Think our national park units are only good for hiking and scenic drives? Think again. The array of protected landscapes throughout the national park system house some of the most pristine, jaw-dropping gorgeous swimming holes in the entire country. Think waterfalls with deep plunge pools and ice-cold backcountry lakes.

I’d be remiss to not include a note about safety. Like all of the adventures we cover at 国产吃瓜黑料, swimming in the wild comes with some inherent risks. Currents can be swift, obstacles can be hidden under the surface of the water, and there could be parasites or in that inviting blue pool. Test the waters before you jump from any height by swimming through the landing zone first, feeling for rocks. Scout the eddies where you can safely swim to if there鈥檚 a current, and try to keep your mouth closed when plunging under water to keep any water-born creatures out. If you have an open wound, just hang out on the shore and enjoy the sun鈥攃uts are an invitation to infection.

This summer, consider packing your bathing suit on your next national park trip. Here are nine of the best swimming holes in our national park system.

1. Muir Rock, Kings Canyon National Park, California听

The Park: Kings Canyon doesn鈥檛 have the recognition of other, more famous units in our park system, but it has the terrain to go toe-to-toe with any national park in the country. Think towering granite cliffs and peaks, massive old growth forests, and one of the deepest canyons in the U.S. Kings Canyon is more than 8,000 feet deep at one point, and rock walls typically rise 4,000 feet above the valley floor inside the park.

The Swimming Hole: is a large, granite boulder hanging over the Kings River in the belly of the park鈥檚 canyon. It鈥檚 a long-standing tradition to jump from the rock into the deep pool of emerald green water below. It鈥檚 only a 15-foot drop, so I鈥檇 put this in the family-friendly category of leaps. The water is cold, though, and the canyon walls are steep, so show up mid-day if you want the most sun. A bit of local lore: Famed conservationist John Muir would often hang out on this rock and give speeches about the importance of the landscape to passers by enjoying the scenery.

How to Get There: Muir Rock is super easy to get to, as it sits near the parking lot at the end of Highway 180 in the heart of Kings Canyon. Simply take the short side trail from your parking space and you鈥檒l be plunging in no time. But you should take the time to hike to before you go swimming. Starting from the same parking lot, hike the eight miles round trip to this tumultuous waterfall that slides over a basin of granite. Stand at the bottom and feel the mist after the water crashes into the rock at the base of the falls.

2. Bass Lake, Point Reyes National Seashore, California听

The Park: Point Reyes is best known for its beaches, as it protects 80 miles of rugged Northern California coast, where steep bluffs drop directly to the Pacific Ocean. It鈥檚 the only National Seashore on the West Coast and protects some of the most pristine coastal ecosystems in the country, from the species-rich tide pools to the cliff-top grasslands where endemic elk roam.

The Swimming Hole: While the beach is the main draw for most visitors, Point Reyes also has a trio of backcountry lakes, including the 7-acre Bass Lake, which is tucked into an evergreen forest within the seashore鈥檚 Philip Burton Wilderness. It鈥檚 a picture-perfect scene, as the bowl of water is tucked into a depression formed 10,000 years ago by a rock slide, and it has several secluded coves where you can float. Keep an eye out for a rope swing, which can sometimes be found hanging from a thick pine on the shore.

How to Get There: Part of the appeal of Bass Lake is the hike. It鈥檚 a three-mile trek on the from the Palomarin Trailhead, starting on the cliffs overlooking the ocean, but then moving inland through grassland and forest. Bass Lake also sits at about the halfway point along the Coast Trail to Alamere Falls, a 40-foot waterfall that drops directly over a cliff onto the beach.

3. Ely Creek Falls, Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah听

The Park: Yes, Dinosaur National Monument, which protects 200,000 acres straddling Colorado and Utah, has plenty of dinosaur fossils to check out (there are more than 1,500 bones inside the park), but it also has a surprising amount of water. The Monument encompasses several canyons, many of which have active streams, and a gorgeous slice of the Green River.

The Swimming Hole: Ely Creek Falls is a small waterfall in the Jones Hole Creek Area of the monument, where Ely Creek is funneled into a notch inside a small canyon before dropping 15 vertical feet over a sandstone cliff. It鈥檚 a pretty scene, with evergreens sprouting from the upper shelf of the falls, and an ideal place to cool off after a good hike through the desert (see below). The pool at the bottom of the falls is shallow though, so you won鈥檛 be doing the backstroke. Consider this more of a backcountry shower.

How to Get There: Hike the Jones Hole Trail as it follows the creek through a canyon for four miles on its way to join the Green River. Jones Hole Creek itself offers pristine backcountry trout fishing in crystal clear pools with a rocky bottom, known for its brown and rainbow trout (there鈥檚 a fish hatchery upstream). You鈥檒l also have the chance to see pictographs and petroglyphs created by the Fremont people more than 1,000 years ago. Two miles into your hike, you鈥檒l hit Ely Creek as it meets Jones Creek. Head upstream for .25 miles and you鈥檒l hit Ely Creek Falls. You can also follow the Jones Creek Trail for the entire four miles to its junction with the Green River, where there鈥檚 a rocky beach where you can watch rafters cruise by.

4. Firehole Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho听

The Park: Yellowstone National Park is arguably the most iconic unit in the entire park system. It was the country鈥檚 first, established by Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, and helped serve as a model for wide-scale environmental preservation across the world. Today, Yellowstone is probably best known for its thermal pools, with bizarre geysers that erupt at regular intervals and backcountry ponds that reach triple digits and present all the colors of the rainbow.

The Swimming Hole: Swimming in Yellowstone鈥檚 thermal features is illegal (and really dumb as most of them are too hot), but swimmers are welcome to jump in the Firehole River at the Firehole Canyon Swimming Area. It鈥檚 a gorgeous setting, as the river spreads out into a broad, deep pool flanked by a grassy bank and steep, granite walls. There are a handful of low-hanging boulders to jump from, too. Look downstream and you can see the river carve through a broad valley thick with a green forest. It gets crowded on warm weekends, so show up early to get a parking spot. Keep an eye on the park鈥檚 website for access. The swimming area is usually closed until mid-summer to allow the spring runoffs to pass through.

How to Get There: Firehole Canyon is easy to access. Drive the two-mile Firehole Canyon Drive off of the Grand Loop, which cruises along the Firehole River to an overlook of Firehole Falls, before hitting the parking area for Firehole Canyon.

5. Sandbeach Lake, Rocky Mountains National Park

The Park: Rocky Mountain National Park is 287,000 acres of high alpine beauty, with a landscape that features more than a hundred 11,000 foot peaks, five glaciers, and a bevy of high alpine lakes. Even the scenic road through the park, Trail Ridge Road, crests at more than 12,000 feet above sea level. Swimming is not necessarily your first instinct when you鈥檙e exploring high alpine terrain, but Colorado summers can get warm. And cold plunges are good for you, right?

The Swimming Hole: Visitors are actually allowed to swim in most lakes inside the park (except Bear Lake) as it鈥檚 just not that popular of an activity because many lakes are glacier and snowmelt fed. But if you鈥檙e looking to take a dip, head to , a 16.5-acre lake that sits at 10,320 feet that boasts a rare feature in the Rocky Mountains: a sandy beach. From the beach, you can see the 13,000-foot Mount Copeland rising from a curtain of evergreens on the other side of the lake. One thing to consider: leeches are common in Rocky Mountain National Park鈥檚 lakes. It doesn鈥檛 stop people from taking a dip, and they actually help keep the lakes clean. If you get a leech, gently pull it off your skin and place it back in the water.

How To Get There: Part of the joy of Sandbeach is its location deep in the backcountry of the park鈥檚 Wild Basin area. Beginning at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead, hike and gain 2,000 feet on the trail of the same name through a ponderosa pine and aspen forest to reach the edge of the pond. There are backcountry campsites along the trail and at the lake if you want to make an overnight out of it ($36 fee).

6. Doubtful Lake, North Cascades National Park, Washington听

The Park: North Cascades National Park is only a few hours from Seattle, but somehow it manages to be one of the least visited national parks in the country year after year. But don鈥檛 mistake the lack of crowds for a lack of beauty; North Cascades is stunning, with more than 300 glaciers spread across the jagged peaks of Washington鈥檚 high alpine. The towering peaks and glaciers have made the park a destination for hardy mountaineers for decades. Lakes, evergreen forests, and meadows full of flowers and berries fill in the lower elevations throughout the park.

The Swimming Hole: You want a cold plunge? Take a dip in Doubtful Lake, a pristine basin that sits at the bottom of Sahale Glacier that鈥檚 constantly being fed by melting ice water. From the edge of the lake, you鈥檒l see the granite Sahale Mountain (and its glacier) as it rises 3,000 feet from the water. Look higher up Sahale Mountain and you could spot a waterfall of melting snow. A small island can be found on the far side of the lake closest to Sahale Mountain, which seems like a natural destination for hardy swimmers. But it鈥檚 also okay to just dip a toe in the lake and enjoy the scenery.

How to Get There: Combine the with a short side trail to reach the lake. All in, you鈥檙e looking at a 10-mile out and back day hike. The views along the trail make every step worth the effort, even if you don鈥檛 want to take the plunge, as you鈥檒l be treated with rotating views of some of the most impressive peaks in the Northwest, including long range shots of Mount Baker. You can also watch for adorable pikas while hiking through scree fields and blueberries in the high alpine meadows during summer.

7. Little Falls, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama

The Park: The Little River Canyon was made for swimming in the wild. The 11,000-acre preserve is home to a series of waterfalls and pools along the Little River, all of which are tucked into a deep, forested canyon through the center of Lookout Mountain, a broad plateau that occupies a corner of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. There鈥檚 sandstone rock everywhere, in the form of boulders and bluffs, and there are hiking trails scattered throughout the preserve, but it鈥檚 the cold pools of water that attract most visitors, especially on hot, Southern summer afternoons.

The Swimming Hole: The 45-foot Little River Falls is the main attraction within the preserve, as the waterfall puts on quite a show as it drops over a sheer, vertical cliff into a pool below. I鈥檝e jumped from the top of this falls before, although it is highly discouraged by the national park service for obvious reasons. Instead, take a quick trail to the bottom of the falls to swim in one of the pools downstream. Little Falls (dubbed Hippie Hole by locals) is the most popular swimming hole. Here, the river drops over a much smaller sandstone shelf, the entire length of the river. The swimming hole is at the base of the shelf, encompassed by a sandstone alcove.

How to Get There: From the Canyon Mouth Day Use Parking Area lot at Little River Falls, take the Little Falls Trail for .75 miles down into the bottom of the gorge. The trail finishes with 137 stone steps (but who鈥檚 counting) to the edge of the water.

8. Steel Creek Campground, Buffalo National River, Arkansas听

The Park: Our first National River, the Buffalo flows free for more than 130 miles through the Ozark Mountains, carving a canyon of limestone cliffs and steep, forested walls in its wake. The Buffalo is renowned for its multi-day, wilderness canoe opportunities.

The Swimming Hole: The Buffalo River offers a number of swimming opportunities during its 135-mile journey through the mountains, although as a free flowing river, the water levels are dependent on rain. The most scenic pool might be at the base of Roark Bluff, a 200-foot-tall gray, limestone cliff that rises directly from the river鈥檚 edge. If the water level is right, you can wade across the river to a gravel sandbar that forms, where you can lounge and sun yourself at the base of the cliff. If you want more time on the river, consider from Steel Creek to Kyle鈥檚 Landing, an eight-mile stretch that is arguably the most scenic of the whole Buffalo thanks to the prevalence of cliffs.

How to Get There: Park at the campground or the canoe launch at Steel Creek and look for paths through the woods to the Buffalo River. Head to a bend in the river where the tall, gray Roark Bluff rises from the edge of the river. If you want to spend more than one day here, Steel Creek is a 40-site campground ( up to six months in advance; $20 per site). The sites aren鈥檛 terribly scenic鈥攖hey鈥檙e in a grassy field backing up to a hardwood forest鈥攂ut you can鈥檛 beat the location.

9. Midnight Hole, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee听

The Park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is moist. The 500,000-acre swath of the Southern Appalachians is borderline sub-tropical in its climate, with a high annual rainfall and hundreds of miles of streams and rivers. The mountainous park is hot and humid during the summer, and it鈥檚 packed with potential swimming holes, from rope swings on the edges of lakes to deep pools at the bottom of waterfalls.

The Swimming Hole: Midnight Hole is a favorite for my family because it鈥檚 relatively easy to get to (see the hike below) and delivers an ideal balance of scenery and adventure. Here, Big Creek tumbles over a ledge in the bedrock, dropping six feet into a deep hole. Local legend has it that the hole is so deep, nobody has ever touched the bottom. That鈥檚 not for a lack of trying; the waterfall is surrounded by tall, round boulders offering a variety of launching pads for leaping. The stream is crystal clear; bring goggles and you can see fish downstream of the popular pool.

How to Get There: The waterfall is located on the northern edge of the park, on the North Carolina side of the border. From the Big Creek Trailhead, follow the along the river for three miles until you see the falls on your left. It鈥檚 an easy hike on an old road grade.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He loves a good swimming hole. He recently wrote a guide to visiting overcrowded and underfunded national parks this summer.听

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All nature is good, but some nature is just a little more fun. That鈥檚 the case in coastal Alabama, where landscapes collide and sandy beaches meet freshwater lakes meet pine-oak woods meet the mighty Gulf of Mexico. That diversity means you can enjoy outdoor activities of all kinds within the span of just a few miles. Hiking and biking trails wind through an astounding variety of ecosystems. You can also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and foilboarding鈥攁nd that鈥檚 just above water. A vast artificial reef system off the Alabama coast provides habitat for a highlight reel of gulf life and amazing snorkeling and diving. Try packing all this into one weekend and get your fill of nature, guaranteed.

Paddling

At Alabama’s Beaches, the kayaking and paddleboarding options are so rich and varied they have their own trail network: the . Stretching 30 miles from Fort Morgan in the west to Orange Beach in the east, the system encompasses four distinct trails and 21 launch sites. Fort Morgan Trail on the western end dips into Mobile Bay, where you can paddle past a Civil War鈥揺ra fort and Bon Secour Bay. Little Lagoon Trail, which covers ten miles and has three launches, is known for great kayak fishing and a sandy bottom.

厂苍辞谤办别濒颈苍驳听

Just head out a few hundred feet into the Gulf to reach the , three artificial (a.k.a. circalittoral) reefs constructed to make homes for marine creatures like red drum, grouper, crabs, and sheepshead. The reefs average just eight feet deep and can be reached from Romar Beach, Alabama Point, and the Gulf State Park Pavilion. This easy-access site is great for snorkelers of all levels.

Dolphin Cruising

No other wildlife sighting thrills quite like spotting dolphins playing in the bright-blue waters off the coast of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Booking a dolphin cruise from one of the many tour operators in either town is the best way to get a good look at these amazing creatures. Options range from sailboats and catboats to tour boats and glass-bottomed vessels.

Fishing

The fish are always biting on Alabama’s Beaches, whether you鈥檙e casting right into the surf or heading miles offshore. The newly renovated Gulf State Park Pier is a favorite spot for onshore angling. Locals and travelers alike come here to try their luck catching Spanish mackerel, flounder, Florida pompano, and more. Plus, the logistics are easy: you can buy a fishing license, rent a rod and reel, and buy bait all on-site.

Wildlife

On the western side of Gulf Shores, provides a quiet sanctuary for rare and threatened creatures. The refuge protects neotropical songbirds as they migrate through the area in spring and fall, provides crucial habitat for the endangered Alabama beach mouse, and hosts nesting loggerhead, green, and Kemp鈥檚 ridley sea turtles. A network of hiker-only trails weaves through Bon Secour鈥檚 diverse ecosystems, including sand dunes, marshes, and maritime forests. Highlights include the Jeff Friend Trail, a one-miler that loops through the coastal woods; Gator Lake Trail, a two-mile dune ridge-walk to a peaceful lake; and Pine Beach Trail, a four-mile out-and-back that connects a saltwater lagoon and a freshwater lake.

Camping

Looking to really get away from it all? Gulf State Park鈥檚 require a 1.5-mile hike or bike ride to access. But the effort is rewarded with a unique campground that comes with shelter and beds, so you don鈥檛 need to pack a tent or sleeping pads. The park provides three military-style canvas platform tents that each come with four cots, a shaded porch, and beach chairs. Guests share on-site bathrooms with showers. There鈥檚 water but no electricity, ensuring dark skies and great stargazing.

Welcome to Alabama鈥檚 Beaches, where pristine white sands meet warm Gulf waters, perfect for those seeking both relaxation and adventure. You鈥檒l find everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to hiking and fishing. Learn more at .

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You could say that making memories is our highest purpose. The experiences we remember fondly (or not) become part of who we are. So you can鈥檛 aim high enough when it comes to making good memories.

That鈥檚 why we go on vacation. Traveling with family and friends, seeking out new places and activities, breaks us out of the day-to-day rut we all fall into. You probably know that鈥檚 true鈥攋ust think about how hard it is to remember details from a routine workweek last year compared to recalling last year鈥檚 big adventures.

Researchers have actually begun to study this phenomenon, and it turns out that your brain likes experiencing the unexpected. Unexpected events trigger the nucleus accumbens鈥攖he brain鈥檚 pleasure center, delivering a shot of feel-good dopamine. That would be good enough on its own, but it gets better: a recent study by MIT scientists suggests that the element of surprise also improves memory. So feel good and remember it better鈥攚in-win.

Which is why Alabama’s Beaches should be at the top of your list for vacation planning. If you鈥檝e never been there, prepare to be surprised and amazed by the sugar-sand beaches, aquamarine waters, leaping dolphins, and gorgeous sunsets. It鈥檚 a coastal paradise, with 32 miles of white quartz sand on the Gulf of Mexico, split between the adjacent towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Here are three spots where the unexpected is on the itinerary.

Beach

Get two beaches in one at , which sits right on the pass where Little Lagoon empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This means you can lounge on the white sands of the Gulf or along the placid waters of the lagoon鈥攁 great choice for families. There鈥檚 a fishing pier on the lagoon side if you want to cast a line for flounder or speckled trout, plus convenient parking, bathrooms, and showers.

Underwater

Discover a whole new world under the waves. In 1920, the Whiskey, a 200-foot Spanish rum runner, sank just off the Gulf Shores coast. Today, the is a stellar spot for snorkelers and beginner divers. It鈥檚 a shore dive, just 150 yards off the beach (and Bahama Bob鈥檚 Beach Side Cafe), and because the ship sank in about 20 feet of water, it鈥檚 easy to see the wreck and its marine life.

Food and Drink

Not only can you order seafood boils and lobster rolls at 窜别办别鈥檚 Restaurant, an iconic Orange Beach establishment, but the chef will also cook up your catch of the day. And since also operates a marina and fishing charters, it鈥檚 a full-service operation, from casting to cleaning to cooking. Nothing will surprise you like hooking a snapper and amaze you like eating it that night.

Above the Water

The coastal conditions here have made Gulf Shores and Orange Beach a hotbed for foilboarding, where you 鈥渟urf鈥� on top of the water. Foilboards (also called hydrofoils) have a fin or foil that lifts the board out of the water, so you鈥檙e cruising above the surface. It鈥檚 as wild as it sounds. Beginning foilboarders should head for the back bays of Orange Beach, while more experienced riders can surf the Gulf waters. Rentals and lessons are available from .

Welcome to Alabama鈥檚 Beaches, where pristine white sands meet warm Gulf waters, perfect for those seeking both relaxation and adventure. You鈥檒l find everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to hiking and fishing. Learn more at .

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Sugar-sand beaches, aquamarine waters, leaping dolphins, and gorgeous sunsets. Welcome to Alabama鈥檚 coastal paradise, with 32 miles of white quartz sand on the Gulf of Mexico. That鈥檚 why Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, two adjacent towns right on the coast, belong on every must-go vacation list. Whether you鈥檙e seeking a lively scene complete with beach volleyball or a quiet stretch of sand for peaceful beachcombing, you鈥檒l find it here.

More Action

Target these beaches for lively scenes where community meets coast.

Beach Pavilion, Gulf State Park

Gulf State Park boasts more than 3.5 miles of beautiful beaches, and its signature stretch of shore is found at the . The shoreline here is wide and uncrowded, dotted with sand dunes and waving sea oats. And the amenities are first class: a striking open-sided shelter provides the perfect spot for a shaded picnic, a large fireplace adds coziness on cool days, and a seasonal concession stand serves up snacks and drinks. Plus, in fall 2024, brand-new air-conditioned bathrooms with showers are set to open.

Cotton Bayou, Gulf State Park

If you like being in the middle of the action, try the beach at , situated in Orange Beach. This spot draws more people since it鈥檚 in the heart of Orange Beach, near popular restaurants, attractions, and shopping. Like the Beach Pavilion, the amenities here are also top-notch, with bathrooms, showers, and ADA-accessible beach mats.

Gulf Place Beach, Gulf Shores

Stroll directly from a downtown restaurant or your vacation rental to the sand at one of Gulf Shores鈥� easy-access town beaches. One can鈥檛-miss option: Gulf Shores鈥� Main Public Beach, a.k.a. . Sand seekers flock to this lively spot at the end of Highway 59 for beach volleyball, picnics on the palm-shaded Town Green, and daiquiris on the deck of the beachfront Pink Pony Pub. Lifeguards are on duty during the high season, and four ADA beach access mats ensure everyone can enjoy the scene.

More Solitude

Head to these beaches for a quieter experience, whether you want to stroll the shoreline or nap on a bed of sand.

Branyon Beach, Gulf State Park

Just west of the Beach Pavilion, you鈥檒l find intimate 鈥攁 little tougher reach because of limited parking and all the more peaceful for it. Best plan: bike there on the Gopher-Tortoise Trail. Check out the park鈥檚 program for rides of three hours or less, or rent a bike from in Orange Beach. You can also walk an easy mile from the state park campground. A boardwalk leads over the dunes out to the water.

Shell and Romar Beaches, Gulf State Park

Just east of Perdido Pass Bridge in Orange Beach, almost at the Florida border, you鈥檒l find the aptly named , which attracts beachcombers looking for giant cockles and fighting conch shells. It鈥檚 a great spot for all shell hunters and is a goldmine for young kids who will be amazed by the size and variety of shells here. For the quietest, least-crowded experience, head to , where you鈥檒l trade bathroom and shower facilities for solitude.

Gulf Shores Beaches

The town of Gulf Shores has more than two miles of beaches with public access, so it鈥檚 easy to target a quieter patch of sand if the scene at Gulf Place (the Main Public Beach) is a little busier than you鈥檇 like. West of Gulf Place, you鈥檒l find six more public beach access points. The beaches at 5th Street, 6th Street, 10th Street, and 12th Street offer parking, while the ones at 4th Street and 13th Street are ideal for walk-up access. Get details on each one at .

Welcome to Alabama鈥檚 Beaches, where pristine white sands meet warm Gulf waters, perfect for those seeking both relaxation and adventure. You鈥檒l find everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to hiking and fishing. Learn more at .

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Editor鈥檚 note: In spring of 2022, our parent company, 国产吃瓜黑料, Inc. launched and partnered with 14 nonprofit organizations that share our mission to get everyone outside in support of a healthy planet. During this giving season, we鈥檙e hoping to raise at least $1,500 for each of our partners鈥攁 modest goal that is attainable with your help! Please consider a tax-deductible donation of any amount to the following organization. Thank you!听

The Pre-K-12 food-based education model unfolds alongside traditional school subjects like math, science, and social studies, but it works to get kids outside in the sunshine with their hands in the dirt. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also growing a child鈥檚 curiosity, sense of wonder, and awe,鈥� Storey explains. 鈥淭he simple acts of growing food can open the world, and that act can then be given to another.鈥�

Case in point, the nonfit, which first took root in 2007, now has a staff of 33, and almost 35 percent of the full time staff are graduates of the program. 鈥淭hat is true systemic change, it鈥檚 a testament to the program because we have people who know what an impact it made on them and that they want to keep doing it,鈥� Storey says. The program also offers 10 high schoolers paid internships at $15 an hour (this year 40 students applied for the 10 slots).

At the heart of Jones Valley Teaching Farm is the belief that school should be a dynamic experience. 鈥淓very child deserves an outdoor learning environment, to know the skills to feed a family, to be excited and curious about the world while learning subjects beyond worksheets,鈥� Storey explains. Over the last 16 years, JVTF has become a national model for food-based educational programs and the nonprofit鈥檚 benefits are felt far and wide.

Raising a modest $1,500 for will allow the non-profit to sow 25,000 seedlings to distribute to 43 community gardens across the state of Alabama, helping to provide healthy, fresh produce to its neighbors. Please consider a tax-deductible donation of any amount to this incredible organization.

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We get it鈥攕ummer gets all the festival glory. But the celebrations don鈥檛 quit just because the temperature听drops. Toss on a few extra layers, then head out to stuff your face with tacos and tequila, shred on Sedona鈥檚 famed slickrock trails, or relive the 鈥�90s with Eddie Vedder and friends on the California coast. All that matters is that you鈥檙e having a good time.

September

Ohana Festival

Dana Point, California; September 30 to October 2

Pack sunscreen and a towel, then head over to SoCal鈥檚 Doheny State Beach and let Eddie Vedder be your host for the听 (from $159), three days of oceanside music curated and headlined by the Pearl Jam front man. As you might expect, his tastes run a bit guitar-heavy: other performers include Stevie Nicks, P!nk, and Jack White. Between sets, wander over to the Storytellers Stage to hear inspirational talks from conservation-minded adventurers, artists, and athletes. Past speakers have included freediver Kimi Werner and pro surfer Greg Long. Admission is steep, but part of the proceeds benefits park-loving nonprofits, including the Doheny State Beach Foundation and the San Onofre Parks Foundation.

October

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, New Mexico; October 1 to 9

Loosen up those neck and shoulder muscles, because you鈥檙e going to spend a lot of time gazing upward during the wondrous听 (from $15). Be sure to catch Mass Ascension daily at 7 a.m., when hundreds of colorful hot air balloons fill the morning sky. It鈥檚 equally magical when they鈥檙e illuminated at dusk. If your neck needs a break, hit the street fair鈥搒tyle concession area in search of green chile delights like chile-topped enchiladas and cheeseburgers, or watch the sawdust fly during daytime chainsaw carving demos.

Great American Beer Festival

Denver, Colorado; October 6 to 8

It鈥檚 all in the name, folks. When it launched in 1982, the听 (from $95) featured two dozen breweries; this year, at the festival’s 40th anniversary, attendees can sample more than 2000 suds. The paradox of choice is a bit head-spinning (or is that the alcohol?), but beerhounds in the know venture to the Heavy Medal booth to swig the festival鈥檚 blue ribbon brews. To ensure you remember to eat a little something between sips, take cues from event veterans, who drape pretzels, beef sticks, and even hamburger buns around their necks like so many carb-laden Flavor Flavs.

Bridge Day

Fayetteville, West Virginia; October 15

West Virginia鈥檚 New River Gorge is well regarded as one of the premier climbing areas in the country. To some, it鈥檚 an even better place to catch some air. For almost 40 years, adventurous types have flocked to its 876-foot-high namesake bridge (the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere) for听, a celebration of gravity鈥攐r the defiance thereof. While the free event is best known for showcasing BASE jumpers, others take the opportunity to rappel or cruise down zip lines. For spectators, the views can鈥檛 be beat.

Warren Miller’s Daymaker Film Tour

Salt Lake City, Utah; October 28

Get ready to kick off the winter season with 73rd annual ski and snowboard film Daymaker. Take a journey from British Columbia to Greece鈥檚 Olympus Range, Alaska, and beyond. Come for the ski season stoke and leave with swag, signed posters from the athletes, including Marcus Caston, Mckenna Peterson, Cam Fitzpatrick, Lexi duPont, Connery Lundin, and more. Even better, 国产吃瓜黑料 Plus members get early access, first dibs at the best seats, and a custom tour poster. Can’t make it to Salt Lake City? Check out to find a screening near you.

November

BLK Out Retreat + Boulderfest

Chattanooga, Tennessee; November 4 to 6

On the heels of successful events like , Black Girls Boulder is launching their inaugural , which celebrates Black excellence in rock climbing. Admission to the retreat (from $49) includes lodging at the Crash Pad, a welcome night food truck ticket, gift bag, festival weekend pass, raffle ticket, transportation (within Chattanooga) or free parking, and a guided bouldering workshop.

Roam Bike Fest

Sedona, Arizona; November 4 to 6

Ladies, non-binary, and genderqueer femme cyclists, this one鈥檚 for you. Bring your own wheels or demo some of the raddest mountain bikes on the market during dozens of group rides on Sedona鈥檚 iconic sandstone slickrock. When you鈥檙e done living out your singletrack dreams, head back to听鈥檚 event headquarters at the for yoga, film screenings, workshops, dance parties, and a SHRED talks panel. Happy hour drinks (boozy and non-alcoholic) are optional; stoke is not.

Arizona Taco Festival

Scottsdale, Arizona; November 12 to 13

Taco enthusiasts, rejoice: heaven awaits at the听 (from $15), where nearly 50 restaurateurs will vie for your affection by slinging little bundles of tortilla-swaddled joy for three bucks each. You want hot sauce with that? There are 100 varieties on hand. Same goes for tequila. Oh, and there鈥檚 a lucha libre wrestling arena, a beauty pageant for chihuahuas, and, obviously, a taco-eating contest. Feeling brave? See if you have what it takes to out-sweat fellow capsaicin lovers in a pepper-eating showdown.

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Across the country, camping and RV rentals are soaring as Americans heed the words of COVID-19 health experts: it鈥檚 safer to be outdoors than indoors. Rather than use your campground as a base camp, why not treat it as destination in and of itself?听These sites offer plenty of adventure right from your tent and breathtaking views to enjoy during your downtime. Be sure to听check individual websites for COVID-19 guidelines or restrictions before you head out.听

West

Cape Lookout State Park Campground, Oregon听

Located 80 miles from Portland, this听park has ten miles of hiking trails and more than 170 beachfront 听(from $21) along a two-mile peninsula. Hike the 2.6-mile trail to the tip of the cape for views of migrating whales in fall.

Southwest

Mogollon Campground, Arizona

The Mogollon Rim is a 200-mile-long听limestone and granite cliff located two hours northeast of Phoenix. After hiking along the 4.2-mile 听or kayaking on secluded , pitch your tent or park your RV at the 听(from $18). A short walk will take you to the rim鈥檚 edge for sunset views over .

Midwest

Old Man鈥檚 Cave Campground, Ohio

Two hours east of Cincinnati, is teeming with impressive forest听and waterfalls. This 听(from $23) offers the easiest access to picturesque Old Man鈥檚 Cave via the two-mile Rim Trail. Mountain bikers will enjoy the park鈥檚 shady trails.

Northeast

Hither Hills State Park Campground, New York

While you might not expect such an expanse of wildnerness right next to the Hamptons, Hither Hills has 190听听(from $7) tucked away in bluffs that border the Atlantic Ocean, a 40-acre freshwater lake, and lush woodlands. Wake up to waves crashing along the shoreline, then explore the dunes at Napeague Harbor, take a hike through Russian olive and pine trees, and surf or kayak in the ocean.

Southeast

DeSoto State Park Campground, Alabama听

Located 100 miles northeast of Birmingham, this park is situated听on 2,392-foot Lookout Mountain, which is coated with vibrant foliage every fall. Its 3,502 acres include听94 听(from $15),听half a dozen waterfalls, and nearby听Little River Canyon, which has some of the toughest rock climbing in the state.

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You like the idea of thru-hiking, but tackling the听Appalachian Trail or trekking to Mount Everest鈥檚 Base Camp feels like听too much of a commitment. Plus, who has months to disappear into the mountains anyway? Here are seven long-distance trails听around the world that offer the draws of a trek without the risk of using up all your paid time off.

Dientes Circuit

Navarino Island, Chile: 4 Days

Considered the southernmost trek in the world, the Dientes Circuit starts near the Patagonian port city of Puerto Williams on Navarino Island in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Before you begin, base yourself out of听 (from $250), overlooking the Beagle Channel, at what feels like the end of the earth. You鈥檒l spend about four days hiking 31 miles through the stunning, desolate Dientes de Navarino range, which is home to a dizzying array of landscapes typical of听the region (snowy peaks, glaciers, vast stretches of tundra).听Do it yourself and camp along the route, or book a听guided, six-day trip with听 (from $2,187)听that includes transportation to Navarino Island, two nights of lodging in town, and three nights of camping on the trail. You鈥檒l want to hike this between November and March for summertime conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.

Chinese Wall Trail

Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana: 3 Days

It takes a few days of hiking to reach the听, a thousand-foot-tall limestone cliff听that stretches over a dozen miles and is located deep in the state鈥檚听1.5-million-acre听. It鈥檚 worth the haul.听Start about 85 miles west of Great Falls, at the South Fork Sun River Trailhead, and hike 23 miles northwest.听You鈥檒l climb along the Continental Divide and spot elks, moose, and mountain goats along the way. Once you reach White River Pass, at the southern end of the wall, you鈥檒l find a choice of听multiple routes, including an eight-mile trail along the wall that ends at a lookout called Larch Hill Pass. Montana鈥檚听 leads a ten-day guided hike (from $1,950) in July along a 70-mile point-to-point route where mules help carry the load and you鈥檒l top out above the Chinese Wall itself.

Laugavegur Trail

Southern Highlands, Iceland; 3 Days

The听 remains one of听Iceland鈥檚 most popular treks for the fact that it traverses all of the country鈥檚 varied听landscapes, from hot springs and geysers to rhyolite mountains. The 34-mile route is open from mid-June to mid-September and takes three to four days to complete. Start at听the southern end of the highlands in the听Landmannalaugar nature reserve, and make your way听northeast over听black-sand deserts, glaciers, and volcanic terrain, before ending at Thorsmork valley. The well-appointed huts at the start and end points, 听and ,听make great bookends to the hike, and there are plenty of huts and camping options along the way.听 offers guided two- and five-day听treks (from $1,433). Stay at听 (from $46) in downtown Reykjav铆k, three hours from the start of the trail, which has bunks and private rooms, plus a hip bar and lounge.

Rockwall Trail

Kootenay National Park, British Columbia: 3 to 5 Days

It鈥檚 a good year to hike the Rockwall Trail, a classic Canadian Rocky Mountain multi-day trek, with Kootenay National Park听celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2020. Highlights include some of the tallest waterfalls in the Rockies, secluded high-alpine lakes, and the limestone cliff that earned the trail its name. Most people hike this 34-mile trail, which gains about 8,500 feet in elevation, in three to five days. For self-guided trips,听 recently opened for bookings, or you can听sign up with听, which offers trips with certified Association of Canadian Mountain Guides听(from $1,222 for five-day trips).

Jomolhari听Loop Trek

Paro Valley, Bhutan: 7 Days

The Jomolhari听Loop Trek is an excellent high-altitude hike for those who want a taste of the Himalayas but have a limited amount听of time. The weeklong route听starts in the village of Gunitsawa, in the Paro District听of听northwest听Bhutan,听and leads to Jomolhari鈥檚 peak, which straddles the border with Tibet, before returning to the village. You鈥檒l gain 16,000 feet in elevation听but at a steady enough incline to allow your body to acclimate. The loop passes monasteries and museums, glacially听fed streams and lakes, juniper forests, mountains sacred to the Bhutanese, and yak-herding families. It鈥檚 possible to hike yourself and camp along the route, but consider the full听two-week Jomolhari Trek听with听outfitter听听(from $6,295), which covers about 55 miles on foot. The trekking seasons听are听typically April through May and October through November. In an effort to keep visitor numbers low, Bhutan charges a significant听tourist fee (from $200 per day), but this amount covers a host of costs, from lodging to a licensed guide, so be sure to check the government 听to start.

John Muir Trail

Sierra Nevada, California: 8 Days

The听 is one of the most iconic long-distance hikes in the U.S. It passes through three national parks鈥�Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon鈥攁nd tops out on 14,495-foot Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48. But not everybody has three weeks to devote to hiking this 211-mile trail. And听听for it听has become nearly impossible. The good news? If you book a guided trip with听, it鈥檒l take care of the permitting for you. The outfitter also now offers abbreviated trips on the JMT, like a听 or a听. Only have about a week? Spend eight days hiking the听听yourself along a stunning section of the trail in Kings Canyon National Park.

Pinhoti Trail

Appalachian Mountains, Alabama and Georgia: 14 Days

The听 stretches 171 miles across Alabama鈥檚 Appalachian Mountains and another 166 miles through Georgia, making it the longest trail in both of those states. Part of the still under development听 and a designated national recreation trail, the Pinhoti听is a good training ground if you鈥檙e contemplating doing the whole Appalachian Trail听or if you want something like it but shorter. In听January, an 18-year-old named Willie Thacker completed a self-supported thru-hike of the trail in six days and 16 hours, earning the current fastest known time. Regular-paced hikers will need two or three weeks to tackle it all.

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Forget chocolate and roses. All you really need to celebrate听Valentine鈥檚 Day is quality time outside听and a cozy place to curl up at night. We found some听cabins听located in ideal places for exploring, making them perfect retreats听for adventurous couples.

For Skiers and Snowboarders

First off, there鈥檚 the location: you鈥檙e five minutes from the slopes of California鈥檚听 and a few more from the legendary steeps of Squaw Valley. On weekends,听a free, on-demand shuttle called the听听that鈥檚 operated by the ski resort听will pick you up at the cabin and deliver you to the hill. Then, of course, there鈥檚 the house itself: a听thoughtfully restored, dog-friendly A-frame with two bedrooms, a wood-burning stove, a full听kitchen, and a deck overlooking pine forests and snowcapped peaks (from $224).

For Digital Detoxers

Located two hours from Portland, Oregon, near the volcanic peak of Mount Adams, Washington, this collection of tiny cabins dot a campground听with no cell service. (Don鈥檛 fret: there鈥檚 a landline if you really need to make a call.) There鈥檚听 in the surrounding area, from hiking in the Columbia River Gorge to exploring the Guler Ice Cave. Your cabin鈥攚hich is less than 200 square feet鈥攃omes well stocked with a kitchen, a private bathroom, books, and a wireless speaker (from $99). Provisions like marshmallows, oatmeal, and hot chocolate are available for purchase.

For National Park Fans

This sleek one-bedroom cabin (from $393), just five minutes from , on the Big Island, was recently made available to rent. You can hike through rainforests into a volcanic crater and spot lava flow from previous eruptions. If you鈥檙e craving a beach day, you鈥檙e just 40 minutes by car听from the seaside town of Hilo (don鈥檛 miss the stunning 80-foot-high Rainbow Falls nearby). A hot tub, an outdoor fire pit, and a spacious king bed will keep you happy by night.

For Those Who Want to Get Away (But Not Too Far)

If the idea of being in a remote cabin alone in the woods doesn鈥檛 sound ideal to you, then consider a lodge听next to a full-service hotel, like 听in the Catskills, near the town of Windham, New York. It offers three Scandinavian-style A-frames听that are just 220 square feet and come with a queen bed, an attached bath, and access to a nearby wood-barrel sauna (from $299). You may not want to leave the property, thanks to a hip on-site bar and restaurant, but if you do, skiing at Windham Mountain is just a few minutes away.

For Ocean Lovers

Birdwatchers and sea kayakers love Dauphin Island, Alabama, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico accessed via a short ferry ride from Mobile Point or a drive听over a three-mile-long bridge. Walk through the , sea-kayak from the marina, or pet stingrays at the . Stay at this remodeled A-frame, which has views of the Gulf Coast and is just steps away from white-sand beaches (from $72).

For Hardy, Do-It-Yourselfers

Available for bookings from December through March, this wintertime backcountry hut (from $88) is located on private land in Huntington, Vermont. It鈥檚 not fancy: most everything needs to be packed in. You鈥檒l need your own sleeping bag, use a detached outhouse, build your own fire, and melt snow for water. Getting there is straightforward鈥攊t鈥檚 a 250-yard walk or ski from the road. And there鈥檚 a path听from the cabin that connects to the 300-mile-long听, beloved by Vermont鈥檚 nordic skiers.

For the Whole Family

These nine year-round cabins in Ca帽on City, Colorado, about two and a half hours south of听Denver, come in a variety of sizes, depending on your group. There are 600-square-foot, one-bedroom cabins for just the two of you, or, if you鈥檙e bringing the kids, you can opt for a听two-bedroom house (from $375). You鈥檒l score views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains听from your front stoop. The town鈥檚 main attraction is the Royal Gorge, a 1,200-foot-deep canyon that runs for ten听miles and contains the Arkansas River, a paddler鈥檚 paradise come summertime. For a sweet view of the surrounding area, be sure to walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the world鈥檚 highest suspension bridges.

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