From stunning desert scenery to gorgeous beaches, these are the most scenic spots in every state.
This park contains some of the highest peaks in the country to boot.
Whitaker Point (also called Hawksbill Crag) andSam’s Throneare favorite spots among hiking and rock-climbing enthusiasts.
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Aim to visit the lofty sandstone formations on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.
The first two miles are a popular day hike; beyond that,a permit is required.
Discover acres of wetlands by kayak, canoe, or foot via the park’s trails and boardwalks.
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Indiana: Hemlock Cliffs
For the uninitiated, Indiana is full of surprises.
Either way, bring a headlamp.
The fragile, fossil-rich limestone pinnacles provide a near-shocking change of scenery from the prairie Kansas is known for.
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Time your trek for March or April to see the namesake pale pink flowers blanketing the countryside.
You’ll find the trail about an hour’s drive north of Lafayette.
The reward for your efforts?
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Pop byWorld’s Best Donuts, an important stop for cinnamon-sugar donuts and deep-fried “skizzles” since 1969.
Just be sure to pack snacks and fuel upthere are no gas stations or businesses for about 35 miles.
There are wineries, gardens, biodiverse wetlands, and, of course, end-of-peninsula beaches.
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Head to west-facing Sunset Beach at twilight for an amazing natural show over Delaware Bay.
A long-ago eruption formed a giant caldera, which, over time, filled with rain and snow.
Crater Lake’s idyllic mountain setting atop the Cascade Range makes it even more hypnotic.
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It almost feels as if you’ve been dropped on a distant British shore.
A bike ride is especially lovely in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set over the marshes.
That said, the otherworldly fossil-packed landscape ofBadlands National Parkis hard to beat.
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Here, meadows meet whimsically eroded canyons and vibrant layered hills.
You’ll get bonus points if you time your visit to include the south-facing Pinnacles Overlook at sunset.
Yet surrealArches National Parkgets the nod.
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Its natural sandstone arches, tall cliffs, and honeycomb rocks are like a 65-million-year chronicle of our planet.
Even just cruising along Route 100 is a delight.
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Courtesy of Indiana Office of Tourism Development
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Courtesy of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
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