19 Lesser-Known Natural Wonders That Rival Our Country’s Top Destinations

The world is a wide, wonderful place, and the possibilities for adventure are limitless. There are well-known wonders, like the eponymous Seven Wonders of the World, and exotic, awe-inspiring destinations all across the globe. But you don’t have to travel to the ends of the Earth to have a bucket-list-worthy adventure; amazing places exist all across this great country of ours. We’ve covered well-known destinations fairly extensively here at OnlyInYourState, but there’s so much more to discover and delight in — and often where you’d least expect. Today we’re sharing 19 of the most incredible lesser-known natural wonders in the US; bucket-list places that easily rival our country’s top bucket-list items.

Waterfalls in the US

There’s something truly magical about waterfalls. Whether you’re reveling in the grandeur of the largest waterfall in the US, or simply taking in a babbling little cascade while on a hike, waterfalls are extraordinary natural wonders that really must be experienced in person. Happily, there are numerous bucket-list-worthy waterfalls in the US, so no matter which state you call home, you’re guaranteed to be close to one of these wondrous falls.

Shoshone Falls, Idaho 83341, USA

John Elk/The Image Bank Collection via Getty Images

• Address: 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Road, Twin Falls, ID, 83301
• Known For: The most famous waterfall in Idaho, Shoshone Falls boasts cascades higher than Niagara Falls!
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in Twin Falls, Idaho, including this cozy historic cottage from 1912.

Shoshone Falls is Idaho's most iconic waterfall, boasting falls that are higher than Niagara's. The sight of this cascade is downright awe-inspiring, and a favorite among ardent waterfall chasers.

The best place to view the falls is from the overlook in the eponymous Shoshone Falls Park during the spring; however, Shoshone Falls truly is a sublime sight any time of the year, and it's known for leaving spectators speechless:

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, 72 McBride Ave Ext, Paterson, NJ 07501, USA

joe daniel price/Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Address: 72 McBride Ave Ext, Paterson, NJ, 07501
• Known For: In 1792, Paterson was established as America's first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in the area, including this Cozy Carriage House located on a historic estate.

New York's Niagara Falls tends to take the spotlight in the Northeast, but New Jersey's Paterson Great Falls is certainly just as majestic.

The Great Falls of the Passaic River is second only to Niagara Falls for waterfalls by volume east of the Mississippi. The 77-foot cascade is of significant historical importance, too; it was here that Alexander Hamilton founded the town of Paterson in 1792 as the first planned city built around a hydropower system.

Today, Paterson welcomes visitors to come and revel in its resplendent namesake natural wonder:

Advertisement

Rainbow Falls, Gorge Trail, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA

Paul Massie Photography/iStock via Getty Images Plus

• Address: Gorge Trail, Watkins Glen, NY, 14891
• Known For: There are no less than 19 waterfalls along the Gorge Trail leading to Rainbow Falls.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in the area, but it doesn't get more darling than this Charming House on the Lake!

There is an abundance of natural beauty in Upstate New York, but Rainbow Falls is on a whole other level. Located in Watkins Glen State Park, Rainbow Falls is the tallest fall in the park -- and if you visit at just the right time of day, you might catch an enchanting rainbow, too.

Please note that while Watkins Glen State Park is open year-round, the Gorge Trail leading to Rainbow Falls is typically closed from the end of October through the end of May, depending on spring weather.

The park as a whole is pure fantasy; with four trails, 19 waterfalls, a lily pond, an ecology path, and a 151-year-old suspension bridge, it's like something out of Lord of the Rings. The icing on the cake is these falls, the most magical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow:

Advertisement

Geological Wonders in the US

Caves, canyons, striking rock formations — the US is filled with so many marvelous geological wonders. Some of these extraordinary gems can be admired from a distance whilst hiking or paddling; others, however, invite adventure seekers to touch, feel, and experience their granite facades in a more hands-on way, scaling their surfaces or perhaps seeking shelter or respite from the elements. If you’re looking for the most jaw-dropping geological wonders in the US, consider the following bucket-list destinations:

Bisti Badlands, New Mexico 87499, USA

Brad McGinley Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Address: County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM, 87413
• Known For: Etherial, otherworldly beauty.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Spend a night or two in this brand-new luxury home in Farmington.

Nestled in the Four Corners region of New Mexico, there is an otherworldly expanse that's unlike any other place on Earth. The Bisti Badlands is 60 acres of hoodoos of all shapes and sizes; formations that look like something from a Dr. Seuss fantasy.



These iconoclastic monoliths were formed by the erosion of the sandstone, shale, and mudstone layers over thousands of years, and the effect of these statues within the quiet wilds of the New Mexico desert is truly extraordinary -- especially come nightfall.

Castle Rock Badlands, Quinter, KS 67752, USA

marekuliasz/iStock via Getty Images Plus

• Address: Larrabee, KS, 67752
• Known For: This 70-foot-tall formation in the middle of the Kansas prairie is quite a spectacle.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Make this charming hunting retreat the home base for your adventures at Castle Rock Badlands!

In the middle of the Kansas prairies, there is a larger-than-life monolith that looks like a giant's sandcastle. This is Castle Rock Badlands, a 70-foot tall (but slowly shrinking) rock formation in the badlands of Kansas.

It stands surrounded by open ground and more badlands raised above the dirt. Slowly but surely, this formation will completely disappear as time erodes it away, so don't pass up the opportunity to behold this natural wonder in its current glory:

Garden of the Gods Road, Garden of the Gods Rd, Illinois, USA

Daniel Ripplinger / DansPhotoArt/500px Prime Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Herod, IL, 62947
• Known For: The "other" Garden of the Gods in the US.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in the area, including this cozy home in Elizabethtown, Illinois.

Contrary to its nickname, Illinois is *not* all prairies and flat expanses. In addition to boasting some truly glorious shoreline, the state is home to an incredible, 3,318 acre-park filled with jaw-dropping canyons, caverns, and rock formations.

A hike along the Garden of the Gods Observation Trail will lead you through some of the most otherworldly rock formations in the country, complete with jaw-dropping panoramas of this epic expanse. Incredible!

Waimea Canyon, Hawaii 96796, USA

Don Smith/DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Waimea, HI, 96796
• Known For: Waimea Canyon is considered the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."
• Where To Stay Nearby: There's no shortage of extraordinary accommodations in this region of Hawaii, including the aptly named Waimea Bay Luxury Estate.

Hailed as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is certainly a place of immense beauty:



Unlike many similar canyons, Waimea Canyon was not formed solely from steady erosion, but also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created the island of Kauai. Measuring 10 miles long, a mile wide, and approximately 3,600 feet deep, Waimea Canyon is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin.

For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon.

Waterfront Wonders in the US

For most of us, the coast and water offer endless inspiration and intrigue. We come to the beach to gaze out into the expanse and feel the awe and wonder of being alive and at the moment. Add in a rock formation or coastal waterfall, and you have the makings of a wonderful experience on the water in the US.

Haystack Rock, Oregon 97411, USA

Cultura RM Exclusive/Gary Latham/Image Source Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Cannon Beach, OR, 97411
• Known For: The monolith seen in "Goonies."
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in Cannon Beach, but it's hard to beat the views from this coastal cottage!

Once upon a time, lava flowed through what's now known as the Pacific Northwest. The hot, molten flows eventually cooled into solid black basalt, and millions of years of erosion have resulted in the natural wonders we see dotting the Oregon Coast today.

The most iconic of all Oregon monoliths, Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach is a commanding, 235-foot-tall presence. One of three "Haystack Rock" formations on the Oregon Coast, this is the one featured in the 1980s classic "The Goonies" and is a bucket-list must:

Advertisement

Schoolhouse Beach Park, 1824 Washington Harbor Rd, Washington, WI 54246, USA

Douglas Rissing/iStock via Getty Images Plus

• Address: 1824 Washington Harbor Rd, Washington, WI, 54246
• Known For: Shockingly clear water and white rock sand.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in wondrous Washington Island, Wisconsin, including this impossibly charming cottage.

In Wisconsin, there's a sandy beach unlike anything you've ever encountered before. Schoolhouse Beach is an oasis in Wisconsin that will take your breath away.

A geological wonder, this Wisconsin beach has a white shoreline -- but no sand. Instead, the shore is covered in a layer of white limestone rocks that have literally been there for hundreds of thousands of years. The pebbles are silky smooth, having been buffed by millennia of waves and glacial movement. These rocks are so treasured, in fact, that there's a federal law prohibiting their removal from this beautiful beach.

Between the pristine white pebbles and cerulean blue waters, there's nowhere on the planet quite like this marvelous natural wonder.

Related Stories

19 Caves Across America That Lead To Unforgettable Underground Adventures

18 Captivating Canyons Scattered Across America That Rival The Grand Canyon

Carlsbad Caverns National Park: An Awe-Inspiring Glimpse Into The Underworld

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA

Posnov/Moment Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Munising, MI, 49862
• Known For: America's first National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks has some of the most jaw-dropping coastal cliffs in the country.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Book a getaway at this charming and cozy historic home in Munising, Michigan.

Epitomizing the sublime splendor of #PureMichigan, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an enchanting natural wonder that seems too beautiful to be real. You'll find this otherworld located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, making it a somewhat remote destination, but one that is absolutely worth the effort to reach.

The area is managed by the National Park Service and became the first of the nation’s four National Lakeshores in 1996. Pictured Rocks gets its name from the uniquely colorful sandstone cliffs - some of which tower over 200 feet - along 15 miles of Lake Superior's coastline. The park, as a whole, stretches for 42 miles along the shore, but the commanding coastal cliffs are definitely the star of the show.

Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana 70517, USA

Sonja Jordan/imageBROKER Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Atchafalaya Basin, LA, 70517
• Known For: Atchafalaya Basin is the largest river swamp in the US.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy a stay in this private cottage on the banks of the Atchafalaya River.

For those seeking an immersive experience in the wilds of the American South, there's no place as wholly wondrous as Atchafalaya Basin.

Stretching more than 140 miles from Simmesport to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atchafalaya Basin is the nation’s largest river swamp, and it's home to some of the world's most amazing flora and fauna.

Within this region, compromised of about 70% forested habitat and 30% marsh and open water, more than 300 bird species have been identified, including the largest population of wintering American woodcock on the continent and the largest concentration of nesting bald eagles in the region.

Underground Wonders in the US

When planning your next big adventure in America, the options are numerous: from frozen waterfalls and dreamy hot springs to manmade wonders and captivating castles, opportunities abound for epic exploration in the US. Some might say “the sky’s the limit,” — but any stargazer or mountain climber would disagree, as there truly is no limit on what we can explore here in the U.S. In fact, there are entire worlds beneath our feet; the US is home to caverns and caves creating some of the most incredible underworlds known to mankind.

Valley of Fire, Nevada 89040, USA

Lacie Whitney/EyeEm Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Overton, NV, 89040
• Known For: Its striking array of 2,000-year-old petroglyphs carved into bold red sandstone formations in the Mohave Desert.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in the area, and if you want a place that's pure Las Vegas glam, this luxury home in Paradise, Nevada, is just that!

Nevada's man-made wonders are world-famous, as is its superlative alpine lake. But there's another wonder in Nevada that's truly in a league of its own, and that's Valley of Fire State Park.

This 46,000-acre park is a natural wonderland of fiery red sandstone formations -- and it's hiding just beyond the bright city lights of Las Vegas. In addition to the rock formations being downright awe-inspiring, they're also of immense historic significance.



It's known that prehistoric peoples inhabited Valley of Fire as far back as 300 BC; their presence on this land endures through various examples of petroglyphs that can be seen within the park, making Valley of Fire a must-visit for anyone interested in history -- especially the kind of history that's *not* in the books.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro, KY 40965, USA

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park/Google Local

• Address: Middlesboro, KY, 40965
• Known For: Hailed as "the first great gateway to the West," Cumberland Gap National Historical Park invites visitors to come and follow the path of bison, Native Americans, long hunters, and pioneers; a route some 300,000 people crossed to settle in America.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Check out this beautiful Colonial on the Tennessee side of Cumberland Gap National Historic Park!

Located in the southeastern region of Kentucky and stretching into Tennessee and Virginia, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is definitely one of the premier hiking destinations in the United States – if not the entire world. There are so many natural features throughout the park that will take your breath away, and one of them happens to be a trail that ventures into one of the best and most hidden caves in Kentucky.

Yes, the Bluegrass State is home to Mammoth Cave, and even the Louisville Mega Cavern, but Sand Cave is without a doubt the most otherworldly and ethereal cave in Kentucky. You'll discover this aptly named cavern tucked away on the Ewing Trail, which begins in Virginia and ends at a marvelous and massive sand cave in Kentucky.



The trail is open year round, is dog-friendly when using a leash, and is gorgeous in every season. Unlike the country's mammoth cave, Sand Cave at Cumberland Gap National Park is quite open and well-lit, making it a fantastic and accessible adventure for folks wary of venturing totally below ground.

Advertisement

Rock House, 16350 OH-374, Laurelville, OH 43135, USA

Kenneth Keifer/iStock via Getty Images Plus

• Address: 16350 OH-374, Laurelville, OH, 43135
• Known For: True to its name, Rock House is a cave-like natural wonder that is perhaps the most curious and beguiling rock formation in Hocking Hills.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Hocking Hills is one of the best getaways for outdoor enthusiasts in the Midwest, and you'll find everything from tiny houses to luxury cabins.

Ohio's Hocking Hills might well be the best-kept secret in the Midwest. This 2,356-acre Ohio State Park is home to incredible natural wonders like waterfalls, caves, cliffs, and rock formations.

Old Man's Cave and Ash Falls are two popular places in the park, but the more elusive Rock House is definitely worth seeking out. The Rock House is technically the only true cave in the park and sits midway up a 150-foot-tall sandstone cliff.

The corridor-like cave features cutouts that serve as natural "windows" looking out over the surrounding landscape, and the entire scene is nothing short of extraordinary:

Other Little-Known Wonders in the US

The world is a wide and wonderful place; its immense grandeur is impossible to quantify or categorize. Though this list of natural wonders of the US obviously aims to do just that, the truth is that there are so many more wonders to experience in America the Beautiful. What follows are some other little-known wonders in the US; these are jaw-dropping places sure to stop you in your tracks and satisfy even the most insatiable wanderlust.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado, USA

NPS

• Address: Mosca, CO, 81146
• Known For: Home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve also has stellar stargazing.
• Where To Stay Nearby: You'll be mere minutes from the Great Sand Dunes when you book a night in this Secluded Cabin VRBO.

The United States is full of various places where sand steals the show; national parks and film-famous sand dunes can be found in all corners of the country. But none quite compare to the Great Sand Dunes of Colorful Colorado.

Located northeast of Alamosa, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is an incredible 30-square-mile oasis that features a staggering 5 billion cubic meters of soft sand, and one of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Created as the Great Sand Dunes National Monument in 1932 and changed in 2004 to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, there is plenty to see and do around the area, the most popular of which includes hiking, sledding, and sandboarding:



Add it all up, and the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado is one of those places that will have you checking your iPhone's GPS, because you'll swear you're in the middle of the Sahara -- or another planet altogether.

White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA

The Open Road Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images

• Address: NM, 88330
• Known For: A dazzling desert expanse containing the world's largest gypsum dune field.
• Where To Stay Nearby: This Mountain Desert Home is located just minutes from dazzling White Sands.

The United States is home to some of the most gorgeous, mesmerizing beaches. However, if you truly want to see a marvel, White Sands National Park in New Mexico is a sight to behold.

Located in the southern part of New Mexico, outside of the town of Alamogordo, this stunning and unique national park features miles of beautiful gypsum sand and sparkling dunes that is fascinating, beautiful, and inspiring.

Incredibly rare and truly wondrous, gypsum sand dissolves when it comes in contact with water, like a magical desert mirage. While much of the park's 275 acres of sand is off-limits to visitors, there are myriad ways to experience this unique ecosystem, from hiking and cycling to backcountry camping and horseback riding.

Jacobs Well, Texas 78676, USA

benedek/E+ Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Jacob's Well Natural Area, 1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX, 78676
• Known For: Shockingly deep blue cerulean pool that appears bottomless.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Accommodations abound in the area, with Winberely Retreat a standout -- and a total steal of a rental!

Hamilton Pool is touted as the most magical place in Texas, but we respectfully disagree. We'd like to designate this honor to Jacob's Well, a cerulean-blue artesian spring with a 140-foot-deep underwater cave system.

While only authorized professionals are allowed to explore the caves, anyone (with a reservation) is allowed to swim in the spring. Tread water over the well for the thrill of a lifetime, as you can see in this epic video c/o YouTuber MicBergsma:

robertharding/DigitalVision Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Route 4, Hartford, VT, 05001
• Known For: Quechee Gorge is hailed as Vermont's Little Grand Canyon.
• Where To Stay Nearby: You'll find some truly amazing rentals around Quiche Gorge in Vermont; this Luxury Ski Lodge would make a perfect "home base" for your adventures!

Quechee Gorge State Park is home to Vermont's deepest gorge, formed by glacial activity some 13,000 years ago.



Viewing points along Route 4 let visitors gaze down at the flowing waters of the Ottauquechee River 165 feet below; the eponymous Quechee Gorge offers beautiful, birds-eye views of this natural wonder, which takes on heavenly beauty come autumn.

Advertisement

Gates of the Arctic, Alaska, USA

Patrick J. Endres/Corbis Documentary Collection via Getty Images

• Address: Gates of the Arctic is a wilderness park, with no roads or trails into the parklands, so visitors must fly or hike into the park. Access to the park begins in Fairbanks, Alaska (99701); there are several small airlines in Fairbanks that provide daily flights into the gateway communities of Bettles and Anaktuvuk Pass, and flag stops to Coldfoot.
• Known For: Vast and pristine landscape that's some of the most rugged and untouched on the planet.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Stay in Fairbanks at this Mountain Top Retreat with a hot tub and unrivaled Aurora views.

A place located quite literally at the end of the world, Gates of the Arctic National Park is the northernmost national park in America -- and the second largest.

Residing above the Arctic Circle, the aptly-named Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska presents a breathtaking landscape. You’ll see glaciers, tundra, mountains, and more: it’s got some of the most beautiful scenery in the state, which is saying a lot for a place that’s so unbelievably beautiful:

Whether you’re researching “things to add to my bucket list,” or asking yourself, “What should I have on my bucket list?” we hope that this list comes in handy!

When was the last time you discovered something new? These natural wonders and bucket list items are all sure to stoke and satiate the adventurous spirit that lives inside us all, so go forth and have a bucket-list-worthy experience! Are there any destinations that you think we should have covered? Be sure to share them with us in the comments below — we would love to hear from you! And before embarking on your next great outdoor adventure, don’t forget to check out our list of hiking essentials.