Is there anything better than gazing on a gorgeous sunset as you end your day of exploration in your favorite National Park or Forest? We’ve rounded up some of our favorite sunset spots and photos below. Be sure to show up early with fully charged phone or camera batteries, and get ready to capture the beautiful colors of the waning day.

Lakeside Sunset at Lake Tahoe

Zephyr Cove is the perfect place to catch a sunset at Lake Tahoe. This beach is on the Nevada side of the lake, just a few miles north of South Lake Tahoe and you’ll be perfectly situated to face west as the sun drops behind the mountains and the lake. For the ultimate Tahoe evening, also enjoy a Sunset Dinner Cruise aboard the iconic paddlewheeler, the M.S. Dixie.

How To End Your Day in Olympic National Park

Take a 45-minute drive up the winding road just outside of Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge and you’ll capture some amazing views. Be sure to time your visit in order to have time in the afternoon to explore the trails around the visitor’s center. Hurricane Ridge Road is open 24 hours a day from mid-May through October, during the rest of the year it is open on weekends as weather permits.

Four States & One Sunset at Mesa Verde

There’s nothing quite like the signature scenery of Colorado. In Mesa Verde National Park you can visit Park Point, or the Metate Room at Far View Lodge, and take in the four-state views. Late summer is a great time to capture a dramatic sunset as thunderstorm activity increases and the clouds roll across the entire four-corners region.

Instagramable Houseboating on Lake Powell

Is there any better place to take a sunset photo from than the deck of your very own houseboat on Lake Powell? Grab the family, pack your swimsuits and fishing rods, and rent one for the week from our friends at Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas. Once you’re out on the lake and have set up camp on the countless beaches, the sandstone canyon walls will glow as the sun sets and reflects off of the water.

A Bucket List Sunset in Yosemite

There are many great vantage points in Yosemite National Park from which to catch the perfect sunset. At Glacier Point, you can capture the famous glow on Half Dome as the sun sets. Arrive early and stake out your spot for the perfect photo. Valley View is another excellent place to set up your camera. Though the sun will set behind you, you can capture the most perfect cotton-candy pink skies as the sunlight bounces off the clouds.

A Late Day in Denali

Yes, Alaska is the land of the midnight sun, but if you visit near the beginning or end of the summer vacation season you’ll be able to view sunset before midnight. The alpenglow lighting up Denali will provide the memories – and photo bragging rights – of a lifetime.