The Most Beautiful Secret Places of the Great Plains

Without West Coast glitz , East Coast fuss , Southern magical spell , or evenMidwest dainty , the American Plains could easy be the country ’s most overlooked area . More than cornfields and motortruck stops sandwich between Iowa and the Rocky Mountains , the Great Plains encompassparts of 10 statesand stretch from Montana down to New Mexico . And they ’re full of beauty and dangerous undertaking , just as long as you live where to get off US 80 .

Lake Sakakawea State Park, ND

When one thinks of the unforgiving landscape of barren North Dakota , weewee is not the first thing that typicallyspringsto mind . Yet omit in America ’s obsession with freaky Fargo and frigid International Falls is this beautiful area of lakes that combines creepy otherworldly rock structures with a full - on boat political party . Or salmon - angle party , if that ’s how you roll . The one must - do matter : The car park is also the western termination of the 4,600 - mile North Country National Scenic Trail , so if you ’ve always wanted to hike across the rural area to New York , this is your starting power point .

Toadstool Geologic Park, NE

These abandoned red - and - grey moonscapes ( a blunt reach some the great unwashed call the " Badlands of Nebraska " ) will instantly push aside your preconceived notions of the United States Department of State ’s cornfields . Only thing : you got to require it , as the park can only be access via a rough 30 - minute drive on jolty dirt and gravel roads . The one must - do thing : Take a side stumble to Alliance , Nebraska , and its weird roadside attraction at Carhenge . Yes , it ’s exactly what it sound like – a Stonehenge made of debris cars .

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, OK

If there ’s any doubt this serene escape in Southwest Oklahoma is the solid ground time forgot , one gander at the 650 - or - so bison wandering the area should quickly take you back about 500 million years ( which is about how old these mountains are ) . prove skunk prairie does n’t have to be boring , it also showcases sensational rock music formation and C of nerveless plant and bird species . The one must - do affair : flick a exposure of the brainy sundown before lying on your back to stargaze in all over solitude

Paint Mines Interpretive Park, CO

What would have happened if Bob Ross had gone on a psychedelic bender in the outback Eastern Colorado plains and extend brainsick with the paintbrush on some trippy ( and happy ) rock formation ? Besides first-class idiot box , the results would probably look something like this sensational surface area of bright color and rock about an hour outside of Colorado Springs . The one must - do thing : Wander the four miles of trails that spread out over 750 acres and marvel at the picturesque pinks , yellow , and snowfall - bloodless spires . Hopefully you packed your paintbrush and easel .

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, TX

The Texas Panhandle is rockin ' some severely surprising peach thanks to seat like this 120 - land mile canon , the second long in the country after the Grand Canyon . The park packs in some deep reds and bright hues that give Southern Utah a run for its money , plus there are really nerveless cabins progress in historic brick huts that you may lease . The one must - do affair : See a show during summertime at the outdoor Pioneer Amphitheatre , which is about as faithful to the Red Rocks experience as it become ( only with less weed and more steel pedal )

Ardmore, SD

While South Dakota is packed with tourist hotspots likeMount Rushmore , the Badlands , Black Hills , and thesurprisingly happening party town of Deadwood , you do n’t have to travel too far off the amaze path to discover this ghost town tucked aside in the southwest corner of the state . And it ’s a true ghost town … as in no one lives here . No one . The one must - do matter : search the XII - or - so stay abandon house and take plenty of photos of rusted - out Hugo Junkers . finger devoid to call homesteader ’s right .

Makoshika State Park, MT

Montana ’s largest state park might not be as famed as places like Glacier , but it ’s still the finest spotlight in Big Sky Country to unify with dinosaur fossils . And the salutary part ? you could mingle with enjoin fossils buried within the country ’s far eastern plains any clip of day , as the parkland never closes . Also , you could dally disc golf at all hour of the night in total wild . The one must - do thing : You have in mind besides playing phonograph recording golf at all hours of the night ? Try the Kinney Coulee Trail and go off path to make your own escapade .

Vedauwoo, WY

While Wyoming is experience for the jagged Tetons and erupt geysers of the northwest part of the state , the flatlands that master much of its landscape painting come into full focus at this eye - protrude appeal of 1.4billion - twelvemonth - old rock ‘n’ roll formation . Located within the Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest , America ’s answer to Stonehenge also boasts plenty of sleepyheaded campsite off distant woodland serve roads . The one must - do thing : Rock climbing ! That ’s ripe , this area is one of the world ’s most celebrated place to scale bowlder for a grounds – there are over 900 climbs to explore throughout its Sherman granite nooks and crannies .

Wilson Lake, KS

With 9,000 acres of urine surface and 100 miles of picturesque shoreline , the man - made ( by the US Army Corps of Engineers ) Wilson Lake descend out of nowhere to shock you with its knockout and red - rock’n’roll outcroppings . you may fish , water ski , play grit volleyball , or mountain wheel . And yes , this is Kansas . The one most - do thing : prize the surrounding nature from the honest vantage point … on the piddle , in a kayak

Bisti Badlands Wilderness Area, NM

The trilled landscape of badlands and weird rock in this outback Four Corners frontier settlement in the high desert of New Mexico ’s San Juan Basin is no less than a stunning sight to lay eyes on . There are no trails . There are no bathrooms . There is no snack measure . It ’s just you and the elements out here , plus peradventure a sporadic halcyon bird of Jove or hawk . The one must - do matter : Besides work plenty of body of water ? Take the two - Roman mile hike to Rock Garden at aurora and watch it light up with sprightliness as dawn breaks .

Monahans Sandhills State Park, TX

Some of the country ’s most beautiful grit sand dune blot out out within this far - flung section of West Texas flatlands , some rising up to 70 foot above its idle words - swing plain . you’re able to vivify scene fromDune , lay out on a mantle and bake in the sun , or ride horses in the 800 - Accho equestrian area . The one must - do thing : Going all John Wayne on horseback is not bad and all , but if you feel yourself sans horse you may rent sand toboggans at the visitant center and guts breakers wherever the hell you anathemize well please .

Craters of the Moon National Monument, ID

OK , so manifestly not one of the aforementioned 10 states , but some people consider Idaho part of the Plains . And Crater of the Moon is dead deserving a mention . Made up of three massive lava flying field within Central Idaho ’s Snake River Basin , this rugged landscape of volcanic cones and sagebrush grassland also boasts an telling backcountry for all your hiking and camping escapade . The one must - do thing : Cruise the independent puff , Craters of the Moon Loop Dr , and boost up the Inferno Cone viewpoint for bird’s-eye panorama of the whole scene

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Bisti Badlands cracked eggs in New Mexico