10 US state parks that are just as cool as national parks, according to someone who’s been to all 50 states

Watkins Glen State Park is about an hour-and-20-minute drive from Letchworth, so it’s easy to get both in on the same trip. In fact, both parks are often featured on lists of the best state parks in the country.

Watkins Glen is much smaller and has fewer hiking trails than Letchworth, but it packs a pretty punch of beauty along its short, main trails. 

The two-mile main trail follows the glen’s stream, which generates 19 waterfalls as it dives down 400 feet. The path winds over and under waterfalls through refreshing sprays of water.

Because you can start and finish the walk at various places, you can walk a distinct route each way.

Like the national parks, Watkins Glen State Park has a ton of options for tent camping and RVs.

But since you’re only 10 minutes from the city of Watkins Glen, you could easily go the hotel and restaurant route instead.

South Carolina is loaded with photo-worthy locations, but the most photographed natural wonder in the state is the exquisite Table Rock State Park.

Nestled along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this underrated state park is basically a huge chunk of metamorphic rock that geology nerds and happy hikers can both get excited about. 

The challenging seven-mile Table Rock Trail hike requires visitors to climb more than 2,000 feet in elevation, but the epic views at the top are well worth it. 

Though the hiking is incredible, my favorite feature might be the adorable accommodations inside the park. Think rustic wood cabins with fireplaces, flannel bedspreads, porches with rocking chairs, and full kitchens, so you don’t need to leave the park if you don’t want to.

If hiking isn’t your thing, you can also explore the park by kayak, raft, and even hot-air balloon.

Considering Minnesota’s North Shore is packed with state parks, it’s hard to pick just one. When pressed, I’m going with Tettegouche State Park, about an hour north of the consistently underrated city of Duluth. 

Hiking along the waterfront trails of Tettegouche reminded me of the jagged cliffs of Acadia National Park in Maine (but with far fewer tourists).

Lake Superior is so vast — and can get so whipped up on a windy day — that it really feels like the Atlantic Ocean. The crashing waves provide even more ambiance to the already astonishing scenery.

The park also has a range of trails, from the short-and-sweet waterfront walk to Shovel Point with 300 steps to climb (but plenty of scenic overlooks to stop at) to the over 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail.

In my opinion, Custer State Park is the most beautiful park in South Dakota. This stunning 71,000-acre park is a wildlife wonderland in the middle of the rolling Black Hills.

My family spent several days exploring the park, and while the hiking was great, the highlight of our weeklong trip was the buffalo jeep safari tour. 

Hundreds of buffalo wandered the hills, lazily sauntering in front of and around the open-air vehicle. Many of them were only a few inches from us.

If you’re really into buffalo, plan your trip for late September, when the park holds its annual buffalo roundup.

If you’re looking for spectacular scenery and dreamy desert views without the crowds of nearby Arches National Park, head to the lesser-known Dead Horse Point State Park. 

Its desert canyons and woodlands very closely resemble the Grand Canyon, and the immensity of this park is the sort of thing you need to see to believe.

Hike along red-rock trails and down into deep canyons, bike the thrilling single-track Intrepid Trail System, or simply just look up for some world-class stargazing.

Dead Horse Canyon is an official International Dark Sky Park. On a clear night, you can see thousands of sparkling stars illuminating the desert landscape.