8 Distinctly American Adventures Everyone Should Experience in their Lifetime

20160229_California_RedwoodNationalPark-014-Basheer-TomeRedwood National Park is home to the tallest trees on earth.

When it comes to exploring the great outdoors, most Americans don’t have to go very far—there’s plenty of adventure right at home. From the towering Rockies to the wide open plains to the oceans on the coasts, you’ll find bucket list adventures everywhere you look. No matter what you like to do—hike, bike, paddle, or just explore—we’ve got the perfect trip. While it would be impossible to list every experience in the US of A, we put together eight amazing adventures to get you started.

1. Sandboard the Sand Dunes in Colorado

The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is one of the many hidden treasures in the US. Located in the desert of the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, this magnificent sandlot covers over 30 square miles and the dunes tower more than 700 feet above the floor below. Widely known as North America’s largest dune field, this is one epic adventure for boarders and sledders. You’ll need to rent a sandboard, as regular snowboards don’t work on the dry sand (and neither do homemade sleds out of trash can lids), but you can easily find one at a nearby retailer.

2. Climb a 14er

The 14,433-foot Mount Elbert is the tallest of the 50-plus 14ers in Colorado.
The 14,433-foot Mount Elbert is the tallest of the 50-plus 14ers in Colorado.

Michael W Murphy

Colorado is home to more than 50 "14ers," aka peaks over 14,000 feet in elevation. While the highest peak in the Lower 48 is Mount Whitney in California, mountains like Longs Peak and Pikes Peak attract thousands of hikers and backpackers every summer. Offering a solid physical challenge and views that seem to go on forever, a 14er should be on every American’s bucket list.

3. Go on a Cross-Country Road Trip

Grab a friend or two and hit the highway on an epic cross-country road trip to cruise on some of the most scenic highways in the nation, venture through iconic national parks, and see some of the quirkiest attractions in the country. Try the famous Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles, or jump on I-70 from Baltimore through the Midwest and the Rocky Mountains to Utah. Feeling even more adventurous? Plot your own course, starting on one coast and making your way to the other, stopping to see the best of the US along the way.

4. Take a Dip in a Swimming Hole in the Southeast

You can see Cane Creek Falls in Tennessee from above, but the best view is from the deep pool below.
You can see Cane Creek Falls in Tennessee from above, but the best view is from the deep pool below.

Alan Cressler

With an abundance of easily-accessible trails and waterfalls, natural swimming holes are one of the many gems tucked away in the Southeast region of the United States. You’ll find that places like Cane Creek Falls in Tennessee and South River Falls in Shenandoah National Park are perfect for cooling off in after a fun adventure, and some spots even have rope swings or cliffs to jump off of. Check out this guide to swimming holes in Tennessee if you need some ideas.

5. See the Fall Colors in New England

There’s nothing as breathtaking as the colorful fall scenery in New England. If you’ve never experienced fall up north, the beautiful displays of bright red, orange, and yellow are a sight to see. From late September until early October, thousands of people from across the country flock to the area to see the beauty of Mother Nature in action. If you’re planning to head up there this year, keep in mind that the leaves change first in the higher elevations and then in the lower elevations.

6. Explore the Grand Canyon

One of the most iconic destinations in the world, the Grand Canyon is a must-see.
One of the most iconic destinations in the world, the Grand Canyon is a must-see.

Grand Canyon National Park

This natural beauty was carved out by the Colorado River millions of years ago, and winds its way through 277 miles of spectacular red rock cliffs. Home to more than 90 different species of mammals alone, the Grand Canyon is one of the most popular parks in America, seeing more than four million visitors per year. There are a bunch of trails to get on and see the colorful cliff bands up close, or go for a paddling trip you’ll never forget on the Colorado River through the mighty canyon.

7. Drive the Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West

One of the most spectacular drives in America sits above the Atlantic Ocean en route from Miami to Key West. This incredible drive on the southernmost section of US 1 will take you 165 miles over 42 bridges and through 40 islands of the Florida Keys. You’ll end at mile marker 0 in Key West, the southernmost point in the continental US. Nearly 20 percent of this drive is over the Atlantic Ocean, which means never ending blue views.

8. Get Lost in Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park in Northern California is actually a collection of four parks.
Redwood National Park in Northern California is actually a collection of four parks.

Sarah and Jason

Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National Park is a magical place. Take a drive on the 31-mile section of old Highway 101 to see the ‘Avenue of the Giants’, or get out and explore more than 200 miles of trails. One of the best is James Irvine-Miners’ Ridge Loop—a 13-mile adventure that ticks off all the boxes with towering redwoods, a lush green valley, and an undeveloped beach. With a mix of the old-growth forest and rugged coastline, Redwood National Park has become a habitat for many different kinds of wildlife, including the bright yellow banana slug.

Originally written by RootsRated for Craghoppers.

Featured image provided by Basheer Tome