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This article is part of a series celebrating Boss Hunting’s favourite corners of the United States. Click here to see more.
As the fourth largest country in the world by land area, there’s no wonder the United States presents such a vast selection of environments for thrill seekers, boasting a handful of magnetic adventure hotspots that have lured adrenaline junkies for decades.
With such a large footprint across the Northern Hemisphere – from the Arctic Circle right down to the sun-kissed archipelago of the Florida Keys – you’ll never be short of terrain for serious adventure on land or at sea.
In every season, at every latitude from the equator, and for every thrill, budget, or bucket list desire, we’ve unpacked the most extreme adventure hubs for your next jaunt to the United States.
Moab – Utah (Arches & Canyonlands National Parks)
Moab is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. There are few landscapes as iconically recognisable as the red rock towers of the Utah desert. Serious rock climbers, hikers, mountain bikers and white-water rafters have all cut their teeth in the boundaries of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Moab and its surroundings house some of the largest regions of undisturbed backcountry in the American West and off-road aficionados will welcome the network of ‘rental car-approved’ 4×4 trails on offer. In Moab, unlike most parts of the world that do not insure drivers for off-road driving, there are numerous companies that allow you to rent a Jeep Wrangler or similar and take it on the dirt. For beginners, we’d recommend checking out Klondike Bluffs or Onion Creek & Fisher Towers trails. Those properly prepared with both gear and experience could aim their sights a little higher at the infamous Elephant Hill.
The Keys – Florida
The United States has no shortage of mountainous terrain. The state of Florida, however, is not where you’ll be charging double-black diamond ski runs or climbing granite rock faces.
Down south, it’s all about the balmy clear waters of the Florida Keys that make it such a magnet for fans of deep-sea fishing, shark diving, and kiteboarding. Key Largo considers itself the “dive capital of the world” thanks to its plethora of easily accessible dive sites and an impressive roster of shipwrecks. If you’re making the pilgrimage, you’re likely already a licensed diver. If not, an open-water certificate is possible in just a few days and can unlock a serious spectacle of underwater marine life.
Denali National Park – Alaska
The landscape doesn’t get more extreme in the USA than Alaska. If conditions allow, keen mountaineers can attempt to tick off North America’s highest peak, Denali (6,190m), while the wider national park area opens the doors to multi-day hiking, dog sledding, and cross-country skiing.
At this latitude, it’s common for most wilderness areas of Alaska to close up shop for winter. But not Denali. It’s a year-round affair that encourages snow-shoeing and biking in the colder months, and wildlife observation and camping in the summer.
Denali Peak itself, however, is a serious box tick for keen climbers and undeniably the biggest attraction of the park, due in part to its membership of the “Seven Summits” club (i.e., the seven highest peaks on earth, one from each continent). Climbing Denali requires serious fitness and an ability to perform well at altitude, as well as a spare three weeks of annual leave up one’s sleeve.
Yosemite National Park – California
Yosemite National Park is a tier-one example of how powerful perfectly preserved nature can be in the United States. Sequoia trees tower against the base of granite cliffs from which waterfalls cascade down. Its proximity to San Francisco (just 3.5 hours by car), makes accessing some of the best hiking trails on the West Coast all the more enticing.
For rock climbers in particular, it really doesn’t get more challenging than the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. These natural wonders are enough to get the attention of any adventure seeker, and that’s before you consider the dramatic hikes on offer, family-friendly camping areas, and backcountry skiing and ice climbing during the winter months.
Telluride – Colorado
Known for its steep and challenging terrain, Telluride is nothing short of an extreme winter specialist’s heaven. If you want expert-level skiing and snowboarding in Colorado, Telluride is your answer. Riders can’t visit Telluride without getting aerial, and we’re not talking about your steeze in the terrain park.
Heli-skiing in this part of the United States is unrivalled and gives you access to some of the finest untouched backcountry terrain in the world. Look out for the folks at Heli Trax, who reign supreme as the kings of pristine powder.
The Golden Triangle – Montana
If you were to draw a triangle in the Southwest portion of Montana (and a little bit of Idaho) you would find yourself in the golden triangle of one sport in particular – fly fishing. This land and the rivers that flow through it – including the Snake River, Beaverhead River, and Yellowstone River, to name a few – are some of the most iconic trout rivers in the American fly fishing scene.
Think rolling vistas, snow-capped peaks, and grazing antelope. The rivers and streams are clear, cold, and fast, with plentiful stocks of wild trout of the brown, rainbow, and bull varieties. Essentially, Southwest Montana is a homerun when it comes to an adventure angler’s idea of heaven.
Kauai – Hawaii
There’s only one place in the world that can offer an authentic Jurassic Park vibe, and that’s the real-world location where it was filmed. Hawaii’s jagged, untamed wild island of Kauai deserves a spot in this article, least of all because of its dramatic difference in the landscape to the continental options on this list.
Marvel at the awesome coastline of Na Pali from a catamaran, fly through the lush Waimea Canyon in a doors-off helicopter, or embark on a multi-day hike where the spectacular views are worth the arduous climbs to get there.
Hood River – Oregon
Hood River, located in the Columbia River Gorge on the northern border of Oregon, is the perfect balance of action and culture.
The strong winds in the valley make water sports the most popular drawcard. Between takes, however, you can kick back at a multitude of cellar doors, breweries, restaurants, and museums, and even swap the wetsuit for a mountain bike or set of golf clubs. Being just an hour’s drive from Portland gives Hood River the stamp of universal appeal for all degrees of adventure thirst.
Lake Tahoe – California
Mountain biking and wakeboarding are king here in the summer, with snowmobiling and skiing the big draw cards for winter. The best part about Lake Tahoe? During the shoulder seasons, you can do both.
Remarkably, there are 15 different ski resorts around the titular lake, which is actually the largest alpine lake in North America. In winter, riders can look forward to 867 kilometres of slopes serviced by an incredible 169 ski lifts.
During summer, or whenever the weather starts to warm up a little, the lake is open season for all the water sports imaginable. Hike, camp, or boat your way around Lake Tahoe, and then continue your trip down through California to Yosemite.
The Tetons – Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park and its halo ski resort – the famed Jackson Hole – offer a range of extreme adventures, including backcountry skiing and challenging alpine climbs. The rugged terrain of the Tetons attracts experienced adventurers seeking a serious outdoor challenge and the ski area within Jackson Hole itself is regarded as some of the best in-bounds terrain in the USA.
The village is also one of the ritziest and most affluent country ski towns in the States. If you thought the scene in Aspen was chic and attractive, Jackson Hole puts a Succession-level spin on any perceptions you may have had of Wild West ski towns.
This article is sponsored by VisitTheUSA.com.au and is part of a series celebrating Boss Hunting’s favourite corners of the United States. Click here to see more, and thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
