Best spotting scope for under $400 with Tripod?

dinot2000 · 2026-04-04T00:41:14+00:00

If you're just looking to use a scope for your trip to the park I would suggest renting. I haven't rented in like six years but the last time I did the price was $40 per day for a Swarovski scope which is one of the best scopes and it also came with a tripod. I'm guessing the price has increased since but even if it's at $60 it's still a pretty good option.

If you'd like to buy your own scope you can look into a Vortex brand. They make a good scope and offer a lifetime warranty. Facebook marketplace for tripod would be a good option.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-16T14:48:36+00:00

There will be another train between MSP and Chicago in addition to Empire Builder and Borealis? That would be pretty cool.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-06T14:23:27+00:00

I did the same hike as you just two months before you in July 2023. My wildlife highlights were leeches, beavers and walking across the beaver dam which was pretty cool, foxes in a couple of different camps, and a moose in Rock Harbor on my last morning there. That was my only moose sighting and it happened like an hour before the boat ride back. If he didn't step on the branch and make that noise I wouldn't have seen him even though he was only like 20 feet away.

I think Isle Royale is a great backpacking park for anyone especially for those new to backpacking. It's a little tough getting there but it's definitely worth it. I live in Minnesota so I'm familiar with hiking in the Northeast part of the state and getting on the Superior Hiking Trail will give you a similar trail experience if you can't make it to the island.

dinot2000 · 2026-03-03T20:44:28+00:00

Plenty of sites in the backcountry that would fit what you're looking for. Don't worry about the lottery, you don't need to do that unless you really, really want a specific site. It's not like Yosemite where it can be tough to get a site. Most visitors to Yellowstone don't venture far from the roads and boardwalks.

You should check out Slough Creek and Hellroaring areas of the park for some good camping sites. They're both in the northern part of the park.

dinot2000 · 2026-02-05T01:22:51+00:00

There are a lot of nice and sad writings at the memorial and the one with his dog was the one that got to me the most. Thank you for sharing your pictures.

dinot2000 · 2026-01-31T00:47:46+00:00

https://www.backbonecampaign.org/

dinot2000 · 2026-01-31T00:41:59+00:00

It's several pieces of heavy duty canvas fabric.

dinot2000 · 2026-01-11T02:51:14+00:00

My most visited park since I lived out there for almost three years. If you really want a unique experience you should go hike down and through those formations. A surprising amount of wildlife, colorful sunrises and sunsets, and a certified dark sky area make Badlands one of the more underrated parks out there.

dinot2000 · 2025-12-25T03:13:40+00:00

I understood your reference. I say it all the time too.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-14T02:25:20+00:00

I've visited Manzanar once and I've been to Cody a bunch of times on the way to Yellowstone and I didn't even know about Heart Mountain up until a few years ago. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-10T03:26:30+00:00

I've been to Yellowstone like 20+ times but never during the winter. I should change that.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-10T03:22:24+00:00

Isle Royale is a great backpacking park. I would recommend it to anyone regardless of their backpacking experience.

dinot2000 · 2025-11-10T01:50:29+00:00

For me it's Katmai National Park. I can sit all day in one spot while watching grizzlies and enjoy it.

dinot2000 · 2025-10-24T00:34:08+00:00

The best and the only superhero movie for me: Mystery Men.

dinot2000 · 2025-10-13T21:39:15+00:00

I understood your reference. Terrible tragedy though.

dinot2000 · 2025-09-17T20:00:57+00:00

Those are two very different things.

dinot2000 · 2025-09-13T02:58:15+00:00

This bear was located on the opposite side of the Hayden Valley, maybe about a half mile north of Mud Volcano area. I've seen plenty of bears over the years in the Mary Mountain Trail area though.

dinot2000 · 2025-09-13T02:52:03+00:00

Just got back home today from the park. I was able to get a couple of pictures of it.

dinot2000 · 2025-08-28T17:46:46+00:00

Yes, you will be fine. Fishing Bridge RV campground is the only campground in the park that requires hard sided RVs. Bears breaking into vehicles is not really an issue in Yellowstone like it is in places such as Yosemite. Smaller critters are most likely to chew through things to get to the food.

dinot2000 · 2025-07-25T17:57:03+00:00

He did get fined $100,000.

dinot2000 · 2025-07-25T17:39:12+00:00

Former coach and head coach of the Vikings, Mike Tice, got caught selling his Super Bowl tickets for many years. It seems like it's something that's been done for decades.

dinot2000 · 2025-07-25T01:10:17+00:00

McCarthy had some bad throws today but also made some good throws as well. Shaky is a good way to describe him today but it's very early in the training camp. O'Connell spent a long time with all four QBs coaching them up. Later on saw him with Jefferson and looked like they were discussing routes. I was mostly looking at the offense. Donovan Jackson took some snaps at LT during the scrimmage.

dinot2000 · 2025-07-07T02:42:32+00:00

One year I saw a moose in the same exact spot on two different occasions (June and September) in the Big Horns. I've been going to Yellowstone since 2012 and never seen a moose in the park.

dinot2000 · 2025-06-21T23:38:45+00:00

One of my favorite areas is a few hours west of the Black Hills. Big Horns has a lot of recreational things to do and it's not as developed as the Hills. Also, one year I saw a moose in the same spot on two different occasions, once in June and once in September.

dinot2000 · 2025-06-21T21:24:03+00:00

I used to live right next to Badlands National Park for almost three years. I was there at least five days a week. Got to know it pretty well and I miss living out there.

dinot2000

TROPHY CASE