Fascinating destinations from all over the world
These geological landmarks are among the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. Buttes are formed by erosion and weathering over millions of years, and they can take the shape of small hills with sheer, vertical sides, or gigantic monoliths that reach high into the sky.
Many of these sites hold significant religious importance and demand exploration with the utmost respect and deference. Others provide incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation. Nonetheless, all of these buttes exemplify Mother Nature's ability to inspire and surprise. Take a moment to appreciate some of the most beautiful buttes in America! Click through the gallery to get started.
The impressive Merrick Butte, located in Monument Valley in Arizona, is a remarkable natural spectacle, reaching a height of 1,892 m (6,206 ft) at its peak.
The Mitten Buttes, located near the Utah-Arizona state line, are well-known buttes in Monument Valley. The summit of West Mitten Butte stands at 1,882 m (6,176 ft).
East Mitten Butte stands at a height of 1,898 m (6,226 ft), slightly taller than the others. These buttes are nicknamed the Mittens due to their resemblance to large gloves with inward-facing thumbs when seen from the south. The Mittens, along with Merrick Butte, create a triangular formation that has served as a striking setting for numerous Western films.
Crested Butte is known for its ski resort of the same name, a beloved destination in Colorado. The butte stands out as a notable peak in the Elk Mountains of the Rocky Mountains.
Devils Tower in Wyoming gained widespread fame after its prominent role in Steven Spielberg's 1977 film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.' This butte stands tall above the Belle Fourche River near Hulett and has been revered as a sacred site by Native Americans for a long time. President Theodore Roosevelt designated it as the first national monument in the United States on September 24, 1906.
Courthouse Butte, situated south of Sedona, boasts a popular Arizona landmark overlooking a hiking trail.
The Courthouse Butte Loop Trail encompasses the lovely Bell Rock formation, an adjacent butte situated to the west of its larger, more notable relative. Despite its smaller size, it remains an attractive and well-known point of interest for visitors.
The Coyote Buttes, located in Utah and Arizona, are well-known for being one of the most photographed sites in the United States. Within this region, Coyote Buttes North is particularly picturesque, featuring the iconic "Wave." This sandstone rock formation captivates viewers with its vibrant, curling layers, tinted by different iron oxide pigments.
Coyote Buttes South is well-known for its remarkable sandstone formations, which are visually stunning. The Cottonwood Cove area is depicted in the picture. These formations are located in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument.
Located in the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, in northwest New Mexico, Fajada Butte is a significant place for the Chacoan people. It showcases the remains of modest cliff dwellings close to its peak.
Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska is an impressive natural formation, rising 243 m (800 ft) above the North Platte River. Although it's not officially a butte, the monument played a vital role as a landmark on the Oregon Trail. From 1843 to 1869, more than 250,000 pioneers traveling westward crossed paths with this massive monolith.
Located farther back on the trail are Courthouse Rock (to the right) and Jail Rock (to the left). These rock formations were the first significant landmarks that travelers would encounter when journeying westward. Additionally, these buttes held significance as a crucial junction where the Oregon and California Overland trails converged.
At 1,611 m (5,287 ft), the aptly named Tower Butte dominates the desert landscape by Lake Powell. The colossal butte is located near the town of Page, Arizona.
Located near Sturgis in South Dakota, Bear Butte is a fascinating natural marvel within Bear Butte State Park. Revered as Bear Mountain or Mato Paha in the Lakota language, this butte played a crucial role as a significant geographical and religious site for the Plains Indians tribes well before the arrival of Europeans to the region.
The Bears Ears, situated in San Juan County, Utah, are actually two buttes. They derive their name from their resemblance to bear ears appearing on the horizon when viewed from certain angles.
Black Butte in Oregon is a remnant of an extinct stratovolcano known for being a prominent part of Deschutes National Forest. It's a popular spot for outdoor activities.
The Sutter Buttes consist of circular volcanic lava formations that stand as buttes above the flat plains of the Sacramento Valley in Northern California. They are often described as the smallest mountain range on Earth due to their geological peculiarity.
Steptoe Butte, a distinct landform in a vast expanse of plains, stands as a solitary presence. It is protected as Steptoe State Butte Park and is situated near Colfax. The outlook captured in this image is from Kamiak Butte, which honors Chief Kamiakin, a prominent figure in the 19th century for the Yakama, Palouse, and Klickitat people.
The flattop Pilot Butte blisters out of the countryside in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The destination is renowned for the herds of wild horses that roam the desolate landscape.
Located in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, the Airport Tower stands out among other natural wonders such as Washer Woman Arch and Monster Tower. With the picturesque La Sal Mountains in the distance, it offers a breathtaking scene in Buck Canyon.
Candlestick Tower in Canyonlands is an intriguing sight, a unique sandstone butte shaped by ancient wind-blown dunes over 200 million years ago.
From an aerial perspective, covered in snow, these are the Menan Buttes—two of the biggest tuff cones formed by volcanic activity in the world. These remarkable landmarks stand around 250 m (800 ft) above the Snake River plain in southeastern Idaho and hold the status of being a National Natural Landmark.
Beartooth Butte, located in the Beartooth Mountains, reaches a height of 3,206 m (10,518 ft). It is known for its significant collection of fossils, including some that are 400 million years old. The image captures its view from the Clay Butte fire lookout.
In the 1950s, Temple Butte gained attention as the location where the wreckage from the 1956 Grand Canyon mid-air collision was found. During this tragic incident, a United Airlines Douglas DC-7 collided with a Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation in the area. All 128 people on both planes were killed in the crash.
Hayrick Butte exemplifies a subglacial volcano and is located in Willamette National Forest near Santiam Pass, drawing many winter sports enthusiasts to admire its beauty.
The Pawnee Buttes, located in northeastern Colorado, consist of two notable buttes. One of these is the west butte, which stands tall in the Pawnee National Grassland within the High Plains region.
The east butte, located on private land in Weld County, is not easily accessible to the public.
The Boars Tusk, a peculiar rock formation, is worth mentioning as one of the well-known natural wonders in southwestern Wyoming. It's situated in Sweetwater County near Rock Springs.
Hike along the Chelan Butte Trail to reach the summit of Chelan Butte in Eastern Washington. This mountain is highly regarded in the area and offers captivating panoramic vistas of the nearby terrain.
Castle Rock, located in Colorado, gets its name from a distinctive butte that resembles a castle. For over 80 years, the people of the town have started their Thanksgiving festivities by lighting a 45-ft electric star on the summit of the butte. This star remains illuminated until the conclusion of the National Western Stock Show in January. The tradition has been ongoing since 1936 and continues to be a significant event for the townsfolk.
Sources (SFGate) (Sweetwater County Travel & Tourism) (HistoryNet)
See also: Tropical destinations you can find right in the USA
The most beautiful buttes in America
Where to find the most remarkable rock formations in America
TRAVEL Usa
These geological landmarks are among the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world. Buttes are formed by erosion and weathering over millions of years, and they can take the shape of small hills with sheer, vertical sides, or gigantic monoliths that reach high into the sky.
Many of these sites hold significant religious importance and demand exploration with the utmost respect and deference. Others provide incredible opportunities for outdoor recreation. Nonetheless, all of these buttes exemplify Mother Nature's ability to inspire and surprise. Take a moment to appreciate some of the most beautiful buttes in America! Click through the gallery to get started.