7,700 years ago Mount Mazama in Oregon violently erupted, collapsing in on itself. It ultimately formed Crater Lake, which is an ice-blue lake that is just as cold. You can drive around the rim of the crater today on a road called the Rim Drive. If you plan to get into Crater Lake itself, you’ll have to walk down one path to designated swimming areas. And beware: the waters of Crater Lake may be beautiful, but they’re notoriously cold.

Denali National Park and Preserve holds millions of acres of wilderness in Alaska. It’s also home to Denali, which is North America’s highest peak. It’s home to some pretty epic wildlife, such as bears and wolverines. It’s pretty remote, so consider bringing our 48oz Wide Mouth Water Bottle with you, so you have plenty of H20.

This valley in Arizona includes hundreds of miles of the Colorado River. The canyon itself is one mile deep, and the rock is not only colorful, but reveals “millions of years of geologic history.” There are plenty of places to visit in the Grand Canyon, including viewpoints and scenic drives. You can also go on river trips in the canyon.

Prepare to feel like you’re in the middle of the Saraha. This dunefield in Colorado is other-worldly, and you can climb up the massive dunes, and even sand-sled down them. These are actually the biggest sand dunes in North America.

You might not think that Kansas is home to much big nature, but these chalk formations stand up to 70 feet tall, and contain prehistoric fossils. The rocky outcrop is visible from pretty far away, and they were formed when the sea bed eroded.

Oregon is home to many incredible national wonders, one of them being Multnomah Falls. The falls are so big, they’re visible from the road, and there’s a network of hiking trails that start at the base. Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural recreation site in the Pacific Northwest.

Standing around Lake Superior will make you feel like you’re actually overlooking the ocean, because of how vast this lake is. And along the shores in Michigan, you can find Pictures Rocks National Lakeshore, which has colorful and epic cliffs. In the winter expect it to be snow covered, and in the summer, lush and green.

This beautiful canyon in Georgia is often called the “Little Grand Canyon,” and when you look at these pictures, you’ll see why. The rock is colorful and layered, but this beautiful place actually didn’t form on its own: the deep gullies were caused by poor farming practices during the 1800s.

This national monument in Nebraska has a special place in US history, because it served as a beacon for pioneer travelers in the west. Located on the western border of the state, the bluffs were first charted by non-native people in the early 1800’s. It was used as part of the Oregon Trail, California Trail and Pony Express Trail.

This waterfall in Idaho is actually taller than Niagra Falls. Visit in the springtime, after the winter snow melts away, for the most impressive views. It’s also one of the largest natural waterfalls in the United States, and travelers along the Oregon Trail would sometimes deviate from the trail, to visit the falls.

Hawaii is known for its natural beauty, and this colorful canyon gives you stunning views of lush green hills and epic waterfalls. This canyon is often called the “Grand Canyon of Hawaii,” and the reddish earth along with lush green foliage creates many breathtaking views. It’s located on the island of Kaua’i.

These glistening white sands are unlike anything else. Located in New Mexico, White Sands National Park is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. Gypsum is known for its bright white color. 12,000 years ago, the area where the park is was filled with lakes and streams, but warming and drying caused these bodies of water to eventually run dry, leaving behind gypsum that was carried in from mountains.

One of the greatest wilderness areas in the United States, Yosemite Valley in California is home to plenty of beautiful places to explore. It’s actually a glacial valley and is known for its epic waterfalls, along with deep valleys. You can also find some pretty famous climbing spots inside, such as El Capitan, Half Dome, and Sentinel.