The Ten Most Breathtaking Sceneries in North America That You Must Witness

Introduction

From soaring mountain peaks to raging waterfalls, North America is filled with diverse breathtaking natural beauty waiting to be witnessed firsthand. While photographs may allow you to glimpse these wonders, nothing compares to standing in their presence and seeing their power and scale with your own eyes.

This article explores the top ten most stunning sceneries in North America that should be on every traveler’s bucket list to experience. From the vast Grand Canyon to the raw volcanic energy of Hawaii, these landscapes will leave you in awe and eager to explore more of the continent’s natural offerings. Read on to learn where you simply must plan a visit to take in views that will remain etched in your memory forever.

Brief Overview of North America’s Diverse Natural Beauty

North America stretches from the tropical beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean to the icy glaciers of northern Canada and Alaska. Within this expansive region, you’ll find:

Towering mountain ranges like the Canadian Rockies and Sierra Nevada
Carved canyons like the Grand Canyon and Zion’s sandstone cliffs
Thundering waterfalls including Niagara and Yosemite’s majestic falls
Volcanic landscapes from Hawaii to Mount St. Helens
Northern Lights dancing across Alaska and Canada’s skies
Vast lakes like Lake Superior and massive sequoia groves

With so many breathtaking sites, choosing just ten to witness may seem impossible. But the scenic places described below are truly the cream of the crop and should top any North America bucket list.

Importance of Witnessing Scenic Places Yourself

While scrolling through photos of North American vistas may inspire you, nothing can replicate the experience of standing in their presence yourself. Being dwarfed by towering waterfall cascades, hearing a grizzly bear tramp through undergrowth nearby, and inhaling the sweet scent of mountain pines are details photographs cannot convey.

Seeing these places in real life, in all the textures, sounds, and smells that accompany them, creates once-in-a-lifetime travel memories. From feeling the thundering spray on your skin at Niagara Falls to watching the sunset transform the Grand Canyon’s layered cliffs, these are experiences best witnessed yourself on a scenic North American road trip.

So pack your bags, charge your camera, and get ready to behold these ten stunning natural wonders that will take your breath away.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

One of the planet’s ultimate natural wonders, no list of scenic places is complete without the iconic Grand Canyon. This colorful chasm cut deep in the Arizona desert encompasses some of the most impressive views in North America.

Overview of Grand Canyon Highlights

277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over 1 mile deep
Formed over 6 million years by the carving Colorado River
Contains distinct layers of rock offering glimpses into our geological past
Viewpoints along the North and South Rims overlook the expansive canyon
Popular activities include hiking, rafting the Colorado River, and mule rides

Best Viewpoints and Overlooks

Be awestruck by canyon views at scenic vistas like:

Mather Point – Sweeping views from the main Visitor Center lookout
Yavapai Observation Station – Panoramic vistas with interpretive displays
Desert View Watchtower – Unique architecture and views to the east

Top Hiking Trails

Take scenic hikes into the canyon like:

Bright Angel Trail – Popular route to Indian Garden and Plateau Point
South Kaibab Trail – Steep trail passing Cedar Ridge and Skeleton Point
Rim Trail – Easy paved trail with nonstop canyon views

Sunrise and Sunset Times

Time your visit for gorgeous golden light at:

Sunrise – Around 5:30am in summer, 7am in winter
Sunset – Roughly 7:30pm in summer, 5pm in winter

Lodging Recommendations

Stay overnight right on the rim at historic lodges like:

El Tovar Hotel – Steps from the South Rim with dining
Bright Angel Lodge – More affordable lodging close to the canyon
Phantom Ranch – Rustic lodge accessible only by hiking or mule ride

With stunning vistas around every turn, the Grand Canyon promises unparalleled scenic splendor.

Banff National Park, Alberta

Canada’s first national park, Banff offers alpine lakes, glaciers, and towering Rocky Mountain peaks.

Summary of Banff’s Scenic Offerings

Epic Rocky Mountain landscapes blanketed in pine forests
Glacially-fed, turquoise blue Lake Louise
Breathtaking lookouts like Lake Agnes and Big Beehive
Opportunities to view wildlife like grizzlies, elk, and bighorn sheep

Must-See Lakes, Glaciers, and Mountains

Be awestruck by sites like:

Moraine Lake – Turquoise, cliff-framed lake with iconic views
Peyto Lake – Bright blue glacier-fed lake overlooking the valley
Athabasca Glacier – Icefield route to walk on ancient glacial ice
Mount Assiniboine – Dramatic peak called the “Matterhorn of the Rockies”

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

Spot animals like:

Grizzly bears – Seen grazing near highways and trails
Elk – Massive herds visible around Banff and Jasper townsites
Bighorn sheep – Found scaling rocky cliffs and alpine meadows

Ideal Times of Year to Visit Banff

See Banff’s beauty in:

Summer – for warm weather and mountain hiking
Fall – for autumn foliage and fewer crowds
Winter – for snow sports and magical holiday ambience

Top Accommodations in Banff

Stay amidst stunning scenery at lodges like:

Fairmont Banff Springs – Luxurious castle-like hotel with world-class service
Deer Lodge – Charming European-style property in downtown Banff
Num-Ti-Jah Lodge – Rustic lodge offering an intimate mountain escape

With breathtaking vistas in every direction, Banff is truly a scenic wonderland.

Zion National Park, Utah

Famed for towering red and white sandstone cliffs, soaring arches, and slot canyons, Utah’s Zion National Park is a landscape like no other.

Intro to Zion’s Iconic Red Rock Landscapes

Massive cliffs of Navajo Sandstone soar up to 3000 feet
Carved by the Virgin River over millions of years
Contrast of crimson rock and green valley foliage
Some of America’s most unique and visually striking terrain

Famous Zion Hiking Trails and Viewpoints

Be awestruck by:

Angels Landing – Thrilling hike to a narrow rock perch
The Narrows – Route directly through steep slot canyons
Emerald Pools – Lush oases fed by small waterfalls
Canyon Overlook Trail – Cliffside trail with panoramic canyon views

Hidden Gems with Smaller Crowds

Escape crowds by visiting:

East Canyon – Less-visited with colorful rock striations
Watchman Trail – Lightly-trafficked hike to overlooks
Wildcat Canyon Trail – Secluded northern canyon hike

Best Seasons for Optimal Weather

Enjoy Zion’s beauty in:

Spring – for cool weather and wildflower blooms
Fall – for warm days and autumn foliage
Summer – for river swimming and canyon shade (but more crowds)

With endless red cliffs to admire, Zion offers some of the most colorful rocks in North America.

Niagara Falls, Ontario and New York

Straddling the USA-Canada border, these world-famous waterfalls astound visitors with deafening cascades.

Description of Niagara Falls’ Immense Power

Massive, 176 foot high falls span over 3000 feet wide
Around 750,000 gallons of water crash over the brink every second
Spray rises over the falls, creating a year-round mist
Consists of three falls sections – American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls
Flow is highest during summer and lowest in winter

Views from the Canadian Side vs. American Side

Canadian Side

Wider panoramas of all three falls sections
Many hotels directly overlook the falls
Boat tours depart for closer views

American Side

Views directly face massive Horseshoe Falls
Get closer by descending to the Cave of the Winds
See Bridal Veil Falls splashing onto giant boulders

Exciting Ways to Experience the Falls Up Close

Venture near the cascading waters by:

Taking a boat tour up to the base of Horseshoe Falls
Descending behind Bridal Veil Falls along the wooden walkway
Viewing the illuminated falls at night when spotlights create a rainbow

When Niagara Falls Has the Highest Water Flow

Peak water volumes occur in:

Late Spring – after winter ice melt and with high precipitation
Summer/Early Fall – during the region’s rainiest months
Winter – when icy buildup inhibits water flow over the brink

Hotels with Falls Views in Niagara

Wake up to awesome vistas at lodgings like:

Marriott Niagara Falls – Luxury high-rise with panoramic views and falls-side dining
Maid of the Mist Hotel – Affordable falls-view hotel near the famous boat tour docks

With the highest water volume of any North American waterfall, Niagara offers truly thundering cascades.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

This park on Hawaii’s Big Island provides an up-close look at Kilauea and Mauna Loa, the world’s most active volcanoes.

Overview of Volcanic Features in the Park

Kilauea Caldera – Dramatic crater 4 miles across and 500 feet deep
Halemaʻumaʻu Crater – Kilauea’s vent containing an active lava lake
Lava tube caves – Formed by past underground lava flows
Puʻu ʻOʻo – Fissure erupting nonstop since 1983, adding 500 acres of new land

Where to See Lava Flows and Steam Vents

Witness volcanic activity at:

Halemaʻumaʻu Overlook – Glimpse molten lava bubbling within the crater
End of Chain of Craters Road – See fresh lava covering the roadway
Steam vents – Billowing plumes of volcanic gases hissing from the earth

Crater Hikes and Mauna Loa Views

Take scenic hikes like:

Kilauea Iki Trail – Loop across a former lava lake in a volcanic crater
Mauna Loa Road – Drive to views atop Hawaii’s tallest mountain
Devastation Trail – See destruction left by eruptions in tossed trees and charred earth

Ideal Weather Conditions for Hawaii Exploration

Visit during:

Summer – for warm, generally dry weather ideal for lava viewing
Spring and Fall – for fewer crowds and rain typically only at night
Winter – can be rainy but offers lush, green scenery

Lodging in Hawaii Volcanoes NP

Stay amid volcanic splendor at:

Volcano House – Hotel perched on the crater rim since 1846
Cabins – Rustic cabins perfect for hearing the park at night
Campgrounds – Budget backpacker tent sites in lush settings

Hawaii Volcanoes NP offers raw power and front row lava views found nowhere else on Earth.

Northern Lights in Alaska and Canada

Few sights compare to the dazzling Aurora Borealis lighting up the northern skies.

Description of the Aurora Borealis Phenomenon

Caused by solar wind colliding with Earth’s atmosphere
Vibrant colors like green, pink, purple, and blue shimmer and swirl
Best viewed on cold, clear nights during the darkest months
Peak activity occurs on the solar cycle’s peak activity years

Prime Northern Locations to See the Northern Lights

Head north to destinations like:

Fairbanks, Alaska – Position directly under the Auroral Oval
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – Remote northern Canadian city
Whitehorse, Yukon – Dramatic mountain backdrops to lights
Churchill, Manitoba – Aurora viewing combined with polar bears

Time of Year and Conditions for Seeing the Lights

Visit between September and April when:

Solar activity is highest around the equinoxes and solstices
Skies are consistently dark during the long winter night
Cloud cover is low to allow clear viewing

Tips for Photographing and Viewing the Lights

Use a tripod, high ISO, and wide aperture lens
Face north and point your camera at the horizon
Avoid viewing a full moon which can outshine the lights
Seek darkness by heading away from city lights

Unique Lodges for Northern Lights Experiences

Stay at specialty Aurora hotels and lodges offering:

Aurora wake-up calls when activity spikes
Heated viewing areas and cabins facing optimal directions
Nightly Northern Lights educational talks

With dazzling colors dancing across the heavens, witnessing the Aurora is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.

Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

This dramatically carved Colorado River overlook provides one of the American Southwest’s most photographed vistas.

Introduction to Dramatic Horseshoe Bend Cliff Overlook

Formed where the Colorado River makes a U-shaped bend and doubles back on itself
Sheer sandstone cliff walls rise 1000 feet on either side
Gaze directly down at the green Colorado River meandering below
Small separated section called the Cove of the Towers visible downstream

Ways to Experience Horseshoe Bend – Viewpoints, Hiking, Rafting

Take in Horseshoe Bend by:

Gazing down from the main overlook plaza and clifftop
Hiking the one mile roundtrip trail from parking to the viewpoint
Getting river-level views on half-day Colorado River rafting trips

Best Times of Day for Photography

Ideal lighting occurs:

At sunrise when the towering cliffs glow orange
At sunset when the rock formations turn golden
At mid-day when harsh shadows accentuate canyon details

Hours of Operation and Parking

Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Arrive early as the small parking lot fills by mid-morning
Optional shuttle buses run from nearby Page, AZ hotels

Where to Stay Nearby in Page, AZ

Stay close to Horseshoe Bend at accommodation options like:

Lake Powell Resorts – Hotels with views overlooking Lake Powell
Best Western Page – Budget hotel convenient for Antelope Canyon tours
Hyatt Place Page – Newer hotel with contemporary suites

With an iconic southwestern backdrop, Horseshoe Bend is one of the most photographed slots in the region.

Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Plunging 620 feet into the Columbia River Gorge, Multnomah Falls is an easily accessible wonder.

Overview of Stunning Multnomah Falls Sights

One of the tallest and most voluminous waterfalls in the USA
Framed by Douglas firs and precipitous basalt cliffs
Historic sandstone Benson Bridge allowing views from above
Fed by melting snow from the Larch Mountain glaciers

Hiking Options Around Multnomah Falls

Enjoy scenic hikes like:

Benson Bridge – short walk with bridge views over the upper falls
Multnomah-Wahkeena loop – Three stunning waterfalls in a 5.5 mile loop
Larch Mountain Trail – Challenging 11 mile trek with cascade views

When Multnomah Falls Has Peak Water Flow

See maximum water volumes during:

Spring snowmelt – highest flow comes in May and June
Winter rains – storm systems bring heavy runoff November through March
Summer/early Fall – moderate flowmidt lower precipitation

Best Viewpoints and Photography Tips

Capture perfect photos by:

Photographing from Benson Bridge for classic views
Using a neutral density filter to slow water motion
Capturing the fallen logs and rock formations in the foreground
Framing the upper and lower tiers together

Where to Stay Nearby in the Columbia Gorge Region

Nearby accommodation options include:

Skamania Lodge – Upscale lodge with waterfall views
Best Western Plus – Budget property in Stevenson, WA
McMenamins Edgefield – Quaint converted estate with wine tastings

With grand cascades plummeting into an idyllic forest gorge, Multnomah Falls is truly spectacular.

Watkins Glen State Park, New York

This Finger Lakes park protects a magical world of water-carved gorges cascading past sheer cliffs.

Summary of Watkins Glen’s Magical Water-Carved Gorges

Over three miles of dramatic gorges cut through rock by 19 waterfalls
Sheer cliff walls tower up to 200 feet overhead
Rainbow Falls, Central Cascade, and Spiral Gorge among highlights
Aquamarine swimming holes dotted along the gorge route

Hiking Through the Gorge Trail System

Main trail is an easy 1.5 mile loop following Glen Creek
Multiple stone and arched bridges cross over the gorge
400 stone steps lead through Central Cascade ravine
Connect to Rim and Indian Trails for longer hikes

Seasonal Changes to the Gorge and Falls

See transformations in:

Spring – High water flow over falls after snowmelt
Summer -azure swimming holes perfect for beating the heat
Fall – changing foliage colors reflected in the gorge

Photographing the Gorge Landscapes

Capture photos at vistas like:

Rainbow Falls viewpoint – Capture the tiers cascading over the cliff’s edge
Bridge bottlenecks – Frame the turquoise water flowing beneath bridges
Autumn foliage – Vivid yellows and oranges reflected in the creek

Lodging Recommendations Near Watkins Glen

Stay nearby at places like:

Glen Motor Inn – Budget motel with gorge trail access
Harbor Hotel – Contemporary lakefront hotel in Watkins Glen village
Seneca Lodge – Charming property blending rustic and luxury

Watkins Glen transports visitors into a magical water-carved wonderland perfect for exploring on foot.

Arcadia National Park, Maine

From rocky headlands to crashing Atlantic waves, Acadia National Park encapsulates the beauty of Maine’s coast.

Introduction to Acadia’s Dramatic Rocky Coast

Primarily located on Mount Desert Island off Maine’s coast
Granite-bouldered shoreline shrouded in spruce and pine
Stunning vistas of the rugged Atlantic coastline
Abundant wildlife including whales, seals, moose and eagles

Scenic Driving Routes Like the Park Loop Road

Park Loop Road – 27 mile paved road with ocean overlooks
Carriage Roads – Gravel paths perfect for cycling and walking
Schoodic Peninsula – Scenic loop around Acadia’s eastern section

Hiking and Cycling Along the Coastline

Enjoy trails like:

Ocean Path – Walk alongside waves crashing on granite
Beehive Loop – Climb iron rung ladders on this rocky ascent
Carriage Roads – Leisurely bike past lakes and forests

Recommended Time of Year to Visit Acadia

Experience Acadia in:

Fall – for autumn leaves and fewer crowds
Summer – for long days to enjoy the sights
Spring/winter – for discounted rates before peak season

Accommodation Options on Mount Desert Island

Base yourself amidst the beauty at spots like:

Bar Harbor Inn – Charming coastal inn downtown
Asticou Inn – Lodging with panoramic water views
Blackwoods Campground – Forested tent camping in the park

With jagged cliffs sculpted by the pounding North Atlantic waves, Acadia’s stark coast is magical.

Conclusion

The diversity of North America’s natural wonders is astounding, but some scenic landscapes stand out for their iconic beauty. By witnessing the soaring red cliffs of Zion, thundering power of Niagara Falls, and raw geology of Hawaii’s volcanoes, you’ll gain lasting memories of this continent’s most breathtaking places.

Remember to appreciate both the grand vistas and intimate details that make these destinations so special. Capture enough photographs to reminisce, but balance viewing experiences through your own eyes rather than just a camera lens. Seeking out lesser-known side trails will help you escape crowds and discover hidden gems within the parks as well.

With so much astounding beauty across North America, you’re sure to already be planning your visit to the next scenic wonder on your list!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to visit multiple scenic spots?

Take a road trip! Driving allows you the freedom to reach stunning landscapes across North America at your own pace.

When are peak seasons at these parks?

Summertime from June through September is the busiest. Visit in spring or fall for smaller crowds and lower prices.

What hiking safety tips should be followed?

Pack adequate supplies, hike with a partner, stay on marked trails, beware of wildlife, and know your limits.

Are guided tours useful for any of these destinations?

Yes, guided tours can provide unique access, interesting facts, and history about places like Zion, Grand Canyon, and Niagara.

How early should I arrive for sunrise views?

Arrive at least 45 minutes before the actual sunrise time to scope out shots and witness the full lighting progression.