I don鈥檛 know who鈥檚 more perplexed: me or the deer? It鈥檚 dawn on the Fourth of July and I鈥檓 lugging my 14-foot inflatable SUP and three dry bags across River Street in Troy, New York, burping bacon from the breakfast buffet. Downtown is drizzly and deserted, just me and the ungulate locking eyes across a hotel parking lot, two fish out of water.

Within minutes, I鈥檓 launching onto the Hudson River, an early start to catch the ebb that鈥檒l ease my passage along this 153-mile estuary to the Atlantic. Also, with the temperature and humidity rising, to beat the heat. My usual hack for cooling off鈥攖wo swims an hour, repeat鈥攊sn鈥檛 recommended today on this stretch of river. Too much rain for the sewage system. 鈥淲atch out for floaters,鈥� a local had advised.

I鈥檓 celebrating America鈥檚 birthday nearly three weeks into a clockwise 1,200-mile circumnavigation from Ottawa, where I live, back home via Montreal, New York City, Buffalo, and Toronto. Distraught about apocalyptic climate change and toxic tech bros, on the cusp of 50 and uninspired by office work, I sought deliverance by dipping a blade. As an obsessive paddleboarder, I knew how good I felt while on the water. I鈥檇 also poked around the curative properties of 鈥渂lue space鈥� as a journalist, talking to researchers who study the psychological and physiological spinoffs from spending time in aquatic environments. Why not test these theories on myself?

Which sounded like a good excuse to spend a couple months paddling, camping, and hanging out with other folks drawn to the water. Except it鈥檚 shaping up to be one of the hottest summers ever. And now, past Albany, the clouds and wildfire smoke have parted, the sun is blazing and the E. coli-flecked tidal current has turned against me.

Feeling dizzy, I guzzle lukewarm electrolytes and conveyor-belt energy bars, trying to make it 41 miles to a marina whose owner has given me permission to tent. Jet-skiers wave, families picnic on the shore, eagles glide above green hillsides. At dusk, fireworks burst overhead鈥攆ollowed by streaks of lightning, sphincter-clenching cracks of thunder and a swirling wind, a sudden thunderstorm bearing down from the north. I swing starboard onto Catskill Creek and sprint toward a cluster of boats.

Cinching my leash to a dock, I dash into a building. Turns out it鈥檚 the bar.

鈥淲e鈥檙e closed,鈥� a woman counting cash says without looking up.

I eye three men sitting on stools, half-full drinks in front of them.

鈥淐an I just get a beer and wait out the storm?鈥�

鈥淲hadya want?鈥�

Pint in hand, I answer a barrage of questions from the regulars. Then: backslaps and high fives. One of the bonuses of blue space, I鈥檓 discovering, is camaraderie. Which may be my most corporeal craving.

The science is clear that being in nature rejuvenates our bodies and brains. Boiled down: we鈥檙e more active, less anxious. And though it鈥檚 difficult to differentiate between green and blue spaces, water seems to uncork a multiplier effect.

People are , a pair of British environmental economists determined, gathering more than a million pings on their 鈥淢appiness鈥� app. Blue neighborhoods are 鈥渁ssociated with lower psychological distress,鈥� . Taking the sea air鈥攂reathing in 鈥渂ioactive compounds that may originate from marine algae,鈥� in the parlance of Belgian biologist Jana Asselman鈥�. Oceans, rivers, and even urban fountains also offer opportunities for social interaction, suggests a Scottish literature review, kindling 鈥�.鈥� The kicker to all this is that time on the water, especially among children, promotes 鈥�.鈥� In other words, taking better care of the planet.

Blue space triggers our parasympathetic nervous system, University of Virginia environmental psychologist Jenny Roe said to me before I left home, which basically tells the brain what our bodies are doing and then acts like a brake, dampening the stress response. Water can instill a sense of being away and boundless possibilities, yet also a feeling of compatibility with our location, of comfort and belonging.

Evolutionarily, this makes sense. Even looking at a creek or pool is enough to lower blood pressure and heart rates, a pair of University of California, Davis, psychology researchers .They attribute the link, in part, to our forebears successfully detecting drinking water in arid environments. The caveat, of course, is that amid all this restoration, water can be perilous (floods, storms, drowning, disease). And that exposure鈥攖o both the pros and cons鈥攊s far from equitable. We can鈥檛 all afford to spend the summer on a SUP.

Catskill Creek is socked in by fog when I shove off from the dock in the morning, but within minutes, the rising sun starts to burn through, and I can make out the spindly legs of herons peering into the water for their breakfast. Songbirds coo and chirp from the marshy fringe; tall grasses rustle in the breeze. Nature鈥檚 daily ablutions, biomass breathing.

My own breathing falls into flow and distance comes easily and in two hours I stop for a swim beside a historic lighthouse where a signpost with arrows pointing toward various landmarks informs me that the Statue of Liberty is 103 miles away. The rest of my day follows a familiar, primordial pattern: paddle, swim, birdsong, eat, drink, sunscreen, paddle, swim, sunscreen, birds, drink, eat, paddle, swim, paddle. I鈥檓 focused on basic, immediate tasks, and none of the stresses that sent me down this river seem to matter. Blue space may not have eradicated my existential angst, but it鈥檚 teaching me a few things about balance and perspective. About focusing on the people and places where I am right now.

By early evening, I鈥檓 tying up outside the Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston, New York. Established to preserve the region鈥檚 history, the museum now strives to connect visitors to this revitalized watershed and nurture sustainable communities. 鈥淎 sense of place is easy to ignore, unless you鈥檙e on the water,鈥� executive director Lisa Cline says while showing me to the boat building school, where I鈥檒l be bunking. 鈥淲ater slows us down.鈥�

Her words resonate. The stream of cold drinks and homemade snacks and hugs and encouragement and teasing and safeguarding and open-hearted curiosity and care I鈥檓 receiving on this trip, from a kaleidoscopic cross-section of strangers, would not seem possible on land. Perhaps it鈥檚 the decelerated pace, or ancestral memories of its hazards, but we tend to watch out for one another around water. And to me, that鈥檚 reason enough to keep paddling.

Dan Rubinstein is the author of , forthcoming in June 2025.

The post The Benefits of Being Close to Water, According to Science appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Born and raised in Wichita Falls, Texas, I grew up chasing after horned lizards, flying off inflatable tubes pulled behind boats, and camping in triple-digit-degree summers. Family vacations were a mix of relaxing on the Galveston coast and testing my athletic abilities slalom water skiing on Lake Arrowhead.

Texas sometimes receives eye rolls and groans from the rest of the country, and I get it. We can be a little loud and braggy, and I鈥檝e got a bone to pick with some state policies. But the thing I鈥檝e never understood is why more people aren鈥檛 aware of the bounty of outdoor experiences here. There鈥檚 something indisputable about the diverse geography of the Lone Star State that I鈥檒l defend time and time again. We鈥檝e got outdoors to rival them all, y鈥檃ll.

My state has some of the biggest and best landscapes in the country, filled with diverse wildlife, awe-inspiring views, and adventurous activities. I am proud to put on my braggart Texan cap to explain how to experience it all. These are my favorite places and experiences to get outside in Texas.

1. National Parks

It was hard to believe Texas had 鈥渞eal鈥� mountains until, in the most spiritual experience I鈥檝e ever had in a state where churches sit on every corner, I saw them rising gloriously out of the desert in Big Bend National Park. On my first visit, seven years ago, I stayed with an 80-year-old in Terlingua whom I found through couchsurfing.com. He took me to the national park for a hike and we gazed at exposed ancient pictographs, which seem to show darts or arrowheads for hunting, in red pigments on the gold limestone.

Then we soaked in the Langford Hot Springs, outdoor baths above ancient faults where Tornillo Creek enters the Rio Grande. Big Bend National Park offers float trips through canyons, horseback riding, hiking, and stargazing; it鈥檚 an International Dark Sky Park.

That night I joined Terlinguan locals and national-park visitors on an impromptu walk through old mining tunnels, followed by porch-side singing of 1990s classics, and then a swim in the Terlingua Creek. I had thought I鈥檇 spend most of my time in Big Bend hiking alone; instead I was surrounded by a host of characters with big personalities. Sometimes a trip to a Texas national park takes you on a journey you don鈥檛 expect.

You can find many of the same activities at our other national park, Guadalupe, two hours east of El Paso. Guadalupe National Park has eight of the ten highest peaks in Texas, the world鈥檚 most extensive Permian fossil reef, and 80 hiking trails through unique geological formations, like thousand-foot cliffs and rocks with dark water-ripple streaks.

2. Kayaking and Canoeing

In 2021, I paddled a folding kayak on a voyage under the downtown Dallas skyline for a 12-mile portion of the 130-mile . The serenity of the experience was only interrupted by a few car honks when I floated under bridges鈥攁nd the sight of a passing gator.

Texas has located throughout the state, and with 3,700 streams, 15 major rivers, and 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline, an abundance of other places to paddle or row as well. You can kayak with dolphins in the Galveston Bay or canoe with gators through , home to one of the world鈥檚 largest cypress forests, the trees covered in Spanish moss. Autumn paddle trips are ideal for fall-foliage views and cooler temps, not to mention a chance to witness thousands of monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico over the Devil’s River in West Texas.

3. Climbing

Rock climbing has become popular in Texas鈥攜ou now see just as many dating profiles with rock-climbing photos as you do of folks holding up dead fish they鈥檝e caught. Climbers from here and elsewhere are scrambling to places like , a bouldering hub 30 miles east of El Paso featuring problems (meaning short routes done ropeless) from V0-V16, and near Austin, which offers bolted sport climbs. Some Texas property owners are opening their private lands to climbers for limited camping and use. For instance, new routes are being developed among the granite cliffs and boulders at .

4. Hiking

I鈥檝e hiked through flat North Texas fields of bluebonnets, across dinosaur tracks at , and up hills and limestone canyons full of Uvalde bigtooth maple trees at . Even within our cities there are spectacular hiking trails: like Austin鈥檚 ; or, just an hour-and-fifteen-minute drive from Houston, the 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, which winds through the , the largest national forest in Texas.

For less crowded hikes, aim for natural areas in the South Texas Plains, Pineywoods, Panhandle Plains, and Big Bend Country. I hiked about eight miles on that follows the rim of Seminole Canyon in in Big Bend Country and saw only two other people.

East Texas holds the four national forests鈥擲am Houston, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Angelina鈥攚ith the Caddo-Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands, also Forest Service-managed, located in northeast Texas. All are laced with hiking trails.

Texas hiking tips: Always pack more water than you need, and then pack an extra bottle鈥攁nd if you hear a rattle, move your ass. We have 15 varieties of venomous snakes, so be careful. But to keep it in perspective, more people die in Texas from lightning strikes than snake bites. So don鈥檛 chance the storms, either.

5. Cycling and Mountain Biking

You have to admire how most Texans aren鈥檛 fazed about cycling and biking in extreme temperatures in outdoor environments. Take me鈥擨 rode 100 miles in 100-degree-heat for a cycling ride aptly called in my hometown. My parents thought it鈥檇 be a 鈥渇un鈥� challenge for us to do together. They took me to a cycling shop and urged me to buy a bike. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a good investment,鈥� my dad said. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l use it all the time.鈥�

My mom and I completed the Hotter N鈥� Hell Hundred ride more handily than I expected, while my dad, who was 60 at the time, outshone us by completing the Triple Threat (a 12-mile mountain-bike ride on Friday, 100-mile road ride on Saturday, and a 12-mile trail run on Sunday).

Our big ol鈥� state has cycling trails of all kinds鈥攍ike the 30-mile听, which passes by historic Spanish missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. The challenging 133-mile follows the old Union Pacific and Chaparral railroad right-of-ways through small towns and over railroad bridges from northeast of Dallas to Texarkana.

Let鈥檚 not forget mountain-biking trails. Looking for steep hills, granite outcrops, and other forms of technical terrain? Hit up Hill Country State Natural Area for 40 miles of mountain-biking trails like the .

6. The Coast

The Gulf of Mexico is warmer than the Atlantic or Pacific oceans鈥攕o why suffer the cold when Texas has 367 miles of shoreline and sandy beaches. Camp on the beach at places like or the remote , made up of 56,000 acres of offshore barrier islands and bayside marshes. You can swim, parasail, surf, water ski, boat, fish, kayak, and go horseback riding.

Despite what you may think, there is surfing along Texas鈥� coastline, at Surfside Beach, Port Aransas, and South Padre, especially during hurricane swells. Corpus Christi has among the largest number of kite-able days in the U.S., making it a well-known kitesurfing destination.

Dying for a surf experience but can鈥檛 make the drive to the coast? Do what I did and catch waves at located between Austin and Dallas, an hour and a half from each. The two-acre surf lake makes waves for beginners, intermediates, and pros. I easily caught 10 smooth waves in an hour and had a blast cheering other surfers between the ages of 10 and 78.

7. State Parks

Years ago, my friends and I packed our tents and drove to the Texas Panhandle to stay in the United States鈥� second-largest canyon, . During the day, we hiked through red strata rock formations, and at night we marveled and sang:

The stars at night

Are big and bright (clap four times)

Deep in the heart of Texas

Texas has 89 state parks, natural areas, and historic sites that display its geological variety. near San Antonio is a tropical getaway with dwarf palmetto plants, while has a 70-foot waterfall and 400 underground caves. Board across sand dunes in the , see the Texas State bison herd roaming in , or jump into the world鈥檚 largest spring-fed swimming pool in .

8. Lakes, Rivers, and Springs

We鈥檝e got every flavor of water you could want, from the picturesque swimming holes of to the crystal-blue reservoir at . I have many memories boating on Lake watching daredevil youths (and some adults) jumping off cliffs, sticking my backside in an inner tube to , and trying not to fall off paddle boards. There is scuba diving in , which has 200 artesian springs and the densest population of turtles in the country.

Come on out! Hope to see you on the trails.

听

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

听Alex Temblador was born and raised in North Texas, the traditional homeland of the Caddo, Comanche, Kiowa, Tawakoni, and Wichita peoples. She lives in the Dallas area, a short drive from hills, rivers, lakes, and springs, and continues to find beautiful places in her state to paddle, hike, and explore.听

The post Texas Is a Great Outdoor-国产吃瓜黑料 State. I Would Know. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Sliding my head through the bright orange life vest, I listen to the expedition leader walk us through emergency evacuation protocols. Almost 100 of us are gathered in the lounge toward the bow of the , an expedition ship scheduled for a five-day journey to the Channel Islands.

鈥淚n the unlikely event鈥� of our ship sinking, he says, we need to know how to put these vests on鈥攁nd how to buckle them properly to keep our heads out of the water if we get knocked out. It鈥檚 standard safety speak, but hardly settles my anxiety.

I don鈥檛 like boats. I’ve never liked boats. There鈥檚 the bit about sinking, sure, but mostly, boats make me sick. The nausea starts as soon as I step aboard and continues until several hours after disembarking. Honestly, most forms of transportation make me sick. Planes, cars, trains, buses, roller coasters 鈥� I even avoid rocking chairs.

I鈥檝e developed a scientific method, which is to drink a beer or two during a train ride or boat ride to help relax my inner ear and manage my nausea. This sounds horrible to most people but works for me. However, I鈥檒l be on this boat for five days. My liver can鈥檛 handle that much science.

Though a travel writer, I鈥檝e turned down every opportunity for a cruise or even a day sail. But the idea of an expedition cruise to a place I鈥檝e always wanted to see intrigued me. Two months ago I set aside my irrational fears and my practical concerns and decided to go.

As the cruise date approached, I wondered in irritation, Why did I say I鈥檇 do this? But I’m committed to hop aboard the Quest, and I have my reasons. Part of me is curious whether I can even survive so many days on a boat, but mostly, I want to see what an expedition cruise is like. And I have always wanted to explore the Channel Islands.

This isn鈥檛 your traditional cruise. Instead of an oversized, floating party bus hitting busy tourist ports, an expedition cruise uses state-of-the-art small ships as traveling basecamps to explore hard-to-reach locales, like the fjords of Greenland, the glaciated coast of Alaska, and the Antarctic Ice Sheet. This particular opportunity was aboard a National Geographic-branded ship, operated by .

With room for 100 guests and 60 crew, the Quest to me鈥攕omeone who is used to kayaks and river rafts鈥攍ooks like a miniature version of the Titanic, not a great reminder for someone afraid of boats. Still, it is taking us to the Channel Islands, a small archipelago 40 miles off the coast of Southern California, and will provide a base of operations for bouncing around these mountainous cays in the Pacific.

A few hours after the safety talk, we push off across the channel, and the nausea kicks in. I don鈥檛 throw up, I just want to. It鈥檚 even worse the next morning, and I skip breakfast because lying down is the only thing that keeps me from chumming the waters.

I decide I was right all along; boats are stupid, and I count the days until I can get off the ship. But after breakfast (a nibble of a granola bar, for me), we load into Zodiacs for our first taste of adventure, and my attitude changes entirely.

What to Do on Catalina Island

There are eight Channel Islands, five of which are designated as Channel Islands National Park. The first on our agenda, Catalina, sits outside of the park, but 88 percent of it is protected as a preserve by the . Catalina Island has one small town, Avalon, with a permanent population of 3,000, while the rest is wild, with nothing but dirt roads and hiking trails for infrastructure.

The paddleboard adventure I originally signed up for is canceled because of an increasing swell, so I join a moderate, three-mile hike on a mix of dirt roads, game trails, and a small piece of the 40-mile , which cuts a line along the mountains of the island, to traverse the bluffs surrounding Little Harbor, a rocky cove with a small campground.

I鈥檓 a sucker for a craggy coastline, and the views stack up: the 50-foot-tall bluffs that outline the coast are occasionally interrupted by golden beaches, while the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean melts into the horizon. From a high perch on the edge of the island, I get a kick out of seeing the Quest slowly bobbing in the swell off the coast. I really like boats when I鈥檓 standing on land. They鈥檙e pretty, and I don鈥檛 worry about them sinking at all.

The Channel Islands have been dubbed North America鈥檚 Galapagos because they鈥檝e evolved in relative isolation, never connected to the mainland. There are more than 150 endemic species on the islands, the terrain of which is a mixture of desert scrub brush, lush grass prairies, and steep cliffs.

On Catalina are bison, introduced in the 1920s during a film shoot (there鈥檚 debate as to which film), as well as a troublesome population of feral cats. Seeing bison is always a treat鈥攚e see one later on this hike, munching grass on a distant hillside鈥攚hether it鈥檚 supposed to be there or not, and I鈥檝e always thought populations of cats turning feral was weird.

But the native species throughout the island chain are even more interesting, like the ginormous squirrels, which are roughly 25 percent larger than those on the mainland. In a phenomenon known as 鈥渋sland gigantism,鈥� a species thrives because of a lack of competition for resources. But the native fox on the islands has evolved in the other direction and are tiny, usually between five and seven pounds. (Adult foxes in North America typically weigh seven to 15 pounds.)

The Quest was built with a shallow draft, which means it can venture into waters close to land, and on its stern are twin boarding platforms where guests can load into Zodiacs to go ashore. Aft in the ship is a large dining room, up forward is a sizable lounge, and both are loaded with windows to maximize the views. It鈥檚 all very civilized, with a small library of wildlife and geography books in the lounge, a well-equipped gym and a massage room, yoga on the top deck in the morning, and charcuterie and cocktails before dinner.

The idea behind any expedition cruise is that passengers should spend as much time off the boat as on, hiking, paddling, and cruising the coast in zippy little boats. The National Geographic expeditions are staffed with professional naturalists who give the whole experience a 鈥渟emester at sea鈥� vibe. There are the expedition leader, who adjusts plans based on conditions; a birding expert; a pro photographer to teach us how to take better photos; marine biologists, who dive and film the thriving kelp forests beneath the surface to show us slide shows during cocktail hour; and ornithologists who give talks and lead excursions.

National Geographic also puts a resident National Geographic Explorer onboard for each trip. I鈥檓 cruising with Greg Marshall, a biologist and filmmaker who invented the CritterCam, changing the way wildlife research is collected鈥攊magine a GoPro designed for animals. Marshall has an Emmy, and he鈥檚 hiking with us, giving talks, and teaching me how to keep my shoes dry during a beach landing in our Zodiac.

Ship life is completely new to me. The crew uses terms like 鈥渄isembark鈥� and 鈥渄off,鈥� the specific verbiage providing a certain gravitas to the situation.

As for the guests, at 47, I鈥檓 on the younger end of the spectrum. A few people in their 20s, including some young women van lifers, are scattered around, but the boat is mostly full of retirees, the adventurous kind. I strike up a friendship with a fit 65-year-old guy from Boise, Idaho, with decades of backcountry skiing experience.

I meet a nice grandmother who is a passionate birder, traveling the world to see different species. I have a wonderful conversation with Bernie and Maryanne, a retired couple who鈥檝e been to 59 national parks. They鈥檙e ticking off their 60th park with this cruise and plan to hit Katmai in Alaska later this summer. 鈥淲e hike,鈥� Maryanne tells me. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 just drive through them.鈥�

An expedition cruise has a rhythm. The ship travels at night, anchoring offshore at different islands as we progress through the journey, and we embark on various activities between meals during the day. The bartender usually meets us with a tray of fresh cocktails in the mudroom after each adventure.

I spend every meal at a different table meeting new people. Afternoons feature presentations about endemic birds or photography techniques while the passengers munch on hors d鈥檕euvres. At lunch one day, one of the naturalists runs into the dining room shouting, 鈥淒olphins, dolphins!鈥� and we all rush to the window to look.

The adventures are mild鈥攎ostly hiking and Zodiac tours of the coast鈥攂ut the terrain is stunning. The Channel Islands are full of wildflowers, like native hyacinth and buckwheat; wild creatures, like the pretty blue island scrub jay and the surprisingly cute spotted skunk; and dramatic cliffs. I give into the rhythm, and the nausea fades. This could be due to the steady ingestion of Dramamine, which I’ve also brought along, or maybe I鈥檓 just getting used to life at sea.

What to Do on Santa Rosa Island

For me, the highlight of the trip is an 8.5-mile hike around Santa Rosa Island, which some would argue is the jewel of the park, because of its tall cliffs, sand dunes, and grove of Torrey Pines. That particular species of evergreen is only found on this island and on one cliff in La Jolla, California.

My small hiking group sees a tiny fox meandering around the shade of the Torrey Pines, but I鈥檓 most impressed with the expansive, waist-high grassy meadows that roll all the way down to the edge of the island, where 100-foot vertical cliffs drop straight to the Pacific.

Two of America鈥檚 most iconic landscapes鈥攑rairie and the craggy coast鈥攂lend into one.

What to Do on Anacapa Island

On our last full day, I wake up before the sun rises and see the moon casting shadows through a 40-foot-tall rock arch just off the coast of Anacapa Island. Sea lions, the Pacific Ocean鈥檚 answer to the rooster, bark as the sun comes up. The joy of an expedition cruise is that you close your eyes to one view and wake up to another.

Choppy conditions keep us from making it ashore, so we take a Zodiac cruise, getting a close up view of the famed Arch Rock, a 40-foot-tall upside-down horseshoe of a rock that protrudes from the ocean, and seeing colonies of sea lions lounging on the black, rocky beaches.

I wonder if the sea lions have to jockey for the best spots on the beach, or if some sort of social hierarchy determines their positioning. The naturalist at the helm of our Zodiac says it鈥檚 very cordial, telling us that sea lions are 鈥減ositively thigmotactic,鈥� which in layman鈥檚 terms means they鈥檙e prone to snuggle.

It hits me that I haven’t been anxious since that first day. Somewhere between the post-Zodiac-cruise hot toddies and a presentation about the indigenous Chumash, I forgot all about the ship potentially sinking. The sickness comes and goes, but I don鈥檛 let it bother me. Nothing I was originally worried about troubles me anymore. If we sink, I know how to put on the life vest. If I get sick, I get sick.

But I鈥檓 onshore a lot hiking. I鈥檓 convinced that the expedition cruise is a hell of a way to travel. Imagine a high-end hotel staffed with expert guides, only the hotel moves to a different badass location every night while you sleep. And did I mention the bartender meeting us with trays of cocktails?

Four Small Expedition Cruises Worth Taking

National Geographic Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad has 17 ships venturing into seas and bays all over the world. The is a great option if you鈥檙e curious about this style of travel, and it鈥檚 less expensive and shorter than some other options (five days, from $3,310 per person). But their trip, in October 2024, is a potential banger full of penguins and ice formations, with a visit to the gravesite of Sir Ernest Shackleton. Peter Hillary, a mountaineer and the son of Sir Edmund Hillary, who in 1953 with Tenzing Norgay first climbed Everest, is the onboard Nat Geo Explorer (22 days, from $28,304 per person).

Quark Expeditions

Quark specializes in arctic exploration, with ships traversing the coldest seas across the globe. Their 12-day expedition, with a boat capacity of 128 passengers, takes in the sights of Iceland and Greenland, allowing you to experience fjords, hike in the tundra, and visit Inuit communities (from $8,396 per person).

Viking Cruises

Viking operates a variety of cruises in different locations, but their 10-day trip, boat capacity of 378 passengers, gives you a chance to see the wilder side of North America鈥檚 inland sea. You鈥檒l kayak among pink-granite islands in Canada and hike to waterfalls along Wisconsin鈥檚 Door Peninsula (from $7,995 per person). 听

国产吃瓜黑料 Smith Explorations

Alaska is the number-one destination for expedition cruises, and operates an eight-day journey that includes two full days within Glacier Bay National Park. Capacity is 76 and 84 passengers on two different ships respectively. Daily adventures revolve around kayaking and hiking,with the chance to see puffins, whales, and bears (from $4,300 per person). 听

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist. He is amazed to have survived five days on a boat and even more amazed to want to do it again.

For more by this author, Graham Averill, see:

Put These Beautiful National Monuments on Your Must-See List

The 5 Best National Park Road Trips in the U.S.

The 9 Most Fun 国产吃瓜黑料 Lodges in North America

and

The 9 Best Gateway Towns to U.S. National Parks

The post Boating Turns Me Green. But I Couldn鈥檛 Miss a Chance to See the Channel Islands. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The standup paddleboard category is a crowded field, like surfing California鈥檚 Old Man鈥檚 on a Sunday. But, after extensive testing (woe is us), we managed to narrow it down to a handful of SUPs that stood out amongst the crowd. Whether you鈥檙e embracing your inner Laird Hamilton on a wave or cruising around your local lake or bay, we have what you鈥檙e looking for right here.

At a Glance

• Best Inflatable Bay Tourer:
• Most Packable:
• Best Beginner Hardboard:听
• Best Inflatable River SUP:
• Best Standup Foil Board:
• How to Choose a Paddleboard
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Best Inflatable Bay Tourer

Isle Pioneer Pro

Sizes: 9鈥�6鈥� x 32鈥�, 10鈥�6鈥� x 34鈥�, 11鈥�6鈥� x 36鈥�
Volume: 275 L, 375 L, 380L
Thickness: 6鈥�
Weight: 20 lbs, 23 lbs, 26 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Rigidity of a hard board in an inflatable
鈯� Full deck pad
鈯� Ample gear loops
鈯� Addition of carbon fiber reflected in higher price
鈯� No rails for surfing

Isle鈥檚 top-selling Pioneer SUP, available in three sizes, gets a high-performance boost for 2024 with the Pro series, which adds Infinity carbon fiber to the board鈥檚 already bomber Air-Tech construction to increase glide, rigidity, stability, and efficiency.

How it works: a six-stringer chassis (one on each rail and in the center, mirrored on the bottom) of a proprietary carbon and thermoplastic matrix gives the board, 鈥渉igh flexural modulus,鈥� engineering speak for a beam鈥檚 ability to resist bending under pressure. Every time a board flexes it loses energy to the water, so this added rigidity ups the Isle Pioneer Pro鈥檚 performance, especially when combined with its six-inch drop stitch construction. But the biggest benefit: You get the glide and stiffness of a rigid board in a portable, lightweight inflatable.

Our testers took the Isle Pioneer Pro from SoCal鈥檚 Mission Bay to the salt ponds and estuaries of Rhode Island, all singing its stand-up praises. 鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly stable,鈥� said East Coast tester Ross Singer. 鈥淚鈥檓 200 pounds, and I was able to jump up and down on it with little deflection.鈥�

We also tested out the Isle Pioneer Pro鈥檚 new hybrid design, letting it double as a sit-on-top kayak by attaching an inflatable seat ($125) and foot brace ($60) to its Isle-Link attachment system, which allows for endless customization. (Bonus: the breakdown paddle has an extension that turns your SUP handle into a kayak blade.) 鈥淚 went over huge wakes from a 70-foot wooden yacht and stayed dry,鈥� said tester Tim Sharp, who took it out on a choppy day on Rhode Island鈥檚 Point Judith Salt Pond. 鈥淎nd it tracked great in a 15-mile-per-hour wind.鈥�

Other features include a full-coverage deck pad offering comfort and grip for the likes of yoga, pets and kids; a new better-than-bungees gear management system that lets you easily strap on gear via infinite clip-on points; and a nifty carrying handle that lays flush to the board for getting prone (as for yoga). Tech upgrade: on Mission Bay, we turned it into an e-SUP by attaching a Bixpy electric fin motor, tooling around the bay at sunset to the marvel of SoCal motorboat partiers.

Most Packable

Kokopelli Chasm-Lite Inflatable SUP

Sizes: 10鈥� x 30鈥�
Volume: 290 L
Thickness: 6鈥�
Weight: 12.9 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultra-lightweight and packable
鈯� Less stable than other inflatable SUPs
鈯� No deck pad on the tail section

Renowned in the whitewater community for their premium packrafts, Kokopelli鈥檚 first foray into stand-up paddling is one of the lightest and most packable inflatable boards ever made. Weighing only 12.9 pounds, the board folds in half (hot-dog style) and then packs down to only 18 inches tall鈥攔oughly the size of a regular sleeping bag.

This board can be squirreled away into the tightest of spaces, used as carry-on luggage for plane travel, or hauled into the backcountry to explore remote bodies of water. It fit into a tiny nook in one tester鈥檚 Subaru Outback when it was fully loaded for a camping trip, while other inflatables didn鈥檛 stand a chance of being stuffed in.

Once pumped up, this 10-foot long, 30-inch-wide board offers a respectable paddling experience, though it makes some sacrifices in the stability department. The combination of a 10-knot wind and one-foot swell at the mouth of the Dana Point Harbor felt sketchy鈥攑lus, the lack of a deck pad on the tail did not help matters.

鈥淭his is an ideal board for an experienced user looking for a lightweight, minimalist option,鈥� said tester Dave Shively, founding editor of SUP Magazine. 鈥淭hough the minimalism comes down to the width, there鈥檚 not a lot of board.鈥� While the board itself is spartan, Kokopelli includes everything paddlers need including a small pump, four-piece paddle, nine-inch fin, and a repair kit that easily fits inside their waterproof dry bag backpack.

Best Beginner Hardboard

Starboard GO SUP

Sizes: Available in 4 sizes from 10鈥�2鈥� x 29鈥� to 12鈥� x 34鈥�
Volume: 177 L to 256 L
Thickness: 4.4鈥� to 4.8鈥�
Weight: 23.6 lbs to 35.1 lbs
Pros and Cons
鈯� Beautiful cosmetics
鈯� Great stability
鈯� Big piece of gear to store and travel with

Just starting out? The new Go from hardshell stalwart Starboard makes a great entry level board for those wanting to paddle fast and stay dry. Available in a wide size range from the longer and faster 12-footer to the more maneuverable 10-foot-2-inch board and in a variety of layups, the Go accommodates the whole spectrum of rider weights and abilities (bigger equals wider and more stable, shorter means narrower, better tracking, and increased maneuverability).

Designed for a variety of conditions, from flat water cruising to navigating light wind and chop, its versatility comes from a classic surf shape sporting a concave bottom. A wide tail and nose provide balanced trim for efficient touring, while a deep center channel on the bottom enhances glide and stability (like a catamaran). Its steadiness is augmented by boxy rails, which also limit water flowing onto the deck, keeping feet and gear dry. And you can still step back for a quick snap turn and rely on the nose for added stability in chop. The fin box is also positioned well astern for improved tracking.

Plus, it鈥檚 easy to carry to the beach thanks to its two-in-one carry strap and paddle holder, which lets you hang the board on your shoulder and instagram your outing or sip your coffee on the way home.

Our testers took it everywhere from Michigan鈥檚 Great Lakes to Newport Beach, California, vouching for its impressive all-around performance. 鈥淔un and stable,鈥� said Midwest-based tester Chris Rosario, who was appreciative of its seam-welded construction that enhanced the board鈥檚 stiffness. 鈥淕reat for beginners or seasoned paddlers, as well as surfers and yogis.鈥�

Two cherries on top: First, the ASAP WS version of this board includes a windsurf-mount attachment and additional mid-fin box, so it doubles as a windsurfer with upwind control. Second, Starboard is a B-corp that buys plastic and carbon offsets for every board sold.

Best Inflatable River SUP

Hala Atcha 86

Sizes: 8’6″ x 34″
Volume: 269 L
Thickness: 6鈥�
Weight: 22.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great maneuverability and surf chops
鈯� Stable in waves
鈯� Not much hull speed on the flats
鈯� Hard to reflip upright

Hitting what it calls the sweet spot where 鈥渟tability-meets-surf,鈥� Hala鈥檚 re-designed Atcha line ups the ante with its new longer, spring-loaded StompBox2 fin, beefing up responsiveness and power. The nine-inch fin, made of tough TPU, is more听rigid in all directions, serving up more drive in deep water and preventing you from supermanning off the board when the going gets shallow.

Tester Davide Sartoni took it on dozens of rivers throughout the country, ranging from Class II-IV and low to high water, and was impressed by its balance of skills. 鈥淚t鈥檚 easy to maneuver, has great stability, rides over waves and tracks well across current, and it surfs waves that are not too steep really well,鈥� he said. He also credits the new, longer fin for keeping him upright and in control. 鈥淚t lets you ride in shallow water, which has always been a problem of river supping,鈥� he reported.

鈥淚t’s made to keep you upright,鈥� echoed tester Sady Carelli. 鈥�When rocking side to side, it doesn’t flip you off. You can walk up, down, and side-to-side, giving you a chance to save yourself before plunging into the drink.鈥�

Which brings up one demerit. 鈥淚f you do swim and the board is upside down, it’s hard to flip back upright,鈥� she remarked, crediting the nuisance to its rocker. Still, for overall river running, she concluded it鈥檚 a great choice. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun for riding small wave trains thanks to its rockered nose,鈥� she said. The retractable fin also builds your confidence. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lifesaver,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 stopped me from several face plants.鈥�

Best Standup Foil Board

KT Ginxu Dragonfly

Sizes: Available in 7 stock sizes, from 6鈥�6鈥� x 18鈥� to 8鈥�4鈥� x 22鈥�
Thickness: 6.5鈥� to 7鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Quick to get up on the foil
鈯� Great stability and glide
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Carbon construction dings easily

Shaped by company namesake Keith Teboul, the Dragonfly downwind SUP foil board鈥攏ew this year from Maui鈥檚 KT鈥攊s billed as the 鈥渃omplete downwinder.鈥� Built for light downwind and wing foiling, it鈥檚 a performance downwind SUP whose displacement hull makes it quick to get going. The patented Ginxu step on the bottom鈥攁n indentation that helps it plane鈥攈elps lift it off the water quickly, detaching from the water in front of the foil. It also comes with a beveled tail so you don鈥檛 touch when turning.

Who better to attest to its features in these two categories than eight-time world champion Kai and his brother Ridge Lenny, both all-around watermen born and raised on the island. 鈥淚ts main strength is its stability and glide that make it extremely easy to get up onto foil,鈥� said Kai, whose longest single run was 32 miles in five- to 10-knot winds. 鈥淚ts length also makes it fantastic for paddling when not on foil.鈥�

Calling it the 鈥渂est there is out there at the moment鈥� for the category, he appreciated its foot traction鈥斺�渢he deck grip is nice and comfortable, not slippery, and your feet won鈥檛 fall asleep鈥濃�攁nd its light carbon construction, which he touted as 鈥渆xtremely durable.鈥� While its narrow width can make adjusting from a traditionally wide SUP design somewhat intimidating, he adds it鈥檚 great for flatwater pop-ups, small waves, and downwind swells in light to extreme winds.

Brother Ridge, who took it on a five-mile downwinder in 25- to 30-knot winds on a 鈥渟ide shore with good bumps鈥� (what he calls the board鈥檚 鈥渋deal conditions鈥�) also sung its praises. 鈥淚t makes downwind foiling more accessible,鈥� he said.

Want to test the waters? Try learning on a bigger size first and then tone it down a notch.

How to Choose a Paddleboard

Intended Use

First, think about what you want to do with a board, as this will determine the shape and type of board you buy. Do you want to surf? Look for a shorter length and rocker to keep the nose from diving. Cruise around lakes? You鈥檒l want a longer board for maintaining hull speed, with width equaling stability and narrowness enhancing glide. Interested in running whitewater? (Yes, it鈥檚 a thing.) You might want an inflatable board for added durability, width for stability, and rocker to ride up and over waves. Planning to race in the ocean? You鈥檒l want a long and narrow board for speed.

Hard Board vs. Inflatable SUP

Inflatable boards are excellent for storage, transportation, and general toughness (it is very hard to put a hole in a well-constructed inflatable board). But they do come with some performance tradeoffs, especially in the surf and race departments. They鈥檙e not as fast or rigid as hardboards, compromising speed, and harder to hold an edge on a wave.

Beginner vs. Advanced SUPs

Great beginner dimensions start around eight-foot, six-inches long and at least 30 inches wide, with six inches of thickness (for inflatables) for stability. SUPs for more advanced paddlers are often narrower (depending on intended purpose), meaning better hull speed but compromising stability.

How We Test

• Number of testers:听17
• Number of products tested:听31
• Number of miles paddled:听103-plus (ocean and river)
• Bags of chips eaten:听6
• Flipflops busted: 1
• Board cannonballs: 4

To test SUPs this season, we assembled a team of expert and even not-so-expert stand-up-paddlers from Florida to California, Hood River to Hawaii, and even a few from the Rockies to weigh in on how they handle all forms of water. The group consisted of outdoor reps, shop owners, competitive athletes, and regular Joe paddlers.

Our test crew also included big names like SUP experts Spencer Lacy and Mike Tavares, and Maui-based watermen and foil aficionados Kai and Ridge Lenny. In all, we tested 23 different SUPs from a variety of categories鈥攆rom rec models for easy touring to high-end foil SUPs for Hawaian downwinders鈥攍ooking at everything from material and shape to stability, glide, and rigidity.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Eugene Buchanan is the 14-year publisher and editor-in-chief of听Paddler听magazine and founder of PaddlingLife.com. Writing about the outdoors for more than 30 years, he鈥檚 a former ski patroller and raft and kayak guide whose passion for paddling has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. A longboarder when it comes to surf, he鈥檚 been a SUP connoisseur since the first inflatable was invented by C4 Waterman and his stance on them has never changed: they鈥檙e awesome (and regular, not goofy).

Jack Haworth is an avid stand-up paddler who lives in one of the sport鈥檚 meccas: Dana Point, California. With ample opportunities for both flatwater paddling and SUP surfing, Haworth put this year鈥檚 boards through a classic Southern California gauntlet. Haworth is a former editor of SUP Magazine.

The post The Best Standup Paddleboards for Cruising, Foiling, and River Running appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

We in this country love our national parks. Last year the National Park Service logged nearly across all its units, from national historic sites to full-fledged national parks. I did the math and am happy to report that I鈥檓 responsible for several of those visits. Hey, I even bought a T-shirt in one of the visitors鈥� centers.

The problem is that we don鈥檛 love all of our parks the same. The disparity in visitation to the 63 national parks is striking. Great Smoky Mountains National Park was by far the most visited last year, with almost 13 million visitors. Other top contenders, such as Zion, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, and Acadia, had numbers in the 3 and 4 millions.

National Park of American Samoa was the least visited, with fewer than 2,000 visitors. I know what you鈥檙e thinking: National Park of American Samoa is probably lovely, but it鈥檚 kind of out of the way, being in the South Pacific and all. Similarly, Alaska鈥檚 eight national parks are stunning, but most of us won鈥檛 have the opportunity to visit Alaska this year.

But a lot of undervalued national parks right here in the lower 48 barely see any boots compared to the headliners we all know and love. While climbers and hikers sit in traffic jams in Yosemite, the rock spires and caves of Pinnacles National Park are relatively empty. Nearly 3 million people explored Olympic National Park, outside of Seattle, last year, but on the other side of the Space Needle, North Cascades National Park only saw 30,000.

Spending time in these lesser-visited parks not only gets you away from the crowds, it gives our most popular parks a chance to breathe.

Dawn Rodney, chief external affairs officer for the National Parks Foundation, says, 鈥淲ith annual visitation numbers increasing, some of the more well-known parks are facing overcrowding, which can lead to wear and tear of trails and visitor centers.鈥� She also cites increased strain on park services, and potential impacts to wildlife and natural habitats.

Rodney says there are plenty of other options. 鈥淐hances are good there is at least one hidden gem closer to home than you might imagine.鈥�

We dug into the national-park statistics and found the eight least-visited national parks in the lower 48. They鈥檙e protecting some of the most stunning landscapes in the country, but lack the crowds at the top parks in our system.

Bonus: Most of the parks on this list are free to enter.

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Visitors in 2022: 25,454

Is it strange that the least-visited national park in the lower 48 is actually in the middle of the country? Isle Royale is a group of 400 islands located in the northwestern edge of Lake Superior, snugged up against the Canadian border. The main island, which has most of the trails and facilities, is 50 miles long and nine miles wide, and full of mountains鈥擬ount Desor, the high point, is 1,394 feet, pretty good for an island鈥攕ecluded bays, and healthy populations of gray wolves and moose. The landscape is spectacular, but the fact that it鈥檚 only accessible by boat or seaplane keeps the crowds at bay. Fortunately, a ferry runs daily during the summer (starting in mid-May) from the aptly named Grand Portage, Minnesota. The park is only open from April 16 to October 31. Because it鈥檚 an island, there are no cars, so once you鈥檙e here, you鈥檙e getting around by foot or boat.

Signature adventure: Backpacking the , from the Windigo Harbor to Rock Harbor, will carry you across the heart of the island. The 40-mile trail takes most people five days to complete, and established campgrounds along the way make logistics easy. You鈥檒l get long-range views from atop exposed ridges and climb the Ojibway Tower, a lookout on the east end of the trail, to see the interior of the island, which is full of lakes and bays. Gaze at stars or chase the Northern Lights.

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�the paddling. You can bring canoes on the ferry or rent one from Windigo or Rock Harbor ($40 a day). Because Lake Superior can be cranky, the park recommends paddling and portaging the island鈥檚 , linked by established routes/trails on the northeast half of the island. You can do a full 鈥淐hain of Lakes鈥� paddle and hike across most of the interior lakes on the main island, a trip that requires 22 miles of canoeing and portaging, or focus on one of the interior ponds, like Lake LeSage, which is full of northern pike and offers a quiet shoreline campground.

Where to stay: Isle Royale has quite civilized digs considering its remoteness. , a full-service lodge on the northeastern edge of Isle Royale, has 60 rooms. Washington Creek Campground, near Windigo Harbor on the southeast end of Isle Royale, is the largest of the island鈥檚 campgrounds and offers a base close to the visitor center and store. Stays are limited to three nights from June 1 to September 17. are first-come, first-served and, yes, free.

Permits and fees: $7 per person entrance fee.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Visitors in 2022: 30,154

The lack of attention to North Cascades National Park is baffling. The 504,654-acre park is loaded with the kind of terrain that most of us salivate over: backcountry lakes, jagged peaks, and more than 300 glaciers鈥攖he most of any park outside of Alaska. Cute animals like pikas and marmots and big animals like mountain goats populate the mountains, and each summer the meadows are full of wildflowers. One factor in the solitude may be that there isn鈥檛 a lot for casual visitors to do here. Within the park is only one paved road, Highway 20, aka The North Cascades Highway, running along the Skagit River for 30 miles. It鈥檚 a pretty drive, with plenty of overlooks, but other than that, you have to explore on foot. And the terrain is rugged, full of snow fields, glaciers, and towering granite peaks, so visitors need to come prepared for an adventure.

Signature adventure: Mountaineering. The North Cascades have a rich history of mountain climbing, and many multi-day objectives that involve long approach hikes, glacier traversing, and technical climbing. For a true classic, shoot for the 8,815-foot Forbidden Peak, a pyramid-shaped mountain with high-quality rock and beautiful views. The West Ridge pits you against glaciers and snowfields to gain a narrow ridge with lots of exposure to reach the summit. If you have any hesitation about your mountaineering chops, hire a .

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�hiking Diablo Lake. The turquoise-hued water of Diablo Lake is probably the most recognizable landmark within the park. You can see it from an overlook along Highway 20, but hiking the 7.5-mile out-and-back will give you a close look as well as long views of the peaks deeper inside the park.Where to stay: The majority of frontcountry campgrounds are along Highway 20. Most are open from May through September. Colonial Creek North Campground has 41 sites on Diablo Lake with direct access to day hikes. Sites can be six months in advance and are $24 a night.

Where to stay: The majority of frontcountry campgrounds are along Highway 20. Most are open from May through September. Colonial Creek North Campground has 41 sites on Diablo Lake with direct access to day hikes. Sites can be six months in advance and are $24 a night.

Permits and fees: No fee to enter the park.

Dry Tortugas, Florida

Visitors in 2022: 78,488

Situated 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is a collection of seven small islands sitting inside roughly 100 square miles of protected open water. It鈥檚 the most remote park in the national-park system and only accessible by boat or seaplane. Fortunately, a ($200 per person) will take you from Key West to Garden Key, the hub of Dry Tortugas, which holds the remnants of a 19^th century military fort as well as the only camping available inside the park. You can camp under palms, swim off the edge of sandy beaches, and snorkel or dive vibrant reef systems.

Signature adventure: Snorkeling and diving off Loggerhead Key. Reaching Loggerhead Key isn鈥檛 easy. If you don鈥檛 have your own power boat, you鈥檒l have to paddle three miles from Garden Key, first filing your trip with the park service. But then you will find a 49-acre island complete with a lighthouse, coconut trees, and a white beach. From Loggerhead, you can snorkel Little Africa, a calm, shallow reef loaded with tropical fish and soft coral, or boat a mile south of the island to dive the Windjammer, a 19th-century shipwreck.

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�exploring . The 16-acre island is the closest to Garden Key鈥攕o close that at certain times it鈥檚 accessible via a 50-yard-long sandbar. Otherwise, it鈥檚 a short paddle to reach Bush鈥檚 sandy beach and clear waters. Keep in mind Bush Key is closed periodically to protect nesting birds.

Where to stay: Garden Key offers the only camping, with campsites just south of Fort Jefferson. You will have to bring everything, including drinking water, you鈥檒l need. The campsite鈥檚 location is ideal, though, with access to narrow beaches, plenty of swimming opportunities, and the chance to explore Fort Jefferson, a military post built in the mid-1800s to protect a then busy shipping channel. are $15 a night, first-come, first-served.

Permits and fees: $15 entrance fee; If you take the ferry, the cost is included in the $200 boat fee.

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Visitors in 2022: 142,115

is in the middle of nowhere, and that鈥檚 a good thing. Sitting in the high desert of Eastern Nevada, near the Utah border, the 77,180-acre park is 300 miles north of Las Vegas and almost 400 miles due east of Reno, so it鈥檚 not the sort of place you just happen upon. You have to make a point to go there. But if you do, you鈥檒l be greeted with a magnificent landscape both above and below ground. Great Basin has incredibly diverse terrain, from 13,064-foot Wheeler Peak to an expansive cave system. You can also explore Nevada鈥檚 only remaining glacier, alpine lakes at 10,000 feet, and bristlecone-pine forests that are estimated to be some of the oldest known trees on the planet, or stargaze in this designated International Dark Sky Park.

Signature adventure: Going underground. The most popular experience in Great Basin is traversing the Lehman Caves, a system of spacious limestone chambers beneath the surface that are packed with stalagmites and stalactites, also the more rare helictites: curved calcite features that look like giant shields. The only way to explore the cave is on a . You can see most of the system on the Grand Palace tours, which are 90 minutes long and travel more than a half mile through the caves. Multiple tours take place each day. Reserve a spot up to 30 days in advance ($15 per adult).

But don鈥檛 miss: hiking Wheeler Peak and its glacier. Starting from Wheeler Peak Campground, you can choose hikes that take you to backcountry alpine lakes, or the last remaining glacier in Nevada, or the top of Wheeler Peak, the second-tallest mountain in the state. Make the your priority. The 4.8-mile out and back leads you to the bottom of Wheeler Peak Glacier, a 2-acre patch of ice in the cradle of a cirque of towering granite peaks. The trail also passes through a bristlecone-pine grove, with trees estimated to be more than 4,000 years old.

Where to stay: There are four campgrounds with reservable sites inside Great Basin National Park. puts you in the thick of the action, with direct access to the 2.7-mile Alpine Lakes Loop Trail (passing two high lakes), Glacier Trail, and the Wheeler Peak Summit Trail. Get reservations a month in advance on a rolling basis ($20 a night). If you hit the park without scoring a reservation, is first-come, first-served and free.

Permits and Fees: No entrance fee.

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Visitors in 2022: 204,522

is small鈥攋ust over 26,000 acres鈥攂ut it protects one of the largest contiguous tracts of old-growth bottomland forest in the country. What that means is the trees are massive, with loblolly pines that stretch to 167 feet, creating one of the tallest canopies in the country, and tupelos and bald cypress growing out of the swamp with massive 鈥渒nees鈥� (protruding roots) that give the whole scene a primordial vibe. Blame the rivers; the Congaree and Wateree, which flood about 10 times a year, deliver nutrients to the forest that work like Miracle Grow.

Signature adventure: The paddling. Because Congaree protects what is essentially a swamp, it鈥檚 a paddler鈥檚 park, with more than 50 miles of marked boating trails throughout its 26,000 acres. Most visitors focus on the 15-mile , which runs through the heart of the park to connect with the Congaree River. Out and backs of any distance are possible from Cedar Creek Landing because of the imperceptible flow of the creek, with dark, tannin-stained water through a forest of bald cypress in either direction. For a 20-mile overnight, get a free at the visitor center, put in at Cedar Creek Landing, and paddle downstream to hook up with the slow-moving Congaree River, which forms the border of the park. You鈥檒l spend the night at a dispersed backcountry campsite of your choice and pull out at the 601 landing. Bring your own canoe, or rent one from an in nearby Columbia.

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�hiking Oakridge Trail. Hiking is secondary in Congaree, with the trails often closed because of flooding. You can check the status on the park鈥檚 website per above. When they鈥檙e open, a number of hikes take you through the old-growth forest. The 6.6-mile leads past some of the largest, oldest trees in the park to small, natural lakes where birds and wildlife like otters gather.

Where to stay: There are two frontcountry campgrounds inside Congaree, both requiring a walk from the designated parking lot to reach your site. Go for the small Bluff Campground, which requires a mile-long hike but sits well above the floodplain. You can book a up to six months in advance on a rolling basis ($10 a night).

Permits and Fees: Entrance to the park is free.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Visitors in 2022: 219,987

In west Texas, about 115 miles east of El Paso, protects 86,367 acres of mountains and canyons. That鈥檚 not a particularly large expanse, especially by Texas standards, but the landscape is stunning. Eight of the 10 highest peaks in the state are located here, not to mention 1,000-foot-tall limestone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and 2,000 acres of snow-white sand dunes. There鈥檚 no scenic drive, though. To experience the best of Guadalupe Mountains, ditch the car and explore on foot.

Signature adventure: Summiting the 8,751-foot Guadalupe Peak, the tallest mountain in Texas. The 8.4-mile out and back climbs 3,000 feet, passing off-white sandstone cliffs and stands of douglas firs. The summit offers 360-degree views of the park, including (this area鈥檚) El Capitan, a 1,000-foot limestone cliff to the south.

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�the Salt Basin Dunes, a 2,000-acre tract of gypsum dunes up to 60 feet tall. The four-mile round-trip will deliver you to the north side of the dune field, where you can scramble some of the tallest mounds of sand. Make time for another short but tough day hike to , a narrow slot formation within Pine Springs Canyon. The 4.2-mile out and back will test your route finding (watch for the cairns) and requires rock scrambling.

Where to stay: The park has three developed campgrounds with sites you can reserve up to six months in advance. The is the most scenic of the three, with sites tucked into a forested canyon. The higher elevation ( 6,300 feet) and the shade from overhanging cliffs keep the campground cooler in the summer, too ($20 per night).

Permits and Fees: $10 per person.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Visitors in 2022: 221,434

, in northeastern Minnesota, is so far north it鈥檚 almost in Canada. It鈥檚 so far north that you can often see the aurora borealis from inside the park. Voyageurs protects a lush boreal forest full of conifers and deciduous trees, amid rocky outcroppings deposited by glaciers, all of which is inhabited by moose and wolves. More than a third of the 218,054-acre park is comprised of water, dominated by four large border lakes and 26 smaller interior lakes, so you will spend most of your time in the hull of a canoe, sea kayak, or motor boat.

Signature adventure: Boating, of course. Voyageurs contains more than 60 miles of interconnected water trails. The big lakes alone have 500 islands and 600 miles of shoreline to explore. Most people catch a water taxi or take a ranger-led tour to the Elsworth Gardens, a series of terraced stone rockworks and flower beds planted by a carpenter in the 鈥�40s on Lake Kabetogama. But we say head to the smaller, 8,869-acre Sand Point Lake, which has more than 100 islands to explore. The coolest destination is Grassy Bay Cliffs, which rise 125 feet from the edge of the lake. You can rent boats in the gateway community of .

But don鈥檛 miss鈥μ�the Northern Lights. The shimmering, green-hued beams occur sporadically in the night sky over the middle and high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, and when they鈥檙e active, you can see them from all over the park. You can check the for the lights up to a month in advance of your visit. Even if you don鈥檛 see the Northern Lights, you鈥檒l see plenty of stars. Voyageurs is designated an and one of the best places in the country to gaze at the galaxy overhead. You can take in the view from anywhere inside the park, but the Meadwood Road Day Use Area is a 鈥渄esignated dark sky location,鈥� offering an unobstructed horizon and with no artificial light nearby.

Where to stay: Voyageurs offers an intriguing mix of water-based camping and 鈥渉ouseboating鈥� opportunities. There are 137 developed campsites, all of which are only accessible by boat. The backcountry sites require paddling across a lake and then hiking to reach each spot. All sites are $10 a night, with available six months in advance. But take your chance to rent a houseboat, which can be your place to stay and mode of transportation. All houseboat rentals are operated by companies outside of the park, but you鈥檒l need to get an overnight through the park ($15 per night per boat).

Permits and Fee: No entrance fee

Pinnacles National Park, California

Visitors in 2022: 275,023

Of all of California鈥檚 national parks, probably gets the least attention, likely because it didn鈥檛 achieve full national-park status until President Obama upgraded it from a national monument in 2013. The 26,000-acre park protects the remains of ancient volcano flows in what is now Central California. After millions of years of erosion and tectonic-plate activity, those flows have formed a collection of massive monoliths, spires, and steep canyons. The park is divided into East and West districts, divided by the rock formations in the middle, but connected by more than 30 miles of trails that wind through oak forest, gorges, towering cliffs, and talus caves (formed by rockfall or rubble shed).

Signature adventure: Hiking the caves. There are two main areas, the Bear Gulch Caves in the East District and the Balconies Caves in the West District, both accessible to hikers without the need for climbing gear, thanks to the trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and complete with stairways and bridges. A variety of trails traverse the park and lead into the caves. For a big hike through diverse terrain, try the 8.4-mile , which will take you through the heart of Pinnacles鈥� rock formations before dropping into Balconies Cave, requiring a bit of scrambling in the belly of the system.

But don鈥檛 miss鈥�the rock climbing. The Pinnacles holds hundreds of routes, from toproping options to multi-pitch routes on Machete Ridge. The rock can be chossy, so be careful, but overall there鈥檚 something for everyone to do and enjoy. For a mild classic, check out , a 5.4, four-pitch trad climb on solid rock that stays mostly in the shade. Hire a if you鈥檙e not confident in your trad skills. The bird-watching is spectacular too: the cliffs are home to impressive birds of prey, including peregrine falcons, eagles, and the California condor.

Where to stay: Pinnacles has a single campground located on the east side of the park. It鈥檚 a great campground, complete with a swimming pool and tent cabins if you want to go glamping light ($119 a night for tent cabins; $40 a night for standard tent sites). Make up to six months in advance.

Permits and Fee: Entrance fee is $30 per vehicle.

All visitation numbers are from the National Park Service鈥檚

Graham Averill is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 national-parks columnist and freely admits that he needs to do a better job exploring lesser-known destinations among the units. Most of his national-park visits are to the two busiest in the country, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, both of which happen to be in his backyard from Asheville, North Carolina.

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63 Parks Traveler started with a simple goal: to visit every U.S. national park. Avid backpacker and public-lands nerd saved up, built out a tiny van to travel and live in, and hit the road, practicing COVID-19 best safety protocols along the way. The parks as we know them are rapidly changing, and she wanted to see them before it鈥檚 too late. Biscayne is her 55th park visit.

Tropical Storm Eta was closing in on southern Florida by the time I made it to Biscayne in November of 2020. A child of the Gulf Coast and no stranger to hurricanes, I gritted my teeth and laughed at my misfortune, emailing my guide, Jeremy, at the to make sure we were still a go. We were.

Amid warring wind gusts and choppy surf, the two of us set off by boat from the into the open water of Florida鈥檚 Biscayne Bay. 鈥淭his here鈥檚 the longest stretch of beach in southeast Florida that still has its natural mangrove trees,鈥� shouted Jeremy over the buzz of the motor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 usually a great place to spot manatees, but the water鈥檚 pretty nuts today.鈥�

I listened intently, fixing my gaze on the horizon and our first destination, Jones Lagoon. The boat sputtered as we came to a stop at the center of a maze of mangroves, their submerged roots like the bark-covered arms of some great octopus. Jeremy plopped a pair of stand-up paddleboards into the water of the cove.

This forest of trees between ocean and island provided a safe refuge for pelagic creatures, while the rest of the bay was getting pummeled by high winds. Small sharks wiggled below as I dipped the paddle into the water, my eyes hungry to learn what interesting animals chose this place for a home. At one point, Jeremy thrust the length of his arm into the shallows and pulled up a translucent, many-tendrilled jellyfish for me to hold. Its skin felt slimy and delicate against my palms, like a plastic bag filled with cool milk.

Next up was a stop for snorkeling. We gunned the engine toward a different stand of shoreline trees, and I ventured into the water alone, making Darth Vader noises into my mouthpiece as I kicked my way parallel to the roots of mangroves extending from Elliott Key, one of the park鈥檚 most visited islets. A school of tiny, bright yellow fish darted away in fear, and when I stayed as still as I could muster, bobbing up and down in the swell, a pod of enormous lobsters emerged and stared at me for what felt like hours. It sent shivers down my spine.

With the weather worsening and time running out, my guide steered our vessel toward the ornamental lighthouse at , a relic from early industrialist Mark Honeywell鈥檚 days of lavish parties there. 鈥淭he affairs got so wild that, one year, a guest brought his pet elephant aboard his ship!鈥� exclaimed Jeremy.

It was strange to explore this water-based national park on a day of deliriously dreadful weather. I felt like I鈥檇 missed out on so much鈥攊ts historic shipwrecks, colorful coral reefs, manatee sightings鈥攁nd yet, as we parted ways with the keys and took off for the mainland, I couldn鈥檛 help but feel that there was something true and raw and magical about experiencing a national park when a storm is afoot.

Staring ahead at the visitor center as its parade of mangroves grew ever closer, I realized I鈥檇 gotten what I鈥檇 come for: a park that was weird, wet, and wonderful.

63 Parks Traveler Biscayne Info

Size: 172,971 acres

Location: Southeastern Florida, off the coast of Miami

Created In: 1968 (national monument), 1980 (national park)

Best For: Boating, snorkeling, diving, paddling, island camping, wildlife viewing

When to Go: August through early October is considered peak Atlantic hurricane season, which means there鈥檚 a decent chance your summer or fall trip could be derailed by a nasty storm. December (64 to 76 degrees) through April (68 to 79 degrees) are the safest, coolest, and driest months for a visit.

Where to Stay: The National Park Service operates within Biscayne鈥檚 boundaries, one on Boca Chita Key and the other on Elliott Key. While Elliott Key鈥檚 sites provide more amenities (like cold showers and potable water), the immaculate ocean views and quirky annals of Boca Chita make it well worth an excursion.

Mini 国产吃瓜黑料: Go on a day trip with the . Whether you fancy stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, snorkeling, birding, or learning about historic buildings, this nonprofit鈥檚 diverse array of tours offer a little something for everyone.

Mega 国产吃瓜黑料: Dive the Florida Reef, one of the largest in the world. Miami-based companies like offer half- and full-day trips (for certified divers) around the bay to marvel at colorful sponges, tropical fish, and underwater cathedrals.

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Infinity Whiplash ($3,495)

Do you like going fast and far on glassy water? The is your ride. No brand has put more into SUP research and development over the years than this company, and it shows here. This ultralight, hollow-carbon race board is one of the best on the market for getting from points A to B as quickly as possible. The one we tested was 21 inches wide, which helped it track extremely straight in calm conditions, but required some experience to paddle (and is not necessarily suitable for rough-water or downwind paddling). We were struck by its initial instability but quickly came to trust the secondary stability from the cockpit鈥檚 dugout walls, which put our center of gravity lower to the water. It鈥檚 also available in widths up to 25.5 inches.

That subtle stability also comes from a step-tail stern, with a narrow tail outline below and wider outline up top. This design tricks the water into reacting as if the entire tail is narrower, reducing drag and improving mobility as you paddle. But step back to make turns, and the wider outline adds stability as you maneuver.

What鈥檚 more, at just 20 pounds, the Whiplash might be the lightest board on the market. It鈥檚 made in a mold and is hollow, save for frame supports that look like the skeleton of a whale. These lightweight elements came together when we tested it in smooth conditions in a protected harbor, where a single stroke delivered a powerful gliding sensation unlike any other board鈥檚. This is a machine for pushing your personal speed limit. (259 Liters, 14″x鈥�21″)

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Many of this year鈥檚 crop of stand-up paddleboards are specialists for specific thrills rather than the do-everything quiver killers we鈥檝e seen in the past. Infinity, Bote, and Fanatic have established their respective niches and stuck to them, honing their products over decades. From one of the fastest flatwater race boards on the market to a versatile fishing platform, the results are the best stand-up paddleboards on the market in 2022.

Bote HD Aero 11’6″ Bug Slinger Echo ($1,049 and up)

Fish-catching platforms are what Bote does best, and its Bug Slinger is no exception. At 34 inches wide, with thick, six-inch rails, it provides a virtually unsinkable base for fly-fishing, spearfishing, tossing worms from a rod and reel, or just lazily cruising on a lake. Simply put, it鈥檚 extremely versatile. The Bug Slinger is intended for catching big fish, and deep pools and estuaries are where it shines (with its stiff, ten-inch plastic fin and two built-in side bites, testers found out the hard way that it鈥檚 not made for shallow, rocky spots). We loved the nifty paddle holder to stow your blade as you concentrate on landing fish. And it all packs down into an included backpack. If that鈥檚 not enough, you can enhance the fishing experience with add-ons like a multi-rod holder ($220) or a proprietary cooler ($235) that can double as a seat. (250 liters, 11’6″x鈥�34″)

Fanatic Bee 7’8″ ($1,699)

The Bee is for people who like diverse thrills. This high-performance stand-up paddleboard is designed for surfing and no fewer than three foiling disciplines (SUP, windsurf, and wing). At 30.75 inches wide, it鈥檚 quite stable, but a narrow, thin tail makes it extremely maneuverable while traditional SUP surfing. It also comes with mounts for a foil, a mast, and windsurfing footstraps, so you can take advantage of any conditions. Downside: because of all those attachment points, designers had to reinforce the board with bamboo, carbon fiber, and fiberglass, making it heavier than purpose-built stand-up surfboards. Still, it鈥檚 an excellent learning platform for those who are interested in trying wing and windsurf foiling but who don鈥檛 want to spring for a dedicated foiling platform鈥攜et. (120 liters, 7’8″x鈥�30.75″)

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In a world of large-scale commercial food production, overfishing, supermarket trips, and deliveries, it鈥檚 very easy to forget the beauty and simplicity in self-sufficiency. In this film,听High Tide Low, surfer describes what it feels like to听take听to the water under your own steam and find听headspace听while catching your own food.

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Get a Bike with Some Squish

When it comes to buying your first mountain bike, the long-prevailing wisdom has been to get a hardtail. Proponents of this will tell you that riding a bike without rear suspension forces you to develop better skills.

Don鈥檛 fall for it. Yes, back in the day, people rode the local rock pile on fully rigid bikes with their saddles wedged into their bellies. They picked lines very carefully and developed solid fundamentals鈥攊f they stuck with the sport. The operative word being if. Because when bikes were less squishy, mountain biking was harder. And less fun.

For most riders鈥攅specially new ones鈥攕uspension improves the experience. It soaks up bumps, giving you more confidence on descents. It makes the ride more forgiving, so you can go longer before you start to fatigue. It even improves traction, helping you conquer tricky climbs. The price premium for those wonderful feelings has fallen in recent years, with great full-suspension bikes now available for less than $2,000. We like the ($1,679). A RockShox Recon 130-millimeter air fork, 29er wheels, 125 millimeters of rear travel, and a SRAM 1x drivetrain combine for a trail bike you鈥檒l shred happily for seasons to come.

Life can be hard. Learning to mountain bike can be, too. But unlike in life, your ratio of fun-having to character-building is up to you when you ride. Maximize it. 鈥擥loria Liu

Expert tips:

• Look for a bike with tubeless-ready wheels. Even if you don鈥檛 set them up that way immediately, you鈥檒l want to go tubeless at some point, to run lower tire pressure for better traction and to minimize flats.
• A must-have on a first mountain bike is an air fork. It provides smoother, suppler suspension than the coil-sprung forks typically found on entry-level bikes, which means better handling and less upper-body fatigue.

The Best Snowshoes Are Not Snowshoes

Snowshoes are handy when the powder is deep. But if you鈥檙e hiking on packed trails, they鈥檙e clunky and unnecessary. That鈥檚 when you want a set of spikes, like the ($50). They鈥檙e the toughest out there, give you plenty of traction, and stash easily in your pack. 鈥擬aren Larsen

Your First SUP Should Be Inflatable

Paddleboarding offers more adventure opportunities than you might imagine. Perhaps you鈥檝e tried it cruising in a harbor or splashing around a lake, but you can also paddle in the surf, on whitewater rivers, in alpine lakes, and on the open ocean.

If you鈥檙e curious about any of these options, you can鈥檛 go wrong with an inflatable SUP. They鈥檙e easy to transport, store, and lift, since they鈥檙e lightweight and usually include their own bag, which is about the size of a large suitcase. They鈥檙e also very difficult to puncture. The only downside is that you have to inflate them before paddling. But thanks to efficient pumps, you鈥檒l be on the water in ten minutes or so鈥攁nd the process is a good warm-up.

We recommend something at least 9’6″ long and 32 inches wide. Those dimensions will make the board stable enough for most adults even on choppy water, and easy enough to carry for smaller folks. ($499) from Boardworks is durable and reliable compared with other offerings at that price.

An inflatable is a useful quiver element for veteran paddlers, too. It鈥檚 great for bringing to tropical locations and on overnight camping trips, and for teaching others to paddle. 鈥擶ill Taylor

Expert tips:

• Most 颅SUPers have the blade of the paddle turned the wrong way when they鈥檙e starting out. Think about it like this: the angle of the blade should point in the direction you want to go.
• A standard leash can be a drowning hazard if it snags on something in a fast-moving river. In those conditions, use a quick-release design like the Badfish Coiled Re鈥檒eash ($69), so you can untether safely in an emergency.

The Way to Perfect BBQ Is a Pellet Grill

Smoking transfers the flavor of wood into your food and keeps moisture in your meat. Pellet grills, which offer digital control of temperature and other variables, turn the art of cooking with smoke into a science, practically guaranteeing mouthwatering results regardless of experience level. High-end models are expensive, starting around $800, which tends to rule them out as a beginner purchase. The new ($500) is an affordable pellet grill that offers all the features you need鈥�570 square inches of grilling space, smoke adjustment, a meat probe, and an internal temperature readout. Dial in the heat from 160 to 500 degrees and quickly nail everything from slow-cooked smoked salmon to a quick weeknight burger. It will meet all your grilling needs and is easy to clean. In short, it will convince your friends that you鈥檙e an excellent chef, without the years of experience necessary to master other barbecues. 鈥擶es Siler

Expert tip: Proper seasoning can take your grilling from so-so to stellar. Rub steaks liberally with salt and freshly ground pepper up to 24 hours before grilling so the salt can penetrate the entire cut of meat.

Lose the Rope

The simple crash pad offers the easiest and most accessible way to climb outside. Primarily used for bouldering (climbing low to the ground without ropes or harnesses), the pads cushion your fall and quickly build stoke for exploring other climbing disciplines. We like the stout ($150). 鈥擩eremy Rellosa

Expert tip:听A crash pad can also serve as your pack. Stuff your climbing shoes, water bottle, and snacks between the two halves for the approach.

Trail Runners Are Better than Hiking Boots

For most people on most paths, trail-running shoes are a better alternative to traditional hiking boots. They鈥檙e lighter, so your legs won鈥檛 get fatigued as quickly, especially on multi-day trips. Max-cushion models like the ($145) are popular with through-hikers. They also offer better ground sensitivity and comparable traction, so you can navigate technical terrain more nimbly. 鈥擜riella Gintzler

Expert tip: When it comes to tread, bigger isn鈥檛 always better. Knobby lugs (5鈥�7 millimeters) are good for scrabbly conditions, but on dry, packed dirt, minimal outsoles (with lugs of 2鈥�4 milli颅meters) yield a smoother stride.

Go Big on Sleep

For the cost of upgrading from a fleabag motel to five-star accommodations, you can buy a decade of amazing outdoor sleep wherever you roam. A plush pad for car camping ensures you鈥檒l stay out more鈥攁nd, if you get a double, that your partner will want to also. We love the (from $250). It鈥檚 as comfortable as the memory foam in your bedroom. 鈥擩oe Jackson

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