Surfing has an undeniable allure. The ancient Polynesian practice combines both power and grace and forges an intimate connection between a surfer and the ocean. The pros, like John John Florence and , make wave riding look effortless. But even experienced surfers are regularly humbled by the ocean. First-timers often get pummeled just trying to paddle out.

I still recall my first surf experience as a kid on the Jersey Shore. I had borrowed a friend鈥檚 shortboard and couldn鈥檛 make it past the relentlessly pounding breakers. Exhausted from being clobbered by the incoming waves, I gave up and tried to ride the whitewater. I ended up with a bathing suit full of sand and water leaking from my nose for what seemed like days.

After a few more failed solo sessions, I booked a lesson and my frustration instantly turned into enjoyment thanks to some basic pointers. Even one hour under the tutelage of an instructor can be a gamechanger, especially if you鈥檙e a total novice. Intel such as where to paddle out at a break, how to read the incoming sets, and knowing which size board is right for you, can transform your surf experience. Most newbies consider standing up on the board a success. But here鈥檚 a little secret. Learning to read the ocean and being able to paddle into a wave on your own, without a push from an instructor, is the real beginner鈥檚 success.

Now in my 40s, I consider myself an intermediate surfer. But I still try to take a lesson at least once a year, particularly when I travel to a new destination. Surfing is a lifelong practice, and the ocean is an ever-changing arena. You can always be learning and improving. And you鈥檙e never too old to hop on a board. One surf instructor I know says he regularly teaches students in their 60s and 70s.

Whether it鈥檚 your first time paddling out or you鈥檙e looking to fine-tune your bottom turn, the following surf schools can help get you up and riding and take your skills to the next level.

Hammer Surf School, Jersey Shore

Pro surfer Sam Hammer has chased waves around the world from the tropical beaches of Costa Rica to the frozen shores of Iceland to star in Chris Burkhard鈥檚 hit film, Under An Arctic Sky. But he hasn鈥檛 forgotten his Jersey Shore roots. His namesake surf school hosts private 75-minute lessons throughout the summer in several Shore towns, including his hometown of Lavallette. And most locales, like Spring Lake and Bay Head, can be accessed by train from New York City via New Jersey Transit. Hammer personally teaches the Sunday sessions in Spring Lake and you can book him for private coaching. I grew up on the Jersey Shore and know first-hand that if you can surf in Jersey, you can surf just about anywhere. The waves tend to be weak, yet steep, so they鈥檙e harder to paddle into, and, once you鈥檙e in, tougher to navigate. Summer conditions tend to be more mellow, but still, if you earn your surfing chops on the Shore, you鈥檒l feel like a pro on the slow, peeling waves in other destinations.

Beginner Tip: “Don’t overthink your movements on a surfboard,鈥� says Hammer. 鈥淟ike with any sport, you learn mechanics slowly and will instinctually move faster through repetition.”

Details: $99 for a 2.5-hour adult group surf class; $113 for a 75-minute, one-on-one private lesson;

Mario Surf School, Todos Santos, Mexico

Over the years, Los Cerritos beach has been discovered, but even with the crowds, it remains one of my favorite surf spots. Located just 10 minutes south of the hip town of Todos Santos and 45 minutes north of Cabo San Lucas, it鈥檚 incredibly accessible to reach and its mellow, smooth waves and a sandy bottom make it a friendly place for beginners. But those aren鈥檛 the only reasons Mario Becerril, a Baja native and former pro, chose to base his surf school there nearly 20 years ago. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also one of the few beaches in Mexico that has gradual wave zones suitable for all levels,鈥� he explains. This helps ease the congestion and is great for progression. Becerril鈥檚 school is known for its three-step, beginner-focused pop-up technique and also for offering more advanced learning options, such as multi-day clinics, and its surf excursions, which showcase the region鈥檚 best waves, like premier point break Punta Conejo.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to surf on a bigger board when you are learning and work your way down to smaller boards progressively,鈥� says Becerril, 鈥渁nd remember the best surfer out there is the one that has the most fun.鈥�

Details: $67 for a 60-minute group lesson; $80 for a 60-minute private lesson; $180 for a three-day clinic; $350 for a private eight-hour surf excursion

Mary Osborne Surf Academy, Ventura, California

Champion longboarder Mary Osborne has over 25 years of teaching experience and excels at tailoring lessons to match her clients鈥� goals. Her Ventura-based camp offers lessons year-round, but she suggests clients book between late August through December to score magical weather and epic right-hand point breaks. The area has a variety of surf breaks, making it ideal for progression. She starts beginners at Mondos Beach. 鈥淚 call it the Waikiki of California, because it is very easy, slow, safe, and great for learning,鈥� she says. And she coaches experienced riders how to cross step toes to nose on a longboard. Most adults book her 90-minute private lessons, however she also offers two-hour group adult classes on Saturdays, lessons with apr猫s surf brunch, music, yoga, and massages, and she can customize beachfront rental homes, dining reservations, and activities for visiting clients who book multi-day lessons.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎 lot of times people will want to book a lesson everyday for a week, which sounds incredible,鈥� says Osborne. 鈥淗owever, the reality is the body gets tired and you may need a break every other day.鈥�

Details: 90-minute private lesson from $150;

Pro Surf School Hawaii, Waikiki, Oahu

In my opinion, Waikiki is one of the best spots to learn to surf. Legendary two-mile Honolulu beach has gentle, forgiving waves, plus it鈥檚 the birthplace of modern surfing, which makes it all the more special. Kai Sallas, the reigning International Surf Association longboard champion, was born and raised in Waikiki and operates his surf school from the stylish on the quieter, eastern edge of the bustling neighborhood. You don鈥檛 need to be a hotel guest to book a lesson (though if you鈥檙e visiting from out of town, it鈥檚 a relatively affordable, super convenient base, with the best brunch in town). Sallas and his team cater to both beginner and intermediate riders, educating on everything from surf etiquette and wave knowledge to performing more advanced maneuvers like cutbacks and snaps. He鈥檚 also a shaper and can suggest the perfect board for your riding abilities.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎lways keep your eyes on the ocean,鈥� says Sallas. 鈥淪tudy it before you go out. Watch it as you paddle out and sit in the lineup. And keep examining the wave as you鈥檙e paddling into it.鈥�

Details: From $99 for a two-hour beginner group lesson, $199 for a private one-on-one; .

Skudin Surf, Long Beach and Rockaway Beach, New York听

Over the last two decades, brothers Will and Cliff Skudin have helped put New York surfing on the map with their global big wave pursuits and their community-driven, namesake surf school. Throughout summer, they offer adult lessons at surf spots in Long Beach and Rockaway Beach. Both can be reached from New York City by train (the former via the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the latter on the subway). Summer is typically the best time for beginners, because the ocean is a bit warmer and the waves are more manageable. Dealing with Mother Nature鈥檚 whims is part of surfing, but riders who want to finesse their pop ups in a more controlled environment can book lessons year-round at America鈥檚 largest indoor wave pool in East Rutherford, New Jersey, a 10-minute drive from Manhattan. The brothers also run a nonprofit, , which helps make surfing accessible to the economically disadvantaged and people with disabilities.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淎lways check the conditions before you go out to surf, so you鈥檙e set up for success,鈥� says Will Skudin. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing worse than gathering all your gear, being stoked to get out there, and showing up to flat or dangerous conditions.鈥�

Details: $125 for a 75-minute private lesson at Long Beach or Rockaway Beach; $99 for an hour-long wave pool session;

Surf Happens, Santa Barbara, California

Surf Happens has helped groom pros like Lakey Peterson and brothers Parker and Conner Coffin. The school鈥檚 successful teaching formula鈥攔efined over 25 years鈥攊s rooted in founder Chris Keet鈥檚 experience as a competitive surfer and lifelong waterman.

鈥淲hat sets our curriculum apart is its focus on levels of evolution, principles, and techniques that build upon one another. It resembles a martial art in its progression,鈥� he says. 鈥淩egardless of skill level or ability, from beginning to elite, there are cheat codes to get to the next level within the phases we teach.鈥�

Surf Happens鈥� methodology builds on fundamentals, like evaluating the ocean conditions for hazards, finding line-up markers, reading the winds, waves, tides, and currents, and understanding techniques like paddling and duck diving. The school鈥檚 home beach is Santa Claus Lane, which offers a sand bottom break with idyllic learning waves year round. But Keet and his team take students to various point, reef, and beach breaks in the area, from Campus and Leadbetter Point, to other secret spots. Adults have their choice of private or group lessons, coaching series, surfaris, and week-long custom packages that explore the best waves for your ability.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淭reat surfing like a life skill and be patient, humble, and hungry to learn,鈥� says Keet. 鈥淟earn how the ocean works, be respectful of her power, and the people who you share it with, know your limits and never give up.鈥�

Details: 90-minute private lesson from $150; three-day coaching series from $750; half-day surf safari from $250; week-long surf experience from $1,250;

Surf Simply, Nosara, Costa Rica

This week-long, all-inclusive surf coaching resort in Nosara is widely considered the top dog of surf schools and typically books up six to 12 months in advance, so plan ahead. The sleek, 10-room lodge is just 200 meters from Playa Guiones, a long, wide beach that delivers over 350 surfable days each year, with wave conditions for all abilities. Surf Simply鈥檚 earned a cult following for its unique, analytical style, which provides students a road map of skills and drills. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 teach you how to surf, we teach you how to teach yourself how to surf, or surf better through a combination of video feedback, theory lessons, and in-water coaching,鈥� says Robin Bass, the school鈥檚 logistics manager. This holistic approach includes classroom sessions on swell forecasting and board design, fine-tuning board agility and turtle rolling in the pool, plus mobility work and post-surf massages. Surf Simply鈥檚 team of nine coaches work with just 12 guests per week, ensuring personalized attention. And every guest is sent home with photos of their sessions and a video from the week.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淐ontrary to what a lot of people believe, I don鈥檛 think you need great balance to surf,鈥� says owner Harry Knight. 鈥淲hat you do need to be able to do is to relax your body in this unusual situation, so that your core stability muscles can do their job. The more you rush, the more tense you are likely to be and the harder it will be to find and keep your balance. Good surfing should be slow and smooth, not fast and jerky.鈥�

Details: $8,716 solo and $15,646 per couple for one-week, all-inclusive;

Surf Sister, Tofino, Canada

With more than 20 miles of rugged shoreline, the tiny coastal town of Tofino on Vancouver Island is considered Canada鈥檚 surf capital. The area鈥檚 wild backdrop of snow-capped peaks and old-growth forest are well worth donning a wetsuit to brave the brisk waters (you鈥檒l want a 4/3mm in summer and at least a 5/4mm, plus a hood and booties in winter). Surf Sisters set up shop here in the late 1990s with the mission to introduce more women to the sport. Mission accomplished. They now aim to make the sport accessible to all genders, races, and ages (their oldest client to date was 76).

Beginner lessons start with a briefing on ocean safety and surf etiquette, before moving into waist deep water where students can familiarize themselves with their longboards. A second lesson goes out past the breakers and gets into how to choose and catch a wave and how to begin to maneuver and turn once you鈥檙e up and riding. 鈥淥ur goal is to create a good foundation of knowledge so students can continue practicing and learning on their own,鈥� says Surf Sister staff member, Alyssa Teremy. Experienced riders looking to uplevel their skills can book private coaching with Shannon Brown, the head coach of the Canadian National Surfing Team, who can help with everything from surf psychology to improving stance and style. Conditions determine where you鈥檒l surf, but Surf Sisters typically teaches at South and North Chesterman and Cox Bay. The school also operates a surf shack at on Cox Bay, which caters exclusively to guests.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淭ake your time,鈥� says Teremy. 鈥淕etting into your wetsuit is hard enough when you first begin, so pace yourself with all things surfing and your entire surfing career will be all the better for it.鈥�

Details: 2.5-hour group lesson $99; private $199; $350 for a half-day of private coaching;

South Beach Surf School, Newport, Oregon

After running a surf school in Virginia Beach, Russell McClanan, a former competitive surfer and captain of the USA surf team, relocated to the Oregon Coast and was wowed by the lack of crowds and consistency of the surf. 鈥淚 got tired of teaching in flat conditions,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n Newport, there鈥檚 knee- to waist-high waves nearly every day of summer. The air is 65 to 70 and the water hovers in the mid 50s. A five millimeter wetsuit keeps everyone warm.鈥� His one-on-one lessons are geared to serious wannabe surfers who care more about learning to read the currents and understanding etiquette than popping up on day one. 鈥淓ach surf break is like a different football team that wants to beat you up,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou need to study it and do your research and have a strategy before you paddle out.鈥� Every session starts with 20 minutes of balance exercises and some stretches before entering the water. Once out past the breakers, he hones in on essential techniques, like how to use your legs to spin your board while sitting on it in the lineup. He also offers big wave training and tow-in lessons for seasoned riders looking to up their game.

Beginner Tip: 鈥淧ractice the surf burpee on land so you get used to the mechanics of jumping to your feet,鈥� says McClanan. 鈥淵ou might be able to surf the whitewash crawling to your knees, but you can鈥檛 ride a real wave if you can鈥檛 get to your feet.鈥�

Pricing: $160 for a two-hour private lesson; $300 for two hours with video analysis;

Jen Murphy is a regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and considers herself a lifelong student of the ocean. She tries to take a surf lesson at least once a year and regularly hires a coach or guide when visiting a new destination. She鈥檚 surfed around the world, from the remote shores of Easter Island to the rugged coast of Scotland.

The post The Best Surf Schools in North America appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hawaii鈥檚 tumbling waterfalls, craggy lava fields, and palm-shaded beaches are undeniably enchanting. But the islands鈥� true beauty lies beneath the surface of the sea. When I slip on fins, a mask, and snorkel and dive into the ocean, another world reveals itself: green turtles munching sea grass, neon-hued parrot fish and wrasse darting between colorful corals, and during certain months, a symphony of humpback whales.

The captivation of seeing sea creatures up close explains why snorkeling is so popular. According to the Hawaii Ocean Safety Team, a nonprofit dedicated to making the state鈥檚 waters safer and cleaner, approximately 3 million people snorkel in Hawaiian waters each year. Most people won鈥檛 be surprised to learn how many people enjoy such an accessible, wonderful activity鈥攂ut what鈥檚 shocking is how dangerous it can be and the consistent number of snorkeling fatalities. According to the Hawaii State Department of Health, drowning is the , far outpacing the national average. Around 45 tourists drowned in the ocean each year in Hawaii , and snorkeling was the number one contributor.

This year has proved especially deadly. In March, a 43-year-old visitor from California at unguarded Larsen鈥檚 Beach. And Oahu saw two snorkel-related tourist deaths the first week of February: a 64-year-old woman on the North Shore and a who was part of a kayak tour.

While these incidents were terrible, they also didn鈥檛 shock me. I live part time in Maui and regularly see panicked snorkelers. In February, I watched an older gentleman crawl out of the water onto the beach as he was pounded by shore break in his snorkel gear. Later that month, I witnessed a young woman struggle to remove her mask after it had filled with water. Despite the dangers, many snorkelers appear to lack safety training or an understanding of their gear鈥擨 regularly observe people wearing fins backwards and snorkels upside down.

Underestimating the Skills Required to Snorkel

Some visitors mistakenly think a snorkel is a flotation device, said Andy McComb, founder of Redline Rafting, a tour operator in Maui that runs snorkel excursions. He said his team is asked almost daily: 鈥淒o I need to know how to swim in order to snorkel?鈥� Swimming is challenging enough for some people. Add a claustrophobic mask, a straw-like snorkel, fins that can weigh you down, plus waves and strong currents, can lead to a casual activity quickly turning into a high-intensity workout.

鈥淲hen people come to Hawaii, they see beauty, not danger,鈥� said Jason Bitzer, a former Honolulu Ocean Safety member who spent six years lifeguarding at . 鈥淰isitors think snorkelling is a controlled activity, like zip-lining. The ocean is in control.鈥�

Even in the calm, flat waters of Hanauma Bay, water can enter through the top of the snorkel. 鈥淧eople panic and instead of pulling the snorkel out of their mouth to spit out the water, they start to suck it in and choke,鈥� said Shayne Enright, a spokesperson for Honolulu Ocean Safety. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how a drowning can start even in harmless looking ocean conditions.鈥�

A common misconception is that snorkeling is effortless and relaxing. It can be for some people. But for those new to the activity, it can be overwhelming and exhausting, too. 鈥淵ou need to have coordination, some fitness, and an awareness of your surroundings, even if you鈥檙e in three feet of flat water,鈥� said Enright. 鈥淛ust like riding a bike, it takes practice to get comfortable.鈥�

Why Do Experienced Snorkelers Drown?

It鈥檚 easy to blame inexperience on the unusually high number of deaths, but many fatalities have involved experienced swimmers and snorkelers, like Ray Johnson. In February 2022, Johnson, then 64, took his fifth vacation to Hawaii with his wife Patti and four friends. The Michigan couple had snorkeled the waters of Hawaii many times before, Patti told me. 鈥淩ay was an incredible snorkeler; it鈥檚 what he loved to do,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e planned vacations around snorkeling. He鈥檇 snorkel the lakes in Michigan and always kept his fins and snorkel in the car.鈥�

On February 25, two days after their arrival, Ray and some friends went snorkeling off Wailea Beach in Maui, which fronted their resort, the Fairmont Kea Lani. Patti had taken a walk along the paved path that overlooks the beach. 鈥淚 looked out and waved and then realized it looked like people were helping him,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 assumed he stepped on a lava rock.鈥� She rushed down to the beach, but by then she said he was on his back and being pulled out of the water.

Someone called 911, but medical professionals weren鈥檛 able to resuscitate him. The autopsy report deemed Ray鈥檚 death an accidental drowning, which Patti said she doesn鈥檛 believe. The friends who had been snorkeling with Ray told her at one point, he said, 鈥測ou gotta help me, I鈥檓 having trouble breathing.鈥� That鈥檚 when they decided to head to shore, she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think you鈥檙e having a conversation if you鈥檙e drowning,鈥� she rationalized.

The Johnson family believes the real cause of Ray鈥檚 death was a lesser-known medical condition called rapid onset pulmonary edema, or ROPE, which causes fluid build up in the lungs. In 2024, Patti filed a lawsuit against the Hawai鈥榠 Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, and the Fairmont Kea Lani, where Ray rented the gear, alleging that Hawaii travel entities failed to educate the public on this 鈥渋mportant public health concern,鈥� according to the complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit in the State of Hawaii. Patti鈥檚 Oahu-based lawyer, Jay Stuemke, told me the case is still in the discovery phase, and trial is currently set for November. The Hawaiian Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Fairmont Kea Lani declined to comment on the lawsuit.

What Is ROPE and How Does it Affect Snorkelers?

Years of data from the Hawaii Department of Health revealed that many snorkel-related fatalities occurred in mild ocean conditions and were not accompanied by signs of distress. In October 2017, the state established a Snorkel Safety Sub-Committee to investigate the unusual circumstances. A two-year conducted by the sub-committee and funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority tested 50 different snorkels, reviewed medical examiner reports and case studies, and conducted a survey of 131 snorkelers at Hanauma Bay.

The study was the first to link ROPE to snorkeling. released in 2021 concluded that rapid onset pulmonary edema in snorkelers may be as common, or more so, than the accidental inhalation of water, which typically causes someone to react in distress. When snorkeling, we breathe against more resistance than we typically would, explained Dr. MeiLan Han, Chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at the University of Michigan Health. 鈥淲hen the body tries to inhale but is unable to do so or it鈥檚 hard to do so, it creates increased negative pressure within lungs,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his encourages fluid to cross over from the blood into the lungs.鈥� When this occurs, the person can lose too much oxygen and become unconscious. 鈥淩OPE associated with snorkeling certainly can be fatal,鈥� said Dr. Han, who noted that there is very little literature on this topic.

The snorkel safety study suggested that preexisting medical conditions, increased exertion, exposure to high altitudes, and the degree of the snorkel鈥檚 resistance to inhalation may increase risk of ROPE while snorkeling. It also suspected that prolonged air travel might be a factor given the majority of travelers have flown at least five hours to reach Hawaii. However, data was not conclusive and the sub-committee recommended further research of this hypothesis. The study also recommended developing a statewide public education program to address snorkeling safety.

According to a spokesperson for the Hawai驶i Visitors and Convention Bureau, only general ocean safety posters are in the island airports. And have been created to warn against everything from dangerous shorebreaks to jellyfish, but very few are specific to snorkel safety. Because Hanauma Bay State Park is a snorkel haven, visitors are required to watch a seven-minute that warns: 鈥淪norkeling is a strenuous activity that requires good physical conditions and skillful practice. It is critical to your safety that you have strong swimming abilities before entering the ocean.鈥�

The state鈥檚 has a dedicated with that include a footnote about how causes of snorkel-related drownings, including air travel, are currently under investigation. Patti Johnson said she and her husband had never seen this brochure, nor had they been warned of any of these potential risks while snorkeling in Hawaii, particularly the concern around flying. She said she has since heard of snorkelers being warned to wait a few days after air travel in Cancun, Curacao, and Thailand. Patti now distributes business cards with warnings about air travel and snorkel-related ROPE to friends and sporting goods stores. 鈥淢y main goal in life is to educate people and hopefully to get Hawaii to start educating people,鈥� she said.

Should You Be Wary of Full-Face Masks?

Generally speaking, you want a simpler snorkel design that is easy to breathe from, said Dr. Han. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 want to be pulling against a lot of resistance,鈥� she said. Of the 50 masks and snorkels tested in the snorkel safety study, only four were , which allow the user to breathe through their nose and mouth and typically feature a tube at the forehead.

The study concluded that full-face snorkelling masks had no inherent advantage or disadvantage in terms of resistance, however they did have drawbacks. Users cannot spit out the mouthpieces, nor are they able to dive beneath the surface safely. They can鈥檛 be removed easily in an emergency. Water can鈥檛 be cleared from the tube, often located at the top of the mask, by blowing sharply. And the study found valve malfunction could lead to serious breathing impairments. I personally have found full-face masks, even those with quick-release mechanisms, very hard to take off and feel that you should always choose the safer, rather than the more comfortable, gear option.

Colin Yamamoto, a sub-committee member and former battalion chief of ocean safety for the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, said he conducted his own research on full-face masks versus traditional face masks and found the former to be far riskier. 鈥淚鈥檓 not a scientist,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut my theory is that you are breathing in higher levels of carbon dioxide with the full-face mask. That coupled with low oxygen levels is problematic if you are older or have pre-existing medical conditions.鈥� A small, 10-person conducted by Duke University in 2021 was inconclusive about whether full-face masks were responsible for more snorkel drownings, but it did raise safety concerns around the lack of regulation and control of these masks.

The includes a section about the pros and cons of using a full-face mask, and links to a from Dr. Monty Downs, President of the Kauai Lifeguard Association in which he opined: 鈥淒on鈥檛 use full-face snorkel masks unless you are an expert who鈥檚 had a lot of training and experience with them.鈥� Many in Hawaii have independently banned the use of full-face mask snorkels and tourism boards, such as the one for , now warn visitors of the risks of full-face mask snorkels.

Snorkel Safety 101

The following is a list of tips I curated from recommendations listed on the Hawaii Department of Health ocean safety page, Honolulu Ocean Safety members, and snorkel tour operators.

• Check ocean conditions and only snorkel at guarded beaches. 鈥淭he chance of a rescue and resuscitation is much higher at a guarded beach,鈥� said Enright, of Honolulu Safety.
• Never go alone. Always have a buddy. Inexperienced snorkelers should consider booking with a tour operator.
• Rest a day or two after flying. 鈥淚 never suggest anyone go straight from the plane to doing any activity, whether snorkeling or surfing,鈥� said Enright. 鈥淢any visitors come here dehydrated and need to acclimate to the different climate. Give your body time to regulate.鈥�
• Test your gear on dry land or even in a pool before jumping into the ocean. Your fins and mask should have a snug, yet comfortable, fit. Practice breathing through the snorkel. Know how to clear water from your snorkel and what to do if your mask leaks or fogs. Make sure you can scissor kick with your fins while swimming. A doggie paddle or frog kick won鈥檛 cut it.
• Don鈥檛 wear your fins on the beach or boat. Walk into the water first, get past the shore break, then put them on. Similarly, take them off before you exit the water.
• Go slow, breathe slowly, and keep your heart rate low. Don鈥檛 overexert yourself.

Jen Murphy is a regular contributor to 国产吃瓜黑料 and a snorkel fanatic. She lives part time in Maui where she snorkels any chance she gets. In her 20s, she worked a short stint as a snorkel assistant aboard a catamaran, where she regularly fielded questions, such as, 鈥渄o I really need to get my face wet to snorkel?鈥澨�

The post The Surprising Cause of Hawaii’s Snorkeling Deaths appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

When K墨lauea volcano in Hawai鈥檌 Volcanoes National Park began to erupt last December, spewing lava 300 feet into the air, I knew I had to see it in person. And there was only one place I wanted to stay.

As the lodge closest to the mammoth K墨lauea听Crater, is a highly sought-after spot among lava lovers. On any particular day鈥攁nd especially during eruptions鈥攖he back of the property is jam-packed with people watching for a telling orange glow or bubbling magma. During an active period, it鈥檚 not unusual for 1,000 people to pass through Volcano House鈥檚 doors daily. And given that the area is one of the most volcanically active spots in the world, this happens more often than you might think.

Why I Love the Volcano House

There was a crackling energy when I walked through the doors; I鈥檓 still not sure if it was from the excitement surrounding the recent eruption or some sort of shared energy between us and the volcano. (K墨lauea had another minor eruption听the day before my arrival in the park.) I was hopeful I鈥檇 be there for a follow-up.

Volcano House staff have plenty of stories from previous eruptions. Food and Beverage Manager Tina Balubar remembers when part of K墨lauea crater was filled by a lava lake. (This lasted from 2008-2018 when the lava burst through steam vents further along the island, destroying the Leilani Estates community and causing Volcano House to briefly close.) She showed me a photo of nearby Mauna Loa erupting, K墨lauea glowing a deep orange.

鈥淚 grew up near a volcano, so I don鈥檛 get scared,鈥� Balubar says. 鈥淲hen an eruption happens, I make all the employees stop, look up, and take it all in. That鈥檚 why [many of us] are here.鈥�

Volcano House鈥檚 history stretches back further than the establishment of the Hawai鈥檌 Volcanoes National Park in 1916鈥攁ll the way back to 1846. Increased tourism caused the original thatched inn to give way to larger wooden lodges. (The original building was later moved and now serves as the park鈥檚 art gallery, where you can find听oil paintings, sculptures, and photographic prints of previous eruptions in the park.) Over the years, dignitaries like Mark Twain, Jack London, Princess Victoria Kaulani, Amelia Earhart, and President Franklin Roosevelt have stayed at one Volcano House iteration or another.

In 1921, a new two-story wing was built, upping the capacity to 115 people. Unfortunately, that version of Volcano House was destroyed by a fire (started in the kitchen, not by the volcano) in 1940; the current iteration was erected in 1941 and expanded yet again in 1961. The lodge鈥檚 current capacity is 33 rooms.

Given its position on the National Register of Historic Places, updating the lodge presents a host of challenges. Painting the building exterior took more than five years, Balubar says, because a laboratory had to analyze layers of existing paint to determine the original shade used in 1941.

I took a peek inside the old steam room, where volcanic steam was piped in for the enjoyment of male guests in the 1940s. (Back then, women weren鈥檛 allowed to sweat, apparently.) When upkeep and repair costs became too high, they filled in those steam vents with concrete, rendering it obsolete.

Room furnishings are a bit dated, but comfortable. The ratan lobby furniture fits perfectly with that aesthetic.听But let鈥檚 be honest: When you鈥檙e visiting Volcano House, you鈥檙e really here for the volcano.

Floor-to-ceiling windows face K墨lauea, allowing guests to watch for eruptions in climate-controlled comfort. Across the lobby, a stone fireplace featured a sculpted image of the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele inset in the rock. Oil paintings of previous eruptions ringed the room, while a flat-screen television played a never-ending loop of past eruption videos.

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

Considering the current administration鈥檚 war on our national parks, I felt the need to do something positive to give back to the protected land听during my visit. Each Saturday, , an NPS-approved group of volunteers, meet up to fight invasive species in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I joined more than a dozen others armed with loppers, all prepared to cut as much Himalayan ginger as we could. For three hours, we slashed and stacked the plant, ultimately clearing about an acre of the fast-growing plant. By the end, I felt like you could see the accomplishment radiating off of听 me鈥攂ut you probably could only smell the sweat.

With the work out of the way, I had time left for more traditionally听 fun activities. I spent the remainder of my first day hiking much of the , which traverses the north end of K墨lauea before connecting with the. The next morning, I was reluctant to move away from the K墨lauea overlook outside Volcano House, not wanting to miss the expected eruption, but there are too many things to do in the park to stay in one place for too long.

Parking at the K墨lauea Iki trailhead, I hiked to the short .2-mile lava tube before descending into the K墨lauea Iki Crater. The trail, my favorite in the park, winds down a series of switchbacks beneath a rainforest canopy to the crater floor.

The change of environments, from lush forest to arid lava rock,听 is a bit jarring. Walking onto the crater surface for the first time, I felt more like an astronaut than a hiker. As the cinder crunched under my feet, I wondered what would happen if the next eruption happened here. I found myself moving a little faster afterward.

Choice Rooms

While my own room offered comfort and stunning views of the crater, front desk agent Pam Bowers suggests asking for room 11, a.k.a. Uncle George鈥檚 Room. The former abode of the longest-tenured owner of Volcano House (and the namesake of its bar), the deluxe room is among the lodge鈥檚 most spacious, with gorgeous hardwood floors and one of the best views of the crater. It鈥檚 the most requested room by far, so be sure to book well in advance.

Can鈥檛 get a room at Volcano House? Check out the lodge鈥檚 , located about five minutes from the front entrance gate.

Eat and Drink

Volcano House鈥檚 menu is a mix of familiar favorites, like pizza and burgers, and more upscale offerings. The seafood is top notch. I overheard a few other diners raving about the barbecued prawns and New York Strip. But after a busy day on the trails and in the woods, all I wanted was a cheeseburger and a beer. Volcano House鈥檚 signature burger with cheddar cheese and avocado aioli, served on a punuluu sweet-bread bun, hit the spot perfectly.

When to Go

You can reserve rooms a year in advance, and Volcano House is typically fully booked about two months ahead. If you wait until a volcano starts burping lava to reserve a room, you鈥檙e probably going to be too late. But that doesn鈥檛 stop the calls when the volcanic activity starts.

鈥淎 while back, we had an eruption that started at 4 A.M.,鈥� Bowers says, 鈥淭he phone didn鈥檛 stop ringing until at least 2 P.M.鈥�

It鈥檚 a roll of the dice as to when the next eruption might happen, but for the best chances of getting a room, try booking for the spring or summer.

As my time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park came to an end, I was reluctant to leave. Not just because K墨lauea hadn鈥檛 yet erupted during my visit, but also the hospitality I was shown at Volcano House made me want to stay. But given the volcanic upheaval here, I鈥檓 sure I鈥檒l be back at some point.

How to Get There

Volcano House is less than an hour鈥檚 drive from Hilo International Airport (ITO) and about 140 minutes from Kona International (KOA). There鈥檚 no airport shuttle, but you can reserve a car from any number of rental companies on site.

Don’t Miss

If you鈥檙e crossing the ocean to visit Hawai鈥檌 Volcanoes, you should also make a point to visit Hawaii鈥檚 other national park, Haleakal膩 on Maui. Both spots used to be known collectively as Hawaii National Park, but were split into two distinct parks in 1960. The flight between Maui and the Big Island is fairly inexpensive and lasts about 30 minutes.

I enjoyed a day hiking throughout Haleakal膩 and a night near the summit, observing the stars with ( , from $250). Ironically, Haleakal膩鈥檚 crater summit isn鈥檛 volcanic, but rather another form of geographical upheaval: two valleys merging at the summit of a volcano.

If you want to stick to one island for your visit, check out on the Kona side of the island, about two hours away. You鈥檒l learn about the lives of ancient native Hawaiians, as well as the geologic history of the island.

Details

Price: Room prices start at $285 for a standard room, $335 for a room with a crater view.

Address: 1 Crater Rim Drive,
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718

The post This Hawaii Lodge Overlooks an Active Volcano appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

America鈥檚 national parks are known for their vast tracts of unspoiled wilderness, and we love celebrating the trails that take you deep into the backcountry听of these iconic landscapes. But sometimes, the best views in our national parks can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. Here are the eight best national park scenic roads.

1. Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Trail Ridge Road carves a 48-mile path through the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, connecting the gateway towns听of Estes Park and Grand Lake. It鈥檚 one of the highest paved roads in the country, with a peak elevation of 12,183 feet at the Gore Range Overlook. The two-lane blacktop is a stiff challenge for cyclists (I always see a few on this road when I鈥檓 in the park) as it climbs more than 4,000 feet in just 12 miles, but it鈥檚 a convenient way for the rest of us to enjoy a high alpine environment; roughly eight miles of the road cruises above tree line with expansive views in either direction. Given the altitude, snowfall means the road is typically only open from late May to early October. I drove the road in July with my family one year, and we marveled at the amount of snow that was still piled up at the pass.

Best View听

The Gore Range Overlook (at mile 19.3 if you鈥檙e coming from Estes Park) sits near the crest of the road with long range views to the west of the Never Summer Mountains. Gaze down from the parking lot and you鈥檒l see small ponds scattered across the tundra. To the east, you can see Longs Peak, one of Colorado鈥檚 most famous 14ers.

Get Out of Your Car

If you drive the entire road, you鈥檒l have more than a dozen opportunities for short hikes. Make sure you explore from the Alpine Visitor Center. It鈥檚 usually not as crowded as Alpine Ridge, which also begins at the visitor center, but takes you through the high alpine tundra with views of the Never Summer Mountains in the distance and the Cache de la Poudre River below. You鈥檒l hit a forest of spruce and firs after two miles, which is where most people turn around. If you go all the way to Milner Pass, it鈥檚 an eight-mile out and back, dropping 1,000 feet on its way to the pass. Keep an eye out for pikas and marmots along the way.

Reservations

You need a to enter Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer, but if you鈥檙e only planning to stick to Trail Ridge Road and not visit the super popular Bear Lakes Corridor, then reservations are easier to get and only necessary between 9 and 2. So even if you don鈥檛 plan ahead, you could start your drive early and catch the sunrise, or start in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset.

2. Chain of Craters Road, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii听

You should drive this road now, while you can, because there鈥檚 no guarantee that the pavement will exist in the future. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, on the Big Island, encompasses several active volcanoes that have altered the landscape and the two-lane scenic highway multiple times in the last century. Currently, Chain of Craters Road is just shy of 19 miles long, traveling from the top of Kilauea Volcano to the Holei Sea Arch, which hangs over the Pacific Ocean. The road used to carry on past the arch, but that portion of the highway has been swallowed by lava. That鈥檚 what makes this road different from most others in the national park system; you get the opportunity to see the lava that created the Hawaiian islands up close and personal, as the road cruises by several active volcanic craters and the remnants of their outbursts.

Best View

Most of the pullouts along the road offer expansive views of lava fields in various stages of existence. The newer ones will be dark, rolling fields void of life, but the older lava flows will have vegetation and trees sprouting from the creases. The best view comes at the end of the road, when you can take a short walk to see the Holei Sea Arch, a tall, skinny window in a lava-rock cliff that formed over time as the Pacific Ocean slowly eroded the center of the rock.

Get Out of Your Car

There are a handful of hiking opportunities along the Chain of Craters Road. You can even hike what鈥檚 left of the former road beyond the current turn-around point at Holei Sea Arch. If you want a short hike, the .7-mile will take you on a boardwalk through an old lava field to a vast collection of petroglyphs that were carved into the lava more than 500 years ago.

Reservations

No reservations required. Entrance fee is $30 per vehicle.

3. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia听

Skyline Drive runs 105 miles through the center of Shenandoah National Park, following the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consider this road a compressed version of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which connects Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. You can do the road in half a day, but a campground and at the halfway mark make this the perfect two-day adventure. The two-lane road crests at 3,680 feet and offers 75 pullouts with views that extend deep into the mountains and down to the Shenandoah Valley below. Timing your visit during the fall, when the hardwoods in the surrounding mountains are popping with color, makes Skyline Drive a bucket list experience. Biking Skyline from end to end is one of the most memorable centuries on the East Coast. The road is open year round, but will occasionally be closed during the winter because of snow. Check the before you start your trip.

Best View

There are overlooks every couple of miles along Skyline, but the views really stack up around the midpoint as the road reaches its highest elevations. Spitler Knob Overlook, at milepost 48.1, looks west, taking in the Shenandoah River below and the mountains that divide Virginia and West Virginia on the horizon. The sunset from here is stunning, too.

Get Out of Your Car

Head for the highest point in the park by hiking the to the 4,049-foot Hawksbill Summit. The 2.1-mile out and back begins at milepost 46.5, and ends at an observation platform on top of Hawksbill with a 360-degree view of the mountains and surrounding Piedmont.

Reservations

No reservations required. Entrance fee is $30 per vehicle.

4. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana听

Yeah, this road is crowded, with parking lots along its path notoriously filling up by 10 A.M., but there鈥檚 a reason. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which bisects Glacier National Park while connecting the small gateway communities of West Glacier and St. Mary, might be the most scenic two-lane blacktop in the entire national park system. The 50-mile-long point to point highway delivers views of glaciated peaks, backcountry lakes, and the occasional waterfall, not to mention a great chance to see mountain goats. The road is an engineering feat as well鈥攊t took workers two decades to complete, with builders boring a number of tunnels into the cliffs. Going-to-the-Sun is only open to vehicles during the summer (typically from mid June to mid October), and there鈥檚 a brief hiker/biker season in May when human-powered traffic can access the road after it鈥檚 been plowed, but before the gates are open to cars.

Best View

Logan Pass is the most popular destination on the road, thanks to the visitor center and multiple trailheads there, but the Jackson Glacier Overlook has the sweetest view, as it gives you the best chance to see a glacier from the comfort of your car.

Get Out of Your Car

Going-to-the-Sun provides access to some of Glacier鈥檚 most iconic hikes and landscapes, so you could spend a full week knocking out trails without ever venturing beyond the road鈥檚 corridor. The 2.8-mile is a classic. You won鈥檛 have the trail to yourself (it鈥檚 one of the most popular hikes in the park) but the terrain you鈥檒l experience is iconic Glacier, passing through meadows full of wildflowers in the summer before it听reaches a vantage point overlooking a high alpine lake nestled at the base of the granite-rimmed Bearhat Mountain. Turn back or double your mileage by following the trail to the edge of the lake itself.

Reservations

You need for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road from June 13 to September 28, between the hours of 7 A.M. and 3 P.M. Show up before or after that daily window if you want to drive the road but can鈥檛 score a reservation.

5. Crater Lake Rim Drive, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon听

Crater Lake is a sight to behold. The 13,148-acre pool is the deepest lake in the United States, fed entirely by rain and snowmelt, and completely encompassed by the rim of a volcanic crater that was formed more than 7,000 years ago during an eruption. And it鈥檚 all set within the backdrop of Oregon鈥檚 Cascade Mountain Range. The 33-mile Rim Drive gives you a chance to see this lake and the crater from every angle as it forms a paved, two-lane path around the entire scene. There are 30 overlooks along the way, most of which offer a good view of the bright blue water and Wizard Island, a cinder cone island rising 775 feet above the surface of the lake. One of the coolest features of the road is that it was built to disappear into the landscape, so that you can鈥檛 see it as you鈥檙e looking out over the lake. Like many of the scenic park roads built in the 1920s and 30s, Rim Drive has tight curves and very little shoulder, so drive cautiously and watch out for cyclists. Crater Lake National Park gets an average of 41 feet of snow a year, so the road closes for winter, typically from November 1 to June 1.

Best View

Watchman Overlook, 6.5 miles from the visitor center, has one of the best views of the lake, particularly at sunset as it faces west. There鈥檚 also a short, mile-long Watchman Peak Trail that leads to a fire lookout tower with a 360-degree view of the lake, crater, and surrounding Cascade Mountains.

Get Out of the Car

You鈥檒l get plenty of vista views of the lake from above, but is the only legal trail you can take down to the water鈥檚 edge. Find the trailhead on the East Rim Drive, 4.5 miles from where North Entrance Road intersects with West Rim Drive. It鈥檚 a steep, 1.1-mile sandy path from the road to the lake, dropping 700 feet before hitting the boulder-laden shore. Yes, you can take a dip in the water, but it鈥檚 cold, averaging 57 degrees in the summer.

Reservations

Crater Lake National Park doesn鈥檛 require reservations, but there is a $30 per vehicle entrance fee.

6. White Rim Road, Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Canyonlands National Park鈥檚 White Rim Road isn鈥檛 like others on this list. Instead of a paved highway, is a 100-mile four-wheel drive route through the backcountry of Canyonlands, forming a loop around the park鈥檚 Island in the Sky district. It鈥檚 a two-day adventure, at minimum, requiring a high-clearance 4WD vehicle, as well as solid navigational and backcountry skills. But if you have the chops, there鈥檚 no better way to see the park than driving (or mountain biking, if you are so inclined) White Rim Road. Named for the pale slickrock that dominates much of the road鈥檚 terrain, the driving is a mix of sandy washes, rough rocky stretches and the aforementioned slickrock, which will occasionally take you to the edge of canyons. It鈥檚 a two-way road, but most people drive it clockwise. No matter which you go, it should only be attempted by overland veterans and always keep an eyee out for oncoming vehicles, hikers, and bikers. You鈥檒l see towering buttes and monoliths as you drive along the Green River and switchback your way up and down the edges of deep gorges.

Best View

You鈥檒l see some amazing scenery throughout the entirety of this road, but Monument Basin, roughly 30 miles into the drive if you鈥檙e moving clockwise, will give you the chance to park above beauitful canyons and snag an Instagram-worthy shot. Inside the basin below, you鈥檒l see countless red sandstone spires rising from the valley floor.

Get Out of Your Car

The is a 3.4-mile out and back that leaves White Rim Road at mile 65 and meanders across the slickrock to the ruins of a stone structure built by the indigenous people that inhabited the area hundreds of years ago. From the ruin, you鈥檒l have a grand view of the Green River below, with its lush banks standing in contrast to the red desert on either side.

Reservations

Any overnight along White Rim requires a . You can apply for a permit up to four months in advance of your trip ($36 permit fee, plus a $5 per person, per night camping fee), and designated campsites are scattered along the route.

7. Grand Loop, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

驰别濒濒辞飞蝉迟辞苍别鈥檚 Grand Loop isn鈥檛 a single road, but a combination of two-lane roads that form a 145-mile figure eight through the heart of the park. You can do the entire figure eight or just tackle the upper or lower loop. If you attempt to drive the entire Grand Loop, it will be an all-day adventure. Some visitors even break it up into two full days, knocking up the Upper Loop on day one and Lower Loop on the second day. Drive the entire Grand Loop and you鈥檒l hit most of the highlights in America鈥檚 oldest national park, with a chance to stop at geothermal wonders like Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring, while also being able to take quick detours to iconic landscapes, like the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Lamar Valley, a broad grassland bisected by the Lamar River that attracts big game like bison and grizzly bears. If you have a snowmobile, you can explore the Grand Loop during winter, otherwise you鈥檒l have to plan your trip between May and the end of October, when the road is cleared of snow. And be prepared for the occasional 鈥渂ison jam,鈥� when cars stop to watch the locals.

Best View

Artist Point Overlook, a detour off of the Upper Grand Loop on the South Rim Drive, provides the best view of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which is 20 miles long and more than 1,000 feet deep. From this overlook, you get a great view of the canyon鈥檚 Lower Falls, a tumultuous 300-foot waterfall flanked by steep rock walls.

Get Out of Your Car

The seven-mile out and back from 听delivers views of the park鈥檚 most iconic landscapes, with vistas of the rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Hayden Valley (a primo wildlife watching spot), and Yellowstone Lake. On a clear day from the lookout tower on top of Mount Washburn, you can see straight into the Grand Tetons, too. You鈥檒l be following an old stage coach road on this hike, so there鈥檚 even a bit of Wild West culture thrown in for good measure.

Reservations

No vehicle reservations needed. Entrance fee is $35 per vehicle.

8. Park Loop Road, Acadia National Park, Maine

础肠补诲颈补鈥檚 Park Loop is the quintessential national park scenic drive: it鈥檚 short, gorgeous, and provides access to the park鈥檚 most popular destinations. The 27-mile one-way loop traverses the eastern flank of 础肠补诲颈补鈥檚 Mount Desert Island skipping from freshwater ponds to beaches and cliffs, delivering some of Maine鈥檚 most iconic coastal views along the way. Acadia gets three million visitors a year, so the road gets congested, but you can still complete the loop in just a few hours. Take your time though, as Park Loop provides access to short trails and beaches that could keep you entertained for days. If you get a timed entry permit, you can tack on the three-mile too, which rises 1,530 feet straight out of the ocean, offering long range views of the Atlantic.

Best View

Dramatic views are a near constant along Park Loop, but Otter Cliff stands out above the rest, literally and figuratively. Otter Cliff is 110 feet tall, making it one of the tallest cliffs on the east coast. Spruce trees sprout from the top of the cliff, while a boulder-strewn beach can be seen below. Hit the cliff during the summer and there鈥檚 a good chance you鈥檒l see multiple species of whales in the water.

Get Out of Your Car

Make a stop at Sand Beach, where you can take a swim if you鈥檙e brave enough to handle the Atlantic鈥檚 frigid temperatures, lounge and walk the , an easy stroll that accesses a variety of views of the Atlantic and Mount Desert Island鈥檚 coastline. The path will also take you to Thunder Hole, an inlet carved into the cliffs where incoming waves create a thunderous echo.

Reservations

You don鈥檛 need reservations to enter Acadia or drive the Park Loop, but you will need them if you want to drive the summit road to the top of . Entrance fee to the park is $35 per vehicle.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national park columnist. He loves a scenic road with an overlook as much as the next tourist and he recently wrote about the best road trips in the Southwest. He鈥檚 excited to plan his family鈥檚 next spring break trip, too.听

The post The 8 Best National Park Drives appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hawaii is blessed with some of the most cinematic hiking trails on the planet. I live part-time on Maui and still find myself spellbound by vistas of plunging waterfalls cleaving to jungle blanketed mountainsides and rugged coastal cliffs spilling down to the sapphire sea. I also know how the technicolor scenery, combined with the heady, plumeria-scented air and the islands鈥� laidback aloha vibes can lull hikers into a false sense of security. What could possibly go wrong on a hike in this incredibly beautiful paradise free of threats like bears, snakes, or poison ivy?

I consider myself a seasoned hiker. My other home is in Boulder, Colorado, and over the years, I鈥檝e bagged a handful of the state鈥檚 iconic fourteeners (14,000-foot peaks). The monotone, high-alpine terrain always feels daunting and motivates me to prepare meticulously ahead of a hike.

I鈥檝e come to learn, Hawaii鈥檚 trails demand the same respect and precautions. Would I ever tackle Mount Sanitas, my go-to local Boulder hike, in a flimsy pair of Havainas? Never. But I was foolish enough to leave my trail shoes in the car and embark on Maui鈥檚 , a 5.5-mile route on ancient lava flows, in flip-flops, because everyone wears flip flops in Hawaii, I rationalized. The straps snapped just after mile four and I was forced to slog back to the parking lot barefoot along jagged, sun-scorched black rock. I鈥檝e never made that mistake again.

国产吃瓜黑料 editor Mary Turner has hiked all over the West but was humbled by some of the treks on Kauai. 鈥淎 friend called one trail spicy, but I wasn鈥檛 worried,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淏ut it was hot and humid and sticky and the vegetation was so thick you could have easily walked right through it and off the side of a cliff. And at the end of the trail, you had to scale a rock face with a very frayed rope. The guy in front of us said it wasn鈥檛 safe and turned around. We did the same, and I thought, geez, hiking in Hawaii is for real.鈥�

You might be an experienced hiker on mainland America, but Hawaii鈥檚 humidity, knife-edge ridges, dense jungle, and muddy rainforests present unique perils, says Ethan Pearson-Pomerantz, president of . It only takes a wrong step or two to become disoriented and lost, injured, or worse, dead.

Hawaii doesn鈥檛 have a state-level search and rescue (SAR) coordinator. Wilderness SAR is handled at a county level, falls under the responsibility of the fire department, and they are only mandated to search for 72 hours when someone is reported missing. O鈥檃hu, Kauai, and Maui all have volunteer SAR teams as well. The lack of an overarching umbrella organization makes it difficult to accurately track the exact number of rescues per year, but government officials have estimated that about 1,000 hikers are rescued across the state annually.

Cautionary Tales

Ocean rescues are more prevalent in Hawaii, but hiking mishaps have generated a glut of coverage in both and over the years.

Last month, a 49-year-old man while hiking up a 60-foot waterfall on Maui, and one day later a California couple in their sixties听 after sustaining multiple injuries attempting to hike Oahu鈥檚 off-limits Sacred Falls Trail. The month prior, an unidentified hiker rang in 2025 while . He needed to be airlifted by a rescue team around sunrise.

In December 2024, 32-year-old Alaskan visitor Lauren Cameron on Kauai鈥檚 North Shore while hiking the , which has called one of the most dangerous hikes in America. Officials believe she was swept out to sea. A 30-year-old California man needed to be airlifted to safety last September after suffering from injuries in a . On Hawaii Island, two hikers got lost without food and water during a last January on Mauna Loa鈥攖he largest active volcano in the world. They had to stay overnight in a shelter and were extracted by a rescue helicopter the following day. The hikers were fined for not having a permit and ignoring the summit closure posted by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. These accounts are just from 2024.

Despite the steady stream of headlines about dead hikers, fatal falls, and accidents on Hawaii鈥檚 trails, visitors are still ignoring rules and safety precautions.

One of the most of late hit national news in January 2023, when Ian Snyder, a 34-year-old travel blogger and hiking enthusiast from California, was stranded for three days at the base of a waterfall after surviving a 1,000-foot fall while illegally hiking . Snyder, who suffered a broken arm and other injuries, admitted to reporters that he wasn’t as prepared as he should have been for the hike and shouldn’t have gone it alone. He also shared that he followed an online map which took him to a closed trail. A few weeks after his recovery, he at the request of the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, as a cautionary tale to other visitors.

Hawaii鈥檚 Terrain and Climate Pose Distinct Challenges

On the mainland, a 22-mile out-and-back hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain, typically wouldn鈥檛 daunt me. But the Kalalau Trail, a bucket-list trek with zero cell service that hugs Kauai鈥檚 storied Na Pali coastline, isn鈥檛 just another hike. CNN has called it one of the , with hazards including falling rocks, flash floods, shore breaks, and cliffs on the trail. I鈥檝e attempted it five times without success and have no regrets about turning around due to raging water crossings, treacherously slippery conditions, and in another case, simply fatigue. Others haven鈥檛 been as lucky. In 2022, 46 people needed to be rescued from the harrowing route and in 2014, 121 people needed rescue over the course of a few days.

鈥淧eople drastically underestimate and underprepare for the challenges of a trail like Kalalau,鈥� says Sarah Laouxz, of . 鈥淭hey see the pretty photos and want to be there, but they don鈥檛 take into account the physicality of getting there and back.鈥�

They also underestimate easier trails. Take the , an iconic 1.6-mile roundtrip hike located minutes from Waikiki in O鈥檃hu. Pearson-Pomerantz estimates the Honolulu Fire Department makes more rescues a year on that trail simply because hikers aren鈥檛 prepared. 鈥淗iking Diamond Head is a classic thing for tourists to do,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou get spam musubi, hike Diamond Head, get a shave ice, and that鈥檚 your day. Maybe because of its proximity to the city, people attempt it in high heels, without water or sun protection.鈥� The trail is steep and uneven and climbs 560 feet. People often become dehydrated or roll an ankle, he says. When vacation brain sets in, visitors start looking through their camera lens instead of at the path in front of them. At least once a month his team has volunteer 鈥渢rail angels鈥� patrol the route with water, snacks, and sunblock. 鈥淗eat is the biggest threat to hikers and a bad sunburn is probably our most common injury,鈥� he says.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park chief ranger Jack Corrao says its search and rescue incidents consistently increase when there are active volcano eruptions. In 2023, the park had in the summit of Kilauea volcano and 13 search and rescues. Five of those were lost hikers near the eruption viewing site at Keanakakoi off old Crater Rim Drive. 鈥淭he park is open 24 hours a day, and the best eruption viewing is usually after dark,鈥� he says. 鈥淲hen people become separated after dark, the odds of them getting lost increase. We urge visitors to plan ahead, bring head lamps or flashlights, to stay on trail and out of closed areas.鈥�

Dense vegetation can also throw hikers off track. 鈥淭he trees and the trails have a way of enveloping hikers and blocking the horizon, so that seeing the ocean or other points of reference become impossible, disorienting people,鈥� says Amanda Hess, the director of public education at O’ahu Search and Rescue. Thick foliage can also conceal potential dangers. Chalsie Honu Quel, a volunteer with Kauai Search and Rescue, notes that the terrain of Waimea Canyon has been vastly altered since Hurricane Iniki toppled many native trees in 1992. 鈥淣ow the trails are overgrown with invasive species that make it easy to slip into a gulch or ravine.鈥�

Chris Berquist, founder of Maui-based Search Tech Advisory Team, cautions that thick ginger patches hang off ledges, acting like false edges on many trails. 鈥淧eople step on them and it鈥檚 like a trap door,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he bottom gives out, they start to slip, and often their footing is irrecoverable.鈥�

Social media posts of people cliff jumping into the ocean or diving off waterfalls have created the illusion that the islands are a controlled amusement park. Injuries frequently occur when people leap with no knowledge of the water depth or without considering how they鈥檒l get back to land. 鈥淎 lot of hikes lead to what look like beautiful jumping places, such as Queen鈥檚 Bath, an ocean pool in Kauai,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淏ut due to the steepness of the cliffs or looseness of rocks, a lot of adventurers can鈥檛 scramble back up.鈥�

Weather Can Change on a Dime

Island weather is rarely uniform and frequently changes throughout the day. If it鈥檚 rainy on Maui鈥檚 north shore, it鈥檚 almost guaranteed to be dry and sunny on the south shore. And a calm, clear morning can turn into a windy, sprinkly afternoon. The resorts tend to be in areas that see 350 days of sun a year, says Chris Stankis, the public information officer for the . Yet, many hikes are in areas that see a fair quantity of rain on an almost daily basis,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd as you go further inland and upslope, the chance you might encounter rain, muddy, slippery terrain, and flash flooding increases.鈥�

It may seem like summer at your hotel, but you should still pack layers, especially if you鈥檙e planning to hike the 13,000-plus foot summit of Mauna Loa in Hawai鈥檌 Volcanoes National Park or the 10,000-plus foot summit Haleakala National Park on Maui, where conditions can bring weather ranging from hail to snow. Nick Clemons, chief of interpretation, education, and volunteers at Haleakala National Park, says the park averages two rescues a week and they often involve medical issues arising from altitude, dehydration, over-exertion, and hypo and hyperthermia.

Flash floods pose one of the biggest dangers to hikers. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e our avalanche,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淥nce you鈥檙e in one, there鈥檚 little chance of escaping. There鈥檚 a lot of debris. I鈥檝e seen victims stripped naked. The water gets violent.鈥� Heavy rains and flooding bring precarious conditions to the islands鈥� beloved waterfalls. Berquist notes that many falls border the coast or drain into a slot canyon. If you鈥檙e standing near a slippery edge and a gush of water comes rushing at you, you鈥檙e likely going to be shot into the ocean or canyon, he warns.

Many of Hawaii鈥檚 Most Popular Trails Are Actually Illegal to Hike

The SAR volunteers I spoke with agreed, the majority of rescues take place on illegal-to-hike trails. Many of the most Instagrammed hiking areas, such as Narnia, a collection of waterfalls within the Hilo Forest Reserve on the Big Island, are . But the pull of social media often blinds visitors to closure and trespassing signs. 鈥溾�楧o it for the gram,鈥� is a real thing,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淚 think Instagram kills more people than coconuts in Hawaii. A lot of times when a tourist falls off a cliff or slips we find them with their phone next to them, the camera app still open.鈥�

It doesn鈥檛 help that many guidebooks, travel blogs, and social media posts provide detailed instructions on how to access these illegal trails. And, as was the case with Snyder, hikers often follow GPS tools that direct them to non-sanctioned trails, which aren鈥檛 inspected or repaired and most likely, won鈥檛 have signs warning hikers of dangerous conditions.

In 2006, two women fell some 300 feet to their deaths while trekking to Opaekaa Falls in Kauai. They had followed an unmarked trail featured in some Hawaii guidebooks. In most states, if you injure yourself on public lands, the onus is on you. But in Hawaii, the state can be held liable for injuries occurring on public lands if it fails to maintain a reasonable level of safety. In this case, the state was ordered to pay $15.4 million to the victims鈥� families. The trail remains closed.

In 1999, eight people were killed and nearly three dozen were injured from a rockslide at Sacred Falls State Park on O鈥檃hu, where the recent rescue took place. There were signs, but a judge ruled they did not warn with the intensity of urgency of the falling rock hazard the state paid $8.6 million to the families of the deceased hikers. The park has remained closed since the incident, but that seeking the ultimate social media post. In 2022, someone hung an illegal swing at the base of the falls, which has since been removed.

Off-limits signs have been in place at the Stairway to Heaven, an infamous hike on O鈥檃hu also known as the Haiku Stairs, since 1987. Yet posting a photo from the hike鈥檚 Edenic summit, which is reached by climbing 3,922 slick steel steps, has become a social media badge of honor. Fines of up to $1,000 and the threat of arrest haven鈥檛 discouraged hikers. Between 2010 and 2022, 118 people had to be rescued, according to the Honolulu Fire Department. The city is now in the process of to prevent illegal use once and for all.

In an effort to further dissuade reckless hikers, state legislators in Hawaii are currently that would authorize the state to seek reimbursement from hikers who need rescue after venturing onto closed trails. Considering a helicopter rescue costs between $1,000 to $2,500, I鈥檇 say it鈥檚 a good incentive to follow the rules.

8 Ways to Stay Safe When Hiking in Hawaii

I asked members of the islands鈥� search and rescue teams to share their tips for staying safe on the trails. Here鈥檚 their advice:

• No matter the length of the hike, pack plenty of water, food, sunscreen, a flashlight, and a cellphone battery.
• Do not hike in flip flops. Wear proper footwear and sun-protective attire.
• Don鈥檛 hike alone.
• Create a hiking plan that includes your intended route and estimated return time. Leave one copy with a friend, family member, or neighbor, and another in your car.
• Do not hike closed or unmarked trails. Check the latest trail conditions and closures via a trusted source like , the State of Hawai鈥榠 Trail and Access Program.
• Check the weather with multiple sources like the Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and Weather Underground.
• Get an early start. Hess recommends getting on the trail no later than 9 A.M.
• Don鈥檛 do it for the ‘gram. When you鈥檙e looking through your phone rather than paying attention to your footing, you can easily end up in harms way.

What to Do If You Become Lost

Berquist played an instrumental role in finding , a hiker who got lost for 17 days in Maui鈥檚 Makawao Forest Reserve in 2019. He joined the search as a volunteer and within days was heading up the efforts. After she was found, Eller鈥檚 father helped Berquist fund the Search Tech Advisory Team, his 100-plus volunteer organization that works throughout the islands using the latest technology, like drone satellite photography. Here are his tips for getting found:

1. Don鈥檛 panic. Pause and take some deep breaths. O鈥檃hu Search and Rescue created a demonstrating how to do the 4-7-8 breathing method to calm yourself.
2. Keep moving. 鈥淓veryone says stay where you are if you are lost, but I only recommend people do that when they know they are 15 or fewer steps off the trail,鈥� he says. 鈥淧eople that participate in their own rescue are more likely to be found.鈥� If you are medically injured, it may be pertinent to stay in place, but try to make yourself noticeable and make noise.
3. Make yourself visible. If you think you are more than 15 steps off trail, move to an openly visible area, like a high elevation clearing or stream-bed that can be seen from the sky. Make a massive ‘SOS’ or light a fire to create smoke.
4. Shelter in smart places. Don鈥檛 hunker down and hide from the elements in a place people won鈥檛 see you. If you do seek shelter, display your backpack out front and make an arrow pointing to where you are, he says.

鈥淗awaii tries too hard to feel nice with its messaging to visitors,鈥� says Berquist. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not all mai tais and leis. The message needs to feel sharp: the lava rock and coral will slice you, the selfies and cliff jumps will kill you.鈥� So, in other words, don鈥檛 underestimate the power of nature. Be careful and prepared, don鈥檛 hike where you鈥檙e not supposed to, know what you鈥檙e getting into, and skip the selfies.

Jen Murphy is a regular contributor to 国产吃瓜黑料 and usually covers travel-advice topics. She has made the regretful mistake of hiking in flip-flops on lava rock in Hawaii and always packs for all seasons any time she hikes in Haleakala National Park on Maui. She has recently written about how to travel solo, how to make the most of your first-ever Costa Rica trip, and how to get a vacation refund when the weather sucks.听

The post Why Do So Many People Get Into Trouble While Hiking in Hawaii? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Our family trip to Maui was full of surfing, waterfall treks, and snorkeling with turtles. Catching the sunrise from the top of the 10,023-foot volcano in Haleakala National Park was supposed to be the crowning jewel. Some say it鈥檚 the greatest sunrise in the world. I wouldn鈥檛 know, though, because I forgot to make reservations two months in advance of the trip, and the only way you can see the sunrise from Haleakala is with a timed-entry permit.

These mandatory timed-entry reservations in national parks have become a hot topic the last few years. During the pandemic, when visitation to national parks soared, a few parks鈥攕tarting with Arches in 2022鈥攔esponded by implementing the reservation systems, which require all visitors to get permits for specific entry times during the busy season. Since then, other park units have implemented similar systems.

I recently spent a lot of time studying national-park visitor comments online, and the reservation system was the second-most frequent complaint. But you know what was the most frequent complaint among national-park visitors? Overcrowding in parks, which leads to traffic jams and a lack of parking, not to mention more pressure on the natural resources.

The National Park System has implemented these systems as a direct response. If you鈥檝e sat in near standstill traffic in Yosemite, or waited for your turn to take a photo in Glacier, then you know something has to be done to mitigate the crowds.

I鈥檓 notoriously bad at making reservations for dinner a week in advance, let alone for a vacation three months down the road, so I get user frustration with the new system. But until some bright mind comes up with a better way to handle millions of people wanting to hike to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, I think we鈥檙e all going to have to get used to planning certain national park experiences well in advance.

Here鈥檚 a look at the nine national parks that will require advance reservations for entry or on certain popular hikes in 2025.

1. Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is bringing back last year鈥檚 timed-entry vehicle-reservation pilot project for the popular west side of Going-To-The-Sun Road and the North Fork area. The reservations will be required from June 13 to September 28, 2025, daily between 7 A.M. and 3 P.M.

Going-To-The-Sun Road, which is only open during the warm months, usually mid June through September, is a 50-mile-long paved byway that cuts through the center of the park, delivering visitors to the most popular trailheads. West Glacier, near Whitefish, is the western entrance of the road, and St. Mary Visitor Center is the gateway to the eastern edge of the park.

How to Get a Glacier National Park Reservation: You can make reservations starting on February 12 on on a rolling basis, 120 days in advance of desired visitation dates, starting at 8 A.M. MST. Any remaining vehicle reservations will be available at 7 P.M. MDT for next-day entry for dates throughout the season starting on June 12, 2025. Reservations require a $2 processing fee.

In 2025, visitors can still access the park at the East Entrance of Going-To-The-Sun Road without a reservation, but entry might be restricted at certain times without advance notice if the road becomes too congested. You can visit the beautiful Two Medicine Valley, also on the east side of the park and with its own entrance, without a reservation. If you lack a reservation and don鈥檛 want to trek 100 miles to the east side of the park, vehicles can drive Going-To-The-Sun Road from the western entrance as far as Apgar Village, which is two miles inside the park鈥檚 west entrance.

Backup Plan: If you have a reservation for lodging, camping, transportation, or a commercial activity, you can access the park within the intended service area of Going-To-The-Sun Road without making a timed-entry reservation as long as you can show proof of that booking.

If you don鈥檛 have a reservation, you can enter the park before 7 A.M. or after 3 P.M. Or take your chances and enter the park through the eastern entrance of Going-To-The-Sun Road, remembering that access might be restricted due to overcrowding on the road. Better yet, head to the east side of the park to Two Medicine Valley, which is full of trails leading to ice-blue backcountry lakes and towering peaks. The 9.6-mile hike to passes waterfalls and ends on the shore of the lake, which is flanked by the Continental Divide.

2. Arches National Park

Arches is bringing back its previous timed-entry reservation pilot program from 2022 to be used from April 1 to October 31, 2025, although this year you will not need reservations between July 7 and August 27. The program is a continuation of a reservation system that began as a direct response to Arches鈥� increased popularity; the park had seen a 73 percent rise in visitation from 2011 to 2021. Timed entry reservations will be required between 7 A.M. and 4 P.M. daily.

How to Get an Arches National Park Reservation: Reservations are released three months in advance in monthly blocks, so April reservations open on January 2, May reservations open February 1, June reservations open March 1, and so on. Tickets can be reserved at at 8 A.M. MST beginning January 2. Beginning March 31, additional next-day tickets will be released at 7 P.M. MST each evening. Cost for booking a reservation is $2. No tickets will be available at the park visitor center. Once you have a reservation, you鈥檒l have a dedicated one-hour window to enter the park.

Backup Plan: You don鈥檛 need a reservation if you have camping, tour, or special-use permits.

You can also enter the park before 7 A.M. or after 4 P.M. without a reservation. Canyonlands National Park is only 27 miles southwest of Arches, and makes for a superb alternative if you can鈥檛 get inside Arches.

3. Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park has a two-tiered reservation system that, frankly, has confused a lot of people in the past couple of years. Still, it proved effective for mitigating crowds, so the park is bringing it back for 2025. Reservations will be required beginning May 23 through Oct. 14 or Oct 20 depending on the specific reservation you get.

Two types of reservations are available: one is a permit for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which will also include access to the rest of the park, with reservations required from 5 A.M to 6 P.M.. The other is a permit for what is known as 鈥渢he rest of the park,鈥� excluding this corridor, with reservations needed from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. daily. Bear Lake Road reservations are required from May 23 to October 20, but 鈥渢he rest of the park鈥� reservations are only necessary from May 23 to October 14. Why the distinction? The Bear Lake Road area is the most popular section of the park thanks to its collection of picturesque lakes and relatively easy hikes.

How to Get a Rocky Mountain National Park Reservation: You can get reservations through one month in advance, so reservations for June (and the last week of May) will be released at 8 A.M. MST on May 1. Reservations for July will be released June 1 at 8 A.M. MST. The park will also hold 40 percent of the permits for next-day reservations, releasing those at 7 P.M. MST the night before. The only cost for a reservation is a $2 process fee. Visitors with a reservation will have a dedicated two-hour window to enter the park.

Back Up Plan: The Bear Lake corridor is awesome, and the deeper you go on the trails in that area, the better it gets. But Rocky Mountain is a big park, and with the 鈥渞est of the park鈥� reservation window so narrow (9 A.M. to 2 P.M.) there鈥檚 plenty of time to enter the park before or after those hours and still experience the iconic landscape. Driving Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in the U.S., topping out at 12,183 feet, is memorable all on its own. But I say set your alarm for an early wake up so you can hit the park before 9 A.M. and head to the Long鈥檚 Peak Trailhead for the 8.4-mile hike to Chasm Lake, a calm pool at the base of Long鈥檚 Peak where you鈥檒l see a picture perfect view of the mountain鈥檚 1,000-foot granite walls.

4. Zion National Park

You don鈥檛 need reservations to enter Zion National Park in 2025, but you will to hike to Angels Landing. The extremely popular hike leads to one of the most photogenic spots in the entire park: a narrow, rocky perch hovering 1,500 feet above the Virgin River. Reservations are required year round and released in a seasonal lottery beginning two months in advance of your intended hike. Next-day permits are also released, on the day before your intended hike.

How to Get a Reservation to Hike to Angels Landing: All reservations are released on . You鈥檒l enter the lottery and pick seven ranked days and times when you want to tackle Angels Landing. You can register for up to six people in the lottery. If you win the lottery, permits are issued on the 25th of the month that you registered.

Lottery-permit applications are $6 and if you score a reservation, the cost is another $3 per hiker. The park also releases last-minute permits for next-day hikers. The lottery opens at 12 MST and closes at 3pm MST each day. The same fees apply. The confirmation email from recreation.gov serves as your permit.

Backup Plan: Getting a reservation is the only way you can hike to the end of Angels Landing, but no permit is necessary to hike the up to Scout Lookout, a 4.5-mile out and back that encompasses most of the same trail, missing only the final push along the knife-edge ridge to Angels Landing. But you鈥檒l still get to hike along the Virgin River and through the breezy Refrigerator Canyon, and end with a great view of Zion Canyon from Scout Lookout.

5. Shenandoah National Park

No reservations are necessary to enter Shenandoah National Park, but you do need a permit to hike any of the several routes up the park鈥檚 signature peak, Old Rag, which is topped by a granite outcropping with a 360-degree view. After a two-year pilot program, Shenandoah National Park has made the Old Rag day-use permit system permanent. You鈥檒l need a day-use ticket from March 1 to November 30. A limit of 800 permits are allotted each day.

How to Get a Permit to Hike Old Rag: Every member in your hiking party needs a permit. Tickets are $2, purchased at . Half of the tickets are released 30 days in advance on a rolling basis and the other half are open for grabs five days in advance. The permits are good from 12 A.M. to 11:59 P.M. of the date of your hike.

Backup Plan: Old Rag isn鈥檛 the only summit inside Shenandoah. The 3,514-foot Mary鈥檚 Rock, which requires no permit (only Old Rag does), is topped by a granite outcropping with a gorgeous view west into the pastoral Shenandoah Valley. You can reach the summit via a variety of trails, from an easy 1.5-mile out and back to an arduous that includes a slice of the Appalachian Trail. 听

6. Haleakala National Park

You don鈥檛 need a reservation to enter Haleakala National Park, a 33,265-acre gem on the island of Maui, but if you want to see the sunrise from the summit of its central 10,023-foot active volcano, you鈥檒l need to plan ahead and get a permit. Reservations are necessary to enter the Summit District of the park from 3 A.M. to 7 A.M. daily. The system has been in place since 2017 because catching the sunrise from the top of this volcano is supposedly a transcendent experience.

How to Get a Reservation to See the Sunrise on Haleakala: Reservations can be made on up to 60 days in advance of your desired day. All permits are released at 7 A.M. HST daily on a rolling basis. For those with less foresight, 50 permits are released 48 hours in advance on a rolling basis, but don鈥檛 count on scoring one: only 150 cars are allowed into the park during sunrise each day. You can only get one sunrise reservation per three-day period.听

Backup Plan: I tried to get last-minute reservations for sunrise on my recent family trip to Maui but had no luck. Instead, we showed up for sunset. Was it as transcendent as a sunrise? I can鈥檛 compare the two, but it was gorgeous and we didn鈥檛 have to wake up at 2 A.M. to drive into the park. If you鈥檙e dead set on experiencing the sunrise but can鈥檛 get an advance reservation, consider booking a couple of nights in the Summit District鈥檚 Each booking comes with a sunrise permit. Snag a campsite up to 30 days in advance. Sites are $5 per night, with a three-night maximum.

Hiking the Summit District is a delight even if you can鈥檛 catch a sunrise. My family spent our time poking around easy trails, but the is an 11-mile point-to-point that drops through the volcano鈥檚 crater, traveling through rust-red and black lava rock terrain that many describe as otherworldly.

7. Yosemite National Park

For the last couple of years, Yosemite has gone back and forth with timed-entry reservations: mandating and enforcing them, then taking the system away, then bringing it back. In 2024, the park introduced a Peak Hours Plus system for spring, summer, and fall that required reservations from 5 A.M. to 4 P.M.

The park hasn鈥檛 announced its plans for 2025 yet. But we do know that you鈥檒l need reservations from February 8 to February 23 on weekends because of the mass appeal of Horsetail Falls, which at that time of year glows when sunlight hits it. You need an even if you don鈥檛 want to see Horsetail Falls. We鈥檒l update this article with Yosemite鈥檚 2025 plans when they are released.

How to Get a Reservation to See Horsetail Falls: Half of the reservations for the February Horsetail Falls were released in November of 2024. The other half will be released two days in advance of the target weekends at 8 A.M. PT on recreation.gov. So if you鈥檙e trying to get tickets for February 23, you can get reservations on February 21 at 8 A.M.. There鈥檚 a $2 reservation fee.

Backup Plan: If you want to see Horsetail Falls in its winter glory on a weekend, you need to score a reservation. There鈥檚 no way into Yosemite on a February weekend without that permit. Or you can hit the park on weekdays in February when no reservations are required.

If you make it inside the park in February and are looking for something else to do, head to the Bridge Pass Ski Area, which offers downhill skiing and is a hub of groomed and ungroomed cross-country trails. The is a 8.3-mile ski through meadows with a dramatic view into Yosemite Valley.

8. Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park did not require entrance reservations in 2024, but did require reservations for visitors wanting to drive Cadillac Summit Road from May 22 to October 27. The park has not announced its reservation plans for 2025, although Cadillac Summit Road permits are expected to be part of the management plan again.

How to Get a Cadillac Summit Road Permit: Last year, permits were required to drive the road from sunrise until sunset. The park released 30 percent of the permits 90 days in advance on on a rolling basis, while 70 percent of permits were released at 10 A.M. EST two days prior to desired dates. There was a $6 processing fee regardless of when you get the reservation.

Backup Plan: You鈥檒l need to score a reservation if you want to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain during the day time, but that鈥檚 not the only good view inside Acadia. Check out Great Head, a 145-foot tall summit with a dramatic view of 础肠补诲颈补鈥檚 beaches and coast, via this adventurous .

9. Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is the latest park to enter the timed-entry reservation game, introducing a pilot permit system last year for vehicles accessing the park via either the Paradise Corridor and Sunrise Corridor. Reservations were needed daily from 7 A.M. to 3 P.M. from May 24 through September 2 for the Paradise Corridor and July 3 to September 2 for the Sunrise Corridor. The park is still evaluating the results of that pilot program and has not yet announced plans for 2025. We鈥檒l update this article when information is available.

How to Get a Reservation to Mount Rainier National Park: Advance reservations are made available on , and a small amount of next-day reservations are issued at 7 P.M. PT the day before on a rolling basis. A $2 processing fee is required for each reservation.

Backup Plan: If you can鈥檛 score a reservation, try entering the park before 7 A.M. or after 3 P.M. Also, visitors with camping, lodging, or wilderness permits don鈥檛 need a timed-entry reservation. Also, if you enter Sunrise Corridor on foot or bicycle, you don鈥檛 need a reservation. If you鈥檙e , State Route 410 (Sunrise Road) climbs 3,650 feet in 20 miles from the park boundary to Sunrise, an overlook sitting at 6,400 feet in elevation that offers a big view of snowcapped Rainier and the surrounding valley.

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national parks columnist. He still regrets not scoring reservations for the sunrise in Haleakala National Park, and knows he needs to be better at planning ahead for such adventures. He recently wrote about the year鈥檚 (best) worst national park reviews; surviving a hurricane in his hometown of Asheville, North Carolina; and his choice for the country’s best state for adventures.

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Some people book hotels for high-quality gyms; others prioritize al fresco bathtubs. For me, an astrophotographer, accommodation selection comes down to one thing: stargazing potential.

With the recent astrotourism boom, due in part to the amazing northern-lights viewing in the U.S. this year, many lodges have bolstered their night-sky offerings. But not all dark-sky retreats are created equally. Simply having a view of constellations or being located near a low-light-pollution park doesn鈥檛 necessarily make for a stellar stargazing hotel.

A true dark-sky retreat makes the nightscape a main attraction. I鈥檝e traveled to my fair share of properties that fit this bill, and others I can鈥檛 wait to check into for a night of cosmos-watching. Here are the ones I recommend in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Sky Village at Canyon of the Ancients Guest Ranch

Cortez, Colorado

Hidden among the mesas and grassy valleys of the arid Colorado Plateau lies one of my favorite Milky Way鈥搘atching lookouts on the continent: . The southwestern Colorado getaway, bookended between its namesake monument and the Ute Mountain Reserve, enjoys pristine night views best enjoyed from the new Star Tower, a two-story structure with views of Sleeping Ute Mountain that opened in 2023.

Its architecture is reminiscent of the Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings found at nearby Mesa Verde National Park, located 30 miles east. You can spend days here bouncing between parks, hiking the nearby trails, and meeting the ranch鈥檚 farm animals. Come nightfall, all eyes are on the sky鈥攑articularly if you鈥檙e relaxing on the tower鈥檚 star-view deck. From $515

oTentik

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan

As our northern neighbor鈥檚 inkiest dark-sky preserve, certified by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, nightscapes are about as star-speckled as they were when the dinosaurs tromped here鈥攁 history that draws fossil hunters and astrotourists alike.

Few accommodations exist in this 280-square-mile swath of mixed-grass prairie, but you can book Parks Canada鈥檚 , a collection of 12 cozy safari-style accommodations in the Frenchman Valley and Rock Creek campgrounds, designed with both sleeping and living-room spaces for up to six people. Based here, you can scour for fossils and admire the resident buffalo by day and gaze across 360 degrees of starry skies from your tent perch come dusk.

It鈥檚 worth mentioning that the park is ideally situated near the remote Saskatchewan-Montana border, a spot known for aurora sightings. Like many of our favorite contiguous U.S. aurora-hunting spots, lights viewing can occur here year-round. From $115

Under Canvas Bryce Canyon

Widtsoe, Utah

, lauded for its upscale, national-park-adjacent glamp sites, made an astrotourism splash in 2023 when it partnered with global light-pollution authority DarkSky International to turn a into the first DarkSky-certified resorts. At this especially incredible 50-tent outpost, located just 15 miles north of Bryce Canyon, an International DarkSky Park, the skies turn particularly dusky each night.

According to the nine-level Bortle Scale of , the property鈥檚 skies have the darkest rating: Class 1. Admire constellations from your private porch, join guided stargazing sessions, try meditative star bathing, or get hands on with community telescopes. The cr猫me de la cr猫me for space enthusiasts is the Stargazer tent, which features a large skylight to admire starry skies as as you doze off.

Under Canvas Bryce Canyon, is open from May through September. From $472

Fresh Coast Cabins

Eagle Harbor, Michigan

While I鈥檝e enjoyed northern lights sightings around the world, few places have been as lucky for me as , ten trendy, family-owned cabins on Michigan鈥檚 Keweenaw Peninsula. It ticks every box on my lower 48 aurora-hunting checklist: a clear, north-facing view across Lake Superior鈥攅ssential for catching the swirls since they appear closer to the horizon in lower latitudes鈥攁nd virtually no light pollution.

Its spacious campfire-gathering space draws guests outdoors at night for a few hours of star- and aurora-gazing, but I recommend that avid sky-watchers book Cabin Nine or the slightly pricier Aurora Major Suite. Both boast private porches with sweeping lake views. After a dose of astronomical awe, pop into the property鈥檚 new , a traditional Finnish construction, then trot the path down to the lake for a reinvigorating dip in its waters. Repeat as needed. From $300

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

Lanai City, Hawaii

The 213-room may be a five-star splurge, but for night-sky buffs interested in stargazing as well as authentic Native culture, it鈥檚 worth it. The resort, set on this small, palm-fringed island roughly an hour via ferry from Maui, runs that spotlights both the stars and the stories of the Indigenous Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders that long relied on them for navigation. The observatory is also open to residents during special community events and for STEM internship programs for local students.

Expert-led star talks delve into celestial navigation history, and you can peer through a 3.2-foot telescope for a closer look at the skies. Other evening activities at the resort include full-moon themed dinners and guided starlit meditations overlooking Holopoe Bay, where the crashing waves add a splash of sound therapy. From $1,500

Pleasant Acres Reindeer Ranch

Pleasant Valley, Alaska

Aurora hunting from , a new getaway some 30 miles east of Fairbanks, is like sky-watching from a holiday snow globe. The 18-acre property is about as North Pole as U.S. travel gets. There are four igloo-style domes, named after caribou herds in Alaska, and each with a private deck positioned just above a bustling reindeer hangout. That means endless nights of watching for the northern lights with Santa鈥檚 helpers lazing nearby. Another thoughtful perk is a kitchenette equipped with a microwave鈥攑erfect for warming cocoa during long nights awake.

Worried about dozing through the show? Sign up for the ranch鈥檚 complimentary aurora alerts so you don鈥檛 miss a second of the colorful swirls. Daytime adventures include reindeer hikes and dogsled rides. And if you visit during the summer, the ranch has room-darkening shades for snoozing despite the all-hours midnight sun. From $280

The Oasis at Death Valley

Death Valley National Park, California

There鈥檚 a reason stargazers flock to this national park. Its remote and arid landscape, named a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by DarkSky International, delights with obsidian skies across its 3.4 million acres of salt flats, sand dunes, and rainbow-hued hills. Even on bright-moon nights at the , I could spy countless stars. That said, it鈥檚 best to visit around a new moon, particularly in the less toasty months of October to February, for after-dark festivities that spotlight the park鈥檚 spellbinding skies.

The Oasis, included in DarkSky International鈥檚 certification of the park in 2013, offers two hotels: the higher-end , with 66 rooms and 22 casitas, and the , with 275 rooms. You鈥檒l enjoy the park鈥檚 signature nightscapes from either landing pad, particularly during the annual in early March. Another great post-sunset adventure is the s offered by Furnace Creek Stables ($120 for one hour). Ranch rooms from $170; inn rooms from $356

Rancho La Concepci贸n

Los Manzanos, Mexico

A heaven full of stars awaits travelers willing to go off-grid to this small, sustainable, and Wi-Fi-free ranch in the wilderness of Baja California, some 115 miles southeast of Ensenada. offers three rustic-chic cabins near the mountainous Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro M谩rtir, an area so dark that astronomers decided to situate the country鈥檚 second-largest telescope here. You can visit , a 23-mile drive east, during select public events, including presentations the first Friday of each month.

That said, Rancho La Concepci贸n鈥檚 Bortle Class 1 skies make it hard to leave鈥攑articularly when the owners run space-sighting sessions with hot chocolate on hand. If there鈥檚 just one or two of you, book to watch the sparkly skies from bed. From $130

Thorny Mountain Fire Tower

Seneca State Forest, West Virginia

On the eastern side of West Virginia, a half-day鈥檚 drive from Washington, D.C., Seneca State Forest draws anglers and hikers eager to trek the area鈥檚 strech of the 330-mile Allegheny Trail. Come nightfall, there鈥檚 no better vantage point than the forest鈥檚 65-foot-high听, a refurbished accommodation and picturesque dark-sky retreat that juts well above the pines.

The two-bed tower can sleep up to four people and retains the rustic, low-frills aesthetic of its 1935 beginnings, with 360-degree windows and a wrap-around balcony that lets Mother Nature do the decorating. The digs, reached via 69 steps, are only available from April through October and get scooped up almost a year in advance. Once you鈥檙e there, staring up in wonder at the bright cosmos, it鈥檚 not hard to see why it鈥檚 so special. From $150

Compass Rose Lodge

Huntsville, Utah

The Ogden Valley isn鈥檛 solely for ski buffs. The eclectic 15-room illustrates the region鈥檚 astrotourism allure, starting with the on-site . The stargazing haven, roughly 45 miles north of Salt Lake City, is open to guests and the local community, with telescopes to peer into space and nightly guided observations.

Also worthy of your time is the , just 2.5 miles north of the Compass Rose.听 A 13-mile-long model of our solar system, the project includes sculptures and artistic renderings of the planets, best enjoyed on a ride along the (bike rentals are available at the lodge). From $279

Summit at Big Bend

Terlingua, Texas

At nine million acres, southern Texas鈥檚 Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. It encompasses not only Big Bend National Park but the ghost town of Terlingua and its nearby astro hub, the . Its glamping accommodations, from domes to cave dwellings, offer jet-black Bortle Class 1 nightscapes across 1,000 private desert acres.

For astronomy fans, it鈥檚 tough to beat鈥攐r catch any shut-eye in鈥攖he property鈥檚 stargazing domes, where clear ceilings and front walls are optimal for watching the shrub-dotted desert transition from blue-sky day to shimmery polka-dotted twilight. Catch the cosmos from your dome or your own听 fire pit, or enjoy the reserve鈥檚 numerous other , including astro programming in nearby 鈥攊ts Maverick Junction entrance is 17 miles to the east. From $159

国产吃瓜黑料 and astrotourism writer Stephanie Vermillion travels the globe in search of the best night-sky views, from stargazing-themed hotels to aurora-hunting campsites. Her upcoming book 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World鈥檚 Ultimate 国产吃瓜黑料s After Dark will be out December 3.

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It鈥檚 one of the first lessons we are taught in kindergarten: when you make a mess, you clean it up. This premise, called the Polluter Pays Principle, is at the heart of a wave of lawsuits鈥攎any of which have been launched by citizens鈥攖hat demand accountability for the climate crisis we all face.

The lawyers managing these suits point the fingers at two culprits responsible: state governments that have failed to protect citizens from climate change, and Big Oil, which has lied about the impact of emissions on the warming planet, fought the transition to cleaner energy sources, and continued to drill, baby, drill.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen a significant and steady uptick of climate cases in the last 15 years or so,鈥� says Michael Gerrard, faculty director of Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, who tracks climate change litigation around the world.

Something else that has seen a major uptick in recent years: big storms, wildfires, droughts, floods, and heat waves. These weather atrocities have become normal; we鈥檝e come to expect the weather to be one of the top stories on the morning news. Lawyers and advocates believe citizens should be allowed to sue for damages that arise from these and other climate-related events.

鈥淭hese are not 鈥榥ormal鈥� natural disasters,鈥� says Aaron Regunburg, senior policy counsel with Public Citizen鈥檚 Climate Program, which fights the climate crisis by promoting clean, affordable energy and holding polluters accountable. 鈥淭hese events are caused by climate change and are the result of specific decisions made by Big Oil. They result in many deaths and billions of dollars of property loss and emergency services.鈥�

In lawyerspeak, this translates to well-defined legal offenses, such as public nuisance, reckless endangerment, and outright homicide, among others. And attorneys around the globe are suiting up for a fight.

Youth Climate Cases Are on the Rise

Of the almost 1,800 U.S. climate lawsuits in Gerrard’s database, about 25 of them have been filed on behalf of children by Our Children’s Trust (OCT), a nonprofit public-interest law firm representing kids from diverse backgrounds who suffer the effects of climate change. According to Gerrard, these cases, which center on youth telling their impact stories, attract the most media attention. “They involve appealing young people who tell compelling stories, without the dry technical details involved in many other climate cases,” he says. “And it’s easier to talk about constitutional rights than complicated statutes and regulations.”

Our Children鈥檚 Trust has had some big recent wins.

In 2023鈥檚 Held v. Montana, the firm represented 16 kids from Montana, and argued that the state’s policy of ignoring greenhouse gas emissions when approving energy policies violated plaintiff’s rights.听The children testified that climate change had both physical and psychological effects on them, such as distress, anxiety, and asthma. In what has been heralded as a landmark win, the district judge ruled in favor of the children and ordered the state to incorporate greenhouse gas emissions analysis into future environmental projects.

The organization celebrated another victory in June, 2024. In the case (HDOT), OCT sued the state government on behalf of 13 children, arguing that its transportation system generates high emissions and violates the plaintiff’s constitutional rights to live healthy lives. The case reached a settlement which forces听Hawai驶i to overhaul its ground and inter-island sea and air transportation systems to achieve zero emissions by 2045.

These victories raise public awareness and put pressure on governments to address climate change, says Gerrard. They are a key part of the strategy, and when climate cases like these are won鈥攙alidating our constitutional right for a clean climate鈥� they set important precedents that can help build cases against the real villains: the fossil fuel companies.

Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable: A Key Piece of the Climate Crisis Puzzle

Suing Big Oil is no easy feat. Preparing a case requires exhaustive preparation, time and patience, and deep coffers. It can be a daunting prospect for overworked district and states鈥� attorneys.

Enter: Richard Wiles, the president of The Center for Climate Integrity (CCI), a nonprofit funded by philanthropists who support climate work, like the Rockefeller Family Fund. CCI鈥檚 mission is 鈥渢o empower communities and elected officials with the knowledge and tools they need to hold oil and gas corporations accountable for decades of lying about climate change.鈥� Wiles compiles evidence and creates strategies for attorneys to use to prosecute fossil fuel companies. Wiles鈥� work has supported pending cases in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Colorado, among others.

The common thread in his cases is the allegation that Big Oil willfully ignored climate change and that decades ago they actually predicted the climate change devastation we are now witnessing. He and his firm have amassed troves of evidence. A reads: 鈥淧resent thinking holds that man has a time window of five to ten years before the need for hard decisions regarding changes in energy strategies might become critical.鈥� And from 1981 says: 鈥�. . . it is distinctly possible that the CPD (the acronym for Exxon’s corporate planning department) scenario will later produce effects which will indeed be catastrophic (at least for a substantial fraction of the earth’s population).鈥�

In other words, they knew听the climate crisis听was coming, they covered it up, and they lied, all so they could continue raking in billions.

Wiles likens this scenario to Big Tobacco’s coverup of rising cancer cases in smokers in the eighties and nineties. Cigarette companies knew their products were going to cause massive damage and kill people, but they lied about it and engaged in a massive disinformation campaign. In the end, Big Tobacco was found liable for knowingly deceiving the public about the risks of smoking and in 1997 the four largest tobacco companies were forced to pay more than $350 billion in damages. “It鈥檚 the same scenario with fossil fuel companies,” Wiles says. “For decades, they鈥檝e been protecting their profits, ignoring the health of the planet, and we鈥檙e looking for them to pay for their deception.鈥�

In September 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom of California announced The People v. Big Oil, a high-profile deception听case alleging that five fossil field companies knew about all the havoc climate change would a wreak and hid it, causing taxpayers to pay for the damage and destruction. California is seeking a multibillion dollar abatement fund to provide for mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.

In Wiles’ opinion, more cases alleging climate deception is a positive for the environmental movement.听鈥淎ccountability is a predicate for good policy. And we can’t get the climate policy that we need until we hold these companies accountable for the damages,鈥� he says. 鈥淥nce Big Oil loses 50 or 100 cases, once they’re found liable for damages, lying, racketeering, wrongful death, and other atrocities, we鈥檒l be in a different place. If we don’t hold them accountable, if they continue to be able to lie, if they continue to be able to just pollute with impunity and greenwash us about their commitment to climate solutions, we’re never going to solve the problem.鈥�

Wiles acknowledges that winning lawsuits alone will not stop climate change or alter听policy. But he believes that climate change cannot be stopped without these suits, which erode the social license of the companies he believes should be held accountable.

Wiles points to the legal saga pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma as an example. Years of court cases over the company’s sales and marketing of opioids, such as Oxycontin, eventually eroded the company’s public credibility.听鈥淣obody’s looking at Purdue for advice on much of anything anymore, right?鈥� says Wiles. 鈥淭hey have no pull in Congress anymore, and nobody is lining up with them.鈥�

In other words, Purdue Pharma has become toxic and lost its clout. Wiles wants to see fossil fuel companies in the same sinking ship.

How to Get Involved in Climate Cases

So, how can you flex your own legal muscle in the ongoing fights against climate change? The experts I spoke to said you don’t need to hire a lawyer or join up with a class-action lawsuit in order to have an impact. There are easier ways to get involved that don’t require court cases and lawsuits.

The big one is voting. As citizens, it鈥檚 the most powerful action we can take to ensure that climate-friendly politicians are in place to make policy changes.

Regunburg also recommends leveraging your district attorney. 鈥淜now who your DA is and be sure to support the right ones,鈥� he says. 鈥淚nfluencing a local DA is a helluva lot easier than influencing a senator. Call them and encourage them to file a climate deception suit.鈥�

You can also take one minute to add your name to to encourage the U.S. Attorney General to keep the Big Oil lawsuits coming. Because death by a thousand cuts is still death.

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and鈥攜es鈥攚ealthier. 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter,听explores small lifestyle tweaks听that can make a big impact.听听for her twice monthly newsletter or write to her at听climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

The post Why Criminal Lawsuits Might Be a Key to Solving the Climate Crisis appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

A prominent member of Hawaii’s surf听community is dead following a suspected shark attack.

On Sunday afternoon, Tamayo Perry, 49, died while surfing near Malaekahana Beach on the northeast coast of Oahu, officials with the Honolulu Emergency Services Department . Authorities said Perry, who grew up and lived on the east side of the island, was taking a short break from his lifeguarding duties to surf when the attack took place. A bystander phoned lifesaving professionals at 1:00 P.M. to report that a man in the water had suffered multiple shark bites and was bleeding. Lifeguards brought Perry to the beach by Jetski where he was pronounced dead.

In a statement provided to the Los Angeles Times, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi called Perry a “well-known North Shore waterman.”

“He exemplified bravery, commitment and a deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication,” Blangiardi wrote. “His heroic actions and tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors will never be forgotten.鈥�

Perry rose to prominence as a professional surfer in the late nineties and early 2000s, when he was a standout on the North Shore’s famed Pipeline wave. He competed in the annual Pipeline Masters event, winning the qualification event prior to the 1999 edition, and finishing fourth in 2000.听In 2002, “the most likely to get the barrel of the year.”

After retiring from the professional circuit, Perry had roles in several Hollywood films, most notably the 2002 hit Blue Crush, and the 2011 film听Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. His IMDB page includes credits in the TV series Hawaii Five-0听and the short film听The Bridge.听Perry also taught surfing through his business Oahu Surfing Experience.

Following the incident, government officials in Hawaii held a press conference to announce the death and also to praise Perry.

“Tamayo Perry was a lifeguard loved by all. He was well-known on the North Shore,鈥� Kurt Lager, acting chief of Honolulu Ocean Safety said. 鈥淭amayo鈥檚 personality was infectious and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more. Our condolences go out to Tamayo鈥檚 family and to the entire lifeguard ohana.鈥�

Blangiardi called the death “a tragic loss.”

“Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected,” he said.

Following Perry’s death, officials posted shark warnings at Malaekahan Beach.

While rare, shark attacks and encounters do happen in the waters surrounding Hawaiian beaches. According to the state’s , this is the fourth attack of 2024 to occur off Oahu. The most recent fatal attack occurred on December 30, 2023, when a surfer off Paia Beach on the north shore of Maui.

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I was in Hawaii with a group of friends, and a local screamed at us to go home. The island was overcrowded, and while I know tourists can be obnoxious and disrespectful, we were being conscientious. I don鈥檛 want to give up visiting the world鈥檚 most beautiful places, but I also don鈥檛 want to add to overtourism. Can I continue to wander where I want to? 鈥擜fraid of Anti-Tourists

I grew up in a tourist town on the Jersey Shore, so I understand the frustration of residents who live in vacation destinations. Each summer I鈥檇 grouse as throngs of visitors took over beaches, snarled traffic, and made parking impossible. But their tourism dollars were a boon to the local economy, and the tips I made waitressing during high season helped pay my way through college.

Now I split my time between Colorado and Maui and see how an influx of visitors impacts the environment and longtime residents. Peak season in either place鈥攚hen it feels like tourists outnumber residents鈥攊s maddening, and it turns my typical routine upside down.

The local coffee shops where I sometimes work remotely from are mobbed, so I usually stay home. If I don鈥檛 do my grocery shopping as soon as stores open, I have to drive in circles indefinitely, searching for parking. Popular restaurants have hour-plus wait times, so my friends and I abandon hopes of dining out.

The Hawaiian Islands鈥� most recent , conducted by Hawaii鈥檚 Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, revealed that 67 percent believe their islands are being run for tourists at the expense of locals, and that many feel tourists show a lack of respect for them, culture, and the land. I often bike to Hana, a sleepy east-Maui town with a population of around 700, and I鈥檝e seen residents native to Hawaii set up roadblocks and signs asking tourists to go home. I understand. This was their land.

Locals in other tourist towns have figured out ways of coping. 鈥淚 avoid the downtown plaza all summer while tourists are here,鈥� says 国产吃瓜黑料 travel director Mary Turner, who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy that businesses are being supported by tourism, especially after the devastating affects of the pandemic on them. But I do get frustrated when I see visitors being disrespectful, like smoking on hiking trails during fire season.鈥�

Kevin Rieke, a longtime local business owner in Leavenworth, Washington, who grew up hiking in the Cascade Mountains, blames Instagram for crowding his favorite trails. But he also sees the positive: thanks to a boost in tourist numbers, he says, the town now has a dozen really good restaurants that residents can enjoy in the slow seasons, and it鈥檚 easier for local kids to find jobs.

Global travel has made a comeback, and people are more eager than ever to get out in the world. According to , by the end of 2024, numbers will have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The International Air Transportation Association that air travel this year will reach a historic high, with 4.7 billion people expected to take flight worldwide.

One of the biggest problems is that visitors continue to flock to the same places, like Venice and Paris, as well as the more popular national parks in the U.S. I include myself in that flock: I still feel compelled to visit places that are now overtouristed, like Rome and Bali. They鈥檙e bucket-list destinations for good reason.

So should you stop traveling to the world鈥檚 most beautiful places? As a travel journalist, I鈥檓 always going to encourage you to get out there and explore. But with heightened pressures on popular destinations around the globe, we could all stand to take a moment to learn how to be a more conscious tourist. Here are my suggestions.

Pay Tourist Fees to Support Local Economies

Travel meccas such as Amsterdam, Iceland, and Bali have started implementing a tourist tax for peak months to help temper visitation. Venice, which has a mere 50,000 residents, incredibly hosts 30 million visitors annually, many of them day-trippers who put little money back into the economy. Which is why, in April, the city introduced a trial fee of 5 euros ($5.45) per day through July. The tariff has drawn criticism from residents who feel it makes visitors view their home like a park.

The town of Bend, Oregon, recently created a sustainability fund that puts revenue generated from a short-term-lodging tax鈥攑aid by visitors鈥攊nto community-focused projects, such as a bike-park and trail improvements. 鈥淭he idea is to use the money to address environmental degradation and invest in projects that locals and visitors can enjoy, so you have a social equilibrium that keeps a destination in balance,鈥� says Todd Montgomery, the board chair for Visit Bend.

Paying a nominal fee to protect the places we love is the least we can do.

Expect to Plan Ahead and Make Reservations

The pandemic created a passion for outdoor recreation, and as a result, our national parks became overcrowded. An increasing number of popular parks in America, such as Yosemite, have implemented reservation systems for peak times. At first the planning seemed annoying, but the result is often a better quality experience for visitors and a lighter footprint on the land.

Learn Local Outdoor Etiquette

Many city dwellers were introduced to the joy of the outdoors during the pandemic, which is wonderful. But some hit the trails without basic knowledge about how to recreate responsibly.

鈥淚鈥檝e never seen more dog feces unpicked up, people going off route and trampling sensitive areas, Bluetooth-enabled speakers blaring out of backpacks, and Disney-like lines on sections of trails,鈥� says Jim Deters, founder of the Gravity Haus hotels, which are located in more than a half dozen mountain towns across the West.

One of Deter鈥檚 goals with his properties is to provide visitors a truly local experience by creating an environment where they can mingle with residents鈥攏ot just be served by them at a bar or restaurant. 鈥淲e are the local鈥檚 gym, coworking space, and coffee shop,鈥� says Deters. Sharing advice tends to happen organically in these settings.

Kayla Applebay, a resident and business owner in Leavenworth, Washington, says she won鈥檛 go to the rivers on summer weekends because tourists turn them into tube-clogged waterways. 鈥淵ou see people walking on salmon habitat, leaving trash everywhere,鈥� she says. 鈥淟ast summer a car caught on fire, and emergency services couldn鈥檛 access it because people had parked illegally.鈥�

The town acted. In 2022, it launched a cheeky campaign called (Leavenworth is known for its Bavarian heritage and Oktoberfest) to educate visitors on how to recreate responsibly. It also hired volunteer recreation ambassadors who post up at trailheads or river put-ins and take-outs, fielding questions and explaining rules. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e probably saved quite a few lives by telling people to unleash from their paddleboards on the rapids,鈥� says Troy Campbell, executive director of the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

The upshot is: educate yourself on the area you鈥檙e going to. What鈥檚 happening there right now? What are locals concerned about? Keep up to date with issues by reading local news sites and magazines, visiting a local outdoor store and asking questions, or joining a local group-cycling ride or trail run.

If you screw up, always give a heartfelt apology. In Hawaiian culture, kids are taught Pa’a ka waha, ho’olohe ka pepeaio, nana ka maka, or 鈥淪hut your mouth, listen, watch,鈥� says Kainoa Horcajo, a Maui-based cultural consultant. 鈥淭his is how you can learn how to get along, how to fit in鈥攁nd how to be a good tourist, citizen, human.鈥�

Book Your Trip in the Offseason or a Shoulder Season

When you travel during these slower times, not only do you help reduce overcrowding but you鈥檙e also likely to have a more enjoyable experience and find better prices and more patient locals, says Amanda Ho, co-founder of Regenerative Travel, a booking platform with a collective of independently owned eco-hotels.

Spring, fall, and winter are good seasons to consider traveling to national parks and other popular places.

Stay and Play with Locally Owned Businesses

When you can be selective with the accommodations, tour guides, and experiences you鈥檙e booking, says Ho, it ensures your dollars are supporting residents as often as possible. Many locals鈥� livelihoods depend on tourism, so avoid big-box stores and chain restaurants in favor of eating and shopping at resident-owned places.

Some Other Rules to Travel By

• Don鈥檛 hold up traffic. This holds true from Manhattan to Maui. When you want to take photos, find an appropriate place for it that doesn鈥檛 slow down pedestrian or street traffic.

• Don鈥檛 create your own parking spaces. The lines are there for public safety and environmental protection. In Lake Tahoe, which straddles the California-Nevada border, illegal parking can create erosion and that runoff often ends up in the lake.

• Don鈥檛 use other people鈥檚 property as a bathroom. Would you want your kids to see a grown man鈥檚 behind poking out of the trees of your yard?

• Don鈥檛 go off-trail. It can disturb flora and fauna and pose safety risks to yourself.

• Don鈥檛 approach wildlife. Not the bison in our national parks or whales or dolphins while boating or snorkeling.

• Don鈥檛 geotag popular natural attractions on social media. It may be tempting to social-boast about your epic vacation, but a viral post can ruin a destination with Instagram-obsessed crowds.

• Don鈥檛 be rude to service workers. They鈥檙e employed to make your time safe and more enjoyable. Insulting them is about as inconsiderate as it gets.

Remember That Tourism Destinations Are Fragile

Yes, many economies depend on tourism, but too much of it is bad for everyone. Overcrowding adversely affects both locals and tourists, and in the long run it can ruin the natural beauty that made a destination desirable in the first place.

Todd Montgomery, who in addition to working for Visit Bend is the director of Oregon State University鈥檚 (which describes itself as 鈥減rotecting tourist destinations for future generations of visitors and tourists鈥�), got his start working for the mega-resort conglomerate Starwood Capital Group, where he was tasked with finding the next 鈥渋t鈥� destination in Southeast Asia between 1999 and 2006.

He and his colleagues would go into rural areas, promising the positive economic benefits of tourism to locals, only to have those areas 鈥渂urn out鈥� on visitation years later.

Initially, he says, travelers 鈥減aid for the culture and nature, but when that became diluted as the result of too many visitors, they weren鈥檛 inclined to pay as much,鈥� he says. The visitor experience was negatively affected, but the destination also suffered from some combination of environmental damages, infrastructure wear and tear, and cultural damages, resulting in economic, social and environmental costs.

鈥淏ack then we assumed there was always another next destination,鈥� Montgomery says. 鈥淚f Phuket [in Thailand] got overrun, we鈥檇 go farther south. The reality was that there are only so many next destinations. You can鈥檛 have a turn-and-burn mentality. You have to protect places.鈥� How do we do that, I ask him?

鈥淚t feels clich茅,鈥� he tells me, 鈥渂ut it starts with education.鈥澨�

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy wishes she could charge people a fee every time they try to take a selfie with a turtle on the beaches in Maui听or a mountain goat while hiking in Colorado.听

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