The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the US
The most beautiful places in America come in many forms, as each region of the country delivers its own unique brand of natural wonder. In the Pacific Northwest, temperate rainforests meet snow-capped mountains, while the Southwest features otherworldly deserts, red-rock formations, and the grandest of canyons. On the opposite coast, you’ll find white-sand Atlantic beaches and serene lakes that come alive with color in the fall. And the country’s natural wonders extend far beyond the Lower 48: Hawaii’s volcanic cliffs and turquoise waters and Alaska’s glacier-studded coasts encourage folks to explore outside the contiguous US. Whether you’re looking for some scenic road trip inspiration or simply want to check some new and exciting destinations off your travel list, here are the 50 most beautiful places in America—ranging from rainbow-hued geothermal features to endless expanses of prairies. The only thing you’ll need to decide is which one to visit first.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Mick Haupt/UnsplashAcadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park is an essential stop on any Maine road trip, but you can—and should—visit the park even if you’re not already in the area. Those photogenic lighthouses and sunrises atop Cadillac Mountain are certainly worth traveling for.
jaredkay/GettyAngel Oak, South Carolina
A 13-mile drive from downtown Charleston, South Carolina’s Angel Oak is easily one of the most beautiful places in America. Entrance to the surrounding forest is totally free—just park in an adjacent lot and open your car door; you'll hear nothing but crickets, birdsong, and treetops rustling in the breeze.
James Randklev/GettyAntelope Valley, California
California is famous for its wildflowers, and nowhere do they show off more than across the rolling, poppy-covered hills of Antelope Valley—home to the state’s iconic orange California poppy. Plan your visit for a clear April morning (ideally by mid-day), when the blooms are fully open and the landscape transforms into a sea of orange and yellow that feels almost otherworldly.
Eye Soul Photography,LLC/GettyAssateague Island, Maryland
Technically located in both Maryland and Virginia (two-thirds belong to Maryland), Assateague Island is immediately associated with its population of wild horses—watching them run along the seashore is a sight you won’t soon forget. There’s much more to do here than just pony-watching, however, and every activity promises heavenly views, from kayaking through salt marshes to camping on the beach.
JLFCapture/GettyAtchafalaya Basin, Louisiana
You can find America’s largest swamp, the Atchafalaya Basin, just west of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It’s home to pretty much every type of flora and fauna the word “swamp” conjures—alligators, Spanish moss, egrets, and bald cypress—and some of the region’s best Cajun restaurants can be found in nearby Lafayette and New Iberia.
Linhao Zhang/UnsplashBadlands National Park, South Dakota
Found in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Badlands National Park greets visitors with an otherworldly landscape of rust-colored buttes, spires, and pinnacles rising across thousands of acres. Blink and you might think you’ve been transported to another planet.
Caleb Fisher/UnsplashBig Bend National Park, Texas
Known for its hiking, camping, and epic sunsets and sunrises, Big Bend National Park consists of more than 800,000 acres of river canyons, desert, and mountains, plus thousands of species of plants and animals.
- Pacific Coast Highway</a>, you’ll stop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur, complete with stunning cliff views over the bright blue ocean.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Thomas Ciszewski/Unsplash","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_320,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_640,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_640,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_1280,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_1024,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_2048,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_1280,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/65485e5953c2576a4e20f893/master/w_1280,c_limit/Big-Sur-thomas-ciszewski-erApmfRX7eo-unsplash.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Thomas Ciszewski/UnsplashBig Sur, California
If you want to plan an iconic American road trip, drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles along Highway 1. Along the Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll stop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur, complete with stunning cliff views over the bright blue ocean.
diane39/GettyBlock Island, Rhode Island
Block Island is a New England getaway at its best, complete with lighthouses and seagrass-lined beaches. There are several nature conservatories on the island, the most popular being the 190-acre Clay Head Preserve on the northeast coast, which features a series of unmarked, interconnected walking paths known as “the maze.” It’s worth visiting any time of year, but it happens to be one of the island’s best leaf-peeping spots in the fall.
Pierre Leclerc Photography/GettyBlue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
The 469-mile stretch of road known as the Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds from Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is regularly cited as one of America’s best drives. With its sweeping vistas and frequent pull-offs, the entire roadway could easily be considered one long scenic overlook—be sure to slow down and soak it all in.
Matt Nelson/GettyBonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Sprawling more than 30,000 acres on the Utah-Nevada border, the Bonneville Salt Flats will make you see the world in a different way. The chalk-white landscape stretches so far out in all directions that you can actually spy the curvature of the earth, and aside from the dry heat, walking across the salty crust feels a bit like touching frost-covered grass first thing in the morning.
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a>. It has some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the entire park (think black bears, white-tailed deer, and coyotes)—drive the 11-mile loop around the cove for some of the best views.","contentType":"photo","credit":"Getty","segmentedSources":{"sm":[{"height":213,"width":320,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_320,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"},{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_640,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"}],"md":[{"height":427,"width":640,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_640,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"},{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"}],"lg":[{"height":683,"width":1024,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_1024,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"},{"height":1365,"width":2048,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_2048,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"}],"xl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"}],"xxl":[{"height":853,"width":1280,"url":"https://media.cntraveler.com/photos/5eb416a9f52f4c0911cac28e/master/w_1280,c_limit/Cades-Cove-GettyImages-545497112.jpg"}]}}}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
GettyCades Cove, Tennessee
Cades Cove is a broad, verdant valley situated within the Tennessee portion of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It has some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the entire park (think black bears, white-tailed deer, and coyotes)—drive the 11-mile loop around the cove for some of the best views.
Brinley Clark/EyeEm/GettyCrater Lake, Oregon
Reaching depths of 1,949 feet, the awe-inspiring Crater Lake—about a 4-hour drive south of Portland—is the deepest lake in the U.S. Its contents are supplied entirely by glacial runoff and precipitation, hence the water’s clarity and intense blue hue.
Michael Shi/GettyCumberland Island, Georgia
This barrier island off Georgia’s southeast coast is something of a hidden gem, only accessible by boat from the small mainland town of St. Marys. Cumberland Island’s relative inaccessibility means the nature here is gloriously untamed—think overgrown oak trees, wide marshes, and wildlife ranging from horses to alligators—though you may spot a former Carnegie mansion if you know where to look.
Sean Pavone/GettyDaniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
Not one to let Tennessee and the Great Smokies steal all the thunder, eastern Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest boasts 708,000 acres of forest land, 600 miles of hiking trails, and 250 recreation sites (including campgrounds and boating ramps). Embark on plenty of adventures, but don’t forget to pause and soak up the views at the Natural Arch Scenic Area and Dog Slaughter Falls.
SteveAllenPhoto/GettyDenali National Park, Alaska
As one of Alaska’s most massive attractions (it’s about the size of all of New Hampshire), Denali National Park receives more than half a million visitors a year—and it’s easy to see why. The park is filled with sky-high mountains, glaciers, ice caves, and hundreds of animal species. You can even climb Denali (Mt. McKinley)—just note that it’s a major undertaking, so read up on all the information before attempting.
UCG/GettyDoor County, Wisconsin
This narrow peninsula jutting off the northeast of Wisconsin is one of the Midwest’s most beloved vacation spots, thanks to an abundance of charming towns and beaches sitting off the shores of Lake Michigan. The region is perhaps most stunning in the spring (April–May), when its famous cherry trees reach full bloom. Spend an afternoon walking through rows of white-blossomed trees before enjoying a cherry bourbon smash, a drink fashioned with locally grown cherries and bourbon whiskey, as a more-than-appropriate nightcap.
Juan Carlos Muñoz/GettyThe Everglades, Florida
Occupying 1.5 million prime acres of Southern Florida, these famed wetlands are one of the world’s most varied (and fascinating) ecosystems. Be sure to check out our guide to the Everglades’ best airboat tours and alligator lookouts before your next trip.
swissmediavision/GettyThe Florida Keys
The Florida Keys evoke many images—spectacular sunsets and white-sand beaches among them. The set of tropical islands stretches beautifully between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, with the impressive Overseas Highway transporting travelers all the way to Key West.
TheBigMK/GettyGlacier National Park, Montana
It’s little wonder why Glacier National Park is one of the most-visited parks in the country. With its pristine mountain lakes, glaciers, 700 miles of hiking trails, and road trips along Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park represents some of the best nature the US has to offer.
mason01/GettyThe Grand Canyon, Arizona
No list of beautiful places in the U.S. would be complete without the Grand Canyon. We could tell you all about the sunsets and views and epic hikes along this 277-mile-long chasm, but honestly? This is one you need to see for yourself.
Peter Adams/GettyGrand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Pretty much every square inch of Yellowstone National Park is worth seeing in person—but if we had to pick just one striking landmark within the park, it would be the Grand Prismatic Spring. As its name suggests, the largest hot spring in the United States is essentially a rainbow ring of vibrant colors, affording the best views from the top walkway (drones are not allowed here, so don’t even think about it).
Joecho-16/GettyGreat Sand Dunes, Colorado
Set against the Rocky Mountains, the Great Sand Dunes of Colorado (the tallest dunes in North America) look like they were transported straight from the Sahara. It takes hours to climb to the top of the dunes from the parking lot, but the feeling of standing alone, hundreds of feet in the air, is unquestionably freeing.
Bike Maverick/GettyHaleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Rising more than 10,000 feet above sea level, Haleakalā is the highest point on Maui and one of its most sought-after tourist attractions. From the rim of the massive volcanic crater, visitors can take in sweeping, unobstructed views that stretch across the island and out toward the Pacific—it’s well worth setting an early alarm to watch the landscapes turn brilliant hues during sunset.
Adventure_Photo/GettyHanging Lake, Colorado
Hanging Lake ranks among Colorado’s most beloved hiking spots—and it’s little wonder, given how stunning this spot is. The lake’s unusually clear yet vividly turquoise water (colored by dissolved carbonate minerals) reveals a tangle of submerged branches and fallen logs beneath the surface, while delicate waterfalls only add to the overall fairytale vibes.
James Randklev/GettyHoh Rain Forest, Washington
The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the only rainforests in the US, with lichen-shrouded trees and fungus-covered logs hidden in the middle of Washington’s Olympic National Park. The Hoh River Valley is also home to the quietest spot in the contiguous 48 states, according to Gordon Hempton, an expert “acoustic ecologist.”
Courtesy Indiana Dunes Tourism/Christine LivingstonIndiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
It may be one of America’s newer national parks (it was officially upgraded in 2019), but Indiana Dunes National Park has long been a beloved destination for midwesterners. Stretching for miles along Lake Michigan, the lakeshore is a popular spot for swimming and surfing during the summer, though the 15,000 inland acres make a compelling case for trading your swimsuit for hiking boots.
shakzu/GettyIsla Culebra, Puerto Rico
Sister island to nearby Vieques, tiny Culebra sits about 17 miles off Puerto Rico’s eastern coast and offers one of the most relaxed escapes in the Caribbean. There are no sprawling resorts or flashy nightlife scenes here—just quiet coves, pristine stretches of sand, vibrant snorkeling spots, and frequent encounters with sea turtles gliding through impossibly clear water. It’s simplicity at its finest.
Jon Arnold Images Ltd/GettyJenne Farm, Vermont
Jenne Farm embodies Vermont charm, with its gently rolling hills and peaceful rural setting. Tucked along a quiet country road just off Route 106 in the small town of Reading, the farm has long attracted travelers, photographers, and leaf-peepers in search of that quintessential New England view. It’s so iconic, in fact, that it’s often cited as one of the most photographed farms in the world—it even made a brief appearance in Forrest Gump.
PHOTOSTOCK-ISRAEL/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GettyJoshua Tree National Park, California
Joshua Tree National Park is a sight to behold 24 hours a day. Whether you choose to view the park’s wildlife, cacti, and namesake Joshua trees during the day or enjoy some of the country’s best stargazing at night, there’s truly no wrong way to experience this California stunner.
StevenSchremp/GettyKenai Fjords, Alaska
Alaska may boast more than three million lakes, but Bear Lake still manages to steal the spotlight. Set within Kenai Fjords National Park, this glacially carved gem is framed by towering ice fields, dramatic rock faces, and a wilderness that feels completely untouched. Visitors come year-round for kayaking and ice skating, and from September through April, the lake doubles as a front-row seat to the northern lights.
JimVallee/GettyLetchworth State Park, New York
New York’s Greater Niagara area has some seriously beautiful spots outside of the Falls—most notably Letchworth State Park, aka “the Grand Canyon of the East.” Whether you experience the park from a hot-air balloon or the 66 miles of surrounding hiking trails, do try to plan your visit during prime leaf-peeping season.
MariuszBlach/GettyLake Tahoe, Nevada
Lake Tahoe is the largest of the alpine lakes in North America, formed millions of years ago during the Ice Age. Set in the Sierra Nevadas, it receives worldwide acclaim for its scenic mountain views, luxe ski resorts, and Nevada casinos—not to mention water so clear that you can see to the bottom.
Matt Dirksen/GettyMaroon Bells, Colorado
A popular excursion from Aspen (located about 10 miles away), the Maroon Bells are a pair of 14,000-foot peaks that are best viewed from afar. Towering over the White River National Forest, the mountains and surrounding aspen trees reflect perfectly in Maroon Lake—photographers are known to set up their equipment on the shores of the lake well before sunset to be the first to capture that iconic shot.
Aubrey Odom/UnsplashMartha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard is a favorite summer escape, lined by rugged Atlantic beaches and dotted with quaint towns. Head to the southwestern tip of the island (locally known as “up-island”) for more undeveloped and rural scenery, including dense woods, uncrowded beaches, and fishing villages.
Matt Anderson Photography/GettyMiddleton, Wisconsin
Who knew that southern Wisconsin was home to one of the country’s most beautiful displays of summer blooms? In the small town of Middleton—just six miles west of Madison—Pope Farm Conservancy transforms into a sea of gold every year as thousands upon thousands of sunflowers burst into full color. It’s a must-visit sight for photographers, families, and nature lovers alike.
James O'Neil/GettyMonument Valley, Arizona
Sitting like a western movie backdrop in Arizona’s Navajo County, Monument Valley will probably be recognizable to anyone who has taken a road trip through the American Southwest. The 91,696-acre space is defined by its towering sandstone structures, mesas, and sandy landscapes—all of which make for perfect photo opportunities.
YinYang/GettyNa Pali Coast, Hawaii
Easily the most striking coastline in America, the Na Pali (“high cliffs” in Hawaiian) Coast is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or strenuous hike—and it is 100 percent worth the effort. This northwest edge of Kauai has towering waterfalls, crescent beaches, and sea caves just waiting to impress you.
Kenneth_Keifer/GettyNew River Gorge National Park and Preserve, West Virginia
There’s a reason John Denver sang about West Virginia—the landscapes here do, indeed, feel almost like heaven. Just look at New River Gorge, a national park and preserve defined by its sandstone cliffs, biodiverse forests, and river bookended by the Appalachian Mountains.
TerenceLeezy/GettyOneonta Gorge, Oregon
The basalt walls of Oneonta Gorge are draped in vivid green mosses and delicate ferns, creating an almost otherworldly scene that earns its place as one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful natural sights. The attraction is part of the larger Columbia River Gorge, meaning there are plenty of ways to explore beyond basic sightseeing—take a long hike to pass by sheer cliffs, misty waterfalls, and forested trails.
Michael Olson/GettyPictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
Proving it’s just as magnificent as any ocean, Lake Superior offers beaches, waterfalls, ice caves, forests, and colorful sandstone cliffs—and that’s just within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This stretch of coastline will turn any visitor into an Upper Peninsula devotee, both with its beauty and long roster of outdoor activities.
sreenath_k/GettyShenandoah National Park, Virginia
With more than 500 miles of hiking trails, Shenandoah National Park is a massive retreat just an hour and fifteen minutes away from D.C. in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Besides hiking, you can do almost anything in the park—fishing, horseback riding, camping, and bird watching are all top of mind.
Jimmy Conover/UnsplashShiprock, New Mexico
The Shiprock is a 1,583-foot tall rock formation rising like a villain’s castle in New Mexico’s Navajo Nation. The landmark formed some 30 million years ago as a volcanic plume, which remained while erosion erased the rest of the volcano, leaving behind the jagged structure that now defines the otherwise flat region.
bennymarty/GettyShoshone Falls, Idaho
Dubbed the “Niagara Falls of the West,” Idaho’s terraced Shoshone Falls drop 212 feet along the Snake River. If you’re planning to visit, aim for the spring or summer when water levels are typically at their highest.
GettyTallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas
While coastlines and mountains tend to get all the attention, there’s something to be said for the quiet and serene beauty of America’s prairies—an ecosystem that continues to be eradicated in favor of farmlands and development. The Kansas Flint Hills—namely the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve—protects what little is left of these landscapes, beckoning visitors with fields of wildflowers and seemingly endless stretches of grass that dance like ocean waves.
John Coletti/GettyTheodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
It may not be the first national park that comes to mind, but this 110-square-mile piece of land supposedly inspired Theodore Roosevelt (who frequently hunted wild game here) to become a champion of conservation and an early driving force behind the National Park System. With its rugged badlands, vast canyons, and bison-dotted fields, who wouldn’t feel inspired here?
Courtesy Explore MinnesotaVoyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Tucked away in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border, Voyageurs National Park is all about the water—from border rivers to lakes dotted with tiny islands. During the summer months grab a canoe and row to one of the campsites on the Lake Kabetogama peninsula; come winter, rent a houseboat and cross your fingers for a Northern Lights sighting.
Derek Livingston/UnsplashWhitaker Point, Arkansas
Also known as Hawksbill Crag, Whitaker Point juts over the valleys of the Buffalo National River—arguably the most beautiful stretch of the Ozark Mountains. Head here during the day to snap some photos, then stick around for some epic stargazing come nightfall (the park gained status as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019).
Paolo Becarelli/GettyWhite Sands National Park, New Mexico
New Mexico’s White Sands National Park is one of the newest honorees of all 63 parks, only just officially recognized in December 2019. The sprawling area is the world’s largest gypsum dune field (gypsum is a common rock material that reflects light, giving the dunes their dazzling look) formed close to 10,000 years ago.
Trevor Gerzen/UnsplashZion National Park, Utah
It’s hard to pick the most beautiful national park in Utah, but Zion National Park makes a compelling case with its massive sandstone cliffs and biodiversity. Spots this photogenic tend to become overrun with tourists, but follow our expert guide to Zion National Park, and you may be able to find a corner of the stunning site to keep all to yourself.
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