8. Haleakalā
State: Hawaii
Area: 122 sq km
Created: 1916
Best for… stargazing, volcano hiking, local legends
Why go? Haleakalā means ‘house ofthe sun’ – according to legend, it was on the top of this giant shield volcano that the demigod Maui captured the sun, letting it go only after it promised to lengthen the day. It certainly feels like the realm of otherworldly beings: the park, located in south-east Maui, comprises a lush coastal section at Kipahulu Valley and the eerie slopes ofthe 3,055m dormant volcano, a cinder desert of sculptural rocks, crazy colours and hardy native wildlife.
There’s a steep road up to the Summit Area, and ranger- led activities can provide more insight. However, the best way to explore is on foot – trails range from 400m ambles to overnight hikes. Wilderness campgrounds and cabins allow you to stay on the volcano – which is a great thing, as the sunrises, sunsets and pollution-free star-gazing are spectacular; even if it’s cloudy, you might see rainbows and moonbows.
When to go: Open year-round. Temperatures are fairly constant, but the climate is drier April-October.
Plan your trip: Maui is a 30-minute flight from Big Island; Haleakala’s Summit Area is a 90-minute drive from Kahului Airport. Plan a two-week self-drive stay on Maui and you can see the lot – including the waterfall-splattered coast drive from Pa’ia to Hana, snorkelling with turtles at Malu’aka Beach and humpback watching off the west coast (Dec-Apr).
9. Gates of the Arctic
State: Alaska
Area: 34,287 sq km
Created: 1980
Best for… getting lost, northern lights, fishing
Why go? No facilities, no fees, no tracks, no rules. If you’re ready to go all Ray Mears – just you and the rugged wildlife – this is the place to do it. Together with the neighbouring Noatak Wilderness Area, this vast park is the largest contiguous wild place in the US, an unchanged Arctic utopia, influenced only by the nature it protects. Wild rivers slice through glacial valleys; grizzlies, moose and wolves roam; the aurora dances across wintry night skies while the midnight sun lights up summer.
Gates of the Arctic is named for the two peaks (Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain) that straddle the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, like a portal to another world. And that world is your oyster, if you have the survival skills. Arrange to be flown in, then hike across the ridge-tops and tundra, fish in alpine lakes, watch migrating caribou in the northern valleys or camp alongside clear rivers.
When to go: Open year-round. The best, safest, time to visit is June-August.
Plan your trip: Two weeks in the Gates of the Arctic will test your survival skills. Local air taxis provide flight- seeing trips, day trips or overnight camp-outs at remote locations, but most people fly in on floatplanes and spend a week or more exploring here with a guide.
