I honestly didn’t know how many incredible landscapes in the USA there were until my husband and I took off on a Wild West road trip. A few months later, we hopped in an RV and drove across the country as well. I knew my country had some beautiful places but I had no idea just how many cool and unique places were out there. Here are 51 incredible places to see in the USA:
1. Bad Water Basin
Death Valley National Park, California
Bad Water Basin is one of my favorite places to see otherworldly landscape. Not only are the salt formations ever-changing, but the hexagonal shapes seem to go on forever. Plus, the area is surrounded by beautiful, rocky mountains. Sunset is a great time to get photographs here.
2. Shafer Canyon Overlook
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
There are many unique viewpoints to visit in Canyonlands but the Shafer Canyon Overlook stood out to me for several reasons. There was a circular rock formation that you could walk out on to see a vast view of the different layers of the canyon and you could see a crazy, small and steep road winding into the canyon.
3. The Black Hills
South Dakota
I never would have guessed that South Dakota had views like this. The Black Hills offer great hikes, interesting rock formations and beautiful rolling hills. To get the best view, head to Black Elk Peak for endless shades of blue.
4. Horseshoe Bend
Page, Arizona
Horseshoe Bend is an iconic place to visit for the unique u-shaped bend through the canyon. Boats can drive through it and it’s an easy viewpoint to walk up to from the parking lot.
5. Fly Geyser
Black Rock Desert, Nevada
While technically not a natural wonder, the Fly Geyser was created accidentally after a geothermal power company drilled a test well that was not properly plugged or capped. Calcium carbonate deposits formed and alas, we have the Fly Geyser.
6. Monument Rocks
Middle of Nowhere, Kansas
The drive across Kansas on I-70 is BRUTAL. The landscape doesn’t change for 6 hours, nor does the road curve during that time. That’s why I was so surprised to find the Monument Rocks a little ways off the highway. The chalk pillars can reach up to 70 ft high and are literally in the middle of a field!
7. Antelope Canyon
Page, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is known for its swirling, orange, canyon walls that loom over visitors. There’s an upper and lower canyon to see and if you visit at just the right time, you’ll see the famous light beams shining through the openings.
8. Yellow Mounds
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
One of the most surprising landscapes in the USA for me was the Yellow Mounds at the Badlands. These rainbow mountains are quite a highlight to see amidst the rest of the rocky formations throughout the park.
9. Bryce Canyon
Utah
Bryce Canyon is filled with unique, spire-shaped rocks called hoodoos. The orange and white rocks jut out from the ground and the hikes around the hoodoos are really neat.
10. White Sands National Park
New Mexico
White Sands is the newest National Park in the US, having only been approved in December 2019. It’s the world’s largest gypsum dune field, which gives the sand its snowy appearance.
11. The Grand Prismatic Spring
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone is another national park that is full of interesting places to see. There are geysers, canyons, waterfalls and hot springs, but one of the most colorful places is the Grand Prismatic Spring.
12. The Devil’s Golf Course
Death Valley National Park, California
The Devil’s Golf Course is full of strange formations due to rock salt eroding. The name? a guidebook from the 1930’s said it was ‘only something the devil could play golf on’ and the name stuck!
13. Big Sur
California
The California coast has many beautiful areas but Big Sur’s rocky cliffs make for some beautiful views!
14. The Painted Hills
Oregon
Oregon’s painted hills are colored with gold and red. You may see streaks in some areas or solid red hills like below!
15. Maroon Bells
Aspen, Colorado
The two mountain peaks that form this view are the Maroon Bells and the lake below reflects the mountains between. Adding to the beauty is the bright green algae in the lake.
16. Lake Powell
Arizona and Utah
Lake Powell is a reservoir on the Colorado River that winds through steep canyons. The canyon walls are gorgeous and truly incredible landscape.
17. Yosemite
Yosemite National Park, California
Another famous National Park is of course Yosemite, known for its giant sequoias and granite rock formations, such as the Half Dome below. The Half Dome is a famous hike that’s not for the novice hiker as the entire trail is around 16 miles. To hike up the steep part, you’ll need to enter the Half Dome lottery to get a permit!
18. The Glacier Caves
Alaska
Alaska has several incredible ice caves that you can tour including the Mendenhall ice caves and the Byron glacier caves, as seen below! The ice caves are glacier-fed and create blue domes overhead.
19. The Wave
Arizona
The incredible swirl of colors known as The Wave is one of the most fascinating places, but to keep it protected, a mere 20 people per day are drawn from a lottery and allowed to visit.
20. Crater Lake
Oregon
This incredible landscape was formed after a volcano erupted and caused a tall peak to collapse. It also happens to be the deepest lake in the US.
21. Grandview Point
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Another favorite at Island in the Sky in Canyonlands is Grandview Point, a spot that looks like a giant T-rex has put their footprint in the ground. The amazing thing here is that it’s hard to see the other side of the canyon.
22. Bonneville Salt Flats
Utah
While driving through Utah, you’ll reach an area that looks like you’re suddenly driving through snow, but the road runs right through the Bonneville Salt Flats which form hexagonal shapes on the ground. It’s also a popular place for speed tests.
23. Havasu Falls
Havasupai, Grand Canyon, Arizona
Everyone knows the Grand Canyon, but if you’re adventurous enough to hike into the canyon, you’ll eventually reach Havasu Falls, a beautiful waterfall of turquoise water amidst the rocky red walls.
24. Lake Tahoe
California
Lake Tahoe might be one of the only places people go to for its beaches AND ski resorts. There are areas of crystal clear water and large boulders perfect for paddle boarding, beaches to lay on and slopes to ski on in the winter!
25. Na Pali Coast
Kauai Island, Hawaii
The sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast in Hawaii are stunning land formations that meet the ocean. You also might have seen them in the Jurassic Park movie, The Lost World.
26. Niagara Falls
New York
Niagara Falls lies on the American/Canadian border and is made up of 3 cascading waterfalls that get their water from the Great Lakes.
27. Goblin Valley
Utah
This state park in Utah is filled with other-worldly-like rock formations called ‘goblins’ and has been the setting for several movies! You can follow designated hiking trails or head to the valleys to explore around the goblins yourself. You can also climb on the rocks here!
28. Devil’s Tower
Wyoming
Devil’s Tower is a butte of igneous rock that juts 867 feet up into the sky. What’s fascinating it that there’s really nothing else around it.
29. Capital Reef
Utah
The drive through Capital Reef National Park provides interesting landscape such as the many different colors and layers seen below. Head off the grid to Cathedral Valley to see tall rock spires amongst the landscape.
30. The Blue Ridge Mountains
Virginia
The Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia seem to extend as far as the eye can see. The rolling hills get a blueish color when seen from afar.
31. Joshua Tree
California
I’m not sure how I would begin to describe Joshua Trees if I didn’t have a picture. But these trees make the landscape at Joshua Tree National Park extremely interesting amongst the giant boulders you’ll also see.
32. Racetrack Playa
Death Valley National Park, California
Racetrack Playa is a dry lake bed that creates small circular shapes similar to salt flats but the circles are much smaller and made from dirt. The strangest part is the ‘sailing stones’, rocks that seem to glide across the playa on their own. It’s a famous spot for photography since the stones leave a track behind them across the dry bed.
33. Caineville Mesas + Factory Butte
Utah
If you’re driving through Utah near Caineville, you’ll start to notice the landscape changing. On either side of the road are two giant mesas with incredible rocky hills sprawling out from them. Another famous mesa just down the road is Factory Butte. Catch them at sunset to really get definition on their shape.
34. Blowing Rocks
Florida
When you picture Florida, you mostly picture sandy shores, but there’s actually a place that has a rocky ledge on the beach. The Blowing Rocks are a rocky coastline made from limestone that jut out over the water. The incoming tides slam against the rocks and splash up into the air.
35. Angel’s Landing
Zion National Park, Utah
The view from the top of Angel’s Landing is a gorgeous valley set between rock walls. However, the way to the top is not for the faint-hearted as the path gets narrower and steeper! This photo is taken half-way up…
36. Witches Gulch
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
The Witches Gulch is a narrow slot canyon with mossy walls and a wooden walkway takes you through the green-colored canyon.
37. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
Death Valley National Park, California
These aren’t the tallest sand dunes in Death Valley but there’s something interesting about a desert being surrounded by tall, rocky landscape in the background.
38. Tree Tunnels
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is known for its moss-covered trees that form tunnels and there are several places to see them throughout the city. The sweeping tunnels are great to drive or stroll through.
39. Bentonite Hills
Utah
There are so many incredible landscapes in Utah to see. The Bentonite Hills are located just outside Capitol Reef but you can actually see these multi-colored hills all over the area. You’ll want to visit at blue hour too for different colored hues.
40. Monument Valley
Utah
Monument Valley is famous for its towering rock formations that can be seen from miles down a long, straight road. They’ve made an appearance in countless Wild West shows and movies. This area is part of the Navajo Nation Reservation near the border of Arizona and Utah.
41. Garden of the Gods
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado has many beautiful places but one of the more unique spots is Garden of the Gods, where sandstone rocks jut sharply from the ground, in contrast to the greenery around it and the mountains in the background.
42. The Paint Mines
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Another interesting place in Colorado Springs are the Paint Mines. Some of the rock formations have colorful clays of pink, orange, yellow and white that you can walk through.
43. The Narrows
Zion National Park, Utah
A must-do hike in Zion National Park is a trek through the Narrows. The canyon walls are steep and most of the hike is through knee-high water. Though it can get cold, the hike is beautiful and fun to do.
44. Martha’s Vineyard
Massachusetts
Another stunning coastline is of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The rock walls go right into the beach and create a beautiful view.
45. The Fire Wave
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
The Fire Wave is a red and white swirl of colors and are really a unique formation. Plus, this state park is located fairly close to Las Vegas and can be done as a day trip.
46. Grand Teton
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
This National Park is known for its scenic and jagged mountain range, the largest peak being Grand Teton, and is also one of the top 10 most visited National Parks in the US.
47. Yant Flat
Utah
Yant Flat is an incredibly unique hike that leads you to the Candy Cliffs–an orange and white rocky area that looks like a dragon’s back. Most of the hike is through a forest, so to come out on landscape like this is pretty amazing.
48. Sequoia National Park
California
Sequoia trees are giant and towering and can make the tallest person feel small. Some of the trees have tunnels carved into the trunks so that you can drive through them!
49. The Grand Canyon
Arizona
The Grand Canyon is one of the largest canyons in the world with several campgrounds, numerous viewpoints and hikes that lead deep into the canyon walls.
50. Zabriskie Point
Death Valley National Park, California
Zabriskie Point is a stunning rainbow of different colored rock formations within Death Valley and the view point is overlooking the tops.
51. Moonscape Overlook
Utah
The Moonscape Overlook is a very otherworldly looking canyon. Instead of the orange and red canyons you usually see in Utah, this one is dark gray and looks like you’ve stepped onto the moon.
There are so many crazy, incredible landscapes in the USA that it was hard to make a list because it seemed to keep growing. I’d love to know if there are any other places that you’ve been that you think should be added! Add it in the comments so I can check it out and let me know how many you’ve seen!
PIN IT FOR LATER
Hi Ashley. I love your post. I would like to ask you your preference for either the wave or spending the night at Pantom Ranch GCNP? I got permits for both for the exact same day, we are avid hikers so hiking is not an issue. Thank you.
Thank you! That’s a tough one! I know the Wave is really hard to see because of the lottery situation. I’m not familiar with Phantom Ranch and how easy/difficult it is to book a stay there. I think I personally would choose whichever is the harder of the two to see (and I’m thinking that might be the Wave). You can’t go wrong either way!
A lot of those places that you shared I have been to traveling with my parents growing up,,,and would love to go back to again.
Amazing-My parents took me to quite a few growing up as well and though I may not remember all of them, I love hearing the stories and seeing our family pictures