Inspiration

The Most Beautiful Place in Every U.S. State

Think of this as your starting point to the most epic cross-country trip ever.

March 29, 2022

Nevada Lake Tahoe most beautiful place in every state

If you’ve ever done a road trip across the U.S., you’ve probably stepped away thinking: How can one country be home to all of that? No two states are the same, and each has its stars—the kind of sights that make you catch your breath and nearly veer off the highway. Alaska’s glaciers. Arizona’s canyons. Arkansas’s Ozarks. And that’s only the As.

The geography of America is as diverse as it is photogenic; and if you’re from here, it kind of makes you proud, knowing this is home. Picking just 52 places isn’t easy, but we polled our Facebook followers, did some digging, and came up with this list of the must-see, must-visit spots in each state. Of course, it only begins to scrape the surface of what this country has to offer—so consider it your starting point, and get exploring.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Alabama
The most beautiful place in Alabama: Little River Canyon National Preserve
This 15,288-acre preserve is located at the top of Lookout Mountain near Fort Payne, Alabama. The Little River has carved out quite the picturesque canyon over the past several eons, complete with towering rock faces and waterfalls. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the preserve’s whitewater paddling opportunities, while road trippers can stop by the many overlooks along Alabama State Road 176 to get views of the canyon.
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Alaska
The most beautiful place in Alaska: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Covering 3.3 million acres of mountains, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords, Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park sits in one of the world’s largest international protected areas. We can't think of many other places on earth where you can see crashing glaciers and breeching whales in the same day as temperate rainforests and mountain goats.

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Arizona
The most beautiful place in Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park
Easily one of the most recognizable U.S. national parks—and one of the most recognizable spots on the entire planet—the Grand Canyon has become nearly synonymous with America. We could tell you all about the sunsets and views and epic hikes along this 277-mile-long chasm, but honestly? This is one you need to see for yourself.
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Arkansas
The most beautiful place in Arkansas: Whitaker Point
Also known as Hawksbill Crag, Whitaker Point is the most photographed spots in all of Arkansas. The stony outpost juts over the valleys of the Buffalo National River, arguably the most beautiful stretch of the Ozark Mountains. Head here during the day to snap some photos, then stick around for some epic stargazing come nightfall (the park gained status as an International Dark Sky Park in 2019).

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California
The most beautiful place in California: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The entire Big Sur coastline is stunning (and very road trip-worthy), but the winner for most scenic spot has to go to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. Situated about 35 miles south of Carmel, Pfeiffer Beach features huge cliffs, waterfalls, lush vegetation, and sometimes even dolphins and otters playing in the shallows. You can purchase park passes for $10 per car, per day.
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Colorado
The most beautiful place in Colorado: Maroon Bells
Located about ten miles west of Aspen, the Maroon Bells—two 14,000-foot peaks above the White River National Forest—are a couple of the most photographed mountains in Colorado. Shutterbugs are known to set up their cameras along the shores of Maroon Lake well before sunrise, hoping to get that iconic shot of the Bells and aspen trees reflected perfectly in the water.

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Connecticut
The most beautiful place in Connecticut: Lighthouse Point Park
Just outside of New Haven, this 82-acre park comes alive in the summer months, with families flocking to swimmable beach, fishing pier, deactivated lighthouse, and working carousel that dates back to 1911. Even in the off-season, the waterfront park is a beautiful slice of nature—especially when thousands of birds pass overhead during migration.
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Delaware
The most beautiful place in Delaware: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Positioned against the Delaware Bay in the center of the state, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a true haven for nature-lovers. Visitors can walk the hiking trails or drive the 12-mile road through the refuge, taking in views of the salt marshes and wildlife. While the area is best known for its migrating snow geese in the winter months, you might also spot bald eagles, woodchucks, horseshoe crabs, and red fox.

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Florida
The most beautiful place in Florida: Sanibel and Captiva Islands
The sister islands of Sanibel and Captiva have long drawn visitors with their biking trails, wildlife, and calm Gulf Coast beaches. Sanibel is particularly famous for being the seashell capital of the world—you could spend an entire day with a picnic and bucket at conch-heavy spots like Bowman’s Beach. Meanwhile, Captiva is known for its untouched sand dunes and charming seaside hotels.
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Georgia
The most beautiful place in Georgia: Driftwood Beach
One of the Golden Isles along Georgia’s Atlantic coast, Jekyll Island is a seven-mile-long stretch of marshes and Spanish moss. While its star attraction is probably the Jekyll Island Club Resort (past guests have included Vanderbilts and Rockefellers), the prehistoric-looking Driftwood Beach is a close second. As its name suggests, the beach is dotted with gnarled and weathered trees that double as excellent photo backdrops—just be sure to visit at low tide.

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Hawaii
The most beautiful place in Hawaii: Na Pali Coast
Easily the most striking coastline in America, the Na Pali (“high cliffs” in Hawaiian) Coast is only accessible by boat, helicopter, or strenuous hike—either way, it is 100 percent worth the effort. This northwest edge of Kauai has towering waterfalls, crescent beaches, and sea caves just waiting to impress you.
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Idaho
The most beautiful place in Idaho: The Palouse
The rolling region of the Palouse covers 4,000 sq. miles of northern Idaho and southeastern Washington. The loess hills resemble sand dunes in shape (probably because they were formed by wind-blown sediment, not erosion), but become a dreamscape of varying shades of greens during the wet spring months.

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Illinois
The most beautiful place in Illinois: Starved Rock State Park
Just 90 minutes southwest of Chicago, Starved Rock State Park is a topographical standout in an otherwise flat state. The 2,630-acre park is known for its deep canyons, lush greenery, and protected wildlife, as well as impressive waterfalls. More intrepid adventures can visit in the winter to go ice climbing up the 80-foot St. Louis Canyon Falls.
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Indiana
The most beautiful place in Indiana: Indiana Dunes National Park
The 15,000-acre Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore got a major upgrade in February 2019, when the landmark’s official name changed to the Indiana Dunes National Park. The Indiana Dunes stretch for 15 miles along the shores of Lake Michigan, making it a popular spot for swimming—and even surfing—during the summer.

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Iowa
The most beautiful place in Iowa: Maquoketa Caves State Park
Maquoketa Caves State Park is probably the most unique site in Iowa, with 13 caves open to both hikers and spelunkers. A six-mile trail system links the caves and scenic overlooks, while campgrounds and picnic areas encourage visitors to linger for a while. You can even rent tubes and canoes to float down the nearby Maquoketa River.
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Kansas
The most beautiful place in Kansas: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
North America used to contain 170 million acres of tallgrass prairie, but nearly all of it was converted into farmland over the years. Today, less than 4 percent of that original ecosystem remains—mostly in the Kansas Flint Hills. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects what little is left of these landscapes, with beautiful vistas, fields of wildflowers, and herds of bison ready for visitors.

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Kentucky
The most beautiful place in Kentucky: Cumberland Falls
Measuring 68 feet tall and 125 feet wide, this Kentucky site has rightfully earned the nickname “the Niagara of the South.” The falls are located within Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, which has plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, horseback riding, birdwatching, and whitewater rafting. If you time your visit right, you might be able to catch sight of the elusive “moonbow,” a rainbow-like phenomenon caused when moonlight gets refracted in the mist of the falls.
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Louisiana
The most beautiful place in Louisiana: Atchafalaya Basin
You can find America’s largest swamp, the Atchafalaya Basin, just west of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It’s home to pretty much everything the word “swamp” conjures—alligators, Spanish moss, egrets, and bald cypress—and some of the region’s best Cajun restaurants can be found in nearby Lafayette and New Iberia.

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Maine
The most beautiful place in Maine: Acadia National Park
Known for its photogenic lighthouses, weathered pine trees, and sunrises atop Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park is an essential stop on any Maine road trip. The park also happens to house one of our favorite national park beaches: Sand Beach, a wide expanse of yellow sand with crystal-clear water.
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Maryland
The most beautiful place in Maryland: Assateague Island
Divided between Maryland and Virginia (two-thirds in Maryland, one-third in Virginia), the Assateague Island National Seashore is known for its lovely beaches and population of wild horses. We recommend camping right on Assateague Island for an unforgettable experience, where you can feel the spray of the Atlantic as you sunbathe on the sand and kayak through salt marshes.

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Massachusetts
The most beautiful place in Massachusetts: The Berkshires
The Berkshires have long been an escape for New York and Boston urbanites, and one visit to the region will make you fall in love as well. The hilly area happens to be one of the best places for fall foliage in the U.S., especially if you take in the views along the 63-mile Mohawk Trail—arguably the most picturesque drive in all of Massachusetts.
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Michigan
The most beautiful place in Michigan: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Hugging the south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is known for its unique sandstone cliffs that stretch for 15 miles. After kayaking through the rock formations, pitch a tent among the white birch trees at Twelvemile Beach Campground—one of the few camping sites that affords views of the deep blue lake.

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Minnesota
The most beautiful place in Minnesota: Voyageurs National Park
Tucked away in northern Minnesota near the Canadian border, Voyageurs National Park is all about the water—from border rivers to lakes dotted with tiny islands. During the summer months grab a canoe and row to one of the campsites on the Lake Kabetogama peninsula; come winter, rent a houseboat and cross your fingers for a Northern Lights sighting.
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Mississippi
The most beautiful place in Mississippi: Natchez Trace Parkway
This 444-mile roadway winds from Nashville to Natchez, Mississippi, following paths once used by Native Americans, European settlers, and soldiers (plus lots of buffalo). The Trace is not only a great route for a leisurely drive, but also hiking, biking, and horseback riding. On the southern end of the parkway, visitors get to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in Mississippi, from cypress swamps to hills overlooking the river.

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Missouri
The most beautiful place in Missouri: Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is a bit of a natural wonderland, with sinkholes, caves, natural bridges, and springs sitting adjacent to the Lake of the Ozarks. A series of trails and boardwalks allows visitors to explore the all the park’s unique sites, including the ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle.
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Montana
The most beautiful place in Montana: Glacier National Park
It’s easy to see why Glacier National Park is one of the most-visited parks in the country. With its pristine mountain lakes, glaciers, 700 miles of hiking trails, and road trips along Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park represents some of the best nature the U.S. has to offer.

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Nebraska
The most beautiful place in Nebraska: Scotts Bluff National Monument
Rising some 800 feet about the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff once served as a beacon for emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail. The towering landmark—and surrounding 3,000 acres—now make up the Scotts Bluff National Monument, a protected area of vast plains, prairie dogs, and actual covered wagons.
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Nevada
The most beautiful place in Nevada: Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is the largest of the alpine lakes in North America, formed millions of years ago during the Ice Age. Set in the Sierra Nevadas, it receives worldwide acclaim for its scenic mountain views, luxe ski resorts, and Nevada casinos—not to mention water so clear that you can see to the bottom.

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New Hampshire
The most beautiful place in New Hampshire: White Mountains
Part of the northern Appalachians, the White Mountains cover about a quarter of New Hampshire. The rugged range has long been an epicenter for outdoor recreation, offering rafting and rock climbing in the summer and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. For some sky-high, family-friendly views, take the scenic ride down one of the alpine slides at Attitash Mountain Resort.
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New Jersey
The most beautiful place in New Jersey: Cape May
There’s lots to love about Cape May, from the candy-colored Victorian houses to the 30 miles of beautiful coastline. When you aren’t busy shopping and dining in town, spread out a towel at one of the extremely well-kept beaches. Head to the Cove for surfing, Higbee Beach for birdwatching, and Wildwood Beach for strolling the world-class boardwalk.

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New Mexico
The most beautiful place in New Mexico: White Sands National Park
New Mexico’s White Sands National Park is one of the newest of all 63 parks, only just officially recognized in December 2019. The sprawling area is the world’s largest gypsum dune field (gypsum is a common rock material that reflects light, giving the dunes their dazzling look) formed close to 10,000 years ago.
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New York
The most beautiful place in New York: Letchworth State Park
New York’s Greater Niagara area has some seriously beautiful spots outside of the Falls—most notably Letchworth State Park, aka “the Grand Canyon of the East." Whether you experience the park from a hot air balloon or the 66 miles of surrounding hiking trails, do try to plan your visit during prime leaf-peeping season.

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North Carolina
The most beautiful place in North Carolina: Outer Banks
The Outer Banks refers to a string of barrier islands cupping North Carolina’s entire coast, with some of the best beaches and historic attractions in the state. You can explore several of the islands in one day by following N.C. Highway 12, stopping at sites like the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Bodie Island Lighthouse along the way.
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North Dakota
The most beautiful place in North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Theodore Roosevelt’s name has been tied to this 110-square-mile piece of land since 1919, although the area wasn't officially named a national park until 1978. The nature-loving president used to hunt wild game here, and many people believe his time on the preserve inspired him to become a champion of conservation and an early driving force behind the National Park System.

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Ohio
The most beautiful place in Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
Located in southeastern Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park is a beautiful conglomerate of waterfalls, caves, hiking trails, and lakes. You can find outdoor activities here in every season: hiking in spring, boating in summer, leaf peeping in autumn, and ice fishing in winter.
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Oklahoma
The most beautiful place in Oklahoma: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Surprise! Oklahoma is not as flat as you might think. The Wichita Mountains loom large in the southwestern part of the state, with a wildlife refuge encompassing 59,000 acres of prairies, lakes, and animal populations. Walk along the many trails to spot some bison, longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, and elk.

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Oregon
The most beautiful place in Oregon: Crater Lake National Park
Reaching depths of 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and made entirely out of glacial runoff and precipitation, which is responsible for its clarity and intense blue color. To best enjoy the lake and its surroundings, book a few nights at Crater Lake Lodge—the only accommodation within the National Park borders.
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Pennsylvania
The most beautiful place in Pennsylvania: Delaware Water Gap
The Delaware Water Gap cuts through the Appalachian Mountains on the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The surrounding park is a major destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities like fishing, hiking, camping, boating, and swimming at the three beaches. Bonus: There are also waterfalls!

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Puerto Rico
The most beautiful place in Puerto Rico: Culebra
Culebra is a tiny island 17 miles off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, and is as chill a place as you’ll ever find—no big resorts, fancy restaurants, or pricey boutiques. What the place does have is empty beaches and fantastic snorkeling. The beaches of Carlos Rosario, Tamarindo Grande, Tamarindo, and Melones are all part of the Luis Peña Channel Natural Reserve and a feeding ground for sea turtles and stingrays.
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Rhode Island
The most beautiful place in Rhode Island: Newport Cliff Walk
The Cliff Walk is sort of a double attraction: On one side, you get panoramic views of the Narragansett Bay; on the other, you get to gawk at the Newport’s iconic mansions. The paved walking trail extends for about 3.5 miles, so you can easily soak up all of the sights over the course of one leisurely afternoon.

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South Carolina
The most beautiful place in South Carolina: Angel Oak
A 13-mile drive from downtown Charleston, the Angel Oak is easily one of the most beautiful places in South Carolina. Entrance to the surrounding forest is totally free—just park in an adjacent lot, open your car door, and hear nothing but crickets, birdsong, and treetops rustling in the breeze.
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South Dakota
The most beautiful place in South Dakota: Badlands National Park
Found in the southwest corner of South Dakota, Badlands National Park greets visitors with an otherworldly landscape of rust-colored buttes, spires, and pinnacles rising across thousands of acres. Blink and you might think you’ve been transported to another planet.

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Tennessee
The most beautiful place in Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Spanning the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited park in the U.S. (it even beats the Grand Canyon’s visitor numbers by several million people per year). Whether you hike past waterfalls or set up camp under the stars, there’s no wrong way to experience the 800 square miles of this natural wonder.
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Texas
The most beautiful place in Texas: Hamilton Pool Preserve
The 50-foot waterfall and jade waters at the Hamilton Pool Preserve (just west of Austin) are not to be missed. The site was formed thousands of years ago when an underground river collapsed, leaving us with a natural swimming pool worth the hike.

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Utah
The most beautiful place in Utah: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon’s layered red and orange rock pillars, known as hoodoos, make it a can’t-miss destination for campers and shutterbugs alike. For something truly spectacular, plan your visit around the park’s annual Astronomy Festival (which takes place in June each year) for guided tours and next-level stargazing.
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Vermont
The most beautiful place in Vermont: Jenne Farm
Jenne Farm is the epitome of Vermont charm, with rolling green hills and a striking red barn. You can find it on a country road off Route 106 in the town of Reading, but you might have to dodge a few crowds along the way—the spot is one of the most photographed farms in the world, even making a cameo appearance in Forrest Gump.

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Virginia
The most beautiful place in Virginia: Skyline Drive
Once the Blue Ridge Parkway enters Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park, it becomes the 105-mile Skyline Drive—a stretch of road just as beautiful and road trip-worthy. It only takes about three hours to drive the entire highway, but you should definitely factor in a couple more for the road’s whopping 75 scenic overlooks (an average of one per 1.4 miles).
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Washington
The most beautiful place in Washington: Hoh Rain Forest
The Hoh Rain Forest is one of the only rainforests in the U.S., with lichen-shrouded trees and fungus-covered logs that make you forget you’re just a quick drive from the beaches and mountains of Olympic National Park. Even better? The Hoh River Valley is home to the quietest spot in the contiguous 48 states, according to Gordon Hempton, an expert “acoustic ecologist.”

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Washington, D.C.
The most beautiful place in Washington, D.C.: Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival dates back to 1912, when the first trees (a gift from Japan) were planted in Washington, D.C. People come from all over the country to witness the peak of the flowering, with some of the best blooms appearing around the Tidal Basin. If you thought the Jefferson Memorial was pretty before, just wait until you see it framed by a floral sea of pink.
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West Virginia
The most beautiful place in West Virginia: New River Gorge
New River Gorge is the newest addition to the national parks lineup as number 63, and it marks the first national park in the Mountain State. The park (formerly a national river) has long been renowned for the 53 miles of rafting within its borders, as well as some 1,400 climbing routes on sandstone cliffs.

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Wisconsin
The most beautiful place in Wisconsin: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
When temperatures drop and Lake Superior hardens, the sandstone caves at Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands undergo a magical transformation. The streams and waterfalls that usually cascade over the structures freeze in time, and the caves become encased by massive, needle-like icicles. Travelers can even walk across the lake to reach the ice caves if it’s cold enough.
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Wyoming
The most beautiful place in Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park
The oldest of all U.S. national parks (established in 1872) is still one of the most spectacular places to visit in the entire country. Famous sites include the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic Spring, but truly, every single acre of the park is worth seeing in person. (Pro tip: Visit in winter for low crowds and rare wildlife.)