Support State Parks: How to Donate

By America's State Parks Editorial TeamFebruary 28, 2026

State parks depend on private donations to fund projects that go beyond their operating budgets. From building new trails to protecting endangered habitat, your contribution makes a direct, tangible difference.

Friends Groups

Nearly every state has a Friends organization – a nonprofit that raises funds and organizes volunteers for specific parks. Examples include Friends of Florida State Parks, Friends of the Smokies, and California State Parks Foundation. These groups typically fund conservation projects, trail improvements, and educational programs in “their” parks.

How to Donate

Donations can be made directly to your state’s parks department or to a specific Friends group. Many states also offer donate-at-checkout programs when purchasing annual passes or camping reservations. Some states accept vehicle donations, stock transfers, and planned gifts through estate planning.

About the Author

America's State Parks Editorial Team

America's State Parks is an independent online guide to state parks and other public lands in the United States. Our editorial team compiles park profiles from official agency and operator sources and other identified references, and follows our published editorial policy and review methodology. Where a profile shows a source-check date, that date applies to the detail it names. We correct errors when we find them or when readers report them.