The United States is an enormous country with an abundance of natural beauty in every corner, a perfect place for traveling nature-lovers. It ranges from mountains in the Rockies, to volcanoes in Hawaii, to one of the largest canyons in the world in Arizona. In every state, no matter how big or small, there is natural beauty to behold. Not everyone can afford yearly or biyearly trips to new locations and opportunities for travel aren’t always present. If you’re planning for one big trip to see beautiful and iconic American scenery, you’re in luck. Here are some of our favorite spots in the US.
GRAND CANYON
The Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the best-known scenic locations in the US, and for good reason. The enormous canyon, stretching 277 miles (or 446 kilometers) long, features sights you won’t see anywhere else in the country. It’s been preserved for 100 years as a National Park, so its natural, completely-untouched beauty can still be seen. Giant pillars and slabbed sides of red, orange, brown, and tan all coalesce to form the walls of the 6-million-year-old canyon. It’s an awe-inspiring sight which millions of travelers come to see every year. Check out the National Park Service’s page on Grand Canyon National Park for additional information about the park and planning your trip
YELLOWSTONE
Yellowstone National Park has the distinction of being thefirst—and thus, the oldest—national park, at nearly 150 years old. That is, the first National Park in America and the first national park established in the world. Aside from its history of faithful preservation, Yellowstone offers visitors a close, raw look at unique animals and geothermal features, such as the Old Faithful geyser. Old Faithful of course being one of many geysers, around 500 in fact. Large predators, such as timber wolves, coyotes, and grizzly bears hunt other megafauna like elk, moose, and enormous 2,000 pound bison. No other park in the United States boasts this unique blend of animals and geothermal features, and because of that, Yellowstone is definitely worth a visit from the traveling nature-lover.
YOSEMITE
Yosemite National Park in California offers incredible views of granite cliffs, waterfalls, and giant sequoia groves. Granite cliffs arching 3,000 feet or more into the sky harbor waterfalls which cascade down in in a stunning mass of mist and the occasional rainbow. Interspersed between the cliffs is a natural network of meadows, streams, and forests. The park is immense, with so many activities and different views to explore that multiple visits can become a realistic proposition. It’s a special place to visit, even if you live on the other side of (or outside of) the United States.
Don’t worry if you think you’re mispronouncing it, Yosemite is worth a visit!
ALASKA
Yep, the whole state. If you’re headed to Alaska, chances are you’ll first land in Anchorage before departing for the wilderness farther north. You may have heard Alaska called the last frontier or the last great wilderness, and here’s why. To put it into numbers, civilization has only encroached upon about 160,000 of Alaska’s 365 million acres, less than 1/20th of 1 percent of the state. This means that wild coastal plains, massive glaciers, and white-capped mountains can all be freely accessed by a large variety of wildlife (and you!). Caribou, mountain goats, and some of the largest grizzly bears in the world roam the untamed wilderness while pods of orca feed on seals around the coast. Even polar bears are found here (albeit in the most northern regions of Alaska closer to the Arctic), the only US state where they are found.
MAUI, HAWAII
We haven’t forgotten about those who love the ocean or just warmer weather. Out of Hawaii’s eight main islands, Maui is believed by some to have the best beaches in the world. Hawaii is warm year-round, with sunny weather that is occasionally punctuated by rain. Besides visiting beaches and taking a swim in Maui’s turquoise water, you can snorkel, dive, and surf. Take a drive through scenic roads and be sure to book a whale-watching tour if you’re visiting in the winter, as Maui is known for having some of the best whale-watching in the world. While guided tours will provide transportation to hot spots, it’s recommended to rent a car if you’re looking to explore the state’s beautiful scenery on your own time. Take a look at Maui’s official travel site for further assistance with planning your trip, and don’t forget to check the weather forecast before flying out!
There really is no wrong answer as a nature-lover choosing a scenic travel destination in the United States. Every state has its hidden scenic gems, no matter how small of an area they may encompass. Whether you want to visit a famous national park or a humble sandy coastline, you’ll be sure to see the country’s natural beauty on your next outdoors trip.