Nature Lover's Guide to the USA: 10 Places to Escape the City
America's Best Outdoor Adventures
Discover the beauty of nature in the USA with these stunning escapes from city life. Venture to coastal towns and mountain hideaways that offer breathtaking natural attractions and outdoor adventures, ideal for those seeking unique experiences beyond exotic locales.
We have gathered a selection of destinations from across the country that offer plenty of adventure but without the large crowds. Whether it’s hiking among a lush forest, kayaking past mangroves, or taking the more leisurely option of a romantic sunset cruise on a crystal-clear lake, one or more of these nature vacations are sure to entice you.
1. Orange County, CA
Fun in the sun on the Cali coast
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Photo
Orange County straddles the Californian coast, just south of Los Angeles, and is one of the most picturesque beach destinations on the West Coast. With John Wayne Airport in nearby Santa Ana, you can bypass the crowds at LAX and head directly to the wide-open beaches. For your fix of golden sand, choose between the surfing hot spot of Huntington Beach, swanky Newport Beach, or lesser-visited Laguna Beach.
Backed by Limestone Canyon Regional Park, there’s far more than sea, sun, and sand to enjoy in Orange County. Depending on the time of year, you can hike through limestone canyons and enjoy mountain biking.
Orange County, CA
2. St. Petersburg, FL
Island-hopping off the Gulf all year round
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
St. Petersburg on Florida’s Gulf Coast is a relaxing all-year escape to sunny climes. Known as a place for mature visitors, there’s more to this beach town than strolling the promenade and relaxing on the beach.
Although within touching distance of Tampa Bay, St. Pete feels a million miles away from the city. Outdoor adventures in St Pete’s area include hiking on Honeymoon State Island and kayaking past mangrove forests to Caladesi Island. Nearby Weedon Island Preserve offers miles of secluded trails with stunning coastal views.
St. Petersburg, FL
3. Myrtle Beach, SC
A popular beach resort packed with outdoor action
Good for: Adventure, Families, Nightlife
Myrtle Beach offers an incredible 60 miles (97 km) of coastline, perfect for exploring and enjoying outdoor activities beyond its lively Grand Strand. Well known as a place for golf and sport fishing on the East Coast, Myrtle Beach welcomes plenty of groups to this sunny spot in South Carolina.
Myrtle Beach State Park is home to endangered maritime forest, which is served by saltwater and freshwater estuaries. These diverse ecosystems support a variety of wildlife, providing ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts to appreciate the rich biodiversity.
Myrtle Beach, SC
4. Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Park, AZ
A huge reservoir surrounded by a stunning desert landscape
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Unusual
Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Park offers a range of outdoor pursuits like boating, fishing, and hiking amid stunning canyons with an otherworldly quality. This lake, which is actually a reservoir created by flooding Glen Canyon in the 1960s, attracts tourists seeking an escape to the Arizona wilderness.
With average summer temperatures of well over 100°F (38°C), this desert landscape is better experienced from October to April when the weather is more manageable. As well as the fun activities available on the lake itself, you can explore many unique geological features in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, such as iconic natural bridges and bizarrely shaped rocks that make for some stunning photos.
Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Park, AZ
5. Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN
Family-friendly forest adventures in the Smokey Mountains
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
Gatlinburg, and its sister town of Pigeon Forge, is found high up in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. As an outdoor enthusiast, you have endless possibilities for filling your days in this beautiful region, whether that’s skiing in winter or relaxing among lush forests in the summer.
Fans of history will enjoy the Cades Cove Loop, a 10.6-mile (17-km) trail that passes several log cabins dating back to the days of settlers in the 1800s. If you’re looking for something more exciting, head to the Pigeon River and book your spot on a rafting adventure, but be prepared for some adrenaline-pumping white-water action.
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN
6. Atlantic City, NJ
Hitting the coast for plenty of adventure in the original Sin City
Good for: Adventure, History, Nightlife
Though perhaps more famous for glitzy casinos than outdoor adventures, Atlantic City in New Jersey is also blessed with activities based on land and out at sea. Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, dinner cruises, and even parasailing are all popular water-based pursuits. Back on dry land, you can enjoy 20 miles (32 km) of trails and running tracks in the Atlantic County Park at Estell Manor.
Once you’ve had your fill of the adventurous options in and around the region, it’s worth exploring the main highlights of Atlantic City. After all, the famous boardwalk is America’s oldest such thoroughfare, combining family-friendly attractions by day and glitzy casinos and nightlife after dark.
Atlantic City, NJ
7. Lake Tahoe, NV
There’s something adventurous in every season up here
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
Lake Tahoe is a massive body of freshwater that offers sublime views and plenty of action-packed days among rich nature. Straddling California and Nevada, a string of beaches line the water, with Zephyr Cove and Emerald Bay standing out as ideal spots for relaxing days spent basking in the sun.
Meanwhile, waterskiing, kayaking, fishing, and sunset dinner cruises are popular attractions on the water. Sierra Hot Springs is a short drive away, with plunge pools and hydration massages available.
Come winter, this whole region attracts skiers and snowboarders who head to the mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe to enjoy the regular snowfall at any of the weekend resorts found in Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe, NV
8. Zion National Park, UT
A real hikers’ playground in southwestern Utah
Good for: Photo, Budget, Adventure
Zion National Park is an awe-inspiring and desolate natural playground of sheer canyons and bizarre rock formations. Most people arrive in the quaint town of Springfield before heading off on a hike into the canyons. Other popular activities here include ATV rides and rock climbing.
The sheer walls of Zion Canyon reach as much as 2,640 ft (805 meters), which makes for some awesome pictures of sandstone and blue skies. Angels Landing is an especially peaceful spot, giving you the ideal view down the canyon. For the adventurous, climbing to Scout’s Lookout is particularly rewarding. The climb up to the summit involves pulling yourself up by a chain rope, so you’ll need a high level of fitness.
Zion National Park, UT
9. Santa Barbara, CA
This upmarket town is a hub of outdoor pursuits
Good for: Couples, Food, Adventure
Santa Barbara is a coastal town backed by the beautiful Santa Ynez mountain range. This popular yet relatively secluded town is around 100 miles (161 km) north of Los Angeles. It offers stunning views and leisurely hikes, as well as many water-based adventures, including surfing and kayaking.
This town is typically Californian, with a hot, dry climate and over 300 days of sun per year. Whether you choose a day of rock-climbing, sailing, or hot-air ballooning, Santa Barbara is one of the West Coast’s finest hubs for adventure sports. Mealtimes are another highlight of this upmarket town, thanks to fantastic local produce and many of the nation’s finest vineyards nearby.
Santa Barbara, CA
10. Vail and Beaver Creek, CO
Famous winter sports hotspots that are just as fun in the summer months
Good for: Adventure, Luxury, Photo
Steep and stylish, Vail and Beaver Creek are mountain resorts that combine world-class skiing and snowboarding, with high-end hospitality, dining, and nightlife. From November to April, these two connected towns in Colorado offer some of the best winter sports in the USA.
In the summer months, Vail and Beaver Creek become a haven for hikers, who use the excellent coverage of chairlifts to access steep trails across the region. Other fun, fair-weather activities include mountain biking, fishing, and golf. Flying in and out of Vail is particularly easy as there are several airports within the region, including Eagle Airport and Aspen Airport, both less than an hour’s drive from these coupled mountain towns.
Vail and Beaver Creek, CO
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