While lounging next to a beach is great for some individuals, many travelers want their vacations to be an adventure. Fortunately, many of the most thrilling destinations in the world are located right here in the U.S. If you’re desperate to get your adrenaline up and make some unforgettable memories, visit these five adventure-seeking locations.
1. The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon National Park offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in the U.S., along with hundreds of miles of hiking and river trails across Arizona. One of the best aspects of the destination is its wide range of activity speeds and adventure levels. If you want to take it easy, skip the hiking boots and let the mules do the work. Try the Canyon Vistas Mule Ride for a three-hour educational ride around the East Rim Trail, or go big with an overnight ride to Phantom Ranch.
If mules aren’t quite up to your speed, catch the majestic views of the canyon on two wheels. Ride the Time offers bike rentals for self-guided exploration as well as three-hour guided tours. For serious thrill seekers, a stop by the Skywalk on the west rim is a must-see. The glass-bottom bridge juts out over the edge of the canyon, offering a view of the 4,000-foot drop below. There are also helicopter tours via the Maverick, or you can enjoy a full day of exploration with the Antelope Canyon With Rafting tour. It features an airplane tour, canyon drive, hike, and rafting trip.
2. Yellowstone National Park
When travelers think of Yellowstone National Park, the Old Faithful geyser is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, the landmark is only a small piece of what this adventure-seeking location has to offer. From hiking and bicycling to horseback riding and boating, there are virtually endless possibilities for outdoor excitement.
Want to push your limits? Try backcountry camping. There are over 300 campsites in the rugged areas of the park. While you’ll be required to trek challenging trails, the scenic views and majestic wildlife are well worth the work. For first-timers, it’s best to opt for a guided backpacking tour from an approved, local company for safety.
Regardless of what style of adventure you choose to take at Yellowstone National Park, don’t forget bear spray. There are around 150 grizzly bears in the park as well as plenty of black bears. Thankfully, the park service provides bear spray rentals at the visitor’s center in Canyon Village.
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park offers over 1,100 square miles of adventure in east-central California filled with magnificent sequoia trees, waterfalls, and hiking trails. There are also plenty of peaks just waiting for you to climb. El Capitan is the Mount Everest of the park, attracting hundreds of experienced mountain climbers every year. The Half Dome is another popular climb. Inexperienced climbers can still enjoy the thrill by registering for a professional lesson through the Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service.
When the climb isn’t enough to feed your appetite for adventure, jumping out of a plane may be your best bet. Skydive Yosemite offers tandem jumps that include a fly-over of Yosemite Valley before the dive.
4. Lake Tahoe
If you’re already at Yosemite National Park, you might as well book bus tickets to Lake Tahoe. The freshwater lake is only around a four-hour bus trip from the national park. As with all great bodies of water, there are plenty of fun water-based activities to enjoy, like standup paddling, jet skiing, and kayaking. There’s also a wide range of land-based recreation, such as biking, horseback riding, and ATV tours.
While you should add options from both categories to your itinerary, there are two pursuits that are sure to get your adrenaline up — a hot air balloon ride and hang gliding. Lake Tahoe Balloons offers four-hour hot air balloon tours with flights beginning in the early morning, while Hang Gliding Tahoe provides powered hang glider adventures year-round.
5. Moab, Utah
The small town of Moab, UT, is easily overlooked on a map, but it’s a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Moab offers easy access to both Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park — both of which are ideal adventure-seeking locations. While the name gives it away, Arches is home to literally thousands of naturally created stone archways. Canyonlands, on the other hand, is filled with numerous canyons and rock formations. Regardless of which one you want to see first, book a canyoneering guide to get your heart rate up.
Moab is also located near the renowned Porcupine Rim Trail. People come from all over the world to bike the strenuous course, which spans over 14 miles. Featuring challenging elevation climbs, unbelievable downhill slopes, and a tricky finish by the Colorado River, the trail is an absolute must-stop for experienced riders looking for an unforgettable thrill.
Book Your Bus Tickets to an Adventure-Seeking Location Today
Ready to plan your trip to one of these adventure-seeking locations? Bus travel has never been easier thanks to BusTickets.com. A quick ticket search is all that stands between you and your dream getaway. Want to make it a group adventure? Request a convenient charter bus quote. Your memorable journey awaits — book your bus tickets today!
