The United States is a developed country that is constantly growing. It has continued to progress by leaps and bounds, becoming the greatest nation world over. The United States of America may be one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, but it also houses some of the most amazing sites found in nature which not only adds positively to its landscape but also continues to baffle the human mind with their beauty and miraculous existence. Lucky for those with wanderlust and a thirst for nature’s beauty, America has been able to preserve the breathtaking beauty of these charming sights. Many people fail to believe that these inspiring sceneries from the past still exist and are attracting thousands of people from all over the world. Not only do these places inspire the tourists because of their beauty but also the fact that they have stood the test of time. So let us have a look at the 15 most awe-inspiring places in the U.S. that have been evoking emotions of happiness and joy among people since their discoveries.

15. Dry Tortugas, Florida

The first European who happened to visit Dry Tortugas was Ponce de Leon in 1531. Dry Tortugas were called Las Tortugas (the turtles) by Leon’s men because of the 170 sea turtles Leon’s men took on the islands. The 100 square mile park consists of seven small islands reachable only via boats or seaplanes. The park is famous for its magnificent Fort Jefferson, seven islands and it is a fascinating place for tourist. Activities include snorkeling, picnicking, birdwatching, camping, scuba diving, saltwater fishing and kayaking. The crystal blue water, coral reefs, and marine life makes the place worth visiting.

14. Fly Geyser, Nevada

Fly Geyser Nevada, also known as Fly Ranch Geyser, accidentally came into existence in 1964 while exploring sources of geothermal energy. The deep pool of hot rock, where the tectonic rifting and faulting are common, is the source of the increased temperature of the Fly geyser field. It is a small man-made geothermal geyser (a spring). The water is continuously sprayed from the ground, reaching 5 feet (1.5m) in the air, which then splits into 30 separate pools covering the 74 acres. The geyser consists of a series of minerals and thermophilic algae, which are the source of the geyser’s most glorious color display.

13. Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park occupies a huge area of 1583 square miles in Montana’s Rocky Mountains. It was established in 1910. This heavenly place gives you a sight of glacier peaks and valleys running towards the Canadian border. It’s crossed by the mountainous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This place has 700 miles of hiking trails, one of which leads to a photogenic hidden lake. Activities like backpacking, cycling and camping are also entertained in this park. Diverse wildlife found in the park range from mountain goats to grizzly bears. Tourists are attracted by sparkling clear rivers, wild meadows, and towering waterfalls that will definitely take your breath away.

12. Glass Beach, McKerracher State Park, CA

Glass Beach is one of the fascinating beaches in the area, but it does not have a very ‘green’ story behind it. Glass Beach is situated in McKerracher State Park near Fort Bragg, California. Unfortunately, the beach is drowning in sea glass, a consequence of years of dumping garbage into an area of a coastline just close to the northern part of the town. The tourists enjoy the perks of beach in summers and over ten thousand tourists visit the beach yearly. The collection of glass from the beach by people is discouraged on the section of glass beach. Unfortunately, the glass has started to slowly diminish from this beach.

11. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

The White Sands National Monument is famous for its white sand. As the name suggests, its dramatic landscape is entirely made up of white gypsum crystals and sand dunes. It stretches over an area of 275 square miles. The idea of making this area a National Park was first generated way back in 1898. Tourist and visitors can enjoy the perks of the park throughout the year because even in the hottest weather, the dunes are comfortable to walk on since gypsums don’t absorb heat at all. The park consists of four trails, which include the Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail that are dotted with interpretive exhibits on wildlife and other features, allowing the visitors to explore the dune on foot.

10. Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone, Wyoming

The Grand Prismatic Spring is famous for being the largest hot spring in the United States and it comes third on the list of largest springs in the world. It is situated in the Midway Geyser Basin. The spring is called Grand Prismatic because of its striking coloration. It exhibits the colors of the rainbow by the dispersion of white light cast by an optical prism ranging from red to blue. Early Europeans and the surveyors were the first known people to explore the spring. A group of fur trappers from the American Fur company happened to cross the Midway Geyser Basin in 1839 and they observed the boiling lake. At that time, the diameter of the lake was of 300 feet. Later in 1870, the diameter was found to be 50 feet by the Washburn Langford Doane Expedition.

9. Hamilton Pool Preserve, Texas

If you’re planning a fancy trip for your summers, then pack your swimsuit and grab a ticket to Texas. The Hamilton Pool is the best natural pool you can ask for with a 15 feet long breathtaking waterfall and 232 acres of protected natural habitat presenting a jade green pool. It was a swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents in 1960s. The pool is situated about 23 miles west of Austin, Texas. It was formed due to the destruction of a dome of an underground river due to massive erosion about a thousand years ago. The surroundings of the pool consist of huge slabs of limestone resting on the bank of the water, the ceiling cliffs of the caverns covered with moss and Ashe juniper (cedar) uplands having golden-cheeked warbler. The natural pool is not chemically treated but the water is monitored on a regular basis.

8. Jacob’s Well, Wimberley, Texas

Jacob’s Well is an unending karstic spring in the Texas Hill Country flowing from the bed of Cypress Creek where its caves descend vertically for about 30 feet and then flows downwards at an angle throughout a series of chambers separated by narrow restrictions. It is situated in the northwest of Wimberley, Texas. The average depth of the well is about 120 feet. The cave has been explored by a number of cave divers. It also serves as a pool for water divers. In fact, it is a widely visited and a famous swimming spot for the locals.

7. Antelope Canyon, Arizona

The Antelope Canyon in Arizona is a highly famous place for both photographers and sightseers. The Antelope Canyon is a part of the Navajo Nation and it serves as a source of business as tourists are highly fascinated by the place. It is easily accessible since no climbing is required. The beams of sunlight directly fall upon the opening over top of the canyon, making it heavenly beautiful. Antelope was discovered by a girl who was herding sheep in that area in 1931. The girl belonged to the Navajo Nation and it became part of their history. Her family still leads tours in the Antelope Canyon today.

6. Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, New Mexico, CA

The Carlsbad Caverns were declared as a National monument by the President Calvin Coolidge in 1923 and the Carlsbad Caverns National Park came into existence in 1930. The caverns were first explored by a boy named Jim White in 1898. He descended underground with his homemade ladder wire. Earlier, the explorers descended to the caves through an old mining bucket. The park has two entrances; you can hike on your own from the natural entrance or you can use the elevator from the visitor center. Both entryways are equally worth it. The park fascinates everyone with its show cave. The biggest chamber of the park is also the twenty-eighth largest chamber in the world.

5. Skagit Valley Tulip Field, Washington

The Skagit Valley is the perfect portrayal of all Mother Nature. Every year a glamorous festival is held in the Northwest Washington state, obviously inspired by the tulips that beautify its scenery and over a million people are enthralled by its charm as the festival welcomes people from all over the world. The tulip fields are a crop of RoozenGaarde. The festival was awarded as number#1 street fair in King TV’s “Best of Northwest”. This tulip field also enjoys the honor of being sent tulip bulbs every year by Queen Juliana’s family since her death. The Skagit Valley is most busy during the month of April.

4. The Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon located in Arizona, United States. It is 277 miles long and 18 miles wide. The Grand Canyon is a river valley in the Colorado Plateau. Geologically, it is significant because of the thick border of the old rocks that are beautifully shown in the walls of the canyon. Weather in the Grand Canyon varies according to the variation in altitude; this means temperatures vary wildly throughout the whole year. These weather changes can positively affect the hiking and Canyon exploration rate. The Grand Canyon has some of the most purified air in the entire country. The Grand Canyon attracts 5 million visitors per year.

3. Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, CA

Yosemite Valley is a glacial valley. It is located in the western part of central California. The valley is about 12 km long and 3000-3500 feet deep. Yosemite Valley is only one percent of the entire park area, where most visitors arrive and stay. The flat floor of the valley holds a forest and open meadows which show the breathtaking views of waterfalls. The first view that the visitors see is the tunnel view. The oldest of the gigantic rocks are about 114 million years old. The biological community in the valley is a unique one as it is home to 400 different species of flowers and thousands of different species of insects.

2. Naica mine, Mexico

The Naica Mine is located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Yes, it’s not located in the US but it is VERY close to the Southern border. The Naica Mine contains enormous selenite crystals. The cave of crystals is approximately 1000 feet below. Another chamber, which is called the Cave of the Swords, is in the Naica Mine and has Gypsum crystals but it is only one meter long. The highest recorded temperature is 58 degrees Celsius with 99% humidity, a combination which can cause asphyxiation. As such, you need specialized suits with an oxygen supply in order to work in the mine. The Caves remain closed for the public following an incident in which a worker who tried to enter and steal some of the selenite died of suffocation.

1. Glenrio, New Mexico

Glenrio, formerly known as Rock Island Depot is in New Mexico. The location of Glenrio led to some interesting business practices as it was located on the Texas and New Mexican border. It was a small town that formed around various railroads that crossed through it. Portions of the famous movie The Grapes of Wrath were filmed there. With the development of Interstate 40, the traffic that passed through Glenrio died down and people began to evacuate it leaving behind a ghost town. The town consists of remains of the Courtyard Motel and Texas cafes. A few houses also exist in the town of Glenrio.