Our obsession with rooftop tents, vanlife, and overland vehicles means we鈥檙e producing more carbon听to get to the places we work so hard to protect. Taking听the bus, on the other hand, saves up to per passenger mile.听And especially in major cities, public transportation is no longer a subpar option for outdoor escapes鈥攊t can take you to some great spots and sports.听Here鈥檚 how to find adventure near five major cities without a car.
Chicago
It鈥檚 time to finally use the portable kayak living under your bed. For those looking to paddle beyond the Chicago River, board the Chicago Metra for a 90-minute听ride to , Illinois. Those without their own vessels can rent kayaks at ($15 per hour), a 10-minute walk from the Metra stop. Put in on Pistakee Lake and paddle south for an adventure on the Upper Fox River. This section of the Fox River Waterway is not for beginners, so be prepared for wind, motorized vehicles, and a series of . When you鈥檙e ready to head home, there are a few Metra stops along the water听to choose from including Fox River Grove (mile 18), Geneva (mile 45), and Aurora (mile 55).
Not ready for a river epic? Sign up for a tour with a local guiding company like .
Washington, D.C.
Skip the public transit altogether, and hop on your bike. The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal trail stretches 184.5 miles from D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. In addition to the dozens of free along the way,听bikepackers looking for a bed can reserve a for the night. Upon reaching Cumberland, the C&O Canal trail fluidly connects to the , offering intrepid cyclists another 150 miles of trail to Pittsburgh. Pro tip: much of the path is gravel, so skip the skinny tires for this one.
New this year, the 听offers direct service from central D.C. to Front Royal, Virginia, which is just four听miles from the听听entrance. For the ultimate public-transit trip, hitchhike听a ride to Front Royal and travel听north on the Appalachian Trail. After a few nights in the woods and 54 miles under your feet, you鈥檒l arrive in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, where you can catch a back to to D.C.
Los Angeles
From downtown Los Angeles, choose between an Amtrak bus or train for a two-hour ride to sunny Palm Springs. A scenic 2.5-mile tram ride from the desert brings you to the听 wilderness. There you鈥檒l find dozens of day hikes and campground options. For wilderness campgrounds, don鈥檛 forget to apply for your at least a month in advance for听summer weekends.
Or听continue on from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park听aboard听the new, free . Take the shuttle to the 124-site to enjoy scrambling on massive boulders, camping, and听clear desert night skies. Camp among the boulders听at , which is first come, first served and walking distance from Joshua Tree鈥檚 climbing mecca, the . Currently, the shuttle is a pilot program and only scheduled to run through April 2019, so hop on while you can.
New York City
The breadth of outdoor pursuits available within and near New York City is always as surprising as the city鈥檚 hordes of surfers willing to rally at 5听a.m. to join the lineup before work. Watch the 听for those clean offshore waves, purchase your $2.75 Metro card, and hop on the A train from Midtown Manhattan to , Queens, for some of the most public-transit-friendly surfing in the country.
Dirtbag climbers stuck at desk jobs听will rejoice in the 90-minute听 from the city听to one of the East Coast鈥檚 climbing meccas: . (Though听this easy access means that you may need to go up a few pitches for solitude.) And note that while the bus will get you to the gateway town of New Paltz, there are eight听miles between the bus station and the crag, so thumb it or jump into an at the station.
Miami
Buses heading south from Miami offer a multitude of options for paddlers, anglers, and divers looking for tropical coral reefs and miles of water trails. Take the Miami Dade to Homestead, Florida, for a free to Key Biscayne National Park. The park鈥檚 over are best explored by water. Paddlers can enjoy mangrove forests and divers can follow the to six submerged shipwrecks. Or take the Greyhound to the diving capital of the world,听Key Largo. If you鈥檙e feeling really ambitious, you can continue on the Greyhound to Key West and transfer to the ferry that heads听to , where crystal-clear waters, a historic fort, and vibrant sea life await.