North America
There is simply so much wilderness to explore across North America that the opportunities for adventure activities are virtually limitless, writes Tom Le Bas, timeoutdoors' Travel Editor.
Whether you’re after some amazing walking or cycling, climbing, watersports or winter sports. From Alaska to Hawaii and Mexico, the magnificent Rocky Mountains to the Florida Keys, it’s all here if you know where to look.
WATERSPORTS
Hawaii is world-famous for its surfing. The most famous surf beaches are on Oahu (North Shore, Waimea Bay, Waikiki), the Big Island (Hawaii), Maui (Honolua on the north shore, and between Haiku and Paia on the north coast) and Kauai (north shore) November-February is the optimum time, but great surf can be found year-round. The windsurfing in these places is also world-class.
California and Baja California in Mexico are close behind in the surfing stakes.
Big-game fishing is popular in roughly the same locations, notably off the Kona coast on Hawaii’s Big Island, as well as from the Florida Keys.
There are numerous possibilities for thrilling whitewater rafting in the Alaskan, Canadian and American Rockies. Adventure tour companies offer week-long trips kayaking or rafting down the Yukon River and the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The vast number of lakes in the forests of Canada and the north-central US are also prime kayaking territory.
For scuba diving with exceptional visibility and a rich variety of colourful species, consider Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula. There are also great dive sites on the Pacific coast islands off the coast of California and Sea of Cortes off Baja California.
WALKING
Take your pick from the vast open spaces and dramatic scenery of the American west: the Rocky Mountains of Canada (notably around Jasper and Banff National Park) and the USA (the famous national parks of Yellowstone and Yosemite, Monument Valley in Utah and the Appalachian trail in the east of the country - to name but a few) are awe-inspiring for any hiker: various long-distance treks and, more commonly, shorter rambles interspersed with some road sections, are offered by tour companies.
CYCLING
The possibilities are again endless: a vast network of well-surfaced roads for cycle touring, and trails for the mountain-biking fraternity. The most frequently offered locations for organised road trips include the wine country of northern California, New England and upstate New York. Most mountain-biking holidays focus on the Rockies, but there are some specialist tours in Alaska and the southwestern US, too.
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Countries - popular countries for activities in North America
Activities - popular activities in North America
Activity guides - local guides to great places in North America