Over last few years, the National Scenic Visitors Center has moved our mission forward in significant strides, thanks to the engagement and support of so many. In 2024, the NSVC has an even greater designs: to engineer the creation of an extraordinary new destination in the Lehigh Valley. 

It’s called Earthwalk USA – and it’s a giant-sized, walkable, 3D, physical relief map of America, featuring the continental landforms of the country, and including Alaska and Hawai’i in accurate geospatial orientation. With their own feet, visitors explore hundreds of scale miles of mountains, plains, rivers and cities. Geoshow narratives project stories onto the map surface, such as Bird Migration, Native American Trails, and more. 

The Earthwalk USA map showcases the amazing breadth, diverse history, and remarkable geology of our country from a bold new perspective. It’s a science adventure, cultural experience, and one-of-kind traveler’s guide to America. We hope you’ll join us in helping to bring this world-class experience to the Lehigh Valley.

​Concept illustration for the Lehigh Valley’s Earthwalk USA facility.

The Earthwalk USA 100 ft. long map will cover the 48 contiguous states. Alaska and Hawai’i will be produced at a different scale, but positioned as geophysically accurate as possible relative to the bigger map. It’s possible Hawai’i may be positioned at the entrance foyer, and filled with small pools of water surrounding the island. Another idea is to create ‘State Rooms’ around the periphery of the main map, each revealing scenic and geological aspects of our nation’s 50 states. Restrooms, administrative space, physical plant facilities, and a café and gift shop are all part of the wider-ranging concept. Many design ideas are in consideration. All of this will depend on the overall space acquired and funding.

We’ll be continuing to post material as our project goes forward. We look forward to sharing our journey to engineering the largest walkable relief map in the Universe..!