by Tom Bastek
Last updated: 11:00 PM ET, Sun December 28, 2014
Last week, the United Health Foundation released its 2014 report of America's Health Rankings. The report is based on data from agencies and organizations including the Census Bureau, the and the American Medical Association. So when planning your travel for the upcoming year, should you steer clear of these less-than-fit states? Absolutely not! Here are the five unhealthiest states in the country with healthy reasons to visit each.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma may be the fifth unhealthiest state in the U.S., but they have a lot outdoor activities going for them. There are 45 rural hiking trails and 15 urban trail sites. The Oklahoma Bicycle Society has a great web resource guide that has trail and route maps and they organize weekly rides for all experience levels.
If you are looking for something a little less organized, head out to the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area where in addition to 25 miles of paved park trails, there are also over 25 miles of unmarked trails as well. Oklahoma also boasts rock climbing, rappelling, and even scuba diving in the state's lakes. If you are in the Oklahoma City area, look for Green & Grilled, where they have a great healthy menu with plenty of vegetarian options as well.
Kentucky
In 2012, Governor Steve Beshear announced that the state was going to embrace adventure tourism and create "Trail Towns." Trail Towns are, "communities along long distance trails [with] an extensive trail system or a river used for canoeing and kayaking." The program helps the towns connect the dots for travelers and give them the tools to find adventure tourism throughout the state.
So far, the four towns which have gained the distinction are Livingston, Morehead, Olive Hill, and Dawson Springs. You can find hiking, biking, horseback riding, water adventures, caving, hunting and fishing, wildlife, camping and even shooting sports in these four towns and there are more and more towns looking to come on board each year. There are also many state and national parks available throughout the state, too.
Louisiana
Louisiana is best known for New Orleans and along with that, the unhealthy debauchery, food and drink. But that is certainly not the only area of Louisiana, and even in NOLA, there is plenty of healthy living available. One of the top ten mountain biking trails in the state is in Lincoln Parish Park, near Ruston. The 10-mile loop there was designed in 1992 and lies completely inside a 260 acre forested park. That is just one of many trails and routes available.
Find out more at Bike Louisiana. The tourism organization offers up 59 suggestions for hiking in the state, as well as canoeing and kayaking, too. If you are looking to keep it healthy in the Big Easy, check out a great list of healthy restaurants at Yoga Lagniappe.
Arkansas
Hot Springs National Park is the oldest and smallest national park in the country and it is the pride of Arkansas. People have been using the hot spring water in therapeutic baths for more than 200 years. Spas are so popular in Arkansas they even have a Spa Trail that you can follow. Arkansas is also home to over 200 trails to be hiked and biked. There are 62 lakes and 36 rivers to get your paddling anxiety out of your system and the fresh air into your system.
Mississippi
They say that numbers don't lie, and if that is the case, Mississippi is the unhealthiest state in the nation. However, that doesn't mean there is not a healthy thing to do in the whole state. As a matter of fact, if you are a canoe or kayak fan, there are so many paddling trails available in the state that it would be difficult to do them all in a summer. From the Mississippi River to Black Creek, "Mississippi's only designated National Wild and Scenic waterway," to the largest unimpeded river system in the U.S., the Pascagoula River.
Hiking opportunities are numerous in the state with 1.2 million acres of forest, including six national forests, 15 wildlife refuges, and 25 state parks. Not to mention that the Gulf Coast has plenty of opportunity for you to get your exercise in, on and around the water. So don't let a list deter you from planning a very healthy vacation to any of these great states.
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