Summer is such a dream. But what we often forget, amid the memories of long weekend picnics, fireworks, and days at the beach, is that by the middle of the season, the heat and humidity can become a little much. The solution? Head north, where amazing adventures await, in sunny yet slightly cooler climes.
Knik Glacier, Alaska
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Imagine it: One minute you’re right in the middle of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, and the next, you’re flying high over glaciers that flow down between mountains at a famously slow pace. Rounding a corner, the chopper sets down on the snow, and you’re in a whole other world: a place resembling eternal winter, where sled dogs are eager to take you for a ride. During this half-day adventure, you’ll take the reins and mush your heart out, while the huskies happily take you over a frozen path. And you’ll be back downtown in time for dinner (perhaps a little fresh Pacific salmon, steaming hot on your plate).
Acadia National Park, Maine
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Because of its relative remoteness—tucked away, up there in the northeastern part of the country—Acadia might be America’s most underrated national park. Sometimes known as the “Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast,” here you can ride horses down a network of carriage roads established by John D. Rockefeller, or hike and bike over 158 miles of trails. Or take the looping drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain and enjoy the sweeping ocean views. In the evening, descend to the nearby seaside Bar Harbor—one of the most scenic towns in New England—for a really good lobster roll.
Boundary Waters, Minn.
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Few sounds are as evocative as a paddle dipping into calm waters as you do a J-stroke to steer your little craft through breathtaking scenery. Formally known as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, it encompasses more than a million acres in the northernmost reaches of Minnesota that stretch along the border with Canada (thus the name), near Lake Superior. About one-fifth of the forest is made up of lakes, rivers, and streams, with some 1,200 miles of canoe routes. Fish for pike, and paddle past granite cliffs and jack pine trees. Then bed down, either in a tent (the choice of many visitors) or at one of the cabins and small resorts that dot the lakes.
The Black Hills, S.D.
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Benefiting from a relatively high elevation and a dry climate, the Black Hills remain comfortable throughout the summer. And, let there be no doubt, they’re a beautiful place to visit. Most famous, of course, are the faces of four presidents (George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln) carved into Mount Rushmore. But there’s plenty more to keep you busy here in this rugged and magnificent corner of South Dakota. A few options: Find Wild West history in Deadwood, drive past crashing waterfalls on the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, and feel like you’ve been transported to a distant planet while exploring Badlands National Park.
Denali National Park, Alaska
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With some 6 million acres surrounding America’s tallest peak, this national park is incomprehensibly huge. (To give you an idea, it’s actually bigger than the entire state of New Hampshire.) The best part is you can experience its wilderness and wildlife (which includes all sorts of creatures, from wolves to moose to caribou and grizzly bears) any way you like it. Hardcore backcountry hikers can navigate tundra and river valleys. But those looking for something a little softer will enjoy a flight tour around the snow-capped peak or a gentle rafting trip, followed by a comfortable night spent in a log cabin next to a rushing river.
This article was originally published in American Essence magazine.
