Looking for a vacation destination close to home? No need to cross international borders. With fifty diverse states, our nation’s got more than enough adventure to go around.
Alabama
Alabama, though alphabetically first, is often overlooked as a state worth visiting. However, this place is home to the tail of the Appalachian Mountains, thick forests and the beautiful Gulf Coast
Alaska
“Wild” still exists in Alaska – especially when watching the night sky flare up with aurora borealis’ brilliant green. Alaska’s McKinley is the highest peak in the United States.
Arizona
Beyond the Grand Canyon, Arizona’s got trails to hike, rivers to raft and infinite stars above. Make sure you check the temperature, as it can get toasty.
Arkansas
Rivers snake through valleys, offering photographers epic subjects, fishermen prime angling territory and adventurers endless opportunity. Meander down Little Red River or hike the 168-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail.
California
Mountains and ocean – two great forces of nature meet with a cosmic crash in California. Catch waves, hike amongst the gargantuan Redwoods and surf the snow of the Sierras.
Colorado
Home to over fifty peaks reaching over 14,000 feet (and Active Junky), this state is a bona fide outdoor dreamland. Most folks in CO have more than one hobby: rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, skiing, fishing, etc…
Connecticut
Kayak to the lighthouse at Norwalk Island. Hike through rustic Macedonia State Park. During the spring’s snowmelt, trek to one of Connecticut’s hidden waterfalls.
Delaware
Rip across sandy beaches in a 4x4. Zip line through Lums Pond State Park. These coastal forests and charming waterways make Delaware a state you can’t ignore.
Florida
Paddle around the Florida Keys; dive in for the best snorkeling in the lower 48. Heading inland? Natural cold springs like Blue Spring and Silver Spring make any humid summer day beyond tolerable.
Georgia
Get crackin’ on the Appalachian Trail from its southern starting point in Georgia. If speed is your addiction, careen down Georgia’s Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve single track on your mountain bike.
Hawaii
From Oahu to Kauai, spikey peaks and remote beaches call vacationers to toss return tickets. Surf the best waves in the U.S., bathe under cooling waterfalls and stroll along black sand beaches.
Idaho
Surf down dunes on a sand board, or ski Sun Valley’s bowls. Rock climbers salivate over Idaho’s skyscraping routes at The City of Rocks.
Illinois
Beyond the plains, there are gorgeous hiking trails in Shawnee National Forest. You can even explore one of the beaches along Lake Michigan or kayak through the Chicago River.
Indiana
Check out Bloomington for some caving, or take a dip in limestone quarries. Spend a day hiking through some of the 200,000 acres of terrain in Hoosier National Forest.
Kansas
Watersports are a favorite in Kansas, seeing as the state’s home to over 150 lakes. Wakeboard or waterski if you’re chasing adrenaline; fish the scenic Cedar Bluff Reservoir and State Park if you want to take it mellow.
Iowa
Corn and adventure – the two things Iowa is famous for! Join in on Ragbrai, an annual bike ride across Iowa, which ends up totaling close to 500 miles. Spend a hot summer day at one of Iowa’s many lakes, cruising around on jetskis and speedboats.
Kentucky
Kentucky: horses, whiskey and… caves? Explore the world’s longest cave system, but don’t get lost in Mammoth Cave National Park’s 4,000 passageways, each dripping with stalagmites and stalactites
Louisiana
Kayak the Bayou for an up-close-and-personal glimpse of distinctive vegetation and wildlife. Get your mountain biking fix on the Lincoln Parish Park Trail, a trail that many bikers rank as one of the best in the country.
Maine
Plenty of adventure to be had in Maine. Rock climbers fall in love with pink granite in Acadia National Park. Get sunburnt like a lobster and get one cracking at the same time.
Maryland
The Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay is unreal. Unwind on the beach or catch some surf in an open ocean kayak. Deep Creek Lake’s great day hikes and peaceful campgrounds are a solid option if you’re hoping to take it easy.
Massachusetts
Finish off a day at the beach with a bike ride on the Cape Cod Rail Trail. If you’re looking for that adrenaline rush, raft, climb, or bike through the Deerfield River Area.
Michigan
Bring the jeep or jump in a dune buggy, exploring Michigan’s 300,000 acres of sand dunes. Enjoy fall’s colors, but bundle up for a serious winter ahead. Bring your skis and check out the Boyne Ski Resort.
Minnesota
The Boundary Waters of Minnesota earned a coveted spot on National Geographic’s list of “must-see” destinations, thanks to an expanse of majestic woods and lakes. Chippewa and Superior National Forests give mountain bikers hundreds of miles to explore.
Mississippi
Romp through Elephant Rocks State Park, checking out the billion-year-old boulders. Afterwards, cool off in The Shut–ins; a matchless watering hole along the Black River.
Montana
Whether your skiing at Big Sky or tromping around Glacier National Park, Montana is home to spectacular outdoor activities. Yellowstone National Park will leave you breathless, with spouting geysers, natural hot springs and roaming bison.
Nebraska
Nebraska” is derived from a Native American word for “flat water,” and for good reason, too. With over 450 lakes, rivers and streams, Nebraska’s a perfect place to spend a day on the water.
Nevada
Nevada’s home to thousands of rock climbing routes, ranging from stress-free sport to hard trad routes. If snow is on your mind, head over to South Lake for some skiing (and maybe some gambling in Reno).
New Hampshire
With 19 State Parks, New Hampshire’s got plenty of lakeside campsites, hiking trails and mountains to climb. Crawford State Park is recommended for those looking for a more wild experience.
New Jersey
Catch some surf along the infamous Jersey Shore. Break away from the city life and experience the scenic Bass River or Brendan T. Bryne State Forests.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s night sky is no stranger to shooting stars. Hit Santa Fe for the culture and Taos for a southwestern skiing experience.
New York
Yes. There’s life beyond NYC. Head to the Adirondacks and scull one of 3,000 bodies of water; this six-million-acre park covers 1/5 of New York state.
North Carolina
Crush the humidity with a trip to the picturesque Outer Banks. Spend a day on the Dunes flying hang Gliders or kayak at night and watch florescent krill radiate light with every paddle stroke.
North Dakota
Ice fishing and hunting are North Dakota outdoor staples, but they only scratch the surface. Off-road ATV excursions, mountain bike treks and horseback rides and hikes are a few of the alternative modes of transportation available to adventurous residents and visiting outdoor lovers.
Ohio
Strident hills, precipitous inclines and extraordinary trees populate Ohio’s state park system. Mountain bikers take advantage of this bounty by exploring the shores of Lake Erie. After a tough ride, relax in the state’s budding wine country.
Oklahoma
Stalk wild hogs, scuba dive in eerie lakes or wakeboard through one of Oklahoma’s cable parks. Whichever way you roam, Oklahoma’s a place worth writing musicals about.
Oregon
Scale Mount Hood and watch the sun set toward the coast. Carve through the powder at one of the largest ski areas in the Pacific Northwest, the epic Mount Bachelor Ski Resort.
Pennsylvania
Huddled between huge Pennsylvania industrial cities are some of the east coast’s most beautiful wilderness areas. Catch rainbow trout, largemouth bass and walleye in the lakes and rivers of the Poconos Mountains.
Rhode Island
Nothing like a good ole’ New England clambake. Over a roaring beach bonfire, lobsters and clams are steamed to perfection; a perfect way to cap off a day of sailing or jet skiing.
South Carolina
From pristine mountain lakes to grimy alligator swamp tours and whitewater rafting, South Carolina offers a full spectrum of outdoor attractions.
South Dakota
Hike the Black Hills, tromp through the prairies of the Badlands. South Dakota’s another state that’s often overlooked, and mistakenly so.
Tennessee
Chattanooga. This premier outdoor destination of a small town is the start-off point for some of the nation’s top climbing, road and mountain biking, hiking and white-water rafting. Not to mention, the food is amazing and everything is steeped in southern charm.
Texas
Even adventure is bigger in Texas. From South Padre Island National Seashore to landlocked rodeos, Texas is well worth a visit.
Utah
Utah might as well mean “paradise.” Slash through insane powder at one of the state’s faultless resorts in the winter or hike through tight slot canyons during the summer. Mountain biking mecca Moab is a crank yanker’s dream destination.
Vermont
Beyond the Burton factory in Burlington, VT, there are ample slopes and plenty of hiking and riding trails in the Green Mountains.
Virginia
Virginia’s wilderness and white water are for pure adrenaline junkies. Raft the James River or deep-sea fish in Chesapeake Bay.
Washington
Washington’s two major ranges, the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains, offer everything from hardcore climbing and mountain biking to peaceful hikes through old-growth forests.
West Virginia
Take a hike? In West Virginia? Why not? Experienced rock climbers can test their skills at the famed New River Gorge, the zone surrounding the towering Seneca Rocks.
Wisconsin
Kayak Lake Superior and paddle around the Apostle Islands. Take in the natural wonders of the Wisconsin Dells, or camp on the shore of one of thousands of lakes in the Northwoods.
Wyoming
High Plains to the west, Rocky Mountains to the east. Explore the bleak backcountry of the Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, or hit the slopes around relaxed Jackson Hole.
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