From coast to coast, the U.S.A. is home to quite a lot of natural beauty. Still, some states beat out others when it comes to providing visitors with the most stunning landscapes and scenery. A group of experts studied every state in the U.S.

They evaluated each one on a number of different relevant factors having to do with natural beauty, including the number of beaches, large natural lakes, mountains, national parks, and waterfalls in order to determine the top ten. From the Pacific Northwest to the Mid-Atlantic and everything in between, these US states are the best in terms of “the most natural beauty.” Without further ado, here are the most naturally beautiful states in the USA.  

The Most Naturally Beautiful States In The USA

10. New York

The State of New York, located in the Northeastern United States, scrapes into the official list of the top 10 most naturally beautiful states. It covers an area of 54,556 square miles and is the 27th largest state by area.  New York scored 6.12 out of 10.  

It was praised for its 350 beaches, 940+ waterfalls, 3,600+ mountains, and 7,600 large, lovely natural lakes. New York also includes a number of different state parks and a pair of major forest preserves. Founded in 1885, Niagara Falls State Park is the oldest state park in the US. It is also possibly the most famous in the state. There’s also Adirondack Park, established in 1892. It is almost the size of the entire state of Vermont and is therefore the official largest state park in the nation.  

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North Carolina

North Carolina scores 6.26. It’s situated in the Southeastern United States and became the 12th state in 1789. North Carolina is the 28th largest state in the country covering an area of 53,819 square miles. This state was praised for its 241 beaches and 2,700 mountains.  

It also made the list because of 59 large natural lakes and 885 waterfalls. Let’s not forget that this state is also home to the Outer Banks and the famous Great Smoky Mountains. A partial although significant list of other noteworthy natural highlights includes Bubbling Spring Branch Cascades, Chimney Rock, Hanging Rock, Jockey’s Ridge, Lake Mattamuskeet, Linville Caverns, Looking Glass Rock, Mt. Mitchell, Pilot Mountain, Stone Mountain, Uwharrie National Forest, and Whitewater Falls.  

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Colorado

Colorado, in the Western United States’ Mountain West subregion, Colorado garnered a 6.36. It became a state in 1876. Stretching across 104,094 it includes the majority of the Southern Rocky Mountains, the northeastern section of the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Plains’ western edge.

Here you will discover some of the world’s most scenic landscapes. The state has no beaches because it is landlocked. Still, it has a total of almost 4,000 mountains and waterfalls combined.  

It also has four national parks including the popular Rocky Mountain National Park which spans the well-known Continental Divide. Other highlights include Hanging Lake, Maroon Bells, “Pah gosah” Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, the Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs, and Royal Gorge in Cañon City.  

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Wyoming

Also known as “The Cowboy State”, Wyoming, like Colorado, is located in the Western United States’ Mountain West subregion. It covers an area of 97,913 square miles and was officially designated the 44th state in the US in 1890. Wyoming earned a score of 6.6 for its 2,471 named mountains and 4,000 lovely large natural lakes.  

Many travelers come to this state to explore the famous Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Of course, there are numerous other naturally beautiful places to see here. Other highlights here include Ayres Natural Bridge, the Bighorn Mountains, the film-famous Devils Tower National Monument, the seemingly oddly named Killpecker Sand Dunes, the mighty North Platte River, the Red Desert, Shoshone Cavern, South Pass, and, of course, the Thermopolis Hot Springs. 

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Montana

The state of Montana, also found in the Western United States’ Mountain West subregion, slots in at number six on the list with a score of 6.87. It became the 41st state in 1889 and, with a total area of 147,040 square miles, it is the fourth-largest state. Interestingly, it is the eighth-least populous state as well.

To the north, it is bordered by Canada. Montana scores plenty of points for its 3,340+ mountains, such as the Beartooth Mountains, and its 3,223 large natural lakes. As regular readers may recall, Flathead Lake is one of the most popular here.

This state is also favored for its 480+ waterfalls. In fact, Morell Falls is a particular favorite. Other highlights include the American Prairie Reserve, Bighorn Canyon, Glacier National Park, Grinnell Glacier, The Medicine Rocks, the Lewis and Clark Caverns, and The Badlands of Makoshika State Park.  

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Hawaii

The Top Five Most Naturally Beautiful States In The USA

How could America’s 50th state, admitted into the union in 1959, not make it into the top five? After all, the Aloha State includes an especially attractive 10,931 square acres just 2,000 miles from the mainland in the pretty Pacific Ocean. Indeed, this unique place is the only archipelago state and birthplace of your rovin’ writer, right?

Its natural beauty earned it a score of 6.97. It was rated highly for its 385 beautiful beaches, 543 wondrous waterfalls, and 1,137 mountains. This tropical locale also features five lovely large natural lakes, and a pair of national parks, including the popular Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Oh, and let’s not forget Waimea Canyon, the dormant volcano crater Haleakala, the active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea, and Diamond Head as well! 

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Oregon

The number four most naturally beautiful state takes us back to the mainland. Oregon scored 7.79 for its natural beauty. The state of Oregon is located in the Western United States’ Pacific Northwest region. It became the 33rd state in 1859.  

Indeed, with an area of 98,381 square miles, this state has scenery to suit anyone’s personal preferences. It features 91 beaches (including Cannon Beach), 1,616 waterfalls (such as Elowah Falls, Multnomah Falls, and Toketee Falls), 1,400 large natural lakes (Crater Lake and Lost Lake, most notably), and more than 3,700 named mountains. Other naturally beautiful highlights in this state include the Alvord Desert, the Painted Hills, the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, the Silver Falls State Park, and Smith Rock.  

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Alaska

The 49th state, Alaska, was granted statehood in 1959. It is located in the northwest extremity of North America. With a total area of 663,268 square miles, Alaska is the largest state. It covers a total area larger than that of the next three biggest states, Texas, California, and Montana together.

Alaska scored a 7.89 State Beauty Score. Known to some as “America’s Last Frontier”, the state is noted to be the home of the most “ultras” in the country. (An ultra, for those not in the know, is a massive mountain with an elevation of at least 4,921 feet.) Alaska has 64 of them, including Denali. Alaska also features almost 3,200 large natural lakes including Lake Clark and eight national parks including Kenai Fjords and Glacier Bay. 

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California

Also known as the Golden State, California remains one of the most naturally beautiful states. It earns its 8.64 State Beauty Score. Recognized as the 31st state in 1850, it encompasses roughly 163,696 square miles and is the third-largest U.S. state. 

Partisan politics aside, the natural beauty here is undeniable. It is the home of the most named mountains in the US. Its 8,008 named peaks make up just under 11 percent of the nation’s total.

California also boasts over 1,000 waterfalls such as Fossil, Darwin, and Whiskeytown Falls, 430+ beaches including Glass and Laguna Beach, 280 state parks, and nine national parks including Joshua Tree and Sequoia. Do you need more evidence? Check out Artists Palette, Inspiration Point, Bear Gulch and Crystal Caves, and the Big Sur Coastline.  

Washington

The State of Washington, found in the Pacific Northwest has been the 42 state since 1889. With a total area of 71,362 square acres, it is the 18th largest state. The beautiful Evergreen State took the top slot with a state beauty score of 9.29.

Washington includes 8,000 lakes, more than 3,160 named mountains, over 3,130 waterfalls, almost 1,400 beaches, and three national parks. This state offers travelers gorgeous scenery whether it be cloud-breaking mountains, or sandy, calm coasts. A partial list of popular places here includes the Ape Caves, the Columbia River Gorge, Dry Falls, The Enchantments, the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the Hoh Rainforest, Lake Chelan, the active stratovolcano, Mount Rainier, infamous Mount Saint Helens, North Cascades National Park, Palouse Falls, and Snoqualmie Falls.

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