GORP - America's Best Beaches


	Introduction
	Sleeping Bear, MI
	Acadia, ME
	Hatteras, NC
	Everglades, FL
	Perdido Key, FL
	Matagorda , TX
	Santa Monica, CA
	Point Lobos, CA
	Olympic, WA
	Polihale, HI


	Summer's Top Parks
	Summer Mountain Festivals
	Beach Travel Blog
	Parks and Outdoors Guide
	2008 Summer Buyer's Guide from Outside Online

PARKS


By Rich Beattie, GORP Editor

Admit it: You're beach crazy. We can't blame you. In fact, with sandy stretches on two coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, the Great Lakes, and around countless bodies of water throughout the country, most of America has the same affliction.

No one gets hyped up more about these gold and white crystals than adventurers. And with good reason: America's beaches serve up some of the nation's best hiking and biking, and some of the world's best swimming and kayaking. They attract amazing wildlife. They gather themselves into huge dune playgrounds. They make the perfect seat in nature's amphitheater.

Think a beach getaway is all about big towels and lotion? Read on.

What are your favorite beaches?
Go to our forum and spill the sand, er, beans


1.	Best Sand Playground: Sleeping Bear, Michigan
2.	Best Sunrise: Acadia, Maine
3.	Best Water Playground: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
4.	Best Camping: Everglades, Florida
5.	Best Swimming: Perdido Key, Florida


6.	Best Solitude: Matagorda Island, Texas
7.	Best Biking: Santa Monica, California
8.	Best Wildlife: Point Lobos State Reserve, California
9.	Best Hiking: Olympic Coastal Strip, Washington
10.	Best Sunset: Polihale, Hawaii

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	Beyond the Beaches: America's Best Trips
		Best Biking Trips - From sea to shining sea, and everything in between.
		Best Hiking Trips - Stroll a beachfront or climb to a mountain peak.
		Best Paddling Trips - From rivers to oceans, dip your paddle into a wave.