There is this notion, that in order to see and experience some of the most epic landscapes and views, that one has to traverse long, difficult, and strenuous terrains. Or maybe it requires things like rock-climbing, or hiking along cliffs or dangerous areas. Or maybe that it requires backcountry camping. Either way, we are here to tell you that this is simply not true. At least not all of the time. And that there are absolutely mind-blowingly epic landscapes and views to be seen, that don’t require taking some extreme adventure to get to. So let’s get in to 10 of the most epic U.S. soft adventures!
WHAT IS A SOFT ADVENTURE?
First, let’s talk about what a soft adventure is. Are you new to this term? If so, that’s ok. Let us enlighten you!
The term or phrase “soft adventure” may mean something slightly different to everyone. But the way we’ve defined it for ourselves, is hikes that are suitable for most people (typically less than 4-5 miles), kayaking or paddle boarding, hikes and activities that are dog-friendly so we can bring Junior, and scenic drives, overlooks and viewpoints. And if there is a brewery, winery, distillery or delicious restaurant to be enjoyed post soft adventure, even better! You probably won’t find us skydiving, bungee jumping, bouldering, or rock climbing. Not to say we’d never, but they’re not our preference.
For you it may be different. Maybe it’s going to a theme park, or sunbathing at the beach or pool, or going for a picnic. At the end of the day, a soft adventure is just that, soft. Let us know down in the comments below what your favorite soft adventure activity is!
MAP OF SOFT ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
LIST OF 10 OF THE MOST EPIC U.S. SOFT ADVENTURES
You’ll find that many of the places listed below, are in the western half of the United States, and are located primarily in State or National Parks. After visiting 45 of the 50 states, most of which road tripping in our van, we have seen A LOT of different landscapes and areas of the country. So we’re confident that the 10 below, are indeed, 10 of the MOST epic U.S. soft adventures. So let’s get in to em!
DRIVE THE RIM OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
One of the most breathtaking and jaw dropping National Parks in the U.S., is Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. This massive lake was formed over 7,000 Yeats ago when a volcano called Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed, forming the massive crater. Over time, due to the climate that Mount Mazama was located in, the crater filled up with rain water, and snow during the winter.
There are a ton of activities, trails, hikes to do in the park, but in our opinion, the best is simply driving the scenic rim drive that goes all the way around the crater lake. There are over 30 scenic pullouts and a number of designated overlooks on this road, all giving you unique views and perspectives of the lake. And some have hikes or even waterfalls to view right from the road. This is about the easiest and most soft adventure activity you can do.
The Rim Road is roughly 32 miles long is you choose to go all the way around, so we’d recommend dedicating a full day for driving it. You’ll want to stop at a number of the pullouts, and you’d be surprised how long it’ll take to drive around the lake. If you’re interested in reading more about this park, check out our Ultimate Guide to Crater Lake National Park article!
EXPLORE REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK
If you’ve never been to Redwood National Park in Northern California, you are missing out! Add this to your travel list ASAP. Redwood National Park is one of the best soft adventure National Parks in the United States, largely because it has so many scenic drives, easy to moderate hikes, and ways to see and explore the massive redwood trees.
The park is actually part of a joint partnership with California State Parks, and is made up of 3 State Parks, all offering different ways to explore the trees. We’d recommend driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, hiking the Prairie Creek/Karl Knapp Trail and Fern Canyon Loop Trail. And for an added bonus adventure, on the border of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, and Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, is a place called Trees of Mystery, which is not part of the National or State Parks, but has a self-guided tour that takes you on a journey learning and seeing how these massive redwoods came to be. Highly recommend!
For more info on Redwood National and State Parks, check out our How to Plan Your Visit article, and our 5 Must-Do Activities article!
SUNRISE AT ZABRISKIE POINT IN DEATH VALLEY
When you think about Death Valley National Park in California, your first thought is probably HOT! I mean, it is one of the hottest places on Earth. And at the moment of writing this, Death Valley just recently reached 130ºF / 54ºC. So we get it. But let’s not dwell on that! The reason we’re here is to talk about Zabriskie Point!
Zabriskie Point is named after Christian Brevoort Zabriskie who managed a transport business used to transport borax (a mineral) out of the area that Zabriskie Point is in in Death Valley. The viewpoint for this location, is a very short walk from the parking lot area, making it one of the easiest activities to do in the park. But the reason it’s making the list here, is due to the color and formation of the rocky land, particularly during sunrise.
On a good weather day, as the sun rises and peaks over the mountains behind, the sky turns to purples, pinks and oranges, providing one of THE BEST sunrise views we’ve ever seen. And apparently many others, because it’s one of the most photographed spots in the park. We’d recommend visiting during the winter months as this is when the weather is the most temperate. You’ll also run in to less crowds, which is always a win!
For more info on Death Valley National Park, check out our Ultimate Guide to Death Valley National Park article!
TAKE A TOUR OF ANTELOPE CANYON IN ARIZONA
We’re not usually big on guided tours, but this is one we not only loved, but would highly recommend to others!
Antelope Canyon is one of many slot canyons in Arizona. It resides on native land in a city called Page just south of the Utah border. The tours are usually around an hour long, and will take you down in to the slot canyon where you’ll walk from one end to the other, while being guided and taught about how the canyon was formed and became what it is today. While there are a few small staircases along the way, the tour is easily one of the best soft adventures you could go on.
There are a number of different tour companies that you can book with, so we’d recommend doing your research, however we chose to go with Ken’s Tours and were thoroughly pleased. To learn more about Antelope Canyon, check out the Visit Arizona site. We also have an article on the Top 10 Outdoorsy Things To Do In Arizona, which of course includes Antelope Canyon!
EXPLORE GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK
Goblin Valley State Park in Utah has one of the most unique and odd landscapes we’ve ever seen. It’s so odd, that it’s been a filming location for a number of movies including Galaxy Quest and City Slickers II. But what’s best about this State Park, is just how soft adventury it is.
Valley 1 is the most accessible area of the park, which requires very little effort to get to, and is even dog-friendly! The valley is large, flat, and you can virtually choose your own adventure and roam freely around the area. Unlike most National and State Parks, this park is drone friendly as well for a $10 fee. And if you feel like making a visit here more of a medium or hard adventure, you could venture off to Valleys 2 or 3 which are much more remote.
For more info, check out the Goblin Valley State Park website.
HIKE TO DOUBLE ARCH IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Arches National Park in Utah, might be the most popular and well known National Park in the state. And for good reason. The park’s beauty and unique arch formations, make it one of the more unique places to visit in the country, and world for that matter! And while some arches require VERY early morning, and strenuous hikes to get to, there’s one area in the park that offers access to a handful of arches, with minimal effort. And that area is along Windows Road.
At the end of this road, is a large parking lot which gives access to two different trails, the Windows Loop Trail, and the Double Arch Trail. Both trails are perfect soft adventures, combining for less than 2mi / 3.2km, and are relatively flat. But the gem of these two in our minds, is Double Arch. As the name describes, it’s two arches that combine for one epic view. If you make a visit to Arches National Park, this hike is an absolute must!
For more info, check out the Arches National Park website.
MORNING VIEWS AT OXBOW BEND AND SCHWABACHER LANDING IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
We mentioned above that Redwood National Park is one of the best soft adventure National Parks in the United States. Well Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming might just be the best soft adventure National Park in the United States with the most epic views. At every turn within the park, is another absolutely breathtaking view of the mountains. The park is also home to some of the best wildlife viewing. So between these, the scenic drive, and some super soft adventury hikes, it’s no wonder this park gets so much attention.
But when looking for some of the most epic views, and epic soft adventures, there are two that stand out to us: Oxbow Bend, and Schwabacher Landing. Both of these spots are perched along the Snake River that runs through the park. And what makes these so incredible, is the mirror-like view you can get of the Teton Mountains on a good morning. On a sunny and cloudless day, the Snake River provides a glass-like surface, perfect for capturing a reflection of the mountains. And the best part? Both of them are RIGHT off the road. No hiking necessary. It doesn’t get much more soft adventure than that!
For more info, check out the Grant Teton National Park website.
EXPLORE WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
Ever gone sledding down sand dunes in a National Park? No?! That’s ok, neither have we, haha. But we hear it’s a ton of fun!
All kidding aside, White Sands National Park is one of those mystical wonders that just doesn’t make sense. Out in the middle of the desert landscapes of southern New Mexico, is this very seemingly random spot which looks like super white sand dunes. Driving in to the park, it’s obvious why this was made a National Park. And much like Goblin Valley State Park, once you’re in the park, you can sort of choose your own adventure! Take a walk along the dunes, hike one of the trails, or rent (or purchase) a sled and go sledding down the dunes! Our recommendation? Go in and enjoy a magical sunset. We promise, you will not regret it.
For more info on White Sands National Park, check out our Ultimate Guide to White Sands National Park article.
TOUR MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK
If you’ve never been to, or heard of Mammoth Cave National Park, please please please add it to your travel list. It is (as of this moment) the 3rd largest cave system in the world. It truly is MASSIVE. And because it’s so big, there are a number of different hiking tours that you can take that offer access to different areas of the cave system, and different types of experiences.
Not all of the tours are soft adventury, but there are few that are, including a self-guided tour (offered seasonally). For the softest adventures, our recommendation would be the either the self-guided Discovery Tour, or the Frozen Niagara Tour. We opted for the Historic Tour and Violet City Lantern Tour for a more unique adventure.
For more info, check out the Mammoth Cave National Park website.
SUNSET AT CLINGMAN’S DOME IN GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
The last, but most certainly not least soft adventure, is sunset at Clingman’s Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There’s really nothing quite like ending the day with a magical sunset. And that is exactly what you’ll get here.
Clingman’s Dome is one of the higher parts of the park, offering sprawling panoramic views of the park and surrounding areas. So naturally, this makes for a perfect sunset location. If you’ve ever been in search of those quintessential layered mountain views, this is the place to get them! And with no hiking or walking necessary, it doesn’t get much easier than this! A drive up the scenic road, park, and enjoy!
For more info, check out the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website.
TINGGLY EXPERIENCES
Looking to do something more fun, or unique? If you aren’t familiar with Tinggly, they are a company based on gifting experiences over stuff. Helicopter tours, sunset cruises, horseback riding, ATV tours, and so so much more. So for that next birthday, or gift-giving holiday, instead of gifting stuff, give the gift of an experience. Memories that will last forever. Click on the banner to check them out, or read our full review of Tinggly HERE.
HARVEST HOST
Do you have a RV or a camper? Then Harvest Hosts is easily the best $100 spent. Harvest Host is a network of over 2,500 locations around the U.S., Canada and Mexico that allow you to stay at overnight at no additional cost*. The best part? These locations are wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums and more! Imagine opening the door to your camper or RV to morning views over a vineyard. Or sipping delicious beer at a local brewery. This is the life you could be living. So if you aren’t already a member, trust us, click on the banner and sign up!
*It is highly recommended and encouraged to spend at least $20 when staying at a winery, brewery, or distillery to help support the business
LEAVE NO TRACE & 10 HIKING ESSENTIALS
So many of the places listed above are full of unique landscapes and fragile environments, both for plant life, and animals alike. So it is incredibly important to practice the 7 Principles Of Leave No Trace, and follow the posted signage and guidelines of the area. If you aren’t familiar with Leave No Trace, here’s a breakdown:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impact
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
There are additional and more in-depth details of what each of these means on the LNT website, so make sure to take a look at that!
Similarly, because of how volatile the weather conditions can be, and the sometimes lack of cell-phone service, it is important to explore with the 10 Essentials of Hiking. Even if you aren’t necessarily hiking. If you aren’t familiar, here’s a breakdown:
- NAVIGATION – maps, guides, compass, GPS locator
- HEADLAMP – flashlight and extra batteries or charger
- SUN PROTECTION – body sunscreen, lip sunscreen, and clothing protection
- FIRST AID – including animal and bug repellents
- KNIFE – as well as knife repair kit
- FIRE – matches, lighter, tinder and striker
- SHELTER – tent, cover, or anything to protect and cover you
- FOOD – snacks and extra meal
- WATER – more than the minimum recommended amount
- CLOTHES – enough to handle night-time elements
Interested in knowing what gear we use for all our adventures? Check out our Rock Porch lockers which list all of the gear we use, and where to shop it!
10 OF THE MOST EPIC U.S. SOFT ADVENTURES
When we originally started traveling around the U.S., we set out wanting to see as much of it as possible. And after visiting nearly all 50 states, we can confidently say we are absolutely blown away by just how diverse the landscapes are across the country, and how epic some of the places look. We hope that this list of epic soft adventures, has given you both inspiration and confidence that you too can get out there and see the epic beauty of this country. Without doing extreme activities.
Let us know what you thought of this, if we missed anything, and if you plan on visiting one of these epic places at some point, down below in our comments!
And if you’re looking for some additional soft adventure inspiration, check out some of our other articles:
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IN MONTANA
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
- ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
- VISITING HORSESHOE BEND IN ARIZONA
- DISCOVER JAMESTOWN NORTH DAKOTA
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Thanks for stopping by!
Ryan & Katy
