8 Ideal Outdoor Getaways for Retirees Who Cherish Nature

Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho

At Sun Valley, there’s a wealth of activities for every season, including snow sports, ice skating, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, tennis, and golf. For indoor relaxation, enjoy bowling, movies, and spa services. Consider a stay at the newly renovated Sun Valley Lodge, which boasts spacious guestrooms, a spa, a fitness center, a yoga studio, and a glass-enclosed outdoor pool. Alternatively, the recently remodeled Austrian chalet-style Sun Valley Inn features its own outdoor pool and fitness center, along with options for condos, townhomes, and cottages.

The event calendar in the city includes concerts, ice shows, films, mountaintop yoga, and more. Stargazers will be thrilled to know that Sun Valley and nearby Ketchum are part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, providing stunning views of the Milky Way and countless stars each night.

With complimentary bus service, navigating the city is effortless, and guests enjoy transportation throughout the Wood River Valley, including trips to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.

Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, the Big Cedar Lodge perfectly blends rustic charm with luxury. Offering a variety of accommodations—from grand lodges to charming cottages and log cabins, as well as glamping—you’ll find the ideal spot to unwind after a day filled with your favorite activities. Enjoy kayaking, paddle boating, and canoeing on Table Rock Lake, where fishing for bass awaits.

With five exceptional golf courses, including the innovative "par 3 short course" crafted by Tiger Woods and named to honor the late Payne Stewart, golfers have ample choices. For those looking to try something new, sporting clay shooting venues offer beginner lessons. Jogging paths, a fitness center, and heated pools ensure there's always something to do.

After a long day, indulge in a soothing massage at Cedar Creek Spa before enjoying a meal at one of the diverse dining options, from upscale establishments to casual outdoor settings and rustic lodges.

Snake River Sporting Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Just under an hour from Grand Teton National Park, the Snake River Sporting Club sprawls across nearly 1,000 acres of stunning wilderness, offering year-round excitement for outdoor enthusiasts. Summer activities include hiking, mountain biking, golf, horseback riding, tennis, pickleball, fly-fishing, canoeing, paddleboarding, and rafting. When winter arrives, take advantage of downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, and ice skating, along with on-site lessons for sporting clay shooting, fly-fishing, equestrian skills, and mountaineering.

For a cozy getaway, opt for a tiny cabin in Discovery Village along the Snake River Canyon, or select a spacious Fairway Lodge home on the Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course, perfect for hosting extra guests. In the summer, glamping offers easy access to the backpacking and horseback riding opportunities within Bridger Teton National Forest.

Enjoy meals at a variety of inviting restaurants and clubhouses—don’t forget to savor a poolside dish at the Double Barrel Cantina.

Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee

Located just 25 minutes from Knoxville, nestled on 4,200 acres adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blackberry Farm is an ideal getaway for those seeking endless outdoor adventures or luxurious relaxation.

Engage in cooking demonstrations, savor wine and whiskey tastings, visit local breweries, and partake in farming lessons to make your culinary exploration of Blackberry Farm both exciting and delicious—an experience only rivaled by the farm's unforgettable meals.

Time flies with activities such as horseback riding, cycling along scenic country roads or mountain paths, fly-fishing, hiking, archery, paddle sports, and boating. For a more leisurely pace, enjoy carriage rides, spa treatments, or simply relax and take in the stunning surroundings. Groups can partake in fun activities like sporting clay shooting and paintball, while a range of luxurious accommodations is available, including guestrooms, suites, cottages, and 3- to 4-bedroom homes.

Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge in Emigrant, Montana

Located on the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park, Hubbard's Yellowstone Lodge provides adventures reminiscent of classic Western films. Join wranglers to move cattle, embark on a wilderness trail ride, witness the eruption of Old Faithful, or explore the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. For breathtaking vistas, hike around Merrill Lake or investigate the park's petrified forest. White water rafting trips of various lengths can be organized, and clay and target shooting offer exciting options. Many guests also enjoy peaceful walks while birdwatching in the area.

Fishing is a major highlight at Hubbard's, with abundant rivers, streams, lakes, and creeks in the vicinity. Float fish on the Yellowstone River or wade into the streams, keeping an eye out for bison while waiting for a catch.

According to visitors, the standout feature of Hubbard's is its dedicated staff, who ensure every stay is thrilling and unforgettable. After a day of adventure, unwind with a soothing massage at the spa, savor a delightful dinner, and drift off to sleep in a cozy lodge room or cabin.

Pronghorn Resort in Bend, Oregon

Nestled in the high desert of Central Oregon, Pronghorn Resort is roughly 30 minutes from Bend and three hours from Portland. While the resort boasts two golf courses, there’s an abundance of activities beyond golfing, including mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and hiking, all benefiting from the area's sunny days and cool nights.

Rafting and kayaking on the Deschutes River, which lent its name to the town, offer additional thrills. In winter, the snow-covered peaks draw skiers and snowmobilers to the area.

Guests at the resort can enjoy outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, lawn games, tennis, and options for e-bikes, scooters, and cruisers. A variety of lodging choices is available, including the new Huntington Lodge, featuring views of the Cascade Mountains, luxury amenities, private terraces, fireplaces, and a spa.

Dining options at the resort range from casual eateries to the newly renovated Cascada, which features an outdoor terrace with stunning mountain views.

Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina

Nestled within 20,000 acres of untouched land in South Carolina's low country, Palmetto Bluff lies between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. The resort is predominantly shaded by centuries-old oaks, gracefully adorned with delicate Spanish moss.

Guests at Montage Palmetto Bluff can choose from a variety of accommodations, including guestrooms, suites, cottages, and upscale homes.

The May River is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing, with fishing available in nearby ponds and lakes. Visitors can enjoy walking, biking, or jogging along the extensive trail system that meanders through the area, or explore on horseback.

The May River Golf Course offers yet another chance to embrace the outdoors. The annual Field and Fire event celebrates the region's sporting traditions, featuring demonstrations of fishing, clay shooting, sporting dogs, trained birds of prey, art, music, and Southern cuisine. Throughout the year, various other events take place, including an artist-in-residence program that promotes the arts through exhibits and hands-on education.

Nakoma Resort in Clio, California

Located less than an hour north of Lake Tahoe, Nakoma Resort is nestled in the Lost Sierra region, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks and the Plumas National Forest.

This resort blends outdoor adventure with luxury comforts, featuring 42 guestrooms at the Lodge at Nakoma, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed clubhouse, a fitness center, and a spa. The Altitude Recreation Center includes a heated pool, climbing wall, sauna, lap pools, and a theater, while the Wigwam Bar and Dining Room provides a cozy atmosphere, cocktails, and exceptional cuisine.

Outdoor lovers can enjoy mountain biking and hiking on scenic trails, as well as fly-fishing, kayaking, swimming, and boating on nearby lakes once the snow melts. Nakoma's 18-hole championship course, the Dragon, offers stunning mountain views from every tee.

In winter, guests can partake in tubing, fat biking on snowy trails, and cross-country skiing, with snowmobile tours also available for those seeking adventure.

Nakoma offers outdoor excitement and breathtaking scenery without the crowds found at other Lake Tahoe resorts, making it an appealing choice year-round.