5 Beautiful State Parks to Visit in the United States

Why State Parks in the United States Deserve a Spot on Your Travel List

State parks can often get overlooked when you’re scoping out destinations for your next trip, but there are some true gems to be found in the state parks of the United States. The natural beauty of these destinations is not to be discounted. Some definitely seem worthy of just as much appreciation as our national parks. We get it, there are already a lot of national parks to see if you’re trying to check off your list. These state parks deserve a spot on that list too. State parks also offer the added bonus in that you don’t normally have to deal with the same extent of crowds.

Keep reading for some of our favorite state parks we’ve visited so far! Tip: Research state parks around your destination next time you plan a trip. You never know what beauty might be just around the corner from you!

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Valley of Fire State Park (Nevada) – This One Takes the Spot as Our Favorite State Park in the United States (so far!)

The Valley of Fire State Park has long been regarded as one of the best state parks in the United States. From our experience, that position is beyond justified! Located just an hour from Las Vegas, the Valley of Fire State Park is easy to get to and the natural beauty of this place is unreal. We were only able to spend one night here as it was part of our larger southwest road trip, but it certainly left an impression.

The best part, many of the hiking trails were conveniently located to each other. Even though we were short on time, we really got to enjoy what the park had to offer. This is one of those destinations worth going out of the way to see for yourself (but it isn’t even that far). So if you’re asking if the Valley of Fire State Park is worth visiting, the answer is an astounding yes! Here’s how we spent one day in Valley of Fire.

Cummins Falls State Park (Tennessee)

Cummins Falls State Park is one of those often gets overlooked. The park is conveniently located just 20 minutes outside of Cookeville, Tennessee. Keep this destination in mind for as a perfect addition to a weekend getaway or day trip to the area. This state park offers great hiking trails, a stunning waterfall, and a refreshing swimming hole for cooling off in the summer. Tennessee has no shortage of waterfalls to explore. Cummins Falls is one of our favorites. See which others made our list.

Bahia Honda State Park (Florida)

Bahia Honda State Park is located just an hour from Key West making it a great addition to your itinerary if you’re planning on visiting. There are plenty of things to do when you visit the park such as swimming, hiking, bird watching, boat tours, and (our favorite) snorkeling. You can easily make a day of it. In our opinion, no trip to the Florida Keys is complete without checking out Bahia Honda State Park. Planning a trip to the Florida Keys? Check out our list of things to add to your itinerary here!

Grayson Highlands State Park (Virginia)

Grayson Highlands State Park flies under the radar when it comes to state parks that catch people’s attention in the United States. Just over an hour away from Bristol, Virginia, a visit to this state park gives you a chance to roam around the remote scenery in the company of wild ponies. A visit to Grayson Highlands State Park really is an experience that is unlike any other we’ve been to. The impressive, expansive landscape with large boulders will take your breath away.

Babcock State Park (West Virginia)

Babcock State Park was another destination that we happened upon when planning a trip to a national park. Again, just a short time here had us convinced we would need to return for a longer stay. We visited in October, and this state park did not disappoint with its fall foliage. There are rustic cabins available in the park that we’d love to go back and stay in next time we are chasing fall colors. The Babcock State Park is stunning, but if you’re looking for nearby attractions to add to your fall road trip, you’ll won’t want to miss our post about New River Gorge National Park.

Which United States State Park Will You Be Visiting?

We hope we’ve convinced you to consider state parks when planning your next trip. Do you have a favorite state park that you think deserved more attention? Let us know in the comments below. We’re always looking for new places to add to our bucket list!