15 Most Naturally Beautiful States in the U.S.

National parks, pristine coasts, and spectacular forests set these states apart from all the others.

We have everythingfrom arid deserts and lush rainforests to heavily forested mountains and even majestic glaciers.

Waterfalls, gorges, rolling hills, and coastal scenes are also prominent, depending on where you go.

Alaskan mountain and lake landscape. Tern Lake on the Kenai peninsula with mountain reflection in lake

Credit: flownaksala/Getty Images

When it comes to natural beauty, however, some states rank slightly higher than others.

So with the help of a few U.S.-based travel experts, we rounded up the best of the best.

Alaska

You simply cant talk about the natural beauty found in the United States without mentioning Alaska.

An empty street going towards mountains

An empty street on Oahu, Hawaii.Violetta Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

The aurora borealis is known to frequent Alaskan skies between late August and mid-April.

The dozens of waterfalls inHighlands, for instance, are photogenic in every way.

Texas

Texas is proof that theres no one definition of beauty.

Red mountains

Red rock formations in Sedona, Arizona.Jon Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure

And if you go beneath the surface, youll discover even more natural beauty.

Washington

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Washingtonis one of those states where natural beauty reigns supreme.

You dont necessarily have to go underground to find exceptional beauty, though.

People overlooking a red rock canyon

A large canyon in Bryce National Park in Utah.Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

She also suggests checking out the Twin Arches natural rock formation and the Tennessee River Gorge.

Could it be the sweeping coastlines of thePacific Coast Highwayor the awe-inspiring redwoods towering over its natural spaces?

Iron Mountain Hot Springsis nestled between the mountains, giving visitors a picturesque view of the beautiful surrounding area.

Snow capped mountains in Glacier Bay in Alaska

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Of course, a significant amount of its natural beauty is found inGlacier National Park.

A waterfall in the forest

A waterfall in North Carolina.Kelsey Glennon/Travel + Leisure

A river running through a canyon

A large canyon in Big Bend National Park in Texas.Jon Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure

Misty snow covered mountains in the North Cascades

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Mountains at sunset

Great Teton National Park in Wyoming.Chris Marinaccio/Travel + Leisure

A yard overlooking the ocean

Coastline in Newport, Rhode Island.Violetta Smirnova/Travel + Leisure

Fall foliage in the mountains

Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.Jon Mattrisch/Travel + Leisure

Autumn colors reflecting on the James River along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. Photo of early morning light on the vivid fall foliage. Autumn foliage along Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia make the region one of the most beautiful places in the world.