Have you ever wondered whether there are states without beaches in America? You are not alone. I, too, have been wondering.
Beach destinations are among the most frequented holiday destinations as they offer an ideal environment to relax and unwind.
The United States is home to some of the best beaches in the world. From California to Florida, there is something for everyone.
However, it is essential to note that there are states without beaches because they are landlocked.
The contiguous United States of America runs from the Atlantic Ocean in the East to Pacific Coast in the West. The eastern and western borders of the country face the ocean.
The country shares the longest international border with Canada to the north. The United States shares a border to the south with Mexico that runs 2,000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. The states of Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico share a border with Mexico.
State Without Beaches – Everything You Need to Know
A state without a beach means that the state is landlocked. Landlocked states are surrounded almost entirely by land and have no access to seaports or ocean coastlines.
So which states are landlocked in the USA?
In total, 27 states are landlocked in the USA. 20 of these 27 states are landlocked, meaning they have no access to any water body. The remaining 6 out of these 27 landlocked states border the Great Lakes.
States Bordering the Great Lakes
Despite not having access to large water bodies like oceans, these states border the great lakes.
However, by sailing from any of these Great Lakes out to the Atlantic Ocean, you can access the ocean.
This connection happens through the Saint Lawrence River.
These seven states include Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The 27 Landlocked States
Here is the list of the 27 states without beaches:
Colorado
Colorado is a double-landlocked state with access to the Atlantic Ocean blocked by both New Mexico and Mexico.
Arizona
The state of Arizona is single-landlocked. Mexico to the south and California to the west block the state’s access to the Pacific Ocean.
Illinois
Illinois borders Lake Michigan, but the state is double landlocked despite that. The state of Kentucky blocks access to the Atlantic Ocean and then Virginia.
Arkansas
Arkansas blocks the state’s access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Idaho
Idaho is a single landlocked state. The states of Oregon and Washington block access to the Pacific Ocean.
Indiana
Indiana is a double landlocked state. The state borders Lake Michigan. Virginia and Kentucky block Indiana’s direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Kansas
Texas and Oklahoma block the state’s access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Iowa
The state is double-landlocked in terms of direct access to the ocean, with Canada and Minnesota blocking the state from the Hudson Bay.
Also, Iowa is triple-landlocked at its southern tip, with Kentucky, Illinois, and Virginia in between the Atlantic Ocean and the state.
Kentucky
The state of Virginia blocks Kentucky’s access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Minnesota
The state is a single-land block with access to Hudson Bay blocked by Canada. Minnesota borders Lake Superior.
Michigan
The state is single-landlocked, with Canada blocking its access to Hudson Bay. Michigan borders four Great Lakes: Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan. These great lakes provide indirect access to the Atlantic Ocean through the Saint Lawrence River.
Missouri
The state of Missouri is double-landlocked. Louisiana and Arkansas block its access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Montana
This state is a single-landlocked bordering Canada. Access to the Pacific Ocean is through British Columbia in Canada.
Nevada
This single-landlocked state. The state of California blocks access to the Pacific Ocean.
Nebraska
Nebraska is a triple-landlocked state in the United States. The states of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas block access to the Gulf of Mexico.
New Mexico
New Mexico is a single-landlocked state whose access to the Gulf of Mexico is blocked by Texas.
North Dakota
This state is single-landlocked. You must travel through the Canadian province of Manitoba to access the ocean.
Ohio
Ohio is a single-landlocked state whose access to the ocean is blocked by Canada. You have to go through Ontario to access Hudson Bay. Stateside, Ohio is double-landlocked with access to the Atlantic Ocean blocked by West Virginia and Virginia.
Oklahoma
The state of Oklahoma is single-landlocked, and the state of Texas blocks its access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Pennsylvania
Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York block Pennsylvania’s access to the Atlantic Ocean. A small part of Pennsylvania borders Lake Erie.
South Dakota
South Dakota is a double landlocked state whose access to Hudson Bay is blocked by Manitoba and North Dakota.
Tennessee
A total of six states block Tennessee’s access to the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico.
The state is single-landlocked, and the states blocking its access to the Atlantic Ocean include Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.
Mississippi or Alabama blocks the Gulf of Mexico’s access.
Utah
Utah is double-landlocked, and California and Nevada block its access to the Pacific Ocean.
Vermont
Vermont is surrounded by other states and Canadian provinces, blocking its direct access to the Atlantic Ocean.
New York, Maryland, and New Hampshire are the three states that block access to the Atlantic Ocean.
West Virginia
This state is single-landlocked, and Virginia and Maryland block its access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is double landlocked, and Canada’s Ontario province and Michigan block its access to the Hudson Bay. The state borders the Great lakes, namely Michigan and Superior.
Wyoming
Wyoming is a double-landlocked state whose access to the Pacific Ocean is blocked by the states of Idaho and Oregon.
States Without Beaches – Single-Landlocked States
There are 16 single-landlocked states in the USA. They include Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, and West Virginia.
States Without Beaches – Double-Landlocked States
Ten states are double-landlocked. They include Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
States Without Beaches – Triple-Landlocked States
Nebraska is the only state that is triple-landlocked
Final Thoughts on States Without Beaches
In total, there are 27 states without beaches in America. Sixteen out of these are single-landlocked, while ten are double-landlocked. Only one state is triple-landlocked. Having this information is vital as you plan your holiday vacation. However, you can enjoy your favorite beach destination. Twenty-three states have direct access to the ocean, meaning several miles of stretches of sand for you to relax and unwind. So, why don’t you pack your bags and head to one of these states for a rejuvenating beach vacation?
