The United States is covered in must visit state parks offering various climates, habitats, and scenery for you to enjoy. Which ones will you visit this year?
Some parks only offer small, protected areas and not much for visitors to enjoy, but some have amazing camping and hiking trails along with some incredible nature views and wonderful experiences. We give you ten places you’ll want to go to see the landscapes, enjoy the uniqueness, and admire what these parks offer. Which will be on your list for this year? Could you make a bucket list out of these locations?
The Waterfalls at Falls Creek Falls State Park are Amazing
Head to the central area of Tennessee and enjoy the amazing views offered at Falls Creek Falls State Park. This park is home to the tallest free-fall waterfall in the eastern part of the United States. When you’ve had your fun at the waterfall, you can hike through the park, which is home to many amazing views, including other beautiful water-related views. There are more than 200 campsites and 30 cabins available for your overnight stays.
Check Out the Beauty of the Desert at Dead Horse Point State Park
Among the must visit state parks on your list, you’ll want to put Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah somewhere near the top. This amazing park covers 5,000 acres of high desert with beautiful walls of carved desert showing off various forms of water erosion through the cliffs. Many of the views from this park feature the Colorado River, which is the river that carves the Grand Canyon in Arizona. You’ll find some amazing campgrounds and picnic areas for your overnight fun in this gorgeous park.
Check Out the Lesser-Known Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Big Sur, California, offers some of the most incredible views along the coast, and some of those are found in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. This park is named after a popular rancher who lived in the area in the early part of the last century. Located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean, this is one of the most beautiful places to visit, with unspoiled amazing natural landscapes. You’ll also see some extremely tall redwood trees and the popular McWay Falls, which is 80 feet tall, ending in the ocean.
Put Niagara Falls State Park on Top of Your Bucket List
If you’re making a must visit state park list to enjoy over the next few years, Niagara Falls State Park in New York must be on your list. As you would expect, this park offers views of the three waterfalls that make up the legendary falls. You can spend time in the park and take a boat tour along the river to see the falls from down below. This park offers experiences you’ll remember for many years.
Custer State Park is the Largest Park in South Dakota
The Black Hills of the southwestern area of South Dakota is where you’ll find Custer State Park. Obviously, this park is named after General Custer, but the real beauty of this area is the more than 70,000 acres of the Black Hills. If you want to observe wildlife and get closer to nature, you’ll want to see what this area of South Dakota offers. You can do a twofer at this park; Mount Rushmore is not far from Custer State Park.
Starved Rock State Park Might be a bit of a Midwestern Secret
The Midwest is mired as being a flat and uninteresting area of the country, but Starved Rock State Park in Illinois proves that wrong. This is one of the must visit state parks that should be on your list. You’ll see some incredible canyons and cliffs carved into the landscape thousands of years ago. The park resides along the Illinois River and offers some incredible fishing along with some incredible waterfalls that you’re sure to love.
Another Midwestern Beauty is Hocking Hills State Park
Ohio is home to Hocking Hills State Park, which is one of the most beautiful midwestern places you can visit. Enjoy the fun of Old Man’s Cave and the hiking trail that takes you to it. This park is home to caves, cliffs, waterfalls, and many trails where you can spend some time hunting, fishing, and swimming. There are also some zipline tours, horseback riding tours, and guided stargazing experiences that could be ideal for your fun in this state park.
You’re Missing Out if You Don’t Visit Devil’s Lake State Park
The largest state park in Wisconsin is Devil’s Lake State Park. This incredible park was created by 12,000-year-old glaciers. The park only spans 360 acres, but it’s covered in lakes and cliffs that make this park one of the most beautiful places to visit. You’ll find more than 40 miles of hiking trails to enjoy the views. Some people come here to climb rocks, others for swimming, and some to take a boat out on the lake.
Check Out the Scenery at Franconia Notch State Park
If you want one of the must visit state parks with some of the most dramatic natural scenery, you’ll want to head to the White Mountains area of New Hampshire. There’s a beautiful gorge between the mountains that you can walk through and enjoy. The Old Man of the Mountain can be seen from a specific area of the park where you’ll see the cliffs that look like a face. If you head to this park for some winter fun, Cannon Mountain is a large ski resort located within the park. Enjoy staying at the campsites when you want to enjoy an overnight in this beautiful area.
The Badlands of Makoshika State Park is a Stunning Scene
Head to Glendive, Montana, and enjoy the amazing views of Makoshika State Park. This is where you’ll see rock formations made of dry, clay-like materials, which are called badlands. Many dinosaur fossils have been found in this park, and some are on display at the park’s visitor center. Enjoy the hiking trails and activities such as archery, hunting, and wildlife viewing.
Will you visit one or more of these parks? Maybe it’s time for a bucket list of must visit state parks with these ten on it.
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