The first time I went to a clothing-optional hot spring in Colorado, I was shocked. It was afternoon on a super-sunny spring day, and strangers sitting in the pool around me were talking about politics. While naked. I couldn鈥檛 believe how comfortable all the nude soakers seemed, or that I was one of very few opting to stay covered.

That place, on the Orient Land Trust in Colorado, quickly became a place of lore among my friend group. It was a get-comfortable-quick scheme if I鈥檝e ever experienced one. There was no deep end to hide in鈥攋ust broad daylight and bare bums. I stayed in a hostel-style bunk room on the property, and distinctly remember the sight of one of my fellow bunkers鈥攖he man sleeping below me鈥攚alking around the kitchen and living room with his bathrobe hanging wide open.

You could call it weird, sure, and I definitely found it awkward, but that was as weird as it got. Everyone was operating within their own comfort zone, and no one encroached on anyone else鈥檚. I learned from this: There are few more rewarding accomplishments than being so comfortable in your own skin that you are not bothered at all by who sees it, let alone what they think of it.

Years later, I started traveling abroad for work and was frequently plunged into different sets of cultural norms around nudity. In the United States, I was typically shy in locker rooms, often opting for restroom stalls over communal changing areas. But on a co-ed ski weekend with friends in Sweden, I found it surprisingly commonplace to walk around the cabin in one鈥檚 underwear. In Iceland, I saw men and women shamelessly changing into and out of bathing suits in open air next to a naturally hot river.

On a business trip to Hokkaido, Japan, I ran into other women in my group at the hotel onsen鈥攁 hot spring or mineral bath in Japan鈥攚here full nudity was so essential to the experience that you should not even consider asking to leave your bathing suit on. And in Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, I have come across many a botched English translation sternly warning sauna-goers of the rules: No 鈥榖ath textiles鈥� allowed.

These experiences underscored for me how arbitrary body shame is, and how nudity is only sexualized and inappropriate if we make it so. Of course, I鈥檓 not advocating for you to show up to your office naked on Monday鈥攃ontext matters. But what better place to get than, well, nature?

Whether you鈥檙e a full-fledged nudist or just wanting to bare a few toes, National Nude Day is July 14. Consider venturing to one of these nude-friendly destinations.

Valley View Hot Springs, Colorado

is one of Colorado鈥檚 best-kept secrets. Its website does not do it justice, so don鈥檛 bother looking at the photos; just book and turn up. The whole site is clothing-optional, and offers a range of affordable cabins, private rooms, bunk beds, and camping sites. The site offers a sauna and a few built-up soaking and swimming pools, some of which are artificially heated so they鈥檙e piping hot, as well as a handful of natural pools you can hike to. The area is isolated and well-protected from light pollution, so you can soak under the stars when you stay overnight. Make a road trip out of it by stopping at Great Sand Dunes National Park on your way out or back. We definitely recommend clothes for that, though.

Dyer Woods Nudist Campground, Foster, Rhode Island

In the western half of Rhode Island, the North South Trail runs from the Connecticut border to the ocean. Dispersed camping isn鈥檛 allowed on the 75-mile trail鈥攖he Ocean State doesn鈥檛 have much wild open space鈥攂ut the is conveniently located right off the path. All common areas here are strictly clothing-free zones, so go on: have a barbecue in the buff.

Lake Michigan, Michigan

It鈥檚 a Great Lake鈥攐f course there鈥檚 space for sly skinny dipping. But the Naked 国产吃瓜黑料 Club of Detroit didn鈥檛 stop at just one鈥攖hey recently organized a road trip to skinny dip in all five Great Lakes in 24 hours. Check out their for upcoming adventures (or just some inspiration), or look for a similar club near you. The lists dozens of local and regional groups where you can find some company for adventures au natural. These include: The , , and the .

Sauvie Island Nude Beach, Portland, Oregon

Ten miles northwest of Portland, Oregon, you鈥檒l find one of the largest river islands in the country. Sauvie Island, sandwiched between the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, is roughly the size of Manhattan. Its mile-long has been a nudist hotspot since at least the 1970s. Collins is almost completely surrounded by a fish and game reserve, offering it a fair bit of privacy, but take care to know where you are and abide by the rules. Neighboring property owners have complained in the past about nude beachgoers traipsing a little close for comfort, according to the island鈥檚 visitor page. Make a whole day out of it by exploring Sturgeon, Steelman, and Mud Lakes, which are popular spots for kayaking.

Parksland Retreat, Alabama

Escape to the forests of Talladega, Alabama, for a clothing-optional oasis with just about every outdoor activity you can imagine. At , you can fish, paddle, rock climb, swim, cook over an open fire, and take a short hike to the Blue Hole Waterfall. Parksland stretches across 40 acres of land in the Talladega National Forest, and has accommodations for every style: tent pitches, yurts, and cabins. It鈥檚 no surprise it was named the No. 1[[number one]] Hipcamp site in Alabama last year.

Lupin Lodge, Santa Clara, California

One quick look at the offerings of in California鈥檚 Santa Cruz Mountains is enough to signal there鈥檚 something fascinating going on here. The hosts of this compound of yurts and canvas tent sites say the property is a private nature park, destination resort, and a 鈥渞ecreational/athletic/fitness/social club.鈥� It鈥檚 also an art gallery, a massage school, a campground, and a 鈥渟pontaneous retreat.鈥� Reviews are massively positive, with nudist-curious (and perhaps even nudist-skeptical) guests praising the lodge as a relaxing, freeing, and welcoming introduction into clothing-optional spaces. Come for a visit and you鈥檒l be treated to 110 acres of mountain biking, Redwood hikes, swimming, and wildlife watching.

Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Curious about onsens, but can鈥檛 make it to Japan? Check out Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe, which is known for its . Once you arrive on site, you can put on a traditional Japanese yukata鈥攁 casual kimono鈥攁nd wear it around the entire property throughout your visit, including to dinner. Bathing suits are required in some soaking pools, but all private soaking areas are clothing-optional.

Seattle, Washington

For years, the have added a bold and colorful flair to Seattle鈥檚 Fremont Solstice Parade. This year, the clothing-optional crew will ride through the city on June 22. So grab your bike, paint your body鈥攐r stay tuned for details on joining the pre-parade paint party鈥攁nd hit the road. (But please wear a helmet.)

Maine

Yes, that鈥檚 right. All of it. Maine may have Puritanical roots, but in many ways it鈥檚 just as live-free-or-die as its next-door neighbor. Maine state law 鈥攄efined as 鈥渒nowingly鈥� exposing one鈥檚 genitalia 鈥渦nder circumstances that in fact are likely to cause affront or alarm.鈥� So, be cool about it, stay discreet, and go trail run wild. Not sure where to start? Maybe try this , which costs just $140 per night and still has some availability for the summer solstice. There are a few catches, depending on how luxurious you like your wilderness-adjacent experiences to be鈥攖here are 鈥渕osquitoes galore鈥� in the summertime. So, even if you do plan to go au natural, you might still want to consider investing in some serious bug repellent technology. Or at least get a head net.

Kassondra is an outdoor travel journalist from Rhode Island whose experiences with nude saunas聽abroad quite literally changed her life. She now lives in London, where nudity is just as frowned upon as it is back home. She has installed a clothing-optional sauna tent in her backyard. Thankfully, she has only聽 once.

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Bikepacking might be the perfect adventure. Ride bikes, sleep outside. It鈥檚 like bike touring, only dirtier since you鈥檙e camping and carrying all your gear on your bike, as opposed to staying in lodges and relying on your credit card for sustenance. I鈥檝e been bikepacking for almost 20 years now, and continue to be entranced by its charm. Pedaling into the wilderness gives you a chance to experience more of the landscape than when you鈥檙e powered by foot. In some cases, you can get further away from civilization.

A few years ago, a bikepacking trip through Idaho became one of my favorite adventures. I linked together a handful of different backcountry hot springs while traversing some of the state鈥檚 most rugged singletrack, pedaling more than 70 miles. I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to cover half of that distance in that amount of time on foot.

Here are seven of the best bikepacking routes in America, some of which I鈥檝e pedaled myself, while a few others remain firmly affixed to the top of my to-do list.

1. Singletrack and Waterfalls, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina聽

Distance: 64 miles
Duration: Two to three days
Highlights: Singletrack descents, backcountry streams

With roughly 300 miles of singletrack and twice that distance in gravel roads, in North Carolina allows you to create all kinds of loop options.聽I recommend starting your journey at The Hub, a bike shop and beer garden at the entrance of Pisgah National Forest on 276, so you can get any last minute provisions you might need before you leave and finish the adventure with a beer when you鈥檙e done. Also, you can incorporate some of the forest鈥檚 signature singletrack, waterfalls, and swimming holes.

Follow the route of the mountain-bike race and you鈥檒l hit a highlight reel of the area鈥檚 singletrack over 64 miles of trail and gravel. There are plenty of options to extend or shorten the route, too, but this is a solid introduction to what the mountains have to offer and 64 miles is the perfect two- to three-day adventure. Pisgah鈥檚 singletrack is technical and the climbs are steep, so don鈥檛 overestimate your ability in this forest. For instance, this route gains more than 10,000 feet of climbing. As a rule, I tell people to double the amount of time they think it will take them to pedal a mile in these mountains.

is about as flowy as Pisgah gets, with fast berms and plenty of rollers, while Black Mountain is a long, technical descent that draws cyclists聽from all over the country. Bring a fly rod and you can fish tight mountain streams, like North Mills River. There are good swimming holes on Bradley Creek, adjacent to Yellow Gap Road, too.

Where to camp: (from $35 a night) is a developed campground site along the river of the same name and is located near the start and finish of this route, but there are plenty of primitive, free campsites throughout the forest, especially on the gravel Yellow Gap Road, which helps form the backbone of this route.

2. Flint Hills Trail State Park, Kansas

Distance: 96 miles point to point
Duration: Overnight or more
Highlights: Tallgrass prairie and farmland

When it鈥檚 finished, the will run 118 miles off-road from Osawatomie to Herington, making it one of the longest rail trails in the country. The last 20 miles or so are still a work in progress, but bikepackers can zero in on the 96 miles that are open from Osawatomie to Council Grove, offering a crushed limestone path that gets you away from traffic while passing through the largest expanse of tall grass prairie still standing in the U.S. The trail is open to bikes, foot traffic,聽and equestrians, so you might share space with the occasional horse.

The route only gains 1,880 feet along its entire length, so you can cover a lot of miles quickly, but you could also take your time and explore the small towns and rivers along the way. In fact, you can treat this as a civilized version of bikepacking, pedaling from coffee shop to ice cream shop.

The terrain is mostly farmland and rolling hills, but you can expect to pedal across several bridges, cruise along the Marais Des Cygnes River, which has the occasional bluff to shake up the view, and even pass a cave that outlaw Jesse James supposedly used as a hideout. There are inns, bike shops, restaurants, and campgrounds as it cruises through ten聽small towns, making this one of the most beginner friendly bikepacking routes in the country.

Where to camp: is roughly in the middle of the trail, offering great camping and access to the 4,000-acre reservoir. There are more than 240 sites to choose from in half a dozen different loops. Try to score a primitive site in the Waucondah Primitive Campground near the marina ($21 per night).

3. Olympic 国产吃瓜黑料 Trail, Olympic National Park, Washington聽

Distance: 65-mile out and back
Duration: Overnight
Highlights: Old growth forests and Lake Crescent

Another ongoing recreation path, Washington state’s聽Olympic Discovery Trail will be a cyclist鈥檚 dream one day. When it鈥檚 finished, the rail-grade trail will run for 130 miles from Port Townsend to the coast along the northern flank of the Olympic Peninsula. It鈥檚 currently about half done but bikepackers can enjoy the fully completed , a 25-mile singletrack alternative to the main path between the Elwha River and Lake Crescent. Combine it with the 11-mile , and you have a scenic 66-mile out and back in and around Olympic National Park. The terrain could double as the Forest Moon of Endor, the home planet of the Ewoks in Star Wars, with giant old growth evergreens, moss-covered everything and fields of tall ferns covering the forest floor. The route also skims the northern shore of Lake Crescent, an 11-mile long lake surrounded by green peaks within Olympic National Park.

The route is a mix of paved rail trail (Spruce Railroad Trail) and buff single and double track (Olympic 国产吃瓜黑料 Trail), ideal for either a hard tail mountain bike or gravel bike with fat tires. I rode the Olympic 国产吃瓜黑料 Trail and some adjacent gravel and paved roads on a gravel bike while camping聽nearby, but it鈥檚 an ideal route for bikepacking with two developed campgrounds on the edge of Lake Crescent. If you hit it during the summer, you can even take a cool lake plunge; there鈥檚 a bridge over an inlet on Lake Crescent that makes for a cold, refreshing plunge that locals call the Devil鈥檚 Punchbowl.

Where to stay: is a National Park Service campground with 84 tent sites on the western edge of Lake Crescent ($24 a night). You鈥檒l need reservations between May 15 and September 15 (which can be tough to get) but it鈥檚 first come/first serve outside of that window.

4. Idaho Hot Springs Route, Boise National Forest, Idaho

Distance: 70-mile loop
Duration: 3-4 days
Highlights: Hot springs!

The 国产吃瓜黑料 Cycling Association is a nonprofit that develops safe, long-distance bicycling journeys all across the country. The majority of these routes are paved, but they have made a few exceptions such as . This 518.5-mile loop through central Idaho has access to over 50 hot springs, and has two path options鈥攐ne that traverses dirt roads and another that travels via lonely singletrack.

Several years ago, I rode a 70-mile loop that combined a piece of the main route and a singletrack option around the tiny towns of Featherville and Atlanta. It was a hard three to four days of riding, but each night ended with a soak in a backcountry pool of 100-plus degree water. You can recreate my adventure by combining the main route through Featherville with the , which passes through the historic and tiny mining outpost of Atlanta.

Much of the route follows the Middle Fork of the Boise River and Willow Creek, both of which are gorgeous backcountry streams. The terrain is tough, with long gravel road climbs and sinuous singletrack. Climbing to the top of Decker Creek Summit (8,800-foot tall) is a beast of an endeavor that involved a lot of hike-a-bike for me and my partners. But the 10-mile long downhill that followed is one of the longest and most enjoyable descents of my entire life. You鈥檒l also have the chance to soak in several hot springs along the way. My favorite? Chattanooga Hot Springs, near the mining outpost of Atlanta, features a piping hot waterfall tumbling over a tan cliff into a shallow pool at its base.

Don鈥檛 attempt pedaling this route without buying both the Main Route and Singletrack Option maps from 鈥攏ot only will you be supporting a worthy nonprofit, but the maps will give you the best beta available with information about the various hot springs, general stores and terrain challenges throughout the adventure.

Where to stay: You鈥檒l be choosing your own primitive campsites along this route, which travels within Boise National Forest. Choose a site with an established fire ring, and plan to pitch your tent along the rivers, which will give you the best chance of flat terrain.

5. Coconino Loop, Coconino National Forest, Arizona聽

Distance: 240 miles
Duration: Seven days
Highlights: Slick rock, canyons galore

The is 240 miles of singletrack and dirt roads through the canyons and peaks of Northern Arizona, combining some of the best trails and most spectacular terrain around Flagstaff and Sedona. It鈥檚 a difficult loop that hosts a bikepacking stage race that鈥檚 part of the burly , but serious mountain bikers should definitely put this route on their to-do list. Yes, you鈥檒l climb 28,000 feet during your journey, but half of the route is made up of some of Arizona鈥檚 best singletrack, from the fast, flowy descent on the Arizona Trail into Flagstaff to the grippy slick rock that surrounds Sedona.

Go-getters will knock out this massive loop in four days during the stage race, but it鈥檚 best suited for a week-long epic, which will also give you time to hang out in Flagstaff and Sedona. The terrain is tough and you鈥檙e tackling serious elevation in the desert, so slower is probably better. The hike-a-bike up Mingus Mountain, which climbs 4,000 feet in 10 miles, is legendary. Don鈥檛 do this ride in the summer, as it鈥檚 too damn hot. But fall is perfect, and be sure to have the capacity to carry enough water for each day on the trail, especially if you鈥檙e taking your time between the towns, as finding fresh water in the desert can be tough.

Where to stay: There鈥檚 primitive camping throughout the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests throughout much of this route, but you鈥檒l also have the chance to snag a hotel room or two, like the (from $100 a night), in the small town of Williams, which sits on Route 66.

6. The Maah Daah Hey Trail, North Dakota聽

Distance: 100 miles
Duration: Four days
Highlights: Badlands scenery, remote terrain

The badlands of North Dakota earned their name ages ago, first by the Native Americans who lived in the region, and then by the European explorers that stumbled upon the landscape of canyons and buttes after traveling across the benign midwestern plains. I understand the hyperbolic nomenclature; I wouldn鈥檛 want to settle here either after passing through acres of fertile grasslands. But we have mountain bikes now, and pedaling through the gorges and cliffs created by ages of erosion sounds like a blast. And that鈥檚 exactly what you鈥檒l get to do if you bikepack the 100-mile section of the 聽between the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

The mostly singletrack route drops into deep creek drainages and climbs to the top of a multitude of聽buttes with moments of respite that offer long-range grassland views and the occasional stand of aspens for shade. Bighorn sheep and elk have been reintroduced to the area, so keep your eye out for wildlife.

Logistically, the Maah Daah Hey is pretty straightfoward: Multiple trailheads and access points give you the chance to create a distance and duration that suits your schedule, and there are established campgrounds with drinking water and safe places to pitch a tent throughout. While there鈥檚 water and camping to be found throughout, you鈥檙e in the middle of a complex of public lands so don鈥檛 expect any gas stations or restaurants along this route. You鈥檒l need to bring all your gear and food with you. Offshoots of the trail allow you to create loops and check out nearby points of interest, like the Ice Caves, which are large overhangs in sandstone cliffs that have been known to hold ice into summer.

Go during the fall, which will make the stream crossings easier because of lower water. Or the summer when it鈥檚 warm enough that you鈥檒l look forward to the deeper stream crossings.

Where to stay: There are nine along the Maah Daah Hey Trail, spaced roughly about 25 miles apart. Magpie Campground ($10 per night, first come-first serve) has good shade and is close to the Ice Caves Trail, so you can ditch your bags and pedal without all the weight for that excursion. Regardless of which campground you choose, the night skies in this area are reported to be legendary.

7. Kokopelli Trail, BLM, Colorado and Utah聽

Distance: 145 miles
Duration: Three days or more
Highlights: Canyons and the Colorado River

It鈥檚 hard to say what is the ultimate O.G. bikepacking route, but the , which runs from Fruita, Colorado, to Moab, Utah, is definitely in the conversation. It鈥檚 a classic, old–school route that combines mostly dirt road with some spicy singletrack through a mix of sandstone canyons and dusty plateaus along the Colorado River. There are moments of brilliant singletrack, particularly at the beginning near Fruita where the trails are buff, and the end near Moab where big slickrock and singletrack descents are earned, but mostly you鈥檙e pedaling lonely dirt roads with grand views of the La Sal Mountains on the horizon and the Colorado River below. While I鈥檝e never ridden the Kokopelli from end to end, I鈥檝e ridden bikes in this area multiple times and I鈥檓 always blown away by the scenery.

This is remote backcountry, so you need to be totally self-sufficient. Bring plenty of water (a lot of cyclists聽will cache water along the route) and a filter in case you need to pull from the Colorado River. There鈥檚 no food either, so pack what you want to eat. Plan this ride for spring or fall to make the most of mild weather. It would be near suicidal to attempt this big of a ride in the summer.

Finishing an epic adventure in the town of Moab is always fun, especially when the crescendo of the adventure includes ripping down the , an 11-mile technical descent with聽drops and epic views into the Castle Valley. There鈥檚 no shame in walking pieces of this trail, especially with a loaded down bike.

Where to stay: The majority of the route passes through Bureau of Land Management terrain, so you鈥檒l have a mix of primitive, backcountry sites and established campgrounds throughout. , after you enter Utah, has half a dozen first-come-first-served sites on the Colorado River ($20 a night).

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. Bikepacking is hands down his favorite adventure and is constantly planning his next route. He recently wrote about the best swimming holes in our national parks.

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Even locals get inspired by the view from the top of Picacho Peak Trail. Below, adobe homes nestle into the pi帽on-juniper forests. Above, the sky often shows off brilliant shades of orange and purple. In the distance, mountains stack up on the horizon. It feels like you鈥檙e a world away鈥攁nd yet you鈥檙e only a couple miles from Santa Fe鈥檚 historic plaza and a uniquely vibrant cultural scene.

It鈥檚 that world-class art and food that put on the culture map鈥攁nd for good reason. were James Beard Award semifinalists in 2025, and the area has a long list of critically acclaimed restaurants, as well as more than 250 art galleries, museums, and private dealers. But Santa Fe County also belongs on the adventure map. With more than 200 paths in the Santa Fe National Forest serving hikers and equestrians, 160 miles of mountain biking trails, 370 climbing routes, plus excellent whitewater rafting and trout fishing, the iconic Southwest region serves up adventures for everyone鈥攁nd the secret is out.

Easy Access to Hiking, Biking, and Climbing

One of the most remarkable things about the Santa Fe County trail systems is just how close everything is. The popular Dale Ball Trail network delivers 35 miles of hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. The La Tierra system offers an additional 32 miles of accessible multiuse, beginner-friendly trails, and nearby Galisteo Basin has another 47 miles. That鈥檚 not to mention the many trailheads throughout the .

More interested in vertical adventure? Diablo Canyon Recreation Area delivers some of the best sport rock climbing in the region. Areas聽including Santa Fe National Forest and the Pecos River Canyon offer聽scenic granite crags at 7,000 feet elevation, with five cliffs that feature single-pitch routes, offering a mix of traditional and sport climbing along the trout-rich Pecos River.

Or go for historical adventure and explore , less than an hour鈥檚 drive northwest of Santa Fe. As the ancestral land of at least 23 tribal nations, the stunning canyon terrain was an epicenter of Native American life and culture for centuries. Today, you can hike throughout the park, see historic petroglyphs and cliff dwellings, and learn about how communities once thrived here.

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World-Class Fishing and Whitewater Rafting

From placid stretches of peaceful water ideal for family floats to the you-better-know-what-you鈥檙e-doing rapid called 鈥淩acecourse鈥� (Class IV at high water), the Rio Grande鈥攖he waterway that defines so much of New Mexico鈥攈as something for everyone. Regardless of your route, you鈥檒l likely find absolute quiet, families of bighorn sheep, and towering canyon cliffs. The Rio Chama, a National Wild and Scenic River, also delivers great rafting trips, including multiday adventures. Both rivers are also known for their exceptional fly-fishing for brown and rainbow trout.

国产吃瓜黑料, Elevated

Put it all together, and Santa Fe County offers an unmatched experience: spectacular outdoor action combined with a refined arts and food scene. The only question is how to do it all.

Explore Santa Fe County, where history, arts, and outdoor adventure await. Hike dramatic trails, bike breathtaking landscapes, ride horseback, or fish pristine waters. Discover Bandelier National Monument鈥檚 ancient wonders, raft the Rio Grande, or hike Namb茅 Falls. Experience unforgettable beauty and culture. Santa Fe County. Beautiful. Happy trails. .

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The best adventures are the ones that surprise you. Unexpected discoveries and bold new paths bring nature to life in whole new ways. And that鈥檚 exactly what you鈥檒l find in Arkansas, where forests and rivers and mountains and lakes serve up one surprise after another. Whatever your passion鈥攂iking, hiking, fishing, paddling, climbing, camping鈥攜ou鈥檒l find the perfect escape in The Natural State. Start with these five spots, and for even more .

Fishing

Anglers from all over the country travel to Arkansas to fish the White River, where trout fishing is sublime year-round and the fish count per mile is representative of a healthy (and lively) fishery. Cast a line for rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat, golden, and tiger trout. Or explore the state’s lakes and smaller streams for a chance to land smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, and stripers.

Paddling

Everyone should experience the Buffalo National River, America鈥檚 first National River. The mellow water is accessible to all skill levels and rich with great scenery and camping. Highly skilled paddlers looking for whitewater thrills will love Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area, which includes one of the most rugged and spectacular river corridors in the central United States. Decorated with wooded slopes, hiking trails, unique geological features, and cascading Class III鈥揤 water, the Cossatot is a dream destination for experienced whitewater canoeists, rafters, and kayakers.

Hiking

Head to Whitaker Point Trail to check out Hawksbill Crag鈥攐ne of the most iconic landmarks in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. The 2.7-mile trail winds through dense forest of pine and hardwood before popping out at the rocky outcropping that resembles its namesake. From there, hikers can take in expansive views of the Buffalo National River basin. The trail is accessible year-round but is especially scenic during peak fall colors (typically mid-October to early November).

Climbing

Camp close to the climbing action at Sam鈥檚 Throne Recreation Area. With more than 300 named routes, this crag could entertain any climber for years. There鈥檚 something for all types of climbers here, including boulders and some sport routes. But the crag is best known for its impressive lineup of trad climbs. Most routes fall in the 5.7 to 5.10 range, so there are plenty of options for beginner and intermediate climbers. The campground near the crag features six primitive, drive-accessible sites, plus walk-in sites. Looking for more sport routes? Try nearby Candy Mountain or Valley of the Blind, both within a 2-mile radius of Sam鈥檚 Throne.

Mountain Biking

Earn your turns on 50 miles of trails at Little Sugar, which features more vert per mile than anywhere else in the Bentonville region. These relatively new trails were constructed in 2020, so riders can expect a more modern feel, with slightly wider singletrack that鈥檚 approachable for beginners. Take the scenic route on the 28.8-mile cross-country Tunnel Vision. This intermediate trail follows the perimeter of the park, with connecting trails that cut through ravines and under rocky bluffs and, of course, through tunnels made of ten-foot-diameter pipes. Don鈥檛 miss the waterfall on Tanyard Creek on the loop鈥檚 east side.

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The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism protects and promotes the state鈥檚 natural, cultural, and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. The Division of Arkansas Tourism strives to expand the economic impact of travel and tourism in the state and enhance the quality of life for all Arkansans. The division manages 14 Arkansas Welcome Centers and employs more than 60 staff members across the Natural State. Learn more at聽.

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Over the last three decades, I鈥檝e driven all across the country, sometimes flying in and renting a car, more often just driving my Roadtrek camper van from my Indiana home. During those road trips, I’ve also visited every national park in the contiguous U.S. Whenever I鈥檓 home too long or the news gets too dire, I start to feel that itch to hit the open road.

Before planning any road trip, I recommend buying a Rand McNally road atlas. It will help you navigate when you no longer have cell service. Just like you shouldn鈥檛 leave your route to Google Maps, you shouldn鈥檛 leave your summer road trip playlist to Spotify. I try to at least pick a few songs or artists, or even an audiobook, connected to my destination. Case in point: I can鈥檛 drive through Texas without listening to hometown heroes the Old 97鈥檚 or the Vandoliers. You can practically smell bluebonnets and the dregs of a discarded Lone Star beer bottle with every song.

When compiling this list, I attempted to hit as many geographical regions of the the U.S. as possible, but focused most of the attention on northern or higher elevation areas where the summer heat may not be as brutal.聽 I also chose these road trips based on their proximity to adventure. And with a few exceptions, I鈥檝e personally roadtripped through each of these destinations myself.

Remember, when things go wrong on the road, as they inevitably will, just tell yourself that it鈥檚 just going to make for a great story. It always does for me.

Here are my top recommendations for the best summer road trips in the U.S.

Communing With Nature: Redwoods to Crater Lake

Distance: 456 miles
Potential adventures: Hiking, photography, road cycling
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

A couple of years ago, I did a version of this road trip in Winnebago鈥檚 prototype electric RV, and it was incredible. Perhaps my biggest regret was that I spent the entire article talking about the RV and not the scenery I was experiencing.

Start in , where the smell of saltwater, mountain air, and redwood trees will linger in your nose and remain in your memories forever. Similar to hiking its sister park Sequoia, walking through millennia-old redwood groves inspires an almost religious connection to the聽natural world. The park offers more than 200 miles of trails for every skill level鈥攆rom experienced hikers gaining 3,000 feet of elevation to those who need accessible, paved or gravel paths.

From there, take CA 299 east to , which still bears scars from the Carr Fire in 2018. When I visited, some life had returned to the hillside, but it remained a sobering reminder . Despite this, there was plenty of outdoor adventure to be had, such as hiking or biking dozens of miles of trails, checking out multiple gorgeous waterfalls, or swimming in the eponymous lake.

Taking CA 44 further east to , you鈥檒l see even more charred trees, reminders of the that damaged nearly 70 percent of the park. Given its elevation (more than 10,000 feet at its highest), Lassen Volcanic finds itself buried underneath snow for most of the year. Late July through September is the perfect time to visit, when most of the trails can be hiked without snowshoes. The half-mile Sulphur Works and 2.7-mile Bumpass Hell trails with their steam vents, bubbling pools, and mud pots echo Yellowstone鈥檚 volcanic features.

Next, head north to , which encompasses Mt. Shasta, California鈥檚 fifth-largest peak. I only spent an afternoon on the trails there, and were I to do it over again, I would have spent multiple days exploring the trails through seemingly endless fir and pine forests. The road between Mt. Shasta鈥攚hich is actually a stratovolcano鈥攁nd Crater Lake is known as the , with other highlights including Burney Mountain and Medicine Lake Volcano. This is yet another gorgeous road, so take your time heading further north to Crater Lake National Park.

Whenever I think of the color blue, I see Crater Lake鈥檚 impossibly perfect waters聽in my mind. I hiked up the short, but steep Watchman Peak Trail, to gaze upon the entirety of namesake attraction.

The park itself isn鈥檛 massive, so visitors can knock out the highlights in a day or two. Be sure to drive or, even better, bike the length of the 33-mile Rim Road with its 30 scenic vistas. The road does have some elevation changes, so be ready to climb or bring an e-bike.

If you love fly fishing, continue southwest to Grants Pass, located on the world-famous Rogue River. I鈥檇 recommend visiting in late summer between August and September when the summer steelhead run is in full swing.

(Great) Lake Life: Indiana Dunes to Apostle Islands

Miles: 971
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, paddling
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

As a native Midwesterner, I鈥檝e long claimed that Michigan and Wisconsin are the two most-underrated states in the nation for outdoor adventure. Over the years, I鈥檝e traveled extensively within the area, hiking and biking nearly endless rolling hills covered in thick birch, pine, and oak forests. I鈥檝e paddled the Great Lakes and fly-fished some of the world’s most-renowned trout rivers. Visitors can find thousands of miles of gorgeous shoreline, much of which they may have all to themselves.

This road trip starts at Indiana Dunes National Park, which offers more than 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Most visitors prefer to lounge on the beach, but Indiana Dunes also boasts a staggering amount of biodiverse ecosystems in a relatively small, 15,000-acre footprint. More than 1,000 wildly different plant species essentially live side-by-side, including a rare ethereal white plant called the ghost pipe and multiple species of carnivorous plants.

Crossing north into Michigan, fly fishers can stop in either Grand Rapids, to hopefully catch smallies and pike, or head further north to the famous Pere Marquette River to fish for wild brook and rainbow trout. (Visit or for the latest river conditions and news on what鈥檚 currently hatching.) You鈥檒l find plenty of free or low-cost spots to camp along the Pere Marquette in the (I鈥檇 suggest Claybanks Campground if you鈥檙e wading and Sulak Campground if you鈥檙e in a boat), though you may want to spring for a hotel in Grand Rapids to聽enjoy the multitude of restaurants and bars after you get off the river.

Driving further north to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, the road hugs Lake Michigan to the west and later, after crossing Mackinac Bridge, Lake Superior to the north. They鈥檙e both stunning bodies of water, but try to keep your eyes on the highway. Driving across Mackinac Bridge on a windy day requires nerves of steel. (I swear the bridge was swinging the last time I crossed it.) Both national lakeshores have some great hiking, but the most incredible scenery is best seen via the water. Bringing or renting a sea kayak for an afternoon is a must.

From Pictured Rocks, head west. The most fun I鈥檝e ever had on a mountain bike was in , thanks to more than 50 miles of fun wooden features and flowy singletrack. Copper Harbor is also the entryway to , although you鈥檒l have to ditch your vehicle for a ferry to get there. I鈥檇 recommend at least overnighting on the island and staying even longer, if you鈥檙e able.

This itinerary ends at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, another spot where getting on the water is a must. Paddlers can even camp on several of the islands. Mountain bikers should definitely check out the 17 miles of singletrack at . Nearby, Big Top Chautauqua brings in artists like Iron and Wine and Old Crow Medicine Show to perform under a massive circus tent. (Steve Earle rocked out during my most recent visit.)

The Ultimate Outdoor Paradise: Glacier National Park to Stanley, Idaho

Miles: 794
Potential activities: Hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fly fishing
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

You could take the entire summer traversing this route and still barely scratch the surface of what this nearly 800-mile slice of paradise from Glacier National Park to Stanley, Idaho, offers. No matter what outdoor activity you love, you鈥檒l find it here.

Yellowstone or Glacier will get busy during the summer high season, so enter the parks early or later in the day, when the bulk of the crowds have dissipated. Start in Glacier, which, for me at least, may be the most beautiful place in the world. Spend a morning kayaking Lake McDonald; if you鈥檙e lucky, the weather will allow an almost glass-like reflection on the blue water that鈥檚 ideal for frame-worthy photos.

Going to the Sun Road reopens by July each year. Take it to the lesser-traveled east side of the park for some of the best hiking opportunities. Finish your Glacier excursion with a fly fishing trip down the middle fork of the Flathead River, one of the best鈥� and most picturesque鈥攕pots in the country for cutthroats and rainbows.

Heading south, Helena is a nice stopover between Glacier and Yellowstone, offering some pretty good mountain biking in its own right. Helena may have started out as a gold town, but it鈥檚 now a Silver-Level IMBA Ride Center, with more than 75 miles of trails spread around town.

Driving further south, get into Yellowstone early in the morning to see Grand Prismatic Spring boil and Old Faithful erupt, then hit the road again. Your best shot at seeing a grizzly or wolf is heading to Lamar Valley. Plenty of cars will be parked alongside the road with people looking into the hills with spotting scopes. If crowds clog the trails, Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forests have lots of great hikes with practically no one else around.

Further south is on one of the most breathtaking roads in America, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, and Grand Teton may be one of the most photogenic mountains in the world. in has free dispersed campsites overlooking the namesake mountains. It鈥檚 the perfect place to unwind after a day on the trails and enjoy a cocktail or three.

After spending a day or two in and out of the park, head west, crossing into Idaho. If you鈥檙e fascinated by Yellowstone鈥檚 geology, then spend a couple of hours exploring End the road trip in . It鈥檚 a cool, under-the-radar town that puts you in the middle of all the surrounding outdoor action. Plan to spend two or three days there, with at least one earmarked for fly fishing the Salmon River. I recommend hiring a guide with , who helped me hook into tons of rainbow-cutthroat hybrids.

Keep in mind: This is grizzly country, so have bear spray ready and make a lot of noise as you walk.

Seeing Colors: South Dakota鈥檚 Badlands to Black Hills

Miles: 103 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, photography, trail riding
Perfect audiobook:

I didn鈥檛 know what to expect the first time I rolled through South Dakota in 2020, but after spending a couple of weeks exploring it and its sibling state to the north, I drove聽away impressed. So much so I鈥檝e been back multiple times in the years since.

Start in Badlands National Park, preferably during sunrise or sunset. Watch how the changing light illuminates and reflects on the various colors of layered sandstone. Driving the loop road through the park takes around two hours with stops at the overlooks, each giving a unique and often expansive view of the rock formations. If you鈥檙e planning to hike, dedicate two days to explore the park. During summer, sunscreen and a shady hat are a must for the Badlands, where you won鈥檛 find too many trees on the trails.

From the Badlands, head west. Unless you鈥檙e an amateur spelunker or otherwise fascinated with caves, dedicate half a day to , springing for one of the cave tours. I recommend the basic 75-minute tour, which covers the natural highlights and boxwork formations inside the cave, as well as the historical significance of the cave to the Lakota people. Be sure to get your tickets as early as possible, as they often sell out during the summer high season.

After the tour, head toward neighboring . This gorgeous, well-maintained park is on par with many national parks, offering lots of great hiking and biking options. Beginning in Deadwood, the 109-mile runs through the heart of Custer State Park, terminating in Edgemont, passing over more than 100 converted railroad trestles and through 4 tunnels. If you didn鈥檛 bring a bike, the park offers several heart-racing hiking trails (both metaphorically and literally). Both Cathedral Spires and Black Elk Peak offer beautiful views and opportunities to hop into the refreshing Sylvan Lake.

Throughout its 1.2 million acres, offers more than 450 miles of hiking trails, a bit of singletrack in Spearfish, and fun times swimming or paddling in the lakes and reservoirs. The scenery surrounding the roads is beautiful, but the tarmac can get a bit twisty; there鈥檚 a reason why thousands of bikers flock to Sturgis each year.

If you decide to visit Mount Rushmore, be sure to earmark time for the as well. The two manmade monoliths are great contrasts to one another, allowing you and your traveling companions to discuss the great and not-so-great aspects of our nation鈥檚 history.

I listened to Dee Brown鈥檚 sobering 鈥淏ury My Heart at Wounded Knee鈥� while driving through the state. Hearing the atrocities that occurred on these grounds gave me a much deeper understanding of both the landscape and the people who lived there years ago.

Fly High: Pisgah National Forest to Hot Springs, North Carolina

Miles: 97 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, gravel, road, and mountain biking
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

This trip traversing North Carolina鈥檚 most scenic national forests and perhaps the best trout water east of the Mississippi is a must for every adventurer with a bike and a fly rod.

Start in , which boasts some of the most challenging and fun singletrack you鈥檒l find east of the Mississippi. Tucked away in the seemingly endless pine forests, trails can be gnarly and pretty technical, but always fun. I have roughly the same number of smiles and scars to remember from years of riding there. Be sure to earmark at least a day for the fast and flowy DuPont State Forest trails nearby.

Head southwest to , which got hit hard by Hurricane Helene last fall, but has made a remarkable comeback in the months since. When I was here in the spring, ongoing highway repairs heading in and out of Haywood slowed traffic to a crawl in places. Try to time your travel to early in the morning or at night in order to avoid the traffic jams.

Maggie Valley and the surrounding towns are filled with mom-and-pop campgrounds and motels that need visitors鈥� cash to pay for all the repairs. What do they offer in return? Trout, and lots of them. (Be sure to , as the Carolina game wardens do not mess around.) The Pigeon River and both Jonathan and Richland Creeks get stocked by the state of North Carolina in the spring, and the trout are still hitting mop flies and woolie buggers in the summer. ( can give you the current intel.)

In nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cataloochee Creek flows through a picturesque valley and is filled with skittish wild brookies. Catching one of these native little fish felt as momentous as catching dozens the day before on the Pigeon.

From there, head north on NC 209 to , another spot recovering from last year鈥檚 hurricane. My cycling team held our training camp in this tiny Tarheel town for more than a decade, so I can assure you both the road and gravel riding here are amazing. The twisty mountain roads surrounding the town will make you earn the super-fun descents. The gravel climb up 4,600-foot Max Patch is challenging, but doable for most riders; beware the backside descent, which can be treacherous in places. Hot Springs is a major Appalachian Trail hub, with lots of other great hiking options nearby. As a bonus, the French Broad River runs through Hot Springs, so after you get back from your epic ride, you can unwind in the cool water while getting your line wet.

I Cannot Tell a Lie; I love Washington State: North Cascades to Olympic

Miles: 342 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, sea kayaking, wildlife viewing, road cycling
Perfect audiobook:

Begin your drive at North Cascades National Park. Due to its northern location, it鈥檚 not as heavily traveled as the two other national parks in the state, and locals rightfully view it and the surrounding national forest as their backyard. Nearly every SUV you see will be loaded with kayaks or mountain bikes on top.

My favorite day-hike in the park, the Cascade Pass Trail, winds upward through fir and cedar forest to views of multiple peaks and glaciers. Neighboring Ross Lake National Recreational Area is a perfect spot for casual paddling and swimming. If you have at least three days for a backcountry adventure, visit Desolation Peak in the northeast corner of the park, where famed beat writer Jack Kerouac served as a fire lookout in 1956.

Leaving North Cascades, keep an eye out for some famous fly-fishing rivers during the remainder of the road trip. You may come across the Yakima River, known for salmon and trout, and the Skagit and Hoh Rivers, that offer great steelhead fishing. The should help you find access points and fly shops along the way.

Nearly all the roads in have opened by early July. Road cyclists flock to the park to challenge themselves on the steep upward roads. Visitors will find tons of incredible hiking options throughout the park, with a wide variety of mileage and difficulty levels. If you have time after leaving the park, detour down to , where one of the most violent volcanic eruptions in U.S. history occurred in 1980.

From Mout Rainier, head northwest. The problem with is there鈥檚 almost too much to do. Spanning nearly a million acres, visitors can be easily聽overwhelmed with the number of hiking options. Hurricane Ridge and Hoh Rain Forest are two of the more popular recreation areas, but that often leads to congestion and lack of parking. Queets and Quinault Rain Forests have a similar feel to Hoh, but far fewer visitors. If you鈥檙e looking for a backcountry adventure, Sol Duc Valley and Deer Park are great jumping-off points.

国产吃瓜黑料 Powered by Lobster: White Mountains to Hidden Maine Ponds

Miles: 384 miles
Potential activities: Hiking, fly fishing, kayaking, stargazing, eating lobster
Perfect road-trip playlist song:

Full of beech and maple forests, gorgeous hillsides, and mountain-fed lakes, is a terrific starting point for this New Hampshire to Maine road trip. Two of the shortest trails have some of the best views; a 1.5-mile hike will take you to New Hampshire鈥檚 tallest waterfall, Arethusa Falls, while a somewhat steep 3-mile hike leads you to Lonesome Lake, which lives up to its name.

From there, head northeast to Acadia National Park. Start your day early with a drive up Cadillac Summit Road to catch the sunrise. This has become such a popular activity over the years that a $6 parking pass is required during the high season. You may second-guess yourself when your alarm goes off at 3:30 am, but the view is worth it. If you get there pretty early, be sure to bring a headlamp to keep from tripping over a rock or going over a ledge.

Acadia has 45 miles of gravel carriage roads perfect for cycling and another 158 miles of hiking trails. Several outfitters rent bikes if you don鈥檛 bring your own. For 1.5 hours before and after low tide, you can walk about a mile-long sand bar from Bar Harbor to Bar Island. This is one of the more popular activities in the park, and you鈥檒l likely be surrounded by other walkers. When both the weather and sea are cooperating, kayak around Bar Island and the bits of land just off the coast of Bar Harbor. Be sure to fuel your activities with plenty of fresh blueberries and lobster, which you can find nearly everywhere you go.

If Acadia feels too crowded, try spending a day or two in . The bay-front park has around 20 trails, nearly all of which are shorter thant two miles.

Spicer Pond, about 45 minutes west of Portland, is filled with lots of fun-sized native brookies. When you think of stereotypical Maine wilderness, this relatively tiny body of water is likely what you see in your mind. You鈥檙e almost guaranteed to have the pond, or a neighboring one just like it, to yourself. If you need a guide, Jake Ratcliff with can help you out.

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Robert Annis, a frequent 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor, spends more time on the road than the average long-haul trucker. When not behind the wheel of his beloved Roadtrek camper van singing along to Son Volt鈥檚 classic Trace album, he can be found either hip-deep in the closest trout stream or your town鈥檚 cheapest dive bar.

The post The Best Road Trips to Take This Summer Across the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you are drawn instinctively and helplessly to high mountains, then the Nepal Himalayas are something of a holy grail. Home to eight of the world鈥檚 ten highest peaks, a dense network of trails, and an unrivaled trekking infrastructure of lodges, guides, and porters, Nepal is perhaps the world鈥檚 ultimate hiking聽destination.

In 20 years of writing guidebooks about the country, I’ve learned that Nepal has far more to offer trekkers than the famous hike to聽Everest. The world鈥檚 highest mountain dominates news headlines, sucking up all the oxygen in the room. But Everest has serious downsides鈥攏otably high-season overcrowding, the hassles (and dangers) of flying into Lukla airport, and the dangers of traveling to聽such high altitude. Most tour leaders agree that Nepal鈥檚 best trekking experiences actually remain outside the Everest region.

So, where else should you trek in Nepal? Choosing the perfect trail depends largely on your priorities. If you want a logistically simple, budget-friendly hike, and you also enjoy the social side of trekking, then opt for a teahouse route like the Annapurna Sanctuary or Langtang Valley. On these trails you can get meals and a bed en route鈥�you can also spend the evenings trading tales with a collection of like-minded travelers.

If you prefer a quieter experience, as I do, try a less popular teahouse route such as around the one that circumnavigates 26,781-foot聽Manaslu, perhaps in shoulder season. I’d also suggest a camping trek like the ones to Kangchenjunga or Makalu Base Camp, generally organized with porters and a guide, which allows you to soak up achingly beautiful landscapes in splendid isolation. If village culture and Buddhist monasteries are more your thing, then head to the Tibetan regions of Mustang or Dolpo.

And if committing to a single Nepal trek feels like having to choose your favorite child, don鈥檛 worry. Nepal鈥檚 unrivaled combination of spectacular Himalayan scenery, logistical ease, and charming people means that you are almost certain to come back for another round. So, if you are finally ready to look beyond Everest, here are our favorite other treks in Nepal.

Around Manaslu: Nepal鈥檚 Best Teahouse Trek

Duration: 11 to 12 days
When to Go: April to May, October聽t0 November
Maximum Elevation: 16,785″
Permit: U.S. $75-100 permit, plus Manaslu Conservation Area and Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permits, $22 each.

Why we love it: If only there was one trail that combined magnificent high-altitude scenery, traditional Tibetan-style villages and the comfortable lodges that Nepal is famous for, but without the crowds of Everest and the Annapurnas. Well, don鈥檛 tell anyone, but Manaslu has all of that, and I feel totally justified in calling it Nepal鈥檚 single best teahouse trek. Highlights include waterfall-lined gorges, epic views of the world鈥檚 tenth highest peak, the snowfields of the Larkye La pass,聽and some of the Himalaya鈥檚 most beautiful glacial lakes. The route鈥檚 optional detour to Pungyen Glacier might well be my favorite day hike in the entire Himalaya.

Need to know: Cramped buses and shared jeeps run to the trailheads, but for sanity鈥檚 sake, it鈥檚 worth splurging to hire your own jeep. Bring Microspikes for the often icy crossing of the Larkye La pass.

Kangchenjunga North & South: Trek to the World鈥檚 Third Highest Peak

Duration: 15 to 20 days
When to Go: March to May, October to November
Maximum Elevation: 16,863″
Permits: U.S. $20 per week, plus $22 conservation area fee.

Why we love it: Way out in the far eastern corner of Nepal, on the border with India鈥檚 Sikkim province, lies a monster: 28,169″ Kangchenjunga, the world鈥檚 third highest peak (presumed the world鈥檚 highest until the fifties). Getting here takes time but the rewards are immense, from traditional Limbu villages and stunning springtime rhododendron blooms, to high yak pastures and neck-craning views of Kangchenjunga鈥檚 five sacred summits. Separate routes lead to the southern and northern base camps, but the best itinerary combines both by crossing the Mirgin La pass in one incredible trek.

Need to know: The simple local teahouses that line the routes offer basic food and porter accommodation, meaning you can cut down on heavy supplies such as fuel and food and turn this into a hybrid teahouse-camping trek. Getting to the trailhead involves some effort: most likely a flight to Bhadrapur and then a day-long jeep ride.

Langtang Valley: The Best Bang for Your Buck

Duration: 7 to 9 days
When to Go: September to May
Maximum Elevation: 12,697″
Permits: Langtang National Park fee $22

Why we love it: Nepal鈥檚 third most popular trekking area is just a day鈥檚 bus ride from the capital Kathmandu and packs a powerful scenic punch for a relatively short time investment. In a week, you鈥檒l climb through lush forests up into alpine pastures, crossing the ruins of former Langtang village, destroyed by a landslide during Nepal鈥檚 catastrophic 2015 earthquake.

The real highlight of the trek is basing yourself in the highest village of Kyanjin Gompa for several days of awesome radial day hikes, up to dramatic glacier and lake viewpoints or yak pastures just a stone鈥檚 throw from the Tibetan border. It鈥檚 hard to imagine a better week in the mountains.

Need to know: Good lodges line the Langtang Valley, offering food and accommodation every couple of hours. Kyangjin Gompa even offers a bakery-cafe and locally-made nak cheese (a nak is a female yak). Combo options with nearby Gosainkund and the community-based Tamang Heritage Trail make for great extensions if you have time.

Gosainkund & Helambu: Sacred Lakes & Himalayan Panoramas

Duration: 6 days
When to Go: April to May, October t0 November
Maximum Elevation: 15,124″
Permits: Langtang National Park fee U.S. $22

Why we love it: A great add-on to the Langtang Valley trek, this underrated walk climbs past panoramic Himalayan views into the high bowl and dozen sacred lakes of Gosainkund. Be sure to budget half a day to explore the main lake, adorned with Buddhist cairns and Hindu tridents, as well as some of the lesser-visited tarns. During the August monsoon, thousands of sadhus (holy men) make the trek here to celebrate the lake鈥檚 associations with the Hindu god Shiva.

From Gosainkund the trail crosses the rugged pass of the Laurebina La and then plummets through wild valleys to reach big Himalayan views at Tharepati ridge. From here, it鈥檚 a day鈥檚 descent through the rhododendron forests of Helambu to the roadhead at Kutumsang.

Need to know: This is one trek where you have to watch out for altitude sickness, as the first few days see rapid altitude gain. Consider acclimatizing on the Langtang Valley trek first. Instead of ending at Kutumsang, you can continue for another two or three days, descending through Shivapuri National Park to enter the Kathmandu Valley on foot, a stone鈥檚 throw from the yak steaks and two-for-one cocktails of Thamel.

Upper Mustang: A Former Himalayan Kingdom

Duration: 10 days
When to Go: May to October
Maximum Elevation: 14,190″
Permits: U.S. $500 for the first ten days, then $50 per day

Why we love it: A thumb of Nepal sticking into the Tibetan plateau, the former Himalayan kingdom of Mustang, off-limits to foreigners until the nineties, represents one of the world鈥檚 last pockets of unfettered traditional Tibetan culture. The scenery is more Tibet than Nepal鈥攁 dusty, treeless, high desert of Martian landscapes, and fantastical, eroded valleys. It鈥檚 also home to some of the finest Buddhist murals in the Tibetan world, in the spectacular temples of the walled capital of Lo Manthang, but also hidden in cliffside cave complexes. This is one trek where culture ranks higher than high mountain scenery.

Need to know: An unpaved road popular with Nepali motorcyclists now connects Jomsom airport on the Annapurna Circuit to Lo Manthang and the China border beyond, but hiking trails avoid most of the road, especially if, like I did, you return down the roadless eastern side of the valley, via Tange and Tetang. Here鈥檚 another tip: splash out on the high-end Royal Mustang Resort in Lo Manthang, belonging to the former royal family of Mustang, but book well in advance if coming for the spectacular masked dances of the Tiji festival in May.

Annapurna Sanctuary: The Best Annapurna Teahouse Trek

Duration: 10 days
When to Go: April to May, October聽t0 November
Maximum Elevation: 13,345″
Permits: $22 ACAP permit, best purchased before departure

Why we love it: The most popular of the routes winding into the stunning Annapurna massif in central Nepal, the sanctuary is a classic Himalayan journey. It starts in sultry rice fields and climbs through ethnic Gurung villages until entering a breathtaking high mountain cul-de-sac, surrounded by the horizon-filling peaks of Machhapuchhare, Hiunchuli, and Annapurna鈥檚 epic south face (26,545″).

Need to know: While the long-popular Annapurna Circuit has been transformed by roads along 70 percent of its course (the reason it鈥檚 not listed here), the Sanctuary remains road-free. The clearly marked trails, excellent teahouses, and relatively short duration make it an understandably popular trail, so try to visit toward the beginning or end of the season.

Tarap Valley Loop: A Taste of Tibetan-style Dolpo

Duration: 9 Days
When to Go: May to October
Maximum Elevation: 17,356″
Permits: $20 for the first week, then $5 per day

Why we love it: The remote western region of Dolpo ranks with Mustang as one of the Himalaya鈥檚 most fabled and little-visited regions. This Tarap Valley trek stays in lower Dolpo, enjoying much of the same traditional Tibetan culture and unspoiled wilderness of remoter upper Dolpo, but without the latter鈥檚 eye-watering $500 permit. Highlights include timeless villages, iconic stupas, and the monasteries around Do Tarap village, plus the stunning high passes of the Numa La and Baga La and a night beside Nepal鈥檚 most beautiful lake, Phoksumdo. Only a few agencies offer this trek, but it鈥檚 a real hidden gem.

To venture even further off the beaten track, use Phoksumdo as the jumping off point for an expedition into upper Dolpo, following in the footsteps of George Schaller and Peter Matthiessen to reach the crystal monastery of Shey, as described in the Matthiessen鈥檚 classic travelogue The Snow Leopard.

Need to know: This is a camping trek requiring a restricted area permit, so you鈥檒l have to trek with a registered guide and, most likely, porters to help carry your equipment. Start the trek by flying into Juphal airstrip from either Kathmandu or Nepalganj.

Makalu Base Camp: The Heart of the High Himalaya

Duration: 13 Days
When to go: March to May, October聽t0 November
Maximum Elevation:聽16,404″
Permits: $20 per week, plus $22 Makalu Barun National Park fee

Why we love it: This rugged trek remains deliciously off the beaten trek. Despite being the world’s fifth highest peak (at 27,762″), there are so many awesome mountains in Nepal that many people haven鈥檛 even heard of Makalu. The route takes you from the Arun river, over ridges, pastures, and the Shipton pass, to follow the Barun valley into the very heart of the high Himalaya. The astonishing views of Makalu, Lhotse, Baruntse, and Everest鈥檚 Kangshung face are as dramatic as you鈥檒l find anywhere in the world. The only downside: you have to return the way you came.

Need to know: Simple trekking lodges line the route in high season but they do fill up, so come with a backup tent. Access is via a prop flight to Tumlingtar.

Annapurna North Base Camp: Historic, Short, and Spectacular

Duration: 6-7 Days
When to Go: March to May, October to November
Maximum Elevation: 14,124″
Permits: $22 ACAP permit

Why we love it: Here鈥檚 a wild card. Not many people know about this short but spectacular camping trek that leaves the Annapurna crowds in the dust to follow Maurice Herzog鈥檚 classic 1950 expedition route to Annapurna I (the first time an 8,000 meter peak was summited鈥攔ead his adventure classic Annapurna). No other trek gets you so close to such epic mountains so quickly. A three-day valley approach drops you at Narchang Lake and Annapurna North Base Camp, from where astounding day hikes lead to a series of high base camps and close-up mountain views of the Annapurna, Tilicho, and Nilgiri peaks. This is high mountain heaven, served with a deep slice of climbing history.

Need to know: You鈥檒l need a 4WD from Pokhara or Tatopani to take you up the spectacular mountain road to the trailhead.

Bradley Mayhew is a travel writer specializing in the mountains of Asia, and is the author of Lonely Planet guides to Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, Central Asia and others.

The post Skip Everest Base Camp for These 9 Epic (and Less-Crowded) Treks in Nepal appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ever come across an incredible place to stay that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there?聽We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to聽Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

A few months ago, I started noticing footage of what looked like landspeeders straight out of Star Wars romping through the sagebrush desert in my feed. When I found out these sci-fi-themed vehicles were cruising through the Utah desert, just a few hours from where I live, I knew I had to check it out.

My desire to visit initially stemmed in part from the fact that I鈥檝e seen every Star Wars film ever made, from the good (A New Hope, 1977), to the bad (Attack of the Clones, 2002), to the ugly (Rise of Skywalker, 2019). But contrary to what I originally assumed, OutpostX isn鈥檛 purely a Star Wars-themed resort鈥攊t also draws inspiration from dystopian times and escapism. The resort bills itself as a 鈥渃inematic, off-grid sanctuary鈥� set in 鈥減ost-apocalyptic鈥� times where you can get 鈥渁way from the BS of society.鈥�

This weird mashup of themes made me want to go even more, in part because it piqued my curiosity, and also because my favorite genre of literature and film is dystopian fiction. It鈥檚 my preferred way to make sense of our current borderline dystopian times.

And what better occasion to visit a dystopian desert resort than my 10th wedding anniversary? After all, my husband Casey is the one who enrolled me in his quest to watch the full Star Wars oeuvre. So on a four-day trip in honor of our decade-long marriage, we dedicated one night to an off-the-grid stay at OutpostX. We booked a Viking Tent and headed to the unincorporated town of Beryl.

Getting to OutpostX

Barrelling along dirt roads forged through the sagebrush, we passed a handful of strange industrial facilities, abandoned trailers, and illegally dumped sofas. But when the dirt road narrowed, the ruts grew deeper, and we failed to notice any of the signs bearing the letter 鈥淴鈥� we were told we鈥檇 see pointing the way, I scrolled through the 16-20 texts I鈥檇 received from OutpostX post-booking for answers. There, I found a warning I鈥檇 missed earlier:

鈥淎lso, WARNING, if you are coming from the Cedar City direction please be sure to take the route via Hwy 56 through Newcastle and Beryl Junction. Google sometimes suggests another route that is nearly impassable.鈥�

We had taken the 鈥渘early impassable鈥� route. Luckily, Casey and I are accustomed to nearly impassable routes, since we often camp in dispersed off-road sites in our backyard of the Uinta Mountains. My husband鈥檚 4WD truck easily tackled the grooves and sand, though if it were raining, that sand would have become tire-gripping mud. For us, the impassable route proved quite passable and even rustic in a fun way. That said, a feeling that we were barreling toward an experience reminiscent of Fyre Fest 2017 began to creep in.

As we kicked up dust, we tuned in to the four-part OutpostX podcast that the resort recommended we listen to before arrival. It recounts the resort鈥檚 fictional creation tale, but we found the narrative difficult to follow. It involved something about an extraterrestrial nuclear war, two long-lost brothers named Naa and Maa, and their efforts to rebuild a community called Namaajin (aka, OutpostX), 鈥渨here hope is the blueprint.鈥�

While the story made little sense, it certainly set the mood for what we found upon arrival. Circular white canvas tents embellished with cryptic symbols encircled what appeared to be a dried lakebed, toward the center of which stood an actual bed. A series of earthen caves and outbuildings resembling those of Tatooine rose from the scorched earth landscape. Star Wars-inspired landspeeders (referred to as sand cruisers at OutpostX) crawled over the hardened, parched, and cracked ground. We had arrived in a far and distant Berylian land.

Escapist Ambience: 4 Stars

If you manage to make it to this corner of Beryl in one piece, you will find that OutpostX has deftly turned acres of unwanted, barren lands into a whole vibe. The fanciful art-like objects and weird structures transport you to the sets of Star Wars, Mad Max, and maybe even Planet of the Apes, if you swap the apes for snakes. The entire resort is solar-powered, so panels decorate the outbuildings and outskirts of the premises.

Around mid-afternoon, you can channel the energy of a character in Dune as the daily wind picks up and coats you in a layer of dried lakebed dust. After enduring the evening gusts and cooking dinner over the fire鈥攖here are no dining options at OutpostX鈥攎y husband took a picture of my dirt-streaked face. I looked like I had lost a battle with Sarlacc, the sand-bound alien of Return of the Jedi.聽

Cast of Characters (i.e., Staff and Guests): 4 Stars

As we were puzzling over where to check in upon arrival, a guy in a sand cruiser approached. Later, we would learn this was Danny, the maintenance guy. The check-in process was to look back through the many texts OutpostX had sent me to find my tent number, then drive up to it and enter. Danny added that we could 鈥渄o whatever you want鈥� while staying here.

Two or three times during our stay, arriving guests approached Casey and me, asking if we knew how to check in. In general, the staff at OutpostX are fleeting and unidentifiable, since they are dressed in plainclothes and look like the lot who would opt to live in a trailer in the middle of nowhere for weeks at a time.

That said, Danny was very helpful when it came to fixing our unit鈥檚 swamp cooler. The other upside of scarce staff is that we were truly held to no rules during our stay. Beryl, Utah is lawless country and if you want to cruise through the desert after hours with a cold one, no one will stop you.

Our fellow guests came from lands far and wide. License plates on cars hailed from California, New Mexico, Washington, Colorado, and Utah. A European throuple inquired with Danny about the availability of the pottery wheel. A Latter-day Saint bachelor party made PG-rated quips as they grilled monstrously large steaks over the fire, while partaking in the complimentary soda. A Southeast Asian influencer struck poses on the bed located in the lakebed for pictures鈥攖his same group also opted to pay the upcharge for 鈥渨ardrobe.鈥�

For $20, guests can rent a dystopian-style wardrobe during their stay to get into character in the Berylian universe. Think baggy robes, belted tunics, and scarves in earth tones. As we watched some guests bounce on the trampolines in costume at twilight, we decided we had made the right choice in foregoing the wardrobe add-on.

OutpostX Facilities: 3 Stars

We found our yurt-style Viking Tent to be cozy, equipped with a queen-sized bed, chair, and sofa. When we first entered our tent, it was unbearably hot inside, but this was because our swamp cooler air conditioning unit was malfunctioning. Danny fired it up, and it cooled down quickly inside. There is also a space heater and heated blanket in the tents for winter stays.

While the tent charmed us with its bohemian decor, the downside of staying in a Viking Tent or renting one of the OutpostX tent or RV campsites is that you must share a communal bathroom and kitchen.

Two bathrooms featured toilets with a showerhead in the corner, and one bathroom was toilet-only. Dystopian indeed. While the bathrooms were clean upon our arrival Friday afternoon, conditions had deteriorated by the next morning, when we found a clogged toilet, no more clean hand-drying towels, and a dearth of toilet paper.

My other gripe with the bathrooms? A four-foot long snake that suddenly appeared as we were cooking dinner at the outdoor firepits, slithering around the communal area. Eventually, the snake disappeared into one of the bathrooms, never to be seen again. Each time I went to the bathroom thereafter, I acted like a cop entering a crime scene, rapidly conducting a full scan of the premises to ensure it was snake-free.

The communal kitchen similarly left a few things to be desired for the OutpostX tent camper. With no restaurant onsite, cooking is the only option. For $97 per person, you can add a 鈥渃ulinary experience,鈥� which includes ingredients and recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner鈥攜ou do the cooking.

If you鈥檙e staying in a cave, you鈥檒l have your own kitchenette. But if you鈥檙e in a tent, dome, or campsite, you鈥檒l use the communal kitchen and outdoor firepits. The kitchen is shaped like a narrow hallway, with a few hot plates, mini fridges, and the world鈥檚 smallest kitchen sink. There is also a mocktail bar consisting of a variety of half-empty bottles of syrups and flavoring agents, which I presume is due to Utah鈥檚 notoriously strict liquor laws. Due to the confined space and limited culinary infrastructure, we opted to cook our skirt steak tacos on one of the three outdoor firepits.

Otherworldly Amenities: 5 Stars

The greatest joy of a stay at Outpost X is cruising around the sagebrush-dotted salt flats in a sand cruiser. I challenge you to find a complimentary amenity as joy-inducing as this. Sure, the sand cruiser is really just a solar power-charged golf cart embellished with some spray-painted plastic panels to resemble a Star Wars landspeeder. And no, it does not hover or go faster than 10-12 miles per hour.

But it鈥檚 the best way to tour the fantastical yet desolate landscape. OutpostX鈥檚 greatest asset is that the whole place feels like weird installation art, plopped down in the desert. Objects strewn across the salt flat landscape include: A queen-sized bed, a whitewashed diving board, a weird tower thing, a playground-esque wooden structure with a hammock, a leather weight bench, and a giant wooden swing.

Dodging sagebrush well into dusk, we laughed like characters in a fantasy-themed video game. All in all, I estimate that we spent at least 25% of our time at OutpostX in a sand cruiser and I wouldn鈥檛 have wanted it any other way.

The next best amenity at OutpostX? 鈥淴 Spa鈥�: A series of hot springs, cold plunge pools, and saunas overlooking the salt flats. We soaked in the hot spring as the sun set and the air finally cooled. Randomly, a pottery wheel and free local clay are available to guests in a corner of this spa area. Apparently, there also used to be a mud bath, but a 10-year-old boy got stuck in it and had to be extricated by staff. Also, they couldn鈥檛 clean the mud so it became a health hazard.

Overall OutpostX Rating: 3.5 Stars

Would I invest in another trip to these scorched, strange lands? Maybe to see the look on my kids鈥� faces as they pilot a sand cruiser through the desert. But it might be better to consider a day pass ($40 per person; $149.99 for a family of up to six) to enjoy the sand cruisers and spa, then head to Cedar City for the night.

If there is a next time, I will pay considerably more and stay in a cave to have my own kitchen and bathroom. Or maybe I will buy out the whole property for $8,000 and throw the dystopian party of my dreams.

The post This Star Wars-Themed Desert Outpost in Utah Is As Strange As It Sounds appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

国产吃瓜黑料 editors know the importance of taking a break any time of the year, but summer trips hit different. Where are we traveling this summer? Some of us have plans to escape the heat waves in U.S. for winter in Cape Town, South Africa, which has no shortage of outdoor thrills within its city limits. Another editor is heading to one of Washington state鈥檚 most remote and quirky towns to cool off on alpine-lake trails. While others are taking a runcation through Chamonix鈥檚 glacier-dotted mountains, and exploring a sci-fi-themed desert outpost in Utah.

Haven鈥檛 dialed in your summer vacation yet? With our always-online days, it鈥檚 more important than ever to put your phone in airplane mode and get a dose of nature’s healing vibes. Even if it鈥檚 just for a few hours while you visit your closest national park (pro-tip: visit natural parks with swimming holes). As always, the most important thing is to simply get outside.

Here are the trips we鈥檝e booked.

Chamonix, France聽

When I learned I鈥檇 be shipping off to Paris on assignment in late July鈥攁nd that I鈥檇 have a few extra days to myself once the work was done鈥擨 immediately started making plans to visit Chamonix, which lies聽tucked amid glacier-encrusted peaks and serrated ridgelines in the heart of the French Alps. I鈥檇 always known Cham was a global climbing epicenter, but it wasn鈥檛 until last year that I learned it was a trail-running paradise, too. I was getting back into running at the time and stumbled upon about some of the best trails in the area. Now, I鈥檓 training for a 40-miler in Telluride this summer, and I can鈥檛 imagine a better place to sneak in some last-minute training. On the list: the Petits Balcons trails (I hear there鈥檚 a good ice cream shop along the way), and sections of the iconic Tour de Mont Blanc.

鈥擟orey Buhay, 国产吃瓜黑料 interim managing editor

Exploring Around Utah聽

My home state of Utah never fails to amaze me. There are new destinations, trails, and campsites I鈥檓 constantly adding to my list and checking out for the first time. We鈥檝e been ticking off a number of staycations, including finally visiting the new sci-fi themed OutpostX resort in the sagebrush country of Beryl, Utah.

Loosely inspired by Star Wars films, OutpostX lets guests travel endlessly around the desert landscape by sand cruiser (kind of like the landspeeders in the film, except they don鈥檛 hover or go fast). Beyond this headline amenity, we got to marvel at installation art plopped down in the middle of a dried lakebed, stay in a bohemian-styled Viking Tent, and watch the sunset from an聽onsite hot spring.

On the same trip, I also fulfilled a long-held dream of visiting , an aspen clonal colony that鈥檚 considered the world鈥檚 largest living organism. Each tree in this 9,000-year-old aspen grove is genetically identical and connected by a massive root system. We camped amid Pando and mountain biked around nearby Fish Lake.

Later this summer, we鈥檒l be spending a couple nights with friends up at Castle Peak Yurt in the Uinta Mountains. We鈥檒l be SUPing at nearby high-alpine lakes, where I plan to attempt the SUP jumprope challenge, then unwind聽in the yurt鈥檚 cedar sauna.

鈥擬aya Silver, Climbing editor-in-chief

Cape Town, South Africa聽

This summer I鈥檓 headed to Cape Town where it will be winter. I know escaping summer for winter sounds strange, but there will be fewer crowds and milder weather (and no heat waves). And I scored an incredible stay so I can visit friends. Years ago, I was in South Africa on safari, but this is my first visit to its coastal capital where there鈥檚 no shortage of outdoor thrills within the city limits.

From Cape Town鈥檚 defining Table Mountain which dominates the skyline, to the two oceans that meet here, the Atlantic and the Indian, dramatic nature emerges in every direction. While this is a place known for shark diving, I鈥檇 rather do a mellow dive in Cape Town鈥檚 kelp forest, the dreamy undersea world where My Octopus Teacher was filmed. I plan to drive one of the most jaw-dropping coastal roads in the world, Chapman’s Peak, which is a bucket list for many cyclists to ride as well.

At the , I鈥檒l try to spot an ostrich by the sea. And no trip to Cape Town is complete without seeing African penguins at Boulders and hiking up Table Mountain. While the sun sets here now before 6 pm, that doesn鈥檛 seem so bad if I can watch it from the top of Lion’s Head Peak, taking in the incredible view of the dazzling coast below.

鈥� Kathleen Rellihan, 国产吃瓜黑料 travel and culture senior editor

Keystone, Colorado

Back in the mid-eighties, my father-in-law Tim bought a studio unit in one of the then-new condominium buildings at Colorado鈥檚 Keystone Resort. Nearly forty years later, the 500-square-foot space has become a godsend for my wife, my daughter, and me. It鈥檚 our sanctuary from the Mad Max-style driving chaos that occurs on Colorado鈥檚 Interstate 70 on most afternoons. We鈥檙e lucky鈥攚e don鈥檛 have to drive to and from Summit County every day, and can instead sleep overnight and wait for mellow periods to do our commute.

Ski trips to the Keystone condo are a breeze in the winter, but the place is even more magical in the summer. I鈥檒l admit, the condo has dulled my old desires for roughing it-style backcountry adventures. And no, a trip up to Keystone is hardly exotic or adventuresome. But traveling there with a young child takes a lot of the headache and stress out of a vacation. The hiking and biking trails start right out the back. The blue-green water of the Snake River is just a five-minute walk down the path. And yeah, there鈥檚 a pool and a hot tub. My wife has fond memories of family outings to the condo, and our five-year-old daughter is already making her own. This summer we are planning on a two-week trip to the condo in late July. I can鈥檛 wait for the trip to arrive.

鈥� Fred Dreier, 国产吃瓜黑料 articles editor

Nantucket, Massachusetts

This summer, I鈥檓 swapping my usual multi-day backpacking grind for something a little softer: a first-time trip to Nantucket (one of 国产吃瓜黑料‘s Best Summer Weekend Trips for 2025). I鈥檒l be staying on the west end where I plan to spend slow mornings biking the island鈥檚 35+ miles of paved paths, walking into town for a decaf coffee, and down to the beach with a towel slung over my shoulder. I鈥檓 hoping for daily ocean swims (maybe watching the surfers at Miacomet) and afternoons spent fishing.

There鈥檚 no summit to reach here, and that鈥檚 exactly the point. Lately, I鈥檝e been reminding myself that getting outside doesn鈥檛 have to mean high mileage goals or big objectives. Sometimes it just means following the coastline on two wheels, letting my phone battery go dead, and watching the sunset while eating oysters in the sand. I鈥檒l always love the mountains (and will spend as many summer weekends in them as possible), but this trip, I鈥檓 chasing a different kind of reset鈥攁nd letting Nantucket show me how good the mellow can be.

鈥� Sierra Shafer, 国产吃瓜黑料 editorial director, Lifestyle

Chanhassen, Minnesota

I鈥檓 planning to visit Paisley Park, located in Chanhassen, Minnesota, with my twin sister. While we鈥檙e聽 both fans of Prince, she is a superfan. We鈥檝e (read: she鈥檚) always wanted to check out his massive home and studio which is nearly 65,000 square feet and rests on about nine acres of land. I鈥檓 excited to explore his 鈥渃reative sanctuary.鈥� I鈥檝e also never been to Minnesota before, and I鈥檓 more than ready to explore a new state that feels totally foreign to me.

We also want to check out in Saint Paul. I’m the outdoorsy twin, so this one is for me. The park is about a 30-minute-ish drive from Prince鈥檚 estate. There鈥檚 a scenic waterfall tucked away on the trails. The last waterfall I saw was near a cenote in Mexico in 2016. Before that, sometime in the early 2000s, I swam in a lagoon under a massive waterfall in Cura莽ao. I鈥檇 say I鈥檓 due for another waterfall.

Since we plan on renting a car, I鈥檓 more than happy to drive two hours south of Chanhassen to visit the Spam Museum. I鈥檝e never eaten Spam because the look of it repulses me, but I need to know why it鈥檚 so loved. Plus, I want to see how it鈥檚 made. Maybe, I鈥檒l taste some. But probably not.

鈥� Ayana Underwood, 国产吃瓜黑料 senior health editor

Stehekin, Washington

I鈥檒l be heading to one of Washington State鈥檚 most remote towns: Stehekin. Nestled in the heart of the North Cascades, this mountain community is full of retired hippies, magic makers, and wanderers. With a permanent population of barely a 100 residents, there are no roads in, so outsiders (like me) must take the ferry to reach town. I鈥檒l first drive to Fields Point Landing in Chelan, then ferry across the lake to the middle of Stehekin where I鈥檒l begin my trek to Purple Point Campground where I鈥檒l camp.

On my first day, I鈥檒 explore all the quirky things that make Stehekin unique. On day two, I鈥檒l climb up McGregor Mountain, an iconic spot that looms over the valley. It鈥檚 8-miles to the top, but I鈥檒l stop at the 7-mile mark where the trail ends since I have zero experience in rock climbing to make the summit.

Day three I鈥檒l hike Purple Creek Trail near the campground. It reaches out to just about 10 miles, but I鈥檒l stop at the 8-mile mark at Purple Pass. I鈥檒l bed down for the night and make the trek back the next day. Once back from my second day hike, I鈥檒l pack up my gear, grab a beer with friends, and hit the road back to Spokane.

鈥� Emilee Coblentz, 国产吃瓜黑料 packages editor

Southern Oregon

While my big adventure in Japan is coming this fall, summer will find me dipping in Oregon鈥檚 enchanting rivers which are, truthfully, a major reason why I moved here.

, a campground and farm in Cave Junction, has become an annual jaunt, and for good reason. With 60 campsites spread over 100 acres along the Illinois River, the land is the ultimate spot for a river rat respite (it’s also the top-rated in Oregon). Each year, Cedar Bloom plays host to the , but the opportunity to spend a few nights on this stretch of land sans thousands of other people is pretty special. Private beaches and swimming holes abound鈥攁nd not to get all woo-woo, but the energy is awesome.

Whether on the drive there or back (or both), I鈥檒l be pulling off I-5 to swim in the Umpqua, McKenzie, and Willamette Rivers. An explorer鈥檚 mindset is key here: pull up a map, trace the tributaries, keep your eyes open, and expect to find some of the most unreal swimming holes you鈥檝e ever seen or swam.

鈥� Calin Van Paris, Yoga Journal editor

Need more inspiration to plan your next summer adventure? Check out our picks for the best long summer weekend trips for 2025.

The post Where 国产吃瓜黑料 Editors Are Traveling This Summer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I鈥檓 writing you from a beach in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. My wife and I have been coming down here a couple times a year since 2018, were married here just before the pandemic was declared in 2020, and are currently spending two months in town, enjoying the warm weather while we recuperate from a major surgery.

Why do we love it? One of the reasons is for the things it doesn’t have. There are no golf courses, no night clubs, no shopping malls or supermarkets, and honestly not a lot of the other amenities many American tourists deem essential. Which is perfect鈥攖hey鈥檙e the people we are trying to get away from. And while it’s starting to feel a little less like a sleepy seaside town, it’s still very much a haven for people who want to be a part of the local culture.

And it’s a great place to enjoy nature. From the sea turtles nesting on the beach, to whales spouting in the distance I can see as I write this. Or the pelicans my dogs are chasing, or the knock-your-socks-off sunsets that happen nightly, it’s just a stunning backdrop for taking it easy.

If you think simple pleasures, a slow pace, and making new friends sounds nice too, then I think you’ll enjoy it. Here’s how I make the most of my time in Todos Santos.

What鈥檚 the Best Way to Get to Todos Santos?

If you鈥檙e visiting from the U.S., then it鈥檚 probably going to be easiest and cheapest to fly in and out of San Jose del Cabo (SJD). It鈥檚 serviced by most major airlines with direct flights from as far away as Salt Lake City and Denver. La Paz is another option, but the smaller airport isn鈥檛 as convenient.

From there, renting a car is the best option for most travelers who want to venture outside a resort. Conventional taxis and ride share services aren鈥檛 really available here, and outside of the town center, things aren鈥檛 walkable. If you鈥檙e doing that, make sure you book a flight that lands at least four hours before nightfall, so you have plenty of time to take the shuttle bus to the rental car location, go through that checkout process, then complete the hour-and-a-half drive north before it gets dark.

When we borrow cars from local friends, or arrange travel for friends and family, we use for the journey to or from the airport. At $200 one-way, it鈥檚 not cheap, but the vehicles are brand new, the drivers are competent, and the pickup times are 100 percent reliable. The pickup area at SJD is a horrifying glimpse into tourist trap hell, and the company gets us out of there as fast as humanly possible.

There are also various bus services, and which can run as low as $25 one-way.

Driving from the U.S. is by far the most adventurous way to get here, though. The thousand-mile or so journey from the border is arguably the best camping road trip on earth, and should be on every 国产吃瓜黑料 reader’s travel bucket list. We just spent two weeks camping our way down from our home in Bozeman, Montana, and plan to do the same on our way back up, in April. For some reason, Americans are often under the impression that Mexico is dangerous. Statistically speaking, you’re actually safer here than at home. Road conditions can prove hazardous, though, more on that below. (Check out our article on safety concerns for travelers in Mexico).

Where to Stay in Todos Santos

Best Hotel for Budget Travelers

Located just a few minutes鈥� walk from the town center, offers a stylish, comfortable, friendly environment that鈥檚 also affordable. While rooms in the converted motel are clean and basic, the pool, bar, and outdoor hangout spaces provide ample options for socializing, or finding a private place to work or relax.

And while Todos Santos is very safe, travelers showing up by vehicle may appreciate secure parking, if only because the return trip would be evermore challenging without that vehicle. Quinta Santa Rosa鈥檚 friendly staff are happy to open the hotel鈥檚 main gates, so you can roll right into the courtyard. Rooms start at $125 a night.

Best Splurge Hotel

Looking for a splurge? The recently renovated rivals the elegance of the nicest hotels in major cities, complete with old-world charm in a space that was originally constructed in the late 19th century. A small and very private pool is hidden inside the courtyard, surrounded by marbled verandas. The ten suites are surprisingly spacious and feel incredibly romantic. But be prepared to pay for all that private luxury. Rooms start at about $1,100 a night, depending on conversion rates.

The first time we visited, we were surprised by the extra taxes tacked onto the advertised room rates by hotels at check out. Don鈥檛 forget to budget for an additional 16 percent in value added tax on top of your total bill.

Want to Rent a House? Do This.

When we rent houses, we use . RARE has the nicest properties in town, and their friendly, helpful staff are always on hand to help out when small problems arise. That level of service really elevates the experience above Airbnbs.

An exception there is , where my buddy Jed rents out three poolside casitas. He lives onsite and can also offer local insights into anything you want to see or do while you鈥檙e here. Swell is much nicer than anything else costing $72 a night.

Where to Eat in Todos Santos

Food is a big part of this town’s appeal. From the the taco stand in Pescadero (just south of Todos Santos proper), to , Todos Santos Boutique Hotel鈥檚 fine dining restaurant, you just can鈥檛 go wrong. There鈥檚 no way I could fit all my recommendations here, but here’s a start.

FYI, Locals Love Their Italian Food

Want to eat Italian food (a local favorite), while watching an epic sunset? is located in a palapa on a hill above town, giving you excellent views to the coast. Another great Italian option is , located right in the town center. The latter makes all of its own pasta in-house.

Best Mexican Restaurants for Tacos, Quesadillas, and More

Hungry for table service tacos? just north of downtown, or 5 Tacos聽and a Beer in Las Tunas (that鈥檚 their speciality) are both serviceable, casual, walk-in options. The food at in Cerritos (one hill further south than Pescadero) is better, but involves a 15 minute drive. If you go there, make sure you order a smoked fish quesadilla.

For breakfast, you won’t find friendlier service or better Spanish lessons than those at . For lunch, I usually order tacos de pescado capeado at Bahia Pescadaria, but don鈥檛 skip for heartier dishes.

Make time to visit in Pescadero for dinner. That鈥檚 farm-to-table, with food mostly coming from the farm you鈥檙e dining right in the middle of.

Where to Drink in Todos Santos

For Cocktail Enthusiasts

Visit my Norwegian friend Freddy at for one of his handmade cocktails and good conversation. He鈥檚 open Wednesday to Saturday from 6 P.M., and runs out of barstools fast. in the Todos Santos Boutique Hotel is also great, and you won鈥檛 have a problem finding a seat.

For Wine Lovers

Note that wine is going to be surprisingly expensive due to taxation and shipping. Sergio Madera is the best sommelier in town (he did our wedding), and works out of , Hotel San Cristobal鈥檚 seafood restaurant. He also does private wine and mezcal tastings. Message him on to arrange one of those.

For Beer Drinkers

Book a bar table (you definitely need a reservation) at , north of town, to coincide with a sunset at some point during your visit. And if, like me, you enjoy a good beer, in Las Tunas is a must visit, with loads of options on tap from Mexico and beyond.

What to Do in Todos Santos

Most people come to shop for art, eat good food, chill at the beach, and surf, all in an environment that鈥檚 still significantly less touristy than anything available in Los Cabos.

Best Beaches for Surf and Sunsets

As a note on beaches, any place near town, north of Pescadero, is going to have a gnarly shore break and dangerous riptides. Go to Pescadero or Cerritos if you want to get in the water. The beaches in town are still great places to hang out and watch the sunset.聽 If you want to do that while someone brings you margaritas, day passes at start at about $50 for a couple. Ask for Chacon. Not only does he make a mean drink, but he鈥檒l entertain you with stories all day, too.

Head to the Sierra to Hike

If you like hiking, devote a day to drive out to the Sierra de la Laguna mountains that you can see on the east side of town. There you鈥檒l find scenic swimming holes, cliff jumping spots, and some seriously stunning trails. That’s an especially nice destination when it鈥檚 too hot on the coast鈥攖he mountains reach 6,800 feet above sea level.

Check Out the Art Scene

A great place to start your journey into Todos Santos鈥� art scene is at . There, Michael Cope and Erik Ochoa paint and sculpt in-house, host weekly events, and represent a dozen or so other artists. Michael has lived here for 30 years, and will talk your ear off.

For Ocean 国产吃瓜黑料s, Make Friends

Want to go fishing, or explore areas outside of town? You鈥檒l need to make friends, which really isn’t hard to do. There aren’t conventional fishing charters (as Americans understand them), but you can catch a ride on a panga from Punta Lobos if you can talk them into it, and simply throwing a line into the surf usually turns up a catch.

What to Avoid in Todos Santos

Don’t drive after dark in Baja: Seriously. I鈥檓 a trained race-car driver, have worked as a precision driver in car commercials, drive a truck equipped to survive an impact with large animals and with lights that reach a mile into the darkness, and I still try to avoid it when at all possible.

Watch out for road obstructions: Not only are the roads here often too narrow for two vehicles to pass each other safely, but their shoulders are dangerously crumbled, huge potholes and invisible speed bumps abound, and livestock ranges freely across the peninsula. If you haven鈥檛 before traveled to remote, undeveloped parts of the world, the level of danger is nothing like any you鈥檒l have experienced before. Hell, I almost hit a cow on the highway yesterday, in the middle of the afternoon.

Give yourself time to get around: Travel times estimated by navigation apps cannot be relied upon. Allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination before nightfall.

Keep cash close: Speaking of driving, keep some small bills on hand. There鈥檚 about $11 in tolls between here and the airport, and when you stop for gas, the attendant will wash your windshield. In return for that service, hand them 20 pesos.

Text like a local: Like most countries outside of the U.S., people here text via WhatsApp. Go ahead and get that downloaded and setup before you arrive. As an added bonus, WhatsApp is operating system agnostic, so you won’t have trouble with group messages if one of your friends still insists on using an iPhone.

Do You Need to Speak Spanish in Todos Santos?

You鈥檒l certainly have a better time the more Spanish you speak. Neither my wife or I approach fluency, but we鈥檙e learning. And even our limited ability to respect the local culture has enabled use to make friends, which then opens up all manner of interesting new possibilities.

When friends from Bozeman flew down a couple months ago, their half-decent Spanish enabled them to make friends with the manager at a hotel, who then invited them to come fishing with his family the next morning. We know a guy we can text on WhatsApp who will drive us to dinner and back for a few bucks, so we can avoid drinking and driving. When we saw a Mexican trio play at a local bar, we were able to ask them to perform at our wedding. Friends we鈥檝e made here invite us to their homes and events. We can easily make reservations at the best restaurants. And all that takes is a little practice ahead of time, and a willingness to smile our way through a little embarrassment on the frequent occasions we get something entirely wrong. Todos Santos is very much a place for people prepared to do the same.

Wes Siler聽writes about the intersections of science, news, politics, gear, vehicles and travel, and travels to Todos Santos every chance he gets. He’s also recently covered $3,000 binoculars that he absolutely didn’t regret, how to make your outdoor gear last almost forever, and new trends in camping gear that are actually centuries old. He and his wife got married at the San Cristobal hotel mentioned above.聽

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