Though much of the world is reopening after pandemic-induced lockdowns, travel is still a tricky proposition these days, especially for trips deemed non-essential. However, for mask-wearing city-dwellers desperate for a change of scenery, there are exciting options within driving distance to blow off some steam – without rubbing elbows with too many strangers along the way.
From the stunning sand dunes of southern California to the majestic mountains of upstate New York, here are some of the top outdoor activities to shake off the dust – no boarding passes or overnight stays required.
1. Oceano Dunes: California
After months in quarantine, you might need to get the lead out, and not much fits the bill like hopping on an ATV and going off-roading. A few miles south of Pismo Beach, about three hours north of Los Angeles, the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area spans some 3500 acres of sand. Two-thirds of this area is a nature preserve home to rare shorebirds like the snowy plover and the California least tern. The remaining 1100 acres are fair game for thrill-seekers, with several outfitters renting ATVs, UTVs, and 4x4s for day use. Note, though, that the park is currently open to walk-in and bike-in traffic only – most of the SVRA will be closed to vehicle access through October 1.
2. Browns Canyon National Monument: Colorado
Two-and-a-half hours south of Denver lies Browns Canyon National Monument, a remote 21,589-acre parcel of public land. This area is studded with granite cliffs and outcroppings, designated by President Obama just five years ago. The Arkansas River runs right through, providing a stretch tailor-made for whitewater rafting. The Bureau of Land Management asserts that this allows visitors to experience solitude in a natural setting while enjoying the scenery. The tiny towns of Buena Vista and Salida serve as gateways to water-based recreation, with operators like River Runners and Browns Canyon Rafting offering small-group trips for all skill levels – from mellow family floats to full-day rapids-packed adventures.
3. Speedvegas: Nevada
What’s more socially distant than strapping into your own super-speedy vehicle and taking to the road? On the outskirts of the gambling capital of the United States, Speedvegas boasts two high-performance racetracks: one, a 1.5-mile course with a dozen turns and corners, and the second, a 1.4-mile off-road course for trophy trucks, containing 14 turns and eight jumps – one of which will have you airborne at heights of 20ft or more. You can either sit behind the wheel to drive yourself or buckle up for a ride-along – either way, there are no speed limits here, so you can cruise as fast as you like.
4. Saginaw Bay Birding Trail: Michigan
While spring and fall are peak seasons for bird-watching, our feathered friends aren’t completely absent during the summer months. On the eastern shore of Lake Huron, Michigan’s 142-mile Saginaw Bay Birding Trail shelters an assortment of species in its woodland, wetland, shoreline, and grassland habitats. Bird species range from the blue-winged teal to the black-crowned night heron. It’s one of the few spots east of the Mississippi where you might catch yellow-headed blackbirds during nesting season, and one of the only places in the country where the rare Kirtland’s warbler resides. Just keep your eyes peeled: A few years ago, the team identified 154 species in one 24-hour period, so you never know what you’ll find.
5. Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor: Oregon
Thanks to Haystack Rock and its iconic silhouette, Cannon Beach is one of the most prominent stops on the Oregon coast. However, given its popularity, it may not be the ideal place to visit during a pandemic. Instead, consider visiting one of the region’s lesser-traveled state parks. About five hours south of Portland, near the California border along Highway 101, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor offers secluded beaches, picnic spots, unique offshore rock formations, and multiple access points to an 18-mile stretch of the Oregon Coast Trail. Trails, viewpoints, and beaches are open, as are vault toilets, but visitors are asked to pack out their trash and turn around if it’s crowded.
6. Lake Placid: New York
Nestled in New York’s Adirondacks, the village of Lake Placid was the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. There’s plenty to do in summertime as well. At the Olympic Sites, where masks are required for entry, Mt. Van Hoevenberg offers some 18 miles of cross-country biking trails and more than 27 miles of hiking trails in varying degrees of difficulty. The Olympic Jumping Center’s gondola and zipline are both open, providing thrilling views. A 2.7-mile loop encircles Mirror Lake, where visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, swimming, boating, and stand-up paddleboarding in pristine mountain waters.
7. Dahlonega, Georgia
For East Coast wine lovers dreaming of California wine country, there’s a respectable substitute right in their own backyard. An hour north of Atlanta in the North Georgia mountains, the historic Gold Rush town of Dahlonega is the centerpiece of the state’s thriving viticulture scene, with 12 tasting rooms and nine wineries, many of which offer outdoor seating. Explore the surrounding Chattahoochee-Okonee National Forest for hiking and waterfall-chasing, then take a leisurely ride along the picturesque 39-mile wine trail – with a designated driver, of course – to sample the regional bounty.
