11 of the Best State Parks in the United States to Check Out
If you’re planning to
explore the United States, a great place to start is the nation’s state parks. They’re
as different as the states themselves and each is uniquely beautiful and well
worth your time to visit.
Chugach State Park
Location:
Anchorage, Alaska
Best Time to Go:
June to September
Chugach State Park is a wonderland
of rugged wilderness. The fourth largest state park in the U.S., it encompasses
a huge range of southcentral Alaska’s diverse topography. The park is more
easily accessible than other Alaskan parks and preserves, making it an
attractive day-trip destination for hikers, mountain bikers, cross-country
skiers and snowshoers. Despite the park’s proximity to civilization, its
mountains, glaciers, ice fields and lakes lose none of their pristine beauty.
Custer State Park
Location:
Custer, South Dakota
Best Time to Go:
September to October
Famed for its herds of bison, Custer
State Park is a wildlife-watcher’s paradise. Within the park you’ll find wild
rivers, plains ecosystems, tranquil lakes, the picturesque Black Hills and
wildlife as varied as the park itself. This is a park best experienced while
moving. Driving, riding, hiking and mountain biking all afford the best
opportunities to see the most of this dynamic park and get up close to its many
nonhuman residents.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Location:
Moab, Utah
Best Time to Go:
April to May; September to November
This stunning park will astound you
with its dramatic cliffs and canyons and its dizzying plateaus. Its high desert
geography makes for a pleasant combination of easy hiking and breathtaking vistas.
Most visitors come for the sweeping views of the Colorado River but the park
also features more novel activities like geocaching and stargazing. As part of
the International Dark Sky Association, Dead Horse Point is an incredible place
to spend an evening watching the universe turn.
Emerald Bay State Park
Location:
Lake Tahoe, California
Best Time to Go: May
to October
Experiencing a sunrise or a sunset
at Emerald Bay State Park should be on everybody’s bucket list. The clear
waters and dramatic surroundings of the bay are incredible, whether witnessed
from one of the park’s viewpoints or at the shoreline. Hiking and cycling are
popular in Emerald Bay but many visitors prefer to take to the water and swim,
kayak, paddleboard or boat. Scuba divers and snorkelers have the unique
opportunity to follow an underwater trail that tours Lake Tahoe’s heritage
shipwrecks.
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Location: Spencer, Tennessee
Best Time to Go:
September to November
Nestled within the pristine hardwood
forests of this state park is a dynamic network of rivers, gorges, caves and
waterfalls. A hike through the old-growth forest, a swim at the base of Fall
Creek Falls (the tallest waterfall in the eastern United States), a tree canopy
tour and a daring walk over the swinging bridge are just a few of the many
activities you can enjoy while getting back to nature.
Iao Valley State Park
Location:
Wailuku, Hawai’i
Best Time to Go: Any
month; mornings are better for viewing the Needle
Located on the island of Maui, Iao
Valley State Park is a popular destination for visitors looking for a break
from the Hawai’ian beaches and the heat. The Iao Needle, an enormous rock
feature eroded into its present iconic shape, is a highlight of a trip to the
park, as is the walk through the lush rainforest itself. Visitors can also
learn about the cultural history of this park, which is no less interesting
than its geological history.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Location: Big Sur, California
Best Time to Go: September
to November
From the coastline to the mountain
ranges, this park encompasses a little of everything that makes Big Sur country
so justly famous. McWay Falls, which makes a staggering drop from high granite
cliffs down to a small, sandy cove, is a very accessible highlight of a trip
here. Redwood forests, coastal views and rugged beauty are the other big draws,
especially for hikers.
Letchworth State Park
Location:
Castile, New York
Best Time to Go:
September to November
The Genesee river is the star
attraction of this park. It cuts through the park’s gorge and plunges over
three main waterfalls set against a backdrop of tall canyon walls and lush
temperate forest. Trail riding, mountain biking and hiking are all popular ways
to experience the park. In the winter, the trails are open for cross-country skiing,
snowmobiling and snow tubing. Visitors can even take a hot air balloon ride and
experience the park by air.
Niagara Falls State Park
Location: Niagara Falls, New York
Best Time to Go: June
to September
If you’re never seen Niagara Falls,
you should. They are magnificent. In Niagara Falls State Park you can observe
the falls from above or hike down into the Niagara Gorge and stand on the “Hurricane
Deck” to feel the wind and spray up close. There are some hikes and some neat
interactive exhibits on hand here, but really, you’ve probably come to see the
falls and they will definitely be enough to keep your interest.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Location:
Canyon, Texas
Best Time to Go:
March to May; October to November
Exploring the massive Palo Duro
canyon is an epic experience. With its fascinating caprock formations and
brilliant colours, the park’s geography is spectacular to see, whether from the
rim of the canyon or from the canyon floor. The park is quite accessible but it
still gives off a feeling of peaceful isolation. Hiking and mountain biking are
some of the best ways to cover a lot of ground and really get off the beaten
trail and see the park.
Smith Rock State Park
Location: Terrebonne, Oregon
Best Time to Go: September
to November
Smith Rock State Park is an outdoor
adventurer’s paradise. The towering cliffs, winding rivers and high desert
ecosystem draw visitors year-round with their rough-around-the-edges beauty. It’s
a prime area for watching wildlife, especially birds. Hiking, trail riding and cycling
are popular activities but rock climbing is where the park really shines. It’s
a world-famous climbing destination and there are many routes available for visitors
with all levels of experience.
feature image: Paxson Woelber; image 1: Pedro Szekely; image 2: Michael Hicks; image 3: John Fowler; image 4: Michael Gray; image 5: David Lee
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