5 Affordable Travel Destinations for Older Adults Who Want to Adventure in Retirement

Vacations mean different things to different people. Some want to relax on a beach with a good book, while others like to stroll through museums, picking up fun facts here and there. And then there are the adventurers — those who want to experience something new, often by pushing their bodies in healthy ways and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature.

If you’re among the last group, check out these tips and destinations for adventure travel for senior adults.

5 Travel Spots for Adventurous Seniors

1. Whitefish, Montana

This resort town offers every sort of adventure at prices that are more affordable than those of sister mountain areas. Winter activities include downhill skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing at Glacier National Park. Summertime brings the opportunity to hike, zipline, fish at Whitefish or Flathead Lake or cycle on nearby trails.

The Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell services several airlines, including United, American and Allegiant. The ski resort offers senior (65 to 69) and super senior (70+) discounts.

2. Black Hills, South Dakota

Staying in South Dakota’s Black Hills gives you access to popular national parks (Badlands and Wind Cave), monuments (Devil’s Tower), memorials (Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse) and state parks (Custer’s). All are within a scenic 1- to 2-hour drive. Most of the area is hikeable, with trails that allow for exploring the parks and the Black Hills National Forest.

The Mickelson Trail is a 109-mile rail-to-trail connecting Deadwood to Edgemont. Tunnels and bridges add interest to the scenic path. Towns along the trail rent e-bikes, and you can also ride horseback or snowshoe the trail in the winter.

3. Mount Desert Island, Maine

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park is an adventurer’s paradise, with rocky headlands covered in hiking trails and cool Atlantic waters. Thanks to John D. Rockfeller Jr., the park is crisscrossed with 45 miles of carriage roads made from broken stone, allowing bikers the freedom to explore without sharing the road with motor-driven vehicles.

Seniors can visit the outer islands via a ranger-led boat tour or join up with any of the sea kayak rental companies for coastal and pond experiences. Whale watching is a popular pastime, and various cruise options are available.

4. Boulder, Colorado

Although Colorado is packed with breathtaking scenery and unspoiled space, Boulder, Colorado, offers seniors an ample mix of winter and summer activities, from skiing and snowshoeing to biking and rafting. Mountain streams provide plenty of places to try casting, or you can fish from the shores at Walden Ponds.

The area is a biker’s paradise with an assortment of paved, gravel and mountain trails. You can rent e-bikes or fat tire bikes for winter trails. If you want to see wildlife and get away from it all, the city has four wilderness areas within driving distance, including the Rocky Mountain National Park.

5. Lake Michigan

Those interested in the quintessential lake vacation can take a trip to the shores of Lake Michigan. The fun starts at Sleeping Bear Dunes with a breathtaking (literally) dune climb. Afterward, you can explore the remaining 35 miles of glacial remnants. Traverse City, Petoskey and Charlevoix are inviting little towns with local diners, tourist shops and quaint cottages.

The Little Traverse Wheelway (23 miles) runs across the top of Michigan, from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs. This paved trail offers stunning lake views along with places to eat, relax and shop. For those who want to travel further north, the Mackinac Suspension Bridge takes you into the Upper Peninsula, home to pasties (a stuffed meat pie) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where you can hike or kayak for unforgettable views.

Where to Find Adventure Travel

While you can always go off-trail into the middle of nowhere, finding adventure travel spots with tailor-made amenities is often safer and more convenient. The following ideas can help you plan a trip, especially if you want something affordable and closer to home.

National Parks

Depending on which Bethesda Senior Living Community you live in, you may have a national park practically on your doorstep. National parks offer a multitude of conveniences for senior travelers, from clearly marked hiking trails and roads to lodges, camping spots and bathrooms. Seniors over 62 can get a lifetime National Park Pass (a great deal if you visit frequently) by requesting one in person at participating sites. The pass admits the passholder and three other adults in a vehicle.

Rails to Trails

In 1986, the Rails to Trails Conservancy began transforming unused railroad beds across the country into trails for walking and biking. Now, you can find trails of varying lengths in cities and rural areas. Many are paved with bike assistance stops and restaurants along the way. Rails to Trails paths are in all 50 states, including those with Bethesda Senior Living Communities. You can use e-bikes or regular bikes to cruise these trails or even walk them, taking in the sights and going at your own pace.

Lakes

Freshwater lakes across the United States offer many adventure opportunities, from boating, fishing, kayaking and swimming to hiking and biking along the shoreline. Check out the lakes nearest you for activities. Lakeside communities often have unique restaurants and shops, along with boat and water ski rentals. Wilderness lakes provide solitude for a morning coffee and many quiet areas to kayak.