A selection of 12 US state parks are being promoted as alternatives to national parks, offering natural beauty and generally fewer crowds. Many of these parks provide free entry, though overnight stays such as camping or cabin rentals may incur a charge.
Among the featured parks is Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, which spans 2,356 acres and includes woodland, cliffs, waterfalls, and rock formations accessible via approximately 25 miles of hiking trails. Overnight camping pitches at Hocking Hills State Park Campground start from around $25 per night, with cabins available from about $100 per night.
Ricketts Glen State Park in northeastern Pennsylvania offers around 26 miles of hiking trails across 13,000 acres, featuring 22 waterfalls. Tent and trailer campsites at Ricketts Glen start from approximately $15 per night, and cabins from about $61.
Other parks highlighted include Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia, known for its signature cascade and around 20 miles of trails, with campsites from around $30 per night and cabins from around $150. Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Kentucky features a large natural sandstone arch, with campsites costing from $27. Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee, home to one of the tallest free-fall waterfalls in the eastern US, offers over 200 campsites starting around $30 per night. Mount Magazine State Park in Arkansas, located on the summit of the state's highest natural point, provides campsites from under $35 per night.