The South's Best Outdoor Adventures 2021

Florida

Take a chartered ride into the 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to spot wildlife like leatherback turtles, Florida panthers, American alligators, and manatees.

evergladesairboattours.com, 561-901-0661, 15490 Loxahatchee Road, Parkland, Florida 33076

Florida

Board a clear kayak along Florida's Indian River Lagoon at dusk to see the waters sparkling with dinoflagellates on one of the BK Adventure Bioluminescence tours.

bkadventure.com, 407-519-8711, 485 N. Washington Avenue, Titusville, Florida 32796

Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland

When camping near the Appalachian Trail, pitch a tent at a designated site or book a cabin rental so you can enjoy some of the comforts of home.

appalachiantrail.org

Texas

To marvel at the stars, visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which is the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef and home to the four tallest peaks in the state. You're just one challenging trek away from watching the sunrise from the highest point in Texas.

nps.gov/gumo, 915-828-3251, 400 Pine Canyon,
Salt Flat, Texas 79847

Florida

Add an afternoon ride on the sand to your vacation. Cypress Breeze Farm offers horseback riding on the beach as well as guided trail excursions.

cypressbreezefarm.com, 727-460-0891, North Skyway, I-275, St Petersburg, Florida 33715

Mississippi

Choose your own adventure on a paddling trip along the Mississippi Gulf Coast blueways, mapped water trails made up of miles of beaches, rivers, and bayous with paths for all experience levels.

msgulfcoastheritage.ms.gov/blueways, 228-523-4150, 1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi, 39530

North Carolina

Snowshoes can be checked out free of charge for use on the 30 miles of trails in Beech Mountain, North Carolina. Parks and recreation department staff also offer guided excursions along the routes.

beechmtn.com/snowshoeing, 828-387-3003, 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway, Beech Mountain, North Carolina 28604

Alabama

Find waterfalls and overlooks as well as plenty of places to take a dip in North Alabama's Little River Canyon National Preserve. Be sure to follow all park rules, and check the weather and water-flow levels before swimming.

nps.gov/liri, 256-845-9605 x201, 4322 Little River Trail NE, Fort Payne, Alabama 35967

Georgia

Suit up in your helmet and personal flotation device for a rapids-rafting trip along the Chattooga River, which runs from North Carolina to Georgia.

noc.com/plan-your-trip/whitewater-rafting, 828-785-4847

Florida

Dive among the shipwrecks along the Panama City Beach coastline during these fun-filled inshore and offshore trips. They reveal what has been abandoned beneath the waves, including The Black Bart, Tarpon, Grey Ghost, and USS Strength.

panamacitydiving.com/dive-sites, 850-588-8077, 106 Thomas Dr., Panama City Beach, Florida 32408