Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is an outdoor enthusiast's dream, with magnificent peaks and clean lakes. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs, lush forests weave across vast meadows, and erupting geysers shoot torrents of boiling water into the air. With so much pristine natural grandeur, it's no surprise that when John Colter (a scout for explorers Lewis and Clark) first reported Yellowstone's geothermal wonders in 1807, everyone felt he was exaggerated. Nowadays, there's no denying that the park is spectacular. Prepare to share the trails with permanent residents including buffalo, elk, and even grizzlies as you travel through its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls.

Despite the fact that Yellowstone gets over 4 million tourists each year, you're unlikely to see many of them unless you spend your whole vacation at Old Faithful. Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres stretching from Wyoming's northwest tip to the borders of Idaho and Montana, providing lots of undeveloped lands to explore. Make a day or two to visit Yellowstone Lake and Mammoth Hot Springs to soak in the scenery. Save some time for the routes through lesser-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin's hot springs and the Lewis River Channel, and Dogshead Loop's untamed fauna. While the sheer amount of paths and wildlife-watching options may appear overwhelming at first, keep in mind that you can always return.