15 Prettiest States in The USA

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There is no denying that the USA is gorgeous, but what are the prettiest states in the USA? Obviously, there are the top contenders like Hawaii and Oregon. But then there are crowd favorites like North Carolina and the hidden gems like Texas.

No matter where you go in the USA there are tons of things to do! Exploring the United States can be fun, but it can also be a stunning trip, so here are the best states in the USA to visit. Whether this is on a road trip or a bucket list, you don’t want to miss the top 15!

Alaska is one of the prettiest states in the USA with its tall mountain ranges, green trees, fog, and mysterious, rugged appearance.

Florida

There is no denying that the sunshine state is stunning. Just imagine: Everglades National Park! Or picture the beaches like Caladesi Island. These untouched landscapes are worth exploring. Or you can always visit landscaped places like Leu Gardens.

Within our sunny climate we also have stunning cities and towns and things to do. Not everything is just nature! While we love the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, many people also enjoy our stunning museums, like the Ringing Museum of Art, or even the more touristy places like Disney. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! And Florida can offer a full itinerary!

Best Things to do in Florida

Miami: Everglades National Park Airboat Tour & Wildlife Show

Crystal River: Springs and Manatees Clear Kayak Tour

Key West: Afternoon Catamaran Sail and Dolphin Watch

Orlando: Bioluminescence Clear Kayaking or Paddleboarding

St. Augustine: Torture Museum, Ghost Hunt & Tiny Art Tickets

Of all the prettiest states in the USA, Florida is one of them, as shown in this photo as a women in a red bathing suit cascades down stairs into a cave that features crystal clear water, where the spring is underground!

Oregon

Just imagine this: stunning mountain ranges, evergreen forests, and beaches? Could you believe Oregon has all three? The lively cities and charming towns of Oregon have so much to offer. It’s no surprise that people flock to the smaller towns and explore the beaches and lighthouses.

Dramatic rivers, rugged coasts, snow-capped mountains, waterfalls: this state offers an example of very geographic terrain within itself! Just imagine personally seeing Crater Lake, the deepest lake in America. And who also wouldn’t love to see sea lions at the sea waves, or even the world’s only Big Foot Trap?

Best Things to do in Oregon

From Portland: Columbia George Waterfalls Tour

Oregon Coast Day Tour: Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock

Bend: Half-Day Lava Tube Cave Tour

Oregon: The Bigfoot Tour with Museum, Hiking and Casting

Klamath Falls: Crater Lake Tree Canopy Zipline Adventure

A women in a bright yellow rain jacket is a tiny spec on a rock formation as she overlooks the sea, which is turquoise, in Oregon.

Hawaii

Everyone knows Hawaii is one of the most beautiful states in the USA. The collection of islands is truly paradise, one people dream of exploring. Kauai offers stunning white beaches and waterfalls. Oahu offers the famous Honolulu. The history of volcanic activity, rainfall and erosion has crafted a rocky terrain that is fun to hike as well.

Just picture the craters, cliffs, native plants, and waterfalls you could see on each island. Factor in those famous rainbows and you are in a dream! Best yet, Hawaiian culture makes these islands a dream destination and all the more beautiful. It has a strong sense of community. The connection to the land and sea offers rich artistic traditions worth experiencing.

Best Things to do in Hawaii

Lihue: Scenic Helicopter Tour of Kauai Island’s Highlights

Kaneohe: Kualoa Ranch Guided UTV Tour

Kailua-Kona: Manta Ray Watching Nighttime Boat Trip

Maui: Road to Hana Adventure with Breakfast & Lunch

Big Island: Captain Cook Sightseeing & Snorkel Expedition

Hawaii is without a doubt one of the prettiest states in the USA as seen in this photo with its massive mountains that are green and sharp, and with its white sand and blue, frothy waters.

Utah

Most people wouldn’t expect Utah to be on a list for the best states in the USA to visit, but here it is! We love the contrast of the snow-capped mountains in the north compared to the red-rock desert of the south. The terrain of Utah changes often, and its national parks are worth every exploration.

Just imagine all the caves and mountains, all the stunning fossils and artifacts. The curiosity of the geography alone is worth visiting Utah! It has such a stunning natural history. We always recommend Arches National Park, and exploring the larger-than-life monuments of this state.

Best Things to do in Utah

Monument Valley: Backcountry Jeep Tour with Navajo Guide

Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

East Zion: Crimson Slot Canyon Exploration and UTV Tour

Colorado River Rafting: Afternoon Half-Day at Fisher Towers

Salt Lake City: Great Salt Lake Wildlife & Sunset Experience

Utah is home to stunning National Parks and unique cave systems whose texture looks like red and orange paint! No wonder it is one of the prettiest states in the USA.

New Hampshire

The white mountains are arguably why New Hampshire is considered one of the prettiest states in the USA. Tall peaks, great hiking trails, and views, gorges. And then factor in fall foliage?! Going up north to see the leaves change will leave anyone breathless. The trees’ display in autumn is something to never pass on.

The coast may be flatter than places like Main too, but it is still beautiful! Overall, even the city regions are stunning: Seacoast is worth staying at, and the Lakes region is beautiful. There are tons of attractions as well throughout the cities and the states. Explore Kancamagus Highway or even The Old Man of the Mountain!

Best Things to Do in New Hampshire

Kancamagus Highway: Breathtaking Fall Foliage Driving Tour

Explore the Islands & Harbor Guided Bike Tour 2-2.5 Hrs.

Seven Birches Winery: Meet the Winemakers Winery Tour

Kancamagus Highway: Driving Tour Through Peaks

A women in a yellow beanie stands on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the fall foliage of New Hampshire. The fall colors of the leaves on her shirt match the tree leaves behind her. No wonder New Hampshire is one of the prettiest states in the USA!

Colorado

Colorado is the USA’s 8th largest state, meaning that it packs a lot of beauty into its 100,000 square miles! Imagine the mountain terrains, prairies, canyons, wine counties and grasslands. Colorado his home to charming ski resorts and charming cities in between mountains. There are historical towns and wildlife sanctuaries too!

Tourists and locals love that Colorado has the highest average elevation of any USA state. Denver sits 5,280 feet about sea level. This encourages thrilling outdoor adventures. Some of my favorite places are Garden of the Gods, Mesa Verde National Park and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Best Things to do in Colorado

Canon City: Royal Gorge Bridge * Park Entry Ticket & Gondola

Estes Park: Rocky Mountain National Park Safari Tour

Colorado Springs: Garden of the Gods and Foothills Jeep Tour

Castle Rick: The EDGE Zipline Tour

Denver: Upper Clear Creek Intermediate Whitewater Rafting

From Colorado Springs: Scenic Tour of the Pikes Peak Highway

Snowcapped mountains hover over lines of trees that slope down into crystal clear water. In the water you can see the reflection of the mountains: no wonder Colorado is one of the prettiest states in the USA.

Wyoming

Wyoming is naturally beautiful. This is because much of the land is uninhabited! This means less people and less pollution. The lack of light pollution coupled with the high elevation and low humidity means the nights are stunning here. The skies are starred heaven! But that’s not all it has either.

Wyoming is actually really biodiverse. It has mountain ranges, prairies and wildness areas. The famous national parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone bring people back, but there is also Sinks Canyon, Taggart Lake, and Oxbow Bend that are stunning spots within the parks and state itself.

Best Things to do in Wyoming

Jackson Hole: Bridger-Teton National Forest Horseback Ride

West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Day Tour Including Entry Fee

Snow King Observatory & Planetarium Day Experience & Gondola

Lamar Valley: Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch

Teton Village: Grand Tetons Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Tour

In Yellowstone, which makes Wyoming one of the prettiest states in the USA, hot springs are vibrantly blue and smoking, the land around it orange and brown, with trees in the distance.

North Carolina

The stunning coastline of North Carolina spans more than 300 miles, and so it is obvious that this state is known for its world-class beaches. The views only add to the activities that can be experienced: imagine fishing and surfing with a backdrop as stunning as North Carolina!

But the views go beyond the coast too. There are also stunning mountains, waterfalls and more. This geological diversity is a true fusion. You can enjoy that Atlantic Ocean on the soft-sand beaches or take hikes to go see Highlands Waterfalls. And don’t forget other attractions like the Biltmore estate!

Best Things to do in North Carolina

Outer Banks: Epic Coastal Driving Tour Adventure

Asheville Waterfall Yoga Hike: Find Your Zen in Nature!

Great Smokey Mountains: Wildlife and Scenic Driving Tour

Asheville: Hidden Gems Tour in The Blue Ridge Mountains

Manteo: Outer Banks Ghost Walking Tour

North Carolina is one of the prettiest states in the USA, especially in the fall, as seen by this photo that features a women in a yellow beanie sitting on the edge of a cliff and overlooking the endless trees and mountains in the distance that are bright will fall foliage.

Texas

Texas is the largest state in the United States, so it only makes sense that it could have amazing views in it! Everything is bigger in Texas! Including the diversity. This state is home to sweeping plains and rolling hills. They also have pine forests and desert mountains. But don’t forget the remote beaches and barrier islands too!

With all of this, it’s not surprising that there are over 10 distinct ecosystems in this state. The legendary cowboy culture also makes it fun to explore. Factor in southern hospitality and all is fun here! Texas is truly one of the most beautiful USA states.

Best Things to do in Texas

Bulverde: Saturday Night Rodeo General Admission Ticket

San Antonio: Natural Bridge Caverns Hidden Wonders Tour

Galveston: Dolphin-Watching Cruise

Austin: Sunset Bay Watching Kayak Tour

Waco: Sunset Horseback Ride

A cotton candy sunset with pinks and blues over over the lakes and rocks of an inland area in Texas, which is surprisingly one of the prettiest states in the USA!

Alaska

Alaska will leave you in awe. There is no nature landscape like it! Places like Kenaj Fjords and glaciers are once-in-a-lifetime places to explore. And you don’t have to leave the US to see them! The sprawling tundra and snowcapped peaks of Alaska make it different than all the other states, but just as magical.

The most fun part is, that Alaska can be hard to navigate. It is easier to get on a boat and travel rather than drive. So on those scenic rides, you can see things like the Northern Lights and wildlife! Whales, bears and sea, lions. Oh my! Plus, the beach towns are fun.

Best Things to do in Alaska

Seward: Kenai Fjords National Park 6-Hour Cruise

Denali National Park: Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing

Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

Anchorage: Full-Day Matanuska Glacier Hike and Tour

Juneau: Mendenahll Glacier and Whale Watching Tour

Alaska is without a doubt one of the prettiest sates in the USA: just look at this photo: snowy mountains and blue-green water with a breeching humpback whale.

California

Cali has every form of beauty you could imagine. In the southern end of the state, the natural beaches have towering cliffs. As you move more inward, there are more desertscapes. But then as you keep driving up, don’t forget about PCH and Big Sur. Oh, and did we mention the Central Coast with cliffside views and that stunning fog? Northern California is worth it too!

Plus Yosemite National Park. Oh! And Redwood National Park. There’s more. Death Valley National Park. This stunning state has so much to offer in terms of nature and attractions. The Golden state is gold with beatify, that’s for sure. Joshua Tree, Antelope Valley, or Napa Valley… the list goes on and on.

Best Things to do in California

From SF: Yosemite Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup

San Diego: La Jolla Cove Guided Snorkeling Tour

Newport Beach: Ultimate Whale Watching Adventure

Los Angeles: 2-Hour Hollywood Trail Horseback Riding Tour

San Francisco: Alcatraz Tour with Muir Woods and Sausalito

An arial shot of the coast of California shows why this is one of the prettiest states in the USA: the blue waters froth against tan shores and the rocky cliffs and mountains are so close to the highway, offering great views.

Michigan

Michigan is almost two views in one state! The Upper and Lower Peninsulas are beautiful in their own, separate ways. The 3,288 miles of Michigan coast is something everyone should see in their lifetime! Thanks to some old glaciers, the landlocked state still features inland seas. The Great Lakes are great for a reason!

Some of the best beaches in the entire USA are in this state. There are also unspoiled forests prefect for hiking, mountains, and over 11,000 inland lakes waiting to be explored. You could spend forever in this state and see something different each day.

Best Things to do in Michigan

Traverse City: 6-Hour Tour of Sleeping Bear Dunes

Michigan Lakeshore: M-22 Coastal Driving Tour

Door County: West Islands & Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Cruise

Detroit: Detroit Lions Football Game at Ford Field

Michigan is one of the prettiest states in the USA: this photo shows one of the Great Lakes and its calm, blue water, with its sandy shores and a black and white traditional lighthouse on the cusp.

Montana

I’ve heard of Montana being described as the “Great Value” version of Alaska. But there is nothing off-brand about this state! Montana offers the big Rockies, stunning lakes, and national parks. Between Yellowstone and Glacier are must sees. Plus, this state always has distinct seasons which is nice.

With the wide open spaces, this state is worth the exploration. Factor in that there is just 1 million people here, it’s never crowded. Enjoy those hot springs! And enjoy them by yourself!

Best Things to do in Montana

West Glacier: Glacier National Park Scenic Raft Trip

West Yellowstone: Yellowstone National Park Highlights Tour

Big Sky: Super Guided Zipline Tour (2-3 Hours)

Wild Horse Island/Flathead Lake: Kaya Tour

From Gardiner: Yellowstone National Park Snowshoe Tour

Montana is breathtaking and one of the prettiest states in the USA with its snow capped mountains, fresh rivers and lakes, and green forests that cascade down the mountains.

Maine

In the northeast, there is no other coast than Maine’s coast. It has some of the beast scenery around! The jagged islands offshore are a perfect backdrop when you get to sit and enjoy some lobster. Plus, the pebbly beaches feature over 3,000 miles of coastline!

Don’t also forget about Acadia National Park, and even Most Katahidn– which is the top of the Appalachian Trail. The dense wilderness of these parks brings in hikers and campers, but personally I think the rugged seashore is the best.

Best Things to do in Maine

Portland: Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic Cruise

Kennebunkport, Maine: Lunchtime Culinary Walking Tour

Bar Harbor: Acadia National park Tour with Lobster Roll

Acadia National Park: Scenic Coastal Drive Tour Adventure

Boothbay Harbor’s Walk Through Time, a Guided History Tour

The cliffs and coast of Maine are stunning and make it one of the prettiest states in the USA: this photo shows a lighthouse and a town red and white in color overlooking the rocky Cliffside during sunset. The sun lightens the green grass and blue waters.

New Mexico

Most people don’t realize how stunning deserts are. The backdrop of New Mexico is breathtaking, despite it not typically be associated with what we call paradise. But those red rock cliffs are worth visiting and exploring! The mountains of Taos brings some elevation to the state, which is a nice vacation.

In addition, there is also the White Sands National Park. This national park is home to the largest collections of ice-age fossilized footprints. The great wave-line dunes span 275 miles and is truly unique in its geology.

Things to do in New Mexico

Mesa Verde National Park- Half Day Tour

Albuquerque: Rio Grande Valley Hot Air Balloon Ride

Moab: Chamisa Canyon Canyoneering Adventure

New Mexico: Rio Grande River Scenic Float Trip

Carlsbad Caverns National Park Walking Audio Tour

A sunset casts bright orange, yellow and pink over tall rock formations at one of the many national parks in New Mexico, which just so happens to be one of the prettiest states in the USA.

And there you have it, folks! qt of the prettiest states in the USA. These are not only the prettiest, but they are also some of the best states in the USA. Please remember, they are in no order on this list! So start planning some vacations and take in all the beauty the US has to offer!