The most beautiful buttes in America

[jw5]

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.

 

[jw5]

Merrick Butte, Arizona -

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.

 

[jw5]

West Mitten Butte, Utah-Arizona -

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).

 

[jw5]

East Mitten Butte, Utah-Arizona -

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.

 

[jw5]

Crested Butte, Colorado -

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.

 

[jw5]

Devils Tower, Wyoming -

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.

 

[jw5]

Courthouse Butte, Arizona -

Courthouse Butte, situated south of Sedona, boasts a popular Arizona landmark overlooking a hiking trail.

 

[Balls2U]

I thought I saw USA butts.

 

[jw5]

Bell Rock, Arizona -

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.

 

[jw5]

Coyote Buttes North, Utah-Arizona -

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.

 

[ginfreely]

Bell Rock, Arizona -

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.

Angmoh the best!

 

[jw5]

Coyote Buttes South, Utah-Arizona -

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.

 

[jw5]

Fajada Butte, New Mexico -

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.

 

[True Believer]

 

[True Believer]

 

[True Believer]

 

[jw5]

Scotts Bluff, Nebraska -

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.

 

[jw5]

Courthouse and Jail Rock, Nebraska -

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.

 

[jw5]

Tower Butte, Arizona -

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.

 

[jw5]

Bear Butte, South Dakota -

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.