The centerpiece of Mount Rainier National Park is the eponymous stratovolcano which is the highest peak in the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington, standing at a dizzying elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 meters). The mountain dominates its primordial wildernesses with poise and grace, and its stratovolcano base is bound with a seemingly endless system of hiking and trekking trails. The area was originally inhabited by quite a few different Pacific Northwest tribes of Native Americans, with George Vancouver being the first European to see the mountain in 1792. Dotted with meadows and varied species of flora including vibrant wildflowers, the park facilitates activities such as cycling and climbing and also offers opportunities for camping.

The Rocky Mountain National Park in the state of Colorado is a sublime sweep of ravishing granite cliffs, pine forests and retreating icefields fringed by starbursts of wildflowers in spring. Spanning 265,461 acres, the park is geologically diverse, with towering mountains descending into dense forests, punctuated by glimmering lakes. The region has been inhabited for over 11,000 years, with the Ute and the Arapaho Tribes being the first to settle around the area. Today, the park features several hiking, biking and winter sports trails, picnic spots, and campsites.

The Petrified Forest National Park is Arizona's captivating landscape where fossilized remains of vegetation and mammals as old as 230 million years can be witnessed in their most dramatic form. The park's terrain is rich with sedimentary rocks hiding permineralized fossils that make this place a learning experience for Paleontology enthusiasts. Further, the existence of Petroglyphs gives a fascinating account of the park's existence during the pre-historic times. Towering over 5000 feet (1524 meter), the Petrified Forest National Park is home to an array of plants ranging from Tussock to blades of blue grama. Animals like Pronghorns and Coyotes tread the landscape while raptors, hermit warblers and migrants like avocets circle the skies.