum02Fort Peck Interpretive Center03Makoshika State Park04Cains Coulee Campground05Diane Gabriel Trail06I love a good road trip. In fact, it is one of my favorite ways to travel and explore. Often, I will create road trip itineraries with a theme in mind from waterfalls to hidden gems. Lately, the theme has been ...

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Courtnie Erickson

I grew up camping. It seemed like every weekend, we packed our trailer and headed to various campgrounds near our home. After spending years in school for both myself and my husband, camping trips became very rare — almost non-existent — and I feel like I’m a first-time camper all over again. That’s why I love places like Olympic Adventure Campground in Forks, Washington.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Courtnie Erickson

Here in Montana, we are blessed with some of the most spectacular hiking and biking trails. Places like Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and the Beartooth Mountains provide extraordinary trails for a day or two filled with exploration. However, if you are looking for a diverse trail system filled with both urban and Forest Service trails, and options for both hiking and mountain biking, the Butte-Silver Bow area is a must.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Courtnie Erickson

As a mom with three young children, I am always on the lookout for short, easy trails where I can take my entire family and won’t hear too much whining (if that’s even possible). Throughout the years, I have established a list of a few favorite family-friendly hikes in Idaho, but one tends to stand out among the rest, and it is historically significant as well. It is the Big Springs Interpretive Trail in Island Park.

1 week ago | onlyinyourstate.com | Courtnie Erickson

Countless studies show that spending time in nature boosts your immune system, reduces stress, enhances sleep quality, improves memory, and simply makes you happier. However, if you are like me, I love spending my days outside, surrounded by breathtaking views and listening to nature’s soundtrack, but I don’t always want to sleep under the stars — I want someplace with plush linens, hot showers, and a long list of amenities to enjoy.