Denali is probably Alaska’s most well-known national park, but this remote state is actually home to several gorgeous parks. One of these is Katmai National Park. This park is a good deal more remote than Denali, with fewer amenities and services, but it is home to some uniquely amazing natural beauty. Some popular activities in the park include bear watching (a large number of brown bears call Katmai home) as well as boating and backcountry camping and hiking. If you’re just looking for a shorter hike, however, there are six miles of maintained trails in the park. Because of the park’s remote location, you’ll want to plan ahead for both lodging and transportation.
Big Bend National Park is located in Texas. While the park is in a more remote area of the state, it’s still a great option for both casual enjoyers of the outdoors as well as more experienced outdoorsmen. The area’s round mild weather in the winter makes the colder months one of the most popular times to visit. If you’re not bothered by hotter temperatures (or planning to visit for water-related activities) a summer trip can be a bit less crowded. Some of the many things to do in the park include exploring over 150 miles of hiking trails or floating the Rio Grande River.
North Cascades National Park is probably one of the least well-known National Parks in Washington State, at least in comparison to big-name parks such as Olympic National Park. Home to some jaw-dropping scenic views, miles of hiking trails, and an abundance of wildlife, this park is truly a hidden gem. While North Cascades is an amazing place for hiking and camping, it’s also pretty remote, and the popularity of backcountry trips over casual day hikes means that many of the things to do in this park can be more intense than in some other destinations. Wilderness safety precautions should always be taken, including staying on trails or established routes, and not heading out alone.
Located in Michigan, Isle Royale National Park consists of a collection of remote islands on Lake Superior. Accessible by ferry or seaplane, this is a great option for those looking to truly get away from civilization for a bit. Unlike some of the other options on this list, Isle Royale is only open seasonally – it'll be reopening for its 2022 on April 15th. Some popular activities at Isle Royale include boating, hiking, and scuba diving.
Voyageurs National Park is a great destination for all sorts of visitors. Those who love water activities will have an especially great time – some of the best features in the park are the lakes. Boating, kayaking, and fishing are all popular activities. Another notable reason to visit this park is the Northern Lights. This is one of the few parks in the United States (Alaskan parks not included) where the Aurora Borealis is frequently visible. Winter is one of the best times to visit to see the Northern Lights, as longer nights result in a greater period of time to potentially see them.
Dry Tortugas National Park is located off the coast of Florida. This is another National Park that is both unique and a little more difficult to get to. Like Isle Royale, Dry Tortugas requires a boat or seaplane trip to reach. Luckily, there are plenty of groups in the area that do offer such transportation. Dry Tortugas is probably most notable for Fort Jefferson – a massive historic waterfront building – as well as being an excellent spot for activities such as snorkeling.
It’s only right to start off the list with the mother of all forests, aka the ‘Lungs of the Earth.’ The Amazon covers about 40% of South America and is home to some of the most diverse wildlife in the world. This immense rainforest, the world’s largest, has unfortunately been partially destroyed by forest fires and is constantly being impacted by climate change. So, visit while you can! Do keep in mind that although South America is known as a budget destination, visiting the Amazon isn’t necessarily cheap. There’s also some things to keep in mind before setting out on this bucket list adventure:
The Amazon isn’t really a place you can take on alone… going with a tour is the best solution
The tours can be many weeks, so the best way to have a great experience is to round up like-minded TravelMates that you can share the tours with!
Make sure you’ve checked what vaccinations you need to have (yellow fever at least)
Bring lots of loose fitting clothing (it’s hot and humid and you’ll protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes)
Costa Rica sits at the top of the list when its come to natural beauty and biodiversity. Verdant rainforests where ravishing species, like jaguar and quetzal birds, roam around coat the country’s fertile land. Therefore, Costa Rica offers an array of ecotourism destinations, including Monteverde Cloud Forest.
Get ready to be swept away by the mystical atmosphere and beauty of the rainforest. Like its name suggest, layers of cloud often veil the forests. The mountainous tropical conditions is the cause behind this phenomenon. Then, when visiting, you can walk along the extensive bridge which cuts through the forest. Hear the tropical birds chirping and primates chattering, also spot bromeliads growing on the tall trees. It is one of the most beautiful forests in the world to visit.
The province of British Columbia is known for its many magnificent forests with humungous trees. For a forest lover, this area of Canada is the ultimate therapy. The Great Bear Rainforest is special firstly because it’s literally the size of Ireland. Sometimes called the ‘Amazon of the North’, the forest is full of wildlife, cascading waterfalls and ancient cedar trees. In this wilderness, though, roads only get you so far. Sailing along the BC coast is one of the coolest ways to experience the area, and if it’s in your budget, its also possible to experience the rainforest by flying above it. If you’re lucky, you might even spot the white Kermode bear!
Found in the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany, this beautiful forest is also the home to Germany’s highest waterfall. You’ll find the Triberger Wasserfälle in the town of Triberg located inside the Black Forest area. The canopy of evergreens will have you thinking you’re walking in a fairytale, and the hike opportunities here are many. If you’re the road tripper sort, one of the best ways to experience the Black Forest is by driving on the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, the Black Forest Highway, which literally takes you through the beautiful scenery of this nature reserve. In the autumn, the entire area is covered in a layer of gold.
