Idaho and South Dakota were named America’s two least exciting states in a Zippia ranking highlighted in 2026, with Idaho taking the top spot and South Dakota following close behind. The result, reported by Islands, runs against the usual punchline that Nebraska or Kansas would claim the title.
The label is deliberately provocative, and it is not a verdict on either state as a holiday destination. Rankings of “boring” places generally rely on selected measures of entertainment and amenities, which can favour dense cities over states built around long drives, small towns and time outdoors.
Why Idaho and South Dakota Topped the Ranking
Zippia’s ranking placed Idaho first and South Dakota second among the states it characterised as most boring. Islands described the result as the outcome of a data-led study, not a poll asking Americans where they would least like to visit.
That distinction is important. A state with fewer conventional nightlife venues, large sports franchises or concentrated urban entertainment districts can score poorly in an amenities-based ranking without lacking reasons to travel there. It may simply offer a different kind of break, with its main attractions spread over large distances.
Nebraska and Kansas have long been the standard targets in jokes about flat, quiet American states. The Zippia result gave that familiar assumption a detour, putting Idaho and South Dakota at the head of the list instead.
“Boring” Does Not Mean There Is Nothing To Do
Both states have well-known landscapes and public sites that do not fit neatly into a ranking focused on urban entertainment. Idaho is home to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, a National Park Service site known for its volcanic terrain and lava flows.
South Dakota has the Badlands National Park, while Mount Rushmore National Memorial remains one of the state’s most recognised visitor sites. Those are not small diversions for travellers passing through; they are destinations that require planning, transport and, in many cases, a willingness to spend more time outside than in a bar or shopping district.
The difference comes down to expectations. Travellers seeking a packed weekend of museums, late-night venues and short taxi rides may find parts of either state quiet. Road-trippers, hikers and families interested in wide-open scenery may reach the opposite conclusion.
How Much Should Travellers Read Into State Rankings?
Not very far, on their own. A statewide ranking cannot capture the variety between a capital city, a resort town, a national park gateway and an isolated rural community. It also cannot decide what counts as entertaining for a particular visitor.
Visitors considering Idaho can check current routes, seasonal access and regional ideas through Visit Idaho. For South Dakota, the state’s official Travel South Dakota site provides practical information on attractions and trip planning.
The headline is useful mainly as a conversation starter: Idaho and South Dakota were the two states singled out by this particular ranking, not proof that either state is a poor choice for a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which States Did the Zippia Ranking Call the Most Boring?
The ranking reported by Islands placed Idaho first and South Dakota second. Nebraska and Kansas, often stereotyped as quiet states, were not the two states at the top of this list.
Does the Ranking Mean Idaho and South Dakota Are Bad Places To Visit?
No. The ranking is a measure of selected entertainment-related factors, not an assessment of scenery, national parks, road-trip potential or a traveller’s personal interests.
What Are Major Attractions in South Dakota and Idaho?
South Dakota includes Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Idaho includes Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, alongside extensive outdoor recreation areas.
