No vacation – no problem – take a tour of the National Parks

Ah, nature! Where towering redwoods make humble ants of great men! Where the vast blue meets in a foam crescendo against cliffs rich in mineral history! Where people are free to wear cargo shorts! The national park system in the United States is one of America’s greatest treasures, undoubtedly worth traveling the country to explore. But, thanks to Google Earth, it’s also one we can appreciate from the comfort of our own homes.

In the time we’re living in, these digital perks are more important than ever. Last year Google Earth rolled out virtual tours of some of the most breathtaking parks in the country. The map and satellite imagery masters at Google Earth have put together a series of guided virtual tours of 31 national parks around the country, providing a stunning glimpse of the trails and vistas you can take advantage of if you visit them in real life. It may not be the same as lacing up your hiking boots and inhaling the crisp clean air of the wilderness, but they’re pretty awesome nonetheless.