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.

bike trail at Lehigh Gorge State Park

Lehigh Gorge State Park

Spread across an area that covers over 6,000 wonderful acres, Lehigh Gorge State Park is a great place to head to when you need some time to rest and…

long exposure photo of a waterfall at Hickory Run State Park

Hickory Run State Park

National Natural Landmark — Home to the Boulder Field, a 16-acre expanse of Ice Age
boulders designated a National Natural Landmark…

hiking trail past a cactus towards a rock formation at a state park near scottsdale arizona

5 State Parks Near Scottsdale, Arizona

Expert Guide: Researched and vetted by outdoor enthusiasts. Last updated for the current season. The Sonoran Desert and the mountains

pier posts in the water at a state park near savannah georgia

5 State Parks Near Savannah, Georgia

Expert Guide: Researched and vetted by outdoor enthusiasts. Last updated for the current season. Savannah’s low-country landscape — live oaks,

the clouds reflect off of Pinchot Lake at Gifford Pinchot State Park

Gifford Pinchot State Park

Covering some 2,338-acres, Gifford Pinchot State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s most acclaimed public recreational areas.

Located in Lewisberry…

colorful fall trees reflected on the water in a state park near oshkosh wisconsin

5 State Parks Near Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Editorial note: We choose and update recommended nearby parks using official park information, visitor-planning usefulness, available activities and facilities, geographic

bench overlooking the water at French Creek State Park

French Creek State Park

The Largest Contiguous Forest Between DC and NYC — 7,730 acres of unbroken
Pennsylvania woodlands with two lakes, 35+ miles of…

A stream running through the trees at Chapman State Park

Chapman State Park

Established in 1951, Chapman State Park is one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and most popular public recreational spaces.

Spread across 862 splendid…

flowers in front of the water at Canoe Creek State Park

Canoe Creek State Park

Located within Blair County, the stunning 958 acre Canoe Creek State Park is a popular outdoor recreational space in Pennsylvania.

Just 12 miles…

A dock looking out to the mountain and Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir at the Bald Eagle State Park in Pennsylvania.

Bald Eagle State Park

Bald Eagle State Park centers around the spectacular 1,730-acre Foster Joseph Sayers
Reservoir with 23 miles of shoreline in the Allegheny…

A stream cutting through the hills at Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas’s largest state park at 311,000 acres—a vast
Chihuahuan Desert wilderness with 238 miles of trails, remote…

The rocky top of a hill at Camden Hills State Park

Camden Hills State Park

Official Guide: Camden Hills State Park — Offering sweeping views of Penobscot Bay from atop Mount Battie.

, , , ,
A view of the Widewater State Park small boat launch from above the Potomac River

Widewater State Park

[caption id="attachment_30273" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Widewater State Park small boat launch from Above. Photo: Photo courtesy of the…

Gravel road walk through the forest at a state park near Richmond Virginia

York River State Park

Beautiful York River State Park lies on the south bank of the historic York River only 11 miles west of Colonial Williamsburg. This 2,531 acre public…

View of Googins Island from Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport, Maine

Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park

This year-round, 244-acre park is located five miles from the center of Freeport and a half-hour from Portland. This makes the park a welcoming,…

, , , ,
Rustic pioneer cabin, Wilderness Road State Park, Virginia

Wilderness Road State Park

Peaceful and rustic Wilderness Road State Park lies near Cumberland Gap and Ewing in Southwest Virginia. This 310 acre public recreation area was…

view of Westmoreland State Park from the Potomac River

Westmoreland State Park

Westmoreland State Park sits on 1,321 acres along the Potomac River in Virginia’s Northern Neck region, where towering Horsehead Cliffs rise 150 feet…

rocky shore from warren island state park in maine

Warren Island State Park

View from the shore at Warren Island State Park. Photo courtesy of Loop by Loop Studio, taken on a J&E Riggin windjammer cruise.The old Maine…

, , , , , ,
Platform on the Trail Vaughan Woods State Park

Vaughan Woods Memorial State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Platform on the Trail Vaughan Woods State Park. Photo: InAweofGod’sCreation,…

Man looks at waves crashing against the coast at Two Lights State Park

Two Lights State Park

This 41-acre park features two historic lighthouses and a stretch of rocky coastline that is one of Maine’s natural signatures. The park is open all…

, ,
Fog on Goodwin Lake at Twin Lakes State Park

Twin Lakes State Park

[caption id="attachment_30037" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Fog on Goodwin Lake at Twin Lakes State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

Light shining through the tunnel at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located in Pine, about halfway between Phoenix and Flagstaff. This public recreation area consists mainly of trails…

The trees Fall colorful leaves on the shore of Staunton River State Park

Staunton River State Park

A peaceful woodland park lies along the Staunton River near Scottsburg in Halifax County. This rustic park is only 25 miles from the border of North…

A clearing through the trees at Staunton River Battlefield State Park

Staunton River Battlefield State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A clearing through the trees at Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Photo: Virginia…

Towels on the shore of Smith Mountain Lake at Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a public recreation area near Huddleston in Bedford County. This picturesque park is only 40 miles from both Roanoke…

View of farms and hills from Sky Meadows State Park

Sky Meadows State Park

Sky Meadows State Park lies amongst the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains in Northwest Fauquier County in Delaplane, Virginia. This 1,862 acre public…

Jackson Ferry Shot Tower at Shot Tower State Park

Shot Tower State Park

[caption id="attachment_30037" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Jackson Ferry Shot Tower at Shot Tower State Park. Photo: Park Facebook…

Natural water slide at Slide Rock State Park Oak Creek Canyon Arizona

Slide Rock State Park

Arizona’s #1 Swimming Hole — Updated for 2026 with current fees, seasonal hours, and trail closures

tree branches hanging over the water at Shenandoah River State Park

Shenandoah River State Park

Picturesque Shenandoah River State Park is located in Bentonville, 1 ½ hours from Northern Virginia. This 1,619 acres of public recreation area lies…

snow on a bridge at Seven Bends State Park

Seven Bends State Park

Scenic Seven Bends State Park is located a few miles from historic downtown Woodstock in Shenandoah County, and 35 miles southwest of Winchester and 40…

Aerial view of colorful autumn foliage over the Scarborough Beach State Park

Scarborough Beach State Park

This state park is the site of a marvelous stretch of sandy beach in southern Maine. It is managed by a unique partnership between the state of Maine…

, , ,
Hillsman Farm House Museum behind a Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park sign

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park

[caption id="attachment_30151" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park sign. Photo: Virginia State Parks staff,…

Scroll to Top