There's no doubt that America's national parks have a strong allure. From trekking through Yosemite's trails to spotting grizzlies in Denali, these protected areas offer unparalleled wilderness experiences. However, reaching these remarkable destinations often involves extensive travel.
Surprisingly, some of the country's most exceptional wilderness adventures are closer than you might imagine – in fact, they could be right near urban centers. In this travel guide, we've curated 5 outdoor activities in some of America's lesser-known adventure hubs, along with recommendations on where to stay and what to enjoy. Let's get to it!
So what kind of thrilling adventures might await you on your upcoming trip?
1. Explore the Cumberland Plateau in Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers easy access to some of the finest rock climbing in the South. The city is situated on the Cumberland Plateau, a 450-mile tableland that spans across eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, featuring soaring sandstone walls, large boulders, and dramatic overhangs.
Sunset Park, located on Lookout Mountain, provides a cool respite during the summer months and is an excellent destination for traditional climbing where the lead climber places removable anchors along the way for other climbers to follow. The Tennessee Wall, another traditional climbing spot, is considered one of the South's best.
After working up an appetite, head to Calliope, where chef Khaled Albanna's open-fire cooking blends flavors from his childhood home in Jordan. Indulge in squash couscous with herb-marinated crab, a charcoal-roasted half chicken, and pita with labneh and whipped feta.
For a unique sleeping experience, consider staying in an old-growth forest at Treetop Hideaways, or get a glimpse into the climber culture at the Crash Pad, a LEED Platinum-certified hostel with private rooms that feels like a boutique hotel.
2. Bike through the areas where dinosaurs once roamed in Grand Junction, Colorado
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Grand Junction, Colorado, may not be as well-known as Moab, Utah, for its biking opportunities, but the routes can be just as challenging. Boneshaker Adventures offers private and group mountain-biking lessons, as well as programs for kids, allowing you to explore the area's stunning landscapes. The Kokopelli's Trail runs along red rock canyons where you can discover fascinating petroglyphs and fossils.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region by staying at Camp Eddy, a beautifully situated spot on the banks of the Colorado River. This unique accommodation offers airstreams, cabins, and RV sites for rent, providing a comfortable and scenic base for your adventures. In town, treat yourself to a glass of skin-contact wine, blue-corn hush puppies, and trout rillettes at Bin 707 Foodbar, a restaurant run by Josh Niernberg, a semifinalist for this year's Outstanding Chef award by the James Beard Foundation.
3. Embark on a hiking journey from the sea to the summit in Bellingham, Washington
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Nestled between the majestic North Cascades National Park and the vast Pacific Ocean, Bellingham, Washington, offers a diverse range of outdoor experiences. The town's trails cater to various skill levels, from easy waterfront strolls to strenuous hikes leading to stunning ice-blue glaciers. For those seeking breathtaking views of the San Juan Islands, the gentle trail at Larrabee State Park is a perfect choice. On the other hand, the famous Mount Baker requires technical climbing skills to summit, but the moderate 5.5-mile round-trip Heliotrope Ridge Trail still provides excellent panoramic vistas.
The Heliotrope Hotel serves as an ideal base for your Bellingham adventures. This updated 1950s motel has embraced the Pacific Northwest aesthetic, with hand-crafted tree-trunk coat racks in the rooms and captivating photographs of snowy peaks and serene lakes adorning the walls. The outdoor gathering area includes a cozy firepit, a cornhole set, and a convenient bike-washing station.
After your hikes, you can unwind with a refreshing drink and some tasty tamales at El Sueñito Brewing Co. or visit the Portal where repurposed shipping containers house local businesses like the Selkie Scoop where you can indulge in their delectable lemon-poppyseed ice cream.
4. Gaze at the stars in the solitude of Flagstaff, Arizona
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Flagstaff, Arizona, has become a prime destination for stargazers, thanks to its low levels of light pollution. In 2001, it was recognized as the world's first Dark Sky Community, making it one of the best places in the country to admire the cosmos.
As the night falls, you can spread a blanket at Buffalo Park, a 215-acre green space within the city, and witness the sky come alive. Just north of town, the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument often hosts night-sky programs during the summer. For a more scientific experience, visit the Lowell Observatory where Pluto was discovered in 1930.
For your overnight stay, consider the High Country Motor Lodge, located right on Route 66. This vintage-inspired lodge offers cottages and rooms surrounding a central pool and common area, as well as lawn games, outdoor movie nights, and even a Nordic SPA.
When it's time to dine, stop by Proper Meats & Provisions, a whole-animal butcher shop with a delectable sandwich menu. Just a block away, you'll find the family-style Shift Kitchen & Bar where you can indulge in their signature "relleno burger," featuring roasted poblano peppers, queso asadero, chipotle aioli, and house-made chips.
5. Paddle across the world's largest freshwater lake in Duluth, Minnesota
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Nestled along the shores of the mighty Lake Superior, Duluth, Minnesota is a hidden gem for water enthusiasts. Embark on a kayaking adventure with Day Tripper of Duluth, gliding through the stunning blue-green waters and past majestic cliffs, with the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse as your backdrop. Duluth also serves as the gateway to the expansive Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a remote and untamed oasis covering over 1.1 million acres.
For a cozy and relaxing stay, consider Solglimt, a charming 5-room bed and breakfast with direct access to the Lake Superior beach. Alternatively, the waterfront Fitger's Inn has long been a local favorite. No visit to Duluth is complete without a stop at Vikre Distillery where you can sample their unique lineup of aquavit, gin, and vodka, all crafted using locally sourced grains, foraged botanicals, and the pristine waters of Lake Superior. Indulge in the Spruce Almighty cocktail, a delightful concoction featuring Vikre's Boreal Spruce Gin, kumquat, lemon, and pomegranate.
Adventure starts at the curb: pre-book your stress-free parking with ParkingNearAirports.io!
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Along with our ultimate travel guide, we would like to share an additional valuable suggestion. This advice will prove beneficial for individuals who opt for air travel.
If you get to the airport by car, you always need to find a good parking space for your vehicle to leave for the period of a trip. In most cases, airports have special on-site parking for that purpose. However, such a parking lot is pretty costly most of the time, and people aren't ready to spend a lot of money at the beginning of a trip. So is there any solution?
The best way to solve this problem is to choose off-site parking. Why, you may ask? We will explain.
There are many reasons which can prove the benefit of this parking type. Here are some of them:
- Affordable Rates. Depending on the duration of your trip, you can choose between short-term and long-term airport parking. Anyway, an off-site airport parking is much cheaper, so you can save your money and spend the most considerable amount on things you really want to see or try while traveling.
- Fast Service. In contrast with on-site airport parking, which can take quite a long time, off-site parking offers you the convenience of driving directly to the entrance and having a staff member pull your luggage out of your vehicle and load it into the shuttle. Then they will park your car for you. After your baggage is loaded, you can take your seat in the shuttle, which will bring you and your bags to the airport. It's a hassle-free option that is usually faster.
- Convenience. When people travel, they may be stressed about making it to the airport on time. If you use off-site parking, you will definitely make your travel experience more convenient, as you use the service of a private company. Even though you may be able to park on-site at the airport in a short-term or long-term airport parking lot, consider using an off-site parking lot service.
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We are glad to say that our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers travelers online reservations for parking just outside airports that are convenient and affordable. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing travelers parking options at over 100 airports in the US and Canada. The app allows customers to search and compare parking rates at up to 70 percent savings compared to the cost of on-site parking at all major airports.
With our platform, it only takes a few clicks in the app to reserve a parking spot. Guests receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking space upon arrival at the off-airport parking. In addition, the app helps customers locate the most convenient lots to the airport. Cancellations are easy if plans change with hassle-free, refundable cancellations.
Besides this, we also offer services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Now let's take a good example. Imagine that you're planning a trip to Bellingham, Washington. This state is located in the northwestern United States. So if you're flying from Minneapolis, Minnesota, you can use cheap parking near MSP Airport. If you're coming from Denver, Colorado, you can choose affordable Denver Airport off-site parking. It just depends on the place you're flying from.
You can always find everything you need on our official website: the best deals for parking near US and Canadian airports, domestic airport parking charges, and much more.
