McWilliams Campground, near Las Vegas, offers a cool forested retreat with Ponderosa pines and Yosemite-like scenery. Further along, Rhyolite's ruins and nearby Goldwell Open Air Museum showcase Nevada’s gold rush history and surreal art. The adventure begins at the McWilliams Campground, nestled in the Spring Mountains just northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada. Sitting at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, this serene forested oasis offers a cool escape from the sweltering desert heat below. Ponderosa pines tower over the campground, filling the air with their sweet, vanilla-like aroma. The rugged gray peaks in the background evoke a Yosemite-like ambiance, creating a stark contrast to the bustling Las Vegas Strip just a short drive away. For campers, McWilliams provides spacious, well-maintained sites, complete with unique fire rings and paved areas. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful retreat or a staging ground for high-altitude exploration, this site captures the quiet beauty of Nevada’s wilderness. Further along the journey lies the ghost town of Rhyolite, a relic of Nevada's gold rush era. Founded in the early 1900s, Rhyolite was once a bustling hub supported by the Montgomery Shoshone Mine and the investments of Charles Schwab. Today, visitors can explore its iconic ruins, including the Cook Bank Building and the railroad station, which once symbolized the town’s brief but ambitious rise. Nearby, the Goldwell Open Air Museum offers a surreal juxtaposition of art and history, featuring sculptures like "The Last Supper" and a prospector accompanied by a whimsical penguin. Together, Rhyolite and its surroundings paint a vivid picture of the highs and lows of Nevada's mining boom, offering an unforgettable stop on the road to Death Valley.

Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona, is one of the most iconic geographical features of the landscape. It offers excellent hiking, amazing scenic views, and an opportunity for visitors to seek the mystical energy of a vortex. Today we put on our hiking shoes and set out to explore more of Sedona, Arizona and see if we could experience one thing Sedona is well known for - vortexes! We headed out to Bell Rock for a nice morning hike, stopped to take in some amazing views, conducted a few small experiments, talk about some vortex information we found on our research and overall had a really fantastic day! Bell Rock is a popular attraction in Sedona. The roughly 1.5 miles out and back trail is considered a relatively easy hike along the northern face of the butte. While cairns mark the trail, many can be seen climbing up the rock face elsewhere and finding their own personal space. Visitors may climb as high as they feel comfortable; there isn't a bad view anywhere. Vortexes are thought to be an area of concentrated energy where electromagnetic ley lines intersect. It is believed that there are different types of vortexes - feminine, or magnetic/downflow energy, useful for introspective reflection; masculine, or electrical/upflow energy, useful for increasing intentions and resolve; and balanced, which are thought to be a combination of the two. Meditation and self-reflection are often common goals for people visiting Sedona vortexes.

We roll from Yellowstone into Grand Teton for another CampVue filming day! A stop at Headwaters Campground, scenic glimpses of the Tetons, and more behind-the-scenes campground work. 🏕️⛰️ In this episode, we leave Yellowstone behind and head a little farther south into Grand Teton National Park, continuing the behind-the-scenes rhythm of our CampVue filming days. It’s a shorter travel segment but packed with those satisfying moments of crossing into a new landscape — forests opening up, mountains shifting shape, and the Tetons slowly revealing themselves on the horizon. Our first task of the day: checking into Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch, our home base for this leg of the journey. We show the layout, the vibe, and the surroundings before getting back on the road to film the NPS-run campgrounds throughout the Grand Teton area. Between work stops, we grab brief but beautiful views of the Grand Teton range, those jagged peaks slashing the skyline in a way that never really feels real. Even these quick glances remind us why this park has such a gravitational pull. It’s a quieter episode — more focused on the road, the work behind CampVue, and that slow shift from one legendary national park into the next. But sometimes those are the days that feel the most grounding.

We explore Virginia City, Montana — a perfectly preserved gold rush town where history lives on through its storefronts, museums, and the charm of the Fairweather Inn. In this episode, we continue our exploration of Montana’s storied mining towns with a visit to Virginia City — once the heart of Montana’s Gold Rush and now a beautifully preserved time capsule of the 19th century. We stroll up and down the historic main street, peering into the old storefronts and museums that still tell the story of a bustling frontier town frozen in time. Through the glass of weathered windows, displays recreate the daily life of miners, merchants, and townsfolk who once chased fortune in these rugged hills. As in neighboring Nevada City, Charles Bovey’s preservation efforts again take center stage — his dedication to saving these structures from decay allowing us to walk through history instead of just reading about it. Each creaking board and faded sign feels like an echo of those who came before. After a long day of exploration, we check into the Fairweather Inn, a historic lodging that still welcomes guests in true old-west fashion. It’s the perfect way to end the day — surrounded by history, quiet streets, and the feeling that we’ve stepped back more than a century in time. If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to walk through a living museum, Virginia City offers that rare experience — part ghost town, part preservation triumph, and entirely captivating.

Valley of Fire State Park has many nooks and crannies off the beaten path for the visitor to explore and enjoy. I discovered one such place, full of interesting and colorful rock formations, behind Parking Lot #1 off of White Domes Road. If you've been to Valley of Fire State Park, perhaps you've stopped at a parking area off of White Domes Road simply named, Parking Lot #1. There is a sign there describing some of the common plants in the area, and a beautiful vista with small sandstone domes, beehive-like formations, and colorful rusty-red mountains in the background. You may have also noticed hundreds of footprints in the sand behind the lot hinting that there might be something to see in the region beyond the parking lot. This video explores that area, most likely more deeply than the average adventurer would be willing to do. What we discovered back there was some of the widest range of color present in the sandstone than most any other place in the park that we know about. You will also see some very unique rock formations and exquisite geometric patterns in the stones. One of our particular favorites is a small sandstone arch we found that was striped and layered. For whatever reason, this area really called to me. I visited it around three or four times while there, and this video represents one of my last adventures back there when I decided to dig a little deeper. So glad I did!

Welcome back to our 2025 Campvue Northern Tour on the Cactus Atlas. In this episode, we continue our journey through the forests of Montana, following scenic dirt roads north toward the Canadian border. Along the way, we stop to admire crystal-clear creeks, mountain views stretching toward Glacier National Park, and the quiet beauty of the Flathead National Forest. After reaching the border area, we make a stop at the legendary Polebridge Mercantile for one of their world-famous huckleberry bear claws — the perfect treat to end a long day of exploration. We return to Big Creek Campground, where the evening calm and riverside views wrap up our time in this unforgettable part of Montana. Be sure to catch up on previous episodes of our Northern Tour if you missed them — there’s plenty more scenery, history, and adventure to enjoy.

Hole in the Rock Road winds through Utah’s remote desert, leading adventurers to stunning sites like the surreal Cosmic Ashtray, the unique rock formations of Devil's Garden, and the historic Batty Pass Caves. Hole in the Rock Road is an iconic, rugged backcountry route that takes explorers deep into Utah’s Escalante Desert. Originally blazed by Mormon pioneers in the late 1800s, this unpaved road now invites adventurers to discover some of the area’s most unique and remote attractions. Stretching over 60 miles, Hole in the Rock Road is surrounded by sweeping vistas, colorful desert formations, and landmarks that offer a fascinating look into both natural and human history. Along the journey, visitors can hike to incredible sites like the Cosmic Ashtray, a surreal, crater-like sandstone formation that appears almost alien in its design, carved by millennia of wind and water erosion. Further along, Devil’s Garden showcases a striking collection of sandstone hoodoos, arches, and towers that feel like stepping into a natural sculpture garden, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and photography. The Batty Pass Caves add a touch of mystery; these man-made caves, carved into the cliffs, were used by the Batty family as a unique homestead in the early 20th century. Hole in the Rock Road is more than just a drive—it’s an adventure that promises solitude, spectacular scenery, and a glimpse into the past. Its many side trails lead to secluded wonders, perfect for those seeking to explore Utah’s lesser-known desert marvels.

Ever wonder what it would be like to camp on a slightly terraformed Martian Landscape? If so, we've got something for you! At Valley of Fire State Park, with very little imagination, you can live out your dreams of spending a night on the red planet. Or at the very least, your dreams of camping in an iconic desert landscape. In today's episode we venture off to explore a park in a new state for us - Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada! We stay at Arch Rock Campground and tour the area, provide a review of our campsite as well as visit many of the other sites to give you an idea of what camping is like in this natural wonder. Valley of Fire is unlike any other location one could possibly visit on planet Earth. With its Mars-like rock structures and breathtaking striped sandstone, there is a lot to explore! Camping at Valley of Fire provides a chance to be truly enveloped by the landscape and sleep up close to history. Two campgrounds offer this opportunity for visitors - Arch Rock Campground and Atlatl Rock Campground. Arch Rock Campground is the more primitive campground of the two - offering 29 sites butted up against deep red sandstone providing plenty of privacy. Each site has its own potable water source, tent pad, a stand-up barbeque grill in addition to a fire ring, and covered picnic tables. The campground features dry camping so it has vault toilets rather than flushing toilets and no showers. However, the nearby Atlatl Rock Campground is more developed and offers amenities for use by campers at Arch Rock. Each site can accommodate tents, trailers, campers, or RVs. Arch Rock Campground does not, however, provide RV hookups but there is a dump station.

A bumpy dirt road, no coffee in sight, and tiny towns flashing by as we cross northwest Utah toward Great Basin National Park. We land an incredible campsite, then head toward Weaver Peak to film CampVue and catch our first jaw-dropping views. In this episode, we finally leave City of Rocks National Reserve and begin the long push toward Great Basin National Park. The route takes us along sometimes bumpy dirt roads, cutting across the northwest corner of Utah through wide-open country and tiny towns that seem to disappear as quickly as they appear. With no luck finding coffee in Almo before setting off, the search for caffeine becomes a running joke as we roll through near-empty stretches of road, soaking in the quiet and isolation of this part of the West. It’s a travel day defined by movement, small moments, and the humor that comes from unmet expectations. We eventually arrive at our campground near Great Basin National Park and quickly realize we may have landed one of the best campsites of the entire 2025 CampVue Northern Tour. After getting set up, we head out toward Weaver Peak to continue filming for CampVue, where we’re rewarded with our first real glimpse of the stunning landscape that defines this region. This episode marks the transition from travel to discovery, setting the stage for what’s to come in Great Basin.

We finally explore Castle Rocks State Park—hiking quiet trails, wandering among towering rock formations, viewing pictographs, visiting a stocked pond, and learning the history behind prairie schooner wagons left on the landscape. A calm, reflective end to the day. This episode picks up where the previous day left off as we finally explore Castle Rocks State Park in southern Idaho. After splitting this filming day into two videos, this one is all about slowing down and wandering through the park itself. We spend time hiking along the trails, weaving between the striking rock formations that give Castle Rocks its name, stopping often to take in the quiet and scale of the landscape. Along the way, we visit pictographs etched into the rock, pausing to appreciate their history and presence in this rugged place. We also check out a stocked pond within the park, a peaceful stop surrounded by open views and wildlife sounds, before continuing on to explore remnants of westward travel. Prairie schooner wagons sit out on the landscape, paired with interpretive signs that help tell the story of the emigrants who once passed through this area along historic routes. It’s an day of exploration, history, and reflection—closing out our time in Castle Rocks before the journey continues.

We did it! The drive from Prescott to Crown King on the Senator Highway spans 37 miles, offering scenic views and a rugged, adventurous offroad experience through the Arizona landscape. It's some lost footage fun! The Senator Highway holds a rich history that dates back to 1866. It was named after the Senator Mine, which was one of the prominent mines in the area. The road was initially established as a toll road, serving as a crucial transportation route for miners and settlers in the region. Over time, the Senator Highway expanded and became an important link between Crown King and Prescott, Arizona. The oldest section of the Senator Highway was built in 1866, and it has since undergone various improvements and modifications. Today, the highway stretches approximately 37 miles, offering a scenic and adventurous journey for travelers. Along the way, you'll pass by the remnants of the Senator Mine, a reminder of the area's mining history. As for the route from Prescott to Crown King, it is an exciting and challenging trail that spans about 37 miles. The journey begins in Prescott and takes you through picturesque landscapes, including ponderosa pine forests. The route offers a little bit of everything, from scenic views to historical landmarks. The Senator Highway has become popular among off-road enthusiasts and regular travelers alike. It provides an opportunity to explore the rugged terrain and experience the beauty of Arizona's natural landscapes. Whether you're interested in the history of mining or simply looking for an adventurous drive, the Senator Highway and its route from Prescott to Crown King offer a unique and memorable experience.

The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada winds through the Virgin Mountain foothills, offering a thrilling journey past historic mines, scenic canyons like the Seeps, and natural wonders like Keyhole Rock, all amidst free range cattle grazing lands. The Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route in Nevada is a captivating trail that combines history, natural beauty, and thrilling offroad challenges. Located near Bunkerville, this trail spans approximately 30 miles and winds through the picturesque Virgin Mountain foothills. Its name pays homage to a rail car that was once used as a water tender for cattle grazing in the area, highlighting its historical significance. As offroad enthusiasts embark on this adventure, they encounter a variety of terrains ranging from sandy washes to rocky ridges and narrow canyons. The trail is known for its technical obstacles and diverse landscape, making it a favorite among those seeking both excitement and scenic views of the Mojave Desert. Along the route, adventurers will come across remnants of the Key West Mine and the Great Eastern Mine, reminders of the region's mining history. The trail also passes through the stunning Seeps Canyon, where the natural beauty of the granite rock formations can be admired. One of the notable landmarks on the Bunkerville Choo Choo trail is Keyhole Rock, a captivating natural arch that beckons travelers to pause and take in its unique beauty. Moreover, the trail traverses free range cattle grazing land, so travelers should keep an eye out for livestock along the way. The combination of historical sites, natural wonders, and challenging terrain makes the Bunkerville Choo Choo offroad route a memorable and rewarding experience for offroad enthusiasts exploring the rugged landscapes of Nevada.