National Parks get most of the attention—but many State Parks are just as spectacular, often with fewer crowds and better amenities. Here are 10 that wowed us with waterfalls, redwoods, caves, beaches, canyons, and swamps.
👉 But do you agree with our picks—or would you add your own?
Julia Pfeiffer Burns (CA) – Home to the iconic McWay Falls, an 80-foot waterfall that drops directly into the Pacific.
Fall Creek Falls (TN) – A nature-lover’s paradise with Tennessee’s tallest waterfall plus swimming holes, suspension bridges, and miles of trails.
Custer (SD) – Granite spires, rugged hikes, and the Black Hills at their best—plus bison, pronghorn, and wild burros.
Niagara Falls (NY) – America’s oldest state park and still one of the most thrilling, with three thundering waterfalls drawing visitors from around the world.
Kartchner Caverns (AZ) – A “living” cave system filled with formations that continue to grow, including the 58-foot Kubla Khan column.
Henry Cowell Redwoods (CA) – Soaring old-growth redwoods more than 1,800 years old, tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Okefenokee (GA) – A mysterious blackwater swamp full of cypress trees, Spanish moss, and sunbathing alligators.
Dead Horse Point (UT) – Sweeping canyon views over the Colorado River, just outside Moab and Canyonlands National Park.
Franconia Notch (NH) – A glacial valley in the White Mountains with granite gorges, alpine lakes, and family-friendly hikes.
Gulf State Park (AL) – Three miles of sugar-white sand beaches, plus trails, lakes, and one of the best coastal campgrounds in the U.S.
✨ These are our favorites—but what do you think?
Would you swap one out? Add a favorite of your own?
👉 See the full guide (with photos + practical tips) on Panoramic Pathways.