The Spinning Atlas

Location details👇🏼
 
If you are a Cars fan, here are some iconic towns in the USA that look straight out of Radiator Springs 🚗
 
🟢 Seligman, AZ: one of the most iconic preserved Route 66 towns. If you are a Cars fan, this town is for you!
🟢 Hackberry General Store: vintage gas station vibes + classic car photo ops
🟢 Williams, AZ: gateway town to the Grand Canyon with classic Route 66 energy
 
🚗 ROAD TRIP PLANNING
🟢 Don’t expect fast interstate-style driving, many stretches are slower scenic roads
🟢 Fuel up often between towns as gas stations are limited
 
🥾 THINGS TO PAIR WITH YOUR DRIVE
🟢 Detour to the Grand Canyon South Rim if you have an extra day
🟢 Visit Valley of Fire State Park if driving from Las Vegas
🟢 Stop at roadside diners instead of chain restaurants for a great Route 66 experience!
 
Save this for your future Southwest road trip and send this to who you’d cruise these vintage towns with 🗺️

Location details👇🏼

Tennessee might quietly be one of the best waterfall states for beginners. Most of these spots are relatively short hikes, accessible year-round, and perfect to pair together for a weekend road trip. Saving this guide for your next TN roadtrip!

🌿 GREETER FALLS
🟢 Located in Savage Gulf State Park
🟢 ~1 mile round trip depending on route
🟢 Moderate hike with lots of stairs + a steep metal staircase down to the base

💦 BURGESS FALLS
🟢 Easy paved overlook trail (~1.5 miles RT)
🟢 Multiple waterfall viewpoints along the way
🟢 Bottom of the waterfall can only be accessed by boat/kayak

🏊 CUMMINS FALLS
🟢 One of Tennessee’s most popular swimming waterfalls
🟢 Gorge access permit required most of the year
🟢 ~2-3 miles RT with river crossings + slippery rocks

🕳️ RUBY FALLS
🟢 America’s tallest underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain
🟢 Guided cave tour experience

🌲 RUTLEDGE FALLS
🟢 Short walk from parking
🟢 Popular swimming hole in warmer months
🟢 Located on private property. Be respectful + pack out trash

🍃 PINEY FALLS
🟢 ~1 mile RT suspension bridge hike
🟢 Easy-moderate trail with forest scenery

🌈 RAINBOW FALLS (Signal Mountain)
🟢 Short but steep hike near Chattanooga
🟢 Trail can get muddy + slick

⛰️ SAVAGE FALLS
🟢 Located inside Savage Gulf State Park
🟢 ~1 mile RT. Moderate descent into the gorge
🟢 Swimming is common here during summer

💎 LOST CREEK FALLS
🟢 Unique waterfall that disappears into a cave system
🟢 Flashlight/headlamp helpful if exploring nearby cave areas

🧗 DENNY COVE FALLS
🟢 ~2.5 miles RT. Easy/moderate trail with rock climbing areas nearby

🌊 ROCKHOUSE + CANE CREEK FALLS
🟢 Located in one of Tennessee’s best state parks for waterfall hopping
🟢 Cane Creek Gorge trail + suspension bridge adds more mileage if desired

✨ PRO TIPS
🟢 Waterproof shoes help more than you think in Tennessee
🟢 Many trails get extremely slick from wet leaves + mud
🟢 Start early if visiting on weekends to avoid packed parking lots

Which Tennessee waterfall should we add to our list next? 👀

Comment “getaway” for our Wyoming Airbnb collection. See caption for where to stay in each stop.

Wyoming is one of the best states to road trip around, it has long scenic highways, major national parks within driving distance of each other, and landscapes that shift dramatically from geothermal basins to alpine terrain.

🚘Best time to go: late June through September for accessible trails and predictable weather. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds but require more flexibility.

✈️ Airport to fly into: Rapid City, SD

Devils Tower National Monument
🟢Tower Trail (1.3 miles loop, easy, paved): The best way to experience the monument up close. Mostly flat with minimal elevation gain, suitable for most fitness levels.
🟢Plan ~3 hours unless you plan to picnic or climb.
🟢Pro Tip: June can bring road closures or delays due to cultural ceremonies, always check NPS alerts beforehand.
🏨Look for Airbnbs in Casper, Wyoming from the Airbnb collection

Grand Teton National Park
🟢Sunrise at Mormon Row
🟢Explore the park by driving the Teton Park Rd, multiple epic viewpoints including Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook, Jenny Lake Overlook
🟢Taggart Lake Trail (3 miles roundtrip, moderate)
🟢Jenny Lake + Hidden Falls (1–2 miles depending on ferry use)
🏨Look for Airbnbs in nearby Jackson, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park
🟢Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook (1.6 miles RT, easy): Start at Fairy Falls trailhead for the aerial view, the boardwalk alone won’t give you the full perspective.
🟢Old Faithful Area: Eruption intervals average 90 minutes; check posted predictions at the visitor center to plan efficiently.
🟢Lamar Valley: Go at sunrise for the highest chance of spotting wolves, bison, and bears.
🟢Fuel Up: Gas stations are limited and expensive inside the park.
🏨Look for Airbnbs in West Yellowstone, Montana

⚠️Road Trip Tips
🟢 Weather shifts fast even in summer; pack layers.
🟢 Respect wildlife distances (100 yards for bears/wolves, 25 for others).
🟢 Book accommodations early if traveling June–September.

Save this for later & send to your road trip crew!

Comment “FAN” for a link to this hands-free fan!

AD | If you’ve ever hiked in the heat with a backpack, you already know… the sweaty back struggle is real 😅

We have been using this hands-free fan on our recent hikes, and it’s honestly made a huge difference. Instead of constantly overheating or needing to stop for breaks, we can just clip it on and keep moving.

And the best part? It’s completely hands-free, with a swappable battery, so you’re not carrying anything extra! The fan came in SO handy on our kayak trip where we need our hands to paddle. We also used this on a daily basis during our Havasupai camping trip and it worked wonders for cooling us down both on the trail and in the tent!

We usually wear it around our necks or just clip it to our waists, and it pushes airflow right where you need it. Wearing it on the waist actually helps circulate air instead of just blowing it, which makes a huge difference on hot, exposed trails.

🟢 Hands-free design
🟢 Strong airflow
🟢 Swappable battery. We bring an extra battery for longer hikes. One battery can last almost a whole day!
🟢 Lightweight & compact

If you’re planning any summer hikes or desert trips in the coming months, this is 100% worth adding to your backpack!

Would you come here?

This camp site is often crowned as the most expensive camp site/permit in the USA. After experiencing it this past week, we can say with confidence it is worth every penny spent and mile hiked! Located within the Havasupai Reservation near the Grand Canyon, this area is known for its turquoise waterfalls in the middle of the desert.

🏕️ PERMITS + RESERVATIONS
🟢 Permits are REQUIRED and sell out quickly when reservations open each year
🟢 Reservations are booked through the official Havasupai Reservations website for 3 nights/4 days
🟢 No day hiking allowed: everyone must either camp or stay at the lodge in Supai Village

🥾 THE HIKE IN/OUT
🟢 Trailhead starts at Hualapai Hilltop in northern Arizona
🟢 Roundtrip hike to the campground is ~20 miles. It took us 4.5 hours each way to complete
🟢 Elevation change is ~2,400 ft
🟢 Start your hike in/out before sunrise, temperatures are dangerously high by midday

💧 PLACES TO VISIT
🟢 Havasu Falls: the main iconic waterfall located near the campground
🟢 Mooney Falls: steep descent using chains and ladders, can be slippery and wet
🟢 Beaver Falls: ~3 miles past Mooney Falls with river crossings
🟢 Fifty Foot Falls: Between Supai Village and the campground
🟢 Confluence: ~18 miles roundtrip from Mooney Falls, moderately challenging

🎒 CAMPING + ETIQUETTE
🟢 Camp only in designated campground areas
🟢 Respect the Havasupai Tribe and local rules. Pack in and pack out, do not take photos of the village and it’s people
🟢 Bring water filtration: creek water is available but should always be treated

📅 BEST TIME TO VISIT
🟢 Spring and fall offer the most manageable hiking temperatures
🟢 Flash floods are possible during monsoon season (July–September)

⚠️ PRO TIPS
🟢 Cell service is extremely limited. Put your phone on airplane mode to save battery
🟢 Wear water shoes with good grip for wet canyon terrain
🟢 Bring gloves for the stairs coming down from Mooney Falls
🟢 Mule services are available but must be booked ahead
🟢 Helicopter schedules are extremely unreliable, always be prepared to hike in/out yourself

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