7 Incredible US Sacred Travel Spots You Must See

Did you know about the sacred travel spots on our list?

Are you looking for sacred travel spots that will expand your horizon while invoking awe and inspiration? Somewhere new to go? A fresh perspective? Spirituality is a deeply personal journey for everyone.

So, to say that one travel destination is more spiritual than the next depends on the individual. For some, simply being in nature feels deeply spiritual. For others, spiritual places have a rich history of religious significance.

That said, some areas in our country are particularly spiritual based on what they offer to seekers, the types of travelers they attract, and their history.

It’s important to remember that many of the sacred travel spots on our list are considered spiritual nowadays due to the beliefs and practices of Native Americans, who have a special bond with them.

So, if you want to incorporate spirituality into your next trip around our beautiful country, consider any of these 7 sacred travel spots in the US.

St. Augustine, Florida

As our country’s oldest city, it’s no surprise that Saint Augustine has quite an exhilarating narrative. With over 500 years of human history, it has a reputation for having several highly spiritual sites.

One of the most popular is Juan Ponce de Leon’s alleged “fountain of youth.” This sacred travel spot is where the Spanish conquistador believed he had found an indigenous secret to immortality.

The Timucua tribes who lived in the region before the Spanish conquest persuaded Ponce de Leon of the fountain’s magical properties, which explains why America’s first-ever Catholic mission was constructed there.

Although much of the fable behind the fountain of youth remains a mystery to this day, the nostalgic feel of Saint Augustine offers a truly magical experience.

The ancient churches and Spanish architecture add to the mystical quality of the city, making this a very sacred travel spot for many tourists.

El Santuario de Chimayo, New Mexico

Often described as the Lourdes of North America, this no-frills adobe church in a northern New Mexico village attracts thousands of people seeking recovery yearly.

Pilgrims gather soil believed to have healing powers from a spot on the floor associated with the miraculous finding of a crucifix in 1810. The walls are coated with photographs, crutches, and other tokens left by those who credit the shrine for cures.

The most popular time to visit this sacred travel spot is during the week of Easter, when many pilgrims trek from Santa Fe and other surrounding cities and towns.

A welcome center contains a free museum with art exhibits and displays on the history of the shrine. Inside, you’ll find a prayer tree covered with scraps of paper on which people have written their pleas.

Sedona, Arizona

Due to the fact that this sacred travel spot is one of the most potent energy vortexes worldwide, it’s not surprising that it’s one of the most spiritual spots in our country.

Some believe it encompasses a giant swirl of earthly energy, while others see four key vortexes: at Airport Mesa, Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, and Boynton Canyon.

Sedona also represents a more New Age spirituality, focusing on yoga, energy healing, and sound baths. Here, you’ll find an abundance of healing centers, wellness spas, yoga studios, and other spiritual businesses.

There are also plenty of awesome Airbnbs at this sacred travel spot that are remarkably peaceful and have a healing energy about them.

Being surrounded by whimsical forests, red-rock canyons, and even a few waterfalls, the fact that Sedona is so naturally stunning could just be enough for you to consider it a spiritual destination.

From checking out the Chapel of the Holy Cross to venturing to the bright turquoise waters at Havasu Falls nearby to doing a sound-bath session, there are many spiritual things to do in this area for anyone looking to connect to nature or just themselves.

Crater Lake, Oregon

What we know today as Crater Lake, the deepest lake in our entire country, used to be the volcanic Mount Mazama. But because of an incredible eruption, the mountain basically blew its top off and became the giant crater we see today.

Ultimately, it filled with water, which is how we now have the stunning and sacred Crater Lake. For centuries, the lake has been a holy site for Native Americans, specifically the Klamath tribe.

Making treacherous and heroic spirit quests to the lake has been a big part of Klamath traditions for hundreds of years and continues to this day.

Visiting this sacred travel spot can be a profoundly spiritual experience, just for the sake of spending some time with Mother Nature by the lake.

You won’t find too many retreat centers around here like you will in other places on this list. But this quest is ideal for travelers who feel most spiritual when connecting with nature.

Bahá’í House of Worship, Wilmette, Illinois

A mere 20-minute drive from Chicago is the beautifully elaborate Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. It’s the only temple like this in the United States, attracting worshipers from all faiths and walks of life.

This faith includes teachings from all major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Its fundamental teachings include racial and social justice, the oneness of humanity, and other essential pillars.

This temple is essentially a meeting place for people of all faiths to gather, not just Bahá’ís. It’s a beautiful, sacred travel spot that embraces everyone regardless of their originality.

The interior is just as decorated as the outside and remains silent when no events occur. It’s a beautiful spot to journal, reflect, or engage in whatever type of worship suits you.

Bear Butte, South Dakota

Technically speaking, Bear Butte isn’t actually a butte but rather a tiny mountain that juts up just east of the Black Hills. It’s a state park and a holy site for many Plains Indian tribes, including the Cheyenne and the Lakota.

The Lakota call it Mato Paha, which means “bear mountain” because its profile resembles a sleeping bear.

Respected leaders like Crazy Horse, Red Cloud, and Sitting Bull all visited this sacred travel spot to pray, and it continues to be a place of pilgrimage today for Native Americans that come from everywhere around the US and Canada.

Almost every bush and tree along its paths is draped with bits of cloth and strung with small bundles of tobacco, believed to be a sacred herb by many Indian tribes. While a part of the mountain is committed to ceremonial use, a hiking trail to the top is open to everyone.

Joshua Tree, California

As a hugely famous getaway from LA and San Diego, this sacred travel spot receives nature-loving visitors who wish to explore the namesake Joshua trees and their surrounding desert.

Many folks find the desert spiritual, evoking a sense of mystery and magical appeal. The Joshua trees themselves are mystical. And people have even considered that this sacred travel spot lures alien life forms.

They’ve even created specific structures to communicate with them, like the Integratron building. The Integratron is where you can go for an extreme sound-healing session today.

There are other places with a comparable feel in Joshua Tree, like the Desert Reset retreat and many yoga studios in the area.

Whether you dream of waking up to a desert view, you’re curious about aliens, or you’re searching for healing, you’re likely to find something spiritual in this location.

If you plan on visiting we recommend this read on the Best Easy Day Hikes Joshua Tree National Park from Amazon!

Be sure to let us know in the comments if you’ve been to any of these sacred travel spots and what you think about them.

And if you’re looking for some more travel ideas, Must See Places has got you covered. Check out: American West Road Trips: 8 Stunning Sights You Must-See