"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul." – John Muir
As humanity spreads across the globe, the untouched and protected places become increasingly precious. John Muir, one of America's conservation pioneers, understood the need to escape the civilized world from time to time, and enjoy nature at its wildest. Ecological tourism, or ecotourism, is a growing movement by travelers seeking to explore the natural world with minimum impact. But you don't need to travel to the rainforests of Costa Rica or join an African safari to encounter ecological marvels. America's Byways deliver you to wild scenery, wildlife rich areas, and a leave-no-trace ethic of outdoor adventure right here in the U.S.
For one of the wildest encounters with the natural world, spend some time in Chugach National Forest on a stop along Alaska's Marine Highway. Witness killer whales, humpback whales, seals, and sea otters in the Prince William Sound, or hike in the Chugach range which is hunting and grazing territory for some of the nation's most impressive wildlife, including wolves and caribou. No ecotourist's life list is complete without an up-close experience with the nation's biggest and most untamed state.
Continue your ecotourism adventure on America's Byways on Tamiami Trail in Florida. This byway provides a path to Everglades National Park, the only subtropical preserve on the continent. With staggering amounts of wildlife, including some of the most charismatic endangered species on Earth, the Everglades represent everything worth protecting in nature. For a true low-impact experience, canoe among the mangroves and watch for basking alligators, elusive Florida panthers, and the gentle manatee.
At Rocky Mountain National Park on Trail Ridge Road/Beaver Meadow Road in Colorado, you will find solitude unknown to the average traveler. Escape to the Old Ute Trail, reveling in massive, green views from over 10,000 feet without the smog and noise and traffic on the roads. Experience this area carefully, for its environment supports a surprising number of plants and animals in its sensitive high-altitude conditions.
In addition to national parks, America's Byways offer many more adventures in protected areas. Embark on a full-service backpacking trip through Oregon's Wallowa Mountains with the Nature Conservancy, the nation's largest land trust. Beginning on Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, you'll experience these protected lands while well-trained llamas shoulder your backpacks. If you prefer to choose your own trails, try treading lightly in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness on the Stevens Pass Greenway in Washington. Over 700 lakes and mountain ponds lie within this wilderness in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie and Wenatchee National Forests, all protected from the noise and pollution of motorized watercraft. In the East visit "the last green valley" on Connecticut State Route 169. Flanked by some of the nation's densest metropolitan areas, this protected area of forest and agricultural land provides basic needs to the surrounding population. While touring the area, learn about humanity's dependence on wild, untouched places for fundamental needs such as oxygen, water, and carbon.
The graceful flight of a bald eagle or the silent intent of a coyote as it drinks warily from a cold stream stirs something deep in the human soul. Byways such as Kansas' Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway take you to Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms State Wildlife Area, two of the largest protected wetlands on Earth. Hikes and scenic overlooks provide a rare glimpse at clouds of migrating birds above a diverse wetland ecosystem replete with wildlife. Travel to Idaho and the Western Heritage Historic Byway where you can see the largest population of breeding raptors in North America in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. From Initial Point, watch as up to 16 different species of raptors soar effortlessly in the clear blue skies above.
Whatever draws you to the country's remaining wild places, you'll leave with a sense that these sights, sounds and experiences ought to remain for generations. During your next vacation on America's Byways, relish the unspoiled landscapes and healthy ecological systems in the nation's protected lands. As you enjoy them, preserve them.
