Extreme US Adventure Vacations: Test Fitness & Bravery in Stunning Landscapes
Forget the hotel gym. There are far more exciting ways of keeping fit on your vacation. Here, we take you on a nerve-shredding tour of extreme adventures you can book around America in landscapes ranging from the searingly hot to the intensely cold. These adventures take place in some of America's most remarkable environments, so they'll boost your physique and come with jaw-dropping views as standard.
Glacier Trekking in Alaska
What's involved: A guided hike across the otherworldly terrain of a glacier, negotiating ice caves, meltwater channels, ridges and crevasses. The scenery is stunning but dangerous, requiring helmets, boot spikes (crampons), and sometimes rope teams for safety. Treks typically last two to four hours.
Top sights: The 27-mile-long Matanuska Glacier in the Chugach Mountains and Mendenhall Glacier, roughly 12 miles long and fed by the vast Juneau Icefield.
Good to know: Climbing experience isn't necessary, but good balance helps. Tours normally run between May and September.
Who to book with: Matanuska Glacier Adventures or Alaska Icefield Expeditions.
Good gateway base: Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage (rooms from $250) offers an indoor pool, free wifi, and mountain views.
Lava Field and Volcanic Trekking in Hawaii
What's involved: Guided hikes across hardened lava flows and volcanic ash, steep crater descents, and exposed ridge walks.
Top sights: Trekking up Haleakalā on Maui, a vast shield volcano 10,023 feet above the Pacific Ocean, or exploring lava fields in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.
Good to know: Expect wild temperature swings and lack of shade. Sturdy boots and sun protection are vital.
Who to book with: Maui Hiking Company, Hawaii Forest & Trail, or Kīlauea EcoGuides.
Good gateway base: Maui Seaside Hotel in Kahului (rooms from $220) features rooms around an outdoor pool.
Slot Canyon Hiking and Canyoneering in Utah
What's involved: Guided adventures through slender rocky corridors, between canyon walls, over boulders, and controlled descents using ropes and harnesses.
Top sights: Zion National Park with sandstone cliffs up to 2,640 feet high, and remote Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with deep slot canyons.
Good to know: Flash flooding is an acute risk, so trips only run in favorable weather. Good mobility and a head for heights are essential.
Who to book with: Zion Adventure Company, Escalante Outfitters, or Red Desert Adventure.
Good gateway base: Cable Mountain Lodge in Springdale (rooms from $300) has a large outdoor pool near Zion and Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Expedition-Style White-Water Rafting in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
What's involved: Multi-day rafting expeditions along the Colorado River, paddling through rapids and remote camping in the desert.
Top sights: Lava Falls rapids at river mile 179, electric-blue waterfalls at Havasu Creek, and marble cliffs at Marble Canyon.
Good to know: You'll need to be a strong swimmer, heat-tolerant, and psychologically resilient, as days are long and retreating is difficult.
Who to book with: OARS, Arizona Raft Adventures, or Western River Expeditions.
Good gateway base: Little America Flagstaff (rooms from $230) on the southern edge of Flagstaff, the main gateway for Grand Canyon rafting.
Ultra-Endurance Cycling in Death Valley, California
What's involved: Long-distance road cycling through one of the hottest places on Earth, with climbs, daily distances of 60-80 miles, and minimal shade. Hydration planning and support vehicles are essential.
Top sights: Routes pass Badwater Basin, North America's lowest point at -282ft, and Furnace Creek, where the world's hottest temperature of 134F was recorded.
Good to know: Exhaustion and dehydration are constant risks. Drink between six and 10 liters of water daily.
Who to book with: Escape Adventures or Backroads.
Good gateway base: The Inn at Death Valley (from $350), an oasis near Furnace Creek frequented by Hollywood elites.
Rock Climbing in Yosemite National Park, California
What's involved: Scaling towering granite walls, with extreme options involving sleeping in tents attached to vertical rock faces.
Top sights: Climbing up Yosemite's famous monoliths: Half Dome (2,000-foot face) and El Capitan (3,000-foot near-vertical wall).
Good to know: Requires a head for heights and good fitness. For advanced climbs, it's life-or-death terrain with complex retreats. Non-climbers can reach Half Dome's summit via a handrail route from May to October.
Who to book with: Yosemite Mountaineering School for advanced ascents; Lasting Adventures or Echo Adventure Cooperative for less demanding explorations.
Good gateway base: Yosemite Valley Lodge (rooms from $320) near Yosemite Falls offers 245 cozy rooms.
