Well, folks, it’s election season again. Between that, , the war, the other war, climate change, and the rising cost of your favorite breakfast cereal, it sometimes feels like we’re all just a hair-trigger away from absolutely losing it. We’ve all tried doomscrolling. Some of us have even dabbled in worse coping mechanisms, like drinking heavily or . But none of that worked, either. So, what’s left? How can you shake the existential stress?
Sure, you could walk it out, or meditate, or lament the evils of this world to an expensive therapist. But sometimes, there’s only one cure for the bottled-up panic that lives rent-free inside you. And that’s to step up to the edge of the void, and scream into it.
To help you on your quest, we’ve compiled this handy list of our favorite cliffs, canyons, and chasms—all places with plenty of vast, cold, emptiness to ugly-cry into. Pick your favorite and let it all out.
North Rim Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
If we got word that the gates of hell had opened up somewhere in the Western U.S., the is the first place we’d look. Don’t get us wrong—this national park is a gorgeous swath of wilderness and a world-class hotspot for climbers, campers, and fly-fishers alike—but it’s also a massive, black gash in the earth. The dark granite walls plunge more than 2,000 feet deep, and at its narrowest point, the canyon is a mere quarter-mile wide. The place feels ancient and solemn. And with far less visitation than the Grand Canyon, it also has an intimate feel that’s conducive to a nice, relaxing mental breakdown. This is a chasm that cares about your problems. Or, at the very least, it’ll put on a good show of listening. We recommend the 2.9-mile round-trip hike along the . Start from the North Rim Visitor Center and end at the aptly named Exclamation Point, a perfect, vertigo-inducing overlook.
Hanging Rock Trail, Hanging Rock State Park
Hanging Rock is one of North Carolina’s most popular hikes, thanks to its namesake cliff, which hangs over the edge of a plunging valley like Pride Rock in the Lion King. We recommend doing the 3.6-mile hike on a foggy day. On some fall mornings, when mist settles into the hollows between the mountains, the rolling green carpet of Appalachian forest disappears. All that remains is a shard of rock jutting out into cold, white nothingness. Socked in, you’ll finally feel fully and completely alone. Dig deep, embrace it, and scream yourself hoarse at will.
Pacific Valley Bluff Trail, California
If you need an emotional release ASAP, this short trail will have you at the edge of the vast Pacific in under a mile. The trail, which starts alongside Highway 1, lines a series of steep cliffs and promontories that butt right up against the crashing sea foam far below. Head west from the trailhead, then follow the northern spur until its end. On a windy day, you’ll be able to feel your hair whipping around your face as you gaze into the blue beyond, which adds a nice dramatic effect to any nervous break.
Shovel Point Trail, Tettegouche State Park
Minnesota’s Tettegouche State Park is home to sheer rhyolite cliffs that rise straight out of the steely waters of Lake Superior. You could target Palisade Head, which sits at the southern tip of the park and is home to the tallest cliffs, but then you’d have to do your screaming from a parking lot filled with smiling tourists. Instead, we recommend Shovel Point, a popular that traces a 200-foot-high cliff band high above the water. Go during shoulder season, when you’re more likely to encounter moody weather. This is also the best time of year if you’re worried about feeling your feelings in front of an audience; the young families tend to clear out come fall, giving way to RV-driving retirees who probably could relate.
Horseshoe Mesa Trail, Grand Canyon National Park
When it comes to , there’s no place that does it better than the Grand Canyon. This is America’s foremost chasm—our very best void—and we’d be remiss not to include it on this list. To escape the majority of the crowds, head to the Grandview Trailhead and hike , a two-pronged promontory that juts into the Big Ditch. The hike ends at an overlook at the mesa’s eastern tip. Downside: You’re not likely to have it entirely to yourself. Upside: Its position and exposure make it ideal for a cathartic lung-busting scream sesh. When you’ve had your fill of wailing and gnashing of teeth, give your fellow hikers a polite nod, and turn to trudge back the way you came.
Endless Wall Trail, New River Gorge National Park And Preserve
The New River Gorge also does a great riff on the chasm theme. While this one’s not quite as deep as the Grand Canyon or Black Canyon, it still provides a number of dizzyingly steep cliffs that gaze out over empty space. We particularly like the 4.8-mile out-and-back along the . Not only is the name appropriately theatrical and existential, but the hike itself also traces a sheer cliff edge. The views across the gorge are some of the most dramatic in the park, and the plentiful tree cover provides just a touch of privacy in case you need to let out a little sob or two.