16 Surreal Destinations- Pictures just won’t do these places justice.
“From ice caves in Alaska to curvy, colorful lines in the sands in Arizona, each of these places are truly an adventure of their own.”
The following written content by James Barrett
At first glance, seeing photos of these unreal destinations makes you wonder where in the world you can visit them IRL. They must be somewhere exotic, somewhere beyond the Atlantic Ocean, thousands of miles away, right? Think again, because all of these destinations are right here in America. From ice caves in Alaska to curvy, colorful lines in the sands in Arizona, each of these places are truly an adventure of their own.
With road trips on rise during the pandemic, now is a great time to add these breathtaking stops to your bucket list so you can see them with your own eyes. You might have to do a double-take on most of these, as they simply do not look real. Here are surreal destinations you wouldn’t think are in America.
- The Wave in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
The Wave is unlike anything you’d ever see in the United States, let alone the world. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream — no filter needed. In northern Arizona on the border of Utah, this sandstone trough is made of colorful and waving ground lines as a result of rock erosions.
Visiting can be a challenge, as only 20 permits are allocated per day. This means that you should plan your visit at least 6 months in advance to try to get a spot.
2. Hamilton Pool Preserve in Texas
Just a 45-minute drive outside of Austin, the cave formations of the Hamilton Pool Preserve have become a “watering hole” for hikers and swimmers looking to escape the city.
The water is crystal clear where you’ll be able to easily find fish and other creatures. The formations of this preserve were created from the collapse of a cave into Hamilton Creek, with huge limestone cliffs surrounding the pool. Visitors can even walk under a 50-foot waterfall!
3. Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
It’s hard to believe that photos of the Grand Prismatic Spring aren’t photoshopped. This natural pool with rainbow colors is the biggest hot spring in the U.S., and the third largest in the world. It’s located in Yellowstone National Park, which will make for a great weeklong (or longer!) escape from reality.
4. Carlsbad Caverns National Park in Carlsbad, New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is underground with more than 119 known caves that were formed from limestone and sulfuric acid. Visitors can hike down or use the option of taking an elevator 750 feet below ground.
If you’re looking for the full experience, skip the hotel and check out a campground instead. Bring along a portable projector for an outdoor movie night on the grounds.
5. Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
It’s not just anywhere visitors can get up close to an active volcano like Kilauea Volcano, situated in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A dream for hikers across this 500 square miles of terrain, you’ll see anything from lush tropical rainforests to desert and of course, active volcanoes. Before you visit, make sure to check if there are any closures due to volcanic activity. Read more from Men’s Health.
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