Back to the full Top 10
#9 on this list
Columbia River Gorge
Oregon / Washington
Waterfalls at full snowmelt flow; wildflowers on the east end.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#10 on this list
Assateague Island
Maryland / Virginia
Wild ponies on the beach before summer crowds and bugs.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Columbia River Gorge | Assateague Island |
|---|---|---|
| Managing Agency | US Forest Service / CRGNSA | National Park Service and USFWS |
| April Highs | 55°F to 64°F | 58°F to 64°F |
| Primary Access | Interstate 84 (OR) and Highway 14 (WA) | — |
| Key Terrain | Basalt cliffs, temperate rainforest, oak savannah | — |
| Required Passes | Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful | — |
| Seasonal Hazard | High canyon winds, slick basalt, poison oak | — |
| Location | — | Maryland and Virginia Atlantic Coast |
| April Lows | — | 42°F to 48°F |
| Terrain | — | Barrier island, coastal dunes, salt marsh |
| Camp Permits | — | Recreation.gov reservation required |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Columbia River Gorge
- High-energy waterfall flows fueled by peak spring snowmelt
- Rapid transition from rain-drenched canyons to sunny desert bluffs
- Spectacular early-season balsamroot and lupine blooms
- Extensive network of challenging day hikes within an hour of Portland
- Frequent gale-force winds funneling through the river corridor
- Severe trailhead parking congestion on dry spring weekends
- Abundant poison oak and active ticks along eastern trails
Assateague Island
- Virtually bug-free conditions compared to the brutal summer months
- Uncrowded beaches and easy permits for primitive backcountry sites
- Active spring bird migration along the Atlantic Flyway
- Cool, mild temperatures ideal for loaded sand trekking and paddling
- Atlantic water temperatures are far too cold for swimming
- High coastal winds demand specialized sand stakes and bombproof tents
- All fresh water must be hauled into primitive sites
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.