There are certain mountain hikes that stay with you forever. There’s just something about mountain hiking, with the rush of adrenaline required to climb up—and, sometimes, serious altitude thrown into the mix. But whether you choose to explore the underappreciated peaks of the East Coast, the very top of Texas, or a hidden paradise in Hawaii, the best mountains hikes will reward your efforts with memorable views. If nature is Earth’s love language, seldom will you feel more alive, or more connected to the planet, than when you’re walking atop these mountains.

It’s hard to forget your first time hiking with kids. When my son could hold his head up at around six months old, I plopped him into a child carrier backpack and took off on our first hike through Manhattan’s Central Park. I felt like super mom as I trekked across New York’s urban paradise towards North Woods Loch Waterfall with sweet “oohs” and “ahhs” in my ear. Mostly, he slept. But it was such an exhilarating experience that I started a local hiking meetup for new parents, who rejoiced in this shared sense of reclaiming something not lost to our before lives, just reimagined; it was like walking through the world for the first…

I’m in the sailing capital of America on a 22-foot J/70 called the “Danger Mouse” when I learn that helming a boat going 11 knots will blow you right out of your comfort zone. “Everyone ready to jibe?” I manage to squeak. “Ready!” says the newbie crew, before moving across the boat. I stand up and do the tiller tango: glide sideways, duck under the boom, steer towards the next mark on the horizon, don’t hit the deck. At one point, the sail catches a puff of wind and some salty words like “Holy Helly Hansen!” fly out as I steady the tiller, which I surprisingly love operating. As the…

In this golden age of RV travel, with ownership at an all-time high and myriad new ways to book a getaway, exploring RV campgrounds is as exciting as embarking on the journey itself. Spectacular RV-only destinations are bookable through membership programs like Harvest Hosts, boon docking on public land is easier than ever via Campendium, and national park campgrounds can now be reserved with the Recreation.gov app.

One of life’s guaranteed adventures, besides having kids, is a family camping trip. Because when we’re talking about that trusted recipe for fun—dirt, fire, stars, and wild places—it’s nearly impossible for kids not to have a good time. But if you’re intimidated by the idea of planning your first family camping adventure, we have good news: there’s no one right way to do it. Read the full story at cntraveler.com.

Car camping has come a long way since the “dry-land yachts” of the early 20th century, when new Model T’s and a back-to-nature movement sent urban travelers packing with 42-pound stoves, ice boxes, and circus-style tents. Nowadays, there is no limit to the diverse range of adventures a well-rigged car can provide: Sleep in a tent next to your car at a drive-up campground in the Rocky Mountains or watch goats climb trees from your car’s rooftop tent at an artisan cheese farm.