22 photos show beautiful hidden gems across the US
From ice caves on the Apostle Islands to Arizona's red rocks, the US is full of hidden gems.
You might not have known about these 22 locations in the US.
Stand-out spots include the Fly Geyser in Nevada and the Blue Lakes Trail in Colorado.
In the past decade, social media has taken over the travel industry — trips are planned around potential Instagram posts, and travelers are flocking to photo-worthy beaches and mountains, only to arrive and see everyone else had the exact same idea.
Yet, there is an abundance of untouched wonders across the US that not every traveler knows about.
Whether it's a more challenging hike or an extra 30-minute drive, these lesser-known destinations are well worth the effort to visit. Just don't tell anyone.
Here are 22 unique travel destinations around the US.
Thor's Well in Cape Perpetua, Oregon
Thor's Well is a large hole in a rock that constantly drains water from the ocean.
During high tide, ocean water rushes through the hole, creating a fairly dangerous site. Because the waves are so aggressive, photographs of the scene are rare, making this site fairly unknown.
National Lakeshore Ice Caves on Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
The National Lakeshore ice caves come out when the temperature is just right.
It has to be cold enough for visitors to delicately tread across Lake Superior, but the dangerous trek is well worth it. The red sandstone cliffs are dripping with massive icicles that sparkle in the sun. Tourists need the correct gear to make the hike, which makes this site fairly undiscovered and empty.
Mildred B. Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas
Sun streams through the Mildred B. Chapel, made up of 50 arches that reach over 50 feet into the air.
The chapel is transparent, which makes the interior feel different depending on the changing weather and seasons. Secluded on a wooded hilltop, visitors and locals enjoy meditating and reflecting inside and around the peaceful forest.
Fly Geyser in Gerlach, Nevada
Located on Fly Ranch Property, these two geysers are a product of a man-made accident.
In 1964, a well was drilled, but eventually, work stopped once they reached geothermal boiling water. Apparently, the well was sealed, but the seal didn't keep, resulting in a super natural-looking mound that continues to grow.
The green and red colors come from the thermophilic algae, which illuminates in a moist and hot atmosphere. The geyser can be viewed during nature walks held between April and October.
Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska
Tucked away within Alaska's Mendenhall Glacier are stunning blue ice caves that glow.
Located just 12 miles from Juneau, these hidden wonders are surprisingly accessible, with guided hikes available for those who prefer. The ice caves, with their shimmering blue hues and intricate ice formations, provide a unique experience, allowing visitors to enter a frozen world unlike any other.
White Sands National Park in New Mexico
White Sands National Park in New Mexico features a beautiful landscape of white dunes, with some towering up to 60 feet high.
Uniquely composed of gypsum crystals, it is the largest gypsum desert on Earth. Visitors can explore the surreal terrain through hiking, sledding, or scenic drives.
The Met Cloisters in New York City
The Met Cloisters offer a taste of Europe in the heart of New York City.
This unique museum is housed in four medieval cloisters from France, carefully dismantled, transported across the globe, and reconstructed in Manhattan. These days, they serve as the home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's medieval art and architecture collection, providing a serene escape filled with history and beauty.
Taggart Lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Hiking the Taggart Lake Trail takes you away from the crowds and tourists.
The trail opens into a glistening (and cold) Taggart Lake, offering a clear reflection of the Grand Tetons on the water. This hidden treasure also awards hikers with picturesque views of the American West and the opportunity to spot some incredible wildlife.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
About 45 minutes outside of New Orleans, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve protects Louisiana's Mississippi River Delta region.
Paths are built-in, and visitors can stroll through the swamps, where alligators swim past your feet. Trees and plants fill the swamp water, giving off the illusion of a grassy field and creating the ideal environment for unique southern wildlife.
Taos Pueblo in Taos, New Mexico
The Taos Pueblo is the only Native American site that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The buildings have been inhabited for over 1,000 years and are constructed entirely out of straw, water, and the grounds of the earth to form a mixture called adobe. The site lies about a mile north of modern Taos and is an important destination to check out on any road trip through the West.
Fern Canyon in the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California
The hike to Fern Canyon isn't easy, which keeps this hidden paradise quiet and fairly unpopulated.
Unlike most dry canyons out west, Fern Canyon has seven different types of ferns attached to the rocks, with an abundance of salamanders and frogs living underneath. Weave through the canyon using the footbridges, where you'll pass by different waterfalls and creeks as the canyon begins to close in on you.
Blue Lakes Trail in Mount Sneffels Wilderness, Colorado
The Blue Lakes Trail should be on the top of everyone's list if you ever find yourself traveling through Colorado.
The trail weaves through wildflower meadows and leads you to three lakes: lower, middle, and upper. Lower lake is the easiest to get to and has flat space where hikers can choose to spend the night, but the middle and upper lakes offer the best 360 views of the entire glacial basin.
Soldier Pass Trail in Sedona, Arizona
The red rocks in Arizona may be fairly known, but the opportunity to see them in the wintertime is entirely different.
Most tourists are used to photos of the red rocks under the hot Arizona sun, but to see them covered in a light dusting of snow and bursting with pine trees is truly unique.
Grand Prismatic Spring at the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming
The Grand Prismatic Spring, nestled in Yellowstone National Park's Wyoming area, is among the largest hot springs in the US and the third-largest globally.
Its vibrant, rainbow-like colors are produced by heat-loving microbes that thrive in the 160°F waters. The hot springs are a perfect example of beauty best admired from a distance.
Abiqua Falls in Marion County, Oregon
Abiqua Falls Trail is a difficult trail, but the payoff is enormous.
Hikers enjoy a leisurely nature hike that ends almost directly across from the top of the waterfall, giving visitors a fantastic view looking down into the bright swimming hole. However, more daring hikers will continue the very physical descent down the dirt-covered rocks, where you can plunge into freezing cold water and enjoy the seclusion for hours.
Mount Scott Hiking Trail in Crater Lake, Oregon
Crater Lake National Park is a popular national park, but hiking is a great way to get off the beaten path and take in 360-degree views.
The challenging, seemingly never-ending switchbacks on Mount Scott Hiking Trail make this hike less-populated than others, and the few who reach the top earn a quiet lookout point all to themselves.
Tennessee Valley in San Francisco
Very close to San Francisco is the Tennessee Valley Hiking Trail, which offers breathtaking views of the sunset and opens up into a secluded beach.
Most tourists head towards Marin headlands and completely miss this hike and beach access, bringing the lucky ones peace and quiet.
Mount Washington in Coös County, New Hampshire
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the northeast, and the best way to summit to the peak is on the Cog Railway.
Only about an hour up to the top, this historic railway ends with a 360 view of Canada, the Atlantic Ocean, and five different states. Take the train in early fall and you'll weave through the brightly colored trees and leaves that make New England autumn so famous.
Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Hocking Hills State Park has seven main hiking areas, and Cedar Falls is a must.
The trail itself is only a half-mile long and perfect for kids of all ages. It ends with a whimsical waterfall plunging over moss-covered rocks and surrounded by huge trees. Because the trail is so short, it's a great spot to have a picnic or spend an afternoon relaxing.
Mohegan Bluffs Beach on Block Island, Rhode Island
Thirteen miles off the coast of Rhode Island and only about 9 miles long, Block Island offers beaches, hikes, and endless exploring. As tourists flood the island on the daily ferry, the main beaches quickly fill up.
But a rugged hike down the breathtaking Mohegan Bluffs opens up to a more private beach built into the rocks. Plus, locals say rubbing the dark mud from the rocks onto your skin makes for a perfect exfoliant.
Grace Farms in New Canaan, Connecticut
Grace Farms is approximately 80 acres of open meadows, woods, and ponds.
A quick drive away from New York City, visitors can stroll through the property and modern architecture, experiencing a rare few moments of peace and quiet.
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