With social distancing still being encouraged despite some coronavirus advances, venturing into nature seems to be the best way to stay safe during a holiday nowadays. With that in mind, if you are exploring the United States, you are probably looking into mountains that you could visit. Keep on reading for some of the most astonishing ones that will leave you breathless.
The White Mountains
If during your trip around the U.S. you find yourself hiking on the Appalachian Trail or visiting Boston, you should not skip the White Mountains. Located in New Hampshire and Maine, these mountains provide visitors with recreational opportunities all year round. Whether you are going alone, with family, or with friends, you will have a wide array of activities to choose from. For instance, you can rent a snowmobile, go on a winery tour, or explore a corn maze. The White Mountains include five other ranges and have 49 peaks that are over 4,000 feet tall, meaning that you will not lack adventure nor gorgeous vistas.
The Blue Ridge Mountains
Another range that is a part of the Appalachians is the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains extend from Pennsylvania all the way to Georgia so you can easily drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and take in all the beauty of the area. If you stop in Georgia, you can also visit the town of Blue Ridge, take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, and enjoy some water activities like rafting, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
The Uinta Mountains
When visiting Utah, you cannot overlook the Uinta Mountains. A subrange of the Rockies, this mountain chain is located about 100 miles east of Salt Lake City so if you’re looking for a backpacking adventure, you can traverse the Uinta Highline Trail. Moreover, you can also go fishing or snowmobiling. If you plan on camping on the Uinta Mountains, beware of sunburn, hypothermia, and lightning danger, and keep an eye out for black bears and moose.
The Cascade Mountains
The Cascades are a mountain range that sprawls from British Columbia down to Northern California. These breathtaking mountains are a part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and include both non-volcanic mountains and volcanoes, some of which are still active. The highest peak of the range is Mount Rainier at 14,411 feet. If you go to North Cascades National Park, you can book a reservation in one of the two lodges or camp on-site, see over 300 marvelous glaciers, and hike numerous trails.
The Sawtooth Mountains
The Sawtooth Range is another subrange of the Rocky Mountains. Situated in Idaho, the range has 57 peaks higher than 10,000 feet, with Thompson Peak being the highest. The rugged nature offers hundreds of trails so if you’re an avid hiker, you can go from Redfish Lake to Alpine Lake, for example. Moreover, you can paddle on Stanley Lake and camp here with your whole family. The photos you can take are mesmerizing, so don’t forget your camera.
The Elk Mountains
With so many subranges, it’s only normal that the Rockies have found themselves on this list again. This time, if you and your friends decide to go to Colorado, don’t skip the Elk Mountains. While you can always go skiing in Aspen, you can also bring along your quality mountain bike and try out some of the local trails. For instance, the Rio Grande Trail is a 42-mile long trail that will provide you with stunning views of snow-capped mountains, reddish hills, and silver clouds.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are located in Colorado and New Mexico so you can include them on your trip to Aspen and the Elk Mountains if you’re looking for a longer adventure. These mountains are a popular destination for camping, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and downhill skiing. With many subranges, peaks over thirteen and fourteen thousand feet, and towns scattered around the mountains, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains will make for an activity-packed holiday.
The Bighorn Mountains
Wyoming is not worth a visit only because of Yellowstone National Park and the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center. When you visit the Cowboy State, add the Bighorn Mountains to your itinerary as well. The landscape is rich with many peaks that are over 12,000 feet tall as well as valleys, creeks, and forests so you will be able to take some amazing snaps. Furthermore, whether you want to go horseback riding or ATV riding, you can do it here.
The Kenai Mountains
In case you’ve already visited the Alaska Range and the highest peak in North America, you can take a trip to the Kenai Mountains the next time you find yourself in the Land of the Midnight Sun. As many parts of Alaska cannot be reached on foot, you can consider taking a helicopter ride over the stunning wilderness to get a nice view. You can also opt for a boat tour that will take you through the fjords and near Bear Glacier.
The Ouachita Mountains
If Blanchard Springs Caverns, the Crater of Diamonds, and Petit Jean State Park are not enough to satisfy your appetite while in Arkansas, you can also explore the Ouachita Mountains. The highest point of this range is Mount Magazine at 2,753 feet with two summits: Signal Hill and Mossback Ridge. There are 18 campsites where you can settle down for a few days while you discover all that this area has to offer. From bird watching and sightseeing to hang gliding, rock climbing, and rappelling, the activities are suited to all nature-lovers.
The Ozark Mountains
Together with the Ouachita Mountains, the Ozarks form the U.S. Interior Highlands so if you go on a trip to St. Louis, schedule a visit to this plateau as well. If you want to go hiking, biking, or horseback riding, there are 75 miles of trails available. Moreover, you can engage in some water activities on the crystal-clear Buffalo National River, visit local farms, and stay in comfy cabins while there. This is a popular tourist destination so restaurants and cafes are also plenty.
With so many amazing mountains to choose from, deciding on your travel plans can be a bit difficult. However, these mountains aren’t going anywhere so take it easy and explore them one at a time.
Courtesy of Nina Simons.