Top 5 States For Travel Nurse Adventurers

3 Min Read Published April 4, 2025
adventure travel nurse

When you take a travel assignment, you aren’t just picking a hospital to work at and a city to live in. You’ll be moving to a part of the country that’s different than anything you’re used to. This is an excellent opportunity for adventurers to move to an area that fits their needs!

Each nurse is looking for a different adventure, and different states could offer the excitement you're looking for.

Attention RNs: Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

Sponsored
Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

1. Colorado

Colorado

Colorado is the go-to destination for hikers, mountain climbers, and the like. The Rocky Mountain State is home to some of the tallest mountains, and the state gets the best of all four seasons. According to Niche.com, Colorado can be one of the best places for camping because of the nice summer weather and the many nearby state and national parks.

However, in my opinion, the best season to be in Colorado is the winter. In the winter, Colorado is one of the best skiing regions in the United States. If you’re a lover of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or just snow in general, Colorado is going to be one of your best options!

Plus, it ranks #8 on the list of highest-paying states for travel nurses with a weekly average salary of $2,045.

2. Tennessee

Greeter Falls in South Cumberland State Park, Tennessee

A lot of people might not think of Tennessee as a great adventure state, but it has a lot to offer to those looking for thrills. Perhaps the biggest draw to Tennessee is hang gliding. All thrill seekers should hang glide over the mountains – it’s bound to be one of the best experiences of their life. Plus, there's rock climbing, boating, and tons of hiking. For those who are a little less adventurous, Tennessee does have the Appalachian Trail and Ocoee Whitewater Center (where the 1996 Olympics whitewater event was held).

Tennessee may not have the sunniest weather, the tallest mountains, or the most open wilderness, but they have fairly consistent weather year round. For travel nurses looking for a state where they can do the same activities year round, Tennessee is ideal.

Attention RNs: Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

Sponsored
Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

3. Washington

Washington State

Washington state, also known as the Evergreen State, is…well, green. A large part of the state is covered in forests and mountains, perfect for hiking and camping enthusiasts. One must-see in Washington is Glacier Peak, which is basically exactly what it sounds like. This four-day trip is guaranteed to satisfy any hiker.

Of course, Washington is also home to rain. If you’re looking for the same weather year round, Washington may not be the right fit. It can rain a lot during the winter, but once summer hits, it’s hard to beat the Pacific Northwest. And how can you argue with the #1 highest-paying state for travel nurses this year, boasting an average weekly pay of $2,202. 

4. California

california palm trees

To say California has everything that an adventurer wants is an understatement. The first great adventure area of California is Lake Tahoe, which is consistently ranked one of the top lakes in the United States and is the #5 top location to visit, according to US News. Lake Tahoe has everything on its own: hiking, camping, swimming, skiing, rock climbing – the works. Near Lake Tahoe is Squaw Valley, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. 

But that’s not all this state offers – go further south, and you’ll find famous SoCal beaches. Here you can surf, kayak through sea caves, go boating, or take a nice swim with seals. If mountains and beaches aren’t enough, California is also home to Death Valley National Park, the lowest altitude point in the United States, and famous redwood trees.

If you want to find a state that has a little bit of everything, California is the place to go.

Attention RNs: Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

Sponsored
Travel Nurses Needed for US Contracts!

5. Florida

biking down miami boardwalk florida

What makes Florida unique is that it isn’t home to mountains like the other states on this list. Instead, Florida boasts its own attractions for adventurers. Thrill seekers should travel down to the Florida Keys to get an experience like no other. At the keys, you can kayak through the mangroves while watching sharks swim just a few feet beneath you.

Those who like water activities would definitely enjoy diving in Florida’s freshwater caves. One system, the Devil’s Cave system, offers 6.5 miles of underwater passageways to explore. Another, Ginnie Springs Cavern, is a cave with super-clear water that Jacques Cousteau himself swam in. So, if you’re a fan of summer activities, Florida is the place to be.

Go to the top of page