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A screening at the Celestial Cinema in Wailea during the Maui Film Festival
(Photo: Getty Images for Maui Film Festival)
A screening at the Celestial Cinema in Wailea during the Maui Film Festival
A screening at the Celestial Cinema in Wailea during the Maui Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images for Maui Film Festival)

Choose Your Own Outdoor Festival

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Introducing a year’s worth of the most entertaining outdoor gatherings—music, sports, food, and film—all in dream locations

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ϳԹ Festival

Denver, Colorado

June 1–2, 2024

The vision for the new , which takes over downtown Denver’s Civic Center Park for a weekend at the beginning of June, is to create a first-of-its-kind gathering for people who love the outdoors. (The event is put on by ϳԹ Inc., this magazine’s parent company, in partnership with the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office and Visit Denver.) The fest brings together live music, adventure films, speakers, a pro climbing competition, skills clinics, and the latest gear.

Thundercat, one of the headliners at the ϳԹ Festival; Quannah ChasingHorse will speak at the festival.
Thundercat, one of the headliners at the ϳԹ Festival; Quannah ChasingHorse will speak at the festival. (Photo: Ariel Goldberg; Claudio Lavenia/Getty)

Musical headliners Thundercat and Fleet Foxes are joined by lineup of athletes and changemakers like Oscar-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin, distance-swimming legend Diana Nyad, model and climate-justice advocate Quannah ChasingHorse, and snowboarding icon and Protect Our Winters founder Jeremy Jones. Festival experiences include climbing walls, yoga and tai chi classes, cold plunges, cycling challenges, endurance and strength clinics, and a kids’ zone featuring hands-on nature and science exhibitions.

Denver’s Civic Center in concert mode
Denver’s Civic Center in concert mode (Photo: Visit Denver)

The Denver Art Museum, adjacent to Civic Center Park, is hosting the festival’s Film x Ideas series. Its new exhibit, Biophilia: Nature Reimagined, puts 80-plus works by photographers, architects, and designers on display. The aptly named Art Hotel (from $263), two blocks from the main festival entrance, has its own impressive collection. Need to get in some training? Ride or run the 32-mile South Platte River Trail through the city. Festival tickets from $39; free for kids 12 and under

Printmaking workshops are one of many activities United in Yosemite has offered.
Printmaking workshops are one of many activities United in Yosemite has offered. (Photo: Miya Tsudome)
A session at Sentinel Boulders
A session at Sentinel Boulders (Photo: Miya Tsudome)

United in Yosemite

Yosemite National Park, California

June 21–25, 2024

Last year the Yosemite Conservancy, Yosemite National Park, and the American Alpine Club teamed up to launch , to provide community connection and mentor climbers from underserved groups. Around 100 attendees are selected by lottery; last year there were 300 applicants, with participation from groups like Brown Girls Climb, Latino Outdoors, ParaCliffHangers, and Queer Crush. Gear donations and travel stipends are available, and entry for those selected is free.

Rock climbing in Yosemite can feel intimidating even for the experienced. United in Yosemite aims to ease access by taking care of camping and transportation and offering the services of Yosemite Mountaineering School guides. Participants stay at Yellow Pine Campground (there are group sites, a fire pit, and picnic tables) and attend athlete presentations and clinics on essentials such as anchor building and self-rescue, or join trad-climbing and bouldering sessions at spots like Swan Slab and Sentinel Boulders. Instructors this year include Genevive Walker, Eddie Taylor, and Kai Lightner.

Rounding out the event are stewardship projects—trail building and invasive-species mitigation—as well as naturalist walks, guided stargazing, and yoga. Bring a bike to explore Yosemite Valley, but be back for dinner around the campfire, where you might meet a future climbing buddy. Lottery for 2025 opens in March; free

The view from Snowshoe Mountain
The view from Snowshoe Mountain (Photo: Courtesy Snowshoe Mountain)
Concert-goers enjoying an evening set at one of two main stages
Concert-goers enjoying an evening set at one of two main stages (Photo: John Elk III/Getty)

4848 Festival

Snowshoe Mountain, West Virginia

July 18–20, 2024

Named for Snowshoe’s summit elevation, is a music fest staged in the village atop West Virginia’s favorite ski and bike destination, nestled in the Allegheny Mountains. This year’s headliners are the Flaming Lips, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, and Greensky Bluegrass. There are nightly fireworks, and don’t miss the mellow acoustic sets every morning on the Boathouse stage next to Shavers Lake. This five-year-old event is known for its Appalachian hospitality and a throwback feel where time slows and cell service drops to a single bar (the mountain lies within the National Radio Quiet Zone, which limits wireless communication, but don’t worry: there’s Wi-Fi).

The festival is your only opportunity to camp at Snowshoe Mountain, so pitch a tent at the Boathouse’s 200-site camping area ($30). Or book a condo at Highland House (from $135) and watch the bands jam from your patio. Summer is a glorious time in the Alleghenies. The 1.6-mile Shavers Lake Trail makes for a nice pre-festival stroll, and the five-mile loop along the 6,000 Steps Trail to the Snowshoe Fire Tower has views that stretch to neighboring Virginia. You can also get onto the lake (paddleboard access is included with your festival ticket), take a lesson in lift-served mountain biking, or just ride the chair and take in the scenery. Three-day festival tickets from $295; single-day tickets available closer to event date

A teen shows how it’s done at the International Great Crate Race.
A teen shows how it’s done at the International Great Crate Race. (Photo: Portland Press Herald/Getty )

Maine Lobster Festival

Rockland, Maine

July 31–August 4, 2024

Going strong for 77 years, the lauds its titular crustacean not just in plated form (though there’s plenty of that—from lobster bisque to lobster mac and cheese, along with a lobster-eating competition), but also by diving into the entire culture. There are sustainable-fishing talks and cooking demonstrations. The International Great Crate Race—in which kids and adults scamper across a nearly submerged stretch of lobster enclosures, strung together in the brisk harbor waters—is a favorite; participants line up at 5 A.M. to net one of 80 coveted spots. Other highlights include a seafood-cooking contest and a parade with floats made of lobster traps.

There are abundant food vendors, but if you crave a sit-down meal, head to the Dry Dock Restaurant, known for its lobster rolls (served the Maine way, cold and tossed in mayo, and the tourist way, hot and topped with melted butter). Or pop into Trackside Station, a former train depot, for fish and chips or shrimp tacos. Still hungry? Jess’s Market will pack lobster on ice to bring home.

In town, take the mile-long harborfront stroll to the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, built in 1902. Hiking trails in nearby Camden Hills State Park offer views of the islands dotting Penobscot Bay. The 56-room Trade Winds Inn (from $125) overlooks an ocean panorama and is minutes from the festival area. You can also park your teardrop or pitch a tent at Duck Puddle Campground (from $45), twenty miles away on Route 1, and take in the tranquillity of seven-mile-long Pemaquid Lake. Free

Bear Glacier Lake (left) and Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula
Bear Glacier Lake (left) and Resurrection Bay on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula (Photo: Cavan Images/Getty)
Jason Mraz (center) performing with his band at Salmonfest 2019
Jason Mraz (center) performing with his band at Salmonfest 2019 (Photo: Courtesy Salmonfest)

Salmonfest

Ninilchik, Alaska

August 2–4, 2024

For three days every year, 9,000 or so attendees turn a plot on the Kenai Peninsula into the fifth most populous place in Alaska. Launched in 2011, and held at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds north of Homer on the Cook Inlet, it’s one of the state’s most popular music festivals. Over a dozen bands are slated to perform on four stages this summer, including headliners Michael Franti and Spearhead, Dawes, and Kitchen Dwellers. Since 2015, the event has donated more than $100,000 for organizations like United Tribes of Bristol Bay, Cook Inletkeeper, and Alaskans Know Climate Change.

You’ll know you’re in Alaska because everyone’s decked out in salmon-themed outfits or wearing Xtratuf rain boots. And because it’s August, daylight lasts until 10:30 P.M. (The late-night electronic dance show till 2 A.M. is one of the few events fully taking place in the dark.) The festival is held on 60 forested acres, and there’s camping on-site. Want to stay elsewhere? The Alaska Bus Company runs daily shuttles from Homer, less than an hour away, where the bands stay at the Land’s End Resort (from $339).

After the music wraps, extend your trip and explore the glaciers at Kenai Fjords National Park, on the eastern peninsula, accessible by car from Seward. Or float the Kenai River with Alaska Wildland ϳԹs, which launches guided excursions from Cooper Landing. Bring your binocs to spot the eagles, moose, and bears along the shoreline. Festival tickets from $75

Hinterland, known for its top-flight music lineup, saw upward of 14,000 festival-goers in 2023.
Hinterland, known for its top-flight music lineup, saw upward of 14,000 festival-goers in 2023. (Photo: Ismael Quintanilla)

Hinterland

Saint Charles, Iowa

August 2–4, 2024

When began in 2015, it was supposed to take place at a Des Moines park, but flooding forced organizers to relocate it south, to a natural amphitheater in the farmlands of Saint Charles. These days, concert-goers around the country flock to a grassy field in Iowa because the lineup is that good: an A-plus mix of Americana, alt-country, and indie-pop. This year Noah Kahan, Hozier, and Vampire Weekend take the stage, with the Des Moines skyline as the backdrop.

Sixty percent of attendees opt to camp on-site (included in the ticket price), and for good reason: campers organize activities like a 5K running race and family-style meals; a 24-hour taco truck sets up nearby; and there’s after-hours music by the campfire. The festival is family-friendly, with kid-oriented programming and crafts.

Between sets, wander the surrounding 250 acres, studded with blackberry bushes and 100-year-old oaks. A free shuttle runs to and from Des Moines if you want to explore the café-filled East Village or hit the trails at Water Works Park. Festival tickets from $145; free for kids ten and under

Haleakalā National Park, Maui
While on Maui, definitely take the time to explore Haleakalā National Park. (Photo: Westend61/Getty Images)

Maui Film Festival

Kahului and Wailea, Maui, Hawaii

August 29–September 2, 2024

is like no other you’ve experienced. For starters, many of the movies are shown outside, on a 50-foot-wide screen just opposite Kahului Beach on the north shore. Settle in on a beach chair or blanket and prepare for some exceptional films, including international shorts and topical documentaries (like Hawaii’s own Big Wave Guardians, screened here in 2023). More than a thousand films are submitted and 50 are selected. Established in 1997, the festival attracts Hollywood celebs and indie filmmakers from around the world and is powered by solar energy.

In addition to the films and panel discussions, there are farm-to-table meals, yoga, traditional Hawaiian dances, and paddleboard and surf lessons. Stay in Paia at the beachside Paia Inn (from $299). Three miles away, Hookipa Beach is known for its windsurfing and green sea turtles that waddle along the white sand. Festival tickets $36 per night

Runners ascend Dragon’s Back Trail during the Mammoth Trailfest in California.
Runners ascend Dragon’s Back Trail during the Mammoth Trailfest in California.

Mammoth Trailfest

Mammoth Lakes, California

September 19–22, 2024

Some trail races feel intimidating and exclusive, geared toward distance diehards. Not so at , with its range of categories: a 1K kids’ run, an uphill 5K, a 26K, and a 50K. The local high school band plays atop 11,053-foot Mammoth Mountain; runners are treated to pancakes midrace and doughnuts at the end; and the race director, pro ultrarunner Tim Tollefson, rings a cowbell and cheers on competitors until the last person comes in. A 12-hour cutoff for the 50K—similar races have a deadline of nine or ten hours—gives everyone a better chance of finishing.

This year’s races are mostly sold out (registration opened in January) so, to run, mark your calendar for 2025. Stewardship is a pillar of the event, which partners with nonprofits like Runners for Public Lands and Friends of the Inyo, and participants are asked to help with trail maintenance.

If you aren’t the trail-racing type and only go for the fun of it, there are other things to get up to. Ride the gondola to the summit, enjoy evening films and talks, and dance all night at DJed parties. Festival-goers get discounts on accommodations, including at the Village Lodge (from $212), which has a pool and a hot tub and is located just steps from the starting line.

If you’d rather sleep under the stars, you can do so at Twin Lakes Campground (from $40), a national-forest site skirted by several of the race routes. After the event, plunge into nearby Convict Lake or soak in the hot springs off Benton Crossing Road south of town. Race-entry fees from $70

Leavenworth’s most popular Oktoberfest game: the stein-holding competition
Leavenworth’s most popular Oktoberfest game: the stein-holding competition (Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce)

Oktoberfest

Leavenworth, Washington

October 4–5, 11–12, and 18–19, 2024

A lot of towns throw Oktoberfests, but nobody pulls it off quite like Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed village in central Washington’s Cascade Range. This is so popular, it’s spread over three weekends. (Tickets go on sale in July; get yours online to avoid the box-office crunch.) All the trappings are here: German beers on tap, brat- and pretzel-hawking street vendors, mustache showdowns, and stein-holding contests (in which you straight-arm a liter of beer as long as you can).

Three stages host local musicians and performers brought in from Europe, and a festival beer is made in partnership with a trio of Leavenworth breweries: Icicle, Doghaus, and Blewett. Don’t miss the “yodeling superstar” Manuela Horn or the tasty fare at Sausage Garten and München Haus.

The annual Leavenworth Marathon is held on the first Saturday of Oktoberfest, so you can celebrate your finish at the beer garden, if that’s your vibe. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful time to be outside, with colorful fall foliage on the trees and temperatures in the sixties or seventies. Walk the two-mile Blackbird Island Trail along the Wenatchee River for leaf-peeping and views of Wedge Mountain. Or combine an Oktoberfest weekend with a backpacking trip in the nearby Enchantments, a stunningly rugged wilderness area ($5 permit required).

In Leavenworth, stay at the 90-room Bavarian Lodge (from $340) or the Loge Leavenworth Downtown, which has communal spaces and gear rentals (from $107) to be part of the action. Or reserve a quiet cabin in the woods at Sleeping Lady Resort (from $265). A free shuttle runs through town each weekend. Festival tickets from $12 per day

Festive gear
Festive gear (Photo: Courtesy Andrew Rios)
A proud shot ski at Gay Ski Week
A proud shot ski at Gay Ski Week (Photo: Courtesy Andrew Rios)

Gay Ski Week

Telluride, Colorado

February 2025

One of the longest-standing gay ski weeks in the nation, is among the best. Maybe it’s because this mountain town is exceptionally skilled at hosting festivals (see: Telluride Mountainfilm and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival). In 2023, the organizers of Telluride Blues and Brews and the Telluride Jazz Festival—two other stellar gatherings—took over management of the town’s Gay Ski Week, keeping some classic activities (including the pool party and group ski outings) and adding a few of its own, like a drag show with a cowboy-themed after-party and a glitter ball.

New for 2024 is a ski parade led by ձܰ’s own Gus Kenworthy, an Olympic slopestyle silver medalist. For the downhill averse, the Telluride Nordic Center rents cross-country skis and snowshoes and maintains seven trail networks in the area.

The banner hanging over Main Street sums up the inclusive vibe: thanks for coming out. Look for festival accommodation discounts at the Peaks Resort and Spa (from $489) and Mountain Lodge (from $499). Dates and prices for 2025 to be announced

A rider tests his aerial skills on the airbag jump.
A rider tests his aerial skills on the airbag jump. (Photo: Aaron Ingrao)

Sedona Mountain Bike Festival

Sedona, Arizona

March 2025

If you’re a mountain biker or hoping to become one, Sedona should be on your list—more than 250 miles of varied singletrack and dramatic red-rock landscape make for an incredible cycling playground. Go for the , which recently celebrated its tenth year, and you can leave your rig at home. The three-day gathering will set you up with bike demos from dozens of brands and shuttles to the best trails—including flowy Hiline, with stellar vistas of Cathedral Rock, and Mescal, a traverse with spicy rock sections.

There’s something for every ability level, from beginner lessons covering the fundamentals to skills clinics on cornering, as well as group rides, a friendly dual slalom, and hilarious tricycle races that pit pros against the kids. You can ride with world champion Jill Kintner, or hang out in the gear tents discussing kit options with company reps.

Food trucks, a beer garden, and live music round out the experience. There’s free dispersed camping in west Sedona’s Coconino National Forest, a few miles from the festival. The Sugar Loaf Lodge (from $155) has bike tools, a complimentary breakfast, and a hotel manager named Thor who knows every trail in town. Dates to be announced; festival tickets from $80

Pickin’ on the Dead plays the bluff-top stage at BajaWonderGrass.
Pickin’ on the Dead plays the bluff-top stage at BajaWonderGrass. (Photo: Molly McCormick)

BajaWonderGrass

El Sargento, Baja California Sur, Mexico

April 24–26, 2025

Drive a mile down a dirt road from the fishing village of El Sargento, 30 miles southeast of La Paz, and you’ll reach the beachfront stages of , an intimate, low-key music festival. Put on by the organizers of the WinterWonder-Grass fests in Lake Tahoe, California, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the Baja fest debuted in 2023 with ticket sales capped at 300 people. In 2024, with a lineup of artists including Fruition, the Lil Smokies, and WinterWonderWomen, the festival is still managing to keep the crowd below 400. Musicians jam together on a main stage set on a
bluff overlooking the Sea of Cortez.

Book a casita at nearby Palapas Ventana (ask for a festival discount), which has snorkeling gear, bikes, and kayaks available for use. The property can also arrange kiteboarding lessons and fishing charters to the uninhabited Isla Cerralvo, where you might spot whales as you cast for yellowtail and snapper. Run or mountain-bike the 4.5-mile Punta Gorda Trail; it connects to a network of singletrack amid an ancient cactus forest.

Local café Pólvora serves brunch in the morning and a Middle Eastern–inspired dinner menu four nights a week, and at Baja Bites you’ll find some of the tastiest tacos in the region. Fly into San José del Cabo; from there it’s a 2.5-hour drive due north to El Sargento. Dates to be announced; three-day festival tickets from $249; free for kids 12 and under

Morels are prepared in a plethora of ways for festival foodies.
Morels are prepared in a plethora of ways for festival foodies. (Photo: Courtesy The National Morel Mushroom Festival/Alex Childress)

National Morel Mushroom Festival

Boyne City, Michigan

May 2025

Morels are enchanting: they’re tricky to spot in the wild, have a short season, and taste delicious. Those are just a few of the reasons enthusiasts have gathered in northern Michigan each spring since 1960 for the . Now one of the biggest mushroom fests in the country, the event draws some 2,000 attendees with tastings, seminars, an arts-and-crafts show, a farmers’ market, and a spirited morel-foraging competition (victory goes to whoever collects the most in 90 minutes). Proceeds benefit area high school students pursuing careers in science.

Between shroom mixers, head to nearby Boyne Mountain Resort to check out 32 miles of trails, or rent a paddleboard or kayak from Boyne Watersports to explore Lake Charlevoix. Camp (from $40) or overnight in a yurt ($70) at the Chandler Hill Campground, 20 miles east of town, or stay closer to the festival at the Boyne Schoolhouse Lofts (from $145), a six-room inn converted from a school built in 1912. Dates to be announced; tasting tickets from $10

From May/June 2024
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Lead Photo: Getty Images for Maui Film Festival