These 17 Jaw Dropping Places Around The U.S. Will Blow You Away
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Sophia
Author
So many of the most stunning places on earth are right here in America. You don’t have to travel the world to see some truly magnificent natural and man-made wonders. Check out these incredible jaw-dropping places in the US that will make you appreciate the world we live in.
Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, USA
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. This unspoiled wilderness is a true hidden gem.
Enjoy stunning footage of one of the most beautiful places in the US, Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, in this video from Georgia Outdoors:
Enjoy stunning footage of one of the most beautiful places in the US, Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, in this video from Georgia Outdoors:
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Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, USA
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.
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Smith Rock State Park, Oregon 97760, USA
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.
Sequoia National Park, California, USA
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.
Laguna Beach, CA, USA
This famed area doesn't need an 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 along Victoria Beach in a particularly lovely pocket of coastline.
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, USA
Lush green wilderness, dramatic mountain peaks, and a magical blue tint define this area of North Carolina. Trees actually put the "blue" in Blue Ridge, as they release isoprene into the atmosphere. The sunlight reflects off of this chemical haze, thus creating Blue Ridge Mountain's distinctive azure hue.
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Valley of Fire State Park, Moapa Valley, NV 89040, USA
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.
Arapahoe Basin, Dillon, CO 80435, USA
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 car ride to Arapahoe Basin will be one of the most scenic drives you will ever take. Check out the Keystone area for particularly gorgeous views.
Crater Lake, Alaska, USA
This other-worldly body of water was actually formed when the peak of Mount Katmai, an active volcano, collapsed into itself and created this watery depression. A subsequent eruption caused a small lava dome to form in the lake's waters, which is known as Horseshoe Island. Only the bravest of explorers have dared to climb to the lake's shores.
View footage of the 1912 eruption of the Katmai volcano in Alaska which created the Katmai Crater Lake, one of the most jaw-dropping places in the US, in this video from GeologyHub:
View footage of the 1912 eruption of the Katmai volcano in Alaska which created the Katmai Crater Lake, one of the most jaw-dropping places in the US, in this video from GeologyHub:
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Horseshoe Bend, Arizona 86040, USA
This picturesque spot is where the Colorado River dramatically changes course. 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.
Lake Powell, AZ 86040, USA
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.
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Spiral Jetty, Corinne, UT 84307, USA
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. Though it was submerged for many years beneath the salty water of the lake, the spiral is now exposed once again.
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah 84083, USA
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.
Oak Alley Plantation, 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA 70090, USA
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.
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Luray Caverns, 101 Cave Hill Rd, Luray, VA 22835, USA
The 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.
Mount Rainier, Washington 98304, USA
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.
Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Pkwy W, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844, USA
Sometimes, the most beautiful sights of all are waiting for us just down the road. Duke Farms in Hillsborough specializes in sunflowers, and their fields of gently bobbing yellow blossoms are absolutely breathtaking at sunset.
Enjoy a virtual tour of Duke Farms and the surrounding area in this video from NJ.com:
Enjoy a virtual tour of Duke Farms and the surrounding area in this video from NJ.com:
What do you think are the most jaw-dropping places in the US? Have you visited any of these spots? Share a few stories with us in the comments. If you are as inspired as we are about the beauty we have in America, why not rent an RV and plan your next road trip?
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More to Explore
More jaw-dropping places in the United States
What are the most beautiful US national parks?
The US is blessed with many beautiful forests, mountains, lakes, and unique landscapes, and thankfully millions of acres are protected so that we can enjoy them for generations to come. Here are some of the most beautiful US national parks we think you should visit sometime soon:
- Arches National Park, Utah: One of the most stunning landscapes you'll encounter can be found in Arches National Park. It truly feels like another planet - especially if you aren't used to the stark beauty of the wide-open desert landscape with epic canyons and imposing rock formations.
- Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota: Sadly this pristine landscape is one of the least-visited national parks in America. But that in and of itself is the very reason it remains so utterly beautiful. The only way to reach this oasis of tranquility is by boat, usually via a canoe or kayak. As the calm waters slide off your paddle and the lonely wail of loon echos over the lake, you are transported to another more peaceful part of your soul.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii: Another incredibly beautiful but otherworldly national park can be found among red-hot lava flows and misshapen blobs of cooling magma. It is located on the Big Island and covers an impressive 335,259 acres of area from the tip-top of Mauna Loa to the ocean coastline. The two active volcanos, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, regularly dazzle visitors with a slow-moving lava flow that clashes with the cool ocean waters to form billowing clouds of steam.
These examples are only a fraction of the many national parks we can enjoy. Discover your next favorite road trip destination in this featured article on the most beautiful US National Parks.