The 50 Most Beautiful Places in America
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The most beautiful places in America are as stunning as they are diverse. You’ll find temperate rainforests and rocky beaches in the Pacific Northwest, lunar-like deserts and the grandest of canyons in the Southwest, glittering white beaches on the East Coast, and plenty of forests, lakes, and national parks in between. (And don’t forget about Hawaii and Alaska, two treasure troves of natural beauty that encourage folks to explore beyond the contiguous US.)
When it comes to choosing the destination for your next domestic trip, several factors may sway your decision, from which cities have the best museums to which neighborhoods are known for their up-and-coming culinary scenes. But sometimes, you simply want to visit somewhere downright beautiful—and that’s where this list comes in.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere new and exciting to visit in the US or simply want to fill your camera roll with incredible shots, here are the 50 most beautiful places in America.
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
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Acadia 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.
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Angel 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.
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Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon—and serious Instagram darling—in the American Southwest, just east of Page, Arizona. The narrow, undulating spaces between rock formations allow for vivid patterns when sunlight filters through the striated stone.
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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin
This 21-mile edge of Lake Superior is a year-round destination for outdoor adventurers: Not only can travelers go kayaking through the wave-carved sandstone cliffs in the warmer months, but people can even walk across the frozen lake and explore the ice caves in the winter.
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Assateague 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.
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Atchafalaya 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.
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Badlands 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.
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The Berkshires, Massachusetts
There’s fall foliage, and then there’s Berkshires fall foliage. This hilly region of Massachusetts—a long-popular escape for New York and Boston urbanites—comes alive with color during the autumn months, especially along the 63-mile Mohawk Trail. Fill your days with leaf peeping, then rest up in one of the area’s many cozy boutique hotels.
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Big 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.
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Big 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.
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Bonneville 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.
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Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
It’s hard to pick the most beautiful national park in Utah, but Bryce Canyon National Park makes a compelling case with its layered red and orange hoodoos and lookout points positioned perfectly for sunrises and sunsets. The park even dazzles after the sun goes down: The Dark Ranger Observatory is located about 10 minutes from the park and has all the equipment you need for the best stargazing of your life.
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Cades 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.
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Cannon Beach, Oregon
Driving Oregon’s coast is a road trip that rivals even California's Highway 1, with beautiful state parks, rugged coastlines, and secluded hideaways. Cannon Beach is an essential pit stop off Highway 101—in fact, it might just be one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Walking along the sand at low tide and witnessing the 235-foot Haystack Rock jutting up from the water is something for the bucket lists.
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Crater 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.
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Daniel 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.
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Door 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.
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The 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.
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The 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.
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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska
If you want to see crashing glaciers, temperate rainforests, breaching whales, and mountain goats in one single day, head straight for Alaska’s Glacier Bay National Park. Covering 3.3 million acres of pristine mountains and fjords, this national park packs quite a punch in terms of both beauty and adventure.
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Glacier 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.
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The 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.
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Grand 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).
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Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Jutting up to 13,775 feet above the prairie-like landscapes of Wyoming, the magnificent Teton mountain range feels almost like a mirage. Visitors can enjoy nearly 200 miles of hiking trails, go rafting in the Snake River, and maybe even spot a grizzly bear or two.
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Great 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.
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Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Open (and beautiful) all year round, Hocking Hills State Park is packed with hiking trails that pass by waterfalls, cliffs, thick forests, and gorges canopied by hemlock trees. The trail leading to the Whispering Cave—a 300-foot-wide recess cave with gentle waterfalls—is particularly lovely.
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Hoh 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 Livingston
Indiana 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.
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Jekyll Island, Georgia
Consistently voted one of the best islands in America by our readers, Jekyll Island stretches for seven miles off the Atlantic coast of Georgia. The small sliver of land goes big on natural beauty, from the Spanish moss hanging dreamily off trees to the gnarled and weathered wood on Driftwood Beach.
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Joshua 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.
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Letchworth 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.
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Lake 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.
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Maroon 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.
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Martha’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.
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Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska
The ice caves inside Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier are not easily accessible nor for the faint of heart—those who want to see them in person must first kayak to the glacier and then ice-climb to reach it. But once adventurers stand under the glowing blue ceilings of ice, we’re pretty sure they’ll tell you it’s worth the trek.
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Molokini Crater, Hawaii
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater, located between the islands of Maui and Kahoolawe, is one of the most colorful experiences available in the Hawaiian islands. This half-in, half-out-of-water crater boasts a reef and hundreds of varieties of underwater species that aren’t too shy to approach tour boats and divers.
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Na 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.
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New 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.
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Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks (or OBX, according to many a bumper sticker) refers to a string of barrier islands cupping North Carolina’s entire coast, with some of the best beaches and historic attractions in the state. You can explore several of the islands in one day by following N.C. Highway 12, stopping at sites like the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Bodie Island Lighthouse along the way.
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The Palouse, Idaho
The rolling region of the Palouse covers 4,000 sq. miles of northern Idaho and southeastern Washington. The loess hills resemble sand dunes in shape (probably because they were formed by wind-blown sediment, not erosion), but become a dreamscape of varying shades of greens during the wet spring months.
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Pictured 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.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley, Washington
If you thought you had to travel to France to see endless fields of lavender, you clearly haven't been to Sequim, Washington before. As if the Olympic Peninsula’s beaches and mountains weren’t incredible enough, Sequim’s lavender farms add another perfect (and fragrant) option.
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Shenandoah 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.
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Shiprock, 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.
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Tallgrass 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.
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Theodore 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 Minnesota
Voyageurs 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.
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White 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.
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Yosemite National Park, California
One of the country’s most popular national parks, Yosemite contains alpine meadows, five of the world’s highest waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and the spectacular, half-mile-deep Yosemite Valley. And all that beauty didn’t happen overnight—glacial erosion over millions of years birthed the spectacular park you see today.