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Reader Participation Day: Where Is The Best Sunset In The National Park System?

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on January 16, 2013 - 2:39am
Flat Mountain Arm sunset, Yellowstone National Park, copyright Kurt Repanshek.

This was one of the most beautiful sunsets I've enjoyed in the National Park System. Sunset over Flat Mountain Arm of Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, by Kurt Repanshek.

So many parks, so many sunsets to revel in. In your travels across the National Park System, where did you come upon the most beautiful sunset of all?

Was it in Yosemite National Park, with the fleeting hues of daylight reflecting off of Half Dome? Or maybe it was on the shores of the Schoodic Peninsula at Acadia National Park, where you found yourself staring into the sun as it sank below the horizon.

Yellowstone National Park can have some beautiful sunsets, especially when they reflect off the hot springs, though the redrock of Arches and Canyonlands national parks seem to ignite under the setting sun.

Where was the best sunset you've seen in the parks?

Comments

Submitted by Jeff Frank on January 16, 2013 - 3:31am.

The Window, Big Bend National Park!

Submitted by Bob M on January 16, 2013 - 8:27am.

Yellowstone, looking out over Yellowstone Lake, yep, that's the one. I remember it well.

Submitted by Lee Dalton on January 16, 2013 - 9:26am.

Organ Pipe Cactus has not only the best sunsets, they also have the best sunrises. The campground there is located on top of hill with panoramic views to the east, south, and west. When I pulled in to register for a camp there, the volunteers at the campground entrance asked, "Which would you prefer, a sunset view or a sunsrise view?"

I don't recall what I told them, but it turned out it didn't really matter. Morning and evening views were both spectacular.

Submitted by y_p_w on January 16, 2013 - 9:57am.

Beach sunsets on the West Coast. In particular I remember scores of people waiting for the sun to set on the beach next to Kalaloch Campground at Olympic NP. The sheer amount of driftwood on the beach added to the experience. Once I had the sunset all to myself (well maybe along with dozens of shorebirds) at Limantour Beach at Point Reyes NS.

Submitted by Daryl L. Hunter on January 16, 2013 - 10:36am.

Grand Teton Park is better for sunrises than sunsets but its grand landscape makes up for its paucity of color

Submitted by NP_Day_Hiker on January 16, 2013 - 12:39pm.

Great question. I think I would have to go with seeing the sunset on Delicate Arch in Arches NP and I agree with y_p_w that the sunsets on Kalaloch Beach are amazing.

Submitted by alphatexana on January 16, 2013 - 4:16pm.

I second Jeff's nominee: The Window, Big Bend National Park. Although I'm jealous of Daryl's view in the Tetons....wow!

Submitted by Megaera on January 17, 2013 - 7:10pm.

Newberry Crater in eastern Oregon. One of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen.

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on January 17, 2013 - 7:15pm.

Not a bad selection, Megaera, but we're going to have to ding you. The crater is a national monument managed by the U.S. Forest Service, not the National Park Service...;-)