Take a break from NPS crowds by visiting these lesser-known designations, which we chose based on spectacular scenery, great hiking trails, and unique features.

A day in Austin, Texas never disappoints—and L. Renee can prove it.

Watch as photographer and storyteller L. Renee explores the region’s historic, cultural, and outdoor hubs.

These listings are as close to the park entrances as you can get

Thanks to the rise of engineered parks, it’s now easier than ever to learn to surf a wave in a kayak

From paved city paths to mountain-peak trails, there’s something for every kind of runner in Texas

On a backpacking trip through Utah’s Buckskin Gulch with ultralight gear legend Glen Van Peski, our writer learns about the Crotch Pot, an Oscar-winning actor’s anti-snoring technique, and that there’s a whole lot of shit you don’t need when you’re on the trail 1,000 miles from home

We found the best places to pitch your tent in all 50 states, so you don’t have to.

More than 3,000 people attempt to walk the entire Appalachian Trail every year. Only about a quarter of them succeed. This intel from an AT thru-hiker provides key information to help you tackle and complete the 2,193-mile trek from Georgia to Maine.

Fun, easy-to-pull-off adventures within a couple hours of the Mile High City

Been to the Centennial State before and looking to go deeper? Check out these northern Colorado adventures.

Whether you're new to off-roading or have been exploring for years, add these trail systems to your hit list

It’s finally time to take that beach vacation. You might as well post up right by the ocean.

Because there’s no better way to experience a national park than by sleeping in it

All you need is a long weekend to get out, get lost, and find yourself again. From Asheville to Seattle, we’ve researched the best three-day wilderness trips within road-tripping distance from a city.

You don’t have to head to Europe to hike to a backcountry chalet. Here are the most spectacular stateside options, ranging from rustic to full-service experiences.

From Maine to Alaska, we’ve done all the research for you to camp in style while visiting America’s best idea this summer

Make this summer all about exploring off-the-beaten-path adventures within a few hours of your home

Utah’s national parks are iconic, but they’re just the tip of the adventure iceberg

Professional intel on the best crowd-free stargazing in one of the world's best night sky destinations

Expert recommendations for extended adventuring around each of southern Utah's Mighty 5 national parks

If you’re worried about how the current campsite and rental-car shortages are going to impact your summer travels, consider these options. We’ve rounded up our favorite companies in six cities, plus the itineraries to test them out on.

From surfing the coast of Maine to exploring slot canyons in Utah, these adventures will make the whole family happy

Campgrounds at popular national parks started booking up six months ago, but don’t fret: these strategies will help you to find a great spot to pitch a tent all summer long

From a trail in Isle Royale National Park with spectacular views to a hike that hits four 6,000-foot peaks in 30 miles, these are our favorite classic routes in the U.S.

Your bucket list should go beyond national parks. This decision tree will help you find lesser known locations with half the crowds.

With pandemic-fueled use on the rise, it’s a good thing trail builders have been busy opening new pathways for you to hike, run, and bike

Where to snag late-season deals, uncrowded slopes, and good-quality snow well into April

Thanks to their proximity, these Airbnbs book up fast. Make your summer reservation now.

With cruise traffic set to be at an all-time low this summer, you’ll be able to have the 49th state all to yourself

Whether you’re after a beachfront campsite, some good juju, or a cabin built for mountain bikers, we’ve got a spring travel deal for you

Snag some of the best spots to pitch a tent during peak season

It’s just south of the border yet entirely a world away from the typical American outdoor experience. Here’s how to camp your way down the Mexican peninsula.

Traveling with your pod? Buy out these places for private stays.

Our seven picks for cross-country-skiing trail networks that make for perfect, crowd-free winter outings

Take our quiz to unlock an adventure itinerary exactly right for you

There's never been a better time to explore the Centennial State. Here's why.

The colder months are the perfect time to visit national parks, with fewer crowds and endless adventure. Stay at one of these dreamy base camps.

After a challenging summer and fall, we're all wondering what the ski season has in store. Don't worry: resorts are working hard to open and ensure a safe experience for everyone, and there are plenty of other ways to delight in the white stuff. Here's the lowdown. 

With a little planning and some commonsense precautions, including quarantine, winter adventures in the Green Mountain State are as ample as ever

Pull your van or RV into the cheapest slopeside lodging you can find: an overnight parking space

The ideal over-the-top holiday gift this year? A private ski experience.

Both the world-weary and stoked-on-life congregate at these wild outposts—all seeking the same euphoric joy, communality, and escapism

After centuries of coal mining, West Virginia looks to a new form of economic growth

Pitch a tent on these beach or desert campgrounds

Many backcountry huts are now available as private rentals, so you and your pod can have the entire place for yourselves. From Maine to Washington, here are a few of our favorites.

From Washington to California, here are nine of our favorite short treks along the famous route

Mix, match, and click your way to the perfect backpacking kit

From traversing forgotten Pacific coastline to walking back in geologic time in Wisconsin, these backpacking trails are unlike anything else

From Red Lady Films comes a story about Crested Butte, Colorado, a small mountain town that has always been defined by its people

We asked 13 major resorts what operational plans are in place for this winter. Their answers ranged from après-ski in a private dome to parking spots you need to reserve.

Given that most of us have stayed put for the past few months, the Outside staff came up with some exciting ways to make the most of being on the home front. Puppy, anyone?

From Alabama to Wyoming, we found the best off-grid sites for chilling out, escaping the hordes, and finding adventure

Five campsites with views worth the drive

From fishing to four-wheeling, these adventures are more accessible than you might think

With stormchasing tours more popular than ever, our writer set out to discover why this risky pastime is once again taking off

These affordable digs are within driving distance from major cities but feel like far-away escapes

We put together our favorite in-state itineraries in every region of the country, to make it easy for you to explore your own backyard

These eight rentals are the ultimate social-distancing hacks

The two-hour corridor from Asheville, North Carolina, to Bluff City, Tennessee, packs eight adventures into 60 miles

The athlete and artist on creating your own hero, shifting the culture, and why the outdoors is your right

Serene places to pitch a tent—where it's just you and the ocean

Living in a big city doesn't mean you can't spend a weekend outdoors this summer

The region is known for its craft brews. Here are eight places we recommend visiting for the best of the best.

We tested 9 places to enjoy the classic New England food and mapped out some nearby adventures, too

Islands are probably not what come to mind when you think of a trip to New England, but they should be. These spots are all accessible through ferries and tour operators and will show you a side of the Northeast that few think to explore.

There's way more to this area than just the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Non-thru-hikers, pack your bags.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of my own four walls

From world-class trails and pristine rivers to vibrant arts and food scenes, there’s something for everyone in Arkansas’s northwest corner

Hemmed between the Oregon and Washington border, this windy water-sports mecca has something for everyone. Add it to your list of adventures worth waiting for.

The architect Charles Bello has spent the past 52 years restoring forests from logging and protecting the land on his 400-acre Bello Ranch in Northern California. Here's what he's learned along the way.

The professional skier and activist on her most beloved spots in and out of bounds

'Uinta-Wasatch-Cache' highlights the beauty and recreation that the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest in northeast Utah has to offer

Why go out when you can stay here instead?

We asked five of the Keys' most intrepid residents for their favorite outings, eateries, and watering holes

Mexico’s 775-mile-long Baja Peninsula is a magnet for travelers in search of their own arid slice of adventure paradise. From surfing to mountain biking to beach lounging, here’s how to get off the beaten path and do it right.

After 30 years, Ktunaxa First Nation, with help from the Canadian government and Patagonia, finally shut down the Jumbo Glacier ski-resort development