You’ve seen Niagara Falls and the Grand Canyon, but what about the Grand Canyon of the East, or the Niagara Falls of the West? The United States is home to more than its fair share of iconic, bucket list–worthy views, but even so, there are plenty of unexpected panoramas just waiting to be discovered. Featuring knockout views that are both natural and human-made, here are six of the most underrated vantage points in America.
Letchworth State Park – New York
Best for: leaf-peeping, active adventures
Dubbed the Grand Canyon of the East, the gorge at the heart of Letchworth State Park covers significantly less ground than its counterpart in Arizona. Its cliffs rise only 600ft at their highest point, as opposed to the mile-deep drop of the original out west. However, what this Western New York canyon lacks in square footage, it makes up for in natural beauty. The Genesee River flows through the gorge and over dozens of waterfalls, the highest of which tops out at 350ft, making it the tallest in the state—higher even than Niagara. Just about equidistant from Buffalo and Rochester, the park boasts 66 miles of hiking, trails for biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing, and river access for kayaking and whitewater rafting.
Cannon Beach – Oregon
Best for: observing marine ecosystems and spectacular sunsets
On paper, Cannon Beach may seem simple—a huge stone rising out of the Pacific Ocean—but in person, it becomes clear why Haystack Rock is one of the state’s must-sees. The 235ft-tall basalt sea stack looms over Cannon Beach, its imposing silhouette serving as a backdrop for shoreline fun and wildlife-watching, not to mention some truly spectacular sunsets. The natural landmark is just as captivating up close; tufted puffins nest there from early spring through mid-summer, and bald eagles are often seen hunting in the vicinity while tidepools at its base showcase colorful marine creatures like sea stars, anemones, crabs, and coral.
Mesa Verde National Park – Colorado
Best for: stunning archaeological discoveries, living history lessons
While Rocky Mountain National Park is the crown jewel of Colorado’s public lands, the southwest portion of the state is just as deserving of attention. Mesa Verde, a national park devoted to the archaeological heritage of the Ancestral Puebloan people, makes for a particularly eye-catching alternative. Perched on a plateau around 8500ft, with Cliff Palace—North America’s largest extant cliff dwelling—nestled into a rock wall below, the park comprises thousands of archaeological sites, including hundreds of cliff dwellings that provide a jaw-dropping look at local life from 600 to 1300 CE.
New River Gorge Bridge – West Virginia
Best for: BASE jumpers, bridge-lovers
Once the longest steel arch bridge in the world, and currently the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the country, the New River Gorge Bridge stretches 3030ft across West Virginia’s New River. This ancient waterway etches out a path through the Appalachian Mountains. Located near Fayetteville, the bridge was a feat of engineering when completed in 1977. Its 88 million pounds of steel and concrete offer epic views, whether seen from behind the wheel or from a hiking trail at the rim. For a unique experience, visit on Bridge Day, an annual festival that opens up the area to pedestrians and spectators, including BASE jumpers taking the plunge.
Shoshone Falls – Idaho
Best for: Western waterfall-chasers
Shoshone Falls is known as the Niagara of the West and is located in Twin Falls, Idaho. Stretching 900ft wide and 212ft high, it is taller than its Atlantic Coast counterpart. Though the Snake River sends over much less water than Niagara does in high season, at most around 20,000 cubic feet of water per second, it remains an impressive sight that has captivated visitors since the mid-19th century when it offered weary travelers a respite from the Oregon Trail. The falls, located in a city park, are open to the public for a mere fee per car.
Lake Shasta Caverns – California
Best for: underground exploration
When thinking of scenic vistas, caves often don’t come to mind, but the American underground features stunning geological landmarks. Just north of Redding, about two hours from the Oregon border, Lake Shasta Caverns is a national natural landmark bursting with unique calcite formations. Combining subterranean splendor with beauty above ground, the caves are reachable only by boat, offering knockout views from the start of the adventure, as visitors enjoy a catamaran trip across the state’s largest reservoir, surrounded by mountainous terrain.
