Planning spring break is high pressure. You only get a one-week respite from school or work, and the timing, late March or early April, makes it tough to find a location with consistently good weather. Those months could offer spring ski conditions or prime surf weather—or not.

More than a few times, I’ve had to pivot at the last minute, having thought it would be warm enough for family surfing on the Outer Banks for spring break and then found temperatures in the low 50s. We moved our vacation further south.

Yes, south is the operative word. So relax, because I’ve found seven national-park units in the Southeast and Southwest that offer gorgeous landscapes, many days’ worth of adventures, and just-about-guaranteed warm weather for the perfect spring break trip.

1. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia

Best for: Swimming, Camping, and Contemplating History

Average Temperatures in March and April: Highs from mid 70s to mid 80s

Cumberland Island is wild. The largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia, Cumberland is a 17-mile-long, 36,000-acre swath of pristine beaches, tall dunes, maritime forests, fresh lakes, and marshy canals. Even though the Carnegie family once owned the island, and descendants still have some private property, Cumberland protects almost 10,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. The only way to reach the island is by a 45-minute ($20 one way) or private boat, and once you’re there the only way to get around is by foot or bike on hiking trails and 50 miles of sandy roads.

The island has no stores, so bring everything you’ll need, and be prepared to pack it all back out. You’ll see some ruins from a Victorian-era mansion built in 1884 as a winter home for Thomas Carnegie, as well as the remnants of a freedmen’s community of former slaves. You may spot members of the colony of feral horses that still roam the island, which are likely descendants of the horses brought over by the British during the War of 1812.

As for beaches, Cumberland offers 15 miles of undeveloped sand and dunes facing the Atlantic. For solitude, keep heading north away from the docks until you reach a patch of sand that’s too far for day-trippers to claim. It’s tough to find this much raw beach on the East Coast, so soak it in. The Atlantic is rough, but fine for swimming. Stay out of the marshes on the west side of the island, as they’re popular hangouts for alligators.

Where to Stay: is an all-inclusive hotel operating in one of the Carnegies’ former vacation homes (from $895 a night), but most visitors . Sea Camp has bathrooms and showers and allows fires (from $22 a night). Stafford Beach is more remote, requiring a three-mile hike from the docks, and it, too, has bathrooms with showers (from $12 a night). Book your spot early, up to six months in advance.

2. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Best for: Hiking, Biking, Climbing, Canoeing, Stargazing

Average Temperatures in March and April: Low to high 70s

The 800,000-acre Big Bend National Park has been a spring-break destination for decades. My mother-in-law still talks fondly about spending college spring breaks camping there during the 1960s.

Late March and early April are the busiest times to visit the park. But “crowded” is a relative term; I hit the place a few years ago at the end of March and never felt overwhelmed or discouraged by other visitors, mainly because the park and its neighboring Big Bend Ranch State Park are so large. I hiked, rode my bike, camped, and enjoyed the “Far West Texas” vibe of it all.

The Big Bend landscape is straight out of a Western, with its vistas of canyons, the towering Chisos Mountains, and big stretches of rocky desert. It’s a great place to explore by boot, bike, or boat, an ideal multi-sport national-park trip.

Hikers should tackle the 5.5-mile out and back Window Trail, which descends 1,000 feet from the Chisos Trailhead, at 5,400 feet elevation, through Oak Creek Canyon to a sheer drop-off framed by towering cliffs. Be prepared (and take water) for the steady climb back to the trailhead. Depending on recent storms, there could be a small stream in the center of the canyon, but the trail is still navigable. Subject to changes in the water level, you can paddle a 20-mile section of the Rio Grande through Santa Elena Canyon, which narrows to 100 feet wide, with limestone cliffs blotting out the sun. The area has been in a drought for the last couple of years, so spring trips aren’t guaranteed, but check with for water levels and trip options (from $160 per person).

Rio Grande Angell Expeditions video by Taylor Reilly

Just outside the national park is , with its bounty of mountain biking, where you can pedal to a backcountry oasis and through a slope filled with sparkling gemstones. Regardless of what you do, at the end of the day you must soak in the historic hot springs that are carved out of the Rio Grande.

Where to Stay: Chisos Mountain Lodge inside the park has 72 rooms, a restaurant, and a general store (from $170 a night). has 60 sites up almost a mile high in elevation; make reservations up to six months in advance ($16 a night).

3. Death Valley National Park, California

Best for Cycling, Hiking, Stargazing

Average Temps in March and April: Highs from 65 to 75

It would be borderline crazy to visit Death Valley National Park in the summertime, but in early spring, the temperatures are chef’s-kiss perfect. Visitors in spring may also have the huge bonus of seeing the wildflowers pop off, particularly in the lower elevations, in fields of desert gold, poppies, and verbena. If you’re really into hitting the park during peak flower power, watch the rangers’ on which wildflowers are blooming throughout spring and summer.

Also cool: the park is home to one of the world’s rarest fish, the Devils Hole pupfish, an endangered species found only in a water cavern in Devils Hole here. The pupfish are visible during the annual spring migration as they move within the hole seeking warmth from direct sunlight. Scientists counted 191 of them last April, the highest count in 25 years.

You don’t need to be a cyclist to enjoy Death Valley—there are plenty of hiking trails—but two wheels is a hell of a way to explore this landscape, with 785 miles of roads open to bikes. Cruise through otherworldly terrain like salt flats, expansive sand dunes, and red-rock formations, before climbing into mountains of up to 11,000 feet.

Artist’s Drive, a paved nine-mile one-way loop, is the park’s signature ride. It climbs from below sea level to 880 feet above it, offering views of the surrounding moon-like white sands and mountains on the horizon. At the crest, you’ll be surrounded by pink and tan hills, which narrow to canyon-like proportions on the fun downhill to finish the loop. To give you a sense of the terrain, parts of the Star Wars franchise were filmed off this road.

Where to Stay: If you’re looking for nice digs, will put you in the heart of the action, and with a pool (from $507 a night). is the best developed campground in the park, with 136 sites on the valley floor and mountain views. Book up to six months in advance (from $30 a night).

4. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Best for Hiking and Sand Sledding

Average Temperatures in March and April: 70 to 80

One of the newest national parks (established in 2019), White Sands isn’t huge, just 175,000 acres, but it protects half of the world’s largest gypsum-crystal field. The dunes roll through the Tularosa Basin like bright white waves, creating a landscape unlike anything else on this planet. You can see the San Andres Mountains on the horizon beyond the park, but it’s the sloping dunes that will mesmerize you.

The eight-mile Dunes Drive scenic road delivers you into the center of the dunes from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle, and the road also accesses the park’s five different hiking trails. The Dune Life Nature Trail is an easy one-mile loop that serves as a good intro to the landscape. But if you really want to dig into the dunes, hike the five-mile , which traces the edge of an ancient lake that has been replaced by the waves of dunes. You’ll climb and descend 60-foot sandy mounds throughout.

If you can time it right, hit the park on a , when White Sands is open into the night, and ranger-led programs include guided hikes. And definitely bring a sled (or buy one in the park gift shop). The dunes at the are open to sledding, and the gypsum hills behave exactly like snow slopes.

Where to Stay: There is currently no camping inside the park: its backcountry campsites are closed for rehabilitation, with no timeline as to when they will be in service. The town of Alamogordo, 15 miles east of the park, has a variety of chain hotels.

5. Gulf Islands National Seashore, Florida and Mississippi

Best for Island Hopping, Swimming, Surfing, Fishing, Birdwatching

Average Temperatures in March and April: Low to mid 70s

A lot of people have discovered the Gulf Islands National Seashore. In 2023, visitation jumped 40 percent, from 5.7 million to 8.2 million people, making this unit the fifth-most-visited in the park service. People are showing up for the white-sand beaches on the mainland and for barrier islands that you can only reach by boat. The national seashore is made up of a series of parks, beaches, and islands, split between Florida and Mississippi, and all surrounded by clear, aqua-blue waters that are home to gopher tortoises, bottlenose dolphins, starfish, crabs…and the 300 species of birds that migrate through the area.

The easiest island to reach is Ship, 12 miles off the coast and accessible by regular from Gulfport and Biloxi ($44 per person, round trip). Once you’re on the island, you can explore the historic fort, lounge on the beaches, or swim in the Gulf. The recreation area is fully developed with concessions and restrooms, so it’s a convenient getaway.

If you’re looking for something wilder, consider venturing to , an eight-mile-long barrier island protected as a federally designated Wilderness area, so there are no commercial ferries to the island and no facilities on the ground. But if you have your own boat or want to hire a charter (from $675 at ), you’ll find an island ringed with sugar-white sand beaches and grassy dunes, while pine trees and lagoons pack the interior. Mind the occasional alligator.

Where to Stay: The campground, on the mainland near the town of Ocean Springs, sits inside a maritime forest, with marshes and fishing docks ($25 a night, book six months in advance). You’re also allowed to on the beach on a few of the barrier islands (Petit Bois, West Petit Bois, and Horn Island) inside the park, but stay off the dunes and any vegetation, don’t bring any mechanical devices (ie, no coolers with wheels), and be prepared for a true wilderness experience, as there are no facilities.

6. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah and Arizona

Best for Boating, Swimming, Hiking

Average Temperatures in March and April: Highs from 60 to 69

Glen Canyon protects the incredible 1.25 million acres of land and water where the Colorado River pours into Lake Powell. The blue water of the lake contrasts sharply with the red and pink sandstone walls that rise directly from the edge, and the lake has countless fingers and canyons to explore by boat.

The water levels of Powell are constantly shifting, and have generally been in decline the last 20 years. Check the park site’s to make sure the boat ramp or launch you have in mind is operational. The lake was low when I visited a few years ago on a biking and paddle trip, and we had to contend with some mud on the banks, but the place was no less stunning.

The Antelope Point ramp typically has the least boat traffic, so it’s conducive to use of kayaks or canoes. From there, you can head south on the lake for a mile and paddle into Antelope Canyon, a narrow slot canyon that’s also a no-wake (no motorboating) zone. Under normal water levels, you can follow the creek upstream for about a mile. offers rental kayaks (from $75 a day). You can also launch directly from the beaches at Lone Rock Beach and Stanton Creek and explore the lake surrounding those alcoves.

Off the water, an easy 1.25-mile hike leads to one of the overlooks at , where the Colorado River takes a drastic turn around a massive sandstone escarpment.

Where to Stay: All inside the recreation area are first-come, first-served. Lees Ferry Campground has 54 sites, potable water, and restrooms ($26 a night). Lone Rock Beach has primitive sites on a sandy beach right next to the water ($14 per night).

7. Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument, Arizona

Best for Overlanding, Hiking, and Seeking Solitude

Average Temperatures in March and April: High 50s to mid 60s

The Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is primitive. This Northern Arizona park has no facilities, no campgrounds, and no paved roads. Instead, visitors are treated to the sights of 1 million acres of expansive plateaus, rugged canyons, and Mojave Desert, all traversed by a series of unimproved dirt roads and hiking trails. In other words, this monument is ideal for self-contained overlanding. I spent three days cruising Grand Canyon-Parashant in a side-by-side with a rooftop tent, while hiking and biking at various spots throughout, and was as mesmerized by the solitude as the grandeur of the landscape.

If you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, the monument is yours to explore. The park service details an 80-mile adventure to that cruises through a variety of terrain, from cattle fields to ponderosa forests, and ends on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. If you choose this route, you’ll also have the chance to get out and stretch your legs on the Burnt Canyon Trail, an easy three-mile out-and-back on a grassy road bed that leads to a big view of the western edge of the Grand Canyon. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Mount Charleston, just outside of Las Vegas.

I took a roundabout, multi-day route to reach , with its long view into the Canyon, and an optional side hike down to the water. The last seven miles to Whitmore Point drop 1,500 feet over rocky, rutted terrain that was super fun to bomb on a mountain bike. The fastest way to this perch is a 50-mile traverse from Mount Trumbull Schoolhouse.

Where to Stay: Primitive camping is allowed throughout the monument, but if you’re looking for a bit of refinement in the midst of all this rugged adventure, the has hotel rooms and covered wagons on an inholding close to the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s only accessible by a 70-mile dirt-road drive through the national monument or an airplane (the place has its own landing strip), but once you’re there, you’ll be able to refuel your vehicle and have a damn fine dinner (starting at $172 a night).

Graham Averill is şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř magazine’s national-parks columnist. Every year, he agonizes over how to maximize his kids’ spring break, dragging them to campsites in Florida, beaches in South Carolina, and lakes all over the Southeast. He recently wrote about hiking in Joshua Tree National Park and his absolute favorite mountain town on the East Coast. His latest article is all about visiting national parks for free.

The post These Are the 7 Best National Parks to Visit for Spring Break appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Central Florida’s interior harbors natural wonders that will wow first-time visitors: 1,000 lakes to explore and waterways galore, trails of every kind, and a vacation-friendly climate nearly year-round. It’s an adventure paradise, and it’s just a short drive from Orlando International Airport. Since few know a place like its locals, we tapped Lake County native Arden Tilghman for her top recommendations. Tilghman has a deep appreciation for her home’s outdoor activities, and as founder of , an outdoor tour company, she’s made getting Lake County visitors outside her business. If you want to explore the best of what the area has to offer, these tips are sure to deliver a getaway that’s a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: What’s one thing every traveler should know about Lake County?

Arden Tilghman: The variety of things to do. We’re best known for our water-based adventures, but we also cater to every kind of outdoor interest imaginable. Whether you’re seeking thrilling experiences or peaceful escapes, we’ve got something for everyone. The sheer variety of recreational options is something many overlook when they think about visiting our area, and it’s one of the best-kept secrets here.

What’s something that you can do in Lake County that you won’t find in many other places?

These are just a couple of the distinctive activities that make our region so special and full of surprises:

: These mini catamarans are perfect for anyone seeking a rush—they satisfy the need for speed and provide a thrilling way to explore the water. After completing any necessary prerequisites, you’ll be in the driver’s seat, leading your own adventure.

: Lake County is home to America’s Seaplane City—Tavares, Florida. Booking a seaplane tour is one of the most extraordinary and unforgettable ways to experience the area. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the Harris Chain of Lakes and the St. John’s River, the country’s only north-flowing river. Plus, it’s hard to beat the excitement of taking off and landing on the water.

How can active travelers burn off some energy while exploring Lake County’s outdoor attractions?

For those seeking an adventurous, energy-burning activity, my top recommendation will always be a . We’re surrounded by stunning forests, parks, lakes, rivers, and trails, and there’s no better way to experience all of that than from horseback. I’ll admit, I’m a little biased—I grew up on a horse farm—but it truly is a special way to explore the county.

What’s out there for on-water adventurers?

You can on every body of water in the county, offering another great way to get active while soaking in the Florida sun.

When I’m in the mood for a peaceful paddle, I love venturing along the “in between” waterways. The are a favorite, where I can glide through wetlands, streams, and creeks that link the region’s vast network of lakes. These hidden corners of our waterways are filled with a variety of bird species and an astonishing richness of life, offering a tranquil escape into nature’s abundance.

What are some of the best hiking and biking trails to explore?

Lake County has hundreds of miles of maintained trails across its state and city parks. Whether you’re around the Crooked River Preserve or riding on the , there’s a trail for everyone.

The hiking trails in are very well-maintained and easy to navigate. The park has short, family-friendly trail options as well as longer, more challenging routes. You can also join a guided ecotour to learn more about the flora and fauna while you explore the park’s natural beauty.

Central Florida attracts a lot of visitors to its subtropical climate and theme parks. Lake Louisa State Park is the perfect place for them to tap into our outdoor scene, too. Visitors can even stay in a and spend a night under the stars in style.

Once you’ve had your fill of hiking, biking, and paddling, what’s the best way to relax and unwind?

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a good meal and a cold drink by the water, and Lake County has no shortage of options. Grab a cocktail at the , or have a bite at Salt Shack on the Lake in . There are plenty of waterfront bars and restaurants to choose from. The waterfront in Tavares is one of my favorite places for a laid-back vibe. For a bit more of an indulgence, Mount Dora also offers wonderful options for wining and dining after a day of adventure.

But honestly, what really calls to me is a campfire. Lake County has plenty of glamping options, which means you can stay in nature without sacrificing comfort.

Discover Lake County, Florida invites visitors to tune out the noise and chaos of everyday life and tune in to the natural sounds, stunning landscapes, and outdoor adventures of Lake County—only 30 miles outside Orlando. and start planning your trip to Florida’s lakeside escape: Lake County, Florida!

The post Florida’s Undiscovered Outdoor Paradise appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Many of America’s 63 national parks charge an entrance fee, usually $30-$35 per vehicle or $15 if you’re walking or on a bike. Or you can get an for just $80. The fee covers you for seven days, and the money goes to a good cause: according to the NPS, 80 percent is used within the park, helping to improve trails, campsites, and roads, and 20 percent goes to other park sites. And there are six or so .

You can also have a national-park experience for free another way, by visiting one of the 20 national parks that don’t charge an entrance fee ever. Come and go as you please without dropping a dime. Many of them are among our least-visited national parks, which means you might have these landscapes to yourself.

These are the 20 national parks that are free to visit every day. If you’re wondering whether these are good ones, they’re not—they’re great ones.

1. Biscayne National Park, Florida

A coastal park located in south Florida where the mainland transitions to the Keys, Biscayne National Park is a collection of islands, mangroves, coral reefs, and open water that’s largely inaccessible except by boat. While entering the park doesn’t cost a thing, if you’re bringing a boat and want to anchor at certain areas, expect a $25 docking fee on weekends and holidays.

Best Time to Visit: Summer is hot and buggy (with temps in the 90s and mosquitoes), and hurricanes are possible in the fall. Shoot for winter, when temps hover in the mid 70s and the storms and bugs are dormant.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Biscayne Bay is known for its shipwrecks, and the Mandalay, a schooner that sank in the ’60s, is one of the top sites, as the hull sits in shallow enough water to be seen by snorkelers as well as divers. This wreck is part of the which includes five others. Don’t want to spend your time underwater? Head to Boca Chita Key, also part of the park, a 32-acre island with camping ($25 a night, first-come, first-served), hiking, and a lighthouse. The half-mile trail that circumnavigates the small island leads to its beaches.

2. Channel Islands National Park, California

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five rugged islands in the Pacific Ocean about 30 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. If you ever wondered what Southern California would look like without the development and traffic, this is it. The park is full of remote beaches, steep cliffs, expansive meadows, and pristine forests.

Best Time to Visit: Summer, as the water and air temps are both in the 70s, a little cooler than most of Southern California but still warm, so you can make the most of those beaches scattered throughout the park.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: I hit Channel Islands last summer as part of a seven-day adventure cruise, but the easiest way (compared to arriving via seaplane or private boat) to reach the park is by ferry, with (day trips from $96). Get dropped off on Santa Rosa Island and hike the 12-mile out-and-back to Skunk Point, a prominent peninsula with sand dunes and cliffs jutting into the Pacific. You’ll pass rare Torrey pines, a gnarled-looking, wind-twisted type of tree only found on the Channel Islands and in La Jolla on the mainland, and have copious views of the ocean and island along the way.

Or book a sea-kayaking tour with and paddle to sea caves and gaze at natural rock arches (from $145 per person).

3. Congaree National Park, South Carolina

You could say Congaree National Park is a swamp, and you wouldn’t be wrong, but the word doesn’t do the place justice. The 26,692-acre Congaree holds the largest intact old-growth bottom-wood forest in the South, boasting trophy-sized loblolly pines and cypress that rise straight from the water. The same forest has one of the tallest canopies in the eastern United States, with an average tree height of more than 100 feet.

Best Time to Visit: Avoid summer because of the sweltering heat and bugs. Winter and spring are fine, but you might as well show up in the fall when the weather is perfect, the rivers are full from seasonal rains, and the hardwoods, like tupelos and sweet gums, are popping with color.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Most of the fun in Congaree is water-based, so bring a canoe or paddle board and slowly make your way through the , a 15-mile marked “path” that winds through old-growth cypress. The current is mellow enough to paddle up or downstream, so you don’t need a shuttle.

4. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

An oasis of public land sandwiched between the bustling cities of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley holds 33,000 acres of forest and historic farmland surrounding the Cuyahoga River. What the park lacks in towering peaks or grand vistas, it makes up for in waterways, waterfalls, and cultural significance; you can ride your bike beside the Ohio and Erie Canal, which connected the Ohio River with Lake Erie, key to the country’s western expansion during the early 1800s.

Best Time to Visit: It’s a four-season park (although winters can be cold and snowy), and I could make an argument for every season. Fall brings bright foliage, and spring is mild and uncrowded, but show up in summer and you can take advantage of the many farmers’ markets in and around the park. The Cuyahoga Valley is still a very active agricultural hub of the Midwest.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You have to bike at least a section of the , a 100-mile crushed-gravel trail that follows the Ohio and Erie Canal. Roughly 20 miles of the Towpath sit inside the park, passing through small towns and meadows full of wildflowers, like trillium and bloodroot, with deer and foxes along the way.

5. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Want remote wilderness? Go to Alaska, then keep heading north into the Brooks Range, and you’ll find Gates of the Arctic, a 13,000-square-mile expanse of mountains and river valleys north of the Arctic Circle. There are no roads in Gates of the Arctic, nor a visitor center or gift shop, nor even established trails. Just herds of caribou, the glow of the northern lights, and several federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers winding through the tundra. Ěý

Best Time to Visit: Hands down, summer has the warmest temps, as well as rivers that are full from snowmelt and a landscape that comes alive as everything from wildflowers to grizzly bears makes the most of the sunshine. There’s plenty of that, too; you’re so far north, you can expect daylight for up to a month at a time in the summer.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Try, if you can, to see this park from the hull of a boat. Consider paddling the Noatak, a sinuous river that’s carved a broad valley through the Brooks Range. You’d plan for a 10-day canoe-camping trip, with mostly calm water and a few stretches of class II rapids on the 60-mile section inside the park. You’ll float past meadows full of alpine sunflowers and snow buttercups, fish for arctic char, and keep an eye out for grizzlies, wolves, and Dall sheep ( from $8,900).

6. Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Gateway Arch isn’t like other national parks on this list. It’s an urban park, located in St. Louis, that was originally set aside to commemorate the cultural significance of our country’s push westward. It’s only 91 acres, tucked into the banks of the Mississippi River, and has the 630-foot Gateway Arch as its centerpiece. Fun fact: this is the tallest arch in the U.S. Inside the park are five miles of paved trails for walking and running along the Mississippi.

Best Time to Visit: Show up in fall or spring, when the weather is mild and the crowds are minimal.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Really, ride the tram to the top of the arch. The journey takes you through the structure’s hollow legs and ends at a viewing platform with a panorama of the Mississippi River and its many bridges below. The only catch? The ride will cost you $19.

7. Great Basin National Park, Nevada

It takes some effort to reach Great Basin National Park, in eastern Nevada roughly 285 miles north of Las Vegas, but once you’re there, you won’t need to contend with crowds. Only 140,000 people a year venture to Great Basin, compared to 14 million visitors for Great Smoky Mountains National ParkĚýin 2023. Yet Great Basin has towering 13,000-foot peaks; groves of shimmering aspen as well as old-growth bristlecone pines, which are believed to be the oldest known tree species in the world; and a fascinating system of caves to explore.

Best Time to Visit: Much of the park can be inaccessible during winter, when the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, which ascends from 6,700 to 10,180 feet in elevation, is unplowed but open to skiers and snowshoers, and there are various other winter closures. So going between late spring and early fall is your best bet. Late summer will give you the best chance for snow-free trails.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: The cave tours are popular, but I say hike to the top of 13,063-foot Wheeler Peak, where views of the Great Basin Desert, the only “cold” desert in America—the precipitation comes from snow—stretch in every direction for 100 miles on a clear day. It’s a 6.1-mile that gains 3,000 feet, much of which is above tree line, so take it slowly if you’re coming from sea level. Interested in something milder? Hike the 2.7-mile , which brings you to the edges of Teresa and Stella Lakes, both pools surrounded by evergreens.

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee

This is the most popular national park in the country, with, as said above, some 14 million visitors annually. Fortunately, there are 500,000 acres of mountains in Great Smoky Mountains National ParkĚýfor all those people to explore, with more than 900 miles of trail that access 6,000-foot peaks, pristine trout streams, and historic farming valleys.

Best Time to Visit: There’s no bad time to hit GSMNP. The foliage goes nuts come fall, winter can bring snow and solitude, and spring is budding with renewed life…but I like summer in the Smokies. Sure, some parts of the park are crowded, but the temperatures are perfect for splashing in the waterfalls and swimming holes.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Most visitors stick to the scenic Newfound Gap Road and its short nature trails, but I recommend hiking the 11-mile out-and-back up to LeConte Lodge, a backcountry inn on top of the 6,000-foot peak of the same name. Some sections of the trail are so exposed you use cables for safety, and you’ll pass through Alum Cave, a rock overhang with a long-range view into the park. If you can’t score overnight reservations at the lodge, purchase a sack lunch from the kitchen for a picnic in some quiet spot with a view before heading back down to the trailhead.

9. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

An aerial view shows Hot Springs Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, Garland County, Arkansas, in summer amid the region’s green hills. Video courtesy Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

Forget rugged cliffs or backcountry lakes. Hot Springs National Park protects a small town that was built on top of thermal springs that attracted travelers for centuries before the area ever became a national park. Today, you’ll find two brick bathhouses for soaking your weary muscles and public fountains where you can fill a jug with natural spring water for drinking.

Best Time to Visit: The weather in the park is generally mild, so it’s a popular destination year round, but winter feels like the right time to sit in a tub of hot water.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Can relaxing be an adventure? Who cares? When in Hot Springs National Park, you sit in hot water. The Buckstaff Bathhouse has small private tubs, while the has a series of larger, Roman-style pools for group bathing as well. A man-made steam cave captures the radiant heat from the 143-degree water (from $25 per person). You can also hike the trails here and are welcome to bike on any of the paved roads and the Pullman Trail.

10.Ěý Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Katmai National Park is surely best known for its live bear cams, where you can watch massive brown bears fish for salmon from the comfort of your office chair. But this 4-million-acre park in Southern Alaska is more than just an internet sensation; it’s a playground of lakes, rivers, and mountains, with an active volcano.

Best Time to Visit: Show up in July when the temps approach 70, and the brown bears are actively hunting for fish.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Try to get a campsite or lodge room at the float-plane accessible (make reservations starting January 5, $18 per campsite per night) on the edge of Naknek Lake, and hike the 1.2-mile out and back to Brooks Falls, where the park’s most popular bear cam catches grizzlies poking around the water for salmon. Don’t worry, the hike ends at an overlook a safe distance from the action.

11. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The heart of Kenai Fjords is the Harding Icefield, a 700-square-mile sheet of ice that has shaped Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula by leaving glaciers and carving fjords. Visitors to the park have 600,000 acres of fjords to paddle, many trails to hike, and innumerable icy crevices to explore, with Ěýoptions available.

Best Time to Visit: Technically, Kenai Fjords is open year round, but winters are cold and snowy, and the only way into the park is by fat bike, XC skis, or dogsled. Show up from June through August and the trails are open to hikers, the roads are clear, and wildlife is most visible, as animals actively look for food.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: This is your chance to explore a glacier in all its shrinking glory. A paved road leads to the edge of Exit Glacier, which forms the tail end of the Harding Icefield. From here a system of trails explores the valley carved by the glacier, offering a variety of views. Hike the 8.2-mile out-and-back , a strenuous climb through cottonwood forests and meadows, then above a tree line ridge that stops at the edge of the massive expanse of ice.

12. Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska

Kobuk Valley is one of the least-visited units of the national-park system (just over 17,000 people made the trip in 2023), but that’s more a reflection of the park’s location north of the Arctic Circle than its landscape, which is a mix of rivers and sand dunes that are populated by a hell of a lot of caribou traveling along the Kobuk River. No roads lead into Kobuk Valley, so most visitors arrive via . The other option would be a very long paddle in.

Best Time to Visit: Shoot for June or July, when you’ll enjoy nearly 24 hours of light every day, blooming wildflowers like the herbaceous locoweed, and temperatures in the mid 60s. Or show up in August when the caribou begin their migration through the park.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: With no established trails or campgrounds inside the park, you need to be self-sufficient. Most people show up to camp in the 25-square-mile Great Kobuk Sand Dunes, or paddle and fish for salmon and whitefish along the 61 miles of the Kobuk River within the park’s borders. Either way, keep an eye out for caribou, which look like lean reindeer.

13. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Much like Kobuk Valley, Lake Clark has no roads leading into the park and is typically accessed by small plane. But make the effort and you’ll see 4 million acres of quintessential Alaskan terrain with 10,000-foot peaks, backcountry lakes, glaciers, and wild rivers, all about 100 miles southwest of Anchorage.

Best Time to Visit: It’s Alaska, so summer will give you the longest days and warmest weather of the year. The brown bears are active too, filling up on salmon running up the rivers, so it can be a once-in-a-lifetime thrill seeing them (from a safe distance).

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Catch a to Crescent Lake and spend your time on a boat, fishing for sockeye salmon, which fill the lake in July during their annual migration, or lake trout. Bring your binoculars too, as the lake is a hub for brown-bear activity during the summer.

14. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Most national parks wow you with what’s above ground, but Mammoth Cave’s secret sauce lies beneath the dirt; the park protects the largest cave system in the world, with more than 400 miles of mapped passages.

Best Time to Visit: Mammoth might be the truest year-round park in the system, as the temperature in the caves is a consistent 54 degrees through every season. But visit in the fall and the hardwoods above ground are bursting with color.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: The landscape offers plenty to do above ground, from paddling the Green River to mountain biking the park’s 20 miles of singletrack, but you’re here for the caves. The Historic Cave Tour is the classic introduction, a two-hour guided adventure that hits the biggest rooms and tight channels alike ($24 per person). Or if you’re feeling adventurous, sign up for a Wild Cave Tour and crawl through tight passages that lead to lesser-seen rooms over 5.5 miles of exploration ($79 per person).

15. National Park of American Samoa

Looking for something remote and tropical? American Samoa is a collection of seven islands located 2,600 miles south of Hawaii. National Park of American Samoa protects pieces of four of those islands, boasting tropical rainforests, steep peaks, remote beaches, and access to the surrounding ocean and coral reefs.

Best Time to Visit: It’s warm year round in American Samoa, but winter can be rainy. The dry season runs from June to September, offering the best chances of good weather for hiking and clear water for snorkeling.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Tutuila, the largest island of Samoa, is loaded with hiking trails that lead through rainforests to dramatic viewpoints over the coast. If I ever get to go, I’m visiting Ofu Island, which has a remote shoreline with pink sand that has been called the most beautiful beach in the world. The is amazing too, as the water is clear, the coral reefs are close to shore and packed with colorful fish, and the area hosts more than 950 species of fish.

16. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia

New River Gorge National Park packs an adventurous punch in its svelte 73,000 acres, protecting 53 miles of the class IV New River and the steep, rocky gorge around it. Rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater rafting…you can do it all inside this relatively small park.

Best Time to Visit: Summer brings the warmest weather for rafting, but if you’re looking to climb, show up in the fall when the humidity dissipates, temps drop, and the leaves pop.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: It’s hard to pick just one here, but rafting the New has to top the list. The river drops 750 feet inside the park’s boundaries, unraveling in a series of III-IV wave trains, drops, and big pillows. A number of outfitters , from half-day milder water options to two-day overnight adventures.

17. North Cascades National Park, Washington

North Cascades might be close enough to Seattle for a day trip, but this landscape is a world removed from the bustling city, with high alpine terrain full of evergreen forests, craggy peaks, backcountry lakes, and more than 300 glaciers–the largest collection in any park outside of Alaska.

Best Time to Visit: Late June to late September has the most user-friendly weather and the best chances for snow-free trails.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Take on , a steep 9.4-mile hike from the edge of Ross Lake that passes through meadows toward sweeping views from a historic lookout tower that Jack Kerouac once lived in while working as a fire scout. On the horizon are the craggy, fin-like Hozomeen Peak and a portion of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area.

18. Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands

Protecting two-thirds of the island of St. John, Virgin Islands National Park is packed with beaches, lush mountains, and tropical rainforests. Visitors will split their time between water activities, lounging on beaches, and hiking through the hills.

Best Time to Visit: Summer can be hot and rainy and fall brings hurricanes, but winter in the Virgin Islands is delightful, with temps in the 80s and minimal rainfall.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Explore Salomon and Honeymoon Bay, dueling white-sand beaches separated by a rocky point. Snorkelers have colonies of coral reefs teeming with tropical fish to explore. Or go for a swim in Brown Bay, from a beach that’s only accessible by boat or a 1.5-mile hike on Brown Bay Trail.

19. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Situated on the Canadian border in Northern Minnesota, the 218,055-acre Voyageurs National Park is known for its series of lakes interconnected by 60 miles of canoe trails. Moose and wolves thrive inside the park, which is also a good spot for seeing the northern lights.

Best Time to Visit: Visitor centers and tour operators open in June and the lakes are busiest in the summer, but September brings changing colors and fewer crowds. The season ends quickly, though, and October can feel more like winter than fall.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: People visit Voyageurs to canoe and fish the lakes for walleye and northern pike. The larger lakes can be busy with motorboat traffic, but the smaller interior lakes are linked by a series of marked canoe trails and backcountry campsites. Paddle the 13-mile Chain of Lakes trail, which traverses four small lakes on the Kabetogama Peninsula via small creeks and short portages. Each lake has a campsite, and the park service stages boats for use by those with camping .

20. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

One of the oldest national parks in our system, established in 1903 by Theodore Roosevelt, the 33,000-acre Wind Cave protects a landscape in transition, where the Great Plains give way to the Black Hills. Above ground, the park boasts broad swaths of grassland occupied by herds of bison and elk, but underneath that bounty of wildlife are 143 miles of mapped cave passages.

Best time to Visit: Summer is hot and thunderstorms with hail are common, while winter brings snow and sub-freezing temps. Hit Wind Cave in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) for mild weather and to see active wildlife.

Signature şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: The only way to explore the caves is on a . The Natural Entrance tour is a good family-friendly option, as visitors experience the winding opening of the cave system before exploring some of the larger interior passages, known for walls that look like honeycombs. If you want more of an adventure, sign up for the Wild Cave tour, which will have you crawling through smaller, undeveloped passages deep down in the system ($17 per person).

Graham Averill is şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř magazine’s national-parks columnist. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, he is fortunate enough to live within a few hours of three free national parks. He recently wrote about the best hikes in Joshua Tree National Park, his favorite mountain town, and the national park he chose as the most adventurous.

The post Entry to These 20 National Parks Won’t Cost You a Dime appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Florida might be as flat as a pancake, making you wonder how much adventurous fun you can really have in this state. But the longer I live here (over half my life now), the more I’m convinced we have the most spectacular beaches of any place in the world along our roughly 1,800 miles of coastline.

I’ve spent pre-dawn mornings dodging nesting sea-turtle mothers as they lumber toward the waves, while the sun shimmers across the ocean’s surface. I’ve waded along beaches backed by high-rise hotels, next to massive shadows in the water that turned out to be frolicking manatees. And I’ve watched dolphins turn more flips than in any theme park, as if they were celebrating another sublime Gulf of Mexico sunset with just as much joy as me.

Since my college days at the University of Florida in Gainesville, when I traveled with the student outdoors club on weekend adventures that included snorkeling in freshwater springs and paddling canoes through mangrove labyrinths in the wilderness of the Ten Thousand Islands, I’ve dedicated my time in Florida to exploring its wild. And so much of it, it turns out, exists along our easily accessible beaches—both developed and remote—and in the shallows, just offshore.

In my opinion, here are some of the best beaches in Florida for first-time visitors and outdoor junkies. As a local, I’d recommend you venture out with your scuba diving certificate, fishing license, hiking shoes, or your treasure hunting-acumen—or perhaps, most blissfully, just your bare feet.

From rideable-year-round waves at Sebastian Inlet and Cocoa Beach to hunting for Spanish galleon coins along Vero Beach and scuba diving to World War II shipwrecks off Panama City Beach, these sandy stretches offer mega adventure. Pack the SPF 30 (nay, 50), plenty of water, and get psyched for Florida’s coastline to wow you.

Best Florida Beaches to Beeline to From Orlando

Vero Beach

Location: Along the stretch of Atlantic Ocean roughly 100 miles southeast of Orlando

Why We Love It: You can grab a metal detector after a storm and search for uncovered treasure from 18th century Spanish galleons that wrecked in these waters.

In 1715, a fierce hurricane hit just offshore from Vero Beach, along Florida’s coastline later dubbed the Treasure Coast, and sank eleven of 12 ships in the Spanish Fleet, spilling untold treasures onto the ocean floor. Much of the loot has since been recovered by professional salvage teams. But every so often, especially after a big Atlantic storm, the sandbars below get rearranged, and lucky beachgoers can find items like gold and silver coins and jewelry washed ashore.

Know Before You Go: To ensure it’s legal, keep your treasure hunting to the sand between the dunes and waterline (1715 Fleet � Queens Jewels LLC owns the salvage rights to the remains of the 1715 Fleet in the water.) Seagrape Trail Beach, in the northern reaches of Vero Beach, is my favorite spot to scour the sand and has parking in a small lot onsite. You might even spot salvage boats bobbing in the waves and hunting for treasure, too.

Cocoa Beach

Location: About 60 miles east of Orlando on Florida’s

Why We Love It: You can chill in the surf lineup for the next set while watching a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral, just north.

One of the closest beaches to Orlando, Cocoa Beach puts on zero pretense. This is your classic Florida beach town where locals cut out of work early (or skip it entirely) anytime the surf is up, and mom and pop hotels and restaurants still line State Road A1A.

If you’re a fan and lucky, you might see surf legend Kelly Slater catching a wave, too. (He grew up riding the breaks here, and still has family in the area.) The local nearby pays homage to the GOAT.

There’s also no cooler experience than waiting in the lineup when a rocket streaks across the sky. This happens several times a month, thanks to SpaceX, just up the road at the Kennedy Space Center (check the and time your visit accordingly.)

Don’t Miss: A post-surf pint or piña colada served up with a pile of nachos, live music, and ocean views at , a popular locals bar. Consider this an après-surf rite of passage.

Sebastian Inlet State Park, Melbourne Beach

Location: About 90 miles southeast of Orlando

Why We Love It: You can explore gorgeous, undeveloped coastline backed by big dunes and lapped by some of the East Coast’s best surf waves.

As popular with anglers as it is with the board-riding crew, Sebastian Inlet State Park is one of the prime coastal jewels in Florida’s state park crown (the state has a whopping 175 of them.) It spills its golden beaches across three miles of pristine barrier-island coastline, and spans both the north and south sides of Sebastian Inlet, a saltwater fishing haven where the Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic meet. On the north side of the inlet, the jetty pier stretches 1,000 feet into the ocean, luring those with fishing poles in tow to cast a line for snook, redfish, black drum, king mackerel, and more.

Its two main surf breaks, off both north and south jetties, draw huge crowds when they’re firing and remain rideable most of the year, even when the swell is minimal.

The park has a with 51 sites (from $28 per night) just a short walk from the beach. And (from $32 per night), just outside the park and three miles north, is another of my favorite spots for dark skies and waterfront sites. Make time to visit the fascinating little —on the south side of the state park at the site of the 1715 Fleet’s survivor and salvagers camp—where you can see gems and coins from the galleons as well as dioramas of the ships.

Know Before You Go: You’ll need to secure a saltwater fishing license before casting a line ($17 for in-state residents per year, $47 for out-of-staters, or $17 for three days.) Do this ahead of your trip through the .

Hutchinson Island

Location: About 130 miles southeast of Orlando (or 55 miles north of West Palm Beach)

Why We Love It: It’s one of the few places where you can ride a horse on the beach itself.

Roughly between Fort Pierce and Stuart, this span of two barrier islands fronting the Atlantic has long, lonely stretches of sand because it’s mostly residential. In other words, it’s never an issue to find an empty swath for yourself. Surfers pad barefoot along the coquina shell path at , on North Hutchinson Island, to paddle out into waves that break cleanest and largest on the incoming tide (preferably with a westerly wind to help them hold their shape.)

Hutchinson Island is one of the only places in Florida where you can go horseback riding on the beach, too. ($50 per hour) offers guided excursions that include a dip in the ocean (up to the horse’s knees) at or Ěý (currently closed for upgrades) in Fort Pierce.

Don’t Miss: in Jensen Beach is a sweet oceanfront spot to spend the night with the pounding surf as your sleep soundtrack. Sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs here between March 1 and November 15, so you might see one retreating back into the sea if you’re up early for dawn patrol.

Best South Florida Beaches for In-and-On Water şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř

Jupiter Beach

Location: About 20 miles north of West Palm Beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast

Why We Love It: It’s home to some of the state’s best scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Gulf Stream, a short boat ride offshore.

Every visitor assumes the Florida Keys is the state’s ultimate scuba diving mecca. But keen and experienced divers know some of the best underwater views are north, just offshore from Jupiter Beach. The Gulf Stream swoops in close to Florida’s flanks here, turning the water gin-clear, bringing with it plenty of open-ocean species to admire.

Head out with , a local dive shop and PADI 5-Star operation, which departs from the inlet for daily two or three-tank charters (from $120, for two tanks) that visit offshore wrecks and reefs teeming with life.

Shark season happens January through March, and divers regularly spot lemon and blacktip reef sharks among other predators. August and September bring goliath grouper to spawn, with aggregations upward of 60 strong, sometimes congregating above wrecks looking to mate.

Don’t Miss: Unusual for a Florida beach, limestone rocks line the sand at The Nature Conservancy’s (many of which get buried by sand from storms, and later reveal themselves anew.) During high seas and at high tide (check timing ), water forced through the rocks creates plumes that shoot up to 50 feet into the air. Take the 1.4-mile long preserve trail for access to the coolest views.

Hobie Island Beach Park

Location: Off the Rickenbacker Causeway on the shores of Virginia Key, right between downtown Miami and Key Biscayne

Why We Love It: It’s an off-leash paradise for dogs and one of the best places to windsurf and kiteboard in all of South Florida.

There’s something singular about whizzing across the glassy waters of Biscayne Bay to the skyscraper-backdrop of downtown Miami and Brickell as you catch air at this wildly popular launch beach for kiteboarding and windsurfing. Hobie Island Beach Park is more commonly called Windsurfer Beach, thanks to the local concession that’s been here for decades. You can sign up for lessons ( offers private beginner lessons at $75 per hour) if you’re still getting a handle on things. And there’s even free, on-site parking, which is almost unheard of in Miami.

Don’t Miss: Hidden away in nearby on Key Biscayne, bar fronts No Name Harbor and serves up Miami’s most gorgeous sunsets, best admired at alfresco picnic tables on the sand. Soak it all in with a glass of watermelon sangria and a side of ceviche, and you might think you’re somewhere in the Caribbean.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Location: Roughly 7 miles north of downtown Fort Lauderdale

Why We Love It: You can go lobster and spear fishing on the that bustle with marine life just 100 yards from the beach.

Away from the party-focused crowds along Fort Lauderdale Beach proper (just south), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is beloved among snorkelers, free divers, and spearfishing anglers, thanks to rubbly patches in the sand and rocky overhangs that harbor abundant marine life. On the reefs closest to shore, you might spot species like turtles, tarpon, snook, and nurse sharks. Manatees also swim here, too. And you can take a short boat trip with ($90 for a tank dive) to reach spots like Nursery Reef and the wreck of 19th century British steel-hulled schooner the , which rests in just 31 feet of water.

Know Before You Go: You can only catch lobster in Florida during the state’s official lobster season, which is a two-part affair. Lobster mini-season is always the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July for residents and non-residents. (Florida residents get a bonus day earlier in the month.) The regular spiny lobster season in Florida runs from August 6 to March 31. Permits cost $5 per year for residents and nonresidents, atop your saltwater fishing license. Be sure to check the to steer clear of no-take zones, which include Everglades National Park and areas within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, among others.

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys

Location: Roughly between Key West and Islamorada, 131 miles southwest of Miami

Why We Love It: You can gaze at dark night skies and stay at crème de la crème beachfront campsites.

The Florida Keys—an archipelago of coral cays stretching from just north of Key Largo all the way south to Key West—are not known for their bountiful beaches, which comes as a surprise to most visitors. But here, you’ll find some of the best stretches for both snorkeling and camping at this beloved state park, which sprawls 500 acres between Florida Bay and the Atlantic. Plus, it’s home to three natural beaches.

You can rent kayaks and snorkeling gear from the park’s onsite concession ($12 and $18 for single and double kayaks, respectively; $17 for a mask, fins, and snorkel.)Ěý Explore from the shore or take the state park’s catamaran to scour the colorful reefs further offshore within . The park’s has oceanfront and bayfront sites (from $36 per night) as well as spots for RVs and boat slips in the marina if you prefer to sleep afloat.

Bahia Honda State Park also supports one of the Florida Keys’ most diverse habitats for birds, including endangered white-crowned pigeons and, during the fall and winter migration, scores of wood warbler species.

Don’t Miss: Take a short hike on the .4-mile out-and-back Old Bahia Honda Bridge Trail timed with sunset to reach the eponymous aged Bahia Honda Bridge. It was originally built in the late 19th century by Henry Flagler as part of Florida’s Overseas Railroad. And when the sun melts into the turquoise waters with the old bridge as a backdrop, there’s no better view.

Best Florida Gulf-Coast Beaches for Fearless Frolics

Venice Beach

Location: About 20 miles south of Sarasota on Florida’s Gulf Coast

Why We Love It: You never know when you might find an elusive Megalodon tooth.

Look hard enough and you’ll find shark teeth on most any Florida beach. After all, the predators have an endless supply of those pearly whites (which often look black when you find them) thanks to a mouth that regenerates them as they lose �em. But my local dive buddies confirm Venice is hands down the best beach in Florida place in the state to search for shark chompers, either by combing through the sand or searching underwater via a scuba diving charter.

Megalodon teeth once belonged to the largest predatory shark ever to exist and can stretch over seven inches from top to bottom. You’re more likely to find them in the four to five-inch range, however, when you head offshore with (guided trips from $200 per person)—a husband and wife team offering three dives per day with access to some of the most fertile fossil-hunting grounds. (Chances are, you’ll dive to success in just 15 to 35 feet of water.) Winter months tend to be the best for foraging the sandy bottom, thanks to fewer crowds and frequent cold fronts that bring in clearer water.

Know Before You Go: Venice Beach’s North Jetty Park was among the many places along Florida’s Gulf Coast devastated by a storm surge during Hurricanes Helene and Milton in September and October 2024, but shark teeth-hunting companies are open for business.

Marco Island, Tigertail Beach

Location: 18 miles south of Naples in Southwest Florida

Why We Love It: Its sugary sands are a stepping-off point to explore the nearby Ten Thousand Islands—a dazzling archipelago of mangrove islets.

Marco Island’s six miles of beach is a Florida-family favorite for molten Gulf-Coast sunsets and sand as soft and blindingly white as it gets. If you’re looking to add a jolt of adrenaline to your getaway here, book a guided jet ski excursion through (from $245 per person, for two hours) into the Ten Thousand Islands and Rookery Bay. En route, you’ll be escorted into a jungle of mangroves and unique South Florida habitats that regular boats can’t access. You’ll navigate through pristine red mangrove forests and over grassy flats, and naturalist guides will point out manatees, dolphins on the hunt, and roseate spoonbills, among more of the region’s prolific wildlife.

Don’t Miss: For quieter explorations with birdwatching, shelling, and tidal pools in the mix, drive all the way south to Tigertail Beach, cross five boardwalks (about ten minutes walking), then hike along the lagoon’s edge until you reach wide-open white sands.

Best Florida Panhandle Beaches for Diving, Scalloping, and Paddling

Panama City Beach

Location: About 112 miles west of Tallahassee in Northwest Florida

Why We Love It: It’s second only to the Florida Keys for the best wreck diving in Florida.

Serious and beginner scuba divers can look forward to epic and unexpected diving in Florida’s Panhandle, thanks to its artificial reefs in the form of intentionally-sunk shipwrecks offshore from Panama City Beach. Divers with an advanced certification come from around the world to explore the 465-foot Empire Mica, a British tanker torpedoed offshore during World War II—the longest war wreck in the Gulf of Mexico. Trips out with (from $300) to dive the wreck, 60 miles from Panama City, resting in 110 feet of water, take all day but are worth the effort. Closer to shore and shallower, the wreck of the Red Sea is covered with urchins and sponges and is home to goliath groupers that tip the scales over 300 pounds. , sunken bridge parts that once connected Panama City and Panama City Beach, is another stellar and super-fishy dive site clouded with bait balls.

Don’t Miss: Every spring (dates vary), the local festival takes over St. Andrews Marina and includes a procession of water vessels and blessings for those bound for the sea. Winter socks are tossed into a fire to burn as a symbol of walking into spring, and it’s a fun and free-to-witness vibe.

St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, Port St. Joe

Location: 66 miles southeast of Panama City Beach

Why We Love It: You can scallop from the shore and cook up your feast in a gorgeous state park.

17 miles of white-sand beaches in the Panhandle’s Cape San Blas stretch along the Apalachicola Peninsula all the way to another spectacular Florida state park that’s a popular scalloping ground from late summer into early fall. From around mid-August into September (dates vary per year), you can wade waste-deep into grassy areas in the bay, just offshore from the beach, to search for the bivalves (they’re much smaller than their northern Atlantic cousins, but their sweet flesh is delicious sautéed with butter and garlic.)

It’s also worth heading to the ranger station to get a wilderness permit (first come, first served) to hike into the park’s northernmost reaches along the six-mile . The reward is remote campsites (first come, first served, $5 per night) where you can sleep under a canopy of starlight.

Know Before You Go: If you’re going scalloping, bring an inner-tube to float and a bucket to collect your haul. Water shoes are a good bet, too, since the area where the sandy bottom meets the seagrass is a common spot for lurking stingrays.

Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Location: About 24 miles east of Destin in Northwest Florida

Why We Love It: It’s one of very few places in the world where coastal dune lakes exist—and you can paddle around in them.

Along with New Zealand, Madagascar, and a few other places on the planet, is unique for its coastal dune lakes. These rare freshwater lakes lie in dune systems near beaches—the result of wind and wave action. Western Lake at Grayton Beach State park is one such example, and paddling a kayak into the 100 acres of glassy waters surrounded by towering longleaf pines gives you an otherworldly, geological thrill. (Rent kayaks from the park for $20 per hour between March 1 and October 31, otherwise plan to bring your own.)

Nearby, the state park’s gorgeous beach itself has a mile of sugar-fine sand that draws anglers for surf fishing and families for beach volleyball. Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, and endangered species like loggerhead sea turtles or the ​​Choctawhatchee beach mouse are among the park’s extremely diverse coastal fauna.

Don’t Miss: The park has tent sites (from $30) and cabins (from $130) for staying overnight. A few miles west, nature lovers can opt to stay at the newcomer (from $130 per night) with hiking trails into accessible just out your front door.

Florida-based travel writer lives in Tampa and writes about scuba diving, and outdoor, family, and cultural travel for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, among other publications. She’s lived all over the Sunshine State since graduating from college and has visited the bulk of Florida’s beaches, too, for everything from scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking, to paddleboarding, surfing, and camping. (She also loves searching for shells and shark teeth with her kids.) She can’t wait to stay on a houseboat this winter in Everglades National Park, go scuba diving in Biscayne National Park, and hit Homosassa to snorkel with the manatees.

The post The Top 13 Beaches in Florida for Sun and şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Key WestĚý

This fun and funky island, the southernmost point you can drive to in the United States, is the unofficial cultural hub of The Keys. It’s famous for its resident artists as well as its annual celebrations, like , which culminates in a parade on the last Saturday of October. A stop at the is a must; there you’ll learn about the author’s life on and off the island and have a chance to see one of Hemingway’s six-toed cats.

Key West’s Old Town, filled with an eclectic mix of more than 3,000 wooden buildings, is the largest historic district recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. Hop on the and you’ll be guided through highlights, from former cigar factories and speakeasies to the southernmost point in the United States and Harry S. Truman’s “Little White House.”

The Lower Keys

This tangle of quiet islands between Marathon and Key West offers a tranquil escape known for small-town vibes, scenic bridges, and preserved land and marine refuges. The Lower Keys are surrounded by pristine, protected waters—ideal conditions for exploring life beneath the surface. The 524-acre makes for an easy entry into snorkeling. You can rent all the gear you need from the local concessionaire and then enter the water directly from the beach to find coral heads, tropical fish, and conch close to shore in just a few feet of water.

If you’re seeking something more adventurous, set out nine miles west of Bahia Honda State Park for the , home to one of the world’s largest reefs and a variety of live corals you can explore. The marine life is diverse, with parrotfish, surgeonfish, angelfish, barracudas, and jacks all calling the ecosystem home. Local run trips to the reef daily.

Marathon

One of the greatest experiences you can have in The Keys is catching a fish in the afternoon, then having a professional chef cook it for you that very evening. Marathon is a great place to do exactly that, at , which specializes in cooking your very own catch, which the chefs will prepare either broiled, grilled, or fried and round it out with two sides.

The ten-mile-long community, made up of 13 separate islands, has plenty of other options if you’re not an angler but still want fresh fish. Hit , which offers a variety of prepared local seafood as well as fresh ceviche and sushi. Need a burger instead? serves its burgers above an active marina with a coastal view that stretches for miles.

IslamoradaĚý

Known as the sportfishing capital of the world, the six islands that make up Islamorada boast fast access to some of the most fertile fishing waters in North America, with anglers reeling in the most sought-after game fish in the world, from tarpon to bonefish. There’s so much fishing surrounding Islamorada, it can be hard to know exactly where you should focus your efforts. First, pick your fish, then home in on a location. If you’re looking to catch wily redfish, snook, or trout, you’ll want to head to Florida Bay’s backcountry, where you can hunt for these feisty species using light tackle and fly rods on small boats that can cruise through shallow water. can put you in the right place with the right gear to land the fish you’re looking for.

Want to catch a big one (or two)? Head to deeper water, specifically the Islamorada Hump, an underwater mountain that rises to within 290 feet of the surface, attracting massive tuna and mahi mahi. to get you there for the best chance to land that big fish of your dreams.

Key LargoĚý

The first island you reach from the mainland, Key Largo acts as a gateway to the greater Keys and is renowned in its own right for its lush, tropical forest and public land, boasting two state parks as well as portions of a national park and national marine sanctuary.

In fact, you could spend your entire trip to Key Largo bouncing from one outdoor adventure to the next. If you’ve always dreamed of the open sea, spend three days learning to sail a Catalina 22 at the , then borrow one of the school’s boats for your own adventure after completing the course.

Amateur botanists and animal lovers should hike the trails of , home to a West Indian hardwood hammock that protects more than 80 protected species, from wild cotton to the American crocodile. And no trip to Key Largo is complete without paddling , where you might spy manatee, turtles, and stingray from the deck of your paddleboard.ĚýWith such a close connection between land and sea, it’s no surprise Key Largo is home to dolphin therapy, one of the most unique wildlife experiences in the world. The nonprofit provides therapeutic encounters for military vets and people with special needs, as well as experiences for all visitors. Every morning, guests have a chance to meet the pod of dolphins that live in the center. You can even sign up for a yoga class with the dolphins.

Most people know theĚý as a great escape to one of the most unique places on earth. Calm. Serene. Laid back. Just the right setting to recharge your batteries and rejuvenate your spirits. But a getaway to the Florida Keys and Key West is much more than peace and quiet. And not just because of the legendary fishing and the world’s most spectacular dive sites. The Keys mean history. Art. Theater. Museums. Shopping. Fine dining. Entertainment. And much more. All told, 120 miles of perfect balance between natural beauty and extra-ordinary excitement.

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Golf gets a bad rap. The sport has a reputation for being too expensive and too resource-intensive, which are true in some cases. There are private clubs so expensive you need to be a billionaire to join, and courses where the landscape was bulldozed to make way for overwatered and overfertilized fairways.

But not every golf course is that way.

A movement is afoot to make golf more accessible and sustainable. How do I know? I’m an avid golfer. I play twice a week, mostly on public courses that are cheap and built over repurposed farmland. Affordable golf is actually easy to find, but better yet is the sustainability movement that’s creeping into destination courses.

“The golf industry has made tremendous strides in the area of sustainability over the past 20 to 30 years,” says Frank LaVardera, director of environmental programs in golf for , which operates America’s first and most comprehensive green-golf-course certification program. “Traditional courses use a significant amount of water and chemicals, but many courses are reducing their amount of managed turf”—the manicured lawns that require so much water and fertilizer—“and creating native areas that require less water, while enhancing wildlife habitat.”

What an Eco-Conscious Golf Course Means

Audubon International’s certification process can take years, and requires evaluation of a course’s impact on wildlife habitat, water quality and conservation, pest management, and energy efficiency. In turn, eco-minded course managers reduce the amount of turf, use recycled gray water to irrigate, emphasize walking over use of gas-powered carts, and create wildlife habitats with natural grasses and trees that attract birds, bees, and even the occasional bear. Since 2001, when the program was introduced, Audubon’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf has grown to include more than 2,000 certified courses in the U.S. and beyond.

The timing of this sustainability movement couldn’t be better, as America has rediscovered its love of golf. According to the (NGF), 3.4 million new people played golf in America last year. Each of the past 10 years saw more than 2 million beginners, with the past four topping 3 million.

Golf’s Changing Demographics

The that since the pandemic era, women and people of color have been flocking to the game; the biggest demographic jump has come from traditionally under-represented populations, with the number of Asian, Black and Hispanic golfers rising by 43 percent in the last five years. Of the 26 million people who play golf recreationally, 23 percent are people of color and 26 percent are women.

The demographic makeup of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) is still skewed (80 percent of pro golfers are white), but the game is changing from the ground up as recreational players trend toward being younger and more diverse. The most sought-after clothing brands in the sport, like Malbon and Eastside Golf, bring streetwear aesthetics to the golf industry, while many prolific and successful golfers on social media are women and people of color. If you’re not following on Instagram, you should be.

Part of the issue with diversifying the outdoors is access. There were 480 ski resorts in operation last year, with most of them located in remote, mountainous regions. Compare that to the 16,000+ golf courses scattered all over the country. I live in a southeastern mountain town that is not known for its golf, but I can play on any of 10 courses situated within half an hour of my home. There are three courses within three miles of downtown, and I play on two of them for under $20 a round. A program called enables members aged 18 and under to play any of its 2,133 enrolled courses across the U.S. for just $5 a round.

My 15-year-old son is a YOC member, and able to play half a dozen courses within 10 miles of our home. He and I can walk nine holes of golf for $20 combined, $35 if we want to play 18.

Why I Love Golf

As for the argument that golf shouldn’t be considered an outdoor sport because of its environmental impact, most things we do leave footprints. I’ve been a dedicated skier since age 12, and I don’t love the fact that the ski industry has gotten cartoonishly expensive and is resource-intensive, especially in water use. But I do love skiing. I have the same relationship with golf. It’s not perfect, but I love it.

This surprises people because I make a living writing about adventure sports, and I have the scars and expensive-gear habit to prove it. People assume golf and surfing or mountain biking are a world apart, but look closely in my garage and you’ll see a set of golf clubs tucked between my mountain bike and longboard.

When I play, I always walk, carry my bag, and try not to focus too much on my score. It’s a slow, meditative walk in the woods. I like the challenge of golf as well. I recently picked the sport up again after a 20-year-hiatus, and I’m consumed with the pursuit of getting better, but I also know that I’ll never master golf. No matter how good I get at hitting a little white ball in the air, there will always be room for improvement.

Golf is cerebral and thought-provoking in a way that the other fast-paced sports I love are not. The game is 99.99 percent mental, allowing me to see how my thoughts impact my actions. Golf is a chance to clear your head and be outside.

Fortunately, there are certain destinations where golf and adventure go hand in hand. Some of the most sustainable golf courses in America are located in places that could be on any adventure-traveler’s radar, so you can play 18 holes one afternoon and go mountain biking or surfing the next morning.

Here are nine of the wildest, most sustainable golf courses in the world, each paired with a local adventure to round out the perfect weekend.

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.

1. Bear Trace, Harrison, Tennessee

Fee: Starting at $41 for 18 holes

Even if you’re not a golfer, you know the name of Jack Nicklaus, one of the game’s most famous professionals. Not only was Nicklaus a legendary golfer, he was also a designer, creating courses all over the country, including this 18-hole masterpiece sits in the 1200-acre , 20 miles outside of Chattanooga. In the last two decades, managers have addressed every aspect of the course to minimize its impact, converting the greens from bentgrass to a less-thirsty Bermudagrass, removing 50 acres of turf to cede that area to natural grasses, and eliminating irrigation beyond the greens. The place has also purchased all-electric maintenance equipment, and installed mallard nesting tubes, wood duck boxes, and feeders for bluebirds and wild turkey.

As a result, as of 2008, Bear Trace is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and restored the wildlife habitat to the point where the course was home to a pair of nesting bald eagles for a decade.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Paddling on in Harrison Bay State Park makes for a fun afternoon (paddle boards are $8 an hour through the park). If you’re looking for something more adventurous, , 45 miles west of the state park, offers trips (from $50 per person) on class III-IV whitewater full of play spots and wave trains that formed the 1996 Olympic whitewater course.

Ěý

2. Big Cedar Lodge, Ridgedale, Missouri

Fees: ĚýStarting from $80 for the 13-hole short course

OK, is a behemoth. The brainchild of Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, the 4,600-acre retreat features five distinct public golf courses, all set amid a dramatic Ozark Mountains backdrop, with routing that regularly nears ancient limestone cliffs. In recent years, Big Cedar Lodge has become one of the country’s top golf destinations, regarded as the best public golf in the Midwest.

Big Cedar Lodge was the first golf resort in the world to receive Audubon International’s highest certification, the Signature Sanctuary status, given for all five of its courses. Water conservation and improving wildlife habitat are priorities, with more than 75 percent organic fertilizer used, while chemical runoff and water use are addressed through a water-recycling program with reclamation ponds, as well as moisture meters embedded in the ground to help minimize watering in general.

One of Johnny Morris’ founding principles is the notion of connecting people and the outdoors. On several holes his courses put the golfer between towering limestone cliffs, and, extra cool, those who play Big Cedar Lodge’s Buffalo Ridge course can spy herds of bison that roam and feed on the natural-grass prairies surrounding the fairways.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You could spend your entire weekend playing different courses at Big Cedar Lodge, but bring your mountain bike, too. The resort is on the edge of , which has 11 miles of cross-country trails in a stacked-loop system that hugs the shoreline of Table Rock Lake. Or you could hit the gravity-minded , which has 10 trails and a pump track and skills area. The place has something for everyone, from the kid who’s just learning how to brake, to the adult who thinks he’s a kid sending gaps (day passes start at $45).

3. Streamsong Golf Resort, Bowling Green, Florida

Fees: Starting at $249 for 18 holes

This massive golf retreat 60 miles east of Tampa wins my vote for best use of scarred land. built its courses on 16,000 acres of land that was previously used for a phosphate strip mine. After the mining ended, sand dunes took over, and course designers used all of that bumpy elevation to create a whimsical playground where fairways wind through grassy mounds and small ponds.

Course designers used compost in the soil before grassing to reduce the need for fertilization, and limited the acreage of maintained turf, opting instead for natural grasses and dunes beyond the fairways. The resort has a water-treatment facility that captures rainwater, and reuses it for irrigation. Streamsong features three 18-hole courses, and a short course, called The Chain, that has no set tee boxes or suggested pars. This short course is a “choose your own adventure” sort of experience.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You can keep the reclaimed land theme rolling by driving 25 miles west to , 7,714 acres of surprisingly hilly terrain on a former phosphate mine, with more than 20 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails through a forest and alongside lakes and the banks of the Alafia River. Streamsong wasn’t impacted much by Hurricane Milton when it hit October 9, both because the courses were designed to manage water and the place had few trees for high winds to damage. But much of this area of Florida was devastated by the storm, so check with surrounding businesses and parks before exploring the area.

4. Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington

Fees: Starting at $85 for 18 holes

This 18-hole course is links-style, meaning that like Scotland’s St. Andrews, believed to be the oldest course in the world, it has little to no manipulation of the land, resulting in rugged terrain, with many dunes covered in tall grasses. Similarly set on a craggy shoreline of Washington, it might also be the pinnacle of sustainable design. was built on reclaimed mine land, turning a former gravel pit into a championship course that now enhances the landscape. Designers shaped the course with native plants and wildflowers like douglas iris, and sodded with drought-resistant fescue grass species.

The fairways are irrigated with recycled gray water and fertilized with treated bio-waste from the county’s wastewater plant. Chambers Bay doesn’t have golf carts; it’s a walking-only facility. (Some courses in the U.S. require golfers to use carts on weekends to maintain a quick pace of play.) Maybe the best part is that Chambers Bay is a municipal course, with affordable fees. It’s also located within a county park with trails adjacent to the links and coast, so you don’t have to play golf to enjoy the scenery.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Chambers Creek Regional Park, which is home to the golf course, is a 930-acre preserve with two miles of shoreline and more than five miles of paved trails with views of Puget Sound. You should also drive 50 miles east to Mount Rainier National Park, where you can hike the 5.5-mile loop on , bagging copious views of the eponymous 14,411-foot active volcano in all its glaciated glory.

5. Black Desert Resort, Ivins, Utah

Fees: Starting at $300 for 18 holes

A 19-hole course that opened in May 2023, was built from the ground up with the surrounding environment in mind. The entire property is only 600 acres, with just 75 acres of turf, all irrigated with non-potable gray water, and the fairways are made from a drought-tolerant bentgrass species that needs less maintenance and fertilizer than many other common turf grasses. Almost 70 percent of the grounds are dedicated as protected open space, and sustainability was a factor throughout the property’s design, from having a low-voltage power infrastructure for the resort to using an irrigation system in a grid, where each section can be adjusted individually.

The coolest aspect of the course is that it’s become a haven for endangered fish species. The property managers partnered with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to relocate 400 Virgin River Chub, a kind of rare minnow, to the lakes on the golf course, so they can live and breed in a stable environment. The course itself is gorgeous, running through fields of black lava rocks with views of the surrounding red cliffs.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Long-term plans for Black Desert include building several miles of hiking trails. Moreover, the resort sits nine miles north of St. George, just an hour (48 miles) west of Zion National Park. If it’s your first time to Zion, snag a ($3 plus a $6 registration fee) and hike , a 5.5-mile out-and-back that involves a bit of scrambling and ridgeline traversing and might just lead to one of the most iconic photo sites in our national-park system.

To dig deeper into the park, consider trekking through , a slot canyon where the walls of Zion Canyon rise 1,000 feet up while pinching to 30 feet wide at certain points. You’ll be hiking through the river, so be prepared to get wet. The shortest route is a 9.5-mile out and back from the Temple of Sinawava, a red-walled natural amphitheater, to Big Spring, which is as far as you can go without a permit, but hits some of the skinniest portions of the gorge. Just don’t attempt it when there’s rain in the as flash floods are common and fatalities have occurred. Save it for a stellar day.

6. The Mountain Course at Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont

Fees: Starting at $165 for 18, and you need to stay at The Lodge at Spruce Peak to play (rooms start at $249).

Surrounded by 2,000 acres of preserved land, the rambles along the flank of the mountain it is named for, with views of the adjacent Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, to boot. Spruce Peak, which sits at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort, was designed with the environment in mind, input from Audubon International, and a focus on preserving local black-bear populations by routing around their preferred habitat of beech trees. Designers also created buffers around streams and ponds to protect water quality, and planted a mix of native flowers and grasses, like milkweed and false sunflower, around tee boxes.

Peregrine Lake serves as a water feature for golfers to admire and avoid, but also a reservoir capturing rainwater that is used to feed snowmaking operations at Stowe Mountain Resort. Course management hosts an annual field trip to teach a local fifth-grade class about the elements of water quality.

The course fits into the greater ecosystem of the Spruce Peak community, a resort and residential property at the base of Stowe Mountain Resort that was built around eco-sensitive principles like a property-wide composting program and a renewable energy program that provides more than 50 percent of its power.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: You’re close to Stowe, a town renowned for its ski culture (and beer). Sadly, ski season and golf season don’t overlap. But don’t fret; during the warmer months, there is plenty of hiking, fly fishing, and climbing nearby. Do it on your own or if you want a guide, Spruce Peak Resort offers hiking and fly fishing adventures. If you’re into climbing, runs trips on the granite walls around the Stowe area, from top-roping routes suitable for beginners to multi-pitch cliffs that will please experienced trad climbers (from $250 per person).

7. Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon

Fees: From $50 for the par 3 courses

has become one of the most coveted golf destinations in America, with seven public courses spread throughout the 2,525-acre coastal resort. All seven courses have earned Audubon International Sanctuary status, too, as the designers have kept Oregon’s coastal beauty and environmental harmony in mind throughout the process, from construction to management.

The course looks wild, thanks largely to the use of native plants and grasses, including the threatened silver phacelia, outside of the fairways, while for the turf on those mowed areas Bandon Dunes uses fescue, a type of grass that requires less fertilizer than others. And when fertilizer is applied, it’s organic and used sparingly. Roughly 85 percent of the resort’s energy is supplied by renewable resources, with more solar panels still to be installed throughout the property. The maintenance department has moved to electric-powered equipment.

Most of the resort’s landscape holds native plants that require no irrigation, but with six courses, roughly 600 acres that need to be watered. The resort’s own wastewater-management system supplies non-potable gray water for the job, recycling roughly 50,000 gallons of water daily.

One of the courses, Bandon Preserve, puts net proceeds directly to local conservation projects in Oregon’s southern coast through a , which has helped restore salmon fisheries and funded mountain bike trails. Bandon Dunes is working towards the lofty goal of becoming a completely carbon neutral resort.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Bandon Dunes sits on Oregon’s southern coast, which is a multi-sport adventurer’s dream, with miles of singletrack and wild beaches punctuated by dramatic sea stacks. Go for a trail run at , where several miles of trail wind through a pine forest and access five miles of hard-packed beach.

The surfing is good too, with beach breaks found throughout this part of the coast. Head north for 25 miles to Coos Bay, where the bluffs of Yoakam Head hang over the breaks, which have something for all levels of surfers. Beginners should head to Bastendorff Beach for a wide, sandy-bottom break with a cool backdrop of rocky headlands. The water temperature is cold year round, but winter brings the most consistent waves, so in that case pack a thick wetsuit.

8. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Fees: Starting at $110 for 18 holes

The a resort five miles south of Colorado Springs, is home to two of the most respected golf courses in the U.S., designed by legends Donald Ross and Robert Trent Jones and hosting marquee tournaments like multiple U.S. Amateurs, U.S. Women’s Opens, and U.S. Senior Opens. At 6,250 feet in elevation, the course was the highest in America when it first opened in 1918, and several holes feature views of Pikes Peak.

The place has become significantly more eco-friendly with age. Managers have replaced more than 50 acres of turf with native grasses and wildflowers, and use gray water to irrigate the fairways and greens. Mulching mowers return grass clippings back to the soil, and the property uses no pesticides Over the years the resort has added bird-nesting boxes and habitats for bees and butterflies. All of the carts are electric, and otherwise the place promotes walking and its caddy program. Resort chefs harvest honey from the property’s own hives, and source meat from the Wagyu beef raised on the ranch. Even the resort’s cooking grease is recycled into biodiesel.

The Broadmoor participates in one of the most heartwarming recycling programs I’ve ever heard of: all of their spent tennis balls are donated to local senior-citizen facilities to be used on the ends of walkers and canes.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Colorado Springs offers so much to do. The 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, with trailheads six miles from town, has to be the most accessible fourteener in the U.S.; you can drive your car or take a train to the summit, but I say earn it by hiking the ($20-$37 parking fee, depending on day of week), a 13-mile one way trek that gains more than 7,000 feet on its way to the top. Don’t worry, you can take the down from the summit ($30). Or go explore the iconic red sandstone fins that rise from the center of Garden of the Gods Park. operates half and full day trips for all abilities (starting at $221).

9. Rising Sun Golf Course, Emigrant, Montana

Fee: Greens fees are included in the cost of your stay (one week minimum, and you must contact the for pricing).

It’s hard to beat Rising Sun’s location. The 18-hole course sits on the 17,000-acre Mountain Sky Ranch, within the aptly named Paradise Valley and with near-constant views of the surrounding Absaroka and Gallatin Mountains. This is the biggest splurge on this list, and for most, a once-in-a-lifetime situation at best, but the rest of us can dream, right?

Rising Sun is not an easy course to play, thanks to its remote location and the fact that tee times go only to guests of the ranch, but you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful setting, and the Rising Sun was the first course in Montana to be designated an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. The course was built on a hayfield with an emphasis on maintaining as much natural habitat as possible, converting dry pastures to prairie grass, and maintaining native plant buffers along bodies of water.

Course managers also installed bird-nest boxes to encourage multi-species nesting, and have put in bat houses. They regularly consult with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on issues concerning elk and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Aided by a dry, cold environment, course managers use no pesticides for the turf and greens, and they’ve limited water usage by keeping the irrigated acreage to only 52 acres, almost a third of the average 18 hole course in America. Maintenance crews regularly monitor the quality of water in the course ponds as well as Big Creek.

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded “dude ranch” with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you’re new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown. (From $595)

Nearby şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř: Mountain Sky Ranch is an adventure-minded “dude ranch” with a host of activities located on property. The resort also offers guided horseback tours in Yellowstone National Park, with an entrance just 30 miles south. But I say to pair a round of golf here with some fly fishing. If you’re new to the sport, Mountain Sky has a trout pond where pros can teach you the nuances of casting, but if you can hit the ground running, head to nearby Big Creek, which is loaded with cutthroat and rainbow trout. Or sign up for a of the iconic Yellowstone River, which offers opportunities for long, wide open casts that just might net a cutthroat or brown (from $595).

Graham Averill is şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř magazine’s national parks columnist and an avid golfer who is dying to play every course on this list. Follow his golf shenanigans on Instagram at @the_amateur_golf. Graham recently wrote “This Is What It’s Like to Live in Asheville After Hurricane Helene” and answered some questions about it while standing in line at FEMA offices. He has also recently written “9 Most Underrated National Parks for Incredible Fall Foliage,” “8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture,” and “The 9 Most Fun şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Lodges in North America.”

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Americans can hardly agree on anything to do with politics. But in Florida, a plan that threatens multiple state parks is proving to be an exception to that rule. Recently, the office of Republican governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a proposal to develop nine popular Florida parks into golf courses, pickleball courts, and luxury hotels. The plan has brought together people of all parties—Republicans and Democrats, alike, all hate it.

“They are literally paving paradise,” Heather Meade, a St. Augustine resident, said to . “State Parks are for the people of Florida. They are affordable and family friendly. There are plenty of hotels, condos, and golf courses in our area and no need to convert the parks.”

The plan, which the governor’s office released on August 20Ěýas part of their Great Outdoors Initiative, details the development of pickleball courts, disc golf courses, a 350-room lodge, a “glamping area”, and golf courses. It was met with fury from Floridians of all stripes on social media. Then, Floridians came together to protest the plan on August 27 at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

In the days after the Great Outdoor Initiative document was published, more than 47,000 people joined a Facebook group called Protect Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The group organized a protest on Tuesday, August 27 at the park, during which Democratic state representative Lindsay Cross spoke to protestors in favor of stalling the plan and protecting the park.

According to the , Jonathan Dickinson is home to the largest amount of protected scrub-jay habitat in Southeast Florida.

In the days following its unveiling, the plan also attracted criticism from state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Florida’s Republican senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott wrote in a letter that the plan’s call for a one-hour hearing was “absolutely ridiculous.”

“We believe every voting member of the (Acquisition and Restoration Council) must attend a public comment meeting before taking any action regarding the proposal,” the letter reads. “An hour-long meeting on a weekday afternoon when most people are at work will not suffice.”

The governor’s office has defended the plan as a way to attract more people to the parks with enticing recreation opportunities. “Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him,” press secretary Jeremy Redfern said. “But it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”

This golf course would ensure that locals & visitors alike have access to a popular outdoor sport & provide accessibility for all. Here is our proposal.

— Florida DEP News (@FLDEPNews)

Questioned by reporters on August 28, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said “If people don’t want improvements, then don’t do it.”

On August 27, officialsĚýscrapped the plan for the Jonathan Dickinson golf courses after Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, one of its main proponents, backed out amid growing pressure from activists. But the remaining eight state park projects remain on the table.

But opponents say theyĚýwon’t stop until the other plans are axed. “We must remain vigilant and we will not stop,” Kim Begay, vice president and conservation advocate at the Clearwater Audubon Society, told the .

Hours after the letter was released, the department posted on social media that it would be postponing all the public meetings about the state park plans.

In the last five years, Florida has been known for a politics mired in partisan squabbling. Between attacks on Disney World and book bans in schools, it seems that the state’s parks are a beacon of unity. After all, our green spaces are a public good on which we can all agree.

The post Florida’s Plan to Build Golf Courses on a State Park Sparks… Political Unity? appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

How does it feel to dive deep below water and see everything around you like you’re floating in air? Just venture into to find out. With its crystal-clear visibility, you could watch a largemouth bass swim by or a freshwater eel glide near your toes or get a unique view of the old-growth cypress trees that crowd the bank.

No wonder Morrison Springs in Walton County, Florida, has become one of the most popular diving sites in the Southeast and attracts visitors from across the country. Scuba divers, swimmers, snorkelers, paddlers, and anglers alike love the underwater cave system, which reaches depths measured up to 300 feet—one larger cavern’s exact size is still unknown. The main pool is 250 feet in diameter and discharges an average of 48 million gallons of refreshingly chilly water every day from three aquifer-fed vents into the nearby Choctawhatchee River.

And that’s just one adventure that has to offer.

Located in the Florida Panhandle, with its southernmost edge bordering the Gulf of Mexico, Walton County is home to multiple state parks and wildlife management areas. It’s also home to multiple charming historic neighborhoods north of Choctawhatchee Bay, including Freeport, Paxton, and DeFuniak Springs, where Morrison Springs sit just to the east. Here’s what you can expect to find in each of them.

Freeport

Find New şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř in Well-Traveled Waters

On-water adventure is a way of life for those in . Choctawhatchee Bay is the center of attention here, offering boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and swimming. The watery paradise, abundant with food, was inhabited by Native Americans before drawing early settlers to its natural harbor in the 1830s. The settlement was originally known as Genoa—renamed as Freeport after the Civil War because there was no charge to dock at the local port.

Freeport honors the importance of nature with the , which sees more than 5,000 visitors each year and supports conservation and sustainability education across five counties in Florida’s Panhandle. It’s named for , considered one of the greatest natural scientists of modern time and who has roots in Florida.

DeFuniak Springs

Explore History Through Architecture and Hot Dogs

If you want to photograph historic buildings, eat great food, and glamp under the stars, head to . Take a driving tour around picturesque Lake DeFuniak to see the historic buildings—there are 200 in total, and 40 are on the National Register of Historic Places. For a taste of the local food culture, Main Street has many restaurants, ranging from pastries at Perla Baking Co. to Florida’s oldest hot dog stand at H&M Hot Dogs. Downtown you’ll also find boutiques, stores, and a spa at the Pink House. And from DeFuniak Springs, you’re only a short drive from outdoor adventure at Morrison Springs.

On a hill in the center of DeFuniak Springs stands Walton County’s oldest house, the . Newly restored by Walton County local Patrick O’Neill, the Sunbright was originally built in 1886. The restoration pays tribute to the historical aspects of the Walton County region through each room’s themes, colors, and antique decor.

For a waterfront lodging experience like few others, book a stay at the award-winning , featuring 66 rental sites with a variety of accommodations, including glamping tents furnished with 100-year-old sinker pinewood-framed king beds, full bathrooms, kitchenettes, heat, and air conditioning. Guests even have access to 12 docks as well as boat and kayak rentals to explore off-shore on King and Holley lakes.

Paxton

Ground Yourself in Pastoral Beauty

allure is in its farming history, rolling hills, and lush forests. On the edge of Lake Jackson—the perfect place to launch a kayak, canoe, or motorboat—outdoor fun melds with the quaint town’s agricultural roots.

Lakewood Park, just north of Paxton, boasts Florida’s highest point at 345 feet above sea level, which also happens to be the lowest high point of any state in the country. Enjoy that contradiction with a few photos at , which was named for William Henry Britton, who developed the area in the early 1900s.

Wherever you choose to begin your trip in Authentic Walton, there’s no doubt your stay will be filled with water, adventure, history, and connection to place.

A wide variety of shopping, dining, and activities await in Authentic Walton, Florida. Encompassing Paxton, DeFuniak Springs, and Freeport, these communities are filled with incredible historic treasures and pastoral landscapes. Every experience here feels genuine, with a friendly vibe that makes all visitors feel welcome. For more, please visit .

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We get it—not everyone wants to pitch a tent and forego showers when visiting our public lands. And honestly, because of a recent boom in new national-park lodging, you don’t have to. In 2020, I moved into my minivan and traveled to nearly every park in the U.S., penning dispatches about them for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř. When I wasn’t catnapping in the back of my vehicle, I occasionally splurged on fun motels and lodges in gateway towns.

Whether you’re headed to the rust red maw of the Grand Canyon or the wooded summits of Great Smoky Mountains, loads of new hotels and glamping retreats are popping up to meet the demands of park visitors, whose numbers have exploded since the pandemic. From retro-futuristic roadside motels to Dolly Parton-themed resorts and remodeled national-park lodges, there’s a little something for everyone on this list.

1. Ofland Escalante

Closest national park: Bryce Canyon, Utah

Best for: Chic glamping, tiny homes, post-hike hot tubs

With its modernist cabins, spa-inspired bathhouses, and food truck that serves up Americana fare (like meatloaf patty melts and cornbread French toast), this newer outpost on Southern Utah’s stunning Highway 12 just rebranded and added deluxe cabins in 2024 and is a true outdoor-lover’s paradise. Situated a mere ten minutes from Hole in the Rock Road, the washboard byway leading to many of Grand Staircase Escalante’s top slot canyons, is the ultimate, pet-friendly base camp for exploring the Beehive State’s red-rock country.

An hour’s drive delivers you to the colorful hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, while a 90-minute car ride gets you up to my personal Utah fave, Capitol Reef. In the evening, enjoy a steamy outdoor shower, followed by a drive-in movie with free popcorn at Ofland’s own big-screen theater, or plop into the property’s pool and hot tub before enjoying the snap, crackle, and pop of your personal fire pit. If it’s not too hot, spend an afternoon clambering around in Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons.

2. Populus Hotel

Closest national park: Rocky Mountain, Colorado

Best for: Eco-friendly amenities, luxe dining, nearby art museums

Set in downtown Denver, a stone’s throw from the State Capitol, the Denver Art Museum, and Civic Center Park, is making history in 2024 as the nation’s first carbon-positive hotel. It has been designed from the ground up to utilize solar and wind power, highlight locally sourced ingredients from Colorado in each of its dining concepts, and closely monitor all emissions so that remaining carbon is balanced out by supporting projects that capture carbon elsewhere. The hotel has already planted over 70,000 trees (and counting).

A stay at Populus is ideal for the Denver-bound traveler who wants to experience the best of two worlds: city-focused creature comforts with the option to hike amidst the Rocky Mountain National Park tundra or scramble up . With the Wild Basin entrance roughly 66 miles away, it’s an easy day trip to the park. Rooms here are jaw-droppingly gorgeous and themed after the state’s famous aspen trees, with ultra-soft earth-toned bedding, natural forest sounds in the elevators, and eyelet-shaped windows overlooking the Denver skyline.

Chow down on post-hike grub with dreamy sunset views at the on-site rooftop restaurant Stellar Jay or enjoy fresh, seasonal Colorado fare at the downstairs restaurant Pasque, both helmed by executive chef Ian Wortham.

3. The Pathmaker Hotel

Closest national park: Acadia, Maine

Best for: Exploring downtown Bar Harbor, ocean strolls, simple elegance

With a primo location in downtown Bar Harbor, two blocks from the Bar Island Trail, whale-watching tours and the delicious, creamy rolls at Stewman’s Lobster Pound, opens in late 2024. Featuring suites, double queen, and classic king-sized rooms decorated in elegant neutral tones, this hotel also offers kitchenettes with mini-fridges and microwaves. What’s even better is that breakfast is included, making it easy to start your morning hike up neighboring or a stroll around Sieur de Monts’ historic gardens with a full belly.

It’s also worth noting that Acadia is home to 45 miles of crushed-stone carriage roads, which are all bike- and dog-friendly. Rent a bicycle at Bar Harbor Bicycle Shop, a five-minute walk from the hotel’s front door, and spend a day zipping around the park without your car before relaxing with a pot of tea and freshly made popovers at Jordan Pond House–it was one of my favorite things I did on my giant parks road trip.

4. The Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa

Closest national park: Grand Teton, Wyoming

Best for: Spa getaways, Jackson ski and hiking trips, luxury mountain vibes

Just remodeled and reopened in early July, following a devastating 2019 fire, this Jackson Hole favorite is back and better than ever. rooms and suites boast a bit of a chic hunting-lodge feel, complete with stone fireplaces, tufted headboards, and the occasional pop of cowboy-themed art.

Fly fish in the Snake River, feel the leg burn on a hike up , or pop on over to the nearby National Elk Refuge for a . When you’re done exploring the toothy Teton Range, fill up on Idaho Trout Saltimbocca at the lodge’s Wild Sage Restaurant, or indulge in a CBD-infused herbal sugar scrub at its Body Sage Spa. Either way, you’ll leave feeling full and rejuvenated.

5. Wildhaven Yosemite

Closest national park: Yosemite, California

Best for: Affordable glamping, Yosemite Valley exploration, communal hangs

is making waves this year as the newest glamping resort outside the Free Solo-famous Yosemite National Park. Situated 34 miles from the Arch Rock Entrance Station on 36 rugged acres of rolling Sierra Nevada foothills, the property offers 30 safari tents and 12 tiny cabins, well-appointed with amenities like fire pits and private decks.

A communal BBQ area boasts grills and shaded picnic tables, while glamping sites share communal bathrooms and showers. After a day of hiking and snapping photos of from Cook’s Meadow, recharge your electronics with electricity access in every tent.

Complimentary coffee and tea help start your day off, and every stay at Wildhaven includes access to on-site classes and events, like Yogasemite yoga classes and Sierra Cider tastings, for when you’re not huffing and puffing up Upper Yosemite Falls for those epic views. Looking for even more regional glamping news? A top national-park lodging purveyor, , has announced that it’s also opening a brand-new Yosemite location near Big Oak Flat in 2025.

6. Field Station Joshua Tree

Closest national park: Joshua Tree, California

Best for: Mountain bikers, large groups, pool hangouts

are designed with the intrepid outdoorsperson in mind. Bike racks for your hardtail are in every room, hooks for hanging packs are in ample supply, and an on-site gear shop makes it easy to grab any of the Ten Essentials you might have forgotten before speeding off and into the park, which is just 13 miles (a 20- to 25-minute drive) away by car. If you’re a diehard coffee drinker, you’ll be thrilled that the lodge has a small espresso bar, Little Station Coffee & Kitchen, which serves everything from cold brew to toasted bagels to start your morning out right.

Choose between standard king-bed rooms and double-queen bunk rooms (which sleep up to 10) and have plenty of space for your whole crew to spread out and save cash, then head on over to the North Entrance (it’s the closest one) of Joshua Tree and enjoy epic trails like the or bouldering along the formation-filled .

When you’re not adventuring in the park, don’t miss the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Museum in town, which exhibits loads of large-scale found-object art, like TVs and rubber tires.

7. Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort

Closest national park: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee and North Carolina

Best for: Families, pool time, East Coast hikers

Opened in November 2023, seems tailor-made for families traveling with young kids. Even the hotel’s standard-issue rooms offer fun extras, like murphy beds, sleeper sofas, clothing-storage space, and mini fridges. Lovely mid-century modern furnishings combine with a massive stone fireplace in the four-story, atrium-style lobby, where guests can chill out when they’re not splashing about in the large pool complex or dining at one of the lodge’s four restaurant options.

Though the resort is clearly geared towards travelers heading into the Dollywood theme park (there’s complimentary trolley service from the hotel), it’s also a brief 15-mile (20-minute) drive to Great Smoky Mountains’ Sugarlands Visitor Center. From there, visitors can easily drive to the exceedingly popular , or gaze out at verdant, forested hills at Newfound Gap, which marks the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. Best of all, adjoining rooms and roomy family suites with cozy bunk beds make it easy for you and your loved ones to spend loads of time together, whether that’s in the lodge or trekking to the park’s many rushing waterfalls.

8. Flamingo Lodge

Closest national park: Everglades, Florida

Best for: Birders, paddlers, Tropical Florida ambiance

Initially opened in the 1960s as part of the National Park Service’s retro-futuristic Mission 66 Project, Flamingo Lodge was forced to shut its doors in 2005, after suffering extensive damage from Hurricane Wilma, when storm surges swelled up to nine feet. Thankfully, , which is named after the distinctive pink birds that once migrated to the area in droves, before plume-hunters nearly poached them out of existence, has been fully rebuilt and reopened in October 2023.

It’s the only non-camping, non-houseboat option for accommodations inside the parklodging available inside Everglades National Park, and given the park’s enormous acreage (at 1.5 million acres, it is roughly twice the size of Yosemite), creates a welcome bastion for beachgoers exploring the state’s coastal prairie and boaters enjoying the sunshine and warm, tropical air of the Florida Bay.

Inside the lodge’s four eco-friendly container buildings are 24 spacious guest rooms, ranging from studios to two-bedroom suites, in clean neutral hues with the occasional pop of tropical jewel tones. Also onsite are a restaurant serving organic, locally sourced cuisine (think breakfast burritos and pineapple pulled-pork sandwiches) and a marina, where visitors can rent anything from bicycles to double kayaks and pontoon boats. Spend a day cycling the and keep your eyes peeled for huge herons.

9. Americana Motor Hotel

Closest national park: Grand Canyon, Arizona

Best for: Travelers with dogs, EV road trips, hipster pool scene

There’s so much to love about the Jetsons’-style that it’s hard to fit it all into a single paragraph, but we’ll do our darndest. Set in the northern Arizona city of Flagstaff, one hour from the Grand Canyon and 90 minutes from Petrified Forest, this vintage-style motor lodge should check every box on your Route 66 daydream list. First of all, there are EV chargers aplenty, free morning coffee, and communal fire pits with outdoor hang space.

But this site truly goes above and beyond the standard-issue motel amenities by offering loaner telescopes for optimized night-sky viewing, year-round heated pool, and a fenced-in “barkyard” with a dedicated dog-wash station to rinse off your muddy trail pooch. They’ve even got free hotel bicycles for those wishing to take a spin around Flagstaff.

The interiors of the rooms are just as fabulous as the resort’s exterior, with space-age décor (think astronaut sculptures and galaxy wall art), walk-in showers, and disco balls. Hungry? After a trek down to or a stroll along the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, fill up at the Americana’s Pacific Mexican seafood truck, Baja Mar, which dishes out badass shrimp ceviche and battered fish tacos to hungry hikers.

Emily Pennington is a freelance journalist specializing in outdoor adventure and national parks. She’s traveled to public lands on all seven continents and visited all 63 U.S. national parks. Her book, , was released in 2023. This year, she’s getting more acquainted with her new backyard, Rocky Mountain National Park.

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