Explore the Outdoors!
From daring adventures to serene scenes of solitude – Mother Nature reigns supreme. Discover all the magnificent wonders on display with these fantastic outdoor excursions.
A Walk in the Park
A relaxing stroll through a garden in bloom, a gentle hike along a pristine lake, or a dazzling sunset boat ride – time spent outdoors is a great opportunity to slow down, take a break, and reconnect with nature.
From the French word meaning, “safe harbor,” Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge near Gulf Shores, Alabama is a perfect place to witness sea turtles hatching, shorebirds nesting, and fish jumping. Alabama’s last undisturbed coastal barrier habitat, Bon Secour is an oasis of wildlands – untouched by man. A sanctuary for native flora and fauna, the Refuge is a critical habitat for the endangered Alabama beach mouse, as well as Loggerhead, green, and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera– a great spot for birdwatching, Bon Secour is home to more than 370 species of birds, including ospreys, herons, and hummingbirds. Try your hand at surf fishing or take the Jeff Friend Trail to dip your line into the Little Lagoon, or trek to the 40-acre, Gator Lake, where the brackish waters welcome both salt and freshwater fish.
fws.gov/refuge/Bon_Secour
A gateway to the Appalachian Trail, the Hike Inn is a completely unique backcountry lodge, nestled in the Chattahoochee National Forest. The secluded location, just a few hours north of Atlanta in Dawsonville, is one of Georgia’s most distinctive and exceptional state park destinations. A moderate five-mile hike leads guests from the top of one of North Georgia’s most notable Blue Ridge attractions – Amicalola Falls – to the Inn. Known as one of the best hikes in America, the two-to-four-hour trek from the falls to the Inn leads guests across babbling streams and trickling creeks, through hillsides of mountain laurel and rhododendron. Once you arrive, take a load off while taking in the tranquility of the Georgia Mountains. Enjoy the comforts of home surrounded by the peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful gifts of Mother Nature at the Hike Inn.
hike-inn.com
Discover the ancient wonders of the swamp with Atchafalaya Basin Airboat Swamp Tours. Leading visitors and locals into the bayou territory since 1999, this family-owned and operated swamp tour destination is the largest airboat fleet in the region. A gateway to the Atchafalaya Wilderness area, the experienced captains create a complete Cajun Country experience unlike any other. All boats are equipped with canopies and retrofitted with stadium seating, so everyone gets a great view, without the sunburn.
basinlanding.com
At 70,000 acres, the Pascagoula River Audubon Center is home to the largest free-flowing river in the contiguous United States, ample wildlife, and untamed wilderness. With free admission through June of 2021 – this downtown Moss Point, Mississippi attraction located on the Rhodes Bayou is not to be missed. The landmark educational center welcomes visitors to explore the natural bayou habitats and hike the scenic nature trails showcasing the unique ecosystem of the Pascagoula River watershed. Inspiring positive changes, the Center invites visitors to discover native plants and encourages children to explore, create, imagine, and play in the Children's Nature Discovery Garden – perfect for elementary-aged children and younger. Sit back and relax as you view the pristine river and abundant wildlife on the U.S. Coast Guard certified, McCoy's River and Swamp Tours.
pascagoula.audubon.org
A hiker’s paradise, Big Bend National Park is Texas’ gift to the world. In the far southwest area of the Lonestar State, Big Bend is a magical place of migratory birds, a mountain range surrounded by desert, and incredible canyons etched into the porous Texas limestone. With more than 150 miles of trails, there is never a dull moment in this national park. The largest roadless area in Texas – Big Bend offers scenic mountain vistas from the Chisos Mountain Range, hikes through the extraordinary Chihuahuan desert, and spectacular river canyons of the Rio Grande to explore. With more than 60 species of cacti, 75 species of mammals, and over 400 species of birds – the park is home to more types of birds, bats, scorpions, and ants than any other national park in America. A visit to Big Bend will not only satisfy those nature lovers in the group – but also the historians and geologists. From the 500-million-year-old rocks of the Persimmon Gap to volcanic rock and marine sedimentary rock – the history of this southwest Texas region is utterly fascinating. Discover the sublime at Big Bend National Park.
nps.gov/bibe
Extreme Adventure
For those adrenaline-seeking, outdoor enthusiasts – these wild and extraordinary experiences will leave them begging for more.
At Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures in Greenup, Kentucky, discover the natural surroundings and outdoor recreational activities of the Appalachian area. A company with a conscience, Dragonfly Outdoor Adventures offers single and tandem kayak rentals, canoe rentals, and primitive camping sites. Launch off onto the Little Sandy River from the custom-built kayak ramp and enjoy a curving, nature-filled ride in northeastern Kentucky.
dragonflyoutdooradventures.com
Take an afternoon bike ride as you travel along this Outer Banks outdoor destination. Corolla Adventure Park is the premier Northern Outer Banks aerial adventure park - offering 60 unique challenges and six zip lines on three different levels, plus competitive axe throwing target practice. Get down and dirty at Dennis Anderson's Muddy Sports Motorplex. Every year, this high energy park welcomes thousands of people and mighty mud-slinging monster trucks – like the show truck, King Sling. Ride the waves at the Kitty Hawk Kayaks and Surf School. From surfboard and wet suit rentals to kayak and fishing tours to three-day surf camps, Kitty Hawk Kayaks and Surf School provides everything you need to enjoy time on, and in, the water. Search for hidden treasure with OBX Treasure Hunt. Led by text messages, follow the clues, and explore the area’s historic landmarks as you compete against other teams in this interactive, family-friendly, adventure game. Full of coastal adventures, Currituck provides some of the best opportunities for parasailing, paddleboarding, kiteboarding, or the ever-exciting nighttime adventure for the whole family – ghost crabbing.
visitcurrituck.com
A state full of rivers, waterfalls, and state parks, Tennessee is home to some of the best whitewater rafting in the South. From the Pigeon River near Hartford in northeastern Tennessee to the Ocoee River in the southeast to the Little Harpeth River in Middle Tennessee, the Volunteer State is a prime destination for all things white water. With exciting and challenging rapids ranging from Class I(II) to Class IV, enjoy a fun – and safe – romp through the rivers of Tennessee with outfitters and tours; and with decades of service and total dedication to the safety of their patrons, you will never be left up a creek without a paddle while rafting through Tennessee's waterways.
tnvacation.com/experiences/outdoor-adventure
Follow in the footsteps of presidents, celebrities, and acclaimed athletes, while falling in love with the wide-open skies of Texas. Located throughout the state, private skydiving companies – like Texas Skydiving in Central Texas, SkyDive Lonestar in Luling, and Skydive Castroville near San Antonio – offer exceptional and invigorating opportunities to let go and take the ultimate leap. With unparalleled Texas hospitality, skilled instructors with decades of experience, and stunning aerial views, skydiving over the Lonestar State is the thrill of a lifetime. Whether it is your first time, or you are an experienced diver, your heart will be racing and the adrenaline pumping as you leap into the air at 14,000 feet. From tandem jumps with trained instructors to guide you through the process to solo jumps for licensed and experienced divers, a free fall for all can be found in Texas. PS – don't forget to book a professional aerial photographer to capture the exhilarating experience. You won't regret it.
texasskydiving.com
skydivecastroville.com
skydivelonestar.com
Race through the Virginia landscape as the wind whips through your hair on a fast-paced and unforgettable ATV ride. Hop on an All-Terrain Vehicle and discover one of Virginia’s newest trail systems, the Spearhead Trail – Mountain View Trail. A mix of green and blue trails – perfect for beginner riders or those looking for a more relaxing time - Mountain View also includes heart-pounding, challenging, twisting, and turning black trails for those hard-core adventure-seekers. This exciting destination trail takes riders over 118 miles through the shady, light-dappled forests of Appalachia. A short distance from the ATV-friendly community of St. Paul, no visit to Virginia is complete without a spectacular, daring, and unforgettable escapade on an ATV.
No matter what thrills you seek – the great outdoors is a time to reconnect with nature and the world around you. Take a walk on the wild side as you enjoy these beautiful, scenic, and always exciting adventures.
