Behold! Classic trips have been reconsidered—you’ve gawked at the Grand Canyon, but have you run it from rim to rim?—while new destinations have caught our eye. This year we’re joining the revelers at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, trekking up Mexico’s tallest volcano, paddling through the world’s brightest bioluminescence off Puerto Rico, hiking Canada’s wildest coastal way, and much more. What do these trips have in common? They’re incredible experiences, all.
1. Hut-Hop in New Hampshire
The best way to experience the White Mountains’ Presidential Range is hiking between the Appalachian Mountain Club’s eight historic high-mountain huts. Connecting distances aren’t ridiculous—the shortest leg is 4.5 miles, the longest 13.4. From late spring to early fall, on-site staff make guests hot breakfasts and dinners, but I prefer to visit during shoulder season, when rates are cheaper and I can cook my own meals. My favorite hut is Zealand, because the wood-burning stove keeps the bunks toasty on chilly nights. Intent on a summer stay? Book on the AMC site three months in advance. From $74 —Mardi Fuller
2. See a California Superbloom
As I cruised through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park one April afternoon, the road curved to reveal a seemingly infinite carpet of purple and yellow. Caught unawares, I felt like I’d entered Oz. A superbloom! The rare phenomenon occurs when consistent above-average rainfall follows a drought, nurturing a floral explosion so vast and vibrant that it’s visible from space. I’ve since seen superblooms in Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. They’re not limited to Southern California, though; for more info on possible places these awesome, ephemeral displays might appear in 2025, check out the nonprofit Theodore Payne Foundation. —Shawnté Salabert
3. Backpack the West Coast Trail in British Columbia
A six-day trek along this 47-mile Vancouver Island trail exceeded my wildest expectations. The route ambles between mossy rainforest and sandy stretches, where black bears forage and orcas and gray whales breach offshore. Wooden ladders and boardwalks keep the hike engaging, and a dozen established campgrounds mean tent sites are plentiful (but also popular— prepare to get cozy with your neighbors at Tsusiat Falls especially). I found solitude at Cullite Cove and Carmanah Creek. Download the West Coast Trail app to stay abreast of camping options, conditions, and tide info. And pack motion-sickness meds for the bumpy shuttle back from the far trailhead. Permits and mandatory ferry reservations, which do not include Pacific Rim National Park Reserve entry, go on sale each January and sell out within hours (from $154). —Zoe Gates
West Coast Trail on Trailforks.com
4. Ride Horseback in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona
One May day, saddled atop two small horses perfect for our short frames, my teenage daughter and I followed a Diné woman and her preteen son up the low, brown waters of Chinle Creek and into the deep ochre Canyon de Chelly (pronounced de-shay). Indigenous people have lived here for 5,000 years, and the only way to explore the canyon today is with a Native guide. As ours narrated her tribe’s history, she pointed out petroglyphs—of hunters, snakes, the god Kokopelli—on the sheer thousandfoot-high walls and fielded queries about modern life in the Navajo Nation. On the return, the boy spotted a herd of wild horses and broke away from our equine train, chasing them through an open field surrounded by cottonwoods. The whole outing felt timeless. Justin’s Horse Rental is the canyon’s only authorized horseback outfitter. From $30 —Tasha Zemke
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