With the world continuing the long road toward normalcy, your wanderlust is probably stronger than ever. And while grabbing your passport, hopping on an international flight, and venturing out to see all the wonders of the world may be tempting, when it comes to authentic beauty, there’s plenty to see right here in the good ol’ US of A! So here are three natural wonders of North America you need to visit.
Crater Lake
The word "lake" doesn't begin to tell the story of this 7,700-year-old wonder. Set against the majestic Cascade Mountain Range, Crater Lake started life as a volcano that eventually erupted – leading to the collapse of a tall peak and the formation of a deep crater. This crater spent the next century or so surviving on a healthy diet of melted snow and rainwater until eventually becoming the deepest lake in the United States.
Devil's Tower
Located in the Black Hills region of Wyoming, Devils Tower is a sacred site among the Northern Plain Native Americans. Standing 867 feet tall from the summit to the base and 800 feet at its widest point, this geological wonder is primarily composed of igneous rock formed as magma or lava cools, giving the tower its unique look. While scientists aren't sure exactly how nature created Devils Tower, they do estimate the butte was formed over 50 million years ago. The erosion that caused the tower to become the imposing lone figure it is today occurred between 5 to 10 million years ago.
Mammoth Cave
There are caves, and then there's Kentucky's Mammoth Cave. With over 400 miles of underground passage discovered (so far), this massive cave system is the largest in the world. The tour will take you through well-lit walkways where you'll get to see stalactites, stalagmites, and other spectacular cave formations.
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