7 of the Best State Parks for Day Trippers
Attention, wanderlusters: it’s high time you checked out your local state parks. (Seriously, you’re probably overdue.)
Though there are 60 national parks in the U.S., there are over 10,000 state parks out there for you to discover–and you better believe they’re serving up some impressive scenery. Whether you’re after an immersive day trip or plan to camp for the weekend, here are seven of the best state parks to visit now. P.S. Look out for “park pass” Zipcars in your city that offer Zipcar members free parking at national parks! #zipoutdoors
1. STARVED ROCK STATE PARK, ILLINOIS: You might not expect to find dramatic canyons—many of them featuring waterfalls, plus resident bald eagles—in the middle of Illinois, but Starved Rock State Park delivers the goods. Located right on the Illinois River, this wild destination is only an hour and a half from Chicago. Melting glaciers shaped its unique topography thousands of years ago, and today the park is an ideal spot for hiking, camping, and otherwise soaking in the scenery.
2. NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Now here's a beach that offers more than just sunbathing opportunities. Only a few minutes from Santa Cruz proper—and easily accessible from San Francisco–Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the craggy rock formations that dot its shoreline. In addition to its geological attractions, the park is also popular among wildlife spotters, and for good reason. Monarch butterflies winter here by the thousands, pelicans and other shore birds skim the water, and otters, seals, and even whales can be glimpsed from the beach.
3. ELDORADO CANYON STATE PARK, COLORADO: Beyond its world-class national parks (hello, Rocky Mountains), Colorado also has a surfeit of stunning state parks and other protected lands—and one of the best is, happily, just a quick trip from Denver and Boulder. Venture to Eldorado Canyon State Park to go on an intrepid hike along the sandstone rock formations, challenge yourself with an intense climbing session, and cool off next to the South Boulder Creek.
4. OLETA RIVER STATE PARK, FLORIDA: For a good dose of Floridian wildlife, Miami denizens don't even need to leave town. Located right on Biscayne Bay, Oleta River State Park is the largest urban park in Florida–but with its lush mangrove forests, it certainly doesn't offer the typical urban experience. Opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, biking, and stand-up paddleboarding abound, making this one of best state parks for city-dwellers after an active escape.
5. ECOLA STATE PARK, OREGON: Craving a beach getaway, Portlanders? Ecola is one of the best state parks to visit when the sun rolls into town; given that it's just an hour and a half from the city, it's well within the day-trip radius. Relax on the sand at Indian Beach or hike the trails on Ecola Point for killer ocean views. Then there's the Clatsop Loop Trail, which, as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is perfect terrain for budding adventurers.
6. BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS STATE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS: This state (and national) park is so close to home, getting there might take less time than your morning commute. After all, it's only a 15-minute ferry journey from downtown to the closest of the Boston Harbor Islands; the farthest-flung are still just 10 miles from the city. When the weather is fine, spend a day spotting lighthouses, exploring the Civil War-era Fort Warren, going on ranger-led tours, indulging in beach picnics, and reveling in the sea breezes.
7. BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NEW YORK: On days when even Central Park isn't big enough to satiate your need for greenery, head out of town to the accessible and impressive Bear Mountain State Park. (Seriously, taking the subway into Brooklyn might take more time—the park is only an hour's drive from Manhattan.) Situated on the western banks of the Hudson River, and comprising surprisingly rugged mountain scenery, Bear Mountain serves up a swimming pool and river fishing in the summer, an ice rink in the winter, and densely forested peaks all year round.
1. STARVED ROCK STATE PARK, ILLINOIS: You might not expect to find dramatic canyons—many of them featuring waterfalls, plus resident bald eagles—in the middle of Illinois, but Starved Rock State Park delivers the goods. Located right on the Illinois River, this wild destination is only an hour and a half from Chicago. Melting glaciers shaped its unique topography thousands of years ago, and today the park is an ideal spot for hiking, camping, and otherwise soaking in the scenery.
2. NATURAL BRIDGES STATE BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Now here's a beach that offers more than just sunbathing opportunities. Only a few minutes from Santa Cruz proper—and easily accessible from San Francisco–Natural Bridges State Beach is named for the craggy rock formations that dot its shoreline. In addition to its geological attractions, the park is also popular among wildlife spotters, and for good reason. Monarch butterflies winter here by the thousands, pelicans and other shore birds skim the water, and otters, seals, and even whales can be glimpsed from the beach.
3. ELDORADO CANYON STATE PARK, COLORADO: Beyond its world-class national parks (hello, Rocky Mountains), Colorado also has a surfeit of stunning state parks and other protected lands—and one of the best is, happily, just a quick trip from Denver and Boulder. Venture to Eldorado Canyon State Park to go on an intrepid hike along the sandstone rock formations, challenge yourself with an intense climbing session, and cool off next to the South Boulder Creek.
4. OLETA RIVER STATE PARK, FLORIDA: For a good dose of Floridian wildlife, Miami denizens don't even need to leave town. Located right on Biscayne Bay, Oleta River State Park is the largest urban park in Florida–but with its lush mangrove forests, it certainly doesn't offer the typical urban experience. Opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, biking, and stand-up paddleboarding abound, making this one of best state parks for city-dwellers after an active escape.
5. ECOLA STATE PARK, OREGON: Craving a beach getaway, Portlanders? Ecola is one of the best state parks to visit when the sun rolls into town; given that it's just an hour and a half from the city, it's well within the day-trip radius. Relax on the sand at Indian Beach or hike the trails on Ecola Point for killer ocean views. Then there's the Clatsop Loop Trail, which, as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, is perfect terrain for budding adventurers.
6. BOSTON HARBOR ISLANDS STATE PARK, MASSACHUSETTS: This state (and national) park is so close to home, getting there might take less time than your morning commute. After all, it's only a 15-minute ferry journey from downtown to the closest of the Boston Harbor Islands; the farthest-flung are still just 10 miles from the city. When the weather is fine, spend a day spotting lighthouses, exploring the Civil War-era Fort Warren, going on ranger-led tours, indulging in beach picnics, and reveling in the sea breezes.
7. BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK, NEW YORK: On days when even Central Park isn't big enough to satiate your need for greenery, head out of town to the accessible and impressive Bear Mountain State Park. (Seriously, taking the subway into Brooklyn might take more time—the park is only an hour's drive from Manhattan.) Situated on the western banks of the Hudson River, and comprising surprisingly rugged mountain scenery, Bear Mountain serves up a swimming pool and river fishing in the summer, an ice rink in the winter, and densely forested peaks all year round.
