This entire area is great for all kinds of adventures - hiking, skiing, gold mining, ATVing, paragliding, etc. During the summer season it can be especially packed, and parking can be hard to find, but it's worth at least a day trip. If the weather's nice, I recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy - and hitting at least some of the local hikes. It's also very dog friendly! If you're looking for something unique to do, there's even the Independence Mine State Historical Park to check out! Although the road closes in the winter, you can still visit the iconic Hatcher Pass cabins and go skiing. See our full list of recommendations here.