Healthcare travelers: here's the best places to go for being outside
If hiking is how you spend your days off, recharge after a busy week, or challenge yourself outdoors, your next travel destination can make a big difference. One of the best parts of working travel contracts as a healthcare professional is the opportunity to temporarily call places home that you may never have otherwise experienced. Instead of squeezing a hiking trip into a long weekend, you could have 13 weeks to explore an entirely new trail system, discover your favorite local spots, and experience the outdoors at your own pace.
Whether you're hoping to spend your weekends in the mountains, chase waterfalls, or finally check a national park off your bucket list, choosing a destination with plenty of outdoor opportunities can make your next contract even more rewarding. Of course, travel job availability varies by specialty, experience, and location, so you may not always have your pick of destinations. But if you have some flexibility in where you go next, these four destinations are worth keeping on your radar.
1. Asheville, North Carolina: For Hikers Who Want Plenty of Options
If you don't want to hike the same type of trail every weekend, Asheville is a great place to consider for your next travel contract. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area offers access to everything from shorter waterfall hikes to challenging mountain climbs. Pisgah National Forest alone covers more than 500,000 acres and features 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 before your contract ends. The Blue Ridge Parkway also makes it easy to explore beyond Asheville itself, with scenic overlooks and trailheads throughout the surrounding mountains. And when you aren't hiking? Asheville has a thriving downtown, local breweries, restaurants, and an arts scene worth exploring. It's a destination where you can enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle without giving up the convenience and personality of a city. For healthcare professionals who want their days off to include a little adventure, Asheville offers plenty of ways to make the most of a temporary home.
2. Denver, Colorado: For the Hiker Who Wants a Big Adventure Every Weekend
Colorado has a reputation among outdoor enthusiasts for a reason. Denver gives traveling healthcare professionals 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 nearby 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 alpine 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 busy week at work, you can choose a trail closer to the city or spend a relaxing afternoon exploring local neighborhoods. When you have more time and energy, you can plan a bigger adventure in the mountains. Denver also offers plenty to do when you aren't hitting the trails, including professional sports, restaurants, live music, and a well-established outdoor recreation community. If you enjoy balancing an active lifestyle with city amenities, a contract in the Denver area could give you the best of both worlds.
3. Portland, Oregon: For Hikers Who Love Waterfalls and Green Landscapes
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 as you travel through the region. Popular stops like Multnomah Falls are worth seeing, but the surrounding area has plenty of other trails to explore once you've checked the famous spots off your list.
The Columbia River Gorge is especially appealing during a travel contract because you have time to discover more than what you'll find in a quick online search. You can spend one weekend hiking to waterfalls, another exploring trails with wide-open views of the Columbia River, and another heading toward Mount Hood for a completely different outdoor experience. Portland also puts you within reach of the broader Pacific Northwest, making it a great starting point for exploring Oregon and southwestern Washington. Between the city's food scene, coffee shops, local markets, and access to some incredible outdoor spaces, you'll have plenty to fill your time both on and off the clock.
4. Anchorage, Alaska: For the Healthcare Professional Ready for a True Bucket-List Experience
For healthcare professionals who have always wanted to experience Alaska, a contract in Anchorage 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 and explore at your own pace. Chugach State Park covers approximately 495,000 acres, with trails and wilderness access within easy driving distance of Anchorage. Hikers can find everything from easier walks to challenging mountain routes, with opportunities to take in glacier views, alpine scenery, and Alaska's incredible wildlife. And that's the beauty of taking a travel contract somewhere like Anchorage. Your days off don't have to be packed with activities because you're worried about running out of time. You can spend one weekend tackling a longer hike, another looking for wildlife, and another simply enjoying a scenic drive through a landscape that looks dramatically different from home.
A contract in Alaska won't be the right fit for everyone. The distance, seasonal daylight changes, weather, and logistics all require some planning. But if Alaska has been sitting on your bucket list for years, a travel healthcare assignment could give you a reason to stop saying, "I'll go someday."
How to Choose a Healthcare Travel Contract When Hiking Is a Priority
Choosing your next destination based on your interests doesn't mean ignoring the practical side of a travel contract. Your job, housing, commute, and contract dates all play a role in how much time you'll realistically have to explore. Before accepting a position, think about how hiking will fit into your everyday life.
Consider the Commute, Not Just the Destination
A job may technically be located near an incredible outdoor destination, but where will you actually be living? If your facility is an hour from your housing and the nearest trailheads are another hour away, your weekends could involve more driving than hiking. Ask your recruiter about the general area surrounding the facility, nearby communities, and potential housing options. Once you know where you might be staying, look at the distance between your housing, workplace, and the outdoor areas you want to explore. A little research upfront can help you avoid spending your entire weekend in the car.
Think About the Season
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, and Alaska. Before accepting a position specifically because of its outdoor opportunities, research what the area is like during the months you'll actually be there. Check typical weather, trail conditions, seasonal closures, and daylight hours. Some trails may be inaccessible during certain times of the year, while others are best experienced during a particular season.
Don't Try to Do Everything Right Away
This might be the most important piece of advice: You have approximately 13 weeks, not three days. You don't need to hike every famous trail during your first month. One of the biggest 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, and leave room for 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.
Travel contracts as a healthcare pro gives you the opportunity to grow professionally while experiencing places and lifestyles you might not have considered otherwise. And if spending your free time outdoors is important to you, choosing a destination with access to hiking, parks, and other outdoor activities can make your next contract even more meaningful.
You don't have to choose between building your career and making time for the things you love. With the right travel position, you can continue doing the work you're passionate about while getting a little closer to the adventures on your bucket list.
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