11 State Parks Across the USA for Outdoor Fun

Are you thinking about your next outdoor getaway? With over 8,500 areas across the USA, state parks provide opportunities to get outside and connect with nature, often close to home. For a multi-day adventure, the America’s State Parks website shows that collectively the parks have over 200,000 campsites and almost 9,000 family cabins and cottages available for rent. Just be sure to book well in advance for an overnight stay or cabin rental. To kick off your planning, I’ve gathered a list of some favorite family-friendly state parks and tips from travel bloggers around the country. They share why these state parks from California to Vermont are great places for day trips or multi-day family adventures. 
*This post was updated  May, 2023

Table of Contents
-Cedar Hill State Park, Texas 
-Burton Island State Park, Vermont
-Point Lobos State Nature Reserve, California
-Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
-Letchworth State Park, New York
-Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado 
-Silver Lake State Park, Michigan
-Crystal Cove State Park, California
-Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
-New River Trail State Park, Virginia
-Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina

Cedar Hill State Park, Texas

Cedar Hill State Park is located just ten miles southwest of Dallas. The park sits on the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake in Cedar Hill, Texas. This state park near Dallas is the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are campsites, fishing spots, hiking trails and you can even see some wildflowers in spring and fall colors.  Pack a picnic or BBQ to enjoy after hiking and biking the trails.  There are over 300 tents and RV sites to choose from if you want to spend the night.
 
You can explore the historic Penn Agricultural farm on your own or join a guided tour. Farming in Cedar Hill dates to 1854 when the first European settler of the property, John Penn arrived in Texas.  Kids might enjoy Geocaching, i.e. a modern day treasure hunt where you use a smartphone to find the cache (camouflaged or hidden item like film canister, metal lunch boxes). They hold things like a logbook where you can sign your name, or find tradable items.
 
The best part of the state park is the lake where you can go for a swim, launch a boat and enjoy some quiet time.  You don’t need a fishing license when fishing from the shore.  It is also a great spot to catch a Texas sunset over the lake. 
 
It is currently $7 per day for day use, $5 per day for overnight stays. The park gate opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. and children under 12 are not charged. Campsites with electric and water hookups are $25 - $30 per night. 
Priya at Outside Suburbia

​Burton Island State Park, Vermont

Credit: Back Road Ramblers

If your summer travels find you in New England, be sure to venture to Lake Champlain and Vermont’s most beloved and beautiful island, Burton Island State Park. Burton Island State Park embraces visitors like old friends. You can find total solitude at primitive, waterfront campsites, or experience the comings and goings of a lively marina with plenty of amenities. There are no cars on Burton Island, so you’ll find lots of free-range kids — running through the tall grass, biking along the trails and campground roads, and meandering through the fields and forests. For you dog lovers out there, Burton Island has an off-leash dog beach, and all the trails are dog-friendly too.

Camping on Burton Island is an awesome way to kick off summer. There are 14 tent sites, 26 lean-tos, and 3 camping cabins that can be reserved ahead of time. Many of the lean-tos are right on the water, with amazing sunset views and great water access for swimming and paddling. 

The Burton Island Bistro, located near the marina, serves up a fabulous breakfast and lunch for campers and day visitors. They always have fresh coffee, local beer, and fine wine, as well as all the necessary provisions for camping on the island. 

A perfect day at Burton Island State Park will include a vigorous hike on the island trails, swimming whenever the mood strikes, a sunset paddle on Lake Champlain, and a campfire with friends before falling asleep to gentle waves caressing the craggy shore. 
Tara at Back Road Ramblers

​Point Lobos State Nature Reserve, California

Credit: The Family Voyage

Point Lobos State Nature Reserve, on the southern end of Monterey Bay in California, is sometimes called the “crown jewel of the California state parks” and it’s easy to understand why! Whether you’re visiting with kids or without, it’s an incredible place to take in the unique scenery and wildlife of the California coast. 

The park is almost completely flat, so hiking on the well-maintained trails is accessible to all types of visitors. You can choose different length options to suit your interests, but all roads lead to the stunning coastal views. Around the bay you’ll enjoy scrambling on the beautiful rock formations and getting sprayed by the enormous waves.

The wildlife in this protected area is incredible. On our visit we watched mom and baby otters playing and feeding in the bay, saw dozens of seals sunning themselves in a secluded cove and spotted at least a dozen bird species. It’s a great compliment to visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium (which I recommend doing before you go to Point Lobos) so that you can learn about the local wildlife and then see them out in nature. 

One full day is enough time to enjoy Point Lobos, though you might want to visit again next time you’re in the area since it’s so lovely! There are lots of small vacation rentals throughout the area in Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea and beyond. 
Melissa at The Family Voyage

​Starved Rock State Park, Illinois ​

Credit: Traveling With the Littles

Starved Rock State Park, located at the crossroads of I-80 & I-39, is about an hour and a half west of Chicago.  Starved Rock is an impressive swath of wilderness, and you’ll be surprised that a park in the heartland of Illinois has so much to offer. 
The park boasts 13 miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, jaw-dropping overlooks, and dramatic wilderness.  Additionally, during the coldest part of the winter, you’ll find impressive ice falls.  Besides hiking, you’ll find waterfall and canyon tours, tourist and dinner cruises, fall color trolley tours, Eagle trolley tours, Christmas Light Tours, and guided winter hikes.

At only 1.5 hours from Chicago, you can make this a day trip or stay overnight.  If you’d like to stay overnight, you have a couple of options.  Starved Rock Lodge offers two rooms types-Lodge Wing Rooms and Hotel Wing Rooms. The Lodge Wing Rooms are part of the original Lodge built in the 1930s and are a bit more rustic.  The Hotel Wing Rooms were built in the 1980s, have more amenities, and are a bit more contemporary.  The Lodge also has an indoor pool complex, and an onsite restaurant and lounge.  For those looking for a bit more rusticness, you can rent a log cabin or a campsite. 

Starved Rock is incredible anytime of year; however, during the springtime, you’ll get to see the waterfalls at their peak, and during the winter, you’ll get to experience the incredible ice falls. Starved Rock is a great family-friendly park, as the trails are easy enough for families, but diverse enough for those looking for more of a challenge.
Catherine at Traveling with the Littles

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​Letchworth State Park, New York

Most people don’t realize that the state of New York has 180 state parks, including the beautiful Letchworth State Park. We had a chance to visit the park on a road trip to Niagara Falls. It’s known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and when you see the Genesee River roaring through the gorge, you will understand why. Families can explore 66 miles of hiking trails, including trails to the upper, middle and lower falls. The upper falls is most accessible with a nearby parking lot. 

I love that the park offers a variety of activities all year long. When we visited in July, the temperature was perfect for exploring. Depending on the season, other activities include hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, and even hot air ballooning. I can imagine myself floating through the gorge in a hot air balloon with the colorful fall leaves as a backdrop, something definitely on my bucket list. If you are a fan of cold weather, winter brings activities like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

The park offers tent and trailer camping, plus cabins available for rent in both the north and south end of the park (note minimum stay requirements during peak season). Pets are allowed in certain campsite areas, but not in the cabins. Like most state parks, it’s best to make reservations for overnight stays in advance.
Kath at familyTravelsUSA

​Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado

Credit: It's a Family Thing

The Cheyenne Mountain state park in Colorado Springs is the perfect destination for families. When you arrive, stop at the visitor’s center, and check out a family activity backpack. The packs are to help kids learn and interact with nature. The contents include: guide books, nature journals, binoculars, bug boxes, and magnifiers. It has everything you need to let your little one's imagination run wild. Remember to turn in the backpack prior to leaving the park, for others to enjoy. There are also junior programs for kids to take part in. They can take part in guided walks, family mystery hikes, animal education, and wildfire talks.

Cheyenne Mountain State Park has activities every nature lover would enjoy to include: archery, biking, hiking, geo-caching, and horse-back riding. This state park is also dog-friendly, allowing you to take your furry friend along for a hike. There are over 20 trails to choose from to explore. Many of the trials are less than a mile, which is great for families with younger kids or inexperienced hikers.
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If you plan on heading to the park during peak season (summer), it is strongly recommended to make a reservation. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. There are options available for your camping style to include camper, trailer, tent, RV, and cabin. To genuinely appreciate everything this park has to offer we recommend staying at least 3-days. The beauty and tranquility will mesmerize you.
Corritta at It’s a Family Thing

​Silver Lake State Park, Michigan

Credit: Between England and Iowa

Silver Lake State Park is a great park to visit for a family adventure! Silver Lake is an area of sand dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan. Some awesome family activities include sand boarding and sledding (available for rental in nearby stores), hiking in the dunes and going off-roading!  Families can choose to rent an off-roader and self drive, or go on a dune ride with a local tour company that has an experienced dune driver as a guide. The dunes are amazing to see and explore!  Just make sure you take plenty of water to keep hydrated, it’s hard walking up sand dunes, for every step up you slide back two!

Outside of the state park you’ll find a wide range of other activities such as: mini golf, go karting and ziplining. There are several options for getting out onto the waters of ‘Silver Lake’ lake too!  One of my favorite places to eat is Silver Scoops, they have great ice cream!  Silver Lake has several different accommodation options from campgrounds to motels and hotels. The Dunes Waterfront Resort has lakefront rooms which get great sunset views of the lake with the sand dunes in the background.
Kylie at Between England and Iowa

​Crystal Cove State Park, California

Credit: Tanama Tales

Crystal Cove, located in Orange County, is one of the most beautiful state parks in California.  With 12.3 acres of extension, there is a lot to see and do in this pristine part of the coast. Many visitors walk the 2.5 miles (one way) paved coastal trail that runs along the bluff tops. This is an easy trail ideal for the entire family. If desired, only a portion of the trail can be explored. The inland part of the park has an additional 15 miles of trails dispersed around a wooded canyon. There are moderate, difficult, and strenuous options here.

There are many options when it comes to choosing a beach. However, the Historic District takes the first prize when it comes to popularity. In this area, visitors will find beach cottages, the Beachcomber Cafe, a store and many facilities. The famous Shake Shack is located at the top of the district. Do not miss the opportunity to grab a shake, malt or root beer float at this local institution.

Morro Canyon Beach is a great spot for those who want to practice watersports (surfing or diving). For seclusion, choose a beach in the western part of the park.
Crystal Cove can be visited as a day trip from Los Angeles (48 miles) or Anaheim (25 miles). There is a campground with 58 sites within the park. The cities of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach offer plenty of comfortable accommodation options.
Ruth at Tanama Tales

​Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

Credit: Red Around the World

Goblin Valley State Park is the best state park in Utah. There. I said it. It’s tucked away in the middle of nowhere between Hanksville and Green River in the San Rafael Swell. It’s a valley of strange shaped hoodoos that look like little goblins. It’s like a playground for grown-ups, but it’s really great for everyone. You can climb on the hoodoos and up the wall of formations at the edge of the park (as long as you’re comfortable with it) and even find hidden caves all over the park.  

If you’re comfortable with rock scrambling, make sure to visit the Goblins Lair, a massive cavern slot canyon on the eastern edge of the park. This is the perfect stop along a road trip to the national parks in the area or as a weekend trip. You can spend a night or two in the yurts at the park and explore the park and the surrounding area, which is full of awesome hiking trails.  

The best time to visit will be spring, fall, and winter, but if you can only visit in the summer, an early morning or late evening visit will be best so you’re not in the blazing sun and heat as long.  And make sure you drink plenty of water. This is a must-visit park because it’s such a unique landscape. It almost feels like you’re on another planet.
Megan at Red Around the World

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​New River Trail State Park, Virginia ​

Credit: familyTravelsUSA

Drive just a few hours south on Interstate 81 from busy Northern Virginia, and you will be rewarded with jagged mountain views and old-fashioned small town charm (or consider driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway for part of the route depending on how much time you have). Then hop off the interstate near the town of Draper, grab a snack at Three Draper Village, and head down the street to one of the entrances to the New River Trail State Park. Whether walking, running or biking, visitors can access the 57 mile trail, some of which runs parallel to the New River. Because the trail follows an old railroad right of way, there are some cool bridges and trestles. More adventurous bikers can check out the five loops in the Hoover Mountain Biking area. Other popular activities on the New River during the warmer months are fishing, tubing, and canoeing. 

As far as overnight accommodations, primitive camping is available at several campsites (no showers or bathhouses). Or you can look for cabin rentals through local companies like New River Retreat that offer rentals at nearby Claytor Lake and along the New River Trail.  About an hour from Draper is Mountain Lake Lodge, one of the locations for the filming of the movie Dirty Dancing back in the 1980’s. The grounds have plenty of outdoor space for kids to run. We’ve enjoyed staying in both the family-friendly cabins and in the main lodge.   
Kath at familyTravelsUSA

Find more cool things to do in Southwest Virginia.

​Mount Mitchell State Park, North Carolina

Credit: Explore More Clean Less

Located off the famous Blue Ridge Parkway in Burnsville, NC, Mount Mitchell State Park features the highest elevation peak east of the Mississippi River. North Carolina's first state park, Mount Mitchell is a popular place to hike and camp. Due to its elevation, access to  the park is severely limited for the bulk of winter and almost always run several degrees colder than the surrounding, lower elevation towns. Keep an eye out for black bears, deer, and salamanders when you visit!

You can drive up and walk a short distance to a concrete overlook or hike one of the different trails. On a clear day, visitors can see as far as 85 miles away! Next to the overlook, the Balsalm Nature Trail is short and unique, taking hikers through a fragrant pine forest and through soggy, mossy trails. There is a small snack and food stand near the overlook or visit the on-site restaurant with a stunning view for a full meal. Visit the free, small museum & gift shop for local souvenirs and to learn about local history in the park. In late summer, visitors are welcome to pick the wild berries along the trails for a snack on the go! There is a small tent campground in the park, and a number of hotels along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Mount Mitchell State Park is a beautiful representation of Western NC's trails; find more great Asheville area hikes here.
Stephanie at Explore More Clean Less

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