The post 11 U.S. States That Ranked Lowest for Natural Beauty in One Travel Guide first appeared on Crafting Your Home.
Not every American state can boast towering mountains, dramatic waterfalls, or postcard-worthy coastlines. Some are better known for endless farmland, quiet highways, and landscapes that don’t immediately make travelers reach for their cameras. But does that make them less beautiful?
In a ranking updated in September 2024, travel publication Thrillist compared all 50 states based on natural beauty. Its writers, who collectively had visited every state, placed several familiar destinations near the bottom.
Of course, beauty is subjective, and the ranking reflects the editors’ opinions rather than a nationwide survey. Even states that received low marks have scenic places worth discovering.
Here are the 11 lowest-ranked states, along with the landscapes that might make you question their placement.
Iowa
Iowa landed at No. 50, making it the lowest-ranked state in Thrillist’s natural-beauty comparison. Its extensive agricultural landscapes and relatively consistent scenery didn’t impress the publication’s editors.
But don’t dismiss the entire state after a long highway drive. Northeastern Iowa includes part of the Driftless region, where striking cliffs interrupt the familiar farmland scenery.
The publication also acknowledged Iowa’s expansive sunset views. Perhaps Iowa’s biggest challenge isn’t a complete lack of beauty, but that some of its best scenery is easily overlooked.
Kansas
Kansas ranked No. 49, and anyone familiar with its long stretches of open plains can probably guess why. The state doesn’t offer the towering mountain ranges or dramatic coastal landscapes that often dominate travel photography. Still, its scenery offers something different.
The Flint Hills contain much of North America’s remaining intact tallgrass prairie. According to the National Park Service, less than 4% of the continent’s original tallgrass prairie remains intact. At Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, visitors can explore nearly 11,000 acres of protected prairie landscape.
Indiana
Indiana ranked No. 48, with Thrillist suggesting that much of its agricultural landscape lacks the dramatic features found elsewhere. But there’s an interesting twist. The state has both southern hills and a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.
Indiana Dunes National Park features 15 miles of coastline, along with sand dunes, woodlands, prairies, and wetlands. Visitors can also explore more than 50 miles of trails. That contrasts sharply with the endless farmland many people associate with Indiana.
Illinois
Illinois ranked No. 47, largely because Thrillist’s editors found much of its natural landscape less dramatic than other states’. Chicago certainly brings visual excitement with its towering skyline beside Lake Michigan. However, impressive architecture doesn’t necessarily count when the ranking focuses on natural beauty.
Fortunately, Illinois offers more than its famous city. Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois features striking sandstone formations, while the Mississippi River offers attractive views along the state’s western boundary.
Missouri
Missouri ranked No. 46, though even Thrillist acknowledged that some parts of the state are genuinely beautiful. The Ozarks offer hills, forests, and rivers that provide a different experience from Missouri’s more familiar agricultural scenery.
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park is particularly interesting for its rocky landscape and swimming areas. The Current River is another scenic attraction, offering opportunities to enjoy the surrounding natural environment from the water. Missouri’s overall ranking was low, yet some of its landscapes are attractive destinations in their own right.
Nebraska
Nebraska ranked No. 45, with its wide-open spaces and rolling hills drawing mixed reviews. Travelers expecting dramatic mountain views may find the state’s quieter scenery underwhelming. However, Nebraska has several distinctive natural landmarks that challenge that impression.
Toadstool Geologic Park features unusual rock formations, while Chimney Rock stands out against the surrounding landscape.