These are the Most Treasured Views in the central U.S.
From golden plains to stunning caves and cliffs, the central portion of the United States offers landmarks and natural landscapes that deserve to be on anyone’s summer travel list.
This is part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking – and perhaps, underappreciated – views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure throughout the nation.
Here are a few of our favorites across Middle America:
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
Known for its magnificent St. Peter sandstone rock formations, Starved Rock State Park near Oglesby in LaSalle County offers many scenic hiking and horseback riding trails, plus opportunities for fishing and boating along the Illinois River. Dating to 1911, Starved Rock State Park is known for its steep sandstone canyons formed by glacial meltwater. Several, including the St. Louis, French and Wildcat canyons, have waterfalls. — Rockford Register Star
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
With sand between your toes, Lake Michigan gently lapping at its southern shore, and a striking diversity of birds and plants, Indiana Dunes National Park is one of only two national parks in the Hoosier State. Dedicated as a national park in 2019, this 15-mile stretch of sandy beaches, rising dunes and wildlife-filled marshes is unlike anything else in Indiana. The 2,182-acre park highlights sand dunes formed over thousands of years, rising 200 feet above the lake. — Cory Havens, South Bend Tribune
Bridges of Madison County, Iowa
Ever since Charles City native Robert James Waller released “The Bridges of Madison County,” the nation became enthralled with the romantic bridges outside Winterset, Iowa, that formed the backdrop for the book. A tenderly romantic movie with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood came out in 1995, and the bridges became almost a character in the story, forming the places Eastwood’s character, National Geographic photojournalist Robert Kincaid, shot. But the bridges, six in total, came about long before the romantic tale. The bridges are free to visit. Find more information at exploremadisoncounty.com. — Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register
Flint Hills, Kansas
Imagine more than 14,500 square miles of tallgrass prairie that almost dissects Kansas from north to south. Flint Hills’ windblown grasses range from vibrant green to burnt gold depending on the time of year. Much of the land still resembles how it looked when settlers first crossed more than 200 years ago. Each year, the burning season lights up the evening and night sky with brilliant orange as fires snake across the land, burning the old and dead grasses, renewing them in the spring. — Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital-Journal
Arch Rock, Michigan
Arch Rock is the most famous rock formation on Mackinac Island. The limestone rock forms an arch that is more than 50 feet wide. According to the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, it’s believed to be about 4,000 years old and hollowed out by splashing waves when water levels were much higher. While the formation is stable, don’t wait a lifetime to see it. It’s predicted that erosion from wind and water will probably cause it to fall down one day. — Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press
Split Rock Lighthouse, Minnesota
Split Rock Lighthouse, on the far northeast corner of Minnesota, provides a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. Having helped boats transport crews and materials safely across the lake’s rough waters for more than 50 years, the lighthouse became an icon and serves as a beacon to all and a witness to innovation. The idea for a lighthouse was imagined because of almost 30 shipwrecks near its coast in 1905. — Alice Mannette, St. Cloud Times
Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri
Ha Ha Tonka State Park offers a mix of history and interesting geologic features, including sinkholes, steep cliffs, karst topography, caves, a natural bridge, and a spring. The ruins of a stone castle built in the early 1900s remain a popular draw. It is positioned at a spot with views of the spring and the Lake of the Ozarks. The park is on the Niangua arm of the Lake of the Ozarks near Camdenton. The park is free to enter. There are miles of hiking trails with different intensity levels, caves, birds and other wildlife to experience. Boating, fishing and swimming are also possible. The place is popular with amateur photographers. — Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
Chimney Rock, Nebraska
Chimney Rock towers over its surroundings, standing more than 300 feet above the flatlands of western Nebraska. Visible for miles, it served as a significant landmark for emigrants during the westward expansion of the U.S., and it is mentioned in more emigrant diaries than any other landmark on the Oregon Trail. It was designated a national historic site on Aug. 9, 1956. Today, there is a visitor center nearby, along with miles of walking trails. — Chris Mueller, Des Moines Register
Painted Canyon, North Dakota
For many visitors, viewing Painted Canyon from a nearby visitor center’s overlook is their first glimpse of North Dakota’s badlands. It’s also the site of one of the most popular hiking trails in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This mile-long path winds through juniper and wildflowers, then takes travelers down into the canyon itself, which is named for its vivid layers. Be warned, though: Every step down into the canyon is a step back up on the way out. — Chris Mueller, USA TODAY network
Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Hocking Hills spans over 10,000 acres and includes cliffs, waterfalls and gorges in its vast space in southeastern Ohio. By exploring the hiking trails that lead you to caves and unique rock formations, every visitor can experience nature the way it was meant to be seen. With multiple trails to choose from, visitors can spend an entire day, weekend or vacation seeing every inch of the state park. — Columbus Dispatch
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
With both the haunting vastness of fictional planet Arrakis in the “Dune” films and the fiery, jagged landscape of real planet Mars, Badlands National Park is indeed transcendental. Visitors are intimidated by the chaotic, 244,000 acres of crater-like vistas, but the national park is very family-friendly and a grandiose memory for all. The must-do Badlands Loop State Scenic Highway is a nice and slow two-hour tour of an earth that seems to have frozen mid-eruption millions of years ago. The rust-orange layers of ancient rock and soil look just as hot to the touch. Visit www.travelsouthdakota.com for details. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus-Leader
Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boasts a 12-mile Lake Superior shoreline and nearly two dozen islands. It’s also home to the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Parks system. In short, it’s every outdoor lover’s dream. The Islands also have deep connections to Ojibwe culture. The Apostle Islands are located on the northern portion of the Bayfield Peninsula. — Cailey Gleeson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
