17 Greatest State Parks in the USA
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 unbelievable! 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 USA that you should go to.
1. Goblin Valley State Park (Utah)
Goblin Valley State Park is among the most pleasant and distinctive state parks on this listing, just because you possibly can go off-trail and discover nearly wherever you see.
So what makes Goblin Valley so distinctive? Properly, the tons of of goblins—quick and squat stone buildings that dot the valley in quite a lot of attention-grabbing shapes. These goblins are in a flat valley surrounded by a ridge of earth, stone, and taller goblins. Typically single goblins stand by themselves, however usually there’s a number of clustered collectively, creating mounds you possibly can climb on and little tunnels to discover.
There are additionally a few hikes on the outskirts of the park, akin 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 midst of Southern Utah, about 1.5 hours from Arches National 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 gorgeous views and landscapes, and Gooseberry Falls isn’t any exception.
At this park, you possibly can 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 season you possibly can truly 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 Climbing Path, a protracted, rugged path that takes you alongside Lake Superior and affords gorgeous views of the area.
You too can go for a chilly swim at Agate Seaside (hold your eyes peeled for agates!), or go biking in summer season 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 usually ignored in favor of the extra well-known Florida seashores to the east.
Alabama’s gulf coast remains to be completely breathtaking, and Gulf State Park showcases this oceanside magnificence. This actually is among the finest state parks in the USA for stunning seashores.
This park affords tenting, miles and miles of motorbike trails (together with bike leases), and entry to the close by seashore. The seashores on this space are crammed with smooth, high-quality white sand, and the water is extremely heat in spring, summer season, and fall. Gulf State Park is a peaceable space to benefit from the seashore. This is among the most beautiful locations to go to in all the 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 affords a few 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 slightly jut-off part of the path the place you possibly can stroll on the graceful rock proper alongside the shoreline. Hooker Falls, Excessive Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls are additionally stunning waterfalls you possibly can see in DuPont State Park.
This State Park has additionally been made well-known for its appearances in motion pictures like The Starvation Video games and The Final of the Mohicans.
5. Tallulah Gorge State Park (Georgia)
The Tallulah Gorge State Park is a good place to visit in North Georgia, because it incorporates a river and several other waterfalls slicing via a 1000 foot deep gorge, and is among the most dramatic landscapes within the state. It’s straightforward to really feel such as you’re within the coronary heart of the mountains once you’re on the base of the gorge.
This state park affords a number of trails, together with a north and south rim path, a path to the bottom of the gorge, and the gorge ground 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 need to 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 plenty of scrambling, which makes it very enjoyable!
6. Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Florida)
Moreover its beautiful seashores and the everglades, Florida can also be identified for her pure springs; there’s truly over 700 within the state! These springs function beautiful and refreshingly crisp turquoise water.
At Ichetucknee Springs State Park, you possibly can 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 ft tall) and one of many tallest within the japanese 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 mountaineering trails. It’s merely a stunning place to spend a while.
That stated, in the event you’re visiting this state and need a extra energetic journey, go on a few of the best hikes in Tennessee.
8. Huntington Seaside State Park (South Carolina)
On the coast of South Carolina (about 1.5 hours north of Charleston) is Huntington Seaside State Park. This park options wild shoreline and a couple of broad, fairly seashores on the Atlantic coast, the place you possibly can swim, calm down, or do some surf fishing.
There are a number of quick and simple paved, dust, and boardwalk trails the place you possibly can stroll via the marshes and lagoons and observe wildlife. Alligators, turtles, blue herons, and all kinds of birds stay right here.
This state park can also be distinctive in that it features a citadel! Atalaya Fort was the house of the unique house owners of the land that Huntington Seaside now sits on, and you’ll tour via the property and home.
9. Valley of Fireplace (Nevada)
It’s actually stunning that this spot hadn’t been designated a Nationwide Park—the panorama is totally drop useless beautiful. The park is crammed with deep pink and orange sandstone rocks that seem like they had been molded and formed earlier than being set in intricate buildings.
Whereas there are a lot of enjoyable hikes and rock formations in Valley of Fireplace, undoubtedly essentially the most unbelievable spot within the park is the Fireplace Wave. The Fireplace Wave is a big space of sandstone rock, with essentially the most vibrant and colourful striations within the rock. White and pink bands swirl round one another, making you are feeling such as you’re on a distinct planet.
Different nice spots embody Pastel Canyon, which options softer, pastel striations within the rocks as you hike via, 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 an attractive 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 a lot of stunning hikes within the park as effectively.
11. Catalina State Park (Arizona)
In order for you 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 delightful desert landscapes.
There are lots of mountaineering trails within the park, however the preferred is the Romero Canyon Path. Right here, you’ll hike via canyons, passing cacti and different desert crops, 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 pink rock formations. This park has been referred to as the little Backyard of the Gods, and these pink sandstone rocks seem like they arrive out of the earth slanted.
This park is off the crushed path and sees much less guests than different, extra common mountaineering locations in Colorado, however it shouldn’t be missed! There are plenty of mountaineering trails of various size and problem that provide you with many alternatives to admire the pink rocks and wildlife.
Willow Creek Path is an particularly nice, straightforward path with gorgeous 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 (referred to as needles), forests, grasslands, and lakes. You’ll be able to see animals like bison, pronghorn, and elk within the park.
Driving the Needles Freeway is a good factor to do in Custer. This freeway takes you thru twists and turns and slim tunnels as you drive previous beautiful, craggy, pointed rock formations.
Some of the stunning and common areas within the park is Sylvan Lake, a placid lake surrounded by big boulders, the place you possibly can go swimming, fishing, kayaking, mountaineering 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 also known as 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 prime quality stalagmites, stalactites, and different cave rock formations.
You’ll be able to 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 often say that is the most effective 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 planet, and by chance for all of us, there are a lot of state and nationwide parks the place you possibly can see them. Humboldt Redwoods State Park is a good alternative as a result of there are 17,000 acres of historic redwoods, and a few of the most dense redwood protection in California.
You’ll be able to drive Avenue of the Giants, an extremely scenic drive via the huge redwoods after which go to Shrine Drive-Via Tree. Marvel on the Rockefeller Tree, which is 362 ft excessive and 13.6 ft broad. A couple 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 affords gorgeous views and rock formations. Essentially 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 too can 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 listing. It’s pretty remoted in japanese Washington, about 2 hours south of Spokane. Whereas small, it undoubtedly makes an impression, because the heavy cascades from the Palouse River thunders over the sting of a cliff, plummeting 200 ft to the bottom.
The river continues meandering via a deep canyon after the falls, creating an attractive vista. There are two viewpoints to go to: one in entrance and one to the aspect of the falls.
Last Ideas on the Greatest State Parks in the USA
The US has a few of the most stunning landscapes on the planet, and there are a lot of unbelievable locations exterior of the Nationwide Parks. You gained’t remorse visiting any of those wonderful US state parks, or exploring your individual state and discovering hidden gems of your individual!
