15 Epic Adventure Travel Destinations for Your Bucket List
I love discovering new places to explore, and if you’re like me, you’re always looking for your next destination. While adventures can be found in every part of the world, certain destinations offer more outdoor adventures than others. From natural landscapes and adrenaline-packed activities to a wide range of offerings, adventure travel has never been more accessible.
No matter which style of outdoor adventures you’re after, these 15 adventure travel destinations offer everything from historical treks and wildlife encounters to extreme sports. Planning your next adventure has never been this much fun. The hardest part is deciding where to go next.
15 Adventure travel destinations for outdoor lovers
Whether you’re looking for inspiration or already have an adventure in mind, here are my picks for the 15 best adventure travel destinations for your next trip. While many of the best outdoor travel destinations can be explored on your own, others might offer better value if done with a tour. Remote locations, in particular, might be safer with guides who know the terrain and the potential pitfalls that can arise.
Antarctica
Antarctica is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventures. Visiting this desolate continent is an expedition that will let you channel your inner explorer. While the land might be covered in ice, Antarctica offers incredible wildlife encounters, including penguins, seals and whales.
Here, you can admire the massive icebergs, glaciers and snow-covered landscape as far as the eye can see. There are many adventures to be had here, including camping on ice, snowshoeing, hiking and mountaineering. If you prefer water adventures, you can enjoy kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, scuba diving and snorkelling. The question is, which one will you choose?
Argentina
Argentina’s rugged beauty offers diverse landscapes, from dry deserts, sub-tropical jungles and Antarctic-like Patagonia. Here you’ll find turquoise lakes, glaciers, ice fields, snow-capped Andes Mountain peaks and lush forests. There is something here for every outdoor enthusiast, from fly-fishing, whale-watching and horseback riding to paragliding, skiing, rock climbing, hiking and ice trekking.
Explore Argentina’s 33 national parks, including the stunning Tierra del Fuego, Iguazu, Nahuel Huapi and Los Glaciares, hike the Perito Moreno Glacier, and visit the Iguazu Jungle or unwind in the Lahuan Co hot springs. Whether you’re into snowboarding, hiking, rafting or camping, Argentina is one of the best outdoor travel destinations to experience them all.
Australia
Australia was made for adventure seekers. With more than 30,000 miles of stunning coastline, the world’s largest coral reef, rugged Outback and some of the most biodiverse terrains in the world, this is an outdoor adventure lover’s paradise. Hiking, diving, bungee jumping, surfing and snowboarding are just some of the adventures awaiting you here. It’s easy to see why this is one of the world’s best outdoor travel destinations.
Drenched in sunshine and stunning beaches, Australia is a perfect destination for water lovers. Whether you’re into surfing, snorkelling, water rafting or swimming under a waterfall, you can do it here. If terra firma is more your style, there are many options in the Outback. Don’t miss hiking in the lush Daintree Rainforest, four-wheeling and boating through Kakadu National Park, bushwalking in Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park in Australia’s Red Center and learning about Australia’s aboriginal peoples at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
Botswana
Botswana offers visitors an unforgettable adventure set against diverse landscapes. It’s a world like no other, from the stunning Kalahari Desert, the lush Okavango Delta, and the Chobe River ecosystem to the Kubu Island and the Makgadikgadi salt pans. While Botswana is known for game reserves, safaris and incredible wildlife encounters, it’s also a paradise for outdoor lovers.
Here, you can camp under the stars, skydive, hike and go on a hot air balloon ride, quad bike or river cruise. This is also where zebras, cheetahs, rhinos and buffalo roam free. Why not experience being one with nature in this real-life Eden, making it one of the ultimate adventure travel destinations?
Brazil
As the largest country in South America, Brazil offers a wide range of activities for outdoor lovers. It is home to the Amazon rainforest, Iguazú Falls, the world’s most extensive waterfall system. The Pantanal Wetlands, one of the largest wetland regions in the world, and the sanctuary of Mucugezinho are just a few of the places you can explore here.
Stunning beaches, crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, underground cavern pools, and giant gardens filled with wild orchids and other exotic plants are just some of the gems you’ll find here. Brazil has it all, whether you’re into surfing, diving, riding dune buggies, hand gliding, hiking, or learning more about the local fauna and flora. Add diverse cultural offerings, and you have the perfect adventure travel destination.
Canada
As the second-largest country in the world, Canada is a perfect destination for outdoor adventures. With 48 national parks, three coasts and rugged landscapes, Canada is your ideal adventure travel destination. Here, you’ll find pristine wilderness, stunning lakes, forests, valleys, snow-covered mountains, fjords and glaciers.
Whether you’re into hiking, biking, snowboarding, heli-skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, kayaking, alpine climbing, white water rafting, surfing or mountaineering, you’ll find it here. Canada is also an excellent place to chase the Northern Lights and encounter wildlife. The Great White North is the ideal destination for all kinds of adrenaline adventures waiting for you.
Iceland
Iceland’s incredible landscapes guarantee its place on the adventure travel destinations list. The land of fire and ice attracts outdoor enthusiasts with its snow-capped volcanos, glaciers, underground caves, hot springs and geysers. It’s where you can indulge in all your adventure fantasies as you hike, trek, snorkel, dive and bathe across the island.
From snorkelling in a crack between two tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, snowmobiling across the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, hiking behind the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, exploring underground ice caved of the Vatnajökull glacier or puffin, and whale watching, Iceland will grab your heart from the start.
Kyrgyzstan
While Kyrgyzstan might not be on everyone’s radar for outdoor adventures, the country steadily attracts adventurers seeking new and unique travel destinations. As mountains cover 93% of the nation’s terrain, the opportunities for all types of outdoor adventures are endless. Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular landscape is filled with rugged mountains, valleys, meadows, rolling grasslands and stunning blue lakes that will awe you.
You will never lack anything to do here, as there are abundant trekking, horseback riding, rafting, camping, skiing and mountain biking offerings. Visit the celestial Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges, heli-bike in the lush Karkara Valley, camp at Karkara Base Camp, and bathe in the Altyn-Arashan Valley hot springs. Follow in the footsteps of the Silk Road trading route, learn about the nomadic culture of the Kyrgyz and stay in traditional yurts. You will want to return again and again.
Mongolia
Mongolia is known as the Land of Blue Sky, and it has vast mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes, golden sands, and dinosaur fossils from the Gobi Desert. Whether you want to channel your inner Genghis Khan as you travel on horseback or immerse yourself in a culture that hasn’t changed much over centuries, Mongolia is the perfect place for adventure travel.
As you hike, bike, raft and kayak across the beautiful gorges, sandstone mountains, deserts and valleys, you’ll also experience local customs, sleep in traditional ger tents and visit historic temples and monasteries. Marco Polo wrote about his adventures here, igniting curiosity about this wild and untamed place in future travellers. It’s not surprising that Mongolia is a siren call for adventurers.
Namibia
With a commitment to conservation management, stunning scenery and incredible wildlife encounters, Namibia is an attractive destination for outdoor adventures. Here, you can explore pink-granite mountains, dramatic dunes, valleys and canyons as you skydive, sand-board, quad-bike and power-kite to your heart’s content.
Enjoy endless starry nights and visit the Etosha National Park, which has the largest free-roaming population of black rhinos, cheetahs, lions and elephants. Visit the stunning red sand dunes of Sossusvlei, hike the surreal formations at Spitzkoppe, visit the wrecks along the treacherous Skeleton Coast and get ready for a journey unlike any other.
New Zealand
New Zealand might be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to adventures. With spectacular landscapes made up of majestic mountains, volcanos, forests, rivers, lakes and beaches, it’s a destination made for every adventure lover. For heart-pounding adventures and more laid-back activities, this is the place for you.
Here you can kayak, surf, snorkel, scuba dive, wakeboard, white water raft and surf. If you prefer to stay out of the water, New Zealand’s national parks are ready to blow your mind with forests, lakes, mountains and gorges. Try caving in Waitomo, hiking the Abel Tasman Great Walk, bungee jumping in Queenstown, or heading to Kaikoura to watch some whales.
Norway
Norway’s natural and unspoiled beauty is an adventure lover’s dream filled with stunning mountains, fjords and waterways. Norway is the place to travel for any outdoor enthusiast, from hiking, cycling, skiing, dog-sledding, numerous water activities, and encounters with nature during all seasons.
Travel to Tromso in the Arctic Circle to view the Northern Lights, find your glacier adventure at the Jostedalsbreen, Folgefonna and Svartisen glaciers, and explore scenic waterfalls, caves and caverns as you follow the footsteps of ancient Vikings. No matter what outdoor adventure you have in mind, you’ll likely find it here in Norway.
Peru
There is more to Peru than the iconic Machu Picchu. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts will fall in love with the country’s versatile landscape and unmatched wildlife exploration opportunities. Peru’s national parks, lakes, deserts and mountains offer some of the most challenging trekking routes through historic lands.
The Peruvian Andes offer climbing, camping, paragliding and mountain biking options. Visitors can go sandboarding in Huacachina Oasis, boating on Lake Titicaca, white water rafting on the Urubamba River, hiking in the Colca Canyon and volcano climbing near Arequipa or surfing on the coast. The possibilities are endless.
Switzerland
Switzerland is the ultimate destination for outdoor lovers. With unparalleled skiing opportunities in winter and incredible hiking in summer, it’s a popular adventure destination. The Swiss Alps, dotted with highlands, lakes and meadows, make Switzerland one of the top adventure travel destinations in the world.
This is the place for epic alpine adventures, including backpacking, hiking, snowboarding, skiing, paragliding, kayaking, mountain climbing, tobogganing and spelunking. Take a break from exploring the national parks and soak at a Swiss spa or explore one of the country’s spectacular castles.
USA
When it comes to adventure travel destinations, the US stands out as a massive playground filled with the great outdoors. With such a diverse landscape, there are opportunities for winter and summer adventures on land and water. There is plenty to choose from, including majestic mountains, stunning lakes, canyons, salt flats, forests, beaches, and lush jungles.
From dog sledding in Alaska, surfing in California and skiing in Colorado to kayaking through Yellowstone National Park, hiking in Hawaii and exploring the Grand Canyon. The US has it all for every adventure style out there.
Final thoughts on best adventure travel destinations
These adventure travel destinations are just some of the places where adventure awaits. Their natural assets and wide range of activities continuously attract different types of travellers. It’s not to say that there aren’t other countries with plenty of offerings for adventure seekers. Arguably, each country in the world offers a variety of adventure options, but listing them all would be an endless task.
Adventure travel is a great way to practice self-awareness and learn confidence and decisiveness. Pushing your limits can be a great adrenaline rush and a way to break from routine. But keep in mind that being adventurous doesn’t mean being careless. Respect the nature you’re exploring and the people you meet, and know your limitations. The best adventures, after all, are those we live to talk about.
