Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is an outdoor enthusiast's dream, with its dramatic peaks and pristine lakes. Multicolored pools swirl around hot springs, verdant forests weave through vast meadows, and erupting geysers shoot streams of steaming water into the sky. There is no doubt that the park is now extraordinary. Be prepared to share the trails with permanent residents such as buffalo, elk, and even grizzlies as you traverse its 3,000-plus square miles of mountains, canyons, geysers, and waterfalls.

Although Yellowstone receives over 4 million visitors each year, chances are you won't see many of them unless you spend your entire trip at Old Faithful. Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres stretching from Wyoming's northwest corner to the borders of Idaho and Montana, providing plenty of unexplored territories to explore. Take a day or two to enjoy the scenery at Yellowstone Lake and Mammoth Hot Springs. But save some time for the trails through lesser-known areas, such as the West Thumb Geyser Basin's hot springs and the untamed wildlife on the Lewis River Channel and Dogshead Loop. While the sheer number of trails and wildlife-watching opportunities may appear overwhelming at first, keep in mind that you can always return.