View Activities

1,700 foot high rock formation resembling a Clipper ship

Panoramic views of the volcanic landscape of El Malpais

Magnificent panoramic view down into the badlands of Painted Canyon

A short walk out to the edge of the bluff overlooking the lake, let

One of the best views of the canyon--especially in early morning. It is reached via a short trail from the South Rim Drive.

Overlook at end of Bright Angel Trail

Great view of the rock formations in the Bryce Amphitheater.

Spectacular views of the jagged ridges, twisted canyons, and multicolored buttes of the badlands

Classic picture of Flaming Gorge--sheer cliffs dropping 1,360 feet to the lake below

Overlook at the end of the 20-mile paved road in the Island in the Sky District with spectacular views down into the canyons 2,000 feet below.

Ten classic Cadillacs buried nose-down in the dirt with their upended tail fins tracing the design changes that Cadillac made over the years from 1948 to 1964.

Short walk from the visitor center to Point Supreme for incredible views into the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater.

From the Petroglyph Pullout on Route 24, you can see examples of petroglyphs carved into the cliffs by the ancient Fremont and Anasazi people.

Tip of Cape Royal at the end of a 1/2 mile nature trail

Scenic overlook at the end of a 3-mile side road from Cape Royal Road. It is the highest viewpoint on either rim.

Yellowstone's most famous and predictable geyser--erupts approximately every 79 minutes and shoots hot water about 180 feet high for 2 to 5 minutes. Can be viewed from benches outside Old Faithful Inn or from Observation Point looking down.

Field full of mounds with holes going down to an intricate tunnel system, creating an entire city for prairie dogs.

Short hike to a bridge over a chasm with great views of 82-foot high Athabasca Falls plunging into the narrow canyon below.

Spectacular panoramic views of the colorful badlands of the Painted Desert

The largest tidal whirlpool in the Western Hemisphere. The best way to view the Old Sow is from the Deer Island Point Campground on the southwestern end of the island, 3 hours before high tide.

Incredibly, stunning views from the Meat Cove Campground out over the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Spectacular views of Norris Point and Bonne Bay from atop a hill near the Jenniex House. The Jenniex House is a functional Newfoundland home that is maintained and operated by the Norris Point Heritage Committee.

Spectacular view of Horseshoe Falls from the Canadian side. From this vantage point, you stand level with the edge as millions of gallons of water tumble down into the gorge below.

Flats of Turnagain Arm, which is known for its phenomenal bore tides.

World's Largest Revolving Globe - 3 stories high and 6,000 pounds. Eartha resides in DeLorme's lobby and can be seen from the street through a wall of glass over three stories high.

One of the few places on the east coast that you can watch the sun set over the ocean

Beautiful view along the beach of the crashing surf on one side and towering, shrub covered cliffs on the other.

The largest and oldest white oak in the United States. This over 450-year-old tree stands at 95 feet tall, 37 feet around, and its 165 crown can shade an area of almost half an acre.

Panoramic views of the park from atop an old World War II observation tower that was used to spot enemy ships

Commanding views of the Continental Divide from the porch of the Chief Hosa Lodge

Goblin Valley and its hundreds of fanciful rock formations (goblins)

One of the most spectacular overlooks in the park. A short walk uphill from the parking lot brings you to a panoramic view of Golden Canyon and the surrounding vibrantly colored badlands. The views are particularly stunning in the lowlight of early morning or late afternoon.

The highest mountain (14,496 feet) in the Continental U.S.

Yellowstone's most famous and predictable geyser--erupts approximately every 79 minutes and shoots hot water about 180 feet high for 2 to 5 minutes. Can be viewed from benches outside Old Faithful Inn or from Observation Point looking down.

One of the best views of the canyon--especially in early morning. It is reached via a short trail from the South Rim Drive.

Watch the sunset from the overlook

Rock ledge with spectacular views of Kings Canyon and the Great Western Divide. It is reached via Panoramic Drive, a steep and winding 2.3 mile road beginning near the John Muir Lodge.

This 1908 10-story-high lighthouse is the only lighthouse in California that you can ascend. The seas below are so treacherous that 10 ships crashed upon the rocks below in a single night in 1865. The views of the sea and coastline are breathtaking.

Free public beach in town, just off Lake Tahoe Blvd.

Along the South Road, about a mile past Beetlebung corner, there is a bridge, with Nashaquitsa Pond on the right and Stonewall Pond on the left. About a tenth of a mile after the bridge, the road heads up a hill. Halfway up the hill, there is a wide spot on the side of the road called Quitsa Overlook. From there you can look out over Nashaquitsa and Menemsha ponds and beyond to Menemsha and the Vineyard Sound.

Stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco waterfront from a viewpoint at the northern end of the bridge. The parking lot is on the northbound side of US 101.

An offshore monolith carved into an arch by the relentless waves of the sea. It is part of the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor.

Great place to watch and listen to the seals and sea lions that live on Shell Island, a short distance offshore

Viewing platform at milepost 200.8 of the Oregon Coast Highway that looks out over the vast expanse of dunes that comprise the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Sunset over the mouth of the Columbia River

Great view of the snow-covered peaks of Three Sisters and Flattop Mountain from a scenic viewpoint on Route 20 south of town

Vast expanse of black, jagged lava from an eruption of Fleener Chimneys 12,000 years ago

Sunset over Tule Lake

From the top of the trail that leads to the Park's Museum of Natural History

From our campsite atop a bluff

A short 1/4 mile trail leads to views of three distinct volcanic features: Castle Crags, Mount Shasta and Grey Rocks

621-foot high Multnomah Falls is the tallest falls in Oregon and the most visited natural attraction in the state. The ribbon-like upper falls drops 542 feet into a deep pool before flowing another 69-feet in its lower tier. A short, paved footpath leads up to Benson Bridge, which spans 25 feet above the lower tier.

Mountain-top overlook 5,000 feet above the Valley, with breathtaking views. The access road starts on Highway 190 east of Furnace Creek and is accessible by vehicles less than 25 feet in length.

One of the most spectacular overlooks in the park. A short walk uphill from the parking lot brings you to a panoramic view of Golden Canyon and the surrounding vibrantly colored badlands. The views are particularly stunning in the low light of early morning or late afternoon.

Immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires, that only the devil could play golf on. It is reached via an unpaved road off Badwater Road.

Overlook atop the Little San Bernardino Mountains (5,185 feet elevation) with panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and mountains beyond

Spectacular glass-walled space with 360 degree panoramic views of downtown San Francisco, Golden Gate Park, the Bay, and the Marin headlands. Admission is free.

During the 1920s, this concrete-arched bridge near Donner Summit was built as part of historic Route 40, the primary highway for motorists traveling between Atlantic City, NJ and San Francisco before the construction of I80 in 1964. From the bridge the views of Donner Lake, the surrounding mountains, and the town of Truckee are spectacular.

Annual December Nights tree lighting in Balboa Park

Spectacular panoramic views of the colorful badlands of the Painted Desert. The point is located a short distance from the Painted Desert Inn

Area of rocks with over 650 petroglyphs carved on their faces

The Sun and Moon's amazing show. Only in totality do you get to experience the full corona, the diamond that briefly appears along the corona’s ring, and Bailey’s beads, where the rough topography of the moon allows beads of sunlight to shine through in some places and not in others. Then the whole process reverses itself - awesome!!

Tall jet of seawater that shoots as high as 50 feet in the air through a hole in a lava shelf

Site of one of the most daring and difficult journeys ever made during the pioneer days. In October of 1879, a party of 230 Mormons, 83 wagons, and 1,000 cattle were sent out to build a settlement on the San Juan River. Their journey brought them to Panguitch, Escalante, down a narrow and steep crevice in the western rim of Glen Canyon.

Short side trip up a portion of the Escalante Arm to Davis Gulch, a deep, narrow canyon that meanders for two miles before reaching Lagorce Arch, a huge natural window, 100 feed wide and 75 feet high.

One of the most spectacular overlooks in the park. A short walk uphill from the parking lot brings you to a panoramic view of Golden Canyon and the surrounding vibrantly colored badlands. The views are particularly stunning in the low light of early morning or late afternoon.

From atop the Albaicin, a lovely panoramic view of the Alhambra

Lovely view of the Embalse del Conde del Guadalhorce, a huge reservoir that dominates the landscape and is a paradise for those looking for water recreation.

Views of the city were magical during the golden hour.

Bureau of Land Management viewpoint just a little past the entrance to the park up on Antone Road

Short walk to a viewing platform where you can observe dozens of northern elephant seals. Although you can see them year-round, the best times are late January, late April and late October. The rookery is located just south of the Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon.

View the playful sea otters from the Morro Bay T-Pier

Main attraction in the State Park because of its incredible views. From the overlook parking lot, we walked a short distance in both directions to take in the breathtaking views of an oxbow in the Colorado River and the adjacent canyon country. We could even see the Potash Road which we had driven on two days ago and Thelma and Louise Point where we had camped

Aguereberry Point
Located at the end of a 6.6-mile bumpy dirt road, with some narrow sections and blind turns. The last half mile is barely wider than one lane and there is a steep, 1000-foot drop-off. However, at the end there is a viewpoint overlooking the southern half of Badwater Basin and the area of Death Valley from Furnace Creek north all the way to Salt Creek.

From the viewpoint, there is a stunning view into the colorfully-striped Rainbow Canyon and out across the Panamint Valley.

Picturesque waterfall that cascades 80-feet over the edge of a granite cliff onto a lovely cove. It has the distinction of being one of only two named waterfalls in California that are also tidefalls, meaning that they fall directly into the sea, or in this case, into the lapping aquamarine water of a pristine sandy cove. It is one of the most photographed landmarks in California.

Lesser known of the two best viewpoints in Anza Borrego. They both overlook the Borrego Badlands, but Fonts Point has a higher vantage point. However, I actually like Vista del Malpais better because it is quieter and has a better 360 view of the badlands. It is reach via fairly rough Short Wash Road

Overlook with stunning views of Rainbow Canyon, a colorfully striped canyon created by ancient volcanic activity, and the Panamint Valley

Dramatic set of tide pools located on barren lava along the ocean’s edge along “the Top” of the West Maui peninsula. This used to be a popular spot for swimming, but has since been closed due to several drownings. However, they can still be viewed via a short walk from a roadside pullout. We just walked past the warning sign about not swimming to the top of a lava cliff from which we could look down on the thundering waves crashing over the pools.

Another example of the power of the sea located a short distance after the Olivine Pools on “The Top” of the West Maui peninsula. Like the Olivine Pools, this one too had warning signs to stay back to avoid being sucked in or washed out to sea by an unexpectedly large wave. However, they can still be viewed via a short walk from a roadside pullout, where we watched a tall jet of sea water shoot 50 feet in the air through a hole in a lava shelf.