From Japan’s Mount Fuji to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to Israel’s Dead Sea, the world is absolutely brimming with can’t-believe-your-eyes attractions. Of course, this is no shock to anyone, but what might surprise you is that you don’t have to book an expensive flight to see some of the most intriguing places on Earth. Whether you’re interested in red rocks, crystalline caves, or hot springs, we’ve found 17 off-the-beaten-path natural wonders in the U.S. that will blow your mind.
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1. Delicate Arch; Arches National Park, Utah
Where to fly: Salt Lake International Airport (SLC)
The next time you find yourself on a road trip out west, be sure to make a pitstop at Arches National Park in Utah, which is teeming with red rock formations, including more than 2,000 arches, the most famous of which is Delicate Arch.
Standing at 52 feet high, the arch is made of Entrada Sandstone and has remained a beacon of the state of Utah, from 19th-century cowboys declaring it a welcoming landmark to the 2022 Olympic athletes passing under the arch during the torch relay.
To see it for yourself, you’ll need to trek three miles roundtrip. Though take it from us, the view is well worth the effort.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting in the warmer months of the year, be sure to retain the full glory of the surrounding landscape with a stay at Under Canvas Moab, where upscale safari tents open to reveal stunning views of the red rocks.
2. Crater Lake; Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Where to fly: Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)
Located in south-central Oregon, Crater Lake is truly a sight to behold thanks to its famous deep blue color and water clarity. With a depth of 1,949 feet, this lake is the deepest in the United States.
But what makes it especially appealing is that you can actually swim in Crater Lake by following the Cleetwood Cove Trail, which is slightly over a mile long and wraps around the lake, giving hikers impressive views of the surrounding lakeshore. Visitors can also fish, hike, camp, and go on boat tours during the lake’s warmer seasons.
Pro tip: Nestled on the southwestern rim of Crater Lake is the Crater Lake Lodge, built in 1915. More than a century later, the impeccable stone terrace and panoramic views of the lake make your stay incredible during any time of the year.
3. Antelope Canyon; Page, Arizona
Where to fly: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) or Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
If you decide to make the trek to this remote set of caves in Arizona (and you should), it’s best to do so in the summer, when the light hits the red earthen walls at just the right angle to add spectacular depth to this destination.
Millions of years ago, Antelope Canyon was created by the erosion of Navajo Sandstone, mostly due to excessive flooding. To see this natural wonder for yourself, you’ll need to book a guided tour. Whether said tour focuses on photography, hiking, or geology is up to you.
Pro tip: While you’re in the area, be sure to pay a visit to nearby Horseshoe Bend, which promises spectacular views after hiking through only 1.25 miles of agreeable (and beautiful) desert terrain.
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4. Caverns of Sonora, Texas
Where to fly: El Paso International Airport (ELP) or San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
The U.S. may not have the historic architecture of Europe and Asia, but we do have ancient natural wonders like this 2-million-year-old limestone cave.
Texas’ Caverns of Sonora are located halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park, where Texas Hill Country meets the Chihuahuan Desert. On a guided tour 155 feet below, you can get up close to the dripping calcite crystal formations and learn about their unique history.
As the Texas Historical Commission shares, “The caverns remain seventy-one degrees year-round and 95% of the formations are considered active, meaning the processes that created the formations continue to add to existing forms as well as creating new ones.”
Pro tip: Adventure seekers can book the four-hour-long Discovery Challenge tour in which you’ll repel 50 feet into the Devil’s Pit chasm, just like a real caver.
5. Garden of the Gods; Colorado Springs, Colorado
Where to fly: Denver International Airport (DEN)
Situated inside of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods has been a popular tourist destination for outdoor enthusiasts for decades. Millions of years ago, these 300-foot-tall natural rock formations were caused by a geologic upheaval along a fault line—and ever since, indigenous tribes and tourists from all around the world have reveled in the impressive display.
Compared to other parks of its size, Garden of the Gods is relatively easy to navigate via car and foot, with several hiking trails winding through the park.
Pro tip: While you’re in Colorado Springs, it’s essential that you pay a visit to one of the breweries that have changed the landscape of the city’s dining culture. For a taste of the best beer brewed in the city, have a pint at the Bristol Brewing Company—an atmospheric pub that offers the public tours of their facility.
6. White Sands National Monument; Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
Where to fly: El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Like many other parts of the west, there’s an ancient stillness to the White Sands National Monument. Existing as the world’s largest gypsum dune field, the landscape extends for an impressive 275 square miles in the middle of a remote part of New Mexico.
Travel experts recommend taking your shoes off to experience the feel of the “sand” and sticking around until sunset, when the brilliant colors are reflected in the ground.
Notably, the park is also one of the most dog-friendly adventure destinations in America—meaning that you can explore the park with your canine pal.
Pro tip: Located a few miles away, Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces is a posh hotel offering Spanish Colonial-inspired decor, a spa, a nightclub, and a pool.
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7. Grand Prismatic Spring; Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Where to fly: Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Located in Yosemite National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is just one of many natural wonders that inspire visitors. The rainbow-colored hot spring is actually the largest in America (about as deep as a 10-story building) and the third largest in the entire world. Best of all, it’s only a short hike to see this spectacular sight.
Pro tip: For avid wildlife fans, booking a private Yellowstone wildlife tour will prove to be incredibly rewarding—especially considering the fact that they can tailor such tours to include the wildlife that interests you the most.
9. Yosemite Falls; Yosemite National Park, California
Where to fly: Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
A trip to Yosemite isn’t complete without a hike to discover Yosemite Falls, perhaps one of the grander natural wonders in the park. Be sure to go in May, when the falls are at their peak flow.
To get to the cascade, considered one of the tallest in the country, you can either opt to access the lower falls with a simple one-mile hike, or you can channel your more adventurous side with a strenuous all-day hike to the top—either way, you’re in for a treat.
Pro tip: To prolong your view, book a room at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. The digs are directly in front of the falls and offer chic dining experiences, a pool, and plenty of other accommodations to make your stay that much more memorable.
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10. Denali Peak; Denali National Park, Alaska
Where to fly: Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
With a summit elevation of 20,310 feet, Denali, located outside of Fairbanks, is the tallest mountain peak in North America. It also serves as the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the more frequented national parks in America.
Most are advised to visit Denali National Park during its summer season that runs from late May to early September, as any other season bears a risk of the winter elements affecting your travel plans. No matter where you hike in Denali National Park, you’ll have stunning views of the peak—so be sure to dedicate at least a day to explore the park.
Pro tip: For those who want a more relaxed retreat from the perils of the wilderness, look no further than the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, which offers a luxurious stay among the beautiful scenery. From upmarket offerings (dinner theatre, hot tub retreats, on-site dining) to outdoor excursions that are sure to test your adrenaline, this stay offers visitors the best of both worlds.
11. Hamilton Pool Preserve; Dripping Springs, Texas
Where to fly: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
With just a quarter-mile walk to this scenic natural pool from the visitor’s center, it’s incredibly easy for everyone to enjoy the Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs, Texas.
In this collapsed grotto and canyon, visitors can either take a swim and enjoy the scenic views from the water or take a hike around the park to revel in the bounty of natural elements that make this destination one of the most beautiful in the country. The best time to visit this natural pool and waterfall is in the warmer months from March through November.
Pro tip: Also in Dripping Springs is Pedernales Falls State Park, where the river flows over massive slabs of limestone, creating a place to wade, swim, and take in the natural beauty.
12. Saguaro National Park; Tucson, Arizona
Where to fly: Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Home to the nation’s largest cactus, the giant saguaros visible in Saguaro National Park have become a symbol of the American West, complete with native plants and animals.
To view these cactuses in person, simply cruise down Cactus Forest Drive. And if you really want a killer Insta post, be sure to do so when the sun is setting and the orange light covers the desert in a magnificent, magical glow.
Pro tip: For a more luxurious retreat from your desert travels, book a room at the Omni Tucson National Resort, which offers guests a truly immersive experience with a golf course, spa, two outdoor pools, three restaurants, and a fitness room—all with panoramas of the Arizona desert.
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13. Devils Tower National Monument; Devils Tower, Wyoming
Where to fly: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
Located in the middle of a rather desolate part of Wyoming, the Devils Tower is a looming force to be reckoned with, inspiring stories by native tribes and even a starring role in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
This destination, with the even parallel cracks splitting its surface, has become a popular spot for traditional rock climbing—and the view from the top makes it totally worth it. For those afraid of heights, however, you can access the base of Devils Tower by hiking the 1.3-mile loop that surrounds the distinct geological feature.
Pro tip: With access points across numerous parts of the state, a visit to the Black Hills National Forest is an easy detour on a road trip. With 1.2 million acres of forested mountains, there are numerous hiking trails and adventurous expeditions offered for travelers of all kinds.
14. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park; Hawai’i
Where to fly: Hilo International Airport (ITO)
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—and extends 13,680 feet above sea level on the state’s Big Island.
To visit the active site of the Kilauea volcano, you can either hike the Crater Rim Trail to easily access the stunning scenic vistas, desert terrain, and lush rain forests, or simply take the drive to the volcano’s summit in the safety of your car.
Pro tip: To remain close to the scenic craters, book your room at the aptly named Volcano House, a hotel built in 1846 that offers a lounge, a restaurant, and sweeping views of the craters.
15. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Where to fly: Louisville International Airport (SDF)
Mammoth Cave National Park boasts a series of caves that are actually the longest in the world, spanning an impressive 400 miles long. Visitors can experience Mammoth Cave in a number of different ways, from tours of the “Frozen Niagara” to historic and geologic tours.
Pro tip: Mammouth Cave offers more than just caves, so plan to make a day (or two!) of it. Across its 53,000 acres, you’ll find rolling hills, river valleys, and historic churches and cemeteries. In the warmer months, you can go kayaking, fishing, or horseback riding.
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16. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Sea Caves; Bayfield, Wisconsin
Where to fly: Duluth International Airport (DLH)
Apostle Island National Lakeshore is a national park comprised of 21 separate islands scattered along a 12-mile stretch of Lake Superior.
As the National Park Service notes, it is the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people and boasts “the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park system.”
However, there’s nothing quite like hopping on a kayak and paddling through the famous sea caves, made of red sandstone set against the glistening blue water. “Nature has carved delicate arches, vaulted chambers, and honeycombed passageways into cliffs on the north shore of Devils Island, Swallow Point on Sand Island, and along the mainland near the Lakeshore’s western boundary,” explains the NPS.
Pro tip: If kayaking is too much for you, don’t write off Apostle Island National Lakeshore. On Devils Island, there’s a one-mile hiking trail where you can spot the sea caves. You can also make plans to visit the park’s multiple lighthouses.
17. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness; Four Corners Region, New Mexico
Where to fly: Farmington (FMN)
The rock formations at the 45,000-acre Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness are some of the most unique in the nation. Formed from sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt, they’re known as hoodoos, “weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other unusual forms,” according to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
It may now be arid desert, but millions of years ago, it was an inland coastal swamp home to early relatives of the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Pro tip: The Bisti Badlands are adjacent to Navajo Nation land. To learn about the Indigenous cultural history, as well geological history, book an excursion with Navajo Tours.
18. Fern Canyon; Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California
Where to fly: Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) or Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR)
Fern Canyon is located a few miles within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. If you’ve never been there but it looks oddly familiar, perhaps you’ve seen the lush, fern-covered canyon in Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World?
The verdant one-mile trail forms a natural maze with walls that grow closer and taller the farther you walk. The leafy environs shade a number of amphibians, as well, including the Pacific giant salamander—so keep your eye peeled.
“The canyon walls sprout an amazing variety of luxuriant ferns and other moisture-loving plants,” shares Visit Redwoods. “On a sunny day, thousands of tiny drops of moisture make the canyon walls sparkle.”
Pro tip: Humboldt County, California may not be famous like Napa and Sonoma for its wines, but there are plenty of highly-rated wineries in the region, as well as craft beer breweries.
