Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Pine
State park with a large natural bridge and various trails, including one which allows you to walk under the bridge.
Montezuma Castle National Monument
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Camp Verde
National Monument featuring a well-preserved impressive cliff dwelling of the Sinagua tribe.
Spirit Island Cruise
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Scenic boat trip down Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
Maligne Lake Fishing
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Beautiful lake with numerous short hikes and great fishing and canoeing.
Mt. Edith Cavell Trail (to Angel Glacier)
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Jasper area
Short, easy hike to views of the Angel Glacier amidst beautiful mountain scenery.
Athabasca Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, South of Jasper
Quick stop with views of a thundering waterfall and the surrounding landscape.
Toe of the Athabasca Glacier
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Southern area
Short hike to views of the toe of the Athabasca Glacier.
Tangle Creek Falls
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Southern area
Short stop just off the road with an impressive waterfall.
Weeping Wall
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Northern area
Cool rock wall with dozens of tiny waterfalls.
Peyto Lake Viewpoint
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, North of Lake Louise
Extremely popular quick hike to a great view of bright blue Peyto Lake.
Mistaya Canyon
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Northern area
Short hike to an impressive, narrow canyon with beautiful mountain views.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Natural thermal mineral spring which gave rise to Banff National Park, the first Canadian National Park.
Banff Hoodoos
Location: Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park, Banff area
Short stroll to viewpoints overlooking interesting rock formations.
Pororari River Beach Outlet
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki
Beach walk to the outlet of the Pororari River – great spot for reflections and watching the sunset.
Maruia Falls
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Murchison area
Quick stop at an impressive, wide waterfall.
Wairau Lagoon and Waverley Shipwreck
Location: New Zealand, Marlborough, Blenheim area
Flat walk through a large lagoon to the wreck site of the TSS Waverley.
Arthur’s Pass
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Arthur’s Pass area
Popular route for crossing between the east and west coasts of New Zealand’s South Island with beautiful views and various short stops.
Colorado River Hot Springs Packrafting
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Excellent canyon with nice scenery, fun rappels, and an optional packraft exit.
Historic Railroad Trail
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
Easy (and dog friendly) hike through historic tunnels along a portion of the old Hoover Dam Railroad.
Hoover Dam
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Black Canyon Area
The famous and historic dam – an easy stop offering impressive up-close views of the iconic structure.
Nelson Ghost Town
Location: Nevada, Las Vegas, Eldorado Mountains
Neat area with remnants from its mining past, lots of antiques, and old cars; offers tours of the famous Techatticup Gold Mine.
St. Thomas Ghost Town
Location: Nevada, North of Las Vegas, North Lake Mead
Remnants of a once-flourishing town abandoned and flooded by the creation of Lake Mead re-emerge during period of drought.
Truman Track
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki area
Great low tide beach with a sculpted rock and a small waterfall.
Maori Sea Cave
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki area
Massive sea cave with multiple openings; histrically used as a shelter for Maori travelers.
Punakaiki Cavern
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Punakaiki
Family friendly little cave just off the main road with a great glowworm display at night.
Brunner Mine Site
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Greymouth area
Historic area built around the site of the Brunner Mine Disaster of 1865.
Coal Creek Falls
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Greymouth area
Short hike through a pretty forest to a nice wide waterfall.
Tunnel Terrace Walk
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Hokitika area
Awesome little loop through neat historic mining tunnels.
Hokitika Glowworm Dell
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Hokitika
Easily accessible little dell with a great glowworm display at night.
Hokitika Gorge
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Lake Kaniere area
Popular short walk to a gorge with beautiful milky blue water.
Crazy Paving Stone Cave
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Karamea
Easily accessible cave with interesting naturally occurring geometric “paving stones”.
Box Canyon Cave
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Karamea
Nice, easily accessible cave with an upper level and side passages to explore.
Mirror Tarn
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Karamea
Short stroll to a pond that reflects the surrounding trees and vegetation.
Moria Gate Arch
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Karamea
Family-friendly hike to an awesome arch that you can climb under.
Oparara Arch
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Karamea
Short hike to an impressive arch/tunnel along a tannin-stained stream.
Chasm Creek Walkway
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Short family friendly walk to a nice tunnel and a cool old bridge – added bonus of a train wreck just off the trail in the water.
SS Lawrence Shipwreck
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Mokihinui area
Short walk along the beach to the ruins of an 1880’s shipwreck.
Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Franz Josef area
Relaxing and reasonably priced hot pools near the famed Franz Josef Glacier.
Castle Hill
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Castle Hill Basin area
Fascinating area with interesting rock formations with numerous climbing sites; filming location for Narnia.
Devil’s Punchbowl Falls
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Arthur’s Pass area
The most well-known waterfall in Arthur’s Pass; accessed via a short 1km trail.
Mt. Sunday
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Mt. Somers area
Filming location for Edoras in Lord of the Rings; provides 360 degree beautiful panoramic views.
Tasman Glacier View Track
Location: New Zealand, Canterbury, Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park
The most popular track in Mt. Cook, leading to a viewpoint of the Tasman Glacier terminal lagoon.
China Garden Spring
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Desert oasis with some mining-era ruins that’s home to a surprising population of koi.
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Short-lived boom town from the Death Valley mining era, with remnants of extensive infrastructure and a nearby open-air art museum.
Lake Crowley Columns
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Cliffs filled with fascinating natural rock columns and caves at the edge of a lake.
Convict Lake
Location: Northern California, Eastern Sierras, Mammoth Lakes Area
Easy loop hike around a popular lake with blue waters, scenic mountains, trout fishing, and nice fall foliage.
Aspendell
Location: California, Eastern Sierras, West of Bishop
Cute community in the Eastern Sierras with beautiful fall foliage.
Silver City Ghost Town
Location: California, Eastern Sierras
Collection of historic buildings from mining camps and settlements through the area, restored in a picturesque state of arrested decay.
Skunk Ape Research Center
Location: Florida, Everglades Area, Ochopee
Gift shop and zoo run by the family of the world’s leading Skunk Ape expert, Dave Shealy.
Cape Romano Dome House
Location: Florida, Everglades Area, Marco Island
The ruins of a famous local landmark – a beach house made of interconnected domes – are slowly being lost to the sea, creating a great spot for snorkeling.
Transept Trail
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Easy hike through pleasant forest at the edge of the canyon, with occasional magnificent views.
Bright Angel Point Trail
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Short and easy hike to the classic North Rim viewpoint near the lodge.
Point Imperial
Location: Arizona, Grand Canyon, North Rim
Beautiful viewpoint at the highest elevation in the North Rim.
Montezuma Hot Springs
Location: New Mexico, East of Santa Fe, Montezuma
Historic hot springs in a natural setting.
Dwan Light Sanctuary
Location: New Mexico, East of Santa Fe, Montezuma
A place of refuge where you can escape from the stresses of life in a beautiful room full of light and rainbows.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Location: New Mexico, Santa Fe Area
Neat park showcasing tent-shaped hoodoos and other interesting geology.
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Phoenix area
Historic site with rocks covered in vast numbers of remarkably clear petroglyphs.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Yuma
Walk in the footsteps of the Southwest’s most notorious criminals and see the inspiration for the popular film “3:10 to Yuma”.
Castle Dome Mine Museum & Ghost Town
Location: Arizona, Southwest, Yuma
Great ghost town and museum that’s highly interactive and full of artifacts from the original townsite and mines.
Glen Canyon Dam
Location: Arizona, Lake Powell Area, Page
Massive dam constructed from 1956 – 1966 which created the Lake Powell reservoir.
Horseshoe Bend
Location: Arizona, Lake Powell Area, Page
Short hike to a view of the iconic section of the Colorado River where its path creates a horseshoe-shaped bend around a pillar of rock.
Johnson Canyon Movie Set
Location: Utah, Kanab area
Former film set used for Westerns made in the 1930s to the 1960s.
Paria River Valley
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Southern
Toadstool Hoodoos
Location: Utah, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Southern
Easy hike to some cool hoodoos.
Pipe Spring National Monument
Location: Arizona, Northern, Kaibab area
Interesting national park centered around a natural spring which was a major resource for both the native Paiute people and Mormon settlers.
Mill Ruins Park
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Picturesque park showcasing the 19th century water power features, canals, and tailraces of the milling operations that made Minneapolis into a thriving industrial powerhouse.
Sculpture Garden
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Sculpture garden with numerous modern art sculptures, including the famous Spoonbridge and Cherry.
St. Anthony Falls
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Originally the only major waterfall on the Upper Mississippi, the site was converted to a concrete spillway along with a lock and dam as part of stabilization efforts at the turn of the 20th century.
Minnehaha Park
Location: Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Large state park most famous for its attractive 50 foot waterfall, but which includes numerous gardens, trails, and sites to explore and discover.
Skull Rock
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Loop trail through a maze of cool rock formations, including the notable Skull Rock; several climbing areas are nearby.
Desert Queen Mine
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Explore the remains of a successful gold mine including mine shafts, various pieces of mining equipment, and some building ruins.
Hidden Valley
Location: California, Southern, Joshua Tree
Easy loop hike around a beautiful natural enclosure with great climbing options.
Hallmundarhraun
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Vast lava field with rugged scenery and great Northern Lights photography opportunities
Rútshellir
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Fascinating old cave which was expanded and used for storing hay and as a smithy
Ice Caves ♦
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Although every ice cave is different, and they constantly change, they’re always fabulous.
Fjallsárlón
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull area
Lesser-known (but still very nice) glacier lagoon next to the famous Jökulsárlón
Skaftafellsjökull
Location: Iceland, Southern, Vatnajökull National Park, Skaftafell
Easily accessed glacier in Skaftafell, requiring a short,easy hike to reach the base
Merkurker
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Travel upriver through a narrow, enclosed fissure and explore fun caves and rock formations in this lesser known gem.
Gígjökull
Location: Iceland, Southern Iceland, Thórsmörk
Outlet glacier of Eyjafjallajökull whose surrounding landscape was radically transformed in the 2010 eruption.
Hrunalaug
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Adorable little hot spring that’s suffering from overuse and irresponsible tourists
Friðheimar
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Fabulous lunch option: dine in a greenhouse surrounded by tomato vines
Faxi
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Nice, rarely visited waterfall that can be viewed from multiple angles and includes a neat fish ladder.
Blue Lagoon
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Scenic geothermally heated pool that’s become an iconic but pricy tourist attraction
Reykjanes Nature Preserve
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Large, infrequently visited nature preserve offering numerous opportunities for hikes and sightseeing
Reykjanes Lighthouse
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Picturesque lighthouse in a beautiful area
Valahnúkamöl
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Rugged coastal area with cliffs and scenic rock pillars
Deildartunguhver
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district, Reykholt
Prolific hot spring with the highest flow in Europe
Snorralaug
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district, Reykholt
Visit one of Iceland’s oldest hot springs, the pool used by Snorri Sturluson in the Middle Ages
Darwin Falls
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Easy hike to a lush green canyon with a waterfall in the middle of the desert
Charcoal Kilns
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Panamint Springs Area)
Remarkably well-preserved large beehive shaped charcoal kilns built in 1877
Titus Canyon
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Backcountry road through some stunning scenery including colorful hills, a narrow canyon, a ghost town, and petroglyphs.
Leadfield Ghost Town
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Small, picturesque ghost town off a backcountry road with the intact remnants of a couple of buildings
Harmony Borax Works
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Furnace Creek area)
Ruins of the successful borax plant near Furnace Creek where 20-mule teams were used to haul the borax across the desert to the railroad
Zabriskie Point
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Furnace Creek area)
Viewpoint showcasing beautifully eroded Badlands in multiple directions
Mesquite Flat Dunes
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Stovepipe Wells area)
Large and easily accessed dune field offering various opportunities for exploration
Artist’s Palette
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (South of Furnace Creek)
Scenic drive featuring beautifully colored hills and views of banded cliffs.
Devil’s Golf Course
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (South of Furnace Creek)
Vast field of eroded rock salt spires
Badwater Basin
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (South of Furnace Creek)
Iconic salt flats at the lowest elevation in North America
Ashford Mill Ruins
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Ashford Junction area)
Small collection of ruins from an early 1900’s mill and mining settlement
Keane Wonder Mill
Location: California, Northern, Death Valley (Beatty Junction area)
Easy to access ruins of the mill and tramway for the very successful Keane Wonder Mine.