The most beautiful states in the USA

From dramatic icy glaciers to vibrant red deserts, lush forests and snow-capped mountains, volcanoes and cascading waterfalls, America’s landscapes are as big and bold as the country itself. So if you’re looking to explore some of these unforgettable destinations, we’ve picked out 10 of the most beautiful states in the USA for spectacular sights and awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Although it might not be one of the first states you think of in the US, New Hampshire - and indeed the whole of New England – is hard to beat when it comes to wonderful landscapes. This northeastern corner of the United States pairs miles of fabulous coastal views with rolling mountains, sparkling lakes and endless forests.

Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Visit in the autumn months for an iconic New England experience, and witness the state turn fiery shades of orange and crimson as the leaves change. But you’ll find plenty of beautiful scenes year-round; the White Mountains cover around a quarter of New Hampshire, with picturesque villages dotted among the peaks, and rugged crags carpeted with firs and spruces. Or solitary Mount Monadnock, in the south of the state, soars above the hills around.

From the high points, head to the Lakes Region, where Newfound Lake is a glorious blue, fed by eight springs. The crystal clear waters mean you can see fish swimming far below the surface, all with a beautiful tree-lined backdrop.

You can’t talk about scenic states without mentioning Alaska - undoubtedly one of the most impressive landscapes in the world, let alone the USA. Whether you want to explore lush rainforests, Arctic tundra, high mountain peaks or soaring sheer glaciers, Alaska has it all in spades.

Juneau, Alaska

For a true taste of this Arctic state, head to Seward in southern Alaska, the gateway to the Kenai Fjords National Park, where chiselled waterways weave under cliffs of ancient ice. Also in the south, near the state capital city of Juneau, you can explore the impressive Mendenhall Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park, with fjords, glaciers and marine life stretching as far as the eye can see.

Glacier Bay, Alaska

Elsewhere, Denali National Park is home to North America’s highest peak. Don’t forget to head to Alaska’s dramatic coastline, too. Stretching for almost 34,000 miles - longer than all other states’ shorelines combined - it pairs glaciers and steep cliffs with picturesque views of small island groups. Perfect for a calm moment of reflection, and to take in the true wonders of the land.

From some of the most beautiful coastline in the US to peaceful lakes and the dramatic landscapes of its national parks, California is as lovely as it is varied – easily one of the most beautiful states in the USA.

Yosemite National Park, California

The national parks at the heart of the state are some of the country’s most famous, and for good reason. The spectacular scenery of Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, home to the largest tree in the world, let you lose yourself in the magic of nature.

On the coast, the rugged stretch known as Big Sur is one of the most memorable drives in the state, with the Pacific on one side, and the Santa Lucia mountains on the other, wildflowers fluttering on the cliffs above little coves where waves crash. Or head inland, where the Sierra Nevada range has its own great drive, snow-dusted crags above the open road and reflected in the clear turquoise blue waters of Lake Tahoe.

Big Sur, California

A world away from this refreshingly cool spot, the Mojave Desert's otherworldly landscapes couldn’t be more of a contrast, with the infamously soaring temperatures of Death Valley making it the hottest, driest and lowest national park.

If you want to witness the majesty of the Grand Canyon, Arizona – in the southwest of the United States – has to be high on your travel wishlist. But while the famous mile-deep chasm carved out by the Colorado River is as spectacular as you might hope, that’s not the only scenic location in the state.

Grand Canyon, Arizona

With more than 325 days of sunshine a year, the weather in Arizona lends itself to sightseeing – as a bonus, you can drive part of the old Route 66 past Flagstaff on the way. And with 22 national parks and monuments across Arizona, the most of any US state, there’s never a dull moment.

Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona

The red rocks of Monument Valley have to be seen to be believed, with giant sandstone formations towering above the desert floor, while the swirling rock shapes and glowing reds of Antelope Canyon should surely ensure Arizona makes the cut as one of the most beautiful US states. The slot canyon near the Arizona/Utah border is simply breathtaking, as are the views of nearby Horseshoe Bend - well worth the short hike to the overlook point.

There’s a good reason that the Sunshine State is one of the most popular areas of the US when it comes to travel and it’s not all thanks to the theme parks. If you’re looking for natural treasures, Florida has its own truly beautiful corners.

Everglades, Florida

The Everglades National Park in the south of the state is the largest subtropical wilderness in the country, a chance to explore marshlands, mangroves and tropical wetlands, and witness the wildlife living there – most famously the alligators.

Only a little over an hour south is the Florida Keys, a scattered necklace of islands dotted through the ocean, connected by soaring bridges and home to some of the country’s best marine life and snorkelling. Venture right to the end to Key West, where the tropical vibe is apparent from the moment you arrive, with pristine beaches and the spectacular corals of the Dry Tortugas National park just a boat trip away.

Naples Pier, Florida

On the Gulf coast, on Florida’s western stretch, the beaches are known for their powdery soft white sand and calm turquoise waters. Head to St Petersburg and nearby Fort De Soto park for a spot of history with your sightseeing, swim in a crystal clear woodland spring in Madison Blue Spring State Park further north, or witness the state’s tallest waterfall in Falling Waters State Park in Florida’s northwest.

There’s far more to New York state than the Big Apple alone – and while New York City has its own attractions, if you’re looking for natural wonders, you can hardly do better than heading to Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls, New York

On the border of New York state and Canada, the falls are easily one of the biggest attractions in the country, but you can’t fail to be wowed by the sheer power of the cascades. The water flows through four of the Great Lakes, travelling from Lake Erie to the Niagara River until it streams over the falls at almost 70mph, crashing in a froth of white water and spray in those iconic curves falls, before making its way to the Atlantic.

It’s easy to team Niagara Falls with some of the nearby cities, but there’s plenty of other unforgettable landscapes to enjoy as well. The Thousand Islands region also straddles the Canadian border, with more than 1,800 islands and islets dotted in the lakes, home to both pirates and Gilded Age magnates over the years.

Lake Placid, Adirondacks, New York

For more waterfront scenery, the Finger Lakes are at their best in autumn, when the colours light up in every shade of gold and red, or wander through the vineyards lining the shores of some of the lakes. Head into the mountains of the Adirondacks and the Catskills for more lakes and peaks, with spectacular views.

You’ll find a slice of pure American West wilderness in Colorado, where getting outdoors is a way of life – and with so many natural treasures, it’s unquestionably one of the most beautiful states in the USA.

Glenwood Canyon, Colorado

The highlight is the Rocky Mountains range, with its snow-streaked peaks and deep blue lakes, a landscapes that’s almost Alpine in places. Visit the Rocky Mountain National Park and you’ll cross the Continental Divide and get the chance to see deep valleys scooped out by glaciers. Phantom Valley is one of the many sources of the Colorado River too, creating some of the state’s most majestic scenery as it winds its long way to Mexico. The 16-mile-long Glenwood Canyon is among the most dramatic of the gorges, chiselled from the rocks by the river around three million years ago.

It's not all mountains and valleys though, with soaring dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park; rising up to 750ft high, they’re the tallest sand dunes in North America, surrounded by grasslands, wetlands, forests and alpine lakes.

You’ll find some of the most unusual scenery in the USA in Utah, from striking red rock formations to dramatic canyons, desert views and more, not to mention a string of national parks. At Arches National Park, this 73,000-acre wilderness is home to 2,000 natural red sandstone arches, most famously the beautiful Delicate Arch, the biggest freestanding arch in the park, stretching around 16m tall.

Arches National Park, Utah

For more fascinating rock formations, Bryce Canyon National Park is home to countless spires, spikes and pillars of red rock known as hoodoos or fairy chimneys.

The unique weather patterns of the mountain and desert here have eroded the pink cliffs over the millennia, creating this eye-catching and otherworldly limestone landscape.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

And that’s all before you get to Zion National Park, where the steep red cliffs tower above echoing canyons, while the river flows to the water falls of the Emerald Pools, and the hanging gardens flower on the cliff face in summer. On the border with Arizona, the sandstone monoliths of Monument Valley loom up to 1,000 feet high, and there’s the surreal white expanse of the Bonneville Salt Flats to discover too.

Montana may claim the nickname, but Wyoming is very definitely Big Sky Country too, a landscape that stretches off towards the horizon, where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, and where the views seem to go on forever.

Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is easily the biggest highlight, a vast area covering almost 3,500 square miles – nearly half the size of Wales – with much of the park covering a dormant volcano. It’s that volcanic geology which results in some of the park’s most famous features, including the impressive geysers; Old Faithful can shoot 140 feet into the air. Or Grand Prismatic Spring, with its startlingly vivid colours is the largest hot spring in the US, its vibrant shades caused by bacteria living in the mineral rich water.

Green River Lakes, Wyoming

Elsewhere the Tetons mountain range spike in a series of jagged peaks, rising to over 10,000 feet from the flat valley. Head to Grand Teton National Park to gaze up at the 13,775m Grand Teton peak. Or discover the open spaces of Fossil Country in southern Wyoming, home to the remains of ancient petrified forests.

No list of the most beautiful states in the USA could be complete without the island paradise of Hawaii. These tropical isles are the tips of the world’s biggest mountain range, only the peaks now visible above the sapphire waters of the Pacific. And whichever island you visit, there’s an idyllic view around almost every corner.

Maui, Hawaii

Golden and white sand beaches line the edges of the islands, the sea shimmering in every shade of turquoise and blue as the waves break on the shore. But away from these surfing paradises, you’ll also find lush rainforest lining sheer cliffs, waterfalls hidden in the trees, as well as the unforgettable sight of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, erupting at Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.

On Maui, Iao Valley State Park is home to the Iao Needle, a 1,200ft spike of rock towering alone above the tree-lined surroundings.

Na Pali, Kauai, Hawaii

But perhaps the most beautiful scenery in these truly lovely islands is on Kauai. Nicknamed the ‘Garden Isle’, it’s home to Waimea Canyon State Park, with its 3,000ft-deep canyon that stretches for 10 miles, while the dramatic cliffs of Na Pali soar high above the ocean, sheer edges thickly blanketed in lush greenery.

Explore sun-baked desert landscapes, dramatic coastlines, stunning national parks and sparkling cities on an escorted tour of the USA