The U.S. is the second-best country for outdoor travel in the world
It's official: The beach chair is out, and the backpack is in. A new global study has ranked the world's best countries for outdoor travel and while Australia clinched the top spot, the United States isn't far behind—coming in hot at number two.
The Global Outdoor Destinations Index, which scored 183 countries across adventure options, ecological richness, environmental protections and all-around chill factor (things like weather and safety), confirms what many outdoor lovers already knew: The U.S. is kind of a big deal.
Few places cram in this much natural variety: The U.S. hosts 10 distinct ecosystems, second only to Mexico, ranging from alpine peaks to subtropical swamps. It's also home to 12 UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites and protects 12-percent of its land, making room for everything from solitary backcountry hikes to glamping in Zion.
More than 2,000 federally managed recreation areas spread across the country mean even first-timers can easily find their way to a trailhead, a ranger station or a breathtaking overlook with an actual bathroom nearby (luxury!). Signage is clear, safety standards are high, and outdoor tourism is supported without feeling overly sanitized.
As for accessibility? You could road trip across three time zones and never leave the country or your REI loyalty program. From snow-dusted Rockies to mossy Appalachian trails to the vast, surreal silence of Utah's canyonlands, each region has its own outdoor dialect.
Australia may have eked ahead thanks to its massive conservation zones and year-round temperate weather, but for Americans craving nature without the jet lag, staying domestic is far from a compromise. Rounding out the global top five were New Zealand, Canada and—surprise—France, all offering different blends of beauty and biodiversity.
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Has Western culture made it to Iran? Iranians can download or stream U.S. and European movies, music and media by accessing virtual private networks, or VPNs. This includes using social media platforms and messaging sites such as Instagram, X and WhatsApp. However, Iran's government monitors these channels and uses its cyber capabilities to try to thwart connections to some sites. The government also limits internet access and blocks overseas satellite channels when it wants to, as it did during large-scale street protests in 2022 sparked by the killing of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in custody after being arrested by Iran's "morality police." What's the food like? In short, it's delicious. It is aromatic and rich, and blends traditional and modern influences from an incredibly large area from the Mediterranean Sea to subcontinental Asia. A typical lunch or dinner dish combines fluffy rice with grilled lamb, chicken or fish. 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In the United States, one of the most famous Iranians may be Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, a former professional World Wrestling Federation Championship star and actor better known by his ring name, "The Iron Sheik." Does Iran have nuclear weapons? Officially, no. At least, not yet. Only the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel are members of the nuclear club, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Iran insists that it is only enriching uranium for a civilian energy program. Few Western diplomats believe that. Iran began enriching uranium in the 2010s and struck a deal with former President Barack Obama's administration in 2015 that saw it agree to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for monetary, oil, and other sanctions being lifted. The first Trump administration exited that accord. Since then, international watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level. 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The sanctions have also meant that spare parts, for cars or other large machinery or hospital equipment, can be difficult to obtain. Over the last few decades, Iran has had an abysmal commercial airline safety record because of the impact of sanctions on its civilian aircraft fleet. For foreign visitors, the sanctions mean that Western bank and credit cards can't be used - only cash. Are Iranians able to travel? The Iranian passport ranks 95th of 103 countries, with 42 visa-free destinations around the world, according to Henley & Partners, a London-based organization that compiles the Henley Passport Index, a gauge of global mobility based on nationality. None of these destinations is in North America or Europe. In the United States, Iranians fall under Trump's travel ban. Iran's ranking on the index compares to 182 visa-free destinations for American passport holders - No. 10 on the index. 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