US nationwide parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Grand Canyon are likely to get all of the love and a spotlight, however state parks within the United States may be simply as unimaginable! From desert landscapes to mountainous terrain to waterfront locations, these state parks are all unforgettable locations to go to within the US.
The next are 17 of the best possible state parks in the US that you have to go to.
1. Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)
Goblin Valley State Park is among the most pleasant and distinctive state parks on this checklist, just because you’ll be able to go off-trail and discover nearly anyplace you see.
So what makes Goblin Valley so distinctive? Effectively, the a whole lot of goblins—quick and squat stone constructions that dot the valley in a wide range of attention-grabbing shapes. These goblins are in a flat valley surrounded by a ridge of earth, stone, and taller goblins. Generally single goblins stand by themselves, however typically there’s a number of clustered collectively, creating mounds you’ll be able to climb on and little tunnels to discover.
There are additionally a few hikes on the outskirts of the park, similar to the three Sisters Path, the path to the Goblin’s Lair (a cave on the bottom of the valley), or the close by Little Wildhorse Canyon—a enjoyable slot canyon. This space can also be house to one of many darkest evening skies within the nation for wonderful star gazing alternatives.
Whereas anybody can and can get pleasure from Goblin Valley State Park, that is an exceptionally enjoyable park for youths. This park is situated in the course of Southern Utah, about 1.5 hours from Arches Nationwide Park.
2. Gooseberry Falls (Minnesota)
Gooseberry Falls State Park is situated in northern Minnesota, simply north of Duluth, close to the Boundary Waters, and proper on the north shore of Lake Superior. This space—the North Shore—is thought for its beautiful views and landscapes, and Gooseberry Falls is not any exception.
At this park, you’ll be able to after all admire Gooseberry Falls, which is definitely made up of the Higher, Center, and Decrease Falls (plus the additional “Fifth” Falls). These falls are made up of darkish basalt (volcanic) rock.
The waterfalls are at their fullest in springtime, however in summer time you’ll be able to really climb and play on components of the waterfalls. Then, head to the paths to get nice views over Lake Superior and Gooseberry River!
Past these shorter trails, Gooseberry Falls additionally connects to the Superior Mountaineering Path, an extended, rugged path that takes you alongside Lake Superior and presents beautiful views of the area.
You may also go for a chilly swim at Agate Seashore (maintain your eyes peeled for agates!), or go biking in summer time or cross nation snowboarding in winter.
3. Gulf State Park (Alabama)
A really, very small part of the gulf coast falls in Alabama’s borders, but it’s typically neglected in favor of the extra well-known Florida seashores to the east.
Alabama’s gulf coast continues to be completely breathtaking, and Gulf State Park showcases this oceanside magnificence. This really is among the greatest state parks in the US for stunning seashores.
This park presents tenting, miles and miles of motorbike trails (together with bike leases), and entry to the close by seaside. The seashores on this space are crammed with smooth, high-quality white sand, and the water is extremely heat in spring, summer time, and fall. Gulf State Park is a peaceable space to benefit from the seaside. This is among the most attractive locations to go to in your complete US.
4. DuPont State Park (North Carolina)
DuPont State Park is situated about an hour south of the charming mountain metropolis of Asheville, NC and presents a number of the most stunning waterfall hikes within the state. The most effective waterfall hike right here is Triple Falls, the place the path takes you to see three completely different waterfalls cascading down the river.
There’s additionally a bit jut-off part of the path the place you’ll be able to stroll on the graceful rock proper alongside the shoreline. Hooker Falls, Excessive Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are additionally stunning waterfalls you’ll be able to see in DuPont State Park.
This State Park has additionally been made well-known for its appearances in films like The Starvation Video games and The Final of the Mohicans.
5. Tallulah Gorge State Park (Georgia)
The Tallulah Gorge State Park is a superb place to go to in North Georgia, because it includes a river and several other waterfalls reducing by means of a 1000 foot deep gorge, and is among the most dramatic landscapes within the state. It’s simple to really feel such as you’re within the coronary heart of the mountains whenever you’re on the base of the gorge.
This state park presents a number of trails, together with a north and south rim path, a path to the bottom of the gorge, and the gorge flooring path. There are 5-6 official viewpoints on every of the rim trails, showcasing the pure magnificence and the waterfalls within the gorge.
The path to the bottom of the gorge takes you down over 500 stairs and throughout a suspension bridge over the river. However the coolest a part of Tallulah Gorge is the Ground Path. You want a allow to do that hike, however to start out, you’ll must scramble throughout boulders within the river, after which proceed scrambling throughout boulders on the shoreline to see some waterfalls and a swimming pool—there isn’t actually a “path,” it’s simply quite a lot of scrambling, which makes it very enjoyable!
6. Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Florida)
In addition to its attractive seashores and the everglades, Florida can also be recognized for her pure springs; there’s really over 700 within the state! These springs characteristic attractive and refreshingly crisp turquoise water.
At Ichetucknee Springs State Park, you’ll be able to float down the springs in a canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle-board, and even scuba diving whereas admiring the clear water lined with cyprus and oak bushes. You might even see manatees as you float down the river (that is most typical in winter time).
7. Fall Creek Falls State Park (Tennessee)
This common state park in Tennessee options Fall Creek Falls, the tallest waterfall within the state (256 toes tall) and one of many tallest within the jap United States. This waterfall drops dramatically off of a curved cliff edge and falls straight down right into a small pool, the place guests can wade.
There are 3 different waterfalls to discover, too (Piney, Cane Creek, and Cane Creek Cascades). This park has gorges, canyons, streams, waterfalls, swimming holes, and climbing trails. It’s merely a stunning place to spend a while.
That stated, for those who’re visiting this state and need a extra energetic journey, go on a number of the greatest hikes in Tennessee.
8. Huntington Seashore State Park (South Carolina)
On the coast of South Carolina (about 1.5 hours north of Charleston) is Huntington Seashore State Park. This park options wild shoreline and a pair of extensive, fairly seashores on the Atlantic coast, the place you’ll be able to swim, chill out, or do some surf fishing.
There are a number of quick and straightforward paved, filth, and boardwalk trails the place you’ll be able to stroll by means of the marshes and lagoons and observe wildlife. Alligators, turtles, blue herons, and all kinds of birds reside right here.
This state park can also be distinctive in that it features a fortress! Atalaya Fortress was the house of the unique house owners of the land that Huntington Seashore now sits on, and you may tour by means of the property and home.
9. Valley of Fireplace (Nevada)
It’s actually shocking that this spot hadn’t been designated a Nationwide Park—the panorama is completely drop lifeless attractive. The park is crammed with deep crimson and orange sandstone rocks that appear like they had been molded and formed earlier than being set in intricate constructions.
Whereas there are lots of enjoyable hikes and rock formations in Valley of Fireplace, undoubtedly probably the most unimaginable spot within the park is the Fireplace Wave. The Fireplace Wave is a big space of sandstone rock, with probably the most vibrant and colourful striations within the rock. White and crimson bands swirl round one another, making you’re feeling such as you’re on a special planet.
Different nice spots embrace Pastel Canyon, which options softer, pastel striations within the rocks as you hike by means of, and White Domes path, which takes you thru a slot canyon.
10. Rangeley Lake State Park (Maine)
Rangeley Lake State Park is about within the Western Mountains of Maine. This state park encompasses over 800 acres of land surrounding a lovely 9 acre lake. This lake is world well-known for its high quality and amount of trout and salmon, and is a well-liked space for fishing (although catch and launch is strongly inspired).
Most individuals come for the tenting, fishing, and swimming, however there are lots of stunning hikes within the park as nicely.
11. Catalina State Park (Arizona)
If you need an alternative choice to the extra well-known Saguaro Nationwide Park in Tucson, Catalina State Park is an under-appreciated gem. Catalina is nestled within the foothills of the Catalina Mountains and is house to over 5000 saguaro cacti and exquisite desert landscapes.
There are lots of climbing trails within the park, however the most well-liked is the Romero Canyon Path. Right here, you’ll hike by means of canyons, passing cacti and different desert vegetation, to get to mountain lookout factors.
12. Roxborough State Park (Colorado)
This park is situated between Denver and Colorado Springs and is crammed with spectacular crimson rock formations. This park has been known as the little Backyard of the Gods, and these crimson sandstone rocks appear like they arrive out of the earth slanted.
This park is off the overwhelmed path and sees much less guests than different, extra common climbing locations in Colorado, however it shouldn’t be missed! There are quite a lot of climbing trails of various size and problem that provide you with many alternatives to admire the crimson rocks and wildlife.
Willow Creek Path is an particularly nice, simple path with beautiful views of the slanted and pointy rock formations.
13. Custer State Park (South Dakota)
Custer State Park is situated within the Black Hills of South Dakota, not removed from Badlands Nationwide Park and Mount Rushmore. This space is characterised by the rugged, pointed mountains and spires (known as needles), forests, grasslands, and lakes. You possibly can see animals like bison, pronghorn, and elk within the park.
Driving the Needles Freeway is a superb factor to do in Custer. This freeway takes you thru twists and turns and slender tunnels as you drive previous attractive, craggy, pointed rock formations.
One of the crucial stunning and common areas within the park is Sylvan Lake, a placid lake surrounded by large boulders, the place you’ll be able to go swimming, fishing, kayaking, climbing across the lake or deeper into the forest, or camp. That is one in every of our favourite state parks within the Midwest United States.
14. Onondaga Cave State Park (Missouri)
Missouri is thought for having a ton of caves, (there are round 7000 within the state, and Missouri is sometimes called the Cave State) so it is sensible that a few of them are state parks. The Onondaga Cave is actually spectacular, because it’s crammed with top quality stalagmites, stalactites, and different cave rock formations.
You possibly can take a 1 hr 15 minute guided tour of the cave, the place a educated information will take you thru the paved trails and provides details about the historical past and geology of the cave. Guests repeatedly say that is one of the best cave tour they’ve ever performed.
15. Humboldt Redwoods State Park (California)
The redwood bushes in California are among the many largest and oldest bushes on the earth, and fortunately for all of us, there are lots of state and nationwide parks the place you’ll be able to see them. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a superb selection as a result of there are 17,000 acres of historic redwoods, and a number of the most dense redwood protection in California.
You possibly can drive Avenue of the Giants, an extremely scenic drive by means of the huge redwoods after which go to Shrine Drive-By means of Tree. Marvel on the Rockefeller Tree, which is 362 toes excessive and 13.6 toes extensive. A number of nice hikes within the park are the Nature Path by the Customer’s Middle, and the Founders Grove path.
16. Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Texas)
Nestled within the panhandle of north Texas and fewer than an hour from Armadillo is the second largest canyon within the US—Palo Duro Canyon. This state park presents beautiful views and rock formations. Probably the most well-known and photographed rock formation within the park is The Lighthouse, which requires a reasonably lengthy, however completely price it hike.
You may also view the well-known Texas Longhorns grazing out in pasture within the park, or go discover the Huge Cave.
17. Palouse Falls State Park (Washington)
At a mere 94 acres, Palouse Falls State Park is undoubtedly the smallest state park on this checklist. It’s pretty remoted in jap Washington, about 2 hours south of Spokane. Whereas small, it positively makes an affect, because the heavy cascades from the Palouse River thunders over the sting of a cliff, plummeting 200 toes to the bottom.
The river continues meandering by means of a deep canyon after the falls, creating a lovely vista. There are two viewpoints to go to: one in entrance and one to the aspect of the falls.
Closing Ideas on the Greatest State Parks in the US
The USA has a number of the most stunning landscapes on the earth, and there are lots of unimaginable locations outdoors of the Nationwide Parks. You received’t remorse visiting any of those wonderful US state parks, or exploring your individual state and discovering hidden gems of your individual!
