2025-10-13T16:40:06Z Share Facebook Email X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky WhatsApp Copy link lightning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. I’m a solo traveler who has journeyed independently through every corner of the United States, reaching all fifty states as well as each of the sixty-three designated national parks. Among these countless natural wonders, the splendor of Glacier National Park has, on numerous occasions, moved me so profoundly that I’ve been brought to tears by the magnitude of its beauty. Yet, my admiration does not stop there; I have also found deep joy and awe traveling through equally magnificent destinations such as Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park and the glowing red landscapes of Sedona, Arizona.
Growing up amid the open plains and quiet rhythms of the Midwest, my sense of wonder was first captured not through firsthand experience but through photographs adorning calendars or computer screensavers—images so impossibly vivid they seemed to belong to another world. The sheer drama of snow-draped mountain ranges, the finely sculpted shorelines carved by time, and the alien formations of rocks and canyons felt beyond imagination, utterly disconnected from the more subdued scenery of my everyday life. It wasn’t until my thirties, when I devoted myself to broader exploration and gradually made my way across all fifty states and every major U.S. national park, that I recognized those breathtaking scenes were not only real but merely a fraction of the beauty our country holds. The deeper I traveled, the clearer it became: America’s landscapes form a vast, endless tapestry of wonder.
What follows is a reflection upon ten of the most beautiful locations I have discovered throughout my travels—a personal selection shaped by countless miles and moments of revelation.
Take, for instance, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. From the moment I first gazed upon the jagged silhouette of the Teton Range nearly ten years ago, I knew I had encountered something extraordinary. Those sharp peaks rise suddenly from the valley floor with startling majesty, while crystal-clear lakes mirror their image in shades of blue that seem almost unreal. The park shelters abundant wildlife—elk, moose, and the occasional bear—and offers more than two hundred miles of hiking trails, each leading to new summits and serene meadows. Over the years, I’ve returned more than a dozen times, drawn continually by the same breathtaking vistas visible from places like Jenny, Jackson, and String Lakes, where still waters and shifting light combine to create scenes that leave one speechless.
Further north, in Seward, Alaska, I discovered another kind of beauty—one born of rugged isolation and the interplay between mountain, glacier, and sea. During a summer spent traveling solo in a van across Alaska’s immense wilderness, Seward captured my heart like nowhere else. Situated on the Kenai Peninsula and serving as the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, the little port city encapsulates the essence of Alaskan adventure: mountains tumbling into icy waters, the scent of salt and pine in the air, and wildlife thriving on land and sea alike. Days could be filled kayaking through Resurrection Bay’s turquoise expanse, camping on a quiet beach, or venturing out on a boat tour to spot puffins, sea otters, and the immense grace of humpback whales rising through the waves.
In contrast to the grandeur of Alaska’s glaciers or the Western mountains, the Georgia coast offers a subtler yet hauntingly unique form of beauty. It’s a place where natural history feels alive, where vast stretches of undeveloped shoreline remain untouched by time. Cumberland Island, perhaps my favorite destination in the region, embodies this quiet splendor. There, wild horses roam freely through forests draped in Spanish moss, and centuries-old live oaks form cathedral-like tunnels over sandy paths that lead to seventeen miles of pristine, uninterrupted beach. This coastal serenity, more understated than the rocky drama of the West, holds a kind of soulful calm that lingers long after departure.
Then there is Yosemite National Park—an icon among America’s natural wonders and a destination that sits atop countless travel wish lists for good reason. Nestled within California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite transforms grandeur into an almost spiritual experience. Immense granite cliffs such as El Capitan and Half Dome rise thousands of feet above the valley floor, their faces catching sunlight and shadow in ever-changing ways. Waterfalls thunder down in springtime, while serene meadows and the gentle flow of the Merced River offer moments of tranquility amid the awe. Whether one is watching the sunset from Tunnel View, setting off on any of the park’s roughly eight hundred miles of hiking trails, or simply absorbing the stillness of the valley, Yosemite’s beauty defies capture—it must be felt to be truly understood.
Colorado, the place I call home, brims with spectacular scenery, yet among its many gems, Telluride stands apart. Tucked within a dramatic box canyon and surrounded by peaks soaring up to fourteen thousand feet, this small mountain town blends outdoor adventure with refined charm. The juxtaposition of stunning wilderness and sophisticated hospitality gives Telluride an appeal unlike anywhere else. Whether skiing down alpine slopes, hiking to hidden waterfalls, or simply standing in the town square encircled by towering cliffs, every view feels cinematic in its perfection.
Two states to the south lies Sedona, Arizona—a place of red rock cathedrals and mystical energy, set just two hours north of Phoenix and two hours south of the Grand Canyon. Sedona’s striking sandstone formations glow copper and crimson under the desert sun, radiating a visual intensity that borders on the spiritual. Known for its so-called energy vortexes, as well as world-class hiking, mountain biking, and celestial stargazing, this southwestern gem exudes a peace and beauty that feels both ancient and otherworldly. For me, Sedona’s combination of tranquility and grandeur makes it a sanctuary beyond compare.
In the Pacific Northwest, North Cascades National Park remains one of America’s most overlooked treasures. Although located just a few hours from Seattle, it sees only a fraction of the visitors that frequent other national parks—an irony, given its jaw-dropping scenery. Glacier-carved peaks, aquamarine lakes, and wildflower-strewn valleys define its vast wilderness. I often recommend a drive along the park’s scenic byways, pausing at Diablo Lake for its surreal turquoise glow, or venturing out on one of more than four hundred miles of trails. North Cascades rewards those who seek solitude and unspoiled nature on a grand scale.
While the Western landscape often dominates discussions of natural beauty, the Northeast holds its own in quiet splendor. Nowhere is this more evident than in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, especially during autumn when the forests ignite in shades of crimson, gold, and amber. The crisp air and vibrant foliage transform the region into an artist’s palette. I particularly cherish the experience of hiking the Artists Bluff Trail in Franconia Notch State Park, where panoramic views of rolling ridges evoke both serenity and exhilaration, followed by a walk through nearby Flume Gorge, where cascading waters carve their way between towering granite walls.
For travelers who find beauty in motion as much as destination, few experiences rival the drive along California’s Highway 1 from Monterey to Big Sur and beyond to San Simeon. The Pacific Coast Highway reveals a landscape of staggering drama, where cliffs plunge directly into crashing surf and every curve offers a new cinematic vista. I will never forget pausing at Bixby Creek Bridge—a graceful span poised above the ocean—and later strolling the sands of Pfeiffer Beach, where purple-hued sand and sculpted sea rocks conjure a dreamlike atmosphere. It is a drive that stirs both awe and introspection, reminding travelers how intimately beauty and impermanence are intertwined.
And finally, I return once more to Glacier National Park in Montana, a place that has, more than any other, brought me to tears. Spanning over a million acres of pristine wilderness, this park is a celebration of raw, unfiltered majesty. The iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road winds nearly fifty miles through its heart, offering vistas so grand they overwhelm the senses—towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, and glacial lakes so vividly blue they appear illuminated from within. Wildlife abounds: mountain goats perched on cliffs, grizzly bears wandering through alpine meadows, and bighorn sheep silhouetted against snowy ridgelines. Each visit reveals new subtleties of light, color, and emotion, reaffirming that some beauty resists even the most eloquent description.
This story was originally published on January 11, 2024, and has been most recently updated on October 13, 2025.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/most-beautiful-places-to-visit-in-us
