Lost with Lydia

10/15/2026

Have you explored the “Switzerland of America?”

This small Colorado mountain town has waterfalls, epic trails, a hot springs pool to soak in and more!

Make sure to leave no trace when you visit. That includes not approaching wildlife, packing out your trash and staying on the trails.

Things To Do in Ouray:

💦Visit Box Cañon Falls Park ($7 per adult)

🥾Hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail (5.4 miles)

💦Soak in the Ouray Hot Springs ($26 per adult)

🚗Drive the Million Dollar Highway, the 25-mile stretch of road between Ouray and Silverton

☕Grab coffee from 1886 Coffee

🛏️Stay at the historic Hotel Ouray

Have you been to Ouray?

10/15/2026

If you like weird and interesting geology, add this area to your list!

I quickly fell in love with Mammoth Lakes. There are SO many cool volcanic features in the area, and many of them are accessible with short hikes.

There are also lots of incredible alpine lake trails nearby. And the fall colors were stunning!

Make sure to leave no trace when you visit. Pack out your trash, stay on the trails and never feed or approach wildlife.

Swipe through for lots of recommendations, and save this for your future visit!

Have you been to Mammoth Lakes?

Check out my stories for more from this area!

10/14/2026

Would you climb up ladders and crawl through a tunnel to explore this unique cliff dwelling?

Ancenestral Pueblo people lived in this area for over 700 years between 1190 and 1270. Mesa Verde is home to 600+ cliff dwellings and over 5,000 archaeological sites. There are a few cliff dwellings that you can explore via a ranger-led tour, and Balcony House is one of them!

Balcony House was a mid-sized village with 38 rooms. It’s estimated that up to 30 people lived here.

Here’s how to visit and what to expect:

🎫Reserve your ticket ahead of time on recreation.gov. They go on sale 2 weeks in advance and well out fast.
📅Tours typically run from May to October
🪜For this tour you’ll need to be able to climb ladders, crawl through a tunnel and go up and down steps. The first ladder is 32 feet and might bother anyone afraid of heights.
📶Make sure to download or print your tour confirmation ahead of time, as there is no cell service at the trailhead

Have you been to Balcony House? Would you enjoy this?

10/14/2026

Are you considering a national park trip for winter? Check out my list of the best national parks to visit in January!

Discover the best national parks to visit in January! From Joshua Tree to the Everglades, there are plenty of national parks to visit in the winter.

10/14/2026

Adding my 63rd sticker was a bittersweet moment 🥹

It’s been through a lot of travel, but my Wondery water bottle has served me well over the years, and it’s been such a fun tradition.

It was also really special to save such an iconic national park for last! 🏞️

Do you want to visit all 63 US national parks?

10/12/2026

Is Mexico City on your bucket list? I had so much fun exploring here, and went on one of my favorite food tours of all time.

Steal my fun itinerary: https://www.lostwithlydia.com/destinations/mexico/Mexico-City-Itinerary/

10/11/2026

There are some incredible US state parks!

No matter where you go, please leave no trace 🫶

👋Hey, I’m Lydia and I’m an outdoorsy traveler who has hiked in all 50 states, and has visited all 63 US national parks! I’m sharing the journey to visit all the national parks, and detailed guides so you can plan your own trip. Follow along as I visit my final few parks this year!

10/09/2026

Is Aruba on your bucket list? From staying in an Airstream with a private pool, to hiking among giant boulders, I had the best time exploring this beautiful island!

https://www.lostwithlydia.com/destinations/aruba/Aruba-Itinerary/

10/08/2026

Elkhorn Slough is a dream 😍

Flanked by farms in between San Jose and Monterey, this wildlife sanctuary protects the home of sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and tons of birds and fish. It’s a magical place!

Here are 2 ways to visit! 👇

But first…. Keep your distance from wildlife, especially if you’re exploring via kayak or paddle board on your own. As a general rule, you should stay at LEAST 50 feet away from wildlife when possible. Make sure to not drop any food, not to bother any animals, and keep this place wild and protected.

🛥️By boat: Take a boat tour and learn about the animals as you sit back and enjoy the ride! I had an amazing experience with elkhornsloughsafari. They have a naturalist on board and it was clear that they are passionate about the animals. This is a great option if you want to learn more about the animals, and/or take photos on a camera that you’re not comfortable bringing on a kayak.

🚣By kayak or paddle board. Explore on your own with a kayak rental (or take a guided kayak tour)! This was an amazing way to have a more intimate experience with the animals, and go at your own pace. I rented from montereybaykayaks

Which way would you rather explore?