9 Must-See Natural Wonders Across the US

As one of the country's largest national parks, Death Valley plays host to plenty of famous natural wonders in the US, including flowing waterfalls, canyons, badlands, craters, and sand dunes. But perhaps one of the most phenomenal landscapes found within is also Death Valley’s most striking topographical feature—the salt pans located in Badwater Basin.

Known for being the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level, this is where billions of salt crystals left over from an ancient lake formed a surreal polygonal pattern. Framed by views of the rugged Black Mountains in the distance, this alien-like terrain looks more akin to the moon than California. To visit, check out one of the many Death Valley tours from Las Vegas that stop in the area, some of which offer special sunset visits and stargazing.

The snowy trails of the Rocky Mountains ski resorts aren’t the only slopes you can ride down in Colorado. About an hour’s drive south of Denver, between the San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristos, you’ll find Great Sand Dunes National Park.

These sand dunes stretch across 30 square miles (77 square kilometers) of the state’s southern San Luis Valley and make a great adventure weekend getaway. Hike the tallest dunes in North America—they’re as high as 750 feet (229 meters)—then go sandboarding down the steep hills. Serious bragging rights await.

With its steep walls of wavy, lined sandstone, Antelope Canyon is one of the most famous slot canyons in the US (as well as one of the most photographed, thanks to light beams that filter through the openings down into the canyon and illuminate the sandstone walls for an otherworldly experience). Situated on Navajo land in the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, the slot canyon was formed by water rushing through the rock over the course of millions of years.

Now one of the coolest natural places in the world, this slot canyon has two separate sections—the deep-but-narrow Upper Antelope Canyon (also known as Spiral Rock Arches) and the Lower Antelope Canyon (Hasdeztwazi). Good to know: Antelope Canyon can only be visited as part of a guided tour.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Antelope Canyon

Stretching across 41,170 acres (16,660 hectares) in northwest New Mexico, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness has a seriously atmospheric vibe. When the sun sets, shadows sweep over the strange spires and hoodoos.

The stark landscape—which is part Navajo territory—was once a sea, but as the water disappeared over time, it left a 1,400-foot-thick (427-meter-thick) layer of mudstone, shale, and coal that’s been untouched for more than 50 million years. It’s no wonder so many dinosaur fossils have been found here.

Related: Where To Go Fossil Hunting in North America (and What To Look For)

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is located just 23 miles (37 kilometers) west of ever-sprawling Austin and is a serene emerald grotto where 50-foot (15-meter) waterfalls flow from limestone cliffs and splash into an oasis below.

Most agree that the Hamilton Pool Preserve is like looking into the entrance to some enchanted hidden land thanks to lush, preserved ecosystem that supports a variety of plants and wildlife. Just know that there is a reservation system (aka make your plans in advance) and an entrance fee.

Named after its numerous glacial-carved fjords—otherworldly ice valleys that sit below sea level— Kenai Fjords National Park encompasses a massive 1,047 square miles (2,711 square kilometers) of gorgeous scenery, and is easily one of the top unique natural wonders in the US.

Here, the fjords run down the mountains into the famed Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States, into which around 40 tidewater glaciers flow. Get a view of the fjords on a wildlife cruise from Seward.

When you think Hawaii, you’re probably thinking tropical, warm rainforests and maybe the occasional lava field. But what you might not know is that smack in the middle of the Big Island is a snowy peak doubling as one of the best astronomical observation sites on Earth.

Mauna Kea is a volcano, albeit dormant, whose name means “white mountain” and which stands at a whopping 13,796 feet (4,138-meter) high. This “technically” tallest mountain on earth is usually covered in snow during the winter months but also hosts some of the world’s best telescopes (there are more than 10 of them, making it the world’s largest observatory).

Insider tip: On a tour from either Kona or Hilo, you’ll be able to see the observatory at the peak and hopefully spend some time stargazing.

Watkins Glen State Park is located just a short, 30-minute drive from the charming college town of Ithaca and is one of the most popular natural attractions in the United States, as well as one of the best outdoor adventure vacation destinations.

What makes this New York state park unique is it offers a relatively short hike along the Gorge Trail through a variety of stunning (you guessed it) gorges, stone bridges, and tunnels, plus 19 waterfalls—a relative rarity in the more homogenous topography of the East Coast. The 1.5-mile (2.5-kilometer) loop trail climbs 500 feet (152 meters) via a series of paths and steps carved into the rocks.

Insider tip: Walking past the multiple waterfalls, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a magical land straight out of a fantasy novel, but don’t get too distracted, as the path can be slippery.

You know you’re in for an extraordinary natural wonder when you visit Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, given that it's home to geographic highlights such as Wizard Island and Phantom Ship.

Located nearly equidistant from Eugene, Bend, and Ashland, this 20-square-mile (51-square-kilometer) crater left from a volcanic eruption more than 7,000 years ago was subsequently filled by rainfall, which gives the lake its intense blue color. The steep walls create a striking perimeter and contrast distinctly with the blue water that is as deep as 1,943 feet (592 meters), adding to its title of the ninth-deepest lake in the world—and making Crater Lake well worth a day trip for those nearby.