• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Kentucky ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
Natural Bridge State Resort Park, Kentucky | State Parks in the United States
© ehrlif/stock.adobe.com

2. Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Texas | State Parks in the United States
© David Adams/stock.adobe.com

3. Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia

Category: Activities
Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia | State Parks in the United States
© Sean Board/stock.adobe.com

4. Boston Harbor Islands State Park, Massachusetts

Category: Activities
Boston Harbor Islands State Park, Massachusetts | State Parks in the United States
© Chris/stock.adobe.com

5. Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina

Category: Activities
Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina | State Parks in the United States
© Alexey Rotanov/stock.adobe.com

6. Custer State Park, South Dakota

Category: Activities
Custer State Park, South Dakota | State Parks in the United States
© jkraft5/stock.adobe.com

7. Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin

Category: Activities
Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin | State Parks in the United States
© Dan/stock.adobe.com

8. Ecola State Park, Oregon

Category: Activities
Ecola State Park, Oregon | State Parks in the United States
© Cliff/stock.adobe.com

9. Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico

Category: Activities
Elephant Butte Lake State Park, New Mexico | State Parks in the United States
© JCP/stock.adobe.com

10. Fort De Soto Park, Florida

Category: Activities
Fort De Soto Park, Florida | State Parks in the United States
© Andy Lidstone/stock.adobe.com

11. Fort Yargo, Georgia

Category: Activities
Fort Yargo, Georgia | State Parks in the United States
© Smileus/stock.adobe.com

12. Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Category: Activities
Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire | State Parks in the United States
© National Parked/stock.adobe.com

13. Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio

Category: Activities
Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio | State Parks in the United States
© Jennifer Elizabeth/stock.adobe.com

14. Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri

Category: Activities
Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Missouri | State Parks in the United States
© Sharon Day/stock.adobe.com

15. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California

Category: Activities
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California | State Parks in the United States
© Sheila Haddad Danita Delimont/stock.adobe.com

16. Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska

Category: Activities
Kachemak Bay State Park, Alaska | State Parks in the United States
© Ron/stock.adobe.com

17. Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona

Category: Entertainment
Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona | State Parks in the United States
© miami2you/stock.adobe.com

18. Lake Tahoe State Park, Nevada

Category: Activities
Lake Tahoe State Park, Nevada | State Parks in the United States
© Chris/stock.adobe.com

19. Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, Michigan

Category: Activities
Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, Michigan | State Parks in the United States
© ehrlif/stock.adobe.com

20. Makoshika State Park, Montana

Category: Activities
Makoshika State Park, Montana | State Parks in the United States
© Laurens/stock.adobe.com

21. Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii

Category: Activities
Akaka Falls State Park, Hawaii | State Parks in the United States
© Nicholas/stock.adobe.com

22. Niagara Falls State Park, New York

Category: Activities
Niagara Falls State Park, New York | State Parks in the United States
© hstiver/stock.adobe.com

23. Reid State Park, Maine

Category: Activities
Reid State Park, Maine | State Parks in the United States
© Ryan/stock.adobe.com

24. Starved Rock State Park, Illinois

Category: Activities
Starved Rock State Park, Illinois | State Parks in the United States
© Wirepec/stock.adobe.com

25. State Forest State Park, Colorado

Category: Activities
State Forest State Park, Colorado | State Parks in the United States
© MizC/stock.adobe.com

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

  • The United States is a complex landscape that stretches from coast to coast and offers steep mountains, dense forests of deciduous trees, towering pine trees, open plains, and harsh deserts.
  • Among the 50 states are an abundance of parks, both great in size like Alaska’s 400,000 acres or a scattering of connected islands in Massachusetts.
  • What they all have in common is the passion to conserve these wondrous worlds filled with wildlife, history, and adventure.

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