Even More Interesting Natural Features & Locations in the U.S.

A look at 11 cool natural locations in the U.S., to include lesser-known state parks and less-visited areas. This is the second video in this series and I take a look at 11 more interesting spots from different parts of the country.
Part 1 of this video series:
• 11 Interesting Natural...
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0:00 Intro
0:27 Chiricahua National Monument, AZ
1:31 City of Rocks, ID
2:55 Starved Rock State Park, IL
4:29 Seneca Rocks, WV
5:44 White Butte, ND
6:54 Letchworth State Park, NY
8:04 Newberry National Volcanic Monument, OR
9:07 Mono Lake, CA
10:46 Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM
12:25 Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA
13:40 Kenai Fjords National Park, AK
15:03 Outro/ Patron Shoutout

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

The U.S. is so vast with so many cool places to see. You could spend your entire life traveling and still not see every last corner of every state.

[@nomaderic]

According to my Google timeline I'm closing in on 10000 places visited and I haven't even scratched the surface. I have double the amount of pins on my maps I haven't even been to yet

[@David-bh7hs]

@@nomadericoh brother we got a traveler here

[@nomaderic]

@@David-bh7hs America is wonderful. There's places to see everywhere in every state

[@garyb6219]

So far, 85 National Park sites for me.

[@damonleeb]

So sad but true 🥹

[@NDHFilms]

“Howdy, it’s Kyle” will always brighten my day.

[@joelanderson6614]

Geography King should be "Geology King" ! The explanation of each area's geology is what I find the most fascinating. Thank you!

[@bmjv77]

Thank you for mentioning Starved Rock. Whenever anyone says that my home state of IL is nothing but flat fields, I point them towards there, Pere Marquette SP, and the Shawnee NF.

[@markweaver1012]

Illinois suffers from the same problem as Ohio. Yes there some interesting natural areas. But the number of places is very small compared to the number of people, that those places are always overcrowded. In Ohio the equivalent of Starved Rock is Hocking Hills.

[@busterbeagle2167]

Houseboat rentals and strip clubs

[@carlsaganlives4036]

The upper 1/3 or so of the Mississippi border along the scenic road is a pleasant surprise for those that have only experienced the grinding monotony of interstate hwy travel in Illinois.

[@kenkeep69]

Me and some classmate hiked to the top of Seneca Rocks. One of the most interesting hikes in my life...a quick thunderstorm and when we were at the peak, a military jet flew through the valley below us...never thought I would be standing on the ground and looking down at a plane flying beneath where I was.

[@MrCs83]

Once your done in Letchworth, head over to the fingerlakes region in NY. Truly the best combo of scenery, hiking, culture, and small town charm. A real hidden gem

[@jermsmason2082]

Lived my entire life in the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes was voted as the most beautiful wine region in the world.

[@participantparticipant506]

Most people check out Watkins Glen, but miss out on Buttermilk, Treman and Taughannock. They're all worth a visit.

[@MrCs83]

@@participantparticipant506 HI Tor in Naples was always a favorite. Don't forget to grab a grape pie while you're there!

[@beezbo7691]

Chiricahua National Monument really is such a hidden gem. I live in Tucson and it is easily one of my favorite places to visit! It feels almost otherworldly! There is also a cute old west ranch house there that can be toured. I love Northern Arizona and the many national parks and monuments there, but I think that Southern Arizona is underrated in terms of natural beauty, plus Tucson and many of the surrounding towns like Bisbee offer a really unique and less crowded travel experience.

[@markweaver1012]

I agree on the Tucson area -- we love the mountain hikes in Madera Canyon, and the drive up Mt Lemmon is one of the most scenic in all of the Southwest (with lots of campgrounds and trailheads along the way).

[@johnchedsey1306]

A friend from Seattle visited Arizona for the first time a couple years ago (I also live in Tucson). I took her to Tombstone, Bisbee and Chiricahua for a day trip and she was blown away. Also great little Mexican food restaurants in Willcox for the trip home. I love this region too.

[@terraheinrichs6987]

Currently planning our third big road trip with assistance from Geography King! I added three or four stops to my route from this video alone - thanks for all the great info over the years

[@BS-vx8dg]

I can't imagine a higher compliment for Kyle.

[@ItsMzPhoenix]

As someone who recently visited Mono Lake, I recall that the formations arise differently, involving the interaction between lake water and freshwater springs.

[@bjdon99]

Spruce Knob itself, as a mountain of prominence (the highest mountain in WV) is worthy of mention in your 3rd version of this topic

[@reptar5.048]

Just went to Starved Rock last weekend! Truly beautiful makes me proud of IL! Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee national forest is amazing too!

[@michelepayne3546]

Hmmm?! I wonder if Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs should have been mentioned also?

[@realityjunky]

@@michelepayne3546 Future vids!!

[@BS-vx8dg]

My favorite trivia about Starved Rock is that supposedly those cliff faces were carved out in a matter of days from the Kankakee Torrent.

[@geofffolsom9487]

One of the great things about Paulina Peak is you can see both Mt. Adams and Mt. Shasta on a clear day. It's the only place I know that you can drive to and see a place in a state that borders Canada and a place in a state that borders Mexico!

[@BS-vx8dg]

Megacool!

[@dner75-xh9le]

For real. Washington and California. Also two states that will hand out fentanyl to you on demand. Paragons of Western Society.

[@robbypoffenberger2848]

I’m a Utahn and consider myself pretty well-travelled, but City of Rocks wasn’t even on my radar. Now my partner and I are planning an overnighter. Thanks!

[@ProspectorAl]

I live in Tennessee and I have been to exactly one of those locations. Kenai Fjords (three times including a few weeks ago). Every spot looks excellent.

[@slimfix2311]

I very much appreciate this series. When I am older and have the finances, I would love to travel to the most spectacular nature spots in USA. I have visited Zion national park and that left me feeling a way I have never felt before. I would avoid cities and just be amazed by the national parks and natural formations splattered around this vast and diverse country. Love your videos - from UK.

[@foisixes677]

The nature here is fantastic but don't skip on the cities! There are some amazing things to experience, even if you're not big into cities. Pretty much every big city is worth stopping in for a bit to have a few quintessential experiences.

[@MikeP2055]

I grew up in St. George, Utah. Zion was practically my backyard, so I know that feeling very well! Just pure awe, every single time. Hell, I even worked in the park for two years and it still blows my mind! I live in Northern Utah these days and miss Zion SO MUCH. You take it for granted when you see it every day. The big beautiful mountains up here are amazing as well, but boy do I miss those red rocks. I hope you make it back soon! ✌️

[@kingofthefoothills1863]

When I get off probation in a couple years and can travel interstate again I'm checking out a bunch of these spots :) keep em coming Kyle, you're the Man!!

[@craig7083]

In Mark Twain’s book ‘Roughing It’. He describes camping on the islands in Mono Lake. Great video!

[@markthetrois420]

Finest geography channel hands down

[@jazzcatjohn]

Love this series. Hoping you mention the Eastern WA scablands in a future episode. There are some very interesting features of the scablands such as Dry Falls/Sun Lakes, Palouse Falls, Steamboat Rock, and Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I no longer live in Washington, but going out to Palouse Falls was always worth the long trip from Tacoma.

[@Rachel-ti8rd]

Newberry Volcano!! Glad to see it! The ground is littered with obsidian 😁

[@sounddude177]

I was litterally thinking I hope he mentions Chiricahua national monument, a great place that sees few visitors. You did not disappoint!

[@denniscrane9753]

I live right up the road from Starved Rock! Absolutely stunning view and excellent trails! Highly recommended!

[@realityjunky]

Yay Kenai, I love it there!! I'm going to have to watch your other video for some of my other favorites, like Ringing Rocks, PA and White Sands, NM. And, of course, columnar basalt locations and Craters o/t Moon.

[@outbackwack368]

We love the Chiricahua's... been there several times. Been to Mono Lake and recently spent a week at Cloudland Canyon in our RV. And we'll be at Morgans Landing Rec Area in Kenai Fjords next year n our RV! Great places! Thanks!

[@GeographyKing]

Sounds like an exciting life. Glad you're getting to see so much of the country.

[@Algo_RL]

I love watching your videos while looking at the places you're talking about on google earth

[@antonmccune5203]

Same here!

[@jabekens]

Great video, Kyle, thanks for sharing all these spots I would have probably never known about otherwise!

[@TheCoverageProject]

Great stuff as always. I’ll often share with friends and those curious that Letchworth State Park is the best hidden gem of New York State. I also feel lucky to have gotten the opportunity to visit Kenai Fjords, just immaculately beautiful. Just be cautious about the boat ride, the waves can get REAL choppy on a multi-hour tour to the degree that you get seasick. I learned that the hard way haha

[@michelepayne3546]

Interesting video. I've only seen two of the 11 but hope to add two more within the year!

[@davidmorris7696]

Seneca Rocks/Dolly Sods WV very colo spots in WV, glad to see it get some love!

[@suddendeath2000]

I guess people really do take for granted things that they see all the time. I used to live by Starved Rock State Park and I didn't think it was all that big a deal. Now that I think back on it, it was a pretty great place.

[@suddendeath2000]

​@@FavoriteThings606 I lived in Ottawa, which is about 8 miles away, and since Starved Rock was just a fixture in my life I didn't really believe it was something special. Since moving away in 2006, I now understand that it is a special place and miss it dearly. In fact, I've been seriously considering vacationing there this year because I miss my hometown.

[@johnchedsey1306]

This is a great series. I live about 2.5 hours away from Chiricahua and go fairly often! Highly recommended and I hope it finally gets promoted to a National Park. Great hiking trails through those rocks! I'm heading to Roosevelt National Park in September so I better check out White Butte. Thanks for that tip! And Mono Lake is easily one of the most fascinating spots in eastern California.

[@kindredspiritbaseballmom7913]

Letchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the east. Beautiful part of New York as is the Finger Lakes region and the Southern Tier.

[@neils5539]

Starved Rock is great in the summer, but it's awesome in the winter when the waterfalls are frozen!

[@girldaddividendinvestor]

Love it! Welcome back.

[@atypicalmotorcycle752]

Excellent information! Those sites I have seen are every bit as compelling as you describe. Those I haven't visited are certainly worth visiting in the future.

[@Bacopa68]

I'd recommend Brazos Bend in Texas for a future video of this type. If you are in Houston and want to see an alligator, your odds are good there. Almost certain 8 months of the year.

[@AtulKedia]

I've been to Letchworth (in early fall) and Cloudland Canyon (and Chattanooga in late fall) and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. Hope to visit them again through different seasons.

[@epretzel72]

Rock bridge state park in Columbia Missouri is a fantastic random park. Lots of other rock formations nearby too, like pinnacles park.

[@Cylindropuntia]

Love this series!

[@mousetreehouse6833]

I really enjoyed this, and I already watched part one... and, yeah, I'd love ro see more!

[@KyleMaxwell]

Howdy again, name-brother! I always enjoy your videos and thanks for sharing them, particularly the ones about the southwestern US.

[@GeographyKing]

Hey Kyle

[@renroxhrd]

Yay! Glad letchworth got a mention! Voted best state park in the country.

[@eeekityeeekeeek1778]

So beautiful, thank you for sharing this

[@widowedhen4998]

I go to Red River George semi-frequently because it's close and some family lives there. I think that place is beautiful, but it's just a fraction of what else there is to see. It's great

[@hollymccormack4081]

Now I have more places to visit on my list! These all look like amazing spots. The Blue Hole reminds me geologically of Montezuma Well in Arizona, which is part of the Montezuma Castle National Monument. That said, with Montezuma Well being protected you can't swim there, even if it's tempting in the Arizona heat!

[@user-od3tb3ob2j]

great tips sir!

[@TwistedForHire]

Starved Rock is awesome. Used to go there as a child.

[@theaveragejoe5781]

Looks like a lovely balcony. So that's where Kyle is hanging out after leaving the basement...

[@GeographyKing]

I wish. We were at a beach house in Oregon when I filmed the intro and outro.

[@theaveragejoe5781]

@@GeographyKing I see. Well, that basement is looking quite lovely..

[@alanpeterson4939]

Check out the Saint Francois Mountains in southeast Missouri. Some of the oldest volcanic mountains in the country (1.5 billion years old). The whole area is dotted with state and national lands. Johnson’s Shut-Ins, Mill Stream Gardens, Silver Mines, Hughes Mountain, Buford Mountain, Rockpile Mountain National Wilderness, Marble Creek State Park, Taum Sauk Mountain, Mina Sauk Falls, etc.

[@MADHIKER777]

Amazing locations!

[@TheCitadelPortal]

As someone who loves Starved Rock, I want to see it gain status as a national park!

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

This is one of my favorite series that you do. More please!

[@ecurewitz]

Thank you!

[@mintberrycrunch1752]

Hey Kyle! You should do a video on the key landmarks to see in every state! maybe like a top ten list type of video for each one, id love to watch it

[@309gti8]

Starved rock is great, we were just there a few weeks ago. I also recommend Matthiessen state park if you’re in the area.

[@WVUer21]

Leave to Kyle to give Seneca Rocks a mention. Thanks!

[@DonnDeVoreMusic]

Geology King! :D. lot of places i've never heard of before but now interested in seeing. i've been to Mono Lake. it was a weapons test site for a minute.

[@doggydogdaily]

1)Chiricahua National Monument - Arizona. 2)City Of Rocks National Reserve - Idaho. 3)Starved Rock State Park - Illinois. 4)Seneca Rocks - West Virginia. 5)White Butte - North Dakota. 6)Letchworth State Park - New York. 7)Newberry National Volcanic Monument - Oregon. 8)Mono Lake - California. 9)Blue Hole - Santa Rosa,New Mexico. 10)Cloudland Canyon State Park - Georgia. 11)Kenai Fjords National Park - Alaska.

[@luissmith576]

Very interesting for someone from switzerland. I usually hear about all the world famous national parks and reserves in the us but not the smaller ones that are very cool as well. Thank you for this video Edit: also, thank you for always including meters :)

[@bonne_vie]

Very cool

[@user-oh2hs6jh5x]

I've been to Kenai Fjords NP and have taken one of those tour boats (like at 14:50) from Seward AK out into the fjords. ABsolutely stunning. The glaciers extend right down to the waters edge and calve off these huge chunks of ice. The cracking of the glacier as it moves sounds like gunshots. Lots of wildlife, whales swimming right under the boat, grizzlies on shore, and more. Don't miss Kenai Fjords if you find yourself in Alaska. A top 5 National Park in my book, and I've been to a lot of them.

[@bnthern]

thank you!

[@michaeldufresne9428]

Very cool!!

[@sixty2612]

My state (AZ) is first! Chiricahua is in fact very cool with many good hikes. Those hoodoo features are found in the Catalina and Rincon mountains near Tucson as well. All of the “Sky Island” mountain ranges are incredible. If you didn’t cover Sedona AZ that’s probably the second most impressive after the Grand Canyon of course (Bell Rock, Devil’s Bridge). Our state parks have some neat features too (Tonto Natural Bridge, Kartchner Caverns, Slide Rock, Picacho Peak)

[@michaelcavalier8750]

Thank you.

[@sallyparsons6933]

Cloudland is a great place to see early wildflowers/spring ephemerals.

[@ericmadeoftin8206]

My uncle Joe passing out on a couch is a natural occuring feature. He is as constant as "Old Faithful" in Yellowstone.

[@carnakthemagnificent336]

Another great video of interesting places to visit. Thank you. Mono Lake is cool - site of the film "High Plains Drifter."

[@rlrober]

So good

[@dylanlake7]

Utah is pretty beautiful! Would love to visit again

[@dennisc6716]

I spent an August night in Santa Rosa a few years ago and never knew the Blue Hole was there. I was just around the corner from it apparently. I wish I'd known it was there.

[@missingnola3823]

So much of Illinois has boring topography, but Starved Rock is a gem. We live in the western Chicago burbs and it's only about an hour and a quarter from our house. At least once per year, we'll do a long weekend in Ottawa or LaSalle and hike a canyon. Those towns aren't bad for a cheap weekend trip themselves.

[@coveringcambria]

Thank you

[@MillerMeteor74]

For future installments of this series you ought to feature the Pinelands National Reserve and/or the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, both in NJ (though the latter is in both PA and NJ).

[@dylanlake7]

Modoc County, CA beautiful area

[@georgefrench6876]

A western NY park! Letchworth is really amazing for those looking for another reason to come out this way

[@johnm.184]

Grand Canyon of the East. Well, have a cold Genny and enjoy either way.

[@foisixes677]

Just got back from the Finger Lakes/WNY for the first time and it was absolutely gorgeous. New York is seriously underrated when it comes to natural beauty.

[@jermsmason2082]

@@foisixes677 I've spent my entire life living in the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes was voted as the most beautiful wine region in the world.

[@foisixes677]

@@jermsmason2082 Didn't try any of the wine but checked out 3 state parks, 3-4 towns and Seneca & Cayuga Lake. Beautiful place. Cheers from the other side of the state

[@Rthomp02]

Love this! Thanks for the Midwest love, because it’s not all cornfields and cattle out here. Y’all need to come to Northern Minnesota as we have the best coast of Superior.

[@realityjunky]

WOOT!!!! So many cool rocks in the US!!!💖💖👍🏼👍🏼💝💝

[@rags417]

Great stuff, I wish had the money to visit all these places

[@bossfan49]

GEOLOGY KING!!

[@chuck8664]

Fiords aren't caused by tectonic downdropping. During glaciation, a deep valley is carved and ground out by the glacier. Then when the glacier melts, sea level rises and floods in. Fiords connect to the ocean, as opposed to the Finger Lakes (same glacial carving) in central NY state which don't.

[@nelsonleemiller]

Suggestion for next video: Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park Pennsylvania

[@jimgreen5788]

Kenai Fjords N.P. is located on (you guessed it) the Kenai Peninsula.

[@ethangreen1704]

A beautiful region I recently discovered and drove through that may be good for a part three is the Uwharrie Mountains of North Carolina, as I don't think a lot of people know about it. It's completely detached from the Appalachians, and apparently very ancient. Most of the mountain range is a national forest, and it seems not many people live within those mountains. I visited Morrow Mountain State Park, and as a life-long Florida resident, it was spectacular to see even those small mountains.

[@Illu_322]

Register Rock is actually not in City of Rocks, it's at Massacre Rocks which is about an hour away near American Falls.

[@noahlambert4176]

Buffalo river and some of the hikes on it

[@jpkotta]

If you go to White Butte, watch out for the cop in Amidon.

[@EthanNeal]

Slight correction, but City of Rocks is in Southern Idaho, not Southeastern. They're more associated with Twin Falls and the Lower Snake River Plain rather than the I-15 corridor and Upper Snake River Plain. It's a minor cultural difference but one locals here in Idaho will insist on. Still a cool area that I want to check out some day

[@jermsmason2082]

ive been to letchworth state park in NY several times and believe me, pictures dont do it justice.

[@samwill7259]

These limestone and other rock parks are gorgeous, lovely, I would gasp in awe at the natural majesty ...so long as I am standing AWAY from the rock's shadow. I get that they've been standing up like that for centuries but I know me getting too close would make God say "wanna see something funny?"

[@Grandpa82547]

You get a gold star for correctly pronouncing Oregon, But it's Paul-eye-na Peak. (Some people say it more like pole-eye-na)

[@unclemike6581]

Hey Kyle !!York County Va. ,The Yorktown Battle fields ,York River and beaches...with Williamsburg and Jamestown in spitting distance. ..I think it high time to come visit this pretty awesome area and follow with one of your epic video...

[@GeographyKing]

I may have to do that. I'll be in that area next month.

[@OneWithTheAllinAll]

ive done a via ferrata at the place in the left image of the thumbnail :D West Virginiaaa

[@myaimistrashgaming5175]

Have you heard of the painted mines in Colorado :)) it’s east of Colorado Springs one of my fav places to go in CO :)

[@zakbaker6620]

You should look at the Wichita Mountians in SW oklahoma near fort sill.

[@jimmobley533]

A couple of places that you could add to the list. Devils Marbleyard in Rockbridge County, VA, is very cool and no one knows about it. You could also visit the county's name sake Natural Bridge State Park. Natural Bridge is cool, but I like Devils Marbleyard even more. I am from Virginia, so I must pitch VA, but the absolute coolest little know place I have been is Goblin Vally, UT.

[@Victor-ls7ik]

Check out Bottomless Lakes State Park in Roswell, NM

[@realityjunky]

Too scared! I'll put it lower on my list. Name too scary.

[@sherryjoiner396]

I visited there as a kid & thought it was scary. A few years ago I went back. I was surprised to see it really wasn't. I wouldn't want to swim in it, but it's nice to visit.

[@BradThePitts]

Kyle! I used to think that I had slow internet. Your audio is always out of sync, why is that?

[@kevincinnamontoast3669]

Good info. I will not cave dive in the cenote in N.Mexico as it may endanger my life,ok got it. Thnx Kyle.

[@ArtofBrandonTruster]

Have you mentioned Two Buttes, CO in any of your vids? That's a pretty cool place to visit and in the part of Colorado that isn't typically associated with having any features.

[@GeographyKing]

No I haven't. But I'll have to look into it. I'm always loo for new interesting places