Being able to spend your time outdoors when out and about on your travels or combining both can be an amazing experience. Not all trips or vacations need to be the same, and if you’re traveling domestically, the US has some amazing destinations for outdoor enthusiasts to take advantage of.
Where exactly do you need to add to your bucket list?
The Utah National Parks Corridor
The stretch of southern Utah that runs through Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands covers a more concentrated outdoor spectacle than almost anywhere else in the country.
The landscape changes between parks, meaning you get a sense of something different as you visit each one.
You get slot canyons and sandstone walls in Zion, hoodoo formations in Bryce, while Capitol Reef delivers reefs and domes.
You should allot at least one full day per park or more if you can. This means finding a good base is essential to give you time to rest and explore to your heart’s content.
The Florida Nature Coast
The Nature Coast runs north from Tampa Bay through Citrus County and Dixie County. And it’s one of the least developed stretches of Florida coastline. It’s also one of the richest for wildlife.
You get the spring-fed rivers that drain into the gulf here too. The Crystal, Homosassa, the Chassahowitzka, and the Suwannee are among the clearest waterways in the eastern US and support manatees, otters, black bears, and more species of freshwater fish than you can ever imagine.
On top of this, you can take part in outdoor water-based activities here too.
Pennsylvania Allegheny Highlands
The Allegheny Plateau in northwestern Pennsylvania is old and forested. It’s quiet in a way that the better-known Appalachian destinations further south often aren’t.
The Allegheny National Forest, Cook Forest, Clear Creek, and the Clarion River corridor combine together to form an outdoor destination that delivers varied and real scale.
You get old-growth forest, clear rivers, good trout fishing, mountain biking, and long-distance hiking trails.
Book yourself into a good resort such as the Timber Haus Campground for an accessible base to allow yourself time to explore this region.
The Texas Hill Country
The Hill Country west of Austin is one of the most accessible outdoor regions in central Texas and also one of the most varied.
In March through April, you can experience spring wildflower season, experience the clear rivers, the well-maintained state parks, and immerse yourself in small-town culture, sampling local dishes and wines.
Connecticut’s Quiet Corner
Northeastern Connecticut is one of the least visited corners of New England. It’s also one of the most rewarding for outdoor travel. Think Putnam, Willimantic, and the Rhode Island border.
If you head to the Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, you can uncover landscapes of state forests, river valleys, farm fields, and small mill towns that have remained largely unchanged for decades.
You get an extensive trial networks, and the lack of tourist infrastructure means the town and landscapes feel more genuine, not commercialized for those visiting who want to experience it how it should be.
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