As summer rounds the corner into Labor Day, travelers rush to squeeze the last drops of sunshine out of the season. This year, skip the usual barbecue-and-beach getaway for an outdoor excursion that truly does justice to those glorious, warm days of late summer and early fall. Need a little inspiration? IgoUgo members recommend their favorite ways (and favorite places) to get outside and stretch those sunlight hours-without a beach in sight.

Soak up the late-summer sun in America's national parks.
Beat the heat-and get the country's most spectacular landscapes all to yourself-by visiting national parks after the crowds have gone home. IgoUgo members love Utah's Zion National Park for its "luminescent red canyons" and plentiful campgrounds; Rocky Mountain National Park for its variety of hiking trails and dramatic ranges (hint: late summer and fall bring the area's best weather); and Montana's Glacier National Park for its untamed beauty and vast, sparkling lakes. Looking for an easier weekend trip? Don't neglect your nearby state parks, either; South Dakota's Custer State Park, with its scenic drives and "begging burros," won over one traveler who planned a half-day excursion and left wishing for more.

Head back to the Wild West at a dude ranch.
Who needs the beach when you can spend your days riding the range? IgoUgo members head west for trail rides lined with wildflowers in Scottsdale, lope rides in Tucson, post-ride campfires and country music in Texas, and even whitewater rafting at an old-time ranch in Grand Teton National Park. "The wranglers are expert at matching a horse to a rider so that you can safely enjoy your outing," said one visitor to Tucson's White Stallion Ranch. "There are no phones or television to interrupt the silence of the surrounding desert here," said another guest. "Only the singing of the birds outside your casita window may break the peace now and then." Our bet? You'll hardly miss the crashing waves.


Posted by: Betsy    Source

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