3 Underrated Outdoor Destinations in the US

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, Colorado. Photo by Intricate Explorer on Unsplash

One of the main draws of the United States as a tourist destination is its vast, sprawling, diverse landscape with so much beautiful, natural scenery of different types to visit. From the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone National Park, you’ll never run out of places to stop by on your road trip. Here are three outdoor destinations you may not have heard of.

Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida

It’s hard to say why a place as beautiful as this wouldn’t be more well-known, but here we are. Dry Tortugas National Park has crystal blue waters, white sandy beaches, and stunning wildlife including coral reefs and sea turtles.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Colorado

Named for the colorful bands of clay that are all over this park, Paint Mines Interpretive Park has got breathtaking views with its geological formations and exposed layers of selenite clay and jasper. It’s great for a day hike.

Petrified Forest National Wilderness Area in Arizona

If you’re into science or history, this is a must-visit park for you. It’s full of petrified wood fossils from the Late Triassic period of the Mesozoic era 225 million years ago. It’s like taking a walk through an alien ancient landscape.