The most beautiful places in the USA – as voted by you

written by Lottie Gross

updated 11/17/2020

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10. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

America’s oldest national park has been voted the tenth most beautiful place in the USA thanks to its diverse landscapes and gorgeous seasonal colours. You'll find everything from bright blue and yellow geysers to lush green alpine meadows here. Early summer is one of the best times to visit, when the wildflowers burst into bloom and the park's gangly bighorn lambs take their first steps.

Where to stay

Best for location: Faithful Street Inn

Best for relaxing & hiking: The Cody

What to do

Best to observe wildlife: Naturalist guided day tour from Jackson, Wyoming

9. Montana

In ninth place on our list of the most beautiful places in the USA is Montana. Known to many as "Big Sky Country", this state is packed with glorious vistas, from the snow-capped Rocky Mountains to desolate high prairie, but remains relatively untouched by tourism.

Where to stay

Best to explore Glacier National Park: North Forty Resort

Best for families: Lone Mountain Ranch

What to do

Best for adventurers: Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting

Best for fishing cruises: Half-day fly fishing trip in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, Montana © TheBigMK/Shutterstock

8. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

On the border of California and Nevada, two-million-year-old Lake Tahoe is picture perfect. In summer you can laze on its sunny beaches, circle it on bike trails and take to the water on boating trips while winter offers skiing and hiking beneath snow-topped granite peaks.

Where to stay

Best for a luxurious stay: The Landing Resort & Spa

Best for lakefront: Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge & Spa

What to do

Best for self-explorers: Hybrid Bike Rental and self-guided tour

Best for a relaxing afternoon: Happy Hour Cruise from South Lake Tahoe

7. Alaska

This state has captured the hearts of many of our readers and it comes seventh place on this list. There's no wonder why; Alaska has a lot to boast about. Expect to find 12ft-tall bears, majestic moose, remote glaciers, deserted coastlines and soaring mountains.

Where to stay

Best to stay in nature but close to downtown: The Lakefront Anchorage

Best to stay in nature: Land's End Resort

What to do

Best for families: Arctic Circle Day Tour from Fairbanks

Best for day trip from Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Full Day Tour

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6. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon's striking landscape isn’t actually a canyon but a collection of naturally formed stone pinnacles caused by frost weathering and stream erosion. For one of the most mesmerising views, head to southern Bryce Point – dawn or dusk is the best time to capture the hoodoos (top-heavy formations) at their brightest.

Where to stay

Best to stay close: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel

Best Motel: Bybee's Steppingstone Motel

What to do

Best for adventurers: 1-hour guided ATV tour

Best for a slow-paced trip: 3-hour horseback riding tour in Red Canyon

5. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

In fifth place is the mountainous Grand Teton National Park, named for the Teton Range that runs through its centre. Teeming with wildlife and dotted with beautiful lakes, it’s a worthy contender for one of the most beautiful places in the USA.

Where to stay

Best for spa: Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa

Best for location: Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa, a Noble House Resort

What to do

Best for a unique experience: Hot air balloon ride during sunrise from Jackson Hole

Best for wildlife spotting: Half-day Wildlife Safari Adventure

4. Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah

One of the most famous landscapes in the country, Monument Valley has been voted the fourth most beautiful place in the USA by our readers. Here you'll find all the classic vistas you'd expect from the Wild West – it's simply unlike anywhere else.

Where to stay

Best for location: Goulding's Lodge

Best affordable resort option: Desert Rose Resort & Cabins

What to do

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Best for early risers: Sunrise tour in Monument Valley

Best for families: Sunset tour in Monument Valley

3. The Grand Canyon, Arizona

With nearly five million visitors a year, The Grand Canyon was bound to sit highly in this list. It’s one of the most famous landmarks in the USA and is just as impressive from every angle: you can hike through it, take a helicopter ride over it, or even white-water raft along the canyon floor.

Where to stay

Best for a luxurious stay: The Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon

Best budget option close to the park: Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon

What to do

Best for thrill-seekers: Tandem Skydive including pictures

Best for a relaxed family tour: Guided sunset Hummer tour

2. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

All 53 square kilometres of Crater Lake in Oregon are breathtaking. Sitting inside the hollow of Mount Mazama, formed by an explosion over 7000 years ago, the blue waters of this caldera lake offer stunning reflections of the often snow-topped cliffs that surround it. You can even scuba dive into the near-2000ft-deep crater.

Where to stay

Best to stay in nature: Aspen Inn in Fort Klamath

Best for a comfortable stay: Sleep Inn & Suites

What to do

Take a day tour from Bend to Crater Lake.

1. Yosemite National Park, California

We reckon this is one of the world’s most dramatic geological spectacles – and so do you. It's no surprise that Yosemite has topped this list. Its rock formations have been the subject of many a photograph and have astounded travellers for centuries.

Where to stay

Best for nature setting: Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite in Fish Camp

Best for skiing: Austria Hof Lodge

What to do

Best for camping: 3-day camping adventure in Yosemite

Best for first-time visitors: Day Tour from El Portal to Yosemite and Glacier Falls

Travel advice for USA

written by Lottie Gross

created 6/5/2015

updated 11/17/2020

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