1. Bowling Ball House – Safety Harbor, Florida
At first glance, this quiet residential neighborhood doesn’t look like it’s hiding anything particularly special. But if you happen to wander a little deeper into Safety Harbor, you’ll stumble across a front yard filled with hundreds of brightly painted bowling balls. Yes, really. The entire property has been turned into a colorful maze of mosaics, pathways, and yard art, all made from recycled balls. It’s fun, strange, and oddly peaceful. The best part? The owners encourage visitors—just not in large crowds says TripAdvisor.
Locals know about it, of course, and while they’ll never outright tell you to stay away, they definitely appreciate that it hasn’t turned into an Instagram circus. It’s their little secret art walk, tucked away from the usual Florida chaos. You won’t find souvenir stands or parking meters here, which is exactly how they like it. If you go, keep your voice down, smile politely, and maybe pretend you’re just a neighbor out for a walk adds Tampa Bay Times.
2. The Wave – Coyote Buttes, Arizona
This surreal rock formation looks like something straight out of a dream—or a desktop screensaver from the early 2000s. Found deep within the Arizona desert, The Wave’s swirling sandstone layers stretch and bend like frozen waves. It’s hypnotizing. But there’s a catch: only 64 people a day are allowed to visit, and most of those spots are snatched up by locals who know exactly when to apply for the permit lottery says Travel + Leisure.
They don’t really want word to get out any more than it already has. Because if too many people start showing up, the fragile rock could be ruined, and the peaceful desert vibe will disappear. Right now, it’s quiet. Magical. Still untouched by tour buses. Locals would like to keep it that way for as long as possible adds Business Insider.
3. Sol Duc Hot Springs – Olympic National Park, Washington
Sure, tourists usually head to Seattle or Mount Rainier, but tucked within the lush Olympic National Park lies Sol Duc, a set of steaming hot springs surrounded by towering evergreens. It feels like something out of a fairy tale. You can soak in the mineral-rich pools while looking up at the fog-draped treetops. It’s not completely unknown, but it’s remote enough that it hasn’t become chaotic yet.
Locals tend to keep this one close to the vest, especially since it’s best visited in the quieter months. The pools are run by a small resort, but you can also hike nearby trails or stay at the rustic cabins if you want to avoid the crowds. Word is, those in-the-know purposely avoid recommending it in travel forums. After all, once people realize you can bathe in a natural hot spring without elbowing your way past dozens of influencers, the secret’s out.
4. Cypress Island – Washington State
You’d think more people would have heard of this place, given that it’s just a short boat ride from the bustling San Juan Islands. But that’s the beauty of Cypress Island—it remains one of the last undeveloped islands in the area. There are no shops, no hotels, and no paved roads. It’s all wilderness, quiet beaches, and empty hiking trails. Locals cherish that simplicity like gold.
They won’t stop you from visiting, but they’re definitely not handing out maps. If you do manage to find your way there, bring everything you need and don’t expect cell service. The camping is primitive, and the peace is unmatched. That’s exactly why people who live nearby would rather you went to Friday Harbor instead.
5. Ecola State Park – Oregon
While most folks driving the Oregon Coast stick to Cannon Beach and the famous Haystack Rock, locals know the real magic happens just a few miles north. Ecola State Park is a slice of coastal heaven. There are lush forests, foggy cliffs, and miles of scenic trails that often feel completely deserted. At sunset, the views stretch endlessly along the coast, and you might spot a whale or two if you’re lucky.
But ask a local about the best coastal hike, and you probably won’t hear them mention Ecola. Not because it’s not spectacular, but because they’re trying to keep it from becoming the next TikTok trend. Too many people already trample the wildflowers. And once the peace is gone, so is the charm. This place wasn’t built for crowds, and the locals would prefer to keep it that way.
6. Bombay Beach – Salton Sea, California
Once a booming resort town, Bombay Beach now feels like an art installation in the middle of a post-apocalyptic dream. The buildings are half-crumbling, the lake is drying up, and yet… it’s full of bizarre beauty. Artists have slowly transformed the decaying town into a canvas for weird, wonderful creativity. Think giant swings over the salty lakebed and robot sculptures made from scrap metal.
Locals and in-the-know Californians have embraced it quietly, enjoying its haunting charm without the chaos of guided tours. There’s a sense of shared secrecy about it, like a hidden chapter in California’s story. The fewer people who come looking for selfie spots, the longer the art and eerie peace can survive. Plus, they know most tourists wouldn’t “get it” anyway.
7. Moku Ola (Coconut Island) – Hilo, Hawaii
You’d think a tiny island park just off the coast of downtown Hilo would be packed all the time. But somehow, Moku Ola has managed to avoid the usual Hawaiian crowds. Locals use it as a place to picnic, nap under trees, and jump off the little tower into the bay. It’s the kind of place where families gather for quiet weekends, and it feels far from the resort-heavy parts of the state.
Most tourists never find it unless they’re really paying attention, and that’s exactly how the locals like it. There’s a cultural significance to the land too—it was once believed to have healing powers. So, it’s not just a pretty picnic spot, it’s a piece of Hawaiian history that deserves respect. And locals aren’t eager to see it turned into another drone-filled spectacle.
8. Medicine Bow Peak – Wyoming
Even seasoned hikers often skip Medicine Bow Peak in favor of the Tetons or Yellowstone. But this high-altitude gem offers sweeping views, alpine lakes, and a sky so clear it feels like you’re walking through a postcard. The hike is challenging enough to scare off the casual traveler, which is probably why locals are still able to enjoy it in relative solitude. You might see a marmot or mountain goat before you see another person.
The people who live nearby are proud of how under-the-radar it remains. They’d prefer not to see it on travel blogs or trending hashtags. It’s their summer escape, a place to breathe deeply and reset. If the crowds catch wind, that serenity will vanish faster than the snow in July.
9. Taft Point – Yosemite National Park, California
Everyone rushes to Glacier Point or Half Dome, but Taft Point offers similar jaw-dropping views with a fraction of the foot traffic. The short hike leads to a cliffside that feels suspended in air, and if you time it right, you can catch the sun dipping below the Sierra Nevadas in total silence. No railings, no crowds, just you and the canyon. It’s both exhilarating and humbling.
Park rangers and locals tend to avoid pointing it out on maps unless asked directly. They know how fragile those cliffs are, and how quickly a few viral videos can ruin the peace. Taft Point is one of those “you have to know to know” places. And the people who do know? They aren’t shouting it from the rooftops.
10. Great Sand Dunes – Colorado
You wouldn’t think of sand dunes when you picture Colorado, but the Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest dunes in North America. They rise like golden mountains against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks. It’s surreal, vast, and deeply quiet—especially if you hike out past where most people stop. You can even sled down them if you bring the right gear.
It’s a place locals treasure, and they quietly hope it doesn’t become the next Zion. There’s no shade, no glamorous facilities, and no shuttle service—just raw, beautiful wilderness. The locals like it that way. Too much attention would turn it into another stop on the road trip circuit, and they’d rather it stayed mysterious.
11. Devil’s Bathtub – Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota
Hidden along a winding trail near Spearfish Canyon is a natural pool of crystal-clear water called the Devil’s Bathtub. You have to hop rocks, follow a creek, and ignore the fact that it doesn’t show up on most maps to find it. But when you do, it feels like you’ve found Neverland. The water is cold and perfect on a summer day, and the rocks around it make for a great place to sunbathe or just listen to the wind.
Locals grew up swimming there and still treat it as their own secret summer hangout. It’s not marked with signs, and that’s intentional. The fewer people who know, the less likely it is to be trashed or overrun. If you ask someone for directions, you might just get a polite shrug.
12. Dry Tortugas – Florida
Seventy miles west of Key West lies a cluster of islands that look like they belong in a movie. Dry Tortugas National Park is home to turquoise water, coral reefs, and Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century coastal fortress. The only way to get there is by boat or seaplane, which keeps most tourists away. It’s a dream for snorkelers and history lovers alike.
Floridians in the know treat it like buried treasure. They love that it still feels undiscovered. The limited access means it’s rarely crowded, and they’re not in a hurry to change that. It’s one of the few spots in Florida where you can have paradise practically to yourself.
13. Makauwahi Cave – Kauai, Hawaii
Most visitors to Kauai head to the Na Pali Coast or Hanalei Bay, and understandably so. But just a few minutes from the resort areas lies Makauwahi Cave, a limestone cave that’s both a hidden geological wonder and an active archaeological site. You have to crawl through a small opening to get in, which is half the fun. Inside, it opens up into a massive underground chamber filled with ancient fossils and secrets.
The people who live nearby have quietly protected it for years. There’s even a tortoise sanctuary next door, and volunteers often chat with visitors if you’re respectful. But it’s not the kind of place that could handle busloads of tourists. And the locals are just fine with that.