Welcome to

Let's Venture West

Hey! Welcome to Let's Venture West!

My name is McKenna, and I created Let’s Venture West to give everyone all the information and insight they need to explore nature sustainably. I believe that the outdoors is for everyone, but it’s up to us to protect it. The wilderness has given me some of the best moments of my life, and I am here to share everything I know so that others can have similar experiences and so we can all do a better job protecting the places that give us so much!

Secret spots are kept a secret for a reason, and it’s hard to find information about many outdoor spaces out of protection from people who don’t know how to treat the environment carefully. These places demand respect and proper treatment to stay pristine, but unfortunately, many people either don’t know how to do this or choose not to. For those wanting to discover their new favorite secret spot and are willing to learn what it takes to preserve these incredible landscapes and explore the outdoors responsibly, Let’s Venture West is for you!

About Me

From climbing trees in my backyard to accompanying my dad on camping trips deep in the Colorado mountains, growing up I always found a way to spend as little time inside as possible. My love for being outside came from my parents, who are passionate about anything that gets them active and outdoors. Their favorite activities are biking and skiing, for which we have some of the best terrain in Summit County, Colorado, where we moved just before my twin brother and I started 8th grade.

Moving to Summit County was the best thing that ever happened to me. Located in one of the most wilderness-accessible areas of the country, Summit County, along with my parent’s passion, shaped me into the wild and adventurous outdoorswoman I am today. Although Summit County provided endless backcountry opportunities, it also taught me a lot about what outdoor etiquette and respect for the environment should (and shouldn’t) look like.

I love researching new gems to add to my bucket list- I love experiencing them even more. I also love to share what I know and recommend places to others, which is part of why I created Let’s Venture West! My goal is not only to share my experiences and secret spots but also to educate people on how to be respectful outdoor enthusiasts to the places we visit and the people we encounter out on the trail.

Personal Favorites

Day Hikes

Backpacking Trails

US National Parks

Hidden Gems

Car Camping Spots

Roadtrip Scenic Routes, Detours, and Pit-Stops

Brewries, Taprooms, and Pubs

Day Hikes

The Wave (Coyote Buttes North), Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona

Big Tree Trail> Foothill Trail > South Fork Trail > Karl Knapp Trail > Big Tree, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

The Devil’s Garden, Arches National Park, Utah

Backpacking Trails

The Enchantments, Washington

East Rosebud Trail, Montana

Goat Lake Trail, Idaho

US National Parks

Arches National Park, Utah

Canyonlands National Park, Needles District, Utah

Glacier National Park, Montana

Hidden Gems

The Sawtooths, Idaho

Arches National Park Backcountry, Utah

Custer State Park, South Dakota

Car Camping Spots

Dispersed camping near Canyonlands National Park, Needles District, Utah

Dispersed camping in Peru Creek, Colorado

Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

Roadtrip Scenic Routes, Detours, and Pit-Stops

Dispersed camping near Canyonlands National Park, Needles District, Utah

Dispersed camping in Peru Creek, Colorado

Prarie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

Brewries, Taprooms, and Pubs​

Bunkhouse Brewing, in Bozeman, Montana

The Bear Street Tavern, near Banff National Park, in Banff, Alberta, Canada

Zion Canyon Brewpub, near Zion National Park, in Springdale, Utah

Thanks for visiting! Safe travels, and happy trails!

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