These are 35 of the most beautiful beaches across the US

Aug 19, 2026 08:13 PM - 1 hour ago 2

Temperatures are high, everyone's tanned aliases retired of town, and the end of summer is knocking astatine our door: If you haven't gone to a white-sand formation yet, it's astir clip you do.

If a large all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean aliases a European getaway conscionable isn't successful your cards this summer — arsenic they aren't for galore US travelers this twelvemonth — it doesn't mean that you can't bask a sunny formation time while the summertime lasts.

More than half of the US states dishonesty connected astatine slightest 1 of the country's coasts, pinch home spots featuring each kinds of coastal sights, from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, the Gulf of Mexico, and moreover the Great Lakes, which connection ample seascapes.

While beaches successful Florida and California pull visitors from crossed the world, galore different states are location to shores pinch stunning views, offering ample opportunities for waterfront relaxation.

Here are immoderate of the prettiest beaches successful the US.

Sand Beach successful Acadia National Park successful Maine

Sand Beach astatine Acadia National Park, Maine.

Sand Beach astatine Acadia National Park offers visitors entree to galore activities, including swimming and hiking connected adjacent trails. dkm725/Getty Images

Sand Beach successful Maine doubles arsenic the cleanable time and nighttime getaway, wherever visitors tin aquatics seaside each time and past dishonesty back, relax, and stargaze by nightfall.

The formation is besides adjacent to 3 of the park's astir celebrated hiking trails: The Beehive, Great Head Trail, and Ocean Path.

Cannon Beach successful Oregon

Cannon Beach reflections astatine debased tide.

Cannon Beach successful Oregon offers stunning views of reflections during a debased tide. Andrew S/Shutterstock

Famous for its expansive shoreline and the towering Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach successful Oregon offers spectacular views and a serene atmosphere.

Visitors tin research tide pools brimming pinch marine life, stroll on sandy stretches, aliases hike the adjacent Ecola State Park trails for panoramic vistas. If you sojourn the adjacent town, cheque retired the boutique shops, creation galleries, and cozy cafés.

Kā'anapali Beach successful Hawaii

Looking down connected Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Kaanapali Beach successful Maui was voted arsenic Hawaii's champion beach. EvaBrowning/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Hawaii's "postcard perfect" Kā'anapali Beach is the "crème de la crème of beaches," according to Hawaii Magazine, which named it the state's No. 1 formation this year.

Thanks to its crystal clear waters, this Maui formation is cleanable for underwater exploration, making it a snorkeling basking spot. It's location to a assortment of oversea creatures, including Hawaiian greenish oversea turtles, colorful corals, and, successful wintertime months, humpback whales.

Marconi Beach successful Massachusetts

A photographer takes images astatine Marconi Beach successful Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

Marconi Beach was named aft Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor. Design Pics Editorial/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

The beach, located connected the shores of Cape Cod, has stunning earthy surroundings, including a 50-foot ridge pinch stairs starring down to the shore.

It was named aft Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor who successfully communicated a connection via wireless relationship from President Theodore Roosevelt successful the US to King Edward VII crossed the Atlantic successful 1903.

Shackleford Banks successful North Carolina

Four horses by Shackleford Banks successful North Carolina.

At Shackleford Banks, visitors tin expect to stock abstraction pinch a herd of chaotic horses that roam astir the area freely. Rob Byron/Shutterstock

Shackleford Banks is well-known for its crystal-clear waters and picturesque views. The land is besides location to a herd of wild horses that roam freely on the beach, grazing connected the shoreline grass.

It's an perfect spot for anyone hoping to flight the regular hustle for immoderate seaside quiet.

Kiawah Island successful South Carolina

On the formation astatine Kiawah Island, South Carolina from a drone

Kiawah Island is known for its 10-mile coastline. Clayton Hanson/Getty Images

In 2024, US News & World Report called Kiawah Island "the closest you'll travel to paradise successful South Carolina." This year, the formation was classed arsenic the seventh-best successful America by Dr. Beach.

Kiawah, which overlooks the Atlantic, is simply a obstruction land that's celebrated for its 10-mile coastline, wildlife, and play resort. Visitors tin walk the time astatine either its East aliases West beach, wherever they tin birdwatch or, successful summer, spot oversea turtles.

Siesta Key Beach successful Florida

Siesta Key Beach aerial photo

Siesta Key Beach successful Florida has antecedently been classed the champion formation successful the US. Gianfranco Vivi/Getty Images

Previously classed arsenic the best formation successful the US by outlets for illustration TripAdvisor and US News & World Report, Siesta Key Beach is simply a serene and unsocial formation to sojourn if you're looking to enactment cool nether the Florida sun.

The beach, located connected Florida's Gulf Coast, features axenic quartz soil that remains cool moreover connected hotter days. This white-sand formation is besides family-friendly, arsenic the waves are calm and visitors — mostly families aliases older section residents — aren't arsenic rowdy arsenic they mightiness beryllium successful different destinations.

Driftwood Beach successful Georgia

A weathered character connected Driftwood Beach successful Georgia during sunset.

Famous films for illustration "The Walking Dead" and "X-Men: First Class" person been filmed astatine Driftwood Beach successful Georgia. Brian Lasenby/Shutterstock

Driftwood Beach successful Georgia offers a one-of-a-kind landscape, pinch weathered trees scattered crossed the shore.

The beach, famously featured successful "The Walking Dead" and "X-Men: First Class," was shaped by decades of erosion. It transformed from a lush maritime wood into a sand-lined statement pinch sun-bleached character trunks and branches.

Hammonasset Beach State Park successful Connecticut

A rocky formation astatine Hammonasset State Park, Madison, Connecticut.

At Hammonasset Beach State Park, visitors tin fish, swim, and camp. Charley Socci/Shutterstock

Nestled on the shores of the Long Island Sound, Hammonasset Beach State Park features 2 miles of pristine beachfront.

From stepping trails and a quality halfway to areas for sportfishing and camping, the parkland has thing to connection each type of traveler.

The beach's unthinkable views, mixed pinch well-maintained facilities, make it a favourite for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking to research Connecticut's coastline.

Cape May successful New Jersey

The Cape May Lighthouse during sunset.

The Cape May Lighthouse is 1 of Cape May's signature landmarks. Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

On the confederate extremity of New Jersey sits Cape May, a seaside metropolis that's good known for its striking Victorian-era architecture.

Notable landmarks see the Emlen Physick Estate, a preserved Victorian location museum, and the iconic Cape May Lighthouse, which offers views of Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Sandbridge Beach successful Virginia

Sandbridge Beach successful Virginia.

Sandbridge Beach successful Virginia is perfect for those hoping to remainder and relax. Alexandr Junek Imaging/Shutterstock

The distant Sandbridge Beach successful Virginia is 1 of the state's astir gorgeous beaches.

Its serene surroundings and stillness make it the cleanable spot to sojourn erstwhile you wish to slow down. Other activities that you tin indulge successful see fishing, kayaking, and hiking successful the adjacent False Cape State Park.

Sandy Point State Park successful Maryland

Great Blue Heron and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Sandy Point State Park offers gorgeous views of the Chesapeake Bay. Jarvin Hernandez/Shutterstock

Sandy Point State Park is 1 of Maryland's best beaches because of the gorgeous views of the bay.

It is located connected the northwestern statement of the Chesapeake Bay and is simply a celebrated spot for swimming, picnicking, and lounging. For those who for illustration outdoor activities, the parkland besides offers plentifulness of hiking trails and sportfishing spots.

Laguna Beach successful California

A Tranquil Morning successful Ever-Picturesque Laguna Beach banal photo

Laguna Beach is 1 of California's champion beaches. JKPhoto/Getty Images

Lined by the Pacific seashore connected 1 broadside and acres of chaotic trails connected the other, the 7-mile-long Laguna Beach is champion for surfing, swimming, and, connected sunny days, sunbathing.

A celebrated formation spot successful California, the formation is afloat of beautiful coves, 1 of the reasons US News & World Report named it 1 of the state's champion beaches.

Biloxi Beach successful Mississippi

Casinos and buildings on the Gulf Coast statement astatine sunset.

At Biloxi, visitors tin partake successful h2o sports, dine astatine restaurants on the beach, aliases play a information of roulette astatine the casinos. Rob Hainer/Shutterstock

This white-sand beach, situated by the 26-mile-long Mississippi Gulf Coast, offers a refreshing getaway during Mississippi's basking summers.

In Biloxi, h2o sports enthusiasts tin paddleboard aliases canoe, while those who for illustration to relax tin picnic by the shore. There are besides plentifulness of restaurants wherever you could sample immoderate delicious Southern-style seafood, aliases if you prefer, return a shrimping travel for a unrecorded drawback of your own.

Ruby Beach astatine the Olympic National Park successful Washington

Colorful sunset astatine Ruby Beach pinch oversea stacks.

Ruby Beach is covered successful stones and oversea stacks. Nick Fox/Shutterstock

Named aft the reddish mineral almandite, which is recovered successful the soil here, Ruby Beach is among the country's astir celebrated yet unspoiled beaches.

Located successful Kalaloch, a three-hour thrust from Seattle, dissimilar accepted soil beaches, the statement astatine Ruby Beach is covered successful stones and oversea stacks. Those visiting should enactment until sunset for stunning views of the Olympic Peninsula.

Rotary Beach successful Alaska

Rotary Beach successful Alaska.

Rotary Beach is Ketchikan resident's go-to swimming spot. Kay M Blackman/Shutterstock

Ketchikan's oceanfront is location to varied oversea life and has an mean somesthesia of 56 degrees, which intends that kids — and adults — wishing to aquatics had to find an alternate source.

According to Alaska.org, until the 1970s, the metropolis did not person a swimming pool, truthful Rotary Beach became the go-to spot for kids — and adults — to study and bask swimming. Visitors stopping by this pond tin return a dip successful the waters aliases picnic by the statement while enjoying views of Nichols Passage.

Zoni Beach successful Puerto Rico

zoni formation successful puerto rico

Zoni Beach successful Puerto Rico is 1 of the island's champion formation spots to relax and swim. Brester Irina/Shutterstock

Located successful Puerto Rico's Culebra Island, which is afloat of breathtaking beaches, Zoni Beach is simply a cleanable recreation destination if you're hoping to debar large tourer crowds. The serene formation features turquoise h2o and is surrounded by Caribbean nature.

The formation is besides a awesome turtle nesting site, truthful you mightiness beryllium capable to spot a fewer chaotic oversea turtles connected your visit.

Cape Henlopen State Park successful Delaware

Silhouette of the lighthouse and a yacht during sunset adjacent Cape Henlopen State Park.

Cape Henlopen State Park successful Delaware is simply a awesome spot for history tours and birdwatching. Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock

Cape Henlopen State Park, wherever the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean merge, is location to conifer forests and much than 6 miles of coastline.

The parkland is besides location to galore marine animals, shorebirds, and scenic motorcycle trails, pinch entree to quiet and buzzy areas. History enthusiasts tin bask a guided circuit of adjacent Fort Miles, an important World War II site.

Mohegan Bluffs successful Rhode Island

Staircase starring down the Mohegan Bluffs.

Mohegan Bluffs successful Rhode Island provides stunning views from 150-foot cliffs that statement the shore. Mike Ver Sprill/Shutterstock

Secluded and serene, Mohegan Bluffs successful Rhode Island provides stunning views from 150-foot cliffs that statement its shore.

Getting to the formation involves a spot of a hike, but it is worthy the effort — arsenic you will spot — erstwhile you measurement onto the sandy shores and watch the gentle waves of the Atlantic glide backmost and forth. Nearby, the Southeast lighthouse is besides worthy visiting.

Park Point successful Minnesota

A canine moving by the seashore connected Park Point Beach.

Park Point is simply a celebrated summertime destination wherever visitors tin bask swimming, playing volleyball, and picnicking. TackSharpPhotography/Shutterstock

Park Point, pinch beautiful views of Lake Superior, is Minnesota's No. 1 beach, according to TripAdvisor.

A celebrated summertime destination, the formation offers much than conscionable a abstraction to relax aliases swim. It besides includes entree to volleyball courts, grill stations, and pavilions for picnics.

Harris Beach State Park successful Oregon

harris formation successful oregon

Visitors astatine Harris Beach State Park successful Oregon tin spot uncommon vertebrate and marine animal species. Muriel Lasure/Shutterstock

Located connected Oregon's southbound coast, the Harris Beach State Park offers beautiful sights on various trails. The beach's soft soil and rocky views springiness visitors a unsocial sensation of the Pacific coast.

The parkland is besides location to the largest land disconnected Oregon's Pacific coast, arsenic noted by Oregon State Parks. The land houses uncommon birds and marine animals, making the formation a cleanable spot for quality watching.

Weirs Beach successful New Hampshire

Jetty and buildings connected the waterfront astatine Weirs Beach.

There are galore breathtaking activities astatine Weirs Beach, from mini-golf stations and arcade shops to seabeds by the shore. Ceri Breeze/Shutterstock

A sojourn to New Hampshire's Lakes Region is incomplete without a travel to Weirs Beach by Lake Winnipesaukee.

One broadside of the formation features a boardwalk, wherever visitors tin research the full formation connected foot, while the sandy areas person to the statement are cleanable for those looking to unwind aliases dip successful the water. Across the boardwalk, connected Lakeside Avenue, location are a assortment of crippled shops and nutrient outlets, including a mini-golf station.

Key Biscayne Beach successful Florida

Aerial position Crandon Park formation successful Key Biscayne successful Miami, USA

Key Biscayne is 1 of the champion beaches successful Florida. MikeDot/Getty Images

The thrust to Key Biscayne is conscionable arsenic scenic an acquisition arsenic spending clip there.

The coast, which extends 4 miles crossed Barrier Island, is celebrated among visitors for its soft soil and crystal clear waters. It's shared by 2 main formation parks, Crandon Park to the northbound and Cape Florida Beach to the south.

This year, Travel + Leisure named Crandon Park 1 of Florida's champion beaches successful Key Biscayne.

Kohler-Andrae State Park successful Wisconsin

A way astatine Kohler-Andrae State Park successful Wisconsin.

Kohler-Andrae State Park successful Wisconsin offers a stunning formation acquisition connected the statement of Lake Michigan. MarynaG/Shutterstock

Kohler-Andrae State Park successful Wisconsin has dunes, clear bluish water, and complete 2 miles of sandy beaches.

Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, this parkland offers abundant earthy beauty and activities for visitors to enjoy. Spend the time hiking, swimming, aliases exploring quality trails, and arsenic evening falls, effort stargazing, camping, aliases attending wildlife presentations.

Gulf Shores successful Alabama

Sunset astatine Gulf Shores.

In 2024, US News & World Report named Gulf Shores arsenic 1 of the apical formation destinations successful the US and the No. 1 spot successful Alabama. Herman Thomas/Shutterstock

Florida mightiness beryllium the go-to for a seaside vacation, but if you're looking to move it up this year, Alabama's palm-lined and pristine Gulf Shores are a hidden gem worthy exploring.

Named 1 of the apical formation destinations successful the US and the No. 1 spot successful Alabama by US News & World Report past year, this formation offers thing for everyone. It's conveniently located adjacent a boardwalk and has plentifulness of restaurants and shops nearby. It is besides perfect for activities for illustration formation volleyball and bodyboarding.

Honokalani Beach successful Hawaii

black soil formation successful hawaii

Honokalani Beach successful Hawaii is 1 of the island's astir photographed beaches. iofoto/Shutterstock

Known arsenic the Black Sand Beach, Honokalani Beach successful Maui is 1 of the island's astir unique spots.

The soil is made of eroded lava pebbles, and the formation is surrounded by hiking trails and volcanic sights, making it the cleanable escapade for those looking to research the island's breathtaking nature.

McWay Falls successful California

mcway falls,Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California

McWay Falls successful California features an 80-foot waterfall connected the statement of the Pacific. Lucky-photographer/Shutterstock

California's Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park features immoderate of the state's champion views of the Pacific coast, including a unsocial beachside waterfall.

The 80-foot waterfall astatine McWay Falls gives visitors a one-of-a-kind view.

While the parkland does not let formation access, visitors tin bask the position of the waterfall and the beach's vulnerable situation while hiking the Big Sur trails.

Washington Park and Beach successful Indiana

Washington Park's Lighthouse during sunset.

Washington Park and Beach successful Indiana houses a historical lighthouse and a zoo. Lewis Photo Studio/Shutterstock

Washington Park and Beach successful Indiana is location to 2 miles of sandy shoreline, a historical lighthouse, and a zoo.

With its soft sand, cleanable waters, and a abstraction free from crowds, the formation offers a serene respite from mundane metropolis life. It's adjacent to restaurants and charming boutiques, and if you're up for much adventure, a short thrust westbound will return you to the Indiana Dunes National Park, wherever you tin research moreover much earthy beauty.

South Padre Island successful Texas

South Padre Island, a coastal edifice municipality astatine the very Southern extremity of Texas

South Padre Island sits connected the world's longest obstruction island. David Garrison/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Situated successful confederate Texas, adjacent to the Mexico border, South Padre Island is "beloved by generations of outpouring breakers," Travel + Leisure reported earlier this year.

The land has abstraction for some group who emotion eating astatine buzzy formation bars and restaurants and those who for illustration to beryllium near undisturbed successful a quiet area while connected vacation.

Grand Haven State Park successful Michigan

Grand Haven has a stunning agelong of sandy shoreline and a picturesque lighthouse pier.

Grand Haven has a stunning agelong of sandy shoreline and a picturesque lighthouse pier. Nagel Photography/Shutterstock

In 2024, Thrillist described Grand Haven State Park successful Michigan arsenic "arguably the grandest Michigan formation municipality of all."

Just westbound of Grand Rapids, Grand Haven has a agelong of soft, sandy shoreline and a picturesque lighthouse pier. There's a dog-friendly conception of the formation and the municipality features respective quaint java shops, rooftop bars, and family-run restaurants.

Huntington Beach successful Ohio

At Huntington Beach, Ohio, visitors tin aquatics successful Lake Erie.

At Huntington Beach, Ohio, visitors tin aquatics successful Lake Erie. JME518/Shutterstock

Visitors to Ohio's Huntington Beach tin aquatics successful the vast, beautiful Lake Erie.

Known for its cleanable shoreline and stunning reservoir views, this formation offers a peaceful retreat for visitors. It's cleanable for swimming, sunbathing, aliases picnicking pinch family and friends. The stepping trails adjacent are perfect for those who wish to research the earthy beauty of the area, while the picturesque sunsets complete the h2o make for the cleanable photograph backdrops.

Presque Isle State Park successful Pennsylvania

Presque Isle State Park successful Pennsylvania offers gorgeous views of Lake Erie.

Presque Isle State Park successful Pennsylvania offers gorgeous views of Lake Erie. Jill Lang/Shutterstock

Presque Isle State Park successful Pennsylvania is simply a earthy flight connected the shores of Lake Erie.

This 3,200-acre peninsula is location to a postulation of beaches, offering plentifulness of abstraction for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. It's besides a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, pinch opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and biking on scenic trails. Birdwatchers will emotion the park's divers wildlife, arsenic it's a cardinal stopover for migratory birds.

Grand Isle successful Louisiana

Brown pelicans connected the sportfishing dock astatine Grand Isle State Park.

Brown pelicans connected the sportfishing dock astatine Grand Isle State Park. Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

A "perfect getaway for camping, picnicking, and surfing," Louisiana's Grand Isle offers beautiful views complete the Gulf of Mexico, according to Travel + Leisure.

Alongside classical formation activities for illustration swimming, this obstruction land has besides go a basking spot for surfing enthusiasts.

Jones Beach State Park successful New York

A lifeguard rescue statement vessel stands down the lifeguard building astatine Jones Beach State Park successful New York.

Jones Beach State Park successful New York has complete 6 miles of white-sand beaches. James Kirkikis/Shutterstock

With complete 6 miles of white-sand beaches, Jones Beach State Park is the cleanable spot for seaside strolls and swimming.

The parkland features a 2-mile boardwalk lined pinch snack stands and shops, wherever visitors tin eat connected the spell while enjoying beautiful views of the Atlantic Ocean. Other outdoor activities for illustration mini golf, fishing, and biking are besides easy accessible.

Marble Beach State Recreation Area successful Iowa

Marble Beach State Recreation Area successful Iowa by Big Spirit Lake.

Marble Beach State Recreation Area successful Iowa, by Big Spirit Lake, has designated sportfishing spots. Katie Flenker/Shutterstock

Marble Beach State Recreation Area successful Iowa is simply a serene retreat connected the shores of Big Spirit Lake.

The parkland is cleanable for outdoor enthusiasts, pinch a formation nearby, designated spots for fishing, and shaded campsites for overnight stays. Boaters tin bask easy entree to the lake, while quality lovers tin research scenic trails, including 1 that covers the full park.

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