Hiking - Islands

An aerial view of St. Cloud, Minnesota with downtown brick buildings, scattered green trees, and a touch of the Mississippi River to the left

By Mitchell Peterson 3 hours ago

Between Minneapolis And Fargo Is A Charming Midwest City With River Fun And Gorgeous Gardens

A Minnesota city offers an appealing mix of outdoor adventures, historic charm, cultural attractions, and plenty of reasons to linger for a weekend.

scenic shoreline of the Lumber River at Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann access

By Neha Maheshwari 6 hours ago

Sandwiched Between Myrtle Beach And Fayetteville Is An Underrated State Park With Camping, Fishing, And Paddling

All manner of outdoor adventures are available at this underrated state park in North Carolina, with plenty of fun for all the family.

Wooden bridge in Warrenville Grove, Warrenville, Illinois, with a calm river reflection beneath it surrounded by lush greenery

By Anahid Akkam 7 hours ago

Illinois' Charming Chicago Suburb Is A Nature-Filled City With Scenic Preserves, Trails, And Artsy Vibes

This leafy suburban retreat in Illinois offers riverside trails, peaceful nature preserves, public art, historic sites, and plenty of outdoor recreation.

Moundville Archaeological Park in Alabama.

By Heather Cole 8 hours ago

Hidden Outside Tuscaloosa Is Alabama's Underrated Park With A River Trail, Uncrowded Campsites, And A Rich History

Enjoy a picnic with your family and learn all about what was once one of America's largest towns inhabited by Native communities at this peaceful Alabama park.

Putnam, Connecticut, with a river, a waterfall, and fall colors against a blue-gray sky with rocks and buildings

By Arianna Helene Winslow 9 hours ago

Between Boston And Hartford Is The 'Antiques Capital Of The East' With A Walkable Downtown And Quaint Shops

This Connecticut town makes for a relaxed getaway, with antiques malls, galleries and pottery studios, a literary museum, local food, and a riverside trail.

Terraced trail in LaBagh Woods with fall foliage, Chicago, Illinois

By Jen Theriault 10 hours ago

Just Outside Downtown Chicago Is Illinois' Nature Preserve With Scenic Wetland Trails And Urban Birdwatching

Looking for the ultimate birdwatching getaway — without leaving the city? This Chicago spot boasts over 180 species, along with scenic trails to find them.

A bridge hidden among greenery in Angelica Creek Park in Pennsylvania

By Rene Bennett 14 hours ago

Pennsylvania's Lesser-Known Nature Retreat About An Hour From Philly Is Full Of Fairytale Woodland Trails

This quiet park near Reading has been painstakingly restored in recent decades, and now contains thriving forests, wetlands, and storybook-worthy meadows.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse surrounded by fog with waves crashing on the beach

By Kristin Conard 14 hours ago

California's State Park On The Mendocino Coastline Has A Restored, Historic Lighthouse And Idyllic Trails

This state park in Northern California offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, whale watching, and the chance to sleep in a lighthouse keeper's cottage.

A deer grazes on grass in a remote meadow surrounded by trees at Gwaii Haanas National Park Preserve.

By Will Suphan 15 hours ago

Forget Jasper National Park, Visit Canada's Lesser-Known Park With Unique Wildlife, Beaches, And Historic Sites

This park stands out for its remarkable diversity of endemic species, rugged natural beauty, and impressive preservation of Indigenous heritage sites.

Low sun in the skies over Pawnee State Recreation Area in Nebraska

By Joe Orovic 16 hours ago

Nebraska's Pretty Lake Recreation Area With Fishing, Camping, And Trails Is Just Over An Hour From Omaha

This recreation area has a popular campground, pleasant fishing grounds, seasonal hunting, and a nice hiking trail — and even two swim beaches.

Homes near a lake in Aiken, South Carolina

By Danno Wise 17 hours ago

Forget Florida, Retire To South Carolina's Border County With Affordable Living, A Vibrant City, And Outdoor Fun

This South Carolina county offers access to big cities and quiet, small-town escapes, while boasting a lower-than-average cost of living and tons of activities.

View of hills and trees at the Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in California

By Audrey Simons 1 day ago

Between Sacramento And Oakland Is A Once-Thriving Mining Area That Now Has Historic Charm, Camping, And Trails

Rolling California hills conceal remnants of a once-booming industry in this regional preserve with underground history, scenic trails, and primitive camping.

View of cars and a circular road in Dieppe in New Brunswick, Canada, from Wingate by Wyndham Dieppe Moncton

By Karla Demery 1 day ago

Canada's Senior-Friendly City Is Known For Its Local Shops And An Award-Winning Restaurant

This Acadian city in Canada is a designated Age-Friendly Community and offers a comfortable environment for retirees, plus a variety of shops and restaurants.

Cabins along the water with mountains in the background at Halibut Cove, Alaska

By Karla Demery 1 day ago

Alaska's Car-Free Peaceful Island Is Known For Its Nearby State Parks, Fresh Seafood, And Artsy Vibes

This stunning small town along Alaska's Kenai Peninsula can only be reached by boat and provides opportunities to spend the night surrounded by pristine nature.

Long Creek Falls spills over rocks on the Appalachian Trail, surrounded by green trees.

By Danno Wise 1 day ago

Between Athens And Chattanooga Is Georgia's Scenic Waterfall Along The Appalachian Trail With Nearby Fishing

This picturesque destination is a favorite stop for through-hikers on the Appalachian Trail and anglers seeking top-tier wild trout fishing in Georgia.

A large waterfall cascading over a cliff with trees within Walton Glen Gorge in New Brunswick, Canada

By Tosh Bene 1 day ago

The 'Grand Canyon Of New Brunswick' Is A Breathtaking East Coast Canadian Gem With A Scenic Waterfall

A dramatic gorge tucked away in New Brunswick offers towering cliffs, a massive waterfall, and unforgettable views on Canada's scenic East Coast.

Two bridges straddling the Muskrat River in Pembroke, Ontario, with red brick buildings and trees

By Rory Buccheri 1 day ago

Canada's Popular Riverside City Is A Scenic Escape With A Charming Downtown, Excellent Eats, And Outdoor Fun

This quaint city in Ontario is a haven for waterfront walks, paddling trails, and over 30 murals that are scattered throughout its pretty downtown.

Munson Creek Falls is one of America's tallest secret waterfalls

By Barry Peacock 2 days ago

America's 9 Waterfalls That Are The Best-Kept Secrets From Tourists

Waterfalls are certainly majestic, but all the major, easily-accessible falls can attract throngs of crowds. Here's where to go for some solitude.

Vickery Creek Waterfall spills into Vickery Creek over an old spillway dam

By Kirtana Menon 2 days ago

Just North Of Atlanta Is A Scenic Waterfall Trail With Mill Ruins, Wildlife, And A Charming Covered Bridge

This trail system offers a lovely place to stroll through the woods, with birds and deer, a quiet creek, and an interesting history to enjoy.

A paved biking path between rows of trees on the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

By Kareem Gantt 2 days ago

Florida's Scenic Rail Trail Near Orlando Takes Hikers And Bikers Through Forests And Wetlands

If you need a break from the excitement in Orlando, consider taking this one hike-and-bike rail trail that weaves through Florida's forests and wetlands.

Blue alpine lake surrounded by mountains, with a blue, cloudy sky above, in Crowsnest Pass in Alberta, Canada

By Olivia Typaldos 2 days ago

Forget Banff — Visit Canada's Lesser-Known Mountain Gem With Fewer Crowds, Abandoned Mining Towns, And Scenic Trails

Want the natural beauty of Banff without the huge crowds? Then head to this special place nestled in the Canadian Rockies for outdoor adventures galore.

By Rene Bennett 2 days ago

Between Liverpool And Blackpool Is A Coastal Town With A Quaint Village, Renowned Beach, And Unique Wildlife

England's seaside escape pairs windswept dunes and pine woods with rare wildlife, ancient footprints, and a village center full of shops and restaurants.

Farmers Branch City Hall stands at the end of a tree-lined street on a sunny day in Texas

By Robert Isenberg 2 days ago

This 'City In A Park' Near Dallas Is Texas' Hidden Gem With Historic Charm, Serene Trails, And Family Fun

Few destinations cram as much natural charm into their boundaries as this scenic spot near Dallas, one that very much earns its pleasing moniker.

The colorful entrance to the historic Empress Theatre along Main Street in Magna, Utah.

By Ben M Stower 3 days ago

Utah's Laidback Salt Lake City Suburb Is An Outdoor Gem With A Historic Main Street And Scenic Trails

Whether it's strolling down a classic Main Street or exploring hiking trails, this small town in Utah has something special for just about anyone.

Narrow trail running through green brush surrounded by trees with red, yellow, and green leaves, with the Cleveland skyline in the distance under a cloudy blue sky

By Jess Simms 3 days ago

These Abandoned Quarries South Of Cleveland Are Now A Gorgeous Ohio Park With Trails Through Scenic Ravines

A former industrial landscape is now a sprawling outdoor escape where wooded trails, wildlife, and dramatic ravines await south of a major city.

Narrow trail winding through forest at Roaring Run Natural Area in Pennsylvania

By Rene Bennett 3 days ago

Between Baltimore And Pittsburgh Is Pennsylvania's Scenic Natural Area With Mountain Springs And Forest Trails

Located on the forested slopes of Laurel Ridge, this unspoiled natural area is home to one of Pennsylvania's most pristine spring-fed streams.

The lake at City Lake Natural Area covered in algae with trees and a blue sky in the background.

By Rene Bennett 3 days ago

Between Nashville And Knoxville Is A Lesser-Known Park With Hiking, A Scenic Waterfall, And A Lake To Fish In

The state of Tennessee has its share of parks, but this lesser-known destination with a scenic waterfall makes for particularly fine fishing and hiking.