Bigfork is one of those quaint picturesque Montana towns that city folk visit once and never want to leave. Surrounded by Flathead Lake, the Swan River, and soaring mountain peaks, the town of just 5,000 attracts visitors throughout the year for its peaceful natural setting, boating, fishing, skiing, and its surprisingly vibrant cultural reputation. And of course, hiking. ...... Click photo or title for story.

Yellowstone is renowned for its huge bison population. Badlands National Park is famous for stretches of surreal striped landscape. On the Outer Banks, herds of wild horses roam freely. But you don’t have to travel to Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Carolina to experience them. North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park has all that and more ....... Click photo or title for story.

With over 1,000 miles of trails, Yellowstone is a fabulous destination to explore on foot.  While long-haul hikers can disappear into the back country for days, there are plenty of short hikes for visitors such as Storm Point that offers great views and more ....... Click photo or title for story.

Gazing up from the base of Buttermilk Falls near the north entrance of this New York State Park, it's evident why this majestic waterfall is so aptly named ....... Click photo or title for story.

Despite its name, the 17-mile Sacramento River Trail isn't tied to California's state capital but to a section of the 400-mile river that winds through Redding. However, don't panic. If your knees are protesting at the thought of attempting this long trek, you can still enjoy the popular path's highlights via a much shorter walk & drive combo that includes stops at three amazing bridges that span the Sacramento River ....... Click photo or title for story.

Taking its name from the majestic 72-mile-long river that winds through Southwestern Florida, Myakka River State Park covers 58 square miles, placing it among the largest of Florida’s 175 state parks at more than 37,000 acres... ...... Click photo or title for story.

Viewing Oregon’s Crater Lake for the first time may catch you off guard – a massive, impossibly blue expanse of water trapped within the shattered rim of an ancient volcano.. ...... Click photo or title for story.

It seems almost every state lays claim to possession of a mini version of the Grand Canyon, and Georgia is no exception. Providence Canyon State Park near Lumpkin is a jewel amongst Georgia’s 47 state parks. ...... Click photo or title for story.

If towering mounds of sand have never sparked your curiosity, a visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve might change that. Located about two hours from Pueblo, Colorado, this stunning landscape has been sculpted over millennia by wind and water, carrying sand from nearby mountains and depositing it in a massive, shifting 'playground' ...... Click photo or title for story.

With some 2 miles of paths spread over 118 acres, the Huntsville Botanical Garden is a treat for the eyes and the feet any time of the year. ...... Click photo or title for story.

The walk up to Clingmans Dome – now officially known as Kuwohi – in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park may leave you breathless, but the view is worth it. Take your time, enjoy the views, and appreciate the beauty of nature on this short hike..... Click photo or title for story.

Strolling along the footpath on the east side of Central Avenue in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, it’s easy to forget you’re in a National Park. Cross the street, and you’ve officially stepped out of Hot Springs National Park and into the city of Hot Springs that’s surrounded by the park’s more than 5,500-acres, established by Congress in 1921...... Click photo or title for story.