The Bay State really has it all. Aside from charming small towns and big cities, there are beaches, bays, and the ocean, mountains and waterfalls, lakes and rivers, and so much more. Discover the natural side of the state and explore some of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Massachusetts.

Best Gorges & Canyons In Massachusetts

Looking for some gorge-ous must-see nature in Massachusetts? With jaw-dropping beauty that evokes a sense of wonder, a visit to the state's gorges and canyons is a must.

Location: Sutton, MA

Wow Factor: View otherworldly rock formations here at Purgatory Chasm.

Cost: Daily parking fees charged May 14-Oct. 30: $5/MA resident and $20/Non-MA resident.

With its huge boulders and a canyon, Purgatory Chasm is so much fun to explore! I remember coming here as a child and having a blast exploring the chasm.

Location: Chesterfield, MA

Wow Factor: This dramatic canyon is known as the "Grand Canyon of Massachusetts."

Cost: No fee

Originally Carved out by glacial melt water, it continues to be shaped by the East Branch of the Westfield River, a National Wild and Scenic River, Chesterfield Gorge is a unique natural wonder in Massachusetts. With its rock walls towering over 30 feet, it's quite an impressive sight!

Location: Newton, MA

Wow Factor: This is a beautiful park with a small gorge, the Charles River, and a stone bridge.

Cost: No fee

Found within the 23-acre Hemlock Gorge Reservation, Hemlock Gorge is small but scenic. The Charles River runs through it and you can get some of the best views from Echo Bridge, a historic bridge that's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Best Caves In Massachusetts

While the beaches and mountains seem to get all the glory in the Bay State, there are so many other nature places in Massachusetts to explore. Did you know that there are several caves you can visit? It's true! Check out some of the most impressive caves in Massachusetts:

Location: Sunderland, MA

Wow Factor: These caves are impressive and you can even explore inside, provided you have a light source.

Cost: No fee

Located within Mount Toby State Forest, the Sunderland Caves can be found along a section of the Robert Frost Trail. Keep your eyes peeled for signs to the caves, otherwise, you can get lost. You can also download the AllTrails+ to guide you along. When you arrive at the caves, the entrance is narrow, so keep that in mind if you intend on going any further. Also, make sure you have a light source like a flashlight or a headlamp with you.

Location: Lynn, MA

Wow Factor: This is one of the most fascinating caves in the state!

Cost: No fee

Located at The Lynn Woods Reservation near Boston, Dungeon Rock Cave is a fascinating wonder to explore. Take a hike to Dungeon Rock where you'll find a door to a cave. Back in the 1600s, the original cave was supposedly where a pirate hid his treasure. The cave then collapsed and buried both the pirate and his loot. In the mid-1800s, a man seeking the pirate treasure he heard about, dug out a new cave at Dungeon Rock along with a tunnel. There is a steel door covering the entrance of the cave but you can visit and explore the cave between May 1 and Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.

Best Waterfalls In Massachusetts

You may be surprised to learn that Massachusetts is home to dozens upon dozens of waterfalls. Some are quite impressive but all are beautiful. Here are some of the best waterfalls in Massachusetts:

Location: Belmont, MA

Wow Factor: The most scenic part of Beaver Brook Reservation is this powerful waterfall.

Cost: No fee

One of the best nature spots in Massachusetts is Beaver Brook Reservation. Not only are there multiple ways to enjoy the great outdoors from hiking and biking to fishing and playing sports but the scenery is outstanding as well. And you simply cannot come here and not see Beaver Brook Falls. In fact, it's just a short walk from the parking lot where you can either view it from a platform above or enjoy it from below.

Location: Royalston, MA

Wow Factor: This pretty waterfall is easy to get to so all ages can enjoy it.

Cost: No fee

Take a short hike and you'll be treated to views of a series of stunning cascades known as Doane's Falls. This picturesque waterfall is found at the point where Lawrence Brook meets Tully Lake. Above the falls is a man-made structure -- a mill built in the early 19th century by a man named Amos Doane. While it may be tempting, swimming at these falls is prohibited and you must stick to the trails due to the area's sensitive ecosystem.

Location: New Salem, MA

Wow Factor: This waterfall looks like it belongs in a fairytale.

Cost: No fee

Bear's Den Falls is found along the Middle Branch of the Swift River. Just take a short hike through the woods and you'll find it at the bottom of a gorge. Make sure you wear proper shoes as you hike around the waterfall -- it can get quite slippery on the rocks.

Location: Mount Washington, MA

Wow Factor: As the tallest single-drop waterfall in Massachusetts, this is one must-see natural wonder in the state!

Cost: No fee

With an 80-foot cascade, Bash Bish Falls is the tallest waterfall in the state and located along the Massachusetts-New York state line at Bash Bish Falls State Park. You can see why it's also the most popular one to visit. While tempting, however, swimming at this waterfall is prohibited. After your visit to the cascade, check out nearby Taconic State Park in New York.

Location: New Marlborough, MA

Wow Factor: This impressive waterfall is one of the most picturesque in Massachusetts.

Cost: No fee

Located by the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line, Campbell Falls can be accessed via a trail at Campbell Falls State Park in Connecticut. The trail will eventually lead over the border to the cascade in Massachusetts. Campbell Falls is absolutely lovely as it plunges 50 feet into a gorge and eventually a pool below.

Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Massachusetts

If you're someone who loves panoramic views of the landscape, there are many incredible overlooks throughout the state. Get a bird's eye view of the state's landscapes and seascapes from these vistas:

Location: South Deerfield, MA

Wow Factor: If you're looking for one of the best views in Massachusetts, the summit of Mount Sugarloaf is where you need to go.

Cost: Vehicle parking: $5/MA resident; $20/Non-MA resident

Want to go someplace where you can see miles in every direction? Well, there's no better place than the

Mount Sugarloaf Overlook. Between mid-May and mid-October, you can take a road to the summit where you can take in views of the surrounding Connecticut River Valley, a natural wonder in and of itself.

Location: Aquinnah, MA

Wow Factor: For jaw-dropping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aquinnah Cliffs, visit Martha's Vineyard.

Cost: No fee

Martha's Vineyard's multi-colored cliffs are one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Massachusetts. While they are a must-see, the views from the top of the cliffs are just as extraordinary as the cliffs themselves. With sweeping views of the Atlantic, this spot definitely has that "wow" factor.

Location: Lanesborough, MA

Wow Factor: Take in the views from the highest point in Massachusetts.

Cost: No fee

To get to Mount Greylock, you can park at the visitor center and hike up the mountain or take the road to the summit. However, the summit road is seasonal and closes for winter, so keep that in mind. One of the best parts about the summit of Mount Greylock is the view. In fact, you can see five states -- Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Connecticut -- from the top!

Best Rock Formations In Massachusetts

Rock formations can be quite fascinating. They're like works of art left behind by Mother Nature over the course of thousands and even millions of years. Among the best rock formations in Massachusetts are the following:

Location: Essex, MA

Wow Factor: The boulders of all shapes and sizes here are absolutely impressive.

Cost: No fee

One of the most extraordinary hikes you can take to see rock formations in Massachusetts is at The Monoliths. Each trail at this preserve is under a mile making it a great place to take kids who will love seeing the variety of boulders formed thousands of years ago by glaciers.

Location: West Brookfield, MA

Wow Factor: The historic rock shelter here was once used by Native Americans during the winter.

Cost: No fee

Rock House Reservation is home to a rock shelter that was used by Native Americans during the winter months and you can explore this geological and historical wonder today. In addition to the rock shelter, there are many other unique rock formations throughout the reservation, making it a great place to explore.

Location: Shelburne Falls, MA

Wow Factor: In the picture-perfect community of Shelburne Falls, you'll find this awe-inspiring set of natural wonders that were ground by granite during the movement of high glacial water over 14,000 years ago.

Cost: No fee

There's no place in Massachusetts quite like Shelburne Falls. Known best for its Bridge of Flowers, it's also home to a geological natural wonder. The glacial potholes are right in town and look quite otherworldly. In all, there are over 50 of these glacial potholes of varying sizes.

Unique Natural Wonders In Massachusetts

We are not done discussing the best nature spots in Massachusetts. Some are so unique that they stand out all on their own. Check out the following unique natural wonders in the Bay State:

Location: Boston, MA

Wow Factor: I am always wowed every time I visit these parks. They provide a great nature escape in the city.

Cost: No fee

There are so many incredible places to visit in Boston but when visiting the city for the first time, I urge you to head straight to the Boston Public Garden and the adjacent Boston Common. These parks are oases within an urban environment and allow visitors to experience nature in the heart of the city.

Location: Concord, MA

Wow Factor: This body of water in Massachusetts is especially breathtaking surrounded by fall foliage.

Cost: Parking (charged year-round): $8/MA-resident and $30/non-MA resident

Walden Pond was made famous by Henry David Thoreau in his book Walden. Whether you love nature or literature (or both), a visit to Walden Pond is a must. A loop trail will take you all around the pond where you'll encounter a replica of the cabin Thoreau once lived in.

Location: Cape Cod, MA

Wow Factor: For sweeping views of the Atlantic, pristine beaches, epic sand dunes, flora, fauna, and more, this National Seashore is a treasured part of Cape Cod.

Cost: Fees vary by season and location. You can find free parking in certain spots and paid parking at the beaches.

Between the towns of Chatham and Provincetown, you'll find the 44,000-acre Cape Cod National Seashore. I've been lucky enough to explore much of this national park my whole life and yet, I'm still discovering parts of it I'd never been to before. For must-see nature in Massachusetts, a visit to the National Seashore is a must. Whether you hit one of the beaches, discover a salt marsh, swim in a freshwater pond, go on a hike, discover a historic structure, go bird watching, take a bike ride along one of the bike paths, and so much more, this is a paradise for nature lovers.

Location: Boston, MA

Wow Factor: This urban park is made of 34 islands and peninsulas in Boston Harbor. Noot only are the islands stunning but they provide a way to enjoy some outdoor recreation as well as a way to relax.

Cost: Ferry tickets must be purchased to get to the islands. However, there is no fee to visit the islands of the park.

Both a national park and a state park, the Boston Harbor Islands provides another great escape from the city. You can either take a ferry or your own boat to get to the islands that are rich in flora, fauna, and, in some cases, history. Camping is available on several of the islands as well if you really want to make it a getaway.

Which of these incredible natural wonders in Massachusetts have you visited? Ready to explore them all? In the comments, let us know your favorite natural attractions in Massachusetts.

Let's explore the state on one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Massachusetts! Check out the must-have hiking accessories before you hit the trails.