10 Hidden Travel Destinations in the U.S. You Need to Visit
Discover 10 hidden gems across the U.S.—from secluded islands to mysterious waterfalls—where adventure, tranquility, and breathtaking beauty await beyond the usual tourist trails.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
Off the popular tourist trails, America has beautiful unseen places to call its own–full of hidden beauty, mystique, and adventure. Starting with Cumberland Island’s wild horses to Wisconsin’s frozen sea caves, these out-of-the-way treasures hold the key to tranquility and breathtaking sceneries. If you desire secluded beaches, secret waterfalls, or geothermal hot springs, these little-known treasures offer experiences not soon forgotten, out of the beaten track.
1. Cumberland Island, Georgia
Tim Kiser from Wikipedia
This isolated barrier island boasts untouched beaches, virgin maritime forests, and feral horses grazing freely. Reaching it by ferry only, it’s the ultimate retreat for nature enthusiasts seeking solitude and heritage—don’t miss the Carnegie family’s ruins of Dungeness Mansion. With only so many visitors admitted each day, you’ll get to experience this paradise all by yourself.
2. Apostle Islands Sea Caves, Wisconsin
NPS Photo from Wikipedia
Situated on Lake Superior, these beautiful caves become an ice palace during winter, with frozen waterfalls and icicle-encrusted cliffs. During summer, you can kayak through the same caves, discovering secret arches and wave-carved tunnels. The trip to the caves is an adventure in itself, but the enchanting beauty is well worth it.
3. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
James R Bouldin from Wikipedia
Often overlooked, this national park features ancient bristlecone pine trees (some over 4,000 years old), Lehman Caves, and the towering Wheeler Peak. It’s also home to some of the darkest skies in the country, making it a prime spot for stargazing. With no crowds, you’ll have uninterrupted access to its diverse landscapes, from desert to alpine tundra.
4. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Florida Memory from Wikipedia
Seventy miles from Key West, this isolated haven shelters Fort Jefferson, an incomplete 19th-century coastal fort encircled by turquoise waters. Snorkel over colorful coral reefs, dive into secret shipwrecks, or simply bask in the unspoiled beauty of this secluded gem. Because it can only be reached by boat or seaplane, the park is blissfully free of crowds.
5. Glenwood Hot Springs, Colorado
Nils Huenerfuerst from Wikipedia
Set among the Rockies, this quaint town boasts the world’s largest hot springs pool, offering year-round relaxation. The nearby Glenwood Canyon provides spectacular hikes, including the breathtaking Hanging Lake Trail. Soaking in mineral waters or hiking the rugged landscape, it’s the ultimate combination of adventure and serenity.
6. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
National Park Service from Wikipedia
This underappreciated gem along the shores of Lake Superior boasts cliffs soaring hundreds of feet into the air, their rusty red, orange, and green colors streaked on by mineral deposits. You can paddle beneath waterfalls, trek through dense woods, or go on a boat tour to truly enjoy the sheer rock formations. It’s a Midwest gem that competes with the nation’s more well-known coastlines.
7. Jemez Springs, New Mexico
snowpeak from Wikipedia
Hidden in the Jemez Mountains, this tiny village is famous for its natural hot springs, red rock canyons, and intriguing Native American heritage. Hike to the churning Soda Dam or the remote Spence Hot Springs for a rejuvenating soak in nature. It’s a serene retreat with a genuine Southwest charm.
8. Devil’s Kettle, Minnesota
August Schwerdfeger from Wikipedia
A genuine natural enigma, this Judge C.R. Magney State Park waterfall has a break where half the river plunges into a hole—its whereabouts are a mystery. It’s up to hikers to be awed by the coursing water and wonder where it ends. The mystery place is surrounded by Minnesota’s wild North Shore beauty.
9. Custer State Park, South Dakota
Kelly Martin from Wikipedia
While most are in a mad dash to Mount Rushmore, this adjacent park provides a serene, more integrated experience with sweeping prairies, granite outcroppings, and the largest bison herd in America. The visually stunning Needles Highway winds past unusual rock structures, such as tunnels just wide enough for your car. There are fewer travelers, so it feels like discovering the real Wild West.
10. Shark Valley, Florida (Everglades National Park)
Everglades National Park Photo from Wikipedia
This quieter part of the Everglades features a 15-mile pavement loop where you can ride on bikes next to sunbathing alligators. The end of the trail contains an observation tower that provides panoramic views of the expansive, wilderness wetlands. It’s a heart-pumping, face-to-face experience of Florida’s untamed side without the crowds.