Top Adventure Destinations in the USA

The USA's great outdoors is calling—and it's never too late to answer. From the geysers of Yellowstone to the glaciers of Alaska, the USA is a treasure trove of adventure. You could chase waterfalls, photograph wildlife or cruise past giant pillars of ice. Ready to lace up your walking boots and hit the trail? Let's take a look at our favourite adventures.

Yellowstone National Park

Spanning a whopping 8,991 km² across Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, Yellowstone National Park is 3% bigger than the UK. Established in 1862, it's one of the USA's finest and most well-known national parks. Here, the landscape is alive - keep your camera handy for bison, elk, and the more elusive wolves. Nicknamed 'America's Serengeti', Lamar Valley, in particular, is known for its abundant and easy-to-see populations of large animals, thanks to the valley's expansive grasslands and open spaces.

But it's not just the wildlife that's active. Yellowstone sits atop a hotspot - a plume of hot material rising from deep within the Earth. This hotspot fuels a large magma chamber beneath the surface, providing heat for the park's famous geysers, mud pots, fumaroles and hot springs. You can watch Old Faithful erupt - the spectacular show happens around 20 times a day - or hike through Yellowstone's Grand Canyon and stop to admire Lower Falls - a huge curtain of water that tumbles between sheer forested cliff slopes. It's taller than the Niagara Falls.

Yosemite National Park

Carpeting California’s Sierra Nevada mountains with sequoia trees - ancient giants that soar up to 85 meters overhead - Yosemite boasts a diverse ecosystem, including diverse wildlife, granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Its iconic landscapes have long been its draw. There's El Capitan, a towering vertical rock formation, rising over 3,000 feet from the valley floor; Yosemite Falls, a series of thundering waterfalls and one of the tallest waterfalls in the United States; and Cathedral Rocks, known for its distinctive spires and cliffs that seem to emulate the architecture of Gothic cathedrals. Capture the majesty of El Capitan at sunset or wander to Bridalveil Fall - these landscapes have inspired generations.

Grand Canyon National Park

A bucket list destination for many who want to stand with their toes to the canyon's rim, few places on Earth rival the Grand Canyon for grandeur. With its red-layered rock cut by the powerful forces of the Colorado River, the canyon is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world - and for good reason. At an average of 10 miles across, up to a mile deep and 277 miles long, its massive 1,904 square miles make it bigger than the entire state of Rhode Island. Wander along the rim for panoramic vistas or descend into the canyon for a once-in-a-lifetime perspective on this natural wonder. For a truly breathtaking moment, enjoy sunrise peering over the edge of the canyon and watch the sun's warm rays set the landscape alight.

Bryce Canyon

Famous for its collection of hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is often described as 'otherworldly' - and it's definitely fitting. Distinctive pillars of red, white and orange that soar skywards, creating a strange topography that could easily pass for a fictional planet in a sci-fi film.

Named after Ebenezer Bryce, an early Mormon settler who made his home in the area in 1874, despite its name the park isn't home to a canyon but a series of 14 giant natural amphitheatres - their bowl shapes are formed by the drainage of seasonal rains, rather than the flow of a river.

Ranging from 8,000 feet (2438 m) to over 9,000 feet (2743 m) in elevation, the park's high elevation and usually clear skies make it one of the best places in the USA to stargaze.

Alaska

Often called 'The Last Frontier' - due to its vast swathes of unexplored wilderness - Alaska is where adventure meets the extraordinary. But adventure doesn't always mean roughing it. There's no better way to experience this region's raw, untamed beauty than aboard a cruise ship. Sailing through the Inner Passage, you'll enjoy a front row seat to some of the most dramatic and hard-to-reach landscapes on Earth. A world carved by time and ice - towering fjords, frozen waterfalls, ancient forests and remote coastal towns that feel like stepping into a bygone era.

Trek across ancient glaciers, watch humpback whales breach the water or experience the thrill of dog-sledging, Expedition cruises offer comfort, safety and expert knowledge while immersing you in the wild.

Route 66

If you're looking for the spirit of American adventure, no road captures it better than Route 66. Stretching from Chicago to Santa Monica, this legendary highway offers a journey back to America's golden age - think vintage diners, neon-lit motels and kitsch roadside attractions. Along the way, explore historic towns like Santa Fe, Flagstaff, and Amarillo, each offering its own slice of Americana. Visit classic car museums, Native American trading posts, and iconic landmarks like the Cadillac Ranch and Petrified Forest National Park.

The entire route covers 2,448 miles and takes about two weeks to complete but, don't forget, it's a road trip so you set the pace and you decide where to stop. Why not give in to nostalgia and take your time?

Pacific Coast Highway

Ocean breezes and dramatic cliffside views await along the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1). Winding through California's rugged coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles you can stop in Monterey to visit its world-class aquarium, stroll the artistic streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea (and buy a few unique souvenirs), and marvel at the wild beauty of Big Sur, where redwoods meet the sea. Further south, explore Santa Barbara's Spanish colonial charm or sip your way through Paso Robles wine country - known for its rich, full-bodied red wines.