From the red rocks of Sedona to the hidden waterfalls of the desert, Jessi Bang has spent years uncovering the best-kept secrets of Arizona’s great outdoors. As the creator behind @theramblingraccoon on Instagram, she has built a platform dedicated to travel, hiking, and lifestyle, inspiring thousands to embrace adventure.
What began as a personal passion project has transformed into a thriving career, taking her across the Southwest and beyond on unforgettable journeys.
A passion for adventure
Bang's journey began with a blog. Creating theramblingraccoon.com, she started documenting her travels and encouraging others to discover the beauty of nature.
Divided into Lifestyle, Travel, and Hiking, her blog features everything from “Unique Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona” to “Hike the Wave, Arizona,” along with articles highlighting Navajo Bridge, Horseshoe Bend, and other must-visit spots across the state.
Travel and hiking guides can also be found for other states in the Southwest.
“I never imagined that starting my social media channels would take me this far or that I would build such genuine connections with people from all over the world,” Bang said. “I had wanted to start a blog for a long time, but never really thought I’d go through with it.”
Her first post marked a pivotal moment in her life. After a business venture fell through, she took a break from the traditional workforce to finally pursue the blog she had always dreamed of creating.
“Through trial and error, I taught myself how to create a website, design graphics, and manage social media,” Bang said. “The best advice I can give anyone starting out is to do just that—start it. You’ll only improve from wherever you start.”
Connecting through a love for the outdoors
At the heart of The Rambling Raccoon is a love for adventure, nature and connections.
“I love meeting people from all over the world who share my love for hiking, traveling, Christmas, or even the dream of owning a pet raccoon. It’s so fun to connect over the little things,” Bang said. “More than anything, I hope my content inspires people to get out and explore—whether that’s booking a big trip or just chasing an epic sunrise on an awesome hike.”
And her audience has responded. Bang has built a following of over 100,000 like-minded adventurers, all eager to discover new places. By growing her platform, she’s unlocked incredible opportunities, including collaborations with tourism boards and brands.
One of her most unforgettable moments was her first collaboration with the San Diego tourism board. “I remember walking along the beach, coffee in hand, feeling this overwhelming sense of gratitude and disbelief that a tourism board valued my content enough to send me on an all-expenses-paid trip,” Bang said. “It was the first time I truly saw how much my hard work had paid off.”
Another highlight was being hired by Nevada’s tourism board for a full-state itinerary.
Through these experiences, she’s learned the importance of perseverance. “So many people fail simply because they give up when things get tough, but blogging and social media are a long game,” Bang said. “Another big lesson is the power of being unapologetically yourself. No matter how saturated a niche is—whether it’s travel, the outdoors or anything else—there’s always room for everyone because our unique personalities and content styles are what set us apart.”
Roots in the Southwest
Though Bang is originally from Utah, she has spent most of her life exploring Arizona’s great outdoors and all the adventures it has to offer. Arizona has played a significant role in her travels. In 2023, she partnered with the Mesa, Arizona tourism board on a sponsored trip to explore Saguaro Ranch and beyond.
“The desert holds a special place in my heart,” Bang shared. “There’s an undeniable beauty in the desert and its landscapes, and I love discovering hidden gems in the vast, empty spaces. It’s my favorite part of exploring the desert’s quiet magic.”
Looking ahead
Bang is excited to continue exploring and sharing her journey with her followers. Her goal is to keep creating high-quality content that highlights unique travel and hiking itineraries, all while embracing new experiences and a love for life.
“The most rewarding part is sharing these adventures with others, hoping to inspire them to chase their own dreams,” Bang said.
For those who dream of an adventurous life, her advice is simple: Start now. Keep going. And don’t be afraid to pursue your own adventure.
Follow Bang’s journey at @theramblingraccoon on Instagram or visit her blog at theramblingraccoon.com
