The American landscape is beautiful for its mountains, rivers, canyons, and valleys, yet there’s one kind of attraction that is perhaps the most underrated of all: rock formations. These landmarks, while naturally created, seem almost otherworldly due to erosion and other elements that have shaped them over millions of years. The following 9 incredible rock formations around the U.S. will completely baffle you:
- Shiprock, New Mexico
bowie snodgrass/flickr This fascinating rock formation is all that remains of a volcano that erupted some 30 million years ago. This landmark is a sacred site for the Navajo people.
- Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Jim Choate/flickr The unusual rock formations at Valley of Fire State Park are the result of sand dunes that shifted nearly 150 years ago.
- Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
Pixabay Composed of igneous rock, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming stands at an impressive 5,000 feet tall. This beautiful site is sacred to numerous Native American tribes.
- Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Nebraska
Doug Kerr/flickr Similar to Shiprock, Chimney Rock is the result of a volcano that exploded and eroded millions of years ago.
- Mono Lake, California
Nagaraju Hanchanahal/flickr Mono Lake is situated east of Yosemite National Park. Visitors marvel at the tufa towers that appear above this salty water.
- Natural Bridge, Virginia
Thomas/flickr Natural Bridge in Virginia is a 215-foot-high natural arch that spans an impressive 90 feet.
- Turnip Rock, Michigan
pverdonk/flickr Turnip Rock on Lake Michigan is a truly baffling rock formation iconic for the trees that have grown on top of it.
- Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Thomas Jundt/flickr Aptly named, Goblin Valley State Park features bizarre rock formations that have been formed by intense erosion over millions of years.
- Monument Rocks, Kansas
J. Stephen Conn/flickr Also known as the Chalk Pyramids, Monument Rocks were formed millions of years ago in eastern Kansas. They were the first landmark distinguished as a National Natural Landmark.
Are there any other bizarre yet beautiful rock formations you’d add to this list? We’d love to hear from you!
bowie snodgrass/flickr
This fascinating rock formation is all that remains of a volcano that erupted some 30 million years ago. This landmark is a sacred site for the Navajo people.
Jim Choate/flickr
The unusual rock formations at Valley of Fire State Park are the result of sand dunes that shifted nearly 150 years ago.
Pixabay
Composed of igneous rock, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming stands at an impressive 5,000 feet tall. This beautiful site is sacred to numerous Native American tribes.
Doug Kerr/flickr
Similar to Shiprock, Chimney Rock is the result of a volcano that exploded and eroded millions of years ago.
Nagaraju Hanchanahal/flickr
Mono Lake is situated east of Yosemite National Park. Visitors marvel at the tufa towers that appear above this salty water.
Thomas/flickr
Natural Bridge in Virginia is a 215-foot-high natural arch that spans an impressive 90 feet.
pverdonk/flickr
Turnip Rock on Lake Michigan is a truly baffling rock formation iconic for the trees that have grown on top of it.
Thomas Jundt/flickr
Aptly named, Goblin Valley State Park features bizarre rock formations that have been formed by intense erosion over millions of years.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
Also known as the Chalk Pyramids, Monument Rocks were formed millions of years ago in eastern Kansas. They were the first landmark distinguished as a National Natural Landmark.
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