For those that are looking to explore regionally and safely, this is for you!
While international travel is at a bit of a standstill and some places are opening back up with different restrictions in place, you may be trying to figure out where can Americans travel right now. As many folks are opting to stay domestic right now, USA road trips have become quite popular.
Whether you’re road tripping for the first time, looking for the best road trips to take in the USA, or you just want to explore the best cities in the USA—you’ve come to the right place.
Are you asking yourself, “Where can I travel right now?”
I’ve rounded up some places that offer wide-open spaces where you can immerse yourself in nature and adventure at a distance.
As you plan your trip, understand that restrictions are constantly in flux—certain things may be closed and some communities do not want outside visitors. Make sure to check on quarantines in place and other restrictions before committing to a place, too!
My suggestion is to research what’s going on locally, be cautious, wear protective gear, and be mindful of others. Here are my tips for how to travel safely during COVID-19.
If you’re taking a road trip or flying domestically and looking to explore somewhere new, here are my suggestions for the best USA places to travel to right now!
Helpful Tips
To stay socially distanced while exploring, you may want to consider camping or renting an RV, focusing your trip around national parks, and try sticking to the outdoors as much as possible.
Meyer and I rented an RV through RVShare and it made for an epic camping trip!
If you are deciding to travel, pay attention to the CDC guidelines, avoid close contact to anyone who you are not traveling with. Wear a mask in public spaces. Wash your hands often and/or use sanitizer. And avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Wondering where can I travel in the US right now? Keep reading for my suggestions!
Tahoe, California
California
As my home state, California is near and dear to my heart, and, in my opinion, one of the best places to road trip! From road tripping the California coast to visiting some iconic national parks, California has a ton to offer.
Northern California
Northern California is absolutely brimming with beauty and your options for exploring are endless.
You’ve got coastal views in Mendocino and all along Pacific Coast Highway, with stretches where you hardly see a soul. If you’re into vino, there’s the wine country of Napa and Sonoma, or if you’re wanting to surround yourself with trees, check out Tahoe or the Redwoods!
There are few places in the world more beautiful than Big Sur, and it’s one of the state’s greatest treasures. Perched on the rugged central coast of California, this is a nature lover’s dream destination.
Would you prefer an isolated fairytale cabin? Check out these lodging options at Steep Ravine, just north of San Francisco.
Southern California
Born and raised in Southern California, I’m a bit biased. While the beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country (aside from Hawaii, of course), you’ve got a variety of different terrain here, too.
Essentially you can come for the beaches but then stay for the desert and all the glistening stars in Joshua Tree! An ideal place to get your distance from others and relax, Joshua Tree is an incredible escape from it all.
The Coolest Airbnbs in California
Here are the coolest (and most charming) Airbnbs to stay at in California!
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Oregon
With rugged coastlines and vast forests, Oregon is the ideal place to climb that mountain and get your fill of waterfalls. If you love camping, there are so many campgrounds to choose from—just make sure to book ahead.
The Coolest Airbnbs in the Pacific Northwest
Prepare to fall in love with stunning aesthetics and cozy places to nestle up!
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Maine
There’s a common theme on this list of places with rugged, natural beauty…and I’m particularly fond of coastlines. Maine’s rocky shores are a splendid place for isolation and there are tons of places to go hiking, biking, or explore the waterfront.
For the ultimate getaway, check out the gorgeous Acadia National Park.
Alaska
Fancy a road trip through Alaska?
There are so many beautiful small towns and tons of history to discover. Being the USA’s largest and most sparsely populated state, you can explore many of the gems like Ketchikan or Juneau, and potentially a glacier or two!
Hawaii
As long as you’re willing to follow a strict two-week quarantine (Hawaii has a 14-day quarantine for any visitor to the island), Hawaii could be the ideal place!
If you’re working from home and looking to switch things up a bit, quarantining in Hawaii and then experiencing beach life for a few weeks (or months) sounds pretty darn great!
New Mexico
It’s no wonder why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment.
From ancient natural wonders to Native American and Southwestern culture, to UFOs and alien lore, the state is one of the most wonderfully unique destinations in the United States and the world.
Read More:
Arches National Park
National Parks
As stated above, restrictions are always in flux, make sure to check individual parks and see what restrictions are in place before going. Some parks are partially open with select entrances blocked off, while others you are completely free to roam.
There are so many national parks that could make this list (after all, there are over 400 national parks in the US alone!). However, I narrowed it down to a select few… no need to overwhelm with choices! In no particular order, here are a few options for some of the most beautiful national parks to visit.
Yosemite National Park in California
Famous for its towering granite peaks, ancient giant sequoias, and views of the forested valley that will take your breath away, this is a dream hiking destination.
Check out this weekend guide to backcountry hiking in Yosemite!
Glacier National Park in Montana
Located in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, the park is filled with peaks carved by glaciers and stunning valleys. There are more than 700 miles of hiking trails, roads to cycle, and so many photographic points.
Here’s a local’s guide to Glacier National Park!
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
Located atop a volcanic hot spot, Yellowstone is a must-see! Featuring gorgeous canyons, lush forests, tons of hot springs, and impressive geysers—Old Faithful being the most famous—there’s so much to see and do.
Arches National Park in Utah
The Mars-like red rock landscape of Arches, located in Moab, will make you feel like you’re on another planet! If you’re looking to road trip and see other places along the way, check out this ultimate Southwest USA road trip itinerary, or this one-week “Mighty 5” Utah road trip.
While this only has a handful of places, there are many other national parks and great nature-focused locations to explore beyond this list.
What places do you think are ideal for staying socially distanced and exploring the great outdoors? Let me know in the comments below!
Great Ideas!
I’ll take you up on the National Parks idea. Went to one this summer and going to another in the winter. I don’t have too much vacation time so I think 2 per year is my max. I will aim for 2 more next year!
Hey Michelle! That sounds lovely – and there are so many cool parks to see, so you’ve got a lot of choice. I visited Moab (Canyonlands and Arches National Park) recently and they were STUNNING. You might want to check this post about how to get the most out of two-weeks of vacation time 🙂 https://theblondeabroad.com/epic-trip-2-weeks-vacation/
Wow! Thanks for the list, I think this list is safe for travel this 2021 since some of this place is not crowded for the virus to take place. But of course, we still have to be careful and be a responsible traveler. Thanks for sharing!
It’s extremely important to pay attention to local regulations, distance, and wear your mask — but there are some wonderful places where there are not many folks around and you can embrace nature. Especially national parks!