17 Must-See Natural Wonders in the U.S. That Will Leave You Awestruck!
In 2019, Americans made 2.3 billion domestic trips, 80 percent leisure travel. The average American spent $6,080 on a trip outside their country and $3,100 on a trip within their country. According to the National Park Service, 327 million people visited U.S. national parks in 2019. Nature’s beauty is a giant canvas beyond our wildest imagination that begs us all to see its most spectacular creatures.
The U.S. offers a plethora of breathtaking natural wonders that promise to inspire and captivate, from towering cliffs to serene lakes and vast deserts. Mother Nature is a fantastic artist, and all these awe-inspiring places prove it! Here are 17 must-see natural marvels as diverse and beautiful as they come.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon is a testament to the Earth’s geological history. It is 277 miles in length and 1 mile in depth. No wonder 5.9 million people visit it annually to admire its colossal beauty.
Hike along the rim or take a guided rafting tour down the Colorado River – the experience is epic every time.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone is a hotbed of natural activity and home to half of the world’s geothermal features. Over 4 million visitors visit the geothermal wonderland annually, which is famous for its more than 10,000 geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles.
Don’t miss Old Faithful when close by, where explosions happen roughly every 90 minutes with glittering precision.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is synonymous with its magnificent waterfalls and is visited by around 4.5 million nature fans annually. Diverse wildlife, glacially carved landscapes, and towering sequoias offer countless opportunities for exploration.
The highlight of any trip is spending a few hours walking through Mariposa Grove or, if you’re up for it, hiking Half Dome for the unbeatable views.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina/Tennessee
The Great Smoky Mountains are named for their misty, smoke-like haze, which straddle the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. The park is considered the most visited U.S. national park, with upwards of 12 million visitors a year.
The Great Smoky Mountains are a paradise for hikers and hosts a plethora of wildlife.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is at the border of the United States (New York) and Canada (Ontario). 3,160 tons of water flow over Niagara Falls each second. For millions, it’s been a bucket list staple, and each year, it attracts 9 million tourists.
There are some beautiful surrounding parks to stroll through and experience the falls from the Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Everglades National Park, Florida
The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stretching over 1.5 million acres. This unique ecosystem boasts alligators and crocodiles’ coexistence, and nowhere else on the planet has this ever happened.
Sawgrass marsh tours on airboats allow visitors to see alligators, manatees, and beautiful birds. The Everglades, with its rich biodiversity, is a nature lover’s dream.
Zion National Park, Utah
Adventure seekers find a dramatic backdrop of Zion’s stunning cliffs and bright red rock formations. Enjoy a heart-burning hike to Angels Landing or navigate through the Narrows for an unforgettable hike through narrow canyons.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Bryce Canyon, named for the former president and known for its spire-shaped rock formations, known as hoodoos, attracts more than 2.5 million visitors annually.
Take the Rim Trail for panoramic views or explore the canyon more closely to see the vibrant rock formations.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali, at 20,310 feet, is North America’s highest peak. The animals on display here include grizzly bears, caribou, and wolves.
Mountaineering for adventure seekers is also a great way to see the park, as is scenic driving.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Outdoorsmen can find over 700 miles of hiking trails in the area. The exposure between rugged peaks and pristine lakes is incredible on Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Wildflower meadows, diverse wildlife, and glaciers make this a naturalists’ haven that you should not miss.
Arches National Park, Utah
This park boasts more than 2,000 natural stone arches, creating an epic landscape that even transports the imagination. One of the most famous formations stands—Delicate Arch—an icon of nature’s artistry.
Naturally, explore the park’s trails and enchanting rock formations every corner.
Redwood National and State Parks, California
Redwood National and State Parks are home to the tallest trees on Earth and towering ancient giants.
The park itself offers a great opportunity to walk amongst these colossal redwoods. Over 200 miles of trails explore the lush forest and stunning coastline.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
Mount Rainier, at 14,411 feet, towers over Washington; it dominates the skyline and has gorgeous vistas. It enshrouds the South Side in mist while swooping in over Liberty Bell Crater.
Hike the Wonderland Trail for sweeping views of wildflower meadows and glaciers. The park’s plethora of visuals and wildlife is reason enough to visit.
Acadia National Park, Maine
The Northeast’s gem offers rugged coastlines, serene lakes, and granite peaks. The park has over 49000 acres and over 120 miles of historic hiking trails.
Hike Cadillac Mountain for sunrise views from the panoramic top or explore 45 miles of scenic carriage roads. This charming park is for outdoor adventurers who need to escape into nature.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Experience Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to active lava flows and centered on landscapes that continually change in the presence of Mother Nature’s raw power. The park has two most active violent volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
In 2023, it had about 1.62 million visitors. Trace the park’s unique terrain and understand the strange geological process that formed the Hawaiian Islands.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon on Navajo land. It is famous for its light beams and sculpted sandstone walls.
They allow you to photograph this natural wonder in breathtaking form. Photographers and visitors alike are in for a must-see.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands National Park covers about 382 square miles. In 2021, the park had 1,224,226 tourists, an increase from the previous year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Badlands National Park is famous for its extraordinarily dramatic landforms and rich fossil beds.
Go hiking in the park and look at the beautiful colors on the eroded cliffs. This unique terrain is a product of wind and water erosion.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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