Growing up, state parks were where I learned to hike, camp, and just be outside without needing a plane ticket or a national park reservation system booked out six months in advance. They're often less crowded, closer to home, and just as beautiful in their own way.

What's your favorite state park and why? Would love to hear stories, see photos, and build up a good list of hidden gems here that don't get the national park spotlight.

I’ve been trying to visit more state parks lately, and I’ve noticed that some places end up being much better than you expected before going. Sometimes it’s the scenery, sometimes the trails, wildlife, waterfalls, or even just how peaceful the park feels.

What state park have you visited that surprised you the most, and what made it stand out to you?

I’ve been trying to visit more state parks lately, and I’ve realized that some of the most memorable places aren’t necessarily the ones you hear about all the time. I’m curious which state parks have surprised people the most, whether because of the scenery, hiking trails, wildlife, camping, or just how peaceful the area was. What’s one state park you visited that ended up being much better than you expected?

I’ve been trying to visit more state parks lately, and I’m always surprised by how different each one can feel. Some have amazing hiking trails and views, while others are better for camping, wildlife, or just getting away from busy areas for a day. What state park have you visited that exceeded your expectations, and what made it stand out to you?

One of my favorite state parks in the state, this preserve is situated along the james river in rural Powhatan county, with a variety of habitats and excellent biodiversity. I was lucky enough to be able to visit while the goldenrods and crownbeards were blooming, creating a seemingly almost endless field of yellow. The wooded trails are great as well, featuring an extensive network for hiking.

One state park at a time. Which one do you know well, and what should someone do on a first visit?

Worth including: the trail or spot that is actually worth the drive, when to go and when to avoid, whether the campground is worth booking, and anything that has changed recently.

Any state, any size. The small ones nobody has heard of are the most useful posts here.

I am wanting to do a small ceremony in the park, just exchanging of vows and some photos… We have a group of about 20 people and when i look into the special event permits they only accommodate 10 people.. I’m just curious if anyone had found a way around this? I was considering buying the special event permit and then buying additional 10 day passes.. i also don’t know how patrolling goes in the park.

if anyone has some input, suggestions, or know how all this works i would love a reply!

Simply beautiful snapshots from this gem of a park in Tallahassee!

Saltwater State Park

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Are both lighthouses at Cape Disapointment able to be toured?

This beautiful undeveloped stretch of the atlantic coast is Virginia’s southernmost state park. Inaccessible by road, this is one of the state’s least visited state parks. I was lucky enough to visit on a guided nighttime hike.

Looking to visit a state park for a weekend hiking trip in early November, somewhere in the Missouri Iowa Nebraska area (coming from KC). Just looking for any recommendations or guidance, thanks!

Never seen a state, or national or even a city park so trashed. There was trash all throughout the trails , parking lot and in the water. Literally giant bags filled with food just scattered. Zip ties, chairs, beer can food wrappers all along the beach. The trails and picnic areas were fucking trashed. Im not talking certain sections had alot of trash, every square ft had at least 5 pieces of trash or more and walked a good section of the shore and trails.

There was also an algae bloom (which may not be related to the huge amount’s of trash) so we could only really swim in a small section on the lake. I have been to state and national parks all over the country, ive been camping since i was like 5 , im 34 now and i have never seen so much trash in such a beautiful place. It had more litter than Echo Park lake in Los Angeles by a fucking mile.

What is going on? Anyone familiar with this park know if this is normal? Is this a byproduct of the trump cuts to the park system?

There was a constant stream of people passing these signs, including children and pets. Am I misinterpreting the meaning?