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.听 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听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听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听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听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听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.

___________________________________________________
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.

Nearly 30 years spent meticulously building bamboo fly rods has an impact. Bill Oyster鈥檚 dedication to precision craftsmanship has turned his workshop in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, into a bit of a pilgrimage site for a certain type of angler. Go deeper into the craft of fly-fishing with Oyster and the other 听a group of one-of-a-kind visionaries who transform nature鈥檚 purest elements with time-honored traditions and cultivated experiences.

Since 1898, ABERFELDY has stood as testament to a tradition of whisky making that stretches back over generations. Found where Perthshire鈥檚 tallest mountain, deepest loch and longest glen meet, ABERFELDY is at the Heart of Scotland. Its complex yet approachable, smooth character is seen today as a Classic Highland Single Malt full of rich, round and indulgent flavors. ABERFELDY was born out of a set of ideas that remain invaluable today: respect for our craft, connection to the land, and the uncompromising pursuit of the highest quality Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Discover more at

The post Masters of Craft: Fly-Fishing appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Madison Junction is a special spot for anglers visiting Yellowstone National Park. It鈥檚 where the Gibbon and Firehole rivers meet, marking the beginning of the renowned Madison River. For Joe Moore, founder of Big Sky Anglers, and Austin Campbell, a Colorado-based fly-fishing guide, it鈥檚 also the perfect wild habitat to seek out Yellowstone cutthroat trout and bask in the beauty of the park over a glass of bourbon.

Established in 1872,听听was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post Protecting Native Trout in Yellowstone appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 easy to think Yellowstone National Park is all geysers and grizzlies. But for anglers, the park鈥檚 native cutthroat trout belong at the top of the to-do list. Just ask Austin Campbell. Fly-fishing transformed Campbell鈥檚 life, and now the angling guide and advocate loves to share his enthusiasm for visiting and protecting places like Yellowstone.

Campbell grew up fly-fishing with his family, but when he moved east to run track and attend college at Penn State, angling took on a whole new meaning. Whenever the stresses of track or classes began to build, Pennsylvania鈥檚 cold-water trout streams provided refuge.

鈥淭hat was huge for me,鈥� Campbell says. After he graduated, Campbell realized he wasn鈥檛 the only one who could benefit from such an escape, so he became a . And in 2020, he and his brother started running free community events to teach other folks how to fish. So far, he says that鈥檚 been the most rewarding aspect of his whole fishing journey. 鈥淚nstructing people and watching them succeed鈥攊t鈥檚 just as good as if I鈥檇 caught the fish myself,鈥� Campbell says. 鈥淔ishing allows you to really slow down and be present. That time is so important, and I think that鈥檚 something everyone should have access to.鈥滳ampbell found plenty of places to slow down in Yellowstone National Park. While catch-and-release fishing for the park鈥檚 cutthroat trout, he also learned about efforts to protect them. Learn more in the video above, and see below to start planning your own fly-fishing adventure.

Where to Drop a Line

Slough Creek

Cast a dry fly on the meandering bends of Slough Creek, one of Yellowstone鈥檚 most productive cutthroat fisheries. Target the upper meadows for better odds; the farther upstream you hike, the less pressured the fisheries tend to be.

‍Yellowstone River

The lifeblood of the park, the Yellowstone River offers more than 200 miles of high-quality trout fishing鈥攁nd some of the wildest water in Montana. For the easiest access, fish the stretch between Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone Falls. Lake trout are abundant here, but patient anglers can still bag a decent-size cutthroat.

‍Lamar River

Welcome to one of the park鈥檚 most scenic fisheries. Along the Lamar River, the meadows teem with bison and the wide-open skies yield uninterrupted views of the surrounding peaks. Target the seven-mile reach between Soda Butte Creek and Lamar Canyon for the easiest access (and biggest fish).

‍Snake River

Accessible from Yellowstone鈥檚 South Entrance, the Snake River starts within the national park before flowing south toward the Tetons. Head to the upper zone for solitude and quiet waters and the lower reaches for bigger cutthroats (and even some browns). Do it right: Pack a small flask of to toast to the day鈥檚 catch.

Raise a Toast: Streamside Sipper

Celebrate a great day in the national park with this custom recipe and , which was founded in 1872 to honor America鈥檚 first national park, and which continues to the national park system today.

Glassware: Rocks glass

‍Ingredients

• 2 oz Yellowstone Bourbon Toasted
• 4 oz chilled black tea
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• Cinnamon stick for garnish

‍Directions

• ‍Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Combine all ingredients and shake until chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Established in 1872, was crafted to honor the sprawling wonder of America鈥檚 first national park. It鈥檚 what first inspired us to create approachably smooth whiskey for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and why we still do it today.

The post Saving Yellowstone鈥檚 Native Trout appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Nearly 30 years spent meticulously building bamboo fly rods has an impact. Bill Oyster鈥檚 dedication to precision craftsmanship has turned his workshop in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, into a bit of a pilgrimage site for a certain type of angler. Sure, the rods are some of the most sought-after in the industry, but the larger draw is Oyster鈥檚 passion in helping others build their own. He runs a popular workshop where anglers spend a week crafting their own fly rod with Oyster鈥檚 guidance.

鈥淢ost people never have the opportunity to make a functional thing from raw materials with their own hands,鈥� Oyster says. 鈥淭here will be no better rod to you than the one you built yourself.鈥�

And there鈥檚 also no better fish than the one you catch yourself鈥攅specially if you鈥檙e using a bamboo rod.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing practical about fly-fishing with bamboo,鈥� Oyster says. 鈥淚f you want to catch fish, get a net or a can of worms. The whole point of fly-fishing, especially with bamboo, is to do the thing in a more complex and satisfying way. It鈥檚 the doing of it that makes it special.鈥�

Here鈥檚 Oyster鈥檚 advice on how and where to start a style of fishing that favors craftsmanship plus time immersed in local waters, staying patient for a payoff moment. Go deeper with Oyster and the other a group of one-of-a-kind visionaries who transform nature鈥檚 purest elements with time-honored traditions and cultivated experiences.

Tie Your Fly

If you can鈥檛 spend a week building a bamboo fly rod, you can at least get a taste for crafting something from scratch by tying our own flies.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way for anyone to experience the satisfaction that comes from creating something, then using it in the water,鈥� Oyster says. 鈥淐atching a fish on a fly you tied yourself is an incredible feeling.鈥�

You only need a few tools to get started: a vise, scissors, hook, and superglue. The materials that form the fly鈥檚 body are common household items like yarn; Oyster used hair from his cat for the first fly he tied himself.

Orvis makes fly-tying kits with materials to create several common fly patterns that have been proven to fool fish. Choose large fly patterns (size #10 or #12) first, as they鈥檙e easier to complete.

Clamp the curved end of the hook into the mouth of the vise, then start winding yarn around the long arm of the hook to mimic the body of the insect you鈥檙e creating. If you want professional help, most specialty shops offer hands-on courses in building and tying flies to match the hatch of your local waters.

Catch Your First Fish (or Master the Cast)

Hone the fundamentals of fly-fishing in some of the most scenic destinations in the country.

Madison River, Montana听
Float or fish from the wide banks of the iconic Madison River, which runs from Yellowstone National Park to the mighty Missouri, through vast valleys flanked by the often snow-capped Rockies. Learn from the best at the luxe-lodge experience of Orvis鈥檚 Trout School.

Lake Rabun, Georgia听
Tucked in north Georgia鈥檚 mountains, Lake Rabun is an ideal fishery鈥攕tocked with largemouth bass, walleye, and bream鈥攆or anglers to learn casting without swift currents to manage. A campground, beach, and hiking trails all offer easy access to 25 miles of public shoreline.

White River, Arkansas听
The target 100-mile tailwater section below Bull Shoals Dam will showcase the species diversity of the White River. Fish the same hole and you鈥檒l have a chance to catch the grand slam of freshwater trout: brook, rainbow, brown, and cutthroat.

Crystal River, Florida
What鈥檚 the best reason to explore the spring-fed Crystal River (pictured above), which runs clear year-round? It鈥檚 sight-fishing: scanning flats and creeks from a boat, targeting healthy schools of popular saltwater species. Reel Florida can take you from first cast to landing your first redfish.

Beaver Creek, Colorado听
Beyond fast access to the high-quality trout waters of the Vail Valley, plus the legendary resort infrastructure of lodging, guides, and restaurants, Orvis offers an affordable one-day fly-fishing school on Beaver Creek to get the whole family hooked.

Since 1898, ABERFELDY has stood as testament to a tradition of whisky making that stretches back over generations. Found where Perthshire鈥檚 tallest mountain, deepest loch and longest glen meet, ABERFELDY is at the Heart of Scotland. Its complex yet approachable, smooth character is seen today as a Classic Highland Single Malt full of rich, round and indulgent flavors. ABERFELDY was born out of a set of ideas that remain invaluable today: respect for our craft, connection to the land, and the uncompromising pursuit of the highest quality Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Discover more at

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When he was 18 years old,听听had a friend who gifted him his first fly rod. He鈥檚 been hooked ever since. Now, the Bend, Oregon鈥揵ased angler is paying it forward by introducing his favorite pastime to roommate and friend听. A college student by day and DJ by night, Pasternak rarely gets time to spend in the great outdoors. It doesn鈥檛 take much convincing to lure him on a fishing trip to the Owens River, which snakes along the majestic foot of the Eastern Sierra.

While the escape from daily stressors is one thing, fishing together in such grandeur is another. Braving the elements, encouraging one another, and celebrating each other鈥檚 success makes this often solitary pursuit into a team sport, which adds a new dimension to their friendship.

鈥淲e get to bond in a new way,鈥� Leonard says. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not like we鈥檙e bonding over music or something else. It鈥檚 something I鈥檓 truly passionate about and get to share with him.鈥�

For Pasternak, the experience reignites a love for nature鈥攐ne he plans to prioritize more frequently鈥攚hile echoing Leonard鈥檚 perspective on a day that helps the duo 鈥渟low things down a little while, just get on the water and take a breath of fresh air.鈥�

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There isn鈥檛 much to Davis, West Virginia (population 581). Its downtown is only a few blocks long. There鈥檚 no movie theater, no Starbucks. The entire county has one stoplight. You could feasibly drive through Davis and miss it entirely if you were engrossed in a good podcast.

Davis sits on the northern rim of Canaan Valley, a broad, high-elevation basin roughly 2.5 hours west of Washington, D.C. It鈥檚 surrounded by 4,000-foot peaks, most managed as public land, and hubs for hiking, biking, and skiing. But Davis鈥檚 best attribute? It鈥檚 full of people stoked to be here.

Why I Love Visiting Davis, West Virginia, Year-Round

Some might be deterred by Davis鈥檚 lack of sushi or nightlife or community theater or even a Target. But I鈥檝e been going there for 20 years, and every time I visit I鈥檓 mesmerized by the town鈥檚 bounty. The few restaurants are great for such a small town, there鈥檚 a proud beer scene, and access to outdoor adventure is off the charts.

Just ask Ian Beckner, a Davis native who moved away for college, then bounced around to other mountain towns before settling back in Davis to open a ski shop.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just so much here鈥攕o many trails, such good skiing,鈥� he says. 鈥淧eople usually have to work two jobs to make ends meet鈥濃�攖here are no large employers or industries in the area鈥斺�渂ut they don鈥檛 care too much about money. They just want to be here. Once you鈥檙e here, you don鈥檛 leave. I can鈥檛 tell you the last time I drove more than an hour away.鈥�

The adventure portfolio is exceptionally diverse, considering Davis鈥檚 location in the southern Appalachians, a region not renowned for robust winter-sports opportunities. But this particular nook of West Virginia has four distinct seasons. Mountain biking rules the warm months and skiing takes center stage in the winter, thanks to a hefty average snowfall and a trio of ski resorts. And West Virginia gets powder: Lake Effect snow from the Great Lakes on one side, and storms from the Northeast coast on the other. On average, it enjoys more than 150 inches of snow annually. Compare that to the 30 to 40 inches of snow that typically fall on ski resorts in neighboring Virginia.

I can鈥檛 decide if I like Davis more when it鈥檚 warm or has powder on the ground. I鈥檝e logged countless miles on the valley鈥檚 notoriously rocky and rooty singletrack and celebrated epic rides with friends by passing around jars of moonshine. I鈥檝e also floated through knee-deep powder in both lift-served and backcountry glades. Ditto with sharing the moonshine then, too.

The Great Mountain-Biking-Versus-Skiing Debate

So which is better? The mountain biking or the skiing? This is something debated by locals.

On the one hand, hundreds of miles of singletrack wind through adjacent state-park, national-forest, and national-wildlife-refuge land. Remember the hardcore 24-hour mountain-bike races that were so popular in the 鈥�90s and early 2000s? They began here, with the 24 Hours of Canaan.

On the other hand, you can be at either of the downhill ski resorts, the 95-acre Canaan Valley and 100-acre Timberline, in about 10 minutes. Each offers more than 1,000 vertical feet of skiing, as well as a touring center that pulls in hundreds of cross-country junkies daily when there鈥檚 fresh snow.

鈥淭he skiing is what attracted me first,鈥� says Todd Romero, who moved to Davis in 2011, switching jobs from the tech industry to the public-school system and taking a huge pay cut in the process. 鈥淲hen there鈥檚 a solid base of snow, and you can ski the trees. It鈥檚 amazing. But the mountain biking is like nowhere else. I鈥檝e been to other bike towns, but you have to drive to the trailhead. Here in town you鈥檙e at the trailhead.鈥�

The More Some Things Change…

As a Davis outsider, I鈥檇 say the town hasn鈥檛 changed much in two decades. The mountains surrounding town keep it relatively isolated, as do the serpentine roads between it and larger burgs. Locals say housing prices have skyrocketed and those in the service industry say they have a hard time making rent. It鈥檚 tough to find rental data on a town of this size, but housing prices in general have climbed almost 4 percent each year since the pandemic. And it鈥檚 only getting pricier; according to , home prices in Davis jumped 10 percent in the last year alone, with the average home value sitting at just under $330K. Davis is suffering from the second-home crunch that has impacted just about every mountain town I know of in the past decade. The same thing is happening in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.

Beckner says there are now more restaurants to accommodate increasing numbers of visitors (the amount of money the county collects via hotel tax has almost doubled in the last decade, according to the ), and the downhill resorts are more crowded on weekends. But the Davis of today still feels like the Davis from his childhood, he says.

鈥淲e鈥檙e still a small town. It鈥檚 not commercialized,鈥� Beckner says. 鈥淲e have all these miles of trail, but still only one bike shop. We might have more of an influx of people trying to enjoy the vibe that we all live with, that鈥檚 true, but the core value is still what it was when I was a kid. People are here to get outdoors.鈥�

Beckner tells me that his favorite weekly event is the weekly mountain-bike group ride, the epicenter of Davis鈥檚 social scene.

鈥淚f it鈥檚 Thursday night, you know where everyone will be. It feels like the whole town rides together, and then we all go get burritos together, and then we all go to the brewery together,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e mingling with your doctor and your accountant and your kid鈥檚 teacher. It鈥檚 loud, and it鈥檚 always a party. It doesn鈥檛 matter what you wear, what bike you鈥檙e on, everyone is out enjoying what we have.鈥�

Without further ado, here鈥檚 the best of Davis and the surrounding Canaan Valley.

What鈥檚 Cool About the Winter in Davis, West Virginia

Skiing and Snowboarding

Two downhill resorts are minutes apart from each other. , part of Canaan Valley State Park, has loads of blue and green terrain, perfect for families and beginners. More advanced skiers can head for the fun, mellow glades off the black-diamond Dark Side of the Moon, from the top.

has steeper terrain and better tree skiing. It also has a high-speed six chair that gets you to the summit in under five minutes, so you can knock out laps until your quads quake. Pearly Glades, closer to the base area, offers steep pitches with comfortable space between trees, but mainly you鈥檒l find tight tree runs all over this mountain, so you鈥檒l need to focus. , downtown, has all the gear you need.

As great as the downhill skiing is, to me, the is what makes winter in Davis truly special. It offers more than 25 kilometers of groomed cross-country trails and more than 60 kilometers of ungroomed trails that climb and descend some 1,200 vertical feet. This isn鈥檛 flat-road skiing but backcountry fun). A dozen warming huts are scattered throughout the system, most stocked with pieces of chocolate. The Whitegrass 肠补蹿茅 and gear shop welcomes skiers with a warm apr猫s scene that includes multiple firepits, and Chip Chase, the center鈥檚 owner and a local legend, often mills around, sharing stories and his personal stash of whiskey.

Biking

Cyclists don鈥檛 have to give up riding just because it鈥檚 winter. A local trail builder, , has started grooming more than eight miles of fat-bike trails at Canaan Valley State Park. The place is even a stop on an annual that hits the valley and a few other spots in West Virginia and Maryland.

Ultimate Sledding

If you have kids, hit up the sled run at , which has a magic carpet and a hot-chocolate hut.

How to Maximize the Warm Months in Davis听

Hike, Fish, and (Much) More

Dolly Sods Wilderness, a small but spectacular 17,000-acre roadless area known for its high-elevation bogs and rocky outcroppings, is the destination for hiking and backpacking. Hit for fly-fishing, creek stomping (wading and exploring), and hiking on paths that range from easy three-mile out-and-backs to multiday 20-mile loops.

I have never yet played the golf course at Canaan Valley State Park, but I would love to.

Biking

But if you鈥檙e coming to Davis, you鈥檙e bringing mountain bikes. The singletrack is notoriously difficult and, at least in my opinion, all uphill. That鈥檚 part of the charm.

If you agree that rocks are fun, start with , which forms the backbone of the singletrack within Canaan Valley. Many offshoots and well-worn social trails branch off this eight-mile point-to-point route, and I guarantee you鈥檒l get off your bike at least once during particularly spicy sections, so give it twice as much time as you think you鈥檒l need.

Don鈥檛 fret if that sounds like more torture than fun; some new, machine-groomed flow trails have been built for us mere mortals. Hit , a six-mile swoopy loop in Canaan Valley State Park. has beta, rentals, and gear.

Where to Eat and Drink in Davis, West Virginia

Davis and the Canaan Valley only have a few restaurants, but those have everything I crave when I鈥檓 there.

and , serving pizza, are staples. But my favorite place to eat is at Whitegrass, whose caters to a more elevated palate; its great vegetarian chili hits just right on a cold afternoon. Sometimes there鈥檚 live music, and the specials change daily, but there鈥檚 always a crowd of rosy-nosed cross-country skiers, fresh off the trails and hungry, clustered in a handful of tables in the middle of the gear and rental shop. The place is cozy, loud on a busy afternoon, and really fun. When it鈥檚 time for a beer, head to , the locals鈥� favorite drinking hole.

Where to Stay in Davis

You鈥檒l find Airbnbs throughout the valley, including a option attached to the bike shop. The lovely has lodge rooms and cabins fresh off a renovation (from $178.50), as well as campsites with electricity. I鈥檝e camped in my 4Runner here in the winter, running a space heater from the outlet. Searching for something a bit more sophisticated? Book a night at the ten-room , and enjoy its mid-century vibe (from $100).

Book flights to Elkins, West Virginia

Graham Averill of Asheville, North Carolina, is 国产吃瓜黑料 Online鈥檚 national-parks columnist. He鈥檚 hoping to bring his wife and kids to Davis this winter to ski at White Grass and sled on the hill in Blackwater Falls State Park. He recently wrote about the听most beautiful towns in the Southeast听and the听best ways to get outside in West Virginia, as well as an on-the-ground account of听what it was like to survive Hurricane Helene in Asheville, and why he rues not visiting Capitol Reef National Park听sooner.

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Ski trips shouldn鈥檛 be relegated to the rich and even richer. We all deserve to go powder chasing midwinter without dissolving our bank accounts. But these days, finding a budget way to ski requires serious homework. You can always venture away from the headliner areas to smaller, less crowded local ski hills that want to entice visitors through budget deals, but you may have to sacrifice quality of terrain and convenient lodging. Or you could go early or late season, but that means gambling on snow conditions.

So, what if you want to go big鈥攍ike, say, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in mid-winter鈥攂ut not spend big? It鈥檚 tricky but not impossible. Here鈥檚 how to visit a popular, world-class destination like Jackson Hole on a ski-bum鈥檚 budget. It鈥檚 also a great destination year-round, for hiking, biking, climbing, boating, fly fishing, and camping.

Getting to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

To reach Jackson, Wyoming, located at the base of the Teton Range, you can drive, fly, or take a bus. If you鈥檙e coming by car, it鈥檚 four and a half hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, or eight hours from Denver, pending road and weather conditions. offers bus routes into Jackson from Salt Lake City, Boise, or Las Vegas starting at $75. The Jackson Hole Airport has nonstop direct flights from 12 major U.S. cities, including Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, and Newark, but flights aren鈥檛 exactly cheap. United Airlines does offer an and $400 flight savings if you bundle lodging and airfare (deadline is by November 30, so save the idea for another year).

From the airport, hop a public bus or taxi into town. Don鈥檛 bother renting a car. Parking at the ski resort starts at $18 a day, so your best bet is to take the local ($3) from town or the Village Road Transit Center, and you鈥檒l be dropped at the base of in Teton Village.

Check out flights to Salt Lake City

Check out flights to Boise

Check out flights to Las Vegas

Check out flights to Denver

Lift-Ticket Deals in Jackson

If you can make it here early season, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has a weekend听from December 6-8: show up wearing denim, and you can ski Saturday for $25 or get a three-day lift ticket for $199, plus half-priced gear rentals at and . Another great deal is that early or late season (November 29 through December 19 or March 17 through April 13), season passholders from any other ski area in the world can receive a 50-percent-off at Jackson Hole. Have an ? You can come midwinter and have up to seven days with the full Ikon Pass; five days with the Base Pass Plus (which has select blackout dates), . Otherwise your best option is to buy tickets online well in advance for the lowest rate (they start at $218 a day).

The best deal for skiing here isn鈥檛 at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort; it鈥檚 at , the town ski hill, which has big steeps and steep discounts. This is a much smaller ski area鈥�500 acres compared to Jackson鈥檚 2,500 inbounds acres鈥攂ut its convenient location in town and minimal crowds make it a worthy destination, especially on a powder day. Single-day lift tickets start at $95, or with a $30 uphill ticket you can skin up under your own power and ski back down. The other hidden gem? , a 2,602-acre powder mecca just over Teton Pass, 45 miles or about an hour and 10 minutes from Jackson, where you can score a half-day ticket for $132. run from Jackson to Targhee and start at $199, which includes your lift ticket.

Hire a Backcountry Guide or Take a Lesson: Info But Sorry, No Discounts

There鈥檚 no discount way to book a ski lesson or hire a backcountry guide. You鈥檒l pay a premium for these services. At Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, full day for experienced skiers start at around $379 (excluding lift ticket) per person. Resort for those just getting started skiing or wanting to progress to the next level start at $250 a day. If you鈥檇 rather not originate at the ski area, you can hire an AMGA-certified guide from Teton Backcountry Guides for a tour of the terrain off Teton Pass or in Grand Teton National Park starting at $265 a person.

Find Cheap Lodging in Jackson

If you want to stay at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for the closest access to the lifts, your best budget option is (from $49), located right in Teton Village, which has both shared bunks and private rooms, plus a ski-tuning space, game room, and basic kitchen supplies.

Otherwise, stay in town鈥�12 miles away鈥攁nd you鈥檒l have your choice of a few wallet-friendly accommodations. has newly renovated rooms starting from around $177, and . The (from $55) has pod-style bunks, free coffee, and storage lockers for stashing your gear. And the recently redone (from $160) has hot tubs and firepits, an on-site burger joint, and a walk-through or drive-through liquor store that also sells breakfast burritos in the morning.

Book Mountain Modern

Book The Virginian Lodge

Affordable Food and Drink Here

If you鈥檙e on the mountain or staying in Teton Village, prices for food and drink aren鈥檛 cheap, so you鈥檒l want to know where to look, and you can always pack a PBJ in your pocket. Start with a cup of high-quality espresso from the take-out window at , next to the Mango Moose. The , at the gas station across the parking lot from the team in Teton Village, has a food truck out front and grab-and-go breakfast sandwiches and burritos. Mid-day or after skiing, hit up inside the Snake River Lodge for a $9 hot dog or tacos, or the , one of the most classic apr猫s ski bars ever, which has $6 pizza by the slice. For fuel on the mountain, ride the tram to the top of Rendezvous Peak, take in the view of the Tetons from the observation deck, then pop into for an $8.25 house-made waffle with brown-sugar butter or Nutella. (Trust us, it鈥檚 worth every penny.)

In town there are lots of options for dining out, but many of them are pricy. Buying groceries at Albertson鈥檚 will save you. For other options, has tasty burritos from $11 or $6 tacos. Up a flight of stairs from Town Square, you鈥檒l find , which slings thin-crust large pies starting at around $17, or pick up a $5 slice from .

With locations in downtown Jackson and, seven miles away, the town of Wilson, is a locals鈥� favorite for no-fuss coffee and bagel sandwiches (a naked bagel costs $1.50). And the best breakfast burrito in town is served until 2 p.m. out of a take-out window on Glenwood Street called , where for $12 you can get a massive burrito that鈥檒l feed you for two meals.

Other Cool Outdoor 国产吃瓜黑料s Here

It鈥檚 $5 to skate in the or on the (through the famous elk-antler arches) if you have your own skates (or $18, including the entry fee, to rent skates).

You鈥檒l need to cross-country ski, snowmobile, or dog sled to reach , located south of town on Granite Creek Road, which is closed in the winter. It鈥檚 a 19-mile round trip ski to get there, but that鈥檚 the least expensive option ( rents Nordic skis from $40 a day; entry into the hot springs is $12) for this memorable day. Otherwise, you鈥檒l need to throw down for a guided snowmobile trip ( leads them starting at $231) or a dogsled outing ( has full-day trips to the hot springs from $460).

It costs nothing to cross-country ski or fat bike along , a locals鈥� favorite trail that鈥檚 groomed in the winter and is a great biking and hiking trailhead in the summertime.

Another excellent year-round option is the short multi-use in the nearby town of Wilson.

Pro Tip

Here鈥檚 a fun way to be a conscientious visitor to the area, while scoring a discount: Support Jackson Hole鈥檚 community radio station, KHOL 89.1, with a of $60 or more, and you鈥檒l get a member-benefit card for discounts to heaps of local businesses, including $2 off a burrito, 10 percent off Philly cheesesteaks at , 15 percent off at , 10 percent off at classes at , and free cross-country ski rental for two people at (that alone is worth $80).

Megan Michelson is an 国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor who loves skiing but not how expensive it is. She prefers the strawberry waffle from Corbet鈥檚 Cabin, and her favorite line at Jackson Hole is the very steep and very fun Tower Three Chute off Thunder Chair. Other recent articles by Michelson include 鈥�Why My Family Replaced Thanksgiving with Campsgiving,鈥� about a great decision; a description of a tiny, remote backcountry hut, 鈥�This Is Hands-Down the Coolest Airbnb in Colorado鈥�; and, more help with costs, 鈥�Shred This Colorado Mountain for $11 a Day鈥擯lus Other Incredible Ski-Resort Deals.鈥�

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