No adventure compares to driving across the United States. I鈥檒l never forget my first coast-to-coast drive. It was two friends and me, post college, in a beat-up Subaru loaded with everything I owned. We took the long way home, starting in the farmlands of Vermont and making out-of-the-way pitstops for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains听of Tennessee, dining at legendary barbecue spots across Mississippi, and listening to live music in New Orleans. We drove west, climbed the highest peak in Texas, ate green chile in New Mexico, and stared into the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Most nights, we slept in a tent and dreamed of where the next day would take us. When we finally crossed the California state line toward our final destination, I remember feeling like I wanted to stay on the road forever.

The cross-country road trip is an American rite, a true pilgrimage where you can plan only so much; the rest will unfold wherever the road goes. These three epic journeys have starting and ending points, as well as some spots that may be worth pulling over for along the way, but what you make of the trip鈥攁nd what you ultimately take away from it鈥攊s up to you.

We鈥檝e picked three routes on major highways that cross the country (for a Southwest specific guide, explore our seven best road trips of that region), but along the way, we鈥檝e provided suggestions for detours and byways that get you off the beaten path and out of your car to stretch your legs, experience local culture, and see the sights you鈥檒l be talking about all the way to your next stop. You鈥檒l pull over for things like meteor craters, giant art installations, and donuts. With visits to roadside national monuments, waterfalls, and hot springs鈥攁nd with stays at unique hotels, campsites, and cabins along the way, these road trips aren鈥檛 just a long drive, they鈥檙e an incredible adventure waiting to happen.

The Music Lover鈥檚 Journey: Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington

Route: Interstate 90

Distance: 3,051 miles

This northern route across the U.S. follows Interstate 90 from east to west, passing by major cities like Cleveland, Chicago, and Minneapolis. But you鈥檒l also touch on some of the country鈥檚 coolest wild spaces, like the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Yellowstone National Park in Montana. Inspire your road trip playlist by checking out the outdoor music venues and festivals throughout this route.

Pitstop: The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Hop on Interstate 90 in Boston and point it west. Your first stop is the Berkshires, a mountainous region filled with charming small towns 120 miles west of Boston. Go for a hike in , then pick up a tangleberry pie or farm-fresh apples from market in Great Barrington. In Stockbridge, the is worth a stop to learn more about American painter Norman Rockwell, who lived in the area, or check the performance calendar at , home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, for major touring acts in this pastoral outdoor music venue. It鈥檚 worth the 30-mile detour off the highway to North Adams to post up for a night or two at (from $194), a revamped motor lodge that hosts guided hikes, live music, and pop-up dinners.

Must See: Niagara Falls, New York

Peel off the highway in Buffalo, New York, for a visit to , America鈥檚 oldest state park and home to its three namesake waterfalls. Grab a yellow poncho and a ticket ($14) to view the falls from below at the observation decks.

Pitstop: Saint Charles, Iowa

Take a detour to visit Saint Charles, Iowa, home to the four-day held each August on a 350-acre plot of grassland. This year鈥檚 headliners include Tyler, the Creator, Kacey Musgraves, and Lana Del Ray. You can camp on site during the festival and hop a free shuttle into nearby Des Moines. If you can鈥檛 make the show, Des Moines still delivers, with 800 miles of trails to explore on foot or bike, including the paved 25-mile , a converted rail-trail with an iconic bridge that鈥檚 lit up at night over the Des Moines River valley. rents bikes.

Pitstop: Black Hills, South Dakota

There鈥檚 tons to see in the Black Hills of South Dakota, including famous highlights like and , as well as lesser known gems like the third longest caves in the world at or the annual buffalo roundup each September in . Grab donuts for the road from , a famed roadside attraction. Stay in a canvas tent among ponderosa pines at (from $179), outside the town of Keystone.

Stretch Your Legs: Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

It鈥檚 not far off I-90 to reach , a geologic monolith with deep roots to indigenous cultures in the northern plains and the country鈥檚 first national monument. Parking and trails can be crowded here, so skip the main lot and hike the 1.5-mile instead鈥攊t鈥檚 less busy and still has good views of the tower.

Pitstop: Bozeman, Montana

Post up at the (from $189) in downtown Bozeman, which has on the property. Stroll Main Street, then take a walk up through Burke Park, a few blocks away, for a nice view of town. It鈥檚 about an hour and 20 minutes drive to reach the north entrance to , known for its geysers and 2.2 million acres of wilderness. If you鈥檙e on the road for music, the in nearby Big Sky takes place in early August.

Pitstop: Coeur d鈥橝lene, Idaho

Home to Lake Coeur d鈥橝lene as well as dozens of smaller lakes, you鈥檒l want to stop in Coeur d鈥橝lene, Idaho, for a swim or a paddle. rents kayaks and paddleboards. on the southern end of Lake Pend Oreille has cabins and campsites (from $48), a , and access to 45 miles of trails for biking and hiking.

Must See: The Gorge Amphitheater, Washington听

Music听breaks up the drive, and there鈥檚 no better place to see live music outdoors in this part of the country than the in Quincy, Washington. There鈥檚 on-site camping during shows and an upcoming lineup that includes Billy Strings and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Stretch Your Legs: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington

Hike to stunning alpine lakes on Snoqualmie Pass, just an hour outside of Seattle on I-90. You鈥檒l need a $5 to access most of the hikes in this area. The 2-mile follows the Snoqualmie River to a 70-foot waterfall. For a more stout climb, the 8.5-mile roundtrip hike to in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a real gem.

Final Stop: Seattle, Washington

Celebrate the end of an epic journey by watching the sunset over the Olympic Mountains and dipping your toes into Puget Sound from Seattle鈥檚 . Stay in the heart of downtown at the (from $189) and you can browse fresh produce and maker鈥檚 stalls outside your door. The 10-mile paved sits right along the waterfront. Want more live music to cap off your trip? The is downtown Seattle鈥檚 coolest music venue.

The Best National Parks Road Trip: San Francisco, California, to Washington, D.C.

Route: Interstate 80 and Interstate 70

Distance: 2,915 miles

Travel across the heartland of the U.S. on this iconic route along I-80 and I-70, passing through stunning western mountain ranges like California鈥檚 Sierra Nevada, Nevada鈥檚 Ruby Mountains, Utah鈥檚 Wasatch, and Colorado鈥檚 Rockies. You鈥檒l visit the great national parks across southern Utah听and hit cities like Denver, Colorado; Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, and Columbus, Ohio, before landing in the country鈥檚 capital.

Pitstop: Lake Tahoe, California

Depart San Francisco on Interstate 80 heading east, leaving the shores of the Pacific Ocean to begin a steady climb toward the mountains of the Sierra Nevada range.听, in the roadside town of Auburn, has good burgers and homemade pies for the road. Lake Tahoe is your first stop, a short but worthy departure from the highway. Stay at the new听 (from $138), which opens in March, and you鈥檒l be steps from the lake. Rent bikes at听 to pedal the world-class singletrack along the听 or grab a paddleboard from听. Don鈥檛 miss dinner at the newly opened, featuring eclectic dishes and locally-sourced ingredients.

Pitstop: Ruby Mountains, Nevada

听There鈥檚 not much on Interstate 80 as you cross Nevada between Reno and Salt Lake City鈥攅xcept for the Ruby Mountains, which spike straight up from the desert floor of the Great Basin. In the winter,听 offers heli-ski access to 200,000 acres of rugged terrain. In the summer, there鈥檚听. Stay at Ruby Mountain Heli鈥檚听 or one of their two mountainside yurts (from $190).

Must See: Great Basin National Park, Nevada

For a national park detour, consider visiting听, which has one of the darkest skies in the world for stargazing. Near the entrance to the park, the听 make for a great overnight stop and snack resupply station.

Pitstop: Moab, Utah

In Salt Lake City, you鈥檒l say goodbye to Interstate 80 and head south to meet up with Interstate 70, but not before spending time to explore the Mighty Five national parks that made southern Utah famous: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. You could spend weeks here鈥攐r just a couple of days. Be sure to book a self-guided or ranger-led hike in the slot canyons of the in Arches National Park and get a permit to hike the exposed rocky cliffside of in Zion National Park. (from $129) makes for a great base camp, or there鈥檚 .

Stretch Your Legs: Glenwood Canyon, Colorado

Get back on I-70 and make your way into Colorado, where scenic Glenwood Canyon makes for a stunning drive along the Colorado River. The paved parallels the highway for over 16 miles, making for an easy biking or running destination. Afterward, stay for a soak in the . A new 16-suite boutique hotel called Hotel 1888 is opening near the hot springs this summer.

Pitstop: Breckenridge, Colorado

Spend the night at (from $320), which opened in early 2025 at the base of Peak 9 at, home to skiing and snowboarding in the winter and biking and hiking come summer. Stroll the charming Main Street of downtown Breck and don鈥檛 miss a visit to the , a 15-foot-tall wooden art installation now located on the town鈥檚 Trollstigen Trail.

Must See: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

It鈥檚 not exactly on the way, but this adventure clearly detours for national parks, so make the trek north to Rocky Mountain National Park, a quiet, snowy paradise in the winter and a fishing and backpacking mecca in the warmer months. The short hikes to and Cub Lake are popular among families. For experienced mountain travelers, Longs Peak is the park鈥檚 most famous 14er鈥擟olorado Mountain School leads guided treks to the peak. Stay overnight in Denver before you head into the plains: (from $189), the country鈥檚 first carbon positive hotel, opened in Denver鈥檚 Civic Center Park late last year.

Stretch Your Legs: Monument Rocks, Kansas

There鈥檚 a on an 80-foot easel鈥攐ne of three in the world鈥攙isible from the highway in the town of Goodland, Kansas. Then, pull over for 50-foot-high fossil rock outcroppings and limestone spires on the Kansas prairie at , which is on private land that鈥檚 open to the public south of Oakley, Kansas, right off I-70. 国产吃瓜黑料 of Topeka, you can visit the , a former school site that commemorates the historic end of racial segregation in public schools.

Pitstop: St. Louis, Missouri

Next stop on your national park tour? The of St. Louis. You can ride a tram 630 feet to the top of the arch, walk the palatial grounds beneath the architectural wonder, or admire the arch from a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River. The (from $149) is housed in a historic shoe company building and has a rooftop pool and restaurant overlooking the city. is a public market with a food hall, retail shops, and live music, and don鈥檛 miss brunch amid a plant nursery at the city鈥檚 .

Pitstop: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio听

Ohio has but one national park and it鈥檚 worth the detour to visit: has paddling along the Cuyahoga River, 20 miles of multi-use pathways along the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, and 125 miles of hiking trails through woodlands and wetlands. There鈥檚 no camping within the national park but has tent camping (from $40) nearby or the (from $200) is within the park and on the National Register of Historic Homes.

Final Stop: Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Maryland

End your national parks tour of the U.S. with a visit to the . The C&O Canal follows the Potomac River for 184 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Washington, D.C. It makes for a great walk or bike ride. Pitch a tent at one of the free hiker or biker campsites or pull your car up to one of a handful of drive-in sites (from $10). Or you can stay in a (from $175) along the canal.

The History Buff鈥檚 Tour of the U.S.: Los Angeles, California, to Charlottesville, Virginia

Route: Interstate 40

Distance: 2,696 miles

This pilgrimage sticks to one highway only for most of the way: Interstate 40, which starts in the Mojave Desert of California and crosses the southern portion of the U.S., over the Rocky Mountains and through the Great Plains and the Appalachian Mountains. It traverses Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Much of the western route parallels the historic U.S. Route 66, so it feels like a throwback to another era, a perfect journey for those who love learning about our nation鈥檚 past.

Pitstop: Mojave National Preserve, California

听You can watch a drive-in movie, visit a ghost town, or hike through lava tubes in . You can鈥檛 miss a visit to , an hour away, for stellar stargazing, rock climbing, and 300 miles of hiking trails. Stay in an adobe bungalow at the centrally located (from $195), which has an on-site farm, restaurant, and picnic lunches to go.

Stretch Your Legs: Lake Havasu, Arizona

will deliver you a kayak or paddleboard to explore the waters of the , once a major tributary on the lower Colorado River and one of the last ecologically functioning river habitats in the southwest.

Pitstop: Flagstaff, Arizona

Post up at the (from $109) in Flagstaff, Arizona, and then go explore the sights around Flagstaff, including , an hour and a half north. The 3-mile , along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, makes for a mellow stroll. The on Route 66 in Flagstaff used to be a historic taxidermy shop and is now a popular bar for country music and line dancing.

Must See: Meteor Crater National Landmark

Yep, you鈥檙e pulling off the highway to see this: The most preserved meteorite impact site on earth is right off I-40 near Winslow, Arizona. For a $29 admission at the , you can sign up for a guided hike of the crater鈥檚 rim.

Stretch Your Legs: Continental Divide Trail; Grants, New Mexico

听You鈥檙e passing from one side of the Continental Divide to the other: Might as well get out of the car and go for a trail run or hike along the Continental Divide Trail, which crosses Interstate 40 near the town of Grants, New Mexico.

Pitstop: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Take a detour off I-40 in Albuquerque to spend a night or two in Santa Fe, the highest elevation capital city in the U.S., which sits at 7,000 feet in the high desert. Splurge on a night at (from $645), a full-service retreat in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristos. For art and history buffs, the and the are well worth a visit.

Must See: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

You鈥檝e already seen the actual Grand Canyon, so now it鈥檚 time to see the Grand Canyon of Texas, in , 25 miles outside of Amarillo. The park has camping and cabins, an 800-foot-deep canyon, mountain bike trails, and an outdoor stage where actors perform a Texas musical.

Pitstop: Hot Springs, Arkansas

You鈥檒l come to Hot Springs for the historic bathhouses and modern-day spa resorts. At , you can soak in one of two original bathhouses. Want to learn about some of the country鈥檚 most infamous criminals? , in downtown Hot Springs, has exhibits on Al Capone and Owen Madden. The (from $169) is housed in a centrally located historic building. Don鈥檛 miss: is the only brewery in the world that uses thermal spring water for its beers.

Must See: Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas

If you鈥檙e into geologic history, add a visit to Arkansas鈥� , where you can dig for minerals and gems in a 37-acre field on an eroded volcanic crater. (And yes, notable diamonds have been discovered here.)

Pitstop: Nashville, Tennessee

From the music scene to the foodie paradise, you might never want to leave Nashville. Stay in one of eight suites in a 19th century mansion at (from $306), where wood-fired pizzas are served in the backyard. The currently has exhibits on Luke Combs and Rosanne Cash. Go for a walk or run in or take a guided bike tour of the city鈥檚 murals and street art with .

Pitstop: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, you can hike to waterfalls like Mouse Creek Falls or Mingo Falls, fish for brook trout, or bike the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road, which is closed to cars on Wednesdays from May through September. The coolest place in the park to sleep? The (from $189), located atop Mount Le Conte and accessible only via foot. Open from March through November, the lodge requires at least a five-mile hike to reach. Bookings for this year are mostly snatched up already, but you can get on the waitlist or plan ahead for next year.

Final Stop: Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

Your trip finale comes in the form of ditching Interstate 40 in exchange for a meandering drive along the , a 469-mile stretch through the Appalachian Mountains and one of the most scenic roadways in America. You鈥檒l stop to see Whitewater Falls, the east coast鈥檚 tallest waterfall at 411 feet, and the rugged Linville Gorge Wilderness. Stay nearby at (from $175), which opened in the mountain town of Highlands in 2024 with a supper club and Nordic spa. They鈥檒l also book you outdoor excursions, ranging from rock climbing to fly fishing.

Megan Michelson is an 国产吃瓜黑料 contributing editor who loves long drives, even when her two children are whining in the backseat. She has recently written about Airbnb treehouses, the most beautiful long walks in the world, and the 10 vacations that will help you live longer.听

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Washington, DC is justly famous as America鈥檚 capital city and home to many of the world鈥檚 best free museums and monuments. That distinction alone makes it well worth a visit, but those who scratch the marble fa莽ade will find a city bubbling with energy and full of surprises. Long celebrated as Chocolate City, DC鈥檚 cultural cake is now layered with flavors from every corner of America and the globe, adding breadth to the city鈥檚 world-class dining, music, and art. A bright, modern Metro system teleports visitors to dozens of neighborhoods, each with its own history and charm, spread over geography that鈥檚 uniquely suited to outdoor adventures. It鈥檚 a city of two rivers, crisscrossed with protected bike lanes and trails, and brimming with free attractions, including miles of greenspace plus America鈥檚 oldest urban national park. So how would you spend a long weekend in the District? Start with this sample itinerary that includes DC鈥檚 most accessible and interesting adventures.

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The National Park Service intends to evict residents of Washington, D.C.鈥檚 largest homeless encampment on February 15, two months earlier than previously planned, .

The decision could impact up to 70 people living in the camp, which is located in McPherson Square, two blocks away from the White House. As of Wednesday morning, only 15 of the 70 people living in tents at McPherson Square had been approved to receive housing assistance, and ten more were awaiting approval, the Post reported. According to Wayne Turnage, the city鈥檚 deputy mayor for health and human services, the rest 鈥渉ad simply refused to engage with our team.鈥� But people living at the park, located in downtown D.C., said the city has provided them little support over the past few months.

Now, residents are being forced out in the middle of what the local department of health and human services calls 鈥攖he period from November 1 to April 15 when the temperature or wind chill often reaches 32 degrees or below.

McPherson Square is , which are managed by the NPS.听

Previously, the McPherson Square encampment was scheduled to be cleared by April 12, closer to when hypothermia season in D.C. would end. But on January 9, Turnage asked the NPS to move up the date of the encampment clearing, according to a January 27 letter from Jeffrey Reinbold, the National Mall and Memorial Parks superintendent.

鈥淪pecifically, the District reports that contracted social service providers and mental health clinicians feel increasingly unsafe working at McPherson Square and are unable to provide on-site services to an encampment of this size,鈥� Reinbold says in the letter, .

Reinbold also said the NPS has received increasing complaints of 鈥渢rash and debris blocking public access, prostitution, open air drug and alcohol use, and public harassment of residents and visitors to the area.鈥澨�

The increase in criminal activity, he added, could have been exacerbated by the NPS鈥檚 December closure of , where violence and drug use was common. In the past year, U.S. Park Police say they have made 30 arrests at McPherson Square, and three people have died from drug overdoses there.听

The decision to close the McPherson Square encampment later this month was prompted by 鈥渋mminent health and safety risks,鈥� Reinbold said.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the NPS has stopped enforcing its regulations against camping in D.C. But it鈥檚 slowly starting to clear encampments again, with the goal of fully enforcing the law in the district by the end of 2023, .

To assist with the clearing, D.C. will bus residents out of McPherson Square and distribute warm clothing, Turnage told DCist.

Resident Bernice Norman that McPherson Square is 鈥渘ot a safe place.鈥�

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of drama that goes on here at nighttime,鈥� Norman said.

But she wonders where her neighbors will go if the NPS moves forward with the eviction in a couple weeks.听

鈥淪ome of them have friends, some of them have families, some of them don’t. Some of them might go to a shelter. Some of them might go to a hospital. Some of them might go to jail,鈥� she said.

The post It鈥檚 the Middle of Winter. The NPS Still Plans to Evict a D.C. Homeless Encampment. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

As a former mountain guide, wilderness therapy instructor, and trail worker, and now an obsessed recreationist, I鈥檝e spent hundreds of nights sleeping outside in tents, under tarps, in yurts, portaledges, and bivy sacks. But nothing is better than landing in the perfect hut for a night or two to get away from it all. I love the fire towers in Washington, where I live, the ski-in mountain huts in British Columbia across the border, and the cozy tree houses scattered around the Pacific Northwest.

While many remote cabins require specific skills to reach, there are numerous huts with easy access right under our noses in the U.S. Virtually no experience is needed for a great experience, making the perfect backcountry weekend a reachable goal for everyone.

From Virginia to the Midwest, from Alaska to Hawaii, these backcountry huts provide the opportunity for all ages to experience nature, solitude, and the pleasures of hut life. With approaches ranging from zero to just under four miles, and with some ADA accessible, they are perfect for grandparents, babies, and everyone in between.

Cotten Cabin, Porcupine Mountains, Michigan

Hiking Distance: 1 Mile

This mostly flat state, shaped like a mitten, may not be the first place you think of for remote mountain settings. The Upper Peninsula, or the UP, as locals call it, is unlike the rest of the region, though. Here, adjacent to Lake Superior, lie the forested Porcupine Mountains, and within them is a cabin located only a mile from the parking area.

While there are 15 other cabins in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Cotten Cabin is the newest addition, a rustic and beautiful three-room log cabin. You must carry in your own water, and there is no electricity: perfect for disconnecting and catching up on sleep.

Closer to Minneapolis than Detroit, and just across the Wisconsin border, this 60,000-acre state park is far from any big city. The closest major airport is in Marquette, approximately 140 miles away. Getting to the 鈥淧orkies鈥� may feel like traveling to the edge of the country, and in fact it is, as Canada lies less than 150 miles north, with the border starting in the middle of Lake Superior, on which the cabin sits. With plenty of easy hiking trails nearby, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities in the winter, and even a ski resort within the park, the area offers plenty to do.

The Cabin: The Cotten Cabin is a 24- by 30-foot log structure with three rooms, mattresses, and even a living room for gazing out at the magical lake view below. It is perfect for families, relaxing and bonding over board games, star gazing, and staying up by a warm fire.

Booking Tips: $135 per night. Make reservations online; select 鈥淏ackcountry鈥� under the camping tab. Cabin is for all seasons.

Blue Lakes Hiking Hut, San Juan Mountains, Colorado

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

The mountains of Colorado are a backcountry-hut paradise. Set in the San Juan Mountains in the southwest corner of the state, the San Juan Hut System offers four hiking huts, with off-grid accommodations for visitors of all abilities. The Blue Lakes Hiking Hut, sitting under towering Mount Sneffels, feels far from civilization, but requires no approach when you book the cabin during May, part of October, and November. Other than those times, the cabin is reserved for people hiking the four-night, five-day Sneffels Traverse.

The Hut: There鈥檚 no electricity or running water here, though a wood stove and propane lanterns provide ambiance and warmth. Sleeping eight people via padded bunk beds, this cozy haven is a perfect jumping-off point for hiking in summer, skiing in winter if you have the backcountry experience, or kicking back with a book.

Booking Tips: , $30 per night during the 鈥渙ff season鈥� of May, part of October, and November. Reservations made over the phone at 970-626-3033. Visit during off season.

Heybrook Lookout, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington

Hiking Distance: 1 Mile

Sixty-seven feet tall, overlooking the impressive Wild Sky Wilderness, an old fire tower welcomes campers who are up for a short but steep one-mile hike, ending with 84 steps up to a private cabin at the top. This site is incredibly popular and hard to reserve, so plan ahead. Availability is released on a six-month rolling basis starting on November 1, so to score this distinctive backcountry spot will take persistence and luck.

While fire lookouts are endlessly fascinating, there are only 93 left in the state of Washington, compared to over 600 in the early to mid-1900s, and the public is only allowed to enter a handful. Heybrook Lookout is unique among them in that you can reserve it solely for your own party, though other visitors will still be allowed to climb most of the tower, at least up to the door, which you can lock. (You get a key from the Skykomish Ranger Station.)

The Lookout: Inside the lookout are a twin-size bed and several extra floor mattresses. It comes complete with a propane stove, cookware, and a coffee pot, but you鈥檒l need to walk back down the stairs to use the toilet. The lookout is available May 1 through October 31 with reservation availability released on a six-month rolling basis.

Booking Tips: $75 per night. Log on first thing November 1 to get in ahead of the competition. All seasons.

Coyote Yurts, Smoky Mountains, Idaho

Hiking Distance: 0.3 Miles

Since 1982, Sun Valley Mountain Huts has provided shelter for hikers and skiers to escape the crowded resorts nearby. The system is comprised of six huts located in the Sawtooth Forest, with the Coyote Yurts being the easiest to get to: just one-third of a mile from the car in summer. The Coyote Yurts are two separate dwellings that sleep 19 total, connected by a porch and looking out on the Boulder and Pioneer mountains.

In winter, with road closures, the full trek to the yurts is six miles, but with the option of a snowmobile ride for the first four of those. You can hire a ski guide through in the winter or a hiking or mountain-bike guide in the summer. You can arrange a shuttle or a porter to carry provisions (food, beer, gear, etc.) through Sun Valley Mountain Huts, or be self-sufficient and bring your own food and supplies.

The Yurts: The beauty of a yurt is in its circular construction and impermanence, made famous by nomadic peoples in Mongolia. Staying in a yurt feels comforting and cozy, and the Coyote Yurts, each with a wood stove for warmth and with a three-burner stove in the cooking space, offer plenty of opportunities for kicking up feet and sipping on hot beverages.

Booking Tips: , $440 per night. Book online or call 208-788-1966. Visit in summer.

Range View Cabin, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Hiking Distance: 0.9 Miles

Offering a way to go from our nation鈥檚 capital to a remote cabin in just a few hours, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club provides access to 42 cabins throughout Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. One of the most accessible is the Range View Cabin in Shenandoah National Park.

Per its mission statement, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club acquires and protects the lands of the Appalachian Trail, other trails, and related facilities in the Mid-Atlantic. Club members and volunteers manage each cabin in the system, with routine maintenance, building and renovation, even stonemasonry work. The primary role of the thousand-plus volunteers is maintaining trails and facilities, meaning there is always an opportunity to stay in a cabin and give back at the same time.

From the Range View Cabin, opportunities abound for exploring Shenandoah National Park, known for beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous hikes, and access to wildlife. Just .1 miles off the Appalachian Trail, the cabin is a great base camp for day hiking, backpacking, or people-watching and greeting thru-hikers as they tackle the rugged trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine.

The Cabin: This one-room stone cabin has been in operation since 1933. It is sparse and bare-boned, but the wood floors, intricate stonework, and wooden beams give it appeal. A $40 individual annual membership to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club gives you access to all the cabins in the network, while 18 of them are open to nonmembers from a range of $35 to $145 for a standard weekend night. The Range View Cabin, considered a primitive cabin, costs $50 for a weekend night, and sleeps up to eight.

Booking Tips: , $35 per night average. Online booking closes 12 days before rental starts. Last-minute bookings can be made by calling 703-242-0315. All seasons.

Holua Cabin, Haleakala National Park, Hawaii

Hiking Distance: 3.7 Miles

The Holua Cabin in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is the farthest-away hut on this list. At 3.7 miles, this hike requires some stamina, though hiring pack animals to bring in gear can ease the approach. The H艒lua Cabin sits at the base of the Haleakala volcano crater. You can explore further into the crater itself via a well-maintained trail system.

Some endangered species can only be seen in Haleakala National Park, including exotic birds such as the 驶颈驶飞颈, 驶补尘补办颈丑颈, and 驶补辫补辫补苍别. Over 400 native plants are found within the park boundaries, due to the vast ecosystems that extend from the highest point, at 10,023 feet, down to sea level. There is a rich history of human influence in the area, beginning with the Polynesians, the first humans to discover the Hawaiian Islands. A stop in at the visitors center to view the rotating museum displays, which range from archeology to botany, gives visitors a chance to learn about the history of the park where the Holua cabin lies.

The Cabin: The Holua Cabin and two other cabins in the national park have bunk beds that sleep up to 12 people and contain a wood stove and firewood. You bring your own sleeping bags. Each cabin is unpretentious and basic, with no cell reception and minimal amenities. Each site has a vault toilet.

Booking Tips: , $75 per night. All seasons.

Ananda Treehouse, Fall City, Washington

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

Our most accessible hut, really a treehouse, is also ADA compliant, inviting anyone to enjoy the forest in the Pacific Northwest. The Ananda treehouse is one of seven treehouses comprising Treehouse Point, the brainchild of Pete Nelsen, host of the Animal Planet show Treehouse Masters.

Treehouse Point is extremely popular, booked throughout the year by many wedding parties, and it is difficult but not impossible to secure a rental. Starting at $550 for a night, Ananda isn鈥檛 a rustic experience, more like an elegant getaway.

The Treehouse: While not exactly in the backcountry, the treehouses offer a remote feel and a unique opportunity to relax while suspended amongst giant western cedar and Douglas fir trees. Each treehouse is designed for privacy and intimacy, creating a luxurious and restorative getaway. The Ananda treehouse has a king-sized bed, a bathroom, and a private deck that overlooks the Raging River below.

Booking Tips: , $550-$625 per night. All seasons.

Triple Creek Cabin, Huntington, Vermont

Hiking Distance: 250 Yards

In the land of maple syrup and sharp white cheese, it鈥檚 easy to cozy up to a fireplace in a cabin in the woods any season. But you don鈥檛 have to have a family cabin passed down through the generations or spend a fortune on a five-star Airbnb to have an amazing backcountry experience. The Vermont Hut Association operates 11 backcountry dwellings, from yurts to a log cabin to modern wood-clad huts.

The Triple Creek Cabin, a winter-only hut in the Green Mountains, is a mere 250 yards from the car, but feels much more removed. The place is situated along the 300-mile Catamount Trail, which stretches over the entire state from Canada to Massachusetts, giving nordic skiers, snowshoers, and backcountry skiers access to snow and winter terrain. You can also hop on a groomed cross-country ski trail with an adult day pass (an inexpensive $15) to Camel鈥檚 Hump Nordic Ski Area, which offers 35 miles of groomed and wooded trails. Camel鈥檚 Hump is one of the few nordic ski areas in Vermont that allow dogs on the ski trails.

The Cabin: The Triple Creek Cabin has the basics: a wood stove, three-burner stove, and an outhouse, but what stands out is the beautiful windows that filter winter light into the hut, creating a comfortable and reflective environment. The hut is quite intimate, allowing only four visitors, but with a sleeping loft to duck away to at night; and with a small table and chairs for eating and playing games, it feels bigger than it first appears. Each of the 11 dwellings within the Vermont Hut Association鈥檚 network is different in construction and layout. The Triple Creek Cabin has a classic gable roof, small porch, and large front door. Privately held properties make up the hut system, allowing the public to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding lands without breaking the bank.

Booking Tips: , $90-$95 per night. All seasons.

Tilly Jane A-Frame, Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

Hiking Distance: 0.25 Mile

On the south side of Mount Hood, Timberline Mountain ski area operates well into summer. While kids鈥� ski camps are taking place on one side of the mountain, on the other side, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a lovely backcountry cabin on the shadier northern slopes. In summertime, it鈥檚 a short quarter-mile hike to reach the cabin through the Tilly Jane Campground. The 2.7 mile winter journey to the cabin should only be undertaken by folks with backcountry avalanche training and extensive snow travel experience.

The cabin itself is large, allowing up to 20 people鈥攐ften people you鈥檝e never met鈥攖o sleep under one roof. Evergreen trees surround the building, creating an enveloping tunnel of greenery. The solid timber structure was built in the late 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is now maintained by the Oregon Nordic Club.

The Cabin: Numerous benches, picnic tables, and chairs line the cabin, perfect for mingling. More of a communal hang than a quaint hut, this place is meant for big gatherings and celebrations. The upstairs loft has plenty of space for catching some Z鈥檚, but with the inevitability of snoring as likely background noise. There are lots of hooks and taut lines of cordage to hang up wet gear, and the outdoor firepit is a great place to get some fresh air.

Booking Tips: , $20 per night. Visit in summer.

Ollie Mayer Hikers鈥� Hut, Sam McDonald Park, California

Hiking Distance: 1.7 Miles

This small hut is perfect for San Francisco city dwellers. Only 50 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge, the park and the hut are easily reached by urbanites looking for a wilderness escape. The Ollie Mayer Hikers鈥� Hut is easily accessed via a straightforward 1.7-mile hike on a dirt road. Tucked among redwood trees, the hut is an ideal jumping-off place for exploring the forested and grassy knolls of Sam McDonald Park.

There are many mellow hiking trails to choose from in the park, and horseback riding is a popular activity on five dedicated trails. Operated by the Sierra Club, with fees of only $30 per weekend night per person, this hut is a worthy destination for almost anyone, no matter the age.

The Hut: There is electricity, a refrigerator, a microwave, and an indoor bathroom. This cabin is less about roughing it, and more about enjoying peace and quiet in a beautiful setting. A large deck out front offers lounging on the many sunny days the region sees throughout the year. The cabin is within the Santa Cruz Mountains, which have a mild climate, with snowfall a few times each year.

Booking Tips: , $20-$30 per night. Must email olliemayerhikershut@gmail.com for reservations. Reservations are accepted only for three calendar months in advance. All seasons.

Bonus Hut: Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park, Alaska

Hiking Distance: 0 Miles

We include this (11th) one for fun and daydreams as well as the zero-distance, fly-in only approach. The Sheldon Chalet, deep within Denali National Park, may be the most alluring hut in the world. It is a luxury experience like no other, an exclusive vacation for those willing to pay the whopping $35,500 price per couple for a three-night minimum stay.

Set within the Don Sheldon Amphitheater of the Ruth Glacier, just 10 miles from the summit of Denali, the Sheldon Chalet occupies a place previously only accessible by mountain climbers. The views of enormous mountains right out the door is breathtaking, as is the required helicopter ride to and from the chalet.

The Chalet: With a sauna, hot showers, and private chef at hand, you will be pampered throughout your stay. Activities include 鈥済ourmet glacier picnic,鈥� 鈥渟tar and meteor shower gazing,鈥� and 鈥渁valanche viewing.鈥� There are both private rooms and a common area, so you can mingle with other guests or enjoy peace and quiet. This chalet takes backcountry lodging to a whole other level of luxury.

Booking Tips: , $75,000 for up to four people for an exclusive three-night minimum.. Call 907-733-2414 for reservations. All season.

Hut-Life Tips and Tricks

Despite the ease of access to these huts, having the right gear (think rain jacket, hiking footwear, trekking poles), knowing the weather forecast (), bringing safety equipment (first aid kit, headlamp), and having proper navigation tools is imperative. It鈥檚 possible to get lost in the backcountry, even on a short trek. Using , a navigational app with maps available to reach the huts on this list, is a great way to know where you are at all times, and to have a backup in case you get lost. Check out the , a list of important items recommended to carry in the backcountry. Above all, have common sense, use good judgment, and stay within your capabilities.

David Gladish is a Seattle-based writer who has hiked, climbed, surfed, skied, and mountain unicycled all over the world. He has visited mountain huts near and far, from the shelter along the Laugavegur trail in Iceland, to those of the Rees-Dart track in New Zealand. His favorite local huts are the fire lookouts in his home state of Washington.

How to Get Reservations at These Popular National Parks in 2023

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The hub of American political culture, Washington, D.C., is also one of the most active and ambitious running cities in the nation. Along with its historical monuments, the nation鈥檚 capital city boasts hundreds of miles of running trails in the greater metro area and a diverse running-club scene. D.C. also hosts one of the biggest running events of the year: the Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 the best urban running environment in the country,鈥� says Kerry Allen, an elite runner who trains with the . Here鈥檚 our guide to the city鈥檚 vibrant running culture, featuring tips from local runners on their favorite trails to explore, races to enter, and spots to grab a pre-run coffee or post-run drink.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting D.C.

Be prepared for sweltering summer weather. While summer is the peak tourist season in the nation鈥檚 capital, it鈥檚 also very with a typical July high of 89 degrees. Not exactly ideal for running. Consider visiting in early spring or fall for the best running weather. Bonus: you鈥檒l have fewer crowds to work around.

Find local running clubs to link up with. D.C. is home to many local that host free social runs and events that are open to anyone. It鈥檚 a great way to meet other runners to explore the city with.

Don鈥檛 rent a car. D.C. is infamous for its terrible traffic. The city鈥檚 grid layout, however, makes it easy for pedestrians to navigate, and it has an extensive and convenient public transportation system. Consider purchasing a for your stay; your stress levels will benefit. Fares for Metro rides vary based on the ride length, day, and time you ride. You can use this听 site to calculate your fare or buy an unlimited pass ($13 for one day, $28 for three days, and $58 for a week).

Local Running Scene

The Washington, D.C., running community is extremely active, supportive, and community-minded. Whether you are a competitive runner, training for your first marathon, or just hoping to meet up for a quick jog before grabbing a beer, there鈥檚 a spot for you in D.C. Local runners say there鈥檚 always a group to run with or a bar or brewery run to join. You鈥檒l never feel lonely on the roads or trails at any time of the day.

鈥淭he thing I love about D.C. is that it is a little bit more of a Type A city than some other cities, so you will find people running at 5 o鈥檆lock in the morning and also 11 at night,鈥� says Elyse Braner, community manager at Pacers Running, a chain of local running stores. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l always have company out on the roads.鈥�

has three locations in the city and three nearby in Virginia.听The stores host free several nights per week, offering a variety of routes, distances, and paces, including track workouts, trail runs, and a new walking option. Joining a social run is a great way to mingle with local runners and get a taste of the community. 鈥淲e always head to a favorite local hangout after,鈥� says Braner.

Being community-focused is a distinguishing trait of D.C. running culture, says Guillermo Leon, a group-run leader for the (DCCS), which meets at several locations in D.C. and Virginia during the week. 鈥淲e try to help out the small businesses and restaurants that were struggling in the D.C. area because of COVID,鈥� Leon says. DCCS also cleans local parks on their Saturday runs.

D.C. is home to competitive groups as well. is one of the more structured and exclusive running groups in the city, made up of elite and sub-elite runners meeting twice a week for workouts. Still, Allen says, on non-practice days they integrate themselves into the greater D.C. running community by running with other groups and joining in local running events. The are another local training group that meets for practice six days a week with some sessions open to all comers. The group also offers an elite development program.

Races and Running Events

Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

The Credit Union Cherry Blossom, one of the most iconic , takes place every year on the first Sunday in April, coinciding with the peak bloom of the city鈥檚 famous cherry blossoms and the . The race, founded in 1973, attracts an international field. The course takes in many of the city鈥檚 historic landmarks, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and Rock Creek Park. In 2019, the race had over 17,000 participants. The Cherry Blossom uses , or you can .

鈥淚t brings out all different types of runners, from some of the best in the country to people for whom this is their one big challenge a year,鈥� GRC鈥檚 Allen says.

Marine Corps Marathon听

The anchors the D.C. fall running calendar. Established in 1976, 鈥淭he People鈥檚 Marathon,鈥� with a field of around 30,000, is the fourth-largest marathon in the United States, and the largest marathon in the world that doesn鈥檛 offer prize money.

The MCM is typically held on the last Sunday of October. The USA Track and Field鈥揷ertified course begins in Arlington, Virginia, and takes runners past several D.C. landmarks. After looping around the National Mall, the course ends back in Virginia at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Army Ten-Miler Race and Expo

The second-largest ten-mile race in the country, the attracts more than 35,000 runners from around the globe. The race, sponsored by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, is held every October in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Freedom 5K at President Lincoln鈥檚 Cottage听

The unique, family-friendly Freedom 5K is held at President Lincoln鈥檚 Cottage on September 22, the date Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.

The course winds through an idyllic landscape past ponds, fields, and historic buildings, eventually ending at the lawn of Lincoln鈥檚 cottage in northwest Washington, D.C. The race is combined with the associated nonprofit鈥檚 Family Day, so runners with kids may want to stick around for a day full of free activities, including pony rides, art projects, and storytelling. (Donations are encouraged to help preserve the historic space, fund tours, and provide educational resources.)

Pacers Running Races听

puts on a number of popular running events in the Washington, D.C., area. A few favorites among local runners are the in September, the in November, and the 鈥攁 destination race in September. Braner says that the D.C. half is a popular race to participate in and includes both a half-marathon race and a two-or-three-person half-marathon relay. The company also hosts the 鈥攁 ten-mile race in April鈥攁nd a race in December.

Pacers also organizes historical and cultural running events throughout the year, like the series of Black History Month group runs, touring culturally and historically significant Black landmarks in northwest D.C. It鈥檚 planning to organize similar runs for and Earth Day.

鈥淒.C. is filled with history and important moments and important figures, so it鈥檚 really great for people who love history and current events and politics who are also runners,鈥� Braner says.

Where to Run

National Mall

The most iconic D.C. run loops around the National Mall, which stretches for nearly two miles from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The cinder path circles the Washington Monument, with the White House off to the side, and passes a number of other monuments and museums. is just under five miles. You can continue a bit past the Capitol to the Supreme Court building to extend your run, or, on the other end, loop down around the Tidal Basin and alongside the Martin Luther King and Jefferson Memorials. From there, it鈥檚 easy to add on the flat, 4.4-mile loop of , with views over the Potomac. This is a popular tourist location, so try heading out early in the morning to avoid crowds.

鈥淩unning is a really great way to sightsee all the monuments because the monuments are very far apart if you鈥檙e walking,鈥� Allen says.

Leon鈥檚 D.C. Capital Striders run group meets at the Smithsonian Bikeshare Station near the Mall. He leads his group to hidden gems in the area that aren鈥檛 as obvious, such as murals or less famous landmarks. 鈥淚 try to look for things that we haven鈥檛 seen or visited before,鈥� says Leon. On the last run, he took the group past the , an art center that was formerly a church.

Rock Creek Park

With over 1,700 acres of shaded woods, massive Rock Creek Park offers options to run on bike paths or soft-surface trails. Allen says this is the best place to run in Washington, D.C. 鈥淵ou can go there multiple days a week and have a totally different running experience, depending on where you鈥檙e going,鈥� she says.

Because the area is wooded and heavily shaded, it offers a small reprieve from the bustle of the city. 鈥淵ou can get some of your more technical trail runs in and you feel like you鈥檙e out of the city,鈥� Braner says. 鈥�. You鈥檒l see tons of runners through there on the weekends.鈥�

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

The 鈥攁lso known as the C&O trail鈥攊s a gravel trail stretching 184.5 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland. This is a great option for a long run. You can start at the Georgetown Visitor Center at Wisconsin and M Streets. It鈥檚 also accessible from Rock Creek Park.

Ten miles along the canal you鈥檒l find the a 100-acre park with numerous hiking trails one mile north of the Capital Beltway. 鈥淭his is a beautiful, classic spot with some great views,鈥� says Jerry Greenlaw, a member of the Georgetown Running Club. But, he warns, it can get packed on nice days.

Anacostia Riverwalk Trail

For a place to get in a tempo workout or time trial, or just for a great water view, check out the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, beginning on Anacostia Drive. The route, which continues for 20 miles on both sides of the Anacostia River, is part of the Riverwalk Trail System鈥攁 new recreational amenity in D.C. The trail is about 11 feet wide and designed to accommodate cyclists, runners, and walkers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 paved and flat, so I go there if I want to do a 5K time trial for myself or just kind of get some speed in my legs,鈥� Braner says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also just a beautiful trail along the Anacostia River. And it鈥檚 close to the Navy Yard neighborhood, which is where a lot of great bar spots are.鈥�

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Another place to escape from the city is , an 88.5-acre national park in the middle of the Potomac River with wooded lands and swamps. The island is closed to traffic and bikes, so it can be traveled only听on foot. The area has flat dirt trails, great for getting in a scenic shakeout run or a hike.

To get there, you can run along the Georgetown Waterfront and across the Key Bridge, then loop back down to the river on the bike path to the pedestrian bridge over the Potomac.

Where to Stay

For a central location near the mall with great running spots right outside your door, stay in . The area is known for its funky caf茅s, hip restaurants, museums, and art galleries. If you鈥檙e looking for more nightlife, (along P Street and running north on 14th Street) is nearby.

If you want to be in the center of political activity, and right next to Rock Creek Park, (named for the fog that often lingers in the neighborhood) is at the western edge of Georgetown, locked in by 17th Street. It鈥檚 where the U.S. Department of State, Kennedy Center, and other major political institutions are located.

For high-end charm, the neighborhood offers shops, cobblestone streets, riverfront bike paths, and some of D.C.鈥檚 best restaurants.

For easy access to public transportation and a lively atmosphere, stay in the area of the city (north of East Capitol Street and east of North Capitol Street). The area houses Union Station, where you can catch the Metro, Amtrak, and other public transportation.

If you want to lodge somewhere truly runner-centric, check out the in the West End neighborhood. Braner says it鈥檚 great for travelers from out of town as well as for grabbing a drink. (She recommends the Fashionably Whet Martini.) The manager is a Pacers Runner Ambassador, so the hotel hosts many of the company鈥檚 themed social runs.

Where to Fuel (and Drink) Up

Brunch and Quick Bites

For post-run refueling, Allen says the runner-approved Bullfrog Bagels and are two of her favorite chains. In addition to locations around the city, you can find Call Your Mother bagels at Yours Truly Hotel鈥檚 restaurant,

Leon says the D.C. Capital Striders like to end some runs at , a Cuban-food caf茅 with delicious bowls, empanadas, toast, and coffee drinks on the wharf south of the Mall. Local runners also recommend 鈥攁n Armenian restaurant serving great food and famously strong lattes north of Dupont Circle, not far from Rock Creek Park.

Dining

Thanks to the rich immigrant influence in the city, D.C. offers a wide selection of world cuisines as well as traditional American food.

In northwest D.C., Greenlaw recommends visiting 鈥檚 for Middle Eastern cuisine or grabbing a bowl of ramen on H Street near Chinatown. D.C. is famous for having some of the best Ethiopian food in the country, and local runner Keith Carlson recommends over on U Street or on 9th Street in northwest D.C.

For a happy hour, head to , a D.C. Capital Striders post-run hangout, also in northwest D.C., where you can find deals on Mondays for drinks as well as tacos. , another of the group鈥檚 favorite places to grab post-run food, serves gourmet pizza in three D.C. locations: Navy Yard, Chinatown, and Foggy Bottom. If you want a place with multiple delicious options, check out the Roost, a food hall on Capitol Hill with something for everyone.

Looking to splurge and carbo-load before a race? Check out 鈥攁 famed Italian restaurant with elegant decor, known as a presidential favorite. Head to 14th Street and U Street later in the evening for nightlife and a wide selection of restaurants. If you find yourself out after hours, is a famous joint for late-night food.

Bars and Breweries

Washington, D.C., is packed with independently owned breweries. Some favorites among the Pacers social-run groups are , in the Navy Yard neighborhood, and or , in Alexandria, Virginia.

If you love hazy IPAs, , off New York Avenue, is one of Allen鈥檚 favorite taprooms in the city. For a beer somewhere more casual, Greenlaw recommends Solly鈥檚, a tavern on U Street. If craft cocktails are your thing, check out , in Barracks Row over in southeast D.C. For a simple beer after a run, head to in Navy Yard, where you can also grab a slice of .

Political junkies should check out 鈥攁n upscale hotel bar and a favorite haunt of politicians. Greenlaw recommends going to a rooftop bar to grab drinks at night. Some favorites among locals include and with its stunning view overlooking the White House.

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Spring break is coming up soon, and it doesn鈥檛 have to be synonymous with expensive or crowded. You can get away from it all on a dime if you know where to go.听Plus, you鈥檒l find plenty of good reasons to travel at this time of year, from blooming wildflowers听to听corn snow.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

The wildflowers in 620,000-acre听, two hours northeast of San Diego, are stunning come springtime. Take a hike along 18.9 miles听of the Pacific Crest Trail, which cuts through it, or the four-mile , and you鈥檒l spot blooming yuccas, cacti, sunflowers, dandelions, and desert lilies. The flowering usually starts in late February or early March and lasts through May, but call the park鈥檚 wildflower hotline (760-767-4684) for the latest update. Stay at the 15-room听 (from $175), or use Hipcamp to find听a听听at a nearby retreat center听(from $80).听 rents mountain bikes and offers听guided bike tours in the park.

Rossland, British Columbia

Hostels aren鈥檛 what they used to be.听Expect听the affordable, communal vibe听but in a much more听upscale package. Take, for example,听, a design-forward hostel that opened in late 2018 at the base of听, outside the town of Rossland. You can get private rooms or bunks starting at $30 a night, whip up a meal in a sleek shared kitchen, and tap into high-speed Wi-Fi in the lounge. Plus, spring skiing at Red听Mountain is always a good time. The resort closes for the season on April 5, but before then, you鈥檒l find zero crowds and plenty of corn snow, as well as听pond skimming, concerts, and end-of-season parties.

Reed Bingham State Park, Georgia

Want to stay on your own private island for just $35 a night? At听, 20 minutes east of the town of Moultrie, Georgia, you can do just that. Rent a canoe from the park (from $60) and you can paddle a short distance to a primitive, remote campsite on Eagle Island, smack in the middle of the park鈥檚 375-acre Lake Reed Bingham. From there, you can fish, swim, or explore the island. Or paddle back to shore to hike seven miles of trails. In spring, keep your eyes open for baby bald eagles hatching and leaving their nests.

Portland, Oregon

So you want to go camping for spring break, but you don鈥檛 want to fly with all your camping gear.听 in Portland recently partnered with gear-rental company听 on a听 that solves that problem. Stay a few nights in the hotel and then a few nights road-tripping and camping along the Oregon coast. The package starts at $210, which includes one night in the hotel and one night of camping. That also includes 20 percent off your room rate and gear rental. Your kit鈥攕leeping bags and pads, tents, a propane stove, kitchen supplies, camp听chairs, a cooler, and more鈥攃an be arranged for pickup or delivered directly to the hotel. Xscape Pod鈥檚 campsite concierge can help you book a location,听or try central Oregon鈥檚听 (from $21), a stunning campground on a sandy beach, perfect for whale-watching.

Playa Guiones, Costa Rica

Located on the Pacific coast鈥檚 Nicoya Peninsula, Playa Guiones is a four-mile-long, white-sand beach with a stellar surf break. Stay at the听 (from $179), a shorefront hotel that has an on-site surf school for lessons, rentals, and guided outings. Don鈥檛 miss the property鈥檚 weekly live music听and daily yoga classes.听 rents mountain bikes and leads tours of surrounding听trails, and just听north, you can watch nesting turtles this time of year at . Liberia International Airport is about two and a half hours away, and the hotel can arrange for an airport shuttle, but flights from the U.S. into (five hours away) tend to be considerably cheaper.

Washington, D.C.听

In the spring, the nation鈥檚 capital city turns pink with blooming cherry blossoms. The four-week-long听 takes place from March 20 through April 12 and includes free events like kite festivals on the grounds of the Washington Monument and street parades down Constitution Avenue. The听 (from $153),听minutes from the听, has a hip bar and lounge stocked with board games. Take a hike or run in 1,754-acre听, one of the country鈥檚 largest city parks, which has 32 miles of trails.

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I became alarmed around the third time I saw someone almost get nailed in the boob. On a recent Thursday evening, I stood on the sidelines in a community-center gym in Washington, D.C., watching a group of millennials duck and run while covering their heads and muttering expletives. Around them听a cloudburst of rubber balls streamed through the air, like unfed birds sweeping in toward death. I was there to observe a dodgeball game organized by , an听adult recreational league that organizes teams for after-work games like Skee-Ball, kickball, or ultimate Frisbee.

国产吃瓜黑料 Podcast: Why Grown-Ups Need Recess, Too

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Adult sports leagues have been popular听for decades, centered around听competitive activities听like squash and soccer. But in recent years, a newer brand of grown-up recreation has begun听to materialize across听the country that emphasizes听fun over competition, with a carefree name to match鈥攁dult recess. Last month, in Chicago hosted an adult field day, where folks ran relay races and bounced through inflatable obstacle courses. In Kokomo, Indiana, United Way hosts 听up听to ten times a year听filled with grown-ups听playing giant Jenga or four square. Other adult recesses feature scavenger hunts, tug-of-war, or capture the flag, all activities that require a little less blood, sweat, and tears than signing up for a softball league. They allow adults to focus on the real benefit of these after-hour meetups: playing.

When contract manager Oliver Chang first moved to San Francisco ten听years ago听when he was听27, his options for after-work activities were limited to either joining a supercompetitive听rec team听or partaking in something more laissez-faire,听like kickball. So听he decided to create the , which combines the ethos of each. 鈥淲e wanted to bring that kickball attitude, that playfulness and lightheartedness, and apply it to all different sports,鈥� Chang says. The group switches activities weekly听to keep things interesting and easygoing; one week it could be ultimate Frisbee, the next a scavenger hunt. Play Recess started out with just one seasonal league, and it鈥檚 now up to five annually, with about 1,000 yearly participants, most of whom, perhaps unsurprisingly, are young professionals in their twenties听and early thirties, says Chang.

DC Fray has a similar backstory. Its CEO, Robert Kinsler, started the group as a Skee-Ball league a decade ago, thinking it was 鈥渁 super silly, fun thing to do at a bar鈥� with friends. Now听the company manages over 15 activity leagues in four different cities, where participants can enjoy everything from flag football to bingo to听cornhole. It also hosts onetime events, like a Halloween scavenger hunt or an adult field day with potato-sack races and a watermelon-eating competition (plus drinking games like flip cup). Kinsler estimates that听the Fray organization, which also includes NOLA听Fray, PHX Fray, and JAX Fray,听sees around 55,000 participants a year.

Kinsler thinks that听Fray has been successful in part because it offers a forced break from the tiny computers everyone carries around all day. Instead of scrolling through Bumble or Instagram or stalking your ex鈥檚 Venmo account (no judgment), you鈥檙e interacting with people in real life, which is an added bonus if you鈥檙e new to a city and looking to make friends, as many millennials, a notoriously , are. You just need to sign up for a group. Someone else will organize the teams, matches, and postgame bar hangouts. 鈥淔undamentally, you can鈥檛 do these things by yourself,鈥� says Kinsler of the activities. 鈥淧eople are craving connection with others. They need a way of breaking out of the digital world that we鈥檙e all getting wrapped up into every single day.鈥�

It also doesn鈥檛 hurt that playing has been听proven听to be听good for you. The definition of adult 鈥減lay鈥� can be more nebulous than when听it鈥檚 applied to children, but experts听generally define it as an act without any sort of utilitarian purpose; engaging in play is more about the experience. 鈥淧lay is pretty much in your head. So if I think, I鈥檓听playing,听then I am,鈥� says Garry Chick, a Penn State professor emeritus who focuses on play theory. 鈥淚f it feels like play to us, then why not? It is play.鈥� That means anything from a tennis match to a crossword puzzle qualifies鈥攁ll that matters is that it鈥檚 pleasurable听and not a necessary function of your day, says Chick.

Play is so important to听human well-being that Dr.听Stuart Brown, founder of the , classifies present-day society鈥檚 tendency to overlook it as a public-health issue. 鈥淪evere play deprivation is associated with smoldering depression, ideological rigidity, a lack of optimism, and often a quick response to confrontations that could otherwise be settled without violence or hostility,鈥� says Brown, who has examined听the play histories of thousands of subjects throughout his career as a clinical researcher. Engaging in play can help increase optimism, self-motivation, trust, and empathy for others, he says.

The allure of these recess events is that they make it easier for听people听who may not be as, ahem,听athletically inclined to get in on the playing. While baby boomers may have met up for activities like golf or squash, sports that听required expertise, time, and financial commitments, a tetherball face-off or hula-hoop contest doesn鈥檛 call for听that much equipment or skill (a welcome notion for the kids who sat in the outfield eating grass during听PE, like I did). They also force players to commit to a time when all they鈥檙e doing is playing鈥攁nd for a demographic that has been labeled the 听it may be more manageable to dedicate an hour to something fun if it鈥檚 tied to a reminder on your phone. 鈥淲e need to make sure it鈥檚 on our calendar, where we know, OK, that鈥檚 the time I鈥檓 going to have fun with my friends,鈥� says Kinsler of designating a night a week to bingo or flag football. 鈥淲e鈥檝e all gotten so busy that we have to be even more intentional about how we play.鈥�

Still, some older generations may see recess participants as kickball-playing Peter Pan millennials who can鈥檛 handle adulting. 鈥淭he cultural rules of the not actually too distant past were that these kinds of playful activities were not something that adults did, because adults don鈥檛 behave that way,鈥� says Chick. But听that assumption is simply incorrect, says Chang. 鈥淭hese are incredibly hardworking, very successful people,鈥� he says of the folks signing up for Play Recess,听who include lawyers, consultants, and nurses.听鈥淭hey, I think smartly, strive to find that work-life balance, and I think that鈥檚 part of what makes them so successful.鈥�

Beyond these benefits, getting out and playing a game for an hour or two simply feels good. It鈥檚 just fun.听鈥淭here鈥檚 a happiness associated with recess and getting outside and doing these things,鈥澨齭ays Chang.

As I watched听the players end their dodgeball game in the fluorescent-lit gym in Washington, I recognized鈥攁nd I was envious of鈥攖hat happiness Chang describes. There are few things that get me that excited in my adulthood. For a moment, I got it. Why do you come out on a Thursday night when there鈥檚 still laundry to be done and email听to be sent and a lump on the cat that could be cancerous?听You come to play, to forget, to listen to the sound of plastic on wooden floors. To听disappear,听just for a little bit, as another sweaty someone running through a crowded room, the world waiting behind the closed double doors.

The post Grown-Ups Need to Play More. Adult Recess Can Help. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Politics might be the focus of our nation鈥檚 capital, but D.C.鈥檚 greatest resource is adventure.听

Ride

Rock Creek Park听

Consider this , only bigger, with 1,700 acres of hiking and biking paths. Hike the creekside Valley Trail.听

Run听

The National听Mall听

It鈥檚 two miles from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, with the Washington Monument, the Reflecting Pool, and Smith颅颅sonian Castle in between.听

Air It Out听

American Parkour Academy

for backflip classes in the first parkour training center in the country.听

Cool Off

Key Bridge听Boathouse

and paddle around Theodore Roosevelt Island.听

Go Green

Great Falls Park

This is 30 min颅utes from town and has 15 miles of hiking trails in the rocky Mather Gorge and more than 200 trad and top-rope routes on 60-foot-high walls.

Drink

Port City Brewing

Hop across the 颅Potomac River to Alexa颅ndria, Virginia, and grab a porter from , which won Small Brewery of the Year at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival.听

Get Social

Capitol Hill Bikes

鈥檚 11-mile shop ride snakes along singletrack at Fort Dupont and finishes at .

Eat

The Dabney听

Chef Jeremiah Langhorne on the locavore movement, sourcing fare from the mid-Atlantic and cooking it over the embers of an open fire. Order the oysters and hearth-roasted vegetables.听

Local Joe

Mary Breed, masters national champion听road cyclist

鈥淲hen I鈥檓 looking for a fast place to ride, I crank out laps at Hains Point (8), an island in the middle of the city with a three-mile loop and little traffic.鈥澨�

Local Pro听

, ultrarunner听and marathoner

鈥淚 could run the Potomac Heritage Trail 颅every day. It鈥檚 gnarly, full-on rock hopping with decent climbs. Start at Roosevelt Island and run it to Chain Bridge, then pick up the Towpath back for a six-mile loop along the river.鈥�

The post Washington鈥檚 Fitness Monuments appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Earlier this year, when I moved from Washington, D.C., to Santa Fe, New Mexico, I prepared for most aspects of my life to change dramatically. As a lifelong East Coaster, I鈥檇 spent years living mostly in bustling cities, passing hours of my day on public transit while surrounded by the fast-moving, career-driven types of the Northeast鈥攖he antithesis of the听small, quirky Southwestern community that I now call home.

I feel this change most acutely in my new running routines.听In Santa Fe, I can run the听trails near town at sunrise听or drive up into the national forest after work. On those early morning runs, the desert air is crisp听and the trails are quiet and empty, save for the occasional jackrabbit darting between shrubs. I still gawk听like a tourist every time the sun edges up over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east.听After work, I鈥檓 spoiled with options鈥攁 dizzying network of trails spider听through the national forest.听In Santa Fe, there鈥檚 no reason to complain听about repetitive road routes听or听runs spent weaving around groups of tourists or stopping my watch while waiting to cross a busy street.

But here鈥檚 the thing:听occasionally, and unexpectedly, I鈥檓 hit with a bout of nostalgia for a run through the city.

Most of the time, I specifically long for nighttime city runs. In D.C., where I lived for a year and a half, if听I got home late, I could always lace up my shoes and log a few miles before going to bed.听In the part of the city听where I lived, the streets were well听lit and people were around at all hours, unlike in Santa Fe.听I hardly ever felt unsafe, regardless of the time. Those nighttime routes were far from my favorites, but the opportunity to loosen up my muscles and work through the day鈥檚 stress听more than made up for it. (I also admit to feeling a kind of smugness running at an hour when almost everyone else was听asleep.)

It鈥檚 not just the night runs that I miss.听Before I moved to D.C., I lived in Boston鈥攁 city overflowing with running culture and history. Along the Charles River, there鈥檚 a palpable sense of camaraderie between runners, even when the path is covered in snow and the wind off the water stings your face. Boston is truly a runner鈥檚听city: a place where the marathon feels like its own national holiday. And on those inevitable rough days when the miles inched by and I forgot what it meant to be fast (or that this sport could ever be enjoyable), it felt like I was out running with the rest of the city. All of us feeling tired and hurting and wanting to quit, but still moving along together.

Because of the crowds and inherent busy nature of the city, living in one also often means returning to a听small听roster of reliable running routes. I spent one summer during college living and working in New York City, and my hectic schedule and unfamiliarity with the area forced me to run varying distances along the same stretch of the Hudson River nearly every day for three months. At first, this was excruciatingly boring. But as the summer rolled on, I came to appreciate the opportunity for introspection.听Every morning, as I passed the same piers, tennis courts, and grassy parks, I was confronted by the same thoughts I鈥檇 had while running the identical route the day before鈥攁nd I could watch as听my thoughts slowly evolved for the better. The halfhearted relationship I鈥檇 left behind at school felt more distant; the stress I was feeling at work slowly became more manageable. The banality of running the same route over and over turned my attention back toward myself; my surroundings acted as bookmarks for what I鈥檇 been thinking at that spot on the previous day鈥檚 run. This is something my less-repetitive runs in Santa Fe鈥攚here I often focus my energy on enjoying the scenery or ensuring I don鈥檛 get lost鈥攔arely allow for.

The nature of city running also makes any opportunity for a trail run鈥攚here you can find it鈥攆eel even more precious. The trails I ran in Boston and D.C. are听underwhelming compared to those I run now, but I no longer experience that exhilarating feeling of finding refuge in听听or听听after running a mile or two on asphalt just to get there.听To discover a place within a city where I could hear many layers of old leaves crunch under my shoes was invigorating.听I was only a few miles away from a world of metro delays and endless Whole Foods lines, but in that moment, as I was running over a lone bridge across a rushing stream in the middle of the woods, those nuisances were far from my mind. A good trail in a city feels like a well-kept secret鈥攁 temporary hideaway from the crowded chaos.

I had earned it.

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When Equinox Holdings launches its first-ever hotel in 2018 on the far west side of Manhattan, it will be the largest fitness brand to branch out directly into the hotel business. It鈥檚 an interesting move, but Equinox is just hopping on a bandwagon: Many hotels are partnering with fitness brands to upgrade their workout facilities. While hitting urban trails or bike shares is usually a better option, humidity, time constraints, and freezing temps can make getting outside a hard call. But don鈥檛 sweat it, fit travelers,听here鈥檚 where to check in.

The Hotel at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, Los Angeles

One of L.A.鈥檚 premier gyms went down the road Equinox is now setting off on听and opened a above its massive (80,000-square-foot) workout facilities in newly cool downtown Los Angeles. The gym is a training ground for past and current Olympic contenders, who come for the yoga program, squash courts, indoor Olympic pool, and personal training.听

Le Parker Meridien, New York City

The 15,000-square-foot workout facilities at this 听are the work of , a brand that aims to be tough and luxurious, functional and design听forward. The gym听has more than 20,000 pounds to lift, push, and move; top-notch trainers; and a 听of classes six days a week, ranging from Body Shred Bootcamp to the CrossFit-inspired Cross X. Its signature offering is called the Quickie, a 30-minute full-body workout on a nine-machine circuit. Upstairs, the rooftop pool offers views of Central Park.

Whitney Peak Hotel, Reno

The world鈥檚 tallest climbing wall (they say) is in this (Reno鈥檚 only nongaming hotel) in the heart of downtown. The 164-foot-high outdoor climbing wall complements the 7,000-square-foot indoor bouldering park with more than 3,200 square feet of climbable space. The equipment and staff can accommodate families of first-timers or highly experienced climbers. The BaseCamp gym includes听the usual gym equipment, plus a slackline and a roster of interesting classes ranging from acro-yoga to a superhero-themed workout.

Loews Atlanta Hotel, Atlanta

Exhale gyms are known for their tough classes, beautiful studios, and extensive spa services鈥攁nd nearly half of them are in hotels. Among the standouts is 听in midtown Atlanta, which occupies nearly 10,000 square feet. In addition to a packed schedule of yoga, Core Fusion, HIIT, boot camp, and cycling classes is a large gym with top-of-the-line cardio and weight equipment, plus听a hammam, sauna, and steam rooms for post-workout recovery.

Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami

In addition to all the usual fitness tools鈥攊n a 5,800-square-foot facility with huge windows overlooking the pool鈥攖he gym here features the new high-tech听听interactive training system. Essentially, you run around as if playing a particularly active Wii game while you鈥檙e strapped into cables that provide resistance in every direction. Trainers might add TRX bands, medicine balls, or dumbbells to the video game.

Radisson Blu Aqua, Chicago

In summer, guests have access to an 80,000-square-foot 鈥渓ifestyle garden鈥� with a 1/5-mile running track, dedicated yoga space, and 25-yard lap pool. Since summer in Chicago doesn鈥檛 last very long, the also has an indoor gym with state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment, a basketball court, a spinning studio and鈥攅arning the Aqua in the hotel鈥檚 name鈥攁n indoor swimming pool.听

Hilton Anatole, Dallas听

The 听at the Hilton Anatole encompasses 80,000 square feet and is听filled with cardio machines with 15-inch TVs; studios for Spinning, barre, and other classes; a vast array of weights; a Kenesis room, a boxing gym, and racquetball and squash courts; and a 25-meter lap pool. The seven-acre park outside offers a quarter-mile cushioned running track, tennis courts, and a full basketball court. The club recently added a spa to help you recover.听

The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa, Houston

Guests at this hotel have access to the 听of one of the toniest clubs in Houston听and its 300-plus听cardio and strength machines, staff of exercise and nutrition specialists, indoor running tracks, tennis and racquetball courts, pool, yoga studio, massively tricked-out Pilates and Gyrotonic studio, new room for TRX and Kineses Omega classes, and a full roster of cutting-edge classes听like HIIT听& Run, Get Ripped & Ride, and the women-only dance class Sensuale.

The Grand Hotel, Minneapolis

The size of the gym at this boutique hotel is all out of whack with the size of the 140-room hotel. The Grand鈥檚 听has 58,000 square feet of floor space, which includes a fitness floor with cardio and weight equipment; boxing, cycling, and aerobics studios; a running track; racquetball, handball, and squash courts; and an indoor six-lane lap pool. There鈥檚 a full roster of group classes.听Private training, Pilates, and yoga are easily arranged.听

The Ritz-Carlton Boston Common, Boston

There鈥檚 already a spectacular Equinox gym at this in downtown Boston. Ritz-Carlton听guests can take advantage of 114,000 square feet of workout-focused space, including state-of-the-art equipment, a full basketball court, four international squash courts, studios for classes from boxing to barre, and a 25-yard indoor pool. Group fitness fans, rejoice: There are more than 100 classes every听week.听

Hotel Bellevue, Seattle

A running track circles the mezzanine around the full-size basketball court. That鈥檚 just the beginning at the 200,000 square foot mega-gym at the , an 鈥渦rban retreat鈥� just 20 minutes from central Seattle. There are also four weight and cardio rooms, a Pilates studio with reformers and cadillacs, three swimming pools, 10 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, tons of classes, and open-play games of听basketball, pickleball, and badminton.听

Marriott Marquis, Washington, DC

When opened last year, it became home to the city鈥檚 largest hotel gym. The 24-hour fitness facilities house听49 pieces of Technogym cardio equipment, which work with that company鈥檚 听(including tailored workouts and training history) and have interactive touchscreens that can take guests on, say, a virtual running tour of London. There are also 34 pieces of strength and functional training equipment, plus trainers on hand to help you figure them all out.

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