The Ultimate Summer Bucket List for Nature Lovers

Summer means one thing: outdoor activities! The weather is nice, the kids are out of school, and the travel bug has bitten. Here are some natural wonders in America that should be on any nature lover’s bucket list.

1. JOHN MUIR TRAILThis 211-mile trail runs through some of the most beautiful parts of California, including Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite National Parks, as well as the Sierra Nevada mountain range. If you want to hike the full length, set aside two or three weeks of your summer. July and August are the best months to hike this trail.
2. ZION NATIONAL PARKI’m a tad obsessed with Utah, and I have Zion to blame. The park is full of trails, canyons, and natural pools. I recommend hiking the five-mile Angel’s Landing Trail and driving through Zion Canyon.
3. GREAT LAKESThese five lakes make up the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world! Eight U.S. states border the Great Lakes, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota. Quebec and Ontario also border the lakes. Attend the Tall Ship Celebration in the Bay City area July 11-14.
   

   Free Disney Dining Plan Pros and Cons: Why You Should/Shouldn’t Get It

   View Story
4. HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKThis National Park is on Hawai’i Island, better known as The Big Island. Its two main attractions are Kīlauea and Mauna Loa active volcanoes. Drive Chain of Craters Road or hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail.
5. PIKES PEAKPikes Peak is a mountain located in Colorado Springs. It is one of Colorado’s “fourteeners,” or mountain over 14,000 feet. While you can hike the mountain, you can also pay $20 to drive to the top and enjoy the scenery.
6. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARKWhile simply gazing at the Grand Canyon will make you weak in the knees, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in this park. Hike into the canyon, kayak, or rent a bike and ride around less congested parts of the park.
7. NIAGARA FALLSThese falls straddle the border between Canada and New York. Visit America’s oldest state park, Niagara Falls State Park. You can also relax at a winery, hike, cycle, and fish.
8. APPALACHIAN TRAILThe Appalachian Trail is 2,200 miles in length. While you may choose to “thru-hike” the entire trail over six months, you can easily hike sections of it to enjoy the summer weather. The Appalachian Trail runs through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine.

Be sure to watch our favorite travel vlog – The Go To Family

Share your thoughts in the Comments section below, on our Facebook Page,  Follow Our Twitter Account or Head Over To Our Pinterest Page!