The United States is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking natural wonders. From towering mountains to serene beaches, there’s a diverse range of landscapes to explore. Here are some of the top nature destinations in the US that you won’t want to miss.
Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, is renowned for its stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and diverse ecosystems. Iconic landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan draw rock climbers and sightseers from around the world. The park’s vast wilderness spans over 1,200 square miles, offering a variety of outdoor activities from hiking and camping to photography and wildlife watching. In 2023, Yosemite attracted over 3.9 million visitors, highlighting its status as a top nature destination in the US.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the most famous natural attractions in the world, known for its immense size and intricate and colorful landscape. The canyon, carved by the Colorado River, stretches 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. Visitors can explore the South Rim for its breathtaking views, hiking trails, and historic sites. At the same time, the less-visited North Rim offers a more secluded experience.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 as the first national park in the world, spans over 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It is renowned for its geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. The park is also a haven for wildlife, home to grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. With over 4.5 million visitors each year, Yellowstone offers a unique blend of natural beauty and geological wonders.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
The Great Smoky Mountains, straddling the border between Tennessee and North Carolina, are famed for their mist-covered peaks, diverse plant and animal life, and the rich cultural history of Southern Appalachian Mountain culture. Popular activities include hiking on the Appalachian Trail, exploring the Cades Cove loop road, and observing the synchronous fireflies. This rare natural phenomenon occurs every June.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park in Utah is renowned for its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and scenic vistas. The park’s diverse landscapes range from desert terrain to high-altitude forests, offering a variety of outdoor adventures such as hiking, canyoneering, and rock climbing. Angels Landing, one of Zion’s most popular hikes, provides spectacular views but is not for the faint-hearted due to its steep and narrow trail. But Zion continues to captivate nature lovers with its dramatic beauty and unique geology.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, offers majestic mountain views, diverse wildlife, and a range of outdoor activities. The park spans over 415 square miles and includes over 300 miles of hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging climbs. Trail Ridge Road, which peaks at over 12,000 feet, provides stunning panoramic views of the Rockies.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park in Montana is known for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and, as the name suggests, its glaciers. The park covers over 1 million acres and features more than 700 miles of trails, including the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking views of the park’s landscapes. Wildlife like grizzly bears, mountain goats, and moose are commonly seen.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park offers a unique opportunity to witness volcanic landscapes, including lava tubes, steam vents, and crater views. The park’s diverse ecosystems range from lush rainforests to barren lava fields.
In 2021, the park saw over 1.6 million visitors eager to explore its dynamic geological features and rich cultural history.
Everglades National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park in Florida is the largest tropical wilderness of its kind in the United States, covering 1.5 million acres of wetlands. Known for its diverse wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and numerous bird species, the park offers unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor adventures such as airboat tours and kayaking. Everglades National Park attracts over a million visitors every year, highlighting its importance as a natural treasure and tourist destination.
Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park, located on the coast of Maine, offers stunning ocean views, rugged cliffs, and pristine forests. The park spans over 49,000 acres and includes Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the US East Coast, which provides breathtaking sunrise views. Popular activities include hiking, biking on carriage roads, and exploring the scenic Park Loop Road.
Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali National Park, in Alaska, is home to North America’s highest peak, Denali, which rises to 20,310 feet. The park spans over 6 million acres and offers vast, untouched wilderness teeming with wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, moose, and caribou. Visitors can explore the park through guided tours, hiking, and scenic drives along Denali Park Road.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park in Washington State is renowned for its diverse ecosystems, ranging from rugged coastline and temperate rainforests to alpine peaks. Covering nearly 1 million acres, the park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, tidepooling, and wildlife viewing. Notable areas include Hurricane Ridge, the Hoh Rain Forest, and Rialto Beach.
Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park in Utah is famous for its more than 2,000 natural stone arches and other geological formations like balanced rocks and towering pinnacles. The park covers 119 square miles and features the iconic Delicate Arch, a symbol of Utah. Visitors enjoy hiking, photography, and stargazing in this otherworldly landscape.
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park in Texas offers a stunning desert landscape, rugged mountains, and the winding Rio Grande River. The park encompasses over 800,000 acres and provides opportunities for hiking, river rafting, and exploring ancient geological formations. The diverse ecosystems host a variety of wildlife, including roadrunners, coyotes, and black bears.
In 2021, Big Bend welcomed over 581,000 visitors, drawn by its remote beauty and diverse outdoor activities.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, located in California’s southern Sierra Nevada, are renowned for their giant sequoias, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth by volume. The parks cover over 1,300 square miles of rugged terrain, deep canyons, and high mountain peaks. Popular activities include hiking, exploring crystal caves, and visiting the scenic vistas along the Generals Highway.
