For good reasons, our awesome national parks attract millions of visitors every year. Sometimes, they feel way too crowded, and with reservation systems and rising entry costs, you might be wondering if there are alternatives.
The good news is that there are! We have a lot of state parks that are incredibly scenic and don’t require you to negotiate a lot of red tape and pay expensive fees to enjoy (many do charge entry fees, but they’re less than in the national parks):
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California
This huge park in Southern California is larger than some national parks. Some of its highlights include colorful badlands, narrow canyons, spring-fed oases, and spectacular wildflower blooms.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Just an hour away from Las Vegas, this park is far removed from all the neon and noise. Dark-red sandstone makes up the landscape here, and several hiking trails provide access to the best sights. In addition to enjoying the natural scenery, you can view rock art left behind by ancient Native American cultures.
Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada
About a two-hour drive from the Valley of Fire is this other exceptional state park in the remote Nevada desert. Here, wind and water have shaped soft rock into an otherworldly landscape of pinnacles and canyons. Sunrise and sunset produce intense colors that will delight your eyes and your camera.
Makoshika State Park, Montana
Much of eastern Montana is flat and featureless, but this state park is a rugged exception. Colorful badlands and wildly shaped rock formations await visitors here, and views seem to stretch forever.
Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming
The main attraction here is the Popo Agie River, which dives underground and then reemerges shortly later. Beautiful sandstone and limestone cliffs line the canyon on both sides, and they offer some of the best rock climbing in the country. The road through the canyon also provides access to trailheads people use to venture into the spectacular Wind River Range.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
The legendary Black Hills are home to this state park, a national park, a national monument, Mount Rushmore, and historic towns. Custer State Park is popular for camping, fishing, hiking, and its free-roaming buffalo herd. You’ll also love the granite spires and narrow tunnels along the park’s Needles Highway.
Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
By visitation numbers, Zion National Park is always one of the country’s five busiest. Only about a 90-minute drive west, near St. George, is Snow Canyon, with scenery that resembles Zion’s but without all the crowds.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah
As the name suggests, the sand dunes here are a striking pink color. You can wander the dunes on foot, and some sections are open to motorized use. The park is close to the town of Kanab, which is a gateway to some of the best of Utah’s sandstone backcountry.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Moab is the recreational hub of southeastern Utah, and there are two national parks and many other public lands nearby. Dead Horse Point is a short detour on the way to or from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. From Dead Horse Point itself, you get excellent views of the Colorado River and the canyon country surrounding it.
Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona
Named after a fabled lost gold mine, this park is near Phoenix and offers an escape from the bustle of city life. Trails there access a wilderness area that includes the dramatic Superstition Mountains.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Texas
In Texas, some state parks have landscapes so unique and spectacular that they get additional protections as State Natural Areas. Enchanted Rock is a large granite dome that formed from cooling lava millions of years ago. Hiking, camping, stargazing, and rock climbing are popular activities there.
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Texas
Lost Maples protects pristine woodlands and cliffs along the Sabinal River. The maple trees there turn a golden color in autumn, and it’s one of the few places in Central Texas that has vibrant fall colors.
Garner State Park, Texas
Garner is not far from Lost Maples and is one of Texas’s most popular parks for two main reasons. The first is that it has a limestone “mountain” that has great views from the top. The other is the spring-fed Frio River, which stays cool even in the summer and provides relief from the oppressive Texas summer heat.
Baxter State Park, Maine
Baxter is so large that it could easily be a national park. The centerpiece is Mount Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Katahdin is one of several New England peaks that rise above the treeline, giving it an alpine feel.
Grayson Highlands State Park, Virginia
The Grayson Highlands in southwestern Virginia are known for their boulder outcrops, open meadows, and resident wild ponies. Nearby is Mt. Rogers, the state’s highest peak.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The World’s 5 Friendliest and 5 Unfriendliest Cities
Some cities welcome visitors and want them to be there. Other cities are rude to visitors and would just as soon see you leave. It can be jarring to be in an unfriendly city, though some of the world’s most enticing cities rank high on the rudeness scale.
When you visit a friendly city, it’s much easier to soak in the culture and meet the locals. Rough Guides readers voted on the cities for their level of friendliness. According to Rough Guides, these are the world’s friendliest and unfriendliest cities.
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