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There are 24 US UNESCO World Heritage Sites out of the 1,121 globally. These sites are selected for their universal value in cultural or natural heritage.
They’re places as diverse and unique as East Africa’s Serengeti, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Pyramids of Egypt, and the Grand Canyon in our country.
World Heritage Sites represent an outstanding opportunity for our country to tell the whole story of America, our people’s extraordinary diversity, and our land’s beauty.
Unlike other famous landmarks, UNESCO Sites are protected and carefully preserved because they hold immense scientific, historical, cultural, and aesthetic value.
And most importantly, to allow our future generations to witness their magnificence and learn essential milestones in human development. On that note, check out 7 incredible US UNESCO world heritage sites you “Must See” TODAY!
Location: Wyoming
Admission: Between $20 and $35
Best time to visit: Late April to Late May and September to early October when there are fewer crowds, mild weather, and minimal road closures
Best activities: Boating, Hiking, Fishing, Snowshoeing, Skiing, Photography
Yellowstone National Park is a must-visit US UNESCO World Heritage Site if you seek pristine natural beauty and intriguing geothermal features.
It’s one of the world’s first World Heritage Sites, and it boasts the highest collection of geysers, multiple hot springs, and an undamaged ecosystem.
With the park encircling 2.2 million acres, travelers have endless opportunities to discover its treasures throughout each season.
Adventurers can enjoy exploring the park’s hydrothermal features along well-maintained trails and boardwalks in the warmer months. But winter brings many skiing opportunities along the Canyon Rim Trail, offering stunning “Grand Canyon of Yellowstone” views.
Location: Alaska
Admission: Free entrance
Best time to visit: Late May through early September when the summer temperatures are 50 to 60 degrees
Best activities: Camping, Kayaking, Boating, Mountaineering, Backpacking
Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is one of the most sought-after bucket list US UNESCO World Heritage Sites to visit. It’s part of a staggering 25 million acre site containing 3.3 million acres.
This UNESCO Heritage Site intrigues nature lovers with its wild mountains, glorious glaciers, dense forests, and fjords, home to diverse wildlife, plants, birds, and marine life.
Visitors can choose from guided multi-day kayaking trips to the daily 7-hour-long boat tour with a ranger describing the sights and sounds of this awe-inspiring wilderness.
The boat stops by the secluded South Marble Island, where adventurers can observe seabirds and over 300 sea lions.
Location: Borders North Carolina and Tennessee
Admission: Although this National Park offers free access, visitors pay for parking tags for vehicles parking for over 15 minutes
Best time to visit: Summer for waterfalls and wildlife or fall for autumn foliage
Best activities: Camping, Wildlife watching, Hiking, Fishing, Picnicking
The world-famous Great Smoky Mountains National Park exposes travelers to what Mother Nature was before civilization intervened.
With more than 3,500 plant species, including 130 tree species, plus diverse wildlife, this bucket-list destination is one of the most-visited parks in our country.
Every season brings something exciting to see in this US World Heritage Site, and visitors can explore the natural wonders along some of the top-rated hiking trails in the Smokies, including the Rainbow Falls Hike.
This all-season track leads hikers through a forest to an 80-foot-high waterfall in the warm months or a fascinating ice formation when it gets cold outside.
Location: Kentucky
Admission: This National Park offers free entry. But visitors pay fees for picnics, cave tours, and camping.
Best time to visit: Summer when the park is stirring with activity, or spring and fall to avoid the crowds.
Best activities: Horseback riding, Hiking, Boating, Fishing, Stargazing
As the name implies, Mammoth Cave National Park boasts having the most extensive natural cave and passageway network, earning the US World Heritage Site title.
As one of the travel bucket-list destinations for many cave enthusiasts, it offers cave tours varying from half a mile accessible to an extreme five and a half mile excursion.
But, travelers seeking an off-trail experience to challenge themselves can go for the Introduction to Caving Tour. It takes about three and a half hours as adventurers explore hard-to-reach cave spots through crawling and climbing.
Location: Florida
Admission: Between $15 and $30
Best time to visit: During the dry season from November to April when there’s lower humidity and the weather is agreeable
Best activities: Camping, Boating, Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking
Everglades National Park is the most extensive mangrove system and subtropical wilderness in our country and the Western Hemisphere.
The Everglades provide a safe sanctuary for many reptiles, birds, and endangered animal species like Florida panthers and manatees. As a breeding habitat for birdlife, birdwatchers can see over 300 resident birds while hiking along picturesque trails in the Everglades.
/.If you decide to bring the whole family along, an accessible and easy path for animal and bird watching is the Anhinga Trail, which guides hikers along a boardwalk as they spot Purple Gallinules and wading birds.
Location: Mesa Verde, Colorado
Admission: Between $15 and $30
Best time to visit: In spring and fall when the temperatures are pleasant enough to explore, and there are less crowds
Best activities: Camping, Wildlife sightings, Hiking, Scenic drives, Stargazing
History buffs will travel back in time during their visit to Mesa Verde National Park, designated as a US World Heritage Site for its well-preserved archeological sites.
Mesa Verde boasts nearly 600 cliff dwellings built between the 6th and 12th centuries, belonging to the ancestral Puebloan People.
As one of the best US UNESCO World Heritage Sites in our country, travelers can admire the engineering skills of the early occupants as they tour the ancient sites, ranging from villages of up to 200 rooms to storage structures.
For an immersive experience of a forgotten time, adventurers go for the ranger-led Cliff Dwelling Tours of the Cliff Palace and Balcony House. Mesa Verde National Park also has fantastic hiking trails leading to varied points of interest.
Location: California
Admission: Between $20 and $35
Best time to visit: May through September when the weather is perfect and minimal trail and road closures
Best activities: Camping, Hiking, Horseback riding, Photography, Birdwatching
Magnificent soaring peaks, domes, mesmerizing waterfalls, and Sequoia groves characterize the Yosemite National Park landscape.
Protected in 1864, this US UNESCO World Heritage Site is a hub for geology fans to explore the effects of glacial erosion that caused the creation of the Yosemite Valley and domes.
But aside from all the geologic features, Yosemite Park is a waterfall chaser’s paradise, home to some of the most stunning waterfalls in our country.
A “Must See Place” is the Horsetail Fall, which has a fiery glow during sunset from the middle to the end of February, earning it the nickname “Yosemite’s Firefall” sensation.
Be sure to let us know if you’ve ever been to any of these majestic US UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and which was your favorite.
And no matter which one you choose to visit, don’t forget to pack a camera to snap some great memories! Don’t have one? Here’s one of our favorites at Amazon!
But don’t leave yet! Must See Places has much more to offer. For instance, we highly recommend you also read: American West Road Trips: 8 Stunning Sights You Must-See
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