7 State Parks You Have to See At Least Once

America’s National Parks are sights to behold, sure, but plenty of natural beauty still lies outside the control of the National Park Service. Across the nation, you can find hundreds of worthwhile state parks full of trails, waterfalls, gorges and beaches – among loads of other landscapes. Though a true bucket list of these locally-controlled sites would be long indeed, here are the top 7 state parks you absolutely have to visit at least once.

1. Letchworth State Park

New York

Called the “Grand Canyon of the East” due to its towering rock walls, Letchworth State Park is primarily made up of a narrow river gorge that’s ripe for activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, hunting and rafting. As the Genesee River flows through the canyon, it tumbles over the Upper, Middle and Lower Falls. The most iconic of the three is the Upper Falls, which features a 2017-era steel arch bridge directly above it, though the Middle Falls are the highest in the park. The formation of the gorge as a recreation area dates back to 1906, when its owner, rich industrialist William Letchworth, turned the land over to the state. The park is conveniently located in western New York, about a half hour southwest of Rochester and an hour southeast of Buffalo.

2. Pilot Mountain State Park

North Carolina

Recognizable by its rocky pinnacle that rises above the rolling ridges of the Carolina Piedmont, Pilot Mountain is a beacon for drivers along Interstate 74 and US 52. It’s the focal point of Pilot Mountain State Park, a hotspot for outdoors enthusiasts that features biking and hiking opportunities along its many trails. With a paved road leading right to the summit of the Little Pinnacle, you can easily access the pathways that lead to the main overlook of the iconic Big Pinnacle. Here you can enjoy vistas of the surrounding Yadkin Valley – with sightlines stretching as far as the Winston-Salem skyline – and, of course, the knob itself.

3. Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Kentucky

Located deep in Daniel Boone National Forest in southeastern Kentucky, the 68-foot drop of Cumberland Falls is one of the state’s most famous natural features. A part of the Cumberland River, the falls are a hot vacation destination, featuring lots of backpacking and canoeing opportunities as well as a resort lodge and a sprinkling of forest cabins. Even if you just visit for a few hours, walkways all along the rim of the river offer great views of the falls and its surroundings. The base of the waterfall is also one of the few reliable places in the world where a moonbow regularly appears, visible on most clear nights under a full moon.

4. Chugach State Park

Alaska

Covering a massive swath of Alaskan tundra, Chugach State Park is the third-largest state park in America and is conveniently situated on the doorstep of the state’s largest city, Anchorage. The park mostly contains the snow-covered Chugach Mountains, but also features many glaciers and lakes. Off-grid activities are also plentiful here, with remote hiking and snowsports amongst the most popular.

5. Babcock State Park

West Virginia

The most photographed spot in West Virginia, the Glade Creek Grist Mill is not only the centerpiece of Babcock State Park but also an icon of the Mountain State. Although Babcock, which is near the New River Gorge region, contains lots of tranquil outdoor areas, the Grist Mill is undoubtedly the main draw. Thousands of visitors descend upon this quiet little park each fall as they watch the leaves change, although it’s truly a beautiful locale any time of year.

6. Custer State Park

South Dakota

Often coupled with a visit to Mount Rushmore or Wind Cave, Custer State Park is an extremely popular destination for visitors to South Dakota’s gorgeous Black Hills. The park’s most famous and easily accessible area, the Needles Highway, is a thrilling drive through towering rock columns and narrowly-carved tunnels. Along the way, views of the jagged hills and abundant wildlife are plentiful, making Custer one of the greatest state parks in the nation.

7. Red Rock State Park

Arizona

A gateway to the tourist destination of Sedona, Red Rock State Park is an awe-inspiring collection of the vibrant sandstone buttes and mesas that have made the region so popular. An extensive web of trails crisscrosses the park and allows visitors opportunities to go hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding in the shadow of these towering red rocks. The area has also been featured in several major ’50s and ’60s-era movies.