I’ve Explored All 50 States—These 15 Breathtaking Natural Wonders Stood Above the Rest
Have you ever felt you are not seeing the best in the U.S.? The land features scattered scenery ranging from snow-capped peaks to lush wetlands that can take your breath, so to speak. But yet again, picking the best destination is a daunting task.
Having visited every state, I would like to share 15 natural wonders that stood out to me and that I found mysterious and unforgettable. So, pack your bags, as time is ripe to marvel at America’s most beautiful natural wonders.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
Nothing can prepare you for standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. Its vast expanse is more than 277 miles long and drops a mile deep in places, so it feels like stepping into another world.
The canyon shows more than two billion years of Earth’s history: layers of rock carved out by the Colorado River, the geologists say. Walk into excellent views on the South Kaibab Trail or fly in with a helicopter to get perspective on its scale. The hype lives up to a bucket-list wonder.
Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite Valley is nature’s cathedral. Photographers and climbers return here, and there is little mystery about why. Granite monoliths such as El Capitan and Half Dome are in the background. Did you also know Half Dome rises 5,000 feet from the valley floor?
Visit in spring when Yosemite Falls is roaring at full force. The Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias is suitable for a quieter experience—especially because the trees here are more than 2,000 years old.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone is like nowhere else on Earth for geothermal wonders. It is hallucinating from Old Faithful’s punctual eruptions to the surreal colors of the Grand Prismatic Spring to every park corner. Did you know that over half of the world’s geysers are found in Yellowstone?
Don’t miss time to see its wildlife, such as bison in Lamar Valley or grizzly bears in Hayden Valley. But this is no ordinary park; it’s an opportunity to see America’s volcanic past.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North
Carolina It’s called “The Smokies” for the mist that wraps around its forested peaks, creating dreamlike views. The site hosts ancient ecosystems with some plant species, one of which dates back to 10,000 years, and is included in this UNESCO World Heritage site.
You can drive the panoramic Cades Cove Loop or hike the highest point in the Smokies—Clingmans Dome—for a sight stretching seven clear states.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a sheer power in motion. A natural reminder of the natural force is over 3,160 tons of water spilling over its edges every second. The Horseshoe Falls stretches 2,700 feet wide.
Or, get close to them by catching the Maid of the Mist boat or peeking under the night sky’s light. Just prepare to get wet; this is the best part of it.
Monument Valley, Utah/Arizona
This towering red sandstone landscape of buttes is like jumping into a Western film—and it’s been used as the setting for many. These sacred lands of the Navajo Nation rise as high as 1,000 feet.
With a Navajo-guided jeep tour, you can hear stories that bring the valley to life. The magical hues of the sunrise and sunset brighten the already stunning setting.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters shimmer against the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is one of the clearest lakes on Earth, with visibility that extends more than 70 feet deep.
If you visit Tahoe, come in the winter for skiing or snowboarding, but Tahoe’s beaches shine in summer. By any standard, it is paradise. Take in the views from Emerald Bay State Park.
The Everglades, Florida
The Everglades are a subtropical wilderness of massive proportions. They stretch 1.5 million acres and constitute one of the most extensive wetlands on the planet. They have an astonishing alligator and bird population, including the rare roseate spoonbill.
Take an airboat tour to skim over the water and see the “River of Grass” up close. Florida’s ecosystem relies on the Everglades’ protection, so visit while it’s still thriving.
Mount Rainier, Washington
At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier towers above the skyline and draws everyone who sees it. As this active stratovolcano is, it is blanketed with the most glacial ice of any peak in the contiguous U.S..
Paradise is also renowned for wildflowers in the spring, and there is nothing better than attempting the Sunrise trails, which offer unparalleled views of Mount Shasta’s snowcapped majesty.
Bryce Canyon, Utah
Flooded with thousands of hoodoos and tall, thin spires of rock that seem otherworldly, Bryce Canyon’s amphitheaters are filled.
The formations were shaped via erosion over millions of years, and the colors changed with the sunlight. The Navajo Loop Trail offers a close-up view; in the evening, the site is one of the darkest skies in the U.S.
Denali, Alaska
Denali—formerly Mount McKinley—is North America’s tallest peak at 20,310 feet. As beautiful as it is rugged, its majesty surrounds the Alaskan wilderness inhabited by bears, caribou, and wolves.
If time permits, book a flight with scenic views, or you may choose the Denali Park Road drive for dramatic views and wildlife encounters. You will be awe-stricken by its remoteness.
Arches National Park, Utah
This park has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches that make you feel like you’re in a stone wonderland. The show-stopper is Delicate Arch, glorious orange at sunset set against its dramatic curve.
Besides, rock formations like Balanced Rock, a 128-foot rock tower balancing precariously, can be found in the park. What a fantastic hike you will take on the Devil’s Garden trail.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
The places ramble up and down, with badlands giving rise to strange shapes and crater bottoms. It is a surreal, wild place where hills and pinnacles of naked rock stagger into the sky, only a bit sticking up out of the sweltering grassland, all blending into a land of unity.
Fossils from millions of years ago when the area was a sea can be found in these eroded formations. You can learn about the hike’s unique terrain on the Notch Trail. The colors of the Badlands only get more vibrant as the sun lowers, so don’t miss the golden hour.
Havasu Falls, Arizona
Havasu Falls at the Grand Canyon is a cascading oasis of turquoise water set in walls of red rocks, all hidden deep within the Grand Canyon. Its vivid blue-green color is a result of high calcium carbonate.
But the reward is great: Getting there is a 10-mile hike. Camping near the falls is entirely worth the effort, as is soaking in the beauty of the falls under the stars.
Glacier National Park, Montana
This wonder, popularly known as the “Crown of the Continent,” hosts up to 1 million acres of jaw-dropping scenery. It is a hiker’s paradise with more than 700 miles of trails. Take the Going-to-the-Sun Road for some of the prettiest vistas anywhere in the States.
Before scientists expect these namesake glaciers to melt, don’t forget to see their namesake glaciers. Looking at the list of every place on this list will leave you in awe at the beauty of nature. That’s why there’s adventure in which natural wonder will your next memory be made?
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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