From forest-cloaked mountains to big-sky country, nowhere does the great outdoors like the USA. And few corners are as great as the southwest, with vast canyons, giant trees and surreal rock tableaux providing the perfect backdrop to an active family holiday.

BBC: Five family-friendly adventures

The Forest Timber Camping Decks comprise of raised platforms among the trees, making for great spots to scan the canopy for Knysna loeries while the boerewors (beef sausage) sizzles on your braai (barbecue).

BBC: Step back in time in South Africa��s Garden Route

In the borders at Great Dixter banana trees grew with verbena, and spiky agave with dahlias.

ECONOMIST: Christopher Lloyd

She shrieked and a moment later I was running down the street with the two men chasing me and shouting curses, or what I assumed were curses, great hoarse expletives that echoed through the trees and set dogs barking in the dark houses.

NEWYORKER: Wakefield

"On 18 I found my ball in the trees and I'm glad I have a great caddie who told me a bogey was enough, " she said.

BBC: Sorenstam beaten in Tour finale

The fact is that if we look at our family trees, most Americans are the sons and daughters, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of immigrants.

CNN: Don't turn your back on these children