Rugged slabs of rock speckled with glaciers and snowfields protrude through the clouds, and shield the entry to Grand Teton National Park. Located just south of Yellowstone, this park is often overlooked and is not nearly as accessible as its neighbor. While there are many destinations that can be reached within a day’s hike, some of the most scenic and remote terrain can only be reached by multi-day hikes or technical climbs.
With 21 islands, 12 miles of national lakeshore, and plenty of lighthouses guarding the shores of Lake Superior, hikers, paddlers, sailors, and fisherman will all enjoy the Apostle Island National Lakeshore. Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the islands and surrounding sea caves, and outfitters are readily available in the area.
New River, which cuts through the New River Gorge in Kentucky, is amongst one of the oldest on earth. The New River Gorge is the deepest and longest in the Appalachian Mountains, and has plenty of accessible trails to explore.
Acres of old growth forests, miles of rocky coastline, lush rainforests, and glacier-capped peaks all contribute to the spectacular diversity and remoteness that this park offers those willing to venture deep into it. Much of the park’s almost one million acres are only accessible by foot, which gives travelers a sense of solitude.
Located just over an hour’s drive from Washington D.C., Shenandoah National Park offers a wilderness escape without having to venture too far. Black bears, deer, and other wildlife roam through the mountains and valleys, drink from the streams and waterfalls, and hide in the hardwood forests that are inclusive of this park. Skyline Drive is a meandering scenic road that runs north to south and boasts countless scenic pull-offs.
Explore the New England forests filled with sugar maple and hemlock, old fire roads, and Green Mountain pastures in this National Historic Park. Best known for its foliage, fall is a great time to take a hike up Mount Tom or one of the many other gentle peaks. The annual Trek to Taste takes place at the beginning of June and focuses on local food, hiking, and general wellness.
Zion National Park in southern Utah is arguably the most beautiful park in the state. With sandstone cliffs jutting out of the valley in a desert-like landscape, visitors to the park will be impressed as they come around every bend. Known for its famous slot canyons, Zion is ideal for hiking and canyoneering: though that doesn’t mean that the less athletic traveler will come up short on things to do. For those willing to set off by foot, attempt the Narrows: a slot canyon hike that requires hiking across a river.
A powerful river cutting deep into the limestone, breaking up the monotonous desert landscape, is what draws travelers from around the world to this part of Texas. Inclusive of an impressive 801,163 acres, Big Bend National Park has everything from mountains to arid desert. B
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is America’s most visited park, and for good reason. Known for the plumes of fog that build up in the valleys between the mountains—settling like smoke over the peaks—the Smokies are teeming with plant and animal life as well as southern culture.
Mt. Rushmore is by no means the only worthwhile destination in the frequently overlooked state of South Dakota. Punctuating the fairly flat state, the Badlands contain rock formations that have resulted from millions of years of deposition and erosion. The Badlands Loop Road is beloved by photographers and a perfect entry point for day hikes.
Congaree National Park, covering 26,500 acres of South Carolina, is home to the largest old-growth forest in the southeastern United States. The Congaree and Wateree Rivers flow through the park, helping to sustain one of the highest deciduous tree canopies in the world.
The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor can be considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, as the Blackstone River in Pawtucket powered America’s first successful cotton mill and initiated America’s push toward industrialization. Visitors are welcome to explore the small towns and villages of the valley, which are full of farmers markets, hiking trails, history, and outdoor recreation.
Gettysburg National Park, located in south-central Pennsylvania, is the site of arguably the most consequential battle of the Civil War. After a big success in the Shenandoah Valley, General Lee of the Confederate Army pushed north only to be stopped dead in his tracks at Gettysburg. Today, visitors can almost hear the haunting cries of soldiers fighting on the preserved battlefields.
Deep, impossibly dark blue waters have collected in the crater of an active volcano from pure rainfall and snowmelt over thousands of years. Today, Crater Lake National Park boasts, at 1,943 feet, the deepest and cleanest lake in the country, as there are no inlets or outlets to allow for contamination. The best views of the lake can be accessed from vistas along East and West Rim Drive, as well as from points that can be reached during one of many day hikes.
Fisherman, boaters, and swimmers alike will find what they are looking for at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma. Located in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains, a quarter of Chickasaw’s almost 10,000 acres are covered by water.
Many know the story of Lewis and Clark, but are unaware that the tale involved so much more than these two pioneers. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which stretches across the north-central and northwestern part of the country toward the Pacific Ocean, beckons visitors to walk the path of many women and men alike, including servicemen, scientists, and Native Americans.
This 469-mile parkway lazily meanders through the Appalachian Highlands in Virginia and Blue Mountains of North Carolina. Some of the parkway’s most spectacular stretches can be found in North Carolina, south of Asheville. Adventure-seekers may want to take a few days to explore the Shining Rock wilderness area in the Pisgah National Forest, which can be accessed via the Graveyard Fields trailhead.
The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument contains caves that have been used as shelters by nomadic peoples for thousands of years. Rooms have been built, pottery has been made, and families have been raised in these cliffs as peoples of different cultures came and went. The park service offers educational tours of the dwellings as well as bird watching, nature walks, and wildlife viewing tours.
Many people associate New Jersey with the northeastern-most cities—and the Jersey Shore. But The Garden State is also home to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which contains 70,000 acres of streams, waterfalls, forests, and a stretch of the Delaware Rive. A day hike up Mt. Minsi is moderate and yields panoramic views into the 1,000-foot deep water gap and across the river toward Mt.
While this National Scenic Trail traverses over 2,180 miles of terrain between Georgia and Maine, some of the most beautiful stretches can be found in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The 161 miles of trail that pass through here feature more exposed, above tree-line terrain than any other state, affording hikers uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
As its name suggests, Glacier National Park’s rugged mountains and sheer cliffs are crowned by glaciers that are rapidly waning due to global warming. Going-to-the-Sun Road, which connects the eastern and western halves of the park, makes the area accessible for those unwilling or unable to explore the backcountry by foot. Although the entire park deserves its fair share of exploration time, the east side is a bit more scenic and contains more of the aforementioned glaciers.
Granite cliffs piercing the sea and the sky are Acadia National Park’s most recognizable feature. Located right next to the bustling New England town of Bar Harbor, Acadia has a rugged seashore, great rock climbing opportunities, and more than enough hiking, camping, and paddling to go around.
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in the hilly countryside of south-central Kentucky and is a part of the Green River Valley. With over 400 miles of explored cave system, Mammoth is the longest known cave in the U.S.
You may think you’ve been launched into space, but you’re only in central Idaho. Between 2,000 and 15,000 years ago, eight major volcanic eruptive periods occurred, forming the deep cracks, craters, and lava fields currently found in the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The area’s sub-surface still has high levels of volcanic and tectonic activity, so the landscape is ever changing.
While it’s tempting to spend your Hawaiian getaway in a cabana on a beach, sipping fruity, frothy cocktails, those who do only that during their visit to Maui will be cheating themselves of a beautiful, otherworldly escape. Located in the heart of the island, visitors to this National Park will remain busy for days on end.
The 215-mile New England National Scenic Trail runs from Guilford, CT, up to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire border. This cross-country trail traverses mountain ridges and winds past scenic vistas, but also gives hikers a taste of New England culture as it passes through farms and historic Colonial villages.
Snowcapped mountains, incredible backcountry skiing, and lush vegetation are some of the biggest attractions that draw tourists to the state of Colorado. Because of this, many unknowingly miss out on the golden-orange dunes that are ignited in the afternoon sun.
ut to a depth of over a mile by the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon stretches 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, making it the largest canyon in the country. Well over four million visitors visit each year, so those looking to avoid the masses may want to consider heading to the less-popular North Rim of the canyon.
All 135 miles of the Buffalo National River remains one of the few undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. As you canoe, kayak, or raft down the river, you’ll quickly find yourself meandering through the incredible cliffs and mountainous terrain of the Ozarks. Fishermen may be pleased with the smallmouth bass population in the upper reaches of the river, or the largemouth bass and catfish in the lower reaches.
Alabama may not be known for its outdoor recreation, but that doesn’t mean the National Park Service has nothing to offer here. On March 7, 1965, 600 Civil Rights activists marched along Route 80 from Selma toward Montgomery. Only six blocks later local officials attacked the activists. Martin Luther King Jr.
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