There is nothing quite like the beauty of nature, sightts, and sounds untouched by the human hand that shows how powerful the earth we live on really is.

The United States may be a country often thought of for its bustling metropolitan areas and historically rich cities and towns, but its many natural landscapes should not be overlooked.

The Grand Canyon

When one thinks of America’s natural beauty, The Grand Canyon in Arizona comes to mind. The vastness of this natural formation is breathtaking with its colorfully layered rocks that lay bare millions of years of geologic history.

It is one mile deep and 18 miles wide and touches four states: Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado.

While you’re there pop downstate to look at houses for rent in Phoenix, where the cost of living is lower than the national average.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This park in the Aloha State encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park rises from sea level to 13,677 feet.

There is an easy 1.2-mile hike that can be taken to The Sulphur Banks, which has colorful mineral deposits and steaming cracks among the rocks – along with the rotten egg smell of (surprise!) sulphur.

You can also choose to drive instead of walk and motor along the 11-mile Mauna Loa Strip Road that passes many volcanic features and provides sweeping views of the Ka’u district and the Kilauea volcano.

Denali, Alaska

The Denali National Park and Preserve comprises six million acres of wild Alaskan land, with one stretch of road bisecting the area. Its most noted feature is the 20,310-foot-high Denali, North America’s tallest peak.

There is abundant wildlife here. Thirty-nine mammal species have been documented here, including moose, caribou, Dall sheep, wolves, and grizzly bears. There are also 169 species of birds and over 1,500 species of plants.

Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite’s majestic beauty draws millions of visitors each year, filled with waterfalls, cliffs, varied wildlife, and ancient trees.

The park is well-known for its high concentration of waterfalls in a small area. Located in Yosemite Valley, the Yosemite Falls is the highest on the continent, clocking in at 2,425 feet.

A memorable image of Yosemite is its enormous ancient sequoia trees, of which there are nearly 300. The park has three groves: the Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove, and Merced Grove. Giant sequoias are among the oldest living organisms on earth.

Niagara Falls, New York

These spectacular falls that are along the Canadian border dump 150,000 gallons of water more than 1,000 feet downwards every second. Niagara Falls is capable of producing over 4 million kilowatts of electricity.

Walk Niagara Falls Tours on the famed Maid of the Mist, a boat tour that’s been an attraction for over 150 years and takes poncho-wearing cruisers past the base of the American Falls and onto the basin of Horseshoe Falls to see the roiling waterfall whitewater and massive rock formations.