Incredible sunsets are one of the many rewards of hiking along the Appalachian Trail, a national scenic trail that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Native to the Appalachian Mountains, rhododendrons bloom in this gorgeous photo that was taken along the trail near the Roan Highlands on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. With so many great vistas to choose from, this scenic area is a favorite with day hikers and backpackers alike. Photo courtesy of Serge Skiba.

Red rocks and curving, swirling bluffs rise up out of the desert, creating a surreal landscape at Stud Horse Point. Part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Stud Horse Point is a remote area near the Utah-Arizona border that’s worth the visit. On a tour of the Southwest with his buddies, Aron Cooperman drove through rain, wind and even some snow, made some wrong turns but they eventually found their way to the this spot. They stuck it out, rain clouds cleared and eventually, the sky started to have this incredible color explosion at sunset. Photo courtesy of Aron Cooperman.

Katmai National Park & Preserve in Alaska provides some of the few remaining unaltered habitats for bears. With about 2,200 brown bears in the park, scientists are able to study bears in their natural habitat, visitors are able to enjoy unparalleled viewing opportunities (from safe distances) and the bears are able to continue their life cycle largely undisturbed. Photo by Mike Clime (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite National Park icon and a great challenge to many hikers. At least a 14-mile round trip through wilderness with an elevation gain of over 4,800 feet, this hike is not for the unprepared. Permits are required to reduce crowding – protect natural and cultural resources, and improve safety. But for those who make to the top, the view is indescribable. Photo by National Park Service.