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When most people say they’re visiting California, they normally mean to see Mickey Mouse, or to check out the highlights of San Francisco and Los Angeles. But, actually, the best thing about California isn’t the coolness of its cities or anything Disney related -- it’s the nature, which is breathtaking, especially Yosemite. While there might be bigger and more iconic national parks than Yosemite, for many people, it’s the best -- it has a whole culture of laid back fun that is impossible to resist. Most people visit during the summer, but if you do, you’ll want to avoid the centre of the park, so as to avoid the crowds. Winter is actually an underrated time to visit -- it’s snowy, there are no people, it’s a completely different experience.
America’s Crown Jewel
If you’re coming from the UK, then it can be hard to get your head around the sheer scale of the United States. Everything’s much bigger, including the portion sizes! To get a sense of the difference in scale between the beloved homeland and our cousins, it’s worthwhile taking a trip to the Grand Canyon, which is, to most people, the most impressive National Park that the US has to offer. It’s magnificent, entirely unlike anything that you’d find not only in Europe, but in the rest of the world. Ideally, you’ll want to give yourself a couple of days so that you can fully enjoy the space and get a dose of adventure. However, don’t worry if you only have a day -- there are helicopter journeys available from Las Vegas, which is an adventure in itself.
Exploring Big Sky Country
Is there a state that captures all there is to love about the Great American Outdoors than Montana? Here, it’s all about the nature, and the vastness of the beauty. Indeed, even the state’s nickname, ‘Big Sky’ gives a hint into what a visitor can expect -- those big blue skies are a sight to behold. You’ll also find the truly breathtaking Glacier National Park, as well as three entrances to Yellowstone. Because of the beauty of the space, plus the fact that you can see so much of the sky (and thus the stars), this is a particularly good state for camping. Plan on going camping in Big Sky, MT, and you’ll be rewarded with views of lakes, sunrises, and all-out natural beauty. Because this is a sparsely populated state, you can really immerse yourself in the nature, too.
Up in Alaska
Of all the US states, none compare to Alaska. This is true wilderness country, home to mountains (including the tallest in the States), glaciers, wildlife, rivers, and just about everything else you’d expect to find in the great outdoors. Because of the sheer size of Alaska (it’s more than seven times the size of the UK), and the fact that most of it is untouched wilderness, you’ll want to plan your trip in a little more detail than you would if you were visiting somewhere in the continental United States. Also be aware that it’s harder to predict the weather here than it is in the rest of the states, too. But let’s not get too bogged down in logistics -- Alaska should be about adventure! You’ll want to visit Denali, spend some time observing the glacial rivers, and consider joining a tour to get up close and personal with the state’s wildlife (but not too close, in the case of the grizzly!).
Intense Hiking
There is, arguably, no better place for hikers than the United States. It’s just oh so big, so you can go for as long as you like. If you have all the necessary provisions and strong legs, you can go for days on end -- there are many hikes that let you do this. The two most famous are, of course, the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail -- these take months if you do them completely, but you can do small sections of them if you so wish, too.
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Boulder and the Rockies
Of all the states that are awesome for exploring, none are quite like Colorado. This is a place that has natural beauty running through its veins. The best part of the state is Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most beautiful areas in all of America, where you can hike, camp, mountain bike, and do anything else you’d care to do in nature -- and typically without other people clogging up your space, too. When you want to mix things up, you can head further west, where you’ll find red rock formations and plenty of other spots perfect for exploring.
The Southwest
In fact, it’s not just Colorado in this part of the States that’s great for nature lovers -- the whole Southwest area is, too. Colorado has the atmosphere of places like Boulder and Denver to prop it up, but states like Utah and Arizona have just as much -- arguably more -- scenery to explore. Get a car, and drive in any direction -- it won’t be long before you find somewhere beautiful.
On an Island
Some people think of Hawaii as a place to just sit on the beach and soak up the rays, but it’s oh so much more (not that there’s anything wrong with soaking up the rays!). There’s plenty of fun, adventurous activities that await you, including activities out on the water, hiking through the rainforests, or ziplining, amongst others. If you wanted to mix adrenaline pumping adventure with a relaxed environment that allows you to chill too, then this is the place for you.
Off the Beaten Path
The great thing about the United States is that adventure can be found everywhere! While there are plenty of “big-hitters” to visit (as we’ve seen above), you’re not limited by these options. Indeed, in the States, you’re not limited by anything. If you’ve got a sense of adventure, then you can set forth and carve out a great experience. There’s something of value in all fifty states. Indeed, one of the best trips you can take is one that isn’t set in stone -- if you have a vehicle, provisions, and a map, then you can go more or less in any direction and find something that’ll take your breath away.
Conclusion
Inspired? Then look at planning your summer trip away. Once you’ve got the flight and car rental booked, you’ll find that everything else falls into place. All you’ll need to take is your luggage and a sense of adventure! Though you’ll also want to pack a camera -- there are few places on earth that can match the splendour and grandeur of America’s great outdoors, and you’ll want to immortalise the trip!