The Best State Park in Every Single State
We all know how impressive our national parks system is. But while our Instagram feeds are flooded with awe-striking photos of Yosemite and Bryce Canyon, it can be easy to forget about a less touristed and just as scenic alternative: state parks.
Throughout the U.S., there are over 10,000 state parks, home to thundering herds of bison (like in South Dakota's Custer State Park), colorful thousand-foot-tall cliffs (found in Palo Duro Canyon in Texas), and some of the country's highest waterfalls (at Tennessee's Fall Creek Falls). Plus, state parks are generally less crowded, more affordable to visit, and, often, more pet-friendly than national park alternatives.
Below, we’ve selected the best state park in, you guessed it, every single state—what we consider the best state parks in the country.
Allen Janusz/GettyCheaha State Park, Alabama
Set atop the highest point in Alabama, the 2,407-foot Cheaha Mountain, Cheaha State Park is woodsy retreat with lush waterfalls, pops of fall color, and miles of hiking paths to sink your boots into. Surrounded by the Talladega National Forest, the park has a surprising amount of creature comforts, too—a restaurant serving burgers and stone-baked pizzas, stone cabins to rent, campgrounds, and two museums focused on Native American history and the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Chris Harrington/GettyChugach State Park, Alaska
At 495,000 acres, Chugach State Park is one of the largest in the country, rivaling many national parks for size. Named after the Indigenous people of the Upper Cook Inlet region, this park is teeming with much of the rugged wilderness that Alaska best is known for. With enormous glaciers, miles of ocean shoreline, sparkling sapphire lakes, and a diverse array of wildlife (you’ll find plenty of moose and brown bears), it’s surprising this park is so accessible—just seven miles from downtown Anchorage.
GettyRed Rock State Park, Arizona
Outside of artsy Sedona lies a series of towering sandstone pillars that draw avid hikers and mountain bikers alike. Take in the sights on the park’s 10 developed hiking trails, go on a naturalist-guided birding tour, or saddle up cowboy-style on the Lime Kiln Trail.
Don Smetzer/AlamyPetit Jean State Park, Arkansas
In Petit Jean State Park, escape the muggy humidity of central Arkansas amid the cool mist of the 95-foot Cedar Falls, or hike to one of Petit Jean’s many other impressive cascades. Sitting 1,120 feet above the Arkansas River Valley, this park is full of panoramic overlooks, lake view camping, and even yurts for rent.
GettyJedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California
Soak up the magic of the ancients on the 0.6-mile trail around Stout Grove, home to some of the last remaining old growth redwoods in the state. Occupying the southern end of the temperate rainforest, Jedediah Smith is easily one of the most verdant parks in the country (located 6.5 hours from San Francisco), and one of the few where visitors can actually camp amongst the towering trees.
GettyState Forest State Park, Colorado
Despite its hilariously bureaucratic name, State Forest State Park offers a wide array of Colorado’s best scenery. From jagged high alpine peaks to shimmering lakes and frequent moose sightings, this hidden gem is like a mini Rocky Mountain National Park, without the crowds.
AlamyLovers Leap State Park, Connecticut
Steeped in Native American history, the main draw of Lovers Leap State Park is its high, rocky gorge and incredible views of the Housatonic River from the Lovers Leap Trail. Visitors can stroll across a restored 1895 wrought iron bridge and take in the majestic fall colors from above (best viewed in October).
GettyCape Henlopen State Park, Delaware
Where Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, visitors to Cape Henlopen State Park can enjoy miles of gorgeous beachfront, tour the WWII Fort Miles historic area, or cruise along the 3.2-mile Gordon’s Pond Trail utilizing the park’s borrow-a-bike program. Seaside camping and rustic cabins are also available.
GettyBahia Honda State Park, Florida
Take in the electric blue waves of the Florida Keys by day and the immense, star-strewn darkness of the sky at night in Bahia Honda State Park. Snorkel, kayak, or sunbathe beside the crystal-clear water before taking a siesta at the incredibly popular beachside campground, which usually books up four to six months in advance.
GettyCloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
With enormous sandstone cliffs, dramatic, thousand-foot-deep canyons, delicate waterfalls, and wildlife galore, it’s no wonder that Cloudland Canyon is one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. Home to over 60 miles of horse trails, 30 miles of biking singletrack, and 64 miles of hiking trails, there’s something to keep every traveler busy.
Russ Bishop/AlamyNāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaii
With rust-colored cliffs plunging into the deep blue Pacific Ocean, the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park serves up some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. Casual hikers won’t want to miss Hanakāpī‘ai Falls, while those with seasoned legs can backpack overnight on the Kalalau Trail.
Gregory Johnston/AlamyFarragut State Park, Idaho
Tucked into the Coeur d’Alene Mountains of northern Idaho, in a forest of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, is Farragut State Park. The former WWII-era training station-turned outdoor destination also sits on the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille, offering ample opportunities for campers, hikers, anglers, and disc golfers.
Nicola Patterson/GettyStarved Rock State Park, Illinois
Starved Rock is home to the stunning LaSalle Canyon, made of terraced sandstone walls carved out by glacial meltwater. Over 13 miles of trails provide visitors with access to impressive waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and overlooks of the Illinois River.
Xuefeng Zhao/GettyBrown County State Park, Indiana
Brown County State Park is often referred to as a “mini” Great Smoky Mountains due to its rich, forested knolls, but there’s nothing mini about this 16,000-acre expanse of wild hills and rugged ridgelines. Climb the fire tower to get a 360-degree view of the area before mountain biking the park’s nearly 30 miles of trails.
Amel Dizdarevic/AlamyBackbone State Park, Iowa
As the first state park designated in Iowa, it’s easy to see why this narrow ridge of bedrock, cut by the Maquoketa River, has been a refuge for Iowans for over 100 years. Rock climbers will enjoy cliffs of rugged dolomite limestone, hikers and bikers can hop onto the area’s extensive, wooded trail system, and anglers will love the exceptional trout fishing at Backbone.
Danita Delimont / Alamy Stock PhotoKanopolis State Park, Kansas
Since 1955, Kanopolis State Park has been attracting visitors of all ages, with its scenic hills, shady, forested walking paths, and full-service marina. Situated in the lovely Smoky Hills region of central Kansas, both craggy Horsethief Canyon and 3,500-acre Kanopolis Lake are reason enough to visit this summer.
GettyNatural Bridge State Resort Park, Kentucky
Kentucky’s Red River Gorge is a thing of legend, and its Natural Bridge, spanning 78 feet across and 68 feet high, is one of the most impressive geological wonders in the area. Visitors here can enjoy two woodsy campgrounds, incredible ridgetop hiking trails, and skylift rides to the base of the arch itself.
Stephen Saks/AlamyGrand Isle State Park, Louisiana
An excellent launching point for deep-sea fishing, Grand Isle State Park exhibits so much of what makes the Gulf area spectacular—birding in secluded lagoons, boating in the summer sunshine, swimming in the warm seawater, and, of course, beachside camping in the sand.
GettyBaxter State Park, Maine
Follow in the footsteps of the park’s namesake, Percival P. Baxter, and make this park your new “magnificent obsession.” With nearly 210,000 acres of wilderness to explore, Baxter is a solitude-seeker’s dream (a whopping 215 miles of trails run through the park). The crown jewel of the area is Mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
GettyAssateague State Park, Maryland
Nestled onto a barrier island that separates Maryland from the mighty Atlantic Ocean, Assateague is the state’s only oceanfront park. With two miles of sandy beaches and loads of secluded coves to explore—some of which are frequented by wild horses—both sunbathers and sea kayakers alike will revel in this unique northeastern escape.
Edgar Izzy/AlamyMount Holyoke Range State Park, Massachusetts
Cresting a seven-mile ridgeline full of dense thickets, cool streams, shady woodlands, and sweeping valley views, Mount Holyoke Range State Park is full of phenomenal mountain biking and hiking opportunities for every level of explorer. Try your hand at summiting Mt. Norwottuck, the highest in the range, with your pet in tow—the park is dog friendly.
GettyMackinac Island State Park, Michigan
As the only park on this list that was once a national park, Mackinac Island has a lot of hype to contend with. Full of sacred Ojibwa and Odawa history, a 240-year-old former British and American military outpost, and miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, this car-free isle on the western edge of Lake Huron is nothing short of magical.
Michelle Arnold/GettyTettegouche State Park, Minnesota
Fantasy lovers will feel like they’re wandering Middle Earth among the rugged volcanic cliffs and lush boreal forests that make Tettegouche State Park so popular. On the north shore of Lake Superior, Tettegouche also offers year-round camping for those brave enough to rough it in a Minnesota winter.
Tim Thompson/GettyTishomingo State Park, Mississippi
Tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo is steeped in Paleo-Indian heritage. Not only that, the infamous Natchez Trace Parkway, a critical trade route in the early 1800s, runs directly through the park’s radiant wildflowers, fern-lined rock gullies, and extravagant fall foliage.
GettyHa Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri
A turn-of-the-century stone castle overlooks Lake of the Ozarks at the wooded, hillside Ha Ha Tonka, which has been a favorite of Missourians for generations. Hikers will love exploring geological wonders like spooky caves, cerulean blue sinkholes, and a large natural bridge.
GettyMakoshika State Park, Montana
The largest state park in Montana, at 11,538 acres, Makoshika is a treasure-trove for dinosaur lovers, as the site has boasted some huge discoveries, including the remains of triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. Featuring juniper-studded badlands formations, miles of hiking and biking trails, a paleontology museum, and a campground, it’s an epic way to spend a weekend in eastern Montana.
Michael Snell/AlamySmith Falls State Park, Nebraska
If you thought Nebraska was all flat grassland, think again. At 63 feet in height, Smith Falls is the centerpiece of this park and the tallest waterfall in the state, towering over visitors with its powerful, chilling spray. Travelers here might also want to try their hand at paddling or floating the Niobrara, a National Scenic River.
Peter Unger/GettyValley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Striking vermillion Aztec sandstone bluffs, tucked into ivory and gray limestone, lay the foundation for the radically alien scenery at Valley of Fire. Cruise along paved byways through a Martian landscape, hike through the immense Mojave Desert, or check out the park’s many petroglyphs—there’s no shortage of activities at this outdoor hub, located just outside of Las Vegas.
GettyFranconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s White Mountains have long been an epicenter for outdoor recreation—and Franconia Notch, bordered by Mt. Lafayette, Mt. Lincoln, and Little Haystack Mountain, is the gem of the bunch. Massive walls of Conway granite tower over hikers at the Flume Gorge, an aerial tramway takes visitors to the top of Cannon Mountain, and the fabled Appalachian Trail leads backcountry travelers right through “the Notch” at this state park.
John Van Decker/AlamyHigh Point State Park, New Jersey
High Point Monument, sitting at 1,803 feet above sea level, overlooks verdant valleys of farmland, lush forests, and green hills rolling into three neighboring states. A variety of trails, camping, picnic areas, and a cross-country ski center combine to make this park a year-round destination for city-sore locals.
GettyCity of Rocks State Park, New Mexico
Volcanic rock pinnacles sprout up from the Chihuahuan Desert floor at the aptly named City of Rocks. Kids will love scrambling around on the thousands of pockmarked boulders, while adults can revel in the colorful sunsets and dazzling night skies.
GettyWatkins Glen State Park, New York
Set in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Watkins Glen is an incredible park to visit year-round, but it most springs to life when the autumn foliage is at its peak around mid-October. Towering cliffs and a series of 19 rippling waterfalls will leave visitors spellbound on the 2.4-mile Gorge Trail Loop, the most popular in the park.
GettyHanging Rock State Park, North Carolina
Named after a prominent ridge of quartzite that overlooks the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north, Hanging Rock is a beloved getaway for hikers, rock climbers, paddlers, and mountain bikers alike. Don’t miss the 1.3-mile trail up to the summit of the park’s namesake rock for the best views of the park’s leafy green hillsides.
agefotostock / Alamy Stock PhotoLittle Missouri State Park, North Dakota
Greenery-speckled badlands intersected by the Little Missouri River make this park feel a lot like Theodore Roosevelt National Park, without the crowds. Hikers here can find a quiet oasis on the more than 45 miles of trails that run through the area’s unique geography, and horseback riders will love the park’s bevy of equestrian amenities.
James Flis/GettyHocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Brimming with magnificent waterfalls, hemlock-shaded groves, kaleidoscopic spring wildflowers, and impressive fall foliage, Hocking Hills is family-friendly and ripe for exploration. Set in southern Ohio, the park offers access to whimsically named hikes like Old Man’s Cave and Conkle’s Hollow, plus a campground and comfy log cabins.
Sari O'Neal/AlamyRobber’s Cave State Park, Oklahoma
Named for the famous, rugged sandstone cave in which outlaws Jesse James and Belle Star once hid, Robber’s Cave is now a favorite haunt among rappellers, equestrians, and hikers. Situated in the forested hills of the Sans Bois Mountains, travelers of all ages are sure to enjoy exploring the area’s many cliffs, caves, and campgrounds.
Andrew Peacock/GettySmith Rock State Park, Oregon
Elevated to temple-like status among serious climbers, craggy Smith Rock is also a phenomenal backdrop for a casual day of hiking, biking, or wildlife viewing—tiny bald eaglets and peregrine falcons hatch here each spring.
GettyRicketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania
With 22 named cascades in the park alone, Ricketts Glen is clearly the spot for waterfall-chasers of all stripes. Ganoga Falls is the highest of the bunch, topping out at 94 feet and set amidst a backdrop of mossy, old growth timberland.
Melissa Reinwand/AlamyLincoln Woods State Park, Rhode Island
Despite being the smallest state in the union, Rhode Island impresses when it comes to scenic nature. A quick drive from Providence is Lincoln Woods State Park, a woodsy stand of preserved forest surrounding Olney Pond. It’s a sweet retreat year-round, with a freshwater beach for summer sun, phenomenal colors in autumn, and ice skating on the pond in winter.
Teresa Kopec/GettyTable Rock State Park, South Carolina
Named for its rocky bluff that extends high above the Blue Ridge Mountains, Table Rock State Park’s 3,000 acres are a prime escape for summit chasers and swimming hole seekers alike. The park serves as an access point to the 77-mile Foothills Trail (which stretches across upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina), is home to two dip-worthy lakes, and offers both a campground and historic wooden cabins for overnighters.
GettyCuster State Park, South Dakota
Stretching across 71,000 acres of South Dakota’s stunning Black Hills, Custer State Park is one of the best state parks in the country, holding its own beside many national parks when it comes to scenery and wildlife. In spite of its problematic name—tribes have been petitioning to change it for years because of General Custer's crimes against Native Americans—the area is a truly special place to rock climb, paddle, camp, or photograph massive herds of bison.
Alisha Bube/GettyFall Creek Falls State Park, Tennessee
As one of the most touristed state parks in Tennessee, Fall Creek Falls has a lot to live up to, but its lacy cascades, deep rock gorges, and hikes along the Cumberland Plateau are sure to win over any visitor. Its namesake waterfall, towering over the rest at 256 feet, is one of the highest in the eastern U.S., and travelers to the park have a feast of overnight options, from a lodge opening in fall 2021 to a car-friendly campground.
Martina Birnbaum/GettyPalo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
The second largest canyon in the country, Palo Duro State Park’s colossal red cliffs have earned it the nickname “the Grand Canyon of Texas.” Camp among ochre and rust-colored cliffs, take a trail ride through the towering rock formations, or grab a ticket to the year-round TEXAS Outdoor Musical.
Ray Wise/GettySnow Canyon State Park, Utah
Snow Canyon proves that you don’t have to fight the crowds of Zion to enjoy the splendid red rocks that have made southern Utah so famous. A mere hour from its much more traveled cousin, this park is set inside the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and boasts excellent hiking, climbing, and car camping.
GettySmugglers’ Notch State Park, Vermont
Set in the lush Green Mountains of northern Vermont, Smuggler’s Notch State Park was named after an important bootlegging route from Canada to the U.S. that developed after the Revolutionary War. Now, it’s a fantastic launch point for some of Vermont’s highest peaks, with several hiking trails, a shaded campground, climbing and bouldering routes, and winter activities like skiing and fat tire biking.
Eifel Kreutz/GettyGrayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
Indulge your summit fever at Grayson Highlands, a woodsy expanse of 4,502 acres that serves as a perfect base camp for Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Virginia’s two highest. Gaze out at the area’s misty, wooded hills from its many overlooks, marvel at the fiery fall colors, or spend the night at one of many camping options—spend the night at one of many camping options—whether you're exploring on horesback, backpacking, or coming in your RV.
Aaron WebsterCape Disappointment State Park, Washington
Stare up at the lone sentinel of a historic lighthouse as powerful waves hit the cliffs at Cape Disappointment. Don’t let the name fool you, either—this park is home to impressively scenic ocean tidelands, hikes through the old growth forest, a historic Civil War fort, and chilly freshwater lakes.
Henryk Sadura/GettyBabcock State Park, West Virginia
Try your hand at nabbing the perfect fall photo of Babcock State Park’s famous Glade Creek Grist Mill and waterfall, as autumn colors blanket the area in bright pops of tangerine and crimson starting in late September. Though this park is adjacent to the much more famous New River Gorge, which just became the country's newest national park, Babcock has miles of biking, hiking, and fishing areas all its own to explore within its 4,127 acres.
GettyDevil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin
Devil’s Lake is a heavenly escape in southern Wisconsin, luring travelers with its freshwater beaches, epic hiking, paddling, mountain biking, and amenity-rich campgrounds. Hike the East Bluff Trail for sweeping views of the park’s rolling green hills and Lake Wisconsin off in the distance.
Courtesy Wyoming Curt Gowdy State ParkCurt Gowdy State Park, Wyoming
Perfectly positioned between Cheyenne and Fort Laramie, Curt Gowdy was recently labeled as “epic” by the International Mountain Biking Association, with over 35 miles of well-marked trails that both bikers and hikers are free to explore. Visitors looking for a more relaxed adventure can float onto one of the park’s three reservoirs or hang out in one of its twelve developed campgrounds.
