If you’re thinking of traveling in North America for a bit of outdoor recreation, the only thing to do is book your tickets now as you’ll be in for a treat. There is an extraordinary variety of terrain, from lush temperate forests and waterfalls to arid deserts populated by eerily-shaped rocks and from the great national parks to trails that are off the beaten track, the suggestions below are bound to have you coming back for more.
The beauty of trips to North America is that they offer something for everyone: cycling holidays abound and there are some of the best trails in the world in the US and Canada. Similarly, if you or someone in your party finds moving difficult, there are areas which offer flat, decked walks for everyone to enjoy. And if you’re looking for American adventure holidays for singles, you can be sure that you’ll find some which have the fabulous destinations below on their books.
Breathtaking Sights in North America
1. Yosemite, California
Some of North America’s most famous sights are in this park, and are all ‘must-sees’ if you’re in the area. Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Half Dome are all spectacular, each in their own way. But while these areas are beautiful, they are also quite crowded. Head to Artists’ Point, so named because of the awesome views from the top and you’ll find the quiet peacefulness there so refreshing. At the end of the day, put your weary feet up with a cold beer in Yosemite Village.
2. Glacier National Park, Montana
With more than 700 miles of marked trails, the Glacier National Park is considered a rambler’s paradise. Popular hikes include the Grinnell Glacier trail, which many see as the most beautiful area of the park. Steep hillsides and sky-reflecting lakes are fringed with tumbling waterfalls. The Trail of the Cedars is wheelchair accessible and will take you through a forest of impressive trees.
3. Arches National Park, Utah
Famed for its delicate and strange arches, this is a park which all desert hiking obsessives should see. The colors are wonderful, ranging from pale biscuit to fiery red, and are at their most beautiful during the blazing sunsets in the autumn. Most of the trails here are fairly easy, so it’s perfect for newcomers to hiking or cycling. One of the longest is the Devil’s Garden Trail and takes the hiker past eight arches. Of course, don’t miss out on Delicate Arch, the emblem of Utah State. If you only have one day to visit Arches National Park, here’s a great post detailing how to make the most of it.
4. The Appalachian Trail, Virginia
The Appalachian Trail is more than long, it’s epic. Stretching from Georgia all the way to Maine, it covers fourteen states and 2,180 miles. Going the whole hog takes a lot of preparation, but there are gorgeous spots worth a visit in their own right. Autumn is a great time to explore the area around Blue Mountain as over 20,000 birds of prey migrate along this route. You can also see some beautiful landscapes across rural Pennsylvania. There’s also a view-rich stretch right above the Delaware gap but this is not for the faint-hearted!
5. Banff National Park, Canada
Hidden deep in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the area of Banff has 80 trails with sweeping panoramas. There are some great trails here, including Johnston Canyon which has a terrain varied enough to keep you interested. It finishes off in the Inkpots, which is a rather lovely meadow. On the Tunnel Mountain Trail you can see the strange hoodoo rock clusters.
6. Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
This is where most hikers start their hiking trips to Hawaii. Exciting and unusual, the park offers 150 miles of trails across volcanic lava fields. For a truly humbling experience, you should gaze at the lava flowing into the sea at Kalapana. There’s also a fantastic but challenging hike along the Kalauea Iki trail – but it’s ultimately a very rewarding experience: you’ll see the Pu’u Pua’I cinder cone, beautiful birds, steam vents and rainforest. It doesn’t get much better than this.
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