Incredible places in the USA that seem to take you to another planet

The world is a vast and beautiful place where immense and incredible wonders await you everywhere, even underground. There are many locations in the USA that are so beautiful that they seem unreal. From underground waterfalls and fairy-tale forests to remote islands, sea caves and hidden oases, this country is home to the most wondrous hidden treasures and awe-inspiring areas. America truly is a haven for dreamers and wanderers. Edition Only in Your State has compiled a list of such stunning places that will take your breath away.

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Palouse Falls (Washington)

The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most wondrous waterfalls in the country, but none quite compare to this one. Washington's official waterfall, Palouse Falls, is a 198-foot (60 m) cascade surrounded by majestic cliffs and caves. It is one of the most accessible - it is easily accessible along a simple trail. This incredible sight is truly like a fairy tale, especially in the spring when the lush landscape is painted in emerald green colors.

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (Oregon)

This area is part of the Siuslav National Forest. The Oregon Dunes are not only the largest concentration of coastal dunes in all of North America, but also one of the largest temperate coastal dunes in the world. The dunes were created over 100 years ago, when maushka nature created something incredibly wonderful out of water and wind. Over time, grains of sand flowed down the Siuslav River and other mountain rivers, and sediments slowly accumulated and turned into surreal sandy expanses. This national park served as the inspiration for Frank Herbert's series of books "Dunes" and the subsequent film, which makes sense.

Yosemite National Park (California)

Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for most, especially waterfall lovers, as its 1200 acres (485 hectares) are home to some of the most extraordinary waterfalls in the country. But the most wonderful of them all is the seasonal Horsetail Fall, which flows in two streams, one falling 1540 feet (470 m) and the other 1570 feet (478 m). It is a magnificent sight from winter to spring, but is especially beautiful in February when it turns into a rain of fire. At this time, it seems that fire is flowing there, not water. Of course, this is not actually a fire, but an amazing visual phenomenon that occurs under certain conditions.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Sanctuary (California)

During the seasonal bloom in this region, the hills play with incredible colors thanks to the millions of poppies, painted in bright orange and golden yellow tones. This magical event happens under favorable conditions, that is, it cannot be guaranteed at a certain time. During strong flowering years, this usually occurs at the end of February, when the poppy fields are filled with tiny buds that are about to bloom.

Redwood National Park (California)

While there is a lot of noise around man-made landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower, California has a place where Mother Nature outshines everything. Redwood National Park and its adjacent state parks are home to the tallest trees in the world, which are home to nearly half of the world's oldest redwoods. Here, some of the trees rise more than 370 feet (112 m), five stories higher than the Statue of Liberty. Visiting mahogany forests is a bit like the world from Alice in Wonderland: you will admire the tallest trees on the planet and feel very, very small.

Craters Of The Moon National Monument (Idaho)

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For those wondering what Neil Armstrong saw in those first magical moments on the moon, there is a place in Idaho that will allow you to imagine it.

Craters Of The Moon National Monument, one of Idaho's most unique parks, is best known for its rugged landscapes and volcanic features. The landscape, consisting of lava flows and cinder cones, is mesmerizing with its harsh beauty. And with the arrival of winter, when the wilds of Idaho are covered with snow, Craters Of The Moon National Monument becomes like an otherworldly space.

Fly-Geyser (Nevada)

This is a truly strange place that is worth seeing. Fly Geyser is one of the state's most wonderful surprises. It's a sight unlike anything you've seen before. Shooting hot water up to five feet (1,5 m) high, the geyser itself sports vibrant shades of red, yellow and green. The geyser's distinctive coloring is caused by calcium carbonate deposits that grow several inches each year. Because they have been growing for several decades, visitors can see three large mounds almost six feet (1,8 m) high. Although technically a man-made wonder (the geyser was formed in 1964 when a geothermal energy company drilled a test hole in the ground), Fly Geyser is no less magnificent than its counterparts created by Mother Nature.

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Source Grand Prismatic, Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)

Yellowstone is a truly enchanting place. Anyone who visits this national park will immediately understand why its landscape has long captured the hearts of travelers and adventurers. If we look even further into the past, many local tribes trace their roots here in myths and history. One of the park's signature attractions is the Midway Geyser Basin, where you will find beautiful thermal springs and the absolutely magical Grand Prismatic. This is a stunningly beautiful hot spring, known for its vibrant rainbow of colors created by bacteria and living organisms in the superheated water. It's a feast for the eyes and truly one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on the planet.

Bonneville Salt Flats (Utah)

A stretch of salt flats in the desert doesn't sound exciting or even particularly scenic, but anyone who has visited the Bonneville Salt Flats would disagree. This place is one of Utah's most unique natural monuments, which was formed over time as a result of the evaporation of Lake Bonneville. The epic sodium chloride space that remains is sublime in its simplicity and truly feels like an alien landscape. The dazzling white color appears as snow, creating a disturbing and incredibly beautiful illusion. Today, the Bonneville Salt Flats are used for everything from movie sets to race tracks, and it's a place every adventurer should visit at least once.

Maroon Bells (Colorado)

Maroon Bells is proof that the best things in life take time. This Colorado natural wonder is the culmination of more than 300 million years of geologic activity, including deposition, weathering, and erosion by wind, water, and ice. It is one of Mother Nature's finest masterpieces and anyone who visits it will be incredibly amazed. Maroon Bells attracts many visitors - around 300 a year - and they all come with cameras in hand to capture the truly spectacular spectacle. But while this landmark is touted as the most photographed place in Colorado, the pictures simply don't do it justice. Maroon Bells is a place of extraordinary beauty that you must see in person.

Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness Park (Arizona)

Natural beauty abounds in Arizona. The state is home to some of the most unusual locations in the country, with Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness topping the list. While there are many formations in this park, it is this place that has an elusive beauty not to be missed. This 190 million-year-old rock formation originates from the Jurassic period, and one can easily imagine ancient beasts stomping through its curves and waves. Although, it is almost impossible to think about how exactly such an incredible sculptural work was formed.

Horseshoe Bend (Arizona)

Like the Grand Canyon (actually called the East Rim of the Grand Canyon), Horseshoe Bend is a place that must be admired from above. A hike through the barren, unforgiving landscape will lead to Horseshoe Bend, which materializes almost like a mirage in the desert. One of the most photographed places in Arizona, it truly is as beautiful as it looks in the pictures. The azure blue and emerald green horseshoe stands out against the copper-red desert landscape, making this place one of the true gems of the West.

Carlsbad Caves (New Mexico)

A place of immense splendor, the Carlsbad Caves in New Mexico are incredibly beautiful. This extraordinary natural wonder is a limestone cave that was once part of an underwater reef in the inland sea. For comparison: the reservoir that formed the cave was on Earth 250-280 million years ago. Today, visitors can explore this space along two paths.

Hamilton Pool Conservation Area (TX)

If you're looking for a place that's like Neverland, you'll find it in Hamilton Pool. Hamilton Pool is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas, with an azure blue pool set beneath an expansive limestone grotto. The waterfall flows into the pool creating absolutely enchanting views that are truly too beautiful to be real. This place of pure fantasy was formed thousands of years ago when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to erosion.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site (Nebraska)

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In the vast expanses of the Nebraska prairie, Chimney Rock appears suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere. Such a natural monolith is not a mirage. This is a perfectly placed sculpture created by Mother Nature herself. During the days of Western expansion, Chimney Rock was used as a landmark on the Oregon Trail. Covered in a long, thin spire of volcanic ash and a bed of coarse clay, it rises 480 feet (146 m) above the gently sloping Platte River valley.

Badlands National Park (South Dakota)

South Dakota is much more than a presidential monolith. The state is immensely beautiful and is more so than ever in the Badlands. The national park is a real attraction. It offers a varied landscape of jagged hills and peaks amidst untouched expanses of prairie. It is home to many different species of wildlife and is also a favorite place for bird watching, photography and star gazing. The sunsets here are surreal and a must see.

Apostles Islands (Wisconsin)

Scattered like jewels in the icy waters of Lake Superior are wild islands, which locals simply call Apostles. These islands are a dreamlike series of sea caves, emerald green pools, deserted beaches and steep lighthouses. Visitors require little effort to reach this pristine, remote land. But when you arrive on the islands, your hard work will be richly rewarded with fantasy unfolding right before your eyes.

Glory Hall (Arkansas)

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Glory Hole is one of the most unique waterfalls in the United States. It doesn't sound all that unusual: a creek running through the Ozark National Forest has cut a hole in an overhanging rocky cliff and essentially created an underground waterfall. But in person, Glory Hole is one of the most incredible wonders of the country. This waterfall may not be the highest, but it definitely stands out among its ordinary counterparts. Glory Hole flows through the rock rather than over it, creating a circular waterfall that is completely unique. While this area is stunning year-round, during Arkansas' rare cold spell in the winter, something truly magical happens: the waterfall freezes into a perfectly suspended column that will take your breath away.

Angel Oak Park (South Carolina)

Angel Oak Park is proof that the most beautiful places are not necessarily the biggest or brightest. This modest park in South Carolina is home to trees that are between 300 and 500 years old. And although they are not towering giants like those found in the West, these graceful giants are no less magnificent. Anyone who has ever braved the elements of a tropical storm or hurricane will tell you that surviving the elements of Mother Nature so close to the ocean for such a long period of time is nothing short of magic, or at least a miracle. And that's exactly what Angel Oak Park is - an amazing modern wonder.

Mamos Cave National Park (Kentucky)

Mamos Cave is literally another world, the world's largest underground cave network. It includes more than 400 miles (643 km) of underground caves and passages, with more being added all the time. In fact, Mamos Cave in Kentucky recently became a little longer after the Cave Research Foundation opened an additional eight miles of passages. Mamos Cave is the most famous cave in the country, an otherworldly underground world that deserves to be top of your bucket list.

Rainbow Bridge and Falls, Watkins Glen Park (New York)

Watkins Glen Park is the most popular park in the Finger Lakes region, and for good reason. The park's famous Rainbow Bridge and Falls are simply breathtaking - so beautiful that they don't actually look real. The hikes in this park are enchanting, with trails winding through verdant green forests with rock staircases, secret caves, and trickling waterfalls. Watkins Glen Park is the closest you'll get to visiting Tolkien's Middle-earth.

Acadia National Park (Maine)

At the country's easternmost tip, you'll find the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast. Indeed, Acadia National Park boasts beautiful panoramas that will take your breath away. Adding to the park's enchanting beauty is its iconic Bass Harbor Head Light (the only lighthouse in the park), which rises above the Atlantic. This majestic mountain is the highest point on the East Coast, and at certain times of the year it is the first place in the United States to see the sunrise. With almost incomprehensible natural beauty, Acadia National Park is truly one of the most magical places in the country.

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Mendenhall Glacier (Alaska)

Alaska is a place of ethereal elegance and beauty, and the Mendenhall Glacier is the crown jewel of the state. Ice Caves, located on the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, are natural ice formations in one of the most unusual places on the planet. Calling Mendenhall Glacier caves is a misnomer. This place is an entire frozen kingdom, which is 13,6 miles (22 km) long and has a total area of ​​38 square miles (98 sq km).

Northern Lights, Fairbanks (Alaska)

The Northern Lights are an incredible show created by Mother Nature herself: a dynamic display of color and movement that everyone should see at least once in their life. In the US, this spectacular show is available in Alaska, with peak viewing season running from mid-September to the end of April. As the colors dance across the dark sky, you feel both big and small, and you know you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)

Hawaii is a popular destination for most Americans, and even native Hawaiians love island hopping and exploring the exciting treasures. If you visit the Big Island, be sure to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It has incredibly impressive wonders, not to mention two active volcanoes. Visitors will enjoy a unique experience allowing them to get up close and personal with these fantastic fire-breathing phenomena.

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