Ask any American native, and they'll tell you that the United States is without a doubt the greatest country in the world. In terms of natural attractions, a very good case could be put forward. Encompassing diverse climates sustaining vastly contrasting landforms, the natural attractions of the United States are amongst the world’s best.
Whilst the USA has used its vast natural resources to develop the world’s biggest economy and some of the world’s iconic urban landscapes, the creation of 58 National Parks has ensured that many of its natural treasures have been preserved for all to enjoy. Further, each US state has a State Park programme to preserve and protect locations which may lack the scale and profile of the National Parks, but lack nothing in comparable beauty.
Across the country you will find magnificent forests, mountain ranges, vast canyons, barren deserts, unique rock formations carved by famous rivers, rugged coasts, great lakes, endless prairies, and tropical swamps. Whilst there are countries offering a similar diversity, none offer better access and infrastructure for visitors.
Take California for an example of the diversity the country offers. It is home to the Sierra Nevada mountains, the forests and waterfalls of Yosemite and Seqouia, and also Death Valley, the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United States. The US has so much to offer, that you could turn discovering its natural wonders into a lifetime’s work.
Capital city: Washington D.C
Highest Point: Mount McKinley aka Denali (20,322ft / 6194m)
Lowest Point: Death Valley (-282ft / -86m)
Land Area: 3,537,454 sq. mi (9,161,966 sq. km)
Water Area: 256,645 sq. mi (664,709 sq. km)
Total Area: 3,794,100 sq. mi (9,826,675 sq. km)
Coastline: 12,380 miles (19,924 km)
Bordering countries (2) Canada, Mexico
Sitting in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, Sequoia National Park covers over six hundred and thirty square miles (1,635 km2) of forested mountain terrain and contains Mount Whitney, the highest point in all of mainland United States. As the name suggests, the park’s most distinctive feature is its giant sequoia trees, chief among these being the…
Havasu Falls is a remarkable waterfall in the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Arizona USA, within the Grand Canyon National Park. Vibrant blue water, contrasted with striking red rocks provides the canyon with an aura of ethereal beauty. A wide sandy beach and a plethora of shady cottonwood trees create the perfect spot for relaxation. The…
Death Valley is a desert valley situated within the Mojave Desert. Aptly named due to its harsh conditions, it is the lowest, hottest and driest place in the United States. Inaugurated as a national park in 1994, Death Valley is in fact the largest national park in the United States, spanning an impressive 3.4 million…
Bryce Canyon is a vast, geological wonder situated in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. Despite its name, the canyon isn’t strictly a canyon but rather a collection of naturally formed amphitheatres – sloping performance spaces with echoic and amplifying properties. Colourful spires of sedimentary rock, called hoodoos, create a surreal appearance throughout the park, with…
Located in Alaska’s interior, the Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses over six million acres of land. The park itself is slightly larger than the US state of Massachusetts and plays host to a fascinating variety of animal and plants. Denali National Park is also home to the tallest mountain in North America, Mount McKinley,…
The Carlsbad Caverns are a series of natural limestone caves located in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico. The “Big Room” is the most impressive in terms of both formations and size, measuring an enormous 1220m (4000ft) in length and 68m (225ft) in height. However, there are multiple chambers featuring…
Antelope Canyon, set in the southwest region of the United States, is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the world. Located near Page, Arizona, on Navajo land, it is comprised of two distinct sections: The Crack / Upper Antelope Canyon, and The Corkscrew / Lower Antelope Canyon. Of these, The Crack is the…
The Grand Canyon is a majestic steep-sided canyon that attracts an incredible 5 million visitors per annum. Located in the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona, it has an average depth of 1220 meters (4000ft), and is 277 miles (445km) long. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the most frequently visited, thanks to its…
Nestling high in the Sierra Nevada mountains approximately 200 miles (320 kilometres) south-east of San Francisco, Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California is one of the United States’ most popular scenic visitor attractions with around 4 million visitors each year. The Yosemite National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site listing in 1984) now includes not…
Recognized as America’s first national park, Yellowstone is a vast nature reserve situated in the USA. The park encompasses an area of 3472 square miles (8987 sq. km), occupying a large portion of Wyoming, as well as swathes of Montana and Idaho. Forests, mountains, rivers and half of the world’s geothermic features are found in…
The Mojave Desert is a vast and varied dust bowl occupying swathes of California and other south-eastern states. Boasting sweeping sand dunes, dense Joshua Tree forests, dramatic canyons and abandoned mines, the region is popular among visitors seeking seclusion and serenity. The majority of the Mojave Desert is sparsely populated, though it is located between…
Yosemite Falls is a three-tiered, 2425 ft waterfall, situated in Yosemite National Park, California. If you want to find out more about the Park and its other falls and features please read our Yosemite National Park page. If the three tiers are considered as a whole, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America…
The Hawaiian Islands were formed by the dramatic geological collision of tectonic plates resulting in huge volcanic eruptions and subsequent formation of this rugged rocky landscape. The subsequent erosion by wind and water has allowed nature to work as a sculptor, constantly shaping these islands into spectacular works of art. Those visiting the islands for…
Niagara Falls is situated on the US and Canadian border, separating New York State from the province of Ontario. It consists of three distinct waterfalls; Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, which collectively boast the highest water flow rate on the globe. Six million cubic feet of water flows over Niagara Falls every…
California’s rugged Pacific coastline certainly has no shortages of scenic beauty but few locations can match the splendour of the Alamere Falls where the waters cascade over a cliff face directly to the ocean below. Such coastal waterfalls, sometimes referred to as tidefalls, are fairly unusual and attract many sightseers. Some natural beauty spots can…
The Wave USA is a geological marvel found on the slopes of the Coyote Buttes, at the Arizona-Utah border in the USA. It’s believed to date back to the Jurassic period during which time prevailing winds pushed the sandy desert dunes across the sandstone, etching it, while water runoff deposited chemicals such as manganese and…
Waimea Canyon, located on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai, is situated within Koke’e State Park. Known for its dramatic colors and towering peaks, some as high as 3,000 feet from the canyon floor, Waimea Canyon is a spectacle to behold. The lush tropical landscape is rich with varying shades of green that beautifully compliment the…
The Landscape Arch in Arches National Park is the longest natural arch in the world, with a span of 290.1ft (88.4m). Geologists disagree on whether or not the arch is currently stable, as large pieces of the giant sandstone structure have broken off in recent years. Whilst some believe it will soon fall, others argue…
Devils Tower rises 1267ft (386m) above the Belle Fourche River in Northern Wyoming. In 1906, it had the honour of being declared America’s very first national monument, by President Theodore Roosevelt. Etched in uniform vertical ridges, the tower is a haven for rock climbers. Formed by the intrusion of igneous material, there is a still…
The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, covering an area of 4028 square miles (10,430 sq. km) with its highest point at Mauna Kea. At an elevation of 13,796ft (4205m), Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measuring from the sea floor base to peak. Interesting facts about…