• About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
Saturday, June 25, 2022
The Millennial Source
TMS
Home Lifestyle

Don’t miss these 10 underrated state parks in the US

byContent Contributorand Edited byChristine Dulion
July 28, 2021
in Lifestyle
state parks in the US

Source: Pixabay, USA-Reiseblogger

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

State parks in the US tend to get overlooked when people are searching for ideal nature exploration. Because national parks have so much hype, state parks sometimes get left out. But this doesn’t mean they don’t offer just as much, if not more, than their national park counterparts.

A day spent in a beautiful park surrounded by nature is ideal for many people. However, nothing seems to ruin a day of getting back to nature quicker than large crowds of people and the feeling of being rushed through the experience by others.

Although national parks certainly are popular for a reason, they also attract swarms of people throughout the year. This means that you will likely encounter a big crowd when visiting them, whether it’s the busy season or off-season. 

There are countless state parks all across the country just waiting to be explored. Do a little digging, and you might find one closer to you than you think. If you don’t feel like doing the research yourself, we’ve rounded up some of the most stunning and spectacular state parks in the US so you can get back to nature.

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park – California

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @trishamartinot

Technically, this park is managed by the national park that pops into everyone’s mind when they think of redwoods – Redwood National Park. But Prairie Creek is a lesser-known and separate area that offers just as much beauty without the crowds, really allowing you to get back to nature.

Taking a road trip up the coast to Humboldt County can lead you to this stunning state park, filled with beautiful redwoods and idyllic meadows. Just be sure to look into car insurance in California before you hit the road to make sure you’re covered, just in case.

Providence Canyon State Park – Georgia

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Paige (@lal0ba)

When it comes to state parks in the US, this one should not be overlooked. Dubbed Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon State Park offers incredible views and fascinating history. Unlike Arizona’s Grand Canyon, a natural wonder, this canyon exists due to poor farming practices in the 1800s, causing the erosion seen today. 

No matter the season you choose to visit, be it the summer heat or Georgia’s fall season, you will not be short on breathtaking views and incredible history at this park, which offers hiking, camping and even the unique attraction of an abandoned homestead. 

The site is filled with old, rusty trucks and cars deemed unable to be moved by park officials. So they stay for visitors to see during their time at the park. With phenomenal views and interesting attractions, Providence Canyon is sure to wow anyone who visits.

Camden Hills State Park – Maine

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maine Travel Collective (@mainetravelcollective)

This breathtaking state park offers 30 miles of hiking trails for visitors along with year-round fun. In the warmer months, hiking, camping and horseback riding are available for those looking to enjoy the scenery. In the winter months, the park has options for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. 

Bordering Penobscot Bay and with mountain peak views to be found throughout the park, Camden Hills offers a multitude of fantastic sights for its visitors. And with trails ranging from moderate to easy, there is something for everyone here.

Even if the outdoors aren’t your cup of tea, New England offers incredible views right from the comfort of your own vehicle. Simply make sure you’re covered with car insurance and hop in the car for a stunning road trip through one of the country’s most scenic locations. 

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park – Montana

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @shellys.sights

Montana is a state certainly not lacking in beauty and incredible views. It is home to multiple national parks, after all. But those parks are likely to attract an abundance of visitors no matter the season.

A lesser-known gem waiting to be discovered in Montana is Lewis and Clark Caverns. This state park has the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest, with guided tours available for visitors to explore. The park also offers stunning hiking, biking and camping opportunities. There’s no shortage of beauty waiting around every corner here.

Mohican State Park – Ohio

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @allohiopics

If your idea of taking in scenic views involves floating down a river, look no further than Mohican State Park. Noted as one of the best canoeing spots in the state, Mohican has many locations to rent a canoe or kayak, plop yourself in the water and soak in the views. Many places are dog-friendly, so your fur-babies are welcome as well.

If you’re not one for the water, or the weather simply doesn’t permit, have no fear. Mohican is much more than just canoeing. The park offers more than 12 miles of hiking trails, some ending in marvelous lake views and gorge overlooks. 

There are many amenities at the park as well, such as a lodge, cottages and campsites. Visitors can stay overnight and enjoy the beauty and serenity of the area.

Goblin Valley State Park – Utah

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Salt City Sights (@saltcitysights)

Comparing a location in the US to the surface of Mars may seem a little crazy, but once you see Goblin State Park, you might begin to understand why. This valley is unlike any other due to its sandstone formations resembling goblins, hence its name.

If you’re feeling adventurous, the park offers guided rappelling tours into Goblin’s Lair, a 70-foot natural sandstone cave. If rappelling perhaps isn’t your idea of a good time, the park offers various hiking trails, all about 1.5 miles each in length. There are also mountain biking trails and horseback riding available, making this park a must-visit.

You can also drive down Scenic Byway 24 and see the sights of this breathtaking park from the road. You can take a long trip seeing all the interesting spots this location has to offer – just be sure you have the right car insurance coverage if something happened to go wrong on your trip.

State Forest State Park – Colorado

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (@coparkswildlife)

Truly ideal for nature lovers, this park offers a long list of activities for any outdoor enthusiast, such as camping, hiking, four-wheeling, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, telemarking, snowboarding, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, birding, wildlife viewing and geocaching.​​​​

This state park is also considered the moose viewing capital of Colorado, with more than 600 observed each year. Between the stunning mountain views, the endless activities, the rugged terrain options and the amazing wildlife, State Forest has so much to offer its visitors.

Valley of Fire State Park – Nevada

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Visit The USA | Travel+Nature (@wandering.usa)

If you’re ready for a social media detox, getting outdoors is the perfect escape. Valley of Fire State Park offers visitors a chance to really be wowed by natural wonder. When visiting this state park, you won’t find difficulty in determining where its name came from. Dubbed the Valley of Fire due to its bright red sandstone formations, when the sun hits them just right, they can actually appear to be on fire.

There are several hiking trails available through the gorgeous park, ranging from hard to easy, meaning there is something for every skill level. There are also camping sites and picnic areas available for those looking to enjoy even more of the scenic views.

McKinney Falls State Park – Texas

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jocelyn Pena (@jocepen95)

Located near Austin, McKinney Falls State Park is perfect for anyone looking to cool down from the Texas heat. The park has many stunning trails, some including hiking through water, so make sure you bring water shoes. There is also the park’s namesake, McKinney Falls, which offers a gorgeous waterfall for visitors to enjoy.

Along with hiking, you can find some areas for swimming and biking to enjoy the extraordinary sights this park has to offer.

Wawayanda State Park – New Jersey

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by South Jersey Adventures (@southjerseyadventures)

This state park includes a spectacular lake perfect for boating or swimming. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful day on the water surrounded by lush forest views. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the 19-mile stretch of the Appalachian Trail running through the park.

With so many options and so much scenery to take in, Wawayanda State Park surely won’t leave visitors wanting. And for those who aren’t quite ready to leave the peace and quiet, the park offers campsites for an overnight stay.

This article was contributed by Alexandra Arcand, who writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, FullCoverageAutoInsurances.com. Alex lives in Ohio and enjoys exploring new state parks each time she travels.

Have a story to share? Get in touch at [email protected]

Like TMS? Subscribe to our free daily newsletter

Related

Tags: CaliforniaGeorgiaLifestyleNew York Citytravel
ShareTweetShare

Latest Posts

Blue Lotus Gallery

How Hong Kong’s Blue Lotus Gallery is exploring the city’s cultural identity

June 25, 2022
Kayla Wong

Entrepreneur, activist and creator Kayla Wong on the LGBTQ+ scene in Hong Kong

June 18, 2022
man in white and gray striped long sleeve shirt sitting at the table

Everything you need to know about kakeibo, a Japanese method of saving money

June 17, 2022

Just say “no” to shark fin soup, says Hong Kong Shark Foundation

June 12, 2022

How Hong Kong’s archiREEF is restoring our ocean’s coral reefs with technology

June 11, 2022

7 of the best investment apps in Hong Kong

May 29, 2022

Cheers to Breer – the social enterprise inspiring us to upcycle our food scraps

May 28, 2022

Get to know visual podcast channel Fav: On Air

May 26, 2022

Artist Jana Benitez on art, emotion and connection in the human experience

May 24, 2022

SUBSCRIBE TO THE TMS NEWSLETTER

By providing your email, you agree to our Privacy Policy

The Millennial Source Ltd. 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Your daily briefing
  • About us
  • Explore
    • Startups
    • Climate change
    • Tech giants
    • Crypto
    • The future of work
    • Banking giants
    • Economy
  • Lifestyle
  • Human stories
  • TMS archives
  • Write for us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy & Terms

2022 The Millennial Source Ltd.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

string(24) "jsonld single post debug"
The Millennial Source
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.