Mark Sullivan

The national parks of southwestern South Dakota—along with the state park and two national memorials nearby—deliver a surprising variety of sights: the swaying grasses and abundant wildlife of one of the country’s few remaining intact prairies, the complex labyrinth of passages and unique geologic formations in one of the world’s longest caves, and some of … Continued

Moseying through the southern Appalachians, this classic parkway, with a speed limit of 45 mph tops, forces you to slow down. All the better to take in the majestic beauty of wild forests, splashing waterfalls, and misty mountains, with plenty of hiking, camping, and picnicking along the way. Started in 1935 for the express purpose … Continued

If you’re looking for a romanticized version of baseball history, head to Dyersville, Iowa. That’s where you can tour the baseball diamond used in the movie Field of Dreams. (It’s actually lots of fun, especially for kids.) But if you want to discover the sport’s real history, take this driving tour from Boston’s Fenway Park … Continued

From the otherworldly desertscapes, soaring redwoods, and eye-popping canyons of California to the volcanic peaks, lush rain forests, and pristine beaches of the Pacific Northwest, the West Coast contains some of the country’s most celebrated national parks. You probably already have destinations like Yosemite, Crater Lake, and Mt. Rainier on your bucket list, and on … Continued

Red rocks and geological wonders fill this superstar itinerary spanning the best of Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. You’ll explore Zion’s massive sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons, the hoodoos (odd-shape pillars of rock left by erosion) of Bryce Canyon, and the overwhelming majesty of the Grand Canyon, close to 300 river miles long, 18 miles … Continued

Fly-fishing has been around for centuries, but America turned it into an art form. It has its own language, form of dress, and complicated rituals. These vary from region to region, so the most dedicated anglers travel to far-flung regions to try them out. Fly-fishing has been around for centuries, but America turned it into … Continued

The hills of the Ozarks roll up from the beds of sparkling rivers and peak as the grand oak and hickory trees seem to sway on the ledge of limestone bluffs. The region winds its way through the southern portion of Missouri and into northern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, just barely touching the edge of … Continued

The first known mention of a network to help escaped slaves was in 1831, when an enslaved man named Tice Davids fled from his owner in Kentucky by swimming across the Ohio River. Unable to find him, his owner bitterly complained that Davids “must have gone off on an underground railroad.” The first known mention … Continued

In the pages of Great American Road Trips, the drive from San Diego to Seattle should be at the very top. The route, which glides along the coast from Southern California’s sunny beaches to Northern California’s redwoods, then on to rocky Oregon shores and the rain forests of Olympic National Park, is beyond beautiful. Along … Continued

If you grew up near a Great Lake you were likely drilled with the HOMES acronym in grade school to keep them straight: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. Filled with folklore (hello, shipwrecks!) and rimmed with lighthouses, cultural landmarks, and resort towns, plus—in recent years—a thriving surfing culture and wine regions, these five freshwater … Continued