Summer's almost here...
You know what that means? ROAD TRIP! (Planes/trains/automobiles — you get the point).
Yes, America simply overflows with natural splendor. We don’t for a minute pretend to know where your next bold new adventure should take you.
What we can tell you is which natural wonders in the US Instagram users find most #-worthy… IN ALL 50 STATES! So, enjoy the show below. Here’s hoping it inspires you to explore the great outdoor beauty America has to offer — whether it’s across the country or in your own state.
Top Natural Wonders Per State
Alabama
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Martin |
104,486 |
|
Guntersville Lake |
11,082 |
|
William B. Bankhead National Forest |
9,024 |
With its picturesque wooded shoreline, Lake Martin (located in Coosa, Elmore and Tallapoosa counties) is the perfect family getaway for some rest and relaxation.
Situated between Guntersville and Bridgeport, Guntersville Lake is Alabama’s largest, measuring 69,000 acres. It’s also the perfect location to catch some bass!
Complete with waterfalls and beautiful woodland, William B. Bankhead (best known as simply ‘Bankhead’) National Forest is one of four national forests in Alabama — and the most Instagrammed. Famous for its hiking trails, fishing, swimming, boating, horseback-riding and more, there’s much more to explore than you can fit into one visit.
Alaska
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Denali National Park |
131,234 |
|
Kenai Fjords National Park |
22,782 |
|
Katmai National Park |
22,059 |
Alaska’s national parks dominated the state’s natural wonders in our research, and it’s easy to see why. Denali National Park and Preserve is centered on North America’s highest mountain, Denali. Did you know that the park encompasses over 6 million acres — making it larger than the whole of New Hampshire? Come here to experience dog-sledding, snowmobiling and skiing in the wilderness.
Kenai Fjords is named after the hundreds of fjords (a deep river or sea inlet running between cliffs) created by melted glacier ice running off of mountains. This national park is popular with canoers, kayakers, hikers, and bear-spotters 🐻
Unsurprisingly, Katmai National Park is another nature reserve inhabited by bears (and plenty of salmon). Some resorts and tour guides even offer bear-viewing excursions for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Arizona
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Powell |
390,045 |
|
Grand Canyon National Park |
324,217 |
|
Lake Mead |
223,006 |
Lake Powell is a man-made reservoir and very popular tourist attraction, bringing two million vacationers to Arizona every year. Kayak among the canyons with incredible views — just don’t get lost like @adventuresofmattandnat!
Visiting the Grand Canyon is definitely one for the bucket list. Way more than just a vast expanse of rocks, cliffs and canyons, there are rivers and waterfalls to behold as well as campsites and boating trips. It’s perfect for a week-long staycation in nature.
Experience gleaming green water by kayaking to Emerald Cove in the beautiful Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Arizona is much more than just its deserts — there is plenty of fun to be had out on the lakes! 🛶
Arkansas
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Beaver Lake |
80,274 |
|
Hot Springs National Park |
32,567 |
|
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest |
24,037 |
Natural caves and greenery line the shores of Beaver Lake, attracting lots of tourism to the Ozark mountains. Recharge on the banks, fish, take a boat out, or simply relax surrounded by nature 🧘
Located in Garland County, this national park is one of Arkansas’ gems. Take a quick dip in Buckstaff Baths and prepare for things to get steamy — swimming isn’t advised in the park due to the water’s naturally hot temperatures.
Camp and canoe on the shoreline of Ozark-St. Francis National Forest after a day exploring the woodland. Horseback riding optional!
California
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Tahoe |
2,601,234 |
|
Yosemite National Park |
1,311,187 |
|
Sequoia National Park |
564,810 |
This huge freshwater lake, situated between California and the Sierra Nevada, is a wildly popular vacation site for those who want to enjoy great weather, days out on the lake, and being immersed in nature. From beaches to ski resorts, Lake Tahoe has the best of all worlds.
Like Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park straddles the border between California and the Sierra Nevada, complete with breathtaking mountain ranges and huge waterfalls. Overnight stays allow for incredible night-time views and epic stargazing.
Named for its acres of gigantic ancient sequoia trees, Sequoia National Park is the place to head if you want to feel small. It’s recommended you spend a weekend here to see all the iconic spots, like the General Sherman Tree (the world’s largest tree by volume) and Crystal Cave with its rainbow-colored stalactites and stalagmites.
Colorado
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Rocky Mountain National Park |
616,129 |
|
Grand Lake |
122,886 |
|
Hanging Lake |
84,670 |
Experience the stunning beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park by planning hikes, lake boating, and camping at one of its five campgrounds. Check out @localpassportfamily’s mini Insta-guide to find the best spots!
The state’s deepest and largest lake can be reached just a mile from the Rocky Mountain National Park’s western entrance. Grand Lake is also known as Spirit Lake by the indigenous Ute Tribe, as they believe the water is home to departed souls.
Hanging Lake encompasses a popular hiking trail that takes a 3-hour round trip, making it an excellent choice for seasoned and new trailblazers alike. The teal-blue pools, pine trees and glistening waterfalls make for a perfect picnic spot along the way!
Connecticut
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Candlewood Lake |
35,379 |
|
Farmington River |
25,185 |
|
Thimble Islands |
8,145 |
Make like @dreapetroni and organize a yoga retreat to Candlewood Lake, Connecticut. No matter if you can’t quite do a headstand on a SUP board yet — beaches, golf courses and marinas line the shore while boats pepper the lake, so you can enjoy plenty of other activities too!
Farmington River is famous for two things: fishing and tubing. Visitors can rent tubes and float 2.5 miles down the length of the scenic river! The perfect fun day out with friends or family 🌊
Connecticut’s Thimble Islands are an archipelago (a cluster of islands), including Horse Island (the largest of the bunch), Money Island, Bear Island, Davis Island, and more. It’s thought that 23 are inhabited, while many more are just rocky pieces of land. The islands hold a sailing club including one for kids!
Delaware
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Fenwick Island |
51,184 |
|
Cape Henlopen |
23,613 |
|
Lums Pond |
4,880 |
This pretty town is perfect for a coastal vacay. It’s your choice — sunbathe on the beach, or chill in your lodge’s jacuzzi while enjoying waterside views… decisions, decisions!
The very southern cape of Delaware Bay offers lovely views of the Atlantic Ocean, white sandy beaches, grassy banks, and cotton-candy sunsets. If you’re near Delaware, this is the perfect beachside trip destination.
Lums Pond sits in Lums Pond State Park, a lovely wooded park complete with picnic areas, boating facilities, and pedalos to rent. It also has a huge 62 campsites (6 with electricity), yurts, and RV parking, plus some horse stables. For a perfect Delaware staycation, make your way over to one of Lums Pond’s many campgrounds!
Florida
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Everglades National Park |
145,269 |
|
Lake Okeechobee |
40,537 |
|
Dry Tortugas National Park |
16,447 |
Did you know that Everglades National Park is the USA’s largest tropical wilderness? Dozens of protected species call the park home, including the Florida panther and species of crocodile and manatee. It also features several trails, campgrounds, and unparalleled views of the Milky Way. See once-in-a-lifetime sights with a trip to the Everglades ✨
Charter a boat and go fishing for bass at Lake Okeechobee. Florida’s largest freshwater lake contains plenty of bass, bluegill, and crappie and attracts hundreds of fishing tourists each year.
This tropical national park is home to magical clear waters, coral reefs, rumored shipwrecks, the unfinished Fort Jefferson fortress, and the seven Dry Tortugas islands. It’s also known for its rare and beautiful bird populations, with an official list of 299 species to be spotted! Come here for a sunny break surrounded by sparkling sea.
Georgia
Place |
Hashtag |
# of Posts |
Lake Lanier |
199,909 |
|
Lake Oconee |
77,346 |
|
Tallulah Gorge |
33,671 |
Don’t like hauling all your camping luggage to the site? How about glamping? Head to Shady Grove Campground on Lake Lanier for a luxury campout experience. Sleep in a real bed in the forest on the lake’s shore — what’s not to love?
Lake Oconee has it all, from a Ritz-Carlton hotel with stunning views of the water and plenty of golf courses, to water sports facilities and lake-front spas. It’s the perfect location for a low-key family vacation or group trip.
Looking over the cliffs of Tallulah Gorge will take your breath away! (If you don’t like heights, turn away now…) Its rustic landscape is perfect for hikers, rock climbers, and photographers looking to take amazing pics like @hb_grace.
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