• Tagged Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, Badlands, Bisti, De-Na-Zin Wilderness, King of Wings, New Mexico, rock formations, Valley of Dreams

When you think “alien” and New Mexico, Roswell might come to mind, but “alien” in this case is about 5 and a half hours away in the little known New Mexico Wilderness areas of Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah and Bisti/De-Na-Zin. The rock formations are fantastic and surreal, alien in appearance, and the area is full of dinosaur bones and other fossils. Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Study Area has over 6,500 acres, including the Valley of Dreams, and the nearby Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness has more than 41,000 acres; all are remote and full of colorful hoodoos, pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, canyons, washes and other bizarre formations laid out in a remote maze. Those who brave the wilderness may not see another soul during their adventure, but they are rewarded by seeing some of the most unusual scenery and incredible landscapes in New Mexico; it is a photographer’s dream shoot location. [52 Photos, 1 Video]

• Tagged blowholes, geology, nature, New Zealand, Pancake Rocks, Paparoa National Park, rock formations

On the edge of the New Zealand’s Paparoa National Park, you can walk among bizarre rock formations, many that resemble stacks of pancakes. The Tasman Sea surges into undercut cavities, booms, and then seawater geysers shoot through blowholes, making the spectacular natural attraction of blowholes in Pancake Rocks a “must see” at high tide and/or storms. [45 Photos]

• Tagged geology, nature, Nevada, rock formations, State Park, Valley of Fire

Back when the dinosaurs walked the Earth, the Valley of Fire was forming. Time and the elements carved the fossilized sand into greats mazes of canyons, arches, ridges, domes, and valleys. Today, the Valley of Fire is a National Natural Landmark and the oldest state park in Nevada. This amazing and colorful wilderness in the Mojave Desert is only about an hour away from the bright city lights of Las Vegas; it comes highly recommended to experience. Sunlight striking the bright red rocks make the valley look like it’s on fire, but there are also layers of multicolored rocks in a “rainbow” of colors that stretch for many miles. Rainbow Vista is a breathtaking site to behold in the Valley of Fire. [38 Photos]

• Tagged Croatia, environment, geomorphological phenomena, karst, lakes, National Park, nature, phenomenon, Plitvička Jezera, Plitvice lakes, Plitvice National Park, Plitvice waterfalls, rock formations, travel, UNESCO World Heritage Site, water, waterfalls

Once upon a time in Croatia, this mysterious world was hidden deep in an enchanted forest and called “The Devil’s Garden.” For the few brave souls that dared to venture beyond the woods, they found a paradise of amazingly-colored lakes, spectacular karst and thunderous waterfalls. Together it creates the natural phenomena which can still be seen at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Every year, at least 1,200,000 visitors come to be awed by the geomorphology and natural beauty of changing lake colors. There are 16 cascading lakes in crystal-clear shades of blue and green. Plitvice waterfalls have been called some of the most beautiful to be found among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Plitvicka Jezera National Park is spread out over 73,350 acres and some of the most amazing features are underground in the form of subterranean caverns. [37 Photos, 4 Videos]

• Tagged adventure, Beaver Marsh, biking, Blue Hen Falls, Brandywine Falls, cave, Cuyahoga Valley, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, hiking, ledges, National Park, nature, Ohio, places, Ritchie Ledges, rock formations, train, travel, waterfall, waterfalls, wildlife

Coming in as the 10th most visited national park in 2011 is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in northern Ohio. It offers adventurers a little bit of everything in the 20,339 acres of woods, water, wildlife and even caves. There are nearly 200 miles of trails within the park for visitors to hike, bike or for horseback riding. The Cuyahoga River, meaning ‘crooked river’ in Mohawk, is fed by more than 190 miles of other waterways to tempt fishermen of all ages. Millions of years ago, water etched out the 105-foot high sandstone Ritchie Ledges and Ice Box Cave, also carving other wonderful rock formations. More than 2 million visitors came to Cuyahoga Valley National Park last year to enjoy the wooded ravines, gentle rolling hills, 170 waterfalls, historic railway, buildings and paths. Welcome to Ohio’s only national park, welcome to Cuyahoga Valley National Park! [40 Photos]

• Tagged adventure, arches, Arches National Park, climbing, desert, environment, Moab, National Park, nature, rock formations, rocks, Utah

Arches National Park is a gorgeous 76,679 acre landscape which preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park is located in eastern Utah, right outside Moab which is an outdoor adventure lovers’ paradise. The park is in the high desert where the forces of nature like erosion have exposed millions of years of geologic history, diverse colors and textures of arches and very unusual rock formations. 43 arches have collapsed since 1970, yet still the beauty of nature here will leave you in awe. Arches National Park is an outdoor adventure lovers’ paradise with many activities such as backpacking, biking, camping, canyoneering, commercial tours, hiking, rock climbing and plenty to keep a photographer busy. According to the National Park Service, “To many, the most outstanding natural features of Arches are the park’s geologic formations. Over 2,000 catalogued arches range in size from a three-foot opening (the minimum considered to be an arch), to Landscape Arch which measures 306 feet from base to base. Towering spires, fins and balanced rocks complement the arches, creating a remarkable assortment of landforms in a relatively small area.” [47 Photos]