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There area lot of great State Parks out there flying under the radar of most people. What are 5 of the top State Parks and/or State Natural Areas in your state? What features, attractions, and/or activities make them noteworthy?
Moran State Park - 5,579 acres on Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan Islands. 2,400 ft. tall Mount Constitution, the highest point in the archipelago, is within the park. Lakes, old growth forest, panoramic views of the San Juan Islands, Vancouver Island, Canadian Coast Ranges, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Baker and the North Cascades.
Deception Pass State Park - 4,134 acres straddling Deception Pass, a scenic straight between Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island. Park includes miles of seashore and lake shore.
Cape Disappointment State Park - 1,882 acres at the headlands at the mouth of the Columbia River. Ocean beaches, two scenic lighthouses (1, 2) perched high above the shore. Watch the bar pilots navigate ships across the treacherous Columbia River Bar. A Coast Guard watch station is a adjacent to the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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In Massachusetts I'd say........
Myles Standish State Forest - in Plymouth, MA near the cranberry bogs, tons of freshwater sandy kettle ponds to swim in during the summer, pine forests, camping, beautiful place.
Walden Pond - Historical and storied, and fortunately for the most part in its natural state that Henry David Thoreau would still recognize today.
Halibut Point - at the rocky tip of Cape Ann in Rockport with expansive views into the Atlantic and up to southern Maine.
Mount Greylock - At 3,491 feet out in the Berkshires, it's the highest point in the state and a tranquil and beautiful place to be and particularly spectacular with fall color.
I have a 5th one in mind. It's on a beach, it's one of my favorite places in the world, the parking is limited and at the end of a dirt road. For fear of it getting more crowded, I can't tell you.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 04-29-2014 at 08:04 PM..
Pennsylvania has two Lake Erie state parks - Erie Bluffs and Presque Isle - and most of Pennsylvania's populace is not aware that Pennsylvania borders on a Great Lake.
- Illinois state beach park (beautiful views of Lake Michigan)
- Starved Rock state park (lovely bluffs, rivers, and waterfalls)
- Trail of tears state forest (basically an extension of the Shawnee national forest)
- Mississippi palisades state park park (edge of the driftless area and part of the great river road)
- Cache river state natural area (the cypress swamps!)
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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In Arizona I like......
Catalina State Park - Just outside Tucson with saguaro cacti covered hills on the edge of the Catalina mountain range, it's about as quintessential Arizona postcard scene as it gets.
Slide Rock- in Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona with nice forests, red rocks, and a nice creek for swimming in the summer. Unfortunately it's also popular and crowded, got to get there early!
Myles Standish State Forest - in Plymouth, MA near the cranberry bogs, tons of freshwater sandy kettle ponds to swim in during the summer, pine forests, camping, beautiful place.
Walden Pond - Historical and storied, and fortunately for the most part in its natural state that Henry David Thoreau would still recognize today.
Halibut Point - at the rocky tip of Cape Ann in Rockport with expansive views into the Atlantic and up to southern Maine.
Mount Greylock - At 3,491 feet out in the Berkshires, it's the highest point in the state and a tranquil and beautiful place to be and particularly spectacular with fall color.
I have a 5th one in mind. It's on a beach, it's one of my favorite places in the world, the parking is limited and at the end of a dirt road. For fear of it getting more crowded, I can't tell you.
For MA, I would add Mohawk Trail State Forest... genuine old growth woods and lots of tall pines... makes for a really beautiful and peaceful camping experience. Some very nice trails as well, particularly along the river.
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