The Most Beautiful Places in America

You can't have a list of the most beautiful places in America and not include the Grand Canyon. This vast natural wonder measures 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over one mile deep. The high elevation (the North Rim is about 8,000 feet above sea level) also means you'll find an array of ecosystems. For example, you'll likely see pine forests packed with elk and other wildlife along the rim of the canyon. The gorgeous layers of red rock throughout the canyon are especially lovely at sunrise, so make sure you wake up early, at least one day of your visit, to witness it.

Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains are a sight to behold and a must-hike for nature lovers looking to spot wildlife like black bears and colorful birds. You'll find Shenandoah National Park, full of forests, wetlands, and waterfalls, in this stretch of the state. The park also contains part of the Appalachian Trail. If hiking isn't your thing, experience the beauty of this place with a drive along the Skyline Drive. Pro tip: This place is particularly mesmerizing at night when there's a glittering sky full of stars.

Located about an hour east of Palm Springs, California, Joshua Tree National Park is another stunning spot worth visiting. It was a U.S. National Monument until 1996, when it officially became a national park. Named for the unique-looking Joshua trees that fill the park, it covers an expansive 800,000 acres and includes both the Colorado Desert and Mojave Desert. The park is also flanked by large boulders popular among rock-climbing enthusiasts; the most well-known is Skull Rock, aptly named as it resembles a skull. It's no secret that this place is drop-dead gorgeous, day or night.

Old Faithful might be a popular household name, but if you ask us, the gorgeous rainbow waters of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park beat the geyser with flying colors. It's the largest hot spring in the U.S., but you can’t hop in for a soak: the steamy waters sizzle at 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

For an unexpected and gorgeous departure from most parks' traditional tall trees and lush mountains, head to Monahans Sandhills State Park in Texas. Here, spectacular dunes rise to 70 feet tall, making them perfect for taking pictures, riding horses, and surfing. (Walking is also great, but the soft sand makes it quite a workout.)

Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park is not only a breathtaking sight, but it's also one of the best spots in the country to see unique marine life, such as breaching orcas and humpback whales, soaring bald eagles, and adorable otters floating on their backs. You might even see a black bear or two. Plus, expect to witness smooth waters brushing up against glaciers, mountains, forests, and the famously immense Exit Glacier.

The moss- and fern-coated mountainside and rushing waterfalls of Oneonta Gorge in Oregon look like they belong in an exotic, far-flung destination, but this impressive triple waterfall is, in fact, located stateside in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge area.

The towering trees in Sequoia National Park in California have long drawn tourists from around the globe. Drive through the famous Tunnel Log, which was carved out so cars could drive straight through it, for a truly unique experience. All around the park, you’ll find larger-than-life trees, stunning caves, and surreal viewpoints from which to soak in all the beauty. Watching the leaves change during the fall is an especially mesmerizing experience, but a visit to Sequoia National Park is a good idea any time of year.

Your jaw will drop to the floor more than a few times during your visit to Antelope Canyon, located a few miles east of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Antelope Canyon was naturally carved out of the surrounding sandstone, thanks to flash flooding and water erosion. The result is two beautiful, sunlit crevices that will undoubtedly impress.

The canyon is split into two parts: upper and lower. Both sections are only accessible via a guided tour. You can find a list of approved guided tour operators from the Navajo Nation Park & Recreation, which manages the site.

The road from Valdez to Fairbanks, particularly the curved stretch between Glacier View and Tonsina, might take three times longer than expected because you'll likely want to pull over to take pictures of the mind-blowing scenery every few minutes. It's easy to feel humbled as you carve your way through the impossibly large mountains and towering trees. Speaking of scenic drives in Alaska, we also love the Seward Highway's romantic sunset views.

Colorado's Rocky Mountains are one of the most popular attractions in the country, and it's easy to see why. With outstanding vistas any time of year—plus outdoor activity offerings like hiking, rafting, and wildlife viewing, to name a few—it's an easy pick. Everywhere you turn, you'll find fresh air and a fresh perspective.

Did you know Florida is home to North America's only living coral barrier reef system? It's true, and it gets better. The Florida Keys reef system is also the third-largest barrier reef system in the world, stretching over 350 miles from the Dry Tortugas to the ST. Lucie Inlet. Unfortunately, it's disintegrating at a faster-than-predicted rate, so if you want to experience the reef system—and the over 1,000 species of fish that call it home—plan your trip as soon as possible.

The 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness straddles the border between Utah and Arizona and is composed of a colorful landscape that includes sandstone formations, deep canyons, and meandering waterways. Various wildlife, including bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, mule deer, and mountain lions, also call this area home. Hiking is the most popular activity here, but folks also enjoy camping and canyoneering.