7 U.S. Eco-Travel Destinations

Green travel isn't only about the journey—it's about the destination too. Here are seven great picks, recently surveyed by National Geographic Traveler for their sustainable practices (including least-toxic cleaners, energy and water savings, and recycling efforts), sense of place, community involvement and general ambience.

1) Camp Denali, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska: Centered on Mt. McKinley (Denali), the tallest peak in North America, the phrase "unspoiled paradise" won't seem hackneyed as you step out of your guest cabin into spectacular parkland ($1,365-$3,185 for 3-7 days; campdenali.com, 907-683-2290; also see nps.gov/dena).

2) Orchard Garden Hotel, San Francicsco, Calif.: A LEED-certified hotel in the heart of arguably America's greenest city. Skip the car while in town and take a stylish, recuperated tram, or rent a Prius to visit nearby Point Reyes National Seashore and dine at Alice Waters' Chez Panisse in Berkeley ($169-$450; theorchardgardenhotel.com, 888-717-2881).

3) Rock Harbor Lodge, Isle Royale National Park, Mich.: Hidden on a remote island in Northwest Lake Superior, Rock Harbor Lodge is about as far away from it all as you can get ($223-$386; rockharborlodge.com, 906-337-4993).

4) Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah: With access to 6,000 wilderness acres at the base Mt. Timpanogos, Sundance provides excellent skiing and hiking while maintaining a keen attentiveness to the environment ($294-$1388 for the summer season; sundanceresort.com, 800-892-1600 for reservations).

5) Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa, Milton, N.Y.; 90 miles from New York City, this inn on the Hudson River serves local, organic foods grown on-site and relies on geothermal and solar energy to warm its spa waters ($225-$650; buttermilkfallsinn.com, 877-7-INN-SPA).

6) Asheville Green Cottage, Asheville, N.C.: Sleep on organic cotton sheets and natural latex mattresses during your visit to Asheville, a city chockablock with organic restaurants, farmer's markets and mountain ranges. Come the last weekend of July for Bele Chere, the Southeast's largest free arts and music festival ($110-$180; ashevillegreencottage.com; 800.331.9707).

7) Dunton Hot Springs Resort and Spa, Dolores, Colo.: A resort in a former ghost town located in the San Juan Mountain chain of the Rockies close enough to the desert for trips to Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly ($325-$520 per person per night; duntonhotsprings.com, 970-882-4800).