305 State Parks.
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Track notable state parks in all 50 states. Mark every park you have visited.
State Parks
0 of 305 visited · 0 on bucket listTap once for visited, twice for bucket list
Northeast
0/54Southeast
0/73Midwest
0/67Southwest
0/46West
0/65State Parks by state
Each state has its own map and checklistWhere to start
7 picks worth planning a trip aroundCuster State Park, SD
South Dakota · MidwestCuster has one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in North America, with more than 1,300 animals. Wild burros in the park often walk right up to car windows.
Why go: Watch the September bison roundup, when riders drive the whole herd across the prairie. Drive the Needles Highway through granite spires and look for bighorn sheep and pronghorn.
Anza-Borrego Desert, CA
California · WestAnza-Borrego is California's largest state park, at more than 600,000 acres. Artist Ricardo Breceda's 130 metal sculptures of prehistoric animals stand out in the desert.
Why go: Visit in spring for wildflower blooms across the desert floor. Find the metal sculptures, explore slot canyons, and camp under some of the darkest skies in Southern California.
Baxter State Park, ME
Maine · NortheastBaxter contains Mount Katahdin, the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. The park is kept primitive, with no electricity or running water.
Why go: Hike to Katahdin's summit on the Knife Edge trail and cheer on hikers finishing their six-month Appalachian Trail trip. Look for moose, and expect no cell service.
Palo Duro Canyon, TX
Texas · SouthwestPalo Duro is the second-largest canyon in the US, about 120 miles long. A fork of the Red River carved its layers of red, yellow, and orange rock.
Why go: Watch the outdoor musical "TEXAS" in the canyon amphitheater. Hike or ride horses past rock spires called hoodoos, and look for the Texas horned lizard.
Valley of Fire, NV
Nevada · WestNevada's oldest state park has 3,000-year-old petroglyphs and 150-million-year-old sandstone. The name comes from the red rocks, which seem to burn at sunrise and sunset.
Why go: See the red sandstone and the Fire Wave formation at sunrise or sunset. View petroglyphs at Mouse's Tank, walk narrow slot canyons, and visit a petrified forest.
Watkins Glen, NY
New York · NortheastThe 2-mile Gorge Trail passes 19 waterfalls and drops 400 feet between 200-foot stone walls. Glen Creek carved the gorge over 12,000 years, starting when Ice Age glaciers retreated.
Why go: Walk behind waterfalls on the Gorge Trail. Climb its 832 stone steps through tunnels and over bridges, with cool mist from the falls on hot days.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns, CA
California · WestThe park is home to McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall on the Big Sur coast. It's named after Julia Pfeiffer Burns, a Big Sur pioneer.
Why go: See McWay Falls drop into its turquoise cove. Hike through redwoods, explore tide pools, and drive Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast.
Questions about State Parks
How many state parks are there in the US?
There are more than 10,000 state park units in the US. We track a selection of notable parks from all 50 states.
Are state parks cheaper than National Parks?
Generally yes. State park entrance fees are typically lower, and many states offer annual passes for $30-75 covering all parks in that state.
What amenities do state parks offer?
Most state parks offer camping, hiking trails, picnic areas, and nature programs. Many have cabins, lodges, and recreational facilities like swimming areas.