From ancient volcanoes and vibrant rainforests to delicate ice caves and rainbow-like rock formations, some of the most amazing places in America can be found in the great outdoors. And while the nation is home to no shortage of beautiful places, some are so majestic they don’t feel real. Whether that means environments that are almost otherworldly or natural phenomena that seem impossible, these magical places in the U.S. are worthy of travelers’ bucket lists.
Castner Ice Caves, Alaska
Did you know the U.S. has ice caves? That’s right, those looking to explore a cavern of the chilly variety will be happy to learn they can do so without ever reaching for their passport, including when they plan a trip to Castner Glacier, a large iceberg just two-and-a-half hours south of Fairbanks, Alaska. Dimpled with frosty pockmarks, glacial sediment and frozen runoff come together to create the ice cave’s mesmerizing walls and ceiling, its sheer size making visitors look miniature in comparison. A seasonal affair, scheduled tours of Castner Glacier take place from October through April each year.
Thor’s Well, Oregon
A mind-boggling anomaly just off the shores of Oregon’s west coast, Thor’s Well is a peculiar hole in the Pacific Ocean that, despite intaking an almost constant flow of seawater, never seems to fill. Affectionately called the “drainpipe of the Pacific,” and, less affectionately, a gateway to hell, Thor’s Well captivates and intrigues visitors, thousands of whom flock to the unusual natural attraction each year. While this curious oceanic feature might appear beyond comprehension, experts say Thor’s Well is instead the dramatic result of a collapsed sea cave, through the remains of which the ocean’s briny waters can easily surge and spray. To catch Thor’s Well at its most spectacular, travelers will want to plan their visit during high tide or stormy weather. However, they’re advised to remain vigilant, as sneaker waves and violent waters are an ever-present threat to unsuspecting onlookers.
El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
Leaves as big as your head, rushing waterfalls and colorful creatures tucked behind every corner, Puerto Rico’s El Yunque National Forest is like something out of a dream. A canopy of verdant foliage sets the stage while rugged trails and picturesque outlooks offer all-encompassing views of the nation’s only tropical rainforest, the soundtrack is one of frogs croaking in the distance and birds chirping wildly in the foreground. Worthy of any nature lover’s travel wish list, El Yunque is open to visitors every day except Christmas, and while Puerto Rico is a year-round destination, many recommend visiting from early December to late April to beat the crowds and the heat.
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, New Mexico
A testament to the power of geologic time, New Mexico’s Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area feels like an alien landscape with its soaring sandstone hoodoos — remarkable rock formations in the form of towering pinnacles, pointed spires and sleek cap rocks. Beautifully bizarre, a color palette of browns, reds and yellows paint the scene, adding to the stretch of desert’s abstract feel, while famed landmarks with names like “Alien Egg Hatchery,” “Hoodoo City,” “Manta Ray Wing” and “King of Wings” seal the deal. However, visitors will find this space-like place isn’t totally devoid of life. Instead, it acts as home to a variety of rare birds including golden eagles, ferruginous hawks and prairie falcons.
Haleakalā Crater, Hawai’i
A landscape akin to what one might expect to find on Mars, Haleakalā Crater sits 10,023 feet above sea level, soaring high atop the island of Maui below. Translating to “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian, this dormant volcano is a place of great history and importance to locals, it’s also a noteworthy tourist spot. The crater, which doubles as one of the nation’s most coveted national parks, boasts over 30 miles of hiking trails, the pathways of which are decorated with colorful volcanic sands that range in various hues of yellow, brown and red. The park is also one of the best places in the world to watch the sun rise, with Mark Twain being quoted as calling the event “the most sublime spectacle I have ever witnessed,” according to the Hawaiian Islands (Hawaii’s official tourism bureau). Not into dust and sand? Haleakalā is also home to a collection of gorgeous waterfalls and streams, the likes of which visitors can enjoy when they voyage to the park’s coastal Kīpahulu region.
Garden of the Gods, Colorado
A collection of jagged red rocks that ascend toward the sky, Colorado’s Garden of the Gods fascinates and inspires with its massive cliff faces and striking features — the most magical of which jut upwards every which way. And while their placement feels somewhat random amongst the surrounding mountainscapes and greenery, the garden is no one-off act of nature. Instead, the alluring landmark is another example of the force of time, with the rocks we see today being the result of thousands of years of erosion from the movement of massive sand dunes, shallow seas and deep ocean waters. Today, the park acts as a place for people to climb, hike and explore, becoming dwarfed versions of themselves as they marvel at these ancient stones that reach for the heavens.
New River Gorge, West Virginia
The work of the rugged whitewater river by the same name, West Virginia’s New River Gorge is America’s newest national park and one of the most scenic spots in the country’s Appalachian region. Comprising an assemblage of deep canyons paired with a seemingly endless array of rolling hilltops, leafy canopies sprawl as far as the eye can see, their shades shifting with the seasons. Whether it’s wild rapids and rushing waterfalls they seek or serene hikes and challenging mountain biking trails, travelers will find themselves awestruck by undeniable beauty as they explore this underrated gem in the nation’s Mountain State, one of the most beautiful places to visit in the USA.
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