The World's Most Pristine Forests

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California

The rugged canyons and peaks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, centered around the Sierra Nevada of eastern California, harbor a vast array of ecosystems. Mount Whitney’s 14,491-foot peak is the highest in the lower 48. The namesake giant trees are the star attractions, but the cave system is equally important: the park contains half of all the significant caves in California.

How to Go: Make arrangements at Wuksachi Lodge or John Muir Lodge and if you’re brave, take a six-hour wild cave tour, where budding guest spelunkers learn cave-crawling etiquette in total darkness.