The USA is well-loved for its rugged red rocks, dynamic cities and world-famous national parks. But America's backyard is one of the most diverse in the world, and any journey in the US is likely to throw up some fabulous surprises. From sand dunes and badlands to glaciers and geysers, these amazing stateside attractions and destinations will astound you. 

Click through the gallery to discover 60 places you won't believe exist in America...

It's hard to believe that these curious rock-scapes exist on this planet, let alone in the USA. Stretching over 244,000 acres, Badlands National Park is a world of peaks and prairie, where bighorn sheep and bison roam free, and hiking trails show off the best of the landscape. Popular routes include the Door Trail, a straightforward boardwalk loop that offers fantastic views of the badlands. 

Though it resembles Chile's Atacama Desert, this stark landscape can actually be found in the USA's notoriously green Pacific Northwest region. The cracked earth, fringed by mountains and punctured by natural springs, is situated in southeastern Oregon, spreading out for 10 miles (16km) one way and five miles (8km) the other. Get the best views by driving the Steens Loop Tour Route, which cuts through the surrounding Steens Mountains.

This little town would look more at home in Germany's Bavaria than in northern Georgia, but you'll find it hidden away in the state's Blue Ridge Mountains. The town's half-timbered buildings, quaint shops and mountainous surrounds all add to the feel that you're on the Continent, while beer is very much the drink of choice. Helen's lively Oktoberfest has also been a key event for more than five decades.

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Pillowy sand dunes drop down into the blue waters of Lake Michigan at this national preserve. The site protects a beautiful swathe of lakeshore in the north of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and, save for the lack of palm trees, it looks every inch the tropical paradise – not what you'd expect from the Midwest. Beyond the sandy bluffs, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore also encompasses smaller inland lakes, shady wooded areas and a historic lighthouse.

The alpine Rawah Wilderness wouldn't look out of place in Switzerland or France, but its 78,000 acres are set within northern Colorado, creeping up to the Wyoming border. Around 76 miles (122km) of trails wind through the untrammelled landscape, passing granite peaks patched with snow, thick woodland and as many as 26 lakes. Wildlife lovers should watch out for deer and elk too.

This is the most beautiful and remote piece of wilderness in every US state

For much of the year, Horsetail Fall, which cascades over the eastern side of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, looks like any other waterfall. But, come February, something magical happens. On clear nights, when the sun is setting and the light strikes right, the waterfall takes on a burning orange glow and spills over the mountain face like lava. Various hiking trails wind towards the falls, each one at least a mile (1.6km) in length.

Tucked into the cliffs in Mesa Verde National Park, you’ll find Cliff Palace, the largest such dwelling in North America. Built by the Ancestral Puebloans between about 1190 and 1260 AD, this magnificent 150-room site is one of the most beautifully preserved ruins in the USA. There are guided tours – although you’ll need to be relatively fit as the hour-long walk involves a 100-foot (30m) vertical climb, stone stairs and ladders too. The Mesa Top and Cliff Palace Loop Roads offer stunning viewpoints of the elaborate dwelling.

Secrets and mysteries of Mesa Verde, America's foremost ancient site

This dramatic waterfall in the US could just as easily be in New Zealand – the cascade bears a striking resemblance to the country's famed Humboldt Falls. But these thundering waters have their home in eastern Tennessee in the eponymous Fall Creek Falls State Park. One of the greatest natural wonders in the country's east, the falls rush over tree-topped rock, crashing 256 feet (80m) into the lake below. There are more than 200 campsites here too, so you've no need to rush your adventures.

These Mars-like landscapes exist in the remote Summit District of Hawaii's Haleakala National Park. Here, the namesake Haleakala, a gargantuan shield volcano, reaches 10,023 feet (3,055m), and brave hikers come to spot native flora and fauna and experience some of the best stargazing in the state. Elsewhere in the park, the Kipahulu District complements the Summit with its waterfalls, greenery and rugged coastline. 

A quick glance and you might think this photograph was captured in France's Provence region – but, in fact, the Sequim-Dungeness Valley is in Washington state, north of Olympic National Park. The town of Sequim is aptly labelled the Lavender Capital of North America, and neat rows of purple characterise the surrounding valley's many lavender farms. July usually brings with it the annual Sequim Lavender Festival, so time your trip right for farm tours and street fairs.

One of the premier agricultural regions in this part of the US, the Palouse area is all rolling hills and colour-splashed meadows. It could easily be compared to Italy's Tuscany region too: it bears the same wave-like landscapes, blonde wheat fields and epic sunsets. Driving the Palouse Scenic Byway is a great way to discover the Washington portion of the region.

The perfect subject for keen photographers, Bonsai Rock is an eye-catching crag on the Nevada portion of Lake Tahoe. Four little trees sprout from the hulking rock and it's reached by a brief but steep hike towards the waters. Come at sunrise or sunset for spectacular shots, and remain after dark to see the clear skies filled with stars.

This glittering residence was inspired by the palazzos of Venice and was built in the Venetian-Gothic style during the Roaring Twenties. It was the home of notorious circus master John Ringling and his family, and the eccentric character lived here right up until his death in 1936. Since then, the home has been donated to the state of Florida and has undergone extensive renovations. Today visitors can enjoy tours of the ornate space, peering into private bedrooms and sumptuous communal areas, and drinking in the tile-embellished terracotta facade.

It takes a little extra effort to get to this remote Big Sur beach, but it’s well worth it for the head-turning offshore rock formations and the unbelievable sunsets you'll be greeted with. Most unique of all are the beach's areas of purple sand, whose surprising colour is caused by the presence of the mineral garnet. Arrive here as the sun is sinking, and don't forget your camera.

This 275-square-mile (712km sq) desert in New Mexico's Tularosa Basin hardly looks as if it belongs on Earth, let alone in the USA. The dunes are made of gypsum sand, a rare mineral found in few places on the planet. Since gypsum sand (unlike regular sand) dissolves in water, it's a miracle to find it in such vast quantities – but this swathe of New Mexico has a climate dry enough to allow the grains to thrive. A ranger-led stroll at sunset is one of the best ways to take in this most unique of landscapes. 

Glowing a cool blue, these stark ice caves could have been plucked straight from Scandinavia. Instead you'll find them some 12 miles (19km) from Alaska's capital, Juneau, carved into the Mendenhall Glacier. To reach them is no easy feat as you'll need to hike across a vast ice field often scrambling over slippery rock faces on your approach. The ethereal caves are worth the effort though and as the glacier is sadly receding at a rapid pace, it is best to make the trip sooner rather than later.

It's hard to believe this towering waterfall is just a 30-minute jaunt from Portland. Crashing over more than 600 feet (182m) of craggy bluffs, the two-tiered Multnomah Falls collect in a deep blue pool at the base. The best view over the falls is from Benson Bridge, built in 1914, and refurbished after a damaging fire – suspended 70 feet (21m) in the air, it's close enough to feel the spray.

It's not hard to see why this charming Michigan town is called Holland. Hundreds of Dutch immigrants settled here in the hope of making their fortune in the mid-1800s, and this heritage makes itself immediately known: expect windmills, striped tulip fields, Dutch-style architecture and a traditional clog factory where you can see shoemakers at work. With spring comes the Tulip Time Festival, when more than five million flowers carpet the town.

While Hawaii has no shortage of glorious white-powder beaches, the green sands of Papakolea are a wonder indeed. The only beach of its kind in the States (and one of only four on the entire planet), its green hue is the result of the mineral olivine, deposited by volcanic eruptions over millennia. The secluded beach can be found on Hawaii's Big Island, and can be reached on a challenging, two-mile (3.2km) downward-reaching hike.

These otherworldly caverns, the most extensive in the eastern United States, open out below the Shenandoah Valley's Blue Ridge Mountains. The sand-coloured stalagmites and stalactites have sprouted over millions of years, and winding tunnels give way to echoing chambers. Most fascinating of all is Dream Lake: its 20 inches of water look much deeper due to the reflections on its glittering surface. There's also an organ that uses the rock formations to make music. 

This natural swimming hole wouldn't look out of place in the Mediterranean – in fact it's just over 20 miles (32km) west of Austin. A 50-foot (15m) waterfall feeds the green pool, which was once entirely underground, before the sheltering limestone roof above it collapsed. The pool is now a popular spot for a dip in the summer months, though you'll need a reservation to access it.

The steamy rainforests of South and Central America are the world's most famous, but this lush swathe of trees in the Pacific Northwest gives them a run for their money. The forest sees up to 170 inches (4m) of rain each year, and the verdant canopy of Sitka spruces protects such species as Roosevelt elks and Pacific tree frogs. The rainforest is best visited in the drier summer season.

As the name might suggest, this park's winning feature is its dramatic rock formations. Starved Rock State Park is home to a total of 18 canyons, with waterfalls forming during springtime and after heavy rain. Its web of trails reaches across 13 miles (21km) and takes hikers past rocky gorges, wildflower-filled meadows and, in the winter, ice sculptures formed from frozen watery cascades.

The California coast is synonymous with golden-sand beaches, but this one is a more surprising find. Glass Beach, found next to MacKerricher State Park, is exactly as it sounds: a unique strand made from dumped glass and other trash being smoothed and rounded by the ocean, and eventually building up on the shore. Delight in wandering the beach, spotting glass stones in rare shapes and colours, but remember to leave this wonder exactly as you found it.

Almost a carbon copy of Bolivia's famed Salar de Uyuni, Bonneville Salt Flats in northwest Utah stretch for more than 30,000 acres. This was the original site of ancient Lake Bonneville: when the vast lake dried up, all that was left were salty deposits and a sprawling, flat plain. During the winter, a shallow pool of water sits upon the plain's surface acting as a giant mirror. The flats can be explored by car, but ensure you stick to the designated spots.

This railway route touts itself as the most scenic in the world, and it's not hard to see why. The snow-dusted mountains, pink and yellow wildflowers and rambling hills appear almost Alpine. The railroad, whose construction began in 1898, instead rattles through Alaska towards Canada, leaving from the little city of Skagway. The White Pass Summit Excursion is the most traditional of routes, a 40-mile (64km) jaunt taking in the teetering peak of its namesake mountain pass.

A castle such as this one could easily be found in Italy's wine regions but it has pride of place in California's Napa Valley instead. Influenced by the medieval fortresses of Tuscany, Castello di Amorosa makes Italian-style wine to match and has won plenty of awards for its offerings. Take a guided tour of the property and its vineyards, before sampling the winery's varietals for yourself.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boasts all manner of natural wonders, from craggy rock formations and wind-battered cliffs to sandy strands, but none are more intriguing than the ice caves that form here each winter. The caves are accessible (depending on weather conditions) from a trail beginning at the Meyers Beach parking area and winding downwards – you'll walk up to six miles (9.6km) in total depending on how many of the caves you take in.

Reminiscent of China's Rainbow Mountains, this landscape is part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Streaked with yellow, amber and rust red, the ethereal hills got their colour more than 30 million years ago, primarily from red ash left over by volcanic activity. They're criss-crossed with five hiking trails: opt for the Carroll Rim Trail for sweeping panoramas, or the Leaf Hill Trail for a deep dive into the history and palaeontology of the area.

You wouldn't expect to find this German-style village nestled at the foot of the Cascades Mountains, but downtown Leavenworth is a picture of Bavaria. Take in the Bavarian-style architecture, visit the colourful and quirky Nutcracker Museum, before a hike in the mountains. Visit in October to experience Leavenworth's beer-soaked take on Oktoberfest.

You'll find this distinctive stretch of shoreline in the northern part of Schooner Gulch State Beach. It appears as though hundreds of bowling balls have been rolled out to sea and become wedged in the sand. The phenomena is in fact caused by decades of erosion and 'concretion', where sediment clumps together to form larger rock formations, in this case neat sandstone spheres. Time your visit for low tide for the best view.

At a quick glance, this bay, with its blue waters and sea stacks, could be in Southeast Asia – instead it's actually the chillier waters of Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park. The product of millennia of erosion, these sea stacks can be found peppered across the park, from Aialik Bay to the craggy Chiswell Islands. They're home to seabirds such as cormorants and puffins, plus the park's resident bats. The best way to take them in is from a kayak on the water.

The gorge in this state park is so picturesque it could have been carved by hand. Some 19 waterfalls exist in the Finger Lakes region, formed as a stream beats its way through the narrow, moss-covered glen. Trails hem each side of the gorge, following the water's path – opt for the Gorge Trail, a 2.5-mile (4km) loop that takes in the 50-foot (15.2m) Cavern Cascade, the most impressive of all the falls.

While Louisiana may be known for its cypress trees and swamplands, this curious botanical garden is full of surprises. The semi-tropical preserve sprawls across 170 acres of the state's little-known Avery Island, and is filled with birdlife and familiar Louisiana critters such as alligators. However, the garden's hot pink camellias, bamboo forests and Japanese-style architecture will have you questioning where in the world you really are.

An alien landscape in northern New Mexico, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is formed of bizarre hoodoos and teetering, mushrooming rock towers. The pale clay formations have been carved out by water and wind over many thousands of years, and numerous fossils have been found in the area, including ancient dinosaur remains. There are no trails here and it's challenging terrain, so best reserved for the most seasoned of hikers. Be sure to check conditions before you go.

These undulating ice terraces look as though they belong in the Arctic. They're actually man-made, the vision of Utah-based architect Brent Christensen, who erects these icy towers in the city of Midway come winter. Each of the dazzling castles, with its hand-shaped turrets and tunnels, weighs around 25,000,000 pounds (11,161 tons), and they draw visitors from all over Utah and beyond.

The rugged red and green rocks of Hawaii's Napali Coast State Wilderness Park look more suited to Mars than Earth. 'Na Pali' means 'high cliffs', and the tallest mountains here soar to 4,000 feet (1,200m). The best way to take in the prismatic peaks is from the Kalalau Trail, a hardy, 11-mile (17km) route that rewards its hikers with a sandy beach at the end.

The aurora borealis are elusive wherever you go but, save from Alaska, the USA might not be the first place you think of catching them. Enter Voyageurs, one of the States' most underrated national parks, and prime Northern Lights spotting territory. If you're lucky enough to catch a display here, you'll feel as if you're beyond the Arctic Circle, but in fact you'll be in the northern reaches of Minnesota. By day, take advantage of the many hiking trails lacing the forested park.

More unexpected places around the world to catch the Northern Lights

Dominating this state park in southeastern Washington, Palouse Falls drops for about 200 feet (61m), puncturing the course of the Palouse River. The cascade itself, formed by floods during the Ice Age, steals the show, but visitors will also be in awe of the park's neatly circular pool and rugged canyon walls. A trio of scenic viewpoints offer fabulous vistas of the falls.

Wild horses roam Cumberland Island, the biggest of Georgia's barrier isles, at 18 miles (29km) long. It has windswept dunes and petrified trees, and a sprawling, unspoiled coast. Home to endangered loggerhead sea turtles – its tranquillity is such that you'll feel far further away than seven miles (11km) off Georgia's mainland. A ferry leaves the city of St Mary's from March to November (advance booking is highly recommended) and the island offers hiking, biking and swimming opportunities, plus dark skies perfect for stargazing

Thor's Well is an apt name for this watery spectacle off the coast of Oregon. The frothing sinkhole in the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area plunges to around 20 feet (6m) and is often dubbed the 'drainpipe of the Pacific'. It's thought that it was once a sea cave, before the roof collapsed and the bubbling well was formed. Take photos from the shore, but remember not to get too close: especially at high tide, the phenomenon can be as dangerous as it is beautiful.

Texas' Caddo Lake could be straight from a fairy tale, its elegant cypress trees reflected in the water's ripple-less skin. The Span­ish moss draped across the branches make the waterways all the more ethereal. Take to the lake's 26,810-acre expanse, and paddle between the moss-cloaked trees, before jumping back on land to explore the depths of the forestland on foot. Stay overnight at one of the historic cabins perched on the lakeside.

This is the best lakeside RV spot in your state

One of the lesser-known national preserves in the States, Craters of the Moon is a stark volcanic landscape of lava fields, caves, craters and cinder cones, formed over 1,500 years ago. Take a hike in this lava-warped park and you'll also see curious moulds and mounds, the remnants of trees once overtaken by molten lava. The 0.1-mile (0.16km) Spatter Cone trail is one of the most popular spots in the park.

Also known as Kaihalulu Beach, this rust-coloured strand on Maui is gloriously secluded, its sand contrasting with the bright blue waters lapping at the shore. The ruddy hue is the result of the ever-eroding volcano that backs the crescent. The beach can be reached via a steep, narrow trail (note that many consider the trail dangerous, hence the beach's relative seclusion), and there are no facilities, so come prepared.

A large windmill and Danish-style architecture characterise this pocket-sized city in California, often called 'Little Denmark'. Time your visit for Danish Days, a lively festival celebrating the city's heritage (Solvang was founded by Danish settlers in 1911). The celebrations include traditional dance, music and food and have been an annual occurrence since 1936. If you can't make the festival, get to grips with the city through its many wineries instead.

The Hubbard Glacier is one of Alaska's most impressive. It's situated in the eastern part of the state, off the coast of Yakutat, and is a gargantuan six miles-plus wide and 400-feet tall (10km x 122m) at its highest point. The blue-hued beast is well-known for being 'active', slowly advancing through the gulf, rather than retreating like many other of the world's glaciers.

These fiery falls would be a jaw-dropping sight wherever in the world you found them. They're actually located in Chestnut Ridge Park and an 'eternal flame' flickers mysteriously beneath the rushing water. The fire is rumoured to have been lit many thousands of years ago by Native Americans, and a little grotto below the waterfall emits natural gasses that keep the flame alight. Visitors can reach it via a moderate hiking trail a little over a mile (1.6km) long.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with its coves and colourful cliff faces, is among the most beautiful spots in the Midwest. The secluded sea grottos wouldn't look out of place along the Mediterranean, but they've been hollowed out by Lake Superior. The vibrant Pictured Rocks rise some 200 feet (60m) above the lake, coloured red, orange, blue and green by the minerals that have seeped into their surface.

A vast body of saltwater in California's Eastern Sierra, Mono Lake is around 70 square miles (181sq km) in total. Aside from the clouds reflected in its glossy expanse, the water is characterised by the so-called 'tufa towers', craggy limestone stacks that rise from the lake's surface. Various expert-led tours of the area offer an insight into the local wildlife, and a guided canoe or kayak trip allows you to see the lake's rock formations up close. You can also explore the region independently.

Wet and wild, Tongass National Forest is like nowhere else in the States. It's the largest area of national forestland in the USA, spreading across 500 miles (805 km) in total, and is home to such wildlife as black and brown bears and killer whales. Of course, you'll only be able to explore a fraction so begin with the Misty Fjords National Monument, a vast wilderness area of lakes, mountains and forestland, best discovered by kayaking or flight-seeing.

This curious national park in northeastern Arizona is best known for its colourful petrified trees and intricate rock formations. The park is a great spot for hiking: opt for the Giant Logs Loop, a half-mile wander that takes in the many fallen, fossilised trees, their rainbow cores glinting in the sunlight. The Rainbow Forest Museum in the south of the park is also a great place to learn about the site's history and geology.

This striking black beach on Hawaii's Big Island appears as though plucked from another planet, its inky sands contrasting with bright green coconut palms and the Pacific Ocean. The fine basalt sand is formed from volcanic activity, and you may even spot Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) sunbathing on the strand. Due to choppy waters, the beach is not the best spot for a swim, but the incredible views will keep you on the shore.

It's hard to believe that this secluded slice of America's backyard exists within the Grand Canyon (the second most-visited national park in the US). But it does. The Havasupai Tribe have lived in the village of Supai since AD 1300 and, in part down to the arduous eight-mile (12.8km) trek it takes to reach it, the area has stayed largely off the tourist radar. Those who commit to the hardy hike will be rewarded with waterfalls plunging towards eye-popping blue pools reminiscent of Turkey's Pamukkale.

The neat rows of tulips lining the fields of Skagit Valley are a near mirror image of those in the Netherlands. The area's annual flower festival begins each April, and sees this northwestern pocket of Washington bright with hundreds of tulips in sunset colours. Photo contests, bike tours and barbecues add to the fun.

The USA is not known for its fortresses, but this European-inspired castle in New York's Alexandria Bay delivers. It was built in the early 1900s for millionaire George C. Boldt and his beloved wife, who passed during its construction, leading Boldt to abandon his extravagant project. With its Italian-style gardens and whimsical turrets, it rivals the many castles on the Continent for sheer fairy-tale factor. The castle can be reached seasonally by boat.

Most visitors to America are au fait with ghost towns, but ghost beaches are another matter. Once a thriving resort area modelled on the French Riviera, Bombay Beach was all but destroyed by the ever-increasing salt levels of the Salton Sea, which killed off its marine life and frightened away tourists. Today some residents remain in the surrounding area, with the beach otherwise attracting photographers and film crews with its apocalyptic expanse.

Twenty-foot-tall (6m) trees sprout from this unusual rock formation in Port Austin. Thought to resemble a turnip due to its squat shape and the generous greenery on its surface, the rock has been formed by the wear and tear of the waves over millennia. You can rent kayaks from the mainland and paddle out to see the structure (since much of its surrounding land is private, it's not possible to see it from the shore). The round trip is seven miles (11.2km), so best suits those with some kayaking experience.

You'd be forgiven for thinking these vast, golden dunes were in the Sahara Desert but they're actually in Colorado, in the aptly named Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. The loftiest dunes in North America, the sand mountains are framed by blue skies and flanked by snow-capped peaks – they're best explored on a sled or a sand board, or after dark when the inky sky above is flecked with stars.

The kaleidoscopic Fly Geyser in Black Rock Desert is a unique sight indeed – but this rainbow wonder was actually formed by human error. In the 1960s, a geothermal energy company drilled on the site in the hope of striking a usable power source. The water they hit was not warm enough for their purposes, but they failed to properly seal the opening they'd made. Today, the geyser still spews searing water and steam, and the brilliant colours are formed by the algae it's covered in. 

Looking like an oil painting, this unbelievable scene is a designated wilderness area in the White River National Forest, south of Aspen, Colorado. The two 14ers (peaks that are at least 14,000 feet/4,267m tall) that emerge from the mirror-like Maroon Lake can be climbed. But they're equally mesmerising from hiking trails or campsites (permit required) around their base. If you visit in spring, you'll be rewarded with blooming wildflowers and mountain meadows, while the fall foliage here is just as spectacular.

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