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13 Unforgettable Outdoor Getaways Your Small Group Must Experience
Finding the perfect outdoor getaway for a small group can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You need a destination that balances adventure with accessibility, offers activities for varied interests, and provides enough space to feel both connected and uncrowded.
The ideal spot allows for shared experiences, whether it’s conquering a challenging trail, paddling across a serene lake, or simply gathering around a campfire under a sky full of stars. Because these trips are about more than just seeing a beautiful place, they are about creating lasting memories together.
From the towering granite cliffs of the Sierra Nevada to the misty, ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, the United States is filled with landscapes that are perfect for group exploration. And below, we are highlighting destinations that are particularly well-suited for smaller groups, offering a mix of iconic scenery and hidden gems.
Each location has been selected for its ability to provide a powerful sense of escape and a diverse range of activities, ensuring that every member of your group can find something to love.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Just south of Yellowstone is the lesser-visited Grand Teton National Park, which presents a skyline of jagged peaks that rise dramatically from the valley floor. It creates one of the most striking mountain landscapes in North America.
This park is an adventurer’s playground, perfect for a small group eager to immerse themselves in the wild. The Teton Range offers world-class hiking, with trails like Cascade Canyon and Paintbrush Canyon providing breathtaking views of the glacially carved landscape.
For a more relaxed day, you can float down the Snake River, where the odds of spotting moose, elk, and even bears are high. Jenny Lake is another hub of activity; you can take a shuttle boat across its pristine waters to access the Cascade Canyon trail or simply enjoy a picnic on its shores.
String Lake is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding with calm, shallow waters and stunning reflections of the peaks. And a group drive along the Teton Park Road offers numerous pullouts for photo opportunities, including the iconic Moulton Barns on Mormon Row.
With its combination of challenging climbs, serene water activities, and abundant wildlife, Grand Teton provides a balanced yet thrilling experience for any small group.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park is a sanctuary of towering granite cliffs, ancient sequoia groves, and dramatic waterfalls that captivate millions each year. For a small group, it offers a dynamic mix of accessible sightseeing and rugged backcountry adventure.
In Yosemite Valley, you can stand in awe of El Capitan and Half Dome, two of the world’s most famous rock-climbing landmarks. The Mist Trail, leading to Vernal and Nevada Falls, is a rewarding challenge, though it can be crowded.
To escape the main crowds, consider exploring the Tuolumne Meadows area in the high country, which typically opens in late spring. This subalpine meadow region offers stunning hikes, like the trail to Elizabeth Lake, with far fewer people.
For a truly memorable group experience, securing a permit to hike to the top of Half Dome via the famous cables is an ultimate bucket-list adventure, though it requires planning months in advance. Lodging options range from historic hotels to rustic campgrounds, catering to different comfort levels within your group and making it a versatile choice for a collective escape.
Big Sur, California
Stretching for roughly 90 miles along the central California coast, Big Sur is a legendary landscape where the Santa Lucia Mountains plunge into the Pacific Ocean. This rugged and remote coastline is ideal for a small group seeking a scenic road trip combined with moments of quiet contemplation.
Driving Highway 1 is an experience in itself, with winding turns revealing incredible views at every corner. Key stops include Bixby Bridge, one of the most photographed bridges in California, and McWay Falls, a stunning 80-foot waterfall that cascades directly onto the beach.
For hiking, Garrapata State Park and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park offer trails that wind through redwood groves and lead to coastal overlooks. A visit to Pfeiffer Beach is a must, especially at sunset when the light streams through the Keyhole Arch.
Due to its popularity, accommodations can be limited and expensive, so planning this trip as early as you can makes a difference. However, the experience of watching the fog roll in over the ocean or hiking high above the waves makes it an unforgettable group destination.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Dominating the Washington skyline, Mount Rainier is an active volcano encased in over 35 square miles of snow and ice. The park that surrounds it is a wonderland of wildflower-filled meadows, ancient forests, and powerful glaciers, offering a diverse range of experiences for a small group.
The Paradise area is famous for its spectacular views and fields of lupine and paintbrush that bloom in mid-summer. Trails like the Skyline Trail Loop offer panoramic scenery of the Nisqually Glacier and the surrounding Cascade Range.
On the park’s northeast side, the Sunrise area, the highest point accessible by vehicle in the park, provides a different perspective and access to hikes like the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail, which offers a good chance of seeing mountain goats.
For a less crowded experience, the Carbon River area in the northwest corner of the park is home to a temperate rainforest and the impressive Carbon Glacier.
The park’s varied ecosystems mean your group can spend one day hiking through dense old-growth forest and the next navigating snowfields in alpine meadows. This variety makes Mount Rainier a captivating destination for groups with mixed interests and fitness levels.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota
For a group seeking true immersion in nature and a break from modern life, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota is an unparalleled choice. This vast, protected area consists of over a million acres of forests and thousands of lakes and streams, accessible only by canoe or on foot.
A trip here is a classic wilderness adventure, requiring teamwork and self-sufficiency. Groups can plan multi-day canoe routes, paddling from lake to lake and portaging their gear between them. The experience is deeply rewarding, offering unparalleled solitude, excellent fishing for walleye and northern pike, and the chance to hear the haunting call of loons echoing across the water.
Wildlife sightings are common, including moose, black bears, and bald eagles. And the night skies, free from light pollution, are spectacular. But planning is key, as permits are required for overnight trips and must be reserved well in advance.
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Stretching along the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Shenandoah National Park is a haven of rolling hills, forested hollows, and cascading waterfalls.
The park is most famous for Skyline Drive, a 105-mile scenic byway that winds along the crest of the mountains, offering nearly 70 overlooks with stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west and the Piedmont to the east. This makes it an excellent destination for a group that enjoys a mix of scenic driving and hiking.
The park boasts over 500 miles of trails, including a 101-mile section of the Appalachian Trail. Popular hikes like Old Rag Mountain, a strenuous rock scramble, offer a thrilling challenge and 360-degree views, while the trail to Dark Hollow Falls provides a shorter, more accessible walk to a beautiful series of waterfalls.
The park is particularly spectacular in the fall when the foliage turns brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, though this is also the busiest time of year. For a small group, renting a cabin at Skyland or Big Meadows Lodge can provide a comfortable base for exploring the park.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Where the Mojave and Colorado Deserts meet, Joshua Tree National Park protects a fascinating and strange landscape. This park is defined by its namesake Joshua trees, which are actually a species of yucca, and its surreal formations of jumbo-sized granite boulders.
For a small group, it offers a unique blend of easy exploration and challenging adventure. The park is a world-renowned rock-climbing destination, but even non-climbers can enjoy scrambling over the giant rocks at Jumbo Rocks or Skull Rock.
Short trails like the Cholla Cactus Garden Nature Trail and the Hidden Valley Nature Trail provide easy walks through distinct desert ecosystems. For a more strenuous hike, the trail to the top of Ryan Mountain rewards with fantastic views of the entire park.
The sunsets here are legendary, painting the desert sky in vibrant hues, and the stargazing is some of the best in Southern California due to the park’s dark sky designation. Camping is also a popular way to experience the park, and gathering around a campfire under a blanket of stars is a quintessential Joshua Tree experience.
Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada
Straddling the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America, renowned for its crystal-clear blue water and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s a year-round destination that offers a vast array of activities for a small group.
In the summer, the lake is the main attraction, with opportunities for boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming at beaches like Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay. Hiking is also a major draw, with trails ranging from the easy Tahoe East Shore Trail to the more challenging climb up Mount Tallac, which offers views of the entire basin.
Emerald Bay State Park is a must-see, with its stunning viewpoints and Vikingsholm Castle, a unique example of Scandinavian architecture.
In the winter, the region transforms into a world-class ski destination with resorts like Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly offering terrain for all skill levels. The mix of outdoor adventure and developed amenities, including a wide range of dining and lodging options, makes Lake Tahoe an easy and versatile choice for a group looking for both recreation and relaxation.
White Mountains, New Hampshire
The White Mountains of New Hampshire are home to the most rugged peaks in the northeastern United States, including the formidable Mount Washington. This region offers a classic New England mountain experience, with dense hardwood forests, scenic drives, and a network of historic trails and huts.
For a small group of avid hikers, the presidential traverse (a challenging multi-day trek across the highest peaks of the Presidential Range) is a bucket-list achievement. For more moderate adventures, the Franconia Ridge Loop is one of the most popular hikes in the country, offering stunning ridgeline views.
The Kancamagus Highway, a 34.5-mile scenic byway, winds through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, providing access to numerous trailheads, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks. In the fall, the “Kanc” is one of the premier foliage drives in the world.
The Appalachian Mountain Club operates a series of high mountain huts that offer a unique backcountry lodging experience, allowing groups to hike from hut to hut without carrying heavy camping gear.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks are a string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina, known for their windswept beaches, historic lighthouses, and wild horses. This is a destination for a group that loves the sea and a sense of history.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore protects over 70 miles of coastline, offering endless opportunities for beachcombing, fishing, and surfing. You can climb the iconic black-and-white striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse for panoramic views of the islands. And in the northern town of Corolla, you can take a 4×4 tour to see the famous wild mustangs that roam the beaches.
For a dose of history, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kitty Hawk, where the first powered flight took place, or explore the mystery of the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island.
The laid-back atmosphere of the island towns, with their seafood shacks and beach houses, makes it a perfect place for a relaxed group vacation. Whether you’re kayaking through the calm waters of the sound or watching the sunset over the Atlantic, the Outer Banks offer a unique coastal escape that feels a world away from the mainland.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Covering 1.5 million acres of southern Florida, Everglades National Park is a unique and vital ecosystem, a “river of grass” that flows slowly from Lake Okeechobee to the Florida Bay. A trip here is an opportunity for your group to experience a wilderness unlike any other in the United States.
The best way to explore the heart of the Everglades is by water. You can take an airboat tour through the sawgrass marshes to spot alligators, turtles, and a vast array of wading birds. For a more peaceful experience, rent kayaks or canoes and paddle one of the many marked water trails, like the Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail.
The park is also a birder’s paradise, especially in the winter dry season when wildlife congregates around the remaining water sources. The Anhinga Trail near the Royal Palm Visitor Center is one of the best places in the park for guaranteed wildlife sightings. To experience the coastal part of the park, head to the Flamingo area, where you might see manatees and crocodiles.
Redwood National And State Parks, California
Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National and State Parks are a chain of protected forests along the coast of northern California. Walking among these ancient giants is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience, perfect for a group looking to connect with nature on a profound level.
The parks offer a variety of trails that cater to all fitness levels. The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail is an easy, accessible loop through a beautiful old-growth grove, while the Tall Trees Grove Trail, which requires a permit, leads to some of the world’s tallest measured trees.
Beyond the forests, the parks also protect 40 miles of rugged coastline, with opportunities for tide pooling, beachcombing, and whale watching in the spring and fall.
The Newton B. Drury Parkway is a scenic alternative to Highway 101, offering a quiet drive through the heart of the redwoods. You might even spot a herd of Roosevelt elk grazing in the meadows.
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park is a vast and rugged wilderness of canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The park is divided into three districts by the rivers themselves: Island in the Sky, the Needles, and the Maze.
For most small groups, the Island in the Sky district is the most accessible. This broad mesa sits over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain, offering incredible views from overlooks like the Grand View Point. The short hike to Mesa Arch at sunrise is a classic Canyonlands experience, as the sun lights up the underside of the arch in a fiery glow.
For a more adventurous group with high-clearance 4×4 vehicles, the White Rim Road is a 100-mile loop that offers a multi-day backcountry experience with stunning views and remote campsites.
The Needles district offers a different experience, with miles of hiking trails that wind through a bizarre landscape of colorful sandstone spires. And the Maze district is the most remote and challenging area of the park, suitable only for experienced and self-sufficient backcountry travelers.
The sheer scale and raw, untamed beauty of Canyonlands make it a perfect destination for a group looking for a true desert adventure.
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