Montana

In spring, and in some parks early-summer, colorful wildflowers put up quite a spectacle in certain national parks, carpeting desert flats, covering mountain slopes and adding color to old-growth forests.

One of the best things about American national parks is their variety. From different landscapes to iconic wildlife to usually a historical aspect as well, there’s plenty to discover in these epitomes of nature conservation, especially if you have a car at your disposal.

Wolves have always been a source of both fascination and fear among people. Once revered and respected… then hated and hunted… now both, wolves are a symbol of wildness arguably unlike any other animal in the world. In America, you can see gray wolves in the wild in these amazing national parks.

The five national parks that offer the best brown or grizzly bear viewing opportunities are either in the northern Rocky Mountains or southern Alaska, places featuring rugged mountain ranges, wide river valleys and expansive meadows, pristine woodlands and lakes.

Have you always wanted to ascend an epic mountain pass? Or encircle a volcano rim? Maybe ride through a desert or along a historic trail? Perhaps even share the road with iconic wildlife? Luckily, you can find all that asphaltic amusement in the following best national parks for road cycling.

America’s national mammal, bison were once abundant, then almost extinct, and now protected in various parks and preserves. This includes several national parks, most notably Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Theodore Roosevelt, Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks.

Although there are some truly incredible waterfalls in many places in America, it’s once again the national parks that steal the show. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Sierra Nevada, from the Pacific Northwest to the Grand Canyon, you’ll find epic waterfalls in national parks all over the country.

December’s well on its way and winter’s right around the corner. As temperatures drop across America and the days grow ever shorter, nature’s most challenging season draws out winter sports enthusiasts, who relish the opportunity to once again hit the slopes, trails and lakes.

From the calm waters of the Missouri River to the lush Pacific Northwest forests of the Cascade and Siskiyou ranges, national monuments in the West feature a wide variety of ecosystems, wildlife and landscapes. If you’re looking for new adventures in 2018, consider adding these beautiful public protected lands to your list.