Experience some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping and otherwise-cliché-inducing natural scenery, and get out to some national parks. If a government goes out of their way to protect an area from human development and inhabitance, you know it’s got to have something good. Indeed, geological wonders and abundant wildlife await in these preserved lands, as well as outdoor activities that range from relaxing to heart-pounding. And with human exploitation and occupation explicitly banned, you’ll get to experience as close to a pristine ecosystem as anywhere out there.

The North American continent is the motherland of national parks, showcasing some of the finest scenery in the world. Yosemite’s granite monoliths, the Grand Canyon’s deep gorges, and Arches National Park’s surrealist sandstone formations are among the wonders to behold. Nature lovers can wildlife watch in the Canadian Rockies, white-water fans can raft in Moab, and the active can hike, ski, rock-climb and otherwise thrill-seek in any these undeveloped environments. And everyone can get blown away by the power and beauty of Mother Nature. Get a glimpse of what the world would look like without people at these top national parks.