Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah
Waianapanapa State Park in Maui, Hawaii
Hunting Island in South Carolina
Letchworth State Park in New York State
Ecola State Park in Oregon
Chugach State Park in Alaska
Big Sur in California
Cape Disappointment State Park, Washington
Cathedral Gorge State Park in Nevada
Bahia Honda State Park in Florida
Niagara Falls State Park in New York
Palo Duro Canyon in Texas
Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri
Chimney Rock Mountain in North Carolina
Eldorado Canyon State Park in Colorado
Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware
Baxter State Park in Maine
Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia
Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia
Devil's Doorway formation at sunrise at Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin
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This state park in southeast Utah has drawn comparisons to the Grand Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. With breathtaking views into Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River 2,000 feet below, Dead Horse Point is a highlight for hikers and photographers exploring canyon country.
Photograph by Danita Delimont, Alamy Stock Photo

20 wild and beautiful U.S. state parks

Discover these lesser-known natural wonders.

ByErica Jackson Curran
February 14, 2019

America’s state parks may keep a lower profile than the renowned national parks, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less of a worthwhile destination. With 8,565 designated areas spanning well over 18 million acres of land, there’s an incredible range of outdoor experiences to explore—including some real standouts that deserve to be on your radar. (Stunning photos of all 59 U.S. national parks.)

Freelance writer Erica Jackson Curran is based in Richmond. Follow her travels on Twitter @calendar_girl.

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