The world is a wide, wonderful place, full of places and experiences sure to fill your bucket and stoke your wanderlust. And while we adore man-made monoliths and architectural marvels, Mother Nature really is the most inspired designer. With precision and care, she’s conjured and created some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world — right here in the U.S. These are phenomenal places that will provoke a sense of awe and wonder, and they all belong on your bucket list.
Thor’s Well - Cape Perpetua, Oregon
Lijuan Guo Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images A swirling, thunderous, white-capped force of sheer power, there’s no place in the world like Thor’s Well, located at Cape Perpetua in Oregon. There are many theories about this unique rock formation, known as the “drainpipe of the Pacific;” in fact, some say the waters flow straight into the underworld. No one is quite certain exactly how it formed, either; but one theory is that the well was once a sea cave until the roof collapsed, leaving a hole on the coast that is roughly 20 feet deep. But who needs an explanation for a natural wonder? All we know for sure is, this amazing, swirling, spurting saltwater well is absolutely, positively wondrous. Thor’s Well, Oregon, USA
Grand Teton National Park - Wyoming
Matt Anderson Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images At first glance, you might mistake the Grand Tetons of Wyoming for Alaska’s Denali; this range is just that resplendent. But upon further investigation, the grazing buffalo and golden prairies belie the Tetons and their Wyoming locale. This beautiful national park is 310,000 acres of mountains and valleys dotted with beautiful alpine lakes that sit in the foothills, in the canyons, and on the valley floors. It’s populated with some of the most wondrous wildlife in the country: elk and moose, bears and bison. Grand Teton’s scenic beauty has long caught the eye of artists and photographers; Oxbow Bend was made famous by the photographer Ansel Adams, who captured its pristine beauty on film. Today, photographers line up at sunset to recreate their own interpretation of the scene, which, if you ask us, is most definitely an adventure for your bucket list. Grand Teton, Wyoming 83414, USA
The Badlands - South Dakota
Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images Lauded as one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the Badlands of South Dakota are a true world wonder. Renowned for their rich and vibrant fossil beds, the Badlands, named as such by the native Lakota tribe for its arid and extreme terrain, are unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Not only are the Badlands magnificent, but also historic, as they were formed by geologic forces of deposition and erosion 69 million years ago following the retreating of an ancient sea. In addition to their geological history, the Badlands also served as a vital spot for early Native Americans who used the landscape for hunting some 11,000+ years ago. History aside, there’s an indefinable and irresistible je ne sais quoi about Badlands – the colors and curves, gradients and geography – that truly can only be appreciated in person. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
Dyerville Giant - Humboldt Redwoods State Park, Redcrest, California
lucentius/iStock via Getty Images Plus As some of the greatest icons of Northern California, visiting the redwood trees always makes for a bucket-list-worthy adventure. With multiple forests and groves waiting to be explored, you could spend an entire lifetime seeing them all. However, if there’s one you definitely should experience at least once, it’s Founders’ Grove. Located along the popular Avenue of Giants, it’s here where you can walk among some of the tallest trees in the world, including the magnificent Dyerville Giant. The giant redwood once stood 362 feet tall and was considered the tallest tree in the park before its fall in 1991. The redwood’s crash to the ground moved the earth so much that it registered on a nearby seismograph, and one local, who heard the impact from half a mile away, thought a train had crashed. On the Founders Grove Loop, you can walk the whole length of the tree and stand in awe of its massive, marvelous root system. Dyerville Giant, Redcrest, CA 95569, USA
Grand Canyon - Arizona
Dean Fikar/Moment Collection via Getty Images The Grand Canyon is one of the largest and longest canyons on Earth, and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is also a beloved destination for waterfall chasers, as it’s home to some of the country’s finest falls. The Grand Canyon can be explored in myriad ways: you can drive up to scenic viewpoints, explore on a helicopter tour, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, or even walk out onto a glass bridge. When a place is as ingrained in our national consciousness as the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to lose sight of just how extraordinary a place Arizona’s Grand Canyon is, so we recommend reacquainting yourself with this world wonder. Because no matter how you chose to experience the Grand Canyon, it will be a bucket-list-worthy adventure you’ll never forget. Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
Buckskin Gulch - Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, Utah/Arizona
lightphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus Did you know Utah was home to the world’s largest slot canyon? (Or even that there were such a thing?) It is, and there is, and this natural wonder is known as Buckskin Gulch, located in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness along the Utah and Arizona border. In a state known for its striking canyons and gorges, Buckskin Gulch truly stands out as one of the most incredible and picturesque. This gulch is more than 12 miles long and anywhere from 100 to 200 feet deep. There are many trailheads that will take you to Buckskin Gulch, but one of the best and most accessible is the Wire Pass Trail. This 3.7-mile round-trip trail has a few challenging areas, but overall, it’s a family-friendly trek in Utah that is unforgettable – no technical gear required! Just be warned: the trail gets rather narrow in parts; so if you’re claustrophobic, take a deep breath and focus on your surroundings. Because they truly are spectacular. Buckskin Gulch, Utah 84741, USA
Carlsbad Caverns - New Mexico
Doug Meek/Corbis Documentary Collection via Getty Images While the U.S. is home to some of the world’s most marvelous, mammoth caves, Carlsbad Caverns is on a whole other level… or planet. Located 20 miles outside the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico, 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. Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance, New Mexico 88220, USA
Elephant Rocks - Elephant Rocks State Park, Eastern Ozarks, Missouri
StevenSchremp/iStock via Getty Images Plus Picture a pack of pachyderms out in the wilds of the Missouri Ozarks; that sums up Elephant Rocks State Park. Just like their animal counterparts, these pink-tinged rocks are massive, weighing in at more than 600 tons and reaching heights of over 20 feet. Created from granite more than 1.5 billion years old, the boulders are popular with visitors of all ages, including the kiddos who often climb on the so-called elephant train. And in fact, these boulders are big and sturdy enough to climb; the largest elephant, dubbed “Dumbo,” stands 27 feet tall and weighs 680 tons. For those not into climbing and squeezing between the pack’s tight spaces, there is an ADA-accessible interpretive trail that offers an equally wonderful way to experience this natural marvel. Elephant Rocks, Montana 59453, USA
Indiana Dunes National Park - Indiana
Bruce Bongarten/iStock via Getty Images Plus Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the Midwest’s greatest hidden gems. Featuring more than 2,000 acres of gorgeous beaches, dazzling coastal vistas, and a hilly, sandy terrain that’s tailor-made for outdoor recreation, there’s nowhere in the country quite like this captivating natural wonder. With eight beaches located within the park, there are opportunities aplenty for enjoying these unique sands. While renting dune buggies is certainly on most adventure seekers’ Indiana Dunes bucket lists, the stargazing here is also phenomenal, and might actually the park’s biggest draw. With some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, distant stars and galaxies are often visible above the rolling dunes and lulling waters of this national park, making for a wondrous, bucket-list-worthy experience… in Indiana! Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Ash Cave/Hocking Hills Ohio State Park - Logan, Ohio
Photograph by Tudor ApMadoc/Moment Collection via Getty Images Ohio’s Hocking Hills are an otherworldly wonder filled with recess caves, towering rock formations glorious waterfalls, Tolkien-esque forests, and some of the Midwest’s most spectacular scenery. The caverns were formed over 350 million years ago and humans first inhabited the hollows of Hocking Hills more than 7,000 years ago. But the 2,350-acre park’s iconic Old Man’s Cave is named for a hermit who occupied it around the turn of the 19th century; and, after visiting Old Man’s Cave for yourself, you’ll understand its appeal. With 25 miles of hiking trails, there are so many ways to experience Hocking Hills; happily, the park’s most famous attractions – Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave – are also its most accessible. Ash Cave, OH-56, Logan, OH 43138, USA
Cumberland Falls Moonbow - Cumberland Falls State Park, Kentucky
JimVallee/iStock via Getty Images Plus In the middle of the beautiful Bluegrass State, there is a natural phenomenon that’s so rare, it’s only experienced at a few places in the world. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you’ll find the eponymous Cumberland Falls – Kentucky’s “Niagara of the South” – a majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River. And not only is Cumberland Falls an awe-inspiring force; it’s also the site of a rare natural phenomenon. Known as a “moonbow,” Cumberland Falls is one of the few places on the planet that regularly produces this prismatic phenomenon, created when light is refracted in the waterfall’s spraying water droplets. The moonbow lingers above the falls for up to two days as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon. One of the most spectacular and accessible waterfall trails in the country, the Moonbow Trail is a Kentucky bucket list must – especially at night. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
Cades Cove - Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images The country’s most-visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains span half a million acres across eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, offering a near-endless list of bucket-list-worthy adventures, from hiking and camping to paddling and climbing. But the thing is, you don’t need to partake in any of those activities to have a bucket-list-worthy experience in the Smokies; you simply have to stop and look around. Because the scenery here is nothing short of spectacular, especially at Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a valley that can be found on the Tennessee side of the park, and the natural beauty of the valley is absolutely stunning. As a result, Cades Cove is a highly sought-after destination that’s one of the park’s most popular. More than 2 million folks visit every year, and can you blame them? These golden fields, verdant forests, and fog-kissed, deep blue mountains make for the ultimate nature postcard. Cades Cove, Tennessee 37882, USA
Cumberland Island, Georgia
Posnov/Moment Collection via Getty Images Georgia’s Cumberland is a real-life Garden of Eden, where wild horses roam free and live oak trees flourish. Within this paradise, the Dungeness Loop Trail is a 4.3-mile adventure that takes explorers on a scenic tour de force of Cumberland Island, making it worth each and every step. Get ready for ocean vistas, marsh scenes, sprawling and unruly 60-80 feet oak trees, and an abundance of wildlife along this loop trail, one of the most spectacularly scenic hikes in the country. Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA
Jocassee Gorges - South Carolina
digidreamgrafix/iStock via Getty Images Plus There are some places in the world that are simply too beautiful for words. There isn’t language to accurately convey the breadth and depth of their beauty; these are wondrous places that simply must be experienced. Jocassee Gorges is one of this places. Nestled along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, the Jocassee Gorges tract includes 43,500 acres that extends from the upstate of South Carolina and into North Carolina. Hailed as the “Grand Canyon of South Carolina,” in 2012, National Geographic called Jocassee Gorges the “destination of a lifetime,” including it as one of “50 Of The World’s Last Great Places.” A decade later, this divine destination continues to attract lovers of nature and art alike, because this landmark is – and will always be – truly, breathtakingly, beautiful. Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area, 1344 Cleo Chapman Hwy, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
Delaware Water Gap - Pennsylvania/New Jersey
Jacob Bryant / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images Mother Nature really is the best artist; for proof of this, simply visit the Delaware Water Gap, where the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains in a perfect, sinewy “S” shape, feeding a 67,000-acre recreation area with lakes, streams, and waterfalls. It’s not just us who admire this natural wonder, either; the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has been a favorite destination for decades, earning numerous accolades over the years. Lauded as the most beautiful place in Pennsylvania, once you stand atop Arrow Island Overlook and gaze out at the expanse below, you’ll be filled with awe and wonder at this beautiful country of ours. Delaware Water Gap, PA, USA
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Smyrna, Delaware
Dennis Govoni/Moment Collection via Getty Images Hailed as Delaware’s crown jewel, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge deserves every bit of praise it receives. This 15,978-acre tidal marsh area was established as a refuge for Atlantic waterfowl; today, it’s a hotspot for nature enthusiasts hoping to spot bald eagles, snow geese, northern flickers, heron, cardinals, and warblers. A photographer’s dream not just for its avian diversity, the sunsets at Bombay Hook are sublime, and easily the most wondrous “golden hour” experience in the country. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park - Hawaii
Inigo Cia/Moment Collection via Getty Images A place where fire and water meet in a violent, earth-shaking spectacle, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an otherworldly natural wonder. This earth-shattering event is responsible for creating the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s on full display at this national park, which is 523 square miles of jaw-dropping scenery. The 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. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA
The most marvelous natural wonders in the world are right here in the U.S., just waited to be discovered, enjoyed, and appreciated. So what are you waiting for?
Lijuan Guo Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
A swirling, thunderous, white-capped force of sheer power, there’s no place in the world like Thor’s Well, located at Cape Perpetua in Oregon. There are many theories about this unique rock formation, known as the “drainpipe of the Pacific;” in fact, some say the waters flow straight into the underworld. No one is quite certain exactly how it formed, either; but one theory is that the well was once a sea cave until the roof collapsed, leaving a hole on the coast that is roughly 20 feet deep. But who needs an explanation for a natural wonder? All we know for sure is, this amazing, swirling, spurting saltwater well is absolutely, positively wondrous.
Thor’s Well, Oregon, USA
Matt Anderson Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
At first glance, you might mistake the Grand Tetons of Wyoming for Alaska’s Denali; this range is just that resplendent. But upon further investigation, the grazing buffalo and golden prairies belie the Tetons and their Wyoming locale. This beautiful national park is 310,000 acres of mountains and valleys dotted with beautiful alpine lakes that sit in the foothills, in the canyons, and on the valley floors. It’s populated with some of the most wondrous wildlife in the country: elk and moose, bears and bison. Grand Teton’s scenic beauty has long caught the eye of artists and photographers; Oxbow Bend was made famous by the photographer Ansel Adams, who captured its pristine beauty on film. Today, photographers line up at sunset to recreate their own interpretation of the scene, which, if you ask us, is most definitely an adventure for your bucket list.
Grand Teton, Wyoming 83414, USA
Cavan Images/Cavan Collection via Getty Images
Lauded as one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the Badlands of South Dakota are a true world wonder. Renowned for their rich and vibrant fossil beds, the Badlands, named as such by the native Lakota tribe for its arid and extreme terrain, are unlike anywhere else in the U.S. Not only are the Badlands magnificent, but also historic, as they were formed by geologic forces of deposition and erosion 69 million years ago following the retreating of an ancient sea. In addition to their geological history, the Badlands also served as a vital spot for early Native Americans who used the landscape for hunting some 11,000+ years ago. History aside, there’s an indefinable and irresistible je ne sais quoi about Badlands – the colors and curves, gradients and geography – that truly can only be appreciated in person.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA
lucentius/iStock via Getty Images Plus
As some of the greatest icons of Northern California, visiting the redwood trees always makes for a bucket-list-worthy adventure. With multiple forests and groves waiting to be explored, you could spend an entire lifetime seeing them all. However, if there’s one you definitely should experience at least once, it’s Founders’ Grove. Located along the popular Avenue of Giants, it’s here where you can walk among some of the tallest trees in the world, including the magnificent Dyerville Giant. The giant redwood once stood 362 feet tall and was considered the tallest tree in the park before its fall in 1991. The redwood’s crash to the ground moved the earth so much that it registered on a nearby seismograph, and one local, who heard the impact from half a mile away, thought a train had crashed. On the Founders Grove Loop, you can walk the whole length of the tree and stand in awe of its massive, marvelous root system.
Dyerville Giant, Redcrest, CA 95569, USA
Dean Fikar/Moment Collection via Getty Images
The Grand Canyon is one of the largest and longest canyons on Earth, and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. A playground for outdoor enthusiasts, the Grand Canyon is also a beloved destination for waterfall chasers, as it’s home to some of the country’s finest falls. The Grand Canyon can be explored in myriad ways: you can drive up to scenic viewpoints, explore on a helicopter tour, whitewater raft down the Colorado River, or even walk out onto a glass bridge. When a place is as ingrained in our national consciousness as the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to lose sight of just how extraordinary a place Arizona’s Grand Canyon is, so we recommend reacquainting yourself with this world wonder. Because no matter how you chose to experience the Grand Canyon, it will be a bucket-list-worthy adventure you’ll never forget.
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86052, USA
lightphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Did you know Utah was home to the world’s largest slot canyon? (Or even that there were such a thing?) It is, and there is, and this natural wonder is known as Buckskin Gulch, located in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness along the Utah and Arizona border. In a state known for its striking canyons and gorges, Buckskin Gulch truly stands out as one of the most incredible and picturesque. This gulch is more than 12 miles long and anywhere from 100 to 200 feet deep. There are many trailheads that will take you to Buckskin Gulch, but one of the best and most accessible is the Wire Pass Trail. This 3.7-mile round-trip trail has a few challenging areas, but overall, it’s a family-friendly trek in Utah that is unforgettable – no technical gear required! Just be warned: the trail gets rather narrow in parts; so if you’re claustrophobic, take a deep breath and focus on your surroundings. Because they truly are spectacular.
Buckskin Gulch, Utah 84741, USA
Doug Meek/Corbis Documentary Collection via Getty Images
While the U.S. is home to some of the world’s most marvelous, mammoth caves, Carlsbad Caverns is on a whole other level… or planet. Located 20 miles outside the city of Carlsbad, New Mexico, 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.
Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance, New Mexico 88220, USA
StevenSchremp/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Picture a pack of pachyderms out in the wilds of the Missouri Ozarks; that sums up Elephant Rocks State Park. Just like their animal counterparts, these pink-tinged rocks are massive, weighing in at more than 600 tons and reaching heights of over 20 feet. Created from granite more than 1.5 billion years old, the boulders are popular with visitors of all ages, including the kiddos who often climb on the so-called elephant train. And in fact, these boulders are big and sturdy enough to climb; the largest elephant, dubbed “Dumbo,” stands 27 feet tall and weighs 680 tons. For those not into climbing and squeezing between the pack’s tight spaces, there is an ADA-accessible interpretive trail that offers an equally wonderful way to experience this natural marvel.
Elephant Rocks, Montana 59453, USA
Bruce Bongarten/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park is one of the Midwest’s greatest hidden gems. Featuring more than 2,000 acres of gorgeous beaches, dazzling coastal vistas, and a hilly, sandy terrain that’s tailor-made for outdoor recreation, there’s nowhere in the country quite like this captivating natural wonder. With eight beaches located within the park, there are opportunities aplenty for enjoying these unique sands. While renting dune buggies is certainly on most adventure seekers’ Indiana Dunes bucket lists, the stargazing here is also phenomenal, and might actually the park’s biggest draw. With some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, distant stars and galaxies are often visible above the rolling dunes and lulling waters of this national park, making for a wondrous, bucket-list-worthy experience… in Indiana!
Indiana Dunes National Park, 1215 N State Rd 49, Porter, IN 46304, USA
Photograph by Tudor ApMadoc/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Ohio’s Hocking Hills are an otherworldly wonder filled with recess caves, towering rock formations glorious waterfalls, Tolkien-esque forests, and some of the Midwest’s most spectacular scenery. The caverns were formed over 350 million years ago and humans first inhabited the hollows of Hocking Hills more than 7,000 years ago. But the 2,350-acre park’s iconic Old Man’s Cave is named for a hermit who occupied it around the turn of the 19th century; and, after visiting Old Man’s Cave for yourself, you’ll understand its appeal. With 25 miles of hiking trails, there are so many ways to experience Hocking Hills; happily, the park’s most famous attractions – Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave – are also its most accessible.
Ash Cave, OH-56, Logan, OH 43138, USA
JimVallee/iStock via Getty Images Plus
In the middle of the beautiful Bluegrass State, there is a natural phenomenon that’s so rare, it’s only experienced at a few places in the world. At Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, you’ll find the eponymous Cumberland Falls – Kentucky’s “Niagara of the South” – a majestic 68-foot waterfall on the Cumberland River. And not only is Cumberland Falls an awe-inspiring force; it’s also the site of a rare natural phenomenon. Known as a “moonbow,” Cumberland Falls is one of the few places on the planet that regularly produces this prismatic phenomenon, created when light is refracted in the waterfall’s spraying water droplets. The moonbow lingers above the falls for up to two days as long as the sky is clear, on either end of the full moon. One of the most spectacular and accessible waterfall trails in the country, the Moonbow Trail is a Kentucky bucket list must – especially at night.
Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, USA
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
The country’s most-visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains span half a million acres across eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, offering a near-endless list of bucket-list-worthy adventures, from hiking and camping to paddling and climbing. But the thing is, you don’t need to partake in any of those activities to have a bucket-list-worthy experience in the Smokies; you simply have to stop and look around. Because the scenery here is nothing short of spectacular, especially at Cades Cove. Cades Cove is a valley that can be found on the Tennessee side of the park, and the natural beauty of the valley is absolutely stunning. As a result, Cades Cove is a highly sought-after destination that’s one of the park’s most popular. More than 2 million folks visit every year, and can you blame them? These golden fields, verdant forests, and fog-kissed, deep blue mountains make for the ultimate nature postcard.
Cades Cove, Tennessee 37882, USA
Posnov/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Georgia’s Cumberland is a real-life Garden of Eden, where wild horses roam free and live oak trees flourish. Within this paradise, the Dungeness Loop Trail is a 4.3-mile adventure that takes explorers on a scenic tour de force of Cumberland Island, making it worth each and every step. Get ready for ocean vistas, marsh scenes, sprawling and unruly 60-80 feet oak trees, and an abundance of wildlife along this loop trail, one of the most spectacularly scenic hikes in the country.
Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA
digidreamgrafix/iStock via Getty Images Plus
There are some places in the world that are simply too beautiful for words. There isn’t language to accurately convey the breadth and depth of their beauty; these are wondrous places that simply must be experienced. Jocassee Gorges is one of this places. Nestled along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, the Jocassee Gorges tract includes 43,500 acres that extends from the upstate of South Carolina and into North Carolina. Hailed as the “Grand Canyon of South Carolina,” in 2012, National Geographic called Jocassee Gorges the “destination of a lifetime,” including it as one of “50 Of The World’s Last Great Places.” A decade later, this divine destination continues to attract lovers of nature and art alike, because this landmark is – and will always be – truly, breathtakingly, beautiful.
Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area, 1344 Cleo Chapman Hwy, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
Jacob Bryant / EyeEm Collection via Getty Images
Mother Nature really is the best artist; for proof of this, simply visit the Delaware Water Gap, where the Delaware River cuts through the Appalachian Mountains in a perfect, sinewy “S” shape, feeding a 67,000-acre recreation area with lakes, streams, and waterfalls. It’s not just us who admire this natural wonder, either; the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area has been a favorite destination for decades, earning numerous accolades over the years. Lauded as the most beautiful place in Pennsylvania, once you stand atop Arrow Island Overlook and gaze out at the expanse below, you’ll be filled with awe and wonder at this beautiful country of ours.
Delaware Water Gap, PA, USA
Dennis Govoni/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Hailed as Delaware’s crown jewel, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge deserves every bit of praise it receives. This 15,978-acre tidal marsh area was established as a refuge for Atlantic waterfowl; today, it’s a hotspot for nature enthusiasts hoping to spot bald eagles, snow geese, northern flickers, heron, cardinals, and warblers. A photographer’s dream not just for its avian diversity, the sunsets at Bombay Hook are sublime, and easily the most wondrous “golden hour” experience in the country.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, 2591 Whitehall Neck Rd, Smyrna, DE 19977, USA
Inigo Cia/Moment Collection via Getty Images
A place where fire and water meet in a violent, earth-shaking spectacle, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is an otherworldly natural wonder. This earth-shattering event is responsible for creating the Hawaiian Islands, and it’s on full display at this national park, which is 523 square miles of jaw-dropping scenery. The 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.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA
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