9 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In The Northern United States This Year

From Rim Village in Oregon, you look straight down into the deepest lake in the United States, water so clear it ranks among the bluest lakes on Earth. Crater Lake is one of nine sights in the Northern United States each big enough to be the whole point of a trip. Thunder Hole on the Maine coast sends seawater nearly 40 feet into the air with every big wave, and the sea caves off Wisconsin’s Lake Superior shore are open to anyone with a kayak. Winter hides some of these and opens up others, so each entry below says when to go.

Margerie Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska. Image credit lembi via Shutterstock. Scientists are convinced that Alaska’s Glacier Bay Basin in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve experienced four ice ages, with the last being the Little Ice Age. This means the glaciers in the bay all date back to that last ice age, around 4,000 years ago. The basin is one of the state’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders and has been protected as a national monument since 1925. There is lots to see here, including tidewater glaciers and deep blue fjords. Visitors typically head to the McBride Glacier, which is the only tidewater glacier on the bay’s eastern side. The Johns Hopkins and Margerie Glacier on the western side are famous too.

The basin is an important site for both scientists and the Tlingit people. The Tlingit consider Glacier Bay their homeland, a fact the National Park Service recognizes. Scientists have found ancient remains around the bay and believe that more are waiting to be uncovered. Visitors may spot animals, including brown and black bears (keep an eye out and give them a wide berth). The lower part of the bay is a good vantage point for watching whales in season, including grey and killer whales. The best time to visit is early summer, when wildlife is more abundant, and the real rain is still a ways off.

Sunrise over Crater Lake in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. Image credit: Theerapat Chawannakul/Shutterstock.com Native Americans say they saw the formation of Crater Lake in Oregon around 7,700 years ago, high in the Cascades. Scientists say a destructive eruption caused a tall peak to collapse, creating the crater, which continues to be filled with rain and snow. Crater Lake is one of the clearest and bluest lakes in the world and the deepest in America. You may not always see the water, especially in winter, as clouds often hide the lake. Most people visit in summer, when Rim Drive lets you look down at the lake. About 30 overlooks and pullouts along the 33-mile drive offer views of meadows, forests, and the lake.

The lake sits inside Crater Lake National Park, so there are also plenty of other things to see and do. Anglers can fish within the park boundaries, while history buffs can check out Rim Village and the Sinnott Memorial Overlook. From Rim Village, visitors can see all the way to Wizard Island. The park is also a great birdwatching destination, with more than 250 species to look out for, including the black-backed woodpecker and the osprey.

A trail through the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, Washington. Olympic National Park is a natural wonder all on its own and also home to the Hoh Rainforest. The forest is one of the country’s largest temperate rainforests, covering 24 square miles along the Hoh River. It is also a stop on the ever-popular Twilight fan trail, which includes stops in Forks and La Push. Hikers love the forest for the mossy trails, especially the Hall of Mosses Trail. Once they get past the bumpy road and the river starts peeking through the trees, the 0.8-mile loop awaits, covered in dense mosses.

Another popular trail leads to Mineral Creek Falls and takes hikers 5.5 miles out and back. Those who want a complete break from stress and life in general will find that here, considering it is one of the quietest places in America. While enjoying the quiet, people can go rafting down the Hoh River or cast a line for salmon. Visitors who prefer fewer crowds should head to the forest April through May. Those who want to hike will find better temperatures between July and September.

Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park, Maine. Thunder Hole is one of Acadia National Park’s most visited natural attractions. On calm days, it may seem like there is nothing much to see, but once the Atlantic waves begin crashing into Thunder Hole, it is clear why people flock here. The hole itself is a natural inlet in the rocks that sit in the water. During high tide, waves rush into the inlet, replacing the trapped air. When the air is forced out, it sounds like a thunderclap. At the same time, the water sprays nearly 40 feet into the air. It is a spectacular sight, made that much more beautiful by the surrounding Otter Cliff, Sand Beach, and Great Head. Those who come to see Thunder Hole also love taking Ocean Path to Otter Cliff purely for the views. The best time to experience Thunder Hole is about two hours before high tide, when there is ocean swell. Late August through October offers the best chance for storm swells.

Kent Falls in Kent Falls State Park, Connecticut. Image credit Jeff Holcombe via Shutterstock. Connecticut’s natural wonders include the dreamy Kent Falls in Kent Falls State Park. It is the tallest waterfall in the state at 250 feet. Visitors can reach the base of the falls via the paved, ADA-accessible path, and those who want to go farther can take the Kent Falls Steps Trail. Another trail, the Kent Falls Red and Yellow Loop, suits experienced hikers. It is a 0.84-mile loop with 250 feet of elevation gain. In the fall, the trees glow yellow and orange around the waterfalls, creating the ideal backdrop for selfies. The falls freeze in the winter and become full and rushing in summer. The surrounding area features picnic tables and charcoal grills for visitors who want to stay and enjoy the view for a while. A Connecticut fishing license allows fishing along the streams, and a covered bridge at the park entrance is great for a few more photos.

The boardwalk through the Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, natural wonder seekers will find the majestic Flume Gorge. The gorge stretches 800 feet at the bottom of Mount Liberty and was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age. When 93-year-old Jess Guernsey discovered the Flume in 1808, a gigantic boulder hung between its walls. A storm that caused a landslide in 1883 knocked the boulder loose, forming Avalanche Falls, a 45-foot waterfall. Visitors can see both Flume Gorge and Avalanche Falls today to experience the mist, the ferns, and the feeling of being surrounded by imposing cliffs.

Those who want to visit the gorge should make an online reservation to ensure they get in during peak times, particularly summer and fall. The Flume Gorge Trail lets visitors see the gorge from different angles, see several waterfalls, and spot historic landmarks along the way. You can also see the Flume Covered Bridge, which crosses the Pemigewasset River near the visitor center. It is one of the state’s oldest covered bridges. Other sights include a granite formation called Table Rock, Boulder Cabin, and Bear Cave.

Pine Creek Gorge, the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, from Leonard Harrison State Park. Ever wanted to visit the Grand Canyon, but cannot get to Arizona? Pennsylvania has its very own Grand Canyon, albeit on a smaller scale, that more than deserves its spot on this list. This natural wonder’s official name is Pine Creek Gorge, and it starts south of Ansonia and continues for 47 miles. Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park flank the gorge. In the fall, evergreen trees stand among purple, red, yellow, and orange leaves, creating a colorful spectacle. Leonard Harrison State Park features the Turkey Path, which descends to the canyon floor over one mile. Visitors can also take the Overlook Trail purely for the views. The Turkey Path is also accessible from Colton Point State Park, and other trails wind through Tioga State Forest. Visitors who want to stay for a couple of days can camp in the designated camping areas. Some of the sites include electricity and sanitary stations. In winter, visitors can enjoy 177 miles of trails for snowmobiling.

Mount Baldy, Indiana Dunes National Park, along the shoreline of Lake Michigan Mount Baldy, not to be confused with the mountain peak in California, is a wandering dune on the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It sits inside Indiana Dunes National Park at 126 feet above the water level. The dune moves up to 10 feet a year when northwest winds exceed 7 miles per hour. Visitors can access the Mount Baldy Summit Trail only with rangers during the day and at sunset. Leaving the trail for any reason is prohibited because it may damage the surrounding habitat. Visitors may also not remove any rocks or fossils from the area. This gorgeous natural wonder is fragile, which means many areas are off limits. After a ranger-led tour, visitors can head to the nearby beaches for a stroll (swim at your own risk; there are no lifeguards) or have a picnic in the parking lot. Most people visit in spring or summer. Spring means wildflowers and fewer crowds, while summer is best for exploring the beaches.

Sea caves at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Meyers Beach, Wisconsin. A list like this would not be complete without mentioning a couple of islands, 21 in this case. Lake Superior’s border features twenty-one islands at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. While gaping at the splendor of the sea caves and turquoise water, visitors might also spot red foxes and black bears roaming the area. Visitors can explore the caves by kayak, sailboat, or water taxi. Those who prefer hiking can choose from 50 miles of trails, including the Lakeshore Trail, which starts at Meyers Beach. You can also see nine lighthouses and light towers, such as the Old Michigan Island Lighthouse and the New Michigan Island Light Tower. You can reach them by private boat or cruise. In winter, the Apostle Islands’ ice caves are a magical sight, and summer lets you camp under the stars. Summer also means Bayfield’s Fruit Loop on the mainland is open for picking apples and berries.

You will be hard-pressed to find more magical landscapes than those of the Northern United States. The natural wonders across these landscapes are wild and beautiful, ranging from sunlit sea caves to ancient ice fields. You can hear the roar of thunder without the danger of lightning, and truly get back to nature among some of the greenest trees in the country. The northern trail is calling, and there are some extraordinary experiences that await you there.