Sure, it’s great to ooh and aah at the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, be overwhelmed by the blistered desert floor and extinct volcanic craters in Death Valley, and hear the thunderous roar of Niagara Falls. But Mother Nature also has created countless other treasures throughout the country that while less well-known are no less magnificent and wondrous in their ways.
No doubt some of these natural hidden gems are located within an easy automobile drive from where you live. A bit of research can reveal often-overlooked places that offer a variety of environments to meet any preference.
Coastal Louisiana, for example, is the setting for tours of brooding swamps where alligators like to hang out and fishing for fresh- and saltwater prey off piers, from the shore, in inland bodies of water and at sea.
Its location along a major migration route also provides a treasure-trove of opportunities for birdwatchers. The Creole Nature Trail in Lake Charles alone is home to more than 400 species of winged life, including waterfowl, wading birds, and raptors.
Bottlenose dolphins rather than high-flyers are an attraction off Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama. Kayak and other tours through the waterways of Bon Secour Bay provide close-up and personal encounters with dolphins and other resident wildlife.
Gulf State Park provides an introduction to the nine different ecosystems found in the area. A good way to experience the diversity is to walk or bike along the 28-mile backcountry trail.
A very different water-related experience awaits visitors to the northwestern corner of South Carolina, which is referred to as “Upstate.” It boasts the highest concentration of waterfalls in the United States. This proliferation is caused by the Blue Ridge Escarpment, a geographical phenomenon where the mountains dramatically plummet more than 2,000 feet within less than a half-mile. This sheer drop creates the conditions for more than 300 waterfalls, 100 of which are accessible to the public.
Continuing to wander in search of water, we come to Table Rock, Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals lakes nestled in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Adding to their pristine appeal is their location just outside of the excitement and go-go entertainment of Branson.
While most people visit that popular playland for the stage performances, thrill rides, and other amusement park attractions it offers, some in the know also take advantage of the surrounding beauty and recreation. The Ozarks are an ancient mountain range that while worn down by time and nature still are home to verdant peaks surrounded by hardwood forests.
