The Most Picturesque Landscapes in the United States
When you think of otherworldly landscapes, you might conjure images of the volcanos of Iceland or perhaps the deserts of Namibia, made famous by Mad Max: Fury Road. We’re going to guess that the United States isn’t usually the first country that comes to your mind, but some of the most incredible vistas are closer than you’d think. If you’ve ever driven across the country along Route 80, you’ve seen how suddenly an endless prairie can turn into a vast desert or a lush forest. Every state in the union has breathtaking sights to offer the curious traveler, from ethereal salt flats to majestic glaciers. Here are nine of the most unearthly places to put on your United States bucket list.
Brian Baril 20121/9Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon was created when water eroded sandstone over hundreds of years. During the summer months, beams of light radiate down from the openings at the top, and the winter brings various colors to the canyon walls, making it easy to understand why it’s the most photographed slot canyon in the world. It’s accessible only on guided tours, which require a permit from the Navajo Nation.
copyright B.W.Bean, Ph.D.2/9Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
When Lake Bonneville dried up and salt deposits were left behind, the flats were formed. Located near the Utah-Nevada border, the barren land covers more than 30,000 acres and is often the site where racers break land speed records. On hot days, it’s not unlikely to see a mirage that makes the flats look like the surface of a lake, reflecting the mountains in the distance.
3/9Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
The Grand Prismatic Spring is longer than a football field and deeper than a ten-story building, making it the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. The spring gets its rainbow colors from thermophile bacteria that live in the cooler water on the edges of the pool. It’s one of the most visited sites in Yellowstone National Park.
Copyright 2007 TC Yuen4/9Hubbard Glacier, Alaska
Glaciers are some of the most surreal geological formations to see. The largest tidewater glacier in the northern hemisphere, the Hubbard Glacier, is more than six miles wide at the point where it meets the ocean. While most glaciers are thinning and retreating, the Hubbard is actually thickening and advancing towards the Gulf of Alaska. Icebergs the size of ten-story buildings routinely break off the glacier into the bay—so cruise ships must take care not to get too close.
klikk5/9Everglades, Florida
Everglades National Park is made up of nine distinct habitats, including mangrove forests, cypress swamps, and coastal lowlands. The barriers between the various ecosystems are almost indistinguishable, allowing visitors to experience a unique blend of landscapes. The park is home to a variety of endangered species, including the manatee and Florida panther.
Toshi Sasaki6/9Kīlauea, Hawaii
Kīlauea is the most active volcano in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, as well as the youngest. Its current eruption began on January 3, 1983—and it hasn’t stopped. The continual flow of lava makes this area of Hawaii one of the most unique landscapes to visit. Igneous rock from the eruption now covers nearly 40 square miles, creating an ever-changing coastline for the island.
fotoguy227/9Badlands, South Dakota
Thousands of miles of buttes and pinnacles of layered sedimentary rock protect the largest undisturbed prairie in the United States. Badlands National Park is an incredible sight to see, drawing visitors from all over the world. It’s home to a variety of mammal and marine fossils from an ancient sea that once existed here during the Cretaceous Period, and it currently shelters (live) bison, bighorn sheep, and black-footed ferrets.
8/9Death Valley, California and Nevada
Death Valley is the hottest and driest national park, and it’s home to Badwater Basin—the lowest point in the United States. The highest point in the park, Telescope Peak, is only 15 miles from Badwater Basin, and the vertical drop between the two is twice the depth of the Grand Canyon. These extreme situations draw nearly million visitors a each year.
This content is subject to copyright.9/9Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
The third least visited National Park in the United States is accessible only by boat or seaplane, which has kept the island relatively pristine, ensuring amazing landscapes for visitors. Isle Royale is the largest island in Lake Superior and home to 20 species of mammals, including wolves and moose, and if you stay overnight in the park, you just might glimpse the Northern Lights.
