12 Must-Visit US Locations for Outdoor Enthusiasts
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If you love to get out there among nature, you need this list of the best US destinations for outdoor lovers. From towering or distinctive trees to wild horses, a volcanic crater, hot springs, fall foliage, tumbling waterfalls, and more, here are the top places to visit during your time on Earth.
Acadia National Park, Maine
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Spending time outside in the crisp, autumnal air is a lovely thing to do. If seeing the fall colors of New England has always been on your bucket list, then Acadia National Park in Maine is the place to go.
Head there between September and October to see a spectacular display of gold, ocher, orange, red, and burgundy leaves. As well as driving the Park Loop Road, you can hike up Cadillac Mountain. Or take a kayak or canoe onto the ocean for a different perspective.
Read also: US National Parks
Assateague Island, Maryland, and Virginia
The descendants of domestic horses are the main draw on this 37-mile-long island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. It’s also a favored bird-watching destination, where you can see great blue herons, snowy egrets, and more.
The varied terrain, comprising forests, salt marshes, and sandy beaches, keeps things interesting. The latter is the famous haunt of the now-wild horses.
Read also: Awesome US Islands for Beach Holidays
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Go to the Pacific Northwest to see the result of the collapse of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake, which formed around 8,000 years ago. The lake is accessed by ascending the steep Cleetwood Trail, or you can take the circular Rim Drive. If you want to dip in the chilly water, stick to summer when the weather is warmest.
Read also: Relaxing US Lake Destinations
Island Beach State Park, New Jersey
Both bird watchers and fishing fans flock to Island Beach State Park in New Jersey. The park is home to a huge osprey population, who feed on the plentiful fish. Rolling dunes and pristine white sands add to the untouched feel, and fall is the best time to fish due to the annual migration.
Read also: Incredible Seaside Towns in the US
North Cascades National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park is the place to go for backcountry camping. Some 140 campgrounds can only be accessed by boat, adding to the feeling of getting away from it all. Expect to lose yourself among emerald evergreen forests, slow-moving glaciers, and cascading waterfalls.
Read also: Amazing Wilderness Areas in America
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Natural thermal hot springs provide intrepid travelers a new way to experience the great outdoors. Mammoth Hot Springs within Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming has geothermal sites, including bubbling mud, surging geysers, and steaming fissures. Don’t miss the limestone terraces near the park’s north entrance.
🏨 Explore all your hotel options here
Read also: Must-Visit Landmarks in the US
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If winter sports are your idea of a good time, Jackson Hole offers some of the most challenging slopes in the US. Lush forest and soaring peaks provide the picture-perfect setting. Look out for local wildlife, such as deer and elk, often spotted while skimming over the snow.
Read also: Hidden Gems in the US
Joshua Tree National Park, California
There’s nothing like getting out at night to make you feel at one with the universe, let alone planet Earth. Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect place for stargazing, not least in winter due to the early sunsets.
But to spot the Milky Way, summer is the best season. By day, look out for local wildlife and, of course, the distinctive trees of the Mojave Desert.
Read also: Hidden Gems in the US
The Appalachian Trail, 14 states
The Appalachian Trail stretches between Georgia and Maine, covering around 2,000 miles en route. Though few tackle the hiking trail in its entirety, two to three million people per year hike a section.
Despite being a well-trodden track, this is the wilderness, complete with bears, poisonous snakes, and other natural hazards. Taking on all or part of the trail is ideal for anyone who relishes a challenge.
Read also: Stunning Winter Destinations in the US
Redwood National Park, California
Nothing on earth will make you feel more at one with Mother Nature than seeing 2,000-year-old trees. The towering redwoods of northern California are now protected thanks to the efforts of both conservationists and state officials. You can also find prairies and untouched beaches within the park.
Read also: Amazing US Destinations to see Fall Foliage
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Head to the southern shores of Lake Superior, ideally between May and October, to gawp at the arches, caves, beaches, waterfalls, and sand dunes of the Great Lakes. You’ll also get great views of the Pictured Rocks during a boat tour, which are painted in many shades thanks to minerals in the water.
Read also: Secluded US Towns for a Peaceful Relaxation
Denali National Park, Alaska
A staggering six million acres of wilderness awaits at Denali National Park in Alaska. You can take on the Denali or Foraker peaks here, the former being the highest in the US.
The variety of terrain, including evergreen forests, glaciers, and grassy tundra, is also a habitat for species such as wolves, caribou, moose, and even grizzly bears. Avoid winter unless you want to get around only on skis or snowshoes.
Read also: Relaxing Mountain Getaways in the US
