Travel across the continental United States and beyond to get an up-close look at the nation's most breathtaking mountains, valleys, waterfalls, animal habitats, and explosive natural phenomenon. From the icy Alaskan glaciers and the greatest geysers on Earth, to the fiery Hawaiian peaks and one of the most massive waterfalls in existence, these are awe-inspiring postcards come to life, begging to be visited and preserved for future generations.
Glacier Bay AlaskaWhere: Located along the southeast coast of Alaska, north of Cross Sound and Icy Strait
For those who have only dreamed of watching geological history being created before their very eyes, a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve will make even the wildest of imaginings come true. A mere 200 years ago, this area was capped by a 4,000-foot-thick glacier, which has since retreated at an unsurpassed speed, leaving in its wake a 65-mile-long wilderness of newborn fjords and shores surrounding what has become Glacier Bay.
For those who have only dreamed of watching geological history being created before their very eyes, a visit to Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve will make even the wildest of imaginings come true. A mere 200 years ago, this area was capped by a 4,000-foot-thick glacier, which has since retreated at an unsurpassed speed, leaving in its wake a 65-mile-long wilderness of newborn fjords and shores surrounding what has become Glacier Bay.
Grand CanyonWhere: Located in the northwestern region of Arizona
It may be one of the world's most impressive and perfect examples of erosion. The canyon is by definition a void of land, yet it has become a tangible "thing," filling people with hope and wonder, and the itch to explore. The landscape is rugged and raw; jagged walls of canyons are striped with rainbows of ever-changing mineral colors. Juniper trees and ponderosa pines cling to the sides of the canyon, and it isn't unusual to see a banana yucca sprouting defiantly along its rim. Even the native animals seem rugged - mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, and the occasional scorpion or rattlesnake lurk in the canyon's niches.
It may be one of the world's most impressive and perfect examples of erosion. The canyon is by definition a void of land, yet it has become a tangible "thing," filling people with hope and wonder, and the itch to explore. The landscape is rugged and raw; jagged walls of canyons are striped with rainbows of ever-changing mineral colors. Juniper trees and ponderosa pines cling to the sides of the canyon, and it isn't unusual to see a banana yucca sprouting defiantly along its rim. Even the native animals seem rugged - mule deer, bobcats, coyotes, and the occasional scorpion or rattlesnake lurk in the canyon's niches.
Grand TetonWhere: Western Wyoming, south of Yellowstone
Grand Teton seems to represent the original American Dream; it is a paragon of the natural wonders possessed by our nation, of pioneers' exploration of the West and the glories of the land. Originally encompassing only the Grand Teton Range and six glacial lakes, this area was eventually enlarged to include the Jackson Hole Valley. The explorer John Colter discovered the region on his 1807 exploration of Yellowstone country and the area is known for its legendary residents, like the infamous Ed "I Robbed 15 Stagecoaches in an Hour" Trafton. Today, the prospectors and Conestoga Wagons are long gone, but Grand Teton and Jackson Hole are still hot commodities. Many visitors are merely en route to Yellowstone, but one look at mighty Owen or Teewinot peaks, or glimpsing the vast park terrain from Signal Mountain, even a drive along Grand Teton Road and one thing becomes overwhelmingly clear: In the tradition of the great pioneers - explore, explore, explore!
Grand Teton seems to represent the original American Dream; it is a paragon of the natural wonders possessed by our nation, of pioneers' exploration of the West and the glories of the land. Originally encompassing only the Grand Teton Range and six glacial lakes, this area was eventually enlarged to include the Jackson Hole Valley. The explorer John Colter discovered the region on his 1807 exploration of Yellowstone country and the area is known for its legendary residents, like the infamous Ed "I Robbed 15 Stagecoaches in an Hour" Trafton. Today, the prospectors and Conestoga Wagons are long gone, but Grand Teton and Jackson Hole are still hot commodities. Many visitors are merely en route to Yellowstone, but one look at mighty Owen or Teewinot peaks, or glimpsing the vast park terrain from Signal Mountain, even a drive along Grand Teton Road and one thing becomes overwhelmingly clear: In the tradition of the great pioneers - explore, explore, explore!
Hawaii VolcanoesWhere: Big Island of Hawaii
Part national park, part tropical oasis and part geological masterpiece: any way you look at it, Hawaii Volcanoes is a literal hotbed of activity. Standing in view of the fountains of flame pouring from the mouth of Mauna Loa, it is quite easy to realize that visitors are watching live-action footage of geological history in the making. With each hardened layer of lava, the Hawaiian landscape is slightly changed in a process that began so many millions of years ago and will continue millions of years from now, and visitors to this Hawaiian treasure are privy to the action.
Part national park, part tropical oasis and part geological masterpiece: any way you look at it, Hawaii Volcanoes is a literal hotbed of activity. Standing in view of the fountains of flame pouring from the mouth of Mauna Loa, it is quite easy to realize that visitors are watching live-action footage of geological history in the making. With each hardened layer of lava, the Hawaiian landscape is slightly changed in a process that began so many millions of years ago and will continue millions of years from now, and visitors to this Hawaiian treasure are privy to the action.
Niagara FallsWhere: Niagara Falls, NY or Niagara Falls, Onterio, Canada
One of the most beloved and well-known natural phenomenons, Niagara Falls see thousands of visitors each year who take in her breathtaking and awe-inspiring beauty. About 12,000 years ago, the Falls were formed when melting glaciers formed fresh-water lakes, known today as the Great Lakes. As the lakes ran into each other, the rushing waters carved out a river and at one point passed over a cliff. Today, the Falls flow approximately 35 miles per hour. Annie Taylor, a school teacher from Bay City Michigan was the first person to travel over the Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901. Since then many other stunt enthusiasts have tried to cross the gorge via high-wire or barrel -- some succeeded, others did not. Today, Niagara Falls is a bustling tourist attraction where visitors can get an up-close and personal view of the Falls by riding the Maid of the Mist, visiting the new Butterfly Conservatory and taking multiple tours to learn about the history and maintenance of the Falls.
One of the most beloved and well-known natural phenomenons, Niagara Falls see thousands of visitors each year who take in her breathtaking and awe-inspiring beauty. About 12,000 years ago, the Falls were formed when melting glaciers formed fresh-water lakes, known today as the Great Lakes. As the lakes ran into each other, the rushing waters carved out a river and at one point passed over a cliff. Today, the Falls flow approximately 35 miles per hour. Annie Taylor, a school teacher from Bay City Michigan was the first person to travel over the Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901. Since then many other stunt enthusiasts have tried to cross the gorge via high-wire or barrel -- some succeeded, others did not. Today, Niagara Falls is a bustling tourist attraction where visitors can get an up-close and personal view of the Falls by riding the Maid of the Mist, visiting the new Butterfly Conservatory and taking multiple tours to learn about the history and maintenance of the Falls.
YellowstoneWhere: Located in the northwest corner of Wyoming, crossing into Idaho and Montana
Yellowstone is quite possibly the grandest example of a national park. Perhaps it is the sheer magnitude of the park, or the brilliant management of the National Park Service, but indeed, Yellowstone is a testament of nature, of a purely natural environment. Geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and steam vents are as much a part of the landscape as are the animals and foliage. Plants thrive in the park, which hosts some 1,200 native species and more than 300 species of birds, including the revered bald eagle, and 59 species of mammals, such as bison, elk and grizzly bears, have made Yellowstone their home.
Yellowstone is quite possibly the grandest example of a national park. Perhaps it is the sheer magnitude of the park, or the brilliant management of the National Park Service, but indeed, Yellowstone is a testament of nature, of a purely natural environment. Geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and steam vents are as much a part of the landscape as are the animals and foliage. Plants thrive in the park, which hosts some 1,200 native species and more than 300 species of birds, including the revered bald eagle, and 59 species of mammals, such as bison, elk and grizzly bears, have made Yellowstone their home.
YosemiteWhere: Located in the Sierra Nevada of central California
The enormity of Yosemite is overwhelming as you crane your neck to take in mile-high waterfalls, slabs of granite and towering sequoias. The park's magnitude, however, makes it all too easy to lose sight of the minutiae of nature that adorn the landscape. In a region where nearly every turn presents a new and mammoth natural wonder, step back and absorb the often-overlooked grandeur of the park's 37 types of trees, 1,400 species of flowers and 350-plus types of animals. Yosemite Valley is also home to most of the park's largest attractions, including El Capitan, Upper Yosemite Waterfall, the sequoias, Glacier Point and Bridalveil Falls - not to mention most of the park's annual 4.1 million visitors.
The enormity of Yosemite is overwhelming as you crane your neck to take in mile-high waterfalls, slabs of granite and towering sequoias. The park's magnitude, however, makes it all too easy to lose sight of the minutiae of nature that adorn the landscape. In a region where nearly every turn presents a new and mammoth natural wonder, step back and absorb the often-overlooked grandeur of the park's 37 types of trees, 1,400 species of flowers and 350-plus types of animals. Yosemite Valley is also home to most of the park's largest attractions, including El Capitan, Upper Yosemite Waterfall, the sequoias, Glacier Point and Bridalveil Falls - not to mention most of the park's annual 4.1 million visitors.
credited to link and flickr users: anitagould, adellman, jpn, livingwilderness, jenny_cohn, mattchamplin, gmills31
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