What to See in the USA? 10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit

Cowboys haven’t roamed the Wild West for decades now — instead, it’s buses, motorhomes, campervans, and all sorts of vehicles packed with tourists. And who can blame them? The United States are more accessible than ever with affordable flights, and there’s so much to see. Let’s take a look at the most beautiful places in the USA — the stunning national parks and landmarks of the American West that you simply have to visit.

The diverse landscapes of the American West have enchanted countless travellers, and you’ll understand why once you go. If you visit during peak season (May–September), you’ll definitely encounter thousands of tourists. If you try a different time, you might face other challenges like cold weather, off-season trail or road closures, and limited services.

But these truly are places you want to see. Which adventure you choose is up to you. Now let’s find out where the 10 most beautiful places in the USA are.

When to Visit the Western USA?

Personally, I love the second half of September and October, when the weather is more stable and there are slightly fewer tourists than in summer. Spring is also lovely. April and May, for example. If you don’t mind the occasional closure and want to avoid crowds, you can also go in November or February.

I’d avoid summer. Although one of my first visits was in July, that was quite a few years ago (maybe even fifteen!) and even then the crowds were unbearable. Yosemite gets 3.5 million visitors a year, most of them during the summer season. Just imagine that.

10 Beautiful Places to Visit in the USA

I believe everyone should take a road trip through the USA national parks at least once in their lifetime. There’s hardly a better road trip out there. Let’s dive into the most beautiful parks and places in the USA.

1) Visit the Volcano in Washington State

When people think of the Western USA, most immediately picture the Grand Canyon or Death Valley. For me, though, the area around Mount St. Helens in Washington State holds the biggest place in my heart.

2) Explore Avatar-Like Landscapes in Oregon

Not far from the Bridge of Gods, where the popular book Wild by Cheryl Strayed ends, you can find waterfalls like Lower Falls Creek. But Oregon isn’t just forested landscapes along the Columbia River.

If you head south, you’ll encounter arid landscapes that people often mistake for Utah based on photos alone.

3) Leave Your Heart in San Francisco

The iconic red suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate strait in California is one of the most photographed landmarks by every tourist. But San Francisco itself, as the cultural and financial hub of Northern California, has so much more to offer.

A visit to Alcatraz is a must at least once in your life, as is riding the famous cable car, and of course checking out the Google headquarters. San Francisco has always been my number one favourite among American cities. And it still is. If you’re looking for tours and activities, you can easily book them via GetYourGuide.

4) Fall in Love with Yosemite

Since 2014, when Apple officially introduced its new operating system version called OS X Yosemite, the Yosemite National Park in California became an even more popular destination for tourists.

For photographers and filmmakers alike. And it’s no wonder — the park is truly stunning. It’s a bit of a shame, though, because in summer even the toughest souls will struggle with the sheer mass of tourists.

5) Blow-Dry Your Hair in the Wind at Death Valley

The lowest point in North America is Death Valley. According to some sources, it’s also the hottest place on Earth (though others cite Dasht-e Lut in Iran at 70.6°C). Visiting in summer is a form of masochism. On the other hand, if you brave the heat, you’ll have the place almost to yourself. Nobody lasts long in that sun. Not even you.

6) Grand Canyon

In a previous article, I already recommended the North Rim — the South Rim is far more touristy. But whichever option you choose, there are few places where you’ll feel such a monumental force of nature as when gazing at this 446 km long and up to 1,600 m deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.

The river and its tributaries have shaped the canyon over millions of years into layers of the Colorado Plateau. If you sit on the rim at sunrise, you can watch the sun’s rays gradually illuminate each geological layer — a record of climate changes, shifting seas, river channels, and deserts over time. The oldest layers date back nearly 2 billion years.

7) Canyonlands in Utah

Utah is predominantly a rocky land divided into three main geological regions: the Rocky Mountains (north, centre, and east), the Colorado Plateau (east), and the Great Basin (west).

There’s no stranger landscape than Utah’s. The wild nature here takes many forms — from rocky, salt, and sandy deserts, through snow-capped mountain peaks, to coniferous forests in mountain valleys.

What draws tourists the most is the south, covered in massive layers of sediment in all sorts of shapes. These remarkable formations have given rise to several protected areas.

These areas include Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument.

8) Discover Yellowstone on the Border of Three States

The home of Yogi Bear and herds of bison spans three US states: Wyoming (91% of the park), Montana (7.6%), and Idaho (1.4%).

But it’s not mainly the wildlife that draws tourists here — it’s the enormous geysers, the most famous being Old Faithful, which erupts on average every 64.5 minutes to a height of 40 metres, and the colourful, slightly smelly hot pools.

Yellowstone National Park is also characterised by numerous fumaroles (vents of hot gases) and bubbling mud pots leading deep into the earth.

9) Hike to the Glaciers at Glacier National Park

Turquoise lakes and mountains stretching towards the heavens. Hundreds of trails that lead you to viewpoints where you’ll be left gasping for breath. I’d recommend visiting these places as soon as possible, because the Grinnell Glacier won’t be here in 20 years.

10) Break a Sweat at Joshua Tree Park

Joshua Tree Park is often overlooked by travellers. It’s true that it’s a bit of a detour.

In summer, walking through this park is like a warm version of hell — spring is a much better time to visit. The park stretches across San Bernardino and Riverside counties and encompasses two deserts that form two separate ecosystems, each defined by a different elevation. The park gets its name from the giant yuccas, known as Joshua trees, which bloom beautifully in March and April.