9 Adventure-Filled Vacations To Take In The U.S.

12.03.2024 - 02:23 / forbes.com

You don’t have to travel too far for adventure-filled vacations as there’s plenty of outdoor playgrounds across the United States where you can try everything from surfing on sand dunes to scuba diving to shipwrecks.

What type of activities are considered adventurous depends on your own comfort level — for some, a trail hike with scenic vistas is enough to get the adrenaline pumping while others will feel like they’re pushing their limits on a via ferrata route where you’re clipped in to steel cables and scaling an open rock face. When you’re trying out a new adventure, team up with a local outfitter who knows the terrain and can help you master a new skill.

Ahead, find a list of nine great adventure vacations in the U.S., running from family-friendly trips to those that are great for solo adventurers.

Best Time to Go: Late May or early June, when temps aren't too hot and you have a shot of enjoying the surge flow from Medano Creek, which creates a pop-up beach.

When the slopes shut down for the ski season, there’s a new way to shred terrain in Colorado: Zoom down sand dunes on a sandboard. You can’t bring any snowboard because the sand has a different grip, but there’s lots of outfitters near the park that rent out sandboards. For a gentler ride down these giant dunes in Great Sand Dunes National Park, you can ride in a sled. Sand boarding requires some balance, and hiking back up the dunes is a vigorous physical activity. Great Sand Dunes National Park is located in southern Colorado near Alamosa.

Best Time to Go:The water is calm and it’s not too hot in October and November.

While some of the best places to see underwater wildlife on a dive are outside of the United States and in places like the Maldives, Mexico and Australia, the U.S. does have some great shipwreck sites. These dives double as an underwater adventure and a history lesson. Some of the best spots to see sunken ships is in Florida, like the USS Spiegel Grove shipwreck that’s six miles off the coast of Key Largo. The Vandenburg, a former World War II transport ship, is a popular Key West wreck drive. Visit Florida estimates that there’s 5,000 sunken ships off its 1,200 miles of coastline. Get your scuba diving certifications before you start planning a trip and go with a local outfitter.

Best Time to Go:Water levels are highest in the spring, but anytime in the summer will make for a fun ride.

One of the most unique places to go white water rafting is in downtown Richmond, Virginia, where the James River cuts right through town. Riverside Outfitters has trips tailored for different adventure levels, like a chill, lazy river type of ride on the Upper River and more wild rapids on the Lower River. More advanced paddlers can go in a