State Park USA
Tourism Sites
Akaka Falls State Park
🧠 Fact: Home to the 442-foot Akaka Falls, cascading through a lush rainforest.
💡 Tip: The loop trail is an easy walk; bring a rain jacket as the area is often wet.
Info: ʻAkaka Falls State Park, located along the northeastern Hilo Coast of Hawaiʻi Island, is renowned for its stunning 442-foot waterfall that plunges into a lush, tropical gorge. Visitors can embark on a pleasant 0.4-mile paved loop trail through a rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns. The trail also offers views of the 100-foot Kahuna Falls. The park is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with an entrance fee of $5 per person and a parking fee of $10 for non-residents.
Chimney Rock State Park
🧠 Fact: Chimney Rock rises 315 feet above the valley floor, offering sweeping views of Hickory Nut Gorge.
💡 Tip: Take the Outcroppings Trail for the best access to iconic photo spots.
Info: Chimney Rock State Park, located in western North Carolina, is known for its iconic 315-foot granite monolith offering panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure. The park features scenic hiking trails, including the popular Hickory Nut Falls Trail leading to a 404-foot waterfall. Visitors can access the top of Chimney Rock via stairs or an elevator. Rich in natural beauty and biodiversity, the park provides opportunities for rock climbing, birdwatching, and family-friendly outdoor adventures year-round.
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
🧠 Fact: Nicknamed “Niagara of the South,” it’s home to the Western Hemisphere’s only regular moonbow.
💡 Tip: Check moonbow schedules before visiting — it’s a rare and beautiful sight.
Info: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, nestled within Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest, is renowned for its majestic 68-foot-tall, 125-foot-wide waterfall—dubbed the "Niagara of the South." A unique feature is the moonbow, a lunar rainbow visible on clear nights during a full moon, one of only two such phenomena worldwide. The park offers 17 miles of hiking trails, including the scenic Eagle Falls Trail, and activities like horseback riding, gem mining, fishing, and seasonal whitewater rafting. Accommodations range from the historic DuPont Lodge to cozy cabins and campsites. Amenities include the Riverview Restaurant, a gift shop, and picnic areas, providing a comprehensive outdoor experience for visitors.
Goblin Valley State Park
🧠 Fact: Features thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations called hoodoos.
💡 Tip: Ideal for family exploration; bring a flashlight for cave-like formations.
Info: Goblin Valley State Park, located in central Utah, is famous for its unique and whimsical rock formations called “goblins.” These mushroom-shaped hoodoos, sculpted by erosion over millions of years, create a surreal, otherworldly landscape that resembles a scene from another planet. The park offers hiking, photography, and exploration opportunities among the sandstone figures. Its open terrain makes it ideal for families and casual adventurers. Goblin Valley’s strange beauty and playful formations make it one of Utah’s most distinctive state parks.
Providence Canyon State Park
🧠 Fact: Dubbed “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon,” its colorful gullies reach depths of 150 feet.
💡 Tip: Visit in late spring for blooming wildflowers and striking canyon contrasts.
Info: Providence Canyon State Park, often called "Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon," is a 1,003-acre park near Lumpkin, Georgia. Formed in the 1800s due to poor farming practices, the park features striking gullies up to 150 feet deep, showcasing vibrant hues of pink, orange, red, and purple. Visitors can hike the 2.5-mile White Blaze Canyon Loop Trail, explore abandoned 1950s-era vehicles, and view the rare plumleaf azalea blooming in late summer. The park also offers camping and stargazing opportunities.
Sedona Red Rock State Park
🧠 Fact: A nature preserve offering hiking, wildlife spotting, and striking red rock scenery.
💡 Tip: Start early to beat crowds and summer heat.
Info: Red Rock State Park, located in Sedona, Arizona, is a stunning nature preserve known for its vibrant red sandstone formations and scenic beauty. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and educational programs focused on the region’s ecology and geology. Oak Creek winds through the park, providing a lush contrast to the arid surroundings. Ideal for photography, birdwatching, and peaceful nature walks, Red Rock State Park is a serene destination showcasing the natural wonders of Sedona.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
🧠 Fact: The gorge is 1,000 feet deep and two miles long, carved by the Tallulah River.
💡 Tip: Get a free permit to hike to the gorge floor — only 100 are issued daily.
Info: Tallulah Gorge State Park, located in northeast Georgia, is home to one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, carved by the Tallulah River, which cascades through a series of six waterfalls known as the Tallulah Falls.
Valley of Fire State Park
🧠 Fact: Nevada's oldest state park, known for its red sandstone formations and petroglyphs.
💡 Tip: Visit during sunrise or sunset for optimal lighting on the red rocks.
Info: Valley of Fire State Park, located in southern Nevada, is known for its vibrant red sandstone formations, ancient petroglyphs, and dramatic desert landscapes. Formed from Aztec sandstone over 150 million years ago, the park gets its name from the fiery appearance of the rocks, especially at sunset. Visitors can explore scenic trails, unique rock formations like Elephant Rock and Fire Wave, and remnants of ancient cultures. Valley of Fire offers a striking blend of natural beauty, geology, and Native American history.
Waimea Canyon State Park
🧠 Fact: Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," stretching 14 miles long and over 3,600 feet deep.
💡 Tip: Visit early in the day for the clearest views; clouds often roll in by afternoon.
Info: Waimea Canyon State Park, located on the island of Kauaʻi, is often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” Stretching 14 miles long, one mile wide, and over 3,600 feet deep, the canyon features dramatic cliffs, vibrant red and green hues, and cascading waterfalls. The park offers scenic lookouts, hiking trails, and panoramic views of the rugged landscape. Shaped by erosion and volcanic activity, Waimea Canyon showcases the island’s natural beauty and geological history, making it a must-see destination in Hawaiʻi.
Watch Wildlife at Huntington Beach State Park
🧠 Fact: It’s one of South Carolina’s best bird-watching spots, with over 300 species recorded.
💡 Tip: Bring binoculars and arrive at low tide for alligator sightings.
Info: Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly birdwatchers. The park boasts over 300 recorded bird species, including bald eagles, painted buntings, and the endangered piping plover . The causeway offers prime viewing of freshwater and salt marsh habitats, where visitors can spot alligators, herons, and roseate spoonbills . Seasonal migrations bring diverse species throughout the year, making each visit unique . The park's varied ecosystems provide ample opportunities for wildlife observation and photography.