Pam Underhill, superintendent of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, has been honored with the Stephen T. Mather conservation award from the National Parks Conservation Association.

In the not-so-distant past, Republicans as well as Democrats were strong proponents of America’s public lands. And both parties usually supported the national parks—most beloved of all public lands. But now, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan reflect the contempt of the Republican Party’s far right for all public lands—even the national parks, long renowned as “America’s Best Idea.”

From snowsports to whale watching, America’s national parks have it all come winter. Check out our five-pack of parks where winter gives you the entire country's worth of geographical getaways.

Having a cabin with a roaring fire to return to after a long day in a national park is a great way to top off the day. And in Olympic National Park, you'll be able to do that weekends this winter if you can reserve one of the Roosevelt Cabins at Lake Crescent.