1. Yosemite National Park | CA


Millions of people come to Yosemite National Park each year to see jagged peaks, glaciers, lush meadows and some of the world’s tallest waterfalls. Spanning 1,200 square miles, Yosemite offers a range of activities, from child-friendly to extreme. Massive granite slopes like Half Dome and El Capitan dominate the landscape, taunting rock climbers. Paddlers dip into lakes and rivers, drivers cruise the dramatic Tioga Road (though note that Tioga Road is usually only open from late May until November), and day hikers walk by sequoias and canyons. Backpackers take to the rugged John Muir Trail, named for the writer who helped create the park in 1890.
When to go: Late May into early June brings temperatures in the mid-60s, and is still early enough in the season that your visit to one of the most popular National Parks in the country won’t be interrupted by herds of other tourists.
Don’t miss: Do go chasing waterfalls–the waterfalls at Yosemite are some of the world’s best. Hike Yosemite Falls, which stands tall at 2,425 feet for a sweet reward of a bird’s eye view.