National Parks of the Pacific Southwest

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, some 2,600 miles southwest of Hawaii, the 9,000-acre park includes sections three islands: Tutuila, Ta'u and Ofu. It was authorized by Congress to preserve and protect the tropical rainforest ecosystem, flying fox fruit bat habitat, the coral reefs, and the 3,000 year-old Samoan culture and archeological resources.

Along a section of the Californian coast you will find one remarkable national park. But it is not your typical park. In fact, Channel Islands National Park is made up of five separate islands – Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara – all stunning in their own rite. Rich lands of wildlife, flowers, plants, and stunning views are here for visitors to explore.

Death Valley is the largest national park unit outside of Alaska and includes more than 3 million acres of wilderness area. This large desert, nearly surrounded by high mountains, contains the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. The area includes Scotty's Castle, the grandiose home of a famous prospector, and other remnants of gold and borax mining.

Situated on the Island of Maui, this uniquely beautiful park preserves volcanic landscape, ecosystems of Kipahulu Valley, the scenic pools along Oheo Gulch, and many rare and endangered species.

To put it bluntly, traveling to this national park will allow you to visit two of the world’s most active volcanoes. And that is just plain awesome.

More than 4,000 feet high (and still growing) the volcano of Kilauea adjoins the much larger and older Mauna Loa, a massive volcano towering 13,679 feet above sea level.

As if active volcanoes aren't reason to visit and awe in all their glory, the park is also equipped with rain forests, tropical wildlife, and breathtaking views. Have you ever honestly heard anything negative about Hawaii?

The 1,017,748-acre park draws more than 1.3 million visitors per year. Few areas more vividly illustrate the contrast between high and low desert.

Ranging from 1500' to 14,494' in elevation, these adjoining parks protect immense mountains, deep canyons, huge trees, and diverse habitats. Great groves of giant sequoias, (including the General Sherman Tree, the world's largest living thing), Mineral King Valley, and Mount Whitney (the highest mountain in the U.S. outside of Alaska), are spectacular attractions in Sequoia National Park. Two enormous canyons of the Kings River and the summit peaks of the High Sierra dominate the mountain wilderness of Kings Canyon National Park.