The US is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous natural wonders. Beyond its busy cities and roads are green spaces, bodies of water, and other rural areas begging to be discovered. If you want to explore America’s nature, you simply must visit these 20 natural wonders.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is one of the most stunning natural spaces in the United States. It stretches over a million acres and has about two dozen active glaciers in turquoise waters. Visitors are encouraged to hike up the Rocky Mountains for the best view of the waters and woodland below.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is one of the most famous natural American wonders, and for good reason. According to Niagara Falls State Park, 3,160 tons of water flow over the Falls every second, which is breathtaking to witness. The falls consist of three powerful waterfalls flowing into gorgeous, clear blue waters.
The Garden of the Gods, Colorado
With a name like the Garden of the Gods, you’ll have high expectations. Luckily, this natural wonder in Colorado exceeds those expectations with its endless sandstone rock formations and stretches of woodland. In fact, it’s called the Garden of the Gods because surveyors declared it ‘fit for the Gods to assemble.’
Tongass National Forest, Alaska
Alaska has some of America’s most beautiful rural areas, and Tongass National Forest is among the best. It contains part of the last intact temperate rainforest in the world, with lush greenery and rare flowers and fauna. The entire forest spans over 16 million acres, with long, rushing waters splitting rocky mountains.
Big Sur, California
California has its share of natural wonders, including the famous Big Sur. It’s a mountainous section of the coast containing beaches, cliffs, and redwood forests. Though it’s accessed via a winding drive down Route 1, it’s worth it when you get there and admire miles of rugged mountains and deep waters.
Mount Rainier, Washington
Also called Tahoma, Mount Rainier is a massive active stratovolcano in Washington, visible against the landscape across the state. Alpine and glacial areas and colorful wildflower meadows surround the stunning mountain, which is a staggering 14,410 feet tall, posing a challenge for even the most committed hikers.
Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
If you want to take the photo of a lifetime, you must visit Horseshoe Bend in Arizona. Named after the Colorado River section’s horseshoe shape, this natural wonder is best viewed from high up. Visit Arizona recommends visiting between 4:30 and 6:30 pm to catch the sunset.
Hamilton Pool, Texas
You’ll need your hiking boots to reach Texas’ Hamilton Pool, but it’s worth the trek. This vast body of water is filled by a 50-foot waterfall that flows from Hamilton Creek over stunning limestone outcroppings. There’s a cavern to explore, and you can even swim in the pool when bacteria levels are safe!
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve, California
Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve wouldn’t look out of place in The Wizard of Oz; it’s California’s most consistent poppy-bearing land, with 1,700 acres of flower-covered fields and hills to lose yourself in. The best time to visit is between February and May, the wildflower season, when the weather will be good.
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
You can never see too many stunning waterfalls in America, so add Idaho’s Shoshone Falls to your bucket list. Known as the ‘Niagara Falls of the West,’ Shoshone Falls surpasses Niagara’s height, reaching a dizzying 212 feet tall. Water plunges over the cliff in several places, creating an immense rush.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The Everglades are a stunning natural region of wetlands in southern Florida, and their National Park encompasses 1.5 million acres of them. It’s home to plenty of wildlife, including multiple species of birds, crocodiles, turtles, and lizards. There are many trails to explore, too, so bring your walking shoes!
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is world-famous, but people certainly aren’t exaggerating its magnificence; it spans 277 miles and reaches over 6,000 feet deep! Reader’s Digest urges people to visit the Grand Canyon to fully appreciate how water, wind, and gravity have carved it over millions of years.
Turnip Rock, Michigan
The name sounds funny, but Turnip Rock is amazing to behold. It’s named for its turnip-like shape, but it’s much larger than an actual turnip and has a collection of trees on top. It’s a rock stack standing proudly in Lake Huron that can be reached by kayak when the weather permits.
Death Valley, California
Don’t let the name Death Valley put you off visiting this incredible site in California. It’s a desert canyon that goes on for 140 miles and reaches dangerous heat levels in summer, hence the name, but as long as you approach this natural wonder with caution, it’s well worth the visit.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is so immense that it extends beyond Wyoming to two other states, Montana and Idaho. It covers 2.2 million acres of woodland, mountains, water, and wildlife and has unique hydrothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, and mud pots. You can easily spend days exploring every inch of Yellowstone!
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
Some of the US’ most remarkable natural wonders, like Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, are hidden underground. It’s the world’s longest cave system, with 400 miles for visitors to explore. Kentucky Tourism explains that Mammoth Cave has a long history, beginning with the native people of North America, so there’s plenty to learn.
Avalanche Lake, New York
New York’s Avalanche Lake is a true hidden gem. It’s pretty remote, so you’ll have to travel to it, but once you’re there, it’s incredible. Hiking routes are rocky and alpine, allowing you to admire the water from above. If you visit during summer, you’ll get an even better view.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Volcanoes are always spectacular to behold, and you can see two of the most active, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Stretching to 13,680 feet tall, this UNESCO World Heritage Site houses a stunning biological landscape. The lava viewing area regularly delivers the view of a lifetime.
General Sherman Tree, California
There’s nothing boring about a forest of giant trees, especially one as magnificent as the General Sherman Tree; standing at over 2,000 meters, it’s the Earth’s largest living single-stem tree! Located in the Sequoia National Park, other extremely tall trees surround it, but it’s a wonder on its own.
Crater Lake, Oregon
Last but not least, you simply have to visit Crater Lake, which looks like a painting that has come to life. The water is unbelievably blue, which Travel Oregon attributes to it being one of the deepest lakes on Earth. In the middle is Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone, and the edges are stunning rocky mountains.
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