From teetering rock towers to free-standing ice pillars, the United States is home to some truly heart-stopping climbs. Here are a few of the country’s wildest lines.   Ancient Art (5.10) Where it is Every year, locals mutter that this spindly, freestanding tower of sandstone is going to fall over in a windstorm. And every year, [...]

In San Francisco, you never have to wander far to find a good trail. Rolling hills, temperate weather and lush greenery make this major city a true hiker’s paradise—and the dramatic bay views don’t hurt, either. Whether you’re looking for a quick trek within city limits or want to make the journey into a neighboring [...]

Arctic winds and record-breaking low temps. Will this winter ever end? Whether you’re a sun-seeker in search of soft sandy beaches or a powder hound looking to make the most of ski season, these itineraries are full of great winter vacation ideas. Warm Weather Vacations Key West, FL Famous for being the southernmost spot in [...]

Last Saturday, thousands of people gathered in Los Angeles’s Greek Theatre to mourn the death of P-22, a local wild mountain lion—and one of Hollywood’s favorite animal celebrities.  For years, the male lion prowled around neighborhoods, occasionally showing up on wildlife cams but otherwise sticking to the shadows. Unlike some other urban carnivores, P-22 always [...]

Camping and Cali…they even sound made for one another. Makes perfect sense since there’s no shortage of great camping opportunities in the state of California, all 840 miles of it. The choices are virtually endless. With all that country and all those campgrounds, how do you ferret out the best of the bunch? And how [...]

Humans have always been drawn to stargazing—and it’s easy to see why. The vast darkness juxtaposed against the brilliant dots of light evokes a sense of astronomical wonder that reminds us just how much more is out there beyond our own existence. In recent years, stargazing tourism has boomed, with travelers seeking out the best [...]

This January, a group of California activists gathered around the base of gnarled ponderosa pine, planning to stand arm-in-arm before bulldozers if necessary. The tree in question was the site of a bald eagle nest. It was also earmarked for destruction. The deal was this: If eagles didn’t arrive at the pine by mid-January—the time [...]

Reservations? For national parks? That’s right. Over the last few years, several of the country’s busiest national parks have launched pilot programs testing new ways of regulating visitation. Some dole out tickets denoting specific entry times. Others require advanced bookings to drive certain roads or park in certain lots. While the National Park Service has [...]

Across the country, RV parks are quietly hosting campers in truly jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind settings. From insane views across mountain ranges to parks where you can sleep steps from the ocean, these resorts rival the very best 5-star hotels. Pro tip: Make reservations early! As you might imagine, these locations book up quick. MainStay Cottages & [...]

On January 19, 2023, two skiers got caught in an avalanche just outside Heavenly Mountain Resort’s ski area boundaries. Both survived.  According to the Sierra Avalanche Center (SAC), the avalanche forecast that day was “considerable,” a designation that indicates significant avalanche danger in backcountry terrain. That’s mostly owing to the recent storm cycle, which deposited [...]