20 Hidden Gems to Explore in the United States

Even though New York City and the Grand Canyon get all the attention, the U.S. has many other great places that aren't as well known. These secret gems allow you to see parts of the country that few people have seen.

Tricia Quitales
November 25, 2024
7 min read

20 Hidden Gems to Explore in the United States — Taryn Elliott on Pexels

The United States has a lot of well-known tourist spots, but some secret gems offer unique experiences for daring travelers. Most people haven’t heard of these 20 places, ranging from nature wonders out of the way to historic towns that aren’t on the main tourist route. Each place has a lot of history, different landscapes, and a sense of finding that can make a trip into an adventure you’ll never forget. These hidden gems will give you a new view of America’s best-kept secrets, whether you’re looking for peace or something different.

1. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Mshuang2 on Wikimedia

Great Sand Dunes National Park is tucked away in southern Colorado. It has the biggest sand dunes in North America, rising up to 750 feet. People can walk, sandboard, or just enjoy the beautiful desert scenery. The park’s calm beauty stands out against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, making for a unique experience that not many people know about.

2. Georgia’s Cumberland Island

NPS on Wikimedia

Cumberland Island is a hidden paradise with pristine beaches and ancient ruins that can only be reached by boat. People can experience the island’s wild horses, lush forests, and the ruins of mansions owned by the Carnegie family. The island stays a peaceful escape from the modern world because it only lets a few people come at a time.

3. Minnesota’s Devil’s Kettle

Rufus Sarsaparilla on Wikimedia Rufus Sarsaparilla on Wikimedia

Devil’s Kettle is a mysterious waterfall in Judge C. R. Magney State Park. One stream disappears into a hole, leaving tourists puzzled about where it goes. It’s just as beautiful as the North Shore of Lake Superior, which is rough and beautiful. To get to the spot, you must take a challenging walk through forests, which adds to its appeal of being out of the way.

4. The Carhenge in Nebraska

Ammodramus on Wikimedia

A strange piece of art called Carhenge is made up of old cars grouped in the shape of Stonehenge. This stop along the road in western Nebraska is a salute to the famous landmark and a sign of how much Americans love their cars. On a trip through the Great Plains, it’s a fun and strange place to stop.

5. Bodie State Historic Park, California

CapeHatterasNPS on Wikimedia

The gold rush town of Bodie has been kept as a ghost town, giving visitors an honest look into the past. It’s one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the U.S. and is in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California. People can walk through the empty streets and look at buildings that seem to have stopped in time, making them feel like they’re in a history book.

6. Wallace, Idaho

Unknown author on Wikimedia

Wallace is a small, cute town in the Idaho Panhandle with a long history of mining. Visitors can walk through the city and see old buildings or go to the nearby silver mines for a more hands-on experience. The town is in a valley surrounded by mountains, making it a beautiful place to escape city life.

7. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

DimiTalen on Wikimedia

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a secret gem for people who want to see landscapes formed by active volcanoes without many other people. The park has boiling springs, fumaroles, and volcanic craters, as well as views of mountains and lush woods. Geology fans and people who like to be outside will love it.

8. The Wave, Arizona

Romain Guy on Wikimedia

The Wave is a beautiful sandstone in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness known for its bright, swirling patterns. It is only accessible with a pass so that visitors can enjoy peace. Few travelers have had the chance to see this natural wonder in person because of its strange beauty.

9. Marfa, Texas

Maher El Aridi maher on Pexels

The town of Marfa is in the desert in West Texas. It is known for its minimalist art scene and the strange “Marfa Lights.” The town’s quiet, vast landscapes are incredible for artists and creative people worldwide who attend the Marfa Film Festival yearly. It’s even more mysterious because it’s in a remote area.

10. Glen Canyon, Arizona

Romain Guy on Wikimedia

While the nearby Grand Canyon gets more attention, Glen Canyon has just as many beautiful views and more chances to be alone. People can kayak through Lake Powell’s famous waters, look into secret caves, or hike through the stunning canyon walls. The area also has a lot of Native American history, which makes it a significant place.

11. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

NPS staff on Wikimedia

Chiricahua National Monument is a hidden gem in southeastern Arizona. It is known as the “Land of Standing-Up Rocks.” It has beautiful walks, dramatic rock formations, and many different kinds of wildlife. The memorial is so far away that it seems to be in a different world. Not many people come to disturb its natural peace.

12. The Michigan Keweenaw Peninsula

NPS Photo on Wikimedia

The Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a remote outdoor lover’s dream, with its steep hills, beautiful waterfalls, and old mining towns. Because the area is so far away, it doesn’t get many tourists, so people can enjoy its peaceful beauty without any other people around. The area is also famous for its long history of copper mining, which can be learned about in museums.

13. New River Gorge, West Virginia

NPD on Wikimedia

The New River Gorge is an adventurer’s dream. It is home to rock climbing, white-water rafting, and beautiful views of the Appalachians. The park was recently designated a national park, but it is still not too busy. The river has gorgeous bridges and lookouts that are great for people exploring the outdoors.

14. Big Bend National Park, Texas

Yinan Chen on Wikimedia

It’s one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S., but Big Bend has some of the country’s most beautiful deserts, mountains, and rivers. Its remote site on the border with Mexico adds to its appeal, giving people who want to be alone a chance to get away from it all. One of the darkest skies in the country lets people walk, camp, or look at the stars.

15. North Cascades National Park, Washington

USFWS - Pacific Region on Wikimedia

The rough ground in North Cascades National Park is well known. It is a great place to walk because it has steep hills, deep valleys, and mountain lakes. Few people visit this national park, so it’s great for people who want to get away from everything and enjoy nature. Many animals, like bears, elk, and mountain goats, live in the park’s clean environment.

16. Sandpoint, Idaho

Lómelinde at de.wikipedia on Wikimedia

Sandpoint is a quiet little town in northern Idaho. It is near Lake Pend Oreille and ringed by the Selkirk Mountains. Its beautiful scenery makes it a great place to do outdoor activities all year, like climbing, skiing, and sailing. The town has a friendly, small-town feel and a lively arts scene. The area restaurants are also excellent.

17. The Enchanted Highway, North Dakota

USDA on Wikimedia

The Enchanted Highway is a stretch of road in rural North Dakota with giant, strange statues by artist Gary Greff. These weird things along the highway, like a vast grasshopper and a family of geese, make it a fun and exciting place to stop. It’s a surprise prize for anyone going through the plains.

18. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

NPS Staff on Wikimedia

Isle Royale is a small island in Lake Superior that is good for nature lovers who want to escape it all. You can only get to the island by boat or helicopter. It is home to wolves, moose, and a wild, untouched landscape. It’s a real escape from modern life because it is far away and hasn’t grown much.

19. Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon

jhvanwa on Wikimedia

Mount Hood National Forest is often overlooked by Portland’s sights, but it’s only a short drive away and has beautiful hiking, skiing, and alpine lakes. The park also has old-growth trees, waterfalls, and wide views of the mountains. It’s still a hidden gem for people who want an outdoor adventure close to the city.

20. Saugatuck, Michigan

Aaron Burden on Wikimedia

The town of Saugatuck is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and is known for its lovely beaches and lively arts scene. Its galleries are very different from one another, and visitors can eat at nearby bistros or take a peaceful boat ride on the Kalamazoo River. The town has a laid-back vibe and a beautiful setting, making it a great place to relax.