Best Midwest Towns for Outdoor Enthusiasts

The Midwest is known for its kind locals, agricultural production, and major cities. America’s heartland is an apt name for this diverse region that encompasses natural environments ranging from forests and lakes to prairies and caves. Nature lovers will find massively appealing.

While there is access to natural beauty everywhere in the Midwest, some areas stand out for their outdoor appeal. Let’s look at some Midwest towns and cities best for nature enthusiasts.

Iowa is known for its cornfields and plains, but there’s more to see in this state. Here are three Iowa towns with natural beauty to spare.

Johnston is a pleasant little city along Beaver Creek, a long winding tributary of the Des Moines River. Johnston takes full advantage of its setting, offering trails and parks along the water. It is a hotspot for canoers and kayakers, and the town has tons of lush forests. Nature lovers will find much to keep them occupied in this small city.

Sioux City has a unique history; its setting on the Missouri River made it important for trade. Today, that same setting makes it ideal for strolls by the water. Sioux City has numerous well-known parks, including Stone State Park, Bacon Creek Park, and more. It is a green city with many scenic areas.

Dubuque is another city whose waterfront setting makes it appealing. Dubuque is situated along the Mississippi River, one of America’s most important bodies of water. It is a haven for boaters, and riverboat tours are a common way to see the city. Dubuque is also popular amongst hikers and mountain bikers, with winding trails through deep green forests.

Missouri is known as the state where the Midwest and the South collide. It is a beautiful area famed for the Ozarks, state parks, and gorgeous diverse ecology. Below are three Missouri cities and towns ideal for nature lovers.

Branson is a town located in Missouri’s Ozark region. While it is best known as a town full of tourist attractions, this doesn’t take away from its natural beauty. Marvel Cave is one of the country’s best-known caves, Table Rock State Park is a scenic area for hiking, and there are tons of excellent boating areas.

Visitors flock to Wildwood in droves to experience the surrounding area’s natural beauty. It is a small suburb of St. Louis that provides access to numerous top-notch trails and parks. The Al Foster Trail is a great area for a family hike, and Babler State Park is a scenic public recreation area that is beautiful year-round.

St. Charles is a scenic and historic Missouri city that offers residents and visitors many great natural attractions. It is a city that has tons of public greenery, with hiking opportunities at Katy Trail State Park and Weldon Springs Clark Trail. There are also biking trails and several nature preserves.

Kansas is known for its prairies and wheat fields, which give it an All-American look. It is a vital agricultural hub, but there is more to this state. Let’s look at two of Kansas’s most naturally beautiful cities.

Overland Park is the second-biggest city in the state, a thriving urban town that also offers residents some pristine natural environments. Overland Park has several natural hotspots, including the Overland Park Arboretum, Indian Creek Greenway, and more. It is a big city where tons of natural beauty can be found.

Wichita is Kansas’s biggest city, and while it is a dense urban environment, you can still find an array of appealing nature sites to explore. Wichita has more than 140 parks and greenways, from hiking trails to fishing lakes. There are more than 5,000 acres of natural land near the city, so grab a bike or your favorite hiking shoes and head out!