You may think you know all the coolest places in the United States, but we bet you haven’t heard of these amazing locations! Everyone knows about the Grand Canyon and Florida’s beaches, but there are many lesser known wonders out there that you can’t miss. Do you want to do something totally different this year? Why not take a trip to one of the United States’ best kept secrets? Here are a dozen of the coolest natural destinations in the United States, and why they should be included on your bucket list. You’re sure to have a great time (and make your Instagram followers jealous) when you check out any of these awesome destinations.
Have you ever been inside a glacier? Did you even know you could go in one? Well, visit Juneau, and you can! Mendenhall Glacier Cave is a hollow glacier that you can walk inside! Everything in the cave is bathed in cool blue light. It’s like being in a Disney movie.
Hawaii isn’t just for beaches and sunburns. Na Pali Coast State Park is a breathtaking place where alongside the beach, you get rugged green mountains and waterfalls galore! Take the long hike through the park for breathtaking views.
This is an ultra-hot natural spring that boasts as many colors as the rainbow! It’s also the largest hot spring in the United States. If you’ve ever seen a collection of Yellowstone postcards, Grand Prismatic Spring was likely featured on one or two. However, many people miss this natural wonder in their hurry to witness Old Faithful. If you go to Yellowstone, take the time to view this otherworldly hot spring! Old Faithful will still be erupting later—hence the name.
Address: Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Zion National Park gets all the attention in Utah’s beautiful southern region! However, Bryce Canyon has plenty of charms of its own. This park is filled with odd rock formations called hoodoos, and it was once the haunt of infamous western villains!
Also known as Hawksbill Crag, this place is a jutting cliff that offers incredible views of the green mountains of Arkansas. The hike to Whitaker Point is rewarding, and the final destination is more than worth it!
If you want to see a stunning sight, Horseshoe Bend should definitely be a part of your next trip to the Southwest! This attraction is a location near Page, Arizona and the northern rim of the Grand Canyon. It is a particularly beautiful part of the Colorado River, which runs at the bottom of a deep gorge through the northern Arizona wilderness. Horseshoe bend is a section of the river than creates a sudden hairpin curve, resulting in a breathtaking rock formation. You can easily park at a lot near the attraction and walk about a mile to see the sight.
This place may be the most striking location on the entire Oregon coast. And that’s a tall claim, since the sight of forests sweeping down to the sea is quite beautiful! Thor’s Well appears to be a bottomless hole that is draining the Pacific Ocean. You can stand from a distance and watch as the waters rush down into the well!
This state park is located in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The park was once a private tourist resort, but today it is open to the public! The best part of Watkins Glen is the gorge trail that takes hikers through the park’s incredible geology and lush forest.
Address: 1009 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Take the hike around the trees, over the logs, and through the water! The end will bring you to a cascading waterfall. The hike is pretty short, but it’s not for the faint of heart. You’ll get to have fun as you plunge through the forest and clamber over a natural obstacle course! Love climbing and crawling? This hike is definitely for you!
Escape the Texas heat at this lovely natural pool. When you arrive at the preserve, you’ll find a gorgeous pool of clear, blue water surrounded by nature’s artistry! Although you’ve never heard of this place, everyone in Texas has. So be sure to check the preserve’s website before you drive there—it can get crowded and you may need a reservation! If you can’t go today, put yourself on the waiting list. It will be worth it!
Address: 24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
These extensive caves are worth planning an entire visit to New Mexico! Enter the creepy, moist caverns and the memory of the bright New Mexico sunshine will seem like a dream from another world. You can take a tour of the caves when you visit for a chance to see the stalactites and stalagmites.
Address: 3225 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM
If you plan to see Horseshoe Bend, make it a point to see Antelope Canyon in the same trip! This is what is called a slot canyon, which is a deep, narrow canyon that fills with water during flash floods. When it’s dry, the canyon is an incredible place to visit! Streams of sunlight pour through the narrow opening in the top, highlighting the layered red rock with pools of light. The canyon is considered a sacred place for the Native tribes in the region, so you must visit Antelope Canyon with a native guide.
