By otakuyassine3@gmail.com 
The United States abounds with natural beauty. States like Hawaii, Alaska, and California regularly hog the spotlight with their legendary scenery. However, several states quietly hide in their shadows, offering jaw-dropping landscapes without us taking notice. Where are these hidden in plain sight gems?
North Dakota
Upon mention of North Dakota, many Americans envision cold weather and Fargo, the city that shares its name with a movie and a television series. The state offers lots of open spaces with natural beauty. North Dakota is home to , which features striped badlands and vast prairies. Bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and wild horses inhabit the underrated park.
The Missouri River, America’s longest, flows through North Dakota, providing beautiful landscapes. One of the best and most unique vantage points is from in Mandan. The Little Missouri River snakes through the state, providing its own epic views. Many consider the Maah Daah Hey Trail the state’s best-kept secret. It spans over 140 miles and offers scenic views of badlands and rolling meadows.
New Mexico
Although New Mexico’s nickname is the “Land of Enchantment,” it is still overshadowed by its neighboring states, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Texas. The state harbors three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two full-fledged national parks, and several other national park sites. New Mexico showcases diverse landscapes, ranging from deserts to mountains.
comprises the world’s largest gypsum dune field with shimmering sands. The state’s other national park, , is a massive underground world featuring artistic cave formations. Other highlights include the Capulin Volcano National Monument, an extinct cinder cone, and the Rio Grande Gorge.
Ohio
You will discover plenty of natural beauty between Ohio’s farmlands, small towns, and big cities. The flat northern part of the state sits along the shores of Lake Erie, while the Ohio River flows through its hilly southern regions.
showcases forests, waterways, unique rock ledges, and waterfalls. Travelers can experience the park in many ways, including hiking, biking, and riding a train. has seven beautiful hiking areas that lead to sandstone cliffs, caves, and waterfalls. It has finally received recognition in the past few years as one of America’s best state parks.
New Hampshire
Many people look past the Granite State and rave about the beauty of Vermont and Maine. New Hampshire displayed as much or more vibrant fall foliage during our two New England trips. The White Mountains dominate the horizon, featuring Mount Washington, the tallest summit in the Northeastern United States.
Franconia Notch State Park has lush forests and gushing waterfalls. Flume Gorge, the park’s crown jewel, is a dream for hikers. Lake Winnipesaukee, the state’s largest lake, is dotted with islands and has a wooded shoreline. For those who love fall drives, the is one of America’s best.
Idaho
While many people picture potatoes upon mention of Idaho, the state has a wide range of natural wonders. Southern Idaho features dark volcanic basalt rock canyons and stunning waterfalls. is a surreal world with volcanic rock, twisted trees, craters, and spatter cones. The Snake River is a fantastic place to discover deep gorges and unique waterfalls.
As you travel to central and northern Idaho, you will find lush forests, alluring mountains, and spectacular lakes. Lake Pend Oreille is America’s fifth . Priest Lake and Coeur d’Alene Lake are some of the prettiest lakes in the country.
South Dakota
The Mount Rushmore State is much more than its famous landmark. It may surprise you that South Dakota has more miles of shoreline than Florida. The state houses Lake Oahe, many small lakes, and tributaries of the Missouri River.
South Dakota has two fantastic national parks. boasts sprawling mixed-grass prairies between otherworldly layered spires, buttes, and canyons. Bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs inhabit the park. Wind Cave National Park has some of the world’s oldest caves with unique honeycomb-shaped stalactite formations. If you love scenic drives, hiking, and wildlife, many travelers will tell you outshines these national parks. It highlights the best of the Black Hills Region with rocky spires, tranquil lakes, vast prairies, and lush forests.
Wisconsin
While Wisconsin may be known as America’s Dairyland, its vast farmlands are beautiful. If you have yet to sample the state’s cheese, do yourself a favor and try it. Moving out from the farmlands, you will discover stunning shorelines along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore features windswept beaches and cliffs. You will also find mysterious sea caves tucked along those rocky shores. Door County sits between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, showcasing the Niagara Escarpment, an expansive limestone cliff that stretches from Niagara Falls. The beautiful region houses some of , offering natural beauty and unique activities. Other Wisconsin gems include Horicon Marsh, America’s largest freshwater cattail marsh, and Cave of the Mounds, a cavern chock full of delicate formations.
New York
When we think of New York, many of us picture a giant, bustling city, but the state abounds with natural beauty. The Finger Lakes Region comprises peaceful vineyards and waterfalls between its 11 tranquil lakes. One of America’s best state parks, , nestles in the region with its 19 waterfalls. You will also find another of our country’s most beautiful state parks not far from here. Often called the Grand Canyon of the East, Letchworth State Park has a deep canyon and dozens of waterfalls along the Genesee River.
New York has too many other natural attractions to mention. The iconic Niagara Falls is an obvious choice. It is easy to forget that New York has mountains, but the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains cradle stunning lakes between their forested ridges. Fire Island National Seashore, a small barrier island along Long Island’s southern shores, showcases pristine beaches and dunes. offers an unparalleled experience, dotting the St. Lawrence River with 1,864 islands. These are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
Plan Your Visit to an Underrated State for Natural Beauty
While these states will likely not top “most beautiful lists,” they offer plenty of breathtaking scenery. Each surprised Julie and me with jaw-dropping vistas and unique adventures. Plan a trip to one of these gems and savor the natural beauty hiding before our eyes all along.
Scott McConkey is a travel writer and founder of Miles with McConkey, where he provides trip ideas and travel guides. His wife, Julie creates travel videos. They hope to inspire you to travel more.
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