USA Eco Resorts and Tours: Biodiversity from Coast to Coast  

Discover the wild beauty of nature with USA Eco Resorts, your gateway to sustainable travel across America’s most breathtaking landscapes. From the majestic national parks of the Rockies to the lush wetlands of Florida and the rugged coasts of the Pacific Northwest, the USA offers endless opportunities for eco-conscious adventures. Stay in charming, environmentally friendly lodges that combine comfort with conservation. And experience the true essence of American ecotourism—responsibly, authentically, and memorably.

USA Eco Resorts

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USA Ecotourism

The United States is a great destination for ecotourism, with a huge diversity of landscapes. From tropical to desert terrain and arctic to balmy weather, there is something for everyone. Many parks and reserves are located throughout the country, so it’s easy to be surrounded by nature. An increasing number of Hotels, Resorts and Tours are taking sustainability into account.  

Flora and Fauna in the United States

The United States has incredible biodiversity thanks to its vast land area and varied climates. From the icy glaciers of Alaska to the humid swamps of Florida, the United States is home to more than 400 national parks and nature reserves. You will find countless unique plants and animal species.

The Forests of North America

Flora:

Giant sequoias and redwoods in California are the tallest trees in the world.

Deciduous and coniferous trees, such as oaks, maples, and pines.

Various wildflowers and ferns in the moist mountain forests.

Fauna:

Black bears and grizzly bears are found especially in Yellowstone and the Rocky Mountains.

Wapiti deer and white-tailed deer are common in the forests of the east and west.

Wolves and pumas, also called cougars or mountain lions, are apex predators that maintain the ecological balance.

The Deserts of the Southwest

• Flora:
  • Saguaro cactus, an icon of the Sonoran Desert, can grow up to 15 meters tall.
  • Yucca and creosote bushes are dry, heat-resistant plants.
  • Joshua trees are unique trees in the Mojave Desert.
• Fauna:
  • Desert tortoises are shy reptiles that survive extreme drought.
  • Rattlesnakes and gila monsters are venomous reptiles that live in rocky areas.
  • Roadrunners and coyotes are iconic inhabitants of American deserts.

The Swamps and Wetlands of the Southeast

• Flora:
  • Mangroves and cypresses are trees that thrive in salt and freshwater environments.
  • Water lilies and marsh plants thrive in flooded areas.
  • Spanish moss hangs gracefully in the trees of the Deep South.
• Fauna:
  • American alligators are the dominant predators in the swamps.
  • Manatees are peaceful mammals that graze on sea grass.
  • Herons, ibises, and spoonbills are important bird species in wetland ecosystems.

The Mountains and Glaciers of the North

• Flora:
  • Alpine meadows with wildflowers, such as edelweiss and lupine in the Rocky Mountains.
  • Taiga forests of spruce, pine, and birch.
  • Tundra vegetation in Alaska, with mosses and low shrubs.
• Fauna:
  • Grizzly bears and polar bears are apex predators of Alaska (and Canada).
  • Caribou and moose are large ungulates of the tundra and boreal forests.
  • Eagles and snowy owls are impressive birds of prey of the wilderness.

The Coastal Areas and Marine Ecosystems

• Flora:
  • Kelp forests are undersea forests full of biodiversity.
  • Seagrass beds are an important habitat for juvenile fish and marine animals.
  • Mangroves and dune vegetation protect coastlines from erosion.
• Fauna:
  • Humpback whales and orcas are commonly seen along the west coast and Alaska.
  • Sea otters and sea lions are residents of the Pacific Coast.
  • Leatherback turtles are endangered sea turtles that nest in Florida and the Carolinas.

Best Ecotourism Destinations in the U.S.

National Parks: The Pearls of Ecotourism

The National Park Service (NPS) manages more than 400 protected areas, including:

• Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. This Park is the world’s first national park, known for geysers and bison.
• Yosemite National Park in California has impressive waterfalls and giant redwood trees.
• The Great Smoky Mountains between Tennessee and North Carolina are full of biodiversity.
• Everglades National Park in Florida is a subtropical swamp, home to alligators and manatees.

Sustainability measures in national parks:

• Visitors are limited in sensitive areas.
• Hiking, biking, and public transportation within the parks is encouraged.
• Strict rules for waste management and protection of flora and fauna are enforced.

Alaska: ecotourism in the Wilderness

Alaska is one of the last true wildernesses of the world. Here you can travel sustainably with small-scale USA eco lodges and nature tours. Opt for small ships and choose expedition-style cruises with fewer passengers. Most places you’ll want to visit are easy to reach by road, rail, or bus.

• Denali National Park has North America’s highest mountain. The Park has a pristine ecosystem.
• Kenai Fjords National Park has impressive glaciers, and the park offers excellent whale watching opportunities.
• The Inside Passage, a coastal waterway that follows a network of channels and straits winding through the islands of North America’s Pacific Northwest fjordlands, is perfect for sea kayaking among the fjords and islands.

Arizona, Utah, and California: Sustainable Travel in the Deserts of the West

• Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona has iconic gorges and sustainable lodges.
• Zion and Bryce Canyon in Utah offer spectacular hiking in colorful rock formations.
• Joshua Tree National Park in California is great for stargazing and unique ecosystems, Mojavean Desert, Coloradan Desert, and cismontane chaparral.

Coastal and Wetland Ecotourism

The U.S. coastline offers an abundance of marine ecotourism and wetland protection.

• Everglades National Park in Florida is a protected wetland with alligators and panthers.
• Olympic National Park in Washington state has rainforests, glaciers, and wild coastlines.
• Monterey Bay in California is great for whale watching on a sustainable eco-tour.

Suggestion for a 2-Week Sustainable Itinerary in the U.S.

This itinerary focuses on ecotourism and conservation. You will visit national parks, protected areas, and small-scale nature projects while having the least possible impact on the environment.

Day 1-3: Seattle and Olympic National Park in Washington State

• Arrive in Seattle by plane. Take the bus or rent an electric car to Olympic National Park. Around 135 miles or a 2-hour 37-minute drive from the airport.
• Sustainable activities:
  • Visit the Hoh Rainforest, one of the few temperate rainforests in the world.
  • Spot bald eagles, moose, and black bears in their natural habitat.

Day 4-6: Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana

• Fly to Bozeman, Montana, and take a shuttle to Yellowstone.
• Sustainable activities:
  • View Old Faithful geyser and learn about geothermal energy.
  • Go on a sustainable wildlife tour with a ranger to spot bison and grizzly bears. Bring binoculars; sightings are not guaranteed and require patience and knowledge of the best locations and times.

Day 7-9: Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole in Wyoming, just a few miles away from the Park

• Rent an electric car and drive an hour south from Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park.
• Sustainable activities:
  • Hike to Jenny Lake for panoramic mountain views.
  • Visit the Teton Raptor Center to see birds of prey, such as eagles.
  • Kayak on the Snake River—no engine noise, only nature!

Day 10-12: Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands in Utah

• Fly from Jackson Hole to Salt Lake City and take an electric shuttle to Moab.
• Sustainable Activities:
  • Visit Arches National Park and hike among the iconic red rock arches.
  • Admire the sunset over Canyonlands National Park.
  • Rent a mountain bike to explore the area.

Day 13-14: San Francisco and Monterey Bay in California

• Fly to San Francisco.
• Sustainable activities:
  • Take a whale safari in Monterey Bay, about 120 miles south of San Francisco. Choose a tour company that uses biodiesel as it’s more sustainable.
  • Or visit Muir Woods National Monument, just north of San Francisco, and hike among the giant trees.
  • Use public transportation or rent an electric bike to explore the city.

Ecological Threats

Deforestation and Habitat Loss

• Cause: urban sprawl, agriculture, and logging threaten natural habitats.
• Consequence: species such as the red lynx, gray wolf, threatened in some areas of the USA, and jaguar, which is endangered lose habitat.
• Critical areas: Pacific Northwest, Florida Everglades.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

• Cause: rising temperatures cause wildfires, drought, and sea-level rise (high temperatures cause sea-level rise primarily through the process of thermal expansion, where warming ocean water expands to take up more space, increasing the total volume of the ocean).
• Consequence: more frequent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and massive coral bleaching in Florida.
• Critical areas affected by climate change: California (wildfires), Louisiana (floods), and Alaska (melting permafrost).

Water Pollution and Plastic Waste

• Cause: industrial pollution and plastic waste threaten water resources and marine life.
• Consequence: microplastics and chemicals harm species, such as sea turtles and whales.
• Critical areas affected by water pollution and plastic waste: Mississippi River, Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Biodiversity Loss and Invasive Species

• Cause: invasive species, such as the Burmese python in Florida, are disrupting ecosystems.
• Consequence: native species are threatened or become extinct.
• Critical areas affected by this: Everglades, Hawaii, and Yellowstone.

Industrial Exploitation and Overtourism

• Cause: mining, oil drilling, and intensive tourism affect natural areas.
• Consequence: ecosystems are damaged.
• Critical areas affected by overtourism: Grand Canyon, Alaska, and Utah’s national parks.

United States Sustainability and Ecotourism Policy

The United States used to have an extensive conservation and sustainable tourism policy, largely coordinated by federal agencies, such as the National Park Service (NPS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These policies focused on protecting ecosystems, reducing ecological footprints in national parks, and promoting responsible tourism.

In 2025, under the presidency of Donald Trump, there has been a noticeable shift in federal policy regarding ecotourism and sustainability in the United States. The government has rolled back several environmental laws and regulations, which have implications for conservation and sustainable tourism. For example, nearly 100 environmental laws have been relaxed or repealed, including provisions on clean air, water quality, and land use. In addition, funding for climate research has been reduced or eliminated.

These policy changes have raised concerns about the future of ecotourism in the United States. Despite these federal developments, many states and local governments, as well as private organizations, continue to advocate for sustainable tourism and environmental protection. They are developing their own initiatives and programs to promote ecotourism and protect natural resources.

Small-Scale Conservation Projects in the U.S.

Fortunately, there are numerous small-scale conservation projects working to sustainably preserve ecosystems.

• Sea Turtle Conservancy, Florida
  • Location: Florida Keys and Gulf Coast.
  • Protects nests of endangered leatherback and hawksbill turtles.
  • Committed to light pollution reduction so baby turtles can find the ocean.
• The Nature Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Project, California
  • Conducts controlled fires to prevent mega-fires.
  • Supports indigenous communities with sustainable forest management.
• Wolf Conservation Center, New York
  • Location: South Salem, New York.
  • Has breeding programs for Mexican gray wolves and red wolves.
  • Educates people on the importance of predators in ecosystems.
• Save the Redwoods League, California
  • Location: Redwood National Park and the northern coast of California.
  • Buys up land to protect ancient redwoods from logging.
  • Focuses on reforestation and education about forests.
• Coral Restoration Foundation, Florida
  • Location: Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
  • Global leader in planting coral reefs back to repair climate change damage.
  • Works with divers and volunteers for active restoration.
• American Prairie Reserve, Montana
  • Location: Great Plains of Montana.
  • Focuses on bison population restoration and prairie conservation.
  • Mission is to create the largest open wildlife refuge in the US.

USA Eco Resorts and Safety

Be sure to check in advance about the safety in the US and in the places you plan to visit. You can also consult your country’s official government websites. De website of Homeland security offers information about terrorist threats.