The Most Beautiful Part of the Rocky Mountains, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the part you think is the most beautiful!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 06:25
Hiking enthusiasts often debate which segment of the Rocky Mountains captivates the eye and spirit most profoundly. Each trail and peak offers a unique encounter with nature, encapsulating distinct elements of beauty that stand out to different adventurers. Having a system to rank these areas helps both new and seasoned hikers decide which parts to visit next, tailoring their experiences based on collective opinions.
This ranking drives a community effort to highlight the most spectacular vistas and hidden gems within the Rockies. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a broader pool of experiences, enriching the resource for all. It not only assists others in crafting their perfect mountain getaway but also celebrates the diverse and dynamic landscapes that the Rockies offer.
What Is the Most Beautiful Part of the Rocky Mountains?
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160votes
Gorgo · Public domainBanff National Park
Canadian governmentThis Canadian national park is home to turquoise lakes, glaciers, and towering peaks. The scenery is breathtaking, and the wildlife is abundant.Banff National Park is a protected area located in Canadian Rocky Mountains, Alberta, Canada. It was established in 1885 as Canada's first national park and covers an area of over 2,500 square miles. Banff National Park is known for its stunning scenery, including picturesque lakes and mountains, abundant wildlife, and hot springs. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, skiing, camping, and more.- Established date: November 25, 1885
- Area: 2,564 square miles
- Highest mountain: Mount Forbes (3,612 m)
- Number of lakes: more than 1,000
- Number of species: Around 58 mammal species and more than 260 bird species
Banff National Park in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most beautiful national park in Canada
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular landmark in Canada
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245votes
U.S. National Park Service · Public domainThis park in Montana is known for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and glaciers. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is a must-see attraction.Glacier National Park is a breathtaking national park located in the state of Montana, USA. It is known for its stunning glacier-carved peaks, crystal clear lakes, dense forests, and diverse wildlife. The park covers an area of over 1 million acres and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Glacier National Park showcases the natural beauty and grandeur of the Rocky Mountains.- Location: Montana, United States
- Size: 1,583 square miles
- Established: May 11, 1910
- Elevation: 3,153 to 10,466 feet
- Glaciers: 26 active glaciers
Glacier National Park in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most beautiful national park in America
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316votes
Jon Sullivan, PD Photo. · Public domainGrand Teton National Park
U.S. CongressThis park in Wyoming is home to the majestic Teton Range. Visitors can hike, fish, and enjoy the stunning views.Grand Teton National Park is a breathtaking natural reserve located in the northwestern region of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It is named after the impressive Grand Teton mountain range that dominates the park's skyline, with its jagged peaks and stunning alpine landscapes. The park encompasses approximately 310,000 acres of pristine wilderness, including the major peaks of the Teton Range and the surrounding Jackson Hole valley.- Established: February 26, 1929
- Size: Approximately 310,000 acres
- Location: Wyoming, United States
- Elevation Range: 6,320 to 13,775 feet (1,927 to 4,199 meters)
- Notable Features: Grand Teton mountain range, Jackson Hole valley, Jenny Lake, Teton Glacier
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425votes
Charles M. Sauer -- Charlessauer · CC BY-SA 3.0Rocky Mountain National Park
Woodrow WilsonThis park in Colorado is known for its alpine landscapes, wildlife, and hiking trails. The Trail Ridge Road is a popular drive that offers stunning views.Rocky Mountain National Park is a renowned national park located in north-central Colorado. Spanning over 415 square miles, it is known for its breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. The park was established on January 26, 1915, by President Woodrow Wilson, with the aim of preserving the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.- Location: North-central Colorado
- Size: 415 square miles
- Established: January 26, 1915
- Elevation: 8,000 to over 14,000 feet
- Landscape: Snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, forests, and lakes
Rocky Mountain National Park in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful national park in America
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57votes
Yellowstone National Park
Ulysses S. GrantThis park spans across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and is known for its geothermal features, including Old Faithful. The wildlife is abundant, and the scenery is breathtaking.Yellowstone National Park is a vast and mesmerizing natural wonder located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, but also extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established on March 1, 1872, as the first national park in the United States, and it is widely considered to be the first national park in the world. Yellowstone is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, iconic geothermal features, diverse wildlife, and rich history. The park encompasses nearly 3,500 square miles (8,983 square kilometers) of mostly wilderness, including forests, mountains, canyons, lakes, and rivers. It is home to the famous Yellowstone Caldera, one of the largest active volcanic systems on Earth, which fuels the park's geothermal wonders such as the Old Faithful geyser. Wildlife flourishes in Yellowstone, with grizzly bears, wolves, elk, bison, and many other species roaming freely within its boundaries. The park offers a wide array of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, wildlife watching, and scenic drives, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the unparalleled beauty of nature.- Established: March 1, 1872
- Location: Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
- Size: Approximately 3,500 square miles
- Landscapes: Forests, mountains, canyons, lakes, and rivers
- Geothermal Features: Yellowstone Caldera, Old Faithful geyser
Yellowstone National Park in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful national park in America
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614votesThis park in Washington is home to the iconic Mount Rainier. Visitors can hike, camp, and explore the forests and meadows.Mount Rainier National Park is a breathtaking national park located in the state of Washington, USA. It is renowned for its stunning alpine meadows, majestic old-growth forests, and of course, the iconic Mount Rainier, the highest peak in the state. The park offers a truly immersive experience in nature with its diverse wildlife, pristine lakes, and numerous hiking trails that cater to both adventurous mountaineers and casual day-trippers.
- Location: Washington, USA
- Area: 369.3 square miles (956.6 sq km)
- Elevation Range: 1,600 feet (488 m) to 14,411 feet (4,392 m)
- Mount Rainier: Highest peak in the state of Washington
- Glaciers: Over 25 named glaciers
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711votes
Florian Fuchs · CC BY 3.0This Canadian park is known for its glacial lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife. The Icefields Parkway is a scenic drive that offers stunning views.Jasper National Park is a beautiful protected area located in western Alberta, Canada. It is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies and is home to stunning scenery such as mountains, glaciers, lakes, and waterfalls. The park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, and wildlife viewing.- Size: 10,878 km²
- Elevation: 1,600 - 3,747 m
- Highest Peak: Mount Columbia (3,747 m)
- Glaciers: Over 100
- Lakes: Over 1,200
Jasper National Park in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful national park in Canada
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86votes
Chris Segal · CC0This Colorado town is known for its wildflowers and stunning mountain scenery. It's a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.Crested Butte is a stunning hike located in Colorado, known for its breathtaking natural beauty and diverse landscapes. The trail takes you through picturesque meadows, dense forests, and alpine tundra, offering panoramic views of towering mountains and colorful wildflowers.- Elevation: The trail ranges from 8,909 to 12,162 feet above sea level.
- Distance: The full loop trail is approximately 12.9 miles long.
- Difficulty: The hike is considered moderately difficult.
- Duration: It usually takes 6-8 hours to complete the entire hike.
- Scenic Views: The trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, including the iconic Maroon Bells.
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98votes
Gorgo · Public domainThis glacial lake in Alberta, Canada is known for its turquoise color and stunning mountain backdrop. It's a popular destination for hiking and skiing.Lake Louise is a glacial lake situated in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, and it's one of the most famous and picturesque lakes in Canada. Its stunning emerald color transforms with the changing sunlight, and the surrounding mountain peaks and glaciers provide a breathtaking backdrop.- Location: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
- Surface Elevation: 1,730 m (5,680 ft)
- Length: 2.4 km (1.5 mi)
- Width: 0.8 km (0.5 mi)
- Depth: 70 m (230 ft)
Lake Louise in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most beautiful body of water in the world
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103votesThis Colorado town is known for its scenic beauty, historic architecture, and outdoor recreation opportunities. It's a popular destination for skiing, hiking, and mountain biking.Telluride is a picturesque mountain town nestled in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It is widely recognized for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Telluride offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, arts, and small-town charm that appeals to visitors from all over the world.
- Elevation: 8,750 feet (2,667 meters)
- Scenic Beauty: Surrounded by towering peaks, including 14,000-foot (4,267-meter) mountain peaks
- Skiing: World-class ski resort with over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain
- Historic Main Street: Lined with Victorian-era architecture and charming boutiques
- Festivals: Home to renowned festivals such as the Telluride Film Festival and Telluride Bluegrass Festival
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Ranking factors for beautiful part
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SceneryThe visual appeal and uniqueness of the landscape, such as soaring peaks, clear lakes, lush forests, and stunning vistas.
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BiodiversityThe richness and variety of flora and fauna in the area, including the presence of rare or endangered species.
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Recreational opportunitiesThe availability and quality of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing, or wildlife watching.
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AccessibilityThe ease of reaching the destination, whether by car, public transport, or hiking trail.
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Seasonal beautyThe appeal and diversity of the area in different seasons, such as vibrant fall foliage, snow-capped peaks in winter, or blooming wildflowers in spring.
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Cultural and historical significanceThe presence of any historical landmarks, cultural attractions, or indigenous heritage in the area.
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Geologic featuresUnique and interesting geological formations, such as rock towers, waterfalls, or caves.
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Water featuresThe presence of rivers, lakes, and waterfalls that enhance the location's beauty and offer opportunities for water-based recreation.
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Climate and weatherThe overall weather conditions of the area and how they contribute to the attractiveness of the region, such as sunny days or mild temperatures.
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Visitor experienceThe overall impression of visitors, including factors such as cleanliness, safety, crowding, and availability of amenities (such as accommodations and dining options).
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful part of the Rocky Mountains. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or part is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2283 views
- 192 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each part once every 24 hours. The rank of each part is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most beautiful part of the rocky mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a majestic range that stretches over 3,000 miles from New Mexico to Canada. This iconic landscape is home to some of the most stunning scenery in North America. From snow-capped peaks to crystal-clear lakes, the Rocky Mountains offer a diverse range of natural beauty that attracts millions of visitors every year. With its rugged terrain, alpine meadows, and wildlife, the Rocky Mountains are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. In this article, we will explore the most beautiful parts of the Rocky Mountains as voted by our community on StrawPoll.
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