Many of us want to travel, but it's definitely not a cheap hobby. Whether you take a plane, a train, or your own car, it's nearly impossible to go too far away without spending a big chunk of cash. Add in all the hassle that comes with international travel, and it's no wonder so many people are choosing to take "staycations" over trips abroad. But if you live in the United States, you don't even have to find your passport to experience some of the most beautiful wonders of our world.
We really live on a stunning planet, and no matter where you go, you're bound to find a natural marvel that takes your breath away. My personal dream is to visit some of these incredible places in Oceania, but you really can't go wrong no matter what continent you travel to. Don't believe me? Just check out these jaw-dropping sites you can visit on the massive continent of Africa! But if you can't afford such an expensive trip across the sea, there are still plenty of gorgeous marvels you can visit in the good ol' U.S.A.
Check out these beautiful places you can see right here in the Land of the Free, and don't forget to add them to your bucket list. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that number 2 is even real!
Don't forget to SHARE these incredible sights with all your friends. Then pack your bags and start planning a roadtrip!
12. Glass Beach (California)
Way back in the early 1900s, this beach near Fort Bragg was used as a dump site. Glass of various colors was unloaded here, and over the years, the waves tumbled the shards around, leaving them smooth and shiny. Over a century later, many of us now know better than to put garbage anywhere near the ocean, but the colorful "sand" on Glass Beach still remains.
11. The Wave (Arizona)
Millions of years of erosion have created these picturesque designs in the Navajo sandstone. In fact, the formation is so old, there's evidence of dinosaurs trampling some parts of the sandstone. Visitation to the site requires a day-long permit, and the best time to photograph the Wave is midday, when there are no shadows falling over the rock.
10. Horsetail Fall (California)
Located in Yosemite, this seasonal waterfall only flows in the winter and early spring. Even then, it usually looks just like a normal (albeit very tall, at over 1,500 feet) waterfall, but if you happen to get lucky and catch it in February when the conditions are just right, you'll see the water glowing an orange-red color as the sun illuminates it.
9. Grand Prismatic Spring (Wyoming)
One of the most colorful marvels of Yellowstone National Park gets its multiple hues from the bacteria that live in the microbial pads around the perimeter of the water. The mats are orange in the summer and green in the winter, and the bright blue center of the spring is completely sterile due to the extreme heat in the water.
8. Oneonta Gorge (Oregon)
Found in the Columbia River Gorge, this site has been designated as a botanical area by the U.S. Forest Service due to the wide variety and large quantity of plant life that grows there. The gorge contains four waterfalls, but the most famous one is called Lower Oneonta Falls, which stands a very tall 100 ft high.
7. Carlsbad Caverns (New Mexico)
This incredible national park sees about 407,200 visitors every year, and it's no wonder why — the breathtaking formations inside the caverns are everything you'd hope for when you visit a cave, and animal lovers will delight in seeing the numerous bats that call the caverns home.
6. Hamilton Pool Reserve (Texas)
Thousands of years ago, erosion caused the dome of an underground river to collapse, creating what we know today as the Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve near Austin, Texas. Plenty of visitors flock to the natural pool every year, but since the water isn't chemically treated, access is sometimes prohibited if the water is deemed unsafe for swimming.
5. Skagit Valley Tulip Fields (Washington)
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is held every year from April 1 to the 30th. Hundreds of thousands of people come to the festival every year, which sees tulips of every color covering the fields like a massive colorful carpet as they bloom.
4. Bonneville Salt Flats (Utah)
This dense salt pan in Tooele County, Utah is known for being a hot spot for motorcar racing, which has taken place at the flats since 1914. Even if you're not into races, though, you can still appreciate the beauty of the salt pan. In the summer when it's dry, it's a vast white area that almost looks like it's covered in snow. In the winter, all it takes is an inch of water on top for the salt pan to take on a mirror-like appearance that reflects the beautiful scenery around it.
3. Thor's Well (Oregon)
If you travel to Cape Perpetua, you'll want to check out Thor's Well: a saltwater fountain created by the tide. To get the best view, check it out either an hour before high tide or an hour after high tide. Just make sure you view it from a distance — the water can be extremely powerful, and you definitely don't want to get dragged in.
2. The Northern Lights (Alaska)
The color of the famous Aurora Borealis depends on the altitude at which they occur — red exists at the highest altitudes, blue is visible at much lower altitudes. Green, yellow, and pink occur somewhere in the middle. This spectacular sight is visible from many northern locations, including Greenland and Norway, but you can see them without a passport by traveling to Fairbanks or Anchorage between September and the end of April.
1. Mendenhall Glacier Caves (Alaska)
Need another reason to visit Alaska? Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau is over 13 miles long, but the real surprise comes in the form of ice caves inside it. The glistening walls almost look magical, so if you've ever hoped for a fairy tale adventure, trekking through these caves is about as close as you can get.
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