Trips to take in 2018

2017 was the year of traveling fearlessly. In a world so often portrayed as risky, dangerous, the reality is that when you actually get out there, you realize how little truth is in those fears.

Looking ahead, 2018 is about traveling deeper. It’s about appreciating what we have both here in the US and around the world.

2018 also marks the 50th anniversary of the US National Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, which gives special wilderness protection to designated rivers and lands around the US. In honor of this, we’ve highlighted several public lands — national parks, forests, and recreation areas — that can make trips extra special, and can be found even in the middle of large metro areas.

Wherever you find yourself in 2018, here’s to traveling deeply, and making your best travel stories yet.

 

1. Nevada Wild West towns road trip


Dark skies, ghost towns, and cowboy poetry

Photo: BLM Nevada

People always associate Nevada with Vegas, but what really deserves checking out are the many cool small towns. An interesting fact as well: Nevada has the most hot springs of any state in the US. For 2018, we’re recommending a cowboy town/ghost town road trip with little side visits to some amazing national parks and public lands. Start in Reno, a kickass little city in its own right (with the Truckee River whitewater course flowing right through), and then head out to Virginia City and across Hwy 50 for some incredible open space before hitting up Ely and Great Basin National Park. From here, you’ve got a ton of options looping back north or south; check our Nevada small town guide.

When to go: Spring or fall if you want to avoid extreme desert heat; this can be a great winter trip. In Elko, the 34th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering is taking place January 29 – February 3, 2018.

Get deeper: Great Basin National Park is one of the last places left in the US with almost no light pollution, and is designated an International Dark Sky Park. Throughout the year there are free astronomy programs with telescope viewing and talks from rangers.