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NATIONAL PARKS THAT FEEL LIKE YOU'VE LEFT THE USA When people imagine America, they often picture bustling cities, sprawling suburbs, and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. But beyond these quintessential urban marvels and historic monuments, the U.S. offers beautiful national parks that showcase stunning geographic diversity, resembling far-off lands. From marine parks to mountain vistas, these natural wonders offer a world of experiences without the need for a passport.
 GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK | COLORADO America's Sahara Desert Located in southern Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park is a striking landscape reminiscent of Africa’s Sahara Desert. It features North America’s tallest sand dunes, some reaching 750 feet high, set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The park’s vast sea of golden sand, shaped by wind and water, offers a surreal desert experience. Visitors can enjoy sandboarding, sledding, and hiking, with panoramic views and the seasonal Medano Creek providing a refreshing contrast to the arid environment. BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK | SOUTH DAKOTA A Taste of Mongolia Badlands National Park in South Dakota evokes the rugged terrain of Mongolia's badlands with its sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires. The park’s intricate sedimentary rock formations, shaped by millions of years of erosion, mirror Mongolia’s dramatic landscapes. Badlands National Park offers a more approachable experience than those of Mongolia, with accessible trails winding through its labyrinthine canyons and rock formations, offering breathtaking views at every turn. It’s also a haven for fossil enthusiasts, with one of the world's richest Oligocene fossil beds.  REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK | CALIFORNIA Visit New Zealand in California Northern California’s Redwood National Park brings the majestic redwoods of New Zealand closer to home. The park is renowned for its towering coastal redwoods, some over 350 feet tall, creating a serene, cathedral-like atmosphere in the forest’s verdant understory. You can hike through the towering groves and gaze up to see the immense, ancient trees stretching high above. The interplay of light through the towering canopy and the tranquil ambiance evoke the same sense of wonder that travelers often are struck by in New Zealand's forests. The park’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean adds to its allure, with rugged cliffs and pristine beaches providing a dramatic contrast to the towering trees. From its soaring trees to its diverse coastal ecosystems, this park is a testament to the remarkable natural beauty of the U.S. landscape. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK | MAINE Echoes of the Scottish Highlands Acadia National Park in Maine mirrors the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands' timeless beauty. This unique park features a dramatic interplay of mountains, forested valleys, and coastal cliffs that evoke the charm of Scotland's world-famed highlands. The highest point on the U.S. East Coast, Cadillac Mountain, offers panoramic views reminiscent of Scotland’s rolling hills, while coastal sections of the park, with their craggy shores and rocky coves, offer a dramatic backdrop that echoes Scotland's wild seascapes. Acadia offers well-maintained trails and accessible viewpoints, making it an unforgettable experience without the remote challenges of the Highlands. CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK | UTAH A Martian Landscape on Earth Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah offers a landscape that feels otherworldly, with its deep canyons, towering mesas, and intricate rock formations resembling the desolate, reddish terrain of the red planet Mars. The park’s Island in the Sky district features sheer cliffs that drop into a labyrinth of canyons, while the Needles district showcases spire-like rock formations in vibrant colors. Canyonlands offers an accessible “Martian” adventure with a range of hiking opportunities, from short walks to overnight stays, allowing visitors to explore its expansive terrain without needing to train as an astronaut.
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