Share the article
Look, I totally understand the appeal of an aisle seat in a premium cabin and flying straight to a huge resort where your biggest concern is reapplying sunscreen, I do it a few times a year.
But travel is changing.
We’re all getting a little burned out from the busy national parks and fighting for elbow room at the hotel buffet.
Sometimes all you have to do is put on a Gregory backpack, put on your boots and go somewhere where you really have to work for the reward.
If you want to trade the huge crowds for ancient forests, wild sea caves and total silence, here are the 5 absolute gems in the US that you should see at least once.
1. Channel Islands National Park, California
Everyone is standing shoulder to shoulder at Joshua Tree right now, leaving the Channel Islands blissfully empty.
Why? Because you can only get there by ferry or small plane.
- The atmosphere: People call this the “Galapagos of North America“For a reason. You’ll see wildlife that literally isn’t found anywhere else on the planet, like this tiny, amazing little island fox that has adapted to survive there.
- The reality: The ferry ride there is actually a world-class whale watching tour. But as soon as you step on land, you are completely alone. No cars, no snack bars, no trash cans. You pack your things and pick up your trash.
- When to go: Hit it in early fall. The ocean warms up to about 22°C, the summer crowds disappear and you get 30 meters of visibility underwater to dive through the gigantic kelp forests.
2. Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia
This is an undeveloped barrier island 17 miles long, hidden off the southeastern coast of Georgia.
It’s a wild mix of deep history and raw nature, and again, you can only get there by boat.
- The atmosphere: Picture this: dense, moss-draped forests opening up to empty beaches where wild horses simply roam freely. These horses literally roam right through the burnt-out skeletal ruins of old Gilded Age mansions. It feels like you’re entering a completely different century.
- The reality: On this island you can earn your opinion. To see everything from the ruins to the historic First African Baptist Church, look for a brutal 14-mile circular walk through the sand.
- When to go: Whatever you do, skip summer. The heat, high humidity and swarms of biting insects will absolutely devastate you. Winter and early spring are the best places: clear skies, cool breezes and no mosquitoes.
3. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Tucked away in remote eastern Nevada, hours from the neon lights of Vegas, Great Basin is the definition of isolated.
- The atmosphere: You go from a dry, sagebrush desert floor all the way to snow-capped Wheeler Peak at over 13,000 feet. Because the air is so dry and there is no light pollution, you can watch the craziest and brightest stars in the entire country.
- The reality: You start your journey completely underground and explore the wild limestone formations in the Lehman Caves. Then you drive up a steep, winding road up the mountain. Put on your mountain goggles to block out the bright sun and hike outside to see the Bristlecone pines. These trees are more than 4,000 years old. They’ve been chilling there since the Stone Age.
- The catch: You’ll need to book your cave tours a month in advance, and if you’re camping high up, you’ll need to bring your own drinking water.
4. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
At the very top, at the northern tip of Wisconsin, these islands completely reverse what you think of as a “lake day.” Lake Superior is huge, icy cold, and acts exactly like a violent ocean.
- The atmosphere: The huge draw here is the crazy network of sandstone sea caves. Over millions of years, the crashing waves have carved beautiful arches, vaulted chambers and deep crevices into the rock walls.
- The reality: Paddling through these caves is breathtaking, but Lake Superior doesn’t mess around. The water is dangerously cold, and rebounding waves bouncing off the rocks can flip a kayak in an instant.
- The rules: Leave the cheap plastic paddle boards at home. You’ll need a legit 16-foot sea kayak and a good wetsuit or drysuit to survive here. If you don’t have the equipment, just book a local guide. It’s 100% worth it.
5. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Hidden deep in the rugged Ozark Mountains, this historic Victorian city completely ignored the concept of a normal, flat city grid.
- The atmosphere: Built into the steep hills surrounding it natural cold springs, the streets here are winding, chaotic and utterly charming. It earned the nickname “Little Switzerland” because of the massive native stone retaining walls and terraced mansions on the hills.
- The reality: The absolute coolest part is hidden in the dense woods just outside the city: Thorncrown Chapel. It is a towering masterpiece of 14 meters high, built from wood and thousands of square meters of glass. It completely erases the boundary between the inside of the building and the forest outside. Back in town, have a drink, explore famous haunted hotels, or attend a local folk festival.
- When to go: Spring and autumn are prime time. The autumn colors frame the stone architecture perfectly, and the fresh mountain air makes walking up and down the steep streets much more bearable.
