Want to Escape Banff’s Crowds? Saddle up and Hit the Backcountry
Banff National Park recorded a historic 4.5 million visitors in the 2025/26 season, prompting many travelers to seek quieter alternatives. Banff Trail Riders offers a three‑day, off‑grid horseback adventure that culminates at the solar‑powered Sundance Lodge, a 10‑room retreat deep in the Canadian Rockies. The package, priced at roughly $1,250 per person, includes meals, guides, and pack‑horse logistics, delivering a wilderness experience far from the crowded gondola lines. The operator highlights environmental stewardship and showcases women in leadership roles within the traditionally male‑dominated backcountry sector.
Cotic Renews Jeht Trail Bike With More Travel and MX Wheels
Cotic has launched the third‑generation Jeht trail bike, boosting rear travel to 150 mm and offering a 160 mm fork option. The UK‑made steel front triangle pairs with an aluminum chainstay and a mixed‑wheel MX setup, while the Rocklink suspension replaces the...
Review: Outdoor Research Gore-Tex Seattle Rain Cap
The Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Cap is a lightweight, unisex hat built around a 3‑layer Gore‑Tex laminate that delivers waterproof, breathable protection for hikers, trail runners, and commuters. Weighing just 2 oz, it features a 3‑inch brim that keeps glasses dry...
Road, Endurance, Gravel, Mountain: Our Editors’ Top Canyon Bikes to Buy Right Now
Canyon Bicycles has become a top‑selling U.S. bike brand by selling high‑performance road, gravel, mountain and e‑bikes directly through its website, shaving $1,000‑$3,000 off comparable models. The company’s lineup, praised by pros such as Mathieu van der Poel and Kasia Niewiadoma, has...
Forget Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Visit This Old-Growth Forest For Scenic Hiking And Fewer Crowds
Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, a 3,800‑acre old‑growth preserve in western North Carolina, offers hikers the same mountain scenery as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) without the year‑round crowds. The forest features a two‑mile Memorial Loop for casual walkers and...
New Mexico's Glorious 'Quiet Lake' Is A Serene State Park Escape With Stellar Fishing And Camping
Heron Lake State Park, a newly designated "quiet lake" in northern New Mexico, offers a low‑wake boating environment amid pine‑forested, 7,167‑foot elevation scenery. The park, created by a 1971 dam on Willow Creek, has become a premier year‑round fishing destination,...
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This Is One of the Newest and Most Biodiverse National Parks in the U.S.—Just an Hour From Chicago
Indiana Dunes National Park, designated in 2019, is one of the nation’s newest and most biodiverse protected areas, hosting over 2,000 species and 350 bird types across five distinct ecosystems. Spanning 15,000 acres of dunes, wetlands, forests, prairies and rivers,...
America's Top-Rated Dog Beach For 2025 Is A Leash-Free Florida Paradise For Your Furry Friends
Jupiter Dog Beach in Florida has been crowned America’s No. 1 dog‑friendly beach by USA Today readers for 2025, marking its second straight year at the top. The 2.5‑mile off‑leash stretch between markers 26 and 27 offers restrooms, showers, and nearby...
Situated Between Spokane And Tacoma Is Washington's Mountainous State Park With Trails For Hiking And Biking
Squilchuck State Park, a 249‑acre wilderness area at 3,200 feet in Washington’s Cascades, sits roughly three hours from Spokane and Tacoma. The park features about five miles of family‑friendly hiking loops, a challenging 7.3‑mile Upper Wheeler Reservoir trail, and roughly 12 miles...
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This Underrated Italian Island Is One of the Most Beautiful Places in the Country—And You Can Walk There From Mainland...
Ortigia, the historic island at the heart of Syracuse, Sicily, is a compact UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its Baroque architecture, ancient Greek ruins, and vibrant waterfront. Visitors can stay in luxury hotels such as the renovated Algilà palace...
California's First DarkSky-Approved Resort Is A Breathtaking Yosemite Paradise
Under Canvas Yosemite, a new 85‑acre glamping resort on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, has earned California’s first Dark Sky‑approved lodging certification. The site features 71 fully furnished safari‑style tents, including “Stargazer” units with ceiling windows for unobstructed...
7 Best Running Shoes for Beginners of 2026, Tried and Tested
GQ’s Hannah Singleton evaluated seven running shoes that cater to beginners, ranking them by overall performance, budget, race readiness, slow‑pace comfort, stability, dual‑use for walking, and maximum cushioning. The Asics Novablast 5 earned top honors for its balanced cushioning and stability,...
Razor-Slim Stealth Jet Camping Stove Fuses Portability with Power
New Zealand outdoor brand Zempire has launched the Stealth‑Jet camping stove series, the thinnest dual‑burner stoves on the U.S. market at just 2 inches thick when packed. Each burner delivers up to 10,000 BTU, with individual output dials, a pull‑start piezo igniter...
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11 Best Desert Towns in the U.S. for Striking Scenery and Unique Escapes
The article spotlights eleven U.S. desert towns that combine striking natural scenery with modern amenities, ranging from Grand Junction’s red‑rock vineyards to Marfa’s iconic art installations. Each destination offers a distinct draw—hot springs in Ojo Caliente, outdoor adventure hubs like Moab,...
After 22-Year Closure, Red River Gorge Climbers Restore Access to 80 Routes
The Red River Gorge Climbers’ Coalition has secured a three‑year renewable lease that reopens 80 climbing routes ranging from 5.8 to 5.14c after a 22‑year closure. The agreement, reached with new landowner Lori Morel, coincides with the coalition’s 30th anniversary...
30 Minutes at Cape Solander That Will Blow Your Booties Off
Tim Bonython released a three‑minute video capturing Cape Solander’s most chaotic big‑wave session, featuring elite surfers Lucas “Chumbo” Chianca, Lucas Fink, Dylan Longbottom and others. The footage shows massive backwash explosions, slab waves folding on themselves, and a brutal wipeout...
Oriane Bertone Climbs V13 and V14 On the Same Day
On April 21, 12‑year‑old Oriane Bertone became the youngest climber ever to top a V14 boulder, sending Gecko Assis V14 and Khéops V13 in Île‑de‑France on the same day. The ascents marked the first female completions of both problems and...
Eldon Hole in Buxton, England
Eldon Hole, a 180‑foot vertical shaft on Eldon Hill in England’s Peak District, was finally measured in 1770, revealing a vast 70‑by‑100‑foot cavern with a perennial snow plug. The site, once feared as a bottomless pit, contains 2,000‑year‑old human and...
ZipFit Espresso: An All-in-One Touring Liner
ZipFit introduced the Espresso, a premium touring liner priced at $535 that weighs roughly 600 g per pair, about half the weight of its GFT predecessor. The liner swaps traditional leather‑neoprene‑cork construction for a thermo‑moldable foam toe box and Kevlar backing,...
How to Run & Crew Your First 100K
Ellie Baxter completed her first ultra‑trail challenge, the 62‑mile, 11,000‑foot Gorge Waterfalls 100K, guided by pro runner Kat Edwards Anderson and crew chief Jason Anderson. The discussion covers everything from nutrition and hydration to aid‑station logistics and mental support. Kat...
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The Most Wish-Listed Airbnb in New York Is a Gorgeous Tree House With Peaceful Mountain Views—And It's Just 2 Hours...
Airbnb’s latest data shows the Willow Treehouse in Willow, New York, as the state’s most wish‑listed listing. The one‑bed, one‑bath treehouse, designed by Antony Gibbon with sustainable materials, offers floor‑to‑ceiling mountain views, a swimmable pond, and a Swedish wood‑burning hot tub. Located...
Two Climbers Will Have Manaslu to Themselves This Spring
Kyrgyz climbers Alexandr Moroz and Mark Ablovacky are attempting a solo, alpine‑style ascent of Manaslu (8,163 m) in the spring, holding the only permit issued so far. They forgo base camps, fixed ropes and Sherpa support, carrying all gear themselves. At...
These New Smart Glasses From Ex-OnePlus Engineers Have a Hidden Cost
L'Atitude 52°N, founded by ex‑OnePlus engineer Gary Chen, announced the Berlin smart‑glasses will ship on May 26 at $399, with an optional $50 photochromic lens upgrade. The glasses feature a 12‑MP camera, 32 GB storage, and Google Gemini‑powered AI tour‑guide called Goya, but...
A Look at Petzl’s New 2026 Grigri +
Petzl has launched the 2026 Grigri+, a belay device upgraded with an assisted mode that keeps the cam engaged for a more secure lock. The new model also adds an anti‑panic feature that moderates descent speed when the lowering lever...
In the English Countryside, a Regency-Era Parsonage With a Walled Garden
The Newt’s owners in Somerset have completed the restoration of Yarlington Lodge, a Regency‑era parsonage turned luxury vacation rental that opens June 1 with rates from $14,250 a night and capacity for 32 guests. In New York, chef Hasung Lee and farmer...
New Panerai Submersible Comes with a Three-Day Navy SEALs Experience and an Incredibly Rare Case Material
Panerai has launched the Submersible Navy SEALs Afniotech, a limited‑edition dive watch capped at 35 pieces and paired with a three‑day Navy SEAL‑inspired experience. The 47 mm case is made from Afniotech, an alloy of 95 % hafnium that is exceptionally rare...
Garrya Mù Cang Chải Launches Highland Retreat and Helicopter Access
Garrya Mù Cang Chải has launched a high‑land retreat in northern Vietnam that blends landscape, Hmong culture and well‑being experiences. The property highlights the water‑pouring season when terraced rice fields flood, offering guests vivid scenery before harvest. To simplify access,...
InterContinental Danang Expands Nature-Led Guest Experiences
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has rolled out four new nature‑led experiences that showcase the biodiversity of Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula. The offerings include a free Ecowalk for guests, a fee‑based Jungle Hike to an 800‑year‑old banyan tree, a half‑day...
Review: Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad
The Exped Ultra 6.5R Mummy Sleeping Pad delivers a high 6.9 R‑value while weighing just 15.6 oz, positioning it as one of the lightest four‑season pads on the market. Its tapered mummy shape and side‑rail design keep sleepers centered, and the pad...
Connecticut’s New State Record Rainbow Was Used to 'Help Trigger' Hatchery Salmon to Eat
On April 11, Connecticut angler Richard Courtright Jr. landed a 31‑inch, 16‑lb 7.5‑oz rainbow trout that set a new state record, surpassing the 1998 14‑lb benchmark. The fish was part of a batch stocked by the Kensington Hatchery, which uses large...
REVIEW: HOKA ZINAL 3 TRAIL SHOE
Ultra Running Magazine’s review of the HOKA Zinal 3 highlights the shoe’s redesign for fast, technical trail running. The third‑generation model adds a supercritical EVA midsole and a proprietary sticky‑rubber outsole, swapping out the previous Vibram Megagrip compound. A leno‑weave textile...
Airoh’s Commander 2 Lands Stateside, Was It Worth the Wait?
Airoh has finally opened a U.S. distribution channel, bringing its premium Commander 2 adventure helmet to American riders. The helmet offers two shell options—Composite Carbon (3.46 lb) and Full Carbon 6K (3.35 lb)—and includes safety upgrades like an ASN sliding layer and quick‑release cheek...
1-Min Rooftop Camper Cube Is a Rock-Solid Mobile Habitat Like No Other
Mohab’s Altus series introduces a hard‑walled, electric‑lift rooftop cabin that transforms pickups and 4×4s into all‑season mobile habitats. The 93 × 54 in (236 × 137 cm) standard unit and its larger XL version provide full headroom and a double‑mattress space, opening in 60 seconds with...
John John Florence Calls Cloudbreak ‘Best Wave In The World’ in New Edit
John John Florence released a new mini‑documentary on his YouTube channel, declaring Fiji’s Cloudbreak the "best wave in the world." The edit blends surf footage, local Q&A, and behind‑the‑scenes moments from Florence’s boat, highlighting the wave’s power and the community...
Shark Deterrent Surfboard Fins Currently Being Developed by Australian Research Team
University of Wollongong’s Surf Flex Lab is developing “smart composite” surfboard fins that embed miniaturized sensors, electromagnetic emitters and illumination to deter shark attacks. The project, partially funded by the Australian Composites Manufacturing CRC, aims to match the flex and...
Trail Name Tales Captures The Essence of Life on the AT
Photographer Carly Rae Brunault captured the quirky, heartfelt tradition of trail names on the Appalachian Trail, turning Instagram interviews into the 130‑page book "Trail Name Tales." The project began during her 2022 thru‑hike, a journey she undertook after the sudden...
Deep Dive: DPS Pisteworks 94
DPS has launched the Pisteworks 94, a versatile all‑mountain ski positioned for aggressive on‑piste performance. In a detailed side‑by‑side test it is measured against a roster of 30‑plus competitors, from the Rossignol Arcade 94 to the Salomon QST 94. Reviewers highlight its 94 mm...
California Marks Biggest State Park Expansion in Decades with 3 New Parks
California announced the State Parks Forward initiative to add three new state parks—Feather River, San Joaquin River Parkway, and Dust Bowl Camp—primarily serving underserved Central Valley communities. The parks would raise the state system to 283 sites, the most of...
Matt Segal Climbs 385-Metre 5.14 in Mexico in a Day
Matt Segal and Emily Harrington tackled La Sombra del Chamán, a 385‑metre, 5.14a multi‑pitch route in Mexico, achieving the first one‑day ascent and the second free ascent. Segal linked the original 14 pitches into nine, while Harrington switched to a...
Washington's Once-Thriving Military Fort Is Now A Coastal State Park Gem With Trails, Fishing, And Beach Fun
Fort Ebey State Park, a 651‑acre former World II coastal fort on Whidbey Island, opened to the public in 1981. The site preserves Battery 248’s historic ruins while offering 28 miles of hiking, mountain‑bike, and paragliding trails. Visitors can fish in stocked...
Morocco Is Having a Ski Moment. We Hit the North African Slopes to See, and Ski, for Ourselves
Morocco’s Oukaimeden ski resort, perched at 10,738 ft in the Atlas Mountains, is experiencing a surge of visitors after record snowfall this winter. Travelers from Europe and local enthusiasts are flocking to the modest slopes, where ski rentals cost roughly $10...
Canada's Stunning National Park Outside Edmonton Is An Idyllic Getaway With Bison, Hiking Trails, And Lake Fun
Elk Island National Park, located just 30 miles east of Edmonton, offers a compact yet diverse wilderness experience with 11 marked trails, two pristine lakes, and free‑roaming bison herds. Designated part of the UNESCO‑recognized Beaver Hills Biosphere in 2016, the park...
4 Affordable Summer Fishing Slams Anyone Can Do
Outdoor Life outlines four budget‑friendly summer fishing "slams" that let anglers chase multiple species without flying far or spending big. The Great Lakes slam in Michigan targets trout, salmon and steelhead with spoons and herring strips in June‑July. Florida’s Suwannee...
Florida's Free Sculpture Garden In Orlando Is A Lovely Escape
The Lake Nona Sculpture Garden in Orlando offers a free, 50,000‑sq‑ft art experience just 12 minutes from the international airport. Featuring the Lewis Collection, the site showcases works by Henry Moore, Fernando Botero and a replica of the iconic Charging...
Near Downtown Memphis Is A Historic Tennessee State Park Packed With Outdoor Recreation
T.O. Fuller State Park, a 1,100‑acre historic preserve just nine miles from downtown Memphis, was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s and originally served African‑American visitors during the Jim Crow era. Today the park is free to...
Dean Potter Once BASE Jumped Off a Canadian Peak After Climbing a New Route
In 2011 Dean Potter and a four‑person team completed a new free climb on the west face of Mount Bute in British Columbia, grading the line at 5.11+. The ascent was captured for National Geographic’s documentary “The Man Who Can...
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I’ve Worn These Wide-Leg Travel Pants on Dozens of Trips to Europe—And Now They're Under $40 at Amazon
Travel writer Becca Blond highlights the Iuga Wide‑leg Trousers as her go‑to piece for European trips, noting they now sell for under $40 on Amazon. The high‑waisted, stretchy, wrinkle‑resistant fabric lets her transition from long‑haul flights to dinner outings without...
Has Skiing Bounced Back From COVID? Global Skier Visit Numbers Suggest So
The 18th International Report on Snow & Mountain Tourism shows the ski industry rebounding strongly, with 399 million skier visits in the 2024/25 season—surpassing the 2018/19 record of 392 million. Growth occurred despite below‑average natural snowfall across North America and Europe, highlighting...
Close Call: How Canoeist Frank Bures Survived An Early-Season Capsize
Frank Bures capsized his solo canoe on the Mississippi River in early March when water temperatures were around 42 °F (5 °C). He battled cold shock, hypothermia and a strong current for ten minutes before two paddlers, Jake and Hunter, threw a...
Secret Life Of Rookies
The article spotlights standout rookie performances across sports, outdoor recreation, and entertainment, from Wyatt Hammond’s unprecedented double win in kayak bass fishing to Jackie Robinson’s historic baseball debut. It also references iconic rookie achievements in basketball, football, literature, and music,...