The Essentials

State Parks to Visit in the United States

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

While our national parks are touted as the crown jewels of America, it is also time to recognize and celebrate America’s less crowded but just as fulfilling state parks.

In Texas, there is Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Palo Duro is the second largest canyon in America. It measures 120 miles long and 20 miles wide.

In Arizona, check out Slide Rock State Park. It’s located seven miles north of Sedona. The rock formations in the park form a natural waterslide.

In Washington, Lime Kiln Point State Park offers some of the best land-based whale watching in the world. July and August are the best months to see orcas, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises.

The other good news is that at many state parks, the crowds are demonstrably less, and getting camping permits is much easier.