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

Be a part of our journey via 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 day by day routine for the liberty of the open street, the confinement of lecture rooms for the vastness of the good outside, and the hustle of cityscapes for the fantastic thing about nature. 

As a father, witnessing my sons develop and study via 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 wish to take you on a vivid journey via essentially the most breathtaking pure wonders within the US we’ve encountered. It’s not simply in regards to the locations themselves but additionally 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 beautiful settings. 

These landscapes are usually not simply stunning sights; they’re the canvases that maintain our household’s most cherished recollections, every a testomony to the awe-inspiring fantastic thing about the pure world we’ve got 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. If you happen to don’t know, Saguaro NP is known for its giant saguaro cacti, the most important cacti in america. These giants can stay for as much as 200 years.

The park can also be house to abandon tortoises and a wide range of chook species, which was fairly enjoyable for the children 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 surroundings 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, shaped from sulfuric acid dissolving limestone, creating an interesting underground world.

You actually must see it to consider 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 street 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 product of white gypsum, which is seemingly fairly uncommon, and creates a surprising white desert.

We purchased some sleds from the customer middle and had a blast sledding down the gentle 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 thought 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 via the forest, and I like to recommend climbing as many as doable to develop an appreciation for the large, historic timber.

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

6. The Drive Via Utah (Canyonland, Arches, Moab)

This one on the checklist is somewhat completely different. Sadly, we didn’t have time to cease and actually take pleasure in this space, however the drive via was stunning sufficient to say.

Simply driving via, we loved numerous landscapes, from deep canyons to towering rock formations and arches like those you’ll see at Arches NP sculpted by erosion. My greatest remorse to this point just isn’t 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, and so they keep a brisk 72 levels year-round.

That’s good to chill off within the sizzling Florida solar. We acquired to swim with some Manatees at Three Sisters Springs, and the boys beloved the vastly 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 superbly 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 beloved 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 plenty 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’t 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 might simply sit and stare at these landmarks for hours.

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

2. Pinnacles Nationwide Park

Earlier than attending to California, we had by no means heard of Pinnacles Nationwide Park, however I’m comfortable we discovered it. Pinnacle NP is thought 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 incredible 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 complete 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 this planet. At low tide, we beloved exploring the tide swimming pools, and in the summertime, we beloved watching the Puffins.

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

The seashores are good for constructing sandcastles, flying kites, beachcombing, and clamming, a brand new exercise we discovered with the children. The 2 cities supply family-friendly eating and purchasing, making it a whole household vacation spot.

I believe 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 sequence 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 beneath starlit skies, marveled at nature’s grandeur, and discovered to worth our planet’s treasured presents.

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 look ahead to 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 will likely be completely different from ours, however the pleasure of exploring with household is a common treasure everybody ought to expertise.