In the U.S., there is a wide range of landscapes that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. There is plenty of adventure waiting in soaring mountains and dense forests, in big deserts and wild coastline. You may want to take on challenging hikes, go on river trips, or admire gorgeous landscapes, but you should mark your next trip to one of our small yet beautiful states. Learn to climb, hike, kayak, and explore new places still unheard of!
California: A State of Extremes
Due to its sheer size and geographical makeup, California is the most popular destination in the world for nearly any outdoor activity imaginable. It is the place where you can ride the Pacific in the morning and ski the Sierra Nevada mountains in the afternoon. The opportunities to explore are endless with this array.
Why it's a top state for adventure:
Yosemite National Park
Home to several renowned granite cliffs, such as El Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite has become a global hub for rock climbing and hiking. The walks are simple, taking place around the park within Yosemite Valley, but there are also more serious hikes into the wilderness that can last several days.
Joshua Tree National Park
At the border between the Mojave and Colorado deserts, Joshua Tree presents a phantasmagoric scenery of odd rock shapes and cactus-like plants. The site boasts of the best bouldering and rock climbing, as well as stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country.
Death Valley National Park
As the hottest, driest, and lowest of the national parks, Death Valley presents a unique challenge. There is an extraterrestrial experience in hiking to Zabriskie Point, just in time to see sunrise, or in experiencing the Salt Flats of Badwater Basin.
Utah: The Mighty Five and More
Utah has five amazing national parks, often referred to as the Mighty Five, which share their portion of adventure. The state is a land of monumental canyons, magnificent red rock formations, and stunning desert landscapes, where hikers and shutterbugs will find much to admire.
Why it's a top state for adventure:
Canyonlands National Park
Huge and rugged wilderness, Canyonlands is divided into three distinct districts. It is best suited to off-road vehicle use, backpacking, and Colorado and Green River rafting.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon, with its unevenly spaced columns of rocks (also referred to as hoodoos), also offers a series of natural amphitheaters that have been uncovered by scenic drives and other hiking paths, such as the Queen's Garden Navajo loop.
Capitol Reef National Park
The park has an undiscovered secret: the Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile crinkle in the Earth's crust. It is probably best enjoyed hiking, driving around, and visiting old-fashioned orchards.
Colorado: The Rocky Mountain High
Colorado boasts of 58 thirteeners (mountains above 14000ft) and is thus the unquestioned ruler of the high adventure. The Rocky Mountains, a year-round outdoor playground, dominate the state.
Why it's a top state for adventure:
Rocky Mountain National Park
This park features over 350 miles of hiking trails that cater to hikers of all abilities. The highest continuous paved road in North America, known as Trail Ridge Road, offers breathtaking views.
World-Class Skiing
During the winter, Colorado becomes a top skiing and snowboarding destination in the country, boasting well-known resorts such as Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge.
Whitewater Rafting
Everything. With some of the best whitewater rafting anywhere in the country, the Arkansas River is a great place to take children or someone skilled enough.
Alaska: The Last Frontier
True wilderness and seclusion are to be found in Alaska. Its vastness, distant horizons, and wilderness also allow adventure that is not quite available in other places.
Why it's a top state for adventure:
Denali National Park
The park contains the highest mountain not only in North America but in the human world, Denali, a six-million-acre wildland. Visitors can take bus tours to see grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves, or venture into the backcountry for serious trekking.
Glacier Viewing and Kayaking
Destinations like Kenai Fjords National Park and Glacier Bay National Park offer travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves in massive tidewater glaciers. To go kayaking over the icebergs is an experience of its own.
Northern Lights
There are few better places in the Northern Hemisphere than Fairbanks, and other places a bit farther north will offer the greatest opportunities to see the most spectacular natural phenomena, the aurora borealis or the Northern Lights, in winter.
Washington: From Rainforests to Volcanoes
Washington is an incredible blend of ecosystems, with the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula and the volcanic peaks of the Cascade Range. It is what makes it a great destination state in terms of most outdoor activities.
Why it's a top state for adventure:
Olympic National Park
Three different ecosystems are conserved in this park: rugged Pacific coastline, ancient tree-covered temperate rainforests, and the glacier-capped Olympic Mountains.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier, the most recognizable volcano in the state, is a popular destination for mountaineering and hiking. Bursting its subalpine meadows in summer are wild flowers.
Montana: Big Sky Country
The expansive territories and rugged landscape of Montana, coupled with its clean rivers, make it a haven for outdoor adventure. It is where you indeed get away and can still make contact with nature.
Glacier National Park
This vast wildland reserve is unique due to the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road, stunning mountain views, lakes, and, as its name suggests, the working glaciers. It's a hiker's paradise.
Wyoming: Cowboys and Canyons
Wyoming embodies the values of the American West, characterized by its distinctive, dramatic mountain ranges, expansive plains, and breathtaking national parks. The state is full of wild adventure and stunning beauty.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, the world's first national park, is a Geothermal marvel featuring geysers, hot springs, and an amazing array of wildlife, including bison and bears.
Arizona: A Desert Wonderland
The Arizona desert is definitely not a desert. Exploring this location is an interesting experience, as it features gorgeous canyons with unique rock formations and a rich history.
Grand Canyon National Park
This world-renowned destination offers magnificent views and challenging ascents. The bucket-list activity includes taking a hike to the canyon or rafting on the Colorado River.
Conclusion
Across the deserts of the Southwest to the glaciers of the North, the United States is abounded with destinations that offer exciting outdoor theaters. Every state has a unique landscape and a distinct set of challenges and rewards. Climb to far heights or explore nature at a non-technical level; Nature has a great adventure to offer to both categories of people. Ready your equipment, choose a spot, and get ready to explore the natural marvels this country has to offer.
