Most Breathtaking Places in America You Have to See
The United States holds landscapes of every kind—waterfalls, volcanoes, deserts, mountains, and coastlines. Some carry millions of years of geological history, others are alive with wildlife. Every state has at least one spot that leaves a strong impression. This list looks at fifteen places that show the variety and scale of the country’s natural scenery.
Niagara Falls, New York
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Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls on the border of the United States and Canada: Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil. Together, they produce the highest flow rate of any waterfall in North America. Visitors can get close to the spray on a Maid of the Mist boat tour.
Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
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Kīlauea spent decades pouring out lava, from 1983 until 2018, and has reshaped Hawaii’s coastline in the process. That molten rock created new land where it met the Pacific. In Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, conditions sometimes line up so visitors can see the crater glowing red against the night sky.
Yosemite National Park, California
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Yosemite National Park’s sheer granite cliffs, tall waterfalls, and high meadows create one of the West’s most striking landscapes. Landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome tower above valleys where black bears, mule deer, and the rare Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep still roam. It’s a place where dramatic geology and diverse wildlife share the same stage.
Acadia National Park, Maine
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Cadillac Mountain, the tallest point on the eastern seaboard, is a popular sunrise destination in fall and winter. The park’s carriage roads, built by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., are ideal for cycling. In autumn, the forests explode with red, orange, and gold foliage.
Big Sur, California
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This rugged stretch of California’s central coast runs along Highway 1, with the Santa Lucia Mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean. Pullouts such as Bixby Creek Bridge and McWay Falls provide postcard-ready views. The area’s remoteness helps preserve its wild character and attracts travelers looking for a dramatic feel.
Grand Canyon, Arizona
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One glance over the rim and the Grand Canyon’s scale is almost too big to process. It runs 277 miles long and exposes rock layers older than most life on Earth. Short on time? Scenic spots like Desert View show off the colorful hues that shift as the sun moves.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
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America’s first national park is a hotspot in more ways than one. Its geysers, hot springs, and fumaroles are fueled by one of the world’s largest active volcanic systems. The park is also a haven for wildlife, including bison herds that roam near roadsides.
Monument Valley, Arizona and Utah
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This desert region straddles the Arizona–Utah border and is part of the Navajo Nation. The location has appeared in countless films, particularly Westerns. Guided tours, often led by Navajo residents, provide cultural insights alongside stops at panoramic viewpoints like John Ford’s Point.
Glacier National Park, Montana
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Glacier National Park holds more than 700 miles of trails and dozens of pristine lakes. Once home to over a hundred glaciers, only about two dozen remain today due to warming temperatures. The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50-mile scenic drive, shows the park’s alpine passes, valleys, and waterfalls in a single route.
Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada
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Straddling the state line between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its water is famously clear, with visibility often exceeding 60 feet. Summer draws boaters, swimmers, and hikers, while winter transforms the surrounding Sierra Nevada into a skiing destination.
Olympic National Park, Washington
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Olympic National Park feels like three parks in one. You can stroll through the beaches, rainforests, and snowy ridgelines without leaving the boundary. Hoh Rain Forest’s moss-covered trees reveal one of the wettest places in the continental U.S.
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina and Tennessee
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This Appalachian range is the most visited national park in the country. Its name comes from the natural haze that often hangs over the valleys. The park’s biodiversity is remarkable, with more than 19,000 documented species of plants and animals.
Arches National Park, Utah
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Utah’s Arches National Park contains over 2,000 natural sandstone arches formed by millions of years of erosion. Delicate Arch, the park’s most photographed landmark, requires a moderate hike to reach but rewards visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding canyons.
Everglades National Park, Florida
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The Everglades, covering 1.5 million acres of wetlands, protect a unique ecosystem found nowhere else. It’s the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist. The park also serves as an important habitat for endangered species such as the Florida panther and the West Indian manatee.
Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
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The world’s longest known cave system stretches for over 400 explored miles beneath Kentucky’s rolling hills. Guided tours lead through vast chambers and narrow passageways decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature inside stays a cool 54°F, no matter how hot it gets outside.