Here at OnlyInYourState, nature truly is our sanctuary. Not only do we head to the Great Outdoors to break a sweat or satisfy our insatiable wanderlust; but we also turn to Mother Nature when we’re in need of rest and rejuvenation from the inside out. And in return for this kind of soul-feeding therapy, we like to treat the earth as kindly as possible. Happily, this is a trend that's catching on, with eco-friendly, green getaways popping up all across the U.S. But make no mistake: these getaways are anything but roughing it; rather, they offer immersive outdoor experiences that are luxurious and healing, allowing guests to relish the kind of pure R&R only Mother Nature can provide. Here are some of the most incredible eco getaways in the U.S.:
Greenough, Montana, is no stranger to eco-friendly getaways, with the 37,000-acre Resort at Paws Up one of the country's top wellness destinations. This ranching region in the Blackfoot Valley is remote and ruggedly resplendent, making for the ultimate escape in nature. For those looking for a next-level eco-friendly experience in the wilds of the Treasure State, it doesn't get any better than the brand-new Green O. Billed as a "sophisticated Montana woodland hideaway," these properties are nestled deep on the densely timbered southern edge of Paws Up Ranch, offering nothing but peace and quiet. Each of the 12 Scandinavian-style Haus accommodations is pure "green" goodness, with features like ultramodern eco-kitchens, abundant natural lighting, and sustainable building materials that allow the dwellings to blend in with their surroundings. If you're looking for an amazing, well-appointed forest bathing experience in one of the country's most glorious untouched regions, this is it.
There's no place on the California Coast like the Stanford Inn by the Sea. When you arrive at this legendary ecolodge, you will immediately feel embraced by Mother Nature and the inn's welcoming staff. The Stanford family opened the inn in 1980 to inspire and educate guests about themselves and their environment; today, it's the model to which other green getaways in the U.S. aspire. The resort offers gardening lessons, meditation sessions, herbal medicine practices, and plant-based cooking classes, giving guests myriad ways to immerse themselves in nature. Add to that the Stanford's on-site spa, biking trails, wildlife tours, and river access, and you're all but guaranteed a revelatory experience at this NorCal inn.
Big Sur's Post Ranch Inn is the very definition of a bucket-list getaway. The Post Ranch Inn literally emerges out of the cliffs and coastline of Big Sur, California, making guests feel as though they're right on the water. Constructed out of sustainable materials, guest rooms feature indoor and outdoor spaces, large glass walls, and wood-burning fireplaces, for an experience that effortlessly invites the outdoors in. Wildlife enthusiasts will be pleased to learn that the hotel grounds act as a habitat for creatures such as the California red-legged frog, Smith's blue butterfly, and other endangered species; the land also provides ingredients used in meals at the on-site restaurant. Guests can explore the area with guided hiking tours, educational bird-watching experiences, and outdoor yoga classes, or they can take one of the hotel's hybrid Lexus vehicles to visit other nearby destinations, making for the ultimate green getaway in Central California.
Looking for things to do in Big Sur? Take a look at this video by @OnlyInYourState:
Taos often gets bypassed for Santa Fe, but this New Mexico town really does deserve your attention. While Santa Fe is often touted as the oldest town in New Mexico, the title actually belongs to Taos, as the city's eponymous Taos Pueblo has had residents for over 1,000 years. Indeed, it's this historic dwelling that earns Taos much of its notoriety -- it's the only living Native American community with UNESCO World Heritage Site status that's also a National Historic Landmark designation, and it’s a fascinating place to explore. In terms of accommodations, the El Monte Sagrado is the gold standard of eco lodging. The hotel's infrastructure incorporates recycled water, plants, fish, and rocks into its very own self-sustaining environment, which not only gives the resort a natural aesthetic but helps reclaim rain and wastewater. The guest rooms are built from stone and incorporate globally inspired designs with Egyptian, Balinese, Tibetan, and Native American-inspired decor; the spa utilizes organic products and treatments; and the hotel even boasts its own biolariums -- on-site greenhouses filled with native vegetation and flowers. This is one of the best eco getaways in the U.S.
Utah often gets pigeonholed as a place for ski towns and snow, but there's so much more to the Beehive State than winter sports. For proof of this, simply visit Zion National Park. The beauty of this National Park is unrivaled; it's home to stunning rivers and canyons, caverns and caves, and also boasts some of the best stargazing in the entire country. And Zion EcoCabin sits in the heart of it all. This is not your traditional place to stay in Utah, nor is it your standard "green getaway." In keeping with its green theme, the cabin eschews things like WiFi and television, as well as appliances such as microwaves, washers, and dryers. But in exchange for these modern conveniences (and distractions), this magnificent A-Frame boasts the most breathtaking, uninterrupted views of the southern side of the Zion Mountains (one side of this cabin completely opens up, giving you fresh air and gorgeous views.for.days), for an immersive experience in nature that can't be matched. This is one of the most stunning eco-friendly Airbnbs in the U.S.
In terms of green getaways in the U.S., it doesn't get any greener than Aspen, Colorado. This mountain town is run on 100% renewable energy, and even its most well-appointed resorts take the green mantra to heart. Aspen Meadows Resort, for example, is a secluded destination in the town's historic west end, nestled on 40 acres along the Roaring Fork River. The property is truly a part of its mountain scenery, built into the very slopes of the majestic Elk Mountains. In terms of eco-initiatives, Aspen Meadows Resort boasts high-end luxuries like electric-powered shuttle vehicles, EV charging stations, WeCycle bikes, and even reusable glass water bottles. From top to bottom, everything about this green getaway in Colorado is designed to work in harmony with nature.
Despite being less than a mile from historic downtown Fredericksburg, Onera offers a blissful escape from reality. This luxury Hill Country escape is surrounded by nature, yet offers all the amenities of a five-star hotel – and then some. The nine lodging options are all unique, ranging from a retro airstream to a treehouse. Soak in your own private outdoor tub, detox in a barrel sauna, and listen to the sights and sounds of the forest -- luxuries that work in perfect harmony with the surrounding Hill Country landscape.
The Florida Everglades is one of the most mesmerizing parts of the entire state -- and country. Comprised of 1.5 million acres of wetland preserves, visitors to the Everglades often get a showcasing of nature that isn’t found anywhere else. With hundreds of animal species throughout, not to mention the various terrains from coastal mangroves to marshes, the Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country, and truly a bucket-list must. If you’ve ever wanted to spend the night in the middle of this real-life Garden of Eden, you can. In the heart of the national park, Flamingo Campground is home to a collection of eco-tents right on the marshes, for an immersive Everglades experience that's second to none. Just watch out for wildlife!
Surrounded by the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, combines epic outdoor adventure with mountain town charm, for a wholly unique and wonderful experience that lends itself to eco-friendly accommodations such as the brand-new Wrong Way Campground. Set to open in late summer 2022, these cabins combine green features with rustic luxury, for an immersive, eco-friendly experience in the hills of North Carolina. The area's natural splendor is in a league all its own, with the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Asheville and offering visitors unparalleled outdoor recreation, adventure, and scenery -- and Wrong Way Campground fits right in.
If you enjoy luxury accommodations in nature, Camp Aramoni offers an experience that is nothing short of magical. Located 90 minutes south of Chicago in the village of Tonica, Camp Aramoni is a boutique campground "where nature meets luxury." This glampground is home to 11 safari-style tents on 96 acres that once belonged to a 19th-century brickyard. Each tent is outfitted with luxury furnishings and linens, air conditioning and heat, en-suite bathrooms, and personal bonfire pits. For foodies, breakfast, dinner, and nightly gourmet s'mores are included in your reservations -- these meals are fresh, healthy, and delicious using fresh produce and even honey from the on-site apiary. You will want for nothing during your stay at Camp Aramoni, a forward-thinking eco-resort that's taking "glamping" to the next level.
Looking for an "eco Airbnb near me" in New Hampshire? Going "off the grid" doesn't need to be roughing it; for proof of this, one need only visit this luxurious green getaway in New Hampshire. Luxury Solar House is, as its name suggests, a gorgeous *and* green retreat in one of the most scenic places in the country. Certified by both LEED & NAHB, this Airbnb is the future of eco-friendly getaways, offering guests comfortable and well-appointed accommodations that spare no expense. Amenities here include a full kitchen, indoor fireplace, game room, wet bar, and open floor plan -- and that's just what's inside the cabin. Outdoors, cozy up on the hammock located on the lower porch, and gaze out into the exquisite splendor of New England. This is one of the most beautiful Airbnb cabins in the U.S.
Remote and exclusive, Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge is a family-owned, fly-in lodge located 220 miles north of the Arctic Circle that offers independent travelers a remote and rugged experience. But don't mistake "off the grid" for a lack of eco-friendly luxuries. Built in 1974, the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge has been touting -- and practicing -- sustainability long before it was en vogue. From its very design -- the lodge was built from hand-hewn logs harvested from the area -- to its electricity -- the lodge is run off of 100% solar -- everything about this Alaska getaway is green. Guests dine on fresh-prepared, farm-to-table meals with produce grown at the resort's on-site greenhouse, which provides hearty and healthy fuel for the myriad outdoor adventures in this remote corner of the world.
The next time you're looking for an escape in nature, check out one of these eco getaways in the U.S., and embrace all Mother Nature has to offer -- without sacrificing style or comfort!
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