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New River Gorge
ADOBE STOCK
Springing Into the Outdoors
Step outside, embrace warmer temps and get your blood pumping with these recreational escapes.
By Jason Frye
This year, swap screen time for dream time and plan the perfect escape into the outdoors. Admire the beauty of nature with a focus on serenity, or get your fill of thrills with adrenaline-infused pursuits as you explore the United States. Who knows, your adventures could see you flying high on North Carolina’s Outer Banks or relaxing with a lazy blackwater paddle through South Carolina’s Congaree National Park. Read on for recommendations to make this a summer to remember.
Congaree National Park’s Boardwalk Loop Trail
Noteworthy National Parks
Venture 17 miles southwest of Columbia, South Carolina, and explore Congaree National Park. Here, you can join a guided paddle beneath a cathedral of old-growth forests and trees of fairytale proportions. Alternatively, you can hike among them on the accessible Boardwalk Loop Trail. You may spot deer, woodpeckers and box turtles on this 2.6-mile loop. For an unusual sighting, visit between mid-May and mid-June when for approximately two weeks Firefly Trail lives up to its name as thousands of synchronous fireflies blink in unison as dusk turns to dark. It can be a tough phenomenon to see, given that there is a lottery for each $24 ticket and only 145 are available each night of the event.
Walking under the New River Gorge Bridge
GETTY IMAGES
Due north 320 miles, West Virginia’s and the nation’s newest national park—New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—presents a prime spot for getting outdoorsy. Hike along the cliff’s edge on the easy to moderate 2.4-mile Endless Wall Trail, where you can enjoy views of the river nearly 1,000 feet below. Or, check out the impressive New River Gorge Bridge (you won’t believe this engineering marvel that’s been called “a work of structural art” and is the third highest bridge in the United States) from the Canyon Rim Boardwalk found right outside the park’s visitor center. Observe the bridge from an accessible upper deck or descend 178 steps to a lower overlook. Or, try a different sort of “hike” in the form of a Bridge Walk, a traverse across the 2-foot-wide catwalk underneath the bridge for views that not everyone experiences. Participants willing to pay the $75 fee are attached to a cable to ensure their safety while walking the bridge’s 3,030-foot length. If you’re up for another rush, go whitewater rafting on the splashy New River. (Your AAA Travel Agent can help you find a reputable rafting company).
You can find some of the
best stargazing of your life.
Wind Cave National Park
Since national parks and road trips go hand in hand, let the highways lead you to South Dakota, so you can spend a week making a loop between Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial and Wind Cave National Park. In addition to the wild landscapes, caves and truly monumental monuments, you can find some of the best stargazing of your life.
Get more room for family, friends and luggage on your road trip when you rent a Hertz vehicle through AAA. Members get everyday savings, plus exclusives like the use of a free child safety seat and up to 4 free additional drivers. Visit AAA.com/CarRental to see how your savings can add up.
Feeding giraffe at the Indianapolis Zoo
Indianapolis Zoo
Surprising City Scenes
Don’t overlook cities when it comes to an outdoor getaway. Indianapolis, Indiana, harbors the nation’s largest urban state park: the 250-acre White River State Park. Paddle—or stroll alongside—downtown’s Central Canal, connecting the state park with the urban center; visit Victory Field to see if the Indianapolis Indians (click here for tickets) are in town for a baseball game; or head into the lauded Indianapolis Zoo for wildlife watching. With a dozen or so more notable parks and gardens to discover, the wow-worthy Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and 27 miles of rails-to-trails paths to explore, perhaps even by bike, it’s easy to fall in love with Indy’s blend of urban and outdoor activities.
Roanoke, Virginia, another outdoorsy urban gem, offers several ways to take advantage of its position on the Blue Ridge Parkway, a stunning component of our national parks system. For starters, take a hike within the city limits on a 3.3-mile dirt trail through the woods of Mill Mountain Park to a giant neon star overlooking the city. Or, pedal or walk along extensive greenways. About 7 miles from downtown, visit Explore Park at milepost 115 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where more opportunities to mountain bike, kayak and hike await. One of the favorites off Route 311 is an 8-mile roundtrip hike on the Appalachian Trail to McAfee Knob. After all that hiking, pedaling or paddling, Roanoke welcomes you with tasty bites and places to refuel.
Currituck Beach Lighthouse
Seaside Family Fun
What summer trip is complete without a bit of sun and sand?
On North Carolina’s Outer Banks, fly high at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Launch a kite from these 100-foot-tall dunes or launch yourself in a hang glider. Lessons from the experienced gliders at Kitty Hawk Kites will keep it safe and fun, but not short on thrills. While you’re on the OBX (as the place is affectionately called), climb to the top of the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, look for wild horses roaming the dunes or hiding in the seaside woods, and try your hand at surfing, paddleboarding or kayaking. Outfitters can set you up with lessons and gear.
Golfers know Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is a haven for the sport, but how about the sport’s miniature cousin? The Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail leads to more than 30 courses in this self-proclaimed (but who doubts it?) Mini Golf Capital of the World, so practice your putting and get ready to compete for bragging rights and maybe a prize for completing the trail. Those mini golf courses aren’t far from the shore, so pack your bathing suit and spend a little time soaking up the sun, splashing in the waves and working on your tan before you head home.
Ready to plan your outdoor escape or family vacation? Discover breathtaking national parks, unwind on pristine beaches, and experience endless adventures across the U.S. Visit AAA.com/TravelExpert to connect with a knowledgeable AAA Travel Agent.
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