TIP OF FLORIDA: EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

The alligators, crocodiles and flamingoes are the star performers at Everglades National Park, which spans the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay. You’ll also be able to spy stately storks and great blue herons wading about in the only subtropical preserve in North America.

Water, sky and earth meet, meld and subside in the ever-changing ecosystem of the Everglades. Alternating dry and wet seasons, with fragile, natural rhythms, are defined by harsh extremes, such as floods and drought.

Everglades National Park, a haven for several endangered species such as the West Indian manatee, has been designated an International Biosphere Reserve. With more than 25 species of orchid growing in the park, the floral abundance and variety of the Everglades astounds and endears.

The park is open year-round. For more information, visit nps.gov/ever.

EXTREME PARK: DEATH VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

Be prepared for anything when you venture to Death Valley National Park, located 150 miles from Baker, California, along the Nevada border. Travelers can experience craters, black sand, salt flats and mountains. Be prepared for heat. Death Valley’s surface averages one of the hottest temperatures on Earth.

Sightseeing throughout Death Valley is a main attraction. From Dante’s View, you can gaze at Mt. Whitney, which is 87 miles away. You can look up at Telescopic Hill at 11,000 feet and look down at Badwater at -282 feet.

Death Valley National Park is also 167 miles from Las Vegas. For more information, visit nps.gov/deva.

HONOR OLD FAITHFUL: YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Watch out! Be careful not to park too near a bubbling hole in the ground when you arrive at Yellowstone National Park, or you may be part of the next geyser show. Old Faithful is proof that the Earth is still evolving—its geysers are what’s left of the world’s oldest volcano, which erupted over half a million years ago, leaving lava all over the western U.S. and part of Mexico.

After you’ve witnessed a few spectacles of spew and spray, venture into the backcountry on horseback, bicycle or on foot. Anglers will appreciate the chance to share trout with native populations like the Bald Eagle, and birdwatchers will welcome the fearsome, memorable sight.

Summer and winter alike offer plenty of activity. During the summer, experience backcountry camping in Yellowstone. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or a snowcoach-led tour open up sparkling vistas, and for a wintry drive that showcases America’s craggiest peaks.

Yellowstone is accessible from Bozeman and Billings, Montana; Jackson and Cody, Wyoming; and Idaho Falls, ID. For more information, visit nps.gov/yell.

DANIEL BOONE HIKED IT: APPALACHIAN NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL

From Maine to Georgia, spanning 14 states, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail offers 2,174-miles of America that can be conquered in a season or broken into day or weekend hikes. Hundreds of entry points exist along the trail, and you and your family can camp in state and national parks, from White Mountain National Forest in the north to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in the south, all along the way. Amaze yourself with the twists and turns of this historic and geographic wonder.

Daniel Boone wasn’t the only visionary who explored Appalachia: the man credited with establishing the trail, Benton McKaye, led a corps of volunteers. Join a rich tradition of exploration as you discover America’s valleys and mountaintops. Just think—Boone didn’t have footwear like Nike or the camping gear you have, so you have the 21st-century edge to kick-start your trek.

For more information, visit nps.gov/appa.