If you’re looking for adventure, then the US is the place to go. The country, which spans nearly an entire continent, is much more than its big coastal cities. Much of the interior is a rural wilderness, undisturbed by farming or human activity. Despite being the most developed country in the world, nature still thrives here, and does so in spectacular style.
If you’re an adventure-obsessed travel nut, then this post is for you. In it, we take a look at some of the top outdoor destinations in the country and why you might want to travel there.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone has been home to Native Americans for more than 11,000 years. This unique and beautiful place sits at the confluence of enormous geological activity. Below the park, there is a giant cavern, full of magma, which is pushing up on the rock above and causing fissures, geysers, and active hot pools.
What makes it such a great place to visit? It’s the spectacular nature of the landscape. One moment you’re hiking through a lush, green forest: the next, you’ve stumbled across a turquoise steaming pool. It’s a remarkable place.
Yosemite
For those looking for something more laid back and peaceful, Yosemite national park is the place to go. Located just 170 miles east of San Francisco, it’s easily accessible by car and truck camper. The area is famous for its waterfalls, meadow and giant sequoia trees. It’s also home to numerous waterfalls and there are plenty of activities to enjoy. During the winter, people go here for snowboarding and skiing, while in the summer, hiking is the main activity.
What’s great about Yosemite is the way the park changes throughout the year. If you want to see it at its most stunning, go in the spring after the ice falls and once the rain arrives. The swollen rivers increase the volume of water in the waterfalls.
Lake Tahoe
These days, Lake Tahoe is well-known. Sitting on the border between Nevada and California, this beautiful region has both water and mountains, making it an adventurer’s paradise.
People stop here in the summer for mountain biking, parasailing, hiking and golf. They also use the lake for boating, canoeing and kayaking. You can also use Lake Tahoe for hybrid vacations, spending some time in nature, and then heading to Renos for restaurants and casinos.
Maui
While the whole of Hawaii offers fun and adventure for travelers, Maui is perhaps the most rugged and spectacular location on the entire volcanic island chain. The interesting thing about the island is that, despite its inhabitants’ best efforts, it’s never been tamed. Getting from one side to the other, even in a motor vehicle, is an adventure in itself.
What can you do here? Well, plenty, actually. People go for the blowholes, mountainous volcanic peaks, and crashing waterfalls. It’s also a great destination for snorkeling, with many operators offering scuba excursions.
Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is a famous skiing and snowboarding destination in Wyoming and a part of the Grand Teton National Park. However, you don’t just have to travel there in the winter. There are plenty of summer activities available too, such as kayaking and white water rapids.
Fall is also a good time to go, particularly if you are interested in wildlife. You’ll get to see herds of elk roaming around at the park’s refuge as well as the changing scenery of the landscape.
Grand Canyon
No trip to the most rugged parts of the U.S. would be complete without taking a trip to the Grand Canyon. While the area is now heavily manicured, visiting still feels like a wild experience because of the unique nature of the landscape. The way the Colorado River cuts its way through the rock is nothing short of spectacular.
Most adventurers park up and then go for hikes around the North Rim. Because of the route’s challenging nature, relatively few people ever go, so you’ll feel like you are out in the wilderness.
At some points along the trail, you have a chance to go off and explore by yourself. However, if you want a guided excursion, these are available too, both on-foot and in a Jeep.
Kauai
Lastly, if a misty rainforest adventure suits you, then you might want to head out to the island of Kauai. People go here to experience the island’s watersports and also enjoy the many zip lines that let you soar over the top of the tree canopy below.
