When people speak about Arkansas, they talk in hushed tones peppered with a curse word or two. The Southern state may seem harmless at first glance, but the truth is far worse than you can imagine.

#1. Newsflash: Hell really does exist on earth. They call it “Arkansas”.



Flickr: Wayne Kizziar

Hot Springs Mountain Tower.

#2. This is a godforsaken place you should never, ever visit.



Flickr: Paul Barrows

Junction Bridge, Little Rock.

#3. It looks like a post-apocalyptic underworld.



Flickr: Clarke

Garven Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs.

#4. We’re not kidding — it’s really that horrible.



Flickr: super*dave

Mt. Magazine.

#5. Pure desolation everywhere you look.



Flickr: Richard M. Nixon

Pastoral, Liberty.

#6. Its so-called tourist attractions are revolting, to put it mildly.



Flickr: Clayton Wells

Falling Water Falls, Ben Hur.

#7. Even animals can’t stand the place — it’s infested by insects and the occasional raccoon.



Flickr: Jeff Rose

Elk Herd, Boxley Valley.

#8. Take a long, hard look at this lost deer, a.k.a descendant of Satan.



Flickr: Jeff Rose

Whitetail Deer, Buffalo River Area, Ponca.

#9. And the bodies of water? Just nasty.



Flickr: Got.Sugg.Photo

Waterfalls, The Ozarks.

#10. Have your ever seen anything dirtier?



Flickr: Jeff Rose

Lake Willastein, Maumelle.

#11. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU FOOL!”



Flickr: Got.Sugg.Photo

Waterfalls, The Ozarks.

#12. It’s a miracle people still consider this place habitable.



Flickr: Lordwalt

Old Mill, Lakewood, North Little Rock.

#13. Can’t they tell a hellhole when they see one?



Flickr: Clayton Wells

Haw Creek Campground, Fort Douglas.

#14. This is obviously one of the worst places on the face of the earth.



Flickr: Clayton Wells

Pinnacle Mountain Education Pond, Natural Steps.

#15. Anyone who has had the misfortune of staying in this hell-hole should be pitied.



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Buffalo National River.

#16. Residents should really get the hell out and never look back.



Flickr: Mr. Greenjeans

Petit Jean State Park.