When warmer weather rolls around, all we want to do is be outside and explore all that Mother Nature has to offer. Sometimes it's hard to really find areas in the U.S. that are still one with nature, but protected parks, state and national, are great places to unplug the phone and enjoy the trees and lakes around you. The United States has some of the most beautiful parks that can be visited year-round and they are a huge asset to preserving wildlife and nature, in general, to be as unaffected as they can be.
Oftentimes, parks like these that offer fishing, camping, and hiking trails get congested with lots of people that have the same idea to enjoy the great outdoors. Fortunately, for some reason, the 10 state parks below don't have a lot of foot traffic. These areas are quiet, private, and are destinations that haven't been overtaken with crowds.
10 Red Fleet Park In Utah Offers Lots Of Outdoor Activities And A Reservoir To Cool Off In
Utah is a state with marvelous rock formations and landscapes as far as the eye can see, but Red Fleet is a state park that is often overlooked. Quiet waters surround this park and have a south entrance to the Dinosaur National Monument. The main campground in Red Fleet is a great place to stay for a day or a week and has a less-crowded shore to do water sports as well. Taking a paddleboard to the adjoining shore to get a good look at the archaeological history discoveries is a good day-time activity to really get a good scene of how beautiful this park really is.
9 Franz Javne State Park In Northern Minnesota Offers An Incredible View Of Canada Across The River
Minnesota is known for being the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" and having incredibly cold winters, but they also have incredible state parks. These often get overloaded with tourists in the summer, but some are still hidden gems. Franz Jevne State Park is on the state line in the northern part of the state and offers opportunities for fishing, hiking scenic trails, and peaceful park experience.
An add-on is that it's so far north that beyond the lake, visitors can catch an incredible view of Canada, practically a stone's throw away.
8 Limekiln State Park In California Offers Magical Views Of Big Sur And Camping Among The Redwood Trees
If a traveler is taking a drive down the California coast, they will run right into Limekiln State Park, about halfway down the state. Unfortunately, Highway 1 has been damaged by a rough winter, the Central Coast is very much still intact. Limekiln offers camping amongst the Redwood trees and the other side lies Big Sur cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. So instead of having to choose between the two, both worlds collide and a traveler can experience the forest and the ocean at the same time.
7 Baxter State Park In Maine Has The State's Highest Peak And Is Void Of Paved Roads Or Electricity
In the northern woods on Maine lies Baxter State Park. It's a special piece of land, but it's not often visited because it isn't easily accessible. A good thing about visitors often traveling here is that it's one of the most natural and unspoiled plots of land in the U.S.
The highlight of Baxter is Mount Katahdin, the tallest mountain in Maine as well as the northern regions of the Appalachian Trail. Travelers that make the trek here should be into canoeing, hiking, or relaxing at a campground because this state park keeps things rugged.
6 Hells Gate In Idaho Is One Of The Country's Best Jet-boating Canyons And Has Wildlife Everywhere
The state of Idaho is oftentimes dubbed "the land of potatoes," but there's way more to explore here; specifically Hells Gate. Just a couple of hours south of Spokane is one of the country's best spots for canyon jetboating. Book a tour to take you and your companions down the Snake River as steeps cliffs and wildlife are revealed along the way. The trails that wind their way through the canyons are fairly easy, so this state park is very family-friendly to navigate through.
5 Cottonwood Canyon In Central Oregon Offers A Massive Canyon Set In The State's Highest Desert & Offers A Quiet Trail Experience
Oregon is a nature lover's paradise, with an abundance of forests, desert landscapes and beaches to explore, but Cottonwood Canyon is still a secret. In Central Oregon, the John Day River runs through a massive canton set in the state's high desert. Cottonwood Canyon looks like the complete opposite of what people think Oregon looks like, which makes it a great area to explore.
This area is slowly becoming more popular, but in the springtime, people can find this area less crowded. In the summertime, make sure to stay hydrated, as temperatures tend to swell past 90 degrees.
4 Grafton Notch In Maine Offers Backcountry Hikes Through The Appalachian Trail Or Viewing Areas Of Waterfalls
The upper east coast is an amazing area to explore. There's excellent seafood and lush forests to see, but for a more quiet excursion, check out Grafton Notch in Maine. For those of us that like a bit of a challenge, this state park is for you. Grafton features 12 backcountry miles of the Appalachian Trail and waterfalls that pop up in the landscape.
The highlight is Old Speck - a 4,180-foot peak that offers up sweeping views of the White Mountains and a break from hiking. If the family is along, a drive along the park's Scenic Byway has plenty to offer, too. Waterfalls and viewing areas are just impressive, just a bit less hiking to experience them.
3 Echo Lake In New Hampshire Is A Climber's Paradise, But Also Offers Easy Walkabout Trails
Although the east coast has plenty of forests to hike through, there's also an opportunity for climbers. Echo Lake in New Hampshire has two granite ledges for climbers to ascend: Cathedral and White Horse. Throughout time, natural routes in the rock have formed for every type of climber to try out, novice to advanced. Climbers can take on this challenge by themselves or with a guided tour to lead their trip.
For those of us without climbing experience, the lake is a great place to kick back at and the trails around it are easy and enjoyable.
2 Located In South Carolina, Oconee State Park Sits Near The Start Of The Palmetto Trail And Offers Trails For Everyone
South Carolina is known for its Southern hospitality and ocean views, but one destination that isn't so often visited is Oconee. This state park is near the beginning of the state's 425-mile Palmetto Trail that runs all the way to Charleston. Each trail within the park varies in ability level, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. There are surrounding lakes that are great for fishing an array of fish and other activities on land such as square-dancing over the Labor Day weekend.
1 Chicot State Park In Louisiana Is A Playground For Nature Lovers & Is A Great Spot For Fishing
The South has an abundance of history to see and local BBQ to indulge in, but states such as Louisiana have state parks for nature lovers as well. Chicot State Park houses 6,400 acres of hills and water, northwest of New Orleans. One of the highlights in the park is the Louisiana State Arboretum, the first state-supported arboretum in the country. Botanists and people that love nature will enjoy this area in the southern prairie land as well as some excellent fishing for dinner.