Are you stuck in a rut? Do you have the dreaded itchy feet and you just don’t quite know where to go? Has your life sort of just flopped and you’re still stuck on the same treadmill that you were 2 dipstick exes, 3 deadend jobs, and a partridge in a pear tree ago?
Then it’s time for a little destination inspiration, baby! Cue the dramatic fanfare and streamers! Let me give you a big old hug before we get on to the best destinations this world has to offer!
It’s hard to forget the island life and the glimmering beaches. Or the sweet smell of questionable somethings overflowing from garbage cans… Travelling is a flurry of sensory experiences, and us travellers are starving for some hardcore adventures.
Call it nostalgia, but I’m ready to remember that one time I had an unfortunate accident involving loose stool on a bus as it careened down a mountain in Myanmar. I’m ready to plan some new adventures – that hopefully don’t involve unfortunate accidents – but instead, involve delicious dumplings and pumping surf.
Now, if you’re struggling to understand where to go backpacking next, and how the heck will you start planning for it, I can only tell you that you’ve landed just on the right spot.
Why Do You Want To Travel?
There is definitely magic involved when you snort a line of something sparkly, throw a dart at the world map, pack your bags, and leave. But I think your destination inspiration is made easier with just a dash of forethought.
You will have a more rewarding travel experience if you know why you want to be travelling.
If you do need to blow off some steam lighting up your neurons with the fun stuff, then pick your travel destination and itinerary accordingly. I’m thinking South America, six weeks.
Do you want some truly off-the-beaten-path adventure? Then put away the sparkly stuff and head into the mountains of Kyrzgstan.
Have you picked up the philosophical phone looking for the perfect taco? Mexico answered with a low and slow trip through its vast and various states. You might find something more profound along the way…
Whatever the case, once you know why you want to hit the road, it’s time to get inspired by all the wondrous places this globe has to offer.
It’s time to pack your bags and open yourself to that juicy personal growth that only travel can unlock. It’s time to embrace the growth at the edge of your comfort zone.
Our Picks
Fruita, Colorado
Moab is one of the most visited outdoor adventure towns in the United States. With 2 popular National Parks nearby, millions of tourists visit every year. The visitation numbers increased in 2020 despite the pandemic, with many people finding solace from the pandemic in the National Parks. Arches National Park has occasionally closed its gates temporarily, but recently it has been forced to close it’s gates by mid-day to reduce overcrowding, turning away more visitors than ever before.
To avoid the Moab crowds, we recommend heading to Fruita, only 1.5 hours northeast of Moab just over the border in Colorado.
Fruita is one of the best uncrowded vacation destinations around. A quaint, artsy town, Fruita boasts a full range of outdoor adventures from epic mountain biking to rafting and paddleboarding on the Colorado River. The Colorado National Monument lies just to the south of Fruita. It features backcountry hiking, camping and rock climbing opportunities throughout its sandstone cliffs and spires.
Downieville, CA
The Lake Tahoe area has been on the outdoor adventure map for a while. Despite the pandemic, 2020 was no different, except Tahoe saw an even greater boost in visitors. Unfortunately these visitors weren’t well versed in wilderness protocols and the results were surges in vandalism, trash and bear activity.
We’ve got the perfect off the beaten path outdoor destination for you to give Tahoe a well-deserved break and still get your outdoor recreation on: Downieville, CA.
Many people have never heard of this Northern California gem, and it’s probably one of the least crowded recreation towns to visit in summer in California. Popular with a small subset of adventure junkies, outdoor recreation helped save this former mining town from extinction. Downieville is a mountain biking mecca just 2 hours away from Tahoe. The area’s prime mountain biking trail – the Downieville Downhill – is a fast, flowy and technical trail that boasts access to the beautiful wilderness surrounding the town. Need a bike rental or shuttle to the top? We highly recommend renting from Downieville Outfitters – they are the longest running bike rental shop and shuttle service in the area.
Tucson, AZ
If you’ve seen pictures of the beautiful red rocks of Sedona, it’s no surprise even amidst the pandemic it’s been a hotspot for outdoor adventurists (and even some celebrity visitors). People are flocking to Sedona to seek out spiritual renewal and reflection along with the beautiful outdoor scenery and activities.
If you’re not one for following the crowds, pave the way towards the unsung Arizona gem – Tucson. Only 2 hours southeast of Phoenix, Tucson is surrounded by 5 mountain ranges and beautiful desert scenery. This makes it the perfect destination for some rock-loving outdoor activities. It’s not the most empty of our off the beaten path travel destinations, but it definitely offers all the Arizona beauty with none of the craziness of Sedona.
Tucson offers hundreds of miles of trails for hikers to explore, from Saguaro National Park East and West to Oro Valley to Catalina State Park, with hikes for all skill levels. Summer gets hot down here by the border, but spring and fall are perfect times for visiting this unique travel destination.
Silver City, NM
We understand all the love for Santa Fe. It’s a funky town with a robust arts scene, great eats, good brews, and a gazillion hiking trails (many with a hot springs reward at the end!). Plus, the year-round mild weather is hard to beat. But Santa Fe is not secret, and it’s a surprisingly popular destination for visitors trying to beat the summer heat.
Further south in the Land of Enchantment lies a wonderful outdoor recreation destination to visit in summer: Silver City, NM. Silver City sits at about 6,000 feet elevation, only 1000 feet lower than Santa Fe, so it also benefits from temperate summers perfect for outdoor recreation. If you are seeking an uncrowded summer vacation spot with tons of adventure, head to Silver City. Explore the area bike trails, the Continental Divide, and the fabulous hot springs just 2 hours away in Truth or Consequences.
Silver City is a hub for beautiful mountain biking destinations. The Boston Hill Open Space trail system is a former open pit mining area, which harkens back to the reason people settled here and the town’s name. Though not much silver was ever found in the area, there was plenty of mining for ore in the late 1800s. In 1999, the town turned Boston Hill into a 13-mile trail system with beautiful views of the Gila National Forest.
