The United States is an entire of natural wonders. From one side of the country to the other, you can find unique places that are incredibly beautiful. For example, there are huge canyons that go on for miles and there are also lush rainforests and beaches. Whether you love nature, enjoy adventure, or just want to relax, the US has a lot of natural destinations for everyone.
Statista has ranked the top 10 destinations, here.
Pigeon Forge in Tennessee
Pigeon Forge, located in East Tennessee, is surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains, which offer beautiful views all year. It is a popular tourist spot, attracting over 10 million visitors each year. Pigeon Forge has many parks, recreational spots, a fantastic community center, and a public library.
Sedona in Arizona
Sedona is a beautiful desert town in Arizona, about a two-hour drive north of Phoenix. It’s known as “Red Rock Country” because of its stunning red rock formations. The environment is diverse. It ranges from red desert rocks and deep valleys, to beautiful pine trees. Sedona is a small town with fewer than 11,000 residents. It’s famous for its great hiking trails and active arts scene.
South Lake Tahoe in California
Lake Tahoe is North America’s largest alpine lake. With a depth of 1,645 feet, it ranks as the third deepest. Its 72 miles of shoreline offer a variety of outdoor activities such as skiing, biking, hiking, and paddling.
Flagstaff in Arizona
Flagstaff is a city in Northern Arizona, where two major highways, Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, meet. It gets a lot of snow, about 108 inches each year. The sun shines most of the time, with about 266 sunny days annually. In the fall, the Aspen trees turn golden, making the area very beautiful and scenic.
Colorado Spring in City of Colorado
In Colorado Springs you can visit Pikes Peak, a famous mountain, and enjoy hiking or driving to the top for amazing views. Garden of the Gods is another popular spot with rock formations and trails for walking or biking. There are also museums, like the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, which shows the city’s history. Moreover, for more adventure, you can go zip-lining, rock climbing, or explore caves at the Cave of the Winds.
Asheville in North Carolina
Asheville is a city known for its beautiful mountain scenery. People can enjoy many activities, such as hiking and biking in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. The city has art galleries, music venues, and festivals. You can visit the historic Biltmore Estate, explore the River Arts District. Moreover, you can relax in one of the many local breweries and restaurants. Asheville offers everyone, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences.
Moab in Utah
Moab is a well-known spot for its amazing natural beauty. People visit to enjoy many outdoor activities. You can hike in beautiful parks like Arches and Canyonlands, ride mountain bikes, and drive off-road in jeeps. Moab is also great for rock climbing and camping. It’s a perfect place for anyone who loves adventure and nature.
Estes Park in Colorado
Estes Park is 7,522 feet above sea level in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. You can often see wildlife like elk and bighorn sheep. Estes Park is the starting point for exploring Rocky Mountain National Park. There, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and scenic drives. Estes Park itself offers shopping, dining, and attractions like the historic Stanley Hotel. It’s a great place for fishing in mountain lakes, and relaxing in a peaceful environment.
Jackson in Wyoming
Jackson Wyoming, a beautiful mountain town in the West, is located near Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. It’s an area with beautiful mountain scenery and the Snake River. The town is famous for its wildlife, including buffalo, and its expensive homes. Winter activities for visitors include skiing, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.
Page in Arizona
You can visit Antelope Canyon with its beautiful rock formations. Antelope Canyon is a narrow canyon in the American Southwest. Horseshoe Bend is a stunning spot where the Colorado River makes a big, horseshoe-shaped curve. You can view it from an overlook that is 4,200 feet above sea level. Moreover, Lake Powell and the Colorado River provide great spots for boating, fishing, and swimming. In Page, you can also enjoy hiking, off-roading, and many lively events and festivals.
Additionally, consider visiting these nature spots, where you can experience amazing views, different types of wildlife and various other activities.
Molokini Crater in Hawaii
It is located between Maui and Kahoolawe islands in Hawaii. The crater is partly underwater and partly above water. It has a reef where you can see hundreds of different kinds of sea creatures. These creatures are friendly and often come close to boats and people who are snorkeling or diving there. It’s a beautiful place to explore underwater life.
Oneonta Gorge in Oregon
The bright green moss and ferns cover the walls of Oneonta Gorge. It’s a popular tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest. It is located in the Columbia River Gorge, so you may see cliffs and waterfalls while there.
Antelope Valley in California
California is well-known for its beautiful wildflowers, especially in Antelope Valley, which has many hills covered with poppies (the state flower). To see the stunning orange and yellow colors at their best, visit on a sunny morning in April.
Cumberland Island in Georgia
Cumberland Island is an island near Georgia. You can reach this destination by taking a boat from St. Mary, a small town located on the mainland. The nature there is wild and beautiful with big oak trees, wide marshes, and animals such as horses and alligators. You could also visit a historic mansion that once belonged to the Carnegie family.
Letchworth State Park in New York
In New York’s Greater Niagara area, Letchworth State Park is known as “the Grand Canyon of the East.” It offers beautiful views and activities such as hot-air balloon rides and 66 miles of hiking trails. Visit during peak leaf-peeping season for the most beautiful experience among the changing autumn colors.
Angel Oak in South Carolina
Angel Oak, located approx 13 miles from downtown Charleston, South Carolina, is considered one of the most beautiful places in the United States. You can visit the surrounding forest for free. Simply park your car in a nearby lot, and go out, you’ll be greeted by crickets, birds, and the sound of leaves in the air.
Big Bend National Park in Texas
Big Bend National Park is a huge area in Texas known for hiking, camping, sunsets, and sunrises. It has over 800,000 acres of land with rivers, canyons, deserts, and mountains. Moreover, it has thousands of plant and animal species.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin is a great place for people who love outdoor activities regardless of the season. In the warmer months, you can go kayaking through sandstone cliffs shaped by the waves. In the winter, you can walk across the frozen lake to see the beautiful ice caves.
Hoh Rain Forest in Washington
The Hoh Rain Forest located in Olympic National Park, Washington, is one of the rare rainforests within the United States. It’s known for its moss-covered trees and peaceful environment. Gordon Hempton has identified the Hoh River Valley as home to the quietest place in the contiguous 48 states It is devoid of urban noise and human activity.
Door County in Wisconsin
The peninsula in northeastern Wisconsin is a most loved Midwest vacation spot. It’s known for charming towns, beaches along Lake Michigan, and stunning cherry blossoms in spring (April–May). You can spend time walking among rows of these blossoming trees. Moreover, you can try a drink called a cherry bourbon smash made from local cherries and bourbon.
Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana
America’s largest swamp, called the Atchafalaya Basin, is located just west of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. This swamp is filled with a variety of plants and animals such as alligators, Spanish moss, egrets (a type of bird), and bald cypress trees. Additionally, some of the best Cajun restaurants can be found in the nearby towns of Lafayette and New Iberia.
Grand Prismatic Spring in Wyoming
The Grand Prismatic Spring is known as the largest hot spring in the United States. Due to the bright colors, the spring resembles a giant rainbow-colored circle. It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the park, and many visitors consider it a must-see if they visit Yellowstone.
Hamilton Pool in Texas
Hamilton Pool Preserve, located near Austin, Texas, features a 50-foot waterfall and beautiful greenish-blue waters. It’s an ideal location for hiking and relaxing in a natural swimming pool. This place was formed long ago when an underground river’s roof collapsed.
Lake Tahoe in Nevada
Lake Tahoe is a large lake in the mountains of Nevada, United States. It was made a long time ago when ice covered the land. People love it because of its beautiful views of the mountains, ski resorts where people go skiing, and casinos. The lake’s water is transparent, allowing a clear view down to its bottom.
Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard is a popular place to visit in the summer. It has rough Atlantic beaches and small towns. If you go to the southwest part of the island, you’ll find more natural and quiet places. There are thick forests, beaches that aren’t crowded, and small villages where people fish.
Hanging Lake in Colorado
Hanging Lake in Colorado is a very famous place for hiking. The water there is clear and has a turquoise color because of the carbonated minerals in the water. You can even see trees and branches under the water. Moreover, the waterfalls there make the whole place even more beautiful.