How is this the least beautiful state? Your Kansas photos prove national list wrong
From Monument Rocks to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Kansas’ beauty is nuanced, calm and incomparable to many other places.
Most importantly, its beauty is not last-place material. Yet, a recent article published by Thrillist ranked Kansas as the least beautiful out of all 50 states. The list was created by writers who have traveled to all 50 states and were tasked with ranking each state based on its beauty and natural landscape.
The writers chose to put California in first place, while nearly all the states in middle America were found in the lowest rankings. We all know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but it’s clear this panel of writers made a serious oversight.
To help us set the record straight, readers sent in pictures that capture just how beautiful the state is.
Here’s how beautiful Kansas is, from true Kansans’ perspectives. Some comments have been lightly edited for clarity.
“The beauty of Kansas is unexpected. People (travelers and locals alike) often listen to the old stereotypes and don’t adventure beyond what they see from a car window driving 75+ mph along I-70. A native of eastern Kansas, I find remarkable beauty in the western portion of the state. It is filled with “hidden gems,” such as Little Jerusalem Badlands State Park, Castle Rock Badlands, the Arikaree Breaks, Big Basin, Cimarron National Grasslands and Lake Scott is a true oasis.” - Andrea Etzel
“The sunsets and sunrises in Kansas are the most beautiful, and they are easy to see in rural areas because the view is unobstructed! Kansas is beautiful, even in the flat prairies!” - Bethany Wood
“It wasn’t until I left the KC Metro area that I realized how beautiful and varied Kansas can be.” - Diana Staresinic-Deane
“Photo of a storm that rolled through in June, 2019. My family and I watched from the front porch and photographed the storm coming in and developing. Kansas is wide open enough for you to slow down and watch nature’s power unfold. The beauty is not only the storm but the moments of pause where we stop the monotonous march of the day and simply watch what nature can do. “- Kelly Ryan
“I was fortunate to get there just before the sun rose and the first rays appeared to set the yellow petals of our State flower ablaze. Since it is our State flower, it has always taken my breath away.” - Denis Plumly
“I took this photo on a father/son camping trip to Cheney State Park in March of 2021. I used my smartphone to take the photo, and it shows the stars I saw that night all the way to the horizon. During the last few years, inner peace has been hard to find, but I often find it in our night skies. Life on the Kansas prairie is harsh. It is constantly challenging. And it is consistently awe-inspiring.” - Ben Blankley
“Any time, of any day, there is so much character to be found here, you just have to be open to it. Let the state show you its hidden gems. What’s even crazier to think of, is that I still have a list of gems to visit like the rocky badlands to the west!” - Jon Hargett
What do you love about Kansas that you wish more people knew about? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 12:08 PM.
