For a lot of people, sunset is their favorite time of day. It’s a beautiful time of day because of intense colors and deep shadows, and it can also make for a relaxing end to a long day. Also, you don’t have to get up early to enjoy it!
The sunset is usually beautiful everywhere, but there are some places where watching a sunset is just on a whole other level.
If you live or are traveling in the United States, make sure to visit one of these places at sunset!
Here are some amazing places for enjoying sunsets, whether it’s the setting sun itself or the picture it paints:
North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona
It’s a long drive from anywhere to get to the North Rim, but the reward is a less-crowded experience than you get at the South Rim. Sunset views here are great for the colors and also the views far south to the San Francisco Peaks, home to Arizona’s highest peak, Mt. Humphreys, also one of the four sacred peaks of the Navajo.
Bryce Canyon, Utah
The hoodoos here are world-famous, and they’re spectacular whenever you see them. At sunset, though, the low light brings out patterns resembling candy corn, and all it takes to see them is parking and walking mere yards to an overlook.
Arches National Park, Utah
The red sandstone of Arches makes it incredible at both sunrise and sunset. Many of the park’s roadside arches and towers receive afternoon light, though, so the end of the day is, in that sense, more beautiful.
Monument Valley, Arizona-Utah
Several classic Western films helped make this location on Navajo lands world-famous. The Mittens are easily the most famous of them all, and they glow an unbelievable red at sunset.
Rialto Beach, Washington
Rialto Beach is part of the Olympic National Park. It’s awesome enough just for the tide pools and the wildly shaped driftwood that washes up. Just offshore, however, are big rock formations called sea stacks. As you watch the sun setting behind the Pacific, you can also see it silhouette those rocks, and it’s just spectacular, especially if you catch the sun setting directly behind or right next to one of them.
Paradise Valley, Montana
This valley follows the Yellowstone River between the North Entrance of Yellowstone and the town of Livingston. It’s been the setting of movies like A River Runs Through It. Although it’s become more developed in recent years, the Absaroka Range forming and guarding the east side of the valley is as wild as ever, and the setting sun makes it look even better.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Badlands is one of those places where both sunrise and sunset turn into something out of a fairy tale. The sunset here can be especially staggering, though. The summer heat here often kicks off thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evenings while the sky to the west is clear. When that happens, the setting sun produces colors and contrast you have to see to believe.
Florida Bay, Florida
Florida Bay is in Everglades National Park, and because it faces mostly south and east, it’s hard to see the sun setting here from the shore. However, the warmth and humidity here often cause big clouds to form, and the setting sun you can’t see lights them up dramatically.
South Padre Island, Texas
Pretty much what is true about Florida Bay is true about South Padre Island. One key difference is that Texas is more arid than Florida is, so you’re more likely to enjoy the sun lighting up those offshore clouds at sunset.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Much of this park borders the ocean, so enjoying sunsets isn’t hard to do. For an unforgettable experience, however, hike out along the beach to the overlook of the lava flow that pours into the Pacific constantly. You’ll get to admire the sunset and watch molten rock illuminate the ever-increasing dark.
Morro Bay, California
Just about the entire California coast is dramatic and a great place to watch the sun drop over the horizon. At Morro Bay, you have very easy access, and, if you pick the right time of the year, you can watch the sun setting directly behind massive Morro Rock, an ancient volcanic plug.
Brooks Lake, Wyoming
It takes about 5 miles of driving on sometimes bumpy dirt roads to reach this mountain lake. The sunrise view of the Brooks Lake Cliffs, towering 1000’ above the lake, is amazing. Even more amazing are the views of the Pinnacle Buttes to the east taking the last of the day’s light.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Even if you haven’t heard the name, you’ve probably seen this beach since it’s been in countless pictures, calendars, and the covers of road atlases. Go for the scenery and stay for the sunset if it’s a rare clear day on the Oregon coast.
Eureka Dunes, California
In Death Valley, the best-known and most easily accessible sand dunes are at Mesquite Flat; if you’ve seen the original Star Wars, you’ve seen these dunes. Unfortunately, they’ve become so popular that if you want solitude or a perfect shot without footprints in it, you’ll have to head way out. Instead, you can make the long drive on dirt roads to the Eureka Dunes, where the dunes are way taller and there are few people and footprints.
White Sands, New Mexico
The sand dunes here aren’t that high, but they make up for that in beauty since they’re composed of white gypsum crystals. Although the area is arid, mountains ring it, often producing afternoon storm clouds that create otherworldly effects within the dunes until the sun goes to sleep for the day.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale.
When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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