If you’re asking yourself where you should go on vacation this year, you’re not alone. And there’s no shortage of “where to go” lists this time of year—competing compendiums of new hotels and resorts, trendy neighborhoods, and cultural hotspots to check out in the year ahead.

This is not that list. Not exactly, anyways.

As adventure addicts, we wanted to craft a roster of amazing destinations where you can get outdoors, camp, paddle, surf, hike, and crush some dynamic singletrack. Our overriding parameters determining what made the cut was simple: what’s cool and fresh in the world outside?

The answer? Plenty.

Here’s Where to Go on Vacation in 2025, If You’re Into These Outdoor Pursuits

Every one of these destinations promises an amazing adventure, whether that’s carving down a fresh-cut ski run, tackling a section of a new thru-hiking terrain, or releasing turtles on the beaches of Mexico. These trips all come with good food, great vistas, and unforgettable cultural experiences. And yes, a few even have luxe places to crash at night, too.

Many of these destinations are in the beginning phases of executing ambitious goals, and we included them to offer a glimpse of what’s to come. Others are perennial favorites that have simply been overlooked by online-influencer culture and thus remain indelibly cool in real life. In other words, we’re offering up some new options and some classic standbys. We also included both domestic and international destinations for each type of adventure, in case you’re feeling particularly wanderlusty (or a staycation).

Together, they prove, once again, that there’s no shortage of fun to have outside. Here’s where to travel in 2025 if you’re up for it.

1. Long Walks (or Runs)

Stay Domestic: Cross Texas Trail, Texas

Beginning this year, Texas will get its own thru-hiking epic, the new Cross Texas Trail, a proposed 1,500-mile-long haul that stretches from the Louisiana border in the east, near the town of Orange, to El Paso in the west. Among the many highlights of the planned xTx, as it is known: panoramic views of Hill Country, the rugged peaks of Big Bend Ranch State Park, East Texas barbecue joints, the crystal-clear Devil’s River, and the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, at 8,751 feet.

The trail, designed for hikers, bikers, and equestrians, is a work in progress, but the route features a mix of singletrack and paved and gravel backcountry public roads. You can ride much of the route now, but the nonprofit behind the xTx—led by bike advocate, former community design consultant, and state representative Charlie Gandy—is currently working on access to some private ranch land so that riders can more easily enter some sections of state and national parks. In the future, there could even be trailheads equipped with picnic areas, water stations, and campsites, but for now, it’s all a self-supported, DIY affair. The trail has a long way to go to match the history of the Appalachian Trail or the sheer beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail, but it could be one of the best, if longest, ways to experience the hardscrabble charm of the Lone Star State.

Go Abroad: Palmilhar Portugal, Portugal

Portugal is about to get its own version of Spain’s Camino de Santiago, a new 3,000-kilometer (1,850 miles) loop trail that is being billed as the world’s longest circular hiking route. The trail, called (or “Walking Portugal”, in English), will eventually pass through over 100 off-the-beaten-path attractions around the country, from windmills and vineyards outside Lisbon to mountain peaks in the north. Most of the trail is still under construction, but initial sections opened last summer, and new routes are being added regularly throughout 2025. While mostly a hiking trail, Palmilhar Portugal will have some sections open to cyclists, too. The team behind Palmihar Portugal plans to launch an app later this year, , that will help visitors look up information about the route and the services along the way, including places to stay, restaurants, and points of interest.

2. Fat-Tire and Mountain-Biking Fun

Stay Domestic: Killington Bike Park, Vermont

In the fall of 2024, , in Vermont’s Green Mountains, was purchased by a passionate group of local investors who promised big changes to New England’s iconic ski area, including a in capital improvements over the next two seasons. Those upgrades include an expansion to its already impressive bike park, with 30 miles of lift-accessed mountain-biking trails.

Beginning in 2025, the park will get a new trail, accessed by the Ramshead Express Quad, and other improvements are in the works. The new trail (dubbed Ramshead, construction on which starts this spring) will start at the top of the lift and snake down the mountain for more than two miles. Even without the new upgrades, the bike park is one of the best in the East, with features like berms, tabletops, and bridges that cater to intermediate and advanced riders alike. Its signature trail, “,” is a steep, technical descent with rock gardens and big jumps, but there are plenty of smoother trails for beginner downhillers, too. (One-day passes begin at $65.) Off the trails, Killington’s base area is buzzing with its new enhancements on the horizon, and everything points to this year being the start of upgraded riding to come for Killington.

Go Abroad: Mogo Trails Project, Australia

Like many areas rich in adventure bona fides—British Columbia, South Africa, New Zealand—Australia is investing heavily in new trails for mountain bike aficionados, and one the largest ongoing projects is , in New South Wales.

The expansive trail network, roughly four hours south of Sydney, is being developed near the town of Mogo, a tiny outpost adjacent to the area’s temperate rainforests.Ìę Mogo Trails is being designed for various skill levels, from beginners to advanced riders, with a mix of park-style gravity trails with jumps and cross-country trails.

Currently, there are about 70km of singletrack ready for riders, with a total of 130km planned to be completed in 2025 and beyond. Finished trails are listed on, along with descriptions of each one. If you’re coming from Sydney, you’ll need to book lodging nearby. Batemans Bay, a version of an Oregon beach town Down Under, has excellent options, including , an upscale motel that also offers easy access to surf breaks just down the beach. (From $140 per night.) The much larger town of Canberra, the capital of Australia, is two hours away. Other nearby mountain bike trails, like the new Narooma Trails, which opened in 2023, are making the area a legitimate international destination for MTB enthusiasts.

3. Fresh Piste

Stay Domestic: Deer Valley Resort, Utah

Over the next few years, Park City’s Deer Valley Resort is undergoing a , with a new base village, 100 new trails on 2,600 acres of fresh terrain, and more than 10 new lifts to access it all, including a 10-passenger gondola. When it’s all said and done, the resort will double in size to over 5,700 acres, making it one of the ten largest ski resorts in the United States.

The transformation is already under way. Debuting for the 2024–2025 season are three new chairlifts, 300 acres of terrain, and freshly cut trails leading to the new East Village. When it’s complete, the East Village will offer the same level of premium service that Deer Valley has become known for, with restaurants, retail shops, and an ice-skating facility, among other facilities. Of course, for day skiers, perhaps the biggest draw of the new East Village is that it’s located on U.S. Route 40, which allows you to avoid driving through the heart of Park City itself, often crowded with traffic.

For now, the brand-new , with 381 guest rooms and suites, anchors the East Village, and it’s the only place to stay on that side of the resort. (From $270 per night.) But the hotel has more than enough amenities to keep you comfortable, including a restaurant and bar, a downstairs speakeasy-style lounge, a coffeeshop, a heated outdoor pool, three hot tubs, and a partnership with Ski Butlers to offer white-glove ski valet service when suiting up for the day. There’s even a , a High Tea service but instead of tea and hand sandwiches, you get hot chocolate paired with s’mores cookies, chocolate snowballs, and other baked goods.

Go Abroad: Andermatt Ski Area, Switzerland

Unknown to most Americans, the combined ski resorts of , an hour and a half south of Zurich, is poised to become one of Europe’s premier ski destinations. Over the last handful of years, more than $2 billion has been invested in upgrades, with ten new lifts that allowed you to ski all three by accessing any one of them. Combined, the resorts have more than 100 miles of trails.

The historic village of Andermatt, with cobblestone streets and a very Swiss vibe, has also been undergoing a series of renovations to accommodate the influx of skiers. This winter, for example, it unveiled a brand-new shopping and dining district featuring 35 stores and 10 restaurants. The resort is also on track to become carbon neutral by 2030, a hugely ambitious goal for such a large operation.

For American skiers, it’s also become easier to shred: In 2022, Vail acquired majority ownership in the resort, which means that it’s now . With over 12 feet of average annual snowfall, a range of terrain—from blue and yellow runs to steep couloirs and powder-filled bowls—Andermatt is one of the best resorts in all of Europe. And with a master plan mapped out for the next 30 years, now is the time to go, before the hordes descend.

4. Beach Vibes

Stay Domestic: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

As part of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras is known for its expansive East-Coast beaches, world-class kiteboarding, and laid-back charm. It’s also now home to one of the more exciting Atlantic Coast lodging conversions in years: , a 14-room wellness-oriented hotel that faces Pamlico Sound, a vast expanse of shallow water good for both paddling and kiting. The hotel opened last year after owners bought a failed, two-story strip mall and transformed it into a chic hotel with suites designed by world-famous interior designer Jonathan Adler.

If that turns you off, don’t let it. The result is a quirky mashup of coastal kitsch and beach sophistication with a focus on outdoor recreation. There’s even an outdoor deck featuring cold plunges, a sauna, and a hot tub for relaxing in after a long day on the saltwater. (From $179 per night.) And its location, adjacent to the entire length of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore—where windswept dunes and unspoiled stretches of sand offer endless opportunities for surfing, fishing, and paddleboarding—leads to a perfect blend adventure and tranquility in one of the most celebrated beach destinations in the U.S.

Go Abroad: Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast

Ìę Nicaragua’s Pacific Coastline has long been considered one of the best stretches of remote coastline in Central America, with excellent surf breaks framed by undeveloped sand beaches and tropical forest. Now, thanks to an ongoing , it’s about to get much easier to access much of the coastline.

The country’s new Carratera Costanera Highway, or Emerald Coast Highway, will stretch more than 350 kilometers (217 miles) from the Gulf of Fonseca in the north to Playa El Naranjo in the south, making it smoother and safer to travel along the coastline. Construction has already , near San Juan del Sur, which is known as the country’s surf capital, because of its proximity to some of Nicaragua’s . Up and down the coastline, you’ll find a variety of waves, from mellow beach breaks to beefy points, with consistent year-round swell (although the summer months remain the best).

The promise of easy access is already drawing development interest to the coastline and new tourist offerings, like the newly refreshed and reopened , which was the country’s first true luxury eco-resort when it opened in 2013. (From $776 per night.) The resort has direct walking access to a world-class surf break just off of its private beach. While funding is secured for the road construction, the pace of progress is nearly impossible to predict, so don’t expect to be driving down a long stretch of empty, freshly paved highway this year. (Also, the U.S. State Department has a for the country, in part because of the government’s arbitrary enforcement of laws, although like Costa Rica or Panama, Nicaragua is generally safe for tourists if you exercise caution). But if you want to experience the surf breaks before the rush on the rapidly developing coastline, now is the time to go.

5. Paddling Pristine Backcountry

Stay Domestic: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota

In January 2023, the Biden administration helped ban mining and geothermal exploration on over 225,000 acres of land in the Superior National Forest, preserving the integrity of the Rainy River watershed and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the process.

With President Trump in power again, however, advocates are once again worried that the BWCAW, one of the most pristine landscapes in the Lower 48, could return to becoming a political football. If so, it could be tossed back into the hands of the Chilean-owned mining conglomerate that has been seeking to open a copper-sulfide mine in the area for years. All of which is a good reason to explore the area now, to see firsthand just how special this landscape is.

Spanning over a million acres of North Woods forest dotted with thousands of lakes, this is a paddler’s paradise, with more than 1,200 miles of canoe routes and 2,000 campsites, most of which are paddle-in only. If you want a break from modern life and all its real-time annoyances and aggravations, the BWCAW has always been one of the best places to do it, and now you can show your tacit political support for the area simply by enjoying a weekend paddle through it.

Go Abroad: Pacuare River, Costa Rica

The Pacuare River, roughly 60 miles east of San JosĂ©, is not only one of the best tropical rafting trips on the planet—and by extension one of the best ways to experience Costa Rica’s wild side—it’s also “home” to the perennial favorite . With 20 suites, a restaurant, and a spa set along the riverbank, the lodge has set an impossibly high standard for eco-luxury in the heart of the rainforest. (From $949 per night.)

The best part, however, is that arriving at Picuare requires getting on the water first. With no road into the property, guests float down the Pacuare’s class II–V rapids, through canyons and untouched jungle, and arrive via boat on the lodge’s front steps. Despite its remoteness, it’s full of amenities. Each suite has a range of luxuries like outdoor showers, spring-fed fountains, and plunge pools. The restaurant serves exceptionally high-quality, fresh ingredients and the spa has wellness programs that include open-air yoga sessions and treatments inspired by indigenous traditions. The surrounding forest is home to toucans, sloths, and howler monkeys, and non-river activities include guided rainforest hikes to see the wildlife, zip-lining, and visiting local CabĂ©car communities. The lodge itself is worthy of a visit alone, but combined with its entrance theatrics—a float down the whitewater of Pacuare River—the experience may just offer the perfect balance of adventure and indulgences for a weekend jungle-induced rejuvenation. Pura vida indeed.

6. Camping (with Creature Comforts)

Stay Domestic: Yosemite, California

Outdoor-oriented hospitality group is expanding once again, this time to an 80-acre camp near Yosemite National Park. Ever since it started with a single glamping resort in West Yellowstone in 2012, the company has grown year over year to offer overnight access to some of America’s most iconic destinations, including Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and Moab (thanks to its luxury offshoot ULUM Moab).

is the company’s first foray into California, and it will feature the same safari-inspired tents—with king-size beds, a private deck, and ensuite bathrooms—that have made its 13 other locations so popular. There will also be regular activities in the camp, such as live music, morning yoga, and nightly fires with s’mores. (The seasonal camp runs from May 15 to October 27 in 2025, and rates start at $349 per night, meals not included.)

But perhaps the best reason to book a stay here while visiting Yosemite National Park is the easy access it affords. The camp is located just ten minutes from the west entrance to the park and, more importantly, across from a bus stop for the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS). Without a reservation in summer, you are no longer allowed to enter the park by car. So staying at Under Canvas Yosemite means you not only get all the amenities, but you also get easy, car-free access to the park.

Go Abroad: Playa Viva, Mexico

On a remote beach 35 miles south of Zihuatanejo lies one of the most ecologically sensitive, off-grid, wellness-focused resorts on the planet: . This is far from camping, but the 19 open-air treehouses and casitas, designed with bamboo and other sustainable woods, will make it feel as if you’re poaching a nap on the last stretch of perfect sand in all of Mexico.

Each room has unobstructed views of the beach, with nothing to be seen either direction besides palm trees, Pacific waves, and the occasional breaching whale. Set on 200 coastal acres, Playa Viva is home to a vibrant turtle sanctuary, a regenerative farm, and mangrove forest. The resort supports local communities through various initiatives and actively works to help restore surrounding ecosystems. Guests can even participate in activities like helping release baby sea turtles (during the fall hatching season).

The on-site restaurant even serves farm-to-table dishes that celebrate the region’s culinary heritage. Think fresh-caught seafood, handmade tortillas, and tropical fruits picked just steps from your casita. Daily beachside yoga classes and a variety of massage services round out the offerings. Again, you’re not exactly roughing it, but the resort is a world away in a wild, pristine corner of Mexico. (Summer low-season rates begin at $240 per night.)

7. Wildlife Encounters

Stay Domestic: American Prairie Reserve, Montana

When it was established in 2004, —a private, nonprofit effort to create the largest wildlife reserve in the continental U.S. at three million acres—seemed like nothing more than a pipe dream. But the group has steadily managed to acquire an impressive amount of land on Montana’s Northern Great Plains in their effort to reestablish a functioning ecosystem that supports free-roaming wildlife.

In December, APR , which brings their total to over half a million acres of deeded land and leased public property. Thanks to all the efforts over the years, the reserve is now home to a wealth of iconic wildlife, including herds of bison, elk, and pronghorn. It also contains some of the most remote areas of the lower-48 states, with a diverse landscape—from sagebrush plains to riparian areas to the steep hills of the Missouri Breaks—that offers visitors the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

The APR’s National Discovery Center has excellent exhibits about the prairie ecosystem, and is the best place to learn about the reserve’s hiking, biking, and camping opportunities, especially considering that it continues to expand its offerings, which includes interpretive programs. But as a quick-start option, one of the best ways to experience the wildlife is by camping at , located four miles north of the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge on the rolling shortgrass prairie. (RV sites are $19 per night and tent sites are $13.) Here, you’re almost certain to see plains bison and pronghorn roaming past prairie dog towns and get a much deeper connection to one of the most overlooked landscapes in the U.S. The American Prairie Reserve isn’t just a trip, it’s a chance to witness (and participate in) conservation history in the making.

Go Abroad: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, British Columbia

Tucked into a Pacific Ocean inlet on Vancouver Island’s wild west coast, is perhaps the most luxurious gateway to British Columbia’s wildlife-rich temperate rainforest. It may also be the best way to see the area’s charismatic, iconic species, from black bears and eagles to whales and otters.

The lodge’s 25 canvas tents, which are lavishly appointed with specially made furnishings, king-sized beds, and wood-burning stoves, offer guests the perfect blend of off-grid seclusion and high-end comfort. (From $3,300 per night.)

Meals focus on hyper-local, foraged ingredients crafted into exquisite dishes. Committed to sustainability, the seasonal lodge operates with an extremely light footprint, relying on renewable energy to power the camp. It also supports local First Nations communities through cultural exchange programs and eco-tourism partnerships. All of which makes staying here feeling as if you’re part of a very lucky family.

But the real reason to come are the wildlife excursions, which includes hiking or horseback rides in the forest to see and sea kayaking outings on the inlet, where it’s common to spot whales, porpoises, seals, and sea lions. And this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the lodge’s eco-adventure program. For those seeking a communion with nature that has more than a dash of indulgence, Clayoquot offers an unforgettable escape into the wild heart of British Columbia.

Ryan Krogh is a writer and editor who lives in Austin, Texas. Among the dozens of destinations that he traveled to in 2024, including Iceland, England, and a road trip through Mexico’s highlands, his favorite was a weekend fly-fishing trip to the Texas Coast. In 2025, he’s hoping to see Nicaragua and Portugal for the first time, which is why they’re included here, but he also has plans to explore the new “Gulf of America” coast, whatever that is. He has recently written about the world’s best airports with cool outdoor spaces, the beginner’s guide to carry-on luggage, and the most dog-friendly beaches in the U.S.

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If you’re a regular traveler like me, you already know this: most airports are awful. You’re constantly rushing through a crowded terminal, competing with a harried mess of humanity, only to then cram yourself into a narrow seat for a few hours until you get to your next terminal purgatory—meanwhile, dragging your luggage the whole way. Germs waft through the air. Couples argue about holding each other up in the TSA line. As I write this, I’m sitting in the F concourse at Minneapolis Saint-Paul listening to a kid whine at NASCAR-engine levels about not getting soft serve ice cream and his Chick-fil-A nuggets.

Airports are the worst.

Except
not all of them. Around the world, there are a growing number of destinations that are making their airports, well, welcoming. A shocking idea, I know. I’ve been to a handful of these miraculous creations (compared to the usual dreadfulness)—international airports like Vancouver, Zurich, and Munich. They’re clean, organized, and, best of all, have a place to get some fresh air before your next long-haul flight. With this new wave of amenities (and your travel sanity) in mind, here are the best airports in the world, from Asia and the Middle East to right here in North America, that offer incredible open-air areas to soothe your traveling stress.

Singapore Changi Airport, Singapore (SIN)

Don’t Miss: The Indoor Climbing Area

Changi Airport is a perennial winner of the , thanks to a seemingly never-ending list of Disneyland-like attractions, including a onsite, a on the roof of Terminal 1, and the , at seven stories high. There’s even an indoor forest, called , with walking paths and a glass walkway that rises 23 meters above the terminal floor, allowing you to trek amongst the treetops. (To see how impressive the full list of attractions is, you can scroll through it .)

For nature lovers, though, the true gem is Changi’s series of gardens, including Cactus Garden, Sunflower Garden, Enchanted Garden, Petal Garden, and Butterfly Garden. Together, they offer the most complete botanical adventure you’ll get at any airport on earth. And even though some of the gardens are indoors, it’s hard to tell.

The , for example, is set in a large conservatory designed as a tropical forest, with an 18-foot high grotto waterfall. It’s home to over 1,000 butterflies from as many as 40 species and, on your way to your gate, you can stop by and stand amidst the flora as the butterflies flutter around you. For a splash of yellow, the is worth a quick stop if you have some time to kill in terminal 2, and the , also in Terminal 2, is designed to offer Shangri-La-like atmosphere, with the sounds of a forest pumped into is a large room dominated by four giant glass bouquet sculptures that are filled with a variety of flowers and ferns.

Perhaps most Zen of all, though, is the on the roof of Terminal 1, which features over 100 species of arid plants from Asia, Africa, and the Americas—everything from prickly pear cactus to giant ponytail palm trees. It also has a bar and shaded tables, so it may just be the best place to grab a local while you hope for another hour delay on your flight out.

Denver International Airport, Colorado (DEN)

Don’t Miss: The Ice-Skating Rink

This pick comes with a minor asterisk: the primary outdoor area is before you go through security, so you’ll need to enjoy the al fresco offerings in advance of your flight, but the options are worth the early arrival. The space is called the , and it’s a large synthetic turf located between the Jeppesen Terminal and the Westin Hotel, underneath the airport’s famous faux mountain peaks.

In summer, the turf is set up with cornhole games and wooden benches for lounging, and there’s often live music or other events throughout the season (all of which are free to the public). In the winter months, typically from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, the area features an open-air ice rink with free loaner skates.

Of course, don’t fret if you’re running on time and need to get through the TSA line: inside the airport there are three outdoor lounges with seating and fire pits, at Concourse A-West near gate A15; on Concourse B-West at gate B7; and at gate C67 on Concourse C-East.

Zurich Airport, Switzerland (ZRH)

Don’t Miss: The Outdoor Walking Paths

If you find yourself craving one last view of the Alps before your flight home, , the primary hub for Swiss International Airlines, has an executive lounge with an outdoor terrace that has impressive views of the mountains beyond. The at the Midfield Terminal is open to all travelers for a fee (roughly $50) and, in addition to the outdoor terrace views, you get access to all of the lounge’s food and drink options, and other amenities.

But the real reason Zurich Airport is on this list is because of its adjacent , a 20-acre park filled with forested walking paths and a modest hill with good views from up top. It’s a great place to unwind during a long layover or if you get caught waiting for a delayed flight. You’ll need to leave the terminal to access it, but the short walk and fresh air are worth it. During much of the week, there are park rangers who will take you on a , explaining the flora and fauna and how it was designed for maximum relaxation (check the rangers’ in advance). There’s even a free cable car to whisk you into the park in the most Swiss way possible.

From the arrivals area, walk across the parking area to the Circle, the large building adjacent to the terminal that hosts restaurants, hotels, and stores. From there you can take the cable car into Der Park.

Vancouver International Airport, Canada (YVR)

Don’t Miss: The Digital Light Show

For most passengers headed through , their first introduction (or last farewell) to British Columbia is YVR’s Chester Johnson Park, located directly adjacent to (and underneath) the Canada Line train station. The park is designed to feel like an , with rock-lined paths, native trees, driftwood benches, and a large wooden sculpture—the Musqueam Welcome Figure—curving throughout its length. It’s also home to the Green Wall, a 17-meter-high vegetated art installation made up of, at last count, 27,391 individual plants.

As for inside the airport itself, there’s a new 47-foot-high open-air atrium in the international terminal, with three full-grown hemlock trees in the center. Until recently, the glassed-in atrium was only visible to passengers as they commuted past, like looking into a giant terrarium, but you can now open a door and walk out into the atrium for a breath of fresh air. At night, the trees and rock landscape are lit up by digital light projections—faux waves crashing over the rocks, for example—and a corresponding soundscape. The whole experience is designed to showcase the sights and sounds of B.C., and it does just that and more. It may be the most successful attempt of any airport in the world to bring a little bit of the region’s natural landscape into the airport itself.

Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN)

Don’t Miss: The Indoor Gardens

Among the many attractions for passengers flying into or through South Korea’s —the country’s main international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the world—is a sprawling, in Terminal 2.

The green features are spread throughout much of the large space, with a mix of flowers, trees, ferns, and bamboo growing from planters situated throughout—in the floors, dividing walls, large garden spaces, and above kiosks’ ceilings, with strands hanging down. Smaller water, rock, cactus, and pine gardens are strategically located across the airport campus, too. Technically, none of these areas are outdoors, but the enormous roof above the main area, with translucent panels in the center, makes it feels as such, which is why we’re including it on this list.

We’re also including Incheon because of the airport’s ongoing plans to add even more green spaces that utilize a variety of plants to create a living, breathing indoor space with healthier air for all visitors. As part of its , the airport also plans to add a terrace with an outdoor garden, so passengers can decompress before their (likely long) overseas flight.

Long Beach Airport, California (LGB)

Don’t Miss: The Palm Treed Courtyard

, bills itself as “America’s coolest airport,” and while that moniker is a bit of a stretch, it does have an impressive courtyard with a series of tall palm trees and a drought-tolerant garden. The airport, one of the five major commercial airfields serving the greater Los Angeles metroplex, is the second smallest, with just 11 gates. In such a tiny airport, the 4,200-square-foot courtyard is definitely a unique amenity, one that punches well above its weight.

The courtyard is also ringed by dining options from local establishments, so it’s an excellent place to grab a bite to eat while you wait for your flight out. For those heading to this side of L.A. or points south along the coastline, LGB is definitely a good choice over LAX (see below).

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Don’t Miss: The Private Lounges

For anyone who has traveled through recently, you know it’s a mess, thanks to a $30 billion overhaul one of the world’s busiest airports is getting ahead of the , in L.A. By the time construction is done, it will almost be a brand new airport, with new terminals, an elevated train, and an on-site rental-car facility to help eliminate the shuttles current clogging up the passenger pickup/drop-off areas. Already some of the upgrades are beginning to appear, including a series of new lounges with outdoor terraces.

The in Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) has a large outdoor deck with fire pits, trees, running water, and great views of the Hollywood Hills in the distance ($75 for standard access). The United Club in Terminal 7 is much smaller—more a balcony than a lounge—but it’s spacious enough to get some fresh air and does have good views of the tarmac ($59 for a single-entry pass).

The new , which is open to Delta customers traveling with a Delta One ticket, is the company’s premium lounge, with table service at every seat, a sushi bar, and eight relaxation pods. It also has a large private Sky Deck on the roof, with a landscaped terrace full of chairs, sofas, and enough plants to keep it feeling like a lounge, rather than an extension of the tarmac.

LAX will remain a very urban airport, but with a few spots to sneak in some last-minute SoCal sun, these lounges are worth it, if you can afford them.

Hamad International Airport, Qatar (DOH)

Don’t Miss: The Indoor Tropical Garden

Yes, this is another entry highlighting a space that is not, technically, outdoors, and yet we promise that visiting ’s “The Orchard” will feel more like being in nature than just about any of the other places on this list.

It’s a massive, 64,000-square-foot set beneath a soaring, translucent roof shaped like the inside of a shell. More than were sourced from around the world to create the indoor garden, and at its center is a “water feature” that is best described as a spiraling waterfall emerging from a slanted halo. At points the faux forest is so lush that you almost forget that you’re surrounded by roughly five dozen shops, lounges, and restaurants, with hundreds of rushing bodies scrambling to catch their flights. It’s almost worth a trip to Doha just to see it—or at least a long layover.

Munich International Airport, Germany (MUC)

Don’t Miss: The Next-Door Surf Park

This wouldn’t be Bavaria without beer, so it’s fitting that not only does have a beer garden onsite, it’s also an open-air one, with a covered glass roof. Called the, it’s the first brewery in an airport on earth. It has an indoor tavern for drinking, but the patio offers both fresh air, protection from the occasional rain shower, and food and beers, like the Fliegerquell Lager and the Kumulous Wheat.

Munich Airport also has a 900-square-meter , with seating and binoculars to take in the alpine views on clear days. Across from Terminal 1 is , an extensive outdoor area with grass lawns and trails, a playground area, interactive exhibits, benches for sitting, and a 90-foot-high hill overlooking the area. It’s an excellent place to stretch the legs before a long flight or burn off some of the kids’ energy before boarding.

Oh, and just in case you have half a day to kill, there’s a brand-new surf park, , just around the corner from the airport. It’s Germany’s first wave pool and the largest in Europe, at over 215,000 square feet, capable of churning out waves .Ìę Getting there is a cinch: it’s just a five-mute car ride away, literally in the shadow of landing flights.

Bonus Picks: Other Noteworthy Outdoor Areas in North American AirportsÌę

While these airports do have notable outdoor areas, they really can’t compare with our picks for the best airports in the world featured above. That said, they’re still worth calling out on honorable mentions—especially for domestic travelers—for these specific reasons.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Texas (AUS)

The accessible to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers, has a large outdoor terrace with seating overlooking the tarmac and Hill Country beyond. The Delta Sky Club, directly adjacent to the Sapphire Lounge, also has outdoor seating, and more outdoor areas are in the works as part of the airport’s multi-billion-dollar expansion.

San Francisco International Airport, California (SFO)

For ticketed passengers, there’s a free in the international terminal with seating and excellent views of the airfield and beyond. Three bronze sculptures by local artist Woody Othello decorate the space, at the end of Boarding Area G. For plane-watching, there’s also the , located atop Terminal 2. It’s a good, free place for the public to come (no ticket necessary) to see some of the largest aircraft serving SFO. The SkyTerrace is open Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia (ATL)

The in Concourse F has an outdoor deck for its club members, with seating for roughly 40 guests and a free bar. As with all of Delta’s clubs, there’s free food and drinks, as well as WiFi.

John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)

For travels heading through JetBlue’s Terminal, there’s a roughly 4,000-square-foot post-security rooftop lounge with green spaces, seating, a children’s play area, and even a dog-walk area. The rooftop lounge also offers passengers views of the Manhattan skyline and of the iconic TWA terminal, which is now the . The , as it’s called, is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and the entrance is across from Gate 28.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. He mostly covers the subjects of travel and the outdoors, and is always looking for a way to get some fresh air in airports worldwide.ÌęÌę

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Lost luggage. Damaged goods. Waiting at the carousel like lemmings to reclaim your bag. Checking a suitcase when you fly adds extra hassles and fees to your trip. In short: it’s not worth it.

For the last 15 years as a travel writer and editor, I’ve flown on average once per month and, in that time, I’ve only checked a bag on a handful of occasions. Mostly, I avoid it at all costs because I despise waiting at baggage claim. I’ve also dealt with luggage being rerouted to Panama City, had hard-sided suitcases smashed like the front end of a wrecked Fiat, and once watched as my fishing gear spilled out onto the tarmac because the TSA opened my pack for inspection—and then forgot to close a zipper.

Over a decade ago, I decided to forgo that rigamarole. That’s why I now travel almost exclusively with carry-on luggage, so I can cruise through airports like George Clooney in Up In the Air—efficient, deliberate, and with no time for yokels struggling to find their laptop and liquids in the security line. It’s easier than you think it is to forgo checked bags, even if you’re headed off on a far-flung adventure. I’ve gone on a weeklong fishing trip in New Zealand, met buddies to float Colorado’s Gunnison Gorge, and flew to Iceland to celebrate a friend’s 50th birthday party, which required me to pack a suit and tie for a disco-themed fĂȘte and rain gear for hiking in the highlands—all with just a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack. Checking bags, unless you absolutely need to, is for amateurs.

șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű travel, of course, is a much different beast than Clooney’s pink-slipping weekday missions. While the specifics of a two-day business trip may be different than a 10-day tour of Peru, the principles remain the same: pack light, know which carry-on rules can be massaged, and stick with a luggage setup and packing strategy that will work in 90 percent of scenarios. Here’s a primer on how to solve the carry-on conundrum, gleaned from two decades of my own travel headaches, in addition to my favorite carry-on luggage.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

The Downlow on Carry-On Luggage Rules

Airline regulations for carry-on luggage sizing are often as abstruse as their algorithms for pricing flights. Each carrier is unique in its guidelines, and there are different limits—both weight and size—for domestic and international flights. To help you navigate this red tape, here are a few things to be aware of.

Know the Official Size Restrictions

The maximum size carry-on luggage for domestic flights is, generally, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (or a combined length, width, and height that does not exceed 45 linear inches). Most domestic flights have a weight limit of 35 pounds, although many don’t even list that specific number on their sites and instead simply say something to the effect that you need to “arrive knowing that you can easily lift your bag into an overhead bin.”

For international carriers, the standard carry-on luggage size is usually slightly smaller than that of U.S. airlines, and carry-on weight allowances can be all over the place, with different limits for various classes of cabin. For example, has a 7kg (15.4 pounds) weight restriction for Economy Class and 10kg (22 pounds) for Premium Economy. (Both classes have a size limit of 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches.) For , you can board with a bag weighing a whopping 23kg (51 pounds), with a maximum size restriction of 22 x 18 x 10 inches. In short, if you’re traveling on an international airline and have doubts, look up its allowances online before you go.

Official Domestic Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 24 x 16 x 10 inches
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 22 x 14 x 9 inches

Official International Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 15.7 x 7.8 x 9.8 inches (40 x 20 x 25 cm)
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
• Ìę Ìę Ìę : 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)

Understand the Unofficial Rules of Carry-Ons

For anyone who flies regularly, you know that the specific size restrictions outlined above are about as solid as an empty duffel bag. You can usually get away with a much larger item than one clocking in at a strict 45 linear inches. TSA agents are generally indifferent to baggage size—and they definitely won’t check to see if yours is compatible with specific airline regulations. It’s only once boarding begins that you find out whether the airline will allow the bags you’ve got. This is where the maximum size rules can be bent (although this is not an official endorsement or recommendation you try that). Here’s how:

Assume You Can Get Away with a Slightly Larger Bag: In general, if it fits in the overhead space and you don’t need a pulley system to lift it into place, you’re probably good to go. The caveat here is that if it looks heavy and bulky, a flight attendant is likely going to call you out on it before you even try. An oversized duffel packed with ski gear? It’s a dead giveaway and you may be forced to check it. A giant backpack that would satisfy the needs of a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail? Chances are you’ll be forced to check it, too.

But if you’re wheeling on a hardshell suitcase, even with a front pocket stuffed with rain gear that makes it much bigger than the maximum size restriction, few flight attendants will bat an eye—assuming you can get it to fit in the overhead space easily enough.

Your Choice of Carry-On Matters: “Benefit of the doubt” is why I like to travel with roller suitcases. The companies designing these bags, like Away, Rimowa, and Tumi, are intimately familiar with airline restrictions and how bags best fit in the overhead space. Wheeling one of these on the airplane already assumes—in the flight attendants’ eyes, at least—that it will fit in the overhead space. If it doesn’t, a flight attendant will usually gate check the bag for free, which means you can pick it up in the jet bridge or on the tarmac when you deplane. (Although sometimes they make you check it through to your destination, and you’re stuck waiting at baggage claim.)

In a nutshell, it’s usually best to opt for a standard issue roller bag or a small duffel as your main carry-on. If you need to travel with a larger duffel or backpack, make it appear smaller than it is by using the built-in compression straps to shrink it down as much as possible, then tuck in any loose straps. It won’t always work, but sometimes they’ll feel bad enough for you and let you store it overhead.

Hedge Your Packing Strategy: If you are bringing on a carry-on that you know is larger than the official size limits, make sure not to pack anything in it that you don’t want to get tossed around if you’re forced to check it. For example, don’t pack your laptop, medications, or anything of value in it. If they ask you to check it as you’re boarding the plane, you should be prepared to hand over the suitcase at a moment’s notice and let everyone else continue boarding (I beg of you).

Personal Items: What You Should Know

Many airlines don’t specify exact size restrictions for personal items, but the that all carry-on luggage fits under the seat in front of you if it’s not in an enclosed storage compartment. In my experience, flight attendants are fundamentalists about abiding by this rule, so there’s no point in trying to hide a 75-liter backpack under the seat. You’ll get asked to move it—and likely check it.

That said, most flight attendants don’t police the size of personal items as you’re boarding the plane, so all you need to do is make sure you can cram it under the seat when you sit down. This is why a medium-sized backpack works well: paired with a suitcase or duffel bag, you can stuff it full of an impressive amount of clothes and gear and still get it to fit under the seat.

Also, when boarding the plane, the attendants will focus primarily on evaluating your larger bag and overlook your personal item, so you can often get away with a larger second carry-on—again, as long as you’re able to stow it properly under the seat.

Outdoor Gear and the TSA

While TSA does not, generally, police policies on the size of your carry-on, they do care (very much, in fact) about the items in your bag—particularly camping equipment like pocket-knives, fuel canisters, lighters, and other banned items. In fact, it has an entire section on its website devoted to . Bear spray? No way. Bicycle pumps? Yes. Camp stoves? Only if they’re clean of residual fuel. (Fuel canisters are a hard no.)

Be sure to check the list linked to above if you plan to bring any sporting gear to verify specific rules regarding that item. For example, sunscreen is one product that many people forget. It’s considered a liquid so, if it’s over three ounces, you’ll have to toss it in the trash to get through TSA purgatory.

Also, double check every gear bag you’re carrying on to make sure there’s no errant banned item (especially in the pockets). Twice I’ve brought my fishing pack along and had an agent pull me aside to confiscate a folding knife that I had forgotten I’d stashed.

The Best Carry-On Luggage: Duffels, Packs, Suitcases, and More

Sorting out what to pack for each trip should be easy: don’t bring anything you won’t absolutely need. I generally abide by the rule of three: skip the third pair of shoes, the third sweater, the third pair of pants, etc. Pick clothes that you know you’ll wear more than once. Also, wear the heaviest clothes and large hiking shoes onto the plane and carry on your coat (it doesn’t count as an item).

When it comes time to pack, you should already know whether you’re bringing a roller, duffel bag, or backpack as your main carry-on, thanks to whatever specific adventure you have in store (like a backcountry raft trip or train trip through Europe). If not, simply opt for the default: a wheeled suitcase and a small or medium-sized backpack or tote. You can’t go wrong with any of the options listed below.

Carry-On Suitcases

Wheeled suitcases are designed for jaunts to and through the airport, and they excel at this—which is why they should be your go-to choice for most types of travel, even the adventurous kind.

In addition to being perfect for airport cruising, they can also usually withstand the abuse they take on the ground. I’ve had my Away suitcase strapped to the side of a snowmobile to reach a backcountry hut in British Columbia and thrown into the rear of a floatplane shuttle to a remote river in Labrador. While they may be less ideal than duffles in some scenarios—like my aforementioned examples—because they’re so adept at helping you cruise through terminals or navigate city sidewalks, dealing with the awkwardness of roller bags off the pavement is worth it. In short, everyone should have a roller suitcase as their default travel bag. When selecting one, just make sure that the company has a warranty—lifetime preferable—that covers normal wear and tear.

Best All-Around Suitcase: Away The Bigger Carry-On Classic

Dimensions: 22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 inches

Cost: $295

Most hard-sided suitcases are extremely similar in design and durability these days. Away rises to the top because it hits the sweet spot between functionality, durability, and cost. It’s a mid-priced workhorse, with an interior mesh organization system that compresses clothes on one side, with a storage compartment for bulkier items, like shoes, on the other. Its 360-degree wheels are sturdy and smooth, and an exterior polycarbonate shell absorbs bumps and collisions with ease. I’ve used the same one for the last ten years and it’s held up remarkably well, considering all the abuse I’ve put it through. I suspect it’ll work well for whatever you toss its way, too.

Best Soft-Sided Suitcase: Briggs and Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 x 11.5 inches

Cost: $699

Soft-sided suitcases usually stand up to dings and scratches much better than hard-sided options, and this one from Briggs and Riley is as durable as anything on the market, made with ballistic nylon fabric and outfitted with impact-resistant corner guards that actually work. It’s also capable of a neat packing trick: it can expand to fit all your gear and then, once it’s zipped shut, compresses via pushing down on each side, where a latching system locks the sides in place. There’s a large front pocket for easy access to items like a jacket or sweater and it comes with Briggs and Riley’s best-in-class lifetime guarantee, which makes the steep price more than worth the cost.

Carry-On Duffel Bags

Best Overall: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L

Dimensions: 23” x 14.7” x 10.2” inches

Cost: $135

Any person who camps, hikes, climbs, fishes, runs, or does anything else outdoors can attest: a nearly bombproof duffel bag like this one from The North Face is a lifesaver for organizing gear. It works equally well for traveling, with an adjustable interior divider to help with organization, padded shoulder straps that can be stowed behind the back panel, and even a laptop compartment. Made from ballistic nylon and polyester tarpaulin, it’s designed for the long haul and solid backcountry beat-ups.

Best Wheeled Duffel: Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 40L

Dimensions: 21.75 x 14.5 x 11 inches

Cost: $359

This 2,400-cubic-inch bag—the two-wheeled version of Patagonia’s iconic Black Hole duffel, below—is perfect for plane travel when you have Type 2 fun planned for your final destination and need to pull it more than 90 percent of the time. It offers the same burly performance as the original duffel, with polyester ripstop fabric and reinforced handles. But this one also has oversized wheels for getting around the terminal and, say, the cobbled streets of colonial Quito.

Carry-On Backpacks

Not all backpacks will fit under the seat in front of you, so when buying one, be sure to consider how you want to use it: as a carry-on meant to be stowed overhead or as a personal item for stashing in front of your feet.

Best Overall: Yeti Crossroads 22L

Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 7.1 inches

Cost: $200

With 22 liters of space, this pack is perfect for stashing impressive amounts of clothes and gear while still fitting under the seat in front of you. There’s an inside sleeve for a laptop; a zippered compartment up top for easy access to sunglasses, keys, and a passport; and a luggage pass-through panel allows you to affix it to the handle of your roller suitcase while cruising through airports. And because it’s made from Yeti’s proprietary Tuffskin nylon, it can withstand being tossed around once you arrive at your destination. I can back this up from firsthand experience hiking with it in a rainstorm in Iceland and after lashing it to the back of a motorcycle in Morocco for a tour through the desert. This same pack is available in 27 liter and 35 liter versions, if you want to opt for the larger size and use it as your primary carry-on bag.

Best Laptop Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack

Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 8 inches

Cost: $140

Sometimes all you need is a pack that can haul your laptop through the airport and then help you lug around a camera or a water bottle when you’re at your destination. With a sleek design that weighs just 18 ounces, this pack is perfect for those types of trips, where versatility is key and you’re on the go most days. It has an internal sleeve to secure a tablet or small laptop, a water bottle pocket, and two large internal main pockets for organizing other gear.

Best Big Backpack: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Dimensions: 22″ x 14.5″ x 7.6″ inches

Cost: $239

If you’re forgoing a suitcase or a duffle bag and want to use a backpack to travel with all of your clothes and gear, this is the pack that’ll get the job done. With 2,746 cubic inches of space, it’s big enough to store enough gear for a long weekend—or even weeklong—trip, yet it’s compact enough to fit in the overhead space of most planes. There’s a padded laptop pocket and a large interior space with two other pockets for organization and it can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, or duffel.

Miscellaneous Travel and Packing Gear: Compression Bags and Totes

When traveling, not only do you need to get from point A to B, you also need to live out of your carry-on for the trip. This means staying organized on the road, and to help you do that, I recommend a packing cube (or two) and a tote. Having them on hand makes everything easier. I rarely go anywhere without them.

Best Compression Bag: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube

Dimensions: Comes in multiple sizes

Cost: $50 for a set of two

Compression bags are the secret between fitting what you need and having to leave essentials—like that sweater for foul weather, or a pair of flip flops for beach day—behind. Eagle Creek offers some of the best compression sacks on the market: Its Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube shrinks gear inside via a burly zipper that, as you close it, pulls the bag and its contents together.

Packable Tote Bag: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack

Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 inches

Cost: $99

One of the quirks I’ve developed over years of traveling is carrying this extremely lightweight (just 13 ounces) bag on pretty much every trip. It packs into its own pocket and, unfurled, you can carry it as a backpack or a tote. On the road, it has served as a perfect pack for grabbing groceries while walking the streets of Paris or bringing a bathing suit and a towel to a backcountry hot spring in New Mexico. (Usually, though, I simply use it as a laundry bag for dirty clothes.) When it comes time to pack for home, you also have an extra bag to carry on any souvenirs or other purchases you’ve made along the way. I usually check my main suitcase (it doesn’t matter if it gets delayed on the way home) and carry on the most important things in a backpack and this tote bag.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. In the last decade, he’s traveled to 27 countries and every U.S. state, nearly all with just a carry-on suitcase. This included his two-week honeymoon to Morocco and Paris, France, in 2022.**Not including his wife’s suitcases and the shipments home from the souks in Marrakech.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Carry-On Luggage for șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Travelers appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

This is the eternal paradox of summer: the days are longer and yet they always seem to fly by faster. But there is a way to make the most of the season before the solstice even arrives: plan now to lock in your summer of endless adventure.

To help you strategize, I put together a foolproof calendar for summer 2024, highlighting the best places to go each weekend this summer. I’ve been to many of them, and have plans to visit the rest as soon as I can. Consider this a guide to your best summer yet.

Where to Go in June

June 13-16: New River Gorge, West Virginia

There are few better ways to kick off summer than by communing with like-minded revelerss at the four-day , held just outside Fayetteville. A mashup of a backyard alt-band concert with outdoor sports, the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with musical acts that include Pittsburgh rock band The Roof, indie-rocker Kyle Sparkman, and Americana band Widely Grown. That’s at night.

During the day, the festival organizes an impressive array of activities for attendees, from mountain biking to rock climbing to traversing the catwalk on the underside of the 851-foot-high New River Gorge Bridge. And this is whitewater country, so your to-do list should include a rafting trip down the New River, which, despite its name, is one of the oldest rivers in North America and part of the namesake national park nearby. The view of the gorge from water level is one of the more impressive in the East, and the Class II–III rapids are a perfect way to get refreshed for another evening of live performances.

Where to Stay: The festival’s general-admission package, which includes a three-day camping permit, costs $155. You really will get the most out of the event by staying on-site. Prefer to sleep in a bed? Upgrade to a premium tent at the festival’s fully furnished (from $650 for three nights).

Don’t Miss: Fayetteville, a small-town gem with shops, art galleries, and restaurants. For regional mementos—morel mushroom key chains, dragonfly crop tops, opossum screen prints—check out Lost Appalachia Trading Co. For a hot meal to satisfy any post-camping cravings, serves comfort food from around the world, a welcome surprise in rural West Virginia.

June 22-23: Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Colorado

Every June, obsessive fly-fishers like me fret over which weekend is going to be the one—when salmonfly nymphs swim to the surface of the Gunnison River and metamorphose into prehistoric-looking, palm-size bugs, sending wild trout into a frenzy. The hatch is legendary among Western Slope anglers, and it usually lasts for a week or two at most. Time it perfectly and you can catch boatloads of fish. When I worked as an editor for șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű and lived in Santa Fe, my colleagues and I would obsess about when exactly to pull the trigger and head north for a three-day float, hoping to have a 20-fish-over-20-inch day, something that’s only possible on a river like the Gunnison.

This season, thanks to an above-average amount of snowpack, mid-June is a good bet for a successful trip (although warmer temperatures could make the hatch happen earlier; check with the guides at ). Regardless, fishing this river in July is a joy, and running the Class III–IV rapids through the sheer-walled Black Canyon—Colorado’s version of the Grand Canyon—only adds to the adventure.

Where to Stay: If you’re going through the hassle of shuttling a boat a mile down the for the 14-mile float to , camp two nights along the river, the maximum you’re allowed to stay in the canyon, which is managed by the BLM. (Day-use are $3 per person; camping costs $15 for two nights.) Before setting off, arrange a shuttle to get your vehicle back to the takeout through the Pleasure Park. If you’re traveling with a crew and multiple boats, it’s best to opt for the services of the river from the top of Chukar Trail. It’s more than worth the $125 per horse.

Don’t Miss: The enjoyment that comes with savoring things really slowly. Many people do this float in a single day, and that’s a shame. Take the time to pull over frequently and fish from shore. Better yet, set up your camp early, have a cocktail hour and dinner, and then head out for some evening casting. Reeling in a wild rainbow trout in the Black Canyon’s sunlight afterglow may be the closest thing to bliss an angler will get.

June 29-30: Glacier National Park, Montana

Each summer before the park’s iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens to vehicles (typically in mid-to-late June), cyclists and hikers have a chance to explore all 50 miles of its majestic mountainscapes and glacial valleys traffic-free. Snowplows are working now to clear the higher alpine sections of the road en route to 6,646-foot Logan Pass, right on the Continental Divide, where drifts were a reported 80 feet high at the end of May.

How long will you be able to cruise down on your bike in peace? Keep an eye on the Park Service’s , which tracks road conditions and openings, or call ahead for the lowdown (406-888-7800). Weather has been warming quickly, so it could be an early opening for auto traffic and you could miss your window.

Where to Stay: , a chalet located ten miles from Glacier’s West Entrance, perfectly exemplifies Parkitecture, the name given to the grand resorts built with whole logs and interiors straight out of a Filson catalog (rooms from $206 or upwards of $500 on weekends). You can also sleep under the stars at ; the glamping outfitter has a camp just seven miles outside the West Entrance (from $179).

Don’t Miss: Follow the dusty North Fork Road from West Glacier up to the town of Polebridge—it’s an hour’s drive but worth it for the pastries of , which churns out huckleberry bear claws, cookies, and other freshly baked temptations in the summer. I’ve been to it twice, roughly 20 years apart, and the second visit lived up to all those years of unrealistic expectations. Those flaky, buttery bear claws are second to none. Sure, my love for this place may have to do with the remote setting and dramatic views of the Livingston Range, but I’ve never stopped dreaming of returning.

Where to Go in July

July 6-7: Key West, Florida

Southern Florida may seem like a questionable destination for a midsummer getaway, but if you’re a local, you know that July is the best month here: there are far fewer tourists, cruise-ship arrivals wane, and residents turn out for events like the (this year from July 4 to 7), which honors the tiny citrus fruit.

Worried about the heat? Don’t be. Thanks to prevailing winds coming off the ocean, Key West has never notched a temperature above 97 degrees. Summer is hot and sticky, sure, but less so than many other places in the South. Also, saltwater fly-fishers would wager July to be the best month for a grand slam—landing a permit, a bonefish, and a tarpon all in the same day—on the flats. Because the water is calm, you sight-cast to big fish patrolling the shallows, an adrenaline rush like few others.

Where to Stay: One of the great charms of Key West is its walkability. There’s no reason to get in a car. Book a place with access to Duval Street, the main thoroughfare, but a block or two away to ensure the noise isn’t overwhelming. There are a couple of great hotels, including the (from $499), but many have private pools and may prove better value for your buck, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends.

Don’t Miss: Dry Tortugas, one of the remotest parks in the national-park system. The archipelago’s seven islands are blessed with impossibly white sand beaches and world-class snorkeling. from Key West to the park leave at 7:30 A.M. and return at 5:15 P.M. (Round-trip tickets start at $200 and include a snack, box lunch, and snorkeling equipment.)

July 13-14: Calgary, Alberta

The Calgary Stampede is the world’s largest outdoor rodeo, and the ten-day event (this year starting July 5) is massively popular, as attendance figures—nearly 1.4 million annually—attest. You’ll see everything from steer wrestling and canine-agility competitions to auctioneering contests and tractor pulling. The Stampede Pow Wow is an annual highlight, with dancing, singing, and drumming competitions, and nightly concerts this year boast the likes of Miranda Lambert, the Jonas Brothers, and Motley Crue.

Stampede notwithstanding, Calgary is worth a visit. Not only is the city home to North America’s most extensive network of urban walking and biking pathways, with approximately 620 miles of paths and 60 miles of trails, but you can raft on the Bow River right through downtown. That’s just scratching the surface of the abundant adventure options nearby. Bonus: the strong U.S. dollar means your money will go further in Canada this summer.

Where to Stay: Most events are held at the central Stampede Park, easily accessed by frequent public transit. Downtown Calgary is full of basic name-brand hotels, including the , with a free bike program to help you explore (from roughly $375), as does the , which is located right next to the river and all the parks and paths that follow it (from $220). If you want something more unique, head 45 minutes southwest of Calgary to , near the small town of Bragg Creek. The outfitter is mostly about horse riding, but it also hosts guests in a five-bedroom lodge at the foothills of the Rockies.

Don’t Miss: Banff. One of Canada’s most beautiful national parks and its namesake town are only a 90-minute drive west of Calgary. You can road-trip to Banff, stop at the ice-blue Lake Louise, and then wend your way up the 140-mile Icefields Parkway (which runs parallel to the Columbia Icefield, the largest mass of glacial ice in the Canadian Rockies) to Jasper National Park. While most people knock this drive off in a day or two, you could spend ten days exploring its length.

July 20-21: Iowa

The Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa—or , as it’s known—is the state’s most famous tourist gathering, billed as the “oldest, largest, and longest multi-day bicycle touring event in the world.” More accurately, it’s a seven-day festival on two wheels that crisscrosses open prairies and farm fields for 400-plus miles. Founded in 1973 when a few friends and colleagues at the Des Moines Register got together for a casual tour across the state, it’s since exploded to welcome roughly 30,000 riders. The route is different each time.

is 424 miles long, with 18,737 feet of climbing, the most in its history. That’s right, Iowa is not exactly flat; river valleys and low hills dot the landscape and make for a challenging ride, especially over 400 miles. The registration deadline for weeklong participants has passed, but single-day passes and nonrider wristbands will be available at RAGBRAI merchandise trailers during the event.

This is not a competitive race; everyone is encouraging and more than willing to help each other out. It’s all very Midwest nice, and one of the best ways to slow down and appreciate the scenery. You might be surprised how much beauty there is to be had here.

Where to Stay: Organizers provide registered riders with support vehicles, gear shuttles, and access to home stays and housing. That said, most participants camp, the better option if you want to feel connected to the RAGBRAI community. Temporary campgrounds are set up at schools, county fairgrounds, and city parks, where a convivial atmosphere prevails at night and a definite sense of comradery.

Don’t Miss: Each year RAGBRAI offers an optional century loop during one day of the ride and alternative routes on well-maintained farm roads for gravel bikers. In 2024, the century ride takes place on day six and will be between the southeastern towns of Ottumwa and Mount Pleasant. There are gravel-road options for each day of the event.ÌęÌę

July 27-28: Valle De Bravo, Mexico

Not long ago, this tiny, cobblestone-street town on the shores of Lake Avándaro was dubbed the “Hamptons of Mexico City.” It’s an unfair comparison. Yes, both are popular summer destinations for cosmopolitan city folk, but Valle de Bravo is more visually appealing, culturally intriguing, and adventurous than New York’s Hamptons. Also, at 6,000 feet elevation, with peaks soaring above it, this is a legitimate mountain town.

In winter, paragliders from around the world come to take advantage of the valley’s consistent mountain thermals, and visitors flock to the nearby Piedra Herrada Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, where millions of migrating monarch butterflies congregate. But summer is equally active, with sailing and stand-up paddleboarding on the lake (which is really a reservoir), hiking or horseback riding to waterfalls, and mountain biking the professionally built and .

The colonial town’s centuries-old structures are now home to buzzy bars and cafĂ©s. Late July and August is the rainy season in this part of Mexico, but storms tend to roll through in the afternoon and the effect cools temperatures and only contributes to the greenery, so it’s not considered a hindrance. Hike or ride in the morning (when it tends to be sunny), enjoy a long lunch and a siesta, and then head back to one of the paddleboard shops in town later in the day, rent an SUP, and get out on the lake for another few active hours.

Where to Stay: is a five-star property right in the center of town, with a rooftop bar that overlooks Valle De Bravo’s sea of red-tiled roofs (from $180). Just outside town, stay in suspended forest bungalows at Hotel Rodavento, located along the banks of a spring-fed river (from $250). The property has numerous adventure offerings, including a six-station zip line, a climbing wall, and its own mountain-biking trail.

Don’t Miss: Velo de Novia (Bridal Veil Falls) in the neighborhood of Avándaro, an affluent suburb of Valle de Bravo. The two-mile hike to the 115-foot high waterfall is easy, and you can follow it up with a stroll or drive around town to check out some of the multimillion-dollar homes that host the who’s who of Mexico City.

Where to Go in August

August 4-5: Any U.S. National Park

On August 4, to celebrate the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, visitors to all national parks will get in free. The act, which was passed four years ago, is a big deal: in addition to providing $9.5 billion over five years to address a maintenance backlog at the parks, it also permanently authorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the program that pays for land and water acquisitions (and easements) for recreational benefits.

This time of year, two of the more popular parks to visit are Yellowstone and Grand Teton, in Wyoming, so you might want to shift your gaze to some of America’s least visited national parks, which include refreshing water-based options like Isle Royale, in Michigan, and Voyageurs, in Minnesota. Even cool Carlsbad Caverns, 750 feet below the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, is a smart way to beat the heat.

Where to Stay: National park campgrounds are an iconic part of the American-outdoors experience. They can be busy and book quickly, but many offer walk-in sites and are uniquely positioned to offer incredible experiences, like waking up in a temperate rainforest (in Olympic, in Washington), near a lobster boat pulling in traps (in Acadia, in Maine), or in the shadow of El Capitan, where Alex Honnold made his historic free-solo ascent (in Yosemite, in California). Plus, posting up for two or more nights allows you to focus on and sync up with the natural rhythms of a park’s wildlife. Ìę ÌęÌę

Don’t Miss: The two remaining free days at the national parks this year—National Public Lands Day, on September 28, and Veterans Day, on November 11. The Park Service foregoes entrance fees on a half dozen days each year; check out the full list here. Also, for general info and maps, the National Park Service’s is exceptional. I wouldn’t visit a park without it.

August 10-11: Churchill, Manitoba

This may be the polar bear capital of the world, but every summer a far more entertaining animal arrives to wow tourists. From June to September, an estimated 3,000 beluga whales migrate into the mouth of the Churchill River, offering one of the best chances on the planet to commune with these incredibly smart and friendly mammals.

These white whales are highly sociable, speaking to one another with loud whistles and unmistakable chirps. Like parrots, they can even imitate other sounds. Their ability to “talk,” combined with their natural curiosity, makes them one of the most compelling species to interact with. offers three-hour kayaking tours to spot them, or join ’ paddleboard trip to see the whales up close.

Getting to this remote town on the Hudson Bay is only possible by or train. On Via Rail , or hop aboard in Thompson to cut your travel time down to an overnight ride. Once in town, take polar-bear-warning signs seriously. While October and November are considered prime bear-viewing months, they still come right into Churchill in August.

Where to Stay: Most lodging options here veer toward motel-like stays, and the best in-town property is the rusticÌę, with a giant stone fireplace and meals made with organic food grown in a greenhouse in town. For more of a high-end package that takes care of lodging, excursions, and food, has eight-night trips from $11,000 per person.

Don’t Miss: The northern lights. They’re not guaranteed, but with the sun’s solar cycle 25 peaking later this year and next, your chances of witnessing a dazzling celestial event are increased. Churchill is located on the 58th parallel north—the same latitude as southern Alaska and Norway—so you’ll be closer to the action happening in the auroral oval. Also, on this weekend, the sun sets at roughly 9:15 P.M and rises at 5:27 A.M., and only a crescent moon will be hovering in the sky, so if the lights have decided to put on a show, you’ll still have ample darkness to enjoy them.

August 17-18: Refuge Outdoor Festival, Snoqualmie Valley, Washington

This three-day campout, which begins August 16, is one of a few gatherings entirely devoted to celebrating the diverse outdoor experiences and contributions of the BIPOC community. This year marks seven years since the event first kicked off, and it’s since grown into a full-fledged , with DJs, workshops, art, and recreational activities.

You can take morning walks, sign up for sessions on survival skills, and relax with an hour or two of forest bathing. All allies of the BIPOC community are welcome, and specific functions have been created to support LGBTQ+ attendees. Refuge Outdoor Festival happens just 30 miles east of downtown Seattle at the 575-acre in the town of Carnation, and start at $125 for adults.

Where to Stay: On-site accommodations are the way to go. A camping permit can be had for $20, and REI has partnered with festival organizers to loan out a tent, two cots, chairs, and a table for organizing your stuff for $150. Alternatively, a park yurt with bunk beds for up to six people and an outdoor fire ring runs for $400 for all three nights.

Don’t Miss: The stunning Snoqualmie Valley. Driving up the valley from Carnation will give you a better sense of its impressiveness, and hiking to 270-foot high offers an eye-opening sense of the eponymous river’s strength. For a more rigorous trek, check out the 9.7-mile .

August 24-25: ¶ÙłÜ°ì±đ’s OceanFest, Oahu, Hawaii

Catch the tail end of this ten-day ocean-sports festival, which celebrates the legacy of the “father of surfing” Duke Kahanamoku. Starting August 17, Waikiki Beach hosts a range of events and numerous competitions in fields you might expect—surfing, outrigger canoeing, beach volleyball—and some you might not, like dog surfing. Some local and international participants train all year for , but even if you’re just there to watch, spectating is a thrill and the weather in Hawaii in August is amazing—one of the driest months, with ocean temperatures close to 80 degrees—and passing a few days on these Pacific beaches are going to make you the envy of many.

Where to Stay: If you were coming to Oahu any other weekend, you might find compelling reasons to stay outside the high-rise capital city of Honolulu. Not this time, as most events take place on or near Waikiki. The iconic , with its pink facade, is one of the best-known hotels on this stretch of sand, (from $450), while a newer, hip entry to the scene is (from $357), where you’ll be greeted with a gift of flip-flops and poolside shave ice.

Don’t Miss: Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden, where admission is free. Once you’ve had your fill of sun and sand, swing over to the windward (eastern) side of the island for a walk in this at the base of the towering Koolau Range. These lush grounds, home to countless tropical trees and flowers, also offer campsites (from $32 for three days). It all feels like Jurassic Park, only sans dinosaurs.

August 31-September 1: Burning Man, Black Rock Desert, Nevada

Yeah, yeah, the tech-bro burners have turned this once-transcendent festival into a weekend rager for the well-heeled. Or maybe you heard rumors that when last year’s record rains swamped the playa, it left thousands stranded and devolved into a free-for-all scenario. Neither stereotype is accurate. In fact, the majority of attendees banded together in 2023 to help each other out, sharing food, lodging, and car space.

Say what you will about Burning Man—more than three decades later, it’s still a hell of a good time, provided you go with the right mindset. You’re encouraged to let your freak flag fly, a hallmark of the artistic expression that emerges in Black Rock City (the name for the temporary town that springs up during festivities). Purists would say Burning Man is still about experiencing the creativity of the human mind; this year’s theme is “Curioser and Curioser,” a nod to Alice in Wonderland.

Where to Stay: Tickets into Black Rock City , which doesn’t include a vehicle pass, an extra $175. If you’re just now considering attending, check out the certified resale program, open now, as well as for all pricing details. Camping is the only way to stay on the playa, although everyone’s definition of this varies dramatically here, from pup tents pitched next to your car to enormous canvas tents that could be straight out of Dune. An annual is released each year with the locations of open camping, where you can park your car, and walk-in camping on the wide-open playa, so check it out before arrival. Also, if you’re a first-timer, is mandatory reading, to understand the vibe and the basic practicalities you need to take into account before any trip there.

Don’t Miss: , an artist installation created by hundreds that requires weeks of prior efforts. This summer’s temple design will evoke the image of two hands joining, and the structure will span 94 feet and rise 70 feet above the playa.

Ryan Krogh is a writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. This summer he’s heading to Matagordo Bay, on the Gulf Coast, for fly-fishing; North Dakota to visit family; New Mexico to visit friends; Mexico City for some culture; and Iceland for a friend’s 50th birthday party. He will not be at Burning Man, despite his endorsement.ÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌę

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If you’ve ever lived along the East Coast, there’s a secret that all curious, outdoorsy people soon discover: the wildest, most deserted places are often those abutting the Atlantic. That’s right, the best East Coast beaches can be every bit as remote-feeling as Western landscapes. This is easier to comprehend when you realize that the East Coast has roughly 30,000 miles of coastline. (The entire Pacific Coast, by contrast, has 7,863.)

This revelation came to me early, while exploring New England in my twenties, and re-confirmed it in my 30s and 40s, as I looked to escape New York City on weekends. Since then, I’ve driven as far as Maine and North Carolina’s Outer Banks—roughly eight hours in either direction—from NYC to explore an “undiscovered” beaches and maybe catch a fish or two. I’ve also road tripped all over the south’s Lowcountry looking for an empty stretch of sand, and have spent way too much time on Florida’s Atlantic Coast trying to to catch a redfish or bonefish on a fly rod.

Look, I’m not foolish enough to think anyone can be an “expert” on 30,000 miles worth of barrier islands, salt marshes, and tiny beachside communities. But I’ve explored enough to say with confidence that there are some wild damn places out there, and I’ve been lucky enough to discover a few that are well worth a visit.

Here are just a handful of my favorites. This list also includes a mix of both remote, undeveloped gems and impossible-to-ignore standbys that are great simply because of their, well
beach vibes. It’s a whole thing, and any town that has it, like Cape May, New Jersey, or Folly Beach, South Carolina, is worth a look-see, too. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with any of these beaches, as long as you’re packing some sunscreen (and maybe a bottle of bug spray for the real remote ones).

Best Beaches in Maine

Sand Beach, Maine

Location: Twelve miles south of Bar Harbor
Why We Love It: Soft sand surrounded by the coniferous forest of Acadia National Park

This is probably —a pocket of white sand framed by rocky shorelines and wind-flagged trees—and one of the most beautiful beaches in U.S. National Parks. For New Englanders, Sand Beach is well-known—for good reason. It’s one of the few sandy beaches in this part of the state (hence the name), and it’s sheltered just enough from the wind that it’s often perfect for sunbathing on a warm day. In the summer months, there’s even a lifeguard on duty. This all means that it’s popular and you can expect crowds in July and August. Even then, only a handful of people venture into the water, because its temperature usually peaks south of 60 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you’re willing to brave the cold Atlantic, swimming here can be good. Despite its popularity, it can even feel secluded on the right day. There’s also hiking and paddling in nearby Acadia. One of the more difficult and popular treks is , a 1.4-mile loop that ascends 450 feet and offers stunning views of the below.

Know Before You Go: Even though it’s inside Acadia National Park, there is no fee to access the beach. The parking lot, however, occasionally fills up on busy weekend days, so it’s best to arrive early.

Bonus Beach: Roque Bluffs State Park, Maine

Location: In the heart of Down East Maine, eight miles from the small town of Machias
Best For: A choose-your-own-adventure swim, either in the cold ocean waters or in a freshwater pond

The bulk of this is a half-mile crescent of sand and pebbles that divides the shallow waters of 60-acre Simpson Pond from Englishman Bay. In the heat of summer, it’s possible to swim in either—or both, a plunge in the brisk saltwater followed by the comparably warm waters of Simpson Pond. While it’s great for a plunge, this is not a lounging beach, to be clear, as the pebbles make laying on a beach towel uncomfortable. But Roque Bluffs does offer a relaxing stroll with dramatic views of rugged islands jutting out of the ocean waters. There’s also a series of short trails in the fields and woodlands inside the park, with an excellent vantage point of Pond Cove and Great Cove. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a dip.

Best Beach in New Hampshire

Seabrook Beach, New Hampshire

Location: 15 miles South of Portsmouth, near the border with Massachusetts
Why We Love It: A quieter alternative to its more bustling neighbors, with pristine sands

New Hampshire has the at just 18 miles, but it packs some excellent beaches into that stretch. Its most famous is Hampton Beach, a classic New England destination with white sand, long boardwalks, and a circus-like atmosphere, thanks to its string of arcades. Much better is Seabrook Beach, across the inlet from Hampton, with impossibly white sand, consistent waves, and none of the crowds. By comparison, it feels hidden, serene, and impossibly quaint. There’s a reason for this: parking is nearly impossible to find because it’s without a resident parking permit. But if you make it here, you’ll have a wide expanse of sand to stroll along or set up an umbrella. The surfing is good here, and the dunes make it seem wild, even if you’re only a few minutes to the Hampton Beach circus.

Know Before You Go: To get around the parking, take an Uber or ride a bike from the town of Seabrook, less than 5 miles away. You can also pay for parking at Hampton Beach and walk across Hampton Bridge, then down to Seabrook, a little over a mile walk.

Best Beaches in Massachusetts

Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Location: The Outer Cape, roughly 90 miles from downtown Boston
Why We Love It: Unparalleled, wide-open stretches of soft sand and wind-swept dunes

No list like this would be complete without including , 40 miles of pristine beaches, freshwater ponds, and high dunes interspersed by lighthouses, cranberry bogs, and hiking trails. The recreational opportunities are practically endless, and whole books have been written about how to make the most of the beaches here. But if you want a down-and-dirty guide for newbies, this is it. Coast Guard Beach, in the town of Eastham, is one of the most popular beaches because it’s great for lounging and swimming on the Atlantic side, and it also offers paddling in nearby Nauset Bay or Salt Pond Bay. If you want to feel like you’re walking off the Eastern Seaboard, head to Marconi Beach, with sweeping Atlantic views. Hiking along the bluffs here will make you feel as if you could see a white whale at any moment.

Know Before You Go: Traffic headed to the Cape is infamous on summer weekends, so if you go during peak times, it’s best to stay overnight or through the weekend. (Or instead, go during the week.) If you do stay overnight, Provincetown, despite its crowds and high price tags, is worth the added cost. This artist colony and LGBTQ+ capital is brimming with verve and quirkiness and the energy it adds to a vacation is a perfect complement to days spent in the salt and sand.

Bonus Beach: Crane Beach, Massachusetts

Location: Five miles from the town of Ipswich, 30 miles north of Boston
Best For: Escaping the crowds and enjoying a slice of bucolic New England on your way to the beach

Cape Cod gets nearly all of the beach attention in Massachusetts, but this one, on the North Shore, backed by tall dunes and salt marshes. It can get busy on a summer weekend, but otherwise offers a peaceful opportunity for walking on the sand, hiking five miles worth of trails through the dunes, birdwatching, and paddling in the nearby Ipswich River or Essex Bay. Beach passes are required and can be . If you come, don’t leave before checking out , a palace-like summer estate built for industrialist Richard Teller Crane Jr., with impeccably maintained gardens and a rolling grass lawn stretching to the water.

Best Beach in Rhode Island

Sachuest Beach, Rhode Island

Location: In Middletown, next door to Newport
Why We Love It: A city-person’s beach that has a good hike within walking distance

Locals call this mile-long stretch of sand on the southeastern shore of Aquidneck Island , but it is anything but secondary. Not only does it have great swimming and sunbathing, the western flank of Sachuest, called Surfer’s End, is known for its consistent swells. If you get bored sunbathing on the beach, you can also easily walk to the eastern end, which is the beginning of , with three miles of trails. Birdwatchers are common here because of the diversity of species, including the second largest wintering population of harlequin ducks on the Atlantic coast. It also has great fishing from shore, including an active for striped bass.

Know Before You Go: This is a full-service beach, with concession stands, bathrooms, grills, etc., so don’t expect pristine wildlands—or to be by yourself. Rent a surfboard from the rental area and, after your session, check out Gilded Age mansions in Newport.

Best Beaches in New York

Ditch Plains Park Beach, New York

Location: Two miles east of Montauk Village, on the far eastern end of Long Island
Why We Love It: It’s home to one of the best surf breafks on the East Coast.

For many New Yorkers trekking out to the Hamptons, this two-mile beach is as much a part of summer weekends as Hampton Water rosĂ©. That’s, in part, because Ditch Plains is such a great place to set up for a day in the sun, thanks to its Ìę(depending on conditions) and lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day (roughly). There’s also a food truck next to the beach, called , that serves up some of the area’s best poke bowls and wraps. But the reason this beach is on this list is because of the surf break just offshore, which offers good waves in just about any swell direction. The lineup is notorious for getting crowded, but there are definitely days in the fall when, midweek, you can find yourself sharing swells with only one or two other surfers—or even snagging them all for yourself.

Know Before You Go: Parking in the lot next to the beach requires an (available to residents only). In the summer, take an Uber/Lyft or, better yet, rent a cruiser bike in Montauk and ride here.

Bonus Beach: Napeague Beach, New York

Location: Between Amagansett and Montauk, on the east end of Long Island
Best For: Getting a taste of what Long Island beaches felt like before the crowds invaded

Tucked off Highway 27 between the prim and proper Hamptons and the bustling beaches of Montauk lies one of the area’s great secrets: a two-mile stretch of sand that even locals overlook. Technically, it’s part of 1,364-acre , but the beach here feels private, in part because it’s sandwiched between two neighborhoods who guard their sand with zeal. Napeague Beach is, however, open to the public, and it’s popular with 4x4ers that have . You can easily walk to the sand, however, by parking at a small, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spot on the south side of Highway 27. This is where 4x4s access the beach, and you’ll have to walk from here through the dunes. Doing so only makes the empty beach feel that much more rewarding once you get a full view of the wind-swept dunes, with the occasional surfcaster chucking rigs far out into the ocean. Thanks to its remoteness, this beach is also popular with the endangered piping plover, so it’s often closed during summer nesting season. When it’s open, however—especially in fall—it can feel downright abandoned.

Best Beaches in New Jersey

Island Beach State Park, New Jersey

Location: Barnegat Peninsula, south of the town of Seaside Heights
Why We Love It: White sand beaches in a wild landscape that feels frozen in time

Many New Jerseyans have never even been to this park, with 10 miles of sand dunes, maritime forests, and freshwater wetlands. That’s because this place is as far from the manicured sand, boardwalks, and hotdog stands as it gets. is proof that remote-feeling beaches can exist anywhere, even in New Jersey. In addition to being home to the state’s largest osprey colony, it’s frequented by peregrine falcons, waterfowl, shorebirds, and migrating songbirds. Fishermen flock here, too, whether they’re targeting the surf on the Atlantic side or casting in Barnegat Bay. There’s a designated swimming beach (called Ocean Swimming Beach), surfing, an area for kitesurfing, and even eight miles of trails. Sunbathing is really the only thing you shouldn’t do here, because you’ll be missing out on so much else.

Know Before You Go: One of the best recreational opportunities may be paddling from Island Beach into the Sedge Island Wildlife Management Area, one of New Jersey’s most productive wildlife habitats, with to paddle through it.

Bonus Beach: Cape May Beach, New Jersey

Location: Cape May, on the far southern coast of the state
Best For: Relaxing on manicured sand next to one of the most charming towns in all of New Jersey

This is the that many New Jerseyans will point to as their state’s best—and for good reason. The town of Cape May is lovely as hell, and downtown is adjacent to the main beach, with sugary sand that is raked cleaned nearly every day during summer, making it feel, well, pristine. It’s also welcoming, full of sunbathers and swimmers chilling out on the weekend, which is all part of the charm. This is a social beach, with the occasional fireworks show or . If you want to sneak away from some of the crowds during the day, walk to the West, towards Cove Beach, which usually has more room to lay out an oversized beach towel (and great sunset views). There’s also plenty of activities nearby, including a few beach breaks good for groms, skimboarding, fishing, and paddling in the harbor.

Best Beach in Delaware

Delaware Seashore State Park Beach, Delaware

Location: Seven miles south of Rehoboth Beach
Why We Love It: Six miles of ocean-front sand and 20 miles of bay shoreline full of possibilities

This popular offers easy access to the junction of Indian River Bay, Rehoboth Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. As such, it is overflowing with activities: swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing, windsurfing, hiking, paddling, crabbing, and camping, among others. There are two ocean swimming areas, patrolled by lifeguards during the summer season, and there’s a decent , which can be great with some southerly wind protection (but is also challenging, thanks to its shallow water). If you want to stretch your legs, there’s a one-mile hiking trail through the adjacent , with raised boardwalks over the marshlands.

Know Before You Go: There’s a $5 daily entrance fee ($10 for nonresidents), but those fees help make this an extremely well-managed park, with great resources to help you plan practically any adventure, whether it’s birding, surfcasting, paddling, or something else.

Best Beach in Maryland

Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland & Virginia

Location: Maryland’s Eastern Shore, roughly 10 miles from Ocean City
Why We Love It: 37 miles of remote dunes with herds of wild horses

There is no other place on the East Coast that demonstrates just how wild a coastline can be like this national seashore, which stretches across the Maryland and Virginia border. Assateague is one of the largest barrier islands on the eastern seaboard with uninterrupted coastal habitats, and it has become famous for its wild horses, which have been here for hundreds of years. If you want to see them, you’re probably better offÌę heading to the Maryland side or by booking a tour with a third-party organizer. There are two entrances, one in the north and one in the south, and there is no vehicle access between the two (other than by going back to the mainland). If you want to really explore the beaches—and you have a four-wheel drive rig—you can apply for and purchase an over-sand vehicle (OVS) , which allows you to access . You can fish mile after mile of remote surf or just find an open stretch of sand to sit down and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Know Before You Go: Nearly every year, it seems, Assateague breaks its previous record for visitation, with . So yes, expect to share the sand. The northern end of Assateague Island tends to be less busy than the southern end, but the surest way to get away from the crowds is with an OSV permit or by walking a few miles down the beach.

Best Beach in Virginia

False Cape State Park, Virginia

Location: Roughly 19 miles south of Virginia Beach
Why We Love It: It remains one of the last undeveloped shorelines in this part of the Atlantic coast.

This is not the place to come if you’re hoping to lay out a towel and soak in some rays (there are no dedicated swimming areas, either), but it is one of Virginia’s most dramatic, and least visited, parks. Situated between Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the North Carolina border, offers excellent stretches of open sand that are accessible only by hiking, biking, or boating to them. The reward is stunning coastal views, good surfcasting, and on the bay side, a maze of water trails to paddle. There are a to choose from, too, which total 15.3 miles. These include Barbour Hill, a 1.42-mile self-guided trek through the dunes to the ocean. If you’re committed, there’s even a primitive camping program, which requires a of anywhere from five to nine miles. But you’re almost guaranteed to be all alone.

Know Before You Go: The park operates a ($8 per person) that offers a four-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park, which is a good way to see the wildlife here without committing to a longer hike or adventure.

Best Beaches in North Carolina

Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina

Location: On the Outer Banks, along highway NC-12
Why We Love It: Iconic lighthouses, unparalleled surf, and vast natural habitats

It’s hard to think of a better beach for a list like this. In reality, though, this is an entire ecosystem, with 70 miles and 30,000 acres of grass-covered dunes, wide sand beaches, marshes, and woodlands that are home to some 400-plus bird species, among other critters. Sure, there will be crowds and traffic in summer, but it’s hard to find a more alluring coastline with so many activities. Surfing is excellent here, with regular swells at a range of spots, including Canadian Hole and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, both near the town of Buxton. It’s also very well established as a kite-surfing hotspot, with consistent winds blowing through Pamlico Sound (launch from ). Fishing is great, too—both on the ocean and sound sides—and paddlers can explore the flat waters on the sound side as well, launching from the Oregon Inlet Kayak Launch. There are even three different hiking trails, including a through the dunes and maritime forests on Hatteras Island. Frankly, it’s hard to imagine a better seashore for basically anything you want to do outside.

Know Before You Go: Cape Hatteras National Seashore is free to enter, but there are fees for just about everything else—off-road vehicle use, camping, and climbing the 200 steps to the top of Bodie Island Lighthouse, for example (). Also, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, a highlight for many people, is as it undergoes repairs.

Bonus Beach: Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Location: In the southern Outer Banks, across the channel from Hatteras Island
Best For: Getting away from it all

Technically, this 13-mile-long barrier island is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, as most of it is managed by the park service, but it feels a world apart, thanks to its frozen-in-time quirkiness and just how raw the landscape feels. Ocracoke is also a testament to how going the extra mile is totally worth it. The island is only accessible by , which makes the beaches here much, much less crowded. It can often feel asÌę if you’re alone, especially in early fall. For surfing, the beach near Ocracoke Inlet offers consistent waves, and fishermen can surfcast along the Atlantic shores or set up on the sound-side shoreline, like at South Point. Hammock Hills Nature Trail offers a good walk for hikers. There’s even a herd of ponies managed by the park service that are that have lived on the island since the 17th or 18th century, give or take a 100 years.

Best Beaches in South Carolina

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Location: Twelve miles from downtown Charleston, on Folly Island
Why We Love It: An eclectic mix of Southern charm and seaside cool that’s hard to find anywhere else

Folly Beach is no secret—tourists have been coming here for generations—but this is the epitome of what a great seaside community should be. “Beaching” is just a way of life here, which makes the whole thing irresistible, even if you’re just walking down the fishing pier. Of course, there’s a reason people flock here: six miles of white sand, palm trees, and warm Atlantic waters ideal for sunbathing, swimming, and, of course, surfing. Folly’s most famous break is the Washout, known for kicking up some of the best waves on the East Coast. There’s also plenty of other outdoor activities, from kayaking and SUPing through the marshes on the Folly River side of the island to riding a cruiser bike around town. Folly Beach can be a bit of a scene at night, but that also makes it great for snagging some beach town energy and good eats, from fresh seafood to beachside tacos. There’s perhaps no better place to escape reality for a weekend (or two).

Know Before You Go: While surfing at Folly Beach is better in the winter, the summer months are the prime time for live music, festivals, outdoor movies, and crowds, making it the best time to experience its full intensity. Parking can be a challenge, so if you’re only coming for a weekend day, it’s best to rideshare.

Bonus Beach: Hunting Island State Park Beach, South Carolina

Location: 15 miles east of the town Beaufort, and roughly 90 miles south of Charleston
Best For: A beach trip that’s as much about outdoor adventures as lying on the sand

is South Carolina’s most popular park—5,000 acres of pristine Lowcountry that’s full of salt marshes, palmetto and live oak forests, and a four-mile-long stretch of white sand. Even with the crowds on a summer weekend, however, this barrier island feels pristine, as it’s almost totally undeveloped. And if you come on a weekday (or, better yet, in the fall,), it’ll feel downright remote. There are a number of great hiking trails in the park, including the and the easy-peasy , which might be the best spot along the coast for taking in the sunset. There’s a 950-foot fishing pier, and paddling in the marshes surrounding the island. As for the beach, it doesn’t disappoint either, and if you walk to the southern end you can see Little Hunting Island Boneyard Beach, where skeletal remains of dead trees dot the sand.

Best Beaches in Georgia

Sapelo Island, Georgia

Location: Roughly 75 miles south of Savannah, near the tiny town of Darien
Why We Love It: Untouched natural beauty and a rich history on the South’s most overlooked coastline

Sapelo Island, the fourth largest barrier island in Georgia, is one of the East Coast’s best-kept secrets. There are miles and miles of pristine beaches, maritime forests, and salt marshes across this island, which has hardly changed since the 1980s—or even the 1880s. While the landscape here is unforgettable, the island is mostly known for its unique history, being home to the Hog Hammock community, one of the South’s few remaining , descendants of enslaved West Africans brought to work on plantations along the Atlantic coast. Today, there are roughly 70 people who live in Hog Hammock. Each of the island’s two most famous buildings, the R.J. Reynolds Mansion and the Sapelo Island Lighthouse, have over 200 years of history on the island, too. In short, if you want a place that’s perfect for disconnecting from the modern world, this is it. You can ride a bike down the empty streets, kayak to Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge (of Blackbeard pirate fame) for bird-watching, or simply stroll along the untouched shores—all of which can be mind-blowingly deserted. Nanny Goat Beach, for example, is completely wide-open sand with hardly a soul on it. It’s hard to believe a place like this even exists today.

Know Before You Go: This is not the place to come if you’re looking for a quick getaway. The only way to arrive at Sapelo is via a 30-minute ferry ride, provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (). Planning ahead is essential, as you’ll likely need to stay the night and there are very few places to crash. AirbnB may be your best bet or reserve a spot at . Locals still protect this island and its heritage as if it’s their own—because it is. A little respect goes a long way to making your visit feel rewarding.

Bonus Beach: Cumberland Island, Georgia

Location: On the far southern coast of Georgia, just across the water from Fernandina Beach, Florida
Best For: Camping in one of the South’s most serene, untouched landscapes

Cumberland is Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island, and it’s easy to add another superlative to this list: wildest. This stretches over 17 miles of empty beaches, framed by majestic live oaks and palmettos, and is home to a population of feral horses, which you can often see passing by on the unpaved roads. The island’s isolation is its appeal, but there is plenty to do, too. There are wide sandy shores to walk on, ruins from to explore, and an to amble around on. Access to Cumberland Island is controlled via the National Park Service, and the easiestÌę way to get here is via a (and you’ll need an if you plan to camp here). There are no stores and very limited facilities, so you also need to be self-sufficient. But the experience of camping under the stars with the sounds of the ocean and the sight of wild horses is simply unmatched.

Best Beaches in Florida

Cocoa Beach, Florida

Location: A little over an hour East of Orlando, just a short drive from Kennedy Space Center
Why We Love It: A surfer’s paradise with a laid-back atmosphere on Florida’s “Space Coast”

Cocoa Beach, with its endless stretches of soft, sandy beaches, and consistent waves no matter the season, is one of the East Coast’s most iconic beach destinations. No other city on the eastern seaboard is so well-known for its surfing and surf culture (it’s the hometown of Kelly Slater, after all). It lives up to the hype. There are waves for beginners and seasoned surfers alike, with the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier providing the perfect backdrop for those looking to simply enjoy the view of the lineups. The area is also steeped in space history, being just 20 miles to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. You can even watch a rocket launch from the beach if you time it right (check out the at the space center’s website). If you’re looking for slower-paced activities, there’s decent fishing from the pier and the Banana River is great for paddling. Windsurfing is common here, too, so there’s plenty going on, even without rocket ships to the moon.

Know Before You Go: It may seem like cheesy activity, but the nearby is totally worth the trip. The same can be said of the , which bills itself as the largest surf shop in the world, at 52,000 square feet.

Bonus Beach: Sebastian Inlet State Park, Florida

Location: Florida’s central east coast, roughly 17 miles north of Vero Beach
Best For: Surfing and fishing excursions

is well-known for its surf breaks and its fishing spots, which are both excellent on account of the park being situated where the Indian River flows into the Atlantic. The park’s First Peak and Monster Hole offer some of the best surf breaks on the East Coast and its waters are teeming with snook, redfish, and Spanish mackerel, making it a premier fishing destination. The Indian River Lagoon has calm waters that are good for paddling and there’s even a decent trail in the park to walk on, called Hammock Trail. There are, of course, long stretches of unspoiled sand great for sunbathing and shell collecting (this is a Best Beaches list, after all.) It’s a bit of an ordeal to drive to it, because the causeways accessing the barrier island are miles apart, but that also makes it less crowded. The best part, though, is that it’s far away from the hoopla of the Miami metroplex in the south and Daytona Beach in the north, meaning this beach is totally worth the extra effort to get to it.

Ryan Krogh lived on the East Coast for 12 years, split between Boston and New York City, and spent nearly every weekend finding the area’s best nooks and crannies for adventures. Among the many great ones was a day at Napeague Beach, reeling in striped bass on a fly rod. He now lives in Austin, Texas, where he spends much of his time exploring the Hill Country and the Texas coast while dreaming of getting on another fall striped bass blitz off the shores of Long Island.

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Salt. Sun. Wet dogs caked in sand. Few things are better than letting your canine kids run free on a wide-open stretch of beach.

But most beaches have strict no-pet or on-leash policies—rightly so. Dune landscapes are fragile ecosystems, and wayward dogs digging in the sand can cause immense damage to flora or fauna, like nesting turtles or endangered birds. That’s why it’s so important to follow the regulations and research them before you go.ÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌęÌę

The rewards are worth it. My yellow Labrador, Magnolia, has traveled with me to 46 states and three Canadian provinces while swimming in the Pacific, the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and four of the five Great Lakes—not to mention innumerable other lakes and rivers. As far as rewards go, swimming, for her, ranks about as close to peanut butter as it gets. I would never deprive her of a chance to get in a body of water.

But I’ve learned it’s critical to follow a few guidelines.ÌęÌęÌęÌę

In general, most beaches that allow dogs still require them to be on leash. Even if the rules are being ignored by other dog owners, it’s best to be safe and keep your dog on a leash—not just for other people and their dogs but for the local wildlife.

Second, many beaches have varying regulations by season, often to protect the aforementioned wildlife. For some beaches, regulations change throughout the course of the season and even at different times of the day—like no dogs after 10 a.m., for example. Make sure you know the current regulations wherever you go. Don’t be the jerk that says your dog is fine off-leash digging in the sand. It may be digging up a turtle nest.

Also, bring poop bags and pick up after them. Sandy beach with vegetation usually means ticks, so make sure your pup is on a preventative. And be mindful of strong rip tides, which can pull a dog out very quickly. If your dog does get caught in a rip current, don’t swim after them. Instead, get their attention and walk up or down the beach, so they swim out of the current rather than directly against it. Flag down a boat if you can.Ìę

Finally, bring plenty of fresh water. Running on the sand can be hard for your dog, and they can get overheated in the summer quickly.

Otherwise, have fun and give in to the inevitable that there will be sand everywhere in your car—and a very happy dog.

1. Cannon Beach, Oregon

No list of dog-friendly beaches would be complete without this iconic stretch of sand in northern Oregon, roughly 90 minutes from Portland. It’s primarily known for Haystack Rock, a stunning basalt monolith rising from the ocean that is one of the state’s most recognizable landmarks. The beach itself is also an excellent place for dogs to play fetch with a piece of driftwood, because they’re , provided they are under voice control. Cannon Beach has miles of sand to explore and there are dog-friendly hikes, too, including , through the Sitka spruce forests in nearby Ecola State Park. (Dogs must be on leash in the park).

The community of Cannon Beach, in a testament to their canine love, also hosts an annual “Dog Show on the Beach” every October, with prizes awarded for everything from best trick to best costume. It all goes down in front of , an oceanfront hotel that also happens to be one of the most pet-friendly hotels on the West Coast, with a Four-Paws Cookie Jaw and a paw wash station located next to the hotel’s beachside path. If there’s a dog heaven, it can’t be too far from this.

2. Provincetown Town Beaches, Massachusetts

Situated at the northern tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown on the town’s beaches in the morning and evening. Off-leash hours, between Memorial Day and November 1st, are 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (During the remainder of the year, dogs are allowed off-leash during all the park’s open hours.)

West End and East End beaches are dog-friendly, with shallow water and soft sand. But East End Beach has an area aptly named Dog Beach, which is great for finding canine companions for your pup to play with. Getting there early is your best bet, as parking will be easier.

One important note about Provincetown beaches: When visiting with your dog, make sure you know the difference between the town beaches, which are directly adjacent to the downtown district, and the beaches of Cape Cod National Seashore, which surrounds Provincetown. The national seashore, like Race Point Beach, which is famous for its sunset views, still but they must be leashed. The National Park Service also institutes temporary closures of certain areas due to nesting piping plovers, so you need to make sure to keep an eye out for signs banning dogs altogether.

As for P-town itself, it’s regularly praised for being one of America’s most dog-friendly vacation destinations, with dozens of pet-friendly restaurants and galleries to explore. There are even sailing and whale watching charters, like , that allow four-legged friends to tag along.ÌęÌęÌęÌę

3. Huntington Dog Beach, CaliforniaÌę

Southern California has a seemingly endless variety of beaches—for surfing, swimming, sea kayaking, and sunbathing. But they almost all require that dogs be on leash, with the rules often enforced aggressively. That’s why makes this list: it’s the rare SoCal beach with a mile and a half stretch of sand that has a dedicated off-leash policy.

Located along the Pacific Coast Highway on the north end of Surf City U.S.A, this beach is perfect for soaking up the sun and Cali beach culture while letting your dog frolic off-leash in the waves. As with the rest of Huntington Beach, there are exceptional sunset views and the surf break at Hunting Beach Pier is the stuff of legends, and the home to the , which attracts more than half a million people to the beach when it’s on.

When the competition is not on, walking from Huntington Dog Beach to the pier is a great stroll (just make sure to leash up your pup). (If the sun is too hot for your dog, head to , 10 minutes away, for its miles of walking trails offering shaded areas, open spaces, and a dedicated off-leash area.) This being Surf City, what would the dog beach be without its own surf competition for canine shredders, the annual Surf City Surf Dog contest, held each September.ÌęÌęÌę

4. Jupiter Off-Leash Dog Beach, Florida

In 1989, the city of Jupiter, on the north end of Florida’s Miami–West Palm Beach metroplex,Ìę to allow dogs on its beaches. Today, the 2.5 mile stretch of sand is one of the few off-leash beaches in Florida. It’s a beauty, too. Beyond the coastal dunes, which are dotted with palm trees, is a wide stretch of sand that is perfect for strolling with your dog and watching kite surfers ply the waters when the wind is up.ÌęÌęÌę

While the beach is off-leash, dogs must be under voice control and not create a “nuisance,” per regulations. But everyone is generally relaxed about free-roaming dogs here, and any well-mannered pup will have more than enough room to roam, roll in the sand, and run with newfound friends.Ìę

5. Kirk Park, Michigan

The Great Lakes are full of excellent beaches and hiking opportunities for canine companions, but most beaches have strict on-leash regulations. That’s why this -acre park, 30 miles due west of Grand Rapids, is a gem for dog lovers. It has a stretch of sand on Lake Michigan with off-leash hours for your furballs: From May 1 to September 30, dogs are allowed to run free before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. (During the rest of the year, dogs are permitted on Kirk Park Beach off-leash all day.)

The beach here is narrow, sandwiched between high dunes and the cool water, but the sand is as soft as any in the Caribbean. Just make sure dogs stay on the sand to protect the fragile dunes and clean up after your pet.

Beyond the beach, offers short hiking trails where you can walk with your dog on-leash. If you’re looking for a longer stretch, head to , where there are a few miles of trails and dogs are allowed off-leash year round.ÌęÌę

6. First Landing State Park Beach, VirginiaÌę

As the name suggests, this is the spot where English colonists , and today it’s Virginia’s most visited park, with 20 miles of multi-use trails and a 1.5-mile stretch of sand on the Chesapeake Bay. Like in the state, First Landing is open to leashed dogs (although specific rules vary by park, so be sure to double check each one). This dog policy includes its beach, with a sandy shoreline and breathtaking views of the Chesapeake Bay.

allow easy access to the sand and the shallow water just offshore, which makes it a good place to walk in the water with your dog. In addition to the beach, the has bald cypress swamps, lagoons, and maritime forest that offer easy, dog-friendly hikes.Ìę

7. Carmel Beach, California

The city of Carmel-by-the-Sea has long been a haven for artists and actors and other unconventional characters, which may explain why it still has liberal policies that on a beach adjacent to the Hamptons of the West Coast. Four-legged beachgoers need to be under voice command of their owner, but otherwise they have the freedom to roam a half-mile of sand, which is one of the prettiest in America.

The sand is fine and white and the water is electric blue. Gnarled Cypress trees frame its crescent shape. When conditions are good, surfers will be in the water catching a few small peaks, and the water is also occasionally home to bottlenose dolphins and sea lions. Carmel-by-the-Sea, which is directly adjacent to the beach, is also , with plenty of dog-friendly hotels, artists galleries, and restaurants, including The Forge, with a dog-friendly patio and even its own , offering items like a hot dog (the Hot Diggity Dog) and an eight-ounce sliced steak, called the Good Dog, naturally.ÌęÌęÌęÌę

8. Block Island, Rhode Island

You’ll need to put in some effort to get to Block Island, nine miles south of mainland Rhode Island, but all of its beaches . One of the best to explore with your pup is , a secluded stretch of powdery sand on the island’s northeast side that’s famous for its big waves. There’s a small parking lot for visitors, which ensures that it never gets too busy—just make sure to come early to snag a spot and avoid the midday heat, which can be hard on dogs.

The island has plenty of other stunning coastline to explore, with picturesque bluffs and sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean. The main town on Block Island, New Shoreham, is generally relaxed and pet-friendly. Just make sure to ask at any restaurant with a patio if it’s okay to let your dog hang out. Getting here requires a ferry ride, and if you’re bringing your car you’ll need to leave from Point Judith, as that’s the (be sure to reserve a spot in advance). Otherwise grab one of the other passenger-only ferries.Ìę

9. Nags Head Beach, North CarolinaÌę

In summer, the Outer Banks can turn into a parking lot, thanks to the sun- and salt-seeking masses. The influx has made it increasingly difficult to find open beaches for dogs to run free. (The city of Duck’s beaches , but access is limited). OBX, however, is still an excellent destination to bring your four-legged friends, and Nags Head Beach year-round.

The beach, because of its proximity to the town of Nags Head and the mainland, can get busy at the height of summer, so it’s best to come early with your pups, like before 8 a.m. Once the late-morning rush starts, you can ditch out to go paddling with your pup ( rents both kayaks and SUPs and allows dogs on them) or hiking , which and is home to the tallest living sand dune system on the Atlantic coast.ÌęÌę

10. Cape San Blas, FloridaÌę

The Florida Panhandle is already remote by Florida standards and Cape San Blas, on the southwestern point of the Emerald Coast, connected to the mainland by a spit of land, is littered with miles and miles of uncrowded, white sand beaches. Besides , the county’s beaches are mostly open to leashed dogs.

One of the better ones is the stretch of sugar-like sand at which offers miles of beach to walk with your dog and Gulf waters to cool off in. The peninsula also has plenty of opportunities for hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. The nearest town, Port St. Joe, is quiet, if not exactly brimming with tourist amenities. But it’s relaxed enough that there’s no need for most official policies regarding dogs. Bring them as they are—wet, covered with sand, and wagging their tails.ÌęÌę

11. Double Bluff Beach, Whidbey Island, Washington

With its liberal off-leash policies, excellent views of Mount Rainier in the distance, and plenty of room (and sand) to roam, it’s hard to beat on Whidbey Island, 40 miles north of downtown Seattle. Double Bluff County Park is free for visitors and is a popular place for locals and kite surfers hitting the water when the wind is right.

For dog owners, there’s a good parking lot next to a grassy park (leashes are required here), and it’s just a short stroll to miles and miles of open beach with a mix of sand and rocks that overlooks Puget Sound. From Seattle, the quickest route to Whidbey Island requires a 20-minute at Mukilteo, but the island is worthy of a full day-trip (even a weekend-long one), with a series of quaint towns with dog-friendly restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, galleries, hotels, and hiking trails to explore. Be sure to check out , which offers tastings of its award-winning wines (try its bold reds, like the malbec) and a bistro—and the requisite dog-friendly patio.Ìę

Ryan Krogh is a former șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű editor and an avid angler and hunter who takes his lab Magnolia for beach walks and swims as often as he possibly can.

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Two years ago, when the pandemic hit and the world went into lockdown, the cruise industry was devastated by COVID-19 outbreaks, as some ships were stranded for weeks offshore with sick passengers. Almost overnight, the industry, with millions of workers and customers, was shut down, the boats dropping off the face of the earth like a cartoon schooner sailing over the edge of the planet. For the first time in a generation, many ports of call woke up and discovered they had suddenly been thrust back into a time most residents had never known—era BCS: Before Cruise Ships.

Without this primary source of tourism income, some port communities suffered, with layoffs rippling through economies dependent on the dockings. that ports in Florida lost more than $22 billion in 2020, thanks to COVID interruptions and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ban on cruise ships. But in some places, like Key West, that ban allowed locals to envision a future without the industry dominating tourism.

“It was a stroke of luck,” says Key West mayor Teri Johnston, of the CDC’s. “It gave our residents a chance to see what Key West would look like without the disembarkations—sometimes 10,000 people a day. We’ve never seen cleaner waters, cleaner skies, and our overnight visitors have had the rare opportunity to take a leisurely walk down the street.”

Liking what they saw, some Key West residents attempted to make the reprieve permanent. In November 2020, they voted on and decisively passed limiting cruise-ship traffic to just the smallest ships and those with the cleanest environmental records. (Two of the measures were approved by of voters and the other by more than 80 percent.) Less than a year later, the Italian government followed suit, from entering Venice’s fragile lagoon, declaring the area in front of the iconic St. Mark’s Square a national monument. In September 2021, French Polynesia also zeroed in on the industry, that cruise ships carrying more than 3,500 passengers would no longer be allowed at its ports of call, including those in Bora Bora and Tahiti, which relied on cruise ships for more than a third of its visitors.

Even today, as the cruise industry ramps up to full steam ahead, efforts to ban the mega ships continue. Overtourism is once again a top-of-mind concern in destinations around the globe, and the ships are an easy target for curbing visitor numbers.

Yet while a few countries and islands have been able to limit cruise ships, most have not. Even in Key West, a return to the BCS era was short-lived. That’s because, , state governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill with that effectively overturned the city’s voter-approved measures. The legislation, , was amended at the last minute by the Florida legislature to include a provision preventing ballot initiatives from regulating commerce in ports, rendering the will of Key West voters moot. Endeavors to ban cruise ships to the island have been a heated political battle, marred by lawsuits, threats of more lawsuits, personal insults, and controversial actions that have led all the way up to the Florida governor’s office.

Indeed, the never-ending drama in Key West—a proudly rebellious island that seceded (for a few minutes) from the U.S. in the 1980s—perhaps best exemplifies the global reevaluation of the cruise industry, one that could shape the future of tourism. But as the fight there demonstrates, corralling the cruise industry is like trying to subdue a hundred-pound tarpon on light tackle: once you hook it, you’re never really in control.

“What options are we left with if the cruise industry won’t listen to our concerns and the Florida politicians simply overrule our demands?” says captain Will Benson, a fishing guide in the Keys who helped campaign for the measures to limit big cruise ships on the November 2020 ballot. “Maybe the only recourse we have left is to pull off some pirate shit, secede from the U.S. again, and become a real Conch Republic this time.”

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Some of us are cynics and have a low opinion of humanity—that people are mostly bad and innately selfish. Yet research supports the opposite view. It was survival of the friendliest, not the fittest, that caused Homo sapiens to rise to where we are today.

This is the proposition that Rutger Bregman laid out in his 2020 bestseller . Bregman found study after study that debunked the cynical view, which he says has been influenced by bad science and misanthropic philosophers. The long arc of history points to our benevolence and cooperation as a species, and the real science is only now catching up and changing researchers’ views on subjects from economics to psychology.

has written four other books but is perhaps best known for a verbal clash that went viral after he spoke at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in 2019, where he called out wealthy attendees for tax avoidance. But his writings and historical research are even more revolutionary. Plus, he says that by daring to be so radical as to believe that humans are good, you’ll not only start feeling better, but your everyday life will improve, too. It’s a variation on the placebo effect—your outlook on life literally influences the one you’re living.

In the wake of 2020, Bregman shares his insights on why he still has faith in humanity.

“It was very easy to become cynical and pessimistic, especially in the first few weeks of the pandemic when people started hoarding toilet paper. But the real headline that we need to see is this explosion of cooperation and solidarity. The vast majority of people around the globe quite radically adjusted their lifestyles in order to stop the virus from spreading.”

“Millions of children have to read Lord of the Flies at school. It’s a pretty cynical story. Well, it turns out there was a real-life example: In 1966, six boys from Tonga, in the Pacific Ocean, borrowed a boat to go on an adventure, but they ended up shipwrecked on an island called Ata. The crazy thing is that somehow these teenage boys managed to survive there for 15 months. When they were finally rescued, they were perfectly fine. They were healthy and still the best of friends.ÌęSo the real Lord of the FliesÌęis a story of friendship, resilience, and hope.”

“One of the rules to live by that I came up with for myself was, when in doubt, always assume the best in other people. Statistically, you’ll be right most of the time. You should also do it because of what psychologists call a noncomplementary effect. A simple summary is this: if you harm or antagonize me, and I respond in a positive way, it will become very hard for you to stay negative, because behavior—good or bad—is contagious. And do you really want to live your whole life in distrust? That’s irrational. That price is just too high to pay, and it’s really not good for you.”

“A lot of the evil in the world is done by people who believe that they’re actually doing good. When you research wars, for example, you find that most soldiers didn’t fight in the name of sadism or some kind of ideology—they just didn’t want to let their friends down.”

“I encourage people to think about what their view of human nature is and ask themselves, ‘Is it realistic, or should I update it?’ This can impact everything. As I researched and wrote my book, I began to realize that once you update your view of human nature, it has personal implications. That started to change my life.”

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On September 13, in Beijing, drivers will take their positions at the premier event of the world’s newest motor-sports league, the . TV viewers—as many as 100 million, by some estimates—are bound to focus on what’s missing: the decibels. Though the new e-cars look almost identical to their IndyCar siblings, they sound more like hushed jet engines. In a testament to how far electric cars have come, the muted roar may be the most significant difference.

The engines under the hoods were developed by British racing outfit , and their batteries have enough juice to power the e-cars for roughly half the one-hour race time, at which point drivers switch vehicles during a pit-stop. Fully charged, the cars can reach top speeds of 150 miles per hour. That’s a bit shy of the 200-plus reached by IndyCars but fast enough to draw the interest of Richard Branson and Leonardo DiCaprio, who’ve signed on to back teams for the ten-race season, including road circuits in Los Angeles and Miami. And the technology is developing fast. “An electric engine produces zero emissions and has a lot more torque compared with petrol,” says Formula E’s Tom Phillips. “There are some disparities between the two, but the technology is improving all the time.”

To build the cars, Formula One constructed a 44,000-square-foot facility in Donington Park, one of England’s most iconic racetracks. Each of the ten Formula E teams will get two vehicles, developed in collaboration with six contractors. Teams will then tweak the cars to improve handling. After the first year, the series will be an open championship, meaning that teams will be free to design their own engines and batteries. At that point, the series should become a showcase for the most advanced electric-car technology on the planet. Think for ‹the hydrogen-cell set.

The success of Tesla Motors has advanced the public’s attitude about electric cars, and watching them rub tires at 150 mph will only bolster the cool factor. In the end, Formula E’s biggest winners will be consumers, since the tech on the track will trickle down to the street. Of course, the first obstacle may be convincing fans just to tune in, though the drivers, many of them veterans of Formula One, don’t seem too concerned.

“You’re going to get some skeptics,” says Virgin Racing’s Sam Bird. “But it’s exciting and full of talented drivers. I expect it to be really cool come Beijing.”

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Earlier this year, Terry Dubois, an elementary school reading coach and member of the , a search-and-rescue outfit in northern New Mexico, went hiking with a few friends and four dogs. They were on U.S. Forest Service land, three miles from town and on a well-established trail that leads to some Native American ruins, when her 12-year-old heeler, Jetta, suddenly began shrieking.

“It was like nothing I had ever heard before,” says Dubois. “She was screaming and crying, and I hardly recognized it was her.”

The jaws of a foothold trap, baited with bobcat urine, had snapped shut on Jetta’s right front leg. The group scrambled to try and release her.

“By some miracle, one of my friends had just watched a video that showed ,” says Dubois. “It was not intuitive.”

After being freed, Jetta was limping a little, but there was no permanent damage. Other pets have been less fortunate. In January, a 12-year-old Idaho boy watched as his dog, Loyal, was , despite his parents’ efforts to save her. In Maine, last October, an 84-year-old man was after it became ensnared, panicked, and latched onto him as he was trying to free it. In Minnesota, in November 2012, a seven-month-old border collie on a walk with its owners , designed to clamp down with enough force to break an animal’s neck. It was the family’s second dog killed by such a trap.

In the past two years, there have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of incidents of dogs and cats getting caught in traps set to snare bobcats, coyotes, and other fur-bearing animals. These nontarget species, in trapping lingo, have become unintended victims in a nationwide resurgence of something most people assumed had gone the way of the coonskin hat. Thanks to demand in China and Russia for fur-trimmed coats, a coyote pelt that sold for roughly $7 a decade ago now goes for $50. Muskrat is at $11, up from $2. Highly coveted bobcat pelts can fetch up to $2,100 at auction. Overall, the U.S. fur trade is now a $15 billion industry, up 45 percent since 2004.

That means there are thousands of new trappers and perhaps tens of thousands of additional traps in the field. In Minnesota, annual trapping licenses now top 10,000, nearly double the number in 2000. How much additional risk that represents for domestic animals is difficult to quantify, since there is no comprehensive database tracking incidents. But trappers commonly set two or three dozen traps each. Many are required by their state’s licensing laws to take safety courses, which also cover how close to trails the traps can be placed, but compliance varies. The trap that caught Jetta was set just inches from the trail, which is illegal in New Mexico. (Traps there must be placed 25 yards from foot traffic.) And it didn’t have the trapper’s ID number on it, another requirement.

A growing number of angry pet owners like Dubois are looking to outlaw trapping for good. The practice is already tightly restricted in four states—California, Washington, Arizona, and Colorado—but laws there have existed for a decade or more. New efforts tend to seek partial bans. In New Hampshire, a bill is making its way through the legislature that would increase penalties on violations that result in a dog’s death. In New Mexico, anti-trapping advocates hope to pass a bill next year that would ban the practice on public lands.

“Our goal is a national ban,” says Bethany Cotton, wildlife program director at , a conservation nonprofit. “But it’s difficult, because people don’t realize that these indiscriminately cruel devices are still widely used.”

Another challenge is anti-government and landowner groups, which see any form of regulation as an infringement on their rights. “People use trapping bans as a metaphor for overreach,” says Cotton. “The debate becomes a platform for all sorts of folks.” The nonprofit gave up on a fall ballot proposal because of pushback from several state agencies. A similar effort was abandoned in Oregon. Some advocates have had more success at the local level—Dubois and convinced Los Alamos County to pass a resolution against trapping in March—but even that can be an uphill battle.

For now, dog owners have few options but to be wary while on public land. As for Dubois, Jetta’s trapping turned out to be a life-changing event. “Every day I try to raise awareness. But I’m left with this feeling of paranoia and powerlessness,” she says, “and all for someone’s fancy coat.”

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