The tallest dunes in North America, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado, appear as though they were brought directly from the Namib or Sahara deserts of Africa when set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colo.
Not to be missed are the 50-foot waterfall and jade waters of the Hamilton Pool Preserve, located just west of Austin. The location was created thousands of years ago when an underground river gave way, giving rise to a naturally occurring rock feature that resembles a cenote from Mexico.
Hamilton Pool Preserve, Tex.
There are more than three million lakes in Alaska, but when it comes to Bear Lake, we have a little tunnel vision. Tucked away in the Kenai Fjords National Park, this location is notable for its enormous glaciers, year-round water activities.
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Situated in the American Southwest, Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon that is highly sought-after on Instagram. Reminiscent of Chile's Marble Caves or Jordan's Petra Valley, the small, undulating spaces between the striated rock formations allow sunlight to create vibrant patterns.
Antelope Canyon, Ariz.
You think Holland when you think of tulips, correct? Closer to home, too, are these stunning springtime blooms: the Skagit Valley in Washington boasts expansive tulip fields reminiscent of Lisse's Keukenhof, the world's biggest bulb garden, and hosts an annual April festival with guided bike tours.
Skagit Valley, Wash.
The so-called Lost Coast is a thirty-mile stretch of untamed shoreline located in northern California, which is actually quite northern about fifty miles from the Oregon border. It is just as fantastic as it sounds.
Lost Coast, Calif.
One of the most well-liked and stunning hiking locations in Colorado is Hanging Lake. We are able to see a glimpse of the trees and branches below the surface because the water (which is made of dissolved carbonate minerals) is strangely both transparent and turquoise.
Hanging Lake, Colo.
Head to New Mexico's Bisti Wilderness Area if you're itching to see Australia's bizarre landscapes but lack the time for the 20-hour flight. The egg-shaped rocks and eroded hoodoos of the badlands are a sight to behold in the picturesque Four Corners region of the Southwest.
Bisti Wilderness Area, N.M