I recently had a pretty unnerving experience down this old road (now trail) in Colorado. Curious if anyone else has any insight or similar experiences.
From Staunton State park, heading north towards Shadow Mountain, an abandoned road (Shadow Mountain Trail No. 103) past the state park boundary line and into the National Forest, things start getting creepy. I encountered a stick structure (lean-to type but leaning against itself, low to the ground) with a small, thick stick in the middle of it resembling something with horns. Further down, I found two animal vertebrae directly across from each other to the left and right of the path. When I started biking again, I felt a tapping sensation on my right hip, but thought I must’ve ran into a bug or something, but I never saw it. Later on this path, I found another stick structure but farther back into the woods off the main trail. I did not check that one out. I eventually found a clearing of lush green grass and that’s when I began feeling completely alone and started getting creeped out overall and ended up turning around.
Staunton state park has given me some eerie vibes in the past, but this trail segment (first time on it) things were just getting really strange. Just curious anyone’s opinion, or if they have had any “dark” experiences at Staunton state park, particularly down this old road?

Hello everyone. I will be visiting Matthiessen in IL for the first time soon. I keep seeing people talk about the upper dells and lower dells, however on the app All Trails I see the trails listed as “Dells Canyon and Bluff Trail” and “dells area to vermillion”. I wanted to do the lower dells as I heard that’s where the best water fall views are. Which of the trails on the app would that be?
TIA

One of the most important roles of the LWCF is to provide funding for local projects. Cities and counties have relatively small budgets and competing priorities often mean that funding for nature on the local level takes a backseat. Guaranteed annual funding from the federal government means that states can fund these local projects year after year into the future.

Bobcats are very common but rarely seen

Went to the matthiessen state park this morning with my gf around 7am and we rolled into the parking lot where there was just one car parked with an older man inside wearing sunglasses. I park a good 20ft in front of his car. As me and my gf get out and get ready I noticed the man kept a hard stare at us from inside his car, he then got out of his car which is when I started minding my business but I still kept on eye on him every couple seconds and I noticed he still kept a very hard and bold stare at me the entire time. I trusted my gut and got back inside my car and as I got back inside I noticed he was still standing outside his door adjusting his belt STILL staring and that’s when I told my gf what was going on. The man continued to stare at my driver side mirror as I’m explaining to my gf that the guy behind us wouldn’t stop staring. We decided just go to starved rock state park which is 5 min away bc we had bad feeling hiking at an empty trail with a weird feeling about what was going on with that guy. As soon as I put my car in reverse to head to the exit (theres two small streets to get to the exit but only ONE exit) he speeds over to the exit and parked his car, almost as if he was trying to block us from leaving. Once I noticed this I just stopped and put my car in reverse so he wouldn’t trap me in and as soon as I reversed, he reversed. I then park again and so he parks again but farther (he’s still staring at me and my gf). Another car pulls into the lot and parks so we go tell them what’s going on and suggest they go to starved rock where there’s more ppl and away from this weird guy especially since it was two young girls and their mother. As we’re talking to them the guy drives closer to us, parks and stares. The guy then circles the parking lot and drives slowly past us staring harder than ever while recording too but as I point him out to the other car he quickly drove off almost as if we caught on to him or something. Super weird. What’s your guys thoughts?

This is a classic CT hike with scenic views, cool rock formations, and the historic Heublein Tower. It was closed the day we went but the view at the top is amazing! You can see almost the entire state and into Massachusetts. CT State Parks are awesome! We have so many for a small state. I love this subreddit! I’ve learned about a lot of very cool places and wanted to share a hometown favorite.

Hey everyone, my wife and I are trying to find a spot for our us and two kids to go camping with our 22 ft RV over labor day. Coming from Lancaster,PA looking to drive like hour to two at most. Is there a park you would suggest that has a good swimming spot and camping? Thanks!

Beautiful park in the outer banks of North Carolina, featuring excellent views of the dunes and sound. I also loved seeing little robber flies flying around and hunting other bugs.

It's one of my favorite places to visit down in the shoreline. It's majestic and wonderful!

The couple Edward and Mary Harkness were the original owners of that property. Built in between 1905-1907. Acquired by the state in the 1950s and later turned it into the state park which is open to the public with free admission for state residents.

Features mansions, botanical gardens, picnic tables, and the beach.

Camera: Nikon D3500 (DSLR)

Copyright by Jacob Blanck

Hot and humid hike but fairly empty this morning. Short drive from Charlotte.

As many outdoor lovers know, there’s a special kind of magic when the stars align, you snag a last-minute reservation and realize you’ll soon be sleeping under the stars in a place you’ve never been.

But given the popularity of California’s campgrounds, is it really possible to book a campsite on short notice? 

In this edition of The Wild, our outdoors staff writer Jaclyn Cosgrove explains not only how you can book campsites last minute but also where you will be more likely to find open spots (even, if lucky, on a holiday weekend like Fourth of July weekend).

Here’s what to know. 

I love this Podcast! Have you all heard of it? This is the best Podcast ever! The best podcast about State Parks! Original Music too! So good, check it out!

Great time

Lake Lure in the background

I really loved the hike I went on & the views were nice

Hi! I have my Dive Master's and am looking for someone who would want to dive early morning on Sunday, the 21st. I don't have any diving friends in the area who could do it and need a buddy due to their (very fair) rules. I'm an experienced diver, but very laid back and open to diving with anyone! I am a guy whose mid-20s.

This move marks the first time in American history that the federal government has cast aside a broad slate of environmental laws — including the National Park Service Organic Act, Endangered Species Act and National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act — in a national park. https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-administration-waives-environmental-laws-to-blast-border-barriers-roads-through-big-bend-national-park-2026-06-08/

Please send the message below asking your representatives to block border wall and new riverside road construction in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Big Bend region

Find your members of Congress at https://www.270towin.com/elected-officials/

Note: If you are in the reddit app and the copy feature isn't working, you can copy the letter from the comments section.

Subject: Please oppose a border wall or new riverside roads in Big Bend Parks and region

Dear {Senator/Representative Name},

I am writing to urge you to oppose any border wall or riverside road construction in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the Big Bend region.

These protected lands represent over one million acres of irreplaceable public landscapes, including critical wildlife habitat and stretches of the Rio Grande designated as a Wild and Scenic River. A border wall in this region would fragment ecosystems, block wildlife access to water, and cut off public access to treasured recreation areas.

The economic consequences would also be severe. Big Bend National Park alone supports a thriving rural tourism economy, generating tens of millions of dollars annually for nearby communities. Local businesses, outfitters, and residents have made clear that a wall would threaten their livelihoods.

Importantly, the Big Bend Sector represents a very small portion of border activity, and many law enforcement officials have stated that effective security can be achieved through technology and personnel rather than a physical barrier.

I respectfully ask you to prohibit border wall or new riverside road construction in this region and protect this nationally significant landscape for future generations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

{Your Name}