The 12 Most Scenic Overlooks in U.S. National Parks

From California to Alaska, these beautiful park viewpoints look out over some of the most scenic mountains, lakes, and canyons in the country.

National parks across the U.S. are filled with jaw-dropping views, offering magnificent, screensaver-worthy backdrops of snow-capped mountains, sprawling deserts, granite wall-framed valleys, and more. Some parks are so chockfull of scenic overlooks you would have to pull over every couple minutes to take all of them in. Not many parkgoers have time for that, given all the hikes and activities they want to do, so most want to skip over a few and just hit the highlights.

Looking to head straight to best viewpoints to capture the perfect shot? Read on for 12 of the most stunning national park overlooks from Maine to Alaska.

Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park, California

When it comes to scenic overlooks in California, it's tough to top the view just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Route 41 in Yosemite National Park. Conveniently, there's a parking lot here, so visitors can pull over to snap a few shots of the beautiful vista — no hiking required. From this scenic overlook, you can see some of the most iconic features of Yosemite, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. A little tip: go in early spring to see the falls at peak flow.

Related: The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park

Stony Hill Overlook, Denali National Park, Alaska

Alaska is a land of otherworldly beauty, but the views from Stony Hill Overlook nearly defy comprehension. While the alpine tundra spread before you is humbling, and the chance to spot wildlife is exciting, the view of snow-capped Mount Denali — the tallest peak in North America — is the highlight of this spot. You can't drive through Denali National Park in your own car (except for the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road), but during the summer, transit and tour buses are available, and some routes include a stop for photos at Stony Hill Overlook.

Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

The colors and textures of Bryce Canyon National Park are on striking display at Bryce Point, and there's no better time to visit than at dawn. Rise before the sun to take in all the fiery beauty — the canyon's own namesake, Mormon pioneer Ebenezer Bryce, is known to have called it a "hell of a place to lose a cow." The park's free shuttle stops at Bryce Point, but it doesn't run before sunrise, so arrange your own transportation if you plan to catch this breathtaking daily display.

Mather Point, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

When visiting the Grand Canyon, picking the perfect vantage point can be tricky. You'll be treated to gobsmacking views of the world wonder wherever you are along it, but the South Rim — home to Grand Canyon Village — has the most popular overlooks. If you don't mind sharing the scenery with lots of people, hit up Mather Point for sunrise or sunset. Seeing the golden light bounce off the canyon walls is something special.

Snake River Overlook, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The mountain, river, and forest views from Snake River Overlook are akin to a postcard. Go during the summer to see lots of green and clear vistas, or in the fall for lovely golden hues as the leaves change. Below the lookout, the river winds through shrubby flats that lead to a horizon of rugged peaks. It's easy to reach Snake River Overlook from Highway 89/191, plus there's ample parking — a major perk for the non-hikers among us.

Range View Overlook, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

The views along Skyline Drive make it hard to keep your eyes on the road, so you'll be more than ready to pull over once you reach the Range View Overlook at mile marker 17.1, about five miles past the turnoff for Mathews Arm Campground. You'll see several different peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains as you look south from this 2,810-foot scenic lookout, and they all seem to roll on forever into the distance.

Sinnott Memorial Overlook, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

There are no bad views on the Rim Drive surrounding Crater Lake in Oregon, but the vistas from Sinnott Memorial Overlook are among the best. Built into the cliffside 900 feet above Crater Lake, this sheltered viewpoint is also located near the Rim Village Visitor Center, Crater Lake Lodge, and the cafe and gift shop. Give yourself plenty of time to gaze at the mind-bending blues of the deepest lake in the U.S.

Canyon Overlook, Zion National Park, Utah

The Canyon Overlook Trail is one of the best hikes in Zion National Park because it leads to some of the most incredible views. The walk to this surreal lookout is only about a mile round-trip; to get there, you'll pass through the famous Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel on Route 9, then find the trailhead starting just east of the tunnel. Views into the canyon from the overlook are sure to impress.

Ben Morton Overlook, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

You can see both North Carolina and Tennessee from the Ben Morton Overlook — or just "Morton Overlook," for short — located along U.S. 441/Newfound Gap Road. But arguably the biggest delight of visiting this spot is seeing why the range is dubbed the Great Smoky Mountains. The area seems to be shrouded in haze as it extends into the horizon. Tip: finish your day here for one of the most stunning sunsets, and stop by the Newfound Gap lookout less than a mile along the road for even more jaw-dropping views.

Many Parks Curve, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Many Parks Curve overlook, located on a hairpin turn along Trail Ridge Road, offers a panoramic vista of the Mummy Range as well as many of Colorado's most popular parks, as its name suggests. You can see into Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park, and parts of Estes Park, to name a few. The journey really is the destination here, since views are plentiful all along Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest highways in the U.S.

Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine

You can either hike or drive a windy road for 3.5 miles to reach the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard, the first spot to see the sunrise in the U.S. from October to March. This iconic spot looks out over the mountains and to the Atlantic Ocean, speckled with small islands. The summit can get busy, especially ahead of the dawn spectacle, so permits are sometimes required to park.

Related: The Best Times to Visit Acadia National Park for Good Weather and Affordable Rates

Artist Point, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park has its own Grand Canyon, which you can see framing icy-blue waterfalls from Artist Point. The lookout gets its name from a former belief that 19th-century painter Thomas Moran depicted it in one of his popular works. That was later disproven, but the name stuck, and the view has inspired plenty of artists to make it accurate. From this spot on the rim, you can see the grandeur of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone stretching 20 miles across, 1,000 feet deep, and up to 4,000 feet wide.

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