10 Breathtaking Places That Make You Feel Like You’re in Another World
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED APRIL 2023 • 5 min read
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As far as classic American vacations go, it doesn't get much better than a visit to a stunning national park. These parks stretch for millions of acres through arid deserts, lush forests, icy mountains, and the crystalline waters of the tropics—providing you precisely with what they need: inspiration. Please be responsible and safe when visiting these beautiful landmarks and “Leave No Trace.”
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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1. Sequoia National Park
CALIFORNIA
A land of giants—from huge mountains, deep canyons, and vast caverns to the world’s largest sequoia trees, Sequoia National Park in California exemplifies the diversity of its landscapes, life and natural beauty. The park offers an interactive guide via their official app to help you save time and make the most of your trip—whether you prefer a short stroll in the wilderness, a quiet sunset or a roaring river, adventure awaits you here.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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2. Canyonlands National Park
UTAH
Formed by the currents and tributaries of Utah’s Green and Colorado river, Canyonlands National Park in Utah is home to an array of travel experiences, from solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to spending the day floating the same rivers that formed Canyonlands. Looking for the perfect sunrise spot? Look no further! A short hike leads to a cliff-edge arch, known as, The Mesa Arch—one of the West’s most instagram-worthy landform, with breathtaking views of the canyon below, the La Sal Mountains and a picturesque sunrise framed by the iconic Mesa Arch.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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3. Olympic National Park
WASHINGTON
Olympic National Park in Washington boasts diversity around every turn. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the Olympic National Park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems: rugged glacier-capped mountains, over 70 miles of the wild Pacific coast, and a magnificent old-growth temperate rain. Use your senses to soak in views from all directions of powerful looming mountain peaks, trek across the landscape, and marvel at the scenery all made by the forces of Mother Nature.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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4. White Sands National Park
NEW MEXICO
In the heart of the Tularosa Basin you’ll find one of the world’s greatest natural wonders—the glistening white sands of New Mexico, also known as the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. The park’s primary feature is the 275 square feet of white sand dunes, which are composed of gypsum crystals and home to the globe's largest collection of Ice Age fossilized footprints and tells more than 20,000 years of human presence.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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5. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument
ARIZONA
This remote and unspoiled 280,000-acre Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona is a geologic treasure with some of the most spectacular trails and views in the world. The monument contains many diverse landscapes, including the Paria Plateau, Vermilion Cliffs, Coyote Buttes, and Paria Canyon. The monument borders Kaibab National Forest to the west and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to the east. The monument includes the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness. Elevations range from 3,100 to 7,100 feet. The monument is also home to a growing number of endangered California condors.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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6. Zion National Park
UTAH
Explore the paths where native people and pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a vibrant blue sky. Experience wilderness in a narrow slot canyon. Zion National Park in Utah features a unique array of plant species as well as 289 species of birds, 75 mammals (including 19 species of bat), and 32 reptiles inhabit the park's four life zones: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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7. Glacier National Park
MONTANA
A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier National Park in Montana is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness steeped in human history. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service
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8. Mendenhall Ice Caves
ALASKA
Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska is one of the most extraordinary glaciers in the world as it is home to a glacial jewel of incredible beauty. Below its surface lie hidden ice caves, and to call them fairytale-like would be an understatement. These ice caves are located at the north-western end of the American continent, in the heart of a 12-mile-long glacier located not far from the center of Juneau, the capital of Alaska. The walls of the Mendenhall caves can be described as an enchanted and surreal place, a world of a thousand shades of blue with suggestive shapes which have been naturally carved out over the centuries by the water. The carvings are hit by light and emit beautiful turquoise reflections, making this an enchanting experience.
Source: Mendenhall Ice Caves
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9. Hoh Rainforest
WASHINGTON
Reminiscent of the land before time, the Hoh Rainforest is one of four rainforests located on the Olympic Peninsula, and is now the most carefully preserved rain forest in the northern hemisphere. Located within Washington’s Olympic National Park and keeping up with Seattles reputation of always being rainy, the Hoh rainforest receives an average of 14-feet of rain water a year and another 30 inches of rain produced by fog & mist, making this one of the worlds most lushest rainforests as well as one of the many wonders of Washington state.
Source: Hoh Rainforest
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10. Antelope Canyon
ARIZONA
Shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion, Antelope Canyon in Arizona was named for the herds of pronghorn antelope that once roamed the area. The Upper Antelope Canyon tour is the more popular route because more sunlight enters the canyon and the walls reach up to 120 feet. The Lower Antelope Canyon tour is equally impressive, immersing visitors in the swirling embrace of sandstone walls.
Source: Visit Arizona
