Epic Spots

Ever paddle to paradise? Mokolii is one of the most recognizable features off the coast of Oahu and a great day adventure. Just a third of a mile from shore, you can paddle there on a SUP or kayak from Kualoa Beach Park. A spectacular 20-minute hike takes you to the summit. Open from dawn to dusk.

Ever stand between endless sea and sky? Acadia National Park has some of the Atlantic’s most dramatic terrain, with high, glacially carved headlands and dense boreal forests that give way to vast seascapes. Although most people visit in the summer and fall, there’s opportunity for endless cross-country skiing and other winter sports as well.

Ever see water glow green in a desert canyon? Emerald Cave is accessible via a stunning half-day paddle on the Colorado River’s Black Canyon Water Trail. Begin at the Lake Mead Recreation area, Willow Beach access. Along the way, you’ll also find natural springs for soaking and spot lots of wildlife in this remote canyon.

Ever relax on a glacial lake? Few cities have as amazing a natural setting or as much accessibility for wilderness adventure as Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Lake Coeur d’Alene, which forms the town’s southern border, is home to diverse animal life and is an endless playground for paddling, swimming, or simply enjoying the clear alpine water.

Ever play atop a city’s skyline? With skydecks topping 100 stories, countless rooftop bars, and an authentic pub culture, Chicago is an urban explorer’s dream city. Places like the Navy Pier are iconic; check out the vibrant arts, craft, and food scenes happening in the River North neighborhood for something refreshingly different.

Ever stand 280 feet below sea level? For those seeking a change of scenery, Death Valley National Park will completely reset your idea of open space. To truly (and safely) enjoy this arid landscape, the lowest in North America, plan your adventures around sunrise and sunset and check the trail system carefully for a hike that fits your ability level. There’s everything from an ADA accessible paved loop to backpacking trails that traverse otherworldly canyons.

Ever sleep beneath Joshua trees silhouetted against the stars? Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect place to set loose your imagination with some of the most spectacular terrain and dark skies in the West. Most famous for its peculiar desert trees, the landscape here is also special as it is the ecotone or transition zone between the Colorado and Mojave deserts and is home to incredible wildlife and world-class climbing.

Ever score the perfect mix of city and nature? Vancouver, Washington, delivers on both fronts. Located just on the other side of the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon, it has fantastic access to outdoor adventure paired with a laid-back vibe. Check out the brewery and food scene happening at Waterfront Park, one of many reasons why Vancouver is a great alternative to the bustle of the Pacific Northwest’s metro hubs.

Ever walk along an ancient seabed? Badlands National Park puts you in touch with our planet as it once was. While it’s most famous for the richly colored rock formations that dot the terrain, it also has seemingly endless prairies and stunning herds of wild bison, elk, and bighorn sheep. Badlands National Park is an ideal road trip destination, with other cool features such as the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore nearby.