6 Best Solo Trips for Women in the USA

Cali is home to nine scenic national parks, and Yosemite NP is one of the most treasured. One of its best-known features is without a doubt the towering Half Dome. Each year about 50 thousand hikers apply for permits and make the climb over steep rocks and up to 70% grades to reach the top.

The chance to hike Yosemite’s Half Dome is absolutely worth the journey to the west coast. Summer is the best time to make this epic trek, and permits are available on a lottery system beginning in early spring each year.

Climbing Half Dome isn’t for the faint of heart, and it certainly isn’t for beginners — though there are plenty of adventurous ways to take a solo journey without a booty-busting hike! Keep reading for more amazing solo travel for women inspo.

The Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park on the East Coast! Its close proximity to metro areas also makes it a great solo USA travel destination. With a major city less than two hours away to the east or west, getting here via public transportation is a breeze.

After exploring hiking trails and taking in breathtaking views along the park’s main roads, find everything from mountain town vibes to live music and all the adorable tourist attractions you can imagine in the historic downtown area of Gatlinburg, Tennessee — five minutes outside the park’s west entrance. Asheville, North Carolina is a vibrant city full of craft breweries, cute coffee shops, fantastic restaurants, and live music venues less than two hours from the Great Smoky Mountains.

Viva Las Vegas, baby! is known for wild nightlife and fancy casinos, but it’s also one of the best cities for accessing outdoor adventures. We definitely recommend a day or two taking in the city’s attractions and checking out its vibrant downtown (plus, you have to at least gamble away a buck or two). Once you’ve had your fill, venture outside the city to really see what Nevada’s all about.

Love being on the water? Glen Canyon — home to the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead — is the perfect destination outside the city for paddling and boating. More of a desert dweller? Red Rock Canyon to the west of the city is a rock climber’s paradise and boasts a network of gorgeous hiking trails among the sandstone and rocks.

Does solo female travel to a big city like Vegas sound a little sketchy to you? Join a group of babes who are also interested in solo trips for women in the US! Explorer Chick’s Las Vegas adventure includes ALL the highlights of Sin City and beyond.

Seattle is a great city for women traveling solo in the US and is considered pretty darn safe for solo travelers in general. Being situated between the coast and the mountains offers SO many adventure options within reach of “Emerald City,” including three national parks and a network of charming islands to explore in Puget Sound.

Once you’ve had your fill of seafood and seen the fish show at Pike Place Market, tap into the adventure side of your inner solo traveler and check out Washington’s great outdoors!

Mount Rainier National Park is a year-round recreation destination, where you can hike among wildflowers in the summer or snowshoe through gorgeous evergreens in the winter. North Cascades NP is known for its dense forests, glaciated peaks, and towering waterfalls feeding mountain lakes. Camping, hiking, and climbing are popular activities in both of these parks.

Olympic National Park on the coast of Washington has it ALL! Mountains, alpine lakes, and lush rainforest make up this coastal wonder. It also gives you excellent access to aquatic adventures, like sea kayaking among the San Juan islands.

New York, New York — so nice they named it twice. Women traveling solo looking for a lowkey adventure will love New York City and its gorgeous skyscrapers, delicious food, and easy-access walking tours (not to mention it’s pretty much food truck heaven). New York has always been a destination city and is a great place to meet other travelers.

Make sure you get to the top of the Empire State Building for the best view of the city. Tour world-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. Treat yo’self to at least one of the delicious restaurants in hot spots like Chelsea or Chinatown. Take a walking tour of Central Park and get a local lesson in American History while enjoying the stunning grounds and natural beauty of preserved areas.

Just a short drive from the beautiful beaches of Long Island and the Hamptons, the largest city in the East is a fantastic place to get your solo United States adventure on for the first time or the tenth time!

Utah is home to five incredible national parks and even more national monuments and historic sites. Utah is one of the best places for women traveling solo in the US for national park buffs since you can visit FIVE in one road trip. Start your adventure in Salt Lake City and check out the views in one of the state parks around Great Salt Lake.

Continue your journey southeast toward Moab, the hub for nearby national parks like Arches and Canyonlands — the first two stops in visiting Utah’s “Mighty Five.” After trekking the trails and seeing the iconic arches and canyons of these two desert gems, make your way west to check out the rugged landscapes of Capitol Reef NP and the towering sandstone hoodoos of Bryce Canyon NP.

The final (and perhaps finest) of the Mighty Five brings you to Zion National Park. Here you can trek iconic trails like Angel’s Landing, The Narrows, The Watchmen, and more. Really want to feel your adrenaline pumping? Zion NP is also a whitewater rafting destination with rivers full of rough currents and challenging rapids — AKA a whole lot of type two fun. Check out local outfitters for guided rafting and other adventures in and around Zion.