6 Quiet End of Summer Escapes
Seek serenity at these affordable outdoorsy getaways in the West.
There’s still time to squeeze in an easy-breezy break as the lazy days of summer wind down. At these wallet-friendly locales in the West, you can cool off in brisk mountain air, splash in alpine lakes, savor coastal hikes, commune with feathered friends and wildflowers, and follow in the footsteps of historic explorers.
Bask in beach and woodland walks in Trinidad, California.
When you need salty air to blow away your worries and giant redwoods to inspire awe, this lesser-known seaside hamlet answers the call. Start the day with a locally smoked lox bagel at Beachcomber Cafe, then pad barefoot across Trinidad State Beach among craggy sea stacks crowned with conifers. Traipse through foliage tunnels to breathtaking views of the ocean at sunset on the roughly 1.5-mile Trinidad Head Trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot seals, whales, and dolphins. Just north of town at Sue-meg State Park, ramble the 2-mile Rim Trail from technicolor tide pools to a beach where you can search for agates. Learn about the area’s Indigenous inhabitants at the park’s reconstructed Yurok village.
About 40 minutes (depending on traffic) north of town in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, meander the 9.4-mile round-trip trail among ancient trees and elk to the lush and enchanting Fern Canyon. Tip: You can make the walk less than a mile if you snag a permit for a closer trailhead, required through Sept. 15. Back in Trinidad, reward yourself with clam chowder and coastal views at Seascape Restaurant.
Unwind with wildlife and wine in Patagonia and Sonoita, Arizona.
In August and September, the only crowds you’ll encounter in this sleepy corner of southeastern Arizona have feathers. The summer monsoons foster a flourishing of wildflowers and greenery that attract birds and butterflies, making it a prime time for nature lovers to visit. Rise early for the best chance to spot lazuli buntings, vermilion flycatchers, and summer tanagers chirping in the cottonwoods and willows at Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve. From there, drive or stroll a 1-mile trail to the free Paton Center for Hummingbirds to delight in these violet-crowned, amber-throated, emerald-chested charmers. At Patagonia Lake State Park, refresh with a swim or rent a boat and watch for egrets, blue-winged teal ducks, bobcats, and coatimundi.
Zip over to nearby Sonoita to sip crisp viognier under a sunshade at Rune Wines’ alfresco tasting area overlooking chardonnay-colored grasslands. Or pair a grenache rose with small plates at stylish Los Milics Vineyards. Back in Patagonia, soak up the town’s community spirit in indie bars like Queen of Cups winery and Patagonia Lumber Co., a hub for live music. Bed down in a rustic waterside cabin in Patagonia Lake State Park.
Time travel and paddle on the Missouri River in Montana.
Some stretches of the Missouri River are just as serene as when explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark floated here in 1805. Today, you can follow in the wake of their canoes at the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. After learning about the expedition at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center in Great Falls and walking part of the paved River’s Edge Trail, drive about an hour northeast to Fort Benton. This mellow riverside town—the first permanent settlement in the Montana Territory—makes a pleasant base for diving into the area’s riparian culture.
Mosey along the steamboat levee, perusing interpretive signs chronicling the area’s wild history. Explore the reconstructed Old Fort Benton, the Museum of the Upper Missouri, and the Museum of the Northern Great Plains. Suitably informed, set off with Missouri River Outfitters or Upper Missouri River Guides on a guided or self-guided day trip. On the Fort Benton to Wood Bottom section, you’ll canoe or kayak past spots where Lewis and Clark camped, dramatic bluffs, verdant cottonwood groves, and timeless prairies.
Hike and take a break from tech in Lamoille Canyon, Nevada.
The Ruby Mountains look like someone scooped up the Swiss Alps and plopped them down in northeastern Nevada. With all this beauty, it’s surprising that one of the area’s most beloved playgrounds, Lamoille Canyon, is so uncrowded. Venture into the wilderness on the 12-mile Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, which weaves through glacier-sculpted mountains where waterfalls tumble into a river valley strewn with wildflowers.
Saunter along a verdant 4-mile round-trip trail past the bucolic Dollar Lakes to alpine Lamoille Lake. Wade into the chilly water, picnic on the rocks, and watch for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and pheasant-like Himalayan snowcocks. For even more top-of-the-world views, switchback across the slopes on the 3.6-mile trail to glistening, green Island Lake. Back in the valley, fish in the creek and beaver ponds. Then, pitch a tent among aspen and birch trees in the Thomas Canyon Campground and gaze at spectacular starscapes. Note: Cell phone reception is nearly nonexistent, so Lamoille Canyon is ideal for a digital detox.
Savor high-altitude scenery on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway in Wyoming.
You could zip along this 29-mile stretch of Highway 130 in less than an hour and a half. Instead, take your cue from the glaciers that carved these mountains and go slow. West of Laramie, you’ll roll into Centennial, where you can get into the spirit of the American West with the Nici Self Historical Museum’s exhibits of photographs and memorabilia from early settler life in Wyoming. Continuing west, veer off the highway to Lewis Lake and hike the soul-nourishing 3-mile Gap Lakes trail to a necklace of alpine lakes among snow-kissed peaks. Also from Lewis Lake, trek the steep 3.5-mile trail up Medicine Bow Peak for jaw-dropping views of steel-gray mountains swooping into aquamarine lakes.
Farther down the highway, stop at Mirror Lake and Lake Marie to wander among wildflowers and fish for trout. Finish in rustic Saratoga with a soak in the free Hobo Hot Pool. Extend your stay along the drive by sleeping with a view at the Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower south of Centennial, or pitching a tent at Ryan Park Campground, which was a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s, and later housed prisoners of war in World War II.
Frolic with wildflowers in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.
Just outside Salt Lake City, this magical landscape’s flowery meadows, forested mountains, and tucked-away lakes turn travelers into gleeful kids again. In July and early August, wildflowers burst across Albion Basin. You can flit like a bee between purple lupines, pink paintbrushes, and yellow single-head sunflowers on the 1.3- to 2.8-mile Lower and Upper Albion Meadows trails. Either from Upper Albion Meadows or a dedicated trailhead, saunter about 1.5 miles to Cecret Lake, a sparkling bottle-green jewel held in the hand of the mountains. (Ironically, it’s not a secret, so go on weekdays for a quieter experience.) Next, tramp along the 2.3-mile, tree-shaded riverside trail to cool off in the spray of Gloria Falls.
Want to mix tranquility with sociability? Head to nearby Alta Ski Area for occasional birding hikes, raptor demonstrations, and volunteer conservation days. Or visit Snowbird ski resort to soar in a scenic tram, monkey across the ropes course, and climb trees while cradled in a safety harness. Come evening, camp in Albion Basin Campground among conifers, deer, and moose.