Top 10 Scenic Locations for Scattering Ashes in the USA

Looking for the perfect spot to scatter the ashes of a loved one? Thankfully, the United States of America is not short on scenic views and stunning locations. From the rugged coastline of California to the wilderness of Colorado, you’re never more than a few hours from a stunning scenic lookout. 

For those looking for a beautiful spot to scatter the ashes of a loved one, your best bet will be one of the many national parks and state parks located throughout the United States. While many will require permission and you will need to follow a few simple rules, this process is typically quite simple and not a huge obstacle to overcome.

Read on to learn the top 10 most stunning locations for scattering ashes in the USA. These are ideal for saying goodbye to a nature lover or for putting someone to rest in a place that they always dreamed of visiting. You can find scenic hikes that will get you away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds so you can find a quiet moment to say goodbye.

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California

Located south of the Big Sur coastline, this rugged stretch of land features rugged coastline, 3000 ft. foot ridges and towering redwoods. It’s also home to the iconic Bixby Creek Bridge, one of the tallest bridges of its kind in the world. This is likely to be one of the most accessible spots to scatter ashes, as most spots are reachable by private vehicle.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

A visit to the Grand Canyon is something that many people dream of doing in their lifetime, but if your loved one never made the trip, there’s nothing to stop this from being their final resting place. Everyone is familiar with the dramatic scenes of the Grand Canyon, which exposes millions of years of geological history. If you want your loved one to become part of this rich history, this could be the perfect place to say goodbye. 

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Located in Dawson County, Montana, Makoshika State Park is a less crowded option for those looking for a quiet space to say goodbye. The arid landscapes offer badland formations and remains of dinosaurs, making it an ideal spot for anyone who loved archeology or paleontology in their lifetime. As with all state parks, you’ll need to seek permission and ensure that the ashes are scattered correctly so that they cannot cause ecological damage.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Located just outside of Palm Springs, this iconic desert location offers surreal landscapes and truly dark skies, which makes scattering the ashes at night a popular option. The landscape is dotted with the iconic, bushy Joshua trees, while large boulders dictate the hiking paths that weave between them. Head to the desert for a moment of quiet reflection before saying your final goodbyes.

Olympic National Park, Washington

If deserts aren’t your thing, perhaps damp and mossy rainforests tick all the right boxes for you? Located in Washington State, Olympic National Park offers a wide range of scenery, from dramatic lakes to waterfalls and rugged coastland. It is – at times – an unforgiving territory, but it will provide the perfect backdrop for saying your final farewells. Rialto Beach is ideal for an ocean goodbye, while the Hoh Rainforest offers a mystical landscape of mossy, overgrown trees to explore. 

Angel Island State Park, California

Located in San Francisco Bay with views of the iconic bridge, this old immigration processing island is now popular with tourists and visiting locals alike. It’s considered to be a hidden gem of the region, offering a place for quiet reflection and tranquility. There are hiking trails to explore, or you could scatter the ashes on one of the many beaches.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Perhaps the most iconic of all the National Parks, the Rocky Mountain National Park is a bucket list location for many and a beloved memory for those who have already visited. This rugged landscape offers plenty of things to climb up, explore, and dip your toes into. There are waterfalls, lakes, sheer cliff faces, and incredibly diverse wildlife to discover.

Letchworth State Park, New York

Affectionately nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park offers stunning views of canyons, waterfalls, and sheer cliffs. To unlock the incredible beauty of this area, try scattering the ashes during the fall. This is when the foliage takes on brilliant hues of red, orange, and brown.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Ridge upon ridge of rolling mountains as far as the eye can see. The prevalent tree is the coniferous oak, which releases isoprene into the atmosphere, giving the mountains their iconic blue haze. This ancient landscape is dense and stunning all year round, and it also plays host to the Appalachian Hiking Trail. If your loved one completed this trail or always dreamed of hiking it, then the Great Smoky Mountains National Park could be the ideal place to scatter their ashes. 

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

We couldn’t complete a list of the most scenic places to scatter ashes in the USA without including Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Located atop a volcanic hotspot, this dormant volcanic landscape still keeps visitors on their toes with an abundance of hot springs and gushing geysers. The volcanic activity also makes it a popular spot for diverse wildlife. Whether your loved one was an avid visitor or always dreamed of making it to Yellowstone, this is an ideal scenic location to say your final goodbyes.

Important advice before scattering ashes

All of the locations on this list will allow the scattering of human remains with a permit. It’s essential that you research your trip, obtain the relevant permission, and then follow the advice for scattering ashes safely. 

These steps will help to protect these stunning locations for future generations and will also ensure that you remain safe during your trip. Scattering the ashes can be a deeply emotional task, and you might be a little more distracted than you would usually be when you are out in nature. It’s also a good idea to take a companion and let someone know where you are going before heading out into the wilderness.