7 U.S. Eco-Travel Destinations
July 9, 2008
Green travel isn't only about the journey—it's about the destination too. Here are seven great picks recently surveyed by National Geographic Traveler for their sustainable practices (including least-toxic cleaners, energy and water savings, and recycling efforts), sense of place, community involvement and general ambience.
1) Camp Denali, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Centered on Mt. McKinley (Denali), the tallest peak in North America, the phrase "unspoiled paradise" won't seem hackneyed as you step out of your guest cabin into spectacular parkland ($1,365-$3,185 for 3-7 days; www.campdenali.com, 907-683-2290; also see nps.gov/dena).
2) Orchard Garden Hotel, San Francicsco, Calif.: A LEED-certified hotel in the heart of arguably America's greenest city. Skip the car while in town and take a stylish, recuperated tram, or rent a Prius to visit nearby Point Reyes National Seashore and dine at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley ($169-$450; theorchardgardenhotel.com, 888-717-2881).
3) Rock Harbor Lodge, Isle Royale National Park, Mich.: Hidden on a remote island in Northwest Lake Superior, Rock Harbor Lodge is about as far away from it all as you can get ($223-$386; rockharborlodge.com, 906-337-4993).
4) Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah: With access to 6,000 wilderness acres at the base Mt. Timpanogos, Sundance provides excellent skiing and hiking while maintaining a keen attentiveness to the environment ($294-$1388 for the summer season; sundanceresort.com, 800-892-1600 for reservations).
5) Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, N.Y.: 90 miles from New York City, this inn on the Hudson River serves local, organic foods grown on-site and relies on geothermal and solar energy to warm its spa waters ($225-$650; buttermilkfallsinn.com, 877-7-INN-SPA).
6) Asheville Green Cottage, Asheville, N.C.: Sleep on organic cotton sheets and natural latex mattresses during your visit to Asheville, a city chockablock with organic restaurants, farmer's markets and mountain ranges. Come the last weekend of July for Bele Chere, the Southeast's largest free arts and music festival ($110-$180; ashevillegreencottage.com, 800.331.9707).
7) Dunton Hot Springs Resort and Spa, Dolores, Colo.: A resort in a former ghost town located in the San Juan Mountain chain of the Rockies close enough to the desert for trips to Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly ($325-$520 per person per night; duntonhotsprings.com, 970-882-4800).
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