If you’re on the hunt for the most beautiful landscapes in the USA, you’ve got quite a list to pick from here! Home to sprawling cities, lush forests and and a whopping 62 national parks, few countries have such a diverse landscape.
Stretching from the tropical climates of Hawaii and Florida, to the snow capped mountains of Colorado, or the hot, dry deserts of Nevada- the United States leave almost no climate or landscape unavailable for exploring!
From sea to shining sea, these 15 beautiful landscapes in the USA rank as our favorites. So buckle up as we start heading down Route 66 to see some of the most breathtaking places this diverse country has to offer.
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1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Welcome to the stunning pastoral scenery at Oxbow Bend Snake River, one of the best views in Grand Teton. If you haven’t been to Wyoming yet- this mountainous national park is reason enough to go! This is one of the most beautiful landscapes in the USA without a doubt.
2. Horseshoe Bend, Arizona
Located near Page, Arizona the magnificent Horseshoe Bend, made famous by social media is a whopping 1,000 feet (305 m) deep drop off from the upper vantage point. Carved by the winding Colorado River as it makes its way towards the Grand Canyon- this natural wonder cannot be missed when taking a road trip through the southwest states.
3. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Often described as the most spectacular slot canyons in the world, this mysterious phenomenon does not disappoint in person. Be sure to visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon while you are here! It’s a photographer’s paradise.
This makes the list of Alyssa’s 10 best stops for an Arizona/Utah road trip.
4. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
This underappreciated beauty in New Mexico is full of sweeping sand dunes comprised of rare white gypsum sand. White like snow, this majestic landscape was only just honored as a national park on December 20, 2019. It might look like a winter wonderland but you can expect mild weather all year given it’s close proximity to the Mexico border.
5. The Grand Canyon, Arizona
Welcome to the most visited park in the United States! Formed over 6 million years, this iconic landmark is among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. It comes as no surprise this canyon is as famous as it is considering it stretches 227 miles long and averages over ten miles wide.
6. Florida Keys
This tropical paradise is comprised of a string of island spanning about 120 miles off the southern tip of Florida. Split between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Keys are a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling, boating and more.
Best of all, you can actually drive to the islands and between them thanks to the Florida Keys Overseas Highway stretching 113 miles in length. So rent a convertible and embark on an epic road trip starting in the mainland of Florida, passing hundreds of islands and driving all the way to the southernmost city of Key West.
7. Monument Valley
Transport yourself back in time to the Wild West in this Navajo Nation Tribal Park. As you explore the sand dunes and staggering buttes you might recognize some iconic view points from old John Wayne films.
When visiting, be sure to book a day tour with a Navajo guide so you get access to areas of the park not open to the general public. I highly recommend the open air jeep tours. You can even stay the night in the park and sleep in a traditional dwelling for Navajo people known as a hogan.
8. Kauai, Hawaii
This Hawaiian island is nicknamed “the Garden Isle” due to the lush tropical rainforest that covers most of the land. You might recognize the dramatic landscape of the Na Pali Coast from some of your favorite films-Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Avatar and so many more.
9. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Buffalo graze the fields as geysers erupt in the background! The vast majority of this national park lies within the state of Wyoming but small sections extend into Montana and Idaho. If this park isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be!
10. Yosemite National Park, California
The gem of California easily ranks on the list of most beautiful landscapes! This national park is expansive and full of exhilarating hikes. With no shortage of amazing views, roaming wildlife or mountains to climb, Yosemite is a favorite place for many who visit.
11. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
This Colorado mountain range easily makes it on our list of most beautiful landscapes in the USA. Just look at that view! The Rocky Mountains are home to some of the highest mountains in the continental USA.
And a whopping one third of the park falls within the alpine tundra- a windy, cold climate where trees are unable to grow due to the high elevation. But it sure makes for spectacular views!
12. Baker Beach, California
This California beach not only provides beautiful views of the hills surrounding San Francisco but the most fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge as well!
Just beware of Karl the Fog. This infamous San Francisco fog cloud that the locals have lovingly named “Karl” will sometimes obstruct this view completely. But on a clear day, the landscape can’t be topped!
13. The Wave, Arizona
Arizona landscapes keep making it onto the list of most beautiful landscapes in the USA but with views like this, how can they not? This beauty is known as the Wave. It’s a sandstone rock formation in the northern part of the state near the Utah border. Again, it’s another photographer’s paradise.
14. Denali National Park, Alaska
Alaska’s famous national park sprawls over 6 million acres of land. (That’s larger than the state of Massachusetts!) Home to a wide range of wildlife, lucky visitors might spot grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, moose and more.
15. Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Oregon Coast is a magnificent part of the Pacific Northwest and one of the most beautiful landscapes on the West Coast!. And nowhere are the views better than at Haystack Rock. If you visit between April and early July there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see the puffins who make the beach their home.
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