Find your next place to get outside. We explore the Midwest’s best outdoor towns, resorts, parks, camps, trails, and recreation areas — and dig into what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time there.
Whether you’re stopping in on a paddle or planning a weekend of climbing, wine tasting, and riverside wandering, this small Missouri town makes a great base camp.
Soaring 630 feet above the Mississippi River, the Gateway Arch is more than the tallest monument in the United States. It’s also one of the region’s most unexpected outdoor experiences.
Explore the best outdoor activities in Joplin, Missouri, from mountain biking and paddling to waterfalls, hiking trails, great food, and Route 66 charm.
Follow a four-day bikerafting adventure linking Missouri’s Current, Jacks Fork, and Eleven Point rivers through the heart of the Ozark backcountry.
From the state’s tallest cascade to shut-ins you can wade through, here’s where to find Missouri’s most rewarding waterfalls.
The second-largest natural lake in Illinois sits just minutes from downtown St. Louis.
From calm Meramec floats to whitewater rapids, here’s how to find your perfect Ozark river trip.
The Mother Road’s centennial is the perfect time to trade the car window for a bike, paddle, or hiking shoe.
The newly opened park offers a rare mix of jump lines, technical singletrack, progression features, and flow trails, all woven into a riding experience that appeals to a wide range of riders.
Rising 1,772 feet above sea level near the old mining town of Middle Brook, the summit is less a jagged peak and more a high Ozark glade.
From trail-adjacent breweries to walkable neighborhood cafés, here are some of the best patios around St. Louis for walkers, runners, cyclists, paddlers, and anyone looking to spend a little more time outside.
From limestone caves to craft breweries, Missouri’s Queen City blends outdoor adventure with a lively college-town vibe.
Here’s your adventure guide to one of the most diverse outdoor settings in Missouri, complete with bluffs, forests, and waterways.
The trailside destination Perennial on the Trail delivers thoughtful cocktails, elevated pours, and a space built for cyclists, families, and dogs alike.
Tucked within Onondaga Cave State Park, the rugged limestone bluff is less about splashy spectacle and more about deep time, rare species, and a sense of wild persistence.
A modern road trip along the Lewis and Clark Trail uncovers forts, mounds, river towns, and quiet surprises.
