Energized Escapes: Utica Named Illinois’ Adventure Capital (Survey).

• Survey of 3,021 respondents on the most coveted active vacation destinations.
• Utica emerged in #87, followed by Makanda (#102) + Savanna (#129).
• Infographic included. 

Forget flip-flops and frozen cocktails – 2025 is shaping up to be the year Americans trade passive sunbathing for pulse-pounding adventure. According to a new survey by BetterNurse.org, a nursing career and education platform, more travelers are ditching the poolside snooze for getaways that challenge both the body and brain – think biking down volcanoes, hiking mist-covered ridgelines, or paddling straight into the unknown. These trips don’t just give you sore calves – they give you stories.

The survey polled 3,021 people, asking them to name the active destinations they most want to experience this year. From alpine peaks to lava flows, these are the top 10 spots:

#1. Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite overwhelms in the best way. Granite walls, thundering waterfalls, and endless trails offer challenge and awe in equal measure. Whether you’re climbing to the top of Vernal Fall or catching sunrise at Glacier Point, this is an adventure with altitude. Stay in Yosemite Valley itself at campgrounds, lodges, or the iconic Ahwahnee Hotel-so you can walk out your door and straight into the wilderness.

#2. Haleakalā National Park –  Maui, Hawaii
On Maui, Haleakalā feels like another planet. Start the day biking down the volcano at sunrise, then hike through the summit crater’s red-and-black rock landscape. The air is thin, the views stretch for miles, and every step feels like it counts. Stay in Upcountry Maui or in cabins within the park itself for early access and stargazing that stuns.

#3. Great Smoky Mountains – Gatlinburg, Tennessee
There’s something about the Smokies that gets under your skin. The trails here climb steadily into mist, where rhododendron thickets crowd the path and waterfalls echo through the hollows. Hike to Charlie’s Bunion for wide ridge views or take on the Alum Cave Trail as it cuts across stone bluffs toward Mount Le Conte. Base yourself in Gatlinburg or the quieter town of Townsend, where cabins, chalets, and old-fashioned motor inns sit right at the park’s edge. The Smokies don’t just offer exercise-they offer clarity, breath, and space to feel like yourself again.

#4. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park –  Hilo, Hawaii
From lava tubes to steam vents and still-active flows, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park offers a rare mix of danger and beauty. Hike across hardened lava fields, explore rainforests, and feel the earth breathe beneath your feet. Hilo is the closest town for lodging, with jungle guesthouses and boutique hotels that keep you close to both the coast and the crater.

#5. Big Sur Coastline – Big Sur, California
Big Sur is as raw as California gets-redwoods rising from canyon floors, cliffs plunging to the Pacific, and waves that never rest. Hike coastal trails in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, where switchbacks climb to ocean overlooks, or trek through Andrew Molera’s wild beaches and ridges. Camp beneath redwoods or stay in clifftop inns and glamping hideaways, where fog rolls in like a curtain and every morning feels cinematic.

#6. Napali Coast – Hanalei, Hawaii
The Napali Coast isn’t just scenery-it’s endurance, reward, and awe in motion. Hike the rugged Kalalau Trail, kayak beneath cliffs that rise straight from the sea, or take a boat to hidden beaches only accessible by water. Stay in Hanalei or camp (with permits) at Kalalau Beach, where the waves lull you to sleep and sunrise hits the cliffs like stained glass.

#7. Big Sky, Montana
When winter fades, Big Sky stays bold. Hikers and mountain bikers climb the same ridgeline, skiers descend in January, and white-water rafting on the Gallatin River kicks into gear. The town of Big Sky offers everything from slope-side condos to modern lodges tucked into the trees-so your body can rest while your mind still rides the high of the day.

#8. Sedona Red Rock Trails – Sedona, Arizona
Sedona is all about movement-hiking, biking, and climbing through landscapes that look painted by fire. Mountain bikers fly down expert-only slickrock paths like Hangover and HiLine, while hikers find their stride-and a challenge, Cathedral Rock or the strenuous Bear Mountain. Stay in Sedona’s many boutique lodges or desert resorts nestled among the rocks, where sunrise views and red dirt on your boots are part of the deal.

#9. Fernandina Beach –  Amelia Island, Florida
On Amelia Island, adventure takes a coastal turn. Bikers cruise shaded trails through Fort Clinch State Park, kayakers explore salt marshes and tidal creeks, and surfers ride clean waves just off the quiet beach. Fernandina Beach is the perfect home base, with charming inns and walkable streets that let you recover in style after a salty, sun-soaked day.

#10. Mammoth Lakes, California
Mammoth is built for motion. One day you’re biking pumice trails with views of volcanic ridges, the next you’re hiking to ice-blue alpine lakes still touched by snow. Base yourself in Mammoth Lakes, where lodges, ski cabins, and boutique inns give you quick access to everything from mountain passes to mineral hot springs.

Illinois had 3 spots among the most coveted for an active getaway:

#87. Utica, Starved Rock State Park
With slot canyons, seasonal waterfalls, and challenging stair-filled trails, Starved Rock packs a lot of adventure into a small area. Just two hours from Chicago, it’s a favorite for hikers looking to recharge. Stay at the historic Starved Rock Lodge or book a riverside cabin in Utica to stretch your escape into a full weekend.

#102. Makanda, Shawnee National Forest
Southern Illinois holds a secret: the sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, and forest trails of Shawnee National Forest. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area is the big draw, where hikers walk ancient bluffs that overlook the valley like a lost world. Stay in the quirky village of Makanda or rent a nearby cabin in the woods—it’s a getaway with grit, not crowds.

#129. Savanna, Mississippi Palisades State Park
High bluffs, forested ridges, and sweeping views of the Mississippi River make this park a favorite for hikers and photographers alike. Stay in nearby Savanna, a relaxed river town with lodges and B&Bs that give you direct access to bluff-top trails and quiet morning paddles.

Infographic showing the most coveted 145 active destinations to visit in 2025

“Americans are rethinking what it means to recharge,” says Chermae Anobling at BetterNurse.org. “For more and more people, stress relief doesn’t come with a drink umbrella – it comes with a mountain pass, a kayak paddle, or a pair of muddy boots. Active escapes are good for the body, sure – but they’re even better for the mind“.