Although the US government manages 424 national parks, each state also contains beautiful parks of its own for recreation and sightseeing. America’s State Parks, an organization dedicated to promoting visits to parklands, counts 2,474 state parks scattered across the country. That number includes only officially designated parks – not state forests, historic sites, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other public lands. (Here’s a list of the most visited state park in every state and U.S. territory.)
To compile a list of America’s 25 most beautiful state parks, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a report by Travel Lens, a digital travel publication. The site analyzed Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram popularity, and Google search data to create a list of dozens of state parks, then ranked them based on how many reviews of each one contained the words “beautiful,” “stunning,” and “breathtaking” as a percentage of all Yelp reviews. (In addition to beautiful state parks, here’s a guide to the most beautiful natural wonder in every state.)
Click here to see America’s 25 most beautiful state parks
According to the report, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon, Michigan, dazzled visitors the most. Set on 60,000 acres, the park boasts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest, 90 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and a campground – all near the Lake Superior shoreline. With ski slopes and a golf course as added attractions, Porcupine Mountains delivers year-round recreational opportunities.
If you’re planning your next vacation, then, consider skipping the national parks and stay closer to home. There’s probably a state park nearby that you shouldn’t miss. (You might also consider the most visited local parks in the U.S.)
25. Colt, Rhode Island
> Yelp reviews: 84
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 36
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 42.86
Source: sbonk / iStock via Getty Images
24. Assateague, Maryland
> Yelp reviews: 91
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 40
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 43.96
Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
23. Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
> Yelp reviews: 50
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 22
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 44.00
22. Chimney Rock, North Carolina
> Yelp reviews: 224
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 101
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 45.09
Source: jferrer / iStock via Getty Images
21. Niagara Falls, New York
> Yelp reviews: 380
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 175
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 46.05
Source: DC_Colombia / Getty Images
20. Custer, South Dakota
> Yelp reviews: 228
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 105
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 4605.00
Source: EJ_Rodriquez / iStock via Getty Images
19. Starved Rock, Illinois
> Yelp reviews: 337
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 159
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 47.17
Source: zrfphoto / iStock via Getty Images
18. Oswald West, Oregon
> Yelp reviews: 38
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 18
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 47.37
17. Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
> Yelp reviews: 186
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 91
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 48.92
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
16. Tallulah Gorge, Georgia
> Yelp reviews: 173
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 85
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 49.13
15. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
> Yelp reviews: 74
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 37
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 50.00
Source: Alisha Bube / iStock via Getty Images
14. Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin
> Yelp reviews: 202
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 103
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 50.99
Source: roman_slavik / iStock via Getty Images
13. Valley of Fire, Nevada
> Yelp reviews: 586
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 303
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 51.71
Source: tristanbnz / Getty Images
12. Blackwater Falls, West Virginia
> Yelp reviews: 71
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 37
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 52.11
11. Devil’s Den, Arkansas
> Yelp reviews: 40
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 21
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 52.50
Source: JZHunt / iStock via Getty Images
10. Baxter, Maine
> Yelp reviews: 22
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 12
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 54.55
9. Eldorado Canyon, Colorado
> Yelp reviews: 78
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 43
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.13
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8. Waiʻānapanapa, Hawaii
> Yelp reviews: 256
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 142
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.47
Source: Catuncia / iStock via Getty Images
7. Franconia Notch, New Hampshire
> Yelp reviews: 45
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 25
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.56
Source: Veni / E+ via Getty Images
6. Brown County, Indiana
> Yelp reviews: 86
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 49
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 56.98
Source: JeffGoulden / iStock via Getty Images
5. Deception Pass, Washington
> Yelp reviews: 195
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 119
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 61.03
Source: Kenneth Keifer / iStock / Getty Images Plus
4. Hocking Hills, Ohio
> Yelp reviews: 159
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 99
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 62.26
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Source: Joel Carillet / E+ via Getty Images
3. Grayson Highlands, Virginia
> Yelp reviews: 29
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 19
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 65.52
Source: BackyardProduction / iStock via Getty Images
2. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
> Yelp reviews: 21
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 16
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 76.19
Source: ehrlif / iStock via Getty Images
1. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Michigan
> Yelp reviews: 27
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 24
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 88.89
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