From the arid Southwest to the rocky coastline of the East Coast, the United States has some of the most stunning natural terrain in the world. Narrowing down the most awe-inspiring destinations in this country is one of the more difficult things we've done. Go ahead and argue with our choices, but here's our list of places that we can't stop drooling over.
1. Maroon Bells, Colorado
Whether adorned with golden aspen leaves or shimmering in the red-orange glow of an
early morning sunrise, Maroon Bells is one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Located just outside Aspen in the Rocky Mountains, this spot is also one of the most
photographed destinations in America - and we don't have to guess why.
2. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
It's hard to pick just one gorgeous spot in Arizona to feature (hometown bias is real). But
Antelope Canyon has captured the hearts of visitors for decades. It's not the only
beautiful slot canyon in the West, but it's by far the most famous. With golden rays of
light illuminating walls smoothed by decades of erosion and flash flooding, this delicate
location is magical in the extreme.
3. Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Covering 669,984 acres in Alaska, the Kenai Fjords National Park features jaw-dropping
vistas of glaciers and sea. The Harding Icefield is the crowning jewel of this park,
featuring mile-thick ice fields punctuated by waterways. Whether you explore via kayak
or boat, keep your eyes open for wildlife like seals, otters, moose, and black bears.
4. Sequoia National Park, California
The second-oldest national park in America features the tallest trees in the world. Dotted
with thick-trunked sequoias, this park is a labyrinth for visitors. Golden light fills the thick
air, and most of the park is only accessible by foot, meaning the intrepid traveler can find
themselves almost completely alone, surrounded only by these ancient trees.
5. Na Pali Coast, Hawaii
Jurassic Park references aside (yes, the original was filmed here) the Na Pali Coast is
otherworldly. Soaring red cliffs covered in bright green vegetation are licked by the
sparkling water of the Pacific. This coastal view is one of the most beautiful in the world,
and whether you choose to hik, helicopter, or boat around this natural setting, you're
guaranteed more photo opportunities than your camera can hold.
6. Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
There's a reason the Smoky Mountains is the most-visited U.S. National Park. The hazy
hills turn impossible hues of red and orange in the fall, and you'll find some of the best
hiking east of the Rocky Mountains here. Every drive is a scenic drive in this park, with
waterfalls, trees, and wildlife offering better entertainment than a smartphone.
7. Joshua Tree, California
While these spiky trees in the arid desert may not strike some as beautiful, all we can
say is beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And if that beholder finds themselves in this
national park on a clear night with the Milky Way above, they go gaga for this landscape.
8. Bluebonnets, Texas
If rural life is more your style, then you need to see the bluebonnets of Texas. Flowering
between March and April, these wildflowers cover rolling green hills dotted with docile
cows and farmhouses to create the picture of tranquility.
9. Glacier Point, Yosemite, California
Yosemite is no stranger to having its picture taken, and iconic viewpoints and stunning
hidden gems abound in this national park. Glacier Point at sunset is one of the most
recognizable shots, with a view of the valley, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls packed
into one stunning frame.
10. Grand Tetons, Wyoming
Home on the range gets a new meaning in this national park. Despite the myriad
mountain ranges in the U.S., Grand Tetons has been known to overshadow the rest.
Snowcapped peaks peer out over a thriving valley that is just as majestic in the summer
as it is in the icy winters.
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