1

Antelope Canyon, Arizona

Image: Paul IJsendoorn

Technically, pronghorns are not true antelopes , but try telling that to early settlers. This stunning slot canyon was named in their honor.

Winding through the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, its entrance was once grazed by herds of pronghorns gracefully navigating the red rock terrain. Although the original inhabitants have mostly been scared away, the beautiful landscape remains.

2

Buffalo, New York

Image: Pixabay

Despite the name, no actual buffalo roam here—only football fans in snow boots. There are several theories about the origin of the name: some say it comes from the French beau fleuve ("beautiful river"), while others insist early settlers mistook bison sightings for true buffalo .

Either way, the city still honors the animal’s spirit through bronze statues, sports teams, and, of course, Buffalo wings.

3

White Salmon, Washington

Image: Drew Farwell

White Salmon, Washington. This charming town above the Columbia River Gorge got its name from an unusual fish tale. In 1805, Lewis and Clark spotted pale-colored Chinook salmon swimming upstream and named the White Salmon River, which later lent its name to the town.

The white salmon themselves are rare spring sightings, but the name stuck, like a good fishing story.

4

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Image: Jonathan Cooper

No, they didn’t find woolly mammoth bones here. The name "Mammoth" refers to the size , not the species, of this mind-bending cave system. With over 400 miles explored, this south-central Kentucky cave is the largest known cave system on Earth.

5

Eagle River, Alaska & Wisconsin

Image: Greg Johnson

Two towns, one majestic bird , and a very straightforward name. In Alaska, Eagle River sits just outside Anchorage, where bald eagles actually soar overhead—and sometimes steal a salmon right out of your hands.

In Wisconsin, Eagle River offers a quieter charm: a hub for lake lovers and snowmobilers who know how often the eagle motif appears on murals, signs, and T-shirts.

6

Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado

Image: Deepak Adhikari

The name alone sounds like it belongs in a Western, and the real place doesn’t disappoint. This high mountain pass in southern Colorado winds its way through the San Juan Mountains, where wolves once prowled the slopes .

Though they’ve long been gone from the area, the name remains, also immortalized in a song by C.W. McCall.

7

Pelican Bay, Florida

Image: J Dean

This coastal enclave near Naples is all palm trees, golf carts, and private beaches, but yes, there are still pelicans.

Big, slightly clumsy, and oddly charming , they’re often seen gliding above the Gulf waters or crash-landing into the surf. The bay itself is a protected estuary, and the birds serve as unofficial greeters.

8

Moose, Wyoming

Image: Danika Perkinson

If you were to walk around the area, you’d understand why this town got its name: actual moose wander here. Just outside Grand Teton National Park, the scenic town of Moose offers ranger stations, cozy lodges, and the occasional 1,200-pound mammal chewing shrubs near the parking lot.

9

Fox River, Illinois & Wisconsin

Image: David Gomez

This river wasn’t named directly after the clever creature, but after the Fox (Meskwaki) Native American tribe . The winding river flows more than 200 miles, passing through Midwest towns, bike trails, and history-rich spots

Today, statues, murals, and local school mascots keep the fox theme alive, although you’re unlikely to spot a red fox along the riverbanks these days.

10

Bear Lake, Utah & Idaho

Image: Megan Nixon

This turquoise lake marks the Utah–Idaho border and was named after, you guessed it, actual bears.

Grizzly and black bears once roamed the surrounding area, though nowadays you’re more likely to spot jet skis than paw prints. Locals call it the "Caribbean of the Rockies," thanks to its unique limestone-rich, electric-blue waters.

11

Cougar, Washington

Image: Leah Huyghe

Cougar, a tiny town in southwestern Washington, gets its name from the sleek mountain lions that once roamed the thick forests nearby. The area is best known for its proximity to Mount St. Helens. A post office called "Cougar" was established there in the early 1900s, and the unincorporated community followed soon after.

12

Coyote, California

Image: Kaylin Pacheco

In what is now Silicon Valley, Coyote was once a standalone ranch town named for the clever canines that run across the hills.

While coyotes still prowl the region—occasionally crashing backyard barbecues—the town itself has been mostly absorbed into San Jose. Still, the name lingers in road signs, local parks, and historic maps.

13

Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania

Image: Frank Cone

High above the Appalachian ridges of eastern Pennsylvania, Hawk Mountain is a sanctuary. It was transformed into the world’s first refuge for birds of prey in the 1930s.

Today, birdwatchers flock here every fall to witness thousands of hawks, eagles, and falcons gliding overhead. There’s no town—just trails and sky.

1

Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York

Image: Annie Spratt

Also known as Craig-e-Clair, this castle was built by Ralph Dundas in the early 20th century. It is an architectural marvel of stone and copper.

Dundas died before the castle was completed, and his wife was reportedly committed to a sanitarium shortly after. Consequently, no member of the Dundas family ever actually lived in the mansion. This has led to the "Ghost of Dundas Castle" legends, with locals claiming to see a woman in white wandering the unfinished halls, waiting for a housewarming party that never happened.

2

Rockwell House, Milledgeville, Georgia

Image: Clem Geiss

Built in 1838, the Rockwell House is a stunning example of Federal-style architecture, but its beauty is shadowed by a dark past. It was originally built for Colonel Samuel Rockwell, a prominent lawyer.

Local lore whispers about the "Rockwell Ghost," believed to be a young girl who died during a yellow fever outbreak. However, the house’s most tangible secret lies in its survival; it has endured multiple fires and periods of extreme neglect. In recent years, it has become a focal point for preservationists who uncovered hidden structural reinforcements that suggest the house was built to be an impenetrable fortress of its era.

3

Elda Castle, Ossining, New York

Image: Nitrogel

If the name David Abercrombie sounds familiar, it’s because he co-founded the clothing company Abercrombie & Fitch . But in the 1920s, he also built this granite castle, named Elda (an acronym of his children’s names), as a secluded retreat.

The castle features a network of spiral staircases and open-air porches designed to blend the indoors with the rugged wild. Its abandonment, however, is a sheer tragedy. After the family moved out, the castle was used as a research facility and later fell victim to vandals. Legend has it that a fire in the 1940s was started by squatters, leaving behind a charred stone husk that resembles a medieval ruin more than a 20th-century home.

4

Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee

Image: Denny Müller

A stark contrast to the classical mansions of the South, Mongo’s Castle was the passion project of Mongo Bebe, a man who built his home out of scrap stone, Ashlar blocks, and found materials.

The house is a maze of folk-art eccentricity. The builder intended it to be a community center and a symbol of African-American heritage and self-reliance. It stands today as a decaying puzzle, with many neighbors still unsure of the structural logic behind its towering, uneven walls.

5

Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York

Image: Leonard G., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Rising from the Hudson River, this castle was never intended to be a home; it was a giant advertisement and warehouse for Francis Bannerman VI’s military surplus empire.

In 1920, 200 tons of gunpowder and shells exploded in the castle’s powder house, blowing out a significant portion of the walls. The ground is still considered unstable due to the remnants of military munitions, and the inscriptions on the walls are actually warnings and advertisements for the Bannerman business. Do you dare visit this mansion?

6

Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina

Image: Florian Delée

This whimsical, onion-domed castle looks like it belongs in the Russian countryside rather than the North Carolina woods. It was designed by sculptor Robert Mihaly, but he ended up abandoning the project in the early 2000s following a personal tragedy and financial hurdles.

The castle remains an "empty sculpture," filled with intricate marble work and unfinished turrets. The bizarre architectural fusion lacks a standard floor plan, making it nearly impossible to convert into a functional residence without destroying its artistic integrity.

7

Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri

Image: Hannah McBride

Robert Snyder, a wealthy Kansas City businessman, began building this European-style castle in 1905. He wanted a retreat that overlooked the breathtaking Ha Ha Tonka Spring.

Yet, Snyder never got to see his dream finished; he was killed in one of Missouri’s first recorded automobile accidents just a year after construction began. His sons finished the castle, but it was gutted by a fire in 1942. There’s a hidden network of caves beneath the castle, which were rumored to be used by outlaws and later as a natural "refrigerator" for the estate’s kitchen.

8

Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York

Image: Tama66

This once-magnificent villa was built for William Wyckoff, who made a fortune with the Remington Typewriter Company.

The Secret: Wyckoff’s dream turned into a nightmare on the very first night he stayed in the house. He suffered a massive heart attack and died in his sleep. His wife had passed away a month prior, leaving the villa to a son who had no interest in it. The house has stood empty for over 70 years, its secret being the tragic "cursed" timing that prevented it from ever functioning as a family home.

9

Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama

Image: Theo Bickel

Dicksonia was a quintessential antebellum mansion, featuring the massive columns and wrap-around porches synonymous with the Old South.

Unlike many plantations that were destroyed during the Civil War, Dicksonia survived the conflict only to be destroyed by a mysterious fire in 1939. Its "ghost pillars," however, remained standing long after the wooden house burned away. These towering brick columns became a haunting landmark , representing the structural skeletons of a forgotten social order.

10

Wyndcliffe, Rhinebeck, New York

Image: Peter Herrmann

This house is the literal origin of the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses." Though often referred to as a "Mystery Mansion" by urban explorers, this is the ruin of Wyndcliffe, the estate of Elizabeth Schermerhorn Jones.

Elizabeth’s mansion was so grand and intimidating that it prompted her neighbors—including the Astors—to build even larger homes to compete. The secret of Wyndcliffe is the psychological impact of its architecture; it was built to inspire envy, and its current state of absolute decay is a poetic commentary on the fleeting nature of social status.

1

Denali

Image: Barth Bailey

We’ll start with what many believe to be Alaska’s crown jewel. Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali is the highest peak in North America, with a summit elevation of 20,310 feet above sea level. Its height is matched only by its magnificence—a snow-covered wonder adorning the Alaskan skyline.

The name "Denali" comes from the Koyukon Athabaskans, who are native to the region. They referred to the mountain as Dinale or Denali, which is believed to be a Koyukon word meaning "high" or "tall." Over the years, many mountaineers have attempted to reach the peak, with the first successful ascent dating back to 1913.

2

Chugach State Park

Image: Paxson Woelber

East of the city of Anchorage lies Chugach State Park , a 495,204-acre state park that houses the stunning Chugach Mountains. However, this park is more than just a scenic landscape; it plays a crucial role in ensuring that the residents of Anchorage have access to safe drinking water.

Chugach State Park is also home to Eklutna Lake, which offers numerous recreational opportunities, including fishing, camping, and hiking. The park supports a diverse array of wildlife, including moose and bears.

3

Kayak Island

Image: Ty Fiero

In 1826, Lt. Sarychev of the Russian Navy noticed the peculiar shape of a certain island located in the Gulf of Alaska. Because it resembled a specific type of boat, Sarychev named the island Kayak Island , unaware that he was christening one of Alaska’s most stunning destinations.

Kayak Island is considered historically significant since it was the first place where a non-native set foot in Alaska. Notably, the island was visited by the famed explorer Captain James Cook in 1778. During this visit, Captain Cook left an empty bottle at the base of a prominent tree. Inside the bottle was a message and two pieces of silver gifted to him by the English crown.

4

Kodiak Island

Image: Brent Jones

Next, we have Kodiak Island , the second-largest island in the United States. Over two-thirds of the island is occupied by the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, which protects a diverse range of wildlife, including the Kodiak bear, Roosevelt elk, and Sitka black-tailed deer.

While no entry is allowed to the refuge, the island still has plenty to offer visitors. For example, you can experience the island’s beauty at the Buskin River State Recreation Site, which features camping, fishing, and scenic beaches.

5

Kenai Fjords National Park

Image: Kedar Gadge

Fjords are a truly unique natural wonder that can only be found in a few places in the world, and Alaska is home to one of the most beautiful of its kind. Located on the Kenai Peninsula, west of the town of Seward, Kenai Fjords National Park is a breathtaking expanse of glaciers, islands, and wildlife.

With a total area of 669,984 acres, Kenai Fjords is relatively small—approximately 90% the size of Yosemite. Regardless, of what this park lacks in size, it more than makes up for in accessibility, diversity, and, above all, natural beauty. It is home to the Harding Icefield, one of the largest ice fields in the United States, as well as an impressive variety of wildlife, including black bears, sea otters, and killer whales.

6

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve

Image: Grace Simoneau

As the largest American state by landmass, it seems only fitting that Alaska is home to the largest national park in the United States. Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve encompasses the Wrangell Mountains and a significant portion of the Saint Elias Mountains, including Mount Saint Elias, the second-highest peak in both the United States and Canada.

Besides many species of animals like the grizzly bear and the timber wolf, this park is home to Mount Wrangell and Mount Churchill—two of the largest volcanoes in the region. Not only that, the abandoned buildings of a former copper mining operation within the park have been designated a National Historic Landmark district.

7

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Image: Joseph Corl

Don’t be surprised by the number of stunning glaciers that made it onto this list—after all, these natural wonders are Alaska’s pride and joy. With that in mind, here’s the first entry in our selection of beautiful glaciers you should definitely visit: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

The park houses 7 glaciers in the park, out of which the Margerie Glacier is probably the most famous. This iconic glacier attracts thousands of tourists each year, with nearly 80% arriving via cruise ships. Not only that, the park also offers several other outdoor activities like kayaking, camping, fishing, and bird-watching.

8

Hubbard Glacier

Image: Mick Kirchman

Located within the previously mentioned Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve, Hubbard Glacier undoubtedly deserves its own spotlight. This stunning glacier can be found right on the border between Alaska and Canada, with part of it extending into Kluane National Park and Reserve in Yukon.

Hubbard Glacier is primarily visited by tour and cruise ships since it can’t be reached by land. Regardless, experiencing the beauty of this natural wonder requires nothing more than gazing upon its majestic presence.

9

Worthington Glacier

Image: Grace Simoneau

Worthington Glacier holds the distinction of being one of the few US glaciers that can be easily accessed via a paved highway. Located approximately 30 miles east of the city of Valdez, this glacier is truly a sight to behold.

Covering 5,774 acres, this breathtaking glacier was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968. If you’re planning a visit, consider stopping at the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site, a comfortable state roadside park that offers a stunning view of the glacier.