Malee Baker Oot

Whether it’s a moose wading through a northern pond, a guanaco grazing on an Andean steppe, or a rust-coated Ethiopian wolf streaking across the highlands of the Simien Mountains, encounters with wildlife can make a trek unforgettable

Driving along the western edge of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, there’s no doubt we’re in horse country. Shards of morning sunlight illuminate wildflower-freckled pastures, and the roadside is dotted with equine-friendly accommodations. There’s even a diner called The Hitching Post. But, the 125,000-acre recreation area spread over northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky has also emerged as one of the Southeast’s premier mountain biking destinations – thanks in

Florida’s Adventure Coast is renowned for outdoor pursuits, from pristine paddling along the Weeki Wachee River to avifauna-rich hikes in the Withlacoochee State Forest. But one of the region’s best-kept secrets is its vibrant dining scene. From perfectly smoked barbeque to freshly caught seafood to hand-dipped ice cream that wraps up the day on a sweet note, there’s something to please every palate. There are plenty of options for adult beverages, too, from craft brews to vineyards (yes, vineya

America’s swimming holes are national treasures. When temperatures begin to climb, jumping into these refreshing oases is more than just a great way to cool off: It’s a beloved summertime ritual that’s equally sweet in its simplicity—all you really need is a swimsuit and a bit of insider savvy to find the best spots. Fortunately, the country is sprinkled with an abundance of natural swimming holes, from far-flung plunge pools to rapid-rippled natural waterslides to serene springs for soaking. Gr

Dreaming of trekking along mountaintops, summiting peaks, and meandering around rivers? Yeah, us too. However, it isn’t always possible to hit the trail for months at a time. But fortunately, there are plenty of short-and-sweet backpacking trips around the world that pack a major punch. From the high peaks of the Himalayas to the Fiordland Region of New Zealand’s South Island, here are three of our favorite three-day backpacking trips around the world. So we aren’t all taking on Mt. Everest, bu

In the age of social media, it almost seems as if no place on the planet has escaped the lens of a smartphone camera. But beyond the trending hotspots, there are places still overlooked by travelers. Countries that are overshadowed by bigger, more illustrious neighbors. Some far-flung spots that are deemed too remote and others that are inexplicably ignored. Fortunately, the planet is still studded with hidden gems. Here are six of the best under-the-radar countries to visit right now. The olde

A mosaic of marshlands, floodplain forests, shimmering lakes, and grasslands, the Weekiwachee Preserve is an outdoor oasis for nature lovers. Spread over the southwest corner of Hernando County along Florida’s Adventure Coast, the 11,206-acre ecological treasure also serves as a fantastic destination for hiking, biking, paddling, and birdwatching. Bounded by the Weekiwachee and Mud rivers to the north, the preserve also blends into an extensive network of coastal conservation lands extending nor

For globetrotting photographers, it’s hard to beat an African safari for inspiration. From shooting leggy giraffes silhouetted by the setting sun to snapping dizzyingly intimate portraits of the continent’s big cats, Africa provides a lifetime’s worth of incredible images to capture. While the options are abundant, here are a few of the best safari destinations in Africa for traveling shutterbugs to get you started. At Kenya’s Amboseli National Park, photographers are treated to an arresting ba

Over the past decade, thru-hiking has boomed in the United States, as popular books and movies like Wild have inspired more people to test their endurance by strapping on a pack and walking hundreds or thousand of miles to complete long hikes like the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. But, America is just one of many places on the globe with extensive trails that traverse wild landscapes.

The word safari usually conjures up images of the African savannah, with elephants nibbling acacia leaves, sunbathing lions sprawled on rocky kopjes, and leggy giraffes silhouetted by the setting sun. Sure, with destinations like the Serengeti, the Okavango Delta, and the Zambezi Valley, the continent is undoubtedly home to some of the planet’s most iconic safaris. But there are rich animal habitats all over the world, from the foothills of the Himalayas to the forests of Europe. Here are six o

Bouncing over a line of assailing waves, our boat speeds away from the riverine town of Maroansetra, bound for the lushly forested Masoala Peninsula. Nosy Mangabe clogs the horizon, a perfectly placed puff of cloud lending the 520-hectare islet the appearance of a smouldering volcano. I almost expect to see dinosaurs wandering the island’s liana-tangled flanks, but instead, snow-white cattle egrets dust the treetops. Casting waves toward fisherman in hand-wooden pirogues, we skirt Nosy Mangabe’s

Hidden away in the history-steeped foothills along the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Philpott Lake is one of the most breathtaking bodies of water in Virginia. Over the last 65 years, it has evolved into one of the most beloved outdoor destinations in the state. Surrounded by nearly 20,000 acres of protected federal and state lands, the 3,000-acre lake extends into Franklin, Henry, and Patrick counties of Southwest Virginia, providing a literal aquatic oasis for outdoor lovers. To

From the Shenandoah Valley to the Great Smoky Mountains, the Southeast is brimming with spine-tingling lore. With mysterious disappearances, legendary creatures, and heaps of hauntings, the region has plenty of intrigue. These are a few of the most chilling legends still lingering in the Southeast. Check them out—if you dare. After sunset, when the ethereal glow of phosphorescent foxfire illuminates the dense forests and waterlogged thickets of the Great Dismal Swamp, the place can play tricks

I swear my kidneys are shifting as our van rattles over the dirt track running from the silken tarmac of the Route Nationale 7 to the southeastern edge of Madagascar’s Isalo National Park. Through the windshield, all I can see is an amber wall of rock, rising above the pockmarked road. After trundling through a coffee-colored stream, our beleaguered vehicle eventually shudders to a stop at the foot of a towering sandstone escarpment. Spreading morning sunlight illuminates ribbons of ochre, apric

Overlaid by lush woodlands, rolling hills, wildflower-filled meadows, and, of course, the region’s namesake waterways, the Southern Finger Lakes region is truly unique. The area is a haven for wildlife, and an abundance of parks and natural areas provide endless options for nature lovers to explore. See this beautiful section of the country for yourself with these adventures that will take you on a tour of area’s wild side. The diversity of habitats encountered in the Southern Finger Lakes regi

Forget about driving—the forested foothills, plunging gorges, and pleasant pastures of the Southern Finger Lakes region are best admired on two wheels. The area has options for all sorts of cyclists, from rough-and-tumble singletrack seekers to road riders hungry for century circuits with jaw-dropping panoramas. Here are a few of the best ways to experience New York’s idyllic wine country by bike. The country roads lacing the Southern Finger Lakes region provide cyclists the opportunity to pie

With stunning gorges, gushing waterfalls, vast expanses of dense forest, and, of course, the iconic, glacier-carved lakes—the Southern Finger Lakes region in New York has plenty to entice visiting hikers. Even better, the area is also teeming with panoramic footpaths, from leisurely, lakeside loops to historical rail-trails to tree-covered pathways ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts. With so many options in the Southern Finger Lakes region, it’s tough to pick just one local trek. These

The variety of terrain in the United States makes for some incredible and unique hiking opportunities...

Lakes are scarce in the Old Dominion state, making watery expanses like Southwest Virginia’s South Holston Lake particularly precious. Spreading along the western edge of the Appalachian Mountains, the 7,850-acre lake is shared by Virginia and Tennessee, and is easily accessible from towns throughout Southwest Virginia, including Abingdonand Bristol. Besides being among Virginia’s more sizeable reservoirs, South Holston Lake is also one of the most picturesque. Almost two-thirds of the lake is f

The United States is blessed with some of the most spectacular parks on the planet—but there are still plenty of reasons to strike out for foreign shores and experience some of the planet’s mind-boggling diversity firsthand.