“These are just a few of the activities that will help jump start your adrenaline when you’re seeking a thrill.”
This article was written by Hannah Parker of Trekbible.com
Nothing beats that pure moment of ecstasy when your adrenaline kicks in and you feel like you’re on top of the world. These moments are amazing. You feel like you’re unstoppable—invincible even! But these moments can be pretty hard to plan. Lucky for you, we’ve got a list of six activities that will get your adrenaline pumping. And the best part? You can do them in some of the coolest places throughout the U.S.A.
1. Skydiving
This one may feel like a cliche, but it’s cliche for a reason. The only other thing that could jump start your adrenaline better than skydiving is if you could turn into the Hulk. Staring down at the ground just waiting to jump might be the scariest thing you’ll ever do. But the moment you jump out of that plane all your fear washes away! It’ll be replaced with pure adrenaline. This will be the most liberating and exhilarating moment in your life (unless, of course, you happen to be the Hulk). Some of the best and most popular locations to go skydiving in the U.S. can be found in:
-Anchorage, Alaska
-Zion National Park, Utah
-Waialua, Hawaii
-Eloy, Arizona
-Orlando, Florida
-Seattle, Washington
-San Diego, California
- White Water Rafting
If you’re a water lover, then nothing will get your heart beating and adrenaline running more than white water rafting. The need to beat the crushing water and keep your raft afloat will make you feel invincible. Out on the water, it’s you against the water. This sport is more of a challenge than some other adrenaline activities. There’s a little more skill involved, but if you’re up for the challenge (like a real adrenaline lover), then it’ll be perfect for you. Some of the best places to go white water rafting in the U.S. are:
-Colorado River, Arizona
-Chattooga River, South Carolina
-Gauley River, West Virginia
-Rogue River, Oregon
-Deerfield River, Connecticut
- Caving
Caving definitely has to be the most unique adrenaline-boosting activity. You’ll find yourself crawling through small holes and venturing through dark hollows. Caving is the exploration of different caves, and it’s extremely popular among explorers and adventures because of one thing: the adrenaline rush. There’s no better way to get your heart beating and set your mind in focus than exploring caves. And the best part is it’ll never be the same experience. Every cave is different so every new caving experience will be different! Some of the best places in the U.S. to go caving are:
-Jewel Cave, South Dakota
-Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
-Lehman Caves, Nevada
-Cathedral Caverns, Alabama
-Luray Caverns, Virginia
-Meramec Caverns, Missouri
4. Cliff Diving
If you liked the idea of jumping out of a plane and skydiving, then you’ll love this. Cliff diving can be quite terrifying, but also incredibly exhilarating. The moment you jump off the ledge and dive deep into the water below, you start to feel it. You won’t be able to contain your excitement once you make the jump. And once you hit the water, you’ll want to do it all over again. If this sounded like you then you’re definitely an adrenaline lover, and you definitely need to put this activity on your list immediately. Some of the most incredible places to go cliff diving in the U.S. are:
-Kahekili’s Leap, Hawaii
-Tally Lake, Montana
-Hippie Hole, South Dakota
-Crater Lake, Oregon
-Lake Powell, Utah
- Mountain Climbing
This adrenaline-fueled activity might not sound as thrilling as the others, but that assumption is very, very wrong. Mountain climbing can be one of the most electrifying experiences you’ll ever have. Some of the best climbers in history did it for the rush of it all. And on top of that, most of them did it without a harness. Now, if you’re inexperienced you’ll definitely want to use a harness, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. Climbing up higher and higher on one of mother nature’s gifts to mankind is incredible. You’ll be able to see the most beautiful landscapes from above and have the thrill of being nowhere near the ground. Some of the best mountains to climb in the U.S. are the:
-Half Dome
-Denali
-Pikes Peak
-Mount Hood
-Stony Man Mountain
- Ziplining
Now if you’ve gotten this far and don’t think you have the guts to try any of the other adrenaline-induced activities we’ve mentioned, fear not. Ziplining is a great starter activity if you want a quick rush of adrenaline but don’t want to end up with possible bruises. But if you are in it for the rush and the risk, there are ziplining places that venture across mountains and forests. Ziplining is the perfect activity for beginners and experts. There’s no sight more breathtaking than when you’re zooming across a line and hanging from midair. You’ll basically be a bird, just without the wings. Some of the most popular places to zipline through are:
-Smoky Mountains
-Utah Olympic Park
-Kauai, Hawaii
-Chocorua, New Hampshire
-Orlando, Florida
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
How to Get There:
If you want to go skydiving or ziplining you won’t need to worry about where to park because these activities will be based at specific facilities. But for white water rafting, caving, cliff diving, and mountain climbing you might not find the same perks. Most of these are based in some type of park or near water, so you’ll want to find the closest neighboring town to park at. If you go to a national park, there will be a place for you to park your car. Just plan on carrying everything you’ll need with you through the park.
Average Prices:
Skydiving: $200
White Water Rafting: $80-100
Caving: Free
Cliff Diving: Free
Mountain Climbing: Free
Ziplining: $50-150
Best Seasons to Go:
June-November
Popular National Park Locations: