The Best State Parks In America
Because national parks shouldn't steal all the spotlight
National parks may get most of the attention from nature-loving travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, but state parks across the country boast a unique beauty all their own. Bonus: They tend to be less crowded.
Here are five you need to visit.
Georgia Kral is a reporter and editor based in Brooklyn. Follow her food and travel adventures at @georgiakral.
Jockey's Ridge State Park
Nags Head, North Carolina
This park in the Outer Banks contains the tallest living sand dune system on the East Coast. It's a popular spot for flying kites and hang gliding—or just sliding down the picture-perfect white sand on your bum. With glistening sand around you and the ocean visible in the distance, you'll feel like you're in the desert or on another planet entirely.
Photo: Posnov/Getty Images
Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Santa Cruz, California
Redwood National Park in Northern California is indeed breathtaking, featuring a variety of trail hikes and drives through the ancient forests of the largest, tallest trees in the world. But perched in the mountains above the beach town of Santa Cruz, Big Basin is truly a hidden gem. The state park features campsites, all manner of trail and two trees—known as the Mother and Father of the Forest—that tower over the landscape.
Photo: Sierralara/Getty Images
Makena State Park
Maui, Hawaii
Makena State Park, on the southwest side of Maui, has arguably the best beaches on the island. Big Beach, also known as Oneloa Beach, has perfect golden-yellow sand and turquoise water. Little Beach, just a five-minute walk, is located on the other side of the 360-foot dormant volcano Pu'u Olai, an imposing rock that defines the landscape.
Photo: Ivan_Sabo/Getty Images
Roan Mountain State Park
Carter County, Tennessee
Roan, which is part of the Appalachian Trail, is a hiker's paradise, with gorgeous scenery and alpine flora at every turn. The rugged ridges promise big views of the undulating Smoky Mountains in the distance, and the hardwood forests leading up to the mountain tops are impressive, too. For overnights, choose between fully equipped cabins and campsites.
Photo: kellyvandellen/Getty Images
Bash Bish Falls State Park
Mount Washington, Massachusetts
Located in the Berkshires on the New York border, Bash Bish Falls State Park is home to the highest-drop waterfall in Massachusetts. The hike in can be strenuous, but the breathtaking waterfall and crystal clear pool below, which is 60 feet deep, is worth the effort. Although it's prohibited by law, you'll see plenty of locals jumping from nearby cliffs into the smaller pools.
Photo: Craig Houghton via Flickr