Author name: 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 a published editorial and review methodology (see /editorial-review-methodology/). We update profiles and correct errors on an ongoing basis.

America's State Parks Editorial Team
two people fishing on the shore of the lake at Huntsville State Park

Huntsville State Park

Houston’s Forest Escape — Over 2,000 acres of East Texas Pineywoods
surrounding a 210-acre lake. 20+ miles of trails, swimming…

Destin beach in Florida at Henderson State Park

Henderson Beach State Park

Florida’s Emerald Coast Treasure — Destin’s last stretch of pristine coastal dune scrub,
featuring 30-foot snow-white sand dunes,…

Light of Setting Sun over Estuary Pool in Galveston Island State Park wetlands

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island State Park is Texas’s ultimate coastal destination—2,000 acres
stretching from the Gulf of Mexico beachfront to Galveston Bay’s…

Aerial view of crystal clear turquoise spring water with manatees at Blue Spring State Park Florida

Blue Spring State Park

Florida’s Premier Manatee Sanctuary — First-magnitude spring pumping 100 million gallons of crystal-clear 72°F water daily, hosting…

fog over the water at at Cove Lake State Park

Cove Lake State Park

Cove Lake State Park is located in Cumberland Plateau. It’s approximately 1.3 miles northeast of the town of Caryville and 24 miles from Montgomery….

Cypress trees at Caddo Lake State Park

Caddo Lake State Park

Texas’s Only Natural Lake — Nearly 500 acres on the largest
cypress swamp in Texas, a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance,…

walking bridge through reeds at Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill State Park

Dallas-Fort Worth’s Urban Oasis — Escape the Metroplex to 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake,
350 campsites, world-class DORBA mountain bike…

Clouds over McGee Creek Reservoir at McGee Creek State Park in Oklahoma

McGee Creek State Park

Looking for a public recreation space in Southern Oklahoma to spend some quality time in nature?

Then the McGee Creek State Park could well be the…

Fall Foliage over the river at Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park

Texas Hill Country River Paradise — 4 miles of crystal-clear Guadalupe River
for swimming, tubing, and paddling, plus 13 miles of…

Perrine Pond at Cheesequake State Park with reflections of brilliant autumn foliage and a cloudy sky

Cheesequake State Park

Cheesequake State Park occupies one of New Jersey’s most ecologically unique locations—a rare
transition zone where northern hardwood forests…

a cactus with hills in the background at Catalina State Park

Catalina State Park

Tucson’s Gateway to the Santa Catalinas — 5,500 acres of pristine Sonoran Desert
with nearly 5,000 saguaros, 170+ bird species in a…

sunset over Lake Thunderbird

Lake Thunderbird State Park

Set within 1,874 spectacular acres, Lake Thunderbird State Park is one of Oklahoma’s premier state parks.

A haven for those who enjoy water based…

Colorado Bend State Park (Texas)

Colorado Bend State Park

Texas Hill Country’s Hidden Gem – Gorman Falls, 400+ caves, Spicewood
Springs. 5,328 acres of adventure.

The Cape May Point Lighthouse and waves on the Atlantic at sunset

Cape May Point State Park

Scenic Cape May Point State Park is located in Cape May at the southernmost tip of New Jersey, only 45 minutes from Atlantic City and 2 hours from…

Barnegat lighthouse at shore

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is located along the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County, about 2 hours south of Newark and an hour north…

Bahia Honda State Park beach with turquoise water and old railroad bridge Florida Keys

Bahia Honda State Park

Best Beach in the Florida Keys — Caribbean-clear water, historic railroad bridge, snorkeling at Looe Key, waterfront camping at Mile Marker…

Waterloo Lake at Allamuchy Mountain State Park

Allamuchy Mountain State Park

Beautiful Allamuchy Mountain State Park lies within the Allamuchy Mountain region just 38 miles west of Newark, NJ and 48 miles west of New York City….

old chapel at Allaire State Park

Allaire State Park

Allaire State Park is located near Farmingdale, NJ, just one hour south of both Jersey City and Newark. Visitors flock to this peaceful spot to camp,…

Greenwood Lake Dam at Greenwood Furnace State Park

Greenwood Furnace State Park

Greenwood Lake Dam at Greenwood furnace state park. Photo: Smallbones, Wikimedia
With a pristine beauty that incorporates both the sparkling waters of…

Gouldsboro Lake at Gouldsboro State Park

Gouldsboro State Park

If you are looking for a nature escape which will allow you to leave behind the pressures of city life, then consider Gouldsboro State Park.
Located…

trees reflecting in the lake at Frances Slocum State Park

Frances Slocum State Park

Tucked away in Pennsylvania’s picturesque northeastern region, Frances Slocum State Park is one of the Keystone State’s most alluring public…

Elk State Park (Pennsylvania)

Elk State Park

If you enjoy water based outdoor recreational activities then Elk State Park is the perfect place for you to head too.
Situated just over 2 hours from…

Ski slope at Denton Hill State Park

Denton Hill State Park

Ski slope at Denton Hill State Park. Photo: Dincher, Wikimedia
Located within the upper reaches of the Pennsylvania Wilds, the picturesque Denton Hill…

Delaware Canal State Park (Pennsylvania)

Delaware Canal State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] View of trail at Delaware Canal State Park. Photo: Bradford Van Arnum,…

fog on Cowans Gap Lake at Cowans Gap State Park

Cowans Gap State Park

Nestled within the Allens Valley between the spectacular Tuscarora and Cove Mountains, Cowans Gap State Park is a popular weekend getaway and week long…

Loyalsock Creek running through the trees at Worlds End State Park

Worlds End State Park

Pennsylvania’s Waterfall Wonderland — Nestled in the Endless Mountains, explore
dramatic Loyalsock Creek Gorge, hike to cascading…

Balance Rock in Trough Creek State Park in Huntingdon County Pennslvania

Trough Creek State Park

Bordering both the shimmering Raystown Lake and stunning Rothrock State Forest, Trough Creek State Park is the perfect place to head to for an escape…

Picture of the Waterville lenticular truss bridge, now over Swatara Creek in Swatara State Park

Swatara State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Waterville lenticular truss bridge over Swatara Creek in Swatara State Park. Photo:…

Sycamore Mills Dam at Ridley Creek State Park

Ridley Creek State Park

Ridley Creek State Park is a 2,606-acre forested escape in Delaware County, Pennsylvania — just 25 miles from downtown Philadelphia — where 13…

Aerial view of Glendale Lake with sailboat at Prince Gallitzin State Park Pennsylvania

Prince Gallitzin State Park

Pennsylvania’s Lakeside Crown Jewel — 6,249 acres surrounding the massive 1,635-acre Glendale Lake with 26 miles of shoreline, 400 campsites, 36…

Laurel Lake Recreational Area in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania during fall

Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Lying within the shadows of the jaw-dropping Blue Ridge Mountains, the Pine Grove Furnace State Park offers a spectacular destination for your next…

a view of the valley below from Mont Alto State Park

Mont Alto State Park

[caption id="attachment_30037" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] view of the valley below from Mont Alto State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

Marsh Creek Lake at Marsh Creek State Park, looking towards the West Launch Area.

Marsh Creek State Park

Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County, Pennsylvania features the 535-acre Marsh Creek
Lake (designated “big bass lake”), 21 miles of trails,…

Fowler Hollow Run at Fowlers Hollow State Park

Fowlers Hollow State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Fowler Hollow Run at Fowlers Hollow State Park. Photo: Clint,…

Fort Washington State Park (Pennsylvania)

Fort Washington State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Wissahickon Creek at Fort Washington State Park. Photo: Alphageekpa,…

A forest trail at Evansburg State Parknear Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Evansburg State Park

Although it is just a 45 minute drive from Philadelphia, Evansburg State Park in Collegeville is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the City of…

Driftwood on the shore of lake Erie at Erie Bluffs State Park

Erie Bluffs State Park

Established in 2004, Erie Bluffs State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s newest state parks.
Spread across 587-acres within Erie County, this…

The aerial view of the striking colors of fall foliage around Pine Creek Gorge at Colton Point State Park

Colton Point State Park

Nestled in between Tioga and Susquehannock State Forests, lies the breathtaking Colton Point State Park.

Set across 368-acres, it lies to the west…

Landscape of the Swimming and Fishing Area in Colonel Denning State Park

Colonel Denning State Park

Nestled within the Doubling Gap of Blue Mountain, the idyllic Colonel Denning State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most attractive state…

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