GREAT OUTDOORS

HIT THE TRAILS, RIDE THE RAPIDS AND CLIMB TO NEW HEIGHTS

With spring comes the beckoning call of the outdoors. Whether you seek excitement on the water, in the mountains, or somewhere in between, here are some ideas for al fresco adventures from idyllic Caribbean hotspots and remote Appalachian locales to the Grand Canyon and the Gulf Coast.

Crystal River, Florida

Crystal River on the west coast of Florida an hour north of Tampa is the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim with manatees in their natural habitat. The large docile marine creature known as the “sea cow” is a threatened species that seeks out the warm spring-fed waters of Kings Bay each winter, but many stay year-round in the constant 72-degree water near the springs. In 1983 the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge was established in Kings Bay to protect the manatee habitat. The refuge grants special use permits to local tour operators so visitors can have an up-close in-the-water experience with a licensed guide. There are strict rules of conduct — known as Manatee Manners — that patrons must adhere to, the crux being to stay calm and not interfere. Mind your manners and you can have a

swim-along experience with these gentle giants not soon forgotten. The Port Hotel and Marina sits on Kings Bay next to the Manatee Swim Center offering various manatee tours. For those who don’t want to get in the water, manatees can be observed via kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard and along the boardwalks at nearby Three Sisters Springs, also part of the refuge.

■ Manatee Swim Center. Swim tours $75 and up. 1508 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, Florida. 352-7957234, manateeswimcenter.com. The Port Hotel and Marina. $120 and up. 1610 SE Paradise Circle, Crystal River, Florida. 352-795-3111, porthotelandmarina.com

ABOVE: Crystal River, Florida, is the only place in the U.S. to legally swim with manatees in their natural habitat. COURTESY OF DISCOVERCRYSTALRIVERFL.COM

COURTESY OF GRAND CANYON WEST CONTINUED ON PAGE E14: Hualapai River Runners is the only outfitter that offers one-day rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. Read about this and four other adventurous locations inside.