We are thrilled to announce the winners of Scenic America’s 2024 America the Beautiful Photo Contest! This year marked our most popular contest ever, with more photos submitted, more participants involved, and more votes cast than in any previous year. With such incredible turnout and breathtaking submissions, it’s clear that America’s beauty continues to inspire photographers from coast to coast.

Max Duchaine, Scenic America’s communications director, expressed his excitement over the contest’s success: “The overwhelming participation we saw this year truly reflects how deeply people connect with the scenic beauty around them. These images not only capture the grandeur of our landscapes but also the heart of the communities and environments we cherish. We continue to be impressed with the creativity of our contest participants, and this year is no exception.”

Without any further delay, we are proud to announce the winners of this year’s America the Beautiful Photo Contest:

Overall

Best in Show

“Last Light” by Dustin Penman (Sacramento, CA)

First Runner-Up

 

“Against a Quiet Current” by Michael Mihaljevich (Scottsdale, AZ)

Second Runner-Up

“Sand Dunes, Death Valley” by Roman Chladek (Anaheim, CA)

Animals

Best in Class

“Against a Quiet Current” by Michael Mihaljevich (Scottsdale, AZ)

First Runner-Up

“An Easy, Lazy, Lucky Catch at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park” by Anis Ansari (Lewisville, TX)

Second Runner-Up

“Hummingbird” by Zoltan Toth (Santa Clara, CA)

Beaches

Best in Class

“The Potholes in La Jolla, San Diego” by Monica Ramanathan (Virginia Beach, VA)

First Runner-Up

“Cyclone Boom Waves” by Charles King (Carlsbad, CA)

Second Runner-Up

“Perfect Winter Sunrise, Laguna Beach, CA” by Jon Beyerle (Huntersville, NC)

Cities & Towns

Best in Class

“Golden Gate Bridge Seen from Marshall Beach” by Dustin Penman (Sacramento, CA)

First Runner-Up

“Full Moon Over the City of Pittsburgh” by Angelo Mamone (Trafford, PA)

Second Runner-Up

“Sunset on Main Street, Frostburg, MD” by Janelle Muletz (Frostburg, MD)

Highways, Byways, & Roads

Best in Class

“Sonoma Coast” by Dustin Penman (Sacramento, CA)

First Runner-Up

“Canyonland Curves” by C. Renee Martin (Fredericksburg, VA)

Second Runner-Up

“Atlanta Skyline” by Mark Krancer (Franklin, NC)

Mountains

Best in Class

“First Light at Sunrise Over Ox Bow Bend of Snake River in Grand Tetons National Park” by Anis Ansari (Lewisville, TX)

First Runner-Up

“Naturally Unfolding” by Michael Mihaljevich (Scottsdale, AZ)

Second Runner-Up

“Dreamy Sunrise” by Lucy Schultz (Littleton, CO)

Parks & Open Spaces

Best in Class

“South Dakota Sunrise” by Richard Simms (Sale Creek, TN)

First Runner-Up

“Milky Way Arch Over Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park” by Anis Ansari (Lewisville, TX)

Second Runner-Up

“Fresh Canola” by Chantelle Alfano (Spanaway, WA)

People

Best in Class

“Sand Dunes, Death Valley” by Roman Chladek (Anaheim, CA)

First Runner-Up

“The Hug at Yachats Bay” by Tam Ryan (Mesa, AZ)

Second Runner-Up

“Surfer at Panama City Beach” by Jazz Woods (Santa Rosa Beach, FL)

Rivers & Lakes

Best in Class

“Cold Sunrise” by Delton Young (Seattle, WA)

First Runner-Up

“Kanarraville Falls 24” by Matthew Parat (Washington, UT)

Second Runner-Up

“The Boathouse” by Paula Liimatta (Grand Blanc, MI)

Trees & Forests

Best in Class

“Last Light” by Dustin Penman (Sacramento, CA)

First Runner-Up

“Lone Tree” by Dustin Penman (Sacramento, CA)

Second Runner-Up

“Foggy Sunrise” by Gregory Leblanc (Lafayette, LA)

People’s Choice (Public Vote)

Winner

“An Angel at Old Faithful” by Dominic Aversa (Simpsonville, SC)

First Runner-Up

“Chasing the Sun” by Richard Simms (Sale Creek, TN)

Second Runner-Up

“Mt. Rainier Glowing as it Rises Above the Morning Clouds” by Jessie Bernhardt

Congratulations to all winners and participants for making this year’s contest the best yet! Thank you to our photographers, voters, and judges for helping showcase America’s scenic beauty. We look forward to next year’s contest, where we are certain we will see even more of America’s most spectacular scenic photos.