42 Perfect Summer Trips

This real-deal ranching town at the confluence of the Colorado, Blue, and Muddy Rivers serves up splashy outdoor adventures for summer, from rafting to dips in hot springs.

Palm Springs in summer? Yep, we said it. Zero crowds, killer deals, and a pool around every corner make this the place to be.

Dip into Lander, Wyoming, a cool town of climbers, killer coffee, and cowboys. Epic hiking trails also await you there.

In Scottsdale, expect summer temps of triple digits with a chance of more triple digits. But hotels and resorts—even the ultraposh ones—drop their room rates by as much as two-thirds in summer.

Grab your cowboy hat and hit the rodeo in this wild west town. Mountain trail horseback rides and whitewater rafting are just a few of the adventures that await you.

Geyserville is a wine-lover's low-key paradise. Sip some poolside vino at Francis Ford Coppola's winery, or taste your way through Alexander Valley, home to world-class Cabernet.

At picturesque Solana Beach, you can spend the day visiting artsy, cool shops, munching on good eats, and catching some waves.

Explore this old mining town and you'll find an up-and-coming art scene, handmade pottery, and a refreshing cooler temperature than nearby Phoenix.

Explore nature's very own water world in Cascade, Idaho. Sparkling lakes, flowing rivers, and natural hot springs boast fun activities for the whole family.

On a bargain weekend in Southern Oregon's famous culture town, see a world-class play, hear live music, wander galleries, and beat the heat in woodsy 93-acre Lithia Park.

Whether you're carving up the waves or watching the pros from the sand, the classic beachy California vacation town of Huntington Beach will work its charms on you. Here's where to stay, get lobster tacos, watch the surfers, and learn to catch a wave.

Summer brings out the all-American spirit in this small waterfront ferry port town. Grab some gourmet picnic grub and head to the beach, or hop a ferry for a scenic tour of the nearby Kitsap Peninsula.

In summertime, a cool pine forest laced with bracing-cold streams sounds just right. Sierra City is where to make it happen! Take a dip in ice-cold swimming holes, hike through fields of wildflowers, then jump back into the crisp alpine waters to cool off again.

Imagine a national park-level wilderness without national park-level crowds. No bus tours. No traffic. No entrance fees. Just drop-to-your-knees gorgeous land full of hiking trails, hot springs, trout-filled streams, and some of the best lemonade we've ever tasted.

Set sail—or just watch the boats glide by—in this mile-long harbor town. Rent a boat, watch one being made, or count them up in the harbor, then feast on the catch of the day at a local tavern.

Maui’s got all the essentials for the ultimate tropical vacation. Snorkel, shop, head out on a horseback ride, and enjoy the island's immense beauty.

Our hour-by-hour breakdown of the perfect day in Yosemite: See the sun rise over glistening meadows, trek to three waterfalls, eat lunch beneath El Capitan­—and still have time for an ice cream break.

A long summer weekend in Washington's San Juan Islands is just enough time to savor the area’s patented pleasures: orcas and eagles, kayaking and hiking, and a food scene that shows the influence of a burgeoning slow-food movement.

Clear, blue, and still a classic: Summer in Tahoe is the same as it ever was. Go for a sunset sail, take a shot at paddleboarding, or find a slice of beach and take in the to-die-for beauty.

This achingly beautiful wine country is in full-throttle mode, with new wineries and different kinds of grapes going in all the time―nearly 60 varietals, planted all over the benchlands, hillsides, and valley floor. Add to this the Okanagan's pristine lakes, orchards, and wide range of non-wine-related things for the whole family to do (from riding the century-old Kettle Valley steam train to biking and hiking), and you have a wine-country experience like no other.

For a unique spin through Denver, rock the South Platte River's rapids or simply relax on the banks of Confluence Park and sip a beer at notorious Beat Generation hangout My Brother's Bar.

With luxe inns and tons of tasting rooms, Willamette is ready for prime time. You can get lost on the backcountry roads but always find a good glass of Pinot around the bend. And now, with great hotels and tasting rooms mustering in towns like Carlton, you can experience the valley’s off-the-beaten-path vibe yet have the comforts of a soft bed close by.

This is the granddaddy of national parks, full of waterfalls, bison, and geysers. From cabins to fishing to camping, here's our tips on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

Hit the road this summer on an epic road trip through the Rocky Mountain Front to Glacier National Park. You'll pass through Montana's Rockies through the plains and you can stop to explore tipi villages, hunt for dinosaur bones and Indian relics, stay at a guest ranch, and catch a small town rodeo.

From Gold Country to Mono Lake, you'll hop from lake to forest to charming mountain town on this road trip along the Sierra’s eastern slope.

Explore a scenic stretch of Washington coast that's a foodie's paradise. If you like oysters―we're talking just-harvested Willapa Bays―you'll love the Long Beach Peninsula.

Adventure therapy? Paddling the pristine Prince William Sound―alongside humpback whales, floating icebergs, and 350-pound sea lions―is the ultimate Alaskan adventure.

Deep, blue, and busy are three words that sum up three of the West's most beautiful lakes: Coeur d'Alene, Pend Oreille, and Priest. Each has its own character -- Coeur d'Alene's got boats and golf and high-end resorts; Pend Oreille has the little town of Sandpoint; and Priest has huckleberry pie.

First-time family camping is best done by car. The Southern Oregon Coast, a boulder-strewn, hermit-crab-crawling stretch of pure summer fun, is the very best place to do it.

A national park to yourself? In prime summertime? Yup―it's possible in superlush Olympic―the greenest, wettest, wildest of the bunch.

Calling all locavores to this little land of blackberries, just-plucked salad greens, and sustainable salmon.

The Southern Gulf Islands are a paradise for paddlers―and anyone who loves hidden beaches, small farms, and seaside spas.

Escape to the wild seaside on the south coast of Vancouver Island. You'll need a car to drive the pretty back roads, where there is a meadery and honey farm, but you can also rent a bike and pedal the Galloping Goose Trail. Cap it off with a stay at the artsy Sooke Harbour House. Berries seem to hang on every bush in the summer.

Lassen Peak is Northern California's hidden treasure. It has all the scenery of Yosemite, but without the crowds.

An hour from San Francisco, Point Reyes and Tomales Bay is a wonderland of rolling hills, placid waters, wild coastline―and some of the most amazing food anywhere.

Camping is the ultimate bargain getaway. From the rim of the Grand Canyon to the sweeping Arch Rock Campground in Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, here are over 100 great spots to roll out your sleeping bag.

This is a SoCal island retreat only 40 minutes by ferry from the mainland. You can splash around on Avalon Beach, stroll through the harbor town of Avalon, or take a jeep tour of the wild backcountry.

Santa Barbara is the beach town off 101. Tall palm trees, a great sweep of beach and wine country just over the San Marcos pass.

The high-altitude capital of New Mexico is an ideal summer escape. See a different side of it with our picks for 4 ways to experience Japan without leaving the city.

This tiny Route 66 town has been dubbed the gateway to the Grand Canyon, but it’s much more than a refueling stop along the way. Take in Old West history at Wild West Junction, shop in the reinvigorated downtown, and explore the town’s own secret―and dazzling―canyon.

San Diego is summer personified. What to do, where to stay, and where to eat in the city's three best neighborhoods for sun-kissed fun.