The Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Hollywood Sign: These are all iconic landmarks in the US that visitors flock to see, and for good reason. They're the things that represent the American spirit, show off its contribution to modern culture, and tell the country's history.

Seeing these landmarks is all well and good - and, indeed, we would argue essential to any traveller - but what if you have a more daring spirit? What if you prefer the great outdoors to urban hustle and bustle? In this case, an adventure holiday in the USA is what you need!

The country is so large and geographically diverse that there are plenty of places to go for an unforgettable trip. Whether you're a fan of desserts, forest, mountains or sweeping plains, it's all in the land of the free. Read on for the best destinations for USA adventure travel…

Yosemite National Park at sunset (source)

Yosemite National Park is such a big, sprawling piece of natural beauty that it's surprising that it's just a few hours' drive away from San Francisco. It's the perfect getaway if you want to go camping, as this national park truly has it all.

What Yosemite National Park is arguably best-known for is its giant sequoia trees that are thousands of years old. Paired with the massive waterfalls and unique rock formations, you'll experience true natural wonder here.

You can make the most of your holiday by staying in one of the campgrounds. Not only will you get a fantastic glimpse of Yosemite at night, but you'll be able to wake up and tackle the next day's activities in the shadow of some iconic wonders.

Go and see the incredible El Capitan or Half Dome. You can book a guided tour if you're not great at hiking, or you can tackle the more challenging trails if you've got experience.

If you don't fancy staying overnight in the national park wilderness, then get some sleep at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. It's located in Yosemite's mountains, meaning you'll be in the heart of nature. You'll be a 1-hour drive away from the Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area if you visit in the winter.

Click here for cheap flights to Yosemite National Park.

Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park (source)

Fact time: while most of Yellowstone National Park is located in the state of Wyoming, it actually crosses borders to reach Montana and Idaho too. So if you explore enough of the vast expanses of the national park, you'll check 3 states off your USA travel list!

What makes Yellowstone National Park unique is not only is it the nation's first national park, but its lush, fertile landscape is over an enormous volcano - this means an entirely unique climate, featuring dramatic geysers and hot springs. It's a hiker's dream, strewn with plenty of trails that'll take you across the states and through grand views.

If your feet get tired, there's a car route throughout so you can stop and jump out at your leisure, and you can also bike and horseback ride. In the winter, skilled adventurers can even ride a snowmobile across the national park. Whatever you choose, just be prepared for some epic wildlife encounters with elk, buffalo, black bears, and sometimes grizzly bears.

For the ultimate adventure vacation in the USA, you can camp in the park. Otherwise, reserve a room in The Alpenhof, a cute lodge in Teton Village. In the winter, you'll be right next to ski lifts.

Click here for cheap flights to Yellowstone National Park.

View of the Grand Canyon on a semi-cloudy day (source)

The Grand Canyon is arguably the most famous of all the great US outdoor natural wonders. Renowned for its stunning landscape and sheer size - 450 km (277 miles) long and over 1.5 km (1 mile) deep in points - this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the best places to go for USA adventure travel since there's a wide variety of things that daredevils can do here.

To keep your adrenaline pumping, stick to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. More specifically, you can go whitewater rafting to get an up-close-and-personal view of the Colorado River. You'll definitely feel a sense of accomplishment at the end!

The North Rim also has challenging hiking trails and backwoods camping for hardcore adventurists. Otherwise, you can check out the South Rim, which is home to the Grand Canyon Village, where you can book a Jeep or mule tour, or get an overhead view in a helicopter ride.

For a special experience, stay at the Grand Canyon Western Ranch. This puts you in the historical district, and you'll feel like you took a step back through time. You'll want to put on your cowboy boots, especially since you can go horseback riding too!

Click here for cheap flights to the Grand Canyon.

The crystal-clear waters at Lake Tahoe (source)

Despite some considerable competition, many say that Lake Tahoe is the most beautiful body of water in the entire country, and when you see its crystal-clear blue waters, you'll instantly agree. For an adventure holiday in the USA, there's no better place than here to go kayaking.

It'll be easy to spend hours gliding through the lake, exploring nature, and gazing at the granite cliffs and surrounding mountains. To get your heart pumping more, go parasailing for a unique vantage point.

On dry land, there are loads of hiking trails that'll give you stunning views of Lake Tahoe. In the wintertime, you can ski down the slopes for extra thrills. You play a competitive game of disc golf too, or head to the greens for 'real' golf!

Speaking of golf, stay at One Village Place by Vacation Club Rentals if you love to tee off. Not only does it put you in the middle of a national park, but it also gives you good access to a few courses. This villa gives you ski-in/ski-out access as well.

Click here for cheap flights to Lake Tahoe.

A rock arch at Moab (source)

Are you a fan of rock climbing? Then your adventure holiday USA needs to include Moab on the itinerary. Just one of the dozens of incredible sites to visit in Utah, the view in Moab alone is enough to make your jaw drop, as there's a canyon rim with red rock landscapes.

What makes it particularly spectacular for rock climbing is its various, unique formations. They'll challenge you and make you proud of what you've accomplished once you look back at the rocks you've scaled.

In addition, you can go canyoneering and mountain biking for more adventures. Or if you prefer off-roading, that's possible in Moab too.

To rest your tired muscles, get a cosy bed at Cali Cochitta Vacation Rentals. You can access trails for hiking and biking right outside the accommodations, and there are on-site grills for delicious barbecuing too.

Click here for cheap flights to Moab.

A caribou in Denali National Park (source)

If you're willing to make the journey away from the contiguous US states, Alaska is the wildest of all. Denali National Park is an absolute 'bucket list' destination if you love wildlife.

Denali National Park's most iconic beasts include grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, caribou, Dali's sheep, foxes, marmots, and squirrels (arctic ground and red). However, if you strive hard, there's more to discover. For example, there are 169 species of birds, 39 species of mammals, and 14 species of fish in the park, so you'll have an excellent time crossing these animals off your list.

For a complete adventure holiday in the USA, you can also camp, mountaineer, and hike in Denali National Park.

A stay at Denali Tri-Valley Cabins will also immerse you in Alaska's beautiful scenery. These cabins will be just what you need to get away from urban landscapes.

Click here for cheap flights to Denali National Park.

A summit in Glacier National Park (source)

You may not know this, but there are glaciers in the contiguous United States. The best example is Glacier National Park in Montana, where you'll see dozens of these magnificent natural sights.

That's not all though! This national park has deep valleys, gorgeous lakes, and alpine meadows, which make it the perfect place to take scenic drives through. Make sure you take the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which will hit all the must-go locations.

Glacier National Park also has numerous hiking trails, with the most notable one leading to Hidden Lake. This destination is guaranteed to give you beautiful pictures to remember your holiday by.

Other activities you can do include camping, fishing, and wildlife spotting. You'll see anything from mountain goats to grizzly bears!

If you'd like to go glamping, then book a safari tent at Under Canvas Glacier. You'll be in the great outdoors, but still have access to modern amenities, including a private bathroom.

Click here for cheap flights to Glacier National Park.

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