No.10 - Port Angeles, Washington
Natural highlights: Olympic National Park, mountains, rain forest
Key to Olympic National Park’s intrigue are its three distinct regions: 1) A temperate rain forest; 2) The coastline along the Pacific Ocean; and 3) the Olympic Mountains. It is one of few locations on the continent where travelers can experience all three regions in one geographic area. Visitors can expect to see not only mountainous terrain, but also picturesque scenery along the coast, some of the biggest and tallest trees in North America, and beautiful rain forest terrain. A former key location for American logging, you’ll be blown away by the size of the region’s trees.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Tacoma-Mall
No.9 - Crescent City, California
Natural highlights: Redwood National and State Parks, old-growth forest, endangered species
These parks, collectively designated a World Heritage Site in 1980, are sure to impress. They feature some of the tallest trees in the world, beautiful coastline looking out to the Pacific Ocean and such threatened or endangered species as bald eagles, sea lions, Chinook salmon, and brown pelicans. The kids will be impressed that scenes for a handful of movies, including Jurassic Park, Outbreak and The Return of the Jedi, were filmed in these old-growth forests. You’ll feel short looking up at the enormous coastal redwood trees, which are the tallest in the world.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Crescent City
No.8 - Mariposa, California
Natural highlights: Yosemite National Park, granite cliffs, groves, waterfalls
Looking to get away from the daily grind of California? Look no further than Yosemite National Park, a 721,000-plus acre retreat from the hubbub of daily life. Its granite cliffs, such as the famous El Capitan, are celebrated by mountain climbers and the park is a popular spot for adventure seekers. If you’re looking for a quiet retreat, though, it will be easy to find solitude among the shimmering streams, vast types of vegetation and variety of wildlife located here.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Merced
No.7 - Carlsbad, New Mexico
Natural highlights: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, historical sites
Breathtaking caverns are the top attraction at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. Made of limestone, the vast caves feature stalactites several stories high and visitors can take guided tours or explore the deep crevices on their own. The caverns are accessible by either natural entrance from the surface or on an elevator that descends 750 feet. And if you’ve ever wanted to see a real-life bat cave, this is your chance.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Albuquerque-Airport
No.6 - Everglades, Florida
Natural highlights: Largest subtropical wilderness in U.S.
More than a million tourists visit the Florida Everglades each year, and with good reason. In addition to featuring a vast, unique ecosystem, they feature scores of threatened or protected animals, including panthers, crocodiles and manatees. In all, more than 50 species of reptiles, 40 species of mammals and hundreds of species of birds and fish live in the Everglades. You’ll want to visit the Everglades between December and March, when the mosquitoes are at their most bearable.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Naples-Central
No.5 - Montezuma County, Colorado
Natural highlights: Mesa Verde National Park, ancient ruins, cliff dwellings
History buffs will love visiting Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park. Built by the Pueblo People around 1,200 A.D., the ruins of these ancient cities are still visible today. Most impressive are the famous cliff dwellings (elaborate buildings constructed under cliffs) that will simply blow you away. This location, dubbed Cliff Palace, is believed to be the biggest cliff-dwelling site on the continent.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Durango
No.4 - Edmonson County, Kentucky
Natural highlights: Mammoth Cave National Park, featuring the longest cave system in the world
Another World Heritage Site, the limestone and sandstone caves of Mammoth Cave National Park stretch for more than 360 miles. Much of them are large enough for tourists to explore with guided tours. If you take a tour, make sure it’s the historic one that gives the guests only paraffin lamps to guide their way through the caves. These tours will make you feel as though you’re stepping back in time.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Horse Cave
No.3 - Cherokee, North Carolina
Natural highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, historical sites, observation towers
The most-visited park in the U.S., Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a hotbed for hikers and fishers. If something a little more sedate is on your travel to-do list, though, this region has plenty to offer. One of the largest areas of old-growth forest in North America, the park features the famed Clingman's Dome trail and observation deck, from which visitors can see for miles. Great amounts of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, birds, and fish call this area home -- making for some great sightseeing and a chance to observe a variety of creatures in their natural habitat.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn Cherokee
No.2 - Jackson, Wyoming
Natural highlights: Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful Geyser
Brimming with wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is best known for the popular Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts for between 1 and 5 minutes every 45 minutes to 2 hours. Boiling water shoots more than 100 feet in the air out of this popular tourist attraction. The park also features picturesque waterfalls, trails and plenty of unique flora and fauna. Yellowstone is also a hugely popular camping destination for thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Casper
No.1 - Grand Canyon, Arizona
Natural highlights: Grand Canyon National Park, one of world’s natural wonders
Up for some of the most breathtaking views you’ll find in North America? If the answer is yes, the Grand Canyon needs to be on your list. The famed Skywalk will give brave visitors a bird’s-eye view of the canyon, but regardless of where you’re standing, your breath will be taken away by this site’s natural beauty. There’s plenty to do at the Grand Canyon, including rafting and even helicopter tours, but if you’re looking to get back to nature, you’ll enjoy the miles of picture-perfect walking trails around this site.
Nearest Hampton Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites Flagstaff
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