New Hampshire has emerged as the most naturally beautiful state in the United States, scoring 90.83 out of 100 in a new Holafly ranking that assessed all 50 states for landscape diversity. The Granite State finished well ahead of West Virginia, Virginia, Connecticut and Hawaii, with its combination of forests, mountains and waterfalls helping it secure the top position.
Published in July 2026, the Holafly study examined six measurable indicators: mountain elevation, river and waterway coverage, forest cover, national parks, volcanoes and waterfalls. Rather than judging beauty purely on reputation or famous attractions, the research measured the concentration and diversity of natural features across each state.
New Hampshire Takes the Top Spot
New Hampshire may be one of America’s smaller states, but its natural landscape packs remarkable variety into a relatively compact area.
According to Holafly, 83% of the state’s land is forested, while its highest point, Mount Washington, reaches 6,288 feet. The state also has 353 waterfalls, giving it one of the highest waterfall densities in the ranking. Together, these features helped New Hampshire reach its leading score of 90.83.
The state’s appeal changes dramatically with the seasons. The White Mountains become particularly popular during autumn foliage season, while hiking, scenic drives, skiing and other outdoor activities support tourism throughout the year.
The White Mountain National Forest, Franconia Notch and the scenic Kancamagus Highway are among the experiences that make New Hampshire particularly attractive to nature-focused travellers.
West Virginia Claims Second Place
West Virginia secured second place with a score of 78.23, making it the only state in Holafly’s top 10 to perform consistently across all six categories.
The state has 78% forest cover, 6,647 miles of rivers, six national parks and 174 waterfalls. Its highest point, Spruce Knob, reaches 4,863 feet.
The state’s mountainous terrain and extensive waterways create opportunities for hiking, rafting, climbing, camping and scenic road trips. The New River Gorge region remains one of its strongest attractions for adventure tourism.
Virginia and Connecticut Complete the Top Four
Virginia ranked third with 74.50 points, narrowly ahead of Connecticut at 74.48.
Holafly highlights Virginia’s combination of 25 national parks, five volcanoes, 63.5% forest cover and more than 11,000 miles of rivers. The Blue Ridge Parkway also adds to the state’s scenic appeal.
Connecticut’s fourth-place ranking demonstrates that a state does not need enormous wilderness areas to perform strongly. With 58.3% forest cover, four national parks and high densities of mountain elevation, rivers and waterfalls, the state scored strongly because of the concentration of natural features within its relatively small territory.
Hawaii Remains a Standout for Dramatic Landscapes
Hawaii ranked fifth with 72.78 points, but the state remains arguably unmatched for volcanic scenery.
Holafly counted 25 active or dormant volcanoes and 543 waterfalls across Hawaii. Its highest mountain point, Mauna Kea, reaches 13,803 feet.
The state lost ground in the overall ranking because of comparatively lower forest coverage and river mileage, but its combination of volcanoes, tropical landscapes, waterfalls and Pacific coastlines gives it a distinctive natural profile.
Washington Leads the Waterfall Count
Another striking finding from the study is Washington’s dominance in absolute waterfall numbers.
The state has 3,057 waterfalls, more than any other state in the ranking.
This highlights an important aspect of the Holafly methodology. The ranking does not simply reward states for having one spectacular attraction. Instead, it considers multiple categories of natural features and calculates them in ways that account for differences in state size.
Why Natural Beauty Matters to Tourism
The findings arrive as nature-based travel continues to influence destination choices across the United States.
For travellers, natural beauty can translate into hiking, camping, wildlife watching, kayaking, scenic drives, photography and seasonal experiences. States that combine several types of landscapes can also attract visitors across different times of the year.
Holafly recommends planning trips around seasonal conditions, exploring state parks and national forests beyond the most famous national parks, and preparing for connectivity challenges in remote areas.
Author’s Point of View
What makes Holafly’s ranking particularly interesting is that it challenges the idea that America’s most beautiful states have to be the biggest or most famous.
New Hampshire’s victory is a good example. It does not have Hawaii’s volcanic drama or Washington’s enormous waterfall count, yet its combination of forests, mountains and waterfalls gives travellers a remarkably varied outdoor experience within a small geographical footprint.
For travellers planning a nature-focused US holiday, that density can be an advantage. Instead of spending days travelling between dramatically different landscapes, visitors can experience mountains, forests, waterfalls and scenic roads within a relatively compact destination.
Key Stats
- No. 1: New Hampshire, 90.83/100
- No. 2: West Virginia, 78.23/100
- No. 3: Virginia, 74.50/100
- No. 4: Connecticut, 74.48/100
- No. 5: Hawaii, 72.78/100
- States assessed: 50
- New Hampshire forest cover: 83%
- New Hampshire waterfalls: 353
- Washington waterfalls: 3,057
- Hawaii volcanoes: 25
- Hawaii waterfalls: 543
FAQ
Which US state ranked No. 1 for natural beauty?
New Hampshire ranked first with a Natural Beauty score of 90.83 out of 100.
What did Holafly measure?
The study assessed six factors: mountain elevation, river and waterway coverage, forest cover, national parks, volcanoes and waterfalls.
Why did New Hampshire rank so highly?
Its combination of 83% forest cover, 353 waterfalls and mountain scenery, including Mount Washington at 6,288 feet, gave it a strong overall result.
Practical Travel Information: New Hampshire
Location: New England, northeastern United States
Nearest major airport: Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
Major nearby destinations: White Mountains, Mount Washington, Franconia Notch State Park, Lake Winnipesaukee and Kancamagus Highway
Best-known seasonal experience: Autumn foliage, generally strongest from late September into mid-October
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
Conclusion
Holafly’s 2026 ranking places New Hampshire firmly at the top of America’s natural beauty map, with its compact combination of forest, mountain and waterfall landscapes earning a score of 90.83. West Virginia, Virginia, Connecticut and Hawaii also demonstrated the extraordinary diversity of America’s outdoor destinations.
For travellers looking beyond the country’s most obvious nature destinations, the ranking offers an intriguing takeaway: some of America’s greatest landscapes are not necessarily found in the largest or most famous states. In New Hampshire, the beauty is in the concentration, variety and accessibility of its natural experiences.
