Taking one of the very first places on the list of the Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S., Yellowstone National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its stunning peaks and clear lakes. Hot springs are surrounded by colorful pools, lush woods wind through wide-open meadows, and erratic geysers shoot torrents of scorching water into the air. It's understandable why everyone thought John Colter, a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark, was exaggerated when he first reported Yellowstone's geothermal oddities in 1807.

With so much unspoilt natural beauty. Today, there is no denying the park's exceptionality. Be prepared to share the trails with year-round dwellers like buffalo, elk, and occasionally even grizzlies as you trek through its more than 3,000 square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls. Even though Yellowstone has more than 4 million people each year, you probably won't see many of them unless you spend the entirety of your vacation at Old Faithful.

There is a lot of uncharted land to explore on Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, which extend from the northwest corner of Wyoming towards the borders of Idaho and Montana. Set aside a day or two to enjoy the scenery at Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake. But set aside some time for the paths that lead through less well-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin's hot springs and the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop's untamed fauna.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Summer Vacations in the USA
• #1 in Best Cheap Family Vacations
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in May
• #1 in Best Family Summer Vacations

Best Place to Go:

• Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Old Faithful
• Grand Prismatic Spring

Best Months to Visit: late April to May as well as September through early October

"Grand" is an inadequate description of this canyon. This enormous gap in northern Arizona, which is up to 18 miles wide and a mile deep, is definitely a natural wonder. It is around 277 river miles long. The Grand Canyon has grown with the assistance of the powerful Colorado River for 6 million years, and for ages, visitors from all over the world have come to take in its magnificent red and orange splendor.

The Grand Canyon, which is under the management of the National Park Service and is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site, astounds its roughly 6 million annual tourists. However, if you're looking for a remote getaway in Mother Nature, you should be ready: There can be a ton of people at the Grand Canyon.

Visitors and hikers choose the South Rim, which is home to Grand Canyon Village and the well-traveled Bright Angel Trail. The majority of the amenities are on this side. Go to the North Rim to escape the throng. Hardcore trekking and backcountry camping are available here. Take a helicopter trip for a once-in-a-lifetime look at the canyon.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Places to Visit in the USA
• #1 in Best Cheap Vacations in the U.S.
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in Arizona

Best Things to Do:

• Grand Canyon Village
• South Rim
• Mather Point

Best Months to Visit: March through May and September through November

Yosemite National Park, one of California's most challenging natural settings, is roughly 1,200 square miles of pure awe, with towering waterfalls, centuries-old sequoia trees, stark, intimidating cliff faces, and some of the country's most unusual rock formations. It is one of the Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.

But despite its huge expanse, Yosemite Valley is where most tourists congregate. Half Dome and El Capitan, two of the park's most well-known features, are located here, along with top-notch hiking paths that wind among the natural wonders. Yosemite is accessible to hikers of all skill levels because to the availability of local adventure outfitters' guided tours and climbing instruction.

Just don't expect to go through it alone. Yosemite receives over 4 million visitors annually, which makes it one of the most crowded tourist sites in the United States. However, if you go at the correct time (and begin your day a bit earlier than usual), Mother Nature's beauties will miraculously and peacefully show themselves to you.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best National Parks in the World
• #1 in Best U.S. National Parks
• #3 in Best Adventure Vacations in the U.S.

Best Things to Do:

• Yosemite Valley
• Tunnel View Outlook
• Glacier Point

Best Months to Visit: May and September

With miles of national forests in every direction and Grand Teton National Park to the north, the Jackson Hole valley has mostly avoided being affected by the expanding travel sector. Instead, local businesses like forestry, ranching, and, in the 19th century, fur trafficking have helped it endure. However, Jackson Hole has lately promoted the expansion of tourism.

Formerly working-class communities like Jackson and Grand Teton now have renowned art galleries and theaters, and the area has been converted into a burgeoning winter paradise by massive ski resorts. Many individuals don't consider western Wyoming while making travel plans for a lavish trip.

The Jackson Hole region's beauty and size have drawn the attention of politicians like former Vice President Dick Cheney and Hollywood stars like Harrison Ford, even though it lacks the flash and glamor of Aspen or Lake Tahoe. Jackson Hole is still first and foremost the mountainous region's hub, with untamed trails and miles of open space that harken back to a time before the West was conquered, despite its recent and opulent renovation.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Ski Vacations
• #3 in Best Ski Vacations in the USA
• #3 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA

Best Things to Do:

• Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
• Grand Teton National Park
• National Elk Refuge

Best Months to Visit: April, May, September and October

Despite your best efforts, it will be challenging to adequately describe Lake Tahoe's breathtaking splendor. On the boundary of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe has long been a popular vacation destination, drawing more than 2.7 million visitors annually.

As one of the most picturesque bodies of water in the United States, Lake Tahoe is known for its high granite cliff sides, towering mountaintops, and crystal-clear waters that entice tourists. The surrounding region, often known as Lake Tahoe, has miles of hiking trails, hundreds of picturesque panoramas, and some of the greatest skiing in North America. The gorgeous blue lake alone is worth the journey, though. However, there's still more.

The main characteristics of Lake Tahoe's neighbors appear to have been absorbed. Along the lake's north bank, you may indulge in upscale eating and shopping while playing your luck in the Reno-style casinos on the south shore. There are also many activities that Lake Tahoe is pleased to claim as its own, such as mountain gondola rides, hot air balloon excursions, and gorgeous boat rides across the water's mirror-like surface.

Rankings:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in California
• #4 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA

Best Things to Do:

• Emerald Bay State Park
• Donner Memorial State Park and Emigrant Trail Museum
• Kings Beach State Recreation Area

Best Months to Visit: March to May and from September to November

Kauai has mastered seduction with its stunning sunsets, immaculate beaches, and blue sky. However, the oldest island in the Hawaiian chain attracts visitors without resorting to extravagant luxury or tourist traps; instead, it caters to the no-fuss, no-muss kind of traveler.

A coconut tree is higher than resorts. You like the countryside over the opulent? There are only two main roadways on Kauai, and some areas can only be seen on foot or by taking one of the top Kauai boat trips. Some people contend that all you really need to visit is a decent pair of hiking boots, a rain poncho, and a sense of adventure.

However, you should bring some cash. Room costs during the winter may approach $500 per night because Kauai places a premium on its unspoiled landscape and highly sought-after hiking paths. Consider traveling during the shoulder seasons to maximize your savings and opportunities.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Romantic Getaways in the USA
• #1 in Best Hawaiian Islands
• #2 in Best Beaches in the U.S.
• #3 in Best Fall Vacations

Best Things to Do:

• Kalalau Trail
• Waimea Canyon and Koke'e State Park
• Napali Coast

Best Months to Visit: September and November

Maui is not quite as big as the Big Island, Lanai is not nearly as little, Oahu is not nearly as busy, and Kauai is not nearly as peaceful. For many visitors to Hawaii, Maui is the ideal destination since it gives them a taste of almost everything the Aloha State has to offer, from amazing wildlife to fascinating history and culture.

You may shimmy with professional hula dancers here, play golf on coastal fairways, zip line into the air, snorkel with five distinct species of sea turtles, or just relax on some of Hawaii's most famous beaches. Maui, one of the most visited destinations in the archipelago, is situated between the Big Island and the considerably smaller Molokai (which you can explore by signing up for one of the best Maui tours). The island of Maui is separated into five main zones.

Many visitors establish themselves on the West or South Maui coasts, which are home to Kaanapali Beach and the Old Lahaina Luau, respectively, and the renowned Wailea Beach. But it's important to visit the rest of the island as well. Explore Haleakala, the biggest dormant volcano in the world, in the Upcountry, as well as the old tribal battlegrounds of Central Maui's Iao Valley State Park as you travel down the Road to Hana.

Rankings:

• #1 in Best Beaches in the U.S.
• #1 in Best Places to Visit in November
• #2 in Best Hawaiian Islands
• #3 in World's Best Places to Visit

Best Things to Do:

• Road to Hana
• Haleakala National Park
• Waianapanapa State Park

Best Months to Visit: April through May

The Big Island of Hawaii is comparable to the occasionally clumsy elder sister. Her qualities are frequently overlooked in favor of lovely small siblings and sisters. Families may have fun in Maui. Surfers, partygoers, and outdoor explorers all go to Oahu.

For elegance and romance, go to Kauai. Due to its unusual geography, the Big Island is home to a variety of landscapes, including hot and lush rainforests, hardened lava deserts, and beaches with black sand and snow-capped peaks. It is true that if you came here expecting a normal Hawaiian vacation filled with luaus and a honeymoon-like ambience, you most likely fell short.

But these state parks and hiking paths provide scenery that no other Hawaiian island can match. You probably haven't ever seen hues like that on the beaches. If you just have a short amount of time to visit the island, join one of the top Hawaii tours to benefit from the insider knowledge of a knowledgeable native.

Rankings:

• #3inBest Places to Visit in December
• #3inBest Hawaiian Islands

Best Things to Do:

• Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
• Akaka Falls State Park
• Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Best Months to Visit: September and November

When you visit Acadia National Park, you become a pioneer: Each route leads to untamed, rocky scenery that is begging to be photographed. Granite cliffs with sharp edges and jutting spruce trees on top are battered by cobalt seas.

Harbor seals sun themselves on abandoned chunks of bedrock off the coast as peregrine falcons scream down at you from the skies. The interior forests and ponds are surrounded by rocky pathways and old carriage tracks that demand to be explored. The park, which obviously caters to the usual outdoor lover, places a strong emphasis on action-packed pursuits like horseback riding, bicycling, hiking, and even rock climbing.

You get full access to Acadia's more than 47,000 acres, including all of its hiking routes and natural features, for a very reasonable charge. When you need a vacation from the vast outdoors, Mount Desert Island's northeastern portion holds the picturesque New England village of Bar Harbor, Maine.

Rankings:

• #3inBest Places to Visit in October
• #3inBest Places to Visit in Maine
• #5inBest Maine Beaches

Best Things to Do:

• Cadillac Mountain
• Park Loop Road
• Jordan Pond

Best Months to Visit: September through early October

You're likely to like the Adirondack area of northern New York whether you enjoy outdoor activities, sports history, or simply stunning landscape. The Adirondacks, which are located around 290 miles north of New York City, 250 miles northwest of Boston, and 110 miles south of Montreal, provide a pleasant respite from the region's busy cities.

Visitors may take part in a variety of outdoor sports throughout the winter, such as skiing, snowshoeing, bobsledding, and dogsledding. Travelers may enjoy bicycling, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting once summer arrives. The more than 6 million acres distributed across 12 areas ensure that you always have your pick of breathtaking landscapes to explore, including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake.

You're in luck if you want to take a break from the Adirondacks' outdoor activities since this hilly region also has a ton of historical artifacts. Visitors may experience everything Olympic in Lake Placid by visiting the Olympic Sports Complex, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. The burial and former house of abolitionist John Brown is located at John Brown Farm State Historic Site, in case sports history isn't your thing.

Rankings:

• #3 in Best Places to Visit in New York State
• #6 in Best Places to Visit in June

Best Things to Do:

• Saranac Lake
• Whiteface Mountain
• Fort Ticonderoga

Best Months to Visit: May to August