Natural wonders offer breathtaking views of some of the most incredible things on the earth. If you are a nature lover or just appreciate the outdoors then it truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get to see a natural wonder. The U.S. is home to 5 natural wonders that have set a record of some sort.
The Tallest Mountain
The world’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, calls Hawaii its home. Since it’s measured from the ocean floor it’s actually taller than Mount Everest. From its base it measures over 33,000 feet tall and spans over six miles wild. It’s known as being a spiritual area and in the past only those that were a tribal chief or considered royalty were allowed to visit it. Fortunately this is no longer the case and visitors are allowed to flock to the area and are encouraged to visit Mauna Kea during the night so they can do some stargazing on the mountain top at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy.
The Sunniest Place
When most of us think of sunny states we think about Florida or California. The sunniest place in the world is located in the U.S. and it’s actually in Arizona. The city of Yuma is not only the sunniest place in the entire U.S., but it’s also the least humid and has the least amount of rainfall each year. For those that want to visit the area and are feeling adventurous, an 11 mile bike ride in the Laguna Mountains region will do just that. About 15 minutes north of Yuma there’s even a ghost town that has a museum and an old saloon.
The Largest Living Tree
You cannot grasp how big the largest living tree in the world is unless you’ve seen it in person. This tree named General Sherman after this famous general of the Civil War is located in Sequoia National Park, California at the Giant Forrest’s north end. It is around 275 feet high and 103 feet all the way around it. General Sherman earned the distinction of the largest living tree merely for the fact that the volume of its trunk is a whopping 52,500 cubic feet! This is a great area to visit virtually any time of year. It is a great place to camp and enjoy the outdoors.
The Hottest Place
Death Valley got its name due to the numerous individuals that died there during the 1849 gold rush. They were stranded there and before they could be rescued they died from hunger and dehydration due to the immense heat. It is not uncommon for Death Valley to be 120 degrees Fahrenheit for over a month straight. One of the reasons why it’s so hot here is because it receives so little rainfall. In fact, in 1934 and 1953 there was no rainfall for over a year.
The Longest Cave System
The longest cave system in the world is in central Kentucky and is located in Mammoth Cave National Park. This cave is known as Mammoth-Flint Ridge Cave System. It’s over 400 miles long and is twice the size as the under water cave in Mexico, Sac Atun, that’s the second longest cave system in the world.
Have you ever seen a natural wonder? Some of the above places would be a great destination for your next vacation. We can help you plan a guided tour of all areas in the United States.
Record-setting natural wonders are by definition extraordinary travel experiences. Our advisors’ Bucket List Worthy Destinations guide celebrates exactly these kinds of once-in-a-lifetime destinations.
