The Outdoor Adventures You Should Add to Your Travel List

Both beginner and experienced outdoor adventurers have the same goal… to spend as much time as possible enjoying everything the great outdoors has to offer. Unfortunately, so much of today’s world is based around the daily grind, which doesn’t leave a lot of time to breathe the fresh air and enjoy nature. 

Bowlus wants to change all that with our list of the best outdoor hiking and biking adventures that you can take. We hope this list gives you the inspiration you need to grab your luxury travel trailer and hit the road.

Hiking

Let’s start with the most classic outdoor adventure that you can take—hiking. One of the best parts about hiking is that it can be done almost anywhere in the country. Most cities have at least one hiking trail, even if it’s short, which means that exploration is possible, even close to home.

That said, there are a few hikes in the United States that are special and should be at the top of anyone’s outdoor adventure travel list. Consider taking a trip in your Bowlus so that you can spend as much time hiking as you want without worrying about where you’ll spend the night.

Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The Appalachian Trail is iconic in the hiking community and is on the bucket list of many adventurers. It’s massive in scope, over 2,100 miles long and stretching from Georgia to Maine. While some people dream of hiking the entire trail, even taking a day hike on the trail is something to cross off your travel list.

A great place to hike the Appalachian Trail is in Shenandoah National Park. Even though the full length of the portion of the trail leading through the national forest is around 100 miles, it takes hikers through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s enough to say that you hiked the famous Appalachian Trail without having to go the whole 2,000+ miles (unless you want to). 

When you stay in the park, check out either the Loft Mountain or Big Meadow Campgrounds. Both require reservations at least six months in advance, and neither have RV hookups, but they’re perfect for anyone traveling in a Bowlus. You won’t even notice the difference, thanks to the luxury travel trailers’ off-grid potential.  

Delicate Arch Trail in Arches National Park, Utah

Hiking the Delicate Arch Trail is like hiking through a whole other world. Arches National Park is known for more than 2,000 different red stone arches to see, but the Delicate Arch is the most well-known of them all. The arch stretches 46 feet into the air and is over 30 feet wide, making it awe-inspiring to behold. 

The hike to reach the Delicate Arch is about three miles roundtrip and usually takes between two and three hours, depending on your fitness level and experience. While it isn’t necessarily a tough hike, it does cross some rough and rugged terrain, and there is very little shade. However, it’s worth it if you do it safely. 

There is only one campground at Arches National Park, the Devils Garden Campground. Because of the park’s popularity and the relatively small amount of campsites, at just 51, reservations are critical. You’ll be able to park your luxury travel trailer comfortably and enjoy the comfort of your own home on wheels in between hikes.

South Rim Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

No list of hikes would be complete without a trip through the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon itself is something that everyone should see at some point in their lives because its sheer enormity is mindblowing. When it comes to hiking, no trail in the park is recommended more than the South Rim Trail.

The full South Rim Trail is around thirteen miles total, with plenty of destinations along the way. It will take hikers down into the actual canyon, allowing for views of the inner canyon. If you get too worn out along the way, there are various shuttle bus stops that will take you back to the start. No matter how far you end up hiking, the South Rim is known for being the most picturesque section of the entire Grand Canyon.

Because there is so much to see at Grand Canyon National Park, you’ll want to take your time. Park your luxury travel trailer at one of the national park service run campgrounds. Our favorites are the Mather Campground and the Desert View Campground, both of which are in the South Rim area. They allow you to stay close to where you’re hiking so that you can come back to your Bowlus and get a good night’s sleep and take a hot shower without worrying about the hot water running out. 

Biking

For some, hiking comes second to biking. Luckily, there are a few sites in the United States that are famous for their mountain biking trails. Each provides mountain bikers with a slightly different experience and runs through a completely different ecosystem, adding to the allure. 

Moab, Utah

There is no question that Moab is top of the list when it comes to mountain biking destinations. With a huge variety of trails that bikers of all experience levels can enjoy safely, it’s a mecca for people who want to take their mountain biking to the next level.

The most famous trail in Moab is the Slickrock Bike Trail, which many bikers consider the ultimate experience. The trail is around 12 miles and is a loop, crossing a rugged, scenic expanse of Navajo Sandstone. It’s rated as difficult, but that’s part of the allure for many. Slickrock Bike Trail has been described as a roller coaster ride through some of the most stunning scenery in Utah. Keep in mind that the area gets extremely hot, especially in the summer, and offers very little shade, so come prepared. 

There are plenty of places to park your Bowlus when visiting Moab. Just north of the city is a large amount of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management, where you can boondock without being interrupted by other campers.

You can enjoy your solitude in between bike trips, cooking, sleeping, and relaxing in the privacy of your luxury travel trailer. Even though there are no electrical hookups, the power management system in your Bowlus will make it so that you can enjoy life off-grid without having to worry about where to plug in. Relax in your chrome-and-teak-finished bathroom or have dinner for four in the spacious living area—nothing is holding you back. 

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place to visit, no matter when or why you take the trip there. In addition to being one of the clearest lakes in the world, Lake Tahoe also sits in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

Besides being beautiful, Lake Tahoe’s Tahoe Rim Trail is a bucket list item for many mountain bikers. Rather than a single trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail is a system of 168 miles of connecting trails. You can ride one or attempt all of them, depending on how far you want to go. The trail system attracts thousands of visitors a year and works for anyone, from those just beginning their mountain biking adventure to far more experienced riders. 

No matter which of the trails you choose, biking can really take it out of you. At the end of a long day, you’ll long for the comfort of a filling meal, hot shower, and comfortable bed. Consider parking your luxury travel trailer at the Campground by the Lake, which allows you access to the beach and the city of Lake Tahoe if you’re interested in doing something other than mountain biking.

In Conclusion…

Heading out on the road in your Bowlus is the first step to crossing destinations off your travel list. The luxury, performance, and freedom that comes when you travel in your own travel trailer mean you can explore the world on your own terms, whether you prefer hiking, biking, or both!