The most beautiful states in the U.S. have dramatic landscapes, natural diversity, and scenery that stops you in your tracks. From rugged coastlines and towering mountains to deserts, forests, and alpine lakes, these states showcase the very best of America’s natural beauty.

Let’s be honest: narrowing this list down to just 15 states was not easy. The U.S. is huge and wildly diverse—each corner has its own kind of beauty. But if you’re planning a road trip, plotting your next nature fix, or just scrolling with a serious case of wanderlust, these are the states that serve up the kind of scenery that makes you pull over and say, “Okay, wow.”

I have been to every state in the US and have lived in 7 different states. While none of this makes me an expert, it does mean I have seen a lot of beautiful places, and I hope that it helps you pick a great place to explore on your next trip.

Here are 15 of the most beautiful states in the U.S.—ranked not by stats, but by me and the places I want to visit again and again. They are not in any particular order, just the order I thought of them.

What Makes a State Beautiful?

When ranking the most beautiful states in the U.S., I considered:

• Landscape diversity (mountains, coast, desert, forests)

• Natural landmarks and national parks

• Scenic drives and viewpoints

• Small towns and outdoor access

• How often I’d visit again

 

Most Beautiful States in the U.S. – At-a-Glance Comparison

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1. California

Why I picked it: California makes the list because it’s basically every landscape you could want, all in one place. I’m talking about epic coastlines (Big Sur), legendary national parks (Yosemite), alpine lakes (Tahoe), towering Redwoods, and even otherworldly deserts (Joshua Tree and Death Valley).

You can find large cites like Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco or you can spend some alone time hiking through national parks. There is so much diversity you could spend multiple weeks in California and never see it all.

Why you should visit: You could ski, surf, hike, and wine-taste—all in the same week. The variety is truly unmatched.

2. Alaska

Why I picked it: Alaska is the place to visit if you love nature. Everything here is bigger: massive glaciers, endless tundras, towering peaks like Denali, and wildlife that roams free. If you love to hike, kayak, hike, and hike some more, you won’t be able to get enough of Alaska. You don’t even need to know where you are going, it is all spectacular and beautiful.

Why you should visit: To unplug and experience nature in its purest form. Plus, the Northern Lights don’t hurt.

3. Utah

 

Why I picked it: Utah’s red rock canyons are so different from any other spot in the US. They remind me of Southern Jordan and the no other place on earth.  The “Mighty Five” national parks make it a wonderland for outdoor lovers.

But it isn’t just Southern Utah that makes this state so beautiful, spend some time in the beatuiful mountains. Park City, Kamas, Heber City, and everywhere around it. These mountain towns are some of the most beautiful in the country and relatively quiet when it comes to tourists.

If you want the most beautiful view, drive up or down Provo Canyon and be prepared to be in awe.

Why you should visit: It’s perfect for road trippers, hikers, and photographers. The light, the color, the silence—it’s magic.

4. Hawaii

Why I picked it: Lush rainforests, black sand beaches, volcanic craters—Hawaii has some spectacular topography. Each island has its own unique beauty and so you need to go again and again to see every island.

If I had to pick one island to visit though it would be the island of Kauai. This small and less populated island has some pretty big attractions like Waimea Canyon which is one of the highlights of Hawaii.

Why you should visit: Tropical paradise with a side of adventure. And the sunsets? Unreal.

5. New York

Why I picked it: Well we can start with New York City, but don’t stop there, the rest of New York is natural beauty overload -Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes, Niagara Falls.

New York State is large and there are lots of opportunities to be out in nature or enjoy some small town charm. Some of my very favorite spots in New York are Saratoga Springs (photo above), Ithaca, and the Hudson Valley.

Why you should visit: It’s a great mix of outdoorsy escape and charming small towns and New York City is a must visit.

6. Washington

Why I picked it: I love Washington! I admittedly lived there for a part of my childhood, but it is a great place to visit. There is a lot of variety as there is in most Western states. From misty beaches to glacier-capped peaks in the Northwest to desert landscapes in the South, Washingotn is a lot of different things. The Olympic rainforest and Mt. Rainier are next-level.

Also this picture of my sisters makes me laugh and I wanted to include it!

Why you should visit: If you love variety and don’t mind a little mist, it’s an all-season wonderland.

7. Oregon

Why I picked it: Oregon has a lot of the same things that make Washington such a beautiful state, but they have something Washington doesn’t and that is the coastline. The Oregon Coast is such a treasure. Beautiful sand beaches with large rock formations. If you haven’t visited the coast you should put that on your bucket list today.

Why you should visit: Gorgeous forests, waterfalls, and that dreamy coastline.

8. Arizona

Why I picked it: Arizona is all about those bold desert vibes—Grand Canyon, Sedona, Saguaro forests. While not all of Arizona is what I would call spectacular, the parts that are are worth a visit. Sedona alone is one of the most beautiful spots in the entire country.

Plus there are dozens of old southwest towns in Arizona that are perfect for exploring. There are national parks that will amaze you and humble you when you realize how large the world is.

Why you should visit: The landscapes are iconic, spiritual, and camera-ready. It’s a Southwest must.

9. Montana

Why I picked it: The first time I ever went to Missoula, Montana, I was so taken with it, I was ready to pack my bags and move. The valley with mountains all around it and the green, open exapnse and the largest sky I’d ever seen.

I feel that way about a lot of spots in Montana. Hamilton, Whitefish and others. Big skies, alpine lakes, and national parks that feel untouched. Montana is pure calm.

Why you should visit: For wide-open spaces, road trips, and starry nights.

10. Maine

Why I picked it: Maine is the best place to visit in the summer, and not the best place in the winter. So assuming you want to visit in the summer, this is a state that isn’t to be missed. Spectacular rocky coastline, lighthouses, lobster shacks—Maine is low-key dreamy.

Coastal Maine is generally considered the most beautiful, with towns like Kennebunkport, Portland, Camden, and Bar Harbor getting a lot of attention. But, interior towns like Bethel, Kingfield and Rangeley have their own charm and have great hiking, lakes and skiing in the winter.

Also Acadia National Park is superb.

Why you should visit: It’s coastal charm with a dose of fresh air and old-school Americana.

11. Wyoming

Why I picked it: Yellowstone and the Tetons bring the drama—and the wildlife.  I’ll tell you the truth, outside of the Tetons and Yellowstone areas Wyoming is pretty flat and boring, but the Tetons are so spectacular that they make up for the rest of the state!

If you haven’t visited Yellowstone or the Teton mountains, you will love how wild and beautiful the mountains are and how many different animals you will be able to see in one visit. There are a good number of national parks that beg to be visited.

Why you should visit: For geysers, granite peaks, and buffalo in the rearview mirror. You’ll be singing “oh, give me home, where the buffalo roam.”

12. North Carolina

Why I picked it: In North Carolina you can visit beautiful beaches, secluded mountain towns and don’t forget about the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Down on the coast, Beaufort is all pastel houses, sailboats rocking in the harbor, and wild horses grazing on nearby islands. Or you can head for small-town warmth with a side of jaw-dropping scenery, Blowing Rock delivers—its storybook streets sit high above the valleys, where fog curls between the ridges like something out of a fairy tale. And then there’s Wilmington, where cobblestone streets meet riverfront breezes, and a quick drive has you dipping your toes into Wrightsville Beach’s soft sand.

Why you should visit: For fall color drives, beach getaways, and a truly slower pace of life.

13. Vermont

Why I picked it:  I think Vermont tops the list of most peoples’ lists of bucket list places. Vermont is a state covered in rolling hills, covered bridges, plus maple everything.

Visit quirky Burlington for a small city vibe that has some amazing restaurants right along Lake Champlain. Then head south for a drive along Route 100, arguably one of the most scenic roads in New England, especially when the fall colors are showing off.

Outdoor lovers can hike to the top of Mount Mansfield or ski down its slopes in winter, while slower days call for poking around Woodstock’s covered bridges, browsing farmers’ markets, or touring a maple sugar shack.

And of course, no Vermont adventure feels complete until you’ve sampled local cheese, tucked into a cider doughnut, and realized that yes, the Green Mountains really are that green.

Why you should visit: For fall foliage, farm-to-table eats, and mountain air that makes you feel pretty great.

14. New Mexico

Why I picked it: New Mexico has a way of sneaking up on you with its beauty—it’s not loud or flashy, but once you’re there, you can’t stop looking around.  The sky is huge and the dessert is quiet and there are so many beautiful places to explore.

Wander the adobe-lined streets of Santa Fe, where art galleries and chile-scented air make even a casual stroll feel like an experience. Take a drive out to Taos, where the mountains rise dramatically behind historic pueblos, or head south to White Sands National Park, where rolling dunes of pure white gypsum feel almost otherworldly.

And of course, there’s always room for green chile—on burgers, in stews, and pretty much anywhere else they can sneak it in.

Why you should visit: For quiet beauty, cultural depth, and a totally unique vibe.

15. Virginia

Why I picked it: Virginia is the kind of state that surprises you with how much variety you can find. There are endless things to do in this large state.  You can hike a stretch of the Appalachian Trail in the morning, wander through Shenandoah National Park in the afternoon, and still make it to a cozy vineyard in the evening for a glass of local wine.

History buffs will get lost (in the best way) exploring Colonial Williamsburg or the cobblestone streets of Old Town Alexandria, while beach lovers can soak up the sun at Virginia Beach or chase wild ponies on Assateague and Chincoteague Islands.

And then there’s Charlottesville, where rolling vineyards and the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains make every drive feel like a postcard. It’s a state where mountain overlooks, sandy shores, and layers of history all blend together, and you’ll keep finding reasons to circle back.Virginia blends nature and history seamlessly—Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive, coastal escapes, rolling vineyards.

Why you should visit: For Appalachian hikes, storybook towns, and Blue Ridge views you’ll remember.

 

FAQs About the Most Beautiful States in the U.S.

What is the most beautiful state in the U.S.?
Beauty is subjective, but states like California, Alaska, Utah, and Hawaii are frequently ranked at the top due to their landscape diversity.

Which U.S. states have the best scenery?
States with mountains, coastlines, and national parks tend to rank highest, including California, Utah, Arizona, and Montana.

Is every state beautiful?
Yes — every state has unique beauty, but some offer a wider variety of dramatic landscapes in a single place.

You Can’t Go Wrong in Any State

Every state has its own kind of beauty, but if you’re chasing natural landscapes, small-town charm, and epic views, these 15 are a great place to start. Now, I am totally aware that you may not like this list, I’m not sure I like this list. There are so many beautiful spots around the United States, but after visiting so many, these are the places I want to visit time and time again.