When considering travel destinations, the United States often evokes images of iconic cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago or natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. However, this vast country has many hidden gems that surprise even seasoned travelers. Here are 15 fascinating places you won’t believe are in the United States.
Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring is absolutely stunning and a must-see. It’s the largest hot spring in the U.S. and the third largest globally, measuring about 370 feet across. What makes it unique are the fantastic colors—deep blue in the middle and reds and oranges around the edges. These colors come from tiny microbes that live in the hot, mineral-rich water.
Crater Lake
Over 7,700 years ago, Mount Mazama collapsed, forming a breathtaking natural wonder known as Crater Lake. It is the deepest lake in the United States, plunging to depths of nearly 1,950 feet. The lake’s purity is maintained by the absence of inlets or tributaries, relying solely on rainfall and snowmelt.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
This national park in Colorado is home to the most elevated sand dunes in North America, rising to 750 feet. Visitors can hike, sled, and even sandboard down the dunes, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Leavenworth Washington
Leavenworth, Washington, is a charming little town that looks like a slice of Bavaria dropped into the Pacific Northwest. It’s famous for its picturesque alpine-style buildings, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a European village. The town has fun things to do year-round, from Oktoberfest celebrations to a magical Christmas lighting festival.
Antelope Canyon
Located near Page, Arizona, Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon renowned for its wavy structure and light rays shining down into the canyon’s openings, creating a surreal, otherworldly atmosphere. This natural marvel is a photographer’s paradise, with its narrow passageways and smooth, flowing walls shaped by thousands of years of water erosion.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Just outside of Austin, Texas, lies Hamilton Pool Preserve, a natural swimming hole created thousands of years ago. The pool features a 50-foot waterfall, lush vegetation, and a unique grotto, making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts and swimmers.
Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats, located west of Salt Lake City, Utah, presents a stark, otherworldly landscape that feels more like a science fiction set than a natural wonder. This vast expanse of hard, white salt crust stretches over 30,000 acres and is known for its perfectly flat, mirror-like surface, making it a popular spot for land speed racing and film shoots.
The Wave
The Wave is a sandstone rock formation famous for its colorful, undulating patterns. Due to its fragile ecosystem and popularity, this natural spectacle requires a permit to visit and is accessible only by a challenging hike.
Carlsbad Caverns
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is situated in New Mexico and is home to over 119 caves formed by the sulfuric acid dissolution of limestone. The main attraction is the Big Room, a massive underground chamber filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and otherworldly rock formations.
Devils Tower
Devil’s Tower is the highest point in Wyoming, ascending 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. In addition to being a popular destination for rock climbers and hikers, the area has cultural and spiritual significance for Native American tribes.
Thor’s Well
Thor’s Well, located along the Oregon coast, is a natural saltwater fountain driven by the power of the ocean tide. This seemingly bottomless sinkhole draws water in and then dramatically sprays it out, creating a captivating spectacle.
The Enchanted Highway
Stretching 32 miles between Gladstone and Regent, North Dakota, the Enchanted Highway features a series of the world’s largest scrap metal sculptures. These whimsical creations, including giant grasshoppers and pheasants, make for a unique roadside attraction.
Luray Caverns
Discovered in 1878, Luray Caverns in Virginia are among the largest and most famous cave systems in the eastern United States. Visitors can explore vast underground rooms adorned with intricate stalactites, stalagmites, and the world’s only “Stalacpipe” organ.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world’s longest-known cave system, with more than 400 miles explored. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features extensive subterranean passages, stunning rock formations, and historical artifacts.
Haiku Stairs
Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, the Haiku Stairs in Oahu, Hawaii, is a steep hiking trail consisting of nearly 4,000 steps that ascend along the Koʻolau mountain range. Although officially closed to the public, the stairs offer breathtaking views of the island for those who venture to climb.
