Planning a Trip? Here are 10 Hidden Gems in the USA

Ranking as the most popular hidden gem in the US, Arizona’s Antelope Canyon had a total of 5,124 people wanting to visit. The slot canyon can be found in the southwest of the US and was formed by erosion due to flash flooding, its geology is appreciated for its natural beauty and can only be experienced via an official tour.

Las Vegas International Airport is just over a 2-hour drive from the attraction and a distance of 217 km. Vehicles can be rented from the airport for a fee of $364.21 while fuel currently costs $1.02 per litre in the state.

• Closest airport: Las Vegas International Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 217 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 2 hours and 15 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $364.21
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $1.02

Next, the Fly Geyser found in Nevada ranked as the second most popular hidden gem in the USA with a total of 5,015 people wanting to visit the man-made attraction. The Fly Geyser was created back in 1916 when drilling took place for a new well, the geyser is covered in red and green algae which gives the attraction its unique appearance.

The Fly Geyser can be experienced via a tour, the nearest airport to the attraction is 180 km (a 1-hour and 49-minute drive) away, and gasoline in the state of Nevada is currently priced at $0.93 a litre.

• Closest airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 180 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 1 hour and 49 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $307.87
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.93

In third place, Thor’s Well – which is found in Oregon – had a total of 4,968 people wanting to visit. The attraction is a natural sinkhole that can be found on the Pacific coast of Yachats, and the unique place of interest gets its name from the God of Thunder himself.

Thor’s Well is a natural phenomenon that draws visitors from all over the world, the well is said to be around 20 feet in depth so caution is advised. Eugene Airport is 136 km away, which takes around 1 hour 44 minutes by car, and rental vehicles can be hired for a three-day period from the airport, costing $310.32.

• Closest airport: Eugene Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 136 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 1 hour and 44 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $310.32
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.92

Placing fourth in the ranking is Paint Mines Interpretive Park – found in Calhan, Colorado – the attraction had a total of 4,384 people who wanted to visit. The natural wonder is a geological beauty to behold, with the rocks in the park developing colourful layers due to the oxidized iron compounds.

The sight is free to experience and visitors are able to take a walk through the picturesque destination. Colorado Springs Airport is 56 km away from Calhan and tourists can hire a rental vehicle from the airport for $282.62, allowing them to experience the attraction at their own pace. Gasoline is priced at $0.74 per litre in Colorado.

• Closest airport: Colorado Springs Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 56 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 41 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $282.62
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.74

Rounding off the top five, Texas’ Hamilton Pool had 4,330 people wanting to visit the natural wonder. The pool includes a 15-meter waterfall which adds to the uncultivated feel of the attraction, the area has been a preserve since 1990 with work being done to reignite the local ecosystem.

Dripping Springs, where Hamilton Pool is located, is only a 35-minute drive from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (45 km), making visiting the landmark easier than ever. A rental vehicle from the airport is also fairly cheap in comparison to other states – priced at $196.46.

1. Closest airport: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
2. Distance from airport to location: 45 km
3. Distance from airport to location (driving): 35 minutes
4. Cost of car rental: $196.46
5. Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.67

Moving on, the House on the Rock in Wisconsin ranked as the sixth most popular obscure attraction in the US with a total of 3,988 people wanting to visit. The strange attraction was built by Alex Jordan Jr. in the 1920s before being opened to the public in 1960.

The house consists of striking architectural structures, such as the house itself, combined with a collection of rooms that are extremely unique in design. There is also a spa and golf course at the destination. The closest airport is just under an hour away (54 minutes) where rental cars are available for $248.44. Meanwhile, gasoline costs $0.76 per litre in the state of Wisconsin.

• Closest airport: Dane County Regional Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 68 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 54 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $248.44
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.76

Placing seventh in the ranking with 3,583 people wanting to visit is the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area in Bloomfield, New Mexico. The natural rock formations make for an impressive setting for a scenic walk in the hot weather. The wonder is made up of sandstone cap rocks which are neutral colours.

The badlands are popular, but with no official established trail it can be easy to become lost, take caution if visiting the panoramic location. The hidden gem is quite secluded, with Albuquerque Airport a distance of 280 km away and rental vehicles are available for $201.96. Gasoline is available for $0.77 per litre in the state of New Mexico.

• Closest airport: Albuquerque Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 280 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 2 hours 39 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $201.96
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.77

In eighth place, Virginia’s Presidents Heads monuments – found in Williamsburg – received a total of 3,501 people who wanted to visit the attraction. Not to be confused with Mount Rushmore, the Virginia attraction includes 43 heads of former presidents in an eerie abandoned field.

Despite the heads not having a proper home, it has remained a point of interest for tourists. Thankfully, the nearest airport is a 26-minute drive (Newport News/Williamsburg International) making accessing the site extremely easy, petrol is available for $0.73 in Virginia. At the time of research, there were no rental car prices available for this location.

• Closest airport: Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 32 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 26 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $308.84
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.73

Next, in ninth place, is Tennessee’s Lost Sea attraction which a total of 3,342 people want to visit. Also known as Craighead Caverns, the cave system is home to the largest non-subglacial underground lake in America, the Lost Sea was first discovered in 1905.

Found in Sweetwater, the Lost Sea is almost 3 hours away from Nashville International Airport, vehicles can be rented from the airport for a cost of $306.14 and gas is currently priced at $0.69 per litre in the State of Tennessee.

• Closest airport: Nashville International Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 263 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 2 hours 38 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $306.14
• Cost of gasoline (per litre): $0.69

Lastly, rounding off the top ten is the Hall of Mosses found in Forks, Washington. The natural marvel has a total of 3,249 people who’d like to experience the attraction. Located in the Hoh Rain Forest, the hiking trail consists of moss-covered trees making for a special atmosphere and incredible scenic walk.

The trail is 1.2 km in length and is free for all to experience, the attraction is 3 hours and 25 minutes away from Seattle Airport. Gasoline costs $1.01 / litre in Washington State and visitors can rent a vehicle from the airport for $310.68.

• Closest airport: Seattle Airport
• Distance from airport to location: 334 km
• Distance from airport to location (driving): 3 hours 25 minutes
• Cost of car rental: $310.68
• Cost of gas (per litre): $1.01

And with that, we have ranked the top ten obscure attractions to be found in different US states. It was interesting to see the list dominated by natural wonders, with tourists itching to visit some of the world’s more uncultivated offerings.

With so many hidden gems to be uncovered throughout the US and beyond, it highlights the fun to be had outside of typical tourist hotspots. This summer, why not explore a brand new destination and cross one of these obscure attractions off your bucket list?

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