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Our top 10 adventure and travel stories of 2022

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

We're always curious to see what ya'll are reading. This year, The Outbound Collective community was all about backpacking, hiking, and looking up locations for awesome trips. Here are our top 10 stories of the year!

Mountain peaks with blue sky in the background
Big Bend's Emory Peak by Warren Goh

1. 25 Must-do Hikes in Texas

The Lone Star State can be dangerously hot, so make sure to keep an eye on the weather and consider hiking during the cooler months. Heading out in the early morning or early evening are also great options to avoid the heat.

A person with long hair in a ponytail is seated on a rock cliff on the left. They are looking out over a valley with fog and a sunset or sunrise.
Harpeth River State Park by Katie Yarborough

2. The 10 best hikes in Nashville Tennessee

These amazing hikes are all within a two-hour drive from Nashville! Expect wide, misty falls and tall, skinny cascades. Visiting in the summer? Bring a bathing suit. Some of the water features are swimmable!

A person is standing with their back to the camera as they look through something on a tripod. They are facing layers of mountains with an orange and yellow sky.
Green Knob by Steve Yocom

3. The 25 best hikes in North Carolina

Did you know North Carolina has the tallest mountains in the Eastern United States? Summit the Smokies for incredible views, or trek through the Appalachian Mountains to spot blooming wildflowers and flowing creeks.

A yellow tent is lit up on a cliff over water. The sky behind is is dark blue and there are stars.
The Lost Cost by Whitney Whitehouse

4. The ultimate backpacking bucket list for California

This huge state has many unique landscapes, from beaches to mountains, old growth forests and desert! Every backpacker can find a trail to try here.

A small cubic wooden lookout tower rests on a cliff with a rock face surrounding it and mountain tops lit up by the sun in the background.
Hidden Lake Lookout by Christin Healey

5. Washington's 30 most incredible backpacking trips

Whether you're looking for a relaxed weekend trip or a several-week expedition, Washington is a haven for backpackers. 

A person sits halfway in a green tent with a white dog seated in front of them. They are in a grassy meadow surrounded by mountains and blue sky.
Max Patch to Hot Springs by Steve Yocom

6. 12 Must-do backpacking adventures in North Carolina

Hike above the clouds on the Appalachian Trail, or go for low ground in a national forest. You can even find backpacking opportunities a quick drive from cities like Asheville and Charlotte.

Six young people are walking down a light-colored rocky slope of a mountain.
Mount Whitney by Gregg Boydston

7. Do your knees hurt when hiking downhill? Here's why.

Have you ever breezed through an uphill hike only to find your knees were wrecked on the descent? This author dug into this annoying challenge and how to go easy on your legs so you can hike for years to come.

A person stands on a red rock among tall red, rounded rocks.
Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point by Nick Tort

8. The top 25 hikes in Arizona

The red rocks around Phoenix and Sedona are some of the most unique in the world. Try short day hikes (especially during warmer days) or go on a backpacking trip to spend a few night embedded in this stunning landscape. 

The view through a rock arch at snowy mountains.
Alabama Hills by Mike O'Hara

9. The 25 best campsites in California

California camping can mean posting up near a beach and spending your days swimming, or pitching your tent in a forest of redwoods. We recommend spending a night or two at these 25 incredible spots to get to know The Golden State.

A waterfall cascades down several flat tiers with red rocks surrounding it.
Beaver Falls by Gemina Garland-Lewis

10. The best waterfall hikes in Arizona

People often think deserts, cacti, and turquoise when Arizona comes to mind. But, this Southwest state is also teeming with waterfalls! 

Feature image by Kyle Obermann

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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