THRILL LIST • August 1, 2024
The country's more than 10,000 state parks span more than 18 million acres across the US. These spaces have always been invaluable, but have become even more important during recent years as stressed-out Americans scrambled to sate their wanderlust and rediscover their love of the great outdoors. Not only is the sprawling 200,000-acre Baxter State Park home to Northern Maine's beloved Mount Katahdin (the state's highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail), it's also the domain of a killer variety of wildlife, from hawks to black bears who make their home amid the park's peaceful lakes and waterfalls. The park is void of paved roads, running water, and electricity, so this is your chance for the full Thoreau experience.