Natural wonders such as National Parks, National Monuments, and others make for a great get-away
The United States is filled with natural wonders and visiting National Parks, National Monuments, and others can make for a great get-away.
So, fasten your seatbelts as we take you through some of the top natural wonders that the country has to offer. To learn more about the other wonders, check our Wonders of the World section.
Yosemite National Park
Considered one of the cornerstones of the National Park system, visitors are often left awestruck by the magnificence of the Yosemite National Park. Encompassing mountains, waterfalls, meadows, glaciers, lakes, and giant sequoia groves, Yosemite National Park is a wonderful place to rejuvenate your energy. The park covers an area of 748,036 acres and attracts millions of visitors every year who mostly spend their time in Yosemite Valley. Located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, the park is a home to many attractions such as the Yosemite Falls, which is the sixth largest in the world; Half Dome, a rock formation; Tuolumne Meadows, which comprises amazing tree and plant species; and El Capitan.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Located in New Mexico, the sprawling Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a heaven for nature lovers. Spread over an area of 46,766 acres, this park is a home to exotic fauna and flora and exquisite species. But, probably the best part of the park is the Carlsbad Cavern, which is a show cave and allows visitors a pleasurable hiking experience. The park is well-equipped with amenities such as electric lights and elevators. This is just one of the 119 caves that are situated in the park. Bats are among the many animal species that live here, and there are 17 species of this mammal that visitors can see.
Niagara Falls
One of the most spectacular attractions in the world, the picturesque Niagara Falls attracts visitors from far and wide. Niagara Falls actually refers to three waterfalls that are located on the international border between Ontario in Canada and New York State in the US. Of the three waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe is the largest and the most powerful in North American. Some attractions that the Falls have to offer are Old Fort Niagara, Maid of the Mist, Niagara Glen Nature Reserve, Cave of the Winds, and White Water Walk.
Grand Canyon National Park
One of America’s top attractions, Grand Canyon National Park is a remarkable work of nature and is regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world. Located in Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and covers an area of 1,217,262 acres. In 2017, the park received an estimated 6,254,238 visitors who came from the US and the world to have a glimpse of its attractions. Some of the impeccable attractions and activities are the Grand Canyon Village, North Rim, Bright Angel Trail, North Kaibab Trail, Indian Gardens and Colorado River Rafting.
Devils Tower
Located in Wyoming, Devil’s Tower is an amazing natural creation. Devil’s Tower is situated in the Bear Lodge Mountains in Crook County, Wyoming. The structure, which is a laccolithic butte, is made up of igneous rock. The National Monument was established on September 24th, 1906 and since then, it is among the most visited monuments in the United States with around 400,000 people visiting it every year. Its elevation of 5,112 feet makes it a perfect climbing spot, and an estimated 4,000 people attempt to climb it each year. So, if you are looking for a perfect climbing destination, then try the Devil’s Tower. Else, you can just roam around the area and catch a glimpse of some exotic animals such as white-tailed deer, prairie dogs, and bald eagles.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park is situated in Kentucky and covers an area of 52,830 acres. Established in 1941, the Mammoth Cave National Park earned the World Heritage Site designation in 1981. The park offers many attractions to visitors, most prominent among them is the Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the world. Exciting cave tours are held by the National Park Service.
Glacier National Park
Situated in Montana, along the Canada-United States border, Glacier National Park covers an area of one million acres. The park is a home to hundreds of species of animals such as the grizzly bear, moose, mountain goats, wolverines, and the Canadian Lynxes, to name a few. Activities like historic wooden tour boats on a few large lakes, hiking, climbing, fishing, and cross-country skiing, give pleasure to the adventure seekers.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Established in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is located in Colorado and covers an area of 265,461 acres. Visible from many vantage points, the park is dominated by Longs Peak. Apart from viewing the scenic surroundings, visitors can also indulge in other activities such as rock climbing, mountaineering, fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country hiking. The activities attract the visitors mostly during July and least during February. The park is also famous for its exotic flora and fauna, along with its fabulous alpine lakes.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is the perfect place to spend a couple of hours in solitude; however, do not be misled by its name, for Bryce Canyon is not a canyon, but several large amphitheaters. Designated by President Warren G. Harding as a national monument in 1923, the park is spread over an area of 35,835 acres and is located in the state of Utah. Known for its picturesque surroundings, the park offers a number of hiking trails to visitors.
Hubbard Glacier
The Hubbard Glacier is a 76 miles long glacier which is located in Alaska and Yukon in Canada. The glacier is huge and is regarded as the largest tidewater glacier in North America. However, unlike other glaciers which are retreating, the Hubbard Glacier is advancing at a rate of 80 feet per year since 1895. It is a popular destination for cruise ships and gives unparalleled experience to the visitors.
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