Beauty Right At Home
Lots of United States residents travel abroad to see the world's most amazing sites, but very few have seen everything available for them to enjoy at home. There are incredible sites across the country that are more than IG worthy, you just have to know exactly where to find them.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
Havasu Falls is a true paradise on Earth. Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation within Arizona's famous Grand Canyon, the breathtaking waterfall cascades 100 feet down into a turquoise pool that is bordered by towering, deep-orange limestone cliffs.
Neversink Pit, Alabama
Eerie and mysterious, the Neversink Pit is a mix between a sinkhole and a cave. The open air pit, which is located in Jackson County, Alabama, plunges 162 feet into the ground and attracts both seasoned cave divers and curious hikers. Those seeking to explore the pit must obtain a climbing permit and make a half-hour climb up a mountain.
George Steinmetz | Getty Images
Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
Just outside the city of Juneau, Alaska is a winter wonderland waiting to be explored. The Mendenhall Ice Caves are a collection of frozen caverns that form inside of giant glaciers every cold season. Because glaciers are dynamic systems, the cave patterns change every year—but you can always count on mesmerizing hues of blue to be present in the ice, dancing in the light.
Blanchard Springs Caverns, Arkansas
Deep in the Ozarks lie the Blanchard Springs Caverns, an intricate cave system that was carved by flowing water more than 350 million years ago. The site offers three in-depth tours that take you on lighted paths full of stalacites, stalagmites, and flowstones. Just make sure to bring a durable pair of hiking boots with you before you go.
Lava Beds, California
Beneath the rugged surface of northern California lies a hidden world carved by fire. At Lava Beds National Monument, molten lava sculpted over 700 tunnels some 65,000 years ago—now hardened into twisting, otherworldly passageways. Today, curious spelunkers from around the globe descend into this volcanic labyrinth to explore its surreal and ancient beauty.
Paint Mines, Colorado
El Paso County, Colorado is home to Paint Mines Interpretive Park, a colorful rocky landscape with an intriguing history. Thousands of years ago, Native American tribes in the region would collect the colorful clays in the rocks and use them to make paints. Today, the Paint Mines is a tourist attraction that includes four miles of scenic trails.
Thimble Islands, Connecticut
The Thimble Islands is an archipelago made up of 365 islands just off the coast of Branford, Connecticut. Historically, the islands did not have much value; but today, some of them are owned by wealthy families who have built private vacation homes onto them. Only six of the islands receive electrical power through underwater cables.
Coastal Salt Marshes, Delaware
Delaware's coastline consists of a number of salt marshes that offer more than just a picturesque view. These coastal wetlands actually play a significant role in mitigating climate change due to the carbon-absorbing activity of their diverse flora. Aside from their scientific importance, the salt marshes are also a hotspot for birdwatchers and eco-lovers alike.
Devil's Den, Florida
You may have snorkeled at a beach before, but have you ever snorkeled in an underground prehistoric spring? The Devil's Den near Williston, Florida is a premier destination for snorkeling, with rare sights such as underwater stalacites and fossil beds to see. The karst cavern contains crystal-clear waters at a comfortable 72-degrees F, as well as a natural skylight that beautifully illuminates the area.
Providence Canyon, Georgia
A canyon might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Georgia, but Providence Canyon is a stunning exception. Nicknamed “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” its vibrant orange and red gorges stretch across the landscape in a breathtaking display. With 10 miles of trails winding through its colorful terrain, it’s a surreal spot hiding in plain sight.
Stairway To Heaven, Hawaii
The Stairway to Heaven in Oahu, Hawaii offers perhaps the most spectacular view of the island; but adventurers beware—one must brave 4,000 steps atop the towering Ko'olua mountain range to reach the peak, and the structure itself is steep and unstable. Despite zero reports of deaths or injuries, the stairs are off-limits to the public, with trespassers getting fined as much as $1,000 USD as of 2024.
Craters of the Moon, Idaho
In the high desert of southern Idaho, there is a bizarre landscape that gives off a very extraterrestrial feel. The rugged region is called Craters of the Moon and it consists of rock formations that resemble a lunar terrain, giving hikers an otherworldly experience.
Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve | Flickr
Starved Rock, Illinois
Starved Rock State Park is rated the #1 attraction in the Illinois, and for good reason. The park is unlike anything else in the flat Midwestern state, offering many multidimensional sights such as moss-covered canyons, flowing waterfalls, and winding green boardwalks.
Indiana Dunes, Indiana
Nature lovers will appreciate the vast plant and animal diversity at Indiana Dunes National Park. Occupying over 15 miles of the Indiana coast, the region is composed of many different ecosystems, from woodlands and prairies to wetlands and, of course, sand dunes.
Visit IndianaMaquoketa Caves, Iowa
Iowa’s Maquoketa Caves State Park is a hidden gem for adventurers, offering 13 caves, 6 scenic trails, and 192 acres of lush woodland to explore. From towering bluffs to a natural bridge and a perfectly perched balanced rock, the park is packed with geological wonders at every turn.
Monument Rocks, Kansas
There's something so ethereal about the giant chalk formations in Kansas. Aside from the fact that their origins can be traced back to 80 million years ago when sediment began to settle on the floor of a Cretaceous inland sea, their striking shapes make them a breathtaking wonder for the eyes to behold.
Lost River Cave, Kentucky
It's not everyday you get to take a boat ride through an ancient cave. Kentucky's Lost River Cave, located in the city of Bowling Green, is a massive cave system that has flowing water running through it. The main attraction is a boat tour that cruises along the Lost River, but visitors can also explore the beautiful nature trails inside the 72-acre park.
Lost River CaveBarataria Preserve, Louisiana
In 2021, the Barataria preserve suffered a major blow as Hurricane Ida damaged many of its trails; however, work is being done to restore those trails with new, sustainable designs to bolster the area against future hurricanes. Today, the preserve is still open to the public, offering 26,000 acres for wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing.
Baxter State Park, Maine
Baxter State Park is for true wilderness explorers. Its founder, Percival P. Baxter, dedicated the land to animals first and to humans second. His sincere hope was that the beauty and magnificence of the park would help humans gain a deeper respect for nature and help them understand their impact on the environment.
Harpers Ferry, Maryland
The peaceful town of Harpers Ferry, Maryland blends historic depth with enduring beauty. With its ties to American industry and culture, it’s a favorite for history lovers and wanderers alike. For the most breathtaking view, head to Overlook Cliff via the Maryland Heights Trail—where the town unfolds like a scene from another time.
Aquinnah Cliffs, Massachusetts
Small towns have the unique ability to transport you back in time, and Martha's Vineyard is no exception. One of its most appealing qualities is its sandstone and clay cliffside, which borders the town and rise 130 feet high from the ground. A walk along the shore will definitely make you feel like time has halted.
Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism
Torch Lake, Michigan
Forbes Magazine once said that Michigan's Torch Lake "looks exactly like the Caribbean," and its easy to see why. The lake is known for its rich turquoise blue color that is a rare sight so far north (though its water temperature is a different story). Its main attraction is an offshore sandbar where lively beach parties often take place.
Niagara Cave, Minnesota
In 1924, three pigs fell through a sinkhole in Minnesota, leading to the discovery of a series of underground tunnels—or so the story goes. The subterranean labyrinth has been naturally carved out by running water for centuries, giving rise to the undulated patterns in the rock walls. Points of interest in Niagara Cave include a 60-foot-tall waterfall, calcite flowstone, and 400-million-year-old fossils.
Red Bluff, Mississippi
Known as Mississippi's "Little Grand Canyon," the Red Bluff is an otherwordly 150-foot gorge that was created over millions of years. Its characteristic red, orange, and purple-colored soils make it a sight to behold, especially in the daytime when sunlight strikes its surface.
Johnson's Shut-Ins, Missouri
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park in Missouri offers more than just a refreshing swim—it’s a dip into deep geologic history. Shaped by 1.4 billion years of natural forces, the park’s unique rock formations create natural pools and chutes unlike anywhere else. Swimming here means immersing yourself in waters carved by time itself.
Wild Goose Island, Montana
Within the vastness of Glacier National Park in Montana lies a tiny island that rises only 14 feet from the surface of a tucked-away lake. Wild Goose Island is one of the most charming scenes in the state, attracting photographers from all over who willingly make the 6.5-mile trek to capture it.
Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska
Some of the most unique geological formations in the country can be found in Toadstool Geologic Park, also known as the Nebraska badlands. The oddly-shaped stones can be observed along three hiking trails, and the yellow-tinged landscape can make visitors feel like they are in a completely different world.
Sand Mountain, Nevada
An off-roading paradise exists just outside of Fallon, Nevada, stretching two miles along what locals call the "Loneliest Road in America." Sand Mountain is a giant six-foot-tall dune made entirely of sand that accumulated over several millennia from a nearby, dried-up lake. ATV enthusiasts from all over the country flock to Sand Mountain to rip around the fine sands and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
US Department of the Interior | Flickr
Ruggles Mine, New Hampshire
Exploring the Ruggles Mine sort of feels like exploring the intricate tunnels of an ant hill. The massive open-pit mine is a dream for gem seekers as it is filled with all sorts of valuable minerals, including mica, amethyst, feldspar, rose quartz, and garnet. Unfortunately, the Ruggles Mine is now closed to the public.
Great Falls, New Jersey
More than two billion gallons of water from the Passaic River cascade over the Great Falls in Paterson, New Jersey—an awe-inspiring sight at 260 feet wide and 77 feet tall. Beyond its beauty, the historic waterfall powers the city with 30 million kilowatt-hours of hydroelectricity each year.
Bisti Badlands, New Mexico
The high desert of New Mexico is home to an ethereal landscape known as the Bisti Badlands, which contain some of the most astonishing rock formations on the planet. Like something out of Mars, the hoodoo-rich terrain is naturally painted a red-orange color, making it especially beautiful to witness during sunrise.
Glen Watkins State Park, New York
Glen Watkins State Park in upstate New York is something out of a storybook. The 778-acre park is packed with several points of interest, including lush greens, winding trails, stone staircases, narrow gorges, and majestic waterfalls. An abundance of campsites, swimming spots, and facilities also make this a great place for camping.
Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
In the summer months, Grandfather Mountain puts on dazzling light shows courtesy of the many species of fireflies that inhabit the area. The fireflies can be observed throughout the park; however, the best sightings are arguably at the mountains peak, where they are coupled by an amazing view of the North Carolina landscape.
Burning Hills, North Dakota
Former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt used to hunt in an territory of North Dakota that would eventually become a national park named after him. One of the park's distinct features is a stretch of coal-rich badlands nicknamed the "Burning Hills," which comes from a phenomenon in which lighting strikes the coal beds and produces a characteristic red color from the resulting oxidation of iron.
Rock House, Ohio
Tucked into a 150-foot cliff in Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park, the Rock House is a natural wonder unlike anything else in the area. This tunnel-like cave— the park’s only true cave—draws hikers with its dramatic features, including seven Gothic-style windows and towering prismatic sandstone columns that support its massive stone ceiling. It’s a hidden cathedral carved by nature.
Turner Falls, Oklahoma
Thousands of people visit Turner Falls every year to take a dip in its cool waters. Tucked away in the heart of the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma, the 77-foot-tall waterfall drops into a natural swimming pool which brings together both locals and out-of-towners for an epic summer swim.
Oneonta Gorge, Oregon
Despite the many trails in the surrounding area, the Oreonta Gorge near Portland, Oregon cannot be accessed via trail. To get there, you must traverse off-path along a challenging route that involves walking up a creek bed, hurdling over a sometimes unstable log jam, and wading through through waist-deep water.
Ricketts Glen, Pennsylvania
Ricketts Glen State Park is a 13,000-acre wooded wonderland just 30 miles north of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Over 20 waterfalls can be seen in this park along a 7-mile loop that presents a fun challenge for even the most seasoned hikers. Make sure to stop by the 94-foot-tall Ganoga falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the entire park.
Mohegan Bluffs, Rhode Island
Rhode Island is beautiful all around, but a short ferry ride to Block Island will land you in one of the most beautiful spots in the state: the Mohegan Bluffs. Towering 185 feet high, the bluffs offer unmatched views of the Atlantic Ocean, and some people have even likened its white sand beaches to California's Malibu beach.
Angel Oak, South Carolina
There’s something almost otherworldly about the Angel Oak tree. Nestled in a quiet woodland near Charleston, South Carolina, this 400-year-old giant stands 65 feet tall, its twisting limbs stretching out in graceful, angular patterns. Though Hurricane Hugo left it battered in 1989, the Angel Oak has endured—still standing as a symbol of strength and natural beauty.
Black Hills, South Dakota
The Lokota words "Paha Sapa" translates to "hills that are black," which is a fitting for this isolated mountain range. The Black Hills of South Dakota stand out from the surrounding prairie landscape, rising several thousand feet above the ground and tinting the skies black with its pine-covered peaks.
Lost Sea Cave, Tennessee
Named "America's Largest Underground Lake" by the Guinness Book of World Records, The Lost Sea in Sweetwater, Tennessee extends a staggering 140 feet underground. While current measurements have the lake at 800 feet long and 220 feet wide, cave divers are still mapping the lake today and still have not found its true ends.
Hamilton Pool Reserve, Texas
One of Texas' most prized gems is Hamilton Pool Reserve, a natural swimming pool with emerald green waters near Austin. the site is part of the Balcones Canyonlands preserve, which is federally protected area containing multiple trails, waterfalls, grottos, and much more.
The Wave, Utah
In Utah, the waves aren't made of water—they're made of rock. One wave in particular is world-famous for its surreal, undulated patterns and striking red-orange color. Simply called "The Wave," it is one of the most highly photographed spots in the U.S. and continues to draw hundreds of visitors annually.
Rock of Ages Quarry, Vermont
Graniteville, Vermont is home to the world’s largest deep-hole dimension quarry—and you can see it for yourself. Owned by Rock of Ages, the massive site offers self-guided tours that take visitors through its towering granite walls and into the adjacent plant, where gravestones and monuments are still crafted from stone pulled straight from the earth.
Natural Bridge, Virginia
Virginia's Natural Bridge is geological formation that reaches 215 feet into the skies and also has a giant natural arch spanning 90 feet. While it is the star of the show in the park, there are also dense green forests, rolling hills, and inspiring views of the James River valley to experience in the area.
Hoh Rainforest, Washington
Hoh Rainforest is a moss-covered wonderland located on the Olympic Peninsula in west Washington state. It is one of the largest temperate rainforests in America, filled with old-growth trees and a wide diversity of wildlife. The best time to visit is during the rainy season since that is when the moss is most green and vibrant.
Dolly Sods, West Virginia
Many places can be beautiful in the autumn, but there's something about fall in the Dolly Sods that's truly special. The view from Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak, offers the most breathtaking views of the colorful foliage from an observational tower that's open to all visitors.
Apostle Island Sea Caves, Wisconsin
Kayaking enthusiasts will want to put the Apostle Island Sea Caves on their bucket lists. Located in Wisconsin's Bayfield County, it is one of the most incredible places to paddle, with several sandstone cliffs and isolated caverns to explore. In the winter, the caves become lined with ice, transforming it from a summer hotspot to a winter wonderland.
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Among Yellowstone National Park’s many wonders, the Grand Prismatic Spring stands out as a must-see. Famous as the park’s most photographed thermal feature, its vibrant, rainbow-like rings are created by heat-loving bacteria thriving in the mineral-rich waters—an otherworldly spectacle of color and nature’s artistry.
