Men's Journal

Get your feet wet! As the summer starts to heat up, we suggest you spend the weekend knee-deep in cool, cool water: Slip on some river sandals and wade the canyon rivers of Zion National Park, race a sea kayak along the sandy beaches of Tybee Island, or angle for monster trout in the Ozarks.

By Robert Moor

Zion Narrows Hike, June 11-13

Zion National Park, Utah

Prepare for a pounding heart and some seriously pruned toes as you navigate one of America’s most stunning river hikes: the Zion Narrows Trail. First, head to Zion Adventures in nearby Springdale, and get outfitted with a pair of neoprene booties, sturdy river shoes, a walking stick, and a bombproof dry bag for this strenuous 16-mile day-trek. Be sure to hit the trail early—the Park Service recommends leaving yourself at least 12 hours of daylight—and follow the riverbed as it winds through steep sandstone canyons, past freshwater springs, under towering ponderosas and over some wickedly slick underwater rocks. (You can find a map of the hike here.) At the hike’s most dramatic section—appropriately named ‘Wall Street’—the river narrows to under ten yards and the canyon’s sheer, swirled-ochre-and-rust walls soar thousands of feet overhead. If you’d like to take things a little slower, don’t sweat it; there are 12 campsites scattered along the route—just don’t forget to pack overnight gear. Permits can be obtained at the East Zion Visitor Center (open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) on the day before your journey.

Travel and Accommodations

The East Zion entrance is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Las Vegas, or five-and-a-half hours from Salt Lake City. We recommend staying at the Zion Mountain Ranch, which offers log cabin-style accommodations and a nightly campfire. After your marathon hike, grab a seat at the ranch’s restaurant, The Buffalo Grill, and refuel on the house special— a grilled filet of, you guessed it, buffalo. If you have some extra time before your flight out of Salt Lake City, be sure to pick up a celebratory cigar at Jeanie’s, Utah’s oldest tobacco shop, which will be closing its doors for good on June 30th.

Fly-Fishing the Miracle Mile, June 11-13

Ozark Mountains, Missouri

If you love rivers but all that scrambling over slippery rock sounds a little exhausting, consider the more tranquil option: Spend some time wading the North Fork River in the Ozark mountains, Missouri, while languidly prowling the eddies for trout. We like the looks of the River of Life Farm, which offers exclusive access to the “Miracle Mile” (so-called because its cold, spring-fed waters support a plenitude of trophy-sized brown and wild rainbow trout), gear rentals, guide services, and rustic but well-appointed lodgings, including a handful of tree-house cabins. Best of all, you won’t have to purchase a permit, since the 12th and 13th happen to be state-sponsored ‘free fishing days.’ If the river isn’t beckoning you one day, you can always go for a hike in the nearby Mark Twain National Forest, where you can catch a glimpse of a bald eagle or a black bear. Park access is free this weekend, as well.

Travel and Accommodations

The River of Life is a two-hour drive from Springfield, Missouri, four hours from St. Louis and four-and-a-half from Memphis. (You can find driving times and directions here). If you’re passing through St. Louis on your way to the Ozarks, be sure to drop by the Heritage Festival, June 11th and 12th, to sample a selection of Missouri’s finest local brews, including offerings by Augusta, Six Row, Square One, Trailhead, and, of course, Anheuser-Busch.

Tybee Island Sea Kayak Race, June 12

Tybee Island, Georgia

Tiny, salt-sprayed Tybee Island in Georgia is hosting its 12th Annual Sea Kayak Races this weekend. Contestants compete in a 6-mile river race, an 8-mile river-and-ocean race, or an elite cross-river race (consisting of winners from the first two races). Emerge victorious from the cross-river race and you’ll get to choose between a free kayak adventure for eight with Moon River Kayak Tours, or (if you’re a little kayaked-out) a more leisurely natural history tour for ten on a charter boat.

If competition isn’t your thing, consider an overnight kayak trip to the uninhabited Little Tybee Island, home to dolphins, gray foxes and feral pigs. By day, you can choose to paddle the placid inland tidal rivers or brave the choppy surf, and at night, camp out on the island’s miles of sandy beachfront. For prices, arrangements, gear and guides, contact Sea Kayak Georgia.

Travel and Accommodations

Tybee is only a 20-minute drive east of Savannah (and the Savannah/Hilton Head Airport), along highway 80. You can find directions here. The Tybee Visitor Center maintains a comprehensive list of places to stay, ranging from primitive camping to plush hotels and B&Bs.