ACADIA NATIONAL PARK, MAINE Maine’s only national park's 47,000 acres combine rocky coastline and sandy beaches with wooded landscapes dominated by Cadillac Mountain. Drive the 40-mile Acadia All-American Road, the 29-mile Schoodic National Scenic Byway, the Park Loop Road and the Carriage Roads built by the Rockefellers in the early 1900s. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE America’s most popular national park, its original Cherokee name "Shacona" derives from the mist that drapes over its mountains and valleys. Hiking and biking trails, numerous waterfalls and wildlife such as elk and bears are key visitor draw cards. CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA Enjoy 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge, Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Mountains from the top of Chimney Rock, the 1,200-foot-high monolith that forms the park’s centrepiece. Take a hike on trails from the family-friendly Great Woodland Adventure Trail to the challenging Skyline Trail. WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARK, KAUAI, HAWAII A geological wonder stretching 14 miles and more than 3,500 feet deep, Waimea Canyon is known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. It is a place of lush forest, rich coloured sheer cliffs and weathered escarpments. Visit the Pu’u O Kila Lookout, hike trails through trees echoing with birdsong and discover waterfalls. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA Protected since 1864, highlights include Yosemite Falls, one of the world’s highest waterfalls, the granite edifices of Half Dome and El Capitan, the wildlife-rich meadows of Yosemite Valley and the giant sequoias of Mariposa Grove. Take a day trip or stay in the park in tented camps or the luxury Ahwahnee hotel. PARK LIFE JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS INC. – JEFF ADKINS HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY – BEN ONO HIGHS AND LOWS 16 visitusa.org.uk
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