These 16 Jaw Dropping Places Around the U.S. Will Blow You Away

America's most beautiful places offer us the chance to feel something that's increasingly rare these days: pure wonder. Whether you're standing among ancient oaks or gazing up at towering peaks, the experience of seeing the most stunning landmarks in the US is nothing short of immersive. You'll quickly discover that these places are popular — and protected — for a reason.

1. Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia

This vastly underrated natural wonder looks like something out of a fantasy film. The shallow, peat-filled swamp spans 438,000 acres and straddles the Georgia–Florida border. It is a protected wildlife refuge and home to hundreds of different types of species, all in their natural habitat. In fact, it's one of the biggest intact freshwater ecosystems in North America. While you're here, keep your eyes peeled for alligator sightings — more than 10,000 of them live here!

2. Garden of the Gods, Colorado

The striking crimson spears of this rock formation soar toward the clear Colorado sky. The area was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971 and is now a public park. Visitors are encouraged to visit the Garden of the Gods and its glowing jagged peaks at sunrise or sunset. And the best part of all? Admission is completely free, meaning you can enjoy these ancient rock formations without sacrificing your travel budget. When it comes to fun things to do in Colorado Springs, it's easy to see why Garden of the Gods is at the top of every travel itinerary.

3. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Located in central Oregon's High Desert, Smith Rock State Park is a place of staggering beauty. Its sheer cliffs of tuff and basalt are ideal for rock climbing of all difficulty levels, and the area is generally considered the birthplace of the modern American sport of climbing. The park's day-use area has a visitor center, picnic facilities, and restrooms. It is open from dawn to dusk year-round, and there is also a tent-only campground for overnight visitors. Wildlife enthusiasts will be excited for the chance to spot river otters, prairie falcons, and golden eagles!

4. Sequoia National Park, California

Walk among giants at the famed Sequoia National Park. These massive trees are some of the largest living organisms on earth, and their majesty is absolutely soul-moving. The park includes over 200,000 acres of old-growth forests and preserves a landscape that still resembles the southern Sierra Nevada before Euro-American settlement. One of the signature experiences of visiting this park is checking out the General Sherman Tree, which is considered the largest tree on the planet (by volume).

5. Laguna Beach, California

This famed area needs no introduction, but Laguna Beach is more than just pristine sand and sunbathers. The seaside beauty of this region can be mystical and moving. Pictured is a mysterious 60-foot tower overlooking the sand at Victoria Beach, in a particularly lovely stretch of coastline. Built in 1926, it's known as the "Pirate Tower" and is one of the most photographed landmarks in the area.

6. The Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina

Lush green wilderness, dramatic mountain peaks, and a magical blue tint define this area of North Carolina. It's the trees that actually put the "blue" in Blue Ridge, as they release isoprene into the atmosphere. The sunlight reflects off of this chemical haze, thus creating its distinctive azure hue. One of the best ways to experience this mountain range is by taking a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches for 469 miles between Virginia and North Carolina. The most popular time to visit is in the fall, but year-round, this route offers unparalleled overlooks.

7. Valley Of Fire State Park, Nevada

With an area of nearly 42,000 acres, Valley of Fire is Nevada's largest state park. The swirling patterns of orange, scarlet, and white give these rocks a molten appearance. The Valley of Fire is also the state's oldest state park, having been officially dedicated in 1935. Throughout the park, it's still possible to see ancient petroglyphs from the Ancestral Puebloan people. Photographed above is the Wave, the park's most famous attraction, with its mesmerizing hues of white, pink, and red sandstone.

8. Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

There's plenty to do off the beaten path in this gorgeous park, but if you don't feel like trekking through the wilderness, a drive to Arapahoe Basin will be one of the most scenic you will ever take. Check out the Keystone area for particularly gorgeous views. Locals call it A-Basin, and it's a legendary ski destination, with a summit elevation of over 13,000 feet above sea level.

9. Katmai Crater Lake, Alaska

This otherworldly body of water formed when the summit of Mount Katmai, an active volcano, collapsed inward, creating this watery depression. A subsequent eruption caused a small lava dome to form in the lake, known as Horseshoe Island. Only the bravest of explorers have dared to climb to the lake's shores. Another reason why this place is a bit intimidating? The surrounding preserve is home to a massive population of brown bears.

10. Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

This picturesque spot is where the Colorado River dramatically changes course — specifically, a 270-degree turn. Located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area near Page, it can be reached by a lengthy but scenic hike or by a quick trip down an access road. If you're a photographer, consider visiting during sunrise or sunset for especially dramatic colors.

11. Lake Powell, Arizona

Did you know that the shore of Lake Powell stretches for nearly 2,000 miles? That's longer than the entire U.S. West Coast! This lake looks like something out of a science fiction movie, which is probably why it was featured in the blockbuster film, "Gravity." Located on the border of Arizona and Utah, Lake Powell was created by the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam and the subsequent flooding of Glen Canyon.

12. Spiral Jetty, Utah

Located in Great Salt Lake, this mesmerizing stone structure has an alien-like yet elegant beauty. Sculptor Robert Smithson created this 1,500-foot-long spiral in 1970 using 6,000 tons of local black basalt rock and earth. Though it was submerged for many years beneath the lake's salty water, the spiral is now exposed once again, and it remains one of the most influential examples of land art in the world.

13. Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah

In addition to jaw-dropping beauty, the Bonneville Salt Flats can provide jaw-dropping speed. The area is a popular site for speed-testing vehicles and filming car commercials — the flats stretch on for miles with nothing to slow you down. The area is a remnant of the Pleistocene Lake Bonneville and is the largest of many salt flats located west of the Great Salt Lake. Access is free, and visitors can drive on the flats.

14. Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana

This magnificent example of Greek Revival architecture is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Vacherie. The Oak Alley Plantation mansion sits at the end of a quarter-mile alley of live oaks that were planted around 1711. No one knows who planted the 28 trees that match the 28 Tuscan columns surrounding the mansion, but they're estimated to be over 300 years old.

15. Luray Caverns, Virginia

Luray Caverns are the largest cavern series in the East. This magical underworld has been a popular tourist destination since its discovery in 1878. The caverns are perhaps best known for the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a "lithophone" musical instrument that taps stalactites of various sizes to produce haunting musical tones. Many visitors cast a coin into the glowing green pond within the caverns, in the hopes of having their wishes granted. Another not-to-be-missed attraction? The cathedral-sized chambers, some of which reach heights of 10 stories!

16. Mount Rainier, Washington

This 14,410-foot stratovolcano is the highest peak in the state, and certainly the most famous. Atop Sunrise Peak, the highest point in the park reachable by car, visitors can admire Mount Rainier and other nearby volcanoes, including Mount Adams. This area also offers sweeping mountain views, summertime wildflower meadows, and many hiking trailheads. Mount Rainier is considered an active volcano, although it hasn't erupted in over 1,000 years.

Whether you're looking to snap some epic pictures or spend meaningful time in nature, you won't be disappointed by your visit to any of these bucket-list-worthy destinations in the U.S. Have you visited any of these spots? If not, be sure to share this article with a friend and let the adventures begin! Looking for related content? Check out the 50 most enchanting places in the US.