Americans have always valued the wide-open expanses of their wilderness, which likely explains why the concept of national parks started in the United States in the late 19th Century with Yellowstone National Park becoming the world’s first.  Since then, the network of national park and monument lands in the United States has grown to include 59 national parks and 117 national monuments.

Within these parks and monuments are some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.  Ranging from mountains to deserts, and including prairies, wetlands, seashores, and even active volcanoes, America’s national parks include a stunning array of beautiful scenery.  But out of all of the views in America’s public lands, some stand out as being even more beautiful and breathtaking than the others.