These 17 Sites Will Remind You How Stunning America Truly Is

They're big, they're beautiful, and they're a perfect reminder of how beautiful springtime can be here in the U.S. The Skagit Valley tulip fields are best visited during the annual tulip festival during the month of April. Visitors can take a driving tour through the tulips and marvel at the multitude and variety of the blooms.

This stunning pocket of wilderness looks like something out of Middle Earth. One of the Finger Lake State Parks, the stream that runs through the park plummets over 200-foot cliffs and creates over 19 waterfalls for visitors to marvel at. The most scenic of these may be the Cavern Cascade, pictured above. There are plenty of trails, campsites, picnic areas, and guided tours available for those wishing to explore more than the waterfall areas.

Located in the majestic Elk Mountains, this colorful woodland region is home to over 100 miles of trails and pristine natural landscapes. If skiing at nearby Aspen isn't your thing, definitely check out these incredible trails stretching over 181,000 acres.

This striking tower of stone is actually an igneous intrusion, which means that it was formed when magma became trapped under the earth's surface and pushed up on the rocky terrain, creating a sort of stone bubble. There are many native legends and myths surrounding this mysterious stone wonder.

This place may be stunning, but you might not ever be able to see it with your own eyes. Located in the famed Coyote Buttes of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, this place is only accessible by a rugged trek through the canyons without any clear trail to guide you. Even if you're up for the journey, only 20 permits to visit The Wave are issued per day, and the waiting list is staggering. Still, if you ever have the chance to see this natural marvel, don't forget your camera.

This botanical paradise is 50 acres of pure, lush, blooming beauty. Located within Wheaton Regional Park, there is no admission fee to enter these gorgeous grounds. Once inside, you'll find an array of rare plants, rose gardens, and spectacular greenhouses. This is one of the most beautiful spots in Maryland.

This place is a treat for the eyes and the body. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area was originally allocated to the Choctaw Nation, but when hot springs and mineral pools were discovered in the area, the Choctaw sold the land to the federal government in an effort to keep commercial developers from making the region into a resort area. The government converted the land to a nature preserve, and visitors flock here to marvel at the clear waters of Travertine Creek and learn about the Choctaw people at the park's learning center.

These falls are much taller than those in Niagara – at 212 feet high, they tower over the Snake River. For comparison, Niagara Falls is only 167 feet tall. Water thunders over rocky cliffs at a staggering rate all year round, but these falls are at their best in the spring.

You don't have to travel to the furthest reaches of Scandinavia for a glimpse of these magical lights. The Alaskan sky in The Interior and Far North regions are particularly good spots to witness the aurora, but the lights can actually be seen across the state at different times of the year.

Chimney Rock might get most of the press, but these two stone behemoths are equally stunning. Formed from clay and sandstone, the rocks stand tall over the surrounding grasslands. Arikaree Group of stones don't draw as many tourists, which makes them the perfect place to wonder at the beauty of nature without a crowd of gawkers at your elbows.

This railway may be the most scenic and nostalgic way to take in the autumn splendor of Mount Washington. The railway leads through some of the most picturesque parts of the mountain. Passengers will definitely feel like they've stepped back in time to an era when railroads ruled America.

This is one of America's most beloved national parks, and its beauty is renowned across the globe. These 3,500-square miles of untouched wilderness are home to colorful hot springs, erupting geysers, lush alpine meadows, and rugged woodlands.

The rugged coast of this Hawaiian nature preserve is best seen by helicopter; if you want to explore this park by foot, you'll have to use the Kalalau Trail. It provides access to numerous sea caves and makes for a hike you'll never forget.

If cave exploration is your thing, these caverns will give you more spelunking thrills than you can handle. Hike down 750 feet into this glittering underworld, or simply take the elevator. Over 119 caves wind through the limestone bedrock of the region, and there are possibly more caverns that have yet to be discovered. Will you be the one who put them on the map?