Sunset on the Garden of the Gods Wilderness, Shawnee National Forest, Illinois. Author: Daniel Schwen - CC BY-SA 4.0
What really makes America great are its natural wonders and stunning landscapes. The US is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, abundant in natural beauty and unique scenery.
If you want to explore your country up close, think about heading on a road trip and visit some of the most amazing sites in the country.
At 2,407 feet, Cheaha Mountain in Cheaha State Park is the highest point in Alabama and a foothill of the Appalachian Mountains.
Its name, which means high place, was coined by the local Creek Indians. The mountain is surrounded by Talladega National Forest, an area that was once almost logged into obscurity but has been protected by the national parks system since 1936.
There are plenty of campgrounds, lodges, and cabins on the mountain, and activities to suit everyone from families to extreme sports enthusiasts. You will even find a wedding chapel and handy convenience store.
The world class trail system is a favorite of mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers, and includes the long-distance Pinhoti Trail which connects to the Appalachian Trail. This is a good year-round climbing location (you need a permit from the Park Ranger).
Hubbard Glacier is an enormous ice wonder worth your admiration, and it is a highlight of several cruise ship routes. When you see it, if all you can say is “wow” then we are with you.
It’s not just the visual magnificence of the glacier, but the sound of silence…broken only by the creaking of the ice.
It is the largest tidewater glacier on the entire North American continent; more than six miles wide and 400 ft tall at the point where it meets the ocean, which gives it a majestic and terrifying look. The interesting thing about Hubbard is that it’s thickening all the time, moving forward to the Gulf of Alaska.
Talking about natural wonders, here is one world renowned spectacular creation of nature. The Grand Canyon is the longest, widest, and the deepest hole in the ground in the world. It is a mile deep, 18 miles wide and 275 miles in length.
The Grand Canyon is a home to some of the oldest rocks on the planet that have existed for more than 2 billion years. Visiting the canyon is an experience that nothing in the world can beat.
Death Valley is another on the list of American natural wonders that every intrepid traveler must visit at least once. The name tells you everything — Death Valley is not a friendly place to be. Actually, it is the hottest place in America with summer temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nevertheless, the 3 million acres national park offers otherworldly sandy dunes, colorful canyons, and salt flats where you can hike and take amazing photographs. Don’t forget to bring a lot of water!
Cape Henlopen State Park has the largest sand dunes on the East Coast. Here you will find an ultimate playground for ocean swimming, beach sunbathing, fishing or kayaking, as well as one of Delaware’s most iconic images: the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse.
It really is a great place to find solitude and enjoy nature at her most peaceful. The best views can be found from atop the World War II watch tower.
Everglades National Park is another jewel among America’s natural wonders. Easy to locate, only one hour ride from Miami, the Everglades has tropical and subtropical eco-systems with a large diversity of wildlife.
Besides its endless wetlands and mangroves, the Everglades is home to various animal species ranging from herons and frogs to crocodiles and panthers, so if you ever visit this natural wonder, be prepared to meet some of these gorgeous beasts.
Okefenokee Swamp Park in southeastern Georgia is the natural habitat of 60 varieties of reptiles that you can’t even imagine.
Also, don’t forget your binoculars if you want to go for some serious bird watching because Okefenokee is a home to more than 200 bird species that live in the swamps and the wet and dry prairies of the park.
If you were thinking that Africa is where you can find enormous sand dunes, you were wrong because you can find them in Idaho. Bruneau Dunes State Park is a sandy paradise where you can go on a camping trip or hiking.
The natural wonders list wouldn’t be complete without the Garden of Gods’ dramatic rock formations that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. The area includes 3,500 acres of forest that mingles with the rocks that can be seen from the numerous trails. The Garden of the Gods is a perfect spot for horseback riding or backpacking, depending on your preferences.
Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa is one of the most mystic natural wonders in the US. The park includes caves in different sizes and forms and almost all of them can be visited. In some of them you can walk upright, while in others you must crawl. The caves are equipped with lights and walkways.
The west part of Kansas has some awesome moon-like landscapes full of different rock formations. The fossil-packed chalk formations of Monument Rocks and Castle Rock are jointly named as one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas. These stunning landmarks were formed an estimated 80 million years ago.
These are only a few of all the breathtaking natural wonders of the United States that you should be proud of and let the world know about.
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