The American Midwest Has Vast Natural Beauty

Commonly referred to as the breadbasket of America, the Midwest is best known for its manufacturing and agriculture sectors, fertile pastures, and friendly people. Less known to many are the natural wonders that occupy the vast open spaces of the Midwest. Nestled among the plains and hidden valleys of the region are some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States.Badlands National Park, South DakotaCharacterized by rock formations with unusual stripes and patterns, the rugged scenery of the Badlands stretches over 90,650 acres and attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year. Bison, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets are among the native animal species.An ancient sea covered the Badlands 75 million years ago, eroding the landscape and forming the distinct plateaus and rock structures that captivate tourists today. The sea also left behind one of the richest collections of bone and shell fossils in the world. (Badlands National Park is just a 120-mile drive from another famous attraction, Mount Rushmore, where the faces of four presidents — George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt — are carved into a granite hillside.)Dells of the Wisconsin River, WisconsinNoted for its gorges, tributary canyons, and sandstone rock formations, the Dells of the Wisconsin River stretch for eight miles and are favorites among locals and visitors alike. At certain points along the water’s edge, the cliffs rise 30 meters above the river, eroded by years of water and wind beating against the rock.Neighboring water parks in Wisconsin Dells include one of the largest water parks in the world.Chimney Rock, NebraskaRising nearly 91 meters above the North Platte River Valley, Chimney Rock is an imposing landmark that was once one of the most famous markers for 19th-century pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon. From the mid-1800s, settlers passed by the towering structure on their 3,200-kilometer journey west. The rock formation signaled the end of the flat prairie trail and the beginning of the steeper, more mountainous terrain of Colorado.Chimney Rock is now designated as a National Historic Site.Rock City, KansasFormed by gigantic rock structures cemented by calcite, Rock City contains a total of 200 spherical boulders ranging from 3 to 6 meters in diameter. This geological anomaly occupies a flat prairie in Kansas.Visitors enjoy climbing the rocks to pose for photos on top.Starved Rock, IllinoisRenowned for its stunning canyons formed by glacial meltwater, Starved Rock offers breathtaking views and over 21 kilometers of trails with access to waterfalls and natural springs.Camping, fishing, and boating are popular recreational activities in the park. In winter, when the park is covered in snow and the scenic waterfalls turn into ice cascades, visitors can ice skate and go sledding.Brandywine Falls, OhioCrowned by a hard layer of sandstone, Brandywine Falls in Ohio stands 26 meters tall and is accessible to visitors via a boardwalk. The rustic upper layer of Berea sandstone covers soft rocks and Cleveland shales, giving the cascading water the appearance of a bridal veil.Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North DakotaHome to hundreds of animal species, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a popular destination for wildlife viewing, as well as hiking and horseback riding.The landscape changes with the seasons — brown pastures in the fall, snow-covered fields in the winter, and native green grasses in the spring and summer. At night, the wide skies serve as a backdrop for the stars, and meteor showers are often visible.Source: shareamerica.gov/By Sadie Goering