Photo By bertdennisonphotography

Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of the state of California’s natural wonders. Created in 1890, it is the third oldest national park in America, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With it’s towering rock cliffs, abundant wildlife and wilderness activities for all ages, this park is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Olympic National Park

Photo By SanyamStudio

Washington State’s Olympic National Park along with being a World Heritage Site, is also designated an international biosphere reserve due to its unique features. Within the park resides everything from coastal beaches on the pacific ocean, temperate rainforest’s that receive more rain than anywhere else in America, all the way up to glacier capped mountains rising over 10,000 feet. With hundreds of miles of trails, an abundance of wildlife, and camping locations scattered throughout the park, you would be hard pressed to not find something to interest you here.

Yellowstone National Park

Photo By dominiq

Created in 1872, Yellowstone is the very first national park in not just America, but the entire world. The park is home to some of the most amazing geological features in the United States with its geysers, hot springs and canyons. It is also home to one of the best wildlife preserves in all of North America. With over 60 species of mammals it is the last good example of North America’s mega-fauna in their natural habitat.

Everglades National Park

Photo By ruben i

This subtropical wilderness is the largest marshland in the United States. And is without a doubt the most in danger of this countries national parks. From encroaching development and pollution, to invasive species, water diversion, and hurricanes, this park has seen it all. Yet it still remains, and is an amazing sight to see for those brave enough to mingle with everything from alligators and pythons, to panthers and a plethora of bugs.

Mount Rainier National Park

Photo By Alaskan Dude

Mount Rainier National Park contains the tallest mountain in the lower 48 states. Capped with dozens of glaciers, it rises 14,411 ft into the sky. And is especially breathtaking for the fact that its base is at an elevation of less than 1,500ft making it seem even taller. With such a large change in elevation within the park comes many different things to do and see. From hiking and camping, to photography and wildflower and wildlife watching, it is a nature lovers paradise. And also a risk takers dream come true. With more glaciers than the rest of the lower 48 states combined, and the tallest mountain, Rainier has become a one stop destination for mountaineering.

Denali National Park

Photo By Unhindered by Talent

Denali National Park is home to Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in all of North America. It is so large that it takes up over 30% of the entire park, which is close to 10,000 square miles in size. It is so remote, that it only has one road, and even then, most of it is not paved. Other than the bus tours that take you down this road, you need to be in extremely good shape to really see all this park has to offer. As almost all of the park is only accessible by hiking dozens of miles into it.

Arches National Park

Photo By Ran Z

As it’s name suggests, Arches National Park is filled with naturally formed sandstone arches. Over 2,000 of them to be precise. Located in Utah, this park is home to so many rock formations that it would take you months, if not years to see them all.

Glacier National Park

Photo by Ken Thomas

Unfortunatly this parks name will no longer suit it in the not too distant future. Glacier National Park in Montana was once home to some of the largest and most stunning Glaciers in the lower 48 states. But over the last century has seen the majority of them drastically shrink, or fully vanish into history. Even so, this park is a definite must see for those wanting to get in touch with nature. From its mountains, lakes and wildlife, any backpacker or hiker will fall in love with this place.

Grand Canyon National Park

Photo By Wolfgang Staudt

Everyone’s heard of it, millions have seen it, very few people though know just how amazing it really is. The Grand Canyon is over 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, over 6,000 feet deep, and shows over two billion years of the earths history in it. It is by far the most stunning visual presentation of geology in all of the country, and is something none should miss out on seeing at least once.

Sequoia National Park

Photo By Miguel Vieira

Sequoia National Park is home to some of tallest, and largest volume trees on the planet. The “Giant Forest” Inside the park contains five of the ten largest trees. With the prime specimen being General Sherman at 275 feet tall, and with a 102.6 foot circumference. The park is also home to hundreds of caves,  many species of wildlife, and it’s trademark trees that you can literally drive through.

By Mark Johnson

The Avenue of the Baobabs is a road in Madagascar lined with thousand year old baobab trees that are up to 100 feet tall. Their unique shape and size have made them one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire country. Sadly this area has no conservation status, and in fact is not even designated as a park, so the risk of them being destroyed remains fairly high.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls, located on a tepui in the remote jungles of Venezuala is the tallest waterfall on earth. The falls are 3,212 ft in height, and is so tall that the water atomizes into mist before it ever reaches the bottom. To see these falls in person requires is a major undertaking though, and involves planes, river boats, and lots of hiking.

Uluru

This gigantic sandstone rock in Australia is over 1,100 feet tall and has a circumference of almost 6 miles. Depending on the time of day, this rock glows with different colors, with its most stunning being at sunset, when it becomes a bright red. It also holds strong spiritual beliefs of the local indigenous people who view it as sacred ground.

Sundarbans

The Sunderbans of Bangladesh are the largest halophytic mangrove forest on the planet. Taking up thousands of square miles, this swampy forest is home to a variety of wildlife ranging from tigers and crocodiles, to birds and deer.  Four million people also call this forest home, and as such it faces risks of development and exploitation.

Jeita Grotto

The Jeita Grotto is one of, if not the most beautiful limestone caves in the world. Located in Lebanon, this cave took millions of years to form, and has within it the worlds largest stalactite. During the Lebanese civil war it was used to house munitions, though thankfully very little damage was done to this stunning underground wonder.

Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave

Eisriesenwelt, German for World Of The Ice Giants, is the largest ice cave known to man. Formed by river erosion, the cave is filled with melting snow in the summer, which then freezes in winter creating its majestic ice formations. Located inside Hochkogel mountain in Austria, it is a very popular tourist attraction due to its unique formations and easy access via cable car.

By Mark Johnson

Photo By Ivan Mlinaric Via Flickr

Amazon Rainforest
If your looking for a vacation that will immerse you with natural wonders, the worlds largest tropical rainforest is a good start. over ten percent of all known species call this jungle home, making this one of the best trips you can take to see wildlife. Over the last decade many eco resorts and adventures have started to operate in the Amazon so you can feel good about the company you are giving your money to as well.

Photo By Ardyiii Via Flickr

Costa Rica
Known for decades as the worlds best ecotourism destination, this small country has made environmentally friendly travel one of the largest sectors of their economy. They take it so seriously that they even have the worlds first carbon neutral airline. Best of all, no matter your age or physical condition, Costa Rica offers an eco vacation suited for you. From five star jungle resorts with zip lines and canopy tours. To some of the best backpacking, snorkeling, and beaches in the world, you would be hard pressed to not find something to enjoy.

Photo By footloosiety Via flickr

Yosemite National Park
There is a reason John Muir and Ansel Adam’s favored this park so much. It is one of the most stunning geographical features in all of North America. Inside this park lies a multitude of activities and sights for all ages. From mountaineering and rock climbing to backpacking or just relaxing in the valley watching wildlife, this is a true natural treasure that everyone should see at least once. With multiple lodges and camp grounds in the middle of the park, this also makes a great destination for those wanting to enjoy all of natures beauty without trekking into the middle of nowhere to get to it.

Photo By epcp Via Flickr

New Zealand
Much like Costa Rica, New Zealand has created a very large industry aimed at ecotourism. Anyone who has seen the Lord Of The Rings movies knows just how vast and wondrous this landscape is. With its snow capped mountains and multiple volcanoes, this is one of the worlds best destinations for mountaineers, backpackers, or anyone who enjoys winter sports. On top of that, the rest of the country’s lower elevations are rich with unique wildlife.  And its coastal  shores offer everything from kayaking and whale watching, to scuba diving and pleasure boating.

Photo By canardwifi Via Flickr

Seychelles
Visiting this island nation in the Indian Ocean is almost like stepping back in time to a more relaxed and slower paced lifestyle. It is world renowned for its tropical beaches, distinct rock formations, and exotic species. One of the main destinations in this country is the 10 square km island of La Digue which, has no cars, and even though it is so small, rises to close to 1,000ft in elevation at points. If you ever wanted to feel like you were on Gilligan’s Island, this would be the place to visit.

Photo By TheLizardQueen Via Flickr

African Safari
No ecotourism list would be complete without an African safari to witness some of the largest species in the world in their natural habitat. The choices of what to do and see on safari are almost endless. From jeeps and hot air balloons to historic lodges or temporary camp sights in the middle of it all.  This is an especially great destination for those with a knack for photography.

By Mark Johnson

Parícutin Volcano

Karla Yannín Alcázar Quintero

Erupting in the middle of a Mexican farmers cornfield in 1943, Parícutin Volcano grew to over 50 feet in a matter of weeks, and 1,102 feet within a year. After nine years of activity, this monogenetic volcano finally stopped at 1,391 feet and will never erupt again.

Great Blue Hole

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

This sinkhole located off the coast of Belize was formed during the last ice age when sea levels were lower. Now a popular spot for divers, the great blue hole is 984 feet across, and 410 feet deep.

Mt Ngorongoro Crater

Laurent de Walick

The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania is the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera at 2,001 feet deep and over 100 square miles in diameter. It is host to African wildlife ranging from rhinos and elephants to lions and leopards.

Mount Roraima

Christian Hummert

One of the oldest land masses on the planet, Mount Roraima  in Venezuela stands 7,671 feet tall and is surrounded by it’s 1300 foot vertical walls of sandstone. This Isolated tabletop mountain is what Sir Arthur Conan Doyle based “The Lost World” of off.

Puerta Princesa Subterranean River

Paul Chin

This underground river, located in the Philippines is one of the longest navigable subterranean rivers in the world. Filled with stalactite and stalagmite caves, one can now take kayak tours through this 8.2km river.

Dry Falls

drcorneilus

Located in Washington State, Dry Falls at one time was the largest waterfall in history. 90,000 years ago when an ice dam broke, it released glaciel lake Missoula down the river at 65 miles per hour. When it occurred Dry Falls had more water flowing through it than all of the worlds rivers combined.

By Mark Johnson