The leaves are past their peak where I live in western New Hampshire, and fall festivals have mostly come and gone, but that doesn’t mean the autumn road-tripping season is over. That’s especially true if your goal is finding ingredients—and inspiration—for your Thanksgiving and holiday feasts.

Plenty of New England farms, vineyards, and dairies are still going strong. And heading out on an adventurous pre-holiday sojourn comes with big outdoor benefits: uncrowded trails and beaches, swell perfect for surfing, and scenic roadways waiting to be explored after you score your bounty. Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the best places to visit on such a quest.

Where to Find Cheese in Vermont

The tiny town of Salisbury (population 1,200) straddles a sweet spot between the Green Mountains to the east and the agricultural Champlain Valley to the west. It’s a picturesque setting for , a cheese-making operation run by Hannah Sessions and Greg Bernhardt, who were just 23 years old when they began transforming an old dairy-cow operation near where Sessions grew up into one suitable for goats. Some 150 goats later, the place isÌę known for its terrific fresh chĂšvres (my go-to is the herb-crusted variety) as well as bloomy rind and hard cheeses, some made with milk from the cows next door. Call ahead to book a tour ($20), and plan to load up on the goods at their self-serve farmstand.

Ten minutes south, Moosalamoo National Recreation Area beckons with 70 miles of spectacular multi-use backcountry trails. For a fun, flowy ten-mile mountain-bike ride, park at the Minnie Baker Trailhead and follow the singletrack up to Chandler Ridge before looping back on the ferny flats of Leicester Hollow.

Unwind later over a hard cider at Woodchuck Cidery, a production facility and taproom in Middlebury, 15 miles north. Then head east into Ripton to overnight in one of seven two-bedroom (from $237)—request one with a fire pit—off a forested dirt road about five miles fromÌę the poet’s summer home.

Craft Spirits and Farmed Mushrooms in New Hampshire

To me (and I suspect a lot of other travelers), Tamworth was always that little town you zipped through while driving north to hike in the Mount Washington Valley. Maybe you slowed for the famous vista of bald-topped Mount Chocorua, but you didn’t linger: the Presidential Range awaited.

It turns out Tamworth is well worth a stop, thanks in part to Steve Grasse, the creative mind behind Hendrick’s Gin, who’s made it his mission to help revitalize the historic village where he owns a home. Grasse’s , set in a barnlike building on the Swift River, crafts wildly innovative spirits with New Hampshire ingredients such as beets and balsam buds, as well as more palate-jolting elements including invasive green crabs and beaver-gland extract. Tastings and cocktail workshops are held in the Grasse-owned Lyceum, a restored 19th-century store on Main Street. The gatherings are good prep for making what could be your new signature Thanksgiving or holiday drink.

Continue the happy mad-scientist vibe up the road at the , where mycologist Eric Milligan cultivates gorgeous blemish-free fungi—meaty black pearls, luminescent blue oysters, shaggy lion’s manes, and more—in high-tech grow rooms. You can buy both fresh and dried mushrooms there, and for the fungi-curious, free tours are offered on Sundays or by appointment.

Bring your hiking shoes along and get your steps in at the nearby Big Pines Natural Area. The 2.4-mile loop through massive old-growth eastern pines and hemlocks up to the 1,270-foot summit of Great Hill; there you can climb the 35-foot-tall fire tower, a 1934 Civilian Conservations Corps project, with magnificent views for miles.

Unpack your bags that night at (from $205), a traditional bed-and-breakfast in a restored 1851 blacksmith shop, with a working cider press.

The Best Oysters in Maine

Midcoast Maine is oyster country; most of the state’s production comes from its cool bays, estuaries, and inlets, where big shell-tumbling tides foster deeply cupped bivalves. Though most farm tours end by mid-October, John Herrigel of the , located in West Point, a fishing village near the tip of the rugged Phippsburg peninsula, is game to run boat trips as long as the weather cooperates. The two-hour experience includes visiting his small offshore farm to learn about the growing process (and slurp a few oysters right out of the water), then motoring back to the dockside Base Camp for private shucking lessons. The outing (from $250) includes a dozen oysters. Alternatively, you can order deliveries from Herrigel and the other Midcoast growers who are part of the co-op he runs; the goods will arrive when you’re ready to stuff your bird.

Don’t miss Popham Beach, a beautiful three-mile-long sweep of broad, firm sand at the island-studded mouth of the Kennebec River. Horses are allowed on the beach in the fall; book a two-hour guided ride with (from $175).

Another coastal option is a visit to Bath and the Maine Maritime Museum, 15 miles north, to admire its working boat-building exhibit and collection of 140 historic small crafts. If you haven’t had your fill of oysters yet, hit the waterfront , run by sisters, one of whom also operates an oyster farm. Bluet, a dry wild-blueberry sparkler crafted in Maine by a Napa-trained winemaker is a worthy accompaniment to your dinner, not to mention a good gift for a Thanksgiving-day host.

From Bath, turn south on Highway 127 onto Georgetown Island. Book a night at the woodsy ($125), a two-bedroom log cabin not far from Reid State Park, where you can surf, birdwatch, and explore the tide pools and sand dunes.

Where to Find Cranberries in Massachusetts

When you find your way down the narrow drive to in the Mid-Cape village of Dennis, you’re in the cradle of cranberry cultivation. Here in the early 1800s, close to Cape Cod Bay, a retired sea captain named Henry Hall discovered that the wild cranberries on his land produced more fruit after they’d been covered by storm-blown sand. The practice of covering bogs caught on, and the berry went on to become the state’s most important crop.

In 1911, a ÌęHall descendant sold one of his bogs to Annie Walker’s grandfather, and today, on certain fall weekends, Walker gives historical tours of the restored bog she works with antique equipment. You can buy fresh, dry-harvested berries out of her museum-like shop.

Cape Cod’s sandy, well-drained soil is also prime terroir for turnips. Eastham, on the Outer Cape, celebrates its namesake heirloom variety, the Eastham turnip, with an annual festival before Thanksgiving (this year scheduled for Saturday, November 18). If you can’t make it, you’ll find the unusually large, sweet root veggies for sale at the Orleans Farmers’ Market, just three and a half miles away, on Saturday mornings.

A popular area for fishing, biking, and exploration is Brewster’s 1,900-acre Nickerson State Park. Walk through scrub pine and oak to Cliff Pond; the large, glacially formed kettle pond and seven others in the park are stocked with trout. Or pedal an eight-mile paved path that connects to the 26-mile-long Cape Cod Rail Trail. Call it a day at the nearby (from $329) an antique Georgian-style mansion within walking distance of the broad tidal flats of Breakwater Beach.

The Best Apples for Pies in Connecticut

You know those carnival-like farms that feature a corn maze, zombie laser tag, a petting zoo, and you-pick orchards of apples? isn’t one of those. Six years ago, owner James Wargo planted 4,000 trees on the side of a drumlin in rural Southbury with the intention of creating a simple, no-frills country orchard. His 31 varieties of apples include hard-to-find antiques like Esopus Spitzenburg (Thomas Jefferson’s favorite) and the 16th-century Calville Blanc d’Hiver, favored by bakers for classic tarte Tatin and pies. The pick-your-own season runs through the first weekend of November, or buy apples in the open-air farm stand through the end of the month.

You’re farm-bound for your next stop, too, but not for produce. Drive 18 miles north to on the grounds of a working farm high in the state’s northwestern Litchfield Hills. Wander among the planted hops and farm animals, tour the brewing operation on Saturday afternoons, then hit the tasting room to sample two-ounce flights of signature brews like Sweatpants pale ale and Awkward Hug IPA, made with locally sourced ingredients.

Some of the Appalachian Trail’s least daunting terrain is nearby along the Housatonic River (park just north of where River Road intersects with North Kent Number 1 Road). You’ll likely have company from birders on your walk or run, because the area serves as an important migration corridor.

IfÌę you’re looking to stay somewhere local, the downtown (from $475) are a good choice within walking distance of shops, restaurants and galleries. Ask to be put up in the restored 1800s boxcar.

Wine and Vineyards to Explore in Rhode Island

Down a long dirt road five miles from the mansions and marinas of Newport, you’ll find the peaceful , a producer of estate-grown wines. Set on land that slopes to the Sakonnet River, the winery was once a 19th-century gentleman’s farm. Its stick-style stable—now the tasting room—and Gothic main house are on the National Register of Historic Places. Sip samples by the fire pits, listen to live jazz on Saturday afternoons, and take home some bottles, like the 2022 Greenvale Select Chardonnay and 2021 Meritage, both of which will pair nicely with your turkey.

Pick up pumpkins and decorative gourds at the post-and-beam market just two and a half miles south, then continue on to Newport and saddle up for an equally sweet ride in a town where cycling has been popular since the Victorian era. Rent a cruiser from and head out on the classic 13-mile Ocean Loop that passes the palatial Gilded Age homes of Bellevue Avenue as well as the Atlantic shoreline, or cycle east to Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge. Viewing platforms there let you spy on the big flocks of harlequin ducks that arrive in November. Overnight at the (from $200) a colorful hotel three blocks from Newport’s harbor.

Journalist and lifelong New Englander Meg Lukens Noonan grew up in suburban Boston, went to college in Vermont, and now lives—and hosts Thanksgiving—in Hanover, New Hampshire.

For more Thanksgiving food and fun inspiration, check out Steven Rinella’s story on how to cook a turkey over a campfire.

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You may not often encounter “burgeoning” and “kelp” in the same sentence, but the seaweed is truly having a moment. With its high levels of B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iodine, and more, kelp has developed a reputation among nutritionists—but it’sÌęmore than good for the body. Growing kelp soaks up excess nitrogen and carbon in the water,ÌęwhichÌęcan protectÌęthe ecosystem from disastrous imbalances.ÌęKelp farms can even protect against shoreline erosion by creating a barrier between land and sea.

Last year, New York fisherman Sean Barrett pivoted from fishing to kelp, with the idea of operating a kelpÌęCSA. The plan for his nascent company,Ìę, was essentiallyÌętoÌęsell shares ofÌęseaweedÌęin the same way that aÌęfarm sells shares of fruits and vegetables.“We signed up probably close to 75 or 80 people,” he says.ÌęBarrett, whoÌęcofoundedÌęthe decade-old community-supported fishery program , says that the idea for the company lay inÌęgeneratingÌęenthusiasm for an ingredient with which many remainÌęunfamiliar. The response was enthusiastic: “I’ve never seen more eager and excited exclamation points: ‘I can’t wait. Let us know ASAP!’” Barrett says.

Kelp farming is a Ìęin the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and New England. The crop,Ìęwhich can be eaten raw, blanchedÌęand cooked like pasta, dried and powdered, orÌęeven flash-frozen, has many applications, from salads to umami-amplifying butter. Chefs like Jacob Harth, who helms the kitchen at Erizo in Portland, Oregon,Ìęare integrating it into their menus—Harth has served a roasted kelp ice cream and regularly experiments with the ingredient’s texture and flavor. In 2019, food writer and cookbook author Melissa Clark published recipes for ; ; and in the New York Times. And Alaska’s has converted bull kelp into a popular line of pickles and hot sauces.

Eat More Kelp was designed as a way to allow consumers to own the success of the product. Organized like a traditional CSA, wherein customers pay up-front for a set delivery of produce, its goal is to get raw seaweed into more homes. Strategically, Barrett says, the project depended on moving kelp from the outskirts of food culture.Ìę“People have been fired up, and that is a crucially important element,” he says.ÌęKelp has a particularly short harvesting window, and once “landed,” it has to be kept cold or it will turn slimy. A unified front of farmers can prevent the loss of the crop.

The companyÌęlaunched early in the pandemic, but its CSA element has since been put on hold. A recent report onÌęthe Long Island waterway systemÌę for Eat More Kelp:Ìęan influx of people to the Hamptons last year created an increase in septic usage and fertilizer runoff.ÌęBoth of these elements returned too much nitrogen to the ecosystem, which depleted the local waterways of oxygen, killing off seagrass and fish. The stress to Long Island’s infrastructure, Barrett says, has created a tipping point. In the meantime, he has started a tangential kelp-related business, the , which produces fertilizer from kelp that he says can be used on gardens, vineyards, farms, and lawns.

Long Island’s problems notwithstanding, the idea of kelp shares still holds up. In Stonington, Connecticut, Suzie Flores and her husband, Jay Douglas, started the in 2016 and have watched their pet project grow andÌę in the intervening years. To protect kelp crops and guarantee consumers the product when they want it, Flores and other farmers have formed a cooperative to help stabilize the supply. “If there’s an issue with my farm, or if there’s an issue with weather and I need to get at, you know, 40, 50, 60 pounds of seaweed by a certain time frame, this kind of partnership with other farmers has allowed us to mitigate those potential issues,” she says.

With CSA shares, customers pay for their farm share up-front, guaranteeing a farm with a set income and volume of product for which they’re accountable. Kelp cooperatives navigate the same concept: farmers band together to guarantee that harvesting is consistent and fruitful so that customers can rely on availability.

To increase access—and to encourage the community to participate in bolstering kelp farming—Stonington Kelp Co. is partnering with , a 12-year-old company based in Stamford, Connecticut, that curates CSA boxes with the help of small-scale producers. With about 250 subscribing members, Mike’s Organic services New York’s Westchester and Connecticut’s Fairfield counties. Mike Geller, the company’s owner, believes CSA enthusiasm can apply to kelp, too. His company, which began with four purveyors in Connecticut and the Hudson Valley, now represents 250 farmers, artisans, and fishermen.Ìę

What he has learned over the course of the past 12 years, Geller says, is that customers want more diversity. “We had to adjust accordingly,” he says. Geller has added more and more food products to his CSA boxes, and kelp will be one of his curated deliveries’ newest additions. He became inspired by kelp after a recent trip out on the water to help with harvest. Standing on Flores’ boat, Geller says, he had an epiphany: “I was pulling this stuff out of the water, and I was eating the top off the kelp,” he says. “I’m eating those things just like they’re little gherkin pickles.” These parts of the kelp plant, called stipes, were delicious; Geller wonderedÌęwhy he hadn’t been including them in his CSA boxes before.

FloresÌęoffers online —kelp-dusted chicken wings, kelp chocolate chip cookies, cucumber-kelp salad—and believes that the future of this ingredient reliesÌęon multiple tactics. Kelp farmers, like all other farmers, she says, will survive by having different revenue streams,Ìęlike direct-to-customer and direct-to-business. As for the CSA, she believes that it functions as a necessary tool in broadening the understanding of what she grows. It’s “great for educational reasons,” she says.ÌęAnd education is one of the fundamental elements of increasing product awareness.

Right now, although Eat More Kelp’s CSA is on hold, the road is paved for future CSA projects that either focus on kelp entirely or that incorporate kelp shares into their programs. But ultimately, kelp’s success, Barrett says, will rely on the palate: “Flavor and taste and freshness always have to lead this parade,” he says, before “the ecological goodness, the sustainability of it, the newness and hiddenness of a new ingredient.” Luckily, briny, toothsome kelp—hopefully included in a CSA near you—can depend on its good taste.

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With nine thru-hikes and nine section hikes of the Appalachian Trail under his belt, Warren Doyle, 70,Ìęis a legend in the trail community. When he set the first known speed record of 66.3 daysÌęon the AT in 1973, he did it wearing blue jeans. The has even been arrested for civil disobedience, an incident that occurredÌęon MountÌęKatahdin in the late 1970s when he climbedÌęthe Maine peak to protest a rule that prohibited summiting itÌęduring rainy weatherÌę(at the time, it was the only American mountain with such a policy). He chose to spend a night in jail rather than pay a fine, but it was worth it:ÌęBaxter State Park eventually changed the rule.Ìę

However, Doyle’s accomplishments don’t end where his footsteps do. In 1983, he founded the . And in 1989, he created theÌę (ATI), which offers courses to prepare thru-hikers. Doyle has worked tirelessly to bring others to his sanctuary, to give back to the trail by inspiring generations of thru-hikers and leading others into the mountains. And even with the thru-hiking season on hold, the trail icon’s message continues to resonate.

Doyle’s love for the trail began in his home state of Connecticut. After his first thru-hike, he returned to the University of Connecticut, where he was a graduate student, to organizeÌęa series of eight hikes on the AT through the Outing Club.ÌęIf a student went on all eight, they completed the state’s entire 56-mile section of the AT. Pleased withÌęthe group’s success,Ìęhe organized aÌę“super hike” for the spring semester, which involved hiking all 56 miles in one shot. After a three-month prep period, Doyle and a dozen otherÌęhikers started at midnight on April 21 and finished the trail that night. It was the first time he used hisÌęwhat he calls hisÌęcircle concept—everyone who starts, finishes, and each member of the expedition must pledgeÌęto support the others and not quit unless there’s an emergency. “The students’ evaluations brought me to tears,” said Doyle.

After that, Doyle began thinking about guiding longer hikes and maybe even a completingÌę2,200-mile thru-hike himself. What came next was a much larger-scale operation. In 1975, he foundedÌęAT Circle Expeditions. After a two-semester prep period, he led his first trip, taking 19 University of Connecticut students from Springer Mountain, Georgia, all the way to Mount Katahdin. It took 109 days, and everyone finished.

According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, only about who set out to complete a thru-hike will go all the way;Ìęmost ofÌęthose who do finish take about five months to do so. The success rate is much higher for Doyle’s students. Over the course of 45 years, he led eight Circle Expeditions, seven of which boastedÌęa 100 percentÌęcompletion rate. He doesn’t lead expeditions over the entire length of the trail anymore, but he continues toÌęshareÌęhis knowledge with hikers through the ATI, which reportsÌęthat of its graduates go on to finish their thru-hike.Ìę

When asked about the highÌęsuccess rate for his students, Doyle points to a number of factors. He notes that common issues, like running out of money, are avoidable. But it’s really the preparation period and the method in which his studentsÌęhikeÌęthat leadÌęeach person toward success. His groups had about 20 days to get ready before beginning their hike. During that time, his teams discussed concepts like pack weight, mental toughness, and determination. “Barring unavoidable injury or death or illness in the family, it all comes down to your level of comfort, your threshold for pain, and your temperament,” he says. Success depends on how well you’re able to balance each of these qualities on the trail.

Doyle’s strategy involves consistently hiking about 20 miles per day. If all you’re doingÌęis walking, you could walk at a pace of two miles per hour each day and still get adequate sleep and have time to spendÌęin camp. This also leaves space for breaks and lunch on the trail. Hikers rise at dawn, and they’ll often enter camp at around 3 or 4 P.M. His hikes allow for two to three days with zero miles. When asked why he doesn’t factor a lot of rest into his itinerary, he responds: “Well, why should we?” It’s a moderate schedule, emphasizing consistency, and notwithstandingÌęextreme circumstances, it’s probably the most sustainable way to thru-hike.

Additionally, his agenda does include several short trips into town, as well as a support van (an element controversial in some quarters of the thru-hiking community). And he isn’t so strict that he’ll make his team hike through dangerous weather, so there’s some flexibility built in.

“Commitment is the thing that’s lacking in our society,” he says. “Commitment to each other. I think there are just as many broken commitments as there are thoseÌęthat have been fulfilled.” And that’s the overarching principle that guides Doyle’s approach to thru-hiking. It’s reflected in the pledge that participants in his Circle Expeditions make to finish the trail as a group; the idea that nobody will make it if they aren’t bound to the endeavor is a fundamentalÌęcomponent of his ATI prep courses.Ìę

It should come as no surprise that his thru-hiking strategies have contributed toÌęthe world of fastest known times. He worked with current AT record holder Karle Sabbe, who completed the trail in 41 daysÌę7 hoursÌę39 minutesÌęin 2018.

His most famous student is Jennifer Pharr Davis, who came to the ATI fresh out of college before completing her first ATÌęthru-hike in 2005. She loved the experience so much that she went on to complete the Pacific Crest TrailÌęand Australia’sÌę600-mile Bibbulmun TrackÌęsoon after. In 2008, she became the AT’sÌęfastest female thru-hiker, completing the trail in 57 daysÌę8ÌęhoursÌę38 minutes. Before every thru-hike, she consulted Doyle, absorbing his knowledge and advice.ÌęIt wasn’t long beforeÌęshe told him that she wanted to tryÌęfor the overall long-distance speed record.

Doyle coached Pharr Davis through her 2011 FKT attempt, using his same approach—make sure you’re committed, and stay consistent. She completed the Appalachian Trail in an astounding 46 daysÌę11 hoursÌę20 minutes, a feat requiring a 47-mile-per-day pace. Her overall record has since been broken, but she still for a female thru-hike on the AT.

“They’re not speed records to me,” says Doyle. “That’s a mistake to label them speed. They are endurance records.”Ìę

Doyle considers his greatest achievement to beÌęhis educational endeavors; he likes to think of himself as a student developer. It’s reflected in the advice he offers toÌęhis pupils: “The more education you put into it, the higher the success rate.” He encourages his students to soften to the flow of the trail instead of swimming against the current. And as long as you’re ready to be uncomfortable, he tells them,Ìęyou’re ready for the Appalachian Trail.

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The summer crowds are gone. Kids are back in school. Guess what that means? You get to have a lot of these adventures all to yourself. There’s almost nothing better than the sunny days, crisp nights, and empty mountains and beaches of New England in the fall. We handpicked these nine adventures, from mountain biking to fishing to good ole craft beer drinking and then some.

Burke, Vermont

Mountain biking, downhill skiing, craft beer

Locals in the small town of Burke started riding singletrack 30 years ago. The area is blessed with rock-free soil, and its Kingdom Trails network stretches almost 100 miles. Burke has become a destination for northeastern riders, and the area is home to pros including cross-country Olympic medalist Georgia Gould. A U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team development site, Burke Mountain has 2,000 feet of drop, lift-served all-mountain terrain that’s steep and technical up top, and a bike park spanning lower elevations. You’ll find natural and man-made singletrack, flow trails, cross-country, berms, jumps, rollovers—you could ride here for a week and never repeat yourself. Post-ride, quaff a Fiddlehead IPA at in East Burke, or make a 45-minute pilgrimage to the renowned in the town of Greensboro Bend. Visit the Kingdom Trails website for great local information, including a variety of accommodations that cater to riders, like the (from $139), which offers bike-and-stay packages and lessons.

Don’t Miss: Riders compete in the annual long-distance backcountry races on September 22.

The Berkshires, Massachusetts

Hiking, wilderness lodges, art

The autumnal landscape takes center stage here, and the best way to see it is to hike up a peak. Monument Mountain’s 720 feet of elevation gain makes for a modest ascent but grants long views over the vibrant woodlands and wetlands of the Housatonic River Valley. The trailhead is right across the street from the hip and homey (from $79), near the town of Great Barrington. Post-hike, satisfy your craft-brew and comfort-food cravings at the . An hour up the road, a hardier ascent will bring you to the top of 3,491-foot Mount Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts. For a remote getaway, stay on Greylock’s summit at the (from $40 for a bunk), a CCC project from the 1930s that was the prototypical national-park lodge. The Mount Greylock State Reservation counts more than 80 miles of trails on its nearly 13,000 acres, including a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Down the hill, the small town of North Adams is home to the 48-room (from $141), whose cool-cred owners include John Stirratt, the bass player in the band Wilco.

Don’t Miss: Mass MoCA (the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Adams is one of the country’s most prominent art-world institutions. It even has a microbrewery on-site.

Adirondack Park, New York

Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, fishing

In a park the size of Vermont, with nearly 30,000 miles of streams and more than 3,000 lakes and ponds, where exactly are you supposed to put a boat in the water and start paddling? Here’s an idea: narrow your search to the park’s sole designated canoe wilderness, the Saint Regis Canoe Area, 25 miles west of Lake Placid. No motorboats are allowed, which contributes mightily to the quality of the swimming, trout and bass fishing, and quietude. The classic Route of the Seven Carries—which includes six portages, none of them too grueling if you’re in decent shape and don’t overload on gear—can be done as a day trip. But why rush it? Make it at least three days, taking time to enjoy the beaches and hike up Saint Regis Mountain. is the go-to for information (there’s a Nine Carries Route, too) and everything you’ll need to set out. Owner Dave Cilley literally wrote the book on paddling in the Adirondacks. When you’re not camping, the wood-paneled cabins, lake-view suites, and rooms at (from $149) are loaded with old-school character, and the 25-acre resort offers cooking demos and beer workshops. For something a bit less rustic, the grand old (from $148), in the town of Saranac Lake, recently underwent an extensive renovation.

Don’t Miss: Saranac Lake is home to more than 5,000 people, and many of them are creatives. The downtown area has enough galleries, artist studios, cultural events, and live music to qualify as a bona fide art colony.

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Surfing, oysters, beach bars

When it comes to riding waves, Rhode Island punches far above its weight. Its 400 miles of jagged coastline produce a variety of breaks on beaches, points, reefs, and islands, and the conditions are at their best in the stormier fall and winter months. Base out of Narragansett to surf gentle Town Beach, or head to bigger action at Ruggles in Newport or at the Point Judith Lighthouse. Narragansett’s Warm Winds surf shop is the place to find rental boards, lessons, and intel on breaks. Surfer-friendly places to stay include the contemporary, recently renovated (from $179) and the chic, (from $309), both walking distance from the beach. The nearby village of Matunuck has three breaks as well as the , a leader in the pond-to-plate sustainable-shellfish movement. The town is also home to the area’s favorite beach bar, Ocean Mist, which books reggae bands you’ve actually heard of, like the Wailers.

Don’t Miss: Go for a two-mile open-water swim with Narragansett Ocean Swimming Enthusiasts. Get dates and times on the group’s Facebook page.

Rumney, New Hampshire

Rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking

New York’s Shawangunks may be the most popular crags in the northeast, but there’s no sport climbing in the Gunks. Located at the southern border of White Mountain National Forest, Rumney has become an international destination, and fall is peak season. The area has over 1,000 established sport, boulder, and trad routes, which works out to a little less than one per town resident. The climbs range from beginner-friendly to hardcore (Jaws II is one of only four 5.15’s in the country), with the majority falling in the intermediate-to-advanced range (5.9 to 5.14). The national forest also has over 1,200 miles of hiking—try the 3.4-mile out-and-back Stinson Mountain—or mountain-bike at Green Woodlands near Dorchester. Shack up at Rumney’s Barn Door Hostel, which owner Dave Cook, a self-described explorer and beer connoisseur, recently opened with climbers in mind, offering bunks, private rooms, and campsites (from $20 for a bunk).

Don’t Miss: What tiny Rumney lacks in after-hours entertainment can be had in the nearby college town of Plymouth at the Lucky Dog Tavern and Grill.

Mount Desert Island, Maine

Lobster, sailing, hiking, more lobster

Know before you go: (1) Mount Desert Island, where the mountains of Acadia National Park meet the coast, is one of New England’s most stunning geographical features. (2) Fall is perhaps the loveliest season here, but it’s also prime time for cruise ships in the town of Bar Harbor. (3) Lobster hunters on a seafood safari need not look far—just about every place serves them. For real local flavor, hop the ferry from Southwest Harbor or Northeast Harbor over to Little Cranberry Island’s , where you’d have to actually get on a boat to be any more on the water. Same goes for , a classic shack on the dock in Bernard, a busy fishing village in the far southwest corner of Mount Desert Island. This part of Maine is also excellent sailing country. From Bar Harbor, take a sunset cruise on Downeast Windjammer’s Margaret Todd. If you’re crowd averse, stay on the quiet side of the island in Southwest Harbor. The new has two tiny houses for rent (from $125) in addition to seven fully appointed yurts (from $170).

Don’t Miss: Hiking in Acadia means spectacular coastal views. Homans Path is a historic trail on Dorr Mountain, with stairways cut into the rock. There’s no biking on the hiking trails, but John D. Rockefeller’s carriage-road system makes for great riding. The 3.5-mile climb to the summit of Cadillac Mountain is a serious ascent.

Chatham, Massachusetts

Fly-fishing, biking

There’s no shortage of day-trip fishing boats on Cape Cod. When you want a greater challenge, try sight-casting for stripers with a fly rod, even wading in after them if you have to. The place to do it: the pristine and isolated flats off Monomoy Island, which begin a mile from the elbow of the cape. The guy to charter with—because he’s got the right boat for the sport (a Carolina skiff) and the local savvy it takes to navigate the shallows—is Monomoy șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs’ Jamie Bassett, whose family has been in Chatham since the days of Plymouth Colony. While tourist-friendly, Chatham remains plenty salty, with about 100 commer­cial fishing boats working the waters. Stay in a typical cape cottage like the Stone Whale, which you can find . Or the hotel is conveniently situated between town and the water (from $129).

Don’t Miss: Bike the 25-mile Cape Cod Rail Trail out to the marshes and ponds of the 40-mile-long Cape Cod ­National Seashore.

Old Lyme, Connecticut

Kayaking, fishing, birdwatching

If you want to experience a modern-day version of a Nantucket sleigh ride, go to Old Lyme. What’s a sleigh ride? The turbo-charged drag you get after hooking a 40-pound striped bass from the saddle of a kayak. The shallows where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound are a fall feeding ground for bluefish and striped bass, and a playground for paddlers. The action takes place in the eastern part of the state, which is dense with Revolutionary War–era maritime history. (from $170), in the small town of Essex, features a renowned taproom that started life in 1735 as a schoolhouse, and the quaint (from $149) has a top-flight jazz club. For fishing, can supply all your equipment and guiding needs, including paddleboard rentals. After a day on the water, refuel at , in Branford, or , where the vibe is more like Key West.

Don’t Miss: Happy-hour birdwatching at Old Lyme’s Great Island salt marsh. Paddlers BYOB and watch osprey and eagles feed on baitfish as well as tornadoes of swallows.

Medawisla Lodge, Maine

Paddleboarding, hiking, fly-fishing, ­mountain biking

The very notion of the Maine woods conjures nostalgia for hardy old-school hunting and fishing lodges, which have now mostly gone to seed. But the Appalachian Mountain Club has a fresh approach: take those old lodge sites and build new camps on them. , the newest of the Maine Wilderness Lodges network, has access to the 100-Mile Wilderness Trails and is set on a pond that’s three miles across. The lodge offers bunkhouse accommodations (from $109) or hilltop and waterfront cabins (from $162), and supplies canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Rent a fly rod if you want to try casting for brook trout. Go running, hiking, or mountain biking—or, once the snow falls, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing—on 103 miles of local trails that link up with the network’s sister lodges. You can explore on your own or with one of the lodge’s guides. Sign up for the family-style meal plan or bring your own provisions, but keep in mind that the nearest store is about an hour away.

Don’t Miss: Hike the Gulf Hagas Rim Trail. It runs alongside the Pleasant River and offers views of a waterfall-laced gorge known as the Grand Canyon of the East.

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I had a reader named Matt write from Connecticut with a question about tick safety for dogs.

I’m the proud owner of a seven-month-old yellow Lab. We give her NexGard for fleas and ticks, but after a recent hike, I found a few ticks on her coat. Do you use any kind of spray repellant that you can recommend?Ìę

First, ticks are definitely something you should worry about. Connecticut is the epicenter of . Not only can dogs contract the diseaseÌębut they couldÌębringÌęticks inside your home, potentiallyÌęspreading it to humans, too. However, by being proactive, it’s actually pretty straightforward to keep both your pet and family safe.

Ìęand other oral flea and tick medications are pretty effective at keeping the pests from remaining attached to your dog. That said,Ìęfleas and ticks are capable of adapting to the widespread use of these treatments and can develop the ability to resist them over time. Consult your vet and other dog owners in your local area for information on which oral treatments are working best right now. Stay up to date on this information season by season.

Probably the only good thing about Lyme is that the disease isÌę to transmit between the tick and its host. Oral treatments might not get them off that fast, but you can. The best defense against ticks on both humans and dogs will always remain regular searches and immediate disposal.

Doing that every time you get home from hikes, or several times during long outdoor activities, is a good habitÌęto get into in aÌętick hot zone like Connecticut. To make it easy, I’d set up a tick station in your garage.ÌęYou’ll need equipment to search for, remove, and safely get rid of the bugs. IÌęsuggest (different types of dog fur may require different tools), or tweezers, and a jar of rubbing alcohol with a secure lid.

After every hike, comb the dog to findÌęticks, safely remove them, then dispose of them in the alcohol. The tool makes sure you get the tick’s mandibles out of the dog’s skin, and the jar of alcohol gives you a safe place to dispose of the bugs when you find them. Never crush ticks between your fingers; the blood that squirts out could infect you with the diseases they carry.

There areÌęalso steps you can take to minimize the number of ticks in your dog’s environment. There will likely be yard-treatment services available in your area, you can scatter across your yard, use , and create a barrier of mulch or gravel surrounding your property, which may prevent ticks from invading it.Ìę(I’ve written more about those methods here.)Ìę

So my answer to your question? TheÌęmost effective thing you’re going to be able to spray on your dog is . That can remain on your dog’s fur for up to six weeks and is proven to be effective. Unlike DEET, which may be harmful to dogs, Ìę(but not cats). If I lived somewhere with Lyme disease, that’s what I’d use.

Have a question for Wes? Ask it onÌę,Ìę,Ìę, orÌęemail.Ìę

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In my younger years, I frequented the Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (WMA), deep within Louisiana’s 1 million–acre Atchafalaya River Basin, to hunt migrating waterfowl or whitetail deer in fall and winter. In summer, I always returned to hike and camp and was usually the only soul on the maze of trails or in the bayous, making the region a far cry from the crowded state parks nearby. The property became a place of solace, where I knew I could trek for miles in the backcountry, sharing it only with bears and alligators.

These WMAs exist in most states and are maintained for wildlife habitat. They make for fantastic hiking trails and pristine forests after hunters pack up for the season. With our national parks growing ever more crowded, we rounded up seven of the best WMAs around the country for those who want to avoid the masses.

Catoosa WMA, Tennessee

Perched on the Cumberland Plateau, just west of the Smoky Mountains, is known for its rugged mountains and wild rivers. The area is home to a section of the Cumberland Trail, and while the young footpath is still under construction, when completed it will stretch more than 300 miles northeast through Tennessee. Then there’s the , a 14.1-mile trail ending near a horizontal rock formation, the path’s namesake. For backpackers, there are designated camping spots scattered throughout the forest. Several free-flowing creeks with Class III and IV rapids run through the management area, including the Obed Wild and Scenic River, which boasts 500-foot-deep gorges and some of the best rafting in the region.

Snow Peak WMA, Idaho

There’s a short window to enjoy the steep canyons and mountains at between July, when snowpack melts, and when winter returns in September, says Laura Wolf, a wildlife biologist with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. There are about 50 miles of trails, but nearly half are overgrown—although Wolf says staff is chipping away at that. The Snow Peak Trail is an easy nine-mile round-trip hike to an old fire tower with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains and the occasional mountain goat. “Most higher-elevation ridgelines have ripening huckleberries in summer,” Wolf says. An easier trek is the Scribner Falls Creek Trail, which is just eight miles over mostly flat ground.

Connecticut Hill WMA, New York

is only a short drive from Ithaca and is New York’s largest management area. As a part of the Appalachian Highlands, this area features 2,000-foot bluffs that offer views among mature maple, hemlock, and American beech forests. In warmer months, hikers can trek along a section of the Finger Lakes Trail, a 580-mile footpath that stretches across the state. In winter, the area is perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the property, so hikers can expect a feeling of seclusion even on a day hike. While state officials don’t allow camping on the WMA, there are a handful of nearby state forests that do.

Everglades and Francis S. Taylor WMA, Florida

Everglades National Park gets all the attention in southern Florida, but the adjacent has enough gators and swampland to go around. The interior of the property can be accessed only by boat. If you can reach it, you’ll have access to the —numerous canals and waterways that crisscross the swamp to offer glimpses of migrating birds. Hiking is restricted to levees, the only dry ground available, which snake around the exterior of the management area. The most popular paths are L-67 and L-35, including a 12-mile bike ride on a path through through sawgrass fields. Camping is allowed along the L-5 and , which offer spectacular bayou views. Both are currently closed due to hunting seasons and will reopen on November 16 (Friday through Sunday only).

Edward Sargent Wildlife Area, New Mexico

is tucked along New Mexico’s border with Colorado, consisting of high aspen meadows and ponderosa pine that provide habitat for elk and cougars. “Trails are currently not named or specifically marked,” says Ryan Darr, a land manager with the state’s Department of Game and Fish, but you can follow creeks to access the interior of the management area—like a 14-mile out-and-back on Chamita Creek. You can also explore old logging roads or horse paths to features like Nabor Lake, home to a healthy population of Rio Grande cutthroat trout. There are established primitive camping areas near the property’s entrance. As for the crowds, elk easily outnumber humans in this part of the Rockies.

G. Richard Thompson WMA, Virginia

Situated on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has all the beauty of Shenandoah National Park but without the crowds. At its highest point of 2,200 feet, hikers can trek along seven miles of the Appalachian Trail. You’ll get vistas of the pastoral Shenandoah Valley, along the way spotting wildflowers like trillium in summer. In October, you’ll be surrounded by the brilliant colors of fall foliage. In any season, the 9.2-mile is a great way to take in the sights. Remember a map—there are no blazes marking the path.

Thief Lake WMA, Minnesota

, in Minnesota’s wild north country, has plenty of solitude. Wildlife manager Kyle Arola says the property is managed as a wildlife sanctuary, providing habitat for gray wolves, moose, elk, and thousands of waterfowl. “șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű of hunting season, it feels like I have the place to myself,” he says. Walking trails for hunters aren’t maintained during summer, but for intrepid hikers, the paths offer access to the interior of the property and outer banks of the lake. In early summer, the forest is overrun with chokecherries, juneberries and raspberries; in fall, stands of aspen glow bright yellow. Designated campgrounds south of Thief Lake offer primitive camping with boat ramp access. Whenever you go, be sure to pack a GPS.

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“I’m not giving up,” ultrarunner Harvey Lewis told șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű last Friday while he was near the New York–Connecticut border. “The truth is I’m going to finish, and that’s my number one goal. I believe anything is possible.”

Lewis, a 42-year-old high school teacher from Cincinnati, is attempting an FKT on the Appalachian Trail. He set off from the trail’s southern terminus at Springer Mountain on May 30 and for 34 days has been averaging roughly 47 miles a day. He now has fewer than 600 miles left. His attempt is considered supported, meaning he has outside help as he makes his way to Mount Katahdin. This includes a support vehicle, manned by his 78-year-old father, that’s full of food, medical supplies, and a team of folks offering moral support.

Although Lewis boasts some impressive running chops—he won the 2014 Badwater Ultramarathon and has represented Team USA at the 24-Hour World Championships four times—this is by far the toughest run of his life. Upwards of 50 falls have led to a hurt quad, tendinitis, and swollen ankles, forcing him on a few occasions to catch up on lost time by trekking nearly 60 miles in a day with only a few hours’ rest at night. During one especially rough stretch early on near the Virginia border, Lewis says, “Every stride hurt. At that point, it took everything I had to keep going.”

FKTs on the AT can get a little confusing because of all the qualifiers. Right now, there are three main times to beat. Scott Jurek has the supported title for a northbound hike, which he completed in 46 days, 8 hours, and 7 minutes. Karl Meltzer is the overall supported record holder, having run southbound in 45 days, 22 hours, and 38 minutes. But the most impressive was set last year by Joe “Stringbean” McConaughey, when he completed an unsupported FKT in 45 days, 12 hours, and 15 minutes. Not only does he hold the fastest time, but he also did it unsupported, meaning McConaughey carried all his own supplies in a 25-pound pack, set up and broke down his own camp, and slept on the ground each night.

Lewis is vying for the overall FKT, which means he’d need to beat McConaughey’s time. If he falls short, Lewis could still claim either Jurek’s or Meltzer’s record for the fastest supported time.

Before attempting an FKT, runners must follow a set of unofficial guidelines. These have been developed by the small FKT community to prevent dubious claims, and they’ve developed three simple rules to do this:

1. Announce your intention.
2. Invite previous record holders to observe your attempt.
3. Record your attempt in detail.

Lewis has followed those protocols, and his crew is updating his every move via . His team is also posting detailed and daily social media posts to serve as a record of where Lewis has been, which will make it easier to verify his claim if he does clutch one of the records. “We’re doing the best we can,” Lewis said. “If we get the record, that would be extraordinary.”

You can follow Lewis on his FKT attempt in real time via , one of his sponsors, or on social media with #WheresHarvey.

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News that the eastern cougar has gone extinct is today. That’s a bit misleading, as the subspecies was actually officially declared extinct in 2011, and it'sÌęprobably been totally absent from the East Coast for at least 80 years.

Most storiesÌęalso failÌęto mention that cougars are actually returning to the east.Ìę

On Tuesday,Ìęthe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the eastern cougar from the Endangered Species list. It's just the conclusion of a drawn-out process that leftÌętime for public comment and peer review. But hey, cool cat, humans destroying the planet—it’s a news story.

All this fails to catch a few interesting points:

1. All North American cougars, pumas, catamounts, mountain lions, or whatever you want to call them, are actually the same species—Puma concolor. Eastern cougars had a little smaller heads than those of the ones we have out West, and they lived in the northeast. That’s it.Ìę
2. There’s probably a handful of Puma concolor in the northeast right now. They’re just not of the eastern subspecies.

Let me explain. Since about 1990, researchers have been, which ends at the Rocky Mountains. It’s a promising start for the species re-establishing itself through parts of its once continent-wide habitat. Some of those new populations have grown large enough that they’ve begun to disperse young males very far afield. This range expansion is known as stepping-stone dispersion, and it’s thought that the Midwest will be home to a stable cougar population within the next 25 years as a result.

During this process of dispersal, young cougars wanderÌęvery farÌęin search of a new homeÌęand new mates. In 2011, a young male cougar was . Scientists determined that he’d begun his journey 1,500 miles awayÌęin South Dakota. Given how sneaky the animals are—sightings are rare even in places with relatively large population numbers—it’s likely that other cougars have made similar journeys.

Can a large predator like a cougar successfully live in the small pockets of forest remaining in the crowded northeast? Judging by my neighbor here in Hollywood——the answer is yes. He lives in a city park, where he huntsÌędeer. Other cougars live in the nearby Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, and even the Verdugos, right in the middleÌęof one of the largest urban areas on the continent.

Should people be scared of cougars returning to the northeast? . By managing the overgrown deer population in the region, researchers believe that cougars could reduce the number of road accidents caused by the hoofed animals. Over the course of the next 30 years, that could add up to 155 human lives saved, as well as 21,400 fewerÌęinjuries, saving $2.3 billion. Similar to the way wolves have helped restore balance in Yellowstone National Park, cougars could help protect biodiversity in the northeast.

Removing the eastern cougar from the list of Endangered Species is an important step towardÌęwelcoming the species back to the northeast. Other subspecies of cougar would not benefit from the eastern cougar’s protections, and this clears the board forÌęa discussion aboutÌęwhat cougar protections could look like in the region in the future. Some have of the species.Ìę

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You might think sleeping in a treehouse is tailor-made for summer (hello cool breezes and rustling of leaves), but if you go in winter you’re in for a treat. A cozy fireplace perched above the forest floor makes the experience of waking up among the branches a surreal experience. And, bonus—winter rates tend to be 40 percent lower than those in the peak of summer.

And there are more options than ever. Online directory Glamping Getaway offers 41 treehouse destinationÌęand Airbnb has approximately 550Ìęlistings. Airbnb spokesperson, Molly Graizzaro, says the company has tracked a 150 percent increase in treehouse bookings since this time last year, and is “seeing the treehouse trend pop up in places all over the world.” They’ve even added —a specific treehouse page—dedicated to Airbnb’s top ranked treehouses.

Despite there being more beds in trees than ever before, booking a treehouse in winter can be tricky. Why? North American properties, not located in the warmer regions of the country, tend to close when it gets too cold. But not all shut down. In fact, some are even better if you go in the snowier months. But, which? Try these five.

Enjoy All the Creature Comforts

Winvian (Litchfield, Connecticut)

Up High: Between the slanted walls of sustainable architect John Connell’s , cozy elements like gas and wood-burning fireplaces, a Jacuzzi tub, steam shower and a well-stocked bar help guests shake off the winter blues.

Down Low: You’ll be lured down 35-feet out of the maple trees by an exceptional farm-to-table feast in the main house (or at locals’ favorites and ). Roam the 113-acre property on snowshoes, or take a walk in the 4,000-acre private an eight-minute car ride up the road. Better yet, skip the drive and enjoy a scenic 20-minute trip through New England’s winter wonderland on the hotel’s mountain bikes. Once you arrive at the preserve, follow the blue blazed , an easy 6.5-mile path that you’ll find mostly empty in winter.

Access: Winvian is a two-hour drive from New York and Boston. The resort is also directly accessible via helicopter.

Toboggan In, Toboggan Out

Refuges Perchés (Mont-Tremblant, Canada)

Up High: Opened in the summer of 2014 in a 2,000-acre protected regional park in the , is comprised of 10 four-season treehouses—with names like The Bee and The Rockhouse, a 240-square-foot structure wedged between two boulders and accessed by a suspended bridge—stretched out along the shores of Lac du Cordon. Upon your arrival at the main lodge, snowshoes and a toboggan will be waiting for you to load up your gear and head out through the woods to the various 13-foot-tall treehouses within a quarter to half mile away. Bring sleeping bags, groceries and all the portable batteries you can muster if you want to watch movies on your device, as there are no electrical outlets in your treehouse. Though you have to go to the main lodge to recharge and shower, at the treehouse you can count on free Wi-Fi, cell reception, outdoor fireplaces, a wood stove and a BBQ. Come nightfall, you’ll sit with a beer by a big bay window or on a rooftop porch and let the stars take hold.

Down Low: Spend your days snowshoeing and cross-country skiing the park’s 22 miles of backcountry trails.

Access: Les Refuges Perchés is an hour and 30-minute drive from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Specific directions to the treehouses are sent to guests following a reservation. From $99 per night in winter.

Instagram the Killer Views From Bed

The Original Treehouse Cottages (Eureka Springs, Arkansas)

Up High: In a 33-acre tall pine forest, a mile out of Eureka Springs, you’ll find The Original Treehouse Cottages, which operates seven treehouses. We suggest booking the 24-foot-high as it’s the only one where you can watch the sun rise through a giant floor to ceiling window. Come winter, the treehouse’s heated hardwood floors, plush king bed, and stone fireplace are a warm welcome. Around early afternoon, while you wait for the grill to heat up, snack on the hotel’s homemade pumpkin nut bread and bird watch—you’ll spot chipping sparrow, downy woodpecker, indigo bunting, and rose-breasted grosbeak—from the wraparound deck. End the day with champagne and chocolates in the heart-shaped Jacuzzi, a potentially corny feature you’ll learn to overlook because it comes with panoramic views of the surrounding pine forest.

Down Low: Experience the beauty of the Ozarks while hiking the 24-mile Hidden Diversity Trail in , a 30-minute drive from the treehouse.

Access: The Original Treehouse Cottages is a 3.5-hour drive from Little Rock National Airport.

Have the Ultimate Romantic Weekend

Treehouse Point (Fall City, Washington)

Up High: At Treehouse Point, there are eight 10-to 21-foot-high treehouses spread out around the property, created by Peter Nelson host of the Animal Planet show . Whether you book the popular original treehouse , the more secluded , or the treehouse—which features a lofted bedroom and 80 windows—you’ll have spectacular views of a lush evergreen forest in , just 25 minutes outside the city.

Down Low: Eat a continental breakfast of sweet and savory scones, granola and fruit at the lodge, then get out early to hike the , a steep eight-mile trek with 3,150 feet of elevation gain and stunning views of Mt. Rainier and Seattle. Refuel at before slipping back into the four-acre forest to skip rocks in the river, relax in a shared hammock and roast s’mores over the outdoor fire pit.

Access: Treehouse Point is a 30-minute drive from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Get Off the Grid

Cedar Creek Treehouse (Ashford, Washington)

Up High: “There’s a whole other world way up high in the tree canopy,” says Bill Compher, on why he opened his solar-paneled to guests 18 years ago. The property, which includes a , was grandfathered in on private land within , part of the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. There are no outlets, cell service is vague at best, and you have to go to Compher’s neighboring home to get Wi-Fi. But once you’ve climbed the five-story stairwell and settled into the rustic sun-drenched treehouse, some 60 feet up and built around a 250-year-old Western Redcedar, you’ll discover the thrill of being off the grid for a few days. The snug one bedroom treehouse is ideal for spontaneous couples as Compher only accepts reservations a week in advance in the winter.

Down Low: The treehouse is located 10 miles from Mount Rainier National Park’s Nisqually River entrance—one of only two entrances open in the winter. Many guests will head out on a so bring your snowshoes or rent them for $14.50 at the park’s . “During the winter, one of the best views of the mountain can be achieved at the . The 1.4-mile hike/snowshoe/cross country ski route takes the visitor to a cliff, which overlooks the Nisqually Glacier and river,” said Ranger Scott McLean, who leads snowshoe tours on weekends. “Glancing up, you can surmise the 14,410’ majesty of Mount Rainier.”

Access: Cedar Creek Treehouse is an hour and 30-minute from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. For $650 for two nights.

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