Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination.
There is no official list of natural wonders of the United States. If such a list existed, it would be long because there are so many contenders. Many of the natural wonders are under the guardianship of the National Park Service, whose role is to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations. Some natural attractions are under the auspices of state parks.
Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Denali, first established as Mt. McKinley National Park, contains 6 million acres and only one road. See the sights from concessionaire buses as private vehicles are prohibited.
Denali National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755-0009
907-683-2294
nps.gov/dena/index.htm
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Float down the Colorado River and camp overnight on the floor of the canyon, or ride a mule down cliff hanging trails and stay overnight at Phantom Ranch. The best way to experience the canyon is to go down inside it.
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023
928-638-7888
nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Death Valley National Park, California, Nevada
Incredible vistas abound among 3 million wilderness acres of the hottest, driest, lowest land in the nation.
Death Valley National Park
P.O. Box 579
Death Valley, CA 92328
760-786-3200
nps.gov/deva/index.htm
Muir Woods National Monument, California
The tallest living things in the world are the coastal redwoods. This small park offers 6 miles of trails through the thick 295-acre forest.
Muir Woods National Monument
Mill Valley, CA 94941-2696
415-388-2595
nps.gov/muwo/index.htm
Yosemite National Park, California
Intriguing Yosemite invites you to explore Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, El Capitan, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, Bridalveil Falls and thick flower populated meadows.
Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
209-372-0200
nps.gov/yose/index.htm
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Nestled between the plains and Sangre de Cristo Mountains lies an ocean of sand and dunes at an elevation of 8,200 feet. After hiking the dunes, cool off in the refreshing waters of Zapata Falls.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
11999 Hwy. 150
Mosca, CO 81146
719-378-6300
nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
A short walk through a tree fern forest brings you to Thurston Lava Tube, tall enough to walk through it. The park boasts the two most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The best time to see Kilauea's current lava flow is at dusk or after dark.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
P.O. Box 52
Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-0052
808-985-6000
nps.gov/havo/index.htm
Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, KY
Mammoth Cave, at 365 miles long, is the longest known cave system in the world. Choose from 15 tours.
Mammoth Cave National Park
1 Mammoth Cave Parkway
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
270-758-2180
nps.gov/maca/index.htm
Niagara Falls State Park, New York
America's oldest state park is home to one of our most unique natural wonders. Some 100 feet high on the American side, it is not the tallest waterfall in the world, but its beauty is attributed to a combination of height and large flow of water.
Niagara Falls State Park
Prospect Street
Niagara Falls, NY 14303
716-278-1796
niagarafallsstatepark.com/
niagarafallsusa.org/
niagara-usa.com/
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Muted colors stripe the buttes, pinnacles and spires. Bison roam the mixed grass prairie of this scenic park.
Badlands National Park
25216 Ben Reifel Road
Interior, South Dakota 57750
605-433-5361
nps.gov/badl/index.htm
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
America's first national park, established in 1872, is home to grizzly bears, elk, bison, wolves, Old Faithful Geyser, Mammoth Hot Springs and Yellowstone Lake.
Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190-0168
307-344-7381
nps.gov/yell/index.htm
Tags: National Park, National Park, Mammoth Cave, Niagara Falls, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, natural wonders
