Top Activity: Wild Adventures

Rock climber
Jeff Fox
Seasoned backcountry explorers know that designated wilderness — a place with no roads, no development and miles of untouched wildlands — is a wild adventure unmatched by any other.

From rock spires in California to the most rugged section of the Appalachian Trail in New England’s Northern Forest, we recommend these places for your next wild adventure:

Eastern Tennessee

Eastern Tennessee's Upper Bald River could become the newest wilderness designated in the southern Appalachians. It offers a wild escape into a world of cool, mossy streams and thick rhododendron jungles.

Pinnacles

California's Pinnacles National Monument is a swath of stunning volcanic formations in central California.

Greater Grand Canyon

Anchored by our nation's most famous national park, Greater Grand Canyon also includes lesser-known gems like Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and the ancient ponderosa pines of the Kaibab National Forest.

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At a Glance

Some key take-aways from this article include:

  • A truly wild adventure is tucked away in the rugged backcountry of these wildlands.
  • Heading into designated wilderness means you'll leave all trace of human development behind and encounter nature at its wildest.