The coronavirus pandemic is still impacting travel, and destinations around the world have different COVID-19 restrictions in place. Always check and adhere to local government policies, and use our content to dream about a future trip.
It may be some time before you're hopping on a flight or planning a cross-country vacation, but short road trips or day excursions might not be as far off.
Rather than dreaming up a trip to San Francisco or NYC, where crowds are guaranteed, why not find somewhere you can hike for miles without seeing a soul or stargaze in the open air. You may have never heard of these US locations (and that's a good thing), but they'll provide plenty of future travel inspo for when it's safe to get back out there.
1. Hood River, Oregon
This walkable town sits right on the Oregon-Washington border and seems to have it all — outdoor art installations, a handful of breweries and cideries, and direct access to the Hood River and Columbia River confluence, where you’ll find wind and kite surfers sailing across the water. If mountains are more your thing, there’s easy access to Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon, and a myriad of hiking and mountain biking trails.
2. Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve, Oklahoma
It doesn’t get more isolated than this state park on the Oklahoma panhandle. You can hike to the top of the plateau (the state’s highest point), go birding, or set up camp where you can view the stars — the park boasts super-dark nighttime skies.
3. 100 Mile Wilderness, Maine
If you really want to get away from it all, one segment of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is known for being particularly remote. Known as the 100 Mile Wilderness, this stretch draws serious backpackers craving a multi-night stay in nature.
4. Portal, Arizona
If a little bird-watching and a little stargazing sound like the perfect getaway, this ultra-remote town in Arizona will feel like paradise. Portal sits near the entrance to Cave Creek Canyon and the Chiricahua Mountains, and boasts a Yosemite-like landscape. Half of the bird species in North America can be seen here, and the skies are so dark (and free from light pollution) that a community of dedicated stargazers established a development just outside Portal.
5. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
Way up north, on Lake Superior, sit the Apostle Islands. Visitors can rent a kayak and cruise along the stunning coastline, or venture out to Sand or Raspberry Island for an afternoon picnic.
6. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota
It doesn’t get more remote than this 1 million-acre wilderness area in northeastern Minnesota. Boaters can explore the seemingly endless waters that traverse glacial lakes and primitive landscapes.
7. The Berkshires, Massachusetts
This rural area in the mountains of Western Massachusetts has more than 11,000 acres of open space waiting to be explored. Adventurous travelers can climb Mount Greylock — the highest point in the state — or hike part of the Appalachian Trail.
8. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
It doesn’t get more remote than Wyoming, the least populated state in the US. And while the nearby Yellowstone National Park gets all the attention, Grand Teton National Park is home to the impressive Teton mountain range, tons of hiking trails, and its own share of wildlife — including bears, bison, and moose.
9. Red Lodge, Montana
For a taste of the Wild West, dust off your boots and head to Red Lodge, a historic mining town with a rugged, Western charm. Hiking and biking trails sprawl to the west, but the big draw is the iconic Beartooth Highway, which leads to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
10. Santa Ynez Valley, California
This picturesque, agricultural valley is just over two hours from Los Angeles but feels like a world away. The tiny town of Solvang boasts Danish-style architecture, while Los Olivos offers a one-stop wine country experience without the Napa Valley crowds.
11. Salida, Colorado
Just a few hours south of Denver, this small mountain town has river access — think rafting and kayaking — and sits at the base of several 14,000-foot mountains waiting to be climbed.
12. Petoskey, Michigan
This coastal town is found up north in the Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Boating and swimming are musts, but so is a stroll through the downtown Gaslight District and the Bear River Valley Recreation Area that runs through town.
13. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
The caves of Gila have housed nomadic people for thousands of years, and in the late 1200s, the Mogollon, prehistoric Native American peoples, made the caves their home. Today, visitors can explore preserved cave dwellings, while camping and natural hot springs can be found nearby at Gila Hot Spring Campground.
14. Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line, Siloam Springs merges the cosmopolitan and the natural with its hip, historic downtown built around the scenic Sager Creek. For a calming stroll through the lush Arkansas fauna, head to the Dogwood Springs Trail.
15. ACE Basin, South Carolina
The Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto Basin (ACE Basin) is a giant wetland ecosystem located on the Atlantic coast of South Carolina. There are beachside campsites at Edisto Beach State Park, and the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge offers a chance to see bald eagles, white-tailed deer, and American alligators.
16. Marfa, Texas
It doesn’t get much more photogenic than Marfa, a small town in west Texas that’s become an art hub. Outdoor installations, stargazing, and the “Marfa lights" — mysterious glowing orbs spotted in the night sky — are must-sees.
17. McCall, Idaho
McCall is a perfect mix of lake life and mountain adventure. Located on shore of Payette Lake, you can spend the morning fly-fishing in the stillness before exploring the trails of Ponderosa State Park.
18. San Juan Islands, Washington
It’s easy to find your own secluded spot on this archipelago in northwestern Washington near Victoria, Canada. Famous for the orca whales that inhabit the waters year-round, San Juan Island's Lime Kiln Point State Park has giant creatures you can watch for. Or you can take a dip in one of the five freshwater lakes in Orcas Island's Moran State Park.
19. Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee
This park sits near the border of Tennessee and North Carolina in the dense southern Appalachian forest. Here, you’ll find the park’s namesake Roan Mountain and legendary trout fishing. If you're up for an overnight backpacking trip, make your way from Carver’s Gap to US 19E along the scenic Appalachian Trail (this section is just under 17 miles).
20. Park City, Utah
Park City is famous for its skiing, but during the summer, the town blossoms into an outdoors-lover's paradise — there’s mountain biking, endless hiking, and a charming downtown. Its proximity to Salt Lake City makes it easy to get to, while the surrounding mountains provide a reprieve from city life.
21. Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
Wolfeboro’s motto may be "the Oldest Summer Resort in America," but you’ll still find plenty of peace and quiet in this small town on Lake Winnipesaukee. Walk the scenic Cotton Valley Rail-Trail, which starts in town and runs along the shores of Back Bay, or get out on the water on a kayak or canoe.
22. Manchester, Vermont
This historic, overwhelmingly cute town doesn’t lack mountain views, which only get better in the autumn when the fall colors pop. You can get up high (and enjoy the views) by climbing Mount Equinox or pack a picnic and head to the spacious Dana L. Thompson Memorial Park north of town.
23. Honey Island Swamp, Louisiana
It's easy to feel like you're in another world while kayaking through a swamp or bayou. The Honey Island Swap in Louisiana has everything you'd expect — tupelo trees growing in the water, alligators, and wild boars — and some things you might not, like the Honey Island Swamp Monster, a giant mythical creature that is said to resemble both a chimpanzee and an alligator.
Don't forget to check out Bring Me! for all of BuzzFeed's best travel tips and hacks, vacation inspiration, and more!
