Some states popularly known for concrete jungles or corn fields might surprise you with off-the-beaten-path scenery worthy of an Instagram post or two.
I love how travelers think: you have to venture to the ends of the Earth to find those hidden gems. But sometimes, the most beautiful mountains, vistas, and forests are where you’d least expect them…right in our own backyards.
There are so many states that take our breath away, and we don’t always realize it until someone points it out. Maybe it’s true—we often stick close to home because there’s so much to explore within our own borders. If you’re missing out on these underrated states, don’t worry. It’s never too late to discover their hidden wonders!
New Jersey
Being the punchline for most New Yorkers’ “bridge and tunnel” jokes, New Jersey is overlooked in more ways than one. People like to think of it as the NYC suburbs and the Jersey Shore. But the Garden State’s natural beauty is seriously underrated, with sprawling farms, pine barrens, wineries, and beaches.
Thanks to The Nature Conservancy, over 60,000 acres of land and water are protected, letting you enjoy birding and hiking while wildlife thrives. I think the best thing about New Jersey is that, since it’s a small state, you don’t need to go far for a new experience. You can tour various landscapes and attractions in a day without ever leaving the state.
Michigan
I get it–the rest of America loves to crack jokes about the Midwest, but don’t let that steer you away from Michigan, which many people unfairly dismiss. Far from the cities, the Upper Peninsula offers breathtaking beauty with its beaches, sand dunes, and rock formations.
Michigan’s coastline stretches over 3,000 miles, more than California and Florida combined! From swimming and kayaking to watching unbeatable sunsets over Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. Just remember to share the water with the local anglers!
Alabama
Alabama’s beauty doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Up north, you can see the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Little River, and the impressive Walls of Jericho. Central Alabama offers Mount Cheaha, and in the south, you’ll find cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, blooming jasmine, and wide cattle pastures.
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, you need to lay your eyes on the white-sand beaches of Orange Beach as well as Gulf Shores. This state really is one of the best-kept secrets in the U.S.
New York
Most people don’t realize how much of New York exists beyond the skyscrapers and bright lights of New York City. Just an hour outside of the concrete jungle lies the Hudson Valley, with its lush green hills, charming lakes, and vibrant changing leaves in the fall. The Hudson River goes from NYC and stretches for 315 miles, offering riverfront hikes, kayaking, boating, fishing, and more.
Maybe you’ve heard of Niagara Falls and Watkins Glen, but there’s so much more. I bet you haven’t seen Panama Rocks Scenic Park, hidden in Chautauqua County, where towering 60-foot rock formations await. There’s also the Finger Lakes or the picturesque Long Island coastline, with its beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns. If you love the energy of New York, wait until you see the natural beauty this state has to offer!
Oklahoma
Contrary to popular belief, Oklahoma is not just flat plains that go on for miles and miles. It’s still one of the most underrated and slept-on states despite all that it offers to nature lovers.
Oklahoma is ecologically diverse, with mountains and forests to prairies and swamps. Beavers Bend State Park’s Mountain Fork River offers captivating views, while the Talimena National Scenic Byway is a must for fall foliage lovers. For adventurers, the Black Mesa plateau, Oklahoma’s highest point, rewards hikers with a rare tri-state view.
Wisconsin
Honestly, I don’t think people hear enough about how beautiful Wisconsin is. Locals probably prefer to keep their secret to discourage throngs of tourists—and I understand why!
Wisconsin’s natural beauty shines year-round, from peaceful lakes to rolling hills. The Baraboo Hills in the fall are a sight for the ages. Winter is owl season, with great horned owls nesting and snowy owls gracing northern Wisconsin. Spring brings wildflowers to the Baraboo Hills and Door Peninsula, while summer’s best feature is hiking through old-growth forests.
Idaho
First off, Idaho gets a lot of flak for being a flyover state state known mainly for potatoes. Despite the delicious Russets and Yukon Golds (which are great for mashed potatoes, by the way), Idaho is absolutely one-of-a-kind when it comes to charming landscapes.
As the Gem State, Idaho offers everything from snowy peaks to sandy dunes. You can journey through the deepest canyon in the U.S. on a jet boat ride or check out wilderness areas filled with towering pines. Shoshone Falls, the “Niagara of the West,” is taller than Niagara Falls, and Central Idaho boasts the country’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, perfect for stargazing!
Minnesota
Minnesota isn’t just the land of 10,000 lakes; it’s home to the stunning North Shore, the Boundary Waters, and amazing parks. Anyone who’s visited the North Shore by Silver Bay would say it’s amazing! You’d never guess Minnesota looked like that, but that’s just the beginning.
Down by the Minnesota-Iowa border in Harmony, Niagara Cave takes you underground to discover formations sculpted by nature over millions of years. And you don’t have to leave the Twin Cities to find a waterfall—Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis is a 53-foot beauty that draws over 850,000 visitors annually!
Arizona
Arizona might be famous for its deserts, but it’s way more diverse than you’d think. Flagstaff’s lofty ponderosa pine forest sits at over 7,000 feet and gets covered in snow during the winter. Plus, with Sedona’s red rocks, the white mountains, and the Sonoran Desert, there’s so much to explore beyond the heat.
Of course, the Grand Canyon is a must-see, but don’t miss out on the alpine tundra, evergreen forests, slot canyons, and the stunning Havasu Canyon with its surreal blue-green waterfalls. With less than eight inches of rain per year, Arizona’s starry nights are incredible—time your visit for the Orionid meteor shower!
Ohio
Ohio almost never makes it to the top 10 states for natural beauty, but it should! Each season has something special to offer in the Buckeye State.
Head north to see the sparkling waves of Lake Erie and south for rolling forests bursting with autumn colors—flame orange, deep red, and bright yellow. Winter snow transforms Ohio into a tracking paradise—you can look for mink tracks and red fox paw prints. Summer calls for a splash at the Grand River Conservation Campus, and you can canoe, kayak, or go fishing at Bliss Pond for the perfect seasonal adventure.
Georgia
Georgia might get overshadowed by its neighbors Florida and South Carolina, but it has an appeal that should not go unnoticed.
Many don’t realize Georgia has a beautiful coast and fifteen barrier islands. The Golden Isles, near Brunswick, are particularly famous for their glittering shores, which early explorers once thought were hiding treasures.
Maryland
Named after Queen Mary, Maryland often gets upstaged by the big-city buzz of nearby Washington D.C. and Virginia’s historic sites, but it’s got its own stunning landscapes. From Assateague Island’s wild beaches to Patapsco Valley’s fantastic hiking trails, there’s so much more to see.
In Western Maryland, you’ll find Deep Creek Lake just minutes from Swallow Falls State Park. Southern Maryland offers breathtaking cliffs along the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland may be small, but its natural beauty is anything but!
Source: Reddit
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