1. Grand Teton

The soaring peaks, lush meadows and endless forests draw nearly 4 million visitors yearly. However, often hidden from view, a hardy cast of animals, from tiny pikas to grizzly bears, tough it out to survive in this iconic, wild wonder of the West. Explore this 300,000-acre patchwork of protected lands and the fascinating hidden lives of those that call Grand Teton National Park home.

3. Channel Islands

Discovering Channel Islands: a hidden chain of wild islands in plain sight of Los Angeles—this is the Galapagos of the North. After a short boat ride through the bountiful ocean, you arrive to find rugged beaches, mountains and forests, with unique plants and animals found nowhere else, like the miniature Channel Island fox, the dazzling Garibaldi fish and the rare brown pelican.

4. Lake Clark

Lake Clark National Park is a hidden gem where animals, plants and people all coexist in harmony. Established in 1980, the park protects the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon run left on Earth. It’s one of the best places to watch brown bears in America and preserves the Dena’ina, an Indigenous culture whose people still live here sustainably off the land.

5. Voyageurs

Tucked away in a corner of Minnesota, Voyageurs is a hidden gem full of secrets and surprises. Experience its wildlife and stunning beauty, from the icy grips of winter to the height of summer blooms. Accessible only by boat, this watery wonderland is a mosaic of beautifully clear lakes and pristine forest and home to some of North America’s most iconic species: wolves, moose and great grey owls.