North Falls in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon, USA

Nature Travel

Whether it's a cruise through the Galapagos Islands, a soar over the Amazon rainforest, a descent into Vietnam's vast cave systems, or a trek in the Himalayas, nature travel gifts sights and experiences you simply wouldn't see or feel anywhere else. Hand in hand with that is ecotourism, a type of travel that simultaneously drops tourists into stunning natural environments and funds conservation efforts to protect them. Travel + Leisure evaluates nature-oriented tour companies, outfitters, and accommodations based on their value, quality, and environmental stewardship. Whether it's an outdoor adventure or a glimpse into a destination's wildlife you're after, the news, tips, and recommendations here will prepare you for the adventure ahead.

Aerial view of pristine Bali Beach
22 Best Things to Do in Bali — From Volcano Treks to Luxe Spa Days
Bright colorful sunset from Mallory Square in Key West, Florida
27 Best Things to Do in the Florida Keys, From Wildlife Encounters to Key Lime Pie Tastings
A bed in a tented dome
14 Glamping Spots in Texas — With Luxury Safari Tents, Modern Tree Houses, and Vintage Trailers
Scenic Cenote Casa Tortuga near Tulum and Playa Del Carmen
14 Beautiful Cenotes to Explore in Tulum, Mexico
Trekker on N 3 Dolomites high trail through the Puez Odle
25 Incredible Hiking Trails Around the World
View of rainbow bridge and niagara falls
9 of the Best Niagara Falls Viewpoints
Wide view of downtown Buena Vista, Colorado
This Small Colorado Town Is Big on Outdoor Adventure — With Hot Springs, River Rafting, and Mountain Views
Indian Drum rock formation at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore/Lake Superior/Michigan
6 Michigan National Parks and Sites to Visit for Stunning Landscapes and Fascinating History
Straight Section of Board Walk The The Marsh at Congaree National Park
This South Carolina National Park Has Waterways Where You Can Float Beneath Some of the Tallest Trees in the U.S. — and an Epic Firefly Spectacle
Horseshoe bend seen from the lookout point, Arizona, United States
21 Beautiful Places to Visit in Arizona — From Stunning National Parks to an Underground Restaurant
Steam from hot springs rising over large yard with event barn at Broadwing barn
This Small Town in North Carolina Has the Only Hot Springs in the State
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve with mountains in distance at sunset, Alamosa, Colorado
This Lesser-known Colorado National Park Is Home to the Tallest Sand Dunes in North America
oh-Ahh Point on the South Kaibab Trail
The Most Breathtaking Views of the Grand Canyon
Wide shot of train going through a field
This Scenic North Carolina Train Is the Best Way to Explore the Great Smoky Mountains
Historic Entrance of Mammoth Cave in Mammoth Cave National Park
This National Park Has the Longest-known Cave System in the World — With Over 400 Miles of Underground Passages, Sparkling Domes, and a Frozen Waterfall
Aerial view of glass top igloos at night in lapland Finland
How to Experience the Northern Lights From a Glass Igloo or Villa in Finland
Glamping tents at Firelight Camps
15 Glamping Spots in the U.S. With Luxe Tents, Retro Airstreams, and Domes to Sleep in
The Empire Builder Amtrak train going past wildflowers
These 4 Train Rides Will Take You to Some of the Best Wildflower Blooms in the U.S.
A boat and snorkelers in the Great Barrier Reef
I Followed Teams of Scientists on a Mission to Save Australia’s Great Barrier Reef — Here’s What I Learned
Groups paddleboarding around Vogel State Park
10 Best Places for Camping in Georgia — From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Barrier Islands
Man rows raft down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon
9 of the Best Adventure Destinations in the U.S. for an Action-packed Getaway
Havasu Falls in Arizona falling into blue green waters below
Everything You Need to Know to Visit Havasu Falls — Including How to Get a Permit, What to See, and How to Be a Good Visitor
Yosemite National Park and Chateau du Sureau
How I Fell in Love With This Popular U.S. National Park During a Surprise Snowstorm
View of woman relaxing in a hammock in San Isabel National Forest in the Angel of Shavano campground
12 Best Places to Go Camping in Colorado for an Incredible Outdoor Adventure in the Centennial State
Aerial view of Fort Jefferson national monument, Dry Tortugas national park
This National Park in Florida Is 99% Underwater — and It's One of the Country's Most Beautiful
Panoramic view in the deep Colca Canyon, Peru
Peru's Colca Canyon Is Twice As Deep As the Grand Canyon — How to Visit the Breathtaking Destination
Boardwalks in Tierra del Fuego National Park in Ushuaia, Argentina
This National Park at the 'End of the World' Has Glaciers, Tundra, and Some of the Most Stunning Coastline
House boat on the water
10 Best Places to Go Glamping in Maine for Families, Couples, and Groups of Friends
Crater Lake National Park in Oregon
10 Best Oregon National Parks and Sites
Hikers enjoying schnapps trails in Germany
This Scenic 9-mile Hike in Germany's Black Forest Is Lined With Self-serve Schnapps Fountains
Ultimate Camping Checklist
The Ultimate Camping Trip Packing Checklist
Woman standing on the shore of Lake Pukaki
11 Lakes With the Bluest Water in the World
The Koja treehouse in Finland
I Stayed in a Secret Tree House in Finland — Here's What It Was Like
Lone tent on Isla Carmen
12 of the Most Remote Places on Earth That You Can Visit
Loch Vail, Rocky Mountain National Park
10 Best Colorado National Parks and Sites
Phantom Ship Reflects In The Blue Waters Of Crater Lake in summer
10 Places Where You Can See the Bluest Water in the U.S.
Colorful night sky full of star the Lapland, Finland
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Finnish Lapland — Northern Lights and Midnight Sun Included
Gorgeous view of Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
The Best Waterfall in Every U.S. State
Northern Lights over cabin in Fairbanks, Alaska
This Alaskan City Is a Prime Northern Lights Destination — How to Visit
View of Main Street in mountain town with glowing line on the mountain, indicating trail lines
This 600-mile Trail Will Connect 15 Mountain Towns Across the American West
A road running through the Sequoia Trees in Redwood National Park, California
This National Park Has the World’s Tallest Trees — Plus Beaches, Fern-lined Canyons, and Great Camping
Mount Jefferson reflected in Russell Lake at Mount Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon
This U.S. National Forest Has 7 Major Volcanic Peaks, Ancient Tree Groves, and Beach Camping
Aerial view of Ketchum, Idaho, in autumn
This Small Town in Idaho Is Known for Skiing — but It's Worth Visiting in All Four Seasons
Assorted images of Heron Island underwater on the southern great barrier reef
19 Beautiful Destinations With the Best Scuba Diving in the World
Tent camping under Northern Lights at Tombstone Territorial Park in Yukon, Canada
How to See the Northern Lights in Canada
Umpqua Hot Springs in Oregon
7 Best Hot Springs in Oregon
A narrowboat barge houseboat on a canal in Wales
The Best Way to See Wales Is by Canal Boat — Here's How to Plan Your Trip
Gaerloch Reserve part of the Bondi To Bronte Coastal Walk
This 50-mile Coastal Walk in Australia Has Clifftop Views, Secluded Beaches, and Ancient Cultural Sites
The Pennine way crossing the moors of Bleaklow, Derbyshire
10 Most Beautiful Walking Paths in the U.K. — With Views of the Seaside, Snowcapped Peaks, and Mystical Glens
Mountains of Zion National Park
5 Expert Tips for Visiting Utah’s 'Mighty Five' National Parks — From the Best Hikes to Ways to Beat the Crowds
Wild pony in New Forest, Southern England
Hike With Ponies, Shop for Magic Spells, and Stay in a Charming Manor House in England's New Forest
Rocky sweeping landscape of island, eastern Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park
This National Park Is Called ‘North America’s Galapagos’ — and It Has 145 Species Found Nowhere Else
Aerial of Ouray, Colorado
8 Best Hot Springs in Colorado With Stunning Mountain Views and Healing Waters
View of glaciers in the water in Svalbard
The Northernmost Town in the World Is Home to Polar Bears, Arctic Adventures, and Fine-dining Restaurants — Here's What It's Like to Visit
Skier at Heavenly Ski Resort with view of Lake Tahoe
7 Lake Tahoe Ski Resorts for a Winter Getaway
Herd of American Bison in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Why You Should Book a Winter Trip to Yellowstone National Park
Aerial view of Asheville, North Carolina
How to Plan the Perfect Asheville, North Carolina Getaway
Barrea, Italy and the Apennines Mountains
This Hidden Region in Italy Has 25 Charming Towns and a 123,000-acre, Wildlife-filled National Park
Exterior night view of The Glass House cabin at Anaway Place in Wisconsin
This Glass Cabin in the Wisconsin Woods Comes With Floor-to-ceiling Windows, a Cozy Fireplace, and Beautiful Forest Views
Tent camping next to Lake Wenatchee State Park, Washington
12 Best Washington State Parks for Camping
Quinn's Hot Springs Resort in the winter, Montana
7 Best Hot Springs in Montana — Mountain Views and Live Music Included
Seven Oaks Lavender Farm in Virginia has clamping tent
I Glamped in the Middle of a Lavender Field in Virginia — Here's Why You Should, Too
Exterior of the Bolt Farms Invisible Cabins with hot tub and fire pit
These New Mirrored Cabins on a Tennessee Mountaintop Come With Private Hot Tubs