Outdoor Adventure

Trees frame a beautiful lake in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest on a sunny day

By Kirtana Menon 44 min ago

Wisconsin's Largest State Forest Is An Outdoor Paradise With 900 Lakes Straddling 3 Counties

Straddling Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties, this Wisconsin outdoor oasis offers something for everyone, from fishing and boating to hiking, camping, and more.

View across Trestles Beach capturing the waves, pebbles, sand, bluffs, and trees on a sunny day.

By Ben M Stower 2 hours ago

Under 2 Hours From LA Is California's Premiere Surfing Paradise With A Gorgeous Beach And Scenic Coastal Trails

Set to host the surfing competition during the LA28 Olympic Games, this legendary beach attracts ocean athletes and visitors seeking a unique adventure.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley National Park, California

By Kate Mothes 2 hours ago

10 Tips From Park Rangers For Enjoying Death Valley National Park

Explore Death Valley National Park with ranger-backed tips for making the most of its extreme desert landscapes, dark skies, and unforgettable scenery.

The public viewing pier at Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia

By Joe Orovic 5 hours ago

Virginia's Once-Thriving Seaside Amusement Park And Resort Is Now A Scenic Public Beach With Idyllic Bay Views

What was once a popular amusement park by the sea in Virginia is now a gorgeous stretch of sandy land with views, activities, and buckets of history.

By Kareem Gantt 6 hours ago

Forget Florida, Retire To This Midwestern Gem With Mountain Trails, Affordable Living, And A Vibrant Culture

If you're after a retirement alternative to Florida that comes with gorgeous mountains and vibrant culture at an acceptable price point, head to the Midwest.

A black bear with a cub standing in tall grass

By Rene Bennett 6 hours ago

Tourists In This Popular National Park Keep Feeding The Bears And It's Ridiculously Dangerous

This U.S. national park is known for its local bear population, and some visitors have been caught feeding the animals. Here's why that's a bad idea.

Aerial views of Brushy Creek Lake Park near Austin, Texas.

By Melanie Johnson 6 hours ago

Near Austin Is Texas' Family-Friendly Park With Lake Views, A Splash Pad, And Fishing

Get ready for a healthy amount of splishing and sploshing at this family-friendly lake park just a short drive north of Austin, Texas.

A rock shelter with a small pool of water at LaBarque Creek Conservation Area in Missouri, surrounded by greenery.

By Melanie Johnson 7 hours ago

Outside St. Louis Is Missouri's Scenic Park With Trails Through Dramatic Sandstone Cliffs And Running Waters

The sandstone here has been carved into unique formations of rocky outcrops, overhanging cliffs, and cave-like shelters, with seeps and waterfalls aplenty.

By Shannon Smith 8 hours ago

The World's Quietest Country Of 2026 Is A Safe Mountainous Paradise With Idyllic Nature To Escape Crowds

Looking for a bit of peace and quiet? Plan a trip to the spectacular mountain landscapes and crowd-free spots in the world's quietest country.

The Wil-Cox Bridge at Yadkin River Park in Linwood, North Carolina

By Christy Nicholson 9 hours ago

Sandwiched Between Greensboro And Charlotte Is A Charming Park With Fishing, Boating, And Riverside Trails

Break from the cityscapes of Greensboro and Charlotte by making a day trip to a cute little park, perfect for riverside walks, fishing, and boating.

A Medivac helicopter takes a hiker to a hospital in 2018, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

By Kate Mothes 12 hours ago

7 Search And Rescue Hotspots To Beware Of In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

While there's a lot to see and do in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are precautions you should take. These spots in particular pose dangers.

A view over the green trees in Mount Grace State Forest in Warwick, Massachusetts

By Nally Preseault 15 hours ago

Under Two Hours From Boston Is Massachusetts' Scenic State Forest With Trails And Mountain Views

This 1,700-acre swath of wilderness is one of the oldest state forests in Massachusetts, home to the state's third-highest peak east of the Connecticut River.

The calm surface of Lake Absegami with tall pine trees along its distant shoreline on a blue-sky day

By Ben M Stower 22 hours ago

Under Two Hours From Philly Is New Jersey's Scenic State Forest With Lake Fun, Camping, And Trails

This leafy state forest in New Jersey is just minutes from the ocean and provides the perfect place for lake swims, paddling, and fishing opportunities.

The Perdido Wildlife Management Area, straddling the Alabama-Florida border

By Christy Nicholson 1 day ago

Along The Florida-Alabama Border Is A Scenic Wetlands Escape With Trails, Fishing, And Boating

Whether you're in Florida, Alabama, or want to explore both states, this riverside wildlife area offers a variety of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy.

the turquoise water and rocky shoreline of Lake Tahoe, which straddles Nevada and California

By Kirtana Menon 1 day ago

The 5 US States To Visit With The Fewest Lakes

These five states have some of the fewest lakes in the country, but they still offer scenic shorelines and opportunities for outdoor recreation.

High street bridge over River Avon in Chippenham, Wiltshire, with ducks on the grass

By Megi Canco 1 day ago

Between Bath And Swindon Is A Charming English Town With Street Markets, Tasty Eats, And River Views

Escape England's most crowded tourist hubs and head to this charming town known for its historical market days, parks and gardens, and local pubs.

Aerial view of Spavinaw area and Grand Lake State Park in autumn.

By Audrey Simons 1 day ago

Sandwiched Between Tulsa And Joplin Is Oklahoma's Quaint Town With Lake Fun And State Park Beauty

Located in the Oklahoma Ozarks, this outdoorsy town has a 1,600-acre lake ideal for paddling and fishing, with impressive campsites nearby.

A grassy meadow at Young Conservation Area in Missouri, featuring a small pond and woodlands in the distance.

By Melanie Johnson 1 day ago

Between St. Louis And Mark Twain National Forest Is A Free-Entry Scenic Nature Escape With Fishing And Trails

Trade city life for 1,300 acres of nature. This free escape near St. Louis offers kid-friendly hiking, fishing ponds, and a chance to spot local wildlife.

Lake at Pyramid State Recreation Area on a sunny day

By Christine Dulion 1 day ago

Between St. Louis And Shawnee National Forest Is Illinois' Largest State-Run Nature Area With Fishing And Camping

The largest state-run nature area in the Prairie State is a celebration of everything that makes Illinois beautiful, with elite fishing and camping thrown in.

Couple hiking down the road with a danger of ticks sign in the foreground

By Ian Jackson 1 day ago

These US National Parks Are Sitting In Tick-Borne Disease Hotspots

Unfortunately, tick-borne diseases are on the rise. There are a number of precautions that can keep you safe, like being on high alert in these spots.

Aerial photo of Portage from above the Wisconsin River with a bridge entering the riverside town and its tree-lined streets

By Mitchell Peterson 1 day ago

Between Wisconsin Dells And Madison Is A Riverfront City Blending A Walkable Downtown With Idyllic Nature

This welcoming riverfront Wisconsin city pairs a historic center with local shops, cozy eateries, waterfront parks, scenic trails, and nearby wilderness.

Lush trees, water features, and a paved trail at Tower Grove park, with the St. Louis skyline in the background

By Anahid Akkam 1 day ago

Minutes From Downtown St. Louis Is A Midwest Park With An Easy Trail, Events, And Victorian Beauty

This storied Missouri park has ornate 19th-century architecture alongside an easy walking path, colorful gardens, peaceful ponds, and year-round events.

A pile of stones in the woods in Massachusetts

By Christine Dulion 2 days ago

Just Over An Hour From Boston Is New England's Park With Scenic Wetlands, Nature Walks, And Unique Wildlife

This wild and rugged Massachusetts park is the place to go if you want to fish, hunt, spot salamanders and frogs, or follow historical wooded trails.

A view from the water in Joyce Wildlife Management Area with trees and puffy clouds reflected on the water.

By Annmarie Gajdos 2 days ago

Between Baton Rouge And Slidell Is A Lakeside Wildlife Refuge With Scenic Wetlands, A Boardwalk, And Fishing

The swampy landscapes of Louisiana are ethereal escapes from the ordinary, and this scenic wildlife refuge offers easy access, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding a lake at Vogel State Park within Union County, Georgia

By Grae Gleason 2 days ago

North Of Atlanta Is Georgia's Highly-Rated Retirement County With Mountain Trails, Affordable Living, And Blue Ridge Beauty

You'll find a little bit of everything that makes the Peach State great in this charming retirement county just a short drive north of ATL.

Large oaks dripping with Spanish Moss hang over a dirt path that leads to a picnic area and a nature center at Little Orange Creek Preserve in Florida

By Melanie Johnson 2 days ago

Near Gainesville Is Florida's Lesser-Known Preserve With Scenic Wetlands, A Nature Park, And Wildlife

To explore the lesser-known side of the Sunshine State, head to this preserve near Gainesville with Spanish moss-covered trees, trails, and plenty of wildlife.

Aerial view of of Puerto Rico island with an historical castle on the rugged coastline

By Kaylee Giacomini-Moran 2 days ago

The 9 Largest Natural Islands In The United States

The U.S. is home to thousands of natural islands. The nine largest offer travelers a diversity of adventures from unspoiled wilderness to culture-rich villages.