Grand Canyon
Everyone knows about the beauty of the Grand Canyon or how stunning Yellowstone is, but there are some naturally spectacular areas of the country that aren't well-known that you should be visiting right now. Here are 25 of the most awe-inspiring natural sights in America that you've probably never heard of.
Kentucky
Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system. Its more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways make it twice as long as the second longest cave system, located in Mexico. Rare crickets, fish, bats, salamanders and even shrimp inhabit the caves, which are still in need of further exploration to fully map. If you're looking for a more daring adventure, a trip to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is sure to provide you with memories for a lifetime.
Colorado
How beautiful does a national park have to be to earn the name "Garden of the Gods"? Legend has it that the area took its name from a conversation between two 19th-century surveyors who were struck by the strange red rock formations that jut out of the earth like fingers. Today's visitors can enjoy the scenery, hike established trails or even try their hand at scaling some of the rock faces, but be warned: This is not a climb for the inexperienced.
Utah
The Great White Throne, a 6,700-foot peak in southwestern Utah, has become the face of Zion National Park, an American monument made of Navajo Sandstone. Part of the reason for its iconic status is the rock's odd coloring: The top is a sunray-catching white, while the bottom is flecked with orange and red pigments. Mormons, especially, revere the Throne, which they believe to be the seat on which God will pass judgment on the dead.
Alaska
Extending 127 miles from Seward to Anchorage, the Seward Highway, also known as Alaska Route 9, is a breathtaking drive you can take year round. Everything from the sea to mountain ranges can be seen while driving along the Kenai Peninsula, and the drive can be completed in less than three hours -- but it shouldn’t be. Don’t rush through this scenic route.
Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii's oldest inhabited island, is also home to the Na Pali Coast State Park, which encompasses over 6,000 acres from the island's center toward the cliffs of its shoreline. The word "na pali" actually means "high cliffs," and it's no understatement: The cliffs-filled coast is inaccessible by water. Visitors either hike there from the island's center or opt to take a helicopter tour to get a closer look. If hiking and helicopter rides don't appeal, visitors can always relax on the beautiful Kalalau Beach.
Wyoming
Wyoming's Devils Tower, the first landmark to be declared a United States National Monument, receives almost 400,000 annual visitors, there either to appreciate its natural beauty or pay tribute to one of the major plot elements in Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Summiting the Devils Tower takes some cajones, as some of the more difficult routes to the top rank among the most challenging climbs in the world. Still, hundreds of people manage the attempt each year, so why not give it a shot?
Oregon
Oregon's Columbia River Gorge is one of the most scenic areas in one of America's most scenic states, extending for over 80 miles alongside the Columbia River, through forests and vales. The uneven topography has created over 90 beautiful waterfalls, which draw sightseers and nature enthusiasts, but it's the more active people who will most enjoy what the region has to offer. The gorge creates wind tunnels, which make everything from flying a kite to kitesurfing easier, while the numerous trails give hikers and mountain bikers miles of enjoyment.
Arizona
Located on the Arizona-Utah state line, Monument Valley, with elevations that range from 5 to 6,000 feet, is one of the most photographed places in the country. Visitors can take a guided Jeep tour with a Navajo guide or hike on trails where the land isn’t fenced. Make sure to get a permit first and stick to only the areas specified for hikers.
Idaho
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is America's second-largest protected wilderness reserve, its 2.3 million acres putting it behind only Death Valley in total area. In the region, you'll find forests, mountain ranges and some big predators, like mountain lions, gray wolves and wolverines. Winter visitors can ski, snowshoe or even rent a cabin.
Georgia
The North Georgia Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge mountain chain that extends from Pennsylvania down to Georgia, are among the oldest mountains in North America, with an estimated age of one billion. Small towns, farming communities and camp grounds dot the vast area, where hiking, camping and hunting are favored activities. Enthusiasts should take note: The region has a reputation for being inexpensive, so the next time you're planning some away time with the boys, consider the sub-$100/night cabin rentals.
Everyone knows about the beauty of the Grand Canyon or how stunning Yellowstone is, but there are some naturally spectacular areas of the country that aren't well-known that you should be visiting right now. Here are 25 of the most awe-inspiring natural sights in America that you've probably never heard of.
Kentucky
Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave system. Its more than 400 miles of surveyed passageways make it twice as long as the second longest cave system, located in Mexico. Rare crickets, fish, bats, salamanders and even shrimp inhabit the caves, which are still in need of further exploration to fully map. If you're looking for a more daring adventure, a trip to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is sure to provide you with memories for a lifetime.
Colorado
How beautiful does a national park have to be to earn the name "Garden of the Gods"? Legend has it that the area took its name from a conversation between two 19th-century surveyors who were struck by the strange red rock formations that jut out of the earth like fingers. Today's visitors can enjoy the scenery, hike established trails or even try their hand at scaling some of the rock faces, but be warned: This is not a climb for the inexperienced.
Utah
The Great White Throne, a 6,700-foot peak in southwestern Utah, has become the face of Zion National Park, an American monument made of Navajo Sandstone. Part of the reason for its iconic status is the rock's odd coloring: The top is a sunray-catching white, while the bottom is flecked with orange and red pigments. Mormons, especially, revere the Throne, which they believe to be the seat on which God will pass judgment on the dead.
Alaska
Extending 127 miles from Seward to Anchorage, the Seward Highway, also known as Alaska Route 9, is a breathtaking drive you can take year round. Everything from the sea to mountain ranges can be seen while driving along the Kenai Peninsula, and the drive can be completed in less than three hours -- but it shouldn’t be. Don’t rush through this scenic route.
Hawaii
Kauai, Hawaii's oldest inhabited island, is also home to the Na Pali Coast State Park, which encompasses over 6,000 acres from the island's center toward the cliffs of its shoreline. The word "na pali" actually means "high cliffs," and it's no understatement: The cliffs-filled coast is inaccessible by water. Visitors either hike there from the island's center or opt to take a helicopter tour to get a closer look. If hiking and helicopter rides don't appeal, visitors can always relax on the beautiful Kalalau Beach.
Wyoming
Wyoming's Devils Tower, the first landmark to be declared a United States National Monument, receives almost 400,000 annual visitors, there either to appreciate its natural beauty or pay tribute to one of the major plot elements in Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Summiting the Devils Tower takes some cajones, as some of the more difficult routes to the top rank among the most challenging climbs in the world. Still, hundreds of people manage the attempt each year, so why not give it a shot?
Oregon
Oregon's Columbia River Gorge is one of the most scenic areas in one of America's most scenic states, extending for over 80 miles alongside the Columbia River, through forests and vales. The uneven topography has created over 90 beautiful waterfalls, which draw sightseers and nature enthusiasts, but it's the more active people who will most enjoy what the region has to offer. The gorge creates wind tunnels, which make everything from flying a kite to kitesurfing easier, while the numerous trails give hikers and mountain bikers miles of enjoyment.
Arizona
Located on the Arizona-Utah state line, Monument Valley, with elevations that range from 5 to 6,000 feet, is one of the most photographed places in the country. Visitors can take a guided Jeep tour with a Navajo guide or hike on trails where the land isn’t fenced. Make sure to get a permit first and stick to only the areas specified for hikers.
Idaho
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is America's second-largest protected wilderness reserve, its 2.3 million acres putting it behind only Death Valley in total area. In the region, you'll find forests, mountain ranges and some big predators, like mountain lions, gray wolves and wolverines. Winter visitors can ski, snowshoe or even rent a cabin.
Georgia
The North Georgia Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge mountain chain that extends from Pennsylvania down to Georgia, are among the oldest mountains in North America, with an estimated age of one billion. Small towns, farming communities and camp grounds dot the vast area, where hiking, camping and hunting are favored activities. Enthusiasts should take note: The region has a reputation for being inexpensive, so the next time you're planning some away time with the boys, consider the sub-$100/night cabin rentals.
No comments:
Post a Comment