If you’ve been craving a chance to break your routine and get wild lately, we have a few ideas. As they say, variety is the spice of life, and everyone deserves to try something new every so often.
Even if you’re not a daredevil or adventurer, getting out of your comfort zone could give you a refreshing perspective on life. After all, the daily grind can eventually wear down the toughest among us, requiring us to take a step back and reflect.
Nature offers one of the best environments for introspection, relaxation, and solitude. However, many of us live in bustling cities where peace and quiet aren’t easy to find. The chaos, noise, and daily routine can become overwhelming, and we all need a break to reconnect with ourselves. Thankfully, nature provides a sanctuary for weary souls and adventure if you’re feeling up to it.
Hopefully, our pics for wilderness vacations will give a few ideas for your next getaway. Happy travels!
3 Places to “Get Wild” in the United States (#2 Is a True Adventure)
Check out these three outstanding, tucked-away locations where you can reconnect with your “wild side.”
1 – Salt River (Phoenix, Arizona)
The Salt River runs through Tonto National Forest in Phoenix, Arizona, and it’s become famous for the wild horses living in the area. Locals and visitors flock to the Salt River to witness the majestic wild horses roaming the riverbanks. If you’re really in the mood to get wild, you could kayak or tube on the river to see the horses up close.
Many people report seeing the horses around the following locations near Saguaro Lake: Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area, Granite Reef Recreation Area, and Coon Bluff Recreation Area. Keep in mind that the intense heat in Phoenix urges horses to seek shade most of the day. If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll most likely spot the horses within two to three hours of sunrise and sunset.
Also, remember to respect the horses’ space by viewing them from a safe distance. Also, you should not try to feed or pet them since they’re wild animals. Feel free to photograph and enjoy their beauty in one of America’s most breathtaking states!
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2 – Canyonlands National Park (near Moab, Utah)
Another excellent place to get wild, this national park in Utah offers plenty of opportunities for adventure. Whether you enjoy hiking, whitewater rafting, boating, horseback riding, or camping, Canyonlands National Park has something. The park includes 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, spires, buttes, and arches in the vast wilderness of Utah’s high desert. The remote location adds to the enchantment and beauty of this park, and the low light pollution makes it a stargazer’s paradise.
The Green and Colorado Rivers winding through the park separate the rugged landscape into four main “districts”: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves. The Island in the Sky mesa sits on sandstone cliffs that tower 1,000 feet above the valley. It’s the most accessible area to visit for tourists and offers some of the most expansive views from scenic overlooks along the road.
Check out The Needles in the park’s southeast corner if you’re into hiking. Rangers suggest seeing the notable features in the garden, such as Tower Ruin, Confluence Overlook, Elephant Hill, the Joint Trail, and Chesler Park. The Maze district isn’t for the faint of heart, as it’s the most remote and requires more self-reliance. If you’re interested in a backcountry experience and have the time to explore, this area offers the perfect setting to get wild.
Finally, the rivers offer both flatwater and whitewater experiences, depending on your preference and skill level. Kayaking, boating, canoeing, and whitewater rafting are just a few ways to enjoy the rivers in the park.
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3 – Cashie River Treehouses and Campground (Windsor, North Carolina)
If you’re looking for a more low-key way to “get wild,” consider this quaint, peaceful campground nestled in the small town of Windsor, North Carolina. You can camp in an RV or tent, or even a rustic treehouse built high into the trees overlooking the Cashie River! A raised wooden boardwalk takes you over the river to your treehouse campsite.
The campground offers four treehouses equipped with a queen-size sleeping platform and a sleeping loft. Chairs and benches in the common area allow the whole family to relax and enjoy the experience.
The treehouses are genuinely rustic, so they don’t have air conditioning. However, the whole point of a wilderness vacation is to enjoy the outdoors, right? Plus, there’s a nice breeze from the Cashie River to help cool you off in the summer. In addition, you’ll find a modern, newly built bathhouse located down the boardwalk. If you’re in the mood for adventure, you can kayak, boat, canoe, or fish along the river. Nearby, you can stretch out in the sunshine at Bertie Beach–a tranquil county-owned property located a short drive away from the campsites.
Whether you want to relax and enjoy the views or rent kayaks for your weekend adventure, the Cashie River Campground is the perfect getaway.
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Final Thoughts on Places to Get Wild in America
Hopefully, these scenic areas of the country inspire you to explore and get wild more often! Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive; it would probably take a lifetime to visit all the natural areas in the US. But, this small list should give you a few ideas for your next adventure.
The wild west appeals to many people because of its vast, rugged desert landscapes. However, others enjoy the tranquility of forests and small, sleepy towns. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find something in the great outdoors that rejuvenates your soul.
Everyone needs a chance to “get wild” sometimes and leave all the stresses of modern life behind. After all, we’re nature itself, and we’ve lost some of that connection in today’s world. Even though many of us live in big cities, it’s still in our blood to explore and experience wild places. You can take humans out of the wild, but you can’t take the wild out of us.
If you’re feeling that call to reconnect with Mother Earth, answer it. Book a trip to a faraway, foreign landscape and permit yourself to “be” for a while. It’s essential for the human spirit to feel united with our natural world. So, we hope this inspires you to get wild and channel your inner explorer!