Here’s seven beautiful endangered travel destinations in the US to visit before they disappear… You’ll fall in love with the magic and wonder of Mother Nature over and over again.
Seeing as these places are in need of salvation, however, if you visit you’ll want to ensure you’re respecting local laws and regulations. Tread lightly, reduce your impact where you can, and if you’ve got the time, give back to local charities and organisations. Travel isn’t just about seeing as much of the world as possible, it’s about making an impact on it as you do. That’s especially important in a post-lockdown world.
Endangered Destinations To Visit In The US
1. The Everglades National Park – Florida
The sun-drenched, dream-like Everglades is home to 180 plant and animal species that are listed by the State of Florida as threatened or endangered. Once ranked as the most “endangered” national park in the United States, the Everglades are being affected by factors such as urban development, industrial pollution, and flooding. This is devastating to the alligators, orchids and Florida panthers that live there. But, if it’s on your bucket list of places to visit, it’s surely upsetting to you too.
2. Joshua Tree National Park – California
If you’re not familiar with the area then you’ll be pleased to learn that Joshua Tree gets its name for, well, the Joshua trees that are found scattered throughout the area. Known also as palm tree yucca, these unique trees could disappear from the region completely by 2070. Droughts affecting California are hitting the Mojave Desert pretty hard. So, if you haven’t made it out to the trendy Joshua Tree National Park already, add it to your list of the world’s most endangered travel destinations to visit before the tree disappear.
3. Big Sur – California
Nearly all of California has been hit pretty hard by droughts and wildfires in recent years. In January of this year alone there have been 60 fires in the state of California. However, few other places are at risk of disappearing as much as Big Sur, one of the area’s most marvellous natural wonders. Known for stunning highway drives, this place is plagued by droughts, landslides, and forest fires.
4. The Outer Banks – North Carolina
The Outer Banks are personified mostly by the 1870 Cape Hatteras Lighthouse that stands out against the horizon. And, while that sight’s a stunning one to see, rising sea levels are completely eroding the local land. According to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, about six feet of costal land erodes every year. This means that in the next few years, the Outer Banks as you know them could look completely different.
5. Glacier National Park – Montana
At one point in time, Glacier National Park was home to 150 glaciers, but due to climate change, there are now only 25. And, that’s all happened within the last 80 years. Researchers suspect that if things continue at this rate, the glaciers will be completely gone by 2030. So, if it wasn’t on your list of the most beautiful endangered travel destinations to visit before they disappear, it should be. And, fast.
6. Tidal Basin – Washington, DC, USA
As the focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival held each spring in Washington, DC, it’s alarming that the Tidal Basin was listed as one of the most endangered places in America. The narrow sidewalks around the basin flood nearly every day when there’s heavy rainfall. Experts note that if flood levels continue to rise, it could affect the long-term health of the trees. This means that the cherry blossoms are without a doubt one of the most endangered travel sights to see before they disappear.
6. Kamilo Beach – Big Island, Hawaii
Located on the southeast coast of the Big Island, you’d think Kamilo Beach would be lush, green, and tropical. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Media nicknamed “Trash Beach” until recently when students worked to build a machine to make cleaning up the plastic waste easier. Underneath all the waste, it’s one of the most beautiful travel destinations that you can visit. Participate in a beach clean-up to help ensure it doesn’t disappear completely.
