There’s always a long list of places I’d love to travel to that I haven’t been to before. But I also have a list of places I’d love to go back to when I have the opportunity. Below are my current top 5 places I’d go back and visit in a heartbeat. Each of them have incredibly beautiful scenery that just doesn’t look real while you’re there. From canyons, to glaciers, to beautiful lakes and badlands, these locations are some of my favorites in the U.S.
#1 – Texas Panhandle (Palo Duro Canyon & Caprock Canyon State Park)
On a second trip to the Texas Panhandle, I’d absolutely stay at the Doves Rest Cabins again. They have the most incredible views of the park and are are so well done inside. I’d likely stay for 4-5 days. I’d pick out a few hikes in both Palo Duro & Caprocks and probably make a trip down to Lubbock.
#2 – Western Montana (Whitefish, Glacier & Bozeman)
By the time this post goes out, I’ll have already been able to revisit western Montana again on a 13 day road trip through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota. While we likely won’t be able to visit Bozeman on this trip, we will get to spend about 3 days in Glacier doing various hiking and taking in some of the most incredible views in all of the United States.
#3 – Southwest Texas (Big Bend, Terlingua & Marfa)
I have such a love for Big Bend. While it’s definitely out of the way to visit, I loved my time here. I stayed at the Posado Milagro which is a boutique hotel in the ghost town of Terlingua. I had a view of the Chisos Mountain Range from the bathtub and it’s still one of the top 5 places I’ve ever stayed. I’d probably spend 4-6 days in the area on another trip and spend 1-2 days exploring the 3 sections of Big Bend. I hike the Lost Mine Trail, the Windows Trail, and the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. I’d also make sure to stop at some of the towns like Guage and Marfa on my way in or out of town.
#4 – South Dakota (The Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Wall Drug & Crazy Horse)
On the trip to Glacier mentioned in #3, I’ll also get to revisit some of these favorites on that upcoming road trip. The nice thing is because we will have 2 full days in South Dakota, we should not only be able to visit these spots, but a few new ones for me as well!
#5 – Alberta, Canada (Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Columbia Ice Field & Waterton Lakes National Park)
The views all along these mountains in Alberta rival those in Glacier. The mountaintops are so high with jagged peaks (which are my favorite) and the water is so blue. We only had 2 days Alberta on our 10 day road trip through the US and Canada last time I visited, so 4-6 days in this area would be so appreciated. I’d find more spots to hike in Banff, get out and explore more of Jasper, visit the Columbia Ice Field (and maybe stay there?) and spend more time in Waterton Lakes which was so unexpectedly beautiful.
