America is chock-full of stunning natural wonders that rival those found anywhere in the world. From the majestic sequoias on the West coast, to the charming Cape Cod National Seashore on the East, you’ll find these 50 natural wonders simply enchanting. Scroll down to see them!
Alabama: Little River Canyon National Preserve
Evangelio Gonzalez/flickr This preserve ecompasses 14,000 acres at the top of Lookout Mountain. The preserve protects more than 100 species of plants and animals that are considered endangered, threatened or rare.
Alaska: Northern Lights
Beverly/flickr Alaska is one of the few states in which you can see the Northern Lights. Every other natural wonder in the state becomes even more stunning with the addition of this natural wonder.
Arizona: The Grand Canyon
Diana Robinson/flickr The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, as much as 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep. Its vast size and gorgeous scenery is epic.
Arkansas: Lake Chicot
Stuar Seeger/flickr The largest oxbow lake in the country, Lake Chicot was formed by the Mississippi River. It’s name means “stumpy” in French and refers to the many cypress stumps found along its banks.
California: Sequoia National Forest
Brian/flickr Home to the world’s largest trees (when measuring by trunk volume), the Sequoia National Forest is truly astounding. The giant sequoias found here have an average trunk circumference of 85 feet.
Colorado: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Zach Dischner/flickr This park and preserve covers 41,686 acres and contains some of the largest sand dunes in the country (reaching as high as 750 feet). In addition to the impressive dunes, the park also contains lakes, forests, grasslands and wetlands,
Connecticut: Thimble Islands
slack12/flickr This archipelago of more than 100 small islands is made of pink granite. Some islands are tiny; others are large enough for homes and other buildings. Horse Island, the largest at just over 17 acres, is owned by Yale University.
Delaware: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects migratory birds on nearly 16,000 acres on Delaware Bay. As many as 150,000 ducks and geese stop here every October and November.
Florida: Everglades National Park
Rasmus Bøgeskov Larsen/flickr Everglades National Park is a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. The park is a protected environment for endangered species such as the black panther, manatee and American crocodile.
Georgia: Okefenokee Swamp
Siddharth Sharma/flickr You won’t find a larger, more untouched freshwater and black water swamp in the country; it covers 438,000 acres. Wildlife includes alligators, water moccasins, otters, black bears and many species of birds.
Hawaii: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Howard Ignatious/flickr The caldera at Kilauea glows with a simmering lake of lava. The park is a UNESCO designated World Heritage site.
Idaho: Sawtooth Mountains
Scott Mahon/Flickr As one of the most epic mountain ranges in the country, this rugged wilderness is located in the heart of Idaho and is part of the mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. There are 57 peaks with an elevation over 10,000 feet in the Sawtooth Range.
Illinois: Lake Michigan
Tony Brooks/Flickr The Illinois coast of Lake Michigan is one of the state’s most dynamic natural wonders. Lake Michigan is part of the five Great Lakes of North America and is the only Great Lake located entirely within the US.
Indiana: Sand Dunes
Todd Petrie/Flickr Indiana Dunes State Park borders Lake Michigan at Chesterton, Indiana, about an hour’s drive from Chicago. The park’s unusually gigantic, natural piles of sand stand nearly 200 feet tall. The park is 2,182-acres of pure, natural beauty.
Iowa: Loess Hills
Michael Leland/Flickr Located in western Iowa, the Loess Hills are hills made almost entirely of windblown soils called loess. About 640,000 acres of land in western Iowa constitute the Loess Hills landform. No other place in the world, besides China, contains as much loess as Iowa.
Kansas: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Patrick Emerson/Flickr Named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, Tallgrass Prairie is located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Today, less than 4% of the tallgrass prairies (mostly all in the Flint Hills region) remain that once covered 170 million acres of North America. This preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie.
Kentucky: Mammoth Cave
AllieKF/Flickr Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world, is perhaps the greatest natural attraction in the state. The cave system has more than 400 explored miles of caverns and a delicate and complex ecosystem.
Louisiana: The Bayous
finchlake2000/Flickr Located primarily in the southern reaches of Louisiana, the bayous are a defining feature of this unique part of America. At 375 miles, Bayou Bartholomew is the longest in the world. It contains over 100 aquatic species making it the second most diverse stream in North America.
Maine: Acadia National Park
Ken Rowland/Flickr Acadia National Park is a stunning national treasure on the coast of Maine. It is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. It also contains the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic coast.
Maryland: Assateague Islands
AssateagueIslandPonies/Facebook Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Delmarva.The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. It is famous for its herds of wild horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse.
Massachusetts: Cape Cod National Seashore
Tom Whitten/Flickr Cape Cod National Seashore encompasses 43,607 acres on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. It includes 40 miles of ponds, woods and beachfront of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion.
Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes
RachelKramer/Flickr The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore consists of a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, featuring immense sand dunes sculpted entirely by the winds and waters. In 2011, the area won the title of “The Most Beautiful Place in America” from Good Morning America.
Minnesota: Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Flickr/Robert Engberg This wilderness area offers over one MILLION acres of forests, glacial lakes, and streams. A popular spot for fishing and canoeing, this is the most visited wilderness area in the United States.
Mississippi: Red Bluff
Flickr/Ivan Illidge Often called “The Grand Canyon of the Mississippi,” this bluff is over 200 feet deep. Caused by erosion, it is continually expanding and has necessitated the movement of a nearby highway twice.
Missouri: Elephant Rocks State Park
Flickr/Missouri Division of Tourism This park is packed with massive boulders. The red granite boulders are over a billion years old and can be as large as… an elephant.
Montana: Glacier National Park
Flickr/Mark Smith Enjoy over 700 miles of trails at this stunning park. A hike will take you through rugged terrain, forests, meadows, mountains and lakes. Hidden Lake is pictured.
Nebraska: Chimney Rock
Flickr/Larry Jacobsen This unique rock formation was once a landmark on the Oregon Trail. Comprised of clay, sandstone, and volcanic ash, this very visible spot towers nearly 300 feet above ground-level.
Nevada: Valley of Fire State Park
Flickr/James Marvin Phelps Dedicated in 1935, this is the oldest state park in Nevada. The vibrant color comes from Aztec Sandstone and many unique rock formations can be found here. Atlatl Rock is well-known for its petroglyphs.
New Hampshire: Mount Washington
Flickr/Brendan T Lynch At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. It is part of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains and is known for erratic weather patterns and high wind speeds.
New Jersey: Mount Tammany
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli The southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountain Range, this gem on the Delaware makes for a fantastic hike. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views, but the journey can be arduous.
New Mexico: Carlsbad Cavern
Flickr/J.J. The highlight of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad Cavern includes a natural limestone chamber called “The Big Room.” It is one of the largest cave chambers in the world, reaching a maximum height of 255 feet. The cavern also has several other named areas including “The Hall of Giants,” pictured.
New York: Niagara Falls
Flickr/Artur Staszewski Niagara Falls is actually a collection of three waterfalls - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. These incredible falls are known for their beauty and usefulness as a source of hydroelectric power.
North Carolina: Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Flickr/Zach Frailey Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. Free to visit, it is the most popular state park in North Carolina.
North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Flickr/Fritzmb The Little Missouri River runs through this rugged terrain, and you’ll find several striking canyons. Painted Canyon is pictured.
Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
Flickr/Tabitha Kaylee Hawk A spectacular place to visit, this spot has everything you would want in a state park - rock formations, caves, waterfalls, and so much more. To fully appreciate its beauty, you have to explore it for yourself. Old Man’s Cave and The Devil’s Bathtub are popular attractions within the park.
Oklahoma: Great Salt Plains
Black Market/Facebook As Oklahoma’s most unique state park, The Great Salt Plains is comprised of salt left behind from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times. The saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean. It is the only place in the world that visitors can dig for selenite crystals.
Oregon: Crater Lake
Flickr/ Paul Weeks Located in the crater of a dead volcano in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a wonder to behold. This lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and the 8th deepest in the world, and it has some of the purest, bluest water imaginable. You absolutely should see this majestic mountaintop lake for yourself.
Pennsylvania: Penn’s Cave
Flickr/ scotti16ape Penn’s Cave is a stunning limestone cave filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, and it’s the only natural cavern in the United States with an all-water bottom. Boat tours offer amazing views of the inside of the cave, taking you through amazing natural passageways on an otherworldly trip you won’t forget.
Rhode Island: Mohegan Bluffs
Flickr/ Andrew Teman The Mohegan Bluffs are beautiful, 150-foot clay cliffs on the majestic Block Island. The cliffs offer amazing views of the ocean, or you can take the stairs down to the lovely Corn Cove.
South Carolina: The Angel Oak
Flickr/ Jim Liestman The Angel Oak in South Carolina is one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi River. This beautiful oak is believed to be between 500 and 1500 years old, and has a circumference of 28 feet and a majestic canopy that shades approximately 17,200 square feet. It truly is a sight to behold.
South Dakota: Badlands National Park
Flickr/ Jerry and Pat Donaho This amazing 242,756-acre national park in southwestern South Dakota is an otherworldly beauty with a dramatic, colorful landscape.
Tennessee: Ruby Falls
Flickr/ Mike_tn What could be more enchanting than an underground waterfall? Ruby Falls in Tennessee is a majestic 145-foot waterfall located inside Lookout Mountain.
Texas: Hamilton Pool
Marcus Calderon/flickr Hamilton Pool is an gorgeous turquoise pool partially covered by an amazing, collapsed limestone grotto. Waterfalls cascade gently into the pool from above.
Utah: Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Howard Ignatious/flickr Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.
Vermont: Quechee Gorge
Flickr/ Allison Richards Known colloquially as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”, Quechee Gorge is a beautiful 165-foot deep gorge carved over many years by the winding Ottauquechee River.
Virginia: Natural Bridge
Flickr/ David Wilson Located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Natural Bridge is a stunning, 215-foot geological formation made of limestone that archs gracefully over the lovely Cedar Creek.
Washington: Palouse Falls
Flickr/ Bo Nielsen Palouse Falls is a gorgeous 198 foot waterfall on the Palouse River near it’s confluence with the Snake River. The landscape here is jaw dropping, as the reflective river carves its way through dramatic canyons and then cascades roaringly into a deep blue basin.
West Virginia: Seneca Rocks
Flickr/ Dan Buczynski The Seneca Rocks of West Virginia is a large, beautiful geological formation and one of the best-known natural attractions in the state. The incredible rocks can only be traversed by climbing, which makes it a popular destination for rock climbers. It’s especially beautiful in the evening when it’s illuminated by the setting sun.
Wisconsin: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves
Flickr/ The Cut The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin consists of 21 beautiful islands that are home to forests, lighthouses, sandstone caves, and more. In the winter, you can visit the ice caves: magical ice caverns decorated with sparkling icicles.
Wyoming: Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Flickr/ Clint Losee The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular destinations. This strikingly colorful spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. This incredible feature is an otherworldly beauty that everyone should see for themselves.
How many of these natural wonders have you seen? What would you add to our list? Tell us in the comments below.
Evangelio Gonzalez/flickr
This preserve ecompasses 14,000 acres at the top of Lookout Mountain. The preserve protects more than 100 species of plants and animals that are considered endangered, threatened or rare.
Beverly/flickr
Alaska is one of the few states in which you can see the Northern Lights. Every other natural wonder in the state becomes even more stunning with the addition of this natural wonder.
Diana Robinson/flickr
The Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, as much as 18 miles wide, and 1 mile deep. Its vast size and gorgeous scenery is epic.
Stuar Seeger/flickr
The largest oxbow lake in the country, Lake Chicot was formed by the Mississippi River. It’s name means “stumpy” in French and refers to the many cypress stumps found along its banks.
Brian/flickr
Home to the world’s largest trees (when measuring by trunk volume), the Sequoia National Forest is truly astounding. The giant sequoias found here have an average trunk circumference of 85 feet.
Zach Dischner/flickr
This park and preserve covers 41,686 acres and contains some of the largest sand dunes in the country (reaching as high as 750 feet). In addition to the impressive dunes, the park also contains lakes, forests, grasslands and wetlands,
slack12/flickr
This archipelago of more than 100 small islands is made of pink granite. Some islands are tiny; others are large enough for homes and other buildings. Horse Island, the largest at just over 17 acres, is owned by Yale University.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/flickr
The Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects migratory birds on nearly 16,000 acres on Delaware Bay. As many as 150,000 ducks and geese stop here every October and November.
Rasmus Bøgeskov Larsen/flickr
Everglades National Park is a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and a Wetland of International Importance. The park is a protected environment for endangered species such as the black panther, manatee and American crocodile.
Siddharth Sharma/flickr
You won’t find a larger, more untouched freshwater and black water swamp in the country; it covers 438,000 acres. Wildlife includes alligators, water moccasins, otters, black bears and many species of birds.
Howard Ignatious/flickr
The caldera at Kilauea glows with a simmering lake of lava. The park is a UNESCO designated World Heritage site.
Scott Mahon/Flickr
As one of the most epic mountain ranges in the country, this rugged wilderness is located in the heart of Idaho and is part of the mountain range of the Rocky Mountains. There are 57 peaks with an elevation over 10,000 feet in the Sawtooth Range.
Tony Brooks/Flickr
The Illinois coast of Lake Michigan is one of the state’s most dynamic natural wonders. Lake Michigan is part of the five Great Lakes of North America and is the only Great Lake located entirely within the US.
Todd Petrie/Flickr
Indiana Dunes State Park borders Lake Michigan at Chesterton, Indiana, about an hour’s drive from Chicago. The park’s unusually gigantic, natural piles of sand stand nearly 200 feet tall. The park is 2,182-acres of pure, natural beauty.
Michael Leland/Flickr
Located in western Iowa, the Loess Hills are hills made almost entirely of windblown soils called loess. About 640,000 acres of land in western Iowa constitute the Loess Hills landform. No other place in the world, besides China, contains as much loess as Iowa.
Patrick Emerson/Flickr
Named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas, Tallgrass Prairie is located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas. Today, less than 4% of the tallgrass prairies (mostly all in the Flint Hills region) remain that once covered 170 million acres of North America. This preserve protects a nationally significant remnant of the once vast tallgrass prairie.
AllieKF/Flickr
Mammoth Cave, the longest known cave system in the world, is perhaps the greatest natural attraction in the state. The cave system has more than 400 explored miles of caverns and a delicate and complex ecosystem.
finchlake2000/Flickr
Located primarily in the southern reaches of Louisiana, the bayous are a defining feature of this unique part of America. At 375 miles, Bayou Bartholomew is the longest in the world. It contains over 100 aquatic species making it the second most diverse stream in North America.
Ken Rowland/Flickr
Acadia National Park is a stunning national treasure on the coast of Maine. It is a 47,000-acre Atlantic coast recreation area primarily on Maine’s Mount Desert Island. It also contains the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic coast.
AssateagueIslandPonies/Facebook
Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island located off the eastern coast of Delmarva.The northern two-thirds of the island is in Maryland while the southern third is in Virginia. It is famous for its herds of wild horses, pristine beaches, and the Assateague Lighthouse.
Tom Whitten/Flickr
Cape Cod National Seashore encompasses 43,607 acres on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. It includes 40 miles of ponds, woods and beachfront of the Atlantic coastal pine barrens ecoregion.
RachelKramer/Flickr
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore consists of a 35-mile stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline, featuring immense sand dunes sculpted entirely by the winds and waters. In 2011, the area won the title of “The Most Beautiful Place in America” from Good Morning America.
Flickr/Robert Engberg
This wilderness area offers over one MILLION acres of forests, glacial lakes, and streams. A popular spot for fishing and canoeing, this is the most visited wilderness area in the United States.
Flickr/Ivan Illidge
Often called “The Grand Canyon of the Mississippi,” this bluff is over 200 feet deep. Caused by erosion, it is continually expanding and has necessitated the movement of a nearby highway twice.
Flickr/Missouri Division of Tourism
This park is packed with massive boulders. The red granite boulders are over a billion years old and can be as large as… an elephant.
Flickr/Mark Smith
Enjoy over 700 miles of trails at this stunning park. A hike will take you through rugged terrain, forests, meadows, mountains and lakes. Hidden Lake is pictured.
Flickr/Larry Jacobsen
This unique rock formation was once a landmark on the Oregon Trail. Comprised of clay, sandstone, and volcanic ash, this very visible spot towers nearly 300 feet above ground-level.
Flickr/James Marvin Phelps
Dedicated in 1935, this is the oldest state park in Nevada. The vibrant color comes from Aztec Sandstone and many unique rock formations can be found here. Atlatl Rock is well-known for its petroglyphs.
Flickr/Brendan T Lynch
At 6,288 feet, Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States. It is part of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains and is known for erratic weather patterns and high wind speeds.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
The southernmost peak of the Kittatinny Mountain Range, this gem on the Delaware makes for a fantastic hike. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views, but the journey can be arduous.
Flickr/J.J.
The highlight of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad Cavern includes a natural limestone chamber called “The Big Room.” It is one of the largest cave chambers in the world, reaching a maximum height of 255 feet. The cavern also has several other named areas including “The Hall of Giants,” pictured.
Flickr/Artur Staszewski
Niagara Falls is actually a collection of three waterfalls - Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. These incredible falls are known for their beauty and usefulness as a source of hydroelectric power.
Flickr/Zach Frailey
Jockey’s Ridge is the tallest active sand dune system in the eastern United States. Free to visit, it is the most popular state park in North Carolina.
Flickr/Fritzmb
The Little Missouri River runs through this rugged terrain, and you’ll find several striking canyons. Painted Canyon is pictured.
Flickr/Tabitha Kaylee Hawk
A spectacular place to visit, this spot has everything you would want in a state park - rock formations, caves, waterfalls, and so much more. To fully appreciate its beauty, you have to explore it for yourself. Old Man’s Cave and The Devil’s Bathtub are popular attractions within the park.
Black Market/Facebook
As Oklahoma’s most unique state park, The Great Salt Plains is comprised of salt left behind from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times. The saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean. It is the only place in the world that visitors can dig for selenite crystals.
Flickr/ Paul Weeks
Located in the crater of a dead volcano in Southern Oregon, Crater Lake is a wonder to behold. This lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and the 8th deepest in the world, and it has some of the purest, bluest water imaginable. You absolutely should see this majestic mountaintop lake for yourself.
Flickr/ scotti16ape
Penn’s Cave is a stunning limestone cave filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites, and it’s the only natural cavern in the United States with an all-water bottom. Boat tours offer amazing views of the inside of the cave, taking you through amazing natural passageways on an otherworldly trip you won’t forget.
Flickr/ Andrew Teman
The Mohegan Bluffs are beautiful, 150-foot clay cliffs on the majestic Block Island. The cliffs offer amazing views of the ocean, or you can take the stairs down to the lovely Corn Cove.
Flickr/ Jim Liestman
The Angel Oak in South Carolina is one of the oldest trees east of the Mississippi River. This beautiful oak is believed to be between 500 and 1500 years old, and has a circumference of 28 feet and a majestic canopy that shades approximately 17,200 square feet. It truly is a sight to behold.
Flickr/ Jerry and Pat Donaho
This amazing 242,756-acre national park in southwestern South Dakota is an otherworldly beauty with a dramatic, colorful landscape.
Flickr/ Mike_tn
What could be more enchanting than an underground waterfall? Ruby Falls in Tennessee is a majestic 145-foot waterfall located inside Lookout Mountain.
Marcus Calderon/flickr
Hamilton Pool is an gorgeous turquoise pool partially covered by an amazing, collapsed limestone grotto. Waterfalls cascade gently into the pool from above.
Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.
Flickr/ Allison Richards
Known colloquially as “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon”, Quechee Gorge is a beautiful 165-foot deep gorge carved over many years by the winding Ottauquechee River.
Flickr/ David Wilson
Located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Natural Bridge is a stunning, 215-foot geological formation made of limestone that archs gracefully over the lovely Cedar Creek.
Flickr/ Bo Nielsen
Palouse Falls is a gorgeous 198 foot waterfall on the Palouse River near it’s confluence with the Snake River. The landscape here is jaw dropping, as the reflective river carves its way through dramatic canyons and then cascades roaringly into a deep blue basin.
Flickr/ Dan Buczynski
The Seneca Rocks of West Virginia is a large, beautiful geological formation and one of the best-known natural attractions in the state. The incredible rocks can only be traversed by climbing, which makes it a popular destination for rock climbers. It’s especially beautiful in the evening when it’s illuminated by the setting sun.
Flickr/ The Cut
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin consists of 21 beautiful islands that are home to forests, lighthouses, sandstone caves, and more. In the winter, you can visit the ice caves: magical ice caverns decorated with sparkling icicles.
Flickr/ Clint Losee
The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of Yellowstone National Park’s most popular destinations. This strikingly colorful spring is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. This incredible feature is an otherworldly beauty that everyone should see for themselves.
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