As winter comes in close, many states and cities are beginning to shut down again. Traditionally, winter is the second most popular time to travel. So many people have given up holiday travel, visiting family, and even bigger trips that would normally take place during breaks from school or PTO from work. And with grey skies and colder temps, we might be feeling the travel blues a little more than we did even last spring.
I know we can’t go very far, but the outdoors are always going to be there, even if it is cold out. So, this time, let’s grab our warmest jackets, maybe invest in some waterproof hiking boots, and head to the outdoors, adventure can be closer than you think!
Try Out a Local Hiking Trail or Nature Center
As long as you have a mask ready to go whenever you pass other hikers, hiking is a great way to feel a sense of adventure, even if you have to stay close to home. Even for those of us who live in cities, hiking trails and nature trails are never that far away. The app All Trails (not sponsored, I just actually love this app) is great for finding hikes near you that you might not have heard of before.
Hiking trails can consist of much more than just hard trails that are there to send you to mountain peaks—many cities have nature centers and arboretums to explore, just so you can get out of your house for a little bit and explore something new. These usually have very easy trails accessible to all levels and unique plants and wildlife to experience, even if you’re stuck in your own city.
Favorite Nature Centers and Arboretums for me include the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, OR and the Cincinnati Nature Center in Cincinnati, OH.
Hoyt Arboretum, Portland, OR
Visit Your Local State Parks
Another great option if you’re looking for a slightly bigger adventure is to see what the restrictions are at your local state parks and choose one of those to visit as a day trip! There are over 10,000 state parks throughout the US, and many are actually located near cities, so even if you think you can’t get away from it all, there is probably a great option for you! And the thing is, there are so many state parks, there’s more than likely one you haven’t heard of yet! State parks are a great option that allow you to have a more local outdoor adventure, learn about your local native wildlife and plants, go on a hike or two, or have a picnic outside. State parks can be huge, but they can also be small enough to explore in just a day. These are great options for anyone looking for an awesome day trip adventure!
My favorite California state parks (where I’m from) include Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Topanga State Park, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. My favorite state parks outside of California are Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada and Itasca State Park in Minnesota.
Disclaimer: all state parks will have different restrictions and closures, and every state is different. Please check conditions before heading out.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park, CA
If You Live Near a National Park, Go For It!
I do want to start off this section by saying: PLEASE don’t travel more than 3 hours to visit a National Park right now. If you live nearby, and the park is open, by all means, go for it. Unwind, social distance, go on a hike, have a picnic. But if you have to travel across multiple state lines, wait a little longer so that you don’t put anyone in danger. National Parks are tourist hotspots, and the point of this post isn’t to increase tourism, it’s go give people options for spending time outside safely.
National Parks are amazing. They’re my favorite thing about the US, and they’re home to some of the best landscapes in the country. And the good news is, they’re not limited to the “Big 62.” These parks are simply the ones with “Park Status,” but the thing is, there are over 300 more parks that are listed as National Rec Areas, National Monuments, National Reserves, National Historic Sites, and more! (National Forests are NOT part of the National Park System). Each park will have its own restrictions, but if you live nearby, it might be a good option to visit for a day trip and take a hike or go on a scenic drive just to get out of the house for the day.
Always check the National Park Service for updates on closures!
My favorite National Parks that are near big cities are:
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area: Los Angeles, CA
Mount Rainier National Park: Seattle, WA
Rocky Mountain National Park: Fort Collins, CO
Grand Teton National Park: Jackson, WY
Colorado National Monument: Grand Junction, CO
Indiana Dunes National Park: Chicago, IL
Santa Monica Mountains National Rec Area, CA
Create a Vacation In Your Backyard
Seriously, I’m not joking about this one. If none of these options are feasible for you, create your own mini vacation by getting outside in your own backyard! That way you don’t even have to leave your house. If you live somewhere where it’s warm this time of year, plan an at-home yoga retreat by looking up yoga videos on YouTube and guided meditations on your favorite app (mine is Insight Timer—again, not sponsored, but I did get to test this app for a job, which was pretty cool!). Make some tropical smoothie bowls and give yourself time to rest (even if you don’t live in a warm climate)—believe me, we all need it!
If you live somewhere where it snows in the winter, spend time outside building snowmen (yes, even if you don’t have kids, it’ll make you smile, I promise), and drink your hot coffee, tea, or chocolate on the porch to clear your head every morning.
It’s also never a bad idea to invest in a fire pit and roast some marshmallows, tell stories, play music with your family, and pretend you’re camping, even if you just go inside and sleep in your own bed!
In the meantime, you have tons of time to start thinking about your next big adventure! Make sure you go ALL OUT this time!
This pandemic is hard on all of us, but just know that there are options nearby for anyone living anywhere to be able to get outside, clear their head, and recenter, at least a little bit. Tell me in the comments what your favorite local places are, and share this post with friends and family who are missing travel a little extra right now.