Over thousands of years, this slot canyon was carved out of the bed of an ancient lake.

Eternal resting place of the grave robber and murderer who served as inspiration for many of cinema’s famous madmen.

Towering basalt columns, a creation of fire and ice.

The interior of the Overlook Hotel in "The Shining" was based on this Yosemite original.

This Gold Rush ghost town was once the subject of a territorial dispute between California and Nevada.

A natural dome made of volcanic glass in Inyo National Forest.

Standing in a state of "arrested decay," this ghost town allows for a detailed peek into Gold Rush life in an unusually harsh climate.

A volcanic cone that formed over 600 years ago.

A salty red wasteland in Tanzania is a breeding spot for endangered flamingos.

Aqueducts have dramatically changed this old lake, now home to tufa towers and its very own species of tiny brine shrimp.

Deep vertical fissures like miniature slot canyons cut across the cemented volcanic rock of Black Point above Mono Lake.

Eons old volcanic activity created one of the most stunning rock formations in the United States.

This naturally heated mountainous creek has created a group of neon blue pools of potentially deadly boiling water.

This tiny shop has been serving traditional tamales for more than 200 years.

Former drug lord’s manor, now a theme park. Watch out for the hippos.

This elegant Colombian fortress was one of the torture headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition.

Cathedral carved out of salt, located a mile below the earth's surface.

An ancient city hidden in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

A little known Colombian theme park of giant curiosities.

A 10 million-ton rock once worshiped by the Tahamies Indians, accessed by an astounding staircase.

Colorful lights and mirror-like brine pools create trippy illusions within the historic mine.

The caldera of this mini-volcano has been turned into a naturally heated mud bath.

Unparalleled stargazing, one of Colombia's best observatories, and a swimming pool can all be found in the middle of this ancient tropical forest.

The Andean town where every single building is decorated with a brightly colored frieze.