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You don’t have to visit a national park to find jaw-dropping scenery in the United States. Across the country, state parks offer equally stunning landscapes with fewer crowds, lower fees, and easier access. From desert canyons and alpine lakes to waterfalls and rugged coastlines, these nine state parks prove that natural beauty isn’t limited to the big names on the map.
Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
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Just outside Arches and Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point State Park delivers some of the most dramatic desert views in Utah. Overlooks reveal sweeping red-rock mesas and deep river bends carved by the Colorado River. The park’s hiking trails are peaceful alternatives to nearby national parks, and sunset here paints the landscape in breathtaking shades of gold and crimson.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
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Custer State Park rivals any national park with its wild beauty and abundant wildlife. Located in the Black Hills, it’s home to bison herds, mountain lakes, and scenic drives that twist through granite peaks. The Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake are standouts, offering postcard-perfect views without the crowds often found in more famous parks nearby.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California
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Few spots capture California’s coastal magic like Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along Big Sur. The park’s most iconic feature, McWay Falls, cascades directly onto a sandy cove framed by turquoise water. Trails wind through redwood groves and seaside cliffs, giving you a front-row seat to some of the Pacific Coast’s most dramatic views.
Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire
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Nestled in the heart of the White Mountains, Franconia Notch State Park offers alpine views that rival anything in the Rockies. The Flume Gorge, a narrow granite passage with waterfalls, is a highlight, while the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway gives you panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. In autumn, the park transforms into a riot of color that attracts leaf peepers from across the country.
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
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Just an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is a fiery landscape of sandstone formations that seem to glow under the desert sun. The red rocks, ancient petroglyphs, and dramatic vistas make it one of the Southwest’s hidden gems. Hiking trails like Fire Wave and White Domes lead you through surreal rock formations that rival the beauty of Arches or Zion.
Watkins Glen State Park, New York
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Watkins Glen is one of the crown jewels of the Finger Lakes region. The park’s Gorge Trail winds past 19 waterfalls that tumble through mossy stone walls, creating a fairytale-like setting. With its narrow walkways, stone bridges, and lush greenery, Watkins Glen feels more like an enchanted canyon than a typical state park, making it a must-see for nature lovers.
Ecola State Park, Oregon
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Perched along Oregon’s rugged northern coast, Ecola State Park offers sweeping views of sea stacks, lighthouses, and forested cliffs. The trails here connect to viewpoints that overlook Cannon Beach and the famous Haystack Rock. Whether you’re hiking, whale watching, or simply soaking in the coastal mist, Ecola delivers some of the most cinematic scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
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Known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon State Park surprises first-time visitors with its vast red cliffs and layered rock formations. You can hike, ride horses, or camp among the colorful canyons that stretch for miles. The Lighthouse Trail leads to a stunning natural rock tower that offers views worthy of any national park postcard.
Chugach State Park, Alaska
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Spanning nearly half a million acres, Chugach State Park offers the kind of wild scenery that defines Alaska. Located just outside Anchorage, it’s filled with glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and rugged peaks that rival Denali’s views. Whether you’re hiking to Flattop Mountain or kayaking on Eklutna Lake, this park gives you untamed beauty within easy reach of the city.
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