Prime 10 Pure Wonders of the US: My Household’s Rankings

Be a part of our journey by way of our prime 10 pure wonders of the US From the Oregon Coast to the Florida Springs, uncover breathtaking landscapes.

Two and a half years in the past, my household and I launched into an journey that fully modified our lives. We swapped our each day routine for the liberty of the open highway, the confinement of school rooms for the vastness of the nice outside, and the hustle of cityscapes for the great thing about nature. 

As a father, witnessing my sons develop and study by way of these experiences has been nothing wanting magical. From the rugged shores of Oregon to the crystal-clear waters of Florida Springs, every vacation spot has been a chapter in our household’s storybook of journey. 

On this article, I want to take you on a vivid journey by way of essentially the most breathtaking pure wonders within the US we’ve encountered. It’s not simply in regards to the locations themselves but in addition in regards to the unbelievable magnificence that left us in awe, the laughter that echoed in opposition to the majestic backdrops, and the priceless moments that unfolded in these gorgeous settings. 

These landscapes are usually not simply stunning sights; they’re the canvases that maintain our household’s most cherished reminiscences, every a testomony to the awe-inspiring fantastic thing about the pure world now we have been lucky sufficient to discover as we’ve mastered RV life.

10. Saguaro Nationwide Park

First up is Saguaro Nationwide Park exterior of Tucson, AZ. We don’t have cacti like this on the East Coast, so this was loopy to see. When you don’t know, Saguaro NP is legendary for its giant saguaro cacti, the most important cacti in the USA. These giants can reside for as much as 200 years.

The park can also be house to abandon tortoises and quite a lot of chook species, which was fairly enjoyable for the youngsters to identify. It’s additionally house to roadrunners, however we didn’t see any getting chased by a coyote, sadly.

Like lots of the nationwide parks we visited, Saguaro had a pleasant Junior Ranger Program for the boys to study in regards to the desert setting and its inhabitants, which is why Oregon is among the greatest states within the US that we visited.

9. Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park

Let’s go from the desert to an enormous underground cavern at Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park. The park has over 119 caves, fashioned from sulfuric acid dissolving limestone, creating a captivating underground world.

You actually must see it to imagine it.

We have been additionally lucky sufficient to look at the Brazilian free-tailed bats fly out of the cave entrance at sundown. The boys thought we have been at Batman’s bat cave!

8. White Sands Nationwide Park

Simply down the highway in New Mexico is White Sands Nationwide Park. If I needed to describe this place, strolling over the white dunes felt like stepping out of Luke Skywalker’s Starfighter.

It actually felt like we have been in one other world. The dunes are manufactured from white gypsum, which is seemingly fairly uncommon, and creates a shocking white desert.

We purchased some sleds from the customer heart and had a blast sledding down the delicate sand dunes.

7. Redwood Nationwide Forest

If you wish to really feel insignificant, simply go to the Redwood Nationwide Forest. This forest in Northern California is understood worldwide for its redwoods, which have been simply as mind-blowing for me and my spouse because it was for the boys.

There are many family-friendly trails by way of the forest, and I like to recommend mountaineering as many as attainable to develop an appreciation for the large, historic bushes.

And in case you preserve your eyes open, you may even spot an elk or two.

6. The Drive By means of Utah (Canyonland, Arches, Moab)

This one on the checklist is a little bit completely different. Sadly, we didn’t have time to cease and actually get pleasure from this space, however the drive by way of was stunning sufficient to say.

Simply driving by way of, we loved varied landscapes, from deep canyons to towering rock formations and arches like those you’ll see at Arches NP sculpted by erosion. My largest remorse to date will not be having the ability to spend extra time on this space.

5. Florida Springs (Three Sisters, Weeki Wachee)

Florida is identified for Disney and its seashores, however our absolute favourite a part of the sunshine state is the Springs. The springs are crystal clear, good for swimming and snorkeling, they usually keep a brisk 72 levels year-round.

That’s good to chill off within the scorching Florida solar. We received to swim with some Manatees at Three Sisters Springs, and the boys liked the massively fashionable mermaid present at Weeki Wachee.

4. Bonneville Salt Flats / Silver Mountains

The Salt Flats are one other place that feels out of this world. We favored it a lot right here that we visited twice. Moreover being a fantastically distinctive, otherworldly panorama that’s fascinating to discover, the flats are additionally well-known for being a web site the place quite a few land pace information have been set.

The boys completely liked it after I floored it in our truck and pushed it to the max on the speedway. The huge, flat space is ideal for enjoyable perspective pictures, and we had a number of enjoyable taking photos.

Our campsite within the shadows of the Silver Island Mountains was a stark distinction to the Salt Flats, however extraordinarily stunning in its personal proper.

3. Yosemite Nationwide Park

Phrases can not describe how stunning Yosemite Nationwide Park is. Till you’ve seen locations like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, you simply received’t perceive. I may simply sit and stare at these landmarks for hours.

The park can also be house to various wildlife like black bears that the boys liked studying about (from a secure distance).

2. Pinnacles Nationwide Park

Earlier than attending to California, we had by no means heard of Pinnacles Nationwide Park, however I’m pleased we discovered it. Pinnacle NP is understood for its spectacular rock formations and spires, remnants of an historic volcanic area.

Our favourite half was grabbing the flashlights and exploring the talus caves. They have been darkish, chilly, and damp, however we had a blast. It’s additionally an amazing place to see California condors, one of many world’s largest birds, however we weren’t fortunate sufficient to see one.

1. The Oregon Coast

My absolute favourite a part of your entire nation is the Oregon Coast. We spent a while on the dunes in Florence and plan on visiting the pure bridges in Brookings, however my favourite spot is the coast in Seaside and Cannon Seaside.

Haystack Rock is an iconic 235-foot sea stack, the third tallest on the earth. At low tide, we liked exploring the tide swimming pools, and in the summertime, we liked watching the Puffins.

Seaside has a large seaside subsequent to Tillamook Head, and the realm has numerous hikes, every with improbable forest and ocean views. The world is breathtaking.

The seashores are good for constructing sandcastles, flying kites, beachcombing, and clamming, a brand new exercise we realized with the youngsters. The 2 cities provide family-friendly eating and purchasing, making it an entire household vacation spot.

I feel that is the place we are going to ultimately ditch the wheels and challenges of RV life and put down roots.

Wrapping Up The Pure Wonders of the US

As I write this closing, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and nostalgia. 

The previous two and a half years of exploring America’s pure wonders with my household have been greater than only a collection of journeys; they’ve been a journey of discovery and bonding.

Every park, path, and sundown has taught us one thing new in regards to the world and ourselves. We’ve got shared tales below starlit skies, marveled at nature’s grandeur, and realized to worth our planet’s valuable items.

Watching my boys’ eyes gentle up with marvel and curiosity has been my most treasured expertise as a father. Our journey doesn’t finish right here; we proceed to sit up for extra adventures.

To households dreaming of their very own adventures, get on the market and discover. Life is brief, however the world is huge, stunning, and ready to be found. 

Your checklist of favorites can be completely different from ours, however the pleasure of exploring with household is a common treasure everybody ought to expertise.