The Most Beautiful Places in the U.S.

• Best tourist destination: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Underrated hidden gem: Badlands National Park, South Dakota
• Best for families: Washington, D.C.
• Best for couples: Finger Lakes, New York
• Best for solo travelers: Acadia National Park, Maine

The U.S. is full of beautiful, diverse landscapes that range from desert mesas and wooded river valleys to barrier islands and lush, steamy tropics. The scenery along Florida’s palm-studded coast is much different than what you would see in California’s rugged Sierra Nevadas, for instance, or the fiery canyonlands of the Southwest.

To help inspire your next trip, we put together a list of the most beautiful places in every state—plus the District of Columbia.

Alabama: Magnolia Springs

Mail is delivered by boat—courtesy of the only year-round river mail delivery service in the country—in this small coastal village along the Magnolia River. Dating to the early 1800s, the town is named for its natural assets: gushing springs and a shady canopy of magnolia trees.

Alaska: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve

Few states seize the popular imagination like Alaska. And with 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias, the largest national park in the U.S., encompasses the overwhelming beauty of the far north. Hiking here leads you through a boreal forest, along glittering glaciers—the Root Glacier Trail goes right on the icy mass, so crampons are recommended—and up to ridges for breathtaking mountain views. To boot, this park contains some of the highest peaks in the country.

Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park

The most beautiful place in Arizona has to be Grand Canyon National Park. Although natural beauty can be found in every corner of the state, from the enchanting Emerald Cove to the sacred Canyon de Chelly, nothing quite compares to the majesty of Arizona’s flagship feature. Located on either side of this natural wonder and still worth mentioning, Havasu Falls (also called Havasupai Falls) contrasts the red rock with its impossibly turquoise water, while the circular arc of the Colorado River at Horseshoe Bend, to the north, is not to be missed.

Arkansas: Ozark-St. Francis National Forests

Dominating northwestern Arkansas, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests are an all-season haven rich in things to do. The ferny oak-hickory woods are dotted with caverns—the tour-friendly Blanchard Springs Caverns have an underground river, grottoes, swimming beaches, campsites, and horseback and ATV trails. Whitaker Point (also called Hawksbill Crag) and Sam’s Throne are favorite spots among hiking and rock-climbing enthusiasts.

California: Yosemite National Park

The alpine wonderland of Yosemite National Park draws millions of visitors each year to see its high-country Sierra Nevada beauty, marked by granite domes, towering sequoias, and sheer-drop waterfalls. Hike or drive up to Glacier Point to behold Yosemite Valley from 7,214 feet; the million-dollar panorama includes Yosemite Falls and the famous Half Dome, which is staggeringly close and rises nearly 5,000 feet from the valley floor at a practically vertical pitch.

Colorado: Garden of the Gods

Anyone with even a passing interest in geology or photography—or just knockout natural splendor in general—might find themselves speechless at the sight of Garden of the Gods. Aim to visit the lofty sandstone formations on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. And take the Siamese Twins loop for a view of snowy Pikes Peak set in a frame of red rocks. This is where, in 1925, American poet Katherine Lee Bates was inspired to pen the lyrics to “America the Beautiful.”

Connecticut: The Connecticut Shore

If you close your eyes and try to imagine the ideal coastal town in New England, your vision is probably not too far off from Old Lyme, Mystic, Old Saybrook, and other coastal Connecticut villages. These small towns, strung along the Long Island Sound, combine quiet coastal beauty and gobs of old-timey charm—think picture-perfect inns and cozy taverns.

Delaware: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

You don’t have to be an avid birder to treasure this nature preserve. One of the largest surviving tidal salt marshes in the region, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Smyrna is the boggy domain of bald eagles, snowy egrets, great blue herons, and other wildlife.

District of Columbia

With so many free museums and attractions—including 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries and the National Zoo—Washington, D.C. is a wonderful destination for families. Time your visit for mid-to-late March or early April (it changes each year) when the cherry blossoms are in peak bloom. That’s when the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival takes over the Tidal Basin and National Mall as the city’s trees erupt in brilliant shades of pink and white. Other top places to view them include the U.S. National Arboretum, East Potomac Park, and the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks.

Florida: Everglades National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage site and International Biosphere Reserve, this watery 1.5 million-acre wilderness is home to extraordinary flora and fauna, including American alligators, American crocodiles, manatees, otters, endangered Florida panthers, and wading birds. To best explore Everglades National Park, join an airboat tour, paddle the mangroves in a canoe or kayak, bike the popular Shark Valley Tram Road, or set out on the flat Anhinga Trail through a seagrass marsh.

Georgia: Cumberland Island

It’s hard to imagine a place better suited to peace seekers, bird-watchers, and history buffs than car-free Cumberland Island. Development on this Georgia barrier island is limited to the stately Greyfield Inn, while the rest of its roughly 36,000 acres are wild, including nearly 10,000 acres of protected wilderness. When you’re not strolling the driftwood-strewn beaches, you can kayak the quiet waterways or stop by the ruins of the Gilded Age-era Dungeness Mansion.

Hawaii: Nāpali Coast

The Earth’s wrinkles are on spectacular display along the Nāpali Coast in Kauai, where sheer, fluted sea cliffs plummet into the Pacific. The only land access is via the strenuous 11-mile (each way) Kalalau Trail, which follows the jagged, jade-colored coast’s gulches and valleys. The first two miles are a popular day hike; beyond that, a permit is required. This is considered to be one of the country’s most dangerous treks, though helicopter and boat tours are other ways to view the exquisite terrain.

Idaho: Sawtooth National Forest

Four mountain ranges and four major rivers collide in Sawtooth National Forest, a 2.1-million-acre great-outdoors paradise where the landscape has remained virtually unchanged since Sacagawea led Lewis and Clark through it in 1805. The forest is home to dozens of 10,000-plus-foot peaks, hundreds of sparkling alpine lakes, and more than 3,000 miles of gushing streams, as well as grassy meadows, sagebrush flats, and pine and aspen woods. Methods of exploration are as vast as the land itself and include backpacking, rafting, skiing, and mountain climbing.

Illinois: Cache River State Natural Area

You might think you’re deep in a Louisiana bayou in the Cache River State Natural Area’s bald cypress and tupelo swamp, the northernmost of its kind in the U.S. Discover acres of wetlands by kayak, canoe, or foot via the park’s trails and boardwalks. Some of the cypresses you’ll see here are more than 1,000 years old, with flared bases that exceed 40 feet around.

Indiana: Hemlock Cliffs

For the uninitiated, Indiana is full of surprises. You’ll find scenes similar to the covered bridges and country lanes of Vermont, the dunes and lakeshore of Michigan, and fall foliage reminiscent of the Smokies. Located about a 2.5-hour drive from Indianapolis, this box canyon within Hoosier National Forest is a terrific ravine- and waterfall-filled place that you probably wouldn’t associate with the heartland.

Iowa: Maquoketa Caves State Park

Avid explorers will be in their element at Maquoketa Caves State Park, where bluffs, miles of trails, and more than a dozen limestone caves await investigation. Some of the caves, such as the 1,100-foot Dancehall, can be walked through upright, while others require serious spelunking. Either way, bring a headlamp. Note that the park’s caves do close seasonally from mid-October to mid-April to serve as a special bat habitat during the winter.

Kansas: Castle Rock Badlands

About a four-hour drive from Topeka, this quirky site is off the beaten path—literally. Located on private ranchland accessed by four-wheel drive-demanding dirt roads, Castle Rock Badlands is a relic of an inland sea that once covered this part of the continent. The fragile, fossil-rich limestone pinnacles provide a near-shocking change of scenery from the prairie Kansas is known for.

Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park

The longest known cave system on the planet is found below the wild hills of south-central Kentucky. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a vast, still-being-mapped limestone network of cool caverns, cathedral-like rotundas, and claustrophobia-inducing crawl spaces. Lest you think a Mammoth Cave National Park adventure is all below ground, the lushly forested park above it offers activities like hiking and horseback riding, plus canoeing and kayaking on its two rivers.

Louisiana: Wild Azalea Trail

Bar-crawling in Louisiana may come to mind before forest hiking, but the 31-mile-long Wild Azalea Trail showcases some of the state’s best scenery—think pine trees, clear creeks, gentle hills, and sometimes, wild horses. Time your trek for March or April to see the namesake pale pink flowers blanketing the countryside. You’ll find the trail about an hour’s drive north of Lafayette.

Maine: Acadia National Park

With its rocky shores, crashing surf, and coastal mountain hiking trails, Acadia National Park wins the top spot on Maine’s most beautiful places list. Drive to the Cadillac Mountain summit before dawn for the first glimpse of sunrise in the U.S. (from early October to early March, that is).

Maryland: Weverton Cliffs

Near the famed Appalachian Trail, Weverton Cliffs is a scenic 1.9-mile out-and-back hike located in South Mountain State Park. The reward for your efforts? Incredible views from your perch 567 feet above the Potomac River of two neighboring states, Virginia and West Virginia.

Massachusetts: Cape Cod National Seashore

This delicate stretch of federally protected land is rich in natural appeal. Cape Cod National Seashore contains a mix of marshes, woodlands, wild cranberry bogs, windswept dunes, walking paths, and miles of sandy beaches. It’s also home to one of the last remaining blocks of Atlantic coastal pine barrens, a now-rare forest ecosystem teeming with animals and birdlife.

Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Out-of-staters might not equate Michigan with sandy beaches and striking sand dunes, but both can be found along the state’s largely coastal boundaries—most notably on the 35 miles of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This carved-by-glaciers shoreline is home to a beech-maple forest, scenic hiking trails, and the immense namesake dunes, which rise high above Lake Michigan.

Minnesota: North Shore Scenic Drive

The North Shore is a road-tripper’s dream. Many Minnesotans and Midwesterners drive the Lake Superior-adjacent route time and time again, hitting the four-tiered Gooseberry Falls, the precariously perched Split Rock Lighthouse, and the tallest waterfall in the state, aptly named High Falls, located in Grand Portage State Park and shared by the U.S. and Canada. Pop by World’s Best Donuts, an important stop for cinnamon-sugar donuts and deep-fried “skizzles” since 1969.

Mississippi: Natchez Trace Parkway

Beauty and blacktop meet on the Natchez Trace, a 444-mile drive that crosses Mississippi like a pageant sash, following an Indigenous American foot trail that goes back millennia. Instead of billboards and interstate exit signs, you’ll cruise past cypress swamps and meadows edged by black-eyed Susans and log fences, with plenty of opportunities to pull over for picnics and nature walks.

Missouri: Ozark National Scenic Riverways

The spring-fed Current and Jacks Fork rivers anchor this protected pocket of the Ozarks. Swim, canoe, and fish in the crystal-clear waters of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and explore the area’s trails, natural springs, historic mills, and caves—more than 300 have been discovered so far, with some only accessible by boat.

Montana: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Take the ride of your life on Going-to-the-Sun Road, a two-hour, 50-mile route that climbs above the clouds in Glacier National Park. Looking out the window takes a bit of bravery because of the steep drops, but your reward is jaw-dropping views of alpine valleys, flowing rivers, and fields of wildflowers far below the surrounding peaks and ridgelines. The road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (elevation: 6,646 feet), where you can get out and hike the Hidden Lake and Highline trails.

Nebraska: Toadstool Geologic Park

Nebraska’s native prairie is thrown into splendid relief at Toadstool Geologic Park, a tract of unusual wind- and water-carved rock formations and vast fossil beds situated in the Oglala National Grasslands. Some rock layers even contain tracks of animals such as rhinos and camels, long vanished from this part of the world.

Nevada: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Just a 20-minute drive from the LED skyline of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, named for its giant cliffs and craggy jumbles of yellow and red sandstone. The hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and scenic drives you’ll find here are a pretty amazing contrast to the gaming, buffet feasts, and pool parties that define a typical Sin City getaway.

New Hampshire: Kancamagus Highway

Kancamagus Scenic Byway (“the Kanc”) may just be New England’s prettiest drive. Connecting the small towns of Lincoln and Conway, it meanders past several rocky gorges, waterfalls, swimming holes, campgrounds, and trailheads within White Mountain National Forest. Autumn is a lovely time to make the journey, when the foliage colors and moose sightings are at their peak. Just be sure to pack snacks and fuel up—there are no gas stations or businesses for about 35 miles.

New Jersey: Cape May

Cape May’s main claim to fame may be its late Victorian-era houses and hotels—some 600 structures in all—but this New Jersey beach town has non-architectural virtues as well. There are wineries, gardens, biodiverse wetlands, and, of course, end-of-peninsula beaches. Head to west-facing Sunset Beach at twilight for an amazing natural show over Delaware Bay.

New Mexico: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

Millions of years of erosion have created this sci-fi, fantasy-like display of pinnacles, spires, and other weirdly wonderful bodies of weathered rock. This high-desert wilderness, located about a three-hour drive from Albuquerque, is essentially the geologic record of a prehistoric coastal swamp where dinosaurs once roamed.

New York: Finger Lakes

Glacial forces shaped this beautiful upstate New York landscape, leaving behind 11 long, skinny, finger-like lakes in its wake. The Finger Lakes region is heaven in the summer, when visitors can choose between waterfall hiking (Watkins Glen and Shequaga Falls are popular stops), endless lake activities, and more wineries, breweries, and cideries than you can shake a stick at.

North Carolina: Outer Banks

This remote stretch of coastline has drawn everyone from pirates and colonists to aspiring aviators—in 1903, the Wright Brothers took to the air right here in Kitty Hawk. It’s home to some of the best beaches in North Carolina, making it ideal for visitors seeking peace, quiet, white sand, and salty air. Add the barrier islands’ wild dunes, some incredible Outer Banks campgrounds, and heaps of hiking and biking paths—it’s actually possible to cycle the entire length of the 150-mile strip—and you’ve got a destination that’s ready for your next quaint coastal getaway.

North Dakota: Maah Daah Hey Trail

Hike, bike, or hop on a horse and ride through the beautiful remote scenery North Dakota is known for. The 144-mile Maah Daah Hey Trail includes nine sections that feature various lengths, difficulty ratings, and backdrops ranging from grassy prairies to dizzying badland buttes. It’s a timeless American landscape, and the trail is aptly named for the Indigenous Mandan Hidatsa phrase: “an area that has been or will be around for a long time.”

Ohio: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

You can pretend you’re visiting Victorian London in the Crystal Palace-evoking glass greenhouse that is the cornerstone of this botanical landmark. The diverse biomes at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens might transport you to the desert, a tropical rain forest, or the Himalayas.

Oklahoma: Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve

Native grasslands, the ecosystem perhaps most powerfully entwined with our national identity, are on the decline. This protected preserve is home to the largest sweep of tallgrass prairie in the world. Here, you can see the American plains as they looked centuries ago, with herds of bison—about 2,500 of the shaggy-haired beasts roam freely—and swaths of purple prairie clover.

Oregon: Crater Lake

Crater Lake is evidence of the tectonic activity that’s eternally shaping the planet. A long-ago eruption formed a giant caldera, which, over time, filled with rain and snow. The gradual result is a deep lake—the deepest in the country, in fact, at 1,943 feet—with intense blue waters and fantastic clarity. Crater Lake’s idyllic mountain setting atop the Cascade Range makes it even more hypnotic.

Pennsylvania: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans more than 70,000 acres of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, yet its namesake point is where the river carves its way through the rugged Kittatinny Mountain. See the Gap from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which offers a clear view from Mount Minsi (on the Pennsylvania side).

Rhode Island: Block Island

Fieldstone walls hemming in emerald-green fields, Victorian buildings, and dramatic cliffs lashed by the Atlantic define Block Island, one of New England’s best weekend getaways. It almost feels as if you’ve been dropped on a distant British shore. Mosey around the island by bike or moped, visit its two lighthouses, and pop into a classic New England eatery like Block Island Oyster Bar and Grill for lobster bisque and daily-harvested oysters.

South Carolina: Hilton Head Island

Wide beaches may be a big draw, but Hilton Head Island locals and vacationers alike praise its extensive bike trail system for low-key cruising—and for bypassing road traffic, which can be intense. The 64-mile, well-maintained network is easy to navigate and takes you to some of the area’s best spots, such as the Sea Pines Forest Preserve. A bike ride is especially lovely in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set over the marshes.

South Dakota: Badlands National Park

Between the steep buttes, crystal-lined caves, granite spires, prairies, and ponderosa pine forests, choosing the most beautiful place in South Dakota was a real challenge. That said, the otherworldly fossil-packed landscape of Badlands National Park is hard to beat. Here, meadows meet whimsically eroded canyons and vibrant, layered hills. For the best views, drive along the Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240) and stop at each of the scenic lookouts. You’ll get bonus points if you time your visit to include the south-facing Pinnacles Overlook at sunset.

Tennessee: Cherokee National Forest

Lovers of the great outdoors have their work cut out for them in Tennessee. The 650,000-acre Cherokee National Forest offers something for adventurers of every sort, whether you’re looking to tackle a section of the Appalachian Trail or other backcountry treks, whitewater raft down Pigeon River, pitch a tent next to Watauga Lake, or witness the dazzling rhododendron summer bloom in the Roan Highlands.

Texas: Guadalupe Mountains

In windswept West Texas, the Guadalupe Mountains are the exposed tips of the 400-mile Capitan Reef, one of the best-preserved ancient reef systems in the world. Explore more than 80 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy nature walks through the Chihuahuan Desert to harder hikes to the “top of Texas,” a.k.a. Guadalupe Peak, the state’s highest point at 8,751 feet.

Utah: Arches National Park

We’ll confess to paralysis by indecision here, as there’s such an array of beautiful places in Utah (see Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park, among other scenic spots). Yet surreal Arches National Park gets the nod. Its natural sandstone arches, tall cliffs, and honeycomb rocks are like a 65-million-year chronicle of our planet. The scenery will leave you breathless—as will a stamina-requiring hike to Fiery Furnace (ranger guidance or individual permit required) or picture-perfect Delicate Arch.

Vermont: Mad River Valley

In the 1950s, the snowy ski resorts of Mad River Valley attracted the likes of the Kennedys and Hollywood VIPs. Its creviced mountains and charming small towns still make it a prime destination for all manner of outdoor and simple-pleasure pursuits, like hiking, maple syrup- and cheese-tasting, shopping for crafts, and seeking local swimming holes, to name a few. Even just cruising along Route 100 is a delight.

Virginia: Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s “America’s Favorite Drive” tagline isn’t just a stroke of marketing genius. The 469-mile drive, shared by Virginia and North Carolina, takes you through some of the most stunning scenery in the southeastern U.S. One example? Natural Bridge, a 215-foot-tall “overpass” spanning 90 feet to connect solid limestone cliffs. Don’t forget good hiking shoes and your phone charger, as there are hundreds of trails and photo ops to be discovered.

Washington: Hurricane Ridge

This mountainous area within Olympic National Park packs the best features of Washington state—snowy peaks, glassy lakes, grazing black-tailed deer in steep meadows, and thick evergreen forests—into one enchantingly alpine package.

West Virginia: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

A highlight of West Virginia is the seemingly endless reserve of spectacular river ravines and mountain views. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve gets a special mention for its iconic bridge. With a 3,030-foot steel span that’s nearly 90 stories high, it will make your heart skip a beat.

Wisconsin: Apostle Islands

There’s so much to explore on the 21 islands that make up the Apostle archipelago. Hike through the wilderness, hop in a kayak, scuba dive to shipwrecks and underwater sea caves—Lake Superior really does look and feel more like an ocean—and explore the area’s many lighthouses.

Wyoming: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Even in a state that’s full of magnificent scenery, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, located within America’s first national park, is a high point. The deep river gorge is a rumbling mass of natural beauty, with roaming wildlife—bison, elk, and even a grizzly crossing may make traffic come to a standstill—plunging waterfalls, and canyon walls made colorful by iron compounds.