Originally published in Outside
We’ve redefined the modern adventurer’s bucket list
Behold! Classic trips have been reconsidered—you’ve gawked at the Grand Canyon, but have you run it from rim to rim?—while new destinations have caught our eye. This year we’re joining the revelers at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, trekking up Mexico’s tallest volcano, paddling through the world’s brightest bioluminescence off Puerto Rico, hiking Canada’s wildest coastal way, and much more. What do these trips have in common? They’re incredible experiences, all.
1. Hut-Hop in New Hampshire
The best way to experience the White Mountains’ Presidential Range is hiking between the Appalachian Mountain Club’s eight historic high-mountain huts. Connecting distances aren’t ridiculous—the shortest leg is 4.5 miles, the longest 13.4. From late spring to early fall, on-site staff make guests hot breakfasts and dinners, but I prefer to visit during shoulder season, when rates are cheaper and I can cook my own meals. My favorite hut is Zealand, because the wood-burning stove keeps the bunks toasty on chilly nights. Intent on a summer stay? Book on the AMC site three months in advance. From $74 —Mardi Fuller
2. See a California Superbloom
As I cruised through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park one April afternoon, the road curved to reveal a seemingly infinite carpet of purple and yellow. Caught unawares, I felt like I’d entered Oz. A superbloom! The rare phenomenon occurs when consistent above-average rainfall follows a drought, nurturing a floral explosion so vast and vibrant that it’s visible from space. I’ve since seen superblooms in Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. They’re not limited to Southern California, though; for more info on possible places these awesome, ephemeral displays might appear in 2025, check out the nonprofit Theodore Payne Foundation. —Shawnté Salabert
3. Backpack the West Coast Trail in British Columbia
A six-day trek along this 47-mile Vancouver Island trail exceeded my wildest expectations. The route ambles between mossy rainforest and sandy stretches, where black bears forage and orcas and gray whales breach offshore. Wooden ladders and boardwalks keep the hike engaging, and a dozen established campgrounds mean tent sites are plentiful (but also popular— prepare to get cozy with your neighbors at Tsusiat Falls especially). I found solitude at Cullite Cove and Carmanah Creek. Download the West Coast Trail app to stay abreast of camping options, conditions, and tide info. And pack motion-sickness meds for the bumpy shuttle back from the far trailhead. Permits and mandatory ferry reservations, which do not include Pacific Rim National Park Reserve entry, go on sale each January and sell out within hours (from $154). —Zoe Gates4. Ride Horseback in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
One May day, saddled atop two small horses perfect for our short frames, my teenage daughter and I followed a Diné woman and her preteen son up the low, brown waters of Chinle Creek and into the deep ochre Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de-shay). Indigenous people have lived here for 5,000 years, and the only way to explore the canyon today is with a Native guide. As ours narrated her tribe’s history, she pointed out petroglyphs—of hunters, snakes, the god Kokopelli—on the sheer thousandfoot-high walls and fielded queries about modern life in the Navajo Nation. On the return, the boy spotted a herd of wild horses and broke away from our equine train, chasing them through an open field surrounded by cottonwoods. The whole outing felt timeless. Justin’s Horse Rental is the canyon’s only authorized horseback outfitter. From $30 —Tasha Zemke
5. Bikepack Utah’s Aquarius Trail
This young trail system in southern Utah gets five stars for fun. Starting at the 11,307-foot summit of Brian Head Peak, it roller-coasters 190 miles east along singletrack and Forest Service roads to Escalante, crossing the Aquarius Plateau— often at elevations higher than 10,000 feet—and skirting Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. How hard was it? Enough to feel exhilarated upon reaching my hut— shipping containers stocked with food, beer, and bunks—each afternoon. Open June through October. Five-day trips from $990 —Stephanie Pearson
6. Summit Mexico’s Highest Peak
The 18,491-foot Pico de Orizaba is perfect for beginner mountaineers seeking highaltitude experience. No technical climbing is required, but you’ll use crampons and an ice axe on the steep glacier near the summit. I climbed this dormant volcano in May 2021 by myself; however, Servimont, a favorite family-owned outfitter in nearby Tlachichuca, has been guiding trekkers up the mountain since the 1930s. I sucked wind during my five-hour ascent, but the view from the top at sunrise was sublime: wisps of cream-colored clouds veiling the plains thousands of feet below and, to the west, Orizaba’s silhouette falling across the smoke-belching caldera of Popocatépetl, Mexico’s second-highest summit. —Owen Clarke
7. Stargaze at Texas’ Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve
I swam among the stars one night at the world’s largest Dark Sky–certified place, the inky Terlingua Creek reflecting innumerable twinkles around me. There’s no bad spot for a cosmic adventure amid the nine-million-plus combined acres of this reserve in southwest Texas, but choice spots include: McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis, with its giant telescopes; Big Bend Ranch State Park, which hosts free ranger-led star parties; and two astrofocused lodges—Marathon Motel, RV Park, & Skypark and Summit at Big Bend (from $15 and $159, respectively). —Alex Temblador
8. Spend a Long Weekend at Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee
From the hot tub of the Blackberry Mountain lodge in Walland, I understood why these hills are called the Smokies. Low-lying clouds rolled among the same trees I communed with earlier in the day during a trail run. You can spend your time here in countless other active ways— off-roading in the resort’s Lexus GX, testing your balance on a ropes course, or hiking to waterfalls or a 22-foot troll sculpture in the woods—all of which will leave you sore (in a good way), hence the hot tub. Where Blackberry Farm, its downvalley sister property, leans into culinary pursuits, the newer 5,200-acre Blackberry Mountain is decidedly more outdoorsy. Sipping beer at the Firetower restaurant, perched at the resort’s highest point, is a delight, as is a stay in its modern treehouses, where you can watch mist weaving through the branches from floor-to-ceiling windows while curled up in bed. With no shortage of great views at Blackberry Mountain, this one just might be tops. From $1,995 per night, three-night minimum —Kevin Sintumuang
9. Run Rapids at West Virginia’s Gauley River During Gauley Season
The Gauley is a meandering creek most of the year, but a series of scheduled dam releases that start the first weekend after Labor Day turn it into a raucous run of whitewater, creating more than 100 named rapids in the 25-mile Gauley River National Recreation Area. The Class IV-plus Pillow Rock is a good indicator of what you’re in for: rafts bounce off a massive boulder before being released into a wave train. Take your pick of two daylong options with New and Gauley River Adventures: a commercially run trip down the intense upper section (for ages 16 years and older) or the tamer lower section (for ages 12 and up). From $149 —Graham Averill
10. Find Yourself Moved by Monarch Butterflies in Mexico
It’s hard to observe the main rule at the Piedra Herrada Sanctuary: No talking. When my friends and I visited in February, and sat in awe among tens of thousands of monarchs that danced in the sun and swirled around our bodies, we wanted to shout with joy. However, after their 3,000- mile migration, loud noises can spook the butterflies, and they need their rest. The best time to visit is late fall through midMarch, when the monarchs cluster among the firs. Stay in Valle de Bravo, a lakeside mountain town 20 miles east (unless you prefer to drive the 70 miles from Mexico City), and be prepared for a two-mile trek to 10,000 feet by a nature-reserve guide to reach the sanctuary. Horseback rides are also available. Admission, $5; guide, $17 —Kassondra Cloos
11. Hike the Kalalau Trail on the Island of Kauai
The drive out to this trailhead in Haena State Park—continue along the North Shore to the end of the road—is a beautiful intro – duction to an equally beautiful hike. Kalalau hugs the high cliffs along Kauai’s famed Na Pali Coast, and after just a quarter-mile, it’s one incredible view after another of the wild Pacific Ocean. A two-mile day hike to Hanakapiai Beach requires a $5 reservation to keep the trail from getting overcrowded (visit GoHaena.com and book the $40 area shuttle, which makes several stops from Princeville, as finding a spot for your car at the park can be near impossible). From the beach, I added an extra mile to reach 300-foot Hanakapiai Falls, with a large pool where you can cool off. Or nab a permit 90 days in advance via camping.ehawaii.gov to backpack and camp the entire 11-mile trail out to Kalalau Beach (from $25). Planning ahead is worth it, because this is a once-ina-lifetime experience. —Mary Turner
12. Visit Every U.S. National Park
The year I spent traveling around all 63 national parks rocked my entire view of this little experiment we call America. Whether I was on a wilderness trek in remote Gates of the Arctic or boulderhopping in arid Joshua Tree, one thing always stood out: this country is incredibly diverse. Buy an annual pass if you plan to enter several parks over a 12-month period. At $80, it covers more than 2,000 spectacular recreation areas—a real deal. —Emily Pennington
13. Stand in the Shadow of the Continent’s Most Amazing Trees
To linger beneath a magnificent tree is to ponder your place in the scheme of things. Your lifespan is but a blip compared with the ancient bristlecone pines of the High Sierra—the oldest living organisms on earth, more than 4,800 years wise. And compared with California’s redwoods, giants that have grown to 379 feet, you’re the merest ant. It’d take 15 of you with arms outstretched to ring the General Sherman sequoia in Kings Canyon National Park. At Utah’s Fishlake National Forest, you can lose yourself among Pando— 40,000 quaking aspens spread out over 106 acres, all joined by a single root sys – tem. Or consider the oak, voted America’s national tree in 2004. The Angel Oak, in Charleston, South Carolina, is our most glorious tree, its branches and leaves shad – ing an area the size of a hockey rink. North America has other arboreal species worth traveling for: the bald cypress, native to the Southeast wetlands, whose knobby roots absorb miraculous amounts of water after a flood; the sugar maple and tamarack larch, revered in Canada for their sweet sap and brilliant yellow needles in fall, respectively; and the thorny kapok of Mexico’s Yucatán, sacred to the Maya, who believed its roots touched the dead and its branches were getaways to the gods. —T.Z
14. Watch a Concert at Colorado’s Red Rocks
I grew up at the foot of the Colorado Rockies and was spoiled with countless outdoor options. But one of my greatest privileges was proximity to the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater in the Denver suburb of Morrison. The 9,000-seat open-air venue, built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, is set between crimson sandstone monoliths and draws artists of every ilk. I’ve seen scores of shows there, from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to Blues Traveler to big orchestras. The acoustics at Red Rocks are world-class—the rock walls amplify sound—and the crowds are ebullient. No matter who you’re seeing, expect fans to stand, dance, and pass the joint. —Frederick Dreier
15. Raft the Middle Fork of Idaho’s Salmon River
One August a couple of years ago, ROW Adventures hired me to work a 105-mile trip down the Middle Fork, the cold-water heart of the remote Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. Yes, I had to set up tents and shoulder a bazillion drybags while clients hiked to waterfalls, but in between we bounced through riotous Class IV rapids and soaked in natural hot springs. I watched eagles hunt on the updrafts, and caught countless cutthroats on a single fly. Come evening, fueled on steak and whiskey, I’d doze off in a hammock slung between the pines. Best. Week. Ever. —Tim Neville
16. Test the Tides at the Bay of Fundy Off New Brunswick
The notion of the world’s highest tides might not seem immediately compelling. But the Bay of Fundy is a marvel: twice daily, they rise and recede as much as 52 feet (compare that with average global tides of just three feet). The transition takes a little more than six hours. At low tide, cavort around the colossal Hopewell Rocks or glimpse life inside tidal pools. As the flood current sweeps in, you can raft ripping waves near the Shubenacadie River. The real joy, though, is staying in one spot long enough to witness the swing. —Grayson Haver Currin
17. Camp on Isle Royale, Michigan, and Listen to the Wolves Howl
I met the love of my life on a trailhead at this remote national park, accessible only by ferry or seaplane (one-way fares from $80 and $275, respectively). We were both on solo backpacking trips, seeking adventure. Two years later, we returned for our honeymoon to trek the 30-mile Feldtmann Loop. One evening, just as we’d set up camp overlooking Siskiwit Bay, the green northern lights began to pop, and wolves howled through the spruce. It was simultaneously breathtaking and bone-chilling. Open April 15 to October 31. —Patty Hodapp
18. Catch as Catch Can at Alabama’s Seafood Jubilee
“You can’t predict it, but when it’s on, it’s on,” says Alabaman Easton Colvin of this anomalous summer phenomenon in Mobile Bay. “There are so many fish, you can just grab them with your hands.” During certain weather and bay conditions, hordes of blue crabs, Gulf shrimp, flounder, speckled trout, red drum, and more move into knee-deep oxygenated waters. There the gathering begins. Once word is out (usually via social-media alerts), you’ll want to get to shore quick, with buckets and a permit in tow: the fish tend to start moving back into deeper water come sunrise. —T.N.
19. Ride Ragbrai in Iowa
Depending on who you talk to, the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is either the world’s oldest, largest, and longest recreational bike-touring event or a huge drunken party. In fact, it’s both. Every night of the weeklong July ride (this year from the 19th to the 26th), host communities welcome some 18,000 registered cyclists with plenty of food, fanfare, and Busch Light. Volunteers open up their homes and backyards to participants who want to crash on a couch or pitch a tent. Town squares become campgrounds. The humidity and hilly country roads are no joke, but Ragbrai is decidedly unserious and definitely not a race, which is what makes it so great. —Isabella Rosario
20. Climb in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge
This national natural landmark, an hour’s drive east of Lexington, is often called America’s best sport-climbing crag. The Corbin sandstone has large, comfortable handholds like you’d find at a gym, and when October daytime highs hover in the seventies, the 200-foot-high cliffs are crawling with climbers. Check out Creature Feature, a 5.9 that feels like you’re working your way up a sculpture. End your day out at Miguel’s Pizza, a beloved family-operated pie joint in the town of Slade. —Anthony Walsh
21. Explore a New Side of South Dakota’s Black Hills
It took me decades to realize the merits of slow travel through the Black Hills. One wonder is the Needles Highway, a 14-mile stretch between Sylvan and Legion Lakes that squeezes through impossibly narrow tunnels, passes golden aspen stands, and skirts spires of granite. Farther north, a brand-new addition to the area is the Shortgrass Resort, set on 52 acres outside Spearfish where the national forest meets the prairie. Each of its eight Danish tents has a private deck, soft linens, and hazy views to the hills. An on-site restaurant serves beef and produce harvested down the road. Open May 1 through October 27. Tents from $747 —S.P
22. Stay at the Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador
Tiny Fogo Island was forlorn at the turn of the century, after the cod industry collapsed. But with the 2013 opening of this 29-room inn, the tide brought in tourists. Its boxy architecture, designed by a native son, is set in austere surroundings, the tone for any stay. When I visited in March, the surrounding pack ice resembled a frozen jigsaw puzzle. Staff arranged for community hosts to take me snowmobiling and prepare a memorable traditional boil of salt cod and Newfoundland steak—bologna!—over a fire in the woods. From $1,720, all-inclusive, three-night minimum —Jen Murphy
23. Spot the Synchronous Fireflies in Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Up until 30 years ago, scientists didn’t believe that fireflies flashed in unison in the U.S. But a few hot spots in the Southeast offer a window into this near hallucinogenic phantasm. Starting in late May, the bellies of these bugs flash in synchronous patterns after dark as part of their mating ritual. And while Great Smoky Mountains National Park is best known for this glow show, I prefer the swampy wonderland of less crowded Congaree. Only lucky lottery winners are admitted; try for a spot at Recreation.gov in early April. —G.H.C.
24. Hike Colorado’s Tallest Mountain
Don’t let 14,448-foot Mount Elbert intimidate you. The eponymous trail to the top gains 4,500 vertical feet over 4.9 miles but is well maintained and offers astonishing views of the state’s highest peaks, deep valleys, and bright wildflower patches. Expect to see mountain goats, marmots, and pikas, too. —James Dziezynski
25. Chase the Northern Lights in the Northwest Territories
Many of us enjoyed low-latitude aurora sightings in 2024, but nothing beats seeing the northern lights with the naked eye outside the small city of Yellowknife. Thanks to a dearth of light pollution and heightened auroral activity, the glowing bands are visible some 240 nights annually. I flew up in September to head out with Indigenous aurora hunter Joe Buffalo Child, who runs North Star Adventures, and it was among the most moving travel experiences of my life. —Stephanie Vermillion
26. Max Out on Adventure at the National Whitewater Center in North Carolina
Any day is a good day to explore this 1,300-acre campus near Charlotte, home to a man-made recirculating whitewater river, 40 miles of mountain-biking trails, and a large outdoor rock-climbing complex that includes a deep-water-soloing wall. But the USNWC is at its best during Tuck Fest, a free a spring festival (this year April 25 to 27) that attracts some 40,000 people with participatory adventure sports, pro competitions, beer, daily yoga, and live music. Camping in the area is scarce. Act fast to snag a site at McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie, just 17 miles south (from $15), or find an Airbnb in Charlotte. —G.A.
27. Take a Tour of Mexico City
There are so many taco stands in this city of 21 million that you could try different ones for the duration of any stay. What can you look forward to? Handmade tortillas fresh off the comal. Meats roasting in their own fat. Sweet, spicy, and citrusy marinades and salsas. Countless types of tacos: birria, campechano, carne asada, al pastor, pescado. To manage the insane variety, focus on a neighborhood or two. In La Roma, start at El Hidalguense for slow-cooked lamb barbacoa, then sample the meat-free menu at Por Siempre Vegan. In neighboring La Condesa is Hola el Güero, a favorite with locals and Mexican cookbook author Pati Jinich; it has been making tacos de guisado—tender stew combos heaped onto tortillas—since 1968. At Taquería El Greco, the pork doneraky shaved atop a pita is worth waiting for. My advice: keep your eyes open for long lines, the sign of a solid stand. —Ryan Krogh
28. Thru-Hike the Long Path in New York
The best through-hikes are never purely wilderness experiences, and the Long Path bears this out. Starting at New York City’s 175th Street subway station, you’ll follow aqua-colored blazes 360 miles north toward the southern Adirondacks. The path wends through a mix of suburban and rural scenes: picnics and pools, families out for a bike ride, communities hosting concerts, and also forests, fields, rivers, and a section of the legendary Shawangunk Ridge. Overnight at campsites and shelters on certain spans, or at local hotels. When you tell the uninitiated upstate that you left Manhattan by foot, their astonishment will make your trek feel even more grand. —G.H.C.
29. Bike the Skyline Drive in Shenadoah National Park, Virgina
This 105-mile byway, built along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is an iconic road ride. It features some 70 scenic overlooks, including dramatic views of the Shenandoah Valley below, every rise revealing another panorama of Appalachia. Psych yourself up for 11,000 feet of climbs and the odd steep gradient (7 percent) over two to three days, with campgrounds and cabins available en route. Pedal the road north to south beginning in Front Royal, just as engineers designed it to be experienced nearly 100 years ago. —R.K.
30. Hike from Crested Butte to Aspen, Colorado, and Back
There are few simpler pleasures than walking between mountain towns with only a small pack on your back. Europe has many iconic treks like these, but Colorado boasts the best this side of the Atlantic, which I’ve done twice from both directions. I recommend setting out from the West Maroon Trailhead, 17 miles north of Crested Butte, hiking the five to six hours over 12,490-foot West Maroon Pass and down into the Maroon Bells Wilderness. From the Maroon Lake Trailhead, a shuttle will take you into Aspen, where you can people-watch on East Cooper Avenue, eat oysters at Clark’s, and stay in style at the Annabelle Inn (from $359). The next morning, shuttle to the same trailhead for a 16-mile, sevenhour ramble back via 11,800-foot East Maroon Pass. Whichever direction you choose, the Nordic Inn in Crested Butte is a favorite base, catering to round-trip hikers with packed breakfasts and beta (from $185). —Katie Arnold
31. Bask in the Bioluminescence Off Vieques, Puerto Rico
Mosquito Bay at night is a marvel. I still dream of my glow-in-the-dark paddle through phytoplankton that turn an amazing electric blue when agitated, one of the planet’s brightest such shows. Book a glass-bottom kayak tour with the outfitter Taino Aqua Adventures during the new moon, when skies are darkest ($75). And don’t forget to look up—the stars above this island paradise, too, are nothing short of mesmerizing. —P.H.
32. Eat at Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm in Utah
A friend of mine loved the Thanksgiving buffet at Hell’s Backbone Grill, a 25-year-old James Beard Award–nominated institution co-owned by Jen Castle and Blake Spalding, located on Route 12 in Boulder. But HBG is a mecca much of the year for recreationists seeking a solid meal after camping at Capitol Reef (40 miles north), hiking at Bryce Canyon (75 miles south), or canyoneering at Grand Staircase–Escalante (4 miles south). It also attracts foodies, Sierra Club and Sundance Film Festival types, athletes, politicians, and well-known artists and writers. Food is sourced ethically and locally, and HBG has its own organic garden and a farm with chickens. A local, a vegetarian, always gets the Jenchilada. HBG closes from early December to mid-March. —Alison Osius
33. Cat-Ski Out of Fernie, British Columbia
The Kootenay Rockies are the cat-skiing capital of the world, and February is the month to hit its backcountry, when temperatures are consistently cold and the snow dry. The 26-room Island Lake Lodge, eight miles west of Fernie, is on many a wish list; with a reputation for having the best guides and glades, it books new guests only from its wait list (from $2,064). An alternative is Fernie Wilderness Adventures, south of town on 5,000 acres; you can score up to 12,000 feet of vert per day on its cat tours (from $650). —J.M.
34. Overnight Off-Grid at the Lightning Field in New Mexico
One of the funnest things I’ve ever done is stay at this land-art installation outside Quemado, a tiny town 150 miles west of Albuquerque. In 1977, Walter De Maria placed 400 pointy-tipped steel rods, varying from 15 to 26 feet tall, in a field near a rustic cabin that can sleep up to six people. Today The Lightning Field and its cabin are maintained by the Dia Art Foundation, which also handles reservations to visit. From Quemado, a Dia staff member will drive you out to the cabin and drop you off for the night, with dinner and breakfast packed in a cooler. Put your feet up on the back porch and watch how the changing light flickers across the rods, especially at sunrise and sunset. It’s rare that I find myself so far off the grid with cheese enchiladas, a cold beer, and not a worry in the world. From $300 —M.T
35. Surf Waikiki, Oahu
There’s something spiritual about riding the waves of Waikiki. This famous two-mile Honolulu beach is the birthplace of modern surfing, the former playground of Hawaiian royalty, the home shores of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, and the special place where Olympic champ Carissa Moore first gave the sport a go. Queen’s—an endless right-hand break—is my idea of longboard heaven. Yeah, it’s packed, but rent a board, paddle out, and experience the thrill of rolling toward Oahu in warm turquoise waters. —J.M.
36. Mountain Bike Northwest Arkansas
Bentonville’s self-claimed title as mountain-biking capital of the world is hard to argue with these days: a well-financed publicprivate partnership has transformed the state’s Ozarks into a popular network of 550-plus miles of singletrack, called the Oz Trails. There’s something for every ability, from the flowy Little Sugar system to technical downhill sections at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve. Or saddle up from your downtown digs and wheel the short distance to the Slaughter Pen trails, where 40 miles of art-filled paths await. —R.K.
37. Glamp at Under Canvas Acadia in Maine
Shorefront lobster bakes. Nightly campfires. Cozy tents heated by woodstoves, and soft beds to fall into after hiking. There’s a lot to love about this Under Canvas location, gloriously removed from the annoying crowds at Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, but still within viewing distance of iconic Cadillac Mountain. Pull up an Adirondack chair, crack a local beer, enjoy live music, and gaze at the glistening Union River Bay. The landscape is relaxing and idyllic—one of the main reasons you’ve traveled to this part of the coast. Book the Stargazer tent to make the most of it. Open May 8 to October 13. From $279 —T.Z.
38. Paddle Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
In January, before permits open for summer, my sister and I scout a loop through the BWCAW, then start dreaming about our annual paddling and portaging trip. The wilderness here is thick with white pines and has water so pure we can still drink it from the deepest lakes. We’ll travel by day, swim when it’s hot, and set up camp on a granite slab at dusk, when lakes turn to glass and solitary loons call for mates. If a DIY adventure sounds overwhelming, Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely offers trip-planning services. —S.P
39. Compete in Oregon’s Crater Lake Marathon
The continent’s most beautiful marathon happens in Crater Lake National Park each August. A small field of runners—just 500— circle the rim of this ancient, flooded caldera, with views down into an alpine lake sparkling an impossible gemstone blue. Don’t expect to PR on a course this hilly at 7,000 feet elevation, says Ian Sharman, who won the race in 2012. “Everyone’s there for the scenery.” —T.N.
40. Run the Grand Canyon from Rim to Rim to Rim
Five million people visit Grand Canyon National Park annually, but to truly know the span of the Big Ditch, you should run across it in one mega day. From South to North Rims and back, I’m talking 44 miles, 20,000 feet of elevation change, and a geologic journey that spans 1.8 billion years. I set out one spring morning at 4:38 A.M. via the South Kaibab Trailhead and finished at 6:09 P.M. at the Bright Angel Trailhead. Not gonna lie, it was grueling. And I trained for four months. But traversing this gorgeous natural landscape in 15-plus hours was something I’ll never ever forget. —Will Taylor
41. Attend Mountainfilm in Colorado
I’ve been to Mountainfilm, the granddaddy of American outdoor-film fests, many times. Held Memorial Day weekend in Telluride, it draws some 4,000 people eager to immerse themselves with more than 100 documentaries on everything from adventure to social issues, and to hang out with esteemed guests and speakers like Jimmy Chin, Kris Tompkins, Tommy Caldwell, Cheryl Strayed, and Pattie Gonia. This year for the first time, short films shown here will qualify for Academy Awards. Three pro tips: bring a blanket for nighttime screenings outdoors, reserve your spot at events well beforehand, and stay at the awesome local campground ($30), which you can walk to. Kicking off summer in Telluride is a joy: hiking the Jud Wiebe Trail above town, with verdant views; getting in a quick boulder sesh at Society Turn; or just ambling down Main Street and seeing so many folks from the outdoor world. Passes from $210 —A.O.
42. Hike the AT Through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Seventy-two miles of the AT run through the nation’s most visited park. My preferred stretch is a shortened version that’s as beautiful and remote as it is challenging. It begins on the western side of Fontana Lake, in Tennessee, and ascends 7,000 feet over 32 miles, topping out at Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome), which straddles the North Carolina state line. Stop at the Shuckstack Fire Tower and count off its 78 steps to the top for an incredible view of Fontana’s sinuous blue fingers seeping into the green ridges below. As for timing, I should say October when the foliage is popping, but I like summer, when I can detour to swimming holes. —G.A.
43. Camp with the Kids at Yosemite National Park in California
The first time I hiked to the top of 317- foot Vernal Fall, my daughter was a toddler in a backpack. Now she’s ten and climbs the five-mile Mist Trail herself. If you pitch a tent in Upper Pines Campground, which enjoys views of El Capitan and Half Dome, it’s a quick bike ride from your site to the trailhead. Or escape the crowds by heading to the high-country Tuolumne Meadows Campground, which will reopen in June after a major renovation; half the sites there are held for walk-up campers. Reservations open five months ahead at 7 A.M. Pacific Time and sell out in minutes, so be on it. Both campsites $36 —Megan Michelson
44. Go Crabbing with Tia in South Carolina
Catching what you eat in a city is a rare thing. Which is what makes the Casual Crabbing with Tia experience worth seeking out on a trip to Charleston. Tia Clark pivoted from a hospitality-industry career to teaching locals and visitors alike to crab sustainably, something connected to her Gullah Geechee culture. When my daughters and I—who have zero crabbing knowledge—spent a morning with her on the water, she made us feel like pros. We later took our bounty to the Charleston Crab House, where it was steamed and tossed with Old Bay, and we ate it with our hands and the requisite bibs. $125 —K.S.
45. Kayak the Sea of Cortez, Baja California Sur
Last December, my wife and two teenagers decided to bring in the New Year with a trip to Isla Espíritu Santo, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve. We booked four nights with locally based Todos Santos Eco Adventures and had a ball swimming with sea lions, kayaking among devil rays, snorkeling with sea turtles, exploring island coves, rambling to promontories with views of turquoise bays, and stargazing beneath some of Mexico’s darkest skies. From $395, including glamping accommodations, meals, equipment, and guided hikes —Fiachra Stokes
46. Bikepack the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route
This route parallels the Continental Divide for some 2,700 miles between the U.S.- Mexico border and Banff, Canada. I did it northbound—the increasingly preferred direction, given seasonal wildfire concerns—starting in June and making my way over mostly lonely dirt roads and through breathtaking scenery over 45 days. The riding isn’t technical, but the elements, 149,000 feet of elevation gain, poor cell service, and sheer length make for a serious undertaking. The real beauty of this endeavor, though, is making it whatever you need it to be: a test of endurance, a travel odyssey, a personal vision quest. You’ll return changed in ways you won’t expect. —Bryan Rogala
47. Get Back to Nature at the Klahoose Wilderness Resort in British Columbia
You will remember this stunner of a resort, located 125 miles northwest of Vancouver, long after your trip. The boat ride in, across the emerald waters of Desolation Sound; the Coast Mountains rising near vertically from the lodges and cabins; and grizzly viewing with a First Nation guide, or watching humpbacks sleep offshore. Unwind in the dock’s new sauna and then plunge into the cold ocean. Nearby are waterfalls borne from glaciers. A tribal village hosts spiritual rainforest-bathing excursions. And there is so much quiet. Open May 8 to October 23. From $2,463 for three nights, including meals, select tours, and boat transport to and from the gateway town of Lund —T.Z.
48. Meditate at California’s Spirit Rock Center
I’ve meditated for over half my life, yet still struggle to sit calmly and observe my thoughts without judgment. So I yearn to attend a multiday Vipassana retreat at Spirit Rock, a beautiful Buddhist center 22 miles north of San Francisco, founded by legendary teacher Jack Kornfield. A friend of mine organizes his entire year around its Zen events. Most incorporate sitting, walking, and guided meditation, with movement practices like yoga or tai chi added to help quiet the mind and open the heart. Slidingscale rates from $280 —P.H.
49. Scout Out Porcupine Caribou Crossing Alaska’s North Slope
The great caribou migration is the longest land migration of any animal on earth. In summer, the 200,000-strong Porcupine herd gathers near the Beaufort Sea within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for its calving season before commencing a 840-mile march south in search of food. It’s not easy to find these caribou in such a large expanse of tundra, which is why an outfitter is the way to go. I’ve had my eye on Arctic Wild’s caribou and photography trip, which starts in the Gwich’in hamlet of Arctic Village, not far from ANWR, and includes a bush flight into remote backcountry for a week of wildlife watching amid what has been called America’s last true wilderness. $8,800 for five nights —M.T.
50. Drive the Entire Alcan Highway
The 1,387-mile Alaska-Canada Highway is the continent’s remotest route. Setting off from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, you’ll travel across the northernmost Rockies and through the subarctic tundra to Whitehorse, Yukon; skirt 19,551-foot Mount Logan, Canada’s highest peak; cross into Alaska; and, 190 miles later, arrive at Delta Junction. Budget seven to ten days to do the whole thing in one go. I’ve spotted bison and grizzlies during my drives, and I once pulled off at B.C.’s iconic Muncho Lake, visited nearby Liard River Hot Springs, and had both places to myself (save a couple of caribou). The Alcan is paved and open year-round, but intervals between service stations can be lengthy and lack cell service, so keep your tank at least half full. Also, be prepared for snow and cracked or bumpy asphalt from frost heaves, even in summer. —Jayme Moye
