Outdoor adventure activities have always been popular in the United States, which is understandable considering all the breathtaking locations to carry these out, across this big beautiful country.
But in recent years, outdoor adventures have become even more wildly popular and widespread, which has led people to wonder about exactly what are the most popular outdoor adventures in the US for 2023?
Well this article will outline some of the most popular outdoor activities based on statistics from various sources found on the web.
So, in no particular order, let’s take a look at the top 4 outdoor adventures in the US!
#1 Hiking
According to Statista, in 2021, nearly 59 million people in the United States took part in hiking activities at least once.
And this represents a growth of 80% since 2010, which is an astonishing growth during that time frame. Obviously, the stats for 2023 are yet to be released, but following the gradual increase over the past ten years, around 61 million Americans could take part in hiking this year.
It’s thought that 45% of the hikers today are female, with the remaining 55% being male. And this is coupled with 18% of 18 to 24-year-olds enjoying hiking and 15% of 6 to 7-year-olds harboring the same feeling toward hiking.
The growth of hiking can only be good for the American population. With depression so prevalent in today’s culture, finding ways to battle mental health is essential. And with that in mind, hiking is thought to reduce mental health issues by 50%.
With over 193,000 miles of hiking on National Trail Systems and the rise of social media, it’s no wonder Americans are exploring the beautiful trails the country provides.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular trails in the US:
Angels Landing Trail, Zion National Park
● Length: 7.1 km
● Elevation Gain: 489 m
● Route Type: Out & Back
Angels Landing Trail is known for being an extremely strenuous route in Zion National Park, which is thanks to the steep drop-offs and narrow sections.
The final part of the hike is known for being mentally challenging as you follow the steep ridge from Scout Lookout to Angels Landing. As you climb the anchored supports to the top, you must battle your fears of the dramatic cliff drops.
But, once you’re at the top, you get jaw-dropping views from the observation point 1,500 feet above Zion Canyon.
Na Pali Coast (Kalalau) Trail
● Length: 35.4 km
● Elevation Gain: 1,883 m
● Route Type: Out & Back
After recently being reopened due to extreme flooding damage, it wouldn’t be right to leave one of the best hikes in Hawaii off the list.
Obviously, Hawaii sounds like a picturesque location for hiking, but this trail is nothing short of terrifying yet magically stunning.
You’ll have to deal with sharp drop-offs and narrow trails directly over the rocky ocean bed throughout the route.
#2 Running
While most people consider running more of an exercise, it can also be regarded as an outdoor adventure, especially when you add trail running into the mix.
At one point, running was the most popular outdoor activity in the US, with around 16.6% (50.1 million) of US citizens participating.
But, more recent studies show that only 49 million people in the United States went running in 2021. And this was the lowest figure recorded in North America since 2016 and the second lowest in over a decade.
While the reasoning for this decrease is unknown, it’s still up there with the most popular outdoor adventures in the US.
So, to help people find more reasons to run, check out some of these epic running trials:
Deschutes River Trail, Bend, Oregon
● Length: 24.1 km
● Elevation Gain: 121 m
● Route Type: Out & Back
It’s known for being one of the trail-running meccas in the US. The trail consists of 21.7 km of running and 121 meters of elevation gain.
During the entire trail, you follow the stunning Deschutes River, winding through pine trees and over densely packed dirt. Sections of the course take you through and around meadows, groves, and past a few class-four rapids.
But the highlight of the run is when you reach the turnaround point at Benham Falls, a breathtaking high-intensity waterfall.
Double Dipsea, Marin County, California
● Length: 21.7 km
● Elevation Gain: 671 m
● Route Type: Out & Back
Double Dipsea is the perfect running location for anyone looking for a challenging run. The trail connects Mill Valley and Stinson Beach, known for being the most charming towns in Marin County, California.
This run’s out & back fashion includes 21.7 km of running with around 4,500 feet of ascents and descents, making this a tireless run for even the most avid runner.
If you decide the out-and-back version of this run is too harsh for you, you can opt for a point-to-point version which will take 10 km off the run. This can make it more manageable for a casual runner.
#3 Cycling
When you include mountain biking, road biking, and BMX biking, you can expect a large number of participants. In 2021, around 51.4 million US citizens took part in cycling at least once that year.
But this was a slight decline when considering the peak record of 2020. That said, the rise in 2020 could have been down to the Coronavirus, which saw more people buying bikes than ever before.
Between 2007 and 2016, the yearly number of participants was around 41 million active users.
Here are a few of the best mountain biking locations in the US:
George S. Mickelson Trail, Black Hills, South Dakota
● Length: 175.4 km
● Elevation Gain: 430 m
● Route Type: Point to Point
The trail was named after the former South Dakota governor who died in a plane crash. It’s a crushed stone pathway that incorporates around 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 tunnels.
Although the trail that runs through the Black hills is known for the 109-mile length and not the difficulty of the incline, it’s still no joke.
It features a 19-mile incline with a 1,411-foot elevation; luckily, it doesn’t exceed a 4% grade, so it’s not too challenging.
Panorama Point, Moab, Utah
● Length: 27.9 km
● Elevation Gain: 294 m
● Route Type: Out & Back
Moab is known for being one of the most famous mountain biking locations in the US. The area is in the middle of unforgiving deserts and has many popular trails for beginner and experienced riders.
One of the most popular areas in Moab is Panorama Point. It’s a 27.9km out-and-back track with an intermediate rating.
The rolling track takes you over some slick techy rock that can cause trouble to the novice rider. There are some steep parts, but they are all rideable, and you also get enough downhill riding where you can relax.
#4 Skiing
Skiing is the least popular outdoor adventure on the list and has steadily risen over the past few years. Between 1996 and 2021, there’s been a 22% increase in the number of US citizens participating in the sport.
In 2021 there were a total of 10.5 milling snow sports participants in the US, which was great to see considering the downfall thanks to COVID.
The US is home to some of the most luxurious skiing resorts in the world, so it’s no surprise the number of skiers is increasing with each passing year.
Here are some of the best locations to ski in the United States:
Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado
Aspen is one of the best locations in the US for skiing; in fact, it’s been drawing international skiers to the area for decades.
Aspen lies in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and boasts of being one of the most luxurious ski locations in the US.
While most people talk about the luxury scenic towns, it’s the mountains that attract people to the area.
Aspen is a combination of four skiing areas, which include:
● Buttermilk
● Snowmass
● Aspen Mountains
● Aspen Highlands
… And at the base of all of it, you have Aspen and Snowmass village.
There’s a total of 461 km of piste between the four areas, and you can expect up to 25 feet of snowfall every year.
Snowbird, Utah
If you’re looking for consistently light, dry snow, the Wasatch Valley is the place to be. And it’s also where you’ll find Snowbird and Alta,
Annually, you can expect up to 41 feet of snowfall that rests on the jagged peaks of the area, creating stunning alpine scenery.
While taking on the slopes of Snowbird, you can find excellent terrain and incredible conditions for both skiers and snowboarders.
It’s also home to the only ski tunnel in North America that allows you to ski from one side to the other. It’s also worth mentioning that if you want to take a look at the slopes of Alta, it doesn’t allow snowboarding, so you’ll need to have a set of skis with you