There’s no denying the allure of this country’s majestic national parks. But there's plenty of natural beauty to go around, and many state parks offer outdoor experiences that shouldn't be overlooked. State parks tend to have lower entrance fees and more manageable crowds than the marquee-name national parks, plus there’s the added bonus of not being affected by pesky government shutdowns. Here are 10 fabulous state parks to get you started. 1. Custer State Park: Custer, South Dakota (Courtesy South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks) A free-roaming herd of 1,500 bison is the main attraction at this park in the scenic Black Hills, but there’s plenty more wildlife to be spotted along its 18-mile loop road, including pronghorns, bighorn sheep, and even feral burros. Needles Highway, a popular 14-mile scenic drive through the park, is dotted with needle-shaped rock formations, two tunnels, and sweeping views of evergreen forests and lush meadows. Weekly park license, $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle; gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park 2. Kartchner Caverns State Park: Benson, Arizona Home to a 21-foot stalactite that ranks as the third-longest in the world, this multi-room cave located 45 miles southwest of Tucson has only been open to the public since 1999. Kartchner Caverns is a living cave, meaning that its formations are still growing, and the park offers two guided tours that explore several different areas. The park is also a designated International Dark Sky Park, so it’s great for stargazing. Tours, from $23 for adults and $13 for youth ages 7-13 (reservations recommended); azstateparks.com/kartchner 3. Petit Jean State Park: Morrilton, Arkansas (Courtesy Petit Jean State Park) Central Arkansas probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind for a mountaintop adventure, but that’s just what Petit Jean State Park offers. Perched atop the 1200ft Petit John Mountain, this park has 20 miles of hiking trails that feature captivating geological formations such as giant sandstone boulders, stone arches, rock shelters, and box canyons. The park’s historic Mather Lodge, a rustic, cozy accommodation built of logs and stone, is a great option if you’re staying a few days. Free entry; arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park 4. Anza-Borrego State Park: San Diego County, California A remote and rugged landscape located in southeast California’s Colorado desert, Anza-Borrego State Park has 600,000 acres of varied terrain including badlands and slot canyons. The popular Borrego Palm Canyon trail takes hikers on a rocky stroll to an almost surreal oasis filled with California palms. When you’re visiting, save time to check out the collection of more than 130 giant metal creatures built by sculptor Ricardo Breceda in the nearby town of Borrego Springs. Day fee, $10 per vehicle; parks.ca.gov/ansaborrego 5. Dead Horse Point State Park: Moab, Utah It’s not the Grand Canyon, but it was a suitable stand-in for filming the final scene of the classic film Thelma & Louise. In other words, the views from Dead Horse State Park are fantastic. Just 25 miles from Moab, this park sits 2,000 feet above a gooseneck in the Colorado River and looks out over Canyonlands National Park. Visitors can pick their favorite view from one of eight different lookout points along the seven-mile rim trail. Entry fee, $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle; stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse 6. Watkins Glen State Park: Watkins Glen, New York With steep, plant-covered cliffs, small caves, and misty waterfalls, this state park in New York’s Finger Lakes region feels a little like stepping into a fairy tale. Visit in spring, summer, or fall, when you can hike the Gorge Trail, a two-mile journey that descends 400 feet, past 19 waterfalls into an idyllic narrow valley. Visitors can also enjoy the beauty from above on one of the dog-friendly rim trails. Season runs mid-may to early November. Day fee, $8 per vehicle; parks.ny.gov/parks/142 7. Tettegouche State Park: Silver Bay, Minnesota Eight great state parks dot the 150-mile stretch of Highway 61 along the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, but Tettegouche stands out for its scenic hiking opportunities through forests, past waterfalls, and along the shoreline. The easy Shovel Point trail takes hikers along jagged, lakeside cliffs to a dramatic lookout over Lake Superior. There are also three loop trails featuring waterfalls. One-day park permit fee, $7; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html 8. Valley of Fire State Park: Overton, Nevada Drive just 50 miles northeast of the bustling Las Vegas strip, and you’ll find a peaceful valley filled with dramatic red-sandstone formations that take on the appearance of flames on sunny days. The popular Atlatl Rock trail features a giant boulder balanced on a sandstone outcrop 50 feet above the ground. Climb its metal staircase to see the prominent ancient petroglyphs.Entrance fee, $10 per vehicle; parks.nv.gov/parks/valley-of-fire 9. Montana de Oro State Park: San Luis Obispo County, California (Courtesy California State Parks) Spanish for “mountain of gold,” Montana de Oro gets its name from the golden wildflowers that cover the area each spring, but you can find colorful views year-round on the seven miles of rocky, undeveloped coastline that comprise the western edge of this state park in California’s central coast region. The 4.6-mile Bluff Trail is a great way to see a large swath of the beaches, tide pools, and natural bridges in the park, or you can hike the Hazard and Valencia Peak trails for summit views. Pebbly Spooner’s Cove Beach serves as the park’s central hub.Entry fee, $20 per vehicle; parks.ca.gov 10. Baxter State Park: Piscataquis County, Maine With no electricity, running water, or paved roads within its boundaries, this 200,000-acre park in North Central Maine offers mountain, lake, and forest adventures for those who like their wilderness truly wild. The park’s 5,200-foot Mt. Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, but there are more than 40 other peaks and ridges to explore, and five pond-side campgrounds that offer canoe rentals. Entry fee, $15 per vehicle; baxterstatepark.org
Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22nd, making this month a perfect time to travel more sustainably, learn about our environment, and enjoy the outdoors. The warmer spring weather definitely makes a nature-focused trip more appealing as well. Below are several eco-friendly ways to spend Earth Day—or any day—celebrating our amazing planet. Take a hike in a national park Supporting our national parks directly supports maintaining those environments for future generations to enjoy. Aside from being budget-friendly, there are great options across the country, meaning that you don't have to travel far (in turn, minimizing your carbon footprint from transportation); camping is a sustainable, energy-efficient alternative to hotel stays as well. Hikes for any age and athletic level can be found at most parks, making it an accessible option for anyone to experience the beauty of nature. This is also a great time of year to see incredible springtime blooms across many regions. Restore coral reefs in the Florida Keys Coral reefs in the Florida Keys - courtesy of the Coral Restoration Foundation In the Keys, visitors can participate in the Coral Restoration Foundation's dive programs to help restore coral reefs off the coast of Florida, learn about coral restoration, and assist with clean-up and planting. Volunteers with an extended stay can also work in the coral nursery, outplant new coral, or monitor the coral. The Recreational Dive Programs let all ocean lovers make a difference and can be tailored to all skill levels—even if you're a beginner (and scuba gear is available for rental). As a snorkeler, you can visit the nurseries, and help with monitoring corals on the outplanting sites. Participate in an Earth Day initiative Participate in a global cleanup project - courtesy of earthday.org If you’re looking for a way to pitch in, or simply learn more about our planet on this and every day, find an initiative near you at Earthday.org, which lists things like foraging walks, online seminars, tree-planting projects, and The Great Global Cleanup, where you can join a group cleaning up somewhere nearby, or get tips on how to launch one of your own. They even have something called “plogging,” which is apparently picking up trash while jogging. Fun to do (if you like jogging) and fun to say. See climate-focused art Consider catching the Yanomami exhibit in New York (open now through April 16), focused on preserving rainforest and Indigenous rights, or take a stroll through downtown Columbus, Ohip to check out climate-focused art installations displayed in storefront windows. Go off-the-grid at the Greater World Earthship Community Earthship biotecture and bottle wall in Taos - courtesy of roadtrippers.com In the high mountain desert of Taos, New Mexico lies the thriving Greater World Earthship Community. This unique off-grid community welcomes tourists to learn more about their innovative living structures designed by architect Michael Reynolds. The "Earthship" is a sustainably-built, fully self-sufficient home that was pioneered in the early 1970s by Reynolds. Today's structures run off natural energy, harvest water, produce food, and even treat waste. Explore their visitor center or book one of their unique rentals. Near the site, take an educational trip to the Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about regenerative land practices Ted Turner Reserves in New Mexico - courtesy of tedturnerreserves.com The Ted Turner Reserves are comprised of four private New Mexico ranches, where work restoring and safeguarding "America's wild spaces" take precedence. The reserves include four properties where guests can stay, and stays can include tours with private guides of the lands, which are some of the most beautiful and well-preserved ecosystems in the country. Conservation efforts on the reserves include the protection of rare and iconic species – such as the North American bison, Bolson tortoise, Rio Grande cutthroat trout and Mexican wolf – along with initiatives like the riparian restoration plan and the Ponderosa pine restoration project. The reserves also host environmental researchers and scientists as part of our overarching mission to preserve wilderness areas for generations to come. Turner's wish is "to share his love of nature and discovery in the hope that those visiting his properties will develop a deeper appreciation for and awareness of what our Earth has to offer and, just as importantly, a shared responsibility for the well-being of our environment." Visit an eco-friendly resort Grounds at the Farmhouse Inn in Woodstock, Vermont - courtesy of the Farmhouse Inn In Woodstock, Vermont the Farmhouse Inn offers solar-powered accommodations—you can even host your event or wedding here. Locally prepared bath products are provided in bulk dispensers with no individual packaging. Kitchen scraps and table leftovers are brought to the compost pile to be enjoyed by the Inn's hens and, later, the compost is used to mulch the kitchen garden. All inn and event trash is sorted to separate recyclables and returnable bottles, disposable tableware is not allowed during events, and most celebration flowers are donated for reuse at local assisted living facilities. In Kennebunkport, Maine, the Colony Hotel strives "to provide personal gracious hospitality and service with sensitivity to the environment." As such, special care is taken to reduce waste on-site and use non-toxic foods, cleaning supplies, and other items whenever possible. The grounds and gardens are never sprayed with chemicals; waste is recycled, composted, or minimized; and products are purchased locally. The historic hotel also donates $1 for every night stay to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. Nestled at the base of 12,000-foot Mount Timpanogos in Utah, the Sundance Mountain Resort calls the Sundance Preserve its home. Protective covenants cover 3,343 acres of land along with the Redford Family Nature and Wildlife Preserve consisting of 860 acres of protected land. Guests who stay at Sundance Resort can participate in the linen re-use program, all rooms are cleaned using non-toxic cleaning supplies, and guests are given the opportunity to recycle their paper, cans and glass products in their guest rooms. Sundance water throughout the resort and in every lodging accommodation comes from local mountain-fed springs.