8 National Parks for Jaw-Dropping Sunrises
National Park Sunrises Can NOT be topped! There are 63 US National Parks, and each one of them can provide you with overwhelming natural beauty. How can you possibly top that?
By watching the sunrise! Can you imagine a better place to watch a new day dawn? I can’t. Of course, I understand that you can watch the sunrise from literally, everywhere, BUT I think that watching it from National Parks makes it that much more special.
1. Canyonlands
Mesa Arch
You’ll want to wake up extra early during your visit to Canyonlands National Park to catch the sunrise at the popular viewing spot Mesa Arch. Set at the edge of a cliff in the Island of the Sky district, photographers flock to Mesa Arch to capture the rising sun as it casts a fiery glow on the underside of the arch.
The half-mile hike from the parking area to the arch only takes about fifteen minutes, making it popular with park visitors. While the arch is beautiful at all times of the day, the sun peeking through at dawn makes this spot so magical.
2. Arches National Park
Delicate Arch
Even if you are not an early morning person, wake up for the sunrise in Arches and it will be totally worth it. It is just out of the world.
While there are many places like Mesa Arch and Arches La Sal Overlook to watch the morning desert glow with sunlight, the Delicate Arch is definitely the best.
Now, the Delicate Arch is definitely sought out during the sunset as well, but doing this 2.9-mile hike before sunrise means you don’t risk sunburns and dehydration. Arches can get really hot during the day. And the sunset crowd is definitely higher than the sunrise. So by hiking at sunrise, you can beat the crowd.
3. Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain
Few sunrises are as beautiful as those from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park. As the sun begins to rise, views of the coast of Maine, the town of Bar Harbor, and small islands in the ocean start to emerge. The sun dances in the sky, casting shades of yellows and purples on everything it touches. The views here are perfect any time of day, but at sunrise the soft light makes everything look particularly dreamy.
Cadillac mountain itself lights up in beautiful hues of pink, contrasting perfectly with the deep greens of the forest below it. Getting to the mountain for sunrise is an easy but windy drive in the dark. There’s a large parking lot, but you’ll still need to get here early. This is a super popular spot that can get crowded! Also, don’t forget to bring a sweater – the sunrise is always chilly!
To make your visit even more beautiful, visit Acadia during the fall!
4. Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear Lake
Rocky Mountain National Park is full of wonderful sunrise and sunset spots. One of the best bangs for your buck is Bear Lake. This beautiful alpine lake is located a short drive into the park and just over 2 hours north of Denver.
The lake has an easy 3/4 mile trail that circles the entire lake giving amazing views from nearly any spot. One of the best spots is around the northern side of the lake. You’ll catch great color on the mountains and sky across the entire lake!
5. Glacier National Park
Two Medicine Lake
One of the best spots to watch the sunrise in Glacier National Park is at Two Medicine Lake. The crystal clear lake reflects the pinks and purples of the first morning light.
Two Medicine Lake is in a separate, more remote part of the park. To get here, you’ll have to start your drive at least an hour before sunrise, depending on where you’re staying. But once you arrive, you can simply observe the sunrise over the still lake only steps from the parking lot, no hike necessary!
6. Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Clingmans Dome
If you are looking for the best place to watch the sunrise in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Clingman’s Dome is the place to go! At an elevation of 6,643 feet, Clingman’s Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
While the hike to Clingman’s Dome is short and paved (it is only half a mile each way), it is very steep! If you visit Clingman’s Dome, be prepared to get a good leg workout.
Even though the hike can be difficult, reaching the observatory tower is well worth it. At the top, you get a 360-degree view of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, making it an amazing place to watch the sunrise!
Great Smoky Mountain National Park is one of the best National Parks on the East Coast!
7. Death Valley
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
One of the best places to watch a sunrise is in the middle of the sand dunes at Mesquite Flat in Death Valley National Park. One of California’s most underrated national parks, Death Valley is home to some of the most amazing sunrise spots.
Taking the time to wake up early, walk far out into the dunes, and wait patiently as colors light up the sky and sand is a once and a lifetime experience. Catching a sunrise at Mesquite Flat is not an easy feat. Be sure to visit in the winter months and bring a flashlight. The most important tip is to leave enough time to walk out into the dunes before sunrise.
While you can see the sunrise from the parking lot, the real experience comes from being surrounded by sand as it begins to light up the ridges and curves of the sand dunes around you.
8. Joshua Tree National Park
Cholla Cactus Garden
The Cholla Cactus Garden at Joshua Tree National Park is a must-see at sunrise! Cholla Cactus are also called “teddy bear” cacti because they look soft and furry.
While they definitely are NOT soft and furry, their many barbed spines do help to make for a spectacular visual effect when the rising sun hits them! Nothing is prettier than the halo of light this combination creates!
The best part of watching the sunrise at the Cholla Cactus Garden is how easy it is to do! The hardest part is getting up early, after that it is easy! The actual garden consists of a flat, boardwalk that is easy to walk.
You can also enjoy the sunrise just as easily from the parking lot! No matter where you are near the garden you’ll love watching the sunrise come over the mountains!
