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 șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű 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 șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Traveling itself is believed to help boost longevity, but what if your next getaway had even more long-term benefits?

Picture a reboot that’s good for you. We’re not talking about rigid health camps—we all deserve to enjoy our hard-earned vacations, after all—but rather, trips to beautiful places where mindfulness, wellness, community, and longevity are top priorities.

Wellness travel is booming. Between 2020 and 2022, wellness trips grew by 30 percent annually, according to research by the Global Wellness Institute, which also reported that in 2022, 819.4 billion wellness trips were taken in the U.S. and internationally, making up about 7.8 percent of all tourism.

Clearly, these types of vacations are resonating, with good reason. These are my 10 favorite wellness trips in North America.

1. Soak in Natural Hot Springs

Ojo Caliente in New Mexico

Soaking in natural hot springs makes for easy relaxation and rejuvenation. Mineral baths have been shown to reduce stress, lessen joint pain, improve circulation, and naturally detoxify. At , a spa resort in northern New Mexico, you can soak in any of nine communal pools (with minerals like lithia and iron), which include a mud bath and a silent pool, or book a private tub. Access to the steam room and sauna come with your stay, and you can add on yoga classes or spa treatments like sound healing or anti-inflammatory massage.

Dating back to 1868 and located amid desert cliffs near the banks of the cottonwood-lined Rio Ojo Caliente, the place is one of the country’s oldest health resorts, and open for both overnight and day use. Lodging options include adobe suites with hammocks on the patios or restored vintage trailers. (Day passes for the pools start at $45; rooms from $239 a night.)

Ìę2. Check Into a Wellness Resort

YO1 in Monticello, New York

You’ll get personalized treatments and a custom therapeutic plan when you book at , an Ayurvedic longevity resort that opened in the Catskills in 2018 with a focus on Eastern medicine and holistic therapies. This place is for dedicated self-care travelers looking for a total reboot, a concentrated wellness plan, or programs designed to treat specific issues like stress, depression, diabetes, infertility, or insomnia. Visit for the day or stay for a week.

Not sure where to start? Try the three-night wellness program, which includes individual consultations, mud baths, and acupuncture. You’ll stay at a 131-room lodge overlooking Baileys Lake on a 1,300-acre property in pine forests and surrounded by hiking and biking trails—all just two hours from New York City. Access to an infrared sauna, hot tub, group meditation, a reflexology walkway, fitness room, and Olympic-sized swimming pool are included. (Day pass, which includes meals and all-day programming, for $500; overnight accommodations start at $185.)

3. Stay In a Communal șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Lodge

Campfire Ranch Little Sugar in Bella Vista, Arkansas

If community is what you’re after, consider , a new adventure lodge opening in or around May 2025 with out-the-door access to 40 miles of world-class mountain-bike trails surrounding Bentonville, Arkansas, with singletrack loops over rolling hills and through stands of redbud, dogwood, and mulberry trees. The eight-room lodge comes with access to a communal fire pit, outdoor cooking space, gear storage, bike-wash stations, and breakfast service. Campfire Ranch’s adventure concierge can help plan your outings and connect you with local bike rentals and guides. Rent a single room or, if you’re with a group, book out the whole place. (Rates from $250.)

4. Run In Another Country

Aire Libre in Mexico City

, cofounded by Mauricio Díaz, a world-class ultrarunner from Mexico, specializes in transformational running and hiking retreats all over the world, from Costa Rica to Japan. These retreats focus on the intersection of movement, mindfulness, culture, and sustainability, enabling participants to connect with themselves and the landscapes and cultures they’re exploring.

The company’s ($1,800, including meals, lodging, and guiding) is a four-day running adventure where you’ll jog through Mexico City along the gravel trails of Viveros de Coyoacán park and the plazas of the National Autonomous University of Mexico campus. You’ll also leave the city to run trails across the volcanic landscape of the Continental Divide, then experience a guided indigenous temazcal ceremony in a sweat lodge. By night, enjoy communal meals and lodging in boutique hotels.

Ìę5. Spend Four Days Doing Yoga

Esalen in Big Sur, California

Even if you’re not a dedicated yogi or a holistic-retreat kind of person, you’ll love being on the jagged cliffs of Big Sur at , a nonprofit retreat center and educational institute with a heavy yoga focus. You can do a self-guided exploration (read: stay on your own with limited formal instruction) or sign up for the center’s two- or four-night workshops on topics like hypnotherapy, storytelling, or astrology. This is the kind of place where your cell phone doesn’t work, so you might as well stash it away and focus on movement, nature, and real-life connection.

When you’re not learning about your conscious intentions, you can hike the trails within Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park amid 300-foot redwood trees, oak, and chaparral, and see an 80-foot waterfall plummet into the sea. You can also wander the beaches of Big Sur, or bathe in Esalen’s famously clothing-optional hot springs above the roiling Pacific Ocean. Accommodations range from bunks in communal rooms to private yurts overlooking the Pacific. (Rates from around $950 for multi-day workshops, including lodging, meals, and programming. Scholarships available.)

6. Sit in a Sweat Lodge Under a Full Moon

The Horse Shoe Farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina

You could come to the to stay in a well-appointed cottage and eat farm-to-table meals with ingredients sourced on site. Or you could make a trip here into a more broad-based wellness excursion. Just under 40 minutes from Asheville and situated between the verdant Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains with a view of Mount Pisgah, this health sanctuary has five energy vortexes (places believed to be centers of energy currents with spiritual effects), holistic spa treatments, an outdoor labyrinth for walking meditation, and a meditation tower.

The resort recently partnered with, a Cherokee wisdom keeper and ceremonialist from the Qualla Indian Boundary in the Great Smoky Mountains, to build a sweat lodge on the 85-acre property, where he hosts ceremonies on each full and new moon. Overnight accommodations include one-room lofts or three-bedroom homes, depending on your group size. (Rates from $399.)

Ìę7. Go Forest Bathing

Southall Farm and Inn in Franklin, Tennessee

Not all spas are created equal. ’s spa goes above and beyond, incorporating botanical ingredients and mindfulness in sessions like energy healing and detoxifying treatments to develop a deeper connection to self and nature. This working farm on a 425-acre plot in Tennessee has a 62-room lodge plus 16 private cottages that opened for guests in 2022. You can add treatments like sound-bath meditation, forest bathing, or a wellness consultation, depending on what you’re looking for. More than seven miles of hiking and biking trails surround the farm, and there’s canoeing and fishing on the private Lake at Southall. Or take guided tours of the orchard and apiaries that are home to some 8 million bees. (Rates from $695.)

8. Build Something With Your Hands

Yestermorrow in Waitsfield, Vermont

This place isn’t a spa resort in the standard sense, but for people who find learning new skills and using their hands to build things are perfect ways to unlock a deep sense of fulfillment. is a green design-and-build school in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, with a small campus offering day classes and overnight lodging in the Green Mountain National Forest with its lakes and mountain hikes. You can take courses on building a coffee table, sustainable treehouse design, harvesting your own lumber, or basic carpentry. Classes last from two days to two weeks (with certification programs that go longer). Healthy-meal plans plus lodging—dorms, cabins, or camping—can be added to your tuition. (Lodging from $10 to $55 a night; courses from $260, scholarships and sliding-scale tuition available.)

9. Surround Yourself with the Ocean

Pebble Cove Farm in Orcas Island, Washington

Getting to is the first step: You’ll need to take a ferry to reach Orcas Island, part of the dreamy San Juan Islands in upper Puget Sound, 100 miles north of Seattle. Once you’re here, you’ll settle into a cozy cottage overlooking a quiet bay at this farm and animal sanctuary that hosts guests and offers wellness retreats. The inn rents out kayaks and paddleboards and has a garden and apple orchard you’re welcome to wander through. Rescued farm animals like horses, chickens, pigs, and goats, adopted from elsewhere, reside here. The garden and farm animals are closed off from November through April, but the cottages are open year-round. (Rates from $300.)

10. Ski With New Friends

The Ski Retreat in Palisades Tahoe, California; Sun Valley, Idaho; Breckenridge, Colorado

You want to spend a weekend playing outside in snow-covered mountains, but not to deal with figuring out logistics or finding a group of friends to go with. We get that. Enter , a women’s getaway in places like Lake Tahoe, Sun Valley, or Breckenridge for groups of six to 12. These trips, numbering five this winter, are about connection, friendship, relaxation, and play—without having to plan a thing. Your three-night retreat includes lodging at a slopeside cabin, morning yoga, gear demos, chef-prepared group dinners, fireside chats, art classes, and ski and snowboard adventures for a wide range of abilities. (Rates from $550 for local residents not including lodging; from $1,190, including lodging.)

Megan Michelson, an șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű contributing editor, lives in northern California. She’s hoping her occasional habits of drinking tea, practicing yoga, and sleeping 10 hours a night will lead to a long and healthy life. She recently wrote for us about buying a 1 Euro (yes, as in one dollar) home in Italy; how to travel to ski, hike, and bike in Jackson, Wyoming, on the cheap (hard to believe, but she knows of great deals); and why she and her family traded traditional Thanksgiving options for Campsgiving. Her list of great outdoor festivals extends into May 2025.

The post You Deserve Your Vacation. What if It Also Made You Live Longer? appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

As chilly weather approaches and the leaves turn, it’s time to swap out staying in your favorite camping tent in favor of a hot-spring resort or cabin.

As a self-proclaimed hot-springs addict, I’ve been on the prowl for seven years for the most gorgeous, steamy soaking pools across the globe. Having lived in the geothermal meccas of California and Colorado for years, I’ve experienced the good, the bad, and the muddy when it comes to naturally fed soaking ponds. I’ve trekked to remote warm springs in the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains, in Iceland and even Antarctica, and stripped down to splash into every single one of ’em.

Even though I love a solid hike-in hot spring, my favorite way to enjoy geothermally heated pools is on a splurge-worthy weekend trip to a lodge or a resort with private cabins, where I can soothe my tired muscles in peace, without crawling into a sleeping bag in a van or tent afterwards. Here are a few of my all-time favorite U.S. hot-springs resorts.

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

1. Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

Nearest town: Taos
Prices from: $239 for rooms per night, $40 for camping

Tucked away between Santa Fe and Taos sits the vibrant , a gaggle of adobe-style suites, retro cottages, and a historic hotel, surrounded by hiking paths, bike trails, and loads of soaking ponds.

The resort at Ojo Caliente opened in 1868, and it’s been revered as a healing sanctuary ever since, offering mineral pools rich with soda, lithium, and iron. These minerals are said to aid digestion, boost moods, and bolster your immune system, respectively. The resort’s high-end spa offers a huge variety of treatments, from sound healing to blue-corn-and-prickly-pear-sea-salt scrubs. But this retreat is not all soaking and spa time–in between baths, you can treat yourself to a yoga class, hike the or chow down on piping-hot tortilla soup and chicken mole at the on-site Artesian Restaurant and Wine Bar.

2. Esalen Institute, California

Nearest town: Big Sur
Prices from: $540 (for three days/two nights)

has long been a haven for holistic hippies and New Age types looking to embark on week-long or weekend escapes filled with meditation, clean eating, therapeutic workshops, and oceanfront hot-springs access.When I stayed at Esalen a few years ago, I skipped the institute’s famed expert-led workshops and booked a self-guided weekend exploration with my partner, so that we’d have ample free time.

We still attended a wide variety of open classes, from ecstatic dance to yoga to the study of native plant botanicals. This approach allowed us tons of time to hike among the coastal redwoods at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and spend our nights soaking in the property’s outstanding Slate Hot Springs, which overlook the wild Pacific Ocean.

3. Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Colorado

Nearest town: Nathrop
Prices from: $243 a night

Unlike many hot-springs retreats, which brand themselves as adults-only relaxation hubs, offers family-friendly pools, cabins, and lodge rooms, with a seasonal waterslide and an infinity pool overlooking the sky-high Mount Princeton and Mount Antero.

Guests can choose between minimalist lodge rooms, log cabins, and motel-style cliffside stays with epic mountain views. I heartily recommend the luxe Creekside Suites, complete with kitchenettes, balconies, and fireplaces, where my partner and I stayed this fall for a hike-and-soak couples’ retreat. Not only are the suites close to the natural-stone warm pools along Chalk Creek, they’re tucked back behind the main lodge and pools for maximum serenity. When you aren’t getting pruney fingers in the springs, indulge in a CBD massage (my favorite treatment) at the spa or a Rocky Mountain elk filet at the on-site restaurant.

4. Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, Montana

Nearest town: Paradise
Prices from: $269 a night

Situated a mere hour from the outdoorsy mecca of Missoula, serves up elevated, mountain-chic lodge rooms, cozy riverfront cabins, and naturally fed springs with water temperatures up to 106 degrees, which is steamier than your average hot tub.

The soaking pools at Quinn’s are open year-round and offer vistas of forested hillsides, which, in winter months, are topped with snow. The site’s Canyon Cabins boast the most direct access to the springs, but its River View Cabins, set on the banks of the Clark Fork, offer outstanding views. When you’re not taking a dip or casting a line for native westslope cutthroat trout, enjoy hearty Americana fare like bison carpaccio and wild-game meatloaf at Harwood House Restaurant, which won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024.

5. Breitenbush Hot Springs, Oregon

Nearest town: Detroit
Prices from: $112 for camping / $117 for rooms

Following a devastating fire back in 2020, Oregon’s is back in action, with three newly built Grove Rooms, plus mushroom yurts, glamping tents, and vehicle-friendly campsites.

This off-grid, clothing-optional sanctuary is a mere two-hour drive from Portland and is open year-round. It’s a designated substance- and device-free space, so travelers can unwind and unplug while connecting with community members. Natural rock-bottom hot-spring pools and clawfoot tubs adorn the forested property, and organic vegetarian meals can be added onto any booking, including day passes.

Not keen on soaking all afternoon? Spend some time cruising the West Cascades Scenic Byway or hike the .

6. Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska

Nearest town: Fairbanks
Prices from: $20 for camping / $200 for rooms a night

Want to kick back in a remote hot spring while the green tendrils of the Northern Lights dance above your head? At , a retreat center in Alaska’s rugged interior, this far-flung dream can become a reality.

Choose between the hotel-style Moose Lodge Rooms, the cozy budget-friendly Fox Rooms, woodsy cabins, camping yurts, and RV-friendly campsites, then relax. With an average water temperature of 106 degrees, this soaking site is prime for year-round visitors, no matter how gnarly the Alaska weather gets. Aromatherapy and hot stone massages are also available in an adorable cabin near the main Pool House. Spend your days cuddling sled-dog puppies, touring the ice museum, or dog sledding, and when the sun sets, bundle up for an .

7. Avalanche Ranch Cabins and Hot Springs, Colorado

Nearest town: Carbondale
Prices from: $135 a night

With day pass rates of $32 and lodging starting at $135, the clear, uncrowded pools of have become a Colorado favorite, with overnight guests often having to book four to six months out.

I first heard about Avalanche Ranch back in 2019, when a canceled flight out of Aspen gave me a day to kill near Carbondale. Lucky me. Because it was a frigid weekday, I was able to make a last-minute day reservation and warm my post-ski bones with a view of snowy Mount Sopris and its rounded twin summits. It was as close to a perfect day in the mountains as you can imagine, but next time I head to Avalanche Ranch, I’ll spend a little extra to bed down in one of the property’s colorful, pet-friendly log cabins. Overnight guests can use the springs 24 hours a day; day passes allow four-hour access from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. or 1:00 to 5:00 P.M. (The pool closes Wednesdays for cleaning.)

8. Burgdorf Hot Springs, Idaho

Nearest town: McCall
Prices from: $150 a night

Accessible by regular vehicles all summer long and by snowmobile in the winter months, and its historic cabins look more like a rustic ghost town than a real-deal soaking resort. However, this off-grid haven is a slice of paradise for those who don’t mind booking a cottage without electricity and running water, and are willing to bring their own bedding.

Intrepid wanderers will be rewarded with steaming pools of up to 113 degrees, with gravel bottoms and split log sides. Nestled in the conifer-dense Payette National Forest, Burgdorf is a hiker’s heaven, with awesome nearby hiking trails like Deep Lake, Ruby Meadows and Josephine Lake (don’t forget the bear spray). Just be sure to return to the springs in time for a dreamy, post-trek sunset soak.

9. Hot Springs Resort and Spa, North Carolina

Nearest town: Hot Springs
Prices from: $45

*Hot Springs Resort and Spa was damaged in recent flooding resulting from Hurricane Helene. Please see this page. Check back in early 2025 if you plan to visit and support this small town.

Though the East Coast isn’t revered for its hot springs, a handful of all-natural warm springs have kept travelers coming back for decades. North Carolina’s is one of the rare destinations where tent campers and RVers can enjoy both nature and the option to book a in a modern, jetted hot tub. The place has also become a favorite stopover for thru-hikers coming off the Appalachian Trail.

Campers can choose from among a myriad of options, which range from primitive tent sites to spacious group sites on the banks of the French Broad River. Not so into roughing it? Check out the resort’s deluxe cabins, complete with kitchenettes.

10. The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Nearest town: Berkeley Springs
Prices from: $130 a night

First opened in 1933, this historic colonial-style hotel in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia boasts 70 guest rooms and an that offers everything from mineral baths to sugar scrubs and hot-stone massages.

The tiny hamlet of Berkeley Springs, less than two hours from Baltimore and Washington, D.C., is revered as one of the nation’s first warm-spring wellness retreats, with famous patrons like George Washington frequenting the area. Rooms at are adorned in elegant furnishings, but also provide modern amenities, like flatscreen TVs, mini-fridges, and high-speed Wi-Fi. Don’t miss live music at the Inn’s restaurant on Saturday nights.

11. The Gideon Putnam, New York

Nearest town: Saratoga Springs
Prices from: $229 a night

This elegant New York retreat is set a short 35-minute drive from Albany, in the centuries-old wellness haven of Saratoga Springs, which was once visited by the likes of Oscar Wilde and Susan B. Anthony. Today, with updated East Coast colonial-style rooms, some of which are pet-friendly, guests can kick up their feet with modern conveniences like air conditioning, HDTVs, and Wi-Fi.

What truly sets , though, is that it’s the only hotel located inside Saratoga Spa State Park. This National Historic Landmark features two different golf courses, a large swimming-pool complex, and miles of nature trails that transform into a cross-country ski paradise in winter. Be sure to check out the Gideon Putnam’s luxurious Roosevelt Baths and Spa, named in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt for his role in helping preserve the Saratoga Springs area, and book yourself a mineral bath and a Muscadine Moonshine Sea Salt Scrub while you’re at it.

Emily Pennington is a national-parks expert and self-proclaimed hot-springs addict who’s also a longtime contributor to șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű. To date, she’s visited every U.S. national park and hiked on all seven continents. Her book, Feral, Losing My Way and Finding Myself in America’s National Parks, was published in 2023. When she’s not frantically typing at her keyboard, you can find her exploring every hot spring known to humanity in her new home state of Colorado.

For more by this author, see:

I Visited Every U.S. National Park. My Favorite Might Surprise You.

The Best New Hotels with Easy Access to U.S. National Parks

These 10 National Parks Will Have Timed-Entry Reservations This Year

The post 11 Most Beautiful Hot-Springs Resorts in the U.S. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, I grew up chasing after horned lizards, flying off inflatable tubes pulled behind boats, and camping in triple-digit-degree summers. Family vacations were a mix of relaxing on the Galveston coast and testing my athletic abilities slalom water skiing on Lake Arrowhead.

Texas sometimes receives eye rolls and groans from the rest of the country, and I get it. We can be a little loud and braggy, and I’ve got a bone to pick with some state policies. But the thing I’ve never understood is why more people aren’t aware of the bounty of outdoor experiences here. There’s something indisputable about the diverse geography of the Lone Star State that I’ll defend time and time again. We’ve got outdoors to rival them all, y’all.

My state has some of the biggest and best landscapes in the country, filled with diverse wildlife, awe-inspiring views, and adventurous activities. I am proud to put on my braggart Texan cap to explain how to experience it all. These are my favorite places and experiences to get outside in Texas.

1. National Parks

It was hard to believe Texas had “real” mountains until, in the most spiritual experience I’ve ever had in a state where churches sit on every corner, I saw them rising gloriously out of the desert in Big Bend National Park. On my first visit, seven years ago, I stayed with an 80-year-old in Terlingua whom I found through couchsurfing.com. He took me to the national park for a hike and we gazed at exposed ancient pictographs, which seem to show darts or arrowheads for hunting, in red pigments on the gold limestone.

Then we soaked in the Langford Hot Springs, outdoor baths above ancient faults where Tornillo Creek enters the Rio Grande. Big Bend National Park offers float trips through canyons, horseback riding, hiking, and stargazing; it’s an International Dark Sky Park.

That night I joined Terlinguan locals and national-park visitors on an impromptu walk through old mining tunnels, followed by porch-side singing of 1990s classics, and then a swim in the Terlingua Creek. I had thought I’d spend most of my time in Big Bend hiking alone; instead I was surrounded by a host of characters with big personalities. Sometimes a trip to a Texas national park takes you on a journey you don’t expect.

You can find many of the same activities at our other national park, Guadalupe, two hours east of El Paso. Guadalupe National Park has eight of the ten highest peaks in Texas, the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, and 80 hiking trails through unique geological formations, like thousand-foot cliffs and rocks with dark water-ripple streaks.

2. Kayaking and Canoeing

In 2021, I paddled a folding kayak on a voyage under the downtown Dallas skyline for a 12-mile portion of the 130-mile . The serenity of the experience was only interrupted by a few car honks when I floated under bridges—and the sight of a passing gator.

Texas has located throughout the state, and with 3,700 streams, 15 major rivers, and 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline, an abundance of other places to paddle or row as well. You can kayak with dolphins in the Galveston Bay or canoe with gators through , home to one of the world’s largest cypress forests, the trees covered in Spanish moss. Autumn paddle trips are ideal for fall-foliage views and cooler temps, not to mention a chance to witness thousands of monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico over the Devil’s River in West Texas.

3. Climbing

Rock climbing has become popular in Texas—you now see just as many dating profiles with rock-climbing photos as you do of folks holding up dead fish they’ve caught. Climbers from here and elsewhere are scrambling to places like , a bouldering hub 30 miles east of El Paso featuring problems (meaning short routes done ropeless) from V0-V16, and near Austin, which offers bolted sport climbs. Some Texas property owners are opening their private lands to climbers for limited camping and use. For instance, new routes are being developed among the granite cliffs and boulders at .

4. Hiking

I’ve hiked through flat North Texas fields of bluebonnets, across dinosaur tracks at , and up hills and limestone canyons full of Uvalde bigtooth maple trees at . Even within our cities there are spectacular hiking trails: like Austin’s ; or, just an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive from Houston, the 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, which winds through the , the largest national forest in Texas.

For less crowded hikes, aim for natural areas in the South Texas Plains, Pineywoods, Panhandle Plains, and Big Bend Country. I hiked about eight miles on that follows the rim of Seminole Canyon in in Big Bend Country and saw only two other people.

East Texas holds the four national forests—Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Angelina—with the Caddo-Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands, also Forest Service-managed, located in northeast Texas. All are laced with hiking trails.

Texas hiking tips: Always pack more water than you need, and then pack an extra bottle—and if you hear a rattle, move your ass. We have 15 varieties of venomous snakes, so be careful. But to keep it in perspective, more people die in Texas from lightning strikes than snake bites. So don’t chance the storms, either.

5. Cycling and Mountain Biking

You have to admire how most Texans aren’t fazed about cycling and biking in extreme temperatures in outdoor environments. Take me—I rode 100 miles in 100-degree-heat for a cycling ride aptly called in my hometown. My parents thought it’d be a “fun” challenge for us to do together. They took me to a cycling shop and urged me to buy a bike. “It’s a good investment,” my dad said. “You’ll use it all the time.”

My mom and I completed the Hotter N’ Hell Hundred ride more handily than I expected, while my dad, who was 60 at the time, outshone us by completing the Triple Threat (a 12-mile mountain-bike ride on Friday, 100-mile road ride on Saturday, and a 12-mile trail run on Sunday).

Our big ol’ state has cycling trails of all kinds—like the 30-mileÌę, which passes by historic Spanish missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. The challenging 133-mile follows the old Union Pacific and Chaparral railroad right-of-ways through small towns and over railroad bridges from northeast of Dallas to Texarkana.

Let’s not forget mountain-biking trails. Looking for steep hills, granite outcrops, and other forms of technical terrain? Hit up Hill Country State Natural Area for 40 miles of mountain-biking trails like the .

6. The Coast

The Gulf of Mexico is warmer than the Atlantic or Pacific oceans—so why suffer the cold when Texas has 367 miles of shoreline and sandy beaches. Camp on the beach at places like or the remote , made up of 56,000 acres of offshore barrier islands and bayside marshes. You can swim, parasail, surf, water ski, boat, fish, kayak, and go horseback riding.

Despite what you may think, there is surfing along Texas’ coastline, at Surfside Beach, Port Aransas, and South Padre, especially during hurricane swells. Corpus Christi has among the largest number of kite-able days in the U.S., making it a well-known kitesurfing destination.

Dying for a surf experience but can’t make the drive to the coast? Do what I did and catch waves at located between Austin and Dallas, an hour and a half from each. The two-acre surf lake makes waves for beginners, intermediates, and pros. I easily caught 10 smooth waves in an hour and had a blast cheering other surfers between the ages of 10 and 78.

7. State Parks

Years ago, my friends and I packed our tents and drove to the Texas Panhandle to stay in the United States’ second-largest canyon, . During the day, we hiked through red strata rock formations, and at night we marveled and sang:

The stars at night

Are big and bright (clap four times)

Deep in the heart of Texas

Texas has 89 state parks, natural areas, and historic sites that display its geological variety. near San Antonio is a tropical getaway with dwarf palmetto plants, while has a 70-foot waterfall and 400 underground caves. Board across sand dunes in the , see the Texas State bison herd roaming in , or jump into the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool in .

8. Lakes, Rivers, and Springs

We’ve got every flavor of water you could want, from the picturesque swimming holes of to the crystal-blue reservoir at . I have many memories boating on Lake watching daredevil youths (and some adults) jumping off cliffs, sticking my backside in an inner tube to , and trying not to fall off paddle boards. There is scuba diving in , which has 200 artesian springs and the densest population of turtles in the country.

Come on out! Hope to see you on the trails.

Ìę

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

ÌęAlex Temblador was born and raised in North Texas, the traditional homeland of the Caddo, Comanche, Kiowa, Tawakoni, and Wichita peoples. She lives in the Dallas area, a short drive from hills, rivers, lakes, and springs, and continues to find beautiful places in her state to paddle, hike, and explore.Ìę

The post Texas Is a Great Outdoor-șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű State. I Would Know. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

In my mid-20s, I moved to Ocean Beach, Southern California, specifically to learn how to surf. I spent the first six months of my tenure unemployed, so I was in the water every day, launching myself into the whitewash at Dog Beach, the most beginner-friendly break within a few miles of my apartment. I was enthralled with the surf, but I loved the town of Ocean Beach, San Diego, even more.

Back then, the small enclave was still grungy, with a downtown full of cheap breakfast joints and bars that only took cash. The bartenders looked at you funny if you wore closed-toe shoes. It was a surf town.

More than two decades later, I’m still enamored with surf towns. My home is in the mountains, four hours and 22 minutes from the closest surf break (but who’s counting?). Yet I still take surf trips regularly, as much to explore the towns by the beaches as the surf itself. I’ve been fortunate enough to paddle into waves in Costa Rica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii, and areas up and down So Cal and the Southeastern United States. I’m not a great surfer, but I bar hop and scout out the best fish tacos at a very high level.

A great surf town has quick access to waves and adventure, but also good food, good vibes, and a dedication to quality of life. Read on for what I believe to be the eight best surf towns in the U.S.

1. Hale’iwa, Hawaii

Hawaii is loaded with bucket-list surf destinations, but it’s hard to beat the North Shore of Oahu, home of the world-famous beaches of Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline. The town of Hale’iwa is the cultural hub of the North Shore, with a small downtown full of shops, food trucks, and surf instructors ready to teach tourists.

Halei’wa is only an hour from the bustling cities of Honolulu and Waikiki, but it has the slower pace of a farming community. The town sits within a 20-minute drive of Waimea Bay, Banzai, and Sunset Beach, and has plenty of adjacent surf as well. Winter brings heavy conditions, with massive, glassy waves that only pros should paddle into, but the swells mellow during summer, allowing us mortals a go in this storied destination.

Patches of reef scattered throughout the area on the sandy bottom catch the swell. Start with the beginner-friendly waves at Pua’ena Point, which is popular with surf instructors. The beach is small, but has plenty of shade. A double reef break offers bigger rides on the outer reef and a smaller, longboard-friendly wave closer to shore. Then try Ali’i Beach, the closest surf to town. Much like Pua’ena Point, Ali’i Beach has a beginner-friendly wave close to shore and a larger, more advanced wave in deeper water.

Hale’iwa proper has fewer than 5,000 permanent residents and a downtown full of sugar-plantation-era architecture framed by Oahu’s green mountains beyond. It’s a picture-perfect island town where you’ll find waterfalls in the surrounding hills, and a fun and bustling live-music and food-truck scene in town. Paddleboarding the Anahulu River, beneath Hale’iwa’s Rainbow Bridge, is a great way to spend some time away from the surf.

Surf Shop: , right across the street from Ali’i Beach, has rentals from soft tops to performance short boards (from $30 a day).

Surf Instruction: , a female-owned company with a full staff of women instructors, teaches lessons at Pua’ena Point for the whole family (from $66).

Eat and Drink: If there’s one thing you have to eat when you’re in Hale’iwa, it’s shaved ice from , a family-run business established in 1951 that still uses homemade syrup recipes. The North Shore has become a magnet for food trucks, which serve traditional Hawaiian dishes al fresco. Online reviews say the garlic butter shrimp at is the best in town. I’m dying to go check out the reports.

2. Solana Beach, California

Here’s the problem with an article about the best surf towns in the country: I could write about 20 deserving towns in California alone. Carlsbad, San Clemente, Santa Cruz
all awesome. I could choose Huntington Beach, which is literally known as “Surf City U.S.A.” thanks to the legends that pioneered the sport there, but the town won the rights to that title via a court battle, which doesn’t seem very surfer chill to me. (Also, the breaks are notorious for their localism.)

So I’m picking the much smaller and more easygoing Solana Beach, in San Diego County. Is there a bit of nostalgia involved because I took my first surf lesson here, 30 minutes north of my old apartment in Ocean Beach? Perhaps. But this small town has a gorgeous, cliff-lined coast and relatively friendly locals, which makes for a powerful combo in Southern California.

“It’s super laid back, almost what you imagine when listening to a Beach Boys song,” says John Cavan, a 48-year-old lawyer and surfer who’s been exploring the beaches up and down the coast from Manhattan Beach outside of L.A. for more than 20 years.

The beach is flanked by tall cliffs topped by private residences, both of which help keep the crowds at bay compared to those in other popular breaks in Southern California, making Solana a top choice for surf instructors. The town offers quick access to a handful of breaks; the most obvious option is Fletcher Cove, Solana’s main beach, with plenty of parking and a sidewalk.

A beach break that picks up size during the summer makes Fletcher a popular spot for all surfers, but it’s still a great option for beginners. Another good nearby choice, Seascape, has a long sandy beach and a reef break deeper offshore that is good for intermediate to advanced surfers. Want something more aggressive? Swami’s, a legendary right-hand point break, is just four miles up the street in Encinitas.

In town, the Cedros Design District is full of boutiques and restaurants, and just outside of it is a weekend farmers’ market based in 1940s-era Quonset huts. The legendary live-music venue has hosted a wide variety of talent, from B.B. King to Ludacris to Hayes Carl.

Surf Shop: , located just south of Swami’s on PCH 101, has been a SoCal institution since the 1960s. You can rent soft tops (from $20 a day) and performance boards (from $45 a day) along with wetsuits, snorkels, and SUPs.

Surf Instruction: For lessons, try , which offers two-hour instruction sessions ($120 per person).

Eat and Drink: has been a pillar of good pizza and craft beer since the early 1990s. The place helped establish the West Coast style of IPA and is still a master of it today.

3. Ocracoke, Outer Banks, North Carolina

The Outer Banks is a chain of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina that is absolutely full of great surf, and a dozen towns up and down the islands could qualify for this list. OB is the epicenter of surf culture on the East Coast, and the towns that line the northern section, like Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, have some of the finest breaks on the Atlantic.

But they’re also pretty crowded, which is why I’m choosing Ocracoke, a sleepy fishing village on its own island on the southern end of the Outer Banks, as my favorite surf town. I’ve surfed and camped dune-side there several times over the years.

Ocracoke has under a thousand year-round residents, and you can only reach the island by boat. A can take you from Cedar Island ($15 with car) to , crossing the Pamlico Sound in just over two hours. The remoteness means crowds are minimal compared to other towns on the barrier islands, and the vibe is pretty tranquil. A small fishing village wraps around the harbor, and most of the 17-mile-long island is protected as part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which means there are miles of undeveloped beach and dunes covered in sea oats to explore, not to mention inexpensive just inland of the breaks.

All of the surf on Ocracoke is beach break, and the sandbars are constantly shifting, so it’s hard to point you to one specific spot. Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, two miles south of the village, has a guard on duty and, thanks to that added safety net, is the best place to get in the water as someone who is new to the sport. But if you’re an experienced surfer and have 4WD you can cruise the beach looking for your own personal break. The surf is best in the fall and winter, but you can find good conditions year round. You’ll need a (which is free) to drive the beach, and while you’re at it, snag a permit for a , too.

Surf Shop: has rentals (from $25 a day) and lessons (from $95 per hour).

Eat and Drink: is an institution, with a shaded back porch perfect for drinking beer. has the southern staples of barbecue and fried fish along with its bivalves.

4. New Smyrna Beach, Florida

The Sunshine State has no shortage of beach towns, but New Smyrna Beach, in North Florida directly northeast of Orlando, gets the nod on this list because of the consistent quality of waves and the variety of options. Sandwiched between Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach (childhood home of pro surfer Kelly Slater), New Smyrna Beach is blessed with long beach breaks and a river inlet with stone jetties that create what may be the most bankable surf in all of Florida. The conditions are so good, the beach is a stop in the USA Surfing’s Prime Series of competitions for rippers under 18.

As you might expect, the breaks are incredibly popular, so weekends can feel like a zoo, especially at the best wave, Ponce Inlet, where two rivers meet the Atlantic between stone jetties, adding shape and size to the swell. Ponce is a great option for advanced surfers who know how to maneuver through a lineup, but New Smyrna also has 17 miles of other beaches and waves.

“You can drive onto the beach at Flagler Avenue and drive north on the sand until you see a spot you like,” says Joshua Stallworth, a 24-year-old law student who spent his college years surfing the various breaks around New Smyrna Beach. You need a to drive on the beach ($20 per vehicle, per day).

The town is sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. Flagler Avenue is the main strip, stacked with fish shacks and surf shops, while Canal Street Historic District is a little more upscale, lined with palm trees and boutiques. New Smyrna Beach also makes for a great basecamp for exploring other beaches in the area.

Head south to , a 58,000-acre wildlife refuge with 26 miles of undeveloped sand. Playalinda Beach, inside the National Seashore, has a beginner-friendly beach break without many crowds. Canaveral is the longest stretch of undeveloped coast on the Atlantic coast of Florida, protecting wildlife such as manatee and sea turtles, as well as ancient shell mounds left by the native Temicua.

Surf Shop: is the area’s oldest, with board rentals (from $35) delivered to you at the beach, and two-hour lessons (from $109).

Eat and Drink: You can’t beat the location of , a burger bar with local Half Wall Brewing beers on tap overlooking the Atlantic. Head to for a lobster roll and wood-fired pizzas.

5. Westport, Washington

Washington’s coast might offer the most dramatic surf backdrop in the U.S., with beach and reef breaks tucked between dense green redwood forests and craggy sea stacks rising offshore from deep water. The state offers adventure surfing at its finest, with many of the best options requiring multi-mile approach hikes where you carry your board. Westport, a town of 28,000 two hours west of Seattle, is the happy exception, with two steady breaks on its outskirts. The surfing is so good, locals refer to Westport as the “Surf City of the Pacific Northwest.”

The two main breaks start with the Groins, a big left-hander on the north side of Westport’s marina. This one is best for advanced surfers, not just because of the sizable wave but the powerful currents and shifting tides, which can change as much as 20 feet. The Jetty, however, in Westhaven State Park, is less daunting and has something for both beginners and advanced surfers. It’s known as the most reliable wave in Washington, thanks to the rock jetty that helps shape the swell and deliver point breaks, while the sandy bottom and frothy whitewash (that’s the foam after a wave breaks close to shore) offer a less intimidating option for learning.

“There’s always a wave in Westport,” says Brian Calder, owner of Bigfoot Surf School. “Even if the surf is too big for beginners, we can push them into the whitewater on a sandy beach so they can practice standing up in it. And we teach new surfers to respect the locals, who are usually surfing bigger waves on the outside.”

The Jetty can get crowded on weekends, but it’s an expansive break with long waves, so you should be able to find a spot in the lineup. Just be aware of rip currents, which locals may use as an expressway back out to the lineup after surfing a long wave in—not a move new surfers should ever try.

Surf Shop: was the first in Washington, opening in 1986. LOGE has a basecamp in Westport that not only has rooms, but performance boards and soft tops to rent.

Surf Instruction: has semi-private lessons (from $175 per person including the board) and will get you paddling out into the whitewash at Westhaven State Park.

Eat and Drink: Westport is a hub of commercial fishing, and you can find fisherfolk selling their catches, from albacore tuna to Dungeness crabs, right on the docks. Or you can hop over to , which has a variety of local catch as well as a fish ’n’ chips restaurant.

6. Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state in the country, but it’s also dubbed “the Ocean State,” with more than 400 miles of coastline to brag about. Located on the edge of the state’s Aquidneck Island, Newport is positioned to make the most of that coast. Traditionally known as a hub for sailing (the harbor is full of yachts, and America’s Cup is staged here every year), the swanky town is also the epicenter of surf in New England, with very big swell showing up offshore during hurricane season in the fall.

Locals surf the town’s handful of beach breaks year round, getting the thickest wetsuits on the market for the bitter winter temps. Newport was long home to Water Brothers Surf and Skate, a cornerstone of surf culture for more than 50 years until the owner, Sid Abruzzi, closed the shop to focus on making apparel two years ago.

The northeastern edge of Aquidneck Island offers a handful of breaks, with something for all levels of surfers. Ruggles, with a rocky bottom and big, powerful storm waves, is the most famous of those breaks, attracting the biggest names in surf during hurricane season. Easton’s Beach, near downtown Newport, has beginner-friendly waves.

The town of Newport is well-known for its Gilded Age mansions, once built by America’s wealthiest families as their summer retreats, some of which you can now tour as museums. Enjoy Newport’s historic 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, showing you many of those homes.

Surf Shop: has boards and anything else you might need for the water.

Surf instruction: offers private lessons ($75 per person for one hour, includes a board).

Eat and Drink: Seafood is the name of the game in Newport, and much of it is upscale. , though, is a casual burger-and-beer bar downtown. , in neighboring Middletown, has house-made clam chowder and massive warm lobster rolls.

7. Pacific City, Oregon

Pacific City is a former fishing village of just over 1,000 full-time residents that in recent years has turned into the surf mecca of Oregon. Surfing here is as much about the scenery as the waves. The break is framed by , a sandstone headland that reaches out into the water, protecting the beach from the wind, while huge sea stacks rise just offshore. As for the wave, it’s not huge, but the shield effect results in a glassy structure over a sandy bottom that’s ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers. A popular is held at the beach every September, and it all happens steps from downtown at Pacific City Beach.

Pacific City is hella charming, even without the surfing. Fisherfolk launch dories straight from the beach and paddle beyond the break to haul in cod and salmon off the point of Cape Kiwanda. The hiking in travels through Sitka spruce forest to the top of the 246-foot tall “Great Dune,” with dramatic views of the Pacific below. In town, breweries and restaurants embrace the scenery, with outdoor beer gardens and expansive windows.

Surf Shop: , two blocks from the beach, has everything you need for cold-water surfing, with full rental packages that include wetsuits (from $75). The place also offers daily two-hour lessons (from $165 per person).

Eat and Drink: might have the best view in town, with a beer garden that unfolds directly onto the beach and a full view of Haystack Rock, the most notable sea stack in the region. Kiwanda Ale is the place’s signature easy-drinking beer, named after the home cape.

8. Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Yes, there’s surfing on the Great Lakes, whose 4,500 miles of shores are often dubbed “America’s Third Coast.” Hardy surfers track down waves all over these inland seas, and Sheboygan, a small town on the western shore of Lake Michigan, is arguably the most surf-centric town in the Great Lakes area. Locals call it the “Malibu of the Midwest” because of the laid-back vibe and access to good surf, which can be found year round, but is best in the fall and winter.

“Summer is pretty flat, but come fall and winter you can get out a couple of times a week at least,” says Nathan Anderson, who grew up in the area and now works at EOS Surf Shop downtown.

The surf is dependent on the wind and gets the biggest when heavy gusts come in from the northeast or southwest. Since the best waves form in fall and winter, a thick wetsuit is necessary. The lakes are fresh water, less buoyant than salt, which means long boards are a must for most surfers.

North Beach of Deland Park is the best break in town, thanks to the jetty that helps shape the wave. The shore has a sandy bottom and can be suited to beginners on mellow days, or hard chargers when the wind and surf are up.

Beyond surfing, Sheboygan is a town of 49,000 situated between Green Bay and Milwaukee and known for its bratwurst. There’s a vibrant downtown with a good and even better food. Also cool, the city of Sheboygan places a handful of large fire rings, each about twice the size of a Solo Stove backyard pit, out for lakeside bonfires from Memorial Day through August, north of Deland Beach near North Point Park. Kohler-Andrae State Park, next door to downtown Sheboygan, has two miles of sandy beach and dunes.

Surf Shop: is the only game in town, and they’ve got you covered with local knowledge, rentals (from $40 a day), and two-hour lessons ($120).

Eat and Drink: You’ll find bratwurst all over town, but has been an institution since the 1950s, serving a brat burger that does the town’s reputation proud. To drink something local, check out , which has a 10,000-square-foot taproom and a Fresh Coast juicy pale ale.

Graham Averill is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű magazine’s national-parks columnist. He’s always been torn between the mountains and the beach, but currently lives in the Southern Appalachians. Construction has begun on a surf wave in the French Broad River close to his home of Asheville, North Carolina, so that could solve all of his problems.

For more by this author, see:

The Best Ways to Get șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű in West Virginia

The 10 Best National Parks in Canada

The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

Boating Turns Me Green. But I Couldn’t Miss a Chance to See the Channel Islands.

The post 8 Surf Towns Where You Can Learn the Sport and the Culture appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

When a technological breakthrough gives some athletes a major advantage, how should we think about the victories, the medals, the world records? Is new technology unfair? Is it cool? Does it matter which sport it affects? In this episode șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s running correspondent, Fritz Huber, travels to the Nike Sport Research Lab to try to figure out why some sports embrace new technology, and others ban it.

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I’ve always felt that the right two-piece bathing suit reigns supreme over a one-piece for active women of any age or body type. The top of a bikini provides sports bra-like support—or at least more support than the top half of a one-piece bathing suit. Bikini bottoms tend to stay in place better than the bottom of a one-piece, which, with movement, inevitably creeps and needs constant readjusting. And in the summer heat, the lack of fabric around the midsection just feels better.

Having grown up a San Diego beach kid and a Santa Barbara college kid, I’ve spent a lot of time in bathing suits so I have an informed opinion of what works and what doesn’t. Now in Boulder, Colorado, I don’t wear swimsuits as often, but I SUP and, anytime I travel to a beach, lake, or river, I like to surf, swim, paddle, bodysurf, wakeboard, and play beach volleyball, Smashball or soccer in bikinis. (I also like to go on runs after throwing on shorts and a tank over my suit).

In recent years, I’ve considered whether I need to switch to wearing one-pieces instead of bikinis because of my age. I’m not 20; I’m pretty far from it. I’ve have had two kids. I’ve wondered: Do societal norms accept women in their late 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond baring their midriffs and wearing bikinis, regardless of what their midsection might look like? Whatever the answer to that may be, I’m pretty sure I don’t care. Or at least, I don’t want to care.

Not everyone finds a bikini more comfortable than a one-piece. But if you do (like me), there’s a host of bikinis for active women of any age. I decided to test a few of them to find the best.

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

How I Tested Bikinis

I took a collection of bikinis designed for active women (plus some skimpier Roxy tops and bottoms because, you know, tan lines) on a family trip to Costa Rica and wore them surfing, swimming, bodysurfing, and playing volleyball and soccer on the beach with my teenage sons and husband. Twice, when a beach soccer game was dying out, I spontaneously took off on a barefoot run on the sand at low tide—once just wearing a bikini and once with a wet sun shirt thrown over my top half. I also brought the suits on a river rafting trip in Arizona where we paddled and hiked for a week, only removing our bathing suits at the end of each day, sometimes after doing cartwheels on the riverbank.

The following suits have been thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly tested over the past month. They’re all designed for active pursuits: They provide more coverage both in the rear and up top than skimpier bikinis, and they stay put whether you’re paddling out, diving for a volleyball, chasing a toddler—or racing a teenager.

Here’s how the suits I’ve been testing have fared through my abuse.

Bikinis for Active Women Reviews

Most Comfortable

Carve Designs Escondido Top and Pipa Compression Bottoms

The pulls on overhead and fits like a sports bra. Though the company rates it as “light support” for A/B cups, I found it plenty supportive for a run and any other beach activity. I love the simplicity of this top. There are no hooks, loops, adjustment straps, or fasteners digging into the skin, so it’s comfortable to wear under a PFD or backpack. I also love how the fabric is a blend of 82 percent recycled polyester, made from plastic water bottles, and 18 percent spandex for stretch. I’m a big fan of companies striving to minimize plastics that end up in the ocean, especially when I’m wearing a suit to enjoy said ocean. Plus, the material is 50 UPF.

The strike a great balance between modesty and style. They have decent rear-end coverage, although they’re a tad cheeky, and the material extends high enough to cover the lower belly. These bottoms stayed put while doing cartwheels, surfing, and playing in the ocean. They’re made with a compressive fabric blend: 42 percent spandex (the compressive quality), 35 percent recycled polyester, and 23 percent recycled nylon. They feel supportive in the right places without being constrictive. 50 UPF.

Most Coverage

Prana Baja Bound Swim Top and Bottom

The high-neck styling of the offers more coverage than I’m used to, but I appreciated the modesty when playing Blackjack dealer to four teenage boys one rainy afternoon in Costa Rica. The adjustable band closure around the ribcage and high neck make this top one of the more supportive in this roundup. Though I found it a tad warmer than the others during land-based activities like walks or beach runs because it covers more skin than “traditional” bikinis, I was comfortable during all water activities. 50 UPF.

The are the most full-coverage of any other bottoms I tested, both in the rear and around the midsection as the top extends past my belly button. The wide side cut helps the material—78 percent recycled nylon, 22 percent Lycra/elastane blend—stay put for minimal creeping. A small, zippered pocket at the back holds a key or other essentials, though it kept me from wanting to do crunches or yoga poses on my back. An adjustable tie at the waist helps keep them from getting washed off my body while playing in whitewater, though I’m not sure they need it. 50 UPF.

Most Secure

Patagonia Nanogrip Bottoms and Nanogrip Sunny Tide Top

I’ve long been a fan of for their in-between amount of coverage and comfort. The, however, stay in place better. They feature a “Nonslip Nanogrip lining” throughout the entire interior which felt like it did, indeed, stick to my bare skin just a touch, and didn’t slip or creep when I paddled out on a longboard or played volleyball. The cut is midrise and mid-coverage: they’re much lower at the waist than others in this roundup, but the material covers more of my rear and stays put.

The has one knock against it: the light color I received (Milkweed Mauve) is see-through enough that the outline of the removable pads is visible, even when dry, which made me want to keep the pads in. Otherwise, the Nanogrip material helped keep the top secure during beach volleyball. I like how the strappy back of this suit crisscrosses, which adds support without bulk and ties midback only. Suits that tie around the neck tend to become uncomfortable during long beach or other water-activity days. The Nanogrip material, though effective, doesn’t feel great when sweaty—it didn’t breathe as well as some others.

Most Fashionable

OuterKnown Seea Vega Bikini Top and Seea Vega Bikini Bottom

The comes from Outerknown, the company started by pro surfer Kelly Slater. I appreciate the sports bra-like fit of this top and its easy, pullover style. The slightly stretchy straps allow movement without restriction, and their narrow placement adds support and didn’t dig into my shoulders under a day pack. The cut is slightly low, but not too low, for active pursuits. I received multiple compliments while I wore this top because of the combination of cut and color.

The is mid-rise with a high leg, which is good for lounging and most activities. I didn’t, however, love the feeling of seams that come from the color blocking, and for that reason, I’d rather pair the Seea Vega Bikini Top with a different bottom, like the Carve or .

Most Surprising for Fit and Function

Roxy Beach Classics Triangle Bikini Top

I packed this one for the minimal tan lines I’d get from its slim straps, and because I like the look of a classic cut triangle top, but I was surprised by how well the stayed put playing sand volleyball. While the “triangle” portion of most traditional triangle tops slides around on the straps, which are usually thin, cord-like, and round, this one’s triangles are fixed onto a rectangular-shaped chest strap and shoulder straps. That kept the triangles in place, which I appreciated. The soft, recycled nylon fabric has a slight stretch to it and kept the shoulder straps from digging into my skin. Plus, the hook closure held the top securely (and never comes unintentionally untied). I like wearing this top with any of the bottoms in this round-up.

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Nothing says vacation like a beach. But sand alone does not a great beach make. I want a peaceful place to soak up the sun but also prefer destinations where I can surf, swim, kayak, and hike to take in an incredible view. In my two decades as a travel writer, I’ve seen my fair share of gorgeous beaches, but none of them have struck me as much as these. Each is worth the journey to get there.

These are my picks for the 15 most beautiful beaches in the world.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil

Why it’s tops: When it comes to beaches, Brazil has an embarrassment of riches. But none can compare with Lençóis Maranhenses, a mirage-like landscape of cerulean lagoons hidden among 30-to-60-foot-high dunes the color of pearls. These freshwater pools are fullest between June and September, after the austral spring’s rains, and the unique ecosystem is home to endangered species like the scarlet ibis and neotropical otter. You can explore the park on foot or with a dune buggy, but a horseback-riding safari with is the best approach, because you can choose a slow pace while still delving miles into the dunes.

How to get there: This 43-mile stretch of coast in northeastern Brazil is truly off the beaten path. First you’ll wing into São Luís (a three-plus-hour flight from São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro), then drive four hours east to the gateway town of Santo Amaro do Maranhão. Or head to the village of Atins, located at the mouth of the Preguiças River; the area is a popular kitesurfing spot from July to December.

Where to stay: Some of the tallest dunes are found on the west side of the park, easily accessed from Santo Amaro, which is sprinkled with inns like (from $45) and newcomer (from $580). In Atins, ($330) is a hip hotel.

What to bring: The sand can be scorching, so pack water sandals. And Atins has no ATM, so have cash or a credit card handy.

The post These 15 Beaches Will Blow Your Mind appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia 
. We spend a lot of time salivating over the national parks in the U.S., but there’s a brilliant system of goodies just across the border in Canada. Try Banff. But how many can you even name?

Our neighbors to the north have 37 national parks and 10 national-park reserves. The latter are managed in cooperation with Indigenous peoples.

As șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű‘s national parks columnist, I decided that it was high time to single out the best national parks in Canada. For starters, the scenery is mind-blowingly beautiful.

The goal of Canada’s extensive park system is just like ours: to protect lands that represent different ecosystems. There are a couple noticeable differences in how those landscapes are managed, though. For one, Parks Canada has embraced mountain biking and is actively developing purpose-built singletrack in many parks; mountain biking is not allowed on the trails in the majority of U.S. national parks. Also, thriving towns are located within many of the park borders, rather than nearby or adjacent as gateways.

Below, you’ll find nine of the most outstanding national parks in Canada that I can’t wait to visit. (All fees and prices are in U.S. dollars.)

1. Banff National Park

Alberta, Canada

Entrance Fee: $7.50

Canada’s first national park (established in 1885), is a 4,126-square-mile swath of the Canadian Rockies 80 miles west of Calgary, Alberta, that includes limestone peaks, glaciers, and icy lakes. A lot of icy lakes, which formed as glaciers retreated, leaving powder-blue pools in their wake.

Banff is the most popular of Canada’s national parks, with more than 4 million visitors each year. The park has an array of resort-like amenities, with the bustling towns of Lake Louise and Banff located within its boundaries, and quaint tea houses on popular backcountry hikes. But there’s also much pristine wilderness, as 96 percent of the park is totally undeveloped.

The 8.6-mile hike offers a great introduction to the landscape, tracing the edge of Lake Louise before climbing to Lake Agnes, where you can grab some tea and cookies at the Lake Agnes Tea House before finishing the loop. You’ll revel in views of the rocky 11,365-foot Mount Victoria, which looks about as wide as it does tall, and the Victoria Glacier, which feeds Lake Louise.

The turquoise water of Moraine Lake is surrounded by almost a dozen peaks, creating a focal point for some of the best views in all of Banff, especially from the hull of a boat. rents canoes from its docks ($102 per canoe for an hour). You can’t drive your own car to the lake, so take a .

Where to Stay in Banff

You have your pick of scenic and historic lodges, but for a treat check out , dubbed a “castle in the Rockies,” with high-end digs on the edge of the town of Banff (from $595 a night).

Campers should head to , with 116 sites and amenities like sheltered camp kitchens with wood-burning stoves. It’s first-come, first-served ($18 a night).

2. Jasper National Park

Alberta, Canada

Entrance Fee: $8

shares a border with Banff, with the 144-mile Icefields Parkway running between the two landscapes. Jasper is the larger of the two, spanning 6,835 square miles of prime Canadian Rockies real estate in the middle of nowhere. This means you have to really want to visit Jasper, which is a four-hour drive west from Alberta’s capital city of Edmonton, or a five-hour drive northwest from Calgary. The trip is well worth it, as the park is loaded with towering cliffs, high peaks, deep canyons, and waterfalls fed by glaciers. The town of Jasper is the hub of activity and perfect basecamp, as roads and trails extend from there into the mountains.

Towards the southern border of the park, the Columbia Icefield covers more than 186 square miles along the Continental Divide. The Athabasca Glacier flows down from this massive icefield, giving day hikers a chance to explore the actively changing landscape. You can hike the 2.4-mile out-and-back to the edge of the ice, but to truly explore the area you can sign up for a guided tour. leads a guided 4.5-hour hike on the Athabasca Glacier with a sustainability focus ($128 per person).

Jasper is loaded with scenic treks, but the begins and ends at a hot-springs resort. The five-mile out-and-back hike climbs to the summit of Sulphur Ridge, ascending through a spruce fir forest via a series of switchbacks until you crest above the tree line to panoramic views that include the Fiddle River Valley below and Utopia Mountain in the distance. Retrace your steps to soak in , a developed series of pools with temps that reach 104 degrees ($13 per person).

Where to Stay Near Jaspers National Park

is the closest campground to the town of Jasper, making it an easy base of operations. It’s large, with 781 sites, and recently renovated with improved sites and brand-new bathroom and shower facilities. You can make starting in January of each year (from $22 U.S. per night).

3. Gros Morne National Park

Newfoundland

Entrance Fee: $8

You want fjords? has fjords. On the western edge of the island of Newfoundland, Gros Morne is a blissful mix of soaring fjord walls, towering mountains, and the bizarre Tablelands, where the earth’s mantle is exposed in an expanse of orange rock, the remnant of a tectonic plate shift that pushed the earth’s crust upward. The 1,121-square-mile park rises from the freshwater Gulf of St. Lawrence and is split by Bonne Bay into two sections, northern and southern, with a ferry running between. Rocky Harbour is home to the visitors’ center and launching spot for most adventures.

Western Brook Pond, a landlocked freshwater fjord with 2,000-foot walls and the occasional waterfall, should be the first stop. Hiking the 9.1-mile loop, which passes through meadows along the coastal headland, is also a must. Drop down to the shore at Old Man Cove, where the beach is flanked by cliffs and waterfalls, and a sea cave is tucked into the rock walls.

Where to Stay Near Gros Morne National Park

has 38 sites in an evergreen forest, with views of the Tablelands in the south side of the park ($21 per night, advance reservations). The campground has quick access to Trout River Pond, a fjord lake (a body of water separated from the Gulf of St. Lawrence) banked by steep cliffs on one side and a forested plateau on the other.

4. Kluane National Park and Reserve

Yukon

Entrance Fee: Free

In the southwest corner of the Yukon Territory, the 8,499-square-mile is a peak-bagger’s dream, encompassing 17 of Canada’s 20 highest mountains, including the country’s tallest, the 19,551-foot Mount Logan. Here, too, are the largest non-polar ice fields in the world, forming glaciers that fill the valleys, turning into rivers as they flow east, feeding lakes and sustaining habitat where caribou, wolves, bears, and mountain goats roam on the eastern edge of the park. The Haynes Highway and Alaska Highway traverse the eastern boundary, providing access to the visitors’ center, front-country trailheads, and campgrounds.

Hike the six-mile out-and-back which follows the edge of Kathleen Lake before climbing up on switchbacks to the saddle of a cirque overlooking the lake.

Where to Stay Near Kluane National Park and Reserve

Campers should head to , which has 38 sites within walking distance of the lake of the same name. Campground availability is a mix of first-come, first-served sites and others you can reserve in advance ($20 per night).

5. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

British Columbia

Fee: $8

Covering 126,500 acres of the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, is really three parks in one, with distinct units. The Long Beach Unit is accessible by car and is loaded with sandy beaches and surfing, while the Broken Group Islands Unit encompasses more than 100 islands within the Barkley Sound, only reachable by boat.

The third unit, the West Coast Trail, features the 47-mile footpath of the same name. Most visitors stick to the Long Beach Unit, but wherever you end up, you can expect dense rainforest full of Sitka spruce and hemlock and mountains rising to the east, while the tumultuous Pacific dominates the west. Bring a rain jacket; summers are warm but wet.

In the Long Beach Unit, hike the 1.1-mile to sample this section’s terrain, as the path moves through dense forest to cliffs to a sandy beach. The surf is gentle in the summer, well-suited for beginner and intermediate surfers. The beach at Incinerator Rock has been a surf destination since the ‘60s and has the most beginner-friendly waves in the park. runs lessons and rentals out of the town of Ucluelet (group lessons from $95 a person, rentals from $33 a day).

Where to Stay Near Pacific Rim National Park and Reserve

Snag a spot at the park’s only front-country campground, , which has a mix of drive-in and walk-in sites among the spruce (from $22 a night).

6. Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Nova Scotia

Fee: $7

The mountains tumble straight down to the sea in Cape Breton Highlands, on the northern tip of Nova Scotia. The park covers an elevated plateau full of forested river canyons and isolated beaches, stretching between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the west. Inside Cape Breton Highlands you’ll find a particularly scenic portion of the 186-mile Cabot Trail, a paved two-lane road circumnavigating the park on its way around Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island, offering a variety of overlooks with views of the rocky cliffs of La Bloc and the Fishing Cove, an inlet at the base of MacKenzie Mountain.

Make time to hike , a 5.1-mile loop along a headland cliff that ends at an overlook above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where you can occasionally spot whales. The 4.6-mile loop is a slightly shorter but tougher outing, climbing more than 1,000 feet to views of a forested canyon and the Atlantic coastline. Watch out for moose on this trail; they cause more injuries in Canadian national parks than bears. Keep your distance (for long-range photo advice, see this șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű guide).

Where to Stay in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

There are eight campgrounds inside the park, but will put you within walking distance of a beach where you can swim. The campground is small, with just 22 sites (from $14.50 per night).

7. Riding Mountain National Park

Manitoba

Entrance Fee: $7

Manitoba is like Canada’s version of our Midwest, full of rolling plains and farmland. It’s a more subtle type of beauty—no massive cliffs or towering peaks—but there is elegance in those shimmering plains. encapsulates the best of that landscape, with 1,864 square miles of grasslands, lakes, wetlands, and forests choked with spruce, birch, and poplar. The fertile fields and oasis-like lakes attract an astounding array of wildlife. Parks Canada estimates there are roughly 1,000 black bears and three times as many moose; there are also cougars, lynx, and wolves.

Clear Lake is the epicenter of action, with the resort-like town of Wasagaming dominating the southern shore. Most visitors start and stop right there. But more than 1,900 lakes and 250 miles of hiking trails are spread throughout the park. For a quick jaunt, cruise through the one-mile Ominik Marsh Trail, a floating boardwalk through wetlands with a healthy population of beavers. For the big picture, hike , a 6.9-mile out-and-back including a .4-mile side hike up to the top of Bald Hill, a knob of loose, tan rock with the best view in the park, overlooking the hardwood spruce mixed forest at your feet and plains rolling to the horizon.

Want to see some wildlife? You have a good chance of seeing bear and moose all over the park, but for bison, head to Lake Audy, where a 40-strong herd lives in a 500-hectare enclosure. They’re descendants of a group that was introduced to the park from Elk Island National Park in the 1940s. The Lake Audy area, where the herd of bison live, has been closed since October 2023 because of roadwork, but according to , that closure should be lifted this month.

Where to Stay in Riding Mountain National Park

Pitch a tent at , where 14 walk-in tent sites have views of Whirlpool Lake (from $13 per night, reserve in advance), a grassy-edged body of water tucked into a spruce forest that’s a known hot spot for wildlife.

8. Auyuittuq National Park

Nunavit

Entrance Fee: $12

What sort of terrain will you find inside ? Here’s a clue: The name is Inuktitut for “the land that never melts.” Auyuittuq is located on the southern end of Baffin Island, protecting a small slice of the Arctic Circle. It’s a frozen tundra throughout winter, but come July and August, the ice and snow melt, revealing a park full of towering granite peaks, glaciers, and river valleys, while the edges of the island are marked with deep fjords.

It’s not an easy park to access. There are no roads or even designated trails inside the park, but provides scheduled flights from Montreal, Ottawa, and Yellowknife to the gateway town of Pangnirtung. From there, you can take a 45-minute boat ride to the park proper.

Pangnirtung will be your home base for exploration. The small outpost is home to the park visitor center, as well as local outfitters that offer trips into the park. Most people stick to the Akshayuk Pass area, a 60-mile corridor between mountains and glaciers, which takes up to two weeks to trek in full. There are no marked trails, but nine emergency shelters are spread a day apart each, and most people use landmarks like lakes and peaks to guide themselves through the area. The southern portion of the Akshayuk, from Overlord Peak to Summit Lake, is a popular five-day trek. , in Pangnirtung, can help with shuttles, trip planning, or guiding.

If you show up in the spring before temperatures rise, you can also take a guided from Pangnirtung into the Arctic Circle proper.The full-day adventure has Parks Canada staff interpreting the landscape and Inuit culture for you ($225 per person, minimum four people).

Where to Say Near Auyuittuq National Park

The park has no developed campgrounds, but there are a couple of hotels in Pangnirtung. The is small, with just three rooms and views of the fjord ($182 a night).

9. Bruce Peninsula National Park

Ontario

Entrance Fee: $7, kids 17 and under free

Covering the northern tip of a strip of land that separates the Georgian Bay from greater Lake Huron, protects 96 square miles of the Niagara Escarpment. Here water meets rock, full of limestone cliffs, rocky beaches, caves, rivers, and some of the oldest trees in Canada: white cedar trees living atop the cliffs believed to be more than 1,300 years old.

Head to the Lake Huron side of the peninsula to explore Singing Sands Beach, where dunes flank a sandy shore ideal for swimming. The Grotto, a limestone cave that opens up to the turquoise water of the Georgian Bay, is the most popular destination in the park. Indian Head Cove, also on the Georgian Bay side of the park, hasÌę access to cliffs and beach as well. From April 30 to October 31 you’ll (parking is $12, with reservations an additional $9). Again, reservations are required, and once the lots are full, visiting the shores and trails is not possible, so plan ahead (and know that autumn is less busy than summer). The beach at has a collection of boulders now managed as a designated bouldering area, where you can climb with the aqua-blue waters of Georgian Bay in the background.

Where to Stay Near Bruce Peninsula National Park Ìę

Book a spot at , and you can bypass the parking reservation system for the Grotto by hiking to it from your campsite. The campground has 232 sites with access to Cyprus Lake, which has multiple canoe launches. It’s a popular campground, so make reservations early ($35 a night).Ìę

10. Fundy National Park

New Brunswick

Entrance Fee: $7

isn’t large—it covers just 50,900 acres on New Brunswick’s east coast—but it packs in a lot of highlights. At the heart of the park is the Bay of Fundy, famous for the greatest tidal-shift differential in the world, where you can walk the mudflats of the ocean floor during low tide, while that same spot will later fill with 50 feet of water during high tide.

At Hopewell Rocks Park, just outside the national park, a series of sea stacks on the ocean floor are exposed during low tide and then almost fully submerged again. The Bay of Fundy might earn top billing (it’s considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of North America), but there is much more to this park. Miles of rugged coast hem in a dense forest of spruce, fir, maples, and birch trees, not to mention 25 waterfalls, and bogs that hold carnivorous plants.

Experience the tidal shift first hand at , in the Bay of Fundy, where you can wade through the mud searching for crustaceans, but for another perspective on the park’s grandeur, hike the 12-mile out-and-back , which traces the Fundy cliff line, traveling through spruce forest between many overlooks. The trail also drops down to Herring Cove, where you can explore a beach and sea caves.

Where to Stay Near Fundy National Park

Pitch your tent at , which has 155 sites you can reserve in advance (from $21 per night), and hike from there to the Point Wolfe Beach for a swim.

A note: Wildfires are a concern during the summer in Canada, as they are in the Western U.S. Stay on potential impacts to a park you’re hoping to visit and on any open-fire bans. None of the parks on this list are currently under serious threat.

Graham Averill is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű magazine’s national-parks columnist. He’s been steadily ticking off parks in his home country, and is now expanding north.

The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

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The post The 10 Best National Parks in Canada appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Celebrating Memorial Day weekend with a beach vacay, camping trip, backyard BBQ, or 10k? We salute you. While playing outside might not technically be what this holiday is all about, the long weekend does present an opportunity to enjoy the first longer, warmer days outdoors with friends and family—a good way to honor the military service members who fought for our freedoms.

To help you make the most of the holiday weekend, our editors handpicked the following gear from șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s 2024 Summer Gear Guide for almost every activity you might have cooking this summer. With Memorial Day sales in full swing, you can even score most of these top-performing products for bargain prices.

At a Glance

• Prana Tulum Bikini (; )

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ÌęLearn more.

Comfortable Boardshorts

O’Neill Hyperfreak Hydro Tech 19″

These board shorts won us over with their comfortable fit. O’Neil’s patented hook and loop Velcro closure system eliminates a bulky drawstring and allows the waist of these boardies to lay flat against the skin, so you don’t have to deal with chafing. These polyester-elastane shorts don’t have the quickest dry time of those we tested, but they offer great freedom of movement at a more-than-fair price. Compare them to our other favorite boardshorts.

Stylish Two-Piece

Prana Tulum Bikini

Ìę

A cute pick for more casual lounging, this color-blocked two-piece suit (top and bottom sold separately) features a good amount of coverage for a bikini and UPF 50-plus rating. Bonus: The material is salt and chlorine resistant, which adds to its longevity. Read more here.

G0-Anywhere Beach Sandals

Xtratuf Riptide Sandals

This sandal blends fashion with practicality, making it an easy slip-on option you can wear to the pool, the beach, or even for walks around town. Bonus: The Riptide is made from an eco-friendlier BioLite foam that’s biodegradable, and cleaning them is as simple as rinsing them off. Check out our other favorite water shoes and sandals here.Ìę

Wearable Sleeping Bag

Mountain Hardwear Yawn PatrolÌę

Thanks to a clever zipper design, the Yawn Patrol is a sleeping bag, quilt, and extra long poncho all in one. Often, “wearable” sleeping bags are more gimmicky than they are functional. Not this one. Featuring a durable 45-denier nylon outer and 650-fill down, the Yawn Patrol kept us warm and comfortable on many a camping trip with temps ranging from 60 degrees down to the bag’s limit of 30 degrees. Read more here.Ìę

Roomy 4-Person Tent

Big Agnes Bunk House 4Ìę

This four-person tent proved a tester favorite thanks to its relatively roomy interior, tall ceilings, and two vestibules that can stash a lot of gear. Despite its generous size, it’s easy for one person to set up and it packs down into a carry-on luggage-sized bundle. It also stood up well to windy and damp camp conditions. Read our full review here.ÌęÌę

Kids Camp Poncho

Therm-A-Rest Honcho Poncho Kids

Do your littles need some convincing to go camping? Paint them a picture of cozy nights huddling around the campfire and roasting marshmallows in this fun little number. This kids’-specific poncho fits most 5 to 10-year-olds, enveloping them in compressible, water-resistant synthetic fill that will keep them toasty on chilly camp nights. And when it’s time to hit the sack, it can be converted to a comfy blanket. Check out our other favorite camping accessories here.Ìę

Versatile Hiking Boot

Vasque Re:Connect Here MidÌę

The Re:Connect Here Mids are some of the easiest, breeziest day hikers we’ve ever tested. High rebound EVA midsole offers cushion and bounce and the recycled polyester mesh upper is lightweight and breathable enough to keep your feet fresh, even on hot, humid days. With a thin wrap-around tongue, earth-toned colorways, and glove-like fit—plus a heel loop that makes taking them on and off a cinch—these trail runners can pull double-duty on the trail and at the coffee shop.

Lightweight Day Pack

Pingora Impulse 9Ìę

Need to move fast on trail but also want to pack more than a running vest can offer? The Impulse 9 has all the best features of a vest, with a comfortable, lightly-padded hip belt equipped with generous zipper pockets. A mesh-covered frameless back panel means you’ll stay cool and dry, too, even with the secure, wobble-free fit.

Long-Handled Camp Spoon

MSR Titan Long SpoonÌę

For those who hate the feeling of getting food all over your hands digging for that last tasty morsel in a meal pouch, the Titan Long Spoon is a blessing. At 8.35-inches, this utensil is long enough for even the deepest bags, with a titanium build that’ll take a pummeling inside your pack and weighs a scant 19 grams.

Eco-Friendly Trail Shoe

Allbirds Tree Flyer 2Ìę

This eco-friendly shoe delivers top-level performance and comfort on the trail plus casual good looks for hanging out at the Memorial Day barbecue or parade. Testers loved how the knit upper, made of eucalyptus tree fibers and lined with merino wool, delivered a relatively tight, secure fit through the midfoot with a looser, stretchier feel around the toes. The bio-based Pebax midsole is remarkably responsive, with an energetic, bouncy ride. See other top trail shoes here.

Flat MTB Shoes

Five Ten Freerider Pro

If you’re looking for a do-it-all flat pedal shoe that will excel in every condition, the Five Ten Freerider Pro should be your top choice. Its Stealth S1 Dotty rugby outsole kept us gripped securely on the pedals, even during long, rainy rides in Hood River, Oregon. The stiff sole exudes the feeling of being one with the bike, making pedaling exceptionally efficient. The synthetic upper proved to be very durable as well over our weeks of testing, making this shoe a standout in almost every category. Check out our other favorite bike shoes here.

Full Coverage MTB Helmet

POC Kortal Race MIPS

We felt especially safe wearing the Kortal Race MIPS helmet on test rides thanks to its extended coverage on the back of the head and around the temples. But the helmet also felt extremely comfortable thanks to its ventilation—the vents are strategically placed so that if you wear goggles, they won’t cover up any of the holes. The helmet normally retails for $250, but you can now snag it for $100 off. That’s a killer deal for this high-performance lid.

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