Thrill-seekers looking for their next outdoor, adventure vacation need only to keep an open mind and brave spirit before embarking on their next trip. From whitewater rafting to hang gliding and kiteboarding, here’s our roundup of five awesome outdoor adventure vacations to remember.
Bend, Oregon is a cycler’s paradise. The famous Three Sisters Scenic Bikeway is perfect for a leisurely bike ride in Central Oregon, while Oregon’s first Gravel Scenic Bikeway is a mixture of gravel and mixed-surface rides for the mildly advanced rider. For those who truly want to adventure, go mountain biking on the nearly 300 miles of mountain bike trails accessible from Bend, from Tyler’s Traverse Loop to Mt. Bachelor Bike Park – there’s sweet rides to boast home about on this adventure vacation.
Book your stay at Best Western Premier Peppertree Inn at Bend.
It’s not every day you go for a walk and end up at one of the largest and most accessible glaciers in North America. Mendenhall Glacier is only 13 miles from downtown Juneau, and with ice nearly 2,000 feet deep, and part of the Juneau Icefield, it’s a must-see on your visit to Alaska. To make the most of your time and photo opportunities, walk along the 2-mile, Nugget Falls Trail to find a 377-foot waterfall that roars into an iceberg lake and gain stunning views of the Mendenhall Glacier.
Book your stay at Baranof Downtown, BW Signature Collection.
If water adventures are calling your name, go whitewater rafting on the Gauley River in West Virginia. The Gauley River is world-class – it features more than 100 rapids, spanning from class III to V+, for those more experienced, and the turbulent waters are not for the faint of heart. The National Parks Service reports that whitewater rafting attracts more than 60,000 adventurers to the Gauley River per year, and always fulfills those with a thirst for a wild ride.
Book your stay at Best Western Plus Beckley Inn.
“Fly like a bird” takes on a new meaning when you hang glide 3000 feet over Lookout Mountain and beautiful Lookout Valley. Hang gliding doesn’t take much equipment: a hang glider, a helmet, and you, are all you need, and that’s why it’s one of the most thrilling activities out there. Fly higher than the Empire State Building and see the world from new points of view as you spread your wings and glide.
Book your stay at Best Western Royal Inn.
Kiteboarding doesn’t require a boat the way wakeboarding does, it just requires a wind-powered kite. Find your perfect body glide on the placid waters of Laguna Madre and the waves of the Gulf of Mexico on Padre Island, Texas, with winds going up to 18mph, to make for a rip-roaring adventure in it of itself.
Book your stay at Best Western Padre Island.