You know those places that feel so dreamlike that you ask yourself, “Did I just fall into a screensaver?” No? Well, that’s probably because you’ve been visiting all those usual tourist traps. Let Way.com get you on the right track with the top 20 most surreal yet underrated places to visit in the U.S.
We’re going to start with surreal places to visit in the U.S. because there’s no place quite like home, is there? Add to that no passports or visas needed, and lo and behold, you have the recipe for a perfect getaway.
Read more: Awesome Summer Road Trips Every Metro Detroit Family Should Take
Most Surreal Places to Visit in the Us
Fly Geyser, Nevada
This geyser isn’t something nature originally intended. In fact, a geothermal company’s drilling caused this happy geothermal accident. The geyser has created a bunch of travertine terraces, making about 30 to 40 pools spread across 74 acres. The water from the geyser is full of thermophilic algae that thrive in hot, wet conditions, painting the surrounding rocks in vibrant shades of green and red. The result—a place that looks almost like it’s desperately trying to be part of James Cameron’s next movie.
- Best time to visit: Spring or fall for pleasant weather.
- Nearest airport: Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
- How to get there: Two-hour drive north from Reno, Nevada. It’s on private land, so book a guided tour through Friends of Black Rock-High Rock or Fly Ranch Burning Man Project.
- Pro tip: You can’t just roll up and explore. Access is limited and controlled for conservation, so be sure to book.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Sheer drama. That’s what the Great Sand Dunes are. Starkly beautiful desert dunes set against a backdrop of pretty, snow-capped mountains—not something you’ll usually see in any popular places you’ll visit in the U.S. It’s part Sahara, part Colorado postcard, and entirely surreal.
- Best time to visit: October to April is cooler and has fewer crowds.
- Nearest airport: San Luis Valley Regional Airport (ALS) or Colorado Springs Airport (COS).
- How to get there: One-hour drive from El Paso, Texas.
- Pro tip: Rent a sled at the visitor center and embrace your inner desert child. No, really—the dunes are perfect for sliding.
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Imagine a horizon so flat and so blindingly white that it messes with your sense of depth. After the rain, the whole place turns into a mirror. You’ll be left wondering if the sky is on the ground or if you’re in the clouds.
- Best time to visit: Late spring to early fall; post-rain for those mind-bending mirror effects.
- How to get there: One-and-a-half-hour drive from Salt Lake City via I-80 West.
- Nearest airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).
- Pro tip: Bring sunglasses (blinding white = eye squinting galore). Also, wear sturdy shoes and avoid walking barefoot on salt flats—it can cut your feet pretty badly.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
The name is a dead giveaway, of course. But what the name does not prepare you for is how surreal and gorgeous White Sands is. Here’s a fun fact—the dunes are pure white gypsum, not sand. So yes, it crunches underfoot like freshly fallen snow. Way.com recommends you go to sunset and stay for a moonrise. Trust us—when you experience it, you’ll understand why.
- Best time to visit: October to April for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- Nearest airport: El Paso International Airport (ELP).
- How to get there: One-hour drive from El Paso, Texas.
- Pro tip: Sledding on white sand is highly encouraged. Buy a sled at the visitor center and embrace your inner dune kid.
Mono Lake, California
There’s old, and then there’s Mono Lake old. This ancient saline lake is a weird yet wonderful place. Besides the fact that there are no fish in this lake, its most surreal feature is the tufa towers. These otherworldly-looking limestone spires erupt out of the water like alien sculptures. Be prepared for a distinct sulfur smell when you get up close.
- Best time to visit: Late spring or fall.
- Nearest airport: Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) or Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
- How to get there: You can drive there from Lee Vining, California, or from Yosemite’s east entrance.
- Pro tip: Sunrise or sunset is when the tufas look most haunting and magical.
The Wave (Coyote Buttes), Arizona/Utah Border
This is nature’s lava lamp, frozen forever in sandstone. It’s, no doubt, one of the most mind-bending places to visit in the U.S. but also one of the hardest to access. First-timers might feel they’ve walked into a painting. The surreal, swirling sandstone formations, with their vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, look like something out of a dream or a sci-fi movie. The undulating patterns and smooth curves, sculpted by millions of years of wind and water, mess with your sense of scale and reality, making it feel both ancient and alive.
- Best time to visit: Spring or fall for mild weather.
- Nearest airport: Page Municipal Airport (PGA) or St. George Regional Airport (SGU).
- How to get there: Drive from Kanab, Utah, or Page, Arizona.
- Pro tip: You need a permit to enter. Apply in advance or try the local lottery system.
Glass Beach, California
A beach covered in colorful sea glass instead of sand sounds like a real-life Pinterest board. It’s peaceful, sparkly, and oddly therapeutic, all thanks to years of wave-polished glass debris. Yup—the beauty of the beach is all thanks to trash, quite literally. This area used to be a dumping ground for trash, including glass, up until the mid-20th century. But then the Pacific Ocean did a magical thing and transformed the trash into the smooth, colorful sea glass that now awes travelers, young and old.
- Best time to visit: Year-round; though fall and winter sunsets are extra special.
- Nearest airport: Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport (STS).
- How to get there: Scenic three-and-a-half-hour coastal drive from San Francisco.
- Pro tip: Don’t pocket the glass. It’s protected and better left for others to enjoy.
Devils Tower, Wyoming
It rises straight out of the prairie like it was dropped there by another planet. Devil’s Tower is just a couple of hours from the more popular Mount Rushmore near Keystone, South Dakota. This massive monolith is sacred, cinematic, and unforgettable. The natural structure is believed to have been created from the remains of a volcano. It has also been the site of many Native American religious ceremonies. Be warned—the path to walk up has a steep incline. There is a sidewalk that lets you get close to the formation and walk around it to see the grooves up close.
- Best time to visit: May to October.
- Nearest airport: Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP).
- How to get there: Two-hour drive from Rapid City, South Dakota.
- Pro tip: Go around sunset for the best views and colors. Stargazing here is also next level.
Painted Hills, Oregon
It’s unreal when you drive around a corner, and woah, there’s a painted hill. Because these hills certainly live up to their name, rich layers of red, gold, and black sweep across the land like brushstrokes. The colors shift depending on the angle of the sun, time of day, and moisture levels. Whatever the reasons, every visit feels slightly different because of these daily shifts, and that’s why this is one of the most surreal places to visit in the U.S.
- Best time to visit: Spring and early fall.
- Nearest airport: Roberts Field (RDM) in Redmond, Oregon.
- How to get there: Two-hour drive from Bend, Oregon.
- Pro tip: The colors shine brightest in the late afternoon. Remember your camera and some water.
Apostle Islands Ice Caves, Wisconsin
This one’s a real doozy in more ways than one. To start with, these ice caves look like something straight out of a fantasy novel with their shimmering icicles, frozen chambers, and glowing ice walls sculpted by nature. But here’s the kicker: Access depends entirely on Lake Superior freezing solid, which rarely happens anymore. The last time conditions allowed safe access was in 2015, so it’s become a rare event.
- Best time to visit: Winter, but only if the lake freezes solid enough for safe access.
- Nearest airport: Duluth International Airport (DLH).
- How to get there: Drive to Bayfield, Wisconsin.
- Pro tip: Watch for local park announcements and ice condition reports. If you ever get lucky enough to visit when it opens, drop everything and go. It’s that spectacular and you may not get another chance.
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