The 10 U.S. States with Underrated Beach Scenes

It's almost definitely not the first place you picture for a beach vacation, but Idaho offers some truly beautiful locales that are worth taking advantage of. One popular beach is Orval Hansen Point Beach, located alongside Redfish Lake in Sawtooth National Forest. You get to relax by a gorgeous lake with a staggering view of the Sawtooth Mountains in the distance. There's also camping and plenty of hiking nearby for those who really want their nature fix. You should also check out Coeur d'Alene, a lakefront city with some beautiful beaches and fun recreational activities.

Maine is known for its mountains and snow, but it's also home to some truly beautiful beaches. Kennebunkport is a charming town with a slew of wonderful beaches where you may even spot some seals. Ogunquit is a hidden gem in Maine, a small town with gorgeous beaches and some great restaurants, and the tiny Boothbay Harbor is on the water and truly stunning. Of course, Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor can't be left off the list, with miles of hiking trails and some spots to dip in the Atlantic on the pristine Mount Desert Island.

Michigan might be a landlocked state, but it is also proof that you don't need the ocean to have stunning beaches. Lake Huron offers some great beach spots, like the family friendly Cheboygan State Park, Lakeside Beach, and Mackinaw City Beach. Lake Michigan boasts Holland State Beach Park and Grand Haven beach. Hunter's Point Park in Northern Michigan is worth the visit, and Traverse City has beaches, dunes, and so much more. Anywhere you go offers beautiful views and hiking along with a beach day.

Yes, many people visit Texas for cities like Austin or Dallas, but the state also has a plethora of great options for a coastal getaway. Located on the coastline is Port Aransas, which has six miles of white sand beaches and pleasantly warm waters that make swimming lovely. South Padre Island, a barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay, has so many opportunities to spot wildlife on your trip. Galveston is also on the Gulf Coast, and Mustang Island National Park is another hot spot.

With so many gorgeous beaches available, it's hard to believe that Washington is lesser known as a beach destination. Long Beach (not to be confused with Long Beach in California) is a popular beach town with 28 miles of sand to explore and a fun boardwalk. If you're visiting Seattle, you also won't want to miss Alki Beach, which offers unbelievable views of the mountains, or whale watching at Pacific Beach on the central coast. If you're hiking at Olympic National Park, you could stop by the rocky Rialto Beach.

When you think of New York beaches, the first thing that comes into your mind is probably Montauk or Coney Island. While these are great, they aren't the only beaches worth visiting in the state. Fire Island National Seashore, a barrier island off the coast of Long Island, has some of the best untouched beaches in the state, and is situated alongside charming towns (no cars allowed), right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Great South Bay. Long Island also has Robert Moses State Park, and Long Beach, which offers a fun boardwalk situation as well. Staying in NYC? Fort Tilden Beach and Rockaway Beach are two popular spots.

When heading down south for a beach trip, a lot of people choose states like the Carolinas or Florida. Alabama is worth putting on the list sometime if you didn't. Gulf Shores is one of the most popular spots, with 32 miles of coastline, a small town feel, and plenty of cool activities. Orange Beach is right nearby and is just as beautiful and fun. Fairhope is a cozy town with family-friendly waters, and Dauphin Island is a hidden gem with some amazing views.

Want to go out west for a beach vacation? It's hard to do better than Oregon, which has hundreds of miles of coastline that boasts unique beaches along incredible mountain views. Cannon Beach is the first place that comes to mind, known for the huge rocks that jut out of the water. Oceanside offers beautiful views, and Gleneden Beach offers fun in the sun as well as proximity to a beautiful pine forest that is worth exploring. Seaside Beach is another one, located on the north side and not too far from Portland, so it offers the best of both worlds.

Full of New England charm, New Hampshire offers both lakefront locales and beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. Hampton Beach is the most popular spot, with 13 miles of sandy coastline and a family-friendly atmosphere. Wallis Sands is an ocean beach with great views and a smaller, more quiet feel, and North Hampton Beach is another chill, family-friendly place to go. Weirs Beach, located on Lake Winnipesaukee, is super calm and great for little ones, or just people looking for a relaxing place to get away.

The state of Delaware might be small, but it is made up of plenty of beaches that are worth the visit. Rehoboth Beach is a popular spot for families, with a town full of fun activities, restaurants, and a boardwalk. Dewey Beach is nearby and smaller, with some beautiful spots and great nightlife. Fenwick Island State Park is more quiet and calm for those looking for a reserved getaway, and Lewes is full of history as one of the earliest European settlements.