Hiking Grand Tetons
Grand Teton National Park greets over 4 million visitors per year. Boasting the largest sheer-face rock wall in the world, El Capitan, it is no wonder that the park is such a popular attraction. The Taggert Lake trail and Cascade Canyon trail are two of the most-traveled in the park, and offer grand vistas of the area. There are over 200 miles of backcountry trails throughout the Grand Tetons, and hiking trips can range from a few hours to a few days. Visitors should beware not only of the numerous bears that inhabit the area, but also the altitude change. Winter trips to the park should be taken with great care and preparation; many visitors are rescued each year from the area’s subzero temperatures. For more information on this beautiful park, check out the website at http://www.nps.gov/grte/.

Camping in Yellowstone
Old Faithful is not the only stop to make in this park! Covering some of the most beautiful backcountry in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, Yellowstone is home to some of nature’s most amazing attractions within U.S. borders. The hot springs and geysers of the area, along with scenic, untouched areas of wilderness, 3,468 acres to be exact, make the park an amazing place to camp and explore. On your visit be aware of the year-round inhabitants of the park, including wolves, grizzly bear, elk, pronghorn, and bison. For a map of some of the most popular attractions, click here. The park offers 12 camping areas, boating, kayaking, horseback rides, day hikes, fishing, and a wealth of park education. Visit the official Yellowstone website for more information.

Rafting the Colorado River
For an exciting adventure, you cannot beat rafting the Colorado River. On its way to Mexico, the river drops over 8000 feet in elevation, producing some of the most amazing white water in the country. But unlike other rivers, this is definitely not one to traverse without an experienced guide. Various adventure companies offer trips ranging from a few hours to an entire week, and from easy family-oriented rafting to extreme, breathtaking excursions. Some companies such as Rafting in the Rockies also offer wilderness rafting trips that allow for the experience of the Colorado River as well as the backcountry wilderness that few visitors get to know. And for the ultimate experience try rafting the Grand Canyon. Westernriver.com Not only is it an exciting trip, it will give you a tour of the canyon like no other!

Skiing in Whistler
Love to ski? Then you absolutely have to visit Whistler in British Columbia, about 2 hours from Vancouver. Offering the largest ski area in North America, as well as the highest vertical with lift service, Whistler and Blackcomb together offer over 8000 acres for the avid skier. Its size alone explains why it has already been chosen for the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. And if you are in the area in the summer, there is still no shortage of activities. In addition to skiing and tubing, Whistler resort also offers mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, ATV and Hummer tours, white water rafting, ziplines, horseback riding and much more. Visit www.whistler.com for trip information.

Utah Wilderness
Have you ever wanted to see what America looked like before settlers came through the West? A trip to the wilderness areas of Utah will provide a very honest answer. Federal legislation protects well over 100,000 acres, and it remains truly untouched American soil. Many companies offer week-long excursions into the wilderness, but the agencies that ensure the preservation of this land suggest taking non-motorized trips if possible. Some of these areas will bring you to grand natural attractions such as Bryce Canyon, the Green River, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Grand Staircase National Monument, Zion National Park, the Cedar Mountains, King’s Peak, and many more. For more information on these areas, visit this site for a list of providers.

Alaska Adventure
Alaskan wilderness accounts for over half of the wilderness area of the United States. With over 58 million acres (that’s right, million) including the largest wilderness mountain range in the country, an excursion to the Alaskan backcountry is an amazing experience. These trips are not for the faint of heart, as they often require wading cold streams, sleeping in a cold climate, and bundling up to hike the mountains. But for those who desire to experience a beautiful wilderness area, abundant wildlife, and the most majestic scenery in the country these trips cannot be beat. Visit www.wildernessalaska.com for information on guided trips by Wilderness Alaska, which has been introducing visitors to the beautiful area for over 30 years.

Nantahala and Ocoee
Southern Tennessee has no shortage of outdoor fun. The Nantahala and Ocoee are some of the most-rafted rivers in the country. The Upper Ocoee was the site of the kayaking competition in the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, and remains a huge attraction today. The river flow is controlled by 3 hydroelectric TVA dams; do not be alarmed if on your way to the rafting office, the riverbed is completely dry. TVA constantly controls the water flow, and they do not open the dams until mid-morning when the rafting begins.

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