America's State Parks Editorial Team

America's State Parks is an independent online guide to the state parks of the United States. Our editorial team compiles and reviews each park profile from official state park agency sources and other primary references, and follows our published editorial policy and review methodology. We update profiles and correct errors on an ongoing basis.

🏞️ 4,109 Park Guides
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📝 241 Articles
America's State Parks Editorial Team
aerial photograph of Malibu Creek State Park

Malibu Creek State Park

Discover Malibu Creek State Park in California. Plan your visit with trail info, best times to go, camping tips, and everything you need for a great outdoor adventure.

A tree in front of Cliff Pond at Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park

Nickerson State Park is Cape Cod’s premier camping destination—1,900 acres of pine
and oak forests surrounding eight glacial kettle ponds with…

a watchtower under the stars at Newton Hills State Park

Newton Hills State Park

Whether you need somewhere just to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature, or a place that provides you with an active outdoor experience, Newton Hills…

a view of the rock bridge at Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Natural Bridge State Resort Park showcases one of nature’s most spectacular creations—a massive
78-foot sandstone arch towering 65 feet above the…

Myrtle Beach State Park in the distance

Myrtle Beach State Park

South Carolina’s First State Park — 312 acres of pristine maritime forest and oceanfront
beach, preserving the last natural…

waterfall at Matthiessen State Park

Matthiessen State Park

Starved Rock’s Hidden Sibling — Fewer crowds, same stunning
canyons. 1,938 acres of waterfalls, sandstone formations, and equestrian…

Killens Pond State Park in Autumn

Killens Pond State Park

Killens Pond State Park in Autumn. Photo: Park Facebook Page.
If you are looking for somewhere to spend some quality and fun times with the family in…

park sign at Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park

If you love to explore the great outdoors, Makoshika State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone heading to Glendive in eastern…

boat docks at Lums Pond State Park

Lums Pond State Park

If you are looking for a place to enjoy a digital detox, Lums Pond State Park is a terrific destination.

Situated just a 25 minute drive from…

Waterbury Reservoir at Little River State Park

Little River State Park

Little River State Park lies along Waterbury Reservoir nestled within the thick woodlands of Mount Mansfield State Forest. This large campground state…

the pond at Lewis and Clark State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park, which is located in Williams County, North Dakota, 18 miles east of Williston, encompasses 525 acres along the northern…

aerial photograph of Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park

Lake Sammamish State Park lies along the south end of Lake Sammamish surrounded by woodlands and wetlands only 15 miles east of Seattle. This gorgeous…

boardwalk by the water at Lake Norman State Park at sunset

Lake Norman State Park

Charlotte’s Outdoor Escape — 31 miles of world-class mountain biking trails,
a 125-yard swim beach, 44 campsites with full hookups,…

Sunset over the boat launch at Lake Herman State Park

Lake Herman State Park

Sunset over the boat launch at lake herman state park. Photo: Park Facebook Page.
Scenic Lake Herman State Park lies along Lake Herman, nestled within…

Panoramic view of Kachemak Bay State Park

Kachemak Bay State Park

Kachemak Bay State Park is Alaska’s very first state park and was founded in 1970. Located approximately 225 miles south of Anchorage, this extremely…

St. Louis River rapids in Carlton, Minnesota during the colorful Autumn season at Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State Park

Minnesota’s River Gorge Adventure — One of the state’s Top 10 most visited parks,
featuring the iconic 220-foot CCC-era Swinging…

River at Itasca State Park on a clear day

Itasca State Park

Official Guide: Itasca State Park — Established in 1891, it is Minnesota’s oldest state park and home to the Mississippi River headwaters.

soldiers fire a cannon at Johnsonville State Historic Park

Johnsonville State Historic Park

[caption id="attachment_34671" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] soldiers fire a cannon at Johnsonville State Historic Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

trail sign for Ballard Lake Nature trail at Indian Mountain State Park

Indian Mountain State Park

[caption id="attachment_34667" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] trail sign for Ballard Lake Nature trail at Indian Mountain State Park. Photo: Brian…

Welcome sign at Henry Horton State Park.

Henry Horton State Park

[caption id="attachment_34663" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Welcome sign at Henry Horton State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

long exposure shot of a waterfall at Harpeth River State Park

Harpeth River State Park

Running along the Harpeth River, this Tennessee state park is scattered in 10 different locations. It basically offers you a variety of locations and…

long exposure shot of a waterfall at Frozen Head State Park

Frozen Head State Park

Hidden away in the mountains on the Cumberland Plateau near Wartburg, this Tennessee state park is one of the best outdoor destinations. It’s only an…

Monutment at Fort Pillow State Historic Park

Fort Pillow State Historic Park

This Tennessee state park makes for an excellent outdoor plan whether you have been cooped up at home or indoors. It’s also a great place to visit if…

flagpole at Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

Fort Loudoun State is the perfect place to visit when you want to learn history as you enjoy the fresh and green outdoors. This 1,200-acre park is a…

the lake at Hartford Beach State Park at night

Hartford Beach State Park

[caption id="attachment_34564" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The lake at Hartford Beach State Park at night. Photo: Park Facebook…

a view of the lake at Hopkinton State Park

Hopkinton State Park

Hopkinton State Park is a beautiful and popular state park in Massachusetts.

Located just a 30 minute drive from Boston and Worcester, it boasts…

Indian Cave rock shelter and petroglyphs

Indian Cave State Park

Indian Cave State Park is a 3,052-acre wilderness stretching along the towering bluffs of the Missouri River in southeastern Nebraska. Named for a…

Morning sunrise over the foggy Henry Fork River at Harriman State Park

Harriman State Park

Yellowstone’s Hidden Fly-Fishing Sanctuary — 11,000 acres of pristine wildlife refuge
where the legendary Henry’s Fork flows for 8…

Hanging Rock quartzite cliff overhang with panoramic Piedmont view North Carolina

Hanging Rock State Park

Piedmont’s Mountain Outpost — Iconic summit cliff, five waterfalls, rock climbing at Moore’s Wall, swimming lake, and 20+ miles of trails in…

two campers at Fisher Grove State Park in South Dakota

Fisher Grove State Park

Scenic woodlands, mixed-grass prairie, and wetlands surround the James River inside Fisher Grove State Park. This picturesque area lies 8 miles east of…

Trail through Alapocas Woods.

Alapocas Run State Park

Trail through Alapocas Woods. Photo: Ethelred unraed, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alapocas Run State Park is a beautiful urban park in…

pedal boats on the lake at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Discover Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Nebraska. Plan your visit with trail info, best times to go, camping tips, and everything you need for a great outdoor adventure.

Visitor Center at Good Earth State Park

Good Earth State Park

[caption id="attachment_34488" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Visitor Center at Good Earth State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

Ridges in Chadron State Park

Chadron State Park

Ridges in Chadron State Park. Photo: dvs from Vermont, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chadron State Park is a great place to escape into nature…

sign at Ash Hollow State Historical Park

Ash Hollow State Historical Park

Oregon Trail Landmark — One of the most significant emigrant trail sites in the American West, where thousands of wagon trains descended into…

Arbor Lodge at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

[caption id="attachment_34450" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Arbor Lodge. Photo: JonClee86, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons[/caption]

For…

A gorgeous view of the rocky landscape of Bear Butte State Park, South Dakota

Bear Butte State Park

Official Guide: Bear Butte State Park — A sacred geological laccolith formation rising out of the plains, considered highly spiritual by…

Sunset on Long Island Sound from Hammonasset State Park with lens flare

Hammonasset Beach State Park

Hammonasset Beach State Park is Connecticut’s largest shoreline park, stretching
over two miles of sandy beach along the shimmering waters of Long…

Haines Memorial State Park sign, Barrington, Rhode Island

Haines Memorial State Park

[caption id="attachment_34440" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Haines Memorial State Park sign, Barrington, Rhode Island. Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel,…

The entrance to Grand Isle State Park.

Grand Isle State Park

[caption id="attachment_34437" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The entrance to Grand Isle State Park. Photo: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia…

Goddard Park in Warwick, Rhode Island

Goddard Memorial State Park

[caption id="attachment_34388" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Goddard Park in Warwick, Rhode Island. Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 3.0, via…

Fort Wetherill State Park. The fort is just behind the trees.

Fort Wetherill State Park

Fort Wetherill State Park. The fort is just behind the trees. Photo: JMPelletier, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sitting on the East Passage of…

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