7 State Parks That Rival National Parks — Without the Cost or the Crowds
America’s 63 national parks are inarguably some of our greatest national treasures. Yellowstone National Park was first designated in 1872, and 44 years later, President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service. This was an official way to commit to protecting and preserving our country’s most beautiful and unique natural spaces, ecosystems and habitats for future generations to enjoy.
Fast forward a century later, and the number of annual visits to national parks surpassed 325.5 million last year. While it’s great that so many people appreciate what a great resource the parks are and want to get out and enjoy them, anyone who’s sat in an endless line of traffic on the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone knows that the popularity of national parks can hinder the beauty of the experience.
Visiting a national park becomes less appealing when you take into account the mobs of people elbowing each other to get a selfie in front of Old Faithful, overcrowded parking lots and scenic overlooks and the fact that most lodges and campsites require you to make a reservation at least a year in advance. Fortunately, alongside almost all our national parks are genuinely wonderful state parks that aren’t getting as many crowds or attention.
These smaller, unsung heroes feature scenery and outdoor adventures that rival national parks. Even better? Most state parks are under $10 a day, charged by the vehicle. You won’t need any special access permits for most state parks. Fewer visitors means more access to trails, fishing spots and campsites. Another bonus: if you’re traveling with Fido, most state parks allow dogs on trails, whereas national parks do not.
There are 10,336 state parks in the country, spanning nearly 20 million acres, so get out there and explore! Here are some notable parks you must visit:
In This Article
1. Dead Horse Point State Park
Moab, Utah
The massive canyon in Dead Horse Point State Park may look familiar to fans of the cult classic film “Thelma & Louise” because it was used as a stand-in for the Grand Canyon in the iconic final scene. This park has several dramatic scenic overlooks and an eight-mile hiking trail that includes vistas from the East and West Rim Trails. There’s a 17-mile single-track mountain biking trail and road biking options. Three campgrounds include RV campsites, yurts and hike-in tent-only campsites. The area is relatively isolated (Moab is 30 miles away), so be prepared for food, gas and medical needs. Because of that isolation, though, there is no light pollution, and the park has been designated an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the night sky can be viewed as it was in ancient times. Park rangers offer programming ranging from full moon hikes to telescope-gazing seminars. Take a hot air balloon ride over the canyon if you want to experience the park from a totally different — and unforgettable — perspective.
- Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, camping, stargazing, hot air ballooning
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, canyon views, dark skies
2. Ledges State Park
Near Ames, Iowa
Located near the vibrant college town of Ames, Ledges State Park was one of Iowa’s first, designated in 1924, and it remains one of the most popular, having attracted millions of visitors. Artifacts some 4,000 years old have been discovered, and the park is home to several Native American mounds. There are scenic picnic areas located throughout the park, half of which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, while the other half can be reserved online. Some have electric hookups and others are hike-in. Boating and fishing are options on the Des Moines River, which flows through the park.
There are four miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, offering scenic overlooks and a view of Pea’s Creek Canyon and the Des Moines River Valley. The park also has a fully ADA-accessible interpretive trail that leads to Lost Lake. The Iowa Arboretum is south of the park. Ledges’ unique landscape is made up of sandstone cliffs created 300 million years ago after the retreat of a shallow sea, and the cliffs were created 13,000 years ago by glacial melt. Today, the landscape is a mix of gorgeous prairie, oak, hickory and maple woodland and picturesque clearings. Go for the fall foliage!
- Activities: Hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, ADA-accessible trails
3. Eldorado Canyon State Park
Near Boulder, Colorado
Just minutes from Boulder, this state park is a not-so-hidden gem that often attracts crowds during the summer months (read: go on a weekday). Within Eldorado Canyon State Park are two mountain biking trails: Crescent Meadow is an easy seven-mile loop, and Rattlesnake Gulch Trail, which gains 800 feet in elevation on a series of switchbacks. Its three hiking trails — Fowler Trail, Rattlesnake Gulch Trail and the Eldorado Canyon Trail — each offer canyon views and are dog friendly. Horses are also welcome at the park. There are several scenic spots to picnic or grill, and the river is an excellent location for fly fishing, where brown and rainbow trout are abundant. The visitor’s center hosts Junior Ranger and Little Critters programs and monthly drum circles during the summer. Nearby, a natural spring has fed a swimming pool for more than a century, and nearby Boulder is full of restaurants and breweries to satisfy your post-swimming cravings. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great to explore. Eldorado Canyon is also one of the top rock-climbing destinations in the country, with over 500 technical climbing routes.
- Activities: Hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, fishing, rock climbing, picnicking, skiing and snowshoeing
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, year-round destination, dog-friendly, kid-friendly programming
4. Fall Creek Falls State Park
Spencer, Tennessee
The country’s most visited national park by more than double the attendance of other parks, the Great Smoky Mountains are undoubtedly memorable and breathtaking, particularly in the fall. But just a few hours away (about two hours from Knoxville) is Fall Creek Falls State Park, one of Tennessee’s most frequented state parks. Over 28,000 acres, it’s full of waterfalls, streams and unspoiled hardwood forests. There are more than 56 miles of trails to be explored, including the base of the 256-foot Fall Creek Falls and around the lake. The Nature Center offers environmental education and programs like campfires, crafts, group games, live music and movies. There are 222 campsites available and 30 cabins, plus permit-only backcountry camping. Within the almost-like-a-resort park, there’s a golf course, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a camp store and cafe, and the Canopy Challenge Course, which includes over 75 wobbly bridges, rope swings, cargo nets, balance beams and zip lines.
- Activities: Hiking, kid-friendly activities, hands-on activities, camping, golfing, swimming, dining, ziplining
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, waterfalls, camping, Nature Center, Canopy Challenge Course
5. Big Bone Lick State Park
Union, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky is home to one of the country’s most unique and interesting state parks. Named for the remarkable fossils found there, it’s believed that mammoths and other Pleistocene-era animals used the salt deposits around an area of sulfur hot springs as a salt lick. Today, Big Bone Lick State Park (part of the Lewis & Clark Trail) features indoor and outdoor exhibits, including Native American art and artifacts like a 1,000-pound mastodon skull. There is also a small herd of bison onsite. The park features nature trails, including an ADA-approved Discovery Trail and a boardwalk that winds through a marsh bog with replicas of a woolly mammoth and other animals of the era. There are 62 campsites with utility hookups, a pool and playground, picnic spaces, and restroom and laundry facilities. Note that campsite reservations must be made online.
- Activities: Camping, swimming, picnicking
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, indoor and outdoor activities, ADA-approved trail, arts and artifacts
6. Peninsula State Park
Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Peninsula State Park is a beloved, year-round destination in Door County, Wisconsin. The park runs along eight miles of the shoreline of Lake Michigan and offers plenty of scenic overlooks and places to see the sunset. Some modern-day amenities include a playground, tennis, volleyball, golf and more outdoorsy options. There are more than 20 miles of on and off-road biking trails in the park and 20 miles of hiking trails. Eagle Trail boasts 150-foot cliffs, springs and forested areas running along Eagle Harbor. Lake Michigan is an obvious recreation hub, and it offers Lighthouse Tours, swimming on Nicolet Beach, and boating, canoeing and kayaking.
Wisconsin’s most popular camping destination, the park has five campgrounds. Northern Sky Theater is a theater company that hosts summertime productions in an outdoor amphitheater. Another don’t miss in nearby Baileys Harbor is Ridges Sanctuary, a nature preserve with five miles of boardwalk-style trails leading to a lighthouse (great for those with disabilities or limited mobility). Its nature center features interactive exhibits and has several outdoor play and exploring spaces for families. Bonus: Door County Brewing Co. Taproom and Music Hall is three blocks away.
- Activities: Hiking, kid-friendly activities, sports courts, biking trails, lighthouse tours, water sports, camping
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, year-round destination, playground, Lake Michigan, Ridges Sanctuary, Nature Center
7. Thousand Springs State Park
Near Twin Falls, Idaho
This region of Southern Idaho is known as the Magic Valley, and a visit to Thousand Springs State Park makes it easy to understand why. The park is divided into units near one another with different things to explore. Kelton Trail was once part of the Oregon Trail, bringing covered wagons across the country. Malad Gorge offers a beautiful backdrop to hike or picnic. Billingsley Creek has excellent fishing and wildlife viewing, horseback riding and an indoor arena for events.
Ritter Island is great for birding and photography and has several historic homes available as event spaces, like the annual Thousand Springs Arts Festival. In the Box Spring Nature Preserve, hike to a natural spring pool and a 20-foot waterfall that’s pristine and usually not crowded (it’s also the place to spot bald eagles). At Niagara Springs, fish, boat, hike, watch wildlife or just enjoy the waterfalls.
- Activities: Hiking, kid-friendly activities, picnicking, fishing, horseback riding, birding
- Highlights: Scenic overlooks, waterfalls, festivals, wildlife viewing
