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

Why I Love the Enchantment Resort

Sedona, Arizona, is best known听for two things: the stunning red-rock landscape, which draws thousands each year for hiking and mountain biking, and its vortex energy, a contested phenomenon that has drawn plenty of curious people and turned this high-desert city into听a metaphysical mecca. The is the nexus of both.

From its location at the base of Boynton Canyon, the 70-acre luxury property is surrounded by high sandstone cliffs听that make you and your problems feel minuscule (that鈥檚 a good thing). The canyon has long been considered sacred by Native people and, more recently, holy by pilgrims and unique by New Age mystics and psychics who believe in its spiritual powers.听Today, Enchantment Resort tends to draw guests seeking change in their lives, managing director Stan Kantowski told me, or those hoping for peace and resolution in the wake of some tough change. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an emotional place,鈥� he said.

The mystery of just how transformative an experience听this could be intrigued me. The regenerative powers of nature are proven, but would I feel different hiking in a high-energy vortex zone, said to induce physical effects like tingling or hair-raising?听Would I return home convinced in the merits of carrying crystals in my pockets, newly grounded by hours spent among听heavy red rocks that have loomed large here since before the dinosaurs? And would the Mii Amo spa鈥檚听long list of alternative (and expensive) treatments鈥攆rom sound baths and chakra balancing to manifesting-new-moon ceremonies and reiki鈥攔elease the bad and let in the good?

I wanted to be convinced, to be cared for. My personal life had been taking a nosedive, and I longed for something magical to happen. So I called one of my best friends to meet me for a short stay, and we headed there with open minds.

What Exactly Is a Vortex, and Why Is Sedona Known for Them?

A vortex is a spot where some people believe intense energy is emitted (called an electric vortex) or pulled back into the earth (a magnetic vortex). It is believed to occur the intersection of ley lines, or electromagnetic threads of energy that听crisscross the planet. Boynton Canyon is considered to be one of four major vortices within an 11-mile radius in Sedona, its energy electromagnetic鈥攁 combo vortex of sorts.

Where there鈥檚 talk of heightened energy, there鈥檚 talk of spiritual awakening. Exactly what that means and how the area鈥檚 vortex energy will work for you鈥攐r whether it will at all鈥攄epends on the person and their intentions. In short, Sedona is 鈥渁 place to feel alive,鈥� said Carina Leveriza, who moved here 13 years ago after her husband died. She hiked every day for months as a way to heal. Now she leads vortex treks at the Enchantment Resort.

鈥淲hatever you bring to the vortex will be amplified,鈥� she said when I asked her what I might expect after a hike up the canyon. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e happy, you鈥檒l be effervescent. If you鈥檙e grumpy, you鈥檒l be grumpier.鈥�

Vortices are also thought to be portals to other dimensions, and especially so in Boynton Canyon. In her book Earth Frequency, Melissa Alvarez writes that 鈥渢he veil to other dimensions is believed to be thinner in Sedona than it is at other vortex sites鈥� (which, in the United States, include Mount Shasta, in California; Sugarloaf Mountain, in Utah; and Ni鈥檌hau Island, in Hawaii). The Sedona canyons are believed, she writes, to enhance 鈥渟piritual growth and an intrinsic connection to universal knowledge.鈥�

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

Enchantment Resort offers access to 400 miles of trails, for hiking and mountain biking (with equipment available from the on-site Trail House), and staff can arrange guided tours to suit your interest and skill level.

My friend Danielle Gill and I set off on the easy 2.6-mile Boynton Canyon Trail one afternoon with Leveriza, who was a fount of good energy, eager to tell us personal stories and lore, receptive to our infinite inquiries, and generally ambling along in an upbeat way. The beautiful sandy path led past pines and succulents, and Leveriza stopped occasionally to point out some of the more than 180 ancient cave dwellings on the box canyon鈥檚 walls, quartz crystals (said to be a source of clarifying energy) flecking the red rocks, and twisted tree trunks and branches that she told us were evidence of the canyon鈥檚 spiraling vortex effects.

鈥淗ike with intention,鈥� she said, then asked us to stay silent for a few minutes to consider what was deep in our hearts. 鈥淧sychics have said that what pierces the portals here are our intentions.鈥�

I vowed to have more resolve, to be more joyful, to devote more time for myself, and to make hard decisions rooted in kindness and fairness. In the quiet of the canyon, it all seemed possible.

As we arrived back at the resort, a group of women were meditating on the lawn. Javelinas munched the grass, and two deer hoofed slowly up a hillside toward a casita. Leveriza directed us to an incredible vista overlooking the property and the rock massifs听that make the greater Sedona panorama so magnificent. She lit a sage smudge stick, waved it slowly around our heads, and recited a meditation, the smoke lingering in the air as if it were a spirit listening in, too.

Hiking was a highlight for me, but Enchantment has several other recreational options, including swimming in four pools, stargazing鈥擲edona is an International Dark Sky Community鈥攁nd, in winter, a 鈥済lice rink鈥� for outdoor skating. There are tennis and pickleball courts; yoga, Pilates, and qi gong classes; chanting sessions; and educational sessions on nutrition and juicing. Curated, private high-end offerings around northern Arizona are also enticing,听if your budget allows, and include heli tours to the Grand Canyon; sommelier-led wine tours of Paige Springs, a growing viticulture destination; and climbing excursions in Prescott.

At the resort, the deeper dive into self tends to happen at Mii Amo spa, which reopened in 2023 after a multimillion-dollar renovation. Considered one of the best spas in the nation, it鈥檚 open only to Enchantment guests. Treatments aren鈥檛 cheap (the least expensive is $250 for 60 minutes), but there are many鈥攎ore than 50鈥攁nd they head into metaphysical terrain not normally on offer at a resort spa. I wanted to sign up for the hourlong sound bath to reduce stress, meditate deeply by walking a labyrinth, get a numerology or tarot or pendulum reading, undergo hypnosis to delve into past-life regression, and treat my doshas with a balancing wrap. When would I ever see a menu like this again?

Instead, I opted to have my chakras (which I knew nothing about) balanced. The therapist who led me though this treatment was empathetic, her voice soothing, her touch gentle. I lay prone on the massage table, and as she rocked my body back and forth, I started heaving huge quiet sobs. She continued as if my crying was the most natural thing in the world, telling me that my heart chakra must have been blocked. I flipped over, and she massaged my muscles using a different scented oil for the 鈥攆ocal energy points in the body鈥攁nd then placed polished gemstones atop each, to amplify those energies.

I was tired. I padded to the lower floor of the spa in my slippers and robe to the dry and wet saunas and hot tub, and rotated between them all for another half-hour.

That evening I popped into the Crystal Grotto, a dark, circular room with crystals the size of cats demarcating the four compass points. Before entering, you鈥檙e invited to write down something you鈥檇 like to let go of, with the promise that the sheets of paper would be burned, releasing those troubles to the universe. Then you remove your shoes so you can feel the bare ground beneath your feet. I wrote a note and deposited it into the little box of burdens; I curled my toes into the soft sand; and as the听grotto guide took up a singing bowl in the low light, I closed my eyes and zoned in on the听humming sounds, which research has shown to . Good vibrations.

Choice Rooms

The听resort has 38 adobe-style casitas, housing a total of 218 guest rooms, each with its own patio and views of the massive canyon walls. My room, 180, was spacious, with a living-room area adjacent to a queen bed, and a large bathroom with a deep bathtub. It was a five-minute uphill walk to the main reception area and restaurants, but guests anywhere can call for golf-cart service.

I asked the bellhop and our hiking guide which rooms were considered the best. Both liked casita buildings 37 and 38, situated higher on the grounds and deeper within the canyon than the rest. They face the eastern walls of the canyon, which glow in hues of orange, red, and russet as the sun sets.

Eat and Drink

At all of the resort鈥檚 three restaurants, the whole-foods-focused menus and relaxed ambiance come served with vast views. The hardest restaurant to book is Che Ah Chi, more of a fine-dining experience, but the one I liked the best is its newest, Hummingbird, located within Mii Amo. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast there one morning while gazing up at hawks drifting in the thermals near the canyontops. The clouds looked liked they鈥檇 been painted by Georgia O鈥橩eeffe.

Off-site, I was wowed by , a vibrant, popular local place just 13 miles from the resort. On offer are 20 kinds of smoothies, superfood coffees, tonics, juice blends, and a grab-and-go selection of healthy treats that you can take to the trail. This being Sedona, you can also pick up herbal supplements targeted toward better focus, energy, mood, and sex drive.

Finally, for cheap eats, I asked locals for their recommendations. They like the Oak Creek Brewing Co., Eriberto鈥檚, Layla鈥檚 Bakery, and , for fresh tamales made daily.

When to Go

Spring and fall, when the weather tends to be most pleasant in northern Arizona, are the busiest months at Enchantment Resort. March sees the most rain.

The hottest month in Sedona is July, with an average high temperature of 97 degrees, though the summer monsoons, which usually听begin in June and can last as late as August, bring cooling afternoon rains.

December and January are the coldest months, with an average high of 57 degrees. While it only snows in Sedona a handful of times each year, staff tell me that Boynton Canyon covered in snow is a sight to behold. Guests in December can also look forward to live music every night.

How to Get There

Most out-of-state visitors fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, rent a car, and motor the 126 miles north via Highway 260.

I road-tripped in from New Mexico, and swung down from Flagstaff, a spectacular drive south on State Route 89A through Oak Creek Canyon鈥攚here the fall foliage was a brilliant听yellow in September鈥攁nd past Slide Rock State Park. It鈥檚 slow going, because everyone is rubbernecking at the scenery, but I thought of it as the easy introduction to, and grand finale of, my wellness journey at the resort.

Don鈥檛 Miss

Crystal shops are everywhere in Sedona. Give in to your curiosity and check them out; it鈥檚 part of the woo-woo experience here, especially for first-time visitors.

Danielle and I spent an hour at 听after our spa treatments at the resort. We picked out gemstone bracelets for friends and mementos for ourselves. We had our aura photos taken; I听was happy to read that mine was reportedly now strong and radiant (no doubt thanks to my balancing session at Enchantment) and that my predominant color鈥攇reen鈥攔eflected growth and joy.

We weren鈥檛 able to book an immediate consultation with a medium or psychic鈥攖he time slots for the remainder of the afternoon were all taken. Maybe next visit.

***

After a few days at Enchantment Resort, I’d eaten well and exercised, I’d soaked up the vortex vibe in a beautiful canyon, and I’d pondered spiritual growth in a new way. I felt lighter about life. Maybe it was simply the effects of finally being on vacation after a lot of weary workweeks. But two months later, I still feel changed by the experience. I believed鈥攁nd that鈥檚 a big part of any trip here鈥攖here was genuinely something to it.

Details

Price: From $400

Address: 525 Boynton Canyon Road
Sedona, AZ 86336

To Book:

Tasha Zemke is 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 managing editor. She formerly lived on the Sicilian island of Pantelleria, where the phrase 鈥渁nything is possible鈥� was a common saying听and her in-laws believed in the evil eye. Her truest faith is in nature鈥檚 power to heal.

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I first laid eyes on Sedona after surviving a sleepless night of food poisoning in nearby Flagstaff, Arizona.

Thank goodness I鈥檇 never driven the Oak Creek Canyon before, or I might鈥檝e skipped the trip entirely. No one who hurls their guts up the previous night would knowingly agree to ride in a 12-passenger van hugging the cliffside of this narrow two-lane road, navigating hairpin turns on switchbacks that drop more than 2,500 feet into Red Rock Country.

But as a first-timer, visiting the area for an adult running camp and eager to check out this famous adventure mecca, I went along. Somehow, despite a super sick stomach, l still fell in love with the place.

Make no mistake鈥攐n less nauseating days, the hour-long journey on Route 89A between the alpine forest of Flagstaff and the sandstone desert of Sedona is iconic. Awe-inspiring, even.

Now, after 15 years living in Flagstaff, that commute is one I savor. Until I relocated to Arizona, I had been a life-long East Coaster. But after visiting this slice of high desert (and subsequently moving here), my appreciation and fondness for the Southwest鈥檚 geological diversity, and that of Sedona鈥檚 upper Sonoran Desert region has only deepened.

Every time I head down that canyon, I marvel at its beauty. I love taking visitors and watching their reactions to first glimpses of giant red rock formations that suddenly replace the canopy of oak trees and ponderosa pines. I imagine it鈥檚 akin to landing on Mars鈥攐therworldly. Perhaps that鈥檚 why Sedona attracts such a strong enclave of New Age spiritual devotees searching for metaphysical energy in the allegedly sprinkled throughout its buttes and spires.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Why the Fascination with Sedona?

It鈥檚 true. Sedona is a playground for all kinds of people, with interests as wide-ranging as fortune telling, aura reading, and crystal healing to mountain biking, hiking, climbing, and trail running. It welcomes the luxury spa vacationers, culinary aficionados, and jeep tour enthusiasts, too.

I fall somewhere in the middle. I won鈥檛 lie鈥擨鈥檝e visited a fortune teller or two over the years. I also eat dinner at Sedona鈥檚 , the kind of Mexican meal I don鈥檛 mind making reservations for 60 days in advance (at least!). Sometimes it鈥檚 fun to hit the local running store, , or just relax in one of the many coffee shops with tranquil garden seating. For the quintessential experience, I often end up at , billed as 鈥渁 sanctuary where each being can nurture their authenticity.鈥�

But most often Sedona is my wintertime weekend trail running refuge鈥攚hen the snow dumps in Flagstaff, I鈥檓 guaranteed a clear path, warmer temperatures (averaging around 60 degrees), and sunshine in the red rock valley below. I love a good 鈥渨intertime double鈥�: a morning run, hike, or ride in Sedona wearing shorts and a t-shirt, followed by afternoon powder turns at back home. Few places in the world hold such a mix of outdoor activities available in one day during the doldrums of February, and I love that about where I live.

Yes, Sedona Is Crowded, but I Don鈥檛 Let That Stop Me from Visiting

In recent years, however, Sedona鈥檚 storyline has taken an unfortunate (though not unwarranted) hit. Just like many areas that saw a surge of visitors seeking outdoor adventure during COVID, Sedona鈥檚 popularity鈥攚hich was already quite high鈥攕oared further. Influencers, along with their Instagram and TikTok followings, 鈥攁 double-edged sword for a place where 3 million visitors per year contribute to a $1 billion tourism industry, according to the .

More than a third of Sedona’s homes have become short-term rentals, and the city government and other local agencies have become of visitors鈥攁nd how to infuse education on respectful public land use.

After all, we are all just guests to this place, originally inhabited by the Sinagua people who came here around 900 A.D. I applaud how the people who manage the city and the public land are helping its diversity of users enjoy the area in myriad ways. From my perspective, there are a few things every visitor should know to maximize their Sedona experience.

Spring Break Is Not the Best Time to Visit Sedona

To fully enjoy Sedona, you have to choose your time and activities carefully. I鈥檓 saying avoid spring break (most of March) at all costs, and plan your outdoor pursuits for early mornings (arrive at trailheads by 7 A.M.听 at the latest) year-round to dodge flocks of people. If you鈥檙e a real morning person like I am, you can get started even earlier for cooler temperatures during the summer swelter. The traffic, parking, and crowded trails on the most popular routes quickly become a turnoff if you鈥檙e desperately seeking solitude in nature.

Avoid Downtown, but Grab Some Grub at Wildflower

The downtown area is a genuine tourist trap. Unless you鈥檙e looking for souvenirs or a cartoonish taste of the old wild west, you can skip the main drag, save for Wildflower, a local chain good for family-friendly breakfast and lunch where you鈥檒l find reasonably priced meals with a terrific red rock view. (Bonus points for identifying from the patio.) But Sedona is at its best when you go off the beaten path.

For Less Crowded Trails, Hit the Outskirts to Go Higher and Farther

Most locals won鈥檛 divulge those lesser-known destinations, however. In discussing places that my friends and I like to go in Sedona for a beer or a quick bite to eat or a trail run, most of them either decided against sharing at all, or their suggestions came with the caveat: 鈥渄on鈥檛 tell anybody I said this, but鈥︹€�

I get it. During the pandemic at the end of 2020, I headed to my friends鈥� house in Sedona for a day hike鈥攁nd along the way it appeared that the rest of America had the same idea. The fight for parking at the nearby trailheads was bananas鈥攃rowds rivaling Disney World during winter break.

Thankfully we could just exit out their backyard gate to a series of established, but unnamed trails鈥攐nes I wouldn鈥檛 have found on my own. On our hike, new-to-me perspectives of the famous and in the distance were stunning鈥攁nd as I took out my phone to capture a shot, my friend jokingly threatened to push me off the ledge of our undisclosed location above (the 鈥渟cenic byway鈥�) if I dared to geotag the photo on social media. Of course, I鈥檇 never do such a thing. For Northern Arizonans, sharing isn鈥檛 always caring.

Which is all to say, I鈥檇 tell you where to hike or run, but then I鈥檇 have to move far, far away from here. What I will say is that any trail on the outskirts of town that is rated as 鈥渟trenuous,鈥� includes a healthy amount of vertical gain, or is higher mileage than the routes topping travel blogs and Trip Advisor, will likely yield a more serene experience. You know which apps to use ( and have options), and doing your own research to head farther afield is best.

Sedona Is Helping Us All Become Respectful Visitors

As much as we regulars would like to hoard our Sedona secrets, I still applaud the efforts of local agencies to help ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy the area, too. I鈥檓 an advocate for making such a majestic corner of the U.S. accessible to all鈥攊t鈥檚 an immense privilege that it鈥檚 so close to my home. Angst-alleviating initiatives include to trailheads and the , which asks visitors to agree to nine ways to help preserve Red Rock Country鈥檚 natural beauty, like not forging your own trails and packing out your trash. No. 4 is my personal favorite: 鈥淚 won鈥檛 risk life or limb (human or sapling) for more likes. I won鈥檛 get killed for a killer photo.鈥�

My Recommendations for Best Outdoor 国产吃瓜黑料 in Sedona

It鈥檚 understandable that all of us who call tourist destinations home would want to keep a few spots to ourselves, I also recognize that none of us own these places. They鈥檙e meant to be explored and enjoyed. So, here are a few of my hot spots for those who are new to Sedona.

Camping in Sedona

Camping in Sedona takes a lot of planning ahead, I鈥檓 told. I haven鈥檛 gone camping in Sedona myself, mostly because I live so close by and my visits tend to be on the spontaneous side. Free dispersed camping is available in the western part of town, and it fills up quickly, as do the campgrounds that require reservations, which are mostly located along Oak Creek on 89A. The options around Oak Creek are cooler during the summer, next to the water, and heavily shaded by the forest. The dispersed campgrounds, though fully exposed to the sun, offer some of the best views of the red rocks and canyons you can find.

The best way to find a spot is to visit and you can also try Hipcamp.

Best Sedona Hikes

If you鈥檝e never hiked around Sedona, pick one of these three options for a taste of the town鈥檚 best trails.

• : This one is a bit outside of Sedona, on the other side of I-17, but worth the detour. Go early to beat the crowds inevitably seeking relief in the cool creek at the Crack, which comes at the end of the 3.5-mile trail. It鈥檚 a popular place to hang out and, for those who dare, jump off the cliffs into the water.
• : This is one of those 鈥渟trenuous鈥� paths that takes you up 2,000 feet in a bit less than 2.5 miles. The panoramic views extend the whole way up to Flagstaff鈥攜ou can see the beloved San Francisco Peaks from the top.
• : About two miles north of Sedona, is Wilson Mountain, which packs about 2,300 feet of climbing into the first mile. Keep going鈥攜ou鈥檙e rewarded along the way with hundreds of miles of views that include Oak Creek Canyon, Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte, and the Verde Valley.

Best Sedona Trail Runs

If you鈥檙e an avid trail runner, don鈥檛 miss these three spots with stunning panoramic views.

• : Start at the Baldwin Trailhead and run along the Buddha Beach to the Templeton Trail at the base of Cathedral Rock. You鈥檒l get a bit of everything on this one (make it an out-and-back or create a loop with your Gaia or Trailforks app)鈥攃ruise along the creek, climb sandstone ridges, and see the iconic Cathedral Rock, too.
• : Start from the Old Munds Wagon Road Trailhead off of Schnebly Hill Road, follow Old Munds Wagon Trail to the Cow Pies, forking left, to the Hangover Trail, one of the most scenic routes along the slickrock you can find.
• : This is an old standby and a popular place for visitors, so beware that the trailhead parking at the Bell Rock Trailhead might be tight. However, it鈥檚 the quintessential Sedona vista鈥攍ike a postcard from the southwest. Follow the Big Park Loops signs for a four mile circumnavigation of the butte.

Why Sedona Will Always Be Magical to Me

To be sure, we live at a time where the deluge of information available to us all can make us jaded. When it seems like 鈥渆verybody鈥� is going to Sedona and posting every detail of their adventures, our natural instinct is to declare that this special place is overrated. But that denies the region of its magic.

I was recently reminded of what Sedona can do for the spirit when I took a day off work and headed down 89A for the afternoon with a friend. We stopped at one of my favorite spots, , on the way into town, a lovely counter-service restaurant with lush, shaded outdoor seating on the east side of Oak Creek. Then we drove out to , a strenuous-rated hike that requires some rock scrambling and the ability to power up nearly 2,000 feet of elevation in a short 2.5 miles to earn an exhilarating view of fantastical red rock formations.

The only thing that would鈥檝e made my day more complete? A dip in the Oak Creek to cool off. A chance to swim in a natural body of water is a true treat for most Arizonans鈥攅specially me. I have plenty of fond memories of post-run cannonballs at , 10 or 12 years ago when it was less visited. Now, of course, it鈥檚 not so much a secluded swimming hole. Nature鈥檚 ice bath is usually worth it in my book, though.

Sedona has been dubbed the 鈥渕ost mystical place鈥� in America by travel experts and spiritual visitors alike. And it might be. What I do know is that it offers one of the most valuable opportunities for renewed astonishment at the world around me. It may not be a hidden gem (spoiler alert: ), but it鈥檚 a place that offers outdoor access that鈥檚 unrivaled by most other places on the planet.

Here鈥檚 my takeaway: It took 350 million years to form those red rocks. It鈥檚 no wonder people want to see them. Sedona is many things, but in my book, overrated will never be one of them.

Want more of 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥檚 travel stories?听.

Erin Strout is a journalist and author based in Flagstaff, Arizona, who writes about health, fitness, and Olympic sports. She likes to focus on the big issues women face as athletes and humans who want to perform and feel their best. She still loves visiting Sedona every chance she gets.听

The post Sedona Might Be Overtouristed, but I Still Don鈥檛 Think It鈥檚 Overrated appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If you鈥檝e been to a yoga festival, you know the hum that takes place. Everywhere you look, there鈥檚 activity. Attendees are unrolling their mats on the grass, lecturers are offering insights, vendors are sharing artisanal wares, and food trucks are dishing out their creations. As the sun goes down, the live music becomes louder and the learning shifts to dancing. It鈥檚 an unparalleled experience.

In recent years, yoga festivals have evolved to appeal to those of all experience levels and interests. Some focus on traditional practices while others are more new age-y and 鈥済littery.鈥� Whether you鈥檙e just starting yoga or are years into your practice, there is a festival that will vibe with you.

Although each yoga festival has its own distinct personality, they all share the common threads of connection, presence, and celebration. The following list explores 11 annual yoga festivals along with some of the history and highlights of each.

11 Yoga Festivals You Need to Know About

1. Bend Yoga Festival

Bend, Oregon | June 8-11, 2023

Explore the majesty of the Cascade Mountains at . Situated in the beautiful mountain town of Bend, Oregon, this festival features a focused mix of world-class presenters, wellness sessions, and outdoor adventures.

This year, the Bend Yoga Festival moves to Riverbend Park, offering direct access to the flowing Deschutes River, stunning mountain views, and more than 15,000 square feet of lawn. During the festival, attendees can explore nearby natural attractions, such as the lava caves and . Join a guided hike to the top of Smith Rock, followed by a yoga practice and local brew tasting, or take to the river in an open paddle class.

Throughout the weekend, you can join international and locally loved presenters including and for afternoon yoga sessions at participating local yoga studios, all within walking distance of the main venue. You can also schedule your own yoga photo shoot with acclaimed photographer . Lodging isn鈥檛 included, so you鈥檒l want to find a stay at a local Airbnb, campsite, or hotel.

2. Telluride Yoga Fest

Telluride, Colorado | June 22-25, 2023

For a fully immersive yoga experience, the is not to be missed. The four-day event offers more than 100 classes, including yoga, meditation, music, hiking, wellness talks, and social gatherings. The event takes place amid the intimate setting of a small village nestled at the base of the Telluride Mountains, surrounded by rugged peaks, mountain air, and crisp blue skies.

Start your day with a mountain-top meditation, hike the fan-favorite Jud Wiebe memorial trail, practice standup paddleboard (SUP) yoga on Elk Lake, or simply sleep-in. With its new campus in Mountain Village,听 connected to the historic Town of Telluride via a free gondola, the festival provides a unique gathering that鈥檚 entirely removed from the hubbub of everyday life. The festival has hosted some of the most well-seasoned yoga teachers, including , , , , and .

Telluride offers a selection of hotels, condos, and private residences that cater to every budget.

3. LoveShinePlay

Asheville, North Carolina | July 20-23, 2023

The , formerly known as the Asheville Yoga Festival, is a four-day event held in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. The festival offers an expansive schedule that includes more than 70 styles of offerings, including Bhakti and anatomy, Kundalini and Yin, and everything in between.

Asheville is considered the wellness capital of the South, and the festival takes advantage of its surroundings, allowing attendees to expand their knowledge and practice in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Throughout the weekend, attendees can experience lectures on practical astrology, Ayurvedic yoga classes, 鈥測in yoga and story time,鈥� plus classes and concerts from and .

Classes are dispersed around Asheville in hotels, community centers, and outdoor stages, all walkable from the marketplace. The central hub for the festival, the marketplace features 60-plus hand-selected vendors offering high-quality wellness products. You鈥檒l also find food trucks, free community events, and outdoor spaces to rest.

LoveShinePlay started in 2016 as the Asheville Yoga Festival and has since grown to include partnerships with Lululemon and Yoloha. In 2024, the festival will expand and offer a similar incarnation in Charleston.

4. OM Festival

Manchester, Vermont | July 26-30, 2023

Dance, flow, and play your way to wellness at the annual , a summerfest held on 150-plus mountainside acres overlooking the Battenkill River. Also known as the Vermont Yoga Festival, it offers five days of yoga, meditation, dance, and flow arts classes where festival-goers can flow, play, and groove.

The OM Festival combines natural beauty and historic charm. Classes take place in a 200-year-old barn on the expansive private grounds and in the perfectly coiffed meditation garden. At night, the festival comes alive with music and embodiment celebrations, including kirtan, bhakti yoga, and ecstatic dance DJs.

Most guests stay on-site, either at , the hub of the festival, or camp in a private field or alongside the river (river camp sites are limited and sell out quickly). Those staying at the inn can expect romantic, antique-y rooms, mountain views, and farm-fresh dining.

5. Soul Circus

Elmore, UK | August 17-20, 2023

somehow manages to be both healthy and hedonistic. And somehow it works. Spearheaded by the charismatic founders, Roman and Ella Wroath, Soul Circus is a holistic yoga, arts, and music festival set in the rural countryside of Cotswold, United Kingdom. The combination of yoga asana, wellness workshops, and live music is undeniably more glittery wellness rave than traditional yoga festival. With its world-renowned DJs and afterparties that last until 2 am, Soul Circus wants to help you tune in and let loose.

By day, stretch out in yoga tents dotted along the countryside or join sought-after yoga instructors and wellness practitioners in any of the 300-plus wellness sessions, including cacao ceremonies, astral projection, lucid dreaming, and ecstatic dance. It鈥檚 a chance to indulge your woo-woo side.

As the light fades, the festival takes on an entirely different vibe. DJs set the skies alight with exhilarating music and dance. Those who need a reset after a marathon dance session can settle into a wood-fired hot tub or sauna at the on-site Soul Spa, which also offers daytime holistic therapy sessions.

Soul Circus is an undoubtedly energetic and unique yoga experience.

6. Dirty South Yoga Festival

Atlanta, Georgia | August 25-27, 2023

The , held at the end of August, is a homegrown celebration that鈥檚 all about promoting community and mindfulness in a way that embraces the 鈥渞ough around the edges鈥� energy of the South.

Founded in 2013 by a group of Atlanta-based yoga teachers, Dirty South Yoga arose from a need for authentic connection in the wellness community. The group cites the Zen Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh and his famous saying 鈥淣o mud, no lotus鈥� as a foundational inspiration and will be the first to admit they鈥檙e not prim and proper. They regularly practice falling and try to show up to themselves, their practice, and each other as best they can.

The festival takes place at The Loudermilk Conference Center in downtown Atlanta, where participants can revel in an entire weekend of workshops, classes, and activities. Founder has said she knows what it鈥檚 like to long for connection in the yoga world, and with Dirty South Yoga, she hopes to provide a place of support, guidance, and friendship. It鈥檚 yoga, real and raw.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CoYRp9NPMgR/

7. Mammoth Yoga Festival

Mammoth Lakes, California | September 14-17, 2023

is a getaway for those seeking adventure, growth, and connection in California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada Mountains. Every September, it offers 鈥測oga and meditation for every body, every age, and every ability,鈥� making it accessible to all who wish to make the pilgrimage.

Whether you鈥檙e a curious beginner or a yoga teacher seeking to expand your understanding of how to share the practice, Mammoth Festival shares an array of classes to help you develop your practice. Anyone can attend early morning sessions on creative yoga sequencing, the power of cueing, and decolonizing yoga. And every night, the Vendor Village Market lights up with performances from mystically-minded musicians, which included , , and in recent years.

Weekend asana and meditation classes from teachers such as and will help you settle a restless spirit and immerse yourself in the present. Also, presentations from yoga and health institutions such as Mammoth Hospital and the work trade and job opportunity website, , allow instructors to diversify their teaching tools beyond advanced asana. The festival is recognized as an approved Continuing Education Provider by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, making it an excellent opportunity for yoga and fitness professionals to gain needed continuing education credits.

8. Lamu Yoga Festival

Lamu Island, Kenya | October 25-29, 2023

From sunrise yoga sessions on pristine beaches to moonlit meditations beneath the stars, emphasizes total, undisturbed bliss. This celebration of yoga, culture, and tranquility happens in the coastal region of Kenya and immerses in a world of serenity, culture, and mindful exploration.

Yoga, breathwork, and meditation are taught at a dozen unique venues and studios. Discover the allure of Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its charming architecture and captivating history. With no cars in sight and donkeys and boats instead dotting the landscape, the scene creates a true escape from the everyday. Experience the local culture and traditions through an awe-inspiring opening ceremony on the beach, a traditional Kenyan dinner, a scenic sailing trip, and a mesmerizing bonfire to close your journey.

9. International Yoga Festival

Banks of Ganges River, India | March 2024

A week-long celebration of yoga and meditation, the in Rishikesh, India, attracts thousands of people from around the world to the birthplace of yoga. Nestled among the Himalayas on the banks of the holy River Ganga, the festival takes place at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, one of the largest interfaith yoga institutions in India. It鈥檚 a tranquil environment where participants can connect with themselves and their spiritual practice.

The aim of the International Yoga Festival is to 鈥渆xpand global consciousness and bring healing back to the planet, one person at a time.鈥� In support of that, it hosts some of the greatest teachers from both eastern and western lineages of yoga, making it an ideal pilgrimage for dedicated students looking to connect with the origins of the practice.

The extensive schedule includes a mind-boggling array of activities, from early morning kundalini sadhana to evening kirtan and everything in between, including asana classes and talks. It regularly draws more than 2000 participants from 80 countries, offering a unique opportunity to come together and share in the transformative power of yoga. The festival鈥檚 emphasis on the origins of the practice is a testament to yoga鈥檚 enduring spirit, influence, and ability to unite people in the pursuit of growth and well-being.

10. Sedona Yoga Festival

Sedona, Arizona | April 2024

Many believe that certain locations on the planet experience a higher vibrational energy than others. With its seven vortices, or energy centers, Sedona is one of those places. The , now in its tenth year, draws on this enigmatic energy to foster community and spiritual growth.

Billed as a 鈥渃onsciousness evolution conference,鈥� the festival boasts an impressive roster of speakers and rich coursework and continues to be a pioneer of large-scale mindful events in the United States. Workshops and immersions take place amid Sedona鈥檚 mystical landscape and world-class performing arts facilities and offer opportunities to explore all eight limbs of yoga.

Attendees can gather in the mornings for a communal ceremony before dispersing into lectures or desert excursions. There are more than 100 sessions to choose from, including yoga practices amid the red rocks. Evenings feature keynote addresses from top-tier spiritual minds, lectures, sacred chanting sessions, and live entertainment.

11. BaliSpirit

Ubud, Bali | May 2024

If practicing yoga in Bali is your dream, the in Ubud may be the ultimate destination. Held annually at the , this three-day 鈥渟pirit festival鈥� encompasses yoga, dance, martial arts, breathwork, personal development, and more, making it a catalyst for transformation.

A magnet for conscious travelers and spiritual seekers, BaliSpirit has grown considerably since it was founded in 2008, bringing economic growth and evolution to the town of Ubud. Held in a traditional Balinese open-air venue surrounded by wildlife and flanked by a sacred river, the fest offers a unique opportunity for attendees to connect with themselves, others, and the surroundings.

The holistic approach of the festival is reflected in its more than 150 workshops representing different styles of yoga (including Hatha, Yin, Anusara, and Ashtanga) as well as other types of movement (Capoeira, Qi Gong, Silat, Poi, Laughter, and hula hooping). Each night ends with a musical lineup of global performers, creating an intimate concert experience leading to deeper connections and sacred celebration.

About Our Contributor

Sierra is a writer, yogi, and music lover living in the Pacific Northwest. She鈥檚 been practicing yoga for nearly a decade & got certified to teach in 2018. She writes and teaches all about connection: connection to the body, to nature, and to the universal love that holds us together. She鈥檚 also the author of , a moon magic journal and witchy workbook.

For free yoga and witchy wisdom, find Sierra at , on Instagram , and on .

The post 11 Yoga Festivals You Need to Know About appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This article was first published by .

Now, a few miles into his 14-mile march back to the car, his legs were cramping again, forcing him to stop and sit in the shade. He was out of food, his phone was dead, and the last of his water was gone. As he would later tell a law enforcement ranger from the U.S. Forest Service, Powers feared he was 鈥渄one.鈥�

The night before, Powers had attempted to start a signal fire, but it had quickly burned out. Now, he tried again, heaping dry foliage around the base of a snag and sparking it up with his Bic lighter. He hoped that the dead tree would go up in flames, and someone would see it and come to his rescue.

That emergency fire would spread, growing to a 230-acre blaze dubbed the Sycamore Fire that eventually took hotshots and air attack units more than a week to contain. As for Powers, someone did rescue him鈥攁 Forest Service helicopter responding to the fire picked him up鈥攂ut his trials weren鈥檛 over. He now owes the government nearly $300,000 in restitution and faces three years of probation after a federal district court convicted him of a crime this week for the actions he took that day.

In the early morning of May 27, Powers set out to hike what he believed was the 17-mile Cabin Loop, which his guidebook described as an easy-to-moderate trail. In his pack, he carried a little less than a gallon of water, a handful of snacks, and a battery-powered cell phone charger. While he planned to finish the trail in a single day, he also carried camping gear, including stove fuel, a sleeping bag and hammock, a machete, and . As he walked, the temperature climbed above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and conditions were bone-dry.

Court documents from Powers鈥� case paint a vivid picture of how his hike went wrong. The trail was well-marked at first, and he made it to Taylor Cabin without any issue. A few miles beyond that, however, the trail became rough and overgrown, and Powers soon realized he was lost. For about a half-hour to 40 minutes, he attempted to pick up the trail again before giving up and doubling back to the cabin, arriving there at roughly 6 P.M.

At that point, as Powers later put it to an investigator with the Forest Service, 鈥渟hit was getting real.鈥� He was down to about a half-liter of water, a mango, and two mandarin oranges, and looking at a 14-mile hike back to his car. While he carried a cell phone, he had no service, meaning he couldn鈥檛 find his location on a map and none of his calls for help went through. He found some old peanut butter, jam, and coconut oil in the cabin and ate all three of them. When his water ran out the next day, he tried drinking his own urine. After his rescue, doctors at the Sedona Emergency Department diagnosed powers with heat exhaustion, acute renal failure, 鈥攁 dangerous and painful condition in which damaged muscle releases proteins into the blood鈥攁nd dehydration.

Federal prosecutors would charge Powers with seven misdemeanors related to the blazes鈥攈e set three, though only the second grew鈥攊ncluding lighting a fire when prohibited by a Forest Service order and leaving a fire unattended. While Powers and his lawyers didn鈥檛 dispute the major facts of the case, they argued that he shouldn鈥檛 be held accountable, because had lit the fires as a last resort in a life-threatening emergency.

In her verdict, United States Magistrate Judge Camille D. Bibles disagreed. Powers, she wrote, 鈥渨as reckless and negligent in his preparation for a hike of this magnitude from the outset.鈥� He hadn鈥檛 packed a GPS device, , instead relying on a cell phone mapping app that was useless without service. He had failed to bring a headlamp or flashlight, instead relying on his phone鈥檚 built-in light. While he had brought two large knives, he hadn鈥檛 brought a first-aid kit or any method of signaling for help in an emergency. He wasn鈥檛, she said, even on the right trail: Instead of the 17-mile, moderate Cabin Loop, he was hiking the 18.8-mile , a full 50 miles away, which his guidebook rated as strenuous.

Critically, Bibles wrote, Powers hadn鈥檛 brought enough water. He carried a total of 116 fluid ounces, or just under a gallon, in a and bottle in his pack. While boilerplate backpacking advice tells hikers to plan on using a gallon per person per day, hikers working hard in hot temperatures may require more than that: In his testimony, Dr. Jeff Hardin, who treated Powers, told the court that a person on an 18-mile hike in the heat would require two to three gallons of water鈥攁 whopping 16 to 25 pounds鈥攖o avoid dehydration.

When it comes to underpacking water, Powers isn鈥檛 alone: Some studies suggest that most hikers in hot climates don鈥檛 carry as much water as their bodies need. For , researchers from Arizona State University put heat-acclimated hikers through a time trial in both 68掳F and 105掳F temperatures, asking them to hike repeated laps up a mountain while measuring their performance and liquid intake. Based on their sweat rate, researchers found that 58 percent of hikers on the hot day didn鈥檛 bring enough liquid to replenish what they were losing. Most ended up dehydrated, losing an average of 1 percent of their body weight in liquid, some twice that.

Could Powers, dehydrated and weak in a remote area without any method of communication, have summoned help without being slapped with criminal charges? In her verdict, Bibles suggested that he could have avoided at least some of them, pointing to . In 1984, Launder was camping at Mt. Lemmon near Tucson when he became lost. After clearing a five-to-ten-foot area on a rock ledge, Launder lit a signal fire, which a gust of wind soon spread. Despite Launder鈥檚 efforts to put it out, the blaze听 became a wildfire. He received three years of probation before an appeals court reversed the verdict, ruling that he lacked criminal intent, and that while fire danger was significant, the Forest Service hadn鈥檛 banned campers from lighting fires.

Unlike Launder, Bibles said, Powers had taken no precautions to prevent the spread of his emergency fires: Instead of building them in the rock ring by Taylor Cabin, he purposely had lit one of them around a dead tree with the intent of setting it on fire, then continued walking down the trail while it was still ablaze. Beyond that, she said, he was also hiking in an area under stage 2 fire restrictions, where setting fires was illegal regardless of the circumstances.

It isn’t clear whether Powers intends to appeal the decision; by press time, he and his attorney had not responded to a request for comment.

The post A Lost Hiker鈥檚 SOS Signal Sparked a Wildfire. Now He Must Pay $300,000. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

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.

The post The Most Fun Outdoor Fall Festivals in the U.S. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

My parents 鈥渄iscovered鈥� Sedona, Arizona, in 1999, roughly 1,349 years after the Sinagua people were the first to settle in the Verde Valley beneath the fantastical red-rock formations that are now world famous. In the ensuing years, Mom and Dad hiked almost 5,000 miles on the 200 miles of trails that surround this magical oasis, all of which were logged by Dad in his tattered Revised 5th Edition of Sedona Hikes by Richard and Sherry Mangun.

When Dad died in 2017, I took his place on their annual pilgrimage to Sedona, driving 1,700 miles from our home in northern Minnesota with Mom so she could continue hiking despite increasingly unstable feet. COVID lockdowns kept us away last year. When we returned this year on February 1, we quickly realized that the sleepy winter 鈥渙ff-season鈥� was no longer sleepy. The grocery stores were packed. Our car was rear-ended by an out-of-state visitor who was confused by the roundabouts that backed up traffic on Arizona鈥檚 highway 89A at 10 a.m. on a Saturday. Trailheads were overflowing with people and vehicles parked along both sides of the roads, even on weekdays, forcing us to strategically choose where and when we could hike or, in my case, mountain bike.

On average, before COVID, this northern Arizona town of 10,000 received 3 million annual visitors, its surrounding formations jutting skyward, most of them in the adventure-packed Coconino National Forest second only to the in popularity among statewide attractions. But when COVID hit and international travel became off-limits, thanks to Sedona鈥檚 proximity to California and the fast-growing sprawl of Phoenix, the area exploded in popularity. In 2020, rose 5 percent to 3.4 million, and according to the Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau鈥檚 for Fiscal Year 2021, the amount spent on taxable goods and services between July 2020 and June 2021 increased by almost $220 million over the previous year.

鈥淐OVID definitely increased visitation and recreation on the Coconino National Forest across the board鈥攅specially the Red Rock Ranger District, which surrounds the Sedona area,鈥� says Brady Smith, the forest鈥檚 public affairs officer, who told me that the Forest Service doesn鈥檛 track annual visitation, but that Coconino averages 4.5 million visitors per year, a number that rose dramatically during the pandemic.

鈥淪ince people couldn鈥檛 travel and felt trapped inside their house and couldn鈥檛 really go on a traditional vacation, they went to their national forests and places like Sedona and the trails around the city,鈥� Smith says. 鈥淲e have seen an increase of dispersed camping, trail use, off-highway vehicle recreation, camping, mountain biking, and pretty much anything you can think of recreation-wise on national forests.鈥�

The reality of Sedona鈥檚 exploding popularity hit me hard one weekend morning when Mom and I were hiking her favorite trail at the base of a stunning canyon into the . As we passed the site鈥檚 entry point, fresh tire tracks continued up the sandy trail, despite cycling being off-limits starting at the boundary. A half-hour later, a solo mountain biker with no pack and no water met us, asking, 鈥淒o you know how to get to Chuckwagon?鈥�

One of the most well-traveled trails in town, Chuckwagon is a few miles in the opposite direction of where the woman had come from, across a major road. Without cellphone coverage, she explained, she had become completely disoriented.

A few minutes later, we encountered a young couple restraining a German shepherd, the man squinting into his cellphone as the woman asked, 鈥淎re we near the turnoff for the Birthing Cave?鈥�

The cave in question, the turnoff for which they had overshot by a few miles, has become a wildly popular selfie spot, namely because it鈥檚 less than two miles from the trailhead and is shaped like a vagina. From inside, the cave frames the distant rock formations, creating a womb-like Instagrammable moment for visitors. It鈥檚 an incredible place if you come prepared to share the womb with others: earlier that morning, we passed three other groups inquiring about the turnoff to the unofficial route.

As Mom and I hiked farther into the wilderness, the people disappeared. But instead of enjoying the silence and the sun glinting off the canyon walls, I stewed over how Sedona had turned into a giant Disney attraction, my indignant mindset refusing to acknowledge that perhaps this magazine, for which I have worked for decades and regularly features dream destinations like Sedona, and my own family鈥檚 months of hiking and mountain biking here over the years, which has attracted dozens of our own friends and family, might be contributing to the beautiful city鈥檚 rampant overtourism.

Any traveler with a conscience has questioned the ethical, environmental, and moral consequences of their individual choices, and no doubt the pandemic has put even more pressure on popular domestic destinations like Sedona, Moab, Big Sur, and most of our national parks. As a writer for this magazine and others since the 1990s, I鈥檝e reported stories that highlight culturally and environmentally sustainable destinations that are 鈥渄oing it right,鈥� where tourism has benefited rather than depleted the culture, the residents, and their natural resources. In the past few years, however, I鈥檝e found it increasingly hard to define what constitutes 鈥渟ustainable鈥� travel鈥攁nd whether I鈥檓 practicing it.

The new film The Last Tourist, directed by Tyson Sadler and executive-produced by founder Bruce Poon Tip, exposes these consequences en masse, illustrating with painful visuals and testimonials that tourism, as practiced by much of the world today, has lost its soul. The conveyors of this cautionary tale are an impressive roster of travel visionaries and experts, from icon Jane Goodall to National Geographic Society鈥檚 CEO Gary Knell to journalist Elizabeth Becker, the author of .

Since the 1950s, international trips have grown from 25 million to 1.3 billion per year (pre-COVID), and those overseas travelers are at least partly to blame for garbage-strewn beaches, throngs of crowds in destinations like Venice, and environmental and cultural destruction that visitors often don鈥檛 correlate with their seemingly innocuous, well-meaning trips.

The Last Tourist illuminates the most egregious ways the tourism industry is fundamentally flawed, exploring issues like animals suffering for entertainment, orphaned children being exploited for profit, developing countries straining under foreign-owned corporate hotel entities, and the general lack of responsibility individual travelers take toward learning about and investing (emotionally or financially) in the countries they visit. In Kenya, for example, only 14 percent of the dollars spent remain in the country. As Jane Goodall says near the beginning of the film, 鈥淭ourism can lead to the destruction of the very things they鈥檝e [tourists] come to see.鈥�

The destruction is often insidious. In the film, sustainable tourism expert Costas Christ describes his own path toward more conscientious travel. In 1979, he was one of the first tourists to arrive at a secluded beach on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, where he stayed for three months with a local family. The place was so astoundingly beautiful that he drew a map for his then-girlfriend. She shared it with a few friends, who shared it with others. In 1993, Christ, who has never returned to the beach, saw a photograph of it thronged by thousands of revelers celebrating the now-infamous Full Moon Party, which today attracts 10,000 to 30,000 people to the beach every month.

鈥淲e have got to get tourism right,鈥� Costas says, 鈥渂ecause if we don’t, we are going to see Koh Phangan reproduced around the world.鈥�

The film offers example after heartbreaking example of how overtourism has crushed the environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities in 16 different countries. It would be a merciless gut punch if it weren鈥檛 interspersed with inspiring glimmers of hope. Jane Goodall is featured in the film because G 国产吃瓜黑料s offers a namesake Jane Goodall Collection, 20 wildlife-focused tours endorsed by the world-renowned ethologist. In Thailand, Lek Chailert has devoted her life to the 听on a farm where she rehabilitates Asian elephants and other animals rescued from cruel tourism operations. And in India, offers a training program for formerly abused women in which they learn how to drive and maintain their own cabs, offering safe rides to the elderly, children, and other women in New Delhi. A large percentage of their customers are solo foreign female travelers.

鈥淭ourism didn鈥檛 cause these problems,鈥� says founder Meenu Vadera, referring to the poverty and abuse the Indian women in this program have experienced. 鈥淏ut every single tourist has to make a choice, whether I am going to be part of the solution or not.鈥�

After watching the film, one of my questions for G 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 Bruce Poon Tip, whose travel company sends 200,000 travelers annually around the globe, some to culturally and environmentally sensitive places like the Ecuadorian Amazon, was how does he differentiate between the travel he offers versus the travel he condemns in the film?

鈥淥ur definition of sustainability is about cultural and heritage preservation,鈥� Poon Tip told me in a phone interview. 鈥淲e believe that travel benefits the world, and if done right, it can create wealth distribution. The very first step of doing it right is to create a dialogue with the community to find out if they even actually want tourism鈥�99.9% percent of the tour operators out there are not doing that.鈥�

At the end of the film, experts from around the world offer some basic starting points for individual travelers鈥攏amely, be informed about the place you are traveling to and the organizations and businesses you are supporting. Ask yourself if what you are doing away from home, like attending a full-moon party at a crowded beach or visiting an orphanage to take a selfie with the kids as they are sitting in class, would be acceptable in your own backyard. Other suggestions include generously tipping waiters and other staff you interact with directly. Also, if you can ride, hug, or take a selfie with a 鈥渨ild鈥� animal, don鈥檛 do it, because, most likely, that animal is being abused.

In an effort to be more transparent, G 国产吃瓜黑料s offers a 鈥淩ipple Score鈥� on roughly 640 of their 800 trips, an accounting tool that tabulates the percentage of money they spend locally for accommodations, food, and transportation. Their average Ripple Score is 93, meaning that 93 percent of the money spent in-country stays with local businesses and services.

Sedona is a far cry from the vulnerable local communities like the one in the Ecuadorian Amazon that Poon Tip works with, among others, but even in a veteran Arizona tourist town, the locals were forced to start a dialogue on how to tame the beast that is tourism. In 2019, Sedona鈥檚 city council overwhelmingly approved Arizona鈥檚 first , a four-pillar approach toward a balanced future that focuses on the environment, residents鈥� quality of life, the city鈥檚 tourism economy, and the visitor experience.

For visitors, the new plan means taking responsibility for your actions, even if you are on a carefree road trip across the West.听 Travelers can take the online, a nine-tiered promise that includes leaving no trace on trails (and picking up the increasing number of doggie poop bags), being kind and considerate in local establishments, and not risking life or limb to take a selfie.

There are also more tangible ways to take responsibility, like using Sedona鈥檚 brand-new shuttle service launching this month to the most popular trailheads. Or taking a vacation day to do volunteer trail work. Every week on Instagram, , for example, posts a calendar of upcoming trail-work opportunities. Volunteers provide the muscle, and the bike shop and three other sponsors鈥�, , and the 鈥攑rovide the expertise, lunch, and drinks.

As for where I fit into this tourism quandary, I often wonder what the solution is. Should I give up my time in Sedona so that one fewer person is exploring its magical trails?听 I haven鈥檛 arrived at that decision and maybe never will. But I do know that if I return, I will be way more cognizant of what I鈥檓 giving back to the community, specifically to the hiking and mountain bike trails that have provided my family and me with unadulterated joy for decades.

The post Overtourism Has Reached a Dangerous Tipping Point鈥擜m I Part of the Problem? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

One year ago, any plans you had for a spring getaway were likely canceled. Mine were. I was slated to go camping in Joshua Tree National Park in mid-April, and I remember the email from the National Park Service like it was yesterday: 鈥淲e wanted you to be aware, this location is closed. Your reservation has been canceled and refunds have been issued.鈥� It was the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and so much was unknown. Now,听one year and a whole lot of chaos later, spring travel doesn鈥檛 exactly look like it did way back in 2019, but with the proper precautions, a break from the grind can happen in some shape or form. Here鈥檚 some inspiration for a much deserved听budget-friendly spring trip to celebrate the fact that you made it through a year none of us could have anticipated.听听

Find Healing in the Desert

Sedona, Arizona

If there鈥檚 a restorative vortex anywhere on this planet, it鈥檚 in Sedona, thanks to its plethora of wellness and meditation retreats, energy healers, and an听 showing sites thought to be restorative epicenters. Whether or not you believe in that sort of thing,听there鈥檚 just something calming about exploring a red-rock desert, especially when temperatures are in the 70s (and not the 100s, which the area听averages in summer). There鈥檚 climbing, mountain biking,听hiking through听canyons, and practicing yoga with epic views. The 300-square-foot tiny homes at听 (from $276) have names like Flow, Breathe, and Renew听and come with a stargazing deck and yoga mats.

Hit the Open Road

Various locations

Pick up a fully outfitted听 (from $339) from any of the company鈥檚听five hubs: Jackson, Wyoming; Las Vegas, Nevada; San Francisco, California; Whitefish, Montana; or Salt Lake City, Utah. These luxury Sprinter vans come with perks like a French press for making coffee, camp chairs, and marshmallow-roasting skewers, and offer听a variety of sleeping quarters. Not sure where to go? Moterra will also plan your road trip,听with custom itineraries, prebooked campsites, and scenic routes all mapped out.

Ride the Trails

Brevard, North Carolina

is a haven for mountain bikers. You鈥檒l find dozens of trails, a beer-serving bike shop called听,听and guided mountain biking and skills workshops for every level at the听. Pitch a tent at听 (from $34), where you鈥檒l get trail access from camp, or book one of 15 architect-designed cabins (from $150) at听, a 124-acre property bordering the forest with its own flow trail and future campsites currently in development.

Cap Off Your Ski Season

Huntsville, Utah

Yes, it鈥檚 still winter in some places.听, less than an hour north of Salt Lake City, will stay open through April 11. If you buy next season鈥檚 pass now (from $899), you can ski free this spring. Otherwise, day tickets start at $139 (buy ahead of time). Enjoy zero lift lines, late-season powder, and,听new this year, ski-up windows where you can order a slice of pizza or a breakfast burrito on the go. Stay at the听 (from $199) and you鈥檙e just minutes from skiing at Snowbasin and nearby听.

Learn Something New

Floras Lake, Oregon

Kitesurfing season opens on the southern Oregon coast in the spring, and there鈥檚 no better place to get in on the action听than听, a family-owned kitesurf school in one of the windiest spots in the country. The school is open from April through September on a freshwater lake outside of听the town of Bandon, a 4.5-hour drive from Portland and seven hours from Seattle. Camp at the neighboring听 (from $20), or book this (from $425) on the property. You can rent windsurfing or kiteboarding gear, sign up for a lesson, and borrow paddleboards and kayaks.

Jump in a Pool

Palm Springs, California

Sure, there鈥檚 plenty to do in Palm Springs鈥攖rails and desert vistas in or are about an hour away鈥攂ut we won鈥檛 judge if you just feel like posting up in a lounge chair by the pool.听 (from $147) has ten听midcentury modern poolside suites鈥攜ou can get $100 off your first stay by signing up for their newsletter.听Enjoy breakfast in a private garden, then grab a loaner cruiser bike to roll into town.听

Relax on the Beach

Lahaina, Maui

On Maui鈥檚 west side, a former sugar plantation is now (from $24), which has 35 beachfront tent sites, as well as van camping spots, tented bungalows with private outdoor showers, and A-frame cabins with kitchenettes. Located ten听minutes from Lahaina, this spot has mellow surf breaks, some of the world鈥檚 largest banyan trees, and guided sea kayaking outings through a protected reef. Be sure to read up on听.

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In August 2018, about 250 fed-up Hawaiians filed into a Department of Transportation meeting in Hilo to rail against a steady stream of helicopters passing over their homes鈥攁s many as 80 a day鈥攅n route to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. One commenter, standing at the microphone, said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 getting to the point where you think I could hit that thing with a .357.鈥�

Over the past decade, Hawaii鈥檚 helicopter tour business has , buzzing the state with tens of thousands of flights annually. Residents are irritated that there is no beach, trail, or surf spot where they can escape the noisy machines. That鈥檚 without mentioning the danger鈥攊n April 2019 a Novictor Helicopters aircraft was 13 minutes into a scenic tour when it plummeted onto the street of an Oahu residential neighborhood, killing all three aboard. No residents were hurt, and only a parked rental car was damaged, but the crash heightened locals鈥� anger with the industry.

Hawaiians aren鈥檛 alone. Frustrations with the intrusive machines have long simmered in some of the nation鈥檚 most scenic spots. Groups have mobilized against helicopter tours in Grand Canyon and Glacier National Parks for decades, while trail users are fighting the overflights in places like Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Sedona, Arizona;听and even Los Angeles, where tours hover above the Hollywood sign in Griffith Park.

The problem, opponents say, is that no matter how vigorous the opposition, the Federal Aviation Administration ultimately has authority over the tours and has shown no interest in limiting the industry.听

While skies are currently quiet over most of the country due to the pandemic, the presence of helicopter tours is still on the minds of many communities, including residents of Jackson Hole. In April, the Jackson Hole Airport Board from Wind River Air听to operate on their tarmac, despite six hours of public testimony against the tours from local residents over Zoom鈥攎ore than 350 comments.

As it happens, all five members of the Jackson Hole airport board oppose the scenic helicopter tours. The problem, , is that a condition of the federal funding that makes up the majority of their budget states that they aren鈥檛 allowed to discriminate against any aviation business that the FAA approves. While, in 2018, the FAA authorized Wind River Air to perform air tours with 25 nautical miles of the Jackson Hole Airport outside of the park boundary, the Jackson Hole airport board later to the FAA on the grounds of safety. The board鈥檚 reasoning was that Wind River Air planned to use a Robinson R44 helicopter, the same type that crashed into the Oahu neighborhood earlier in 2019听and that, according to by the Los Angeles Times, was involved in 42 fatal crashes between 2006 and 2016, more than any other civilian helicopter model.听(The owner of Wind River Air, Tony Chambers, did not comment听to 国产吃瓜黑料 about his company鈥檚 use of the R44 but has previously discounted concerns over the model鈥檚 safety, according to the nonprofit news source WyoFile鈥檚 .)听

In to the FAA, the airport board wrote that the proposed air tour routes 鈥渨ould overfly mountainous terrain between 8,000 and 9,200 feet. At these altitudes the R44鈥檚 normally aspirated engine would develop only 76.2 and 73.5%听of the horsepower it would produce at sea level鈥his would appear to give the aircraft very little, if any, margin of safety鈥︹€�

The FAA , and Wind River Air began flying tourists over the Tetons in June.听

Helicopter tour opponents are used to the FAA ignoring them. Some have been fighting the agency since 1986 with little to show for it. Mary T. McClelland leads ,听a coalition of 33 organizations pushing for more regulation of the helicopter tour industry over Glacier National Park.

According to the , which helps the FAA and the National Park Service implement air tour management plans, there were more than 650 helicopter overflights of Glacier National Park in 2016, almost all during the busy summer season. Any number is too many over a national park that is almost entirely designated wilderness,听McClelland听says. Solitude and tranquility are among the official qualifications for wilderness designation, she says, and 鈥渋t takes just one helicopter to break that tranquility.鈥� She describes hiking in some of Glacier鈥檚 wildest, most remote locations only to have the serenity shattered by a parade of helicopters packed with gawking tourists. 鈥淚t feels particularly defeating to lose the immersive experience when you鈥檝e made a real physical effort to achieve it,鈥� she says.听听

Park officials, McClelland notes, also don鈥檛 want it this way. Glacier鈥檚 1999 General Management Plan called for a total ban of helicopter air tours. 鈥淭he NPS believes that visitors to Glacier National Park鈥檚 backcountry should have the opportunity to experience Glacier鈥檚 peacefulness and solitude without disruption by scenic air tours,鈥� .

But with the FAA running the show, opponents have little recourse to effect change.听

There is a law on the books that could provide relief for national park visitors. The (ATMP) requires the FAA and NPS to create a plan for each park with more than 50 overflights a year听and allows them to demand quieter technology, limit flights, or ban them altogether. However, despite more than 47,000 air tours over 78 different national parks annually, , the only units with plans signed off on by the FAA are Florida鈥檚 Big Cypress National Preserve and Biscayne National Park, Utah鈥檚 Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans Arizona and Utah. In Glacier, officials from the FAA and NPS convened in 2003 to work on the plan for the park, but it was never completed. McClelland and Quiet! Glacier believe that the FAA has dragged its feet because it didn鈥檛 want one of its first management plans to set the precedent of banning helicopter tours outright. (A spokesperson for the FAA declined to comment on the ATMP and听Glacier National Park.)

In 2019, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono (HICOP)听sued the FAA and NPS to force them to implement the law. Their suit named seven NPS sites: Bryce Canyon, Glacier, Great Smoky Mountains, Haleakala, Hawaii Volcanoes, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Muir Woods National Monument (which no longer qualifies because it has fewer听than 50 overflights per year). 鈥淚f there is no credible threat of a mandatory limit, tour operators have zero incentive to voluntarily impose one,鈥� says PEER general counsel Paula Dinerstein.听

The holdup isn鈥檛 with the Park Service, says Jon Jarvis, NPS director during the Obama administration. 鈥淲e treated natural quiet the same way we did clean air and water鈥攁s a resource to be protected and maintained,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he FAA is a frustrating agency to work with.鈥澨�(The NPS did not respond to a question about its current working relationship with the FAA.)

The ATMP law, Jarvis explains, directed the Park Service to determine how helicopter tours affected听park resources, while the FAA was to ensure safety. As the lead agency, the FAA had the final say, even in environmental matters. The problem, he notes, is that one of the FAA鈥檚 core missions is to promote aviation, which is at odds with curtailing it.

鈥淓veryone who works at the FAA is a pilot,鈥� adds Dick Hingston, a Sierra Club representative on the National Parks Overflights Advisory Group. Even when mandated by law, he says, the FAA frequently drags its feet on limiting the multimillion-dollar air tour business. In one prominent example, legislators and environmental groups have struggled with the FAA and NPS for nearly two decades to establish overflight rules in the Grand Canyon.听

On May 1, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Washington, DC, , going even further than the places named in the suit in ordering the FAA and NPS to create air tour plans for all 23 remaining national parks where there are more than 50 air tours a year, as the law stipulated 20 years ago. It gave them 120 days to come up with a timetable for compliance and a total of two years to complete the plans.

In 2017, when lava flows at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , the park endured nearly 17,000 air tours. NPS surveys have found that helicopter noise is audible in 98 percent of the park鈥檚 wilderness areas, disturbing wildlife and park visitors. Add that to the nearly 5,000 heli-tours a year over Maui鈥檚 Haleakala National Park, tens of thousands of flights over the Napali Coast, and over Oahu鈥檚 Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and North Shore surf spots, it鈥檚 hard for state residents to find refuge from the helicopters overhead.听

For Hawaii鈥檚 Congressman Ed Case, the final straw was the April 2019 accident when the Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into the Oahu neighborhood. Five months later, Case introduced the . 鈥淭here鈥檚 a groundswell of opposition to these tours now,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he FAA has shown no interest in regulating this industry.鈥� Case has taken to keeping an eye on the Flightradar24 app on his phone, which tracks air traffic in real time. When we spoke in January, he noted, 鈥淩ight now, for example, there are six helicopters over Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai听and three over Hawaii Volcanoes.鈥�

鈥淪afety is the FAA鈥檚 top priority,鈥� a spokesperson said. 鈥淭he agency has a comprehensive oversight program aimed at ensuring all operators that we regulate adhere to the highest possible levels of safety.鈥澨�

The Safe and Quiet Skies Act would prohibit tours over national parks, wildlife refuges, wilderness areas, military installations, and cemeteries. The last two are poignant for Case鈥檚 district, which includes the Pearl Harbor Memorial. He describes a January ceremony at the facility that was blotted out by the noise from tour helicopters. 鈥淧earl Harbor is a place of great sanctity for victims and their families,鈥� he says.

Case鈥檚 proposal would also prohibit tour helicopters from flying lower than 1,500 feet, stop the potentially unsafe practice of pilots narrating their tours over headsets, and allow local regulators to ban the tours altogether. While the Safe and Quiet Skies Act has a long way to go鈥攊t currently has only four co-sponsors鈥攈igh-profile helicopter accidents like the one that killed Kobe Bryant in January continue to bring attention to issues surrounding helicopters.

Case applauds the efforts of Jackson Hole residents to push back on a single helicopter tour business, even though they weren鈥檛 successful. He notes that the real problems arise when there are multiple companies competing on price and experience. 鈥淭here are very high incentives to cut corners to save fuel and provide a more thrilling experience, which is very dangerous,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e are also finding that once these companies get embedded, they are very difficult to dislodge.鈥�

Giving local regulators control over their airspace, as Case鈥檚 law intends, would be a great tool for helicopter tour opponents in Jackson Hole, as well as in Sedona, Arizona. The red-rock desert destination has no national park, but 3 million visitors a year normally still crowd into the community to hike, bike, or relax at ritzy spas. Above it all thunders a steady stream of tours, some 10,800 in 2013, according to an airport master plan written in 2014.

That number has grown substantially in the past seven years, says Michael Yarbrough, a retired Sedona lawyer who has taken it upon himself to try to curb the helicopter racket. 鈥淚鈥檝e found complaints about helicopter tours in town council minutes as far back as 1995,鈥� he says, but there鈥檚 nothing anyone can do about it, because, as in Jackson Hole, the airport accepts federal funding. And though the FAA issued a that stipulates helicopters must fly at least 2,000 feet above the ground to limit disturbance, it鈥檚 not enforced. There鈥檚 no incentive for air tour companies to fly considerately, Yarbrough says, 鈥渂ecause if one company hovers lower over Devil鈥檚 Bridge, then the other will听too, to get the better review online.鈥�

After six years of effort, however, Yarbrough forged a between heli-tour operators and the community that would create no-fly zones over residential neighborhoods, minimal altitudes over some locations, and a commitment not to hover. The key, he says, has been the involvement of Sedona鈥檚 Chamber of Commerce, which unveiled a sustainable tourism plan in May 2019, a section of which . The chamber wields substantial marketing power for the competing tour companies, Yarbrough says, which may be enough to hold the companies to a higher standard.

The May 1 U.S. Court of Appeals decision on the failed implementation of the 2000 Air Tours Management Act stipulated that the NPS and FAA had 120 days to come up with a plan to complete air tour management plans for 23 national parks, and that those plans must all be completed by May 1, 2022. Few quiet-skies activists expected the agencies to comply. There was a 20-year track record of recalcitrance, after all. Yet, on August 31, the agencies .听

PEER鈥檚 Dinerstein remains somewhat skeptical, mentioning that just because air tour management plans will be created, that听doesn鈥檛 mean they will be good plans. 鈥淚f past is prologue, it will take a lot of work and public pressure to see them to a satisfactory conclusion,鈥� she said in a press release.听

Quiet! Glacier鈥檚 McClelland, for one, is ready to help apply that pressure. 鈥淥ne of the National Parks Service鈥檚 mandates is to protect the parks, and that includes natural sounds,鈥� she says. It鈥檚 important that the public weigh in to make sure that isn鈥檛 overlooked, and that it is the role of organizations like hers to help facilitate that process. McClelland points to years of public anti-helicopter activism, like the 2018 hearings in Hilo, Hawaii, or the six hours of testimony over Zoom in Jackson Hole in April, as a positive sign that given a platform to speak, they will.听听

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Let鈥檚 be honest:听unless you skipped out on the ugly-sweater parties and your Aunt Sue鈥檚 fruitcake and boarded a flight to somewhere far from everyone you know, the holidays aren鈥檛 a vacation. They are a beautiful mess of family, food, and festivities. Now that the craze is over, it鈥檚 time to detox, unplug, and reset for the new year. You can do that close to home or far from it.

In the Desert

Nothing says escape quite like the desert in the dead of winter.听听opened a new outpost (from $790) in the Texas Hill Country at Montesino Ranch, less than an hour from Austin and听San Antonio. You鈥檒l sleep in plush canvas tents and spend your days fly-fishing, riding bikes to local wineries, taking outdoor yoga classes, and dining on farm-to-table meals.

听in Sedona, Arizona, has a听 (from $555) that includes guided meditation in the property鈥檚 Vortex Treehouse, hiking on local trails, and a spa treatment. Or head south of the border to the wellness resort of听听in Tecate, Mexico, just an hour from San Diego, for a weeklong retreat (from $3,200) on its 4,000 acres, where green juice, hammock naps, singletrack runs, and aerial yoga are听itinerary musts.

In the City

Leave it to Colorado to have a hotel with a CBD wellness package. At听听located in downtown Denver, the听 (from $299) comes with CBD-blended cocktails, late checkout to encourage sleeping in, and an in-room healing package complete with tea, balm, lotion, and sparkling water, all infused with CBD.

San Francisco鈥檚 recently renovated 听(from $259), in the city鈥檚 hip Japantown, offers yoga and kickboxing classes in a revamped, spacious gym. You can even check out free meditation kits, available from the front desk and stocked with headphones, a floor pillow, face mist, and a tablet preloaded with guided exercises and soothing music. Take it to your room or to the outdoor meditation garden.

The听 properties in Brooklyn and Nashville, Tennessee, are not your typical hotels. They鈥檙e immaculately designed homes where you can show up, unplug, and meet new friends. In January,听 hoteliers听Lyon Porter听and Phil Hospod are opening the (from $199) on 68 acres in the Catskills, just outside New York City. The best part? Cell service is limited, making a digital detox part of your stay.

In the Mountains

Retreat to snow-covered mountains for a post-holiday recharge. Whether you ski or just sit in a hot tub under the stars is up to you. , in Whitefish, Montana, has a four-day cross-country ski and yoga retreat (from $1,119) from January 9 to 12, or show up anytime to ski Whitefish Mountain Resort and enjoy the town鈥檚 newly opened听, a spa offering dry salt therapy, a treatment known to detoxify the respiratory system.听听

听(from $169) opened in December in Breckenridge, Colorado, with 60 slopeside rooms, a听Japanese-like onsen (hot spring),听and a craft cocktail bar and on-site coffee roaster. The hotel鈥檚 three-night Zephyr Package comes with a guided backcountry ski tour and compression-therapy treatment鈥攖hink pulsing massages鈥攖o help you recover faster.

By the Ocean

The beach might be just the ticket to help you de-stress after a hectic holiday season. And winter is notoriously quiet at oceanfront destinations. At听听(from $349), in , you can take classes in yoga or meditation, book massages or wellness treatments, dine on farm-fresh meals, and stay in one of 24 well-appointed rooms. The retreat property is on 5.6 acres of lush gardens, with sweeping views of Maui鈥檚 north shore and Haleakala Crater.

, on the rocky cliffs of Big Sur, California, has weekend or longer workshops on dance, writing, nature, and sustainability. You鈥檒l sleep in shared or private rooms (from $420) and take seaside yoga classes and healing soaks in Esalen鈥檚 hot-springs baths.

For a splurge, check out the two-night听 (from $2,500) at the听听in Miami. It听comes with guided moonlit meditation, a personalized nutrition plan, daily fitness classes, and spa treatments. In January, the hotel is offering new wellness programs from Miami-based life coach听, who will help you create a three-month, six-month, or one-year plan to get your fitness and life goals on track.

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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听

Ohana Festival

Dana Point, California; September 27 to 29

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 $129), 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:听other performers include the Strokes, Incubus, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Between sets, wander over to the storytellers stage to hear inspirational talks from conservation-minded adventurers, artists, and athletes, like freediver Kimi Werner and pro surfer Greg Long. Admission is steep, but part of the proceeds benefits park-loving nonprofits Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association and the San Onofre Foundation.

October听

Great American Beer Festival

Denver, Colorado; October 3 to 5

It鈥檚 all in the name, folks. When it launched in 1982, the听 (from $85) featured two dozen breweries; last year, attendees sampled suds from about 800. 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听Flavs.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, New Mexico;听October 5 to 13

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 $10). 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.听

Arizona Taco Festival

Scottsdale, Arizona; October 12 to 13

Taco enthusiasts, rejoice: heaven awaits at the听 (from $10), 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.

Bridge Day

Fayetteville, West Virginia; October 19

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.

Color the Crag

Steele, Alabama;听October 17 to 20

When Bethany Lebewitz of听听and Mikhail Martin of听Brothers of Climbing听launched听 (from $85) three years ago, it was the first festival of its kind to include and actually prioritize participation by climbers who are people of color, from bouldering newbies to workshop leaders. That鈥檚 not to say that others aren鈥檛 invited; everyone who鈥檚 on board with their mission of more diverse representation in the climbing world is welcome to camp, party, and palm the bulbous boulders scattered around Alabama鈥檚 famed Horse Pens 40. Bonus? The fall foliage here is on point.听

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

New Orleans, Louisiana; October 25 to 27

You could spend Halloween weekend frantically searching for a last-minute costume, or you could be听in New Orleans, blissed out on stellar music and out-of-this-world cuisine. The听 (from $75) has it all, from headlining sets by Guns N鈥� Roses, Beck, and Post Malone听to a next-level food court filled with Cajun cuisine. Scare up some free time (see what we did there?) to roam the festival grounds, where you can enjoy spooky art installations and boozy retreats.

November

Roam Bike Fest

Sedona, Arizona; November 8-10

Ladies, 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, panel discussions, tech clinics, dance parties, and a screening of the听 (from $89). 鈥淏eermosas鈥� with breakfast are optional; stoke is not.听

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