Asheville is a strong choice for traveling OTs who don't want to do the same type of hike every weekend. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area gives you access to everything from shorter waterfall hikes to challenging mountain climbs. Pisgah National Forest alone covers more than 500,000 acres and includes hundreds of miles of trails, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and some of the highest peaks east of the Mississippi. The variety is what makes Asheville especially appealing for a 13-week contract. You can spend your first few weekends exploring easier trails, work your way up to more challenging hikes, and still have plenty left to discover. The Blue Ridge Parkway also makes it easy to explore beyond Asheville itself. Depending on where you're staying and how far you're willing to drive, your weekends can look completely different from one another. Asheville gives you the chance to build an entire season around hiking instead of trying to fit one outdoor adventure into a vacation. If you're thinking about making Asheville your next home base, here are some of the OT opportunities currently available in the area:
Colorado has a reputation among outdoor enthusiasts for a reason. Denver gives travel OTs the opportunity to experience city life during the week while using their days off to explore the Rocky Mountains. There are hiking options within and around the city, and the foothills offer trails ranging from relatively easy walks to challenging climbs. If you're looking for bigger adventures, Rocky Mountain National Park is also within reach for a weekend trip. The park has hundreds of miles of hiking trails, along with lakes, waterfalls, wildlife, and dramatic mountain scenery. But here's what makes Denver particularly appealing for a travel contract: you don't have to treat every weekend like an expedition. After a demanding week, you can choose something closer and easier. When you have more time and energy, you can plan a bigger adventure. That flexibility can make a destination much more enjoyable when you're living and working there for three months. Denver gives you access to the kind of mountain experiences that can make an ordinary weekend feel like a completely different life. If Denver is calling your name, check out this job opportunity:
If your ideal hike includes towering trees, moss-covered landscapes, and a waterfall at the end of the trail, Portland deserves your attention. The city itself has abundant parks and natural areas, but one of the biggest draws for hikers is the nearby Columbia River Gorge. Just east of Portland, the Gorge offers waterfalls, forest trails, dramatic viewpoints, and a landscape that changes significantly as you travel through the region. The Columbia River Gorge is especially appealing during a travel contract because you have time to explore beyond the most famous stops. Sure, you can see Multnomah Falls. But you also have 13 weeks to find the trails that aren't necessarily the first ones that appear in a quick online search. You can spend one weekend hiking to waterfalls and another exploring trails with wide-open views of the river. Portland also puts you within reach of Mount Hood and other outdoor destinations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Explore some current opportunities in the Portland area:
For travel OTs who have always wanted to experience Alaska, a contract can offer something a typical vacation can't: time. Instead of trying to see everything in one week, you have the opportunity to experience the area over several months. Chugach State Park alone covers approximately 495,000 acres, with trails and wilderness access within easy driving distance of downtown Anchorage. Hikers can find everything from easier walks to challenging mountain routes. And that's the beauty of taking a travel contract somewhere like Alaska. Your days off don't have to be packed with activities because you're worried about running out of time. You can explore at your own pace. One weekend might be dedicated to a longer hike. Another could be spent looking for wildlife, taking a scenic drive, or simply enjoying a place that looks dramatically different from home. A contract in Alaska won't be the right fit for everyone. The logistics, distance, and lifestyle require some thought. But if Alaska has been sitting on your bucket list for years, travel OT can give you a reason to stop saying, “I'll go someday.” If you're ready to explore Alaska, take a look at these job openings:
Choosing a destination based on your interests doesn't mean ignoring the practical side of a contract. Before accepting a travel OT position, think about how hiking will realistically fit into your everyday life.
A job may technically be located near an incredible outdoor area, but where will you be living? If the facility is an hour from your housing and the nearest trails are another hour away, your weekends could involve more driving than hiking. Ask your recruiter about the general area and start looking at the location of potential housing once you know more about the contract.
A destination can offer completely different experiences depending on when your contract takes place. A summer contract in Colorado and a winter contract in Colorado won't look the same. The same goes for hiking in North Carolina, Oregon, Alaska, or Washington. Before accepting a position specifically because of outdoor opportunities, research what the area is like during the months you'll actually be there. Check typical weather, trail conditions, and seasonal closures.
This might be the most important piece of advice. You have 13 weeks, not three days. You don't need to hike every famous trail during your first month. One of the advantages of living somewhere temporarily is that you can slow down and experience it differently than a tourist. Find your favorite local trail. Return to it more than once. Save a few weekends for bigger adventures. Leave room for the spontaneous plans that come from talking to coworkers or meeting people who know the area. You may remember the unexpected Saturday morning hike just as much as the famous trail you planned months in advance.