Here Are The 50 Most Amazing Natural Wonders In All 50 States
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
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!
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 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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,
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.
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.
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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.
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.
The caldera at Kilauea glows with a simmering lake of lava. The park is a UNESCO designated World Heritage site.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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The Little Missouri River runs through this rugged terrain, and you'll find several striking canyons. Painted Canyon is pictured.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
This amazing 242,756-acre national park in southwestern South Dakota is an otherworldly beauty with a dramatic, colorful landscape.
What could be more enchanting than an underground waterfall? Ruby Falls in Tennessee is a majestic 145-foot waterfall located inside Lookout Mountain.
Hamilton Pool is an gorgeous turquoise pool partially covered by an amazing, collapsed limestone grotto. Waterfalls cascade gently into the pool from above.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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