trekking gear), or find a cheap temporary fix instead of carrying something for one-time use. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Because its magical and theres really nowhere else like it. Since then, has walked across America four times via its three major mountain ranges. We eventually set our budget for 4 weeks in Uruguay at 1800 - 450 a week - with max 30 a night on accommodation for both of us. You can find many quaint cabins in Idaho that offer unparalleled views of the natural surroundings. "I wasn't afraid of running out of money. All this negativity. Take an unforgettable North America REI Adventures Backpacking trip led by local guides. Just use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39. Ah, perhaps the most popular gambling city on Earth? There are so many amazing things to do in Colorado! I figured that I wouldn't make it through there anyway if I did go. United States Travel Guide. Yes, it is possible to hitchhike in America. Backpacking is especially popular among young people. Hitchhiking is thought of as a homeless/criminal scene by most Americans, meaning most people will not stop unless someone is injured. This is the first video is my series that covers my Hike Across America for Veteran Suicide Prevention. Be sure to check Google Maps reviews to find the cheapest eats around whenever you roll into a new place. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); First, were going to talk about the best places to visit in the United States and how to do so. Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel. When youre not outdoors, the cities of Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are among the coolest metros in North America as well. Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe, therefore, each time he is paid, he saves ten percent of his income. Maybe youve been planning your USA backpacking trip for awhile, scouring sources and friends for information about where to go, what to do, how to travel in the USA. Itll save you aload of time when organising transport and youll probably nab an EPIC DISCOUNT too! For all their desolation, Southwest deserts are indescribably beautiful and incomparable to anything else. Want to Read. Travel light and leave behind what you don't need . Many Americans only appreciate this country for its beach resorts e.g. Just stepping off the plane into a Southern city can feel like being transported to an alternate dimension. From hospitality in Hawaii to social media management in Sacramento and everything in between, youll find a whole load of different projects to help out with. STATES: Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada. A great time to visit the United States! Taking a tent backpacking is not always practical but hammocks are lightweight, cheap, strong, sexy (chicks dig hammocks), and allow you to pitch up for the night pretty much anywhere. The average cost of a honeymoon is between $4000-$5000 for just one destination. $$425). Before leaving, stay in San Francisco, a city truly unlike any other in the states. That is precisely why Im writing this in-depth guide to backpacking the USA. So Americans love to party, but where are the absolute best parties to be found? Stay somewhere EPIC and save your hard-earned dollars from houses to barns to castles and caves, there is an Airbnb for every occasion! Once sleepy, the thriving metro of Seattle, home to loggers and mariners, is now a modern metropolis. After spending three years in Eastern Europe, he wrote The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us. If you want to see a particularly interesting US city, you can also hit up Hotlanta AKA Atlanta, Georgia. If Im being honest, it can be a hectic place and I often feel safer in Pakistan. The best places to visit in the USA include NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, the beaches of Florida, Colorado, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest. Spend a day exploring the many amazing historical places by cycle or scooter! In the centuries that followed, the country we know today was brutally colonized by various explorers and millions of natives were murdered. All you need is a quarter. All rights reserved. The East Coast is also home to Washington DC the federal capital of the USA. So what about those lands beyond the shores of the Pacific or the wilds of Canada? The lush Oregon Coast is a logical next step, where you can make a pitstop in the quirky city of Portland before culminating your US backpacking adventure in Seattle, Washington. Weed is fully legal in the state, and you can find every strain and edible you can imagine. You wont just save serious $$$, youll experience a different culture, cool projects, meet new people and integrate into the community in a different way. A road trip on the California Coast is hands down one the most romantic things to do in the USA and will probably be the first of many bucket list locations. Backcountry permits are cheap, you can rent backpacking gear from a local outfitter and traveling to your trailhead of choice will . America IS mostly safe for travel, though the potential for random violence is much higher than in other developed countries. STATES: West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, various satellite counties. While the nation is gripped by snowstorms and cold, the Caribbean is warm, dry, and having a grand ol time. But its the perfect place to travel and to live. Social stratification is rampant throughout society. As a follow-up, Id like to remind you to never venture into the wilderness unprepared. I'd say that's pretty good.ALASKA. For any trip lasting a week or longer, choose a pack with a capacity of at least 4,500 cubic inches, or 75 liters, according to BackCountry.com. You learn to organize yourself. The East Coast may just be the most quaint part of the US. With your own car, youll get to go where you want, sleep where you want, and do what you want. Up to 5x miles. So charmed is Wilder with Calista that he invites her to work as his . This is particularly ESSENTIAL in the USA as its for-profit healthcare system means you could be given a 5 figure bill for even minor injuries. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of celebrations going on year-round in the US. It's not offensive, but if you're alone in a dark backstreet of Bogot and someone's growling gringo at you, give them what they want and run. In fact, the highest in North America, Denali, is here in Alaska. Wyoming hosts two of the best national parks in the USA and those that make the effort to stay in Montana often regard it as the most beautiful place in America for nature lovers. Americans party a lot and in many different ways. Or that the city of Atlanta is no longer the gritty, crime-ridden place that it used to be? Better yet, Broke Backpacker readers also get a $40 with Outdoorsy! Hit Downtown San Francisco and suddenly people are networking at underground concerts. David Morrissey . Plus, get3 free months on your membership during their summer promo! The Bay Area has a wealth of jobs. If you have 2 weeks to spend backpacking in South America, this is the best route for you. Furthermore although this sounds very anti-feminist I would only recommend hitchhiking to males, and only to those who would know how to handle a worst case scenario: it has been associated with hundreds of murders and kidnappings. Remember that America is a really big place though so dont underestimate distances. Hiking is a great way to experience the countrys nature and there is plenty of it to be found. Never get into the topic first, unless you know youre with like-minded people. Europe provides an ever changing and unforgettable landscape. Its no wonder so many great American creatives have been inspired by this land. The state is located so far north that it takes a flight or week-long ferry to reach it from the Lower 48. The original 13 Colonies, founded by English settlers, were based in this part of North America. Backpacking in the USA is not cheap as hostels are rare and even roadside motels are very expensive. Worldpackers: connecting travellers withmeaningful travel experiences. Daily backpacker budget: $30 to $40 (28 - 38) not including Galapagos. Seeing anything outside the metropolitan area often requires a bush plane. Adam dreams of backpacking across Europe. Objectively speaking, many of the most iconic places in the USA are found on a Southwest road trip itinerary. The city that never sleeps is more of a feeling than a place, and is undoubtedly the coolest city in Americaplus it has public transportation. Sign up to The Broke Backpackers EXCLUSIVE VIP AREA below and download our top backpacking guides as PDFs go offline with peace of mind! Having lived in the USA for the first 25 years of my life, I sometimes have a hard time answering this question myself. If you're planning to do some . And while backpacking in South America, just being a Gringo wearing a backpack can make you a target. If you havent seen the photosgoogle it, youre going to want to add this place to your USA bucket list. While pickpocketing is rare, car theft is an issue as are mass shootings due to a lack of gun laws or regulations in most states. Racism is also very real, and vast swaths of the nation unfortunately still support white supremacy. You bet cha. You can also try out indigenous languages . Los Angeles is a great place to start your exploration of the most populated state. The South intimidates a lot of travelers because the region is unlike any other in the USA or the world for that matter. Theres a lot to The South that may surprise you. How much money do you need to drive across America? When the leaves turn gold and red in the autumn, its sublime. Camping in the USA can be done in many places: at a beach, in the woods, in the mountains, or just in someones backyard. The United States is HUGE and it would take a long time to visit each state once, never mind really get to know them. Throw in a huge array of unique lodgings: stay in a castle, treehouses, yurts, houseboats, and farm stays, plus with all the campgrounds you wont lack of options. . There are hundreds of little towns with rich histories and some offer unique attractions, be they crafts or hot springs. There are plenty of different volunteer projects in the USA including teaching, construction, agriculture, and pretty much anything. From Mediterranean olive groves, to alpine forests all the way to spiralling mountain routes that pass shining sapphire lakes. If you wanted to leave the mountains, theres plenty more to see and do in greater Kentucky and Tennessee. Are we going to visit Hawaii or Alaska? document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. So more than almost any other country, youre really going to want to consider travel insurance that covers the US. LA might just have the best street tacos in the US, and as the city can get expensive, note nearby cheap food options when choosing your accommodation. Visiting the East Coast will be a unique cultural experience. Its Global Peace Index is 122 out of 163, which puts it behind Kenya, El Salvador, and Bangladesh. The number one thing NOT to do in the USA is to bring up politics with strangers. Then signup for Worldpackers, a platform that connects local hosts with volunteer travelers. In fact, marijuana is legal in numerous states with more joining the party every year. Hawaii has everything: lush jungles, dramatic peaks, and more than a few pristine beaches. Not many people make the Midwest a part of their USA backpacking trip and its kind of a shame actually. This will get you a dorm bed, groceries, bus tickets, and some extra spending money. A more expensive, premium quality option is The Backpacker from Salkan. Carry a tent and sleeping gear, water purifier, cooking equipment and comfy clothes. On average, you expect the cost of backpacking Europe to be approximately 42 - 105 per day (approximately $44 - $110 USD per day). How you choose to get around will largely depend on your intended USA backpacking itinerary. Spend a few days staying in the amazing Grand Canyon, one of the most amazing natural landmarks in the US. Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure dont be daft! The largest urban area in the Rocky Mountain states is Denver, Colorado. Weve tested the Geopressrigorouslyfrom the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Cuba, and the results are in: it WORKS. She buys them regularly. Now were cooking with gas! They're both 2,000+ miles long, with the PCT stretching from Southern California to Canada and the A.T. stretching from Georgia to Maine. Every first-time traveler to the US has a few questions theyre just dying to know the answers to. The A.T. and the PCT. You may end up enjoying the locals more than anything in Texas. Theyve been doing it since 2002 protecting, connecting, and inspiring independent travellers just like you. Some parts of the state feel like youve left the US altogether, while others will make all the Trump Supporter memes youd seen while living abroad come to life. Though it has an (undeserving) bad reputation, visiting Mexico is incredible. Also, consider applying for a travelers credit card! A decent head torch could save your life. Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop! The Windy City is one of the coolest in America. America is one of the greatest social experiments in the history of the world. Our road trip across America cost us $2,382, or an average of $149/day between both of us for a 16-day road . There is a lot of really interesting stuff going on here if you know where to look. Another iconic location is the Half Dome, a rounded granite cliff right near the perfect picnic spot. But ultimately, it will be thrilling. There is no denying that the local Latin-American communities have had a huge influence on American culture. Appalachia is kind of a strange place, both in the geographic and cultural sense. The backpack we recommend most is the Osprey Farpoint 40 for men and the Osprey Fairview 40 for women. Bring different types of plastic. Backpacking shows you how little you actually need. Passenger vehicles are the preferred method of traveling in the USA and do offer the most flexibility. Be sure to add these to your backpacking packing list for the USA: This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.