10 State Parks That Rival Our National Parks

Exploring the natural wonders of the US isn’t confined to national parks alone. State parks, often overshadowed by more popular national parks, offer breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique recreational opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a family seeking a weekend getaway, these state parks provide amazing experiences that any outdoor enthusiast is sure to love.

Adirondack Park in St. Lawrence County, New York; photo by jamznb/stock.adobe.com

1. ADIRONDACK PARK IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

Key Features: Stunning mountain vistas, pristine lakes, and extensive hiking trails

Why Visit: Adirondack Park spans more than 6 million acres, making it larger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon national parks combined. It offers unparalleled opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Custer State Park in Custer County, South Dakota; photo by GRP Imagery/stock.adobe.com

2. CUSTER STATE PARK IN THE BLACK HILLS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

Key Features: Iconic bison herds, scenic drives, and granite peaks

Why Visit: Known for its spectacular annual buffalo roundup, Custer State Park is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. The park also features the needle-like granite peaks of Needles Highway and the scenic Wildlife Loop Road, where you’re almost sure to see bison and other animals roam.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon, Michigan; photo by Ken Jacobsen, Jr./stock.adobe.com

3. PORCUPINE MOUNTAINS WILDERNESS STATE PARK IN MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENINSULA

Key Features: Towering old-growth forests, scenic waterfalls, and Lake Superior shoreline

Why Visit: The “Porkies,” as the park is affectionately known, boasts stunning views of Lake of the Clouds and the impressive Presque Isle River waterfalls. Enjoy hiking, fishing, and even backcountry skiing in winter.

Valley of Fire State Park in Moapa Valley, Nevada; photo by anderm/stock.adobe.com

4. VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK IN OVERTON, NEVADA

Key Features: Vibrant red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs

Why Visit: Just a short drive from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park feels like another world with its fiery-red Aztec sandstone formations. It’s a paradise for photographers and rock climbers alike.

Goblin Valley State Park in Green River, Utah; photo by Craig Boudreaux

5. GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK IN GREEN RIVER, UTAH

Key Features: Unique hoodoos (or goblins) and sandstone formations

Why Visit: Explore a landscape straight out of a sci-fi movie with its mushroom-shaped rock formations. Goblin Valley is perfect for hiking, stargazing, and simply marveling at the otherworldly scenery.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Borrego Springs, California; photo by SNEHIT PHOTO/stock.adobe.com

6. ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK IN SOUTHEASTERN CALIFORNIA

Key Features: Badlands, slot canyons, and blooming wildflowers

Why Visit: The largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego offers stunning desert vistas, colorful wildflowers (especially after rains in March and April), and unique geological formations like the slot canyons of The Slot and Fonts Point.

Fall Creek Falls State Park in Spencer, Tennessee; photo by Guy Bryant/stock.adobe.com

7. FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK IN SPENCER, TENNESSEE

Key Features: Towering waterfalls and lush forests

Why Visit: Fall Creek Falls is home to Tennessee’s tallest waterfall, plunging 256 feet into a shaded pool. The park offers hiking, biking, fishing, and even zip-lining adventures.

Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin; photo by Drake Fleege

8. KOHLER-ANDRAE STATE PARK IN SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN

Key Features: Sandy beaches, sand dunes, and flyway for migratory birds

Why Visit: Located along the shores of Lake Michigan, Kohler-Andrae is known for its picturesque beaches, serene hiking trails through sand dunes, and excellent birdwatching.

Palouse Falls State Park in LaCrosse, Washington; photo by checubus/stock.adobe.com

9. PALOUSE FALLS STATE PARK IN SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON

Key Features: The official state waterfall, unique geology formed by ice age floods, and canyon views

Why Visit: Palouse Falls, Washington’s official state waterfall, cascades 198 feet into a deep gorge carved out during the Ice Age floods. The park offers hiking, photography, and birdwatching.

Letchworth State Park in Castile, New York; photo by Stephen/stock.adobe.com

10. LETCHWORTH STATE PARK IN CASTILE, NEW YORK

Key Features: A roaring river, dense forests, three major waterfalls, and gorge views

Why Visit: Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park offers stunning views of the Genesee River Gorge, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and more than 66 miles of hiking trails.

These are just some of the country’s thousands of state parks whose natural beauty and recreational opportunities rival those found in our national parks. Whether you’re drawn to whooshing waterfalls, scenic drives, or wildlife encounters—or all of the above—these state parks invite you to connect with nature in remarkable ways.