8 States That Have the Most Majestic Sunsets in the Country

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico

New Mexico isn’t normally high on people’s list regarding sunsets. No one realizes how beautiful a sunset can be over some desert and a mountain. The southwest landscape, paired with clear, bright skies, makes for a picture-perfect canvas.

With an altitude of around 7,000 feet, mixed with low air pollution, and over 300 days of sunlight per year, New Mexico makes the list as one of the best places to watch the sunset.

2. Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Arizona

Being one of the world’s seven natural wonders, the Grand Canyon is a marvel in its own right. Watching the sunset from here is just the icing on the cake. The sky turns different shades of pink, orange, and blue.

With over 1900 square miles of the Grand Canyon to explore, the hardest thing guests will need to decide is where to watch the sunset. There’s the easily accessible Mather Point or the Desert View Watch Tower that gives an even more elevated view. Or you could go to Hopi Point and get a complete panoramic view of the sky.

For the truly adventurous, hike down into the Grand Canyon and then take a helicopter ride out as the sun sets. You will have a front-row seat to the most spectacular view you will ever see.

3. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Another great spot to watch the sunset is Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts. The state as a whole has many different locations that offer unforgettable views of the sunsets. You could choose from skyscrapers, harbors, and, of course, beaches.

Martha’s Vineyard, in and of itself, is a quaint island located just south of Cape Cod. This town is known for its beautiful scenery. It has wildflower fields, rolling hills, and miles of coastline. If you want to watch the sunset and feel like you’re in a fairy tale, Martha’s Vineyard is for you.

4. Phoenix, Arizona

A sunset in the southwest is about as good as it will get. There truly is nothing like an Arizona sunset. The sky turns a fiery orange and red hue as the sun begins to set behind the mountains. Stretching across the foreground are miles and miles of beautiful desert and cactus. It is truly an unforgettable site.

There are many other places within Arizona to watch the sunset. Some of the most amazing locations are the red rocks in Sedona, the Vermillion Cliffs, and the Grand Canyon. The setting sun behind Sedona’s red rocks or spanning the Painted Desert are both natural wonders themselves.

5. Big Bend Country, West Texas

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes its sunsets. Big Bend Country is in west Texas, with wide open spaces, desert mountains, and rugged plateaus. This gives guests plenty of choices when it comes to viewing a sunset. The sky turns an amazing shade of red and orange as the day turns into night.

Big Bend Country isn’t the only beautiful spot in Texas to watch the sunset. Head along the coast of Texas and stop at the beach for a spectacular sunset view. Or travel over to Ennis, the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas.” Imagine watching the sun set behind a field of bluebonnets. That is something you won’t soon forget.

6. Maui, Hawaii

Hawaii is a destination in and of itself. The laid-back atmosphere, the white sandy beaches, everything about it is so inviting. No matter which island you are on, you will experience beautiful sunsets in Hawaii. What’s unique about Hawaiian sunsets is how the colors change. There are gorgeous deep reds, pinks, and oranges. While the sun is setting, the sky sometimes turns shades of purple, blue, and even gold and green.

Some other added enhancements to Hawaiian sunsets are its location and its volcanoes. The volcanic dust and vog (volcanic smog or haze) aid in the scattering of colors. The position of the islands is a great help as well. Being so close to the equator gives the island enough heat to put a lot of water vapor into the air. The humidity aids in scattering, intensifying colors.

7. Logan, Ohio

Nestled in Hocking Hills, Logan, Ohio, is a hidden gem and a great place to watch the sunset. With the town’s rich historical history, the choices to view the sunset are endless. The natural landscapes, waterfalls, and hiking trails are just a few choices to watch the sky change to beautiful oranges and reds. Depending on what time of the year you visit, the different seasons add to the majesty of it all.

Other places in Ohio can take this nightly occurrence from beautiful to breathtaking. Head over to Lake Erie for a perfect backdrop of a sunset. The Columbus Skyline gives guests a unique and amazing view. Perhaps a wide-open space is more your speed. There is plenty of farmland throughout Ohio that makes you feel like you are in a world all your own.

8. Hood River County, Oregon

One of the best places to watch a sunset in Oregon is on Mt. Hood. Mt. Hood is Oregon’s highest peak, a little over 11,000 feet. An accessible spot is the Trillium Lake at the bottom of the mountain. The lake itself gives a perfect reflection of not only the mountain but also the ever-changing color of the sky as the sun sets.

Being a coastal state, Oregon has so much diversity where you can view a sunset. You can watch the sunset over the ocean as you sit on a blanket on the beach. You can head to the Painted Hills, where the sky turns gorgeous shades of blues and purples. Or even travel to the Alvord Desert, a dry lakebed in the southeast corner of Oregon. The bright colors of the setting sun across the sky against a barren, cracked earth enhance the beauty of the sunset.