Best State Parks in the U.S. 2023 – Most Visited Annually

Are you looking for some vital information about the state parks in the U.S.? Here we have shared the best and most visited state parks in the U.S.

Any state park visit offers a break from the stresses of everyday life.

There are a wide variety of activities and entertainment available for everyone to enjoy, whether you prefer hiking, biking, swimming, or simply spending time with your family in nature.

What is the Purpose of State Parks in the U.S.?

Initially, state parks in the United States aimed to offer recreational opportunities like swimming pools, boating, and fishing.

They were also used to protect the habitats of wildlife and natural regions.

However, many state parks have now developed into popular tourist sites offering accommodations for travelers worldwide, including tents and cabins, campgrounds, hiking trails, and paved roads.

While at least 38 states have some protected space within their borders, 33 state parks in the US draw more than 1 million people annually.

Read More :

• Ultimate Camping Guide.

• Disadvantages and advantages of camping.

The size of state parks varies according to the funding they receive. Some merely have a few acres, while others have more than 100,000.

Most visited State parks in the U.S.

There is at least one beautiful state park in every U.S. state.

These are the best state parks in the U.S. that you should visit at least once.

1. Alaska’s Chugach State Park

According to some estimates, there are 1 million visitors each year.

Alaska’s Chugach State Park, with its glaciers, boundless mountains, and proximity to Anchorage, is one of the most magnificent places on earth.

2. Arkansas’s Devil’s Den State Park

About 10 miles west of Winslow, on 2,200 acres, is Devil’s Den. Brach is one of the roughly 500,000 visitors to Devil’s Den annually.

In this state park, wooden and stone buildings are scattered throughout the landscape, full of unexpected rock formations and shaded caverns.

3. California’s Redwood State Park

There are over 435,879 visits to Redwood State Parks.

Some of the tallest trees in the world can be found in the Redwoods and an unending stretch of open coast.

4. Colorado’s Eldorado Canyon State Park

The number of hikers, bikers, climbers, fishermen, and picnickers that frequent the area each year has doubled during the past ten years, increasing from 243,924 in 2010 to 529,579 in 2022.

5. Delaware’s Cape Henlopen State Park

It has become the most visited park in the state, with more than 1.7 million visitors in 2022. With its roughly 5,200 acres and particular location along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, the park offers many activities.

6. Idaho’s Farragut State Park

Every year, more than 500,000 people visit Farragut State Park.

The 4,000-acre Farragut State Park is in northern Idaho’s Coeur d’Alene Mountains. You may set up a tent close to the lake before further exploring the park for bicycling, hiking, and fishing.

7. Illinois’s Starved Rock State Park

There are around 2.1 million visitors to Starved Rock State Park.

Starved Rock State Park’s sandstone canyons, waterfalls, and woodland paths give you the impression that you’re in another country.

8. Indiana’s Brown County State Park

Over 1,222,235 people visit Brown County State Park in Indiana each year.

Brown County State Park in Indiana has approximately 30 miles of singletrack for bicyclists and fantastic hiking opportunities.

9. Iowa’s Backbone State Park

Backbone visitors – 637,500

Backbone State Park offers a variety of activities, including biking, climbing, and trout fishing.

10. Kentucky’s Cumberland Falls State Park

Over 750,000 people visit Kentucky’s Cumberland Falls State Park each year.

The name of this park comes from Cumberland Falls, one of the few locations in the world where moonbows, also known as white rainbows or lunar rainbows, are frequently seen.

State parks in the U.S. with Mountains

Everyone could go and enjoy full of dreamy weather with mountains.

There are some state parks, and the best for camping with mountains are given below;

1. WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK

Location

In Virginia, off Highway 58, the Wilderness Road Campground is about three miles from the park’s visitor center. Its 160 plots are located in a lovely wooded area.

2. NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

Due to the size of the natural cave, it has been used as a functioning train tunnel since 1894.

Every third Saturday in July, the trains stop so that park visitors can traverse the 850-foot tunnel on foot. On other days you can use a chair lift to descend to the gorge observation area.

Location

It is in Scott County, Virginia, next to Duffield in the Appalachian Mountains.

3. BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK

Over 4,500 acres of trails, rock climbing areas, and picturesque canyons can be found at Breaks Interstate.

The breathtaking vistas of Pine Mountain, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, and other nearby landmarks are not to be missed.

Location

The Russell Fork Gorge, sometimes known as the “Grand Canyon of the South,” is located in the Breaks Interstate Park, which spans Virginia and Kentucky.

4. GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK

Grayson Highlands has picturesque vistas of alpine-like peaks over 5,000 feet high and is close to Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, Virginia’s two tallest mountains. A visitor center camping and hiking trails leading to waterfalls and viewpoints are among the amenities.

Location

The United States state park, Grayson Highlands State Park, is in Grayson County, Virginia.

Best State parks east coast

Top 10 State Parks On The East Coast

1. Niagara Falls State Park
2. Park Vogel State
3. Torreya State Park
4. The Catskills Park
5. Manatee Springs State Park
6. Park at Fontainebleau State
7. Letchworth State Park number
8. Baxter State Park
9.   Cayo Costa National Park
10. State Park Little Missouri

1. Niagara Falls State Park

Niagara Falls, as the name suggests, is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world. You can take a tour that includes camping or enjoy a drink at the cafe that faces out over the falls to watch the falls for yourself.

2. Vogel State Park

This well-liked state park has lovely lake camping areas and hiking routes. Due to its abundance of activities, Vogel State Park is great for families and groups.

3. Torreya State Park

This park which has a waterfall and is named for a critically endangered species of local tree, is a favorite among people who want to go hiking, fishing, or boating on the Apalachicola River.

4. The Catskills Park

The park offers various outdoor activities, including camping in the summer and ski getaways in the winter. It’s a well-known location for fly-fishing originating in the Catskills region and is also home to a vast network of hiking trails.

5. Manatee Springs State Park

This state park is a fantastic site to see manatees if you are traveling during the cooler seasons because they frequently congregate in the warm waters that fill the springs.

While they are less frequent in the summer, you can still look forward to seeing other animals, including birds and fish, and engaging in outdoor activities like boating and camping.

6. Fontainebleau State Park

Manatees typically gather in the warm waters that fill the springs at this state park, making it a great place to watch them if you are traveling in the cooler months.

You can still anticipate seeing other species, such as various birds and fish, and participating in outdoor activities like boating and camping, even though they are less frequent in the summer.

7. Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park is another magnificent park in New York State. The Genessee River flows through this park and tumbles over several 600-foot-tall waterfalls. Huge forests with numerous hiking paths are located all around the river.

8. Baxter State Park

To enjoy the vast Baxter State Park area, travel to Maine.

This is the ideal location for people wishing to experience the great outdoors in the Eastern United States because it is home to hundreds of miles of trails.

Camping and fishing are two more popular activities in the park besides hiking.

9. Cayo Costa State Park (Florida)

The park is well-liked for shelling, swimming, and camping and is only reachable by boat or kayak. If you don’t own a boat or kayak, a ferry travels to the island daily.

 10. Little Missouri State Park

More than 40 kilometers of pathways show nature’s beauty in this lovely park.

This peaceful park which offers both built and undeveloped campsites is the ideal place to get away from it all, whether for a few days or just an afternoon.

Texas State Parks

Texas state parks include a variety of recreational options, including boating, swimming, and picnicking, in addition to fishing. The majority of parks also allow camping.

More than 91 parks and historical sites make up the Texas State Park System, providing access to outdoor activities like camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, and fishing.

Texas offers various parks, from state parks to national parks. Hills, lakes, and trails surround you while you are here, yet you can still enjoy dining, shopping, and nightlife.

Some of the top national parks in the nation, including Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, are located in Texas.

The 16 Best Texas State Parks with Stunning Views of the Desert, Mountains, Waterfall, and Rivers

• Inks Lake State Park
• Palo Duro Canyon State Park
• Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
• Caddo Lake State Park
• Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
• Big Bend Ranch State Park
• Garner State Park
• Dinosaur Valley State Park
• Longhorn Cavern State Park
• Los Maples State Natural Area
• Pedernales Falls State Park
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Balmorhea State Park

Florida State Parks

There are numerous camping opportunities available in Florida’s state parks. For tent campers and RVers, full-facility campsites offer water, electricity, a grill, a picnic table, centralized showers, restrooms, and a dump station. By park maximum, RV lengths can vary.

Best Florida State Parks

• Avalon State Park
• Anastasia State Park
• Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
• Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park
• Alafia River State Park
• Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
• Amelia Island State Park
• Bahia Honda State Park
• Bald Point State Park
• Big Lagoon State Park
• Big Shoals State Park
• Big Talbot Island State Park

Largest State Parks in the U.S.

Every state has a unique parks program that aids in preserving and defending native habitats and fauna.

Traveling the country will expose you to various landscapes and breathtaking natural elements that states work hard to preserve.

The Largest State Parks in the U.S.

• New York’s Adirondack Park
• Oregon’s Smith Rock State Park
• California’s Anza-Borrego Desert
• Alaska’s Chugach State Park
• Alaska’s Kachemak Bay
• Maine’s Baxter State Park
• Washington’s Palouse Falls State Park
• South Dakota’s Custer State Park
• Michigan’s Porcupine Mountain Wilderness
• Nevada’s Valley Of Fire

State Parks in the U.S. FAQs