Every now and then, nature reminds us simply how small we’re.
From pink saltwater lakes in Utah to glowing lava lakes in Hawaii, the planet is full of moments that cease you in your tracks and depart you quietly shocked.
These aren’t your typical postcard spots — they’re the form of locations that change the way you see the world.
We requested seasoned vacationers and out of doors consultants to share the wildest, most awe-inspiring pure wonders they’ve ever witnessed — and what makes each unforgettable.
Their tales span deserts, glaciers, volcanoes, and past, proving that Earth nonetheless holds infinite surprises for these keen to discover.
Paddleboard Pink Waters of Nice Salt Lake
I visited the Nice Salt Lake in Utah and had no thought till I arrived that a lot of the lake is pink because of a chemical response with the salt!
It was such an attention-grabbing shock and a extremely fascinating expertise paddleboarding on pink water.
We had a rental automobile from Ogden, however discovered that a lot of the street to succeed in the realm was rocky and uneven terrain, so I might extremely suggest taking a automobile with off-roading capabilities.
Be sure to have a spare tire, simply in case.
Michelle O’Donnell, Journey author, BritAdventures.com
Expertise Niagara Falls’ Thunderous Energy
Niagara Falls completely amazed me.
You may hear the roar, really feel the spray in your pores and skin, and sense the immense energy of the water crashing down.
Get soaked on the Maid of the Mist, then stroll by way of the Cave of the Winds.
Standing with water crashing mere toes away from you is on one other stage.
The falls illuminated at evening with vibrant colours is a complete completely different expertise.
Be certain that to put on waterproof garments and comfy footwear that you just don’t thoughts getting drenched.
Echo Wang, CEO and Co-Founder, Cool Journey Vibes
Uncover Loss of life Valley’s Hidden Wildlife Range
Loss of life Valley completely floored me — particularly tenting on the fringe of the Grand Canyon the place temperatures hit over 100°F throughout the day however stayed completely comfy inside our Flatbed Hawk camper.
What made it wild wasn’t simply the acute desert panorama, however how this seemingly barren place really teems with unimaginable wildlife when you realize the place to look.
I realized this after we partnered with ecologist Chris Morgan (aka “The Bear Man” from PBS Nature) for a wildlife documentary in Loss of life Valley.
Most individuals see an empty desert, however Chris confirmed us how this harsh setting helps an incredible range of species tailored to excessive circumstances.
The distinction between the perceived desolation and precise biodiversity was mind-blowing.
My largest tip: deliver far more water than you suppose you want and plan your actions for early morning or night.
We realized that lesson tenting at 115°F — the desert breeze and our camper’s air flow saved us throughout noon warmth.
Additionally, discuss to park rangers about wildlife viewing spots; they know precisely when and the place to see the animals most guests by no means encounter.
The secret’s going with somebody educated or doing severe analysis beforehand.
Loss of life Valley isn’t simply concerning the panorama — it’s about understanding how life thrives in one in every of Earth’s most excessive environments.
Eric Hyde, Advertising Supervisor, 4 Wheel Campers
Witness Glacier Bay’s Majestic Ice Spectacle
After 2+ years as a digital nomad touring to twenty+ states, Glacier Bay in Alaska utterly redefined what I believed nature may do.
This UNESCO World Heritage web site has 16 tidewater glaciers actively calving house-sized chunks of ice into the ocean — I watched a glacier face collapse that was taller than a 20-story constructing.
What made it unforgettable was listening to the ice crack and roar earlier than huge chunks thundered into the water, sending waves that rocked our cruise ship.
We noticed humpback whales, sea otters, and brown bears multi function afternoon whereas surrounded by mountains that rise 15,000 toes straight from the ocean.
The web state of affairs shocked me most — I upgraded to the cruise’s premium Wi-Fi package deal and will really livestream to my remedy teams and take consumer calls through telehealth.
This modified all the pieces about working whereas experiencing distant wilderness.
Pack severe rain gear even when the forecast appears to be like clear.
Ketchikan measures rainfall in toes, not inches, however we obtained fortunate with solely 20 minutes of rain in 8 days (apparently unprecedented).
Ebook early summer time for the most effective climate window and don’t skip the balcony room — waking as much as glaciers and wildlife beats any lodge view.
Kym Tolson, Therapist Coach, The Touring Therapist
Conquer Steens Mountain’s Excessive Climate
By way of years of manufacturing large-scale glamping occasions nationwide, I’ve camped in every single place from the volcanic landscapes of Oregon’s Cascade Vary to the otherworldly slot canyons of Utah.
However Steens Mountain in Oregon completely floored me — it’s this huge fault-block mountain that rises 9,700 toes straight up from the desert flooring, creating the most important unfenced wilderness in America.
What made it unforgettable was establishing our Professional Sequence tents there for a company retreat and experiencing these temperature swings firsthand.
We’re speaking 90°F days dropping to near-freezing nights, which is precisely why we developed our double-wall system with the 24″ roll-up sidewalls.
The aspen groves altering colour towards that stark desert backdrop seemed like nature’s personal glamping resort.
My largest tip: deliver severe stakes and guy-line techniques as a result of these high-elevation winds aren’t any joke.
We realized this the onerous method throughout our first setup there and now completely use rebar stakes for something above 5,000 toes.
The Steens Mountain Loop Street is barely open July by way of October, so plan accordingly.
Pack layers like your consolation is dependent upon it — as a result of it does.
That 60-degree temperature swing will humble you quick, and there’s zero cell service when you’re up there, so preparation isn’t optionally available.
Caitlyn Stout, Proprietor, Stout Tent
Discover Otherworldly Depths of Carlsbad Caverns
For me, it was Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.
It isn’t the same old volcano or glacier individuals identify, however it felt otherworldly.
Standing a whole lot of toes underground, surrounded by formations that seemed like they belonged on one other planet, was not like the rest I’ve skilled within the U.S.
The half that sticks with me is the silence.
You don’t notice how loud on a regular basis life is till you’re in a spot the place the one sound is water dripping from stone.
Tip: Skip the elevator down and stroll the mile-long pure entrance.
The sluggish descent shifts your mindset, and by the point you attain the principle cavern, you’re feeling such as you’ve really traveled to a different world as a substitute of simply exhibiting up in a single.
Austin Benton, Advertising Guide, Gotham Artists
Climb Surreal Dunes in Colorado
The Nice Sand Dunes in Colorado is likely one of the most surreal locations within the nation I’ve ever visited.
The sand rises to over 700 toes and is the tallest dune in North America, located alongside the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Strolling within the sand appears like being within the desert, however a brief distance away lies an alpine forest and even peaks lined in snow.
The distinction is so excessive that it appears like a film set.
The wind reshapes the dunes continuously, thus no climb or view is ever actually the identical, and on the high, you’re offered with sweeping views of what appears like an infinite panorama.
For anybody planning a go to, timing is a big issue.
In the summertime months, the sand could be 150 levels, so plan to reach early within the morning or later within the night.
Deliver loads of water as a result of climbing the dunes just isn’t as simple because it seems, and if you’d like probably the most memorable expertise, stick round till late and watch the celebs.
There’s virtually no mild air pollution and the celebs are breathtaking.
Paul DeMott, Chief Expertise Officer, Helium web optimization
Witness Earth’s Energy at Kilauea
The wildest pure marvel I’ve ever been to is Kilauea in Hawaii, particularly wanting on the lava lake within the Halema’uma’u crater at evening.
It was memorable as a result of I used to be standing within the darkness, feeling the warmth on my face, staring on the glow of the uncooked, molten earth at nighttime sky.
I felt like I used to be wanting down on the incandescent energy plant of our planet.
The vitality and primal energy had been simply astonishing, and I’ve by no means had any expertise that compares.
If somebody is ever planning on going there, I might suggest scouting out the park web site for probably the most present info on volcanic exercise so you may examine earlier than your go to, as entry can change so shortly with the exercise.
A jacket is probably going a good suggestion too, as it may be windy and funky on the summit within the night, regardless that it’s a volcano.
Alex Smith, Supervisor & Co-owner, Render 3D Fast
Immerse in Everglades’ Interconnected Ecosystem
I discovered the Everglades in Florida to be a really distinctive place, not like something I had visited in the US.
It was actually an expertise with nature as we noticed a river with residing issues that appeared to increase throughout the horizon.
I keep in mind watching the solar rise and a whole lot of birds within the sky, whereas on the identical time, alligators moved quietly by way of the water beneath!
The mix of stillness and sudden motion made it unforgettable.
It was like being in a world the place the animals, crops, and water are all related in a method you don’t see virtually wherever else.
Anybody contemplating a go to ought to be conscious that timing is essential.
From November to April, the water is decrease, the air is cooler, and animals are simpler to identify.
Throughout the moist months, the place is greener however not as simply explored.
All the time deliver insect repellent, put on mild lengthy sleeves, and go on an airboat or kayak experience to the quieter corners to see the sweetness the Everglades has to supply.
Miguel Angel Gongora Meza, Founder & Director, Evolution Treks Peru
Navigate Antelope Canyon’s Colourful Passages
I’ve been to many pure wonders in the US, however what I think about the wildest is Antelope Canyon in Arizona.
It was memorable because the passage could be very slim, at instances simply 1.5 meters huge, and the partitions are greater than 30 meters excessive.
The stone partitions twist and bend round you, which have been formed by floods, and the colours change as you go.
In some areas, the rock seems good orange, and in others it adjustments to purple relying on how the daylight hits it.
It’s as if you’re strolling inside a tunnel made of sunshine and colour.
My recommendation, in case you ever resolve to go there, can be to e book a noon tour effectively upfront as a result of entry to the canyon is barely allowed with a information and the slots replenish shortly.
Noon is when the sunbeams come down by way of openings within the rock above, creating vibrant columns of sunshine that solely final for a really quick time.
The excursions value round $100, however for 90 minutes, it’s value it to see the canyon at its most dramatic time.
Steve Nixon, Founder, Free Jazz Classes
Style Volcanic Wines on Mount Etna
After a decade of touring to vineyards worldwide, Mount Etna in Sicily stays probably the most surreal pure marvel I’ve skilled in my travels.
Mountaineering by way of lively volcanic vineyards the place vines develop immediately in black lava rock whereas sulfur steam vents hiss close by felt like strolling on Mars with a wine glass.
What made it unforgettable was tasting wines with native vintners who defined how the mineral-rich volcanic soil creates utterly distinctive flavors you may’t replicate wherever else.
The distinction was unimaginable — sipping neat Nerello Mascalese whereas watching steam rise from fissures within the floor simply meters away.
My largest tip: rent an area information who is aware of the present volcanic exercise ranges and may entry the most effective winery viewpoints safely.
The terrain adjustments continuously from lava flows, so GPS gained’t enable you.
Go to throughout spring or fall when the climate is secure however the volcanic exercise remains to be seen.
Ebook vineyard visits upfront as a result of lots of the mountain producers are small household operations that shut throughout eruption durations.
The drive up is intense with switchback roads, so hire a small automobile and depart early within the morning when visibility is clearest by way of the volcanic haze.
Closing
From the roaring coronary heart of Niagara Falls to the silent depths of Carlsbad Caverns, these locations are proof that Earth’s magnificence is each fierce and fragile.
Whether or not you chase these wonders your self or just dream about them, each reminds us that journey doesn’t all the time imply adrenaline — generally, it’s standing nonetheless, wanting round, and realizing how fortunate we’re to be right here in any respect.
So pack your curiosity (and possibly a rain jacket), and go discover your subsequent unforgettable view.
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