National & State Parks

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State Parks of the United States

A variety of information on state parks, including job and volunteer opportunities, maps, events, and contact information for each of the 50 state park agencies. Also includes information on the best of the best state parks, as selected by the state park system directors
New Mexico State Parks’ 75th Diamond Anniversary
Learn about New Mexico State Parks’ 75th Diamond Anniversary celebration in 2008.
Tennesse State Parks Receive Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreat
Tennessee State Parks Received the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, which is awarded every two years by the National Recreation and Park Association.
The Best of the Best State Parks
A selection of the best state parks in all 50 states, as selected by the state park directors.
The Best State Parks to Visit in the Spring
A selection of the best state parks in the United States to visit during the spring, including all 50 states
The Best State Parks to Visit in the Winter
A selection of the best state parks in the United States to visit during the winter, as selected by the directors of the 50 state park agencies.
State Park Passes
How to obtain state park entrance passes and annual permits
State Park Agencies
Get information directly from the official agencies that manage state parks and other natural resources in all 50 states and DC. In addition to links to each web site, you'll find address, phone, fax, and toll-free numbers as well.
State Park Camping
Information on camping at state parks, including links to all state park agency camping information, phone and online reservation systems, campground availability, and more.
State Park Events
Find out what special events are taking place at state parks throughout the country by linking directly to their events calendars.
State Park Trails
Links to state park trail systems.
Best Alabama State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Alabama state parks to visit in the spring, including, DeSoto State Park, Joe Wheeler State Park, and Wind Creek State Park
Alabama State Parks - The best Alabama state parks to visit in the win
Information on the best Alabama state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Alabama State Parks Division. These include Cheaha, Gulf and Lake Guntersville state parks.
Best Alaska State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Alaska state parks to visit in the spring, including Clam Gulch State Recreation Area, Kenai River Special Management Area, and Chugach State Park
Best Alaska State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Alaska state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Alaska Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation. These include Chugach State Park, the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, and the Cheena River State Recreation Area.
The Best State Parks to Visit in Arizona
The Best State Parks to Visit in Arizona, as selected by the director of its state park system.
Best Arizona State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Arizona state parks to visit in the spring, including, Fort Verde State Historic Park, Dead Horse Ranch State Park, and Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Best Arizona State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Arizona state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Arizona State Parks Agency. These include Lake Havasu, Alamo Lake, and Catalina state parks.
Best Arkansas State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Arkansas state parks to visit in the spring, including Mount Magazine State Park, Historic Washington State Park, and Village Creek State Park.
Best Arkansas State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Arkansas state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Arkansas State Parks Agency. These include Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
Best California State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best California state parks to visit in the spring, including Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, Big Basin Redwoods Sate Park, and Henry W. Coe State Park.
Best California State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best California state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. These include Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Año Nuevo State Reserve and Prairie Creek Redwood state Park.
Best Colorado State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Colorado state parks to visit in the spring, including Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Roxoborough State Park, and Rifle Falls State Park.
Best Colorado State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Colorado state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Colorado State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division. These include Steamboat Lake, Pearl Lake, Navajo, and State Forest state parks.
Best Connecticut State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Connecticut state parks to visit in the spring, including,
Best Connecticut State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Connecticut state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. These include Mohawk State Forest, Peoples State Forest, and Dinosaur State Park.
Best Delaware State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Delaware state parks to visit in the spring, including White Clay Creek State Park, The First State Heritage Park at Dover, and Trap Pond State Park
Best Delaware State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Delaware state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation. These include Cape Henlopen, Brandywine Creek, and Killens Pond state parks.
Best Florida State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best florida state parks to visit in the spring, including Eden Gardens State Park, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, and Anastasia State Park.
Best Florida State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Florida state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Florida Division of Parks and Recreation. These include Bahia Honda and Honeymoon Island state parks, and Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park.
Best Georgia State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Georgia state parks to visit in the spring, including, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, and Fort McAllister Historic Park
Best Georgia State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Georgia state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. These include Providence Canyon State Conservation Area, Georgia Veterans Memorial State Park, and General Coffee State Park.
Best Hawaii State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Hawaii state parks to visit in the spring, including Kalopa State Recreation Area, Iao Valley State Monument, and Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline and Makapu‘u Point State Wayside
Best Hawaii State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Hawaiian state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Hawaii Division of State Parks. These include Diamond Head State Monument and Makapuu Point State Wayside.
Best Idaho State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Idaho state parks to visit in the spring, including Thousand Springs State Park, Bruneau Dunes State Park, and Three Island Crossing State Park.
Best Idaho State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Idaho state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Idaho State Parks & Recreation Department. These include Priest Lake, Winchester Lake, and Harriman state parks.
Best Illinois State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Illinois state parks to visit in the spring, including Giant City State Park, Starved Rock State Park, and Mississippi Palisades State Park.
Best Illinois State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Illinois state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. These include Mississippi Palisades State Park, Starved Rock State Park
Best Indiana State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Indiana state parks to visit in the spring, including Charlestown State Park, Monroe Lake, andChain O'Lakes State Park.
Best Indiana State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Indiana state parks to visit in the winter. These include Pokagon State Park and Brown County State Park.
Best Iowa State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Iowa state parks to visit in the spring, including Pine Lake State Park, Lake Ahquabi State Park and Lake of Three Fires State Park
Best Iowa State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Iowa state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Iowa Division of Parks, Recreation and Preserves. These include George Wyth Memorial State Park, Gulf Point State Park, and Waubonsie State Park.
Best Kansas State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Kansas state parks to visit in the spring, including Kanopolis State Park, Lovewell State Park, and Cross Timbers State Park.
Best Kansas State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Kansas state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks. These include Miford State Park, Webster State Park, and Prairie Dog State Park.
Best Kentucky State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Kentucky state parks to visit in the spring, including Carter Caves State Resort Park, Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park
Best Kentucky State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Kentucky state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Kentucky Department of Parks. These include Dale Hollow Lake, Kentucky Dam Village, Kenlake, and Lake Barkley state resort parks
Best Louisiana State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Louisiana state parks to visit in the spring, including, North Toledo Bend State Park, Saint Bernard State Park, and Poverty Point Reservoir State Park
Best Louisiana State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Louisiana state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Louisiana Office of State Parks. These include Lake Claiborne, Lake Fausse Pointe, and Tickfaw state park.
Best Maine State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Maine state parks to visit in the spring, including Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, Camden Hills State Park, and Popham Beach State Park
Best Maine State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Kentucky state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Kentucky Department of Parks. These include Dale Hollow Lake, Kentucky Dam Village, Kenlake, and Lake Barkley state resort parks
Best Maryland State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Maryland state parks to visit in the spring, including Pocomoke River State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Elk Neck State Park
Best Maryland State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Maryland state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. These include New Germany State Park, Green Ridge State Forest, and Deep Creek Lake State Park.
Best Massachusetts State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Massachusetts state parks to visit in the spring, including The Esplanade – Charles River Reservation, Moore State Park, and DAR State Forest.
Best Massachusetts State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Massachusetts state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Massachusetts Forest & Parks Division. These include Gardner Heritage State Park, Dunn Pond State Park, Great Brook Farm State Park, and Douglas State Forest.
Best Michigan State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Michigan state parks to visit in the spring, including Waterloo Recreation Area, Algonac State Park, and Van Riper State Park
Best Michigan State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Michigan state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. These include Albert E. Sleeper State Park and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
Best Minnesota State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Minnesota state parks to visit in the spring, including
Best Minnesota State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Minnesota state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. These include Wild River, Mille Lacs Kathio, and Gooseberry Falls state parks.
Best Mississippi State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Mississippi state parks to visit in the spring, including Roosevelt State Park, John Kyle State Park, and Percy Quin State Park.
Best Mississippi State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Mississippi state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries & Parks. These include Tishomingo State Park, Percy Quin State Park, and Florewood River Plantation.
Best Missouri State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Missouri state parks to visit in the spring, including Montauk State Park, Prairie State Park, and Washington State Park.
Best Missouri State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Missouri state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Missouri Division of State Parks. These include Rock Bridge Memorial and Roaring River state parks, and the Scott Joplin House State Historic Site.
Best Montana State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Montana state parks to visit in the spring, including Missouri Headwaters State Park, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, and Pictograph Cave State Park
Best Montana State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Montana state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. These include Cooney Reservoir, Bannack, and Mokoshika state parks.
Best Nebraska State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Nebraska state parks to visit in the spring, including, Fort Kearny State Recreation Area and Historical Park, Rock Creek Station State Historical Park and Recreation Area, and Indian Cave State Park
Best Nebraska State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Nebraska state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission. These include Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and Indian Cave State Park
Best Nevada State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Nevada state parks to visit in the spring, including Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, and Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Best Nevada State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Nevada state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Nevada Division of State Parks. These include Valley of Fire, Cave Lake, and Lake Tahoe state parks
Best New Hampshire State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best New Hampshire state parks to visit in the spring, including Pawtuckaway State Park, Pillsbury State Park, and Northwood Meadows State Park
Best New Hampshire State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best New Hampshire state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the New Hampshire Division of Parks & Recreation. These include Bear Brook, Franconia Notch, and Monadnock state parks
Best New Jersey State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best New Jersey state parks to visit in the spring, including Ringwood State Park, Washington Crossing State Park, and Cheesequake State Park.
Best New Jersey State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best New Jersey state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the New Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry. These include High Point State Park, Stokes State Forest, and Wawayanda State Park.
Best New Mexico State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best New Mexico state parks to visit in the spring, including Navajo Lake State Park, Caballo Lake State Park, and Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.
Best New Mexico State Parks to Visit in the Winter
New Mexico state parks, winter recreation in new mexico, City of Rocks State Park, Sugarite Canyon State Park, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, caprock
Best New York State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best New York state parks to visit in the spring, including, Grafton Lakes State Park, Rockefeller State Park Preserve, and Fair Haven Beach State Park
The Best State Parks to Visit in New York
The Best State Parks to Visit in New York, as selected by the director of its state park system, including Jones Beach State Park, Niagara Reservation State Park, Riverbank State Park, and Saratoga Spa State Park
Best New York State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best New York state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the New York Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. These include Allegany, Letchworth, and Wellesley Island state parks.
Best North Carolina State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best North Carolina state parks to visit in the spring, including Merchants Millpond State Park, William B. Umstead State Park, and Stone Mountain State Park.
Best North Carolina State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best North Carolina state parks to visit in the winter as selected by the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. These include Pettigrew, Fort Macon, and Hammocks Beach state parks.
Best North Dakota State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best North Dakota state parks to visit in the spring, including Fort Stevenson State Park, Little Missouri State Park, and Sully Creek State Recreation Area
Best North Dakota State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best North Dakota state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. These include Fort Ransom, Icelandic, and Lake Metigoshe state parks.
Best Ohio State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Ohio state parks to visit in the spring, including Shawnee State Park, John Bryan State Park, and Malabar Farm State Park
Best Ohio State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Ohio state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Ohio Division of Parks and Recreation. These include Punderson State Park, Malabar Farm, and Mohican State Park.
Best Oklahoma State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Oklahoma state parks to visit in the spring, including Beavers Bend State Park, Great Salt Plains State Park, and Lake Eufaula State Park.
Best Oklahoma State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Oklahoma state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Oklahoma Parks Division. These include Beavers Bend Resort Park, Robbers Cave State Park, and Quartz Mountain Resort
Best Oregon State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Oregon state parks to visit in the spring, including, Shore Acres State Park, Champoeg State Heritage Area, and Catherine Creek State Park
Best Oregon State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Oregon state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. These include South Beach, Jessie M. Honeyman, and Bullards Beach state parks.
Best Pennsylvania State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Pennsylvania state parks to visit in the spring, including Ricketts Glen State Park, Presque Isle State Park, and Cook Forest State Park
Best Pennsylvania State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Pennsylvania state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. These include Black Moshannon, Laurel Ridge, and Promised Land state parks.
Best Rhode Island State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Rhode Island state parks to visit in the spring, including Colt State Park, Beavertail State Park, and Blackstone River State Park
Best Rhode Island State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Rhode Island state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation. These include Goddard Memorial and Lincoln Woods state parks.
Best South Carolina State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best South Carolina state parks to visit in the spring, including Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Aiken State Natural Area, and Devils Fork State Park
Best South Carolina State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best South Carolina state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. These include Huntington Beach State Park, Table Rock State Park, and Hampton Plantation State Historic Site.
Best South Dakota State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best South Dakota state parks to visit in the spring, including Lake Herman State Park, Fort Sisseton State Historical Park, Newton Hills State Park, and Union Grove State Park
Best South Dakota State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best South Dakota state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation. These include the Black Hills Snowmobile Trail System, Newton Hills State Park, and Oakwood Lakes State Park.
Best Tennessee State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Tennessee state parks to visit in the spring, including, Meeman Shelby Forest State Park, Frozen Head State Park, and Norris Dam State Park.
Best Tennessee State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Tennessee state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation. These include Fall Creek Falls State Resort Park, Tims Ford State Park, and Roan Mountain State Park.
Best Texas State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Texas state parks to visit in the spring, including, Big Bend Ranch State Park, Caprock Canyons State Park, and Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site.
Best Texas State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Texas state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Texas Parks & Wildlife. These include Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Seminole Canyon State Historical Park, and Garner State Park.
Best Utah State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Utah state parks to visit in the spring, including Palisade State Park and Golf Course, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, and Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
Best Utah State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Utah state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation. These include Wasatch Mountain State Park and Jordanelle State Park.
Best Vermont State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Vermont state parks to visit in the spring, including
Best Vermont State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Vermont state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation. These include Mount Philo State Park, Groton State Forest, and Woodford State Park.
Best Virginia State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Virginia state parks to visit in the spring, including Claytor Lake State Park, First Landing State Park, and Occoneechee State Park.
Best Virginia State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Virginia state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Virginia State Parks Division. These include Westmoreland, Hungry Mother, and Douthat state parks.
Best Washington State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Washington state parks to visit in the spring, including, Beacon Rock State Park, Columbia Hills State Park, and Maryhill State Park.
Best Washington State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Washington state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. These include Hyak Sno-Park, Mount Spokane State Park, and Rose Spring Sno-Park.
Best West Virginia State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best West Virginia state parks to visit in the spring, including Watoga State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park, and Chief Logan State Park
Best West Virginia State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best West Virginia state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. These include Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park.
Best Wisconsin State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Wisconsin state parks to visit in the spring, including Peninsula State Park, Richard Bong State Recreation Area, and Washington State Park.
Best Wisconsin State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Wisconsin state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. These include Kettle Moraine State Forest, Blue Mound State Park, Interstate State Park, and Red Cedar State Trail.
Best Wyoming State Parks to Visit in the Spring
Information on the best Wyoming state parks to visit in the spring, including Hot Springs State Park, Trail End State Historic Site, and Fort Bridger State Historic Site
Best Wyoming State Parks to Visit in the Winter
Information on the best Wyoming state parks to visit in the winter, as selected by Wyoming State Parks & Historic Sites. These include Bear River, Keyhole, and Hot Springs state parks.

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