7 INCREDIBLE Natural Wonders in the PNW You Won't Believe Are Real

The Pacific Northwest is home to some seriously strange and otherworldly landscapes that’ll make you wonder if you’ve stepped onto another planet.

From ancient lava tubes to underwater trees, here are five natural wonders you have to see to believe!

Table of Contents

1. Thor’s Well, Oregon
2. Skylight Cave, Oregon
3. Painted Hills, Oregon
4. Tree of Life, Washington
5. Crater Lake, Oregon
6. Hoh Rainforest, Washington
7. Neskowin Ghost Forest, Oregon
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1. Thor’s Well, Oregon

We’ve already mentioned Thor’s Well—this mesmerizing ocean sinkhole near Cape Perpetua looks like the Pacific Ocean is draining into the Earth.

It’s a wild sight during high tide when the water surges in and out of the well.

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READ MORE: Your Guide to Thor’s Well and Cape Perpetua

2. Skylight Cave, Oregon

Three streams of light coming down into the cave.

Explore a hidden and unique cave just outside of Bend, Oregon. Skylight Cave is stunning, but you’ll have to head down into the cave and aim to get here in the afternoon.

Once you make it, you’ll see three cool streaming skylights into the cave!

READ MORE: Skylight Cave, Oregon

3. Painted Hills, Oregon

The Painted Hills with their layered colors.

These colorful hills in Eastern Oregon look more like a Mars landscape than something you’d find on Earth.

The vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges of the Painted Hills are a photographer’s dream and one of the most unique places in the region.

READ MORE: The Painted Hills

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4. Tree of Life, Washington

Tree of Life hanging between to sandy cliffs.

Hidden in Olympic National Park, this bizarre tree, known as the “Tree of Life”, seems to be defying gravity as it clings to its perch above a small cave.

Its roots are exposed and suspended in the air, creating an eerie and mystical sight on Kalaloch Beach!

READ MORE: Your Guide to Kalaloch Beach

5. Crater Lake, Oregon

Nina sitting on the edge of some rocks overlooking Crater Lake.

Formed by a collapsed volcano, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S., and its pristine blue waters are jaw-dropping.

Add in the fact that there’s an ancient, dead tree known as the “Old Man of the Lake” floating upright in the water, and you’ve got one seriously strange natural wonder.

READ MORE: Crater Lake Adventures

6. Hoh Rainforest, Washington

Rain Forest at Hall of Mosses at Olympic National Park Washington

Have you ever walked through a forest of moss-strew trees? Not like this, you haven’t! This insane rainforest is one of the largest in the US, and you’ve got to see it to believe it.

There are easy hikes to explore the area in a day while visiting Olympic National Park.