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25 Natural Landmarks to Cross Off Your Bucket List This Fall

Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated:: 11:00 AM ET, Mon September 24, 2018

America's Natural Wonders

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The U.S. is brimming with beautiful natural landmarks, many of which are at their best during the fall season, including these awesome natural wonders.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

2/26
The Grand Canyon is on just about everyone's travel bucket list and the fall is a great time to visit as the crowds have dispersed and visitors are able to find better deals on nearby hotels.

El Capitan, California

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Popular with rock climbers, Yosemite National Park's El Capitan rock formation spans nearly 3,000 feet from base to summit along its tallest face and is composed almost entirely of granite.

Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings, Colorado

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Colorado's Mesa Verde National Park preserves the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people, including 600 cliff dwellings dating back between 600 to 1300 CE.

City of Rocks, Idaho

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Sometimes referred to as the Silent City of Rocks, this national reserve in Idaho features some of the most eye-catching rock formations in the world and is a popular area for rock climbing.

Monument Rocks, Kansas

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Kansas' Monument Rocks were the first to be designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The chalk formations, which formed millions of years ago, stretch up to 70 feet in height.

Chimney Rock, Nebraska

7/26
This National Historic Site in western Nebraska rises approximately 300 feet above the North Platte River Valley and was once an invaluable landmark for settlers traversing the Oregon Trail.

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

8/26
Mammoth Cave houses the world's longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles having been explored and more passageways still being discovered.

Mount Greylock, Massachusetts

9/26
The highest natural point in Massachusetts peaks at just under 3,500 feet, allowing visitors to see as far as 90 miles away on a clear day.

Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan

10/26
Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls are gorgeous during the fall as they're surrounded by colorful foliage. The landmark features dozens of drops and drains an average of 7,000 gallons per second.

Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota

11/26
Pipestone National Monument preserves the sacred grounds where generations carved pipes from the earth with the belief that the pipe's smoke carried one's prayer to the Great Spirit.

Meramec Caverns, Missouri

12/26
This complex system of mineral formations in Missouri's Ozarks dates back hundreds of millions of years and is the result of the erosion of massive limestone deposits.

Flume Gorge, New Hampshire

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New Hampshire's Flume Gorge is one of New England's most scenic natural landmarks, extending 800 feet out from the base of Mount Liberty with granite walls rising as high as 90 feet in some places.

Paterson Great Falls, New Jersey

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The Great Falls of the Passaic River served as the focal point for the country's first planned industrial city in the late 18th century and for obvious reason. At more than 75 feet, it's one of the largest waterfalls in the U.S.

Niagara Falls, New York

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Straddling the U.S.-Canada border, these three breathtaking waterfalls rival the Grand Canyon in terms of allure and sheer awe. Horseshoe Falls is the most powerful in North America based on flow rate.

Clingmans Dome, North Carolina and Tennessee

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Located in the Great Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee border, Clingmans Dome is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail at an elevation of over 6,600 feet.

Place of a Thousand Drips, Tennessee

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Another can't-miss landmark in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Place of a Thousand Drips is a low-flow waterfall that travelers can experience without even leaving their vehicle. You'll find it along Roaring Fork Motor Trail.

Quechee Gorge, Vermont

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Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont at 165 feet. The surrounding state park is beloved by tourists not only for the views but the camping and outdoor activities.

Hoh Rainforest, Washington

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Located within Olympic National Park, the Hoh Rainforest is one of America's largest temperate rainforests and features a lush green canopy that has to be seen to be believed.

Crater Lake, Oregon

20/26
Native Americans actually witnessed the formation of Crater Lake thousands of years ago. The deepest lake in the U.S., it boasts a depth of nearly 2,000 feet.

Newport Cliff Walk, Rhode Island

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If you're seeking impressive seaside views this fall, head to Newport, Rhode Island to walk more than three miles of scenic shoreline. In addition to rocks and sea, visitors will see incredible cliffside mansions along the way.

Old Faithful, Wyoming

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Yellowstone National Park is picturesque in the fall and Old Faithful is a centerpiece. The iconic cone geyser was the first in the park to receive a name and erupts every 45 minutes to two hours.

Partition Arch, Utah

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This spectacular sandstone arch can be found in Utah's Arches National Park and fall is one of the best seasons to see it as visitors will get relief from scorching temperatures and tourist crowds.

Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska

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Visitors to Alaska will find the Mendenhall ice caves just miles from Juneau. The once-in-a-lifetime site spans multiple caves and caverns inside of a more than 13-mile-long mountain glacier.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

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Venture to Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to find the deepest section of this mind-blowing gorge. Some of the deepest parts receive a little more than 30 minutes of sunlight in a given day.

Dry Tortugas, Florida

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This small group of islands nearly 70 miles west of Key West is constantly changing as a result of hurricanes but derive its name from the lack of springs and presence of sea turtles when it was discovered more than five centuries ago.

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Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

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