These 23 Unique Destinations Across The U.S. Will Quickly Transport You To Another Planet

The world is a wide, wonderful place, with immense and incredible wonders everywhere you turn -- even underground. Here in the United States, we're well aware of the untold wonders of the world, as our country is home to some places that are so immensely beautiful, they almost don't seem real. From underground waterfalls and fairy-tale forests to remote islands, sea caves, and hidden oases, our country is home to the most marvelous hidden treasures and awe-inspiring, otherworldly places. America truly is a place for dreamers and wanderers, and the following otherworldly places in the U.S. are sure to inspire your inner explorer... and fill your bucket list for many years to come.

1. Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness State Park - Arizona

Natural beauty abounds in Arizona -- and not just at its grandest attraction. The state is home to some of the most extraordinary places in the country, with Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness topping the list. While there are numerous formations within this park, The Wave is an elusive beauty that shouldn't be passed up. This 190-million-year-old rock formation hails from the Jurassic Age, and it's easy to picture ancient beasts stomping through its curves and undulations; though wrapping your mind around how, exactly, such an incredible sculptural artwork was formed, is nearly impossible.

2. Bonneville Salt Flats - Utah

A stretch of salt flats in the desert doesn't sound thrilling, or even particularly picturesque, but anyone who's visited Bonneville Salt Flats would disagree. This spot is one of Utah’s most unique natural features, formed over time by the evaporation of Lake Bonneville. What was left -- an epic expanse of sodium chloride -- is sublime in its simplicity, and truly looks like an alien landscape. The dazzling white appears as snow, creating an illusion that's both unsettling and unbelievably beautiful. Today, the Bonneville Salt Flats are used for everything from movie sets to race tracks, and are a place every adventure-seeker should visit at least once.

3. Fly Geyser - Nevada

Hiding out on the edge of northern Nevada's Black Rock Desert is a truly bizarre place that's worth going out of your way to see. As one of the state's most wonderful surprises, Fly Geyser is a must-see destination. Located on a 3,800-acre parcel of land that is owned by the Burning Man Project, Fly Geyser is a sight unlike anything you've seen before. The geyser itself flaunts flamboyant shades of red, yellow, and green while shooting hot water up to five feet in the air. The geyser's peculiar coloring is caused by calcium carbonate deposits that grow several inches every year; as they've been growing for several decades now, visitors can witness three large mounds that are nearly six feet tall. While technically a man-made wonder (the geyser was created in 1964 when a geothermal power company drilled a test well into the ground), Fly Geyser is no less magnificent than its Mother Nature-made brethren.

4. Craters Of The Moon National Monument - Idaho

For those who wonder what Neil Armstrong saw during those first magical moments on the moon, there's a place in Idaho that will put you in his shoes. One of Idaho’s most unique parks, Craters of the Moon National Monument is best-known for its stark landscape and volcanic features. Consisting of lava flows, cinder cones, and endless sagebrush, the landscape of Craters of the Moon is hypnotizing in its rugged beauty. And come wintertime, when the wilds of Idaho are covered in snow Craters of the Moon National Monument becomes an otherworldly expanse that's, quite frankly, more magical than any lunar lands.

5. Redwood National Park - California

While man-made attractions like the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower attract a lot of buzz, there is a place in California where Mother Nature outshines everything. Redwood National Park and the adjacent State Parks are home to the world’s tallest trees, providing sanctuary to nearly half of the world’s old-growth redwoods. Some of the trees here tower more than 370 feet tall -- five stories taller than the Statue of Liberty. Visiting the redwood forests is a bit like being in Alice in Wonderland; you’ll marvel at the tallest trees on the planet, and feel very, very small. Visiting Redwood National and State Parks is an immersive experience that will put you in the here and now, in the absolute magnificence of nature -- and immense beauty of our country.

6. Mammoth Cave National Park - Kentucky

Mammoth Cave is quite literally another world; this underground network of caves and caverns is the largest in the world. Mammoth Cave features over 400 miles of subterranean caverns and passageways, with more miles being added all the time. In fact, Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave recently got a little longer, following the discovery of an additional eight miles of passages by the Cave Research Foundation. Easily the most famous cave in the country, Mammoth Cave is an otherworldly underworld that deserves top spot on your outdoor bucket list.

7. Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park - Alaska

Kenai Fjords National Park may be the smallest national park in Alaska, but don't let that fool you; it's a treasure trove of ocean, mountains, and ice. The unique fjords were formed by glaciers flowing from the iconic Harding Icefield. In addition to the stunning spire cove, visitors can also look forward to witnessing unique wildlife such as puffins, orca whales, or bubble-feeding humpback whales.

8. Synchronous Fireflies - North Carolina

Imagine this: camping deep in the woods and suddenly witnessing the forest aglow in what appears to be a magical, fairytale-like display of twinkling lights. This is no dream but in fact, a reality if you happen to witness the Synchronous Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina. This special group of fireflies is just one of 19 species in the NC mountains, and they can synchronize their flashing lights. This otherworldly phenomenon tends to take place in late May or early June. Looking for another fantastic firefly event? Check out the Blue Ghost Firefly, another rare species whose lights stay on constantly as they hover above the forest floor. You'll spot these in valley areas surrounding Asheville.

9. Space Coast Bioluminescent Kayaking - Florida

Speaking of an otherworldly glow, the bioluminescence of Florida's Space Coast is another can't-miss spectacle. Thanks to comb jellies and dinoflagellates, the water appears to be glowing from within, and visitors can paddle through these magical waters from June to October. Places to experience the bioluminescence include Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River, and Indian River Lagoon. Can you imagine taking a clear-bottom kayak tour of the bioluminescence?

10. Maroon Bells - Colorado

Maroon Bells is proof that the very best things in life take time. This natural wonder in Colorado is the culmination of more than 300 million years of geologic activity, including sedimentation, weathering, and erosion by wind, water, and ice. It’s one of Mother Nature’s finest masterpieces, and anyone who visits is utterly blown away. And Maroon Bells gets a lot of visitors – about 300,000 a year, all coming with cameras in hand to capture a truly spectacular sight. But while this attraction is touted as the most photographed place in Colorado, pictures simply don’t do it justice; Maroon Bells is a place of transcendent beauty you must experience for yourself.

11. Valley of Dreams, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness - New Mexico

Welcome to the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area, a national treasure tucked away in the northwestern corner of New Mexico. Comprised of stunning caprocks formed by ancient waters, this recreational area is perhaps one of the state's most awe-inspiring landscapes. As this is a dedicated wilderness area, you won't find any facilities or marked trails. Be sure to bring a lot of water and good hiking shoes with you.

12. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming

Yellowstone is truly a land of enchantment. Anyone who visits this national park will immediately understand why this landscape has long captured the hearts of wanderers and adventurer seekers. Going even further back, many indigenous tribes trace their roots – in myth and in history – to Yellowstone, and when settlers made their way West, their reports were initially written off as lies, because Yellowstone's beauty truly is otherworldly. One of the hallmarks of the park is the Midway Geyser Basin, where you’ll find beautiful thermal features and the absolutely magical Grand Prismatic Spring. Grand Prismatic is a stunningly beautiful hot spring that's known for its bright rainbow of colors created by bacterial mats and living organisms in the superheated water. It's a feast for the eyes, and truly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on the planet.

13. Rainbow Bridge and Falls, Watkins Glen State Park - New York

Watkins Glen State Park is the most popular state park in the Finger Lakes region, and for good reason. The park's iconic Rainbow Bridge and Falls are absolutely breathtaking - so beautiful, in fact, they don't look real. The hikes in this state park are enchanting; the trails wind through verdant green forests that feature stone staircases, secret caves, and trickling waterfalls. Watkins Glen State Park is the closest you'll come to visiting Tolkien's Middle Earth... and it's an absolutely sublime experience.

14. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park - Hawaii

Hawaiʻi is a bucket-list destination for most Americans, and even native Hawaiians love island hopping and exploring the breathtaking treasures that lie in their own backyards. If you’re visiting the Big Island, exploring Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a must. This 523-square-mile park contains some of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders, not to mention two active volcanoes, offering visitors the once-in-a-lifetime experience to be up close and personal with these fantastic, fire-breathing wonders.

15. Alvord Desert - Oregon

What do you envision when you think of Oregon? Beaches? Rainforests? Rugged mountains, perhaps? If you're not familiar with the region, you might be downright baffled to learn of the Alvord Desert, one of the most strikingly beautiful places in the U.S. It's a quiet, vast terrain surrounded by towering mountains. Those who visit are amazed by the stillness and quietness of the landscape. In fact, you may feel as though you've landed on another planet.

16. Mono Lake - California

Covering 65 square miles, Mono Lake is a must-see body of water featuring "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs. These unique structures are the result of freshwater springs interacting with the alkaline lake water. But this lake isn't just visually stunning; it's also ancient. At over 1 million years old, it's among the oldest of its kind on the continent.

17. Carlsbad Caverns - New Mexico

A place of immense splendor, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico is unbelievably beautiful. Located 20 miles outside of the city of Carlsbad, this extraordinary natural wonder is a limestone cave that was once part of an underwater reef in an inland sea. Put in perspective, the body of water that formed the cavern was on the Earth 250 to 280 million years ago. Today, visitors can explore this otherworldly expanse on two trails: The Big Room and Natural Entrance. We're partial to the former; it's the largest single cave chamber in the United States and features stunning formations such as the fabled Sword of Damocles.

18. Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve - California

If you've ever dreamed of having your very own Maria Von Trapp moment, head to Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in the spring. During this region's seasonal superbloom, the hills come alive with millions of poppies painted in bold orange and golden yellow hues. This is a magical event that happens when conditions are just right, meaning it's not guaranteed each year. In super bloom years, late February is usually when the poppy fields are packed with tiny buds just about to burst open. And, when they do, the wildflower blooms are incredible -- and well-worth the wait.

19. Badlands National Park - South Dakota

South Dakota is so much more than one presidential monolith; the state is immensely beautiful, and nowhere is this more true than the Badlands. The massive 242,756 acres known as Badlands National Park is a true show stopper; it offers varied landscaping with sharp buttes and pinnacles among its untouched prairie expanse. Home to numerous different wildlife species, it's also a favorite spot for birdwatching, photography, and stargazing. The sunsets here are surreal, and absolutely worth seeking out.

20. Yosemite National Park - California

Yosemite National Park is a bucket-list destination for most -- especially waterfall chasers, as the park's 1,200 acres house some of the most extraordinary falls in the country. But none are as wondrous as Horsetail Fall, a seasonal waterfall that descends into two side-by-side streams, with one dropping 1,540 feet and the other dropping 1,570 feet. It's a gorgeous sight from winter to spring, but especially during February when it makes a spectacular transformation into a firefall. During this time, it appears that fire -- not water -- is flowing over the side of El Capitan. Of course, it isn't actually fire, but an amazing visual phenomenon that occurs when conditions are just right. To this end, the firefall appears only if the sun illuminates the waterfall from the right angle, weather conditions need to be perfect, and people need to be viewing the falls from a certain spot. However, if the stars align, it's an awe-inspiring natural wonder you won't want to miss.

21. Glory Hole - Arkansas

Glory Hole is one of the most unique waterfalls in the United States. On paper, it doesn't sound all that special: a creek running through Ozarks National Forest forged a hole in an overhanging rocky bluff, essentially creating an underground waterfall. But in person? Glory Hole is one of the most marvelous wonders in the country. This 30-foot waterfall may not be the tallest, but its formation stands out from typical falls. Glory Hole flows through the rock instead of over, it creating a circular waterfall that's wholly unique. While this area is utterly resplendent year-round, during the winter, something truly magical happens during a rare Arkansas cold snap: this iconoclast of a waterfall freezes into a perfectly suspended column that will absolutely take your breath away.

22. Northern Lights - Fairbanks, Alaska

The Northern Lights are Mother Nature's very own fiber optic show; a dynamic display of color and movement that everyone must see at least once. In the U.S., we can see the Northern Lights in Alaska, with the peak-viewing season running from mid-September to late April. As the colors dance in the dark skies above the Last Frontier, you'll feel simultaneously big and small, and also that you are exactly where you're meant to be.

23. Ringing Rocks - Pennsylvania

Ringing Rocks may not be as visually stunning as the other landmarks on this list, but its grandeur isn't necessarily one that can be appreciated with our eyes. True to its name, Ringing Rocks is an attraction for the ears. This fascinating boulder field spans eight acres, and each boulder resonates when struck by a hammer. It's quite possible to make your own music on these rocks -- for proof of this, watch the magical video below:

If we approach the world with a growth mindset, we open ourselves up to experience awe and wonder. Even the most well-seasoned travelers and explorers can discover something new here in America -- and that truly is a beautiful, wonderful thing. How many of these otherworldly places in the US have you experienced? Let us know in the comments below -- we would love to hear your stories!

And don't forget to take a look at our outdoor essentials packing list if you plan on hitting the trails to explore these fairy tale places in the US.