The research is in and there鈥檚 no doubt: Experiencing awe is good for mind, body, and soul. And when it comes to awe-inspiring, the South Shore of Lake Tahoe is in a class by itself. Amid the high peaks, quiet forests, welcoming communities, and oh-so-clear blue waters of Tahoe, the awe never stops.

Here are four ways to get a helping of awe during your next visit, but there鈥檚 even more where these came from. Find four seasons of inspiration in the interactive guide: Awe Awaits in Lake Tahoe.

Hike the Pacific Crest Trail at Echo Lake

The along the shores of Echo Lake in the hits the sweet spot of payoff to effort. But on the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), it鈥檚 another scenic stop along the epic journey. Located just shy of Mile 1,100 on the legendary thru-hike, Echo Lake is also one of the most accessible sections of the PCT in the area, especially when you take the back to the trailhead ($22 one way), making it a 2.5-mile affair.

More awe: Looking for the perfect apr猫s hike venue? Grab a pint at to enjoy in the large beer garden, front patio, or indoor tasting room. And yes, it鈥檚 dog friendly.

Bike the Corral Trail System

Why is the known as the unofficial epicenter of Tahoe mountain biking? Because it has a bit of everything for everyone. This loopable, feature-rich playground serves up (mostly) downhill riding for thrill-seeking experts and newer riders testing out their airborne abilities. You can shuttle or ride up the paved Fountain Place Road before mixing and matching your way down. The system has multiple entry points, but you can鈥檛 miss Lower Corral. It鈥檚 nonstop fun with every feature you can dream of: hips, rollers, berms, jumps, rock rolls, and log rides.

More awe: If you continue up Fountain Place Road and the Armstrong Trail, you can head down , Tahoe鈥檚 most iconic expert trail, with six miles of technical yet flowy downhill.

Paddling on Lake Tahoe

From tree-lined cliffs to sandy beaches and quiet wetlands, each stretch of Lake Tahoe鈥檚 shoreline reveals its own unique world. Find your slice of paddling paradise with the . A comprehensive guide to Tahoe鈥檚 72-mile shoreline, the Water Trail provides kayakers, canoers, and SUPers with launch sites, points of interest, campgrounds, trip-planning advice, and even wildlife-watching advice. Highlights include bird-watching in the wetlands by Kiva Beach鈥攁lso home to fall salmon runs鈥攁nd the rugged shoreline of .

More awe: Always wanted to see just how clear Tahoe鈥檚 waters are? Rent a clear-bottom kayak from .

Snowmobiling

Winter brings a gallery-like stillness to Lake Tahoe鈥檚 backcountry, and a guided is the best way to dive right into the painting. You鈥檒l cruise through a variety of landscapes as the scene around you transitions from foothills to forests to wide-open ridgelines. There are multiple outfitters with multiple tours each and no bad options. The from Lake Tahoe 国产吃瓜黑料s offers an immersive experience deep in the Tahoe mountains, while the from Zephyr Cove Resort gives you a bit of everything as it hugs the terrain near the water.

More awe: Zephyr Cove鈥檚 Scenic Lakeview Tour is also offered during full moons for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Featuring old-school vibes, epic terrain, and record-setting snowfall, is the kind of place skiers (and snowboarders) dream about. When the upper mountain is blessed with fresh snow鈥攚hich is often鈥攖he steep chutes, open bowls, and sprawling ridgelines reveal themselves as a full-on winter playground. The Wall and Cornice Express lifts have iconic lines, but there鈥檚 room to paint your own path on this 2,300-acre canvas. Those willing to traverse may not have to ski the same tracks twice, thanks to quieter lift lines and the highest average snow totals in Tahoe.

More awe: Kirkwood is also home to a for those interested in a peaceful off-day adventure. If you鈥檙e looking for more downhill action, you can ski or snowboard at and .

Visit Lake Tahoe shares the wonder of this iconic alpine lake with the world and works passionately to preserve its grandeur and good times for endless generations. Explore things to do, places to stay and all the reasons to visit the South Shore of Lake Tahoe 365 days a year at .

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Big Sky isn鈥檛 just one of the best skiing destinations across Montana and the Mountain West. It鈥檚 one of the most aptly named places in America. Everything about it is immense.

And if you鈥檙e the kind of traveler and skier who likes big mountains that come with big comfort, the warm welcome you鈥檒l receive at is as boundless as the sky and peaks above it. The Montage name has long been synonymous with luxury, and Montage Big Sky is no exception. This five-star mountainside resort has all the amenities, conveniences, and adventures you need to make the most of your time both on and off the slopes.

Ski

With over 5,800 acres of at its doorstep, Montage Big Sky makes it easy to focus on the slopes and forget the stress. The location is a true ski-in/ski-out experience, situated just steps from the Lewis & Clark lift, meaning you can get on and off the mountain seamlessly and avoid the busier lift traffic at the base. Don鈥檛 have your own gear? No problem. Montage鈥檚 on-site equipment outfitter, , can take care of everything you need. Their fleet of skis, boots, and bindings has every kind of on-piste and freeride setup you can dream of, along with private fittings, digital foot scanners, and biomechanics assessments that guarantee the ultimate experience on the snow. Compass also offers private ski lockers, meaning none of the usual schlepping your gear back and forth. And to make things even easier, check out 聽where if you book ahead, you can enjoy a complimentary night and $200 in credit at Compass Sports.

And for those traveling with kids in tow, the is a godsend. The program gets your young Explorers geared up before escorting them to and from Big Sky Resorts鈥� ski school at the base area. The kids will be off on their adventure, and you鈥檒l be free to explore your way, whether that means booking a private guide or instructor to meet you at the Montage or heading in early for apr猫s at Backcast, the mountainside gem of Montage Big Sky鈥檚 .

Stay

All of Montage鈥檚 are appointed with luxury amenities and sweeping views of the Spanish Peaks, so you can enjoy the grandeur of the landscape from the comfort of a stunning room, suite, or residence. And if you need a day off the slopes to rest and recover, the is your retreat. The 11,000-square-foot sanctuary features 12 treatment rooms, an indoor pool area, relaxation lounges, plunge pools, steam rooms, and more. The Peak Performance Recovery Massage is the Spa鈥檚 most popular offering for skiers; it includes stretching techniques and dynamic air compression to restore your muscles and increase circulation to help get you feeling rested and reset for another day on the snow.

Explore

Like multi-adventure vacations? Montage Big Sky delivers, with plenty of ways to explore the stunning natural scenery outside the resort. Immerse yourself in Montana鈥檚 peaceful wilderness on a cross-country skiing or snowshoeing tour, or enjoy the pure fun of the resort鈥檚 tubing hills. Or, roam far and wide with winter horseback rides, wildlife tours in Yellowstone National Park, dog sledding treks, and snowmobile tours. The possibilities at Montage are as vast as the sky itself.

About Montage

is located within Big Sky鈥檚 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave and features a mountain modern design with aesthetics inspired by the natural setting and a timeless palette of materials including regional woods and stones. The resort is home to 139 guestrooms and suites and residences, thoughtfully situated across three distinct settings鈥� The Lodge, Inn and Mountain Homes. The resort features five restaurants including signature restaurant Cortina; a recreation room with a bowling alley at Beartooth Pub & Rec; an outdoor swimming pool; Montage鈥檚 signature children鈥檚 program Paintbox; an 11,000-sq. ft Spa Montage featuring an indoor lap pool and fitness center; and 12,870 sq. ft. of some of the finest meeting and event space in the greater Rocky Mountain region. Montage Big Sky has unparalleled proximity to outdoor amenities, offering ski-in, ski-out access to Big Sky Resort鈥檚 5,800 skiable acres, private guided tours of Yellowstone National Park, located less than an hour鈥檚 drive from the resort, and access to Spanish Peaks Mountain Club鈥檚 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course. Montage Big Sky is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts鈥� worldwide collection. For more information, follow @montagebigsky or visit.

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Anyone who鈥檚 ever had to mouth the word 鈥渨alk鈥� while reaching for a leash knows how much our dogs love to get out. And no doubt you love it too鈥攆or the fun and companionship, and because you know there鈥檚 more to our pets鈥� health than just giving them food and water. Tail-wagging adventures and purr-inducing pastimes are essential pieces of the puzzle when it comes to your pets鈥� mental and physical well-being. That鈥檚 why , makers of nourishing WholePrey pet foods, is proud to support experiences in nature through its partnership with the National Park Foundation and by making it easier for people to find pet-friendly adventures with the launch of its new .

Finding pet-friendly hikes can be a time-consuming task. With the Orijen Trails web app, users will be able to quickly find pet-friendly trails in parks across the United States, complete with route details and maps, scenic stop suggestions, trail ratings, information about water availability, calorie estimates for you and your pet, and more. No more frustrated scrolling, no more resorting to the same well-trodden trails, and definitely no more leaving your favorite adventure buddy at home.

The Trails app currently logs details from more than 100 national and state parks (and counting) across all 50 states. Orijen plans to include as many hikes, parks, and paths as possible, growing the app with crowdsourced info from local hikers, trail runners, and, most importantly, pet lovers.

Finding the trails is just part of what the app can do. It also keeps a log of your and your pets鈥� adventures. The My Pack feature lets you store a roster of up to three pets and track the activities 测辞耻鈥檝别 done with each one. So, take note, dog walkers: You never have to wonder if 测辞耻鈥檝别 brought this particular pooch down this particular path before. It鈥檚 all there in the app.

And while 鈥減et-friendly鈥� is often code for 鈥渄og-friendly鈥� when it comes to the outdoors, most pet-friendly trails are also happy to host adventure cats. Just be sure to reach out to the park or trail organization to confirm, know your cat鈥檚 limits, and make proper accommodations, including catpacks, leashes, etc.

Pets are at their best when they鈥檙e living as naturally as possible, whether that鈥檚 eating inspired by the prey their ancestors ate or working up an appetite exploring new trails and smells. With this new app, Orijen takes its commitment toward creating healthy and happy pets one step further, helping to ensure that you鈥檒l be hitting the trails with them for years to come.

Orijen pet food is packed with quality animal ingredients to help dogs and cats thrive. It鈥檚 rich with the same nourishment their ancestors consumed in the wild. As the fullest expression of biologically appropriate nutrition, Orijen diets feature unmatched amounts of quality animal ingredients. All of the pet food is made from only the finest ingredients, and every diet is formulated so you can help your pet reach their full potential and then set off for adventure together. Orijen pet food products include premium kibble, freeze-dried food and treats, and wet food, and the brand is always adding new, innovative products. To learn more, visit .

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Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks grab the headlines, but when it comes to raw nature, the jewel of Montana is the . 鈥淭he Bob,鈥� as it鈥檚 affectionately called, was named for legendary conservationist Bob Marshall, who cofounded the Wilderness Society. No paved roads bisect The Bob, an area larger than Rhode Island, making it a vast wilderness where only horse and foot travel are allowed.

We sent adventurer to explore The Bob and its famous geologic feature, the Chinese Wall. Turn up the volume and and then read on for trip-planning advice so you can experience The Bob yourself.

Wildlife Galore

One of the great benefits of protecting a refuge the size of The Bob? It鈥檚 a haven for wildlife of all kinds. Elk, moose, deer, mountain lions, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, wolves, lynx, bald eagles, and black and grizzly bears roam freely here. For the visitor, the reward is a wilderness soundtrack with plenty of birdsong (鈥渙mnipresent,鈥� according to Max)聽 and always the tantalizing possibility of hearing something bigger rustle through the forest.

Wandering Waterways

From the trickle of alpine streams to the roar of whitewater, there鈥檚 a symphony of sounds here as snowmelt turns to rivers. And since the Continental Divide runs through the heart of the Bob, that symphony also divides watersheds: The waters cascading down east-facing peaks will reach the Missouri River and end up in the Atlantic Ocean, while on the west side, runoff collects in the Flathead River鈥檚 South Fork and eventually reaches the Pacific.

Fly-Fishing

The splashing of fish joins the Bob鈥檚 soundtrack, particularly on the South Fork of the Flathead River. It鈥檚 home to the largest population of genetically pure West Slope cutthroat trout in the country and one of the only legal in the lower 48 (July 1-31, permits required). The cutthroats aren鈥檛 huge but are known to rise quickly for dry flies. 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 need to keep hiking, I would have stayed there all day,鈥� Max says.

The Chinese Wall

The Bob鈥檚 standout geologic feature, the Chinese Wall, consists of rock layers that were once part of an ancient sea. The 22-mile escarpment rises to 1,300 feet and can be seen towering over wildflower-dotted meadows and tall larch trees for miles. But the view from atop the Wall is unrivaled: You鈥檒l see miles of pristine forest and alpine peaks unfolding before you, hearing only the sound of the wind and your own footsteps.

The Hiking Route

To trace Max鈥檚 route, begin at South Fork Sun Trailhead. Continue north on the Continental Divide Trail for 12.5 miles to the White River North Trail, and follow it 22 miles to Larch Pass. Rejoin the CDT at the north end of the Chinese Wall and hike four miles along its base. (Camping is prohibited on this stretch; camp with a view of the Chinese Wall at White River Pass.) After Cliff Mountain, hike the CDT for 20 miles back to the South Fork Sun Trailhead.

You don’t find . Montana finds you. It’s not about checking off stops or taking the scenic route. It’s knowing the distant mountain you saw yesterday can look different tomorrow and stay unchanged for years to come. It’s silences that buzz, rivers that rise, and stories that stick with you. For more Montana trip planning information go to聽.

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There are two kinds of family road trips. The 鈥淎re we there yet?鈥� kind, with too many car hours and too little action (sorry kids), and the 鈥淒o we have to go home?鈥� kind (thank you, parents). To find the best of the latter, we sent adventurer , with his wife and daughter, to Montana and the family discovered a journey packed with action and Old West history. Turn up the volume and and then read on for planning tips on doing the trip yourself.

Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway

A great road trip needs a great backdrop, and the 49-mile from Wise River to State Highway 278 delivers, with 10,000-foot peaks looming over meadows and forests. There are plenty of adventures to enjoy鈥攆ishing, vistas, hikes鈥攊ncluding a stop at the ghost town of , an abandoned mining community that makes for an easygoing nature walk. You can also relax at the family-owned .

Crystal Park

Who doesn鈥檛 love a treasure hunt? That鈥檚 what you鈥檒l find at , where you鈥檒l hear the scraping of shovels and the excited murmurs of folks on the hunt for quartz crystals. You can keep any you find鈥攁nd they鈥檙e pretty darn easy to find. With just simple hand tools and a $5 fee for everyone over ten, your family will come away with souvenirs for life. 鈥淲e could have spent all day there,鈥� Jacob says.

Bannack State Park

A bustling population of 3,000 once inhabited this site, a former territorial capital where gold was discovered in 1862. These days, the ghost town at thrives as a destination for visitors exploring the site鈥檚 stunningly well-preserved buildings. Spend an afternoon opening creaky doors into the past, then make it an overnight stay at the park鈥檚 campground. For a special night the kids will love, rent the park鈥檚 tipi.

Ennis 4th of July Parade

The clopping of hooves can be heard alongside the hum of classic cars and John Deere tractors at the . This can鈥檛-miss parade has been marching steadily onward every summer for the past 89 years. With the historic western charm of Main Street and three distinct mountain ranges as a backdrop, it鈥檚 a great way to experience one piece of the rich tapestry of communities that make up America.

Ennis and Virginia City

Experience thriving Western towns across rural Montana. Exhibit A: the vibrant . The shops, saloons, and restaurants on Main Street buzz with locals and visitors alike, especially at Tavern 287, a family-owned restaurant with delicious upscale dishes at small-town prices. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely taking a detour to go there whenever I鈥檓 in the area,鈥� Jacob says. Also a must: the connecting Virginia City to Nevada City.

Ennis Rodeo

If you鈥檙e looking for a true Montana experience, look no further than the bleachers at the . It鈥檚 part sporting event, part social gathering, and all fun. Stunning scenery and lots of talented cowboys and cowgirls make Ennis a great spot for your first rodeo. The two-day event features bull riding, steer roping, barrel racing, and more. Day-of tickets are free for kids under five, $10 for older kids, and $15 for adults.

You don’t find . Montana finds you. It’s not about checking off stops or taking the scenic route. It’s knowing the distant mountain you saw yesterday can look different tomorrow and stay unchanged for years to come. It’s silences that buzz, rivers that rise, and stories that stick with you. For more Montana trip planning information go to聽.

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Long admired as the go-to brand for durable, high-quality multitools in the outdoors, has a new slate of knives that builds up their reputation by stripping things down. Its new premium fixed-blade knives are addition by subtraction鈥攄edicated offerings for those who need the singular performance of a purpose-built outdoor knife.

The three in the collection are the Rustle, Pioneer, and Trac.聽All knives are fully customizable and made in the USA with stainless steel to deliver durability, edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Each knife was created with a different type of outdoor enthusiast in mind.

Rustle: For the Camp Chef

If you鈥檙e more likely to count onions than ounces, the Rustle is the knife for you. Designed for early morning omelets and post-hike stir-fries, the Rustle鈥檚 thoughtful features make it perfect for outdoor cooking. The blade鈥檚 full bevel design with a slight curve toward the tip offers optimal slicing, especially when making thin cuts of meats and veggies. The santoku-inspired blade shape is also ideal for chopping, giving you everything you need to turn fireside chowdowns into five-star meals.
Weight: 4.3 oz
Width: 0.49 in
Blade length: 4 in
Total length: 8.3 in
Handle: G10 with blade jimping
Sheath material: Kydex

Pioneer: For the Survivalist

Building your own backcountry shelter requires a knife that鈥檚 totally reliable in the wilderness, and the Pioneer is an adventure partner that鈥檚 as tough as you. The blade鈥檚 heavy-duty, full-tang construction with a Japanese Tanto design offers trustworthy strength when cutting canvas, slicing through cording, or batoning wood. Field-ready features include an oversized lanyard hole to add a leash or cording and a handy notch on the jimping to strike a ferro rod when you need to get a fire going.
Weight: 8.3 oz
Width: .66 in
Blade length: 5 in
Total length: 10 in
Handle: G10 with blade jimping
Sheath material: Hybrid Kydex and full-grain American leather

Trac: For the Always-Outdoors

Whether you鈥檙e waiting for deer, a bite on your line, to stumble upon some mushrooms, or just the next job around the ranch, the Trac will be ready when you are. From foraging to fishing to farming, the versatile and well-balanced Trac knife is a worthy outdoor partner from sunup to sundown. Its rugged, hollow-ground blade was designed for tough tasks that still require precision, like field-dressing game. Because when you鈥檙e outside all day, the work should be as easy and accurate as possible.
Weight: 6.4 oz
Width: 0.62 in
Blade length: 4.2 in
Total length: 8.93 in
Handle: G10 with blade jimping
Sheath materials: Full-grain American leather

Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, Oregon-based Leatherman Tool Group is the world鈥檚 largest manufacturer of high-quality multipurpose products with distribution in more than 86 countries. Built upon three principles鈥攗nwavering perseverance, ingenious design, and the ability to save the day鈥擫eatherman has empowered people around the world to solve problems, big and small. Proudly based and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, the brand鈥檚 factory is located in the same building as the company headquarters. For more information, visit .

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You may already know Big Bear Lake as Southern California鈥檚 accessible all-season outdoor playground. What you might not know is that it鈥檚 also a sky island ecosystem. Soaring above the surrounding desert, this geological and ecological anomaly is home to shady alpine forests, crystal-clear waters, and endless activities for those seeking fresh mountain air and fresh new adventures.

What Is a Sky Island?

A sky island is a high-elevation mountain or range surrounded by vastly different lowland environments. In Big Bear, this results in lush high-altitude hills amid an 鈥渙cean鈥� of desert sand and stone. This sky island status makes Big Bear a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with stunning scenery, 300-plus days of annual sunshine, and summer highs in the low eighties. But it also creates a haven for biodiversity; the San Bernardino Mountains are the seventh-most biologically diverse place in the country and home to and that don鈥檛 exist anywhere else on Earth.

This rare environment doesn鈥檛 just make Big Bear a paradise for flora and fauna鈥攊t also creates a one-of-a-kind playground for outdoor enthusiasts (and humans of all varieties). The same conditions that foster its incredible biodiversity also foster plenty of opportunities for incredible adventures. Big Bear鈥檚 cool climate, clean air, and dramatic elevation draw everyone from casual hikers to elite endurance athletes and anyone else seeking to explore, challenge themselves, and reconnect.

Elevated Views, Elevated Training

Big Bear鈥檚 high-altitude terrain (ranging between 6,700 and 9,000 feet) provides expansive views to go with your expanding lung capacity. Pro athletes routinely choose it as a scenic training ground for this reason. As you travel along the shores of Big Bear Lake, atop scenic ridgelines, and among the region鈥檚 alpine, montane, and high desert environments, you鈥檒l see why.

There are plenty of chances to head back to Big Bear for race day, too. The and give trail runners a chance to push their limits, and the offers mountain bikers the same opportunity. Meanwhile, the iconic is a can鈥檛-miss for SoCal cyclists, with road, gravel, and mountain bike routes from 15 to 100 miles. Hikers can also test themselves with the adventure challenge, a unique endurance trekking event that covers as much as 90 miles in five days or as little as 14 miles in one. No matter the sport or interest, in Big Bear are a great opportunities to meet like-minded folks and enjoy this rare natural playground.

Take to the Trails

With more than 100 miles worth of trails in the region, Big Bear has an outing for absolutely everyone, with or without a race bib. From to and pristinely paved bike paths, you鈥檒l never see the same footprints or tire marks twice. Here are some local favorites.

Best hike:

Best trail run:

Best road ride: (Beginners) + (Intermediate) + (Experts)

Best gravel ride: to

Best mountain bike trail: +

Preserving Paradise, from the Lake to the Sky

Big Bear isn鈥檛 just abundant in rare plants and pristine wildlife; it鈥檚 also abundant in people dedicated to protecting them. It鈥檚 rooted in the mentality: a celebration of a place unlike any other to unplug, unwind, and lean into something real. Fittingly, the Big Bear community has found some unique ways to protect their unique ecosystem, like the , which pays local anglers to catch invasive carp species, or , which celebrates Big Bear鈥檚 night skies while educating attendees about light pollution. It鈥檚 all part of the initiative, an effort to help visitors and locals alike preserve this paradise so it can continue to exist as a place for natural wonders, unforgettable adventures, and an elevated state of mind.

Visit Big Bear is the official destination marketing organization for Big Bear Lake, California. Located just two hours from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Big Bear offers high-altitude outdoor adventure, cultural vibrancy, and year-round recreation at one of Southern California鈥檚 most iconic alpine destinations. Learn more at .

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Yes, that Nebraska. Listen, we鈥檙e not here to convince you that purple mountain majesty is out. We鈥檙e just saying that the fruited plain has more than meets the eye. Especially if you just rolled that eye. Before you go making too many assumptions, discover all the natural wonders this flat-out amazing midwest state has to offer.

Sandhill Crane Migration

Maybe 测辞耻鈥檝别 never considered Nebraska as a travel destination before, but to , it鈥檚 the place to be. From March to mid-April, roughly 1 million sandhill cranes stop to rest and refuel in the Platte River Valley on their way north to Canada and Alaska. That鈥檚 80 percent of the world鈥檚 sandhill cranes, all in one region, all at one time. might be the best spot to see this incredible display鈥攖he walking bridges that crisscross over the Platte River put you right in the thick of things.

Extend your adventure: Experience migration on bike with the in late March.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

Sometimes the natural wonders of the world need our help to stay that way. , described by the National Parks Service as a 鈥渃rossroads of biodiversity,鈥� was established in 1912 by Teddy Roosevelt to protect native bird populations. The result of this effort speaks for itself. Today, Fort Niobrara is home to more than 230 species of birds, some of which exist only in the region. Elk and deer are also abundant鈥攁mong 75 other animal species鈥攁nd you can even spy a herd of 350 bison, which were introduced in 1913.

Extend your adventure: , only an hour south, is home to 270 bird species and dozens more species of mammals and reptiles.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

As you marvel at how rises dramatically out of the surrounding plains, know that you鈥檙e in good company. Throughout the ages, Chimney Rock has stood as an important marker amid the unending grassland, first for Native Americans and later for Western emigrants and fur traders. For those traveling to Oregon, California, and Utah, this lonely sentinel was their first taste of the landscape of the American West. Chimney Rock was so striking, in fact, that it was mentioned in more historic emigrant diaries than any other landmark along the Oregon Trail.

Extend your adventure: Make sure to check out the Ethel & Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center to learn more about the lives of Western emigrants and try your hand at packing a covered wagon.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area

is located in a scenic river valley and boasts some of the state鈥檚 best muskie fishing, but those aren鈥檛 the only qualities that make it a natural wonder. To experience the best of what Merritt has to offer, you鈥檒l have to wait until after dark. In 2022, the area was designated an by DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to preserving starry-sky parks and communities, and offers the best stargazing in the state. Visit on a clear, moonless night in summer to see the Milky Way at its most visible.

Extend your adventure: Visit during the (July 20-25, 2025), a weeklong event with speakers, classes, and nightly observations.

Sandhills Region

If you鈥檙e on a Nebraska adventure tour, you鈥檒l wind up in the no matter what. But while you鈥檙e exploring this massive region (roughly 20,000 square miles) in north-central Nebraska, take some time to appreciate the uniqueness of the seemingly untouched prairie around you. You鈥檒l be looking at both the largest sand dune formation in the Western Hemisphere and the most intact swath of temperate grassland in the world. Stabilized thousands of years ago by prairie grass, the Sandhills might not look like the sandhills 测辞耻鈥檝别 imagined. But a lot of things in Nebraska aren鈥檛 quite what you expected.

Extend your adventure: Travel the 272-mile (Highway 2) from Grand Island to Alliance. Make sure you see Alliance鈥檚 top attraction: .

The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska鈥檚 dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to .

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