Crowded cities get bumped down the wishlist as travelers trade packed itineraries and constant pings for dirt trails and open skies. Nature-based travel keeps winning over Americans craving real rest, from farm stays that tie meals to the land to hikes that leave room to wander without an exhausting checklist. For many travelers, nature now doubles as the best spa on the map, no reservation required and no phone signal in sight.
Americans are choosing farms over five-star hotels, and what that says about rest now matters more than the destination. Photo credit: Freepik.
Nature-based trips do more than recharge travelers; they also give destinations a reason to protect what makes them worth visiting in the first place. In many travel spots, communities and lodgings lean into conservation-focused choices, where protecting the destination comes bundled with the view.
Travel shifts toward nature
Nature-based trips continue to attract travelers who want to step away from crowded city settings. The hashtag #touchgrass now appears on more than 87,000 TikTok posts about people’s time away from screens. The same interest shows up in booking patterns, where nature and outdoor activities lead all experience categories. For many travelers, time outside replaces packed schedules and constant notifications.
This style of travel centers on the natural features of a destination, from wildlife watching and stargazing to hiking, camping and park visits. Travelers drawn to these experiences look for trips that feel grounded and real, with opportunities to connect to landscapes, culture and history rather than focusing only on where they sleep.
Farm stays support slow travel
Slow travel has become a priority for travelers who want stays tied to nature. Farm-based lodging now offers a refined take on agritourism that blends thoughtful design with care for the land. These properties appeal to guests who value calm settings built around real work rather than packed schedules.
Farm stays also give shape to quiet time. Guests often take part in daily tasks connected to food and animals, which adds purpose to long vacation days without plans. Simple activities such as harvesting produce or helping with basic care create a sense of involvement in daily rural life.
Trails over tight schedules
Interest in national parks continues to build as travelers search for trips centered on open spaces and natural landmarks. Online curiosity points toward destinations where the landscape defines the experience rather than a packed list of activities. Trails, viewpoints and protected land offer trips that feel less scheduled and easier to shape around personal pace.
Hiking-focused travel plays a key role in that appeal. Trails naturally slow the day, which reduces the pressure to plan every hour in advance. In the United States, attention has sharpened as the country approaches its 250th anniversary, alongside major milestones for parks such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
Nature as a wellness space
Wellness goals now shape where many people choose to travel. Time spent outdoors often leaves travelers feeling calmer and more positive, which makes nature-based trips appealing beyond simple sightseeing. Experiences such as yoga retreats and guided nature meditation fit naturally into these settings, using the environment itself as part of the practice.
Consistency also plays a role. Spending about 120 minutes a week outside connects with stronger overall well-being, which encourages travelers to build trips around repeat exposure rather than short visits. Natural landscapes hold attention without overload, creating a steady sense of calm. For some, that shift extends to activity choices as well, with trails replacing indoor gyms as a way to combine movement with time outside.
Sustainability guides travel choices
Nature-focused travel creates clear reasons for communities and landowners to protect the landscapes and wildlife that visitors come to see. These experiences depend on real places and living ecosystems that cannot be recreated once damaged, making preservation essential rather than optional. As interest grows and foot traffic increases, more consistent maintenance, monitoring and conservation oversight is needed so protected areas and wildlife remain intact for future visitors.
That mindset shapes where travelers choose to stay. Many people now favor lodging that limits environmental impact and supports conservation through daily operations. Hotels and lodges respond with practical steps such as waste reduction programs and renewable energy use. These choices appeal to travelers who want their time outdoors to support long-term protection rather than add strain to the places they visit.
Time well spent with nature
Nature-based travel is increasingly driven by a desire for trips that restore energy rather than drain it, showing a clear move away from fast-paced itineraries. Wellness priorities now intersect with environmental awareness, guiding travelers toward experiences that support both personal well-being and long-term landscape protection. As that balance gains importance, nature-centered travel shapes expectations for what meaningful and sustainable trips look like moving forward.
Jennifer Allen is a retired chef turned traveler, cookbook author and nationally syndicated journalist; she’s also a co-founder of Food Drink Life, where she shares expert travel tips, cruise insights and luxury destination guides. A recognized cruise expert with a deep passion for high-end experiences and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Jennifer explores the world with curiosity, depth and a storyteller’s perspective. Her articles are regularly featured on the Associated Press Wire, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, MSN and more.
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