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.

Park sign at Econfina River State Park

Econfina River State Park

Park sign at Econfina River State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Econfina River State Park lies along the northern coast of…

Pavilion and picnic tables at Dunns Creek State Park.

Dunns Creek State Park

[caption id="attachment_32427" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Pavilion and picnic tables at Dunns Creek State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0, via…

Historic farm buildings at Dudley Farm Historic State Park

Dudley Farm Historic State Park

Visit this picturesque living farm in Newberry, Florida and experience for yourself what life must have been like on a 1918 farmstead. This unique farm…

Clear sky over the water at Don Pedro Island State Park

Don Pedro Island State Park

[caption id="attachment_32394" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Clear sky over the water at Don Pedro Island State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0,…

Sand dunes at Deer Lake State Park

Deer Lake State Park

Sharing its name with the stunning coastal dune lake that lies within its confines, Deer Lake State Park is a must visit destination for anyone who…

De Leon Springs State Park (Florida)

De Leon Springs State Park

When the Mayaca Indians inhabited the area they referred to it as ‘Acuera’ or ‘Healing Waters’. However, today it is better known as De Leon…

Entrance to Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park

[caption id="attachment_32364" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Entrance to Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via…

boats cruising on the Crystal River at Crystal River Preserve State Park

Crystal River Preserve State Park

Formerly known as the Crystal River Buffer Preserve, the Crystal River Preserve State Park is one of Florida’s most diverse and spectacular state…

Stairs to Temple Mound A - Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

Situated just two miles northwest of the city of Crystal River, as well as the body of water it is named after, the Crystal River State Archaeological…

Outside of the museum building at Constitution Convention Museum State Park.

Constitution Convention Museum State Park

[caption id="attachment_32331" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Outside of the museum building at Constitution Convention Museum State Park. Photo:…

Memorial to Barron Collier at Collier-Seminole State Park

Collier-Seminole State Park

Looking for somewhere that combines gorgeous scenery with a little bit of history and plenty of outdoor recreational activities? Then Collier-Seminole…

The shoreline of Mac Lake in Colt Creek State Park

Colt Creek State Park

Nestled within Florida’s Green Swamp Wilderness Area, Colt Creek State Park is the perfect place to visit for those who want to rest and relax in…

Sunset over Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park

Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park

[caption id="attachment_32325" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park. Photo: Monkeyboy0076, Public domain, via Wikimedia…

park sign at Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park

[caption id="attachment_32323" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Park sign at Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via…

Antique Fire Hose Cart Firefighting Wagon. This antique fire hose cart is one of the displays at Cedar Key Museum State Park

Cedar Key Museum State Park

At just 18 acres, Cedar Key Museum State Park is one of the smallest state parks in Florida. However, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for…

state park sign on the beach at Camp Helen State Park

Camp Helen State Park

Bordered on three sides by water, Camp Helen State Park is an ecological wonder that should be on everyone’s must visit list.

Situated to the west…

Ruins behind a fence at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

Visit the historic ruins of a once prosperous sugar mill plantation along Bulow Creek in East Florida only 20 miles north of Daytona Beach. Now a 150…

Great Kiskadee resting on a tree branch at Resaca de la Palma State Park

Resaca de la Palma State Park

Managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Resaca de la Palma State Park is one of three state parks in America that fall under the umbrella…

Pavilion at sunset in Village Creek State Park

Village Creek State Park

[caption id="attachment_32309" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Pavilion at sunset in Village Creek State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

Lake Tahoe Nevada Sunset at Sand Harbor Beach

Best State Parks with Beaches

11 State Parks with Beautiful Beaches (Last Updated On: January 2, 2023) Editorial note: We choose and update recommended parks

Bulow Creek through the shrubs at Bulow Creek State Park

Bulow Creek State Park

Picturesque Bulow Creek State Park is located 15 miles north of Daytona Beach in Ormond Beach, FL. This peaceful 5,000 acre park is surrounded by…

Blackwater River running through the forest of Milton at Blackwater River State Park

Blackwater River State Park

Visit Blackwater River State Park for a chance to tube, kayak and canoe in crystal clear waters along pristine sandy shoreline. This 600 acre…

Sunrise at the boneyard beach in Talbot Island

Big Talbot Island State Park

One of Florida’s most unique and picturesque islands lies along the Atlantic Ocean just 28 miles from downtown Jacksonville. The black rocky…

Suwannee River through the trees at Big Shoals State Park

Big Shoals State Park

Suwannee River through the trees at Big Shoals State Park. Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Big Shoals State Park lies along…

large tree at Tomoka State Park

Tomoka State Park

Trusted Guide to Florida’s Ancient River Park – Updated 2025

Aerial view of the boat docks during fall at Tenkiller State Park

Tenkiller State Park

Affectionately known as ‘Heaven in the hills’, Tenkiller State Park is a fantastic place to get away from it all.

Boasting one of the most beautiful…

tyler hero 1

Tyler State Park

East Texas Piney Woods Retreat — Nearly 1,000 acres of towering
pines, a crystal-clear 64-acre spring-fed lake, 35 historic CCC…

Amphitheater sign at Stephen F. Austin State Park

Stephen F. Austin State Park

Situated just an hour’s drive from Houston, the Stephen F. Austin State Park provides the perfect tranquil nature escape for those who need a break…

Bald Cypress and Yellow Lotus Water Plants in a Lake with Clouds Overhead at Sheldon Lake State Park

Sheldon Lake State Park

The area around northeast Harris County is renowned for its natural splendor and nowhere is this better illustrated than at the Sheldon Lake State Park…

Windmill at sunrise at Seminole Canyon State Park in Texas

Seminole Canyon State Park

Texas is a state rich in history and cultural attractions and nowhere is this more evident than at Seminole Canyon State Park.

Situated within a…

Desert landscape with clouds overhead at San Angelo State Park

San Angelo State Park

Set around one of the most scenic bodies of water in the whole of Texas, San Angelo State Park is a fabulous place for some good old fashioned rest and…

Dead trees in the water at Purtis Creek State Park.

Purtis Creek State Park

[caption id="attachment_32190" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Dead trees in the water at Purtis Creek State Park. badkarmatx007, CC BY 3.0, via…

Brazos Bend State Park sign in Needville, TX, along the Brazos River

Brazos Bend State Park

Texas alligator paradise — 4,897 acres where 300+ bird species, wild gators, and a
world-class observatory meet 45 minutes from Houston

Saltwater marsh at Bald Point State Park Florida

Bald Point State Park

Bald Point State Park’s gorgeous Gulf Coast views, sandy beaches and lush maritime hammock welcomes guests looking to kayak, swim, fish, collect…

Sign in front of the beach at Avalon State Park.

Avalon State Park

Sign in front of the beach at Avalon State Park. Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Escape to breathtaking views of the Atlantic coast,…

Anclote Key Preserve State Park beach with storm clouds racing in from horizon behind boat onshore

Anclote Key Preserve State Park

Official Guide: Anclote Key Preserve State Park — Featuring 11,773 acres of pristine barrier island paradise, spectacular birding, and an iconic…

Tide pool during sunset at Sebastian Inlet State Park

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Florida’s Premier Surf & Fishing Destination — Home to the best waves on
America’s East Coast and world-class jetty fishing. Where…

The replica of Mission Tejas, built circa 1935, in Mission Tejas State Park.

Mission Tejas State Park

[caption id="attachment_32122" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Replica of Mission Tejas, built circa 1935. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 4.0, via…

A grotto in Meridian State Park in Bosque County, Texas

Meridian State Park

[caption id="attachment_32120" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Grotto in Meridian State Park. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia…

trees growing out of the water at Martin Dies Jr. State Park

Martin Dies Jr. State Park

Set on the eastern fringes of Texas, Martin Dies Jr. State Park enjoys a picturesque location by the confluence of two rivers.

Comprising a…

walkway and pavilion at Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park is the Florida Panhandle’s premier birding destination—a 705-acre coastal
preserve featuring saltwater marshes, pine…

A tree-lined road in a State Park.

Amelia Island State Park

Amelia Island State Park lies along the Atlantic coastal plain in Nassau County, 8 miles south of Fernandina Beach and 33 miles north of Jacksonville….

Scenic View of Lake Overstreet at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park

Bright and colorful camellias, azaleas and many other beautiful plants and flowers are featured in the historic gardens inside Alfred B Maclay Gardens…

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