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Let me tell you about my recent quest to find the world’s most incredible natural spaces. As someone who’s spent the last five years working from anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi connection, I’ve had the chance to explore some pretty special outdoor spots – from hidden waterfalls in Costa Rica to quiet mountain paths in New Zealand.
Nature has this way of showing you something different each time you visit. Whether you’re watching the sun paint the sky orange over the Grand Canyon, listening to birds chat in the Amazon rainforest, or feeling the cool mist of Iceland’s waterfalls on your face, each experience leaves its own mark on your memory.
So, what are the best nature destinations worth packing your bags for? I’ve combined my own adventures with insights from fellow nomads and local experts to create this list of places where nature puts on its finest show.
- Best for hikers: Banff National Park
- Best hidden paradise: Fiordland National Park
- Best for wildlife watching: Galapagos Islands
- Best for outdoor adventure: Patagonia
- Best for peace and quiet: Norwegian Fjords
- Best for budget travelers: Krabi Islands
Yellowstone National Park, USA
Many travelers journey to Yellowstone National Park for Old Faithful geyser, but this natural wonder represents just a fraction of what the park offers. The sprawling wilderness hosts the largest concentration of geothermal features in the world – from bubbling mud pots to steaming hot springs – and provides a home for diverse wildlife like bison, elk, and grizzly bears. In summer, visitors can explore over 900 miles of hiking trails or fish in crystal-clear streams, while winter transforms the landscape into a snowy playground perfect for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Whether you’re watching wolves in the Lamar Valley or taking in the rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring, you’ll find endless ways to connect with nature throughout the seasons.
Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
If you’re looking to experience Patagonia at its finest, Torres del Paine National Park should be at the top of your list. Located in southern Chile, this natural wonderland features the iconic granite towers that gave the park its name, turquoise lakes, and winding trails that take you past glaciers, mountains, and herds of wild guanacos.
This is interesting:
Torres del Paine’s distinctive granite peaks weren’t formed by volcanic activity like many mountains – they’re actually ancient magma that cooled underground and was pushed up by tectonic forces over millions of years. These unique towers, which gave the park its name, now rise dramatically over 6,500 feet above the Patagonian steppe and serve as a home for rare wildlife like pumas and Andean condors.
Swiss Alps, Switzerland
The Swiss Alps draw visitors year-round for their world-famous peaks like the Matterhorn and Jungfrau, but this mountainous region offers much more than just scenic views. The area combines natural wonders with charming villages, where traditional chalets dot the green valleys between towering mountains. In winter, spots like Zermatt and St. Moritz come alive with skiers and snowboarders, while summer brings hikers and mountain bikers to the countless trails that wind through alpine meadows. Whether you’re riding the scenic Glacier Express train, sampling Swiss cheese at a mountain hut, or watching ibexes climb the rocky slopes, the Swiss Alps provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures in a distinctly European setting.
Banff National Park, Canada
Visitors flock to Banff National Park for Lake Louise’s turquoise waters, but this Rocky Mountain paradise offers so much more than just alpine lakes. The park’s rugged peaks and dense forests create a natural playground for outdoor enthusiasts, with spots like Moraine Lake and the Icefields Parkway providing perfect settings for hiking and wildlife watching. In winter, the area transforms into a snow-covered wonderland where you can ski at three different resorts, while summer brings opportunities for canoeing, rock climbing, and camping under star-filled skies. The town of Banff itself serves as a cozy base with plenty of restaurants and shops, making it easy to balance wilderness adventures with modern comforts.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
As far as natural wonders go, Fiordland National Park is New Zealand at its most jaw-dropping. This sprawling wilderness on the South Island’s southwestern edge is where ancient glaciers carved out deep valleys that have since filled with seawater, creating the dramatic fiords that give the park its name. Milford Sound gets most of the attention – and trust me, it deserves it – but the park’s other treasures like Doubtful Sound and the Kepler Track are equally impressive. You can explore by boat, watching waterfalls thunder down cliffs while dolphins play in the dark waters below, or lace up your hiking boots to tackle some of the country’s most famous multi-day trails. It’s not the easiest place to reach, with winding mountain roads that test even experienced drivers, but that’s exactly what keeps this corner of New Zealand feeling so wonderfully wild.
Kruger National Park, South Africa
If you’re dreaming of an African safari adventure, Kruger National Park should be at the top of your list. Stretching across two South African provinces and covering an area the size of Israel, this iconic park lets you spot the “Big Five” – lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo – all while driving through diverse landscapes of savanna, woodland, and rivers. The park’s network of well-maintained roads makes it perfect for self-guided game drives, and its range of accommodations, from basic camping to luxury lodges, means there’s something for every type of traveler.
Amazon Rainforest, Brazil
Covering over 2 million square miles across South America, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is where you’ll find nature at its most raw and untamed. As the world’s largest rainforest, it’s home to one in ten known species on Earth, from tiny poison dart frogs to elusive jaguars prowling the forest floor. The moment you step into this green maze of towering trees and twisting vines, you’re surrounded by a symphony of sounds – howler monkeys echoing through the canopy, countless birds calling from above, and the constant hum of millions of insects. What makes the Brazilian Amazon special is how accessible it’s become, with eco-lodges dotting the Rio Negro and local guides ready to share their deep knowledge of the forest’s secrets, from medicinal plants to the best spots for spotting pink river dolphins.
Pamukkale, Turkey
Nature enthusiasts flock to Pamukkale for its unique white travertine terraces, but this Turkish wonder offers more than just its famous thermal pools. The ancient city of Hierapolis sits atop these natural formations, creating a remarkable blend of history and geology in one location. The warm, mineral-rich waters cascade down the hillside in a series of pools that visitors can wade through, while the archaeological ruins above provide fascinating glimpses into Roman history. Though the terraces draw crowds year-round, spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures for exploring both the pools and ruins, making it an ideal stop on any Turkish adventure.
Norwegian Fjords, Norway
Float through nature’s masterpiece when you visit Norway’s famous fjords, where ancient glaciers carved deep valleys into the mountainous coastline. These narrow waterways stretch for miles inland, creating a maze of towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls that tumble straight into the sea. You can explore the fjords by boat cruise, kayak, or take in the views from hiking trails that wind along the ridges above. For an extra special experience, visit Geirangerfjord or Nærøyfjord – both are UNESCO World Heritage sites where you can spot tiny farms clinging to the mountainsides and seals basking on the rocks below.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, China
Want to see the real-life inspiration behind the floating mountains in Avatar? Head to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in China’s Hunan Province. This unique landscape features towering sandstone pillars that rise from dense forests, creating an otherworldly scene that actually inspired James Cameron’s Pandora. The park’s most famous formation, the 3,544-foot Southern Sky Column, was even officially renamed “Avatar Hallelujah Mountain” in 2010.
Yosemite National Park, USA
My first visit to Yosemite National Park was in the summer of 2015, and I still remember being awestruck by El Capitan’s towering granite face. Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite spans nearly 1,200 square miles of wilderness dotted with giant sequoia trees and glacier-carved valleys. The park’s crown jewel, Yosemite Valley, draws visitors year-round with its collection of waterfalls, including the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls. The view from Glacier Point offers a perfect vantage of Half Dome, while the Merced River winds through meadows where black bears and mule deer roam freely against the backdrop of ancient granite monoliths.
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands stand apart as one of the most unique places I’ve ever encountered. This chain of volcanic islands off Ecuador’s coast is where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution, and it’s easy to see why. Here, you can swim alongside playful sea lions, watch giant tortoises lumber through grasslands, and spot blue-footed boobies dancing their mating ritual just feet away from you. The islands aren’t your typical beach destination – they’re a living museum where animals show no fear of humans, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world entirely. Getting here takes some planning and patience, but watching marine iguanas dive for seaweed or penguins darting through the water makes it all worthwhile.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
I first visited Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia during the autumn of 2018. Located in the heart of Croatia’s Lika region, this UNESCO World Heritage site spreads across 300 square kilometers of forest-covered terrain. A network of 16 lakes connects through a series of waterfalls, creating a natural water system that changes color from green to blue depending on the minerals and sunlight. Wooden walkways wind through the park, taking visitors past limestone formations and through beech and fir forests. The park’s crown jewel is the Big Waterfall, which drops 78 meters into a pool below, making it the highest waterfall in Croatia. The surrounding area offers cozy mountain lodges where visitors can wake up to the sound of rushing water and birdsong.
Iceland’s Golden Circle
No trip to Iceland feels complete without experiencing the Golden Circle route. This famous 190-mile loop from Reykjavik takes you to three of the country’s most impressive natural wonders: the thundering Gullfoss waterfall, the active Strokkur geyser that shoots water 100 feet into the air every few minutes, and Thingvellir National Park, where you can walk between two tectonic plates.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Many visitors come to Ha Long Bay for its thousands of towering limestone islands rising from emerald waters, but this UNESCO World Heritage site offers more than just scenic boat rides. The bay’s hidden caves, floating villages, and secluded beaches provide endless opportunities for kayaking and cultural encounters with local fishing communities. While summer brings warm weather perfect for swimming and island hopping, the misty winter months give the bay a mysterious atmosphere that photographers love. No matter when you visit, you can spend your days exploring the maze-like waterways, watching the sunset from a traditional junk boat, or learning about the ancient legends that gave this bay its name.
Madagascar’s Avenue of the Baobabs
Have you ever seen trees that look like giant bottles turned upside down? That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar, where ancient baobab trees line a dusty dirt road like natural skyscrapers. These massive trees, some over 800 years old, create one of Africa’s most photographed roads, especially at sunset when their silhouettes stand tall against the orange sky. The area is just a short drive from the town of Morondava, and local guides can share fascinating stories about these unusual trees that store thousands of liters of water in their thick trunks. You can wander among these gentle giants year-round, but the early morning light makes for the best photos and the most pleasant walking conditions.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
Ever watched a million wildebeest thunder across the African plains? It’s an everyday event in Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, where one of Earth’s greatest wildlife shows takes place. A vast savanna stretching as far as the eye can see, this is where you’ll witness the famous Great Migration – around two million animals making their annual journey in search of greener pastures. Beyond the wildebeest spectacle, you can spot lions lounging in acacia trees, zebras grazing in the golden grass, and giraffes nibbling on treetops. The park’s luxury lodges and tented camps let you wake up to the sounds of the wild, while hot air balloon rides offer a bird’s-eye view of this natural wonder.
