The Best State Park in Each U.S. State

"National parks get all the attention, but some of the country's most striking landscapes are found in lesser-known-and therefore less busy-state parks. From the caves of Ohio's Hocking Hills State Park to the hoodoos of Utah's Mars-like Goblin Valley State Park, endless places are waiting to be explored from coast to coast. Whether you're looking for outdoor recreation in your home state"

"Gulf State Park, Alabama White-sand beaches might not initially come to mind when you think of Alabama, but a visit to Gulf State Park will change your perspective. From the Gulf Coast's sugar-sand shores, you can kayak, bike, or do absolutely nothing-no judgment. You'll also find plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, and playing in the fresh waters of Lake Shelby."

State parks across the United States present a wide variety of striking landscapes and quieter recreation options compared with national parks. Coastal sugar-sand beaches, glacier- and lake-dotted wilderness, rugged desert formations, and forested trails appear in state parks from Alabama to Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas and beyond. Visitors can kayak, bike, hike, camp, fish, watch wildlife, and explore caves or unique rock formations. Many parks combine accessible proximity to cities with vast natural acreage, offering opportunities for short visits or multi-park road trips that showcase unusual terrain and less-crowded outdoor experiences.

Read at Travel + Leisure