Established in 2000 for the preservation, protection, and interpretation of traditional Native Hawai'ian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai (trail by the shoreline) takes visitors on a 175-mile journey. Traversing through hundreds of ancient settlement sites and over 200 ahupua'a (traditional land divisions), trail segments are managed by community-based, descendant-led teams dedicated to protecting significant natural areas and ecosystems, as well as Hawai'ian culture.

At Bandelier National Monument, the precious opportunity to step back into time awaits. The park, which spans over 33,000 acres, is known for its rugged beauty, Petroglyphs, and one of the largest concentrations of Ancestral Pueblo archeological sites in the American Southwest. Visitors today can enjoy the park’s expansive wilderness and deep connection to the early days of a culture still present in surrounding communities.

A remote destination in the southwest of Texas along the Mexican border, Big Bend National Park is a great spot to seek solitude and relaxation. The park itself is larger than the state of Rhode Island and features 150 miles of hiking trails, unparalleled dark night sky perfect for stargazing, a stretch of the Rio Grande, paved driving trails, and more. When planning your trip to Big Bend, make sure to set aside time to get to and from this expansive park.

As the only national park unit named for a celestial body, it is fitting that there are many ways to enjoy the night sky at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve. Tour the heavens above by taking part in a Star Party, held each spring and fall. The Idaho Falls Astronomical Society hosts these popular events and provides telescopes and sky viewing expertise. Check out the park’s website for more information on scheduling a visit to view the night sky.

Home to one of the world’s longest and most complex caves, South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park also features a mixed-grass prairie and wildlife to be explored on the cave’s surface. This was the first cave designated as a national park, and visitors can enjoy a guided tour through Wind Cave year-round (but bring an extra layer of clothing with you as the cave remains chilly).

Channel Islands National Park is made up of a unique combination of five islands (San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara) and is equally rich in natural and cultural resources. You can find spectacular hikes on all five islands, unparalleled boating and diving as the park was once designated a marine sanctuary, and abundant opportunities to learn about the almost 13,000 years of human history in the park.

This national park in South Carolina is home to some of the tallest trees in the eastern United States, as well as a diverse range of plant and animal life. For thousands of years, Americans from all eras have called Congaree home, from prehistoric native peoples to revolutionary war patriots and formerly enslaved people. Today, visitors come to explore the mystical Congaree River by kayaking or canoeing or explore the more than 25 miles of hiking trails.

At Denali National Park & Preserve, you can visit North America’s highest mountain and countless other spectacular peaks and large glaciers. Originally designated as a wilderness area, the park incorporates more than 6 million acres of a sub-arctic ecosystems where large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose can be found. Today, the park accommodates a wide variety of visitor activities, including wildlife viewing, mountaineering, cycling, and even dog sledding.

At White Sands National Park, visitors can experience glistening white sand and one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. The park preserves the world’s largest gypsum dune field, along with the unique plants and animals that live there. People can choose to experience the stark beauty of the dunes in a variety of ways, from hiking to ranger-led education programs or even dune sledding in designated areas.

Forests, inland lakes, sand dunes, waterfalls, beaches, and cliffs can all be found at this park, which encompasses over 40 miles of wild Lake Superior shoreline. Situated on the largest, deepest, coldest, and most pristine of the Great Lakes, the park offers unique landscapes to explore and outdoor opportunities in every season, including hiking, camping, and sightseeing.