When it comes to beautiful beaches, we often talk about cerulean blue waters or lux resorts. But sand? That's a characteristic that's often overlooked. But in our opinion, this soft, seaside turf isn't just a quintessential part of the beach-going experience, it's often its most captivating feature. And in addition to some truly show-stopping sand beaches in the U.S., there are numerous one-of-a-kind destinations where sand truly is the star of the show -- and some of them may surprise you.
Glass Beach - MacKerricher State Park, California
The sands of the Pacific Coast are not all the same, as evidenced by Northern California's gorgeous Glass Beach. One of the most iconic destinations in NorCal, Glass Beach has dazzled generations of visitors and locals alike. True to its name, the terrain here is comprised of small, smooth multi-colored stones that give this beach its vibrant beauty are in fact pieces of glass. Once the site of a coastal garbage dump; over the years, the waves and water slowly eroded these shores until its closure in 1967. Today, what remains is nothing short of a miracle: a veritable mixed-media collage that reflects, quite literally, one of Mother Nature's most incredible transformations.
Black Sands Beach - California
From shimmering translucent hues to the dark onyx of volcanic ash, the California Coast is full of surprises. Black Sands Beach is one of them. Hiding along the stunning Lost Coast in Humboldt County, California, Black Sands Beach is a unique destination that boasts a rare type of coastal beauty that’s startling to come across. Boasting bold black sand, it makes for quite the sight when you’re exploring this 3.5-mile stretch of rugged, NorCal coastline. Right away, the beach's beauty will take your breath away; the black sand provides a dramatic juxtaposition to the big, blue ocean and the lush, verdant cliffs, that, altogether, creates something immeasurably beautiful that's truly the sum of its parts. While not a place to swim, visitors can enjoy seeking out the interpretive panels that contain information about the area's rich geology, as well as hiking the beach's various trails, and exploring the rocky caves and outcropping along the shore.
Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area - Oregon
Oregon might be best-known for its 363 miles of coastline, but it's also home to a truly captivating place that looks like something out of a desert fantasy. In the Siuslaw National Forest, the Oregon Dunes are the largest concentration of coastal dunes in all of North America -- and they're also one of the largest temperate coastal dunes in the entire world. The dunes were created more than 100,000 years ago, when Mother Nature conjured something marvelous out of just wind and water. Over time, grains of sand drifted down the Suislaw River and other mountain rivers, and deposits slowly accumulated, spinning into a surrealist expanse of sand. A place of immense intrigue and mystery, this national park served as the inspiration for Frank Herbert's "Dunes" book series and the subsequent sci-fi film, and it's easy to see why. Today, visitors seek out the dunes to stoke and satisfy both the imagination and wanderlust, and you can even hike along the hills or rent an ATV for a next-level adventure in these Pacific Northwest sands.
Vermilion Cliffs - Arizona
Natural beauty abounds in Arizona -- and not just at its grandest attraction. The state is home to some of the most extraordinary places in the country, with Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness topping the list. While there are numerous formations within this park, The Wave is an elusive beauty that can only be accessed via lottery, but it's an adventure worth seeking out. This 190-million-year-old rock formation hails from the Jurassic Age, and it's easy to picture ancient beasts stomping through its curves and undulations; though wrapping your mind around how, exactly, such an incredible sculptural artwork was formed, is nearly impossible.
Bonneville Salt Flats - Utah
Contrary to appearances, this dazzling white expanse in the middle of Utah isn't, in fact, sand. This is the Bonneville Salt Flats, one of Utah’s most unique natural features, formed over time by the evaporation of Lake Bonneville. What was left -- an epic expanse of sodium chloride -- is sublime in its simplicity, and truly looks like a desert mirage. Depending on the light, the dazzling white appears as snow or sand, creating an illusion that's both unsettling and sublime. Today, the Bonneville Salt Flats are used for everything from movie sets to race tracks, and are a place every adventure-seeker should visit at least once.
Iona’s Beach - Minnesota
It should come as no surprise that there are some truly spectacular beaches in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but the lesser-known Iona’s Beach on Minnesota’s North Shore is truly something special. Unlike some of the expansive white sand shores on this list, the terrain here is pink and pebbled, and as it is located within a designated Scientific & Natural Area, it’s one of the best-protected beaches on Lake Superior. The color of the smoothly-worn stones isn’t the only impressive feature at this beguiling beach: when the waves hit the pebbles, they make a musical tinkling sound that has led to the nickname "The Singing Beach."
Schoolhouse Beach - Washington Island, Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, there's a sandy beach unlike anything you've ever encountered before. Schoolhouse Beach is an oasis in Wisconsin that will take your breath away. A geological wonder, this Wisconsin beach has a white shoreline -- but no sand. Instead, the shore is covered in a layer of white limestone rocks that have literally been there for hundreds of thousands of years. The pebbles are silky smooth, having been buffed by millennia of waves and glacial movement. These rocks are so treasured, in fact, that there's a federal law prohibiting their removal from this beautiful beach. Between the pristine white pebbles and cerulean blue waters, there's nowhere on the planet quite like Schoolhouse Beach.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - Michigan
Michigan is often referred to as the "Third Coast" because it boasts more miles of shoreline than any other state in the contiguous U.S. And indeed, Michigan is home to some truly beautiful bodies of water -- and, subsequently, some of the best sand in the world. You'll find this magical marriage at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an otherworldly paradise located on the north side of Lake Michigan. Its coastal views look positively Caribbean, with stunning sunsets and perfect panoramas. And those tropical, white sand shores you're seeking? Sleeping Bear's dunes themselves are as impressive as they are scenic, with some measuring up to 450 feet tall. This is as beautiful -- and peak #PureMichigan -- as it gets.
Sand Cave - Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Kentucky and Virginia
In a region of the country that’s home to the largest underground cavern system on the planet, it can be hard for any other caves to stand out. But Sand Cave most certainly stands out. Straddling the state lines of Kentucky and Virginia, this massive sand cave is unlike anywhere else in the U.S. It’s of otherworldly beauty, and when you reach this stunning sand cave after a challenging, 10-mile hike, you’ll know you’ve discovered something special. The red and copper sandstone walls look unreal, like something you'd expect to find on another planet... definitely not Kentucky. This is the kind of Alice in Wonderland, down-the-rabbit-hole adventure guaranteed to fan the flames of your wanderlust.
Indiana Dunes National Park - Indiana
Indiana Dunes is one of the Midwest's greatest secrets. Located on the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park features more than 2,000 acres of gorgeous beaches, dazzling coastal vistas, and a hilly, sandy terrain that's tailor-made for outdoor recreation. With eight beaches located within the park, there are opportunities aplenty for enjoying these unique sands. While renting dune buggies is certainly on most adventure seekers' Indiana Dunes bucket lists, the stargazing here is also phenomenal, and might actually the park's biggest draw. With some of the darkest skies in the Midwest, distant stars and galaxies are often visible above the rolling dunes and lulling waters of this national park, making for a wondrous, life-affirming, bucket-list-worthy experience.
Caladesi Island State Park - Florida
The Gulf Coast is known for its vibrant white sands, but Caladesi Island State Park positively sparkles in the sun. Accessible by ferry or boat only, this Florida inlet features soft, white quartz sand, captivating turquoise waters, and near-perfect coastal panoramas. The ultimate place to unwind and "get away from it all," the island also has amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation, including a kayak trail that traverses straight through the Florida mangroves and has unrivaled wildlife watching. Caladesi Island is completely unlike anything you'd expect from a Florida beach, in the very best possible way.
Sand Beach - Acadia National Park, Maine
Hailed as the "crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast," Acadia National Park boasts picture-perfect panoramas that truly don't look real. And within this wondrous place, tucked between between commanding mountains and rocky shorelines, you'll find an emerald-green oasis complete with startling white sands that will completely take your breath away. Access to this hidden oasis is provided via the Park Loop Road just south of Acadia's entrance fee station in Bar Harbor. It's worth that extra bit of planning, however; Sand Beach has 300 yards of pristine sand and vibrant turquoise waters, and truly feels like a world unto itself.
Kaihalulu Beach - Maui, Hawaii
Hawaii is world-renowned for its superlative shores, offering a veritable ROYGBIV of coastal landscapes. One of the many things that set Hawaii apart is the incredible variety of colorful beaches populating its islands; black, red, green, white, and orange -- the contrast between shores and seas is nothing short of sublime. And among the state's colored beaches, Kaihalulu certainly stands out. Located south of Hana Bay on the eastern coast of Maui, Kaihalulu is one of only a few red sand beaches in the entire world. You’ll access the stunning beach via a verdant cliff-side trail, and the water can be pretty rough -- but it's all worth it, because when you arrive at this red sand beach? You'll be at a loss for words.
The next time you're longing to sink your toes in something soft, head to one of these beautiful sand destinations in the U.S., and be prepared to be rendered speechless, yet again, by the ever-surprising gifts of Mother Nature.
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