United States

With experiences and cultures as varied as anywhere in the world, if you can’t find United States adventure travel that suits your interests, you probably can’t find it anywhere. The expansive heart of North America is home to the virtually every type of climate and terrain imaginable; the opportunities for outdoor activities in the United States are endless.

Too much for any single holiday, the US has multiple distinct territories to explore. The east coast is home to the stunning scenery of New England and the diverse North Carolina, which borders the Atlantic Ocean, while the west features the peerless California and the Pacific coastline. Colorado and gigantic Texas dominate the middle, with remote Hawaii and Alaska providing a respective tropical haven and snowy wilderness.

You can find whatever outdoor activities in the United States you are looking for, it’s all a matter of where you spend your time, how far you are prepared to travel and which climate you’d feel most comfortable in: the blistering summer heat in the west is matched by the more temperate and less predictable east, with cool winds and rain more often.

Here the prolonged winters afford the opportunity for snow sports to continue long throughout the year. The Rocky Mountains reach their peak at 4,399m in Colorado, while the 3,700km long Mississippi River tears through the middle states. Sandy beaches can be found on both coasts, and numerous mountain ranges afford the prospect of unique snowboarding and skiing experiences.

We’re not sure you could actually do just one United States adventure travel holiday.The US is so vast; some states are the size of countries, and there’s no way you can fit everything in. Travellers tend to pick a certain area they find most appealing and experience all the best it has to offer.

In the west, the casinos and glitz of Las Vegas and celebrity-packed California are renowned for their city-break appeal. See the famous Hollywood sign or San Francisco’s Napa Valley vineyards. You could spend a whole holiday taking advantage of the range of outdoor activities in the United States as well as California’s easy living and fantastic weather. There’s plenty to offer the thrill seeker, though; alongside the metropolitan centres lays untouched wildernesses home to coyotes, black bears and mountain lions.

Sightseeing in New York City and the leafy New England states makes for a fantastic break. The marshlands of Cape Cod and the romantic Acadia National Park are especially stunning in the autumn. Indulge on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic shore or marvel at the more extreme activities.

United States adventure travel holidays can take you all the way south and the US border with vibrant Mexico, where you’ll find a shared culture; the infamous ‘Tex-Mex’ cuisine and music, providing a colourful contrast to classic US living. Along the border, the gushing Rio Grande offers opportunities for both high-octane water sports and gentler pastimes.

The intermountain states are dominated by the natural wonders of the Grand Canyon and the Rocky Mountains. This scenic area can provide you some of the classic outdoor activities in the United States, such as trekking and rafting; there’s spectacular views and thrills to suit the most adventurous.

The US provides a spectrum of entertainment and excitement, no matter if you’re looking for relaxation, fun or adventure. In sunny Florida, there are countless theme-parks with some of the world’s most thrilling roller coasters. The peak times are around Christmas and the school holidays, but if you can go out-of-season you’ll still find fantastic weather, but with virtually no queues. Alternatively, you can end your United States adventure travel experience by exploring the Everglades keeping a look out for alligators…

For the free spirit you’ll find locations for bungee jumping, mountaineering, skydiving and so much more. Lively New Orleans has a broad spectrum of entertainment, especially around the Mardi Gras party season. The rich history of capital Washington D.C., and the natural marvel of Arizona’s Painted Desert, also make for a memorable experience.