Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Hop aboard a boat tour and traverse the fjords and waterways to spot humpback whales, sea otters, puffins and peregrine falcons. Because ice covers more than half of this park (including Harding Icefield, home to 38 towering glaciers), ice climbing and dog sledding are popular activities in the colder months.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho
Created by volcanic eruption 2,000 years ago, this internationally designated Dark Sky Park (meaning its starry nights are exceptional) rests on lava fields and boasts 360-degree stargazing views. Climb up cinder cones, explore underground caves (also known as lava tubes) or peek inside mini volcanoes.
Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
Fly-fish in Mosquito Lagoon, meander along Black Point Wildlife Drive for sightings of loggerhead sea turtles and manatees or take hiking trails out to the 50-foot Turtle Mound, made up of 1.5 million bushels of oyster shells.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Go four-wheel driving in the Mineral Bottom Recreation Site for remarkable canyon views and winding steep switchbacks or bring your kayak for paddling in the Green River. Fancy activities like canyoneering, rappelling, hot air balloon rides or tandem base jumping? They’ve got those too.
Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan
This Upper Peninsula spot delivers wildlife, lakes, beaches, waterfalls and the Point Iroquois Lighthouse that towers above Lake Superior. Walk the two-mile Au Train Songbird Trail to hear a woodland concert of chickadees and nuthatches, and be sure to stop for the breathtaking overlooks of Grand Island and the cascading Laughing Whitefish Falls.
Antietam National Battlefield, Maryland
Join a ranger-led tour of the Civil War’s Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history; take a self-guided Sherrick Farm hike; or see how wounded soldiers were cared for at Pry House Field Hospital Museum. Check the calendar for history reenactments and special events like the Memorial Illumination, where 23,000 candles symbolize every war casualty.
Klamath National Forest, California, Oregon
Stretching over 1.7 million acres in California and Oregon, Klamath offers designated wilderness, geologic, and botanical areas—perfect for ATV riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Plus, with 200 miles of river systems and 152 miles of wild and scenic forest rivers, adventurers can white water raft, canoe and kayak.
Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests, Vermont, New York
With more than 900 miles of trails and multiple lakes and streams, this area delivers a wide range of year-round outdoor activities. Think hiking or boating, horse camping or gold panning. Come in the wintertime for snowboarding, fat biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
Must-Have Gear
To prevent blisters on trails, hikes or sightseeing walks, look for a moisture-wicking, performance-fit synthetic, blend or wool sock (stay away from cotton), like the Women’s Midweight Hiking Sock. $25, darntough.com A broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will protect against both harmful UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays during extended time outdoors. Supergoop! SPF 50 Play Everyday Lotion, $10–$58, supergoop.com Heading to the water? Check out local rental options for kayaks and canoes. Or if you’re looking to buy, Jackson Kayak’s Staxx 2021 is great for beginner floaters and fishers and is hand-built in Sparta, Tenn. $699, jacksonadventures.com A lightweight hiking shoe like La Sportiva’s Nucleo High II GTX boot is durable (and lets your foot breathe), no matter your adventure. $199, rei.com
Mark Your Calendar
Don’t miss free admission to national parks, monuments and sites on the following dates: August 4: In honor of the one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently finances the Land and Water Conservation Fund and addresses a national park maintenance backlog August 25: National Park Service birthday September 25: National Public Lands Day November 11: Veterans Day What Else to Know: Face masks are required on NPS-administered lands, buildings and facilities. Be sure to check individual locations’ websites for more information about COVID-19 restrictions, current conditions, entrance fees, permits, road closures and more. Next, 50+ Greenways Across America: The Very Best Hiking Trails, Outdoor Art and More From Every State
