The United States is one of the most developed countries in the world. But despite its urban growth, it has carefully preserved its serene outdoors. You will find a rich mix of outdoor travel destinations across the country, ranging from snowy mountain peaks to pristine beaches and dense forestry. There is something for everyone to enjoy!
So, are you ready for some adventure vacations? If you are planning on doing some outdoor traveling this year, here are the top 5 outdoor places in the US you should put on your list:
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is considered America’s first National Park, officially established in 1872. It is one of the most popular outdoor travel destinations, receiving millions of annual visitors. It is simply one of the best outdoor places to visit in USA.
The park is built over 32.2 million acres of land, extending into parts of Idaho and Montana. The land lies over a dormant volcano, making geysers and hot springs common occurrences. In fact, over half of the world’s active geysers are found in this one park!
There is plenty to do during your visit. Go camping, explore the natural wildlife, go on a hike, try your hand at fly fishing, or head to one of the many waterfalls. Winter is an equally popular time to visit Yellowstone, offering skiing, snow coaches and snowboarding fun.
Yosemite National Park, California
The Yosemite National Park is nestled within California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is one of the most popular destinations around the globe, not just in the US. Time Magazine has ranked it amongst the world’s most incredible places of 2023. No wonder it is perfect for American adventures.
While it is best known for the cascading waters of its waterfalls, the 1200 square mile park has deep valleys, meadows, beautiful lakes, mountain glaciers, natural wildlife preservers, and the tallest ancient sequoias you will come across. The park’s highlight is its giant sequoia trees, which date back to 3000 years, some measuring more than 250 ft in height!
Acadia National Park, Maine
This beauty is one of the most visited parks in the country, encompassing over 47,000 acres of land. It has been dubbed the Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast and is open year-round for visitations.
The park spans from the Schoodic Peninsula across half of Mount Desert Island alongside smaller islands close to the mainland. The diverse landscape offers plenty to do in the area. You can take a horse-drawn carriage ride, go bicycling, sign up for one of their ferry tours, go hiking, sit by any of the nine ponds within the park and go camping. You can even enjoy stargazing at its sandy beaches.
Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake bordering the states of Nevada and California. It is the third deepest lake in North America, reaching depths of 1,645 feet. It offers beautiful sights and plenty of things to do in its vicinity, making it one of the best places to travel to.
Sit by the lake with a packed lunch as you marvel at the surrounding granite peaks of Sierra Nevada. Savor the crisp air as you take a hike through the mountainside, go fishing in Lake Tahoe’s waters, ride bikes along the surrounding dirt trails that take you to exhilarating descents, go boating, or enjoy the endless variety of water sports.
The Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
The Grand Canyon National Park is undoubtedly one of the most well-known travel destinations in the US. It covers over 278 miles of the Colorado River and its surrounding uplands. The highlight of the park is the stunning Grand Canyon, carved over millions of years by the flowing Colorado River itself to form the 4000-ft deep canyon.
You can cruise down the Colorado River, go hiking along the 7-mile stretch of the South Rim, drive along the elevated North Rim, or go backpacking into the canyon for overnight stays. It is excellent for those who seek unique adventure vacations.