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Smith Rock State Park, Oregon -

The cliffs of tuff and basalt, situated close to Redmond and Terrebonne, provide excellent opportunities for rock climbing at various difficulty levels.

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Titan Missile Museum, Arizona -

Delve underground in Arizona and explore this former secret intercontinental ballistic missile site!

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Fort Jefferson, Florida -

This unfinished coastal fortress is the largest brick masonry structure in the Americas.

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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Ice Caves, Wisconsin -

During the winter, the sandstone sea caves along the shore of Lake Superior become frozen, creating a stunning sight.

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Fly Geyser, Nevada -

This lesser-known geothermal attraction continuously ejects hot, mineral-rich water.

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Garden of the Gods, Colorado -

The park is popular for activities like hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and horseback riding due to its exceptional rock formations.

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Tamanawas Falls, Oregon -

During the winter season, the trail to this stunning waterfall requires snowshoeing. In the summer, it becomes an ideal spot for picnics.

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Bodie, California -

Bodie, once a thriving town in the 19th century, is now a hauntingly silent ghost town just waiting to be explored.

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Roaring Fork, Tennessee -

The region surrounding the stream includes the lush Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and the Roaring Fork Historic District.

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Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska -

At the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, you can observe the vibrant hues of sunlight shining through the icy layers of the massive glacier. They provide educational activities for both kids and adults all year round.

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Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona -

Be amazed by the breathtaking scenery of vast hoodoos and balanced rocks.

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Blue Lakes, Colorado -

The lakes appear as if someone poured turquoise liquid into their stunning waters.

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Biosphere 2, Arizona -

Join the "Under the Glass" guided tour and delve into the intriguing Earth system science research facility.

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The Wave, Colorado -

This sandstone rock formation is located in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

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Dutch Village, Iowa -

The lofty Vermeer Windmill is the largest Dutch windmill in the United States.

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Elephant Rock, Nevada -

The Valley of Fire State Park derives its name from the vibrant red Aztec sandstone formations, which give the illusion of an "elephant" emerging from the landscape. 

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White Sands National Monument, New Mexico -

The immense dunes of gypsum sand have shaped the largest gypsum dune field on Earth.

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Byodo-in Buddhist Temple, Hawaii -

A replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan, this serene destination is set against the towering Ko'olau mountains.

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Oak Alley Plantation, Louisiana -

The plantation, known for its double row of southern live oak, is situated on the Mississippi River.

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The Boneyard, Arizona -

The Boneyard is a secret place where retired jets are lined up, resembling tombstones with wings. 

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Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Colorado -

The terrain is marked by vibrant clay that was once used by Native Americans to color pottery.

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Hanging Lake, Colorado -

Glenwood Canyon, carved by the awe-inspiring Colorado River, offers a picturesque beauty spot that warrants a stop while traveling.

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Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, Nevada -

The distinct beehive-shaped furnaces were built during the second half of the 1800s to produce charcoal used in ore smelting.

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Eastern Plains, Colorado -

The Colorado Eastern Plains, a thinly populated area, is lit up by a chilly sunrise.

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Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary, Florida -

The sanctuary's 205-ft (62-m) tall Singing Tower with its carillon bells is an often overlooked Florida landmark.

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Whitehall (Henry M. Flagler House), Florida -

This 75-room mansion from the Gilded Age has been open to the public since 1902. The mansion's plush interior reflects the extravagance of the time period. 

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Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Arkansas -

This extraordinary place of worship is built from steel and glass to create a series of Gothic arches that run the length of the chapel.

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Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland -

This barrier island consists of a continuously changing stretch of sand and is famous for its wild horses.

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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado -

Outdoor enthusiasts from all over the United States are attracted to the highest dunes in North America.

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Plum Island, Massachusetts -

This barrier island off the northeast coast of Massachusetts is named after the wild beach plum shrubs found on its dunes.

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Arches National Park, Utah -

A breathtaking realm where Mother Nature's artisans showcase their stone craftsmanship.

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Multnomah Falls, Oregon -

The majestic Multnomah Falls displays stunning natural beauty and is one of the country's most captivating water features.

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Florida buoy sign, Florida -

The well-known Key West Buoy sign designates the most southern point in the continental USA and shows the distance to Cuba.

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Cathedral Room, Montana -

The expansive, lilac-washed "Cathedral Room" is truly stunning.

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Plaza Blanca, New Mexico -

The sandstone cliffs that reach towards the sky are called White Cliffs due to their light color in the afternoon sun.

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Crater Lake National Park, Oregon -

This lake is the deepest in the country, reaching a depth of 1,943 ft (592 m), and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful. 

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International Car Forest of the Last Church, Nevada -

Beat-up and abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and religion are combined to create this bizarre jungle of scrap in the middle of the desert.

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Balanced Rock, Idaho -

The wind-formed rock, resembling a large question mark from the Stone Age, precariously balances on a pedestal only 3 ft (0.9 m) by 17 in (0.4 m).

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii -

The park includes two live volcanoes, namely Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The sight of the scorching molten bath is truly breathtaking.

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Wupatki National Monument, Arizona - The area contains many well-preserved American Indian Anasazi and Sinagua ruins at the edge of the Painted Desert.

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Haleakala Volcano, Hawaii - It's worth the steep hike to admire the truly breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape.

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Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Arkansas - Be amazed by this gigantic metal spider sculpture, one of the museum's signature pieces.

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Bodie Island Lighthouse, North Carolina - Built in 1872, the landmark lighthouse illuminates the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, on the Outer Banks.

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Turner Falls, Oklahoma - An adventurous and family-friendly annual destination for those in the know.

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Molokini Crater, Hawaii - Hawaii's only island marine sanctuary is also a popular tourist destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.

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Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska - Dominating a skyline of precipitous granite spires and snow-capped peaks is North America's highest mountain. Denali ascends majestically to 20,310 ft (6,190 m).

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Gillette Castle State Park, Connecticut - The quirky castle was originally a private residence, commissioned and designed by actor William Gillette (1853–1937).

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Pecos National Historic Park, New Mexico - This destination encompasses prehistoric archaeological ruins, 19th-century ranches, a Civil War battlefield, and the Pecos Pueblo, a former Native American community.

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Cecret Lake, Utah - The Cecret Lake (sometimes spelled Secret Lake) is a rarely visited alpine lake sunk in the Albion Basin.

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Heron Pond Cypress Swamp, Illinois - An environment you'd expect to find in the country's southern states, the Heron Pond Cypress Swamp is a rare northern wonder.

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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware -

Delaware's eastern seaboard features alluring and unspoiled beaches that are highly inviting and pristine.

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Death Valley National Park, California -

Only the most daring individuals (or those with questionable sanity) embark on a journey into the country's hottest, driest, and lowest national park.

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Neon Museum, Nevada -

Peruse a collection of dazzling signs and billboards that used to illuminate the bustling city known for its 24/7 energy.

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Lunar Crater, Nevada -

Ever wondered how the Apollo astronauts were so adept at walking on the moon? This is where they trained.

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Pyramid Lake, Nevada -

Pyramid Lake is renowned for its impressive tufa rock formations, which bear a striking resemblance to those found in Egypt.

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Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky -

This cave system is known as the longest in the world, with over 400 mi (644 km) of explored tunnels. However, there is still much more to uncover.

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Eldred Rock Lighthouse, Alaska -

The lighthouse, a part of Alaska's wilderness, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan -

These massive sand walls stand along the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan, like slumbering giants.

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Barrow, Alaska -

The northernmost city in the United States has been home to the Iñupiat, an indigenous Inuit ethnic group, for more than 1,500 years.

See also: Underexplored places you should definitely visit

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