1

Florence Trail, Vermont

Image: Rod Long

Intermediate mountain bikers will love this berm-and-jump-filled descent, which can be incorporated into a 5-mile ride at Cady Hill . The Florence Trail is known as the best flow trail in Stowe, and one of the finest trails in the state of Vermont.

Advanced riders seeking to add some swoop and flow to their biking adventures will also find this trail enjoyable.

2

Devil's Den, Arkansas

Image: Oliver Graham

A mountain bike trail with history attached to it, Devil's Den State Park is a hallmark in the Arkansas mountain biking scene. At the very trailhead, a sign proudly declares that the lower area of the park, known as Fossil Flats, was the "Birthplace of Arkansas Mountain Biking" in 1989.

Recently designated as a "Monument Trail," the park underwent renovations to update sections of the historic trail while expanding the network with brand-new segments. Featuring impressive rock formations, jumps, and drops, Devil's Den truly is a biker’s paradise.

3

Citrus Tech Trail, Michigan

Image: Aishwarya MV

Despite being the most remote mountain bike destination in the Lower 48, Copper Harbor is home to some of the highest-quality trails in the nation. The newest additions to the network, located on Rock Solid's privately owned East Bluff mountain, include some of the best trails that have been built in the nation . Among them, the Citrus Tech trail stands out, earning praise from every mountain biker who has ridden it.

4

South Boundary Trail, New Mexico

Image: Richard Hedrick

An epic trail that winds through stunning mountain meadows and aspen groves before descending into the desert town of Taos , the South Boundary Trail features 4,500 vertical feet of downhill riding. However, it’s worth noting that bikers will face 2,000 feet of climbing along the way—but the breathtaking ride more than makes up for the effort.

5

Doctor Park, Colorado

Image: Holly Mandarich

One of the most thrilling descents in the country, the Doctor Park singletrack takes riders on an unforgettable journey. Starting at a high elevation, the trail winds through an alpine meadow , descends into an aspen grove, and continues down into pine forests before reaching a dry, lower-elevation climate zone .

Bikers from across the country and around the world can either shuttle to the top or pedal their way up to experience this incredible ride.

6

The Presidio, California

Image: Tim Trad

California is brimming with bike trails, making it difficult to recommend just one. However, this former military base turned national park stands out with its 25 miles of paved or hard-packed trails. Offering sightlines to the bay, coastal cliffs, beaches, forests, Alcatraz, the city skyline, and, of course**,** the iconic Golden Gate Bridge , it’s an unforgettable biking destination.

7

DuPont State Forest Slickrock, North Carolina

Image: Leslie Cross

The DuPont State Forest is a rarity on the East Coast due to its exposed bedrock trail. The biking experience in the North Carolina mountains offers epic descents, small mountains, and trails that flow nicely on soft rocky terrain , giving visitors a great experience, with the Slickrock (Cedar Rock, Big Rock, and Burnt Mountain) trail being one of its highlights.

8

Alpine Trail, Oregon

Image: everett mcintire

There are many trails named "Alpine Trail" but this one, at least, honors its name. Beginning high in the mountains, it goes downhill on soft and beautiful black dirt . A few open meadows and exposed outcroppings provide brief panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains, before dropping back into the timber for more high-speed ripping.

9

Tahoe Rim and Flume Trails, Nevada

Image: Abhi Verma

The Flume Trail wasn’t originally designed for bicycles—it began as the grade for a water flume that delivered lumber from high in the mountains above Lake Tahoe to the towns below. Today, remnants of the flume are still visible, but the old flume bed has been repurposed for use by mountain bikers and hikers.

10

Osberg Ridgeline Epic, Idaho

Image: Karsten Winegeart

The Osberg Ridgeline Epic isn’t for everyone. While it requires a shuttle to reach the trail’s starting point, bikers are still faced with over 3,000 feet of uphill pedaling. However, on the other hand, that 3,000 feet of climbing rewards riders with 5,500 feet of thrilling descent, along with a 15-mile ridge traverse with amazing views .

1

Choose your destination

Image: Annie Spratt

Unless they have a specific destination in mind, narrowing down the large list of national parks should be the first item on the list of any aspiring visitor. Fortunately, the National Park Service has a helpful section on its website called 'Find A Park,' which allows users to select a park from the list or search for parks by state, activity, or topic.

Once you've decided where you're headed, check for maps, calendars, directions, hiking trails, and operating hours. Additionally, when choosing your perfect destination, consider exploring some under-the-radar parks, which might offer more solitude and less crowded experiences.

2

Check the weather

Image: Inge Maria

Almost nobody wants to be caught off guard by rain when spending time outdoors. Therefore, always check the weather conditions in advance so you can prepare accordingly or reschedule if necessary.

Even if the weather seems favorable in the morning, a thunderstorm could roll in during the afternoon, so it’s best to be prepared.

3

Pack smart

Image: Alice Donovan Rouse

Life in nature is not the same as life in the city. As basic as that statement might seem to most, watching people attempt to hike through rocky trails in impractical footwear reminds us that perhaps it isn’t so obvious.

Therefore, when exploring nature, make sure to bring durable, comfortable gear . Essentials include hiking boots, sunscreen, waterproof jackets, and layered clothing. Even if you don't plan to be out for long, always bring essential supplies like a first aid kit, water, and snacks whenever you visit a national park.

4

Link parks together

Image: John Matychuk

Many parks in the U.S. are within a short driving distance of each other , so it is always a good idea to visit several national parks in the same area. This way, you’ll experience a bunch of different landscapes in one single trip.

5

Historic accommodations

Image: Igor Chitz

Many national parks have historic lodges within their grounds . Featuring natural materials and stunning designs, these accommodations offer a unique experience worth staying in for a night or two. Keep in mind that booking a room can be challenging, and availability may be limited.

6

Free nature

Image: Kalen Emsley

In a world where almost everything comes with a price, it’s refreshing to know that most national parks are free . And the ones that do, charge a modest fee, ranging from $5 to $35, which typically covers up to seven days for an entire carload of people.

7

Pets

Image: Jamie Street

Our furry friends aren’t always welcome in national parks. If you're traveling with pets, be sure to check the park’s policies. Many parks allow pets on leashes in certain areas , such as campgrounds, and some even offer kennels. However, it’s important to research this in advance.

8

Try to avoid peak seasons

Image: Sebastian Enrique

The summer months are typically the busiest time of year at national parks . Visiting popular parks during the off-season means fewer crowds and lower rates. October is considered an ideal time to visit most national parks, as it’s quieter and the weather is pleasant.

Even if you visit a national park during the high season, you can still avoid crowds by arriving early in the morning before most tourists or visiting in the middle of the week to avoid the weekend rush.

9

Tours and campground reservations

Image: Yuriy Rzhemovskiy

In the same vein as the peak season commentary, making tour and campground reservations is always a good idea. Accommodations tend to fill up early, but online reservations are easy to make . Booking in advance will ensure you get the accommodations and experiences you want.

10

Check out the visitor center

Image: Blake Wisz

While many people tend to pass by the visitor center kiosk without giving it a second glance, doing so at a national park can be a very useful stop. You can pick up maps, guides, and up-to-the-minute information on everything from road conditions to hiking trails, as well as learn about special programs offered at the park.

11

Ask the locals

Image: Taylor Flowe

Nobody knows more about the parks than the park rangers who work there every day. They are highly knowledgeable about everything there is to know about their park and are always ready to assist visitors in any way they can.

12

Keep your distance from animals

Image: Elizabeth Meyers

This should be a no-brainer, but it's worth repeating: be respectful of wild animals and keep your distance. The animals you may encounter in some national parks are not captive in a zoo. These animals are in their natural habitat and behave accordingly .

13

Respect nature

Image: harun asrori

Another simple tip: national parks are protected areas where the preservation of nature and entire ecosystems is critical. Therefore, it's essential to follow all park rules during your visit , including staying on designated trails, respecting wildlife, not littering, and being considerate of fellow travelers. This way, national parks will continue to thrive for generations to come.

14

Be mindful of campfires

Image: roya ann miller

Continuing with the obvious tips, we can't leave this one out: unattended campfires pose a serious threat. Help prevent forest fires by never lighting campfires in prohibited areas and always ensuring that authorized fires are properly extinguished.

15

Embrace the digital disconnect

Image: Philip Smart

National parks are places where visitors go to connect with nature, not with their cell phones. Besides, cell service in these areas is often limited. The last tip on this list is always an obvious one, at least for us: put your phone aside and experience the world with your own eyes , which have a much better quality than the best phone ever built.

1

Blue jay

Image: Mark Olsen

The blue jay is a beautiful bird with –as its name suggests– striking blue plumage. It also has white feather details and a sort of black "collar" on its neck. But it is not just a pretty face; it also has wonderful abilities.

Blue jays are excellent mimics . They can imitate the calls of other birds, especially hawks, in order to frighten and scare away predators. Nature is wise!

In addition, these birds that live in family groups have a great memory . Blue jays have been seen storing nuts far from where they originally found them and then returning to those locations later without much effort.

2

Bald eagle

Image: Mathew Schwartz

As one of America's most iconic symbols, the bald eagle makes an imposing impression just with its presence. It is one of the largest birds in the world, with a wingspan ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet and weighing between 3 and 6.5 pounds.

One of its most outstanding traits is its vision , considered by many experts to be 4 to 5 times sharper than human eyesight. This bird has such precise vision that it can spot its prey from several miles away while flying!

In addition to that, its hunting skills are exceptional. Bald eagles rarely fail to catch a snack, thanks to their large and powerful talons. Their prey can be quite large, as their grip strength can reach 400 pounds per square inch.

3

Pronghorn antelope

Image: David Thielen

Despite its common name, the pronghorn is not an antelope. In fact, it belongs to another family called Antilocapridae , exclusive to North America. Yes, they only exist here!

Pronghorns have several characteristics that make them unique, including their iconic horns . First off, pronghorns shed their horns every year (because who doesn't want to renew their outfit?). And, unlike many other species, it's not just the males that have horns; the females do too.

But here's its best feature: the pronghorn is nothing less than the fastest land animal in America, capable of reaching speeds of over 50 mph. And that's not all; this animal can sustain its speed for very long distances. A true runner!

4

American alligator

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

The American alligator can measure between 13 and 15 feet long and weigh more than 900 pounds, making it one of the largest reptiles in the USA.

But its size is not the only thing that impresses. The American alligator, which inhabits the southeastern United States, has one of the fiercest and most powerful bites in the entire animal kingdom, reaching 2,980 pounds of pressure per square inch. Just picture that destructive power!

Biting so hard must have negative consequences for the teeth, right? True. But this is not a problem for the American alligator, as this reptile has the ability to regenerate its lost teeth more than 50 times in its lifetime!

5

Barn owl

Image: Bob Brewer

The barn owl is one of the several owl species found in America. Its most characteristic feature is its heart-shaped face. This distinctive quality is not only cute, but it also serves a purpose: it directs sound into the bird's ear cavities. The barn owl has exceptional hearing , allowing it to detect the smallest prey in the dark.

On the other hand, one of the most striking features of owls is their ability to rotate their heads about 180 degrees and, in some cases, even more. If you found The Exorcist disturbing, you don't want to watch videos of owls rotating their heads!

6

Wood frog

Image: Richie Bettencourt

The wood frog is a small amphibian native to the northeastern states, famous for the dark markings around its eyes. These markings are like a mask that extends, much like when someone's makeup smudges.

But this frog's appearance is not the only thing that distinguishes it. It also has an incredible skill: the ability to withstand freezing temperatures. And that's not all; during the winter, their bodies can actually freeze solid and then thaw out in the spring without sustaining serious damage. Amazing!

Although it is not Captain America, this ability allows the wood frog to adapt very well to temperatures as low as -10°F for several weeks.

7

Flying squirrel

Image: Saori Oya

Have you ever dreamed of flying through the sky like a superhero? Who wouldn't want that? There is a squirrel that has this advantage, which is why it is commonly called the flying squirrel.

Despite its funny name, the flying squirrel doesn't actually fly but glides through the trees. Even so, watching this small mammal deploy a membrane between its limbs to glide with great precision from the heights is impressive. In addition, they can perfectly regulate speed and direction during their ride through the air.

Have you ever seen one of these creatures?

8

Gila monster

Image: David Clode

There is only one venomous lizard in the U.S., and that title goes to the great Gila monster.

This lizard, naturally found in the southwestern regions of our country, has unique abilities that set it apart from other animals. The "monster" in its name is no coincidence: this lizard has a fearsome bite , capable of injecting painful venom. The Gila monster's venom is delivered through grooves in its teeth, something extremely rare for a lizard.

And there's more. This animal can go several months without eating! This is due to its slow metabolism , which allows it to survive even when food is scarce.

9

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake

Image: Leah Storme

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is one of the largest rattlesnakes that inhabit our country, reaching 6 feet in length and weighing around 10 pounds. Its characteristic diamond-shaped pattern on its back is what gives it its iconic name.

Besides having one of the most potent venoms among rattlesnakes, this snake has another important advantage. The diamondback rattlesnake has thermo-detecting pits. But what is that? They are tiny orifices located between its eyes and nose, which allow it to detect the temperature of its warm-blooded prey even in the deepest darkness.

10

American beaver

Image: Tim Umphreys

Beavers are amazing animals. These rodents that inhabit freshwater environments are like the architects of the animal world. They have impressive building skills, with dams being their primary type of construction.

The dams that beavers build with sticks, logs, stones, mud, and other materials from nature are designed to protect their community and lodges. Beavers' lodges are perfectly engineered, featuring underwater entrances that keep them isolated and safe, just like a natural bunker!

They are also excellent swimmers . They have an affinity for water and use it in very creative ways. For example, they slap their flat tails against the water's surface to alert their families when danger is near.