Bucket lists are great, but what about those epic places you’ve already been to?
We think that some (okay, most) places deserve more than a checkmark next to their name, so we’re reflecting on a few of our favorite destinations and planning our return trips to them. After all, who doesn’t love an encore?
We’re firm believers in immersion. While it’s impossible to truly know an area without living there and calling it home, we like to try to go beyond the superficial tourist level and really dig in deep when we love a place. Otherwise, we leave feeling unfulfilled and craving more.
Take us back here, please!
This type of travel isn’t always possible, which is why we have a long list of places we want to return to and explore properly. For now, we’ll start with our top four favorite travel destinations that we will go back to (time and again).
Things to know:
We’ve been blessed to travel extensively around the good old USA, and we’ve found a few favorite places along the way. Based on those experiences, this is our list of our top travel destination in America that we’re definitely going back to!
Travel spots that keep calling us back
As we hit the road full-time in 2025, there are a handful of places that are pulling us back. We might not revisit them all this year, but you can bet your bottom dollar we’ll get to them all in the near future!
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray, CO, is the epitome of “small but mighty.”
The entire town may only encompass a few blocks, and half the roads may be unpaved, but this gem of the San Juan Mountains is a vibrant and thriving community that has an irresistible charm to it.
From the shockingly good eats and warm, welcoming local shops to the frequent community events and stunning scenery, there’s a lot to love about Ouray. No matter how many times we return, we find something new to admire about the town and its people.
We first visited Ouray when we eloped, and it was mostly by chance. We picked a photo of a gorgeous basin that we’d like to exchange vows beside, and it just happened to be nestled in the mountains outside of town. Needless to say, that kicked off our love affair with the area (known as the Switzerland of America), and the passion has only grown since.
It’s hard to top Colorado wildflower season.
Ouray has blessed us with free summer concerts beneath the stars, endless hiking and off-road driving trails to explore, hot coffee and scrumptious dining, and even a few wardrobe additions. We’ve traversed the main street a few dozen times, indulged in top-tier pizza, and felt our breath catch in our throats every time we paused to simply look at our surroundings.
It’s safe to say that–like a couple we met at a local campground–we’ll be returning to Ouray regularly for decades to come. Heck, we may just make it an annual pilgrimage for our anniversary!
Orcas Island, Washington
A while back, Hanna took a work-trade job at a resort on Orcas Island, WA. During that time, she spent her days building fences, harvesting apples, and making cider. She fell in love with the little island off the coast of Washington, and spent the next few years scheming to go back with Riley.
Lo and behold, we returned as a married couple in 2023. We camped at Moran State Park on the island, explored every corner we could get to (the island isn’t very big), and ate a whole bunch of delicious seafood.
A view of the West Sound from Orcas Island.
Orcas Island is quirky–as most island communities are–and that’s precisely what makes it so wonderful (well, that and the mind-blowing scenery).
Here, you can find local artists creating and selling their goods, mouthwatering cuisine, stunning views from atop the island’s mountains, and plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy. No matter how long you stay, you’ll be clambering for more time when finally boarding the ferry to leave.
Stanley, Idaho
If it’s absolutely bonkers scenery you’re after, Stanley, ID, has to be on your list. While the town itself is even smaller than Ouray, there’s enough to sustain you (including one of the best bakeries you’ll ever visit) as you explore the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains.
What makes Stanley so unique? Simple–the practically infinite backcountry to explore. Whether you choose to spend your days wading in the Salmon River, traversing the endless forest roads, or enjoying a peaceful lake view, one thing is certain–you’ll be in constant awe of the beauty this area offers.
Stanley, ID, is home to some truly jaw-dropping scenery.
We only spent a few days here, and we’ve been longing to go back ever since. From camping on a small lake with jagged peaks rising abruptly just beyond the shore to stopping every five minutes along the twisting road that follows every curve of the gorgeous Salmon River, 48 hours somehow felt like both a blink and an eternity.
Next time, we plan to venture down a few more forest roads and find some breathtaking dispersed camping spots where we can settle in for a while.
North Cascades National Park, WA
It may be remote, but the journey to North Cascades National Park in Washington is worth the drive. With soaring peaks, unbelievable turquoise lakes, and old-growth forests that will leave you in awe, it is a one-of-a-kind landscape that draws you in and doesn’t let you go.
We spent a few days in North Cascades National Park in 2023, shortly after we purchased our first truck camper. We had grand plans for exploration, but made a few mistakes. We didn’t schedule enough time there, we weren’t familiar enough with our camper, and we didn’t plan our itinerary thoroughly enough to make the most of our visit.
PNW vibes, turquoise lakes, and epic mountains - what more could you ask for?
Adding to our own oversights, we experienced some troubles with our power system and internet, making delivering on work deadlines and keeping essential things powered (you know, like phones and the refrigerator). Ultimately, these issues (and the subsequent stress) were a wet blanket on our mood and our ability to hang out in the park longer.
We left feeling unfulfilled–like we didn’t get to fully experience the gorgeous landscape and unique experience it had to offer. We’ve made a pact to go back and right those wrongs, and we can’t wait to leave with nothing but smiles when we do!
Don’t get us wrong; this list could be a lot longer. We left plenty of fantastic bucket list spots off that we may dedicate a follow-up blog to–including places like Whitefish, MT, Sandpoint, ID, Death Valley National Park, and Mount Rainier National Park.
While we may not get to revisit these top four favorite places to visit in the USA this year, we have no doubt that we’ll return to them in the near future. When we do, we’ll be sure to share our experiences with you, give you insider insights into must-do activities and must-see sites, and collect GPS data on all of it!
If you made it this far, thanks for reading. We hope you’ll continue to follow along on our adventure blog, YouTube channel, Instagram, and so on. We love sharing our adventures with you and learning from you in return. Please feel free to drop a comment below and connect with us and our growing little community of travel enthusiasts and full-time RVers!
- Riley + Hanna