Come summer, and it’s time to enjoy the authentic outdoors. Given below are our top three destinations for outdoor adventure this summer.   The Grand Canyon National Park: The world’s most famous, most visited, most-viewed ditch, the Grand Canyon is an iconic natural wonder. This summer, get away from your stereotyped tailgate picnic to the Canyon. Move away from the thronging crowds and explore the heart of this colossus. Take the Hermit Trail and enjoy a 25-kilometer round-trip just below the south rim. On the way, you’ll plunge into the Red Rock abyss and see the Canyon up close. Day hikes are stunning, though humid. Bring plenty of water, nutritious food and a winning attitude.   Yosemite National Park: For the ultimate viewing experience, the Yosemite Valley at the heart of Yosemite National Park is a must-see. No wonder the place is overrun with feisty tourists who make the campgrounds look more like a crowded street in New York rather than the great outdoors. But, you can still have the time of your life if you venture further inland for some breathtaking action. Climbing the sheer face of the “El Cap” is one such experience. Its 3,000+ face is considered to be one of the best big-wall climbing surfaces. There are some 80 routes to the summit. Scaling the largest chunk of exposed granite on the earth won’t be an easy task. Springtime is the best time to try it. In the summers, the rock is baking hot and in the winters, the days are short and chilly. Advanced reservation at a nearby camp site is recommended.   The Olympic National Park: Mammoth trees, amazing wildlife and spectacular vegetation make the Olympic National Park one of the best parks in America. People visit this Park for a number of reasons. Some like to delve into the little seen lollipop-shaped backpacking route that goes around the White Mountain. Others like to climb the first divide, from where they can catch the spectacular view of flowery meadows and white-capped mountain peaks. Adventure activities include fishing, camping, backpacking, climbing, hiking and beach combing.   While the above are our top picks, you don’t have to limit yourself to these destinations alone. Visit the Redwood National Park and enjoy camping, hiking or horseback riding surrounded by giant trees looming over you all the way up to the sky. The Channel Islands National Park and the Voyageurs Park are places to visit if you love water sports like swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and whale watching. The Channel Islands is just the place for a family vacation. Your little ones will be thrilled by opportunities for whale watching, beach combing and enjoying the live underwater video program. For family fun and adventure activities with bigger children, you can check out the Big Cypress National Park. Besides being delighted by the forest, kids can get their fill of live alligators, fishing, biking, bird watching and canoeing.   [...]