50 Must-Visit State Parks in the USA
National parks like Bryce Canyon and the Smoky’s are stunning, but there’s something a little personal about a state park. Whether it’s right in your backyard or you have to drive hours just to get to it, state parks are like that beloved hometown sports team that you’ll always root for.
Here are our favorite 50 state parks in the USA.
Alabama – Gulf Shores State Park
With its warm, light-blue waters, white sand beaches, and endless horizons stretching over the Gulf of Mexico, the town of Gulf Shores represents a particular kind of oceanside fantasy. There are two miles of beach here, as well as a nature center (9am to 4pm Monday to Friday), a dog park, and roughly 25 miles of hiking and cycling trails – keep an eye peeled for gators.
Alaska – Chugach State Park
This stunning 495,000-acre park is one of the four largest state parks in the US. Located in southcentral Alaska, it has a rugged shoreline, big lakes, ice fields, and massive glaciers. On the western side of the park is the Chugach Mountain Range (seven miles from Anchorage), and on the southern part, you can find Turnagain Arm.
Arizona – Kartchner Caverns State Park
This drippy subterranean castle has been 330 million years in the making; it remained Arizona’s best-kept secret until it opened as a park in 1999. During 90-minute educational tours, you might hear the squeak of migrating bats in the Big Room cave (October–April) or feel like a royal troll in the column-lined Throne Room. Reservations are recommended, and it’s also a designated International Dark Sky Park.
Arkansas – Crater of Diamonds State Park
On average, 600 diamonds are found each year at one of the only places in the world where visitors can search for real diamonds and keep what they find. This park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, boasts several notable finds, including the over 40-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever uncovered in the US.
California – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Famous for some of the world’s best virgin redwood groves and unspoiled coastline, this 14,000-acre section of Redwood National & State Parks offers spectacular scenic drives and 75 miles of mainly shady hiking trails, many of which are excellent for children. Kids of all ages will enjoy the magnificent herd of elk here, which can generally be spotted grazing at Elk Prairie; the best times to see the elk are early morning and around sunset.
Colorado – Pearl Lake State Park
A glorious spot for camping and canoeing, this small alpine lake located in the mountains north of Steamboat Springs backs up to aspen and evergreen forests, offering excellent lakefront campsites ($20). Reserve a lower campsite bordering the lake; numbers 24 to 32 are best. There are also two yurts ($90) here plus a short trail to Coulton Creek.
Connecticut – Kent Falls State Park
Given Connecticut’s size, it makes sense that the state doesn’t have parks on the scale of, say, Yellowstone. However, its small parks possess their charm. Kent Falls, with its cascades tumbling into the Housatonic River, is nestled in the pretty Litchfield Hills of northwestern Connecticut, a prime area for enjoying New England fall foliage.
Delaware – Delaware Seashore State Park
Located south of Rehoboth Beach, this state park is a barrier island stretching for six miles with Rehoboth Bay on one side and the Atlantic on the other. The bay’s calm waters are perfect for windsurfing, while the six trails can be explored on foot, by bike, or on horseback. The park’s Big Chill Beach Club serves casual fare and cocktails.
Florida – Cayo Costa State Park
Accessible only by boat, Southwest Florida’s Cayo Costa Island is almost entirely preserved as a 2500-acre state park. Its pale, ash-colored sand may not be as fine as that of other beaches, yet its idyllic solitude and bathtub-warm waters are unmatched. Bring a snorkel and mask to scour sandbars for shells and conchs.
Georgia – Providence Canyon State Park
Painted a rainbow of oranges, pinks, reds, and whites by the exposed rock, 16 gorges comprise the “Little Grand Canyon,” which was created due to erosion-causing farming techniques in the 19th century. Today, it’s one of Georgia’s natural wonders. The 1003-acre park is located in Stewart County in Lumpkin, Georgia.
Hawaii – Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea Canyon, a gargantuan chasm of ochre and blood-red lava rock, is literally one of the world’s natural wonders. At 10 miles long and over 3000ft deep, this gouge in the land is so spectacular that it has been popularly nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Flowing through the canyon is Waimea River, Kauaʻi’s longest river and a great spot for water adventures.
Idaho – Bruneau Dunes State Park
Climb and dune-sled at this 470ft phenomenon, the tallest single-standing sandhill in North America. Camp in cabins overnight and take advantage of the observatory’s telescope collection and pristine night sky.
Illinois – Starved Rock State Park
One of the state’s most popular natural retreats, it features canyons, bluffs, and waterfalls, accessible via 13 miles of trails and 133 campsites throughout this 2630-acre preserve by the Illinois River. Explore nearby historic communities or visit the Starved Rock Lodge for a meal under the stars.
Indiana – Indiana Dunes State Park
This state park spans 2100 acres along Lake Michigan’s southern shore and is a pocket within the Indiana Dunes National Park. It has more amenities than the rest of the lakeshore but also more regulations. Wintertime brings out cross-country skiers; summertime attracts hikers. Seven trails zigzag over the landscape.
Iowa – Backbone State Park
Iowa’s oldest state park, known for its beautiful wooded areas, offers outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, canoeing, beach volleyball, rock climbing, and trout fishing. The popular Backbone Trail leads through the park’s steep ridge, known as the Devil’s Backbone.
Kansas – Cedar Bluff State Park and Reservoir
Located along the Cedar Bluff Reservoir’s shorelines, the 1000-acre area features boat ramp facilities, campgrounds, a BMX track, and designated areas for swimming and fishing.
Kentucky – Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Cumberland Falls is one of the few places globally to witness a moonbow, forming in the water’s mist at night. The park website lists dates for this phenomenon each month. A one-mile round-trip trail leads visitors to the 125ft-wide curtain of water—dramatic at any time.
Louisiana – Chicot State Park
A wonderful place to experience the natural beauty of Cajun country. The excellent arboretum delights kids and informs adults, recognized for its open design. Extensive trails extend into nearby forests and wetlands. Evening visitors are rewarded with superb sunsets over Lake Chicot.
Maine – Baxter State Park
Set in the remote forests of northern Maine, Baxter centers around Mt. Katahdin (5267ft), the state’s highest mountain and the northern terminus of the 2190-mile Appalachian Trail. This vast 209,000-acre park is maintained in a wilderness state: no paved roads, no electricity, and no running water. Expect to see moose, deer, and black bears.
Maryland – Patapsco Valley State Park
The Patapsco River Valley is the defining geographic feature of the region, running through central Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay. Gorgeous Patapsco Valley State Park encompasses 170 miles of trails, especially prized by mountain bikers.
Massachusetts – Skinner State Park
This mountaintop park, at the summit of Mt. Holyoke at 942ft, offers panoramic views of the Connecticut River. A 1.5-mile road to the top is open to hikers year-round and to vehicles from May to October. The park is a key attraction north of South Hadley off MA 47 in Hadley.
Michigan – Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Michigan’s seemingly endless bounty of natural beauty is evident in this off-the-beaten-path wilderness in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Small mountains sprawled across vast virgin wilderness reveal spectacular fall foliage and many small inland lakes, including popular Lake of the Clouds. Beware of bears in “the Porkies.”
Minnesota – Itasca State Park
In local highlight Itasca State Park, visitors can walk across the tiny headwaters of the Mississippi before it embarks on its 2522-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Wade in the knee-deep water and hop over a couple of stepping stones, then boast that you crossed the Father of Waters.
Mississippi – Tishomingo State Park
Named for a Chickasaw chief, this park in Tishomingo offers camping among evocative moss-covered sandstone cliffs and waterfalls of Bear Creek Canyon. It’s a special oasis used by the Chickasaw and their Paleo-Indian ancestors.
Missouri – Elephant Rocks State Park
With a little imagination (read: squinting), the hefty pink granite boulders that dominate this state park resemble a train of circus elephants. Near Belleview, the park is a geologist’s dream, formed from 1.5-billion-year-old granite. The mile-long accessible Braille Trail Loop introduces visitors to the terrain, attracting kids with its climbable rocks.
Montana – Bannack State Park
Montana is dotted with ghost towns, mining settlements that flourished only to be abandoned when nearby deposits were exhausted. Bannack in southwestern Montana is well-preserved and one of the earliest of these towns, established in 1862 and once home to over 3000 residents.
Nebraska – Fort Robinson State Park
This old military fort’s turbulent past relates to its stately appearance today: Crazy Horse was killed here in 1877, and it served as a war camp for “buffalo soldiers.” The greater park offers 22,000 acres of panoramic Pine Ridge scenery. Campgrounds are open year-round with a seasonal lodge in the old brick barracks.
Nevada – Cathedral Gorge State Park
Near Panaca, this park enchants visitors with its spectacular cathedral-like spires, eroded bentonite clay cliffs, and pink and rust-hued slot canyons. Formed from volcanic activity millions of years ago, the formations are best explored on the 4-mile ridge trail.
New Hampshire – Franconia Notch State Park
In the White Mountains, this park was once home to the Old Man in the Mountain, a natural cliff formation resembling a man’s profile. Although this iconic landmark collapsed in 2003, visitors still flock to explore a magnificent mountain pass, which includes the stunning Flume Gorge and an aerial tramway.
New Jersey – Benjamin T Byrne State Forest
Over 37,000 acres of peaceful state forest await in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, sandwiched between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore. Trails traverse through hardwood swamps and upland pine forests, offering visitors a tranquil escape.
New Mexico – Navajo Lake State Park
Home to New Mexico’s second-largest lake, this state park serves as a prime spot for boating and camping. It has over four miles of trails and is a great launchpad for fly fishing on the nearby San Juan River. Visitors can also stop by the park visitor center for exhibits and activity suggestions.
New York – Bear Mountain State Park
The main draw here is the panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline from the 1303ft peak, accessible by car. The park also offers ice skating in winter and opportunities for boating and swimming in summer, with scenic roads winding past secluded lakes.
North Carolina – Mount Mitchell State Park
A major decision awaits visitors to North Carolina’s original state park: do you drive or hike to the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi? The park office, beside the steep 2.2-mile summit trail, is the starting point of this adventure.
North Dakota – Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
The highlight at this attractive rural park is On-a-Slant Indian Village, featuring five recreated Mandan earth lodges. This fort, with several replica buildings, served as Custer’s last stop before the Battle of Little Bighorn. The park has extensive hiking trails and summer tours.
Ohio – Hocking Hills State Park
Hidden in Hocking County, Hocking Hills State Park showcases beautiful landscapes, with miles of hiking and biking trails that take you past stunning waterfalls and gorges. The park features renowned rock formations, including Old Man’s Cave, which is a scenic must for hikers.
Oklahoma – Black Mesa State Park
Named after the thick coating of black lava rock that covered the area 30 million years ago, this beautiful park in Kenton is ideal for camping, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Don’t miss the Three Corners marker, where you can stand in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico simultaneously.
Oregon – Smith Rock State Park
No discussion of American sport climbing omits mention of this glorious state park, perched atop the rust-red high desert of central Oregon. The region features renowned walls and gullies, but also includes numerous hiking trails for those who arrive without chalk and harnesses.
Pennsylvania – Cherry Springs State Park
If you think you need to travel west to see the night sky in all its glory, you may be surprised to learn that Pennsylvania has an International Dark Sky Park up north. At Cherry Springs, far from urban centers, the stars shine brightly, much to amateur astronomers’ delight.
Rhode Island – Colt State Park
Bristol’s Colt State Park is Rhode Island’s most scenic park, featuring four miles of cycling trails and over 400 shaded picnic tables set among 464 acres of groomed fruit trees and flower beds.
South Carolina – Hunting Island State Park
Camp amidst the tangled maritime forest of this 5000-acre undeveloped barrier island. The beach features pristine conditions with comfortably warm waters by midsummer. Paddle through silent marshes, bike lagoonside, or climb the historic 1875 lighthouse. It’s no wonder it’s the most visited state park in South Carolina.
South Dakota – Custer State Park
Custer State Park boasts outstanding wildlife viewing, with a range of curvaceous mountain drives and serene lakeside retreats.
Tennessee – Fall Creek Falls State Park
Waterfalls crash high and low inside this rugged 26,000-acre park that hugs the craggy surface of the Cumberland Plateau. The most eye-catching waterfall, Fall Creek Falls, drops 256ft, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the east. A 0.4-mile trail leads you to its base.
Texas – Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
The best art galleries in south-central Texas are located along the Rio Grande. This state park features Fate Bell Shelter, a site showcasing ancient rock art. The pictographs serve as windows into the lives and thoughts of their creators.
Utah – Goblin Valley State Park
A Salvador Dalí-esque landscape, Goblin Valley is home to a valley filled with giant stone mushrooms and stunted hoodoos. A few trails lead from overlooks down to the valley floor, where visitors can explore and climb among the quirky formations.
Vermont – Jamaica State Park
With trails and campsites adjacent to the rushing West River and hiking access to the 125ft Hamilton Falls, this riverine state park is exceptionally popular among kayakers and rafters, offering outstanding natural vistas.
Virginia – Belle Isle State Park
Belle Isle offers picnic areas, boat launches, and hiking trails, all set against the backdrop of the historic Georgian house built in 1760, which is privately owned. The other historic property in the park, the Bel Air House, is available for overnight rentals.
Washington – Moran State Park
Established in 1911, Robert Moran donated seven square miles of his property to create this park on Orcas Island. The park features 2409ft Mt Constitution, the archipelago’s highest point. On clear days, visitors can see down the coastline to notable landmarks like Mt Rainier and Mt Baker.
West Virginia – Coopers Rock State Forest
The overlook at Coopers Rock near Morgantown is one of the most photogenic spots in West Virginia. Here, a stone-and-log fence clings to a sandstone cliff top revealing stunning views over Cheat River Gorge.
Wisconsin – Natural Bridge State Park
Experience tranquility at nearby Natural Bridge State Park in North Freedom. The sandstone formation known as the “bridge” is a remnant of the last Ice Age. Nearby, there is a rock shelter used by Native people over 10,000 years ago, making it the oldest documented site of human occupation in the Upper Midwest.
Wyoming – Sinks Canyon State Park
Beautiful Sinks Canyon State Park, located six miles southwest of Lander, centers around a fascinating water feature where the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River suddenly disappears into a small cave, only to emerge downstream warmer and with more volume after a subterranean journey.
This article was first published Jun 11, 2020 and updated Jun 13, 2022.
