Crater Lake National Park sits in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. The lake itself rests at the bottom of a six-mile-wide, 8,000-foot-tall caldera. Shimmering in hues of incredible blue at the bottom of a crater that varies from 500 to nearly 2,000 feet in depth, the lake is wonder-of-the-world inspiring; your first glimpse may leave you speechless. There are some great hikes along the caldera, and the bike ride that circles the rim is on many must-do lists. You can hike down to the lake and take a guided boat tour to Wizard Island, which is a caldera of its own.

At Big Sur on California’s mid-coast, the Santa Lucia Mountains rise abruptly by the Pacific, and misty valleys shelter forests of giant redwoods, creating some of North America’s most iconic coastal vistas. There are three fine state park campgrounds here—Andrew Molara, Pfeiffer Big Sur, and Julia Pfeiffer Burns. The latter may offer one of California’s most unique camping experiences. The campground, which only has two sites, is set high above a beach where McWay Creek plummets some 80 feet onto the sand below. You may have the chance to watch whales from outside your tent, see California condors, and fall asleep to the sound of the surf.

The Tetons, just north of Jackson, Wyoming, are not America’s tallest mountains, though they may be its most recognizable and photographed range of peaks. The view of these jagged pinnacles is one attraction to Grand Teton National Park; according to ranger Jackie Skaggs, the other attractions are the megafauna (from bison to grizzly bears) present here and the first-rate outdoor activities available, from hiking and mountain climbing to fishing or kayaking in one of the park’s lakes or on the Snake River. A favorite campground here is at Jenny Lake; you’re close to the base of the Tetons for great views and are adjacent to the central trail system.

The Dry Tortugas are seven small islands due west of Key West. The largest, Loggerhead Key, is less than 650 acres in size. This may be the most difficult-to-reach national park in America, as there’s only one way to get to it—by a once-a-day-departing ferry. In addition to turquoise waters for swimming and snorkeling and powdery white-sand beaches for sunbathing, the Dry Tortugas are home to Fort Jefferson, the largest all-masonry fort in America, dating back to 1846. Guided and unguided tours are available.

Adirondack Park encompasses over 6 million acres of northeastern New York State—much of the area north of a line that would stretch from above the state capitol in Albany, west to Utica. It’s a unique pastiche of private lands, state-owned wilderness areas, and more than 100 small towns, replete with 42 4,000-plus-foot peaks, 3,000 lakes and ponds, 30,000 miles of whitewater rivers and gurgling trout streams, and 2,000 miles of hiking trails. Given the proximity of great water and mountain resources, many visitors will mix and match canoe and rafting outings with hikes.

Cape Breton makes up the northeastern section of the Canadian Maritime province of Nova Scotia. An island unto itself, Cape Breton is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Gulf of St. Lawrence on the west, and is blessed with tree-covered mountains, deep river canyons, and steep cliffs that fall away to the sea. It’s regularly recognized as one of the northern hemisphere’s most beautiful islands. Some campers enjoy the region’s beauty from the Cabot Trail, a road that runs the perimeter of the park. Others will take to one of the 26 trails slicing through the park.

Arolla [Switzerland] has the distinction of being Europe’s highest campground, resting at over 6,000 feet. The views of Pigne d’Arolla, Aiguille de la Tsa, and Mont Blanc de Cheilon are jaw-dropping, and Arolla is an ideal point of departure for both day hikers and more serious mountain climbers. A favorite hike is Pas de Chèvre, which climbs to nearly 9,400 feet and offers vistas of the Matterhorn. As you make your way along the mountains, you may spot chamois, a member of the goat-antelope family, springing from rock to rock. After your hike, partake of the Swiss specialty Raclette du Valais, a warmed cow’s-milk cheese that’s served with gherkins, onions, rye bread, and ham.

Many know the southern island of New Zealand for its mountains and fjords, its rushing rivers and adrenaline-fueled outdoor sports. Abel Tasman National Park’s wonders are on a bit smaller scale but are nonetheless beguiling. Resting near the top of the south island, the park is renowned for its golden sand beaches, imposing rocky headlands, river estuaries, and lagoons filled with crystalline water. In places, thick forests extend right to the shoreline, creating a vivid contrast of green, gold, and blue. Along the northern coast of the park, you’re likely to find fur seals. Farther south, there are rookeries of blue penguins, the smallest member of the penguin species.