Green Travel: Top 7 U.S. Eco-Travel Destinations

The Green Guide :

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; 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).

Read the whole story: The Green Guide

Comments

[TerryOakland]

Greenest destination? That would be whatever is within walking distance from one's front door.

Oh, you meant "greenest destination" that requires throwing thousands of pounds of pollutants into the upper atmosphere in order to get there! THAT kind of "green"!

Or did you mean "green" as a reference to the color of U.S. currency?

Hard to tell the difference.

[geobushono]

oh yea, and remember a camping trip will be even 'greener'.­.........a­nd more likely to heighten one's green awarenwss.

[TimmySlagle]

Green TRAVEL???

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Since tourism is not a necessary expense, any energy consumed to reach a vacation destination, is as un-green as you can possibly get.

The true environmentalist spends his vacation at home.

[Wilburrr]

not necessaril­y.... bicycle touring is way cool.

[TimmySlagle]

Sure.

As long as you leave from home. But I've rarely seen Bicyclists do that. Most often they have racks on their cars, so they can drive their bikes, to where they want to ride them.

[KPinSEA]

As long as you equate "environmentalist" with "fundamentalist monk".

I maintain a healthy distrust of fundamentalists of every variety.

[TimmySlagle]

Yeah, me too.

I was being Ironic.

Just pointing out, that the whole "Green" fad, isn't serious.

If we really needed to stop burning CO2 to save the earth, as many suggest, travel would be a luxury completely out of the question.

[Synoia]

Another myth "rent a Prius to visit ".

The msnufacturing the battery pack uses more than the car will ever save in its lifetime.

Time to consider lifcycle costs, birth to death.

[ilovemydoggy]

Great tips. Heating season is around the corner. Don't wait - we need to get ready for the winter. There are some good tips at http://www.Vaboomer.com (see July 11 post)